I find the times around the French Revolution very fascinating. I haven’t read a lot of books, romance and otherwise, that even touch upon it. If I do happen to read a book in that time frame, references are given but nothing is really talked about. So, when I read the blurb for A Counterfeit Heart, my attention and interest were immediately caught. I was also really happy to see that it was book 3 in the Secret and Spies series. Having read A Raven’s Heart, I was curious if Richard would get his story and who his love interest would be. I wasn’t disappointed.

The plotline of A Counterfeit Spy was surprisingly action packed. Mostly, when I read a historical romance, it follows a set plotline and this one deviates from that. Which made it very enjoyable for me to read. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love a historical romance that is standard…meaning that the heroine is sweet but weak, the hero is strong and tortured and there is a dastardly villain that is easily defeated thrown in. With this book, though, those stereotypes are rewritten. The heroine is most definitely not weak and thinking about it, she really wasn’t sweet either…lol. The hero is strong but I wouldn’t say that he was tortured. He held guilt over several incidents in the past but, for the most part, they didn’t carry over into the present day. The villain was not easily defeated either. He was actually carried over from the 2nd book and I believe he started in the first one (didn’t read it).

Sabine, I liked. For that time, she was an anomaly, a woman who didn’t need a man to survive. She only went to Richard because she needed the money to escape to America and build a new life for herself. She was also very sassy and wasn’t afraid to put Richard in his place. She also was very secretive but she needed to be. She had some pretty powerful people who were after her alter ego, Philippe Lacorte. I thought it was pretty refreshing to read about a heroine who was a criminal and who was honest about it. I mean, she did approach Richard about working for him and had no shame about admitting about her criminal past.

I couldn’t get that into Richard in the beginning of the book. I think it was because he came across as so harsh in the beginning of the book when Sabine appeared on his doorstep. But he did grow on me as the book went on. I think the reason I didn’t really like him was that he was so intense, so focused on getting that group arrested but he wasn’t afraid to use Sabine to make that happen. But he did grow on me during the book. I could tell that he had growing feelings for Sabine and that his actions were being influenced by them.

The romance between Richard and Sabine was a slow burn. I mean, you know that it was going to happen but I love how the author chose to stretch it out. Feelings were conveyed with a look and a touch. Everything was built up so that when they finally kissed (and had sex), my pages just about combusted. And it didn’t stop with that one scene. Every scene after that was the same way and I was pretty impressed by that. It is very rare that an author can have sex scenes that are as good as the first one.

The end of the book kept me on my toes. So much went on in such a short amount of time that I did have a small issue following everything. There were a couple of plot twists. One I saw coming and one took me by surprise. But still, even with the twists, I was very happy with the ending.

How many stars will I give A Counterfeit Heart: 4

Why: A wonderfully written historical romance that had a great plotline and relatable characters.

Will I reread: Yes

Will I recommend to family and friends: Yes

Age range: Adult

Why: Violence and sex

**I chose to leave this review after reading an advance reader copy**

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, has been taking risk to safeguard England from the horrors of the French Revolution. He’s been chasing the famous counterfeiter who has destabilized the continent and turned scoundrels into rich men. Sabine de la Tour aka Philippe Lacorte is the greatest counterfeiter in Europe if arrested is facing the guillotine. She shows up in England to strike a deal with the very spy she’s spent her career outrunning. Richard is quite dumfounded to learn the counterfeiter he’s been chasing is a beautiful woman and more than a little aroused and intrigued by her. He quickly proposes his own deal to safeguard England. Richard and Sabine play a dangerous game of cat and mouse as the plot and counterplot intertwine with blackmail and coercion. As Richard and Sabine become ever more involved with each other their passions flame the flames even as they struggle to trust one another. A wonderful captivating story with two strong independent characters!!!
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers' copy of this book from Net Galley and the publisher.

I counted K.C. Bateman as one of my “discoveries” of 2016 after I read her terrific début novel, To Steal a Heart, an action-packed, sexy, adventure story set in Napoleonic France. The book boasted many of the ingredients l love in historical romance – a central couple forced into proximity by circumstance, lots of sexually-charged and very funny banter, an intriguing plot, chemistry off the charts and a charming, deliciously dangerous hero. Ms. Bateman followed that with A Raven’s Heart and delivered another fabulous adventure story, this time featuring a couple who have loved each other for years, but have never owned up to it for fear of rejection. In A Counterfeit Heart, the third book in the author’s Secrets and Spies series, the action takes place almost entirely in England and the story draws on some of the real life plots made by Napoléon to destabilise the English economy by flooding the country with millions of pounds worth of forged banknotes.

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, has appeared as a secondary character in the previous books, and we have learned that, like his brother Nicolas (To Steal a Heart) and his closest friend, William Ravenswood (A Raven’s Heart) he works for the British government. Even though Napoléon has been defeated, he still has many sympathisers who would like spark a revolution in England, and for the past few months, Richard has been tracking a group of anti-monarchists in London who are part of the old network of spies placed in England by the French. Richard has been trying to locate the elusive forger, Philippe Lacorte, with a view to engaging him to forge letters from Napoléon to his English sympathisers in order to lure them out, but Lacorte remains stubbornly hard to pin down and all Richard’s efforts to find him have so far been unsuccessful. Imagine his shock, therefore, when a young woman, a lovely, elfin creature, arrives at his London home late one night, introduces herself as Sabine de la Tour – and promptly announces that she is Philippe Lacorte.

For years, Sabine’s friend and partner, Anton Carnaud, acted as go-between for her and the man who had overseen Napoléon’s counterfeiting operation, General Jean Malet. With Napoléon now imprisoned on St. Helena, Malet is the only man at large who knows about the fake fortune Bonaparte had amassed – and he wants it for himself. Sabine’s home has been ransacked and Anton, as Malet’s only link to Lacorte, is in danger. Sabine decides to flee to England; the English have been trying to engage Lacorte’s services for months, and with the money she can earn working for them, she will be able to afford to buy passage to America for Anton and to make a new life for herself wherever she wants to go.

Stunned by Sabine’s announcement though he is, Richard is no fool and is naturally suspicious of her claim. Being young, handsome, wealthy and in possession of a title, he is used to women throwing themselves at him and at first suspects that some sort of entrapment scheme is afoot, but when Sabine writes a note in a perfect copy of his own hand in front of his very nose, he can’t deny that she’s who she says she is and demands to know what she wants in exchange for her services as a forger.

Even though desperation has led her to Richard Hampden’s door, Sabine is not naïve enough to believe that he will meekly agree to her ten-thousand pound price. She is well aware that she is facing a wily, clever man, and calmly explains that she is still in possession of the half a million pounds in forged notes with which Napoléon had planned to flood Britain, and that if Richard does not agree to her terms, then she will put the counterfeit notes into circulation.

What ensues is a sexy game of cat-and-mouse between two equally sharp-witted, devious opponents whose intense attraction to each other burns up the pages. Sabine is brave and smart, matching wits with Richard every step of the way and holding her own against him in their battle of wills, while he, having believed her at first to be a blackmailing baggage, is surprised to find himself utterly captivated by her sneaky, conniving brain every bit as much as he lusts after her body. The chemistry between the couple is scorching, and Ms. Bateman once again proves herself a master of the art of sexually-charged banter and saucy double-entendre. Both protagonists are strongly drawn and well-rounded, and I enjoyed the way Sabine is gradually disabused of her belief that Richard is little more than an arrogant, self-entitled aristocrat, discovering that he is also incredibly resourceful, useful in a fight and not above getting his hands dirty – literally and metaphorically – when the need arises. As the story progresses, the real Richard emerges as a deeply loyal and honourable man who is dedicated to rooting out evil and protecting his countrymen and who will stop at nothing to protect his country and those close to him.

The other main relationship in the book is the one between Richard and his brother-in-law, Raven, which is characterised by sharp insight and brotherly mockery as Raven watches his friend finally succumb to the thrall of the one woman stubborn and infuriating enough to capture his heart. It’s nicely written with just the right amount of teasing on Raven’s part and sardonic denials on Richard’s, and there’s no question that these two will always have each other’s backs.

If I have a criticism, it’s that in the early stages of the story, the relationship between Sabine and Richard relies rather too heavily on insta-lust; the pair of them are pretty much panting for each other from the off, which felt rather overdone. But that’s really the only thing that didn’t work for me; the romance is otherwise well developed, with Richard and Sabine gradually coming to recognise and value the person behind the prickly forger and the haughty aristocrat as they get under each other’s skin and allow themselves to be emotionally vulnerable in a way they have done with no-one else.

A Counterfeit Heart is a treat of a read for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted romantic adventure featuring a plucky heroine and a dangerously sexy hero who match wits and fall in love while foiling dastardly plots and rooting out the bad guys. I have enjoyed each book in the Secrets and Spies series and am looking forward to reading more by this talented author in the near future.

Grade: 4.5 stars/B+

Sabine de la Tour hid behind a male alias and was the premier forger in France. She had helped Napoleon destabilize the continent with her forged bank notes, but with Napoleon out of power, she and her associate have to leave to maintain her safety. This involves putting herself under the watchful eye of Richard Hampden, Viscount Lowell, the English spy she had outrun for years. They strike a bargain, and he keeps a close eye on her, installing her in his mother's home next door to his. But she wasn't the only one that left France with forged documents, and she isn't the only one aware of the rumors that she still has a considerable fortune in forged bank notes.

This is another novel in the Secrets and Spies series released by Loveswept, so characters from prior novels make cameo appearances in this one. Like the others in this series, our heroine is witty and very aware of her strengths and weaknesses. Sabine isn't interested in staying quiet, not when she could possibly do something to save herself and her associate. Richard is drawn to her, of course, and the emotional dance throughout the book is an amusing one to read about.

The end doesn't feel rushed and fits the characters very well.

Loved this book! The H/h were both clever and funny. Their thoughts when they weren't verbally sparring were even pertinent to the story. So many romance books explain everything and in abundant detail. The extra information in the story was cleverly added to either conversations or thoughts. This was so refreshing.
They were a cute and funny couple both individually as well as together. And to come from totally different beliefs and views.... I was entertained by the story rather than anxious to get to something else in the story.

Sabine de La Tour's secret life as infamous French forger Philippe Lacorte threatens to bring her face to face with a guillotine making her only recourse a deal with the English spy who has pursued her for years. Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell finds himself making a pact with the devil or more precisely the beautiful mastermind that has been eluding him for years in order to prevent political upheaval in England. When feelings other then suspicion take hold of Sabine and Richard can their hearts detect true love?

A Counterfeit Heart was about discovery both professionally and personally as politics was countered against desire. What continues to distinguish the Secrets and Spies series is K.C. Bateman's inclusion of women in possession of extraordinary talents that not only fit the storyline but actually seem feasible in the period they are being depicted in. Sabine de la Tour's ability as a master forger was a clever and intriguing character talent that captured not only the interest of the hero but is sure to draw in readers as well. Watching Richard Hampden's spy persona battle with his actual person's yearning balanced on a fine line of tension that was skillfully carried out by this author even as she evoked similar battles in her heroine. Ms. Bateman displayed her characters unique expertise casually without eclipsing this work while simultaneously demonstrating her own expertise at creating multi-faceted portrayals. The dilemma of Richard and Sabine's unwanted attraction to each other played out nicely and when acted on was memorably steamy. As this series expands so does K.C. Bateman's reach bringing to her audience great stories full of interesting twist and passionate embraces.

Intrigue, suspense and romance -- I loved this book! The banter in this book was fantastic, the characters well developed and the romance steamy! I can't wait to read more by this author!

Spies,thieves an forgers made this book a very interesting read.Full of romance and intrigue this fast paced book had my attention from stat to finish.Very good book if you like time period pieces.

When I saw that Ms. Bateman had a new book out in her Secrets and Spies series, I was anxious to get my hands on it – but wary as well. I loved the first book in the series, To Steal A Heart, but I was much less fond of the second, A Raven’s Heart. Fortunately, when I picked up A Counterfeit Heart late one evening, I couldn’t put it down. A handsome, wealthy, titled spy falls hard for the audacious French counterfeiter who has eluded him for years. The premise and the principals grab your attention early and never let go.

For the past eight years, Phillipe Lacorte has been the premier counterfeiter working in France. Though the Napoleonic Wars are over and Napoléon is imprisoned, Lacorte – actually, Sabine de la Tour – fears for her life if she remains in France. A local official wants the stash of counterfeit money he knows she’s hidden away, and when A Counterfeit Heart opens, she and her business partner are burning the forged banknotes before departing for England. They have a plan to escape, but for it to succeed, she needs help from the British spy who’s been tracking her for years. He’s come close, and only her nom de guerre – and his belief that she is a he, has enabled her to avoid him. On his last visit to France, Sabine caught a glimpse of her nemesis before quickly hiding herself away, but it was enough to permanently etch his handsome face in her memory. She knows it will be a challenge to suppress her attraction to him, but she needs his help for her plan to succeed.

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, has hunted the mysterious Phillipe Lacorte for years. Determined to keep England safe from revolution, he’s willing to do almost anything to safeguard his country from insurgents seeking to destabilize it. Titled, wealthy, single – and content to remain that way – Richard is about to head out for the evening when a beautiful young woman arrives at his home and coolly informs him she is the forger he’s been seeking for so long. Doubtful, Richard challenges her to prove her identity, and after she does, explains that he wants her to forge some letters in Napoléon’s hand that he can use to root out the group of English anti-monarchists that he has been tracking for the past few months. Sabine names her price – ten thousand pounds – and then explains that if he doesn’t acquiesce, she will flood Britain with half a million pounds of counterfeit currency.

When Richard agrees – with conditions – Sabine is relieved. Lord Hampden is just as distractingly good looking as she remembered, and now that he’s agreed to her plan, she just wants to wrap up their meeting. Only after Richard orders his servants to prepare a room does Sabine grasp just where she will spend the next four weeks as Richard makes it clear he will be watching and keeping her close the entire time. Frustrated and angry about being tricked, Sabine is also worried. If she’s this frazzled by their first meeting, what will it be like to live with him? When Richard casually reveals one last condition – that Sabine pose as his intended in public (to fend off those pesky husband hunters), she knows she’s in trouble.

If ‘secretly having the hots for someone and being forced to live in close proximity to them’ was an actual trope, it would be my favorite. Everyone in romancelandia knows what living together means: the tension ratchets up, the lust reaches a boiling point and eventually someone or something has to give. God, when it’s well done, it’s the best. Good news friends, it’s well done in A Counterfeit Heart. Ms. Bateman alternates the point of view between Sabine and Richard, and though hers is filled with doubts and uncertainties about her future – in addition to her increasingly naughty thoughts about Richard and his beautiful, hot body – his is just deliciously dirty. Everything about Sabine appeals to him – her bravery, intelligence, beauty and strength, but she’s also a mystery he longs to solve. Who is her mysterious partner? Is he a lover? Where are the counterfeit bills? Is she only using him? These worries plague Richard as he tries (and fails) to quell his emotional and physical attraction to her. Oh Richard, just kiss her already.

For fans of historical romantic spy novels, Sabine is a familiar character. Intelligent, feisty (of course!), fiercely independent, loyal, outwardly brave despite a tender, vulnerable heart… she’s a fairly stereotypical heroine. I’m okay with that, and I tend to like these women quite a bit. I’m less enthusiastic about the requirement that they also are unaware of their amazing bodies and stunning good looks… but, okay. Maybe? Richard is also familiar, but each time I read about a handsome, charismatic, arrogant and intelligent peer/spy – well, I fall hard. He’s all of these things and more. Alternately smug, amused and fiercely protective of Sabine, he’s delicious and delightful. I do love watching a hero come undone by the woman he loves, and Richard falls hard for his pint-sized blackmailer. His relationship with his sister, Heloise, is also awkwardly adorable and appealing. I loved this exchange, wherein Richard interrupts Heloise and Sabine gossiping and giggling at the modiste’s:

“I think it was a very bad decision to introduce the two of you.“ Hampden gave Sabine a hard stare. “Isn’t there somewhere else you need to be, Heloise? I’m sure Raven’s anxiously awaiting your return.

Heloise looked from him to Sabine and sighed. “If you want to get rid of me, just say it, Richard.”

“I want to get rid of you.”

She threw her arms up in the air. “Fine. I’m going. But don’t you dare be mean to Sabine, or you’ll have me to deal with.”

“I’m quaking in my boots,” drawled Richard.

As Sabine and Richard dance around their feelings, the circumstances that brought them together continue to evolve. Ms. Bateman capably balances her various story elements, and though I found the ending a bit silly (and the epilogue unnecessary), I enjoyed it.

A Counterfeit Heart redeems the Secrets and Spies series, and I found myself enjoying it even more the second time around. I’ll be anxiously awaiting Kit’s story next.

It is hard to believe this is only the third book released by this author....she is that good! K. C. Bateman develops such wonderful characters and creates such a fun, beautiful romance that entwines itself with events that had really happened in history that you feel like you are living in that moment.

In this story, the heroine, Sabine de la Tour is leading a double life in France. To most people, she works in a print shop, but her best friend, Anton Carnaud, also knows that she is the mysterious Phillipe Lacorte, the notorious French counterfeiter. As one of the best counterfeiters in the world, Sabine can forge passports, official documents and even produce currency. Problem is, is that Sabine tends to be too honest and doesn't want to help the really bad people....which is why her and Anton are on the run trying to get to England so Anton can escape to America. Sabine needs to get some authentic money quickly to help Anton escape and has come up with a plan to do it....she just needs to expose herself to Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, the spy who has been trying to catch her alter ego.

The first meeting between Sabine and Richard was priceless. There is nothing better than a female who is both smart and sassy especially when standing up to an arrogant male like Richard. Such great laugh out loud parts to the story! Of course it doesn't hurt when the chemistry between Sabine and Richard is off the charts! They both know that they cannot trust the other, but that can't stop their growing lust! When Richard finally accepts that Sabine is Phillipe Lacorte and agrees to do business with her in exchange for the money she needs, Sabine thinks she has the upper hand. Too bad Richard throws a wrench in her plans by forcing her to stay with him in his house.

I just adored these two. It was obvious these two would end up together and when they did, it was explosive. I really enjoyed the plan of Richard's that Sabine had to help with. It was fun watching them have to work together to get to the same end result. And their final happy ending was just perfect for them! Overall, this was a fantastic story, with such wonderful characters and I just couldn't put it down.

'A Counterfeit Heart' by K. C. Bateman is book Three in the "Secrets and Spies" series. This is the story of Sabine de la Tour and Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell.
Sabine has been pretending to be "Philippe Lacorte" a famous forger. No one but a friend knows who she really is. With things chancing with Napoleon and her country she has decided to go to the enemy...Hampden.
Hampden has been trying to catch Philippe Lacorte forever but now he has been looking for him so that they could work together now. Hampden is surprised when Sabine comes to his door at night to talk to him. At first Hampden thought she was coming to ask to be his new mistress. But Sabine ask question about what he plans to do if Philippe Lacorte comes to him. Hampden makes it clear that he would like to work with him and use his services as a forger for England. Sabine has been wanting to no longer be a criminal and go legit with her work...and this is that chance.
Sabine proves to him that she is "Lacorte" and that she will work with him if he agrees to her demands. Which he does..but comes back with some demands of his own.
This is one of those books you cannot put down!
I have been in Love with Ms. Bateman's writing from the first book I read of hers. So I was so happy to see this book and it is a great book for this series. I just hope to see more of her work soon.
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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A Counterfeit Heart by K.C. Bateman was an unconventional historical romance. That plus the characters caught my attention. Philippe Lacorte is really Sabine de la Tour. She is a famous forger working for the French to hamper the English during the time of Napoleon. However, with his imprisonment, she realized that she needed to leave Paris. Sabine has a plan. She knows someone has been looking for her, so she will find him and blackmail if necessary for the monies, she and her friend Anton need to escape. Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovel works for the government and is trying to find a murderer. He decides to use Sabine to help him, but she challenges him on a deeper level and suddenly he needs to figure out all her secrets.

Female counterfeiters are rare, never mind one bold enough to blackmail someone blackmailing her! Both are stubborn, complex, independent characters sure to spark off each other. I liked the different plot and the flow of the storyline. A Counterfeit Heart by K.C. Bateman is a good read.

I received a free copy from NetGalley; this is my honest review.
Like the two previous books, this is "regency" in buildings and clothing only. The author likes to drop names from that period but the language is all contemporary as are the social intricacies.
It's a great story and I loved the surprise at the end. The characters develop along the pages and the author is good at describing furniture and decorations, as well as clothing, in minute details.

Publisher's Description:

A feisty counterfeiter and a cocky British agent clash in this sultry Secrets and Spies novel by K. C. Bateman, whose witty, intelligent, and sexy historical romances have become her signature.

As Sabine de la Tour tosses piles of forged banknotes onto a bonfire in a Paris park, she bids a reluctant farewell to her double life as a notorious criminal. Over the course of Napoleon’s reign, her counterfeits destabilized the continent and turned scoundrels into rich men, but now she and her business partner must escape France—or face the guillotine. Her only hope of surviving in England is to strike a deal with the very spy she’s spent her career outrunning. Now after meeting the arrogant operative in the flesh, Sabine longs to throw herself upon his mercy—and into his arms.

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, is prepared to take any risk to safeguard England from the horrors of the French Revolution. To lure the insurgents out from the shadows, he’s even willing to make a pact with his archenemy: Philippe Lacorte, the greatest counterfeiter in Europe. But when a cheeky, gamine-faced beauty proves herself to be Lacorte, Richard is shocked—and more than a little aroused. Unlike the debutantes who so often hurl themselves at him, this cunning minx offers a unique and irresistible challenge. Richard will help her. But in return, he wants something that even Sabine cannot fake.

My Thoughts:

This novel has too many chapters for my liking. Several could have been combined into one. Short and many chapters do not make it better.
The storyline is interesting and I did like the concept but there were times that I became bored.
I did like the sensual nature and the fact that the main two characters did not immediately fall for each other. They were enemies after all.

Sabine de la Tour is known to her enemies only as Philippe Lacorte, the greatest counterfeiter in Europe. So when she decides to give up the game and flee France, she burns most of the evidence of her crimes.

Richard Hampden, Viscount Lovell, is willing to make a pact with his archenemy in order to draw said enemies out of the shadows. He is shocked to learn that instead of a man, Lacorte is a beautiful young woman to which he is immediately attracted.
Will this make a difference in his plans?

I gave this book 3.5 of 5 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 4.5 of 5 flames.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley to read. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I loved this story. I really liked A Raven's Heart, but I think I like this story better. Sabine, by necessity, has become a criminal, a forger. She had to survive in war torn Paris somehow. Now, she is going to go straight and to do that, she turns herself over to the one man who has been chasing her for months. Richard is so shocked to find the man he has been chasing is really a woman. A beautiful woman at that. They strike a bargain and Sabine agrees to help Richard catch a group of people who are trying to overthrow the English government. Along the way they are confronted with some old enemies and they find love.

Philippe Lacorte is a master forger and accomplished counterfeiter. But perhaps his greatest deception is that he is actually a French spinster, Sabine de la Tour. While plying her illicit skills as Philippe, Sabine has remained one step ahead of the authorities. Except now she finds herself in serious peril, in need of protection from a ruthless client, a murderous anti-monarchist named Carlo Visconti. Her only defense is to strike a deal with an unlikely business partner, exchanging her services for her freedom.
Richard Hampden, Viscount Lord Lovell, is an agent for the crown. He has been trying to capture Visconti, and has even considered collaborating with Lacorte to lure him out, except the illusive forger is impossible to find. When Sabine shows up at Richard’s doorstep claiming to be Lacorte, Richard is understandably skeptical. It takes a bit of convincing before Richard believes her and agrees to Sabine’s bold proposition to aid in flushing out Visconti. And to explain their close working relationship, Sabine agrees to act as Hampden’s fiancé-to-be. What could possibly go wrong?
Once again, Bateman flexes her storytelling muscle in this smartly plotted, brisk-paced tale of romance and intrigue. The clever banter and colorful characters add loads of personality. Sabine’s informative demonstrations and interesting factoids about her craft both enlighten and entertain. What a fun, engaging and oddly educational read!

This is an honest review in return for this ARC. What a good read. There is intrigue, passion, history and so well written. KC Bateman certainly knows how to weave a great story while bringing in details which must come from the Bargain Hunt show where she sometimes shows up. Definitely worth reading.

Philippe Lacorte is a very talented forger who has been working in France supporting the Emperor. Now that the war is over, Philippe is ready to leave France with best friend Anton. Of course there is no Philippe, but there is the true forger Sabine de la Tour. The plan is that Anton will sail to America after stopping in England and earning some money from their British pursuer, Richard Hampden Viscount Lovel. Sabine believes that she has some information which should earn enough money to pay for Anton's passage and the ability to start a new life. Sabine wants to start a new life, back in France. The best of plans can become something completely different.
There are several problems with the plan. Richard has been seeking the forger for a very long time and he does not intend to forget the idea of punishment. There are a group of Englishmen who want to create havoc and possibly overthrow the royal family and Richard believes he can use the forged banknotes Sabine claims to have. There is a despicable Frenchman who wants to find the fake British pounds which Philippe has printed and he will go to any lengths to find that money. And finally, there is a French assassin who has recently arrived in London, and his goal may be to kill a member of the royal family.
This is a romance, but it is also a mysterious adventure.
Richard does not trust Sabine in any way. He believes that she is incapable of telling him the truth. Sabine does not trust Richard. She believes he will lie or do anything within his power to control her and use her abilities to his advantage. They are both correct.
Sabine is an intelligent woman who was forced into doing whatever is necessary in order to survive. She is a talented artist and she has used her art in order to live after everything in her life has been taken away. Her conversations with Richard are very entertaining. She believes in loyalty and friendship. In her own way, she has honor.
Richard is a man whose history has made him believe in very little except himself and a few close friends. His family has been affected by the war, and he intensely feels his losses. He is a man of honor but he is willing to bend any rule to get what he wants. He is a bright conversationalist who keeps Sabine on her toes.
The romance is intense. Sabine and Richard are physically attracted to one another. She intends to remain distant and never commit her heart. He intends to conquer in order to have some fun and then move on as is his habit.
Since this takes place at a time when Napoleon was a prisoner whose supporters are planning his escape, the atmosphere in London is filled with danger and treachery. Peace is not very peaceful and there is unrest among the English citizens.
Ms Bateman is a very talented writer. She has created a world of romance, humor and mystery. Her plot moves at a good pace and holds the reader's interest. Her characters are people who are very human as well as complete and completely interesting.
Although this is part of a series, it works as a stand alone and is easy to understand.
I received this book from the publisher through Netgalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are my own.

I absolutely adored this story. Two enemies come together because of a common goal and the chemistry between them is sizzling. There are so many reasons that Sabine and Richard shouldn't be together but they are inexplicably drawn to each other despite trying so hard to keep things professional. Sabine is a strong, independent woman who knows what she wants and goes after it. She's always outwardly courageous even when she's terrified on the inside. Richard is a man's man and a bit rough around the edges but he's incredibly loyal and knows how to treat a woman.

The chemistry between Sabine and Richard is off the charts from the very first time they meet. Things between them get more and more tense until it finally reaches a fever pitch. Their relationship is raw and steamy. And it was a nice change of pace for the hero to be the one to give into his feelings and not be scared by them. Sabine on the other hand can't understand why anyone would want her and I love how Richard shows her that she's the one for him. This story was so complex and engaging. It was hilarious at times and perfectly sensual at others. It has mystery and intrigue that will keep you turning the pages. Overall, a highly satisfying and delightful romantic mystery!

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review. This is the story of a French counterfeiter and an English Agent working together to capture a group of men who are trying to reek havoc on England's economy. They also encounter and capture one of the most lethal assassins of that time. Along the way they fall in love even though nothing comes easy for them. Richard, a confirmed bachelor, and Sabine, a French counterfeiter, have a tumultuous arrangement that involves a lot of denying the feelings they have for each other. I would recommend this book as it is full of excitement, intrigue and danger.