To say that I loved this book is an understatement. I thought this book was so fun. It touched on real issues that teenagers face before going to college. It featured a healthy parental relationship which doesn't happen a lot in these sorts of books. I loved the office environment and how the interns figured out the way through the internship. Overall, this was a cute story and one that makes me want to read everything by this author.

I like YA if it’s well written and not too immature. I couldn’t get past the first chapter though. It was definitely meant for a younger audience. I couldn’t slog through the writing style.

I was meant to be taking part in the blog tour for Spies, Lies, and Allies last year, but I couldn't read more than two pages without falling asleep so I ended up abandoning it halfway through. Nothing happens in the first half of the book because it's intensely focused on introducing all of the interns competing for Emergent's scholarship prize. Although Lisa Brown Roberts does a good job of characterisation, making all of them stand out without relying too heavily on stereotypes or tropes, there was nothing propelling the story. The pace was painfully slow, and nothing about it encouraged me to continue with this book.

However, I decided to finish it off this week because I wanted to get it off of my 'currently reading' list, and I ended up being pleasantly surprised with the second half. The chapter after I abandoned the book introduces a more interesting subplot, as one of Emergent's employees starts tweeting company information and using it to tear down Laurel's father. The culprit was instantly obvious, but seeing Laurel and the interns team up to take them down was very fun, and I actually ended up staying up for half of the night reading a huge chunk of Spies, Lies, and Allies in one sitting. Oh, how the tables had turned!

The romance between Laurel and Carlos is cute, and I loved the interactions between Laurel and her best friend, Lexi, but it still wasn't enough to redeem the book wholly. I decided to give it three stars in the end because I didn't have strong feelings about it either way: I would have rated the first half of the book a one star without hesitation, but the ending is cute and light enough that it boosted it a fair bit.

The only other one of Lisa Brown Roberts' books that I've read so far is How (Not) To Fall in Love, which I would recommend more than this one, but if you like Star Wars and The Apprentice then you're bound to be charmed by Spies, Lies, and Allies.

Competition books are usually my jam, but this one is a little too predictable. It was a little simplistic and it just didn't really hold my interest.

** APOLOGIES TO THE AUTHOR/PUBLISHER FOR NOT SUBMITTING FEEDBACK SOONER! **
* Review WAS posted to my blog June 6, 2018 *

Omigosh! This was such a fun book!

A word of warning: This book is chalk full (CORRECT PHRASE?) of nerdy Star Wars references and IT. IS. AWESOME!

All Laurel wants is to be close to her dad again. He’s a workaholic, so she thinks, what a better way to spend time with him than as a summer intern at his company? If nothing else they’ll have an hour long ride in the car to bond and maybe a chance to spend lunch together. After begging and begging, her dad finally gives in. But there’s a condition. Laurel will be an assistant to the interns, and she will be spying on them. Because all of the interns are competing for a crazy awesome scholarship.

But as the daughter of the boss, Laurel feels like a fraud. She doesnt fit in with the other interns. And as soon as the rules are laid out, she wonders how she will survive the summer. The worst rule of all, no fraternizing with the interns or they will lose their chance at the scholarship. Enter NAME. He’s cute and Laurel begins to fall for him, after disliking him for a while.

I love that this was not an instalove story. The romance was backseat to the plot, but still a big part. It’s a story of love, father/daughter relationships, and just growing up. Really the best part was all the Star Wars mentions though. So funny.

This is definitely a teen romance I recommend for all YA contemporary fans.

I received this arc from Netgalley for an honest review. I am a major sucker for all things contemporary teen fiction, however, I just did not get into this book. Maybe I'm too old for the genre or maybe it's just not a great time for reading for me, but I didn't care about the characters and struggled to read the book.

I really enjoyed this book, especially the focus on the relationship between the main character and her father.
Full reviewed linked below.

So this was cute at times. It had a Breakfast Club vibe (as was obviously intended). There was a bit of everything, and a LOT of pop nerd culture references, even a visit to Denver Comic Con.

It was an entertaining read, and I was invested in figuring out which intern would get the scholarship money. The scene where they all make confessions fanned those flames more, which was a good thing.

I wasn't a big fan of Laurel, though. She grew over the course of the book, but was still so very immature for someone who was 17. There were so many instances that she frustrated me by not just miscommunicating, but being literally silent when just a word (even via text or email) would have made a world of difference. She dialed the romance factor down significantly, as a result, which was disappointing. She and Carlos were so often angry at one another, and not in a sexy way!

There were also some random comments on race or gender that seemed to come out from left field and served no purpose... And Laurel's dad was so quick to anger (like Carlos or Laurel, I suppose), biting Laurel's head off over things like her wanting to go to lunch with him. It was a bit sad, really.

So, that all is to say that this was an enjoyable read, but not without some things that brought it down a bit, in my opinion. It is worth a read, but my expectations may have been a bit high (I've enjoyed this author's other books quite a bit!).

Spies, Lies and Allies is a charming witty read. It's for the inner geek. Laurel is a huge Star Wars fan and uses references in everyday life. I like Star Wars but I'm not a die-hard fan and at times the references got a little much. Laurel is a character that grows on you. She's fun and a complete dork. She's totally lovable in the end.

Sassy writing style and some eye-rolling jokes.

If you’ve read my “2018 books I want to read because I enjoyed the authors’ previous books“, or are following me on twitter, then you know that I was HIGHLY anticipating this book.

MY FAVORITE CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE AUTHOR IS RELEASING A NEW BOOK.

Cover Reveal: Spies, Lies, and Allies by @LBrownRoberts @EntangledTeen @YABookShelf https://t.co/SraeTWzik4 pic.twitter.com/EF5qMrNgCh

— Ayah/ آية (@DystopianCitzn) March 5, 2018

I was never a huge fan of Contemporary Romance, but Lisa’s storylines and writing style changed everything. Let me start the review.

Ugh, where do I even start? I didn’t realize how much I missed Lisa’s writing until I started this book.

Spies, Lies, and Allies is a Contemporary Romance that focuses on Platonic Love such as friendships and familial relationships! It is everything I have ever wanted to see in a story. The Father-Daughter dynamic is amazing, which is something that YA books lack.

The characters reminded me of those in The Breakfast Club, and without them, the story wouldn’t be the same. Their characteristics were very realistic and not phony. Everyone had their own flaws, and life wasn’t rose-colored.

What makes this book so Contemporary, is how the author effortlessly interwinds issues and changes that are ongoing right now. Nothing was forced; it was perfect. Also, the nostalgic chats that they had were phenomenal. A story where characters talk about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Shark Boy & Lava Girl, GIMME THAT!

I came up with something silly a while ago, and I still stand by it! Like all of Lisa’s books, this one, starring Laurel and Carlos, definitely has the Swiggle (Swoon + Giggle) factor!

This book means a lot to the author, and I was able to see that throughout the story. I am so proud of her for writing and finishing it!

I thought this was a solid YA choice. Has some suspense, some girl power, a little romance, and some life lessons. Of course requires a little suspension of disbelief, but it works.

Laurel lost the attention of her father when his company became successful. Now working with her dad over the summer she helps him with the interns. Each intern hopes to win the coveted prize of a full scholarship. There she meets Carlos and she works to help those who are harming her father’s company on social media. Great story and achieving your dreams when you are given the chance to prove yourself.

SPIES, LIES, AND ALLIES is more than a teenage contemporary romance. It's also a novel about a father and daughter relationship, which is a first among all the YA romances I've read. I like how Laurel wants to develop her relationship with her father, to the point that she even went to his company for a summer job, and the way they bonded over Star Wars.

There was also Laurel's relationship with the interns in her dad's company, and I like seeing Laurel's growth in her relationship with them, especially with Jason and Trish. The author handled each intern's family situation with the compassion they deserved.

Laurel's romance with Carlos was spine-tingling and sweet (because Carlos was sooo sweet to her). However, Laurel tried to avoid and put him off for the longest time, due to her father's rule about no fraternization, else Carlos might not have a chance to win the scholarship. I thought that part of it went on too long.

This was overall a great story and one I highly enjoy and recommend! In fact, I'm going to glom this author's backlist while I wait for the next one.

I think this may be one of my favorite Swoon Reads titles, because I don't think I've seen myself in a character like I did in Laurel.

REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD READ THIS ADORABLY NERDY ROMANCE:

1. Laurel is a Stars Wars fan, so expect SO MANY references that not even being fan or not having watched the movies made me more connected to her.
2. Laurel is needing to spend time with her d'ssad but he's kind of boss of a million dollar company.
3. She decides she wants to intern there to spend more time, but realized she's going to be the deciding votes of the summer internship.
4. The Breakfast Club references (The ending scene 😄😄😄)
5. Laurel is also a photographer
6. Internship is more like Survivor like
7. Basement confessions
8. Twitter attacks
9. Corny jokes (really bad, you just want to congratulate for effort 😂)
10. Family relationships
11. Scooby Doo and the Gang
12. Rule #8 No Fraternizing
13. Hello, have you seen Carlos? (Repeat and refer to #12)
14. Comic-Con
15. Friends turn into allies & band together to take down someone is messing with her dad's compqny
16. "Don't you forget about me!"
17. IF YOU HAVE READ TO #17, I HOPE YOU 'RE OWN YOUR WAY TO AMAZON & BUYING THIS BOOK!

7 stars- Laurel finds herself in the middle of a competition where big money is at stake and things aren't as easy as she thought. When she realizes she is involved in judging a contest to determine the next winning intern she has no idea just what trouble she will find herself in. This isn't the only problem she faces though. Who is Carlos? Who is trying to besmirch her families name? and just how far are they willing to go? This was a fantastic book. I am thankful I was able to read and write about it.

This book was so cute. It was a great story and a great group of characters to meet. I loved seeing the whole dynamic. I loved it so much. I would consider this to be mystery light because it wasnt scary or anything but it definitely kept me on my feet.

I received a free review copy of Spies, Lies, and Allies from Entangled Teen through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are 100% honest and 100% my own. I was also lucky enough to be on a Blog Tour for this, and you can check out my post here! I was really psyched to get a chance to read and review it.
I really enjoyed this cute little book. It gave me the feels. It was pretty adorable. It was contemporary goodness.
I really enjoyed the Dad Love. I thought it was nice that Laurel wanted to spend more time with her dad, that she loved her dad. So many YA books I read have teenage characters that have to be grown. They have parents who aren't in the picture, or maybe they're mean. It was just nice to see a loving family situation portrayed. It made me grateful that I have my Dad around. And the author acknowledgements just brought that Dad Love all the more importance and weight. I like that Laurel loved her family.
The Carlos situation was adorable. The cute little romance gave me all the feels. It was precious. Carlos is definitely book boyfriend material. I liked the awkwardness between them, the chemistry, the conflict, it was a lot of fun to read.
I also liked how Laurel was a nerd. There were a ton of Star Wars references, a little Harry Potter. She liked reading, cosplaying, and going to Comic Con. As a nerd myself, she was relatable. She was also extremely relatable in her awkwardness. I do want to know what book she was reading throughout the story. Is it real? It sure sounded like something I would love to read.
This book was just adorable. I enjoyed it a lot. It was fun to read. I'm glad I got the chance to check it out. I'd love to read something else by Lisa Brown Roberts because she can tell a cute story. Would I recommend it? Yes! If you're looking for a light, fun romance story, then pick up Spies, Lies, and Allies, it's cute!
BOOKCITEMENT LEVEL 4/5
Adorable! I feel the feels.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Erica – ☆☆☆☆☆
Laurel wants to spend time with her workaholic father, the geeky dad who used to spend a ton of time with her. She's willing to do anything, even be the assistant/spy to the new set of interns.

In this young adult novel, not only is the connection between a daughter and father explored, but also that between friends. How perception is reality and first impressions aren't accurate descriptions of the real person deep inside.

From outward appearances, Laurel looks to be a spoiled, rich daddy's girl who has the world at her fingertips and not a care in the world. While the other interns duke it out in a survivor-like competition to win a full scholarship, they resent the girl who is there to help them, seeing her as she appears to be.

Each intern has their own set of challenges and strife, which makes Laurel feel as if her need to spend time with her father is indulgent and not important. Settling for a few minutes to and from work in the car is worth working a 9-to-5 for Laurel.

Laurel doesn't come off as whiny or spoiled or entitled, so I got her position. When surrounded by people who all have deeper issues than you, what you're going through is trivialized, like it's not important. It is important. Life isn't a competition to see who has it worse, to the point you don't need help/attention/love because your lot in life isn't as bad as someone else's. Everyone is equally important.

Laurel was surrounded by people who put out into the world, "let's talk about me, because your issues aren't as important as mine," which feels narcissistic and dismissive, not true friend-like behavior, when she was already putting everyone else first.

Amongst the angst, Laurel's longtime crush is one of the interns, when he doesn't even remember her name after an entire school career together, along with another employee's daughter, who has never given her the time of day. The other three interns are strangers, and more willing to get to know Laurel.

The bond that forms between them was sweet, while their real-life issues will be sure to resonate with every reader. The crush of budding first love, while getting to know one another as friends first was sweet, broody, and angsty deliciousness.

The 'mystery' of the novel was predictable, and I wished another character was chosen as the villain of the story, but it created a fast-paced, addictive page-turner of a read.

I definitely recommend Spies, Lies, and Allies to young adults and those young at heart, looking for a fun, light, yet equally emotionally deep novel. Lisa Brown Roberts has become my go-to young adult fix.

Young Adult age-range: 12+, includes kissing and cussing.

*I received a free copy of this ebook though NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

This book was okay. I expected it to focus more on the attempted sabotage, but the twas barely a blip in a story dominated by the internship projects and Laurel's internal struggle over Carlos. The book title is rather deceptive--there wasn't really any spying and the lies were minimal. I suppose the "allies" portion fits, though what it really should be is "friends."

Characters were fine, though nothing particularly special. It was obvious the author was trying to play off of The Breakfast Club (the characters even compared their situation to the movie, which I thought was funny since they're all too young to probably really even know what it is). I did appreciate that the characters turned out to be more than what Laurel originally thought of them (jock, suit, blonde Barbie, troublemaker, and goth girl). The saboteur was really predictable, to the point that I didn't really care. That character was pretty one dimensional.

Occasionally, the author would throw something serious in and then just kind of walk away from it. There are mentions of domestic abuse for one character and a boyfriend who doesn't understand "no" for another. But apparently neither of those things is a big deal? So that was annoying, perhaps somewhat troubling.

Aside from that, there were elements that just didn't seem very realistic. For example, Laurel's father owns a company that is running a summer internship with the opportunity for one intern to win $100k scholarship and the others to get $5k each. First of all, that's a huge scholarship from what doesn't seem like that big of a company. Second, Laurel's dad tells her that she is tasked with observing the interns and awarding two votes in the decision of who wins. For real? In what world would a CEO give that responsibility to his teenage daughter? Yeah, I can't think of one, either.

Note: Some swearing. Some super light treatment of heavy topics.

A fun sweet romance with friendship, and family at it's core. SPIES, LIES and ALLIES is a Breakfast Club meets The Apprentice during the summer time. Set at Laurel's dad's highly respectful office, this book is full of enjoyable characters all of whom I enjoyed getting to know.

Laurel is a fun, upbeat character who just wants to spend more time with her hardworking father. Hence her working at her father's office, and helping him over see the summer intern scholarship competition. Laurel sees the good in others, and I liked how that helped her build the team work for the team. I enjoyed getting to know each of the interns, and seeing how their friendships evolved over the course of the story.

One of the things I liked about this book is the positive female friendships in this book. Not to mention the close family dynamics, and other friendships. It's nice to read a book with characters who help each other, instead of tearing each other down. The friendships in this book, and the growth with the characters all felt genuine and realistic. With the office setting, it was nice seeing the various relationships including that of older characters who offer help, and advice.

The romance in this book is great. It's that slow burning chemistry that doesn't cross the lines aka doesn't break the rules of the no dating rule in the office. It makes it all that much more enjoyable when Laurel and Carlos are finally allowed to cross that line. Through out much of the the story they keep it light, and fun, yet desperately want to it to be something more. It makes their stolen moments together all that much more enjoyable. I admired Carlos for sticking to the rules, and respecting Laurel, and her father. Though he does know how to leave Laurel wanting more.

I enjoyed the geeky references in book. Especially when it came to Star Wars. While I loved all the various references, prior to reading half way through the book it felt like overkill. There are way too many references, and one liners through out this book, that it ended up taking away from the story. If it had half as many references I would have liked this story more than I did.

The plot was a very slow build up for the first half of the book. Which was okay, as it was introduces the characters, and allows readers to see their dynamics, and some of their histories together. The story doesn't pick up until the second half of the book, but once it does, it makes for a fun, enjoyable read that was hard to put down. Overall this was a fun contemporary. It has an upbeat writing style, characters I enjoyed getting to know, friendships, light romance, and a little bit of office drama, all of which make a good summer time read.