I remember a time when I used to enjoy this author's books. However, my taste in fiction has changed over the years and I still have not figured out what is my kind of fiction now.

Unfortunately, this was one of those books that I could not get into.

Can't go wing with a Mary Jo Putney book. And Once a Spy is no different. A great story set during the Nepoleanic wars and his escape from Elba.
Characters weary of war, life and circumstances beyond their control end up bonding over those very things.

I enjoyed reading this second-chance-at-love romance. It's heartfelt, joyful, sad and everything you would expect from two people who've been down the love road before. I would recommend this book to people who enjoy a less dramatic love story.

A sweet friends to lovers story - well written, paced nicely with a slow burn romance. Simon and Suzanne are likeable and relatable. You can't help but root for their HEA.

Queen of romamce! Beautifully described time period with a pretty romantic storyline and a mix of mystery makes this book one of the best I read in couple of years. Mary No Putney never dissapoints!!

This is an historical romance that I really disliked for the most part and found lacking.
At one point I recall enjoying some of Putney's work, but this was flat, problematic and uninteresting. The plot surrounds to characters who have gone through difficult times - Simon Duval as a soldier and spy and Suzanne a French aristocrat who in the midst of war was kidnapped and brought to a harem where she was sexually abused. Suzanne eventually escaped (a story chronicled in an earlier volume of the series apparently) but is left traumatized by the experience. When her cousin by marriage, Simon, asks her to marry him she agrees because he expects for it to be a marriage of friendship rather than passion. Passion does of course develop. Putney portrays Simon as understanding every emotional impulse that Suzanne undergoes. He is supportive and kind and helps Suzanne process her trauma. While this is a romantic fantasy of a male response to what Suzanne has gone though, it is so understanding and kind that the character is just flat and uninteresting. Suzanne isn't much better either. Her trauma is her most defining characteristic, but it is easily and quickly overcome. Meanwhile we are supposed to care about the varying set ups happening around them for an eventual final battle with Napolean. And the Duvals are obviously central to this, but it felt unbelievable and contrived through out.

Mary Jo Putney is always fabulous and Once a Spy is a terrific, fun read.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Mary Jo Putney never disappoints, and this new entry in the Rogues Redeemed series is no exception. Set in England, France, and Belgium in the time preceding and including Waterloo, Simon and Suzanne turn what starts as a convenient marriage into a true one filled with political intrigue, danger, and love. This can be read as a stand alone although characters from the previous entries play a part in the story.

Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron, is back in England after spending several years as a harem slave in Turkey. Her husband's nephew, Simon, offers her a marriage of convenience. He wants a companion after his years in the wars, and she needs financial support.

It’s a marriage of convenience plot, so we all know what is going to happen. But the challenge is watching it happen with a damaged heroine. She was married at fifteen to a selfish older man, only to watch him desert her as she is captured and taken as a sex slave in Turkey. The harem master (surprise, surprise) was not the nicest of men. As a result, she’s left with a lot of hangups. She’s pretty sure she never wants to be intimate with a man again (and who can blame her?).

Simon understands. He’s pretty sure he’s lost all desire for women. Unfortunately, marriage to Suzanne soon proves him wrong. It was good to watch the growing intimacy between the couple, although it has moved a bit faster than I suspect it would have in real life. Not that I know, never having been a slave in a Turkish harem (and this novel did raise questions as to how anyone can think a harem plot is romantic).

Once a Spy is set against the backdrop of the Napoleonic wars. As the story opens, Napoleon is imprisoned and elbow, but that doesn’t last. Simon and Suzanne are called into service as spies, which gets them travelling across Europe, a metaphor for their changing relationship.

There was a little too much focus on battle for my taste, some of the writing was bland at best, and the emotion wasn't as strong as in some of her earlier novels. Nonetheless, Once a Spy is a solid Regency romance and I’m sure fans will enjoy it.

Thanks to Zebra Books and NetGalley for providing a free e-book for review.

Ms. Putney has released one book a year of the Rogues Redeemed series and each book is better than the last! She gifts us with a quick review of the previous books by bringing the characters together for a social event to share their stories. This book is great as a stand-alone but reading the previous books may make it a more enjoyable read.

Once a Spy has a unique beginning for a marriage of convenience. The groom hadn’t planned to propose, and the bride hadn’t planned to accept. It just felt right. Simon is such a gentleman. He is very careful and understanding in the way he treats Suzanne. She had been married to his cousin before being taken captive and placed in a harem. Suzanne was a slave, a non-person until her escape. It is not the usual baggage in a romance, but it works. Suzanne was important to previous characters and books due to her place in the harem.

I loved the way Suzanne and Simon’s relationship slowly developed, with a vow of honesty. Both were surprised by what was transpiring between them. Simon does not push Suzanne at all and insists she not try to please him because it is what she thinks he wants. He wants the real Suzanne, not the ‘slave’ she was while in captivity. I love her reaction when she sees that he may be interested in more than a marriage of convenience.

The historical aspect involving Napoleon’s return, the loss of family money and lands in France, the call back to military service – all added to the intrigue and possibilities for Suzanne and Simon. Both Simon and Suzanne seem to be givers, not just with each other, but with the other characters in the book. You begin to see how much alike they are in so many aspects of their lives. They are very generous with their love, time and gifts as each is healing and encouraging the other to heal. I loved this book!

I always love Mary Jo Putney, and have been really looking forward to this story, I even preordered it. When I received and ARC, I was really happy, and I did really like it.

Suzanne Duval, the former Comtesse de Chabron, is finally free from captivity as a harem slave, and working as a seamstress in poverty in London, Simon Duval, cousin to her husband, was a dear friend when she was married at 15. They had a strong connection, and loved spending time with each other.

Simon has been an intelligence officer, and as he resigns his commission after Napoleon’s abdication, he hears that Suzanne is in straitened circumstances, and decides to offer her some support.

Both bruised by life, Simon offers Suzanne a marriage of companionship, but as they spend time together, and are able to share their history the damage from their scars is slowly healed. They set off in a search for Simons long lost foster brother, and soon they are able to be truly together. Once Wellington asks Simon to help prevent another war, can he and Suzanne survive and get their HEA.

I loved the connection between these two, and how beautifully their relationship developed. I found it a bit mystifying why Simon proposes so quickly, and that was a little odd, but I did really love the story.

Recommended

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Also posted on Goodreads.

Simon Duval resigns his commission after years of reconnaissance work as a British intelligence officer. He returns to England where he discovers his cousin’s widow, Suzanne Duval, the Comtesse de Chambron living in reduced circumstances and poverty. Suzanne has been emotionally abused by her late husband and then in a Turkish harem where she was sexually abused. She finally escaped after years of enslavement and has been living in poverty. Upon on meeting again Simon immediately proposes marriage to save her from poverty and they agree on a marriage based on friendship. As they both feels they are beyond love, but as the two grow closer and a bond forms between them and love does grow. A story of two wounded souls in much need of love and loyalty, both have the courage to trust again and find they love they both deserve. I loved this story and I voluntarily wrote a review.

A lovely story as usual from the author, another great couple and the power of love through a few suspense twists and turns that add perfectly to the story.
Unfortunately something was missing for me to give a full 5 stars as I usually give to the author as she’s one of my all time favourite.

This is Suzanne and Simon Duval’s story, Book 4 in the Rogues Redeemed series, a standalone, no cheating, happily ever after, historical romance with some heat.
The romance between Suzanne and Simon felt contrived, mechanical, with no chemistry. The plot was slow and plodding until we arrived at Waterloo, then there was some action and interest.
Even though this is not one of my favorite Mary Jo Putney novels, it was well written and I will still continue reading her books.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest opinion.

Suzanne has been working as a seamstress since her husband was killed and she was rescued from a harem. This is a long way from how she lived as the Comtesse de Chambron. When her late husband's cousin tracks her down, she is happy to see a familiar face. But when he proposes marriage, she has to weigh her options. After the treatment she received in the harem, she never wants to be under the control of a man again. But she knows if she remarries, her living situation would be much better.

Simon has resigned his commission after Napoleon's abdication. When he returns to London, he learns that his late cousin's widow is trying to make her way alone. They had enjoyed each other's company when they were younger, so he proposes that they marry. He soon learns of Suzanne's ordeals and they agree to a marriage with no intimacy.

But they both soon learn that they are people that like physical contact and Simon hopes that Suzanne will change her mind about being intimate. But Simon's touch brings back memories that Suzanne wants to leave in the past. Can this couple that is starting to fall in love make their marriage one in truth?

I really enjoyed Suzanne and Simon's story. Not only do we get their love story, but we get the mystery of trying to find Simon's cousin and Napoleon's second act and Simon being pulled back into service. I really enjoyed watching these two together and how Simon helped Suzanne to be able to get beyond her past and forge a new one with him.

Without any spoilers, there is someone in this story that I'm hoping will get their own HEA in a future book!!! Hopefully Putney has it on her to do list!

This book broke my heart for all the wrong reasons. Once a Spy is a beautiful, sweet, story about two weary and damaged people who marry for friendship and companionship and find their way back to healing and love. It is perhaps the kindest, most honest and most tender relationship I've ever read. There is some wonderful exploration of public honour versus integrity, and the need to forgive oneself for surviving terrible things. I loved both Simon and Suzanne, and I enjoyed the adventure plot. There's even a kitten.

And it is all predicated on a backstory in which the heroine was a harem slave.

This is not OK. However good the author's intentions, the harem trope is full of colonialist and Islamophobic overtones, and it's going to be really hurtful to some readers. And it's so unnecessary – the harem is really only there as back story, the source of Suzanne's trauma. There must be dozens of less problematic backstories that would have had the same effect without the baggage.

I'll be honest – I find it hard to be full of righteous anger, because I completely failed to notice the issue myself until it was pointed out to me, and then I was mortified. But this is what editors are for, surely. What baffles me most is that Putney acknowledges in the author notes of the previous book in this series that harem stories were a staple of Western writing for many years and that they do not provide anything resembling a realistic portrait of the Muslim world at that time. And yet... here we are.

It's such a shame, because without that back story, this is the kind of book I would read and reread. But it's like biting into a perfect, juicy apricot and finding a worm. You don't want to take another bite.

This was a terrific entry in the Rogues Redeemed series. Simon is a war-weary colonel of intelligence who resigned his commission once Napoleon was exiled to Elba. He returns to England hoping to find peace in his new life and discovers that his cousin's widow, Suzanne, is alive after all. He tracks her down to check on her and finds her in reduced circumstances. Suzanne came to England after being rescued from a harem (Once a Scoundrel) and tries to make ends meet by sewing. Her life isn't easy, but she's free.

Simon and Suzanne met when she was fifteen and he was seventeen, just before she married his much older cousin. The only people there close in age; they became good friends in the weeks before the wedding. When they met again, they discovered that their connection was just as strong. Though Simon believes that his ability to feel has been destroyed, and Suzanne's experiences make the thought of love impossible, Simon proposes a marriage of friendship instead. After thinking about it, and receiving some unexpected motivation, Suzanne accepts.

I really liked both Simon and Suzanne. The first part of the book covers the beginning of their marriage and getting to know each other again. Both enter the marriage expecting only friendship and companionship. Simon is sensitive to Suzanne's fears and is gentle and understanding when he is with her. Suzanne feels safe around Simon, his declared disinterest in physical intimacy putting her at ease. My heart broke for Suzanne when she had her nightmare, and I loved Simon's efforts to comfort her. Imagine both their shock when morning revealed the unexpected revival of Simon's ability to feel! Poor Suzanne felt terribly betrayed. I loved Simon's acceptance of her feelings and determination to be as patient as necessary to woo Suzanne. Luckily, Suzanne's trust in Simon helps her face her fears. The slow reawakening of her desire is believable and moving. I loved how the love and intimacy between Simon and Suzanne grew over a credible amount of time, enabling both to overcome the fears and obstacles of their pasts. I loved seeing them both open their hearts fully at the end.

But this story is about more than just the romance of two wounded and lonely people. As a former intelligence officer, Simon still has contacts in the community. Because he is half-French and half-English, and Suzanne is French, they agree to test the temperature of the French émigré community regarding the possibility of Napoleon's escape. That was an interesting evening, as Suzanne's previous experience with these people hadn't been a pleasant one. I loved seeing her get back a little of her pride as the evening progressed, capped off with a marvelous example of righteous anger.

The action moves to Belgium when Simon receives word that his favorite cousin, Lucas, who was believed dead, may have been spotted in Brussels. The sense of impending danger is palpable as they search for Lucas. With Napoleon's escape, Wellington himself asks Simon to lend his talents to the war effort, and Suzanne insists on being part of it. The very real danger that they experience is vividly described, keeping me glued to the pages. Each of them makes significant contributions, though I feel like Suzanne's may have won the prize for unexpectedness. The descriptions of the Battle of Waterloo were such that I could almost smell the cannon smoke and mud as I read.

Underneath it all was the theme of family. Both Simon and Suzanne were lonely, and initially their marriage was about having someone special who could alleviate that loneliness. Also on Simon's side was his grief over the loss of his cousin, and then the revival of hope that he was still alive. I ached for Lucas when they found him and the pain that he was in because of his past. I had to laugh a little at the lecture he received from Suzanne regarding "wallowing" and how she gave him another way of looking at things. Suzanne believed herself to be without any family at all until a visit to her husband's estate revealed otherwise. There were some tense moments, but in the end family ties won the day. In both cases, "family is family" was the most important thing to remember.

I also liked the cameo appearances of characters from earlier books. After Suzanne's unpleasant reception from the émigré community, her trepidation over meeting the Rogue's wives was understandable. It was fun to see these ladies together and their easy acceptance of Suzanne. Lord Kirkland, of course, had additional motivations.

I look forward to the next book and seeing who it will be. The last of the cellar Rogues, who briefly appeared in the previous book? Or will it be Lucas, who feels a need for redemption of his own? It can't come soon enough!

Once a Spy by Mary Jo Putney is book 4 in the Rogues Redeemed Sereis. This is the story of Simon Duval and Suzanne Duval. I have read the previous books but feel you can make this a standalone book. Simon is returning home to England after being away as British intelligence officer. When he sees Suzanne again his cousin’s widow who he met at their wedding. Suzanne is the Comtesse de Chabron but she just has the title not any money which makes her a seamstress.
Simon and Suzanne go forward to help each other in a marriage of convince but of course this leads to more.

This is book 4 in Rogues Redeemed Series. This is a great series. The only connecting threads between the books is the Rogues who were all held captives as Spys together. Each book is a stand alone, each about a different rogue.
This story is about Simon. He was a Colonel in the British army. He has now sold out and is starting his civilian life when he hears abour the wife of his cousin still being alive and possibly living in poverty.
Suzanne Duvall was a Comtasse. She was captured by Corsairs when she and her husband were traveling to Italy. She was then sold into a harem. After being rescued several years later, she is back in England. She is poverty stricken and considered a whore because of her life in the harem.
When she and Simon meet again, the friendship they had as young ones, is brought back to them. Simon sees how hard her life has been. He immediately offers marriage to help ease her life, one of convenience. She accepts.
Their adventures in their life together start here.
What I liked about this book is the tenderness Simon shows Suzanne. He realizes she was used and abused in the harem and he is patient with her.
Suzanne is a strong heroine. She doesn't stand by but is there right by Simon's side in whatever capacity he needs her.
A very touching romance with a lot of historical information.

An enduring story of survival at it's basic level, one through war and one through abuse and violence. Mary Jo Putney has written a story of trying to come back to life and live again with companionship that has no choice but to turn into more once these two wounded souls come together.
Simon Duval, is resigning his commission and seeks out his cousin's widow, Suzanne Duval. To me Simon was mainly all that was good. Honorable, a well respected leader and he had a kind heart. But he he had also suffered from the war and had seen so much death including a woman he loved. He just wanted to get on with life.
Suzanne had suffered years of cruelty and poverty but had been trying to maintain as a seamstress in London. She had met Simon years ago when she had married his much older cousin. They had become acquainted and formed a friendship.
Both felt they would never feel desire or love, so Simon asks her to marry him in a moment that even suprises himself but feels they can have companionship and nothing else.
Sigh. This is a special story of love building when there seemed there was never any hope and the journey they took. Adventure, intrigue and a love that can hopefully blossom and endure! I highly recoemmend!