Fun read with great story, characters, setting and everything I look for in a great romantic read. Keeping it sweet Erica brings happiness home in the beautifully written story.

The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch is the second book in her Serendipity and Secrets series. A continuation of book one. You can read this as a stand-alone but some parts may not make much sense to you. Marcus Haverly unexpectedly becomes the new Duke of Haverly when his father and older brother are killed in a carriage accident. To keep the London society from looking too closely at his life and discovering his secret identity, he proposes to and marries the spinster, Lady Charlotte. Thinking that his problem is solved he continues his secret work for the Crown. Lady Charlotte now has the means to carry out her passion for helping the down-trodden women of the city. As with any story you have the characters that you love and the ones you hate. This book was no exception. I really enjoyed Marcus’ and Charlotte’s characters. The mothers not so much! The mystery was a carry-over from the previous book. Charlotte’s care of the unfortunate women was very touching. If only everybody could see each other as a child of God and lend a hand instead of judgement, criticism and condemnation.


I received this book from Read with Audra for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book even more than the first one in this series. What is not to like about a spy story?! The story was engaging, delightful, and full of mystery, danger and heroics. The characters were likable, entertaining and pulled me into the story. I enjoyed the mystery of finding out who was actually behind the attempt on the Prince Regent's life in the first book of the series. And I liked how the first and second books connected the characters with friends and family. The book does approach the subject of the vast problem with prostitution during the time along with society overlooking the indiscretions of upper society. And this issue has not gone away. We are now seeing more and more being made known about human trafficking in our day and age. I appreciated the author's treatment of this subject and the approach of the main character to have a heart to reach out to those in need!

***I received this complimentary copy of the book from Kregel Publications, and a part of the blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. I really enjoyed book 1 so I was eagerly anticipating what book two would be like and was definitely not disappointed.
From the first moment I met her off the pages, I loved Charlotte's spunk, her bookish character and her desire for better despite her circumstances and even when she was at risk of getting into trouble, I loved that still spoke her mind.
And then there's Marcus, right from the first book, I was intrigued by his character, definitely knowledgeable and so carefree, the circumstances that brought him and Charlotte together was definitely interesting and I loved who he was around her despite his reluctance. There was a lot of growing up and learning to trust each other with the mysteries and challenges that surrounded their marriage.
This was another enjoyable book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are mine

This is book 2 of the Serendipity & Secrets Series. This is a historical christian read that puts us in an era of times when women were treated different and family life was controlled by the father. We meet our characters Charolette and Marcus with different backgrounds and worlds. Charlotte is having a difficult time getting around her families issues that are being kept secret. Marcus is the spy that is wanting to find a wife and settle down. When tradgedy strikes and Marcus is called to be the Duke of Haverly he feels compelled to step up and save Charolette. Can he do it? Can both of them hold onto faith and values to have a relationship? Where will all the secrets and changes end up? I would recommend this to anyone that wants a romance, drama, supsensful and adenturous read, and of course anyone that has read book one will need to read book 2. This is a continuation from book one but can be read as a stand alone as some characters in book 1 show up in book 2 but you don't miss anything if you haven't read it. If you are a fan of a romance with historical background this is for you.

As with Erica Vetsch's previous book, The Gentleman Spy is a unique and engaging novel. Neither Marcus nor Charlotte fit the traditional stereotypes of swooning romance heroes and heroines. I love the fact that the author takes her characters .... and readers on new and unexpected paths. Both Marcus and Charlotte develop over the course of the book. There is also continuity with the Lost Lieutenant and a hint at what is to come in book three. A great series by an author to keep an eye on.
(That said, the book can be read as a stand alone, but, who would want to when the series is so well written!)

Let me tell you, once I started reading The Gentleman Spy, I didn't want to stop! In one way, I felt like I could relate well with Lady Charlotte, who felt like she was never "good enough," nor that she could ever please her father. But in the end, she proves just how strong she really is. I found this Regency historical to be captivating and enchanting, with a touch of intrigue.

I truly enjoyed this story, and Erica Vetsch has become one of my favorite authors of Regency/historical books.
This book has an intriguing storyline. I don’t think the publisher’s description adequately conveys the heart of this story, which is Charlotte’s search for true meaning and happiness in her life. The Duke of Haverly, Marcus, is really a very good guy, but a little blind as to how much Charlotte will impact his life for the better. There’s some very sweet scenes between the two of them, as well as a touch of suspense that involves Marcus and his duty as a spy for the Crown. There are characters to both love and despise in this story, and I was always interested to see what happened next for Charlotte.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

The Gentleman Spy is the second title in the Serendipity & Secrets series by Erica Vetsch. The narrative picks up shortly after the conclusion of events seen in The Lost Lieutenant, which I enjoyed and reviewed recently. The titular character of this subsequent volume, Marcus Haverly does have a moderate role in the previous work, and events from Lieutenant are referred to on multiple occasions. Similarly, characters such as the aforementioned Lieutenant Evan Eldridge, his wife and other returning characters make appearances in The Gentleman Spy. All this is to say that although this second title is somewhat stand-alone, readers will likely enjoy it more if they take the time to read The Lost Lieutenant first.

Although the title of the novel seems to indicate that the main focus will be on Marcus Haverly, in my opinion, a greater amount of time is actually spent with his bride, Charlotte Tiptree. Although her parents brought her up in a way that kept her highly sheltered, she has a strong desire for education and reading, becoming somewhat of a closeted bluestocking, as her parents frowned upon much of her intellectual pursuits. Charlotte’s desire for education is tied to her yearning for significance, which unexpectedly leads her into charitable work with women trapped in the sex trafficking industry. This shady world of secrets and crime has surprising ties to Marcus’ work as a secret agent, and their worlds collide as events transpire which threaten to dismantle his carefully compartmentalized life.

My feelings about The Gentleman Spy are a bit conflicted. I enjoyed Charlotte’s plotline, as I liked her character and appreciated her quest to liberate streetwalking women, as well as her drive to achieve true intimacy with a man who married her on a whim. At the same time, with the espionage-tinged title, I had hoped for a bit more “cloak and dagger” content from Marcus’ side of the story. I’m not sure how that would have been accomplished, but perhaps there could have been a flashback to his earlier days as a spy-in-training, or a bit more of an explanation as to how he developed his alter ego, the secretive “Hawk”. I think a more apt title for the novel would have been The Gentleman Spy’s Wife, but that’s a bit of a mouthful.

That caveat aside, this second title in the Serendipity & Secrets series was an enjoyable one, with intrigue, romance, interesting characters, and an explosive final act that was quite the page-turner. As a part of the Christian fiction genre, the content of The Gentleman Spy is quite modest, with no colorful language, and the romantic scenes are kept to a “sweet” level. The faith of the main characters does come into play several times throughout the story, but it is not mentioned on every page. There is a death of a character that is very dramatic, but it is warranted, given the circumstances. The prostitutes in the story also experience abuse, but the reader is given details of the after-effects, the physical and emotional wounds that the women must endure. As such, perhaps the appropriate audience for the novel would be mid-teenage on up.

The character development of Marcus reminds me of the booklet story My Heart, Christ's Home by Robert B Munger, wherein the subject of the tale exhibits a compartmentalization of his faith, allowing Christ into some corners of his "home", yet keeping him from others. Marcus has similar lessons to learn in The Gentleman Spy, as his relationship to God and his relationship with his spouse really can't be as "locked away" as he would like them to be.

Erica Vetsch has again brought to her readers a charming tale of Regency society, love, adventure and faith. With likable (and despicable) characters, well-researched historical writing and thoughtful plotting, The Gentleman Spy is a fine follow-up to its predecessor. I am pleased that a third volume, The Indebted Earl, is in the works for the near future. I look forward to re-entering the world of Serendipity & Secrets, and expect to enjoy the next title as I have the first two in the series.

Not far into this book I realized how wonderful it is. Erica Vetsch is a brilliant storyteller that combines history, romance, and mystery beautifully. "The Gentleman Spy" is an enjoyable read set in Regency England, with quite intriguing characters. This book has gained a permanent place on my shelf and I look forward to revisiting it again very soon.

He's stubborn..She's opinionated..the sparks fly!

Another charming, delightful, romantic, and deliciously suspenseful tale from Erica Vetsch! After enjoying the first book in the Serendipity & Secrets series I had high hopes and expectations for The Gentleman Spy, which, I am pleased to say it lived up to and exceeded them.

While it did take me a couple of chapters to get into the story, namely because the shabby treatment of the heroine from the people who should have loved her most made me so mad, but when the hero and his lady met for the first time...BAM! I was so intrigued by the story I couldn't put it down. I read it until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer. I read it first thing after waking up. I read while I was eating. And I read while the family was watching a movie. Needless to say, I finished in less than a day. That's about as fast as I can read a 300+ page book and still get a few things done.

I, of course, loved the suspenseful threads in The Gentleman Spy but I also enjoyed that fact that much of the book features the hero and heroine as a married couple. They both have misplaced expectations when they get married and they both come with a lot of emotional baggage. It was fun, and sometimes frustrating, watching them tentatively learn about each other, slowly adjust to their new normal, and ultimately fall in love.

I've probably said it before but I'll say it again, Erica Vetsch has most successfully jumped eras with her historical romance. I wouldn't hesitate to say that she is now one of my favorite Regency authors. You really can't go wrong reading her Serendipity & Secrets series!

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Charlotte is the kind of character that I find easy to relate to in fiction. She loves reading, wants to do what is right but also speaks up, even when it is unpopular, and is compassionate and sacrificial. I loved her newfound passion for helping unfortunate women and the way she developed confidence in herself and in her new role. Marcus has quite a bit on his plate being an unexpected duke, an undercover agent, and new groom. I wish we knew more about his emotions in the early stages of his relationship with Charlotte, but he was just too good at repressing and compartmentalizing. The intrigue of the mystery he is trying to solve comes and goes throughout the book and seems to slow the pace rather than increase it. I enjoyed the focus on Charlotte and the way she navigates the new relationships in her life- husband, difficult mother-in-law, genuine friends, secret half sister, and converted former madam. There is a faith element woven in that is not often emphasized in Regency fiction, and I appreciated the way it gave hope and inspiration to the characters. I hope there will continue to be more in this series!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Read with Audra and NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.

Prostitution is a reality for many people. It’s scandalous and not spoken of in most of society. But what would happen if a loved one was caught up in it due to circumstances they could not control? How personal do you suppose it would become then? And to what ends would you go to help this loved one, and others, escape from that dark and miserable life, to show them that they have more worth than the “fortune” and abuse they earn in that fashion?

The Gentleman Spy by Erica Vetsch answers those questions for one of its characters. The prostitution was never shown on-page, for which I was grateful, and it was clearly shown as a life not to be desired and for the sin it is. What the beautiful writing in this book did was showcase the leading character’s heart for rescuing the brokenhearted and lost souls who got caught up in a rough life. I can’t help but think that’s how Jesus sees all of us before we’re saved. That we’re caught up in our own sins, whatever they might be, and that He’s got a huge heart to rescue us all.

This book brought to mind Rahab from the book of Joshua in the Bible. She was a prostitute who was saved for her bravery in saving the spies when they were sought after by people who wanted to kill them. It’s clear she changed her lifestyle after that, because she joined the Israelites in their journey deeper into the Promised Land and later became a member of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. The redemption stories Jesus has in store for each of us are amazing, and I pray we freely step onto that path that will lead us to the best sort of healing in Him.

Marcus’ and Charlotte’s story is one of refining. It’s about learning to let God purify your heart and redeem your soul. It’s got such depth of heart that I can’t help but gasp to think about it. As tough as this story was to read at times—because it broke my heart in a dozen ways and opened my eyes further to the lost and aching souls around me—it was refreshing and uplifting at the same time. The journey down Redemption Road is unique to everyone, and it’s always encouraging to me to read fiction that leaves me with the impression that discovering the rich love of God goes fathoms deeper than any of us could ever comprehend. I’ve personally found that to be true, and it’s wonderful to see that others are on similar journeys of discovery.

There are many other things I adored about this story of courage and redemption. Here are a few.

The fact that Charlotte confronted habitual, generational sins with free-thinking, biblically-minded gumption was incredible to see unfold. It was encouraging to me that even when I find faults in myself, there is hope to overcome them and find strength of character because of them, not in spite of them.

While I did not like how toxic Charlotte’s parents and Marcus’ mother were in this story, I appreciated that the author represented their personalities with honesty and a confident hand. I have been around toxic people before, and she captured it perfectly. The attitudes, the reactions, the cruelty, the degradation of mind and spirit… as well as the overcoming of it in those who chose to break free. This sort of toxicity is often difficult for me to read because of my past experiences, yet somehow it wasn’t so hard this time. I think because Charlotte and Marcus both stood confidently on the truth of Jesus Christ from the outset and purposely broke free from the bondage of toxicity while still honoring their parents, it was made easier for me to tolerate these mixed-up characters who had difficulty functioning normally.

The author clearly has a large vocabulary. There were many, many words in this book I did not know. At first, I paused to look them up and, in so doing, expanded my own vocabulary. But as the story sucked me in deeper and deeper, I stopped pausing and tried my best to infer the meanings with context clues instead. There were a few that were still lost on me, but I take this as a challenge to look them up the next time I read this book, and to continue learning new-to-me words every chance I get. This plethora of unusual terms was a little new from this author, compared to the previous book in this series and the two or three other books of hers that I’ve read. (Or I’m just rusty from having read other authors’ books recently.)

The fact that Marcus was attracted to the inner beauty of his lady love before her outer beauty was truly revealed made my heart flip for joy. Too many times in fiction, the outer beauty is the first (and sometimes only) attraction point, and this almost always seems shallow to me because I know first-hand that people’s true selves lie much deeper within than the “glossy cover” of the surface presentation of themselves. I was grateful to be reading a strong story with great moral values and a desire, yearning for, and appreciation of inner beauty.

The content to make mention of was all thematic in nature, but it was also all handled with a master’s touch, never dwelling on the negative and always showing evil and sin for what they were (things in need of overcoming and repenting from) and that redemption was possible if one would only choose a new path. The one exception was a brief comment about a “friendly wager,” and this was not shown to be wrong.

Content: prostitution, marital affairs, pub, alcohol, gambling, tobacco

Recommended for: 18+ (unless really mature) for thematic elements

This is a fantastic series. I recommend reading these in order so you recognize the minor characters in the second story. I love all the characters and look forward to learning about more people in the next book in the series. It is always nice to imagine that some of the rich people in the world really are this nice. I received a copy of this book from the I Read with Audra blog tour for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

The Gentleman Spy is the second book in the Serendipity & Secrets trilogy by Erica Vetsch, where we met Marcus Haverly. Little did he, or we, know that the “spare” would become a Duke.

Duke Haverly doesn’t have time for, nor does he want, to get married, and it definitely doesn’t fit into his plans. His mother and his boss have other ideas.

One typically male attribute of Haverly’s adds humor to the plot and elicits many words of caution from friends. He compartmentalizes every area of his lifework, God, family, etc.

Lady Charlotte Tiptree is an outspoken, unsophisticated, underappreciated and underestimated young woman destined for spinsterhood.

Lady Charlotte’s biggest failing is not being able to control her ire when an injustice is done, a problem in a time when women were supposed to be “fluffy-headed blondes with no voice.”

Imagine the pandemonium when these two happen to cross paths.

I love that Marcus and Charlotte both love books. They both also have a servant’s heart, aptly illustrated by their thoughts, feelings and actions.

I would caution readers that there are some tough circumstances in this story and along with them there are scenes of extreme brutality. Also, many social and historical issues presented in the novel are just as relevant in today’s world.

The Gentleman Spy contains humor, mystery, intrigue and romance-a wonderful combination, tough situations, notwithstanding.

I received The Gentleman Spy from I Read with Audra Blog Tours and NetGalley. However, I was under no obligation to post a review.

#GentlemanSpy #IReadwithAudra #NetGalley

The Gentleman Spy is a fantastic Regency story that brings together elements of intrigue, romance, and secrets. The Regency era comes to life with Erica Vetsch’s voice, complete with a grasp of society and vivid word choice and custom that suits the era.

Amidst the tradition and courtship of the romance plot, the reader sees Marcus and Charlotte grow as a result of their changed circumstances and each other’s influence — though begrudgingly on Marcus’ part! I enjoyed his character’s transformation to comprehend how the elements of his life could not be contained in neat boxes. Their romance is up against many challenges and secrets, but the integrity, faith, and fortitude at the core of each of their personalities remains wonderfully steadfast.

The mystery plot adds action and interest to the story — and propels Charlotte and Marcus together in ways they could not have anticipated. Story threads from book one are continued and tidied with more secrets of Marcus’ spy work revealed. A secondary yet universal issue is brought to light featuring the need and calling to help those less fortunate. I love how this plot genuinely fits into the story and is an added way for Charlotte to assert her role.

One of my favorite aspects of this story is how BOOKISH Charlotte is, and how Marcus understands that part of her identity. When he could relegate her to feminine (and societal) limitations, he instead chooses to encourage and recognize her outspoken intelligence as the spark of his attraction and an asset to her character.

The Gentleman Spy reads as a standalone novel. However, readers of book 1, The Lost Lieutenant, will be happy with glimpses of Evan and Diana as parents (!!!) and as good friends to Marcus and Charlotte.

Thank you to the publisher for the review copy. This is my honest review.

After greatly enjoying the first book in this series, I was very excited to read the second installment. I loved the characters in this book! Charlotte has a kind heart and gumption that allows her to stand up for those less fortunate as she adapts to a strange situation. Marcus, too, is down-to-earth despite his lofty status and is easy to like. I enjoyed their interactions as their relationship grew throughout the story. There are also some loveable secondary characters! I also really liked the mystery aspect to this book and the surprising twists and turns in the plot. I love regency romance novels and this story delivered with descriptions of balls, gowns, and society. I do recommend reading this series in order, but the first one is also a great novel. I am eagerly awaiting the next novel! I highly recommend this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through Audra Jennings PR. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Something I really like about this series is that marriage isn't the end goal. We get to see our protagonists marry and then also get adjusted to married life. Especially in these historical romances, marriage is so different from the courting process, so I like getting to see beyond the wedding.

Both Charlotte and Marcus were likable characters and I did think they were distinguishable from the protagonists in book one--that's not always the case in these series that feature different main characters. I really liked Marcus from the first book and I thought this book did justice to the character I'd been forming in my head.

I thought overall, the plot was quite good even if the "mystery" wasn't very mysterious. I liked how some of the secondary characters played larger roles than I'd been expecting. There were some minor parts that felt a bit rushed or sudden, but it was easy to look past that. I would definitely recommend this one for anyone who enjoyed the first book who likes proper romances.

Overall Rating: 4
Language: None
Violence: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Mild
Sexual Content: Mild

Note: I received a copy of this book free from the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.

THE GENTLEMAN SPY is a story of the roughness of life mixed with humor, family, faith, and love with a touch of suspense. The characters are endearing and fun, making them the best part of this story and easy to fall in love with. Recommended to Christian historical romance readers and fans of the series.

Marcus, the hero of this book, was one of my favorite characters from the first book in this series so I was very excited to jump into his story. Let me just say that Marcus did not disappoint. He is a dashing, intelligent, brave, skilled, and swoon-worthy hero. I loved his love for his sister (even though we only get a glimpse of her—her story is next in the series), his respect and patience with his mother, his loyalty, and his humor. He also likes his life orderly, with everything in their places. Becoming the duke and then running into Charlotte messes up what he thinks his life should look like.

Charlotte is a book lover's heroine. She's a bluestocking and adores books, even the smell and feel of them. She has issues biting her tongue when others have misconceptions or make comments about her interests or intelligence because of her gender. She is not always wise, but she does learn over time to be a little more so. She has not been able to trust the men in her life and so opening her heart and trusting Marcus is a struggle for her.

Marcus and Charlotte together are a joy! I loved their banter, the teasing, the attraction, but also the serious moments when they are getting glimpses of each other and who they each are underneath the parts they play. I loved the whole situation with them and how things spontaneously happen. There is some really good dialogue here, with some lines that I really loved. I also felt like the author lets things get a bit uncomfortable as they try to figure out their relationship and I appreciated that she didn't make things too easy.

I seriously loved the first two-thirds to three-fourths of this book and was ready to give it all the stars, but then I got towards the end... I just have issues when books start to feel forced and it felt that way towards the end with this one. It just didn't come across as realistic (and yes, I know this is fiction) with some of the situations, the drama, and the plotting. Then at the end the romance was almost sickly sweet, which was too much for me. The very end was delightful and then we get a glimpse of the third book in the series (which I will be reading). Some readers may not have these issues, but it was a bit disappointing to me since I thought it was going so well up to then. Regardless, I still love these characters and am ready for more.

In the end, was it what I wished for? I enjoyed reading this story that tugs on the heart, with delightful characters, a sweet romance, and a bit of suspense.

Content: Some innuendo, references to affairs and prostitution, abuse and violence, and a few references to the marriage bed.
Source: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Audra Jennings PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

It's been said that the second book in a series has more to live up to than the first. The Gentleman Spy not only lives up to The Lost Lieutenant it surpasses it! I couldn't stop reading this one.

I adored Charlotte and her bookworm spunkiness. Marcus is a swoon-worthy gentleman for sure and Aunt Dolly was just a kick!

The entire cast of characters were perfect and added to the book's overall enjoyment and readability.

Erica Vetsch creates characters that readers will care about and cheer for. Connecting with characters makes readers want to read and Ms. Vetsch has done just that.

I highly recommend this series. I recommend you read them in order. I'm anxious for the next book in the series!

I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.