I really enjoyed this book! It's a really good mix of romance and mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed reading and can't wait for more of!

I absolutely loved both Zach and Emily and thought their banter was really funny and engaging. I think the alternating POVs really added to the story. I really like historicals where the main characters are not members of the nobility so this really worked for me, with Zach being a detective and Emily being a governess. I really liked their relationship, and though I don't always love when a character is keeping secrets from the other, I think this makes a lot of sense in the context of this book and Emily's past.

I was totally surprised by the reveal of the villain, though to be honest I rarely guess that sort of thing.

I alternated between reading the book and listening to the audio and really enjoyed the audio performances by Ella Lynch and Rupert Channing. I love a dual narration so much and thought both narrators did excellent jobs and brought a lot to the book which really added to my enjoyment.

Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

great pacing! The author keeps the story moving along nicely. She also balances the different plots very smoothly!

I have a list of suspects! Great pacing and intrigue Lovise!
Such a great story! I do have to say I think "too much" was going on... and at the 70/ 80 % mark it seemed that too many subplots were waying the story down... However, great pacing, fun story... and I am awaiting the second book! Lately the books I have read have not had me this excited to know what happens next!
The only reason that I didnt give it a higher rating is bc I am not a fan of instant lust and thought too many subplots... but really it's splitting hairs. It's been so long since I have laughed-out- loud during a book.
Thank you Netgally for the audio and ebook. i was able to go back and forth ane read and listen. Narrators were excellent and true to the story.
These opinions are my own.

Never Blow A Kiss was an entertaining read even though it was a bit predictable. I still enjoyed it. I loved that it was a blend of mystery and suspense with a bit of steam in a historical romance wrap. It was interesting. I loved the premise of it and thought the author did a good job of executing it as did the narrators in bringing the characters to life. This was an awesome debut and I look forward to reading the next in the series especially after the set up in the epilogue.

Never Blow a Kiss by Lindsay Lovise
Secret Society of Governess Spies series #1. Historical romantic suspense. Alternating POV between the hero and heroine.
Emily Leverton has a dark and difficult history but she is determined to make a better life for herself. In an honest trade or profession. But while that may be her preference, there are others that won’t allow her to “better” herself more than they think is due to them.
Ex-soldier Zach helps the Metropolitan Police investigating crimes. He has access to the better drawing rooms as a rich railroad magnate. People love to share their secrets. When a saucy woman blows him a kiss as he’s being sought by a matchmaking mama, Zack follows Emily. He’s soon fascinated by her unique attitude and outlook and falls for the governess but secrets may cause problems

🎧 I alternated between an ebook copy and an audiobook reading this. The audiobook is narrated by Ella Lynch and Rupert Channing. Both gave a marvelous performance. The two narrators made it easy to track whose POV the chapter was for while the ebook was not labeled. The full text is in 3rd person so the audio actually did a better job in that respect. Both performed with great diction, and emotions. The surprise, and anger and frustration were so well done, I don’t think I would have read it with the same passion. The ebook was a smidge better for following or backtracking on the surprising twists that kept occurring!

I’m starting to enjoy historical romance much more lately with these unique and non traditional characters. Emily is not just a governess but has a lot of rich history woven into the story. She’s a survivor. I look forward to more of this series to see what’s next.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Hachette Audio.

3.5 ⭐️

This historical romance was a fast paced, wild ride full of mystery, murder, twists, knife fights, and steamy rendezvous in carriages and hedge mazes. I really enjoyed the concept of this network of governess spies unearthing the ton’s darker and deadly secrets, but I was hoping for more info on “The Dove,” especially after the epilogue.

Emily and Zach, who both clawed their ways out of impoverished childhoods to change the trajectory of their lives, were endearing and interesting characters. I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop, though it was rather quick as sparks were flying when these two were in each other’s vicinities, and their physical connection was accompanied by emotional depth. They worked so well together and I’m hoping the pair makes an appearance in the next installment!

I received an ALC for review and I enjoyed the story even more on audio. The dual narration with the story’s dual POV was fantastic and a very entertaining listening experience.

Overall, this was a solid debut from Lovise - incredibly bingeable with its fast pace, mystery, and steamy romance - and the start to an intriguing series. After reveals in the epilogue, I am looking forward to seeing what mystery and dangers lay ahead for these characters.

First in a new series by a debut author.

Emily is a governess... with a past. She is a former thief who lied to get her position. When she is tapped on the shoulder to spy for a police informant, she sees it as a way to right some of the wrongs of her past. She meets Zach, who is a detective tracking down a murderer killing prostitutes. Emily feels guilty- not only for her past, but because she knows who the secret police informant is.

I really enjoyed this. It was nice to get a touch of the <i>ton</i>, yet focus on characters in their periphery. I liked both Zach and Emily as characters. I also liked them for each other. Both are very open, accepting, and understanding.

I look forward to the next book in the series.

This is told from multiple POVs, but mostly from the POVs of Emily and Zach.

Two narrators are used for the audiobook- which I always appreciate for dual POV books. Unfortunately, there are a couple of chapters from a third POV, so you do have to be careful not to assume you are in Emily's POV.

Ella Lynch and Rupert Channing do a great job narrating.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

Such a fun and interesting take on historial fiction! It sucked me right in and it had me on the edge of my seat for the whole time.

I loved Emily, I find her to be a great heroine— strong, smart, courageous; Zach felt a bit flat at times, but I still enjoyed him as a character overall.

The story was great, the romance was so appealing and the banter was very good, but the mystery was what remained in the back of my mind the whole time as I tried to make sense of it. It really blew me away— I didn’t see it coming, but once it was explained it made complete sense and everything fell into piece perfectly.

I listened to the audiobook for this one and I enjoyed it a lot, the narration was incredible and the switch between our two narrators worked well to keep things interesting.

I definitely had a great time with this one, and will be looking forward to the next one in the series! I’m curious to see where the story goes from here.

This book was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. I really loved both of the main characters.
The mystery element was done really well and the epilogue makes me execited for more books from this series.
The audiobook was great.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. While it was a historical romance and took place when most historical romances took place. This book had a totally different take on a historical romance. I truly enjoyed the secrets and the two different plot twists that it revealed. What an excellent story, and the characters were also loveable.

Never Blow a Kiss was a fun, rollercoaster ride!
I thought the idea of a network of spy governesses was clever and used well in the setting of the book. Characters were solid and interesting. I liked the murder mystery part of the book, and thought that Emily's secret tied into the mystery nicely. I did think the culprit was a little too obvious but it didn't deter my enjoyment.
The romance has a nice build-up and a likable couple. I thought the love scenes were steamy but not over the top spicy.
A great blend of mystery and historical romance. Interested to see where the next book takes us.
Narrator did a fantastic job! Really helped me get immersed into the story.