I'm a big fan of the Finlay Donovan series and this book has a lot of similarities. The book is just generally fun. The book is full of outlandish situations, intrigue and a lot of humor. I liked Gabby as a character from the start. She definitely doesn't do what you would expect and I loved her for it. The book is a fast read and is perfect for some escape time. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

This was a fun and sexy novel -- perfect for fans of Dial A for Aunties or Finlay Donovan.

I thought this book was super fast paced and addictive. I also thought that in addition to the thriller aspects, it also had a lot of heart and humor, which really made the story an addictive read. Sam Tschida is a great writer and I will be on the lookout for more books by Sam in the future!

Pick this book up asap!

—


Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

********


If you are interested in seeing more of my reviews and other content feel free to connect with me here <3:

https://linktr.ee/bookreviewsbyjules (links to my Instagram, Goodreads, TikTok, Storygraph, My blog and Substack newsletter, etc)

If you are a publisher or author who has questions about my reviews (as well as questions about my stats, reach or engagement), please free to email me. I am also open to requests for book reviews from authors or publishers. Thank you again for taking time to read my review, and I hope you have a wonderful day!

A new romantic suspense series that is both funny and action packed, featuring a divorced single mom who is conscripted into an undercover government espionage agency because she looks like one of their dead agents. This was great on audio and is PERFECT for fans of the Finlay Donovan series. While a little over the top and unbelievable it was tons of fast-paced fun. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love a book that involves spies, regular people pretending to be spies, and/or anything to do with being a spy! And this delivered!! Gabby Greene is a divorced housewife who gets swept up into working for the CIA because a facial recognition program matched her to an agent who was taken out, but the CIA needed to replace seamlessly. And yet somehow despite the odds she has a knack for espionage and shenanigans. With a Russian grandma, a little bit of office romance CIA-style, and kickass takedowns, this book was very fun!

Recently divorced Gabby Greene is looking at her life in a whole new light. She's tired of the mundane cycle she's found herself repeating day after day. She's started and given up on dozens of hobbies and toyed with starting a new job - but being out of the workforce for about the last fourteen years also comes with complications.

Until one day, she's approached by a secret government agency to go undercover as an executive assistant, and no she's not being pranked. It just so happens that Gabby bears a striking resemblance to one of their agents who was murdered and they need Gabby to step in and complete the mission.

As Gabby steps completely out of her comfort zone and into and even more uncomfortable zone, she begins to start trusting in herself again and realizing that she is Gabby F***n Greene and anything is possible.

I've recently become a fan of the cozy mystery/thriller featuring an everyday woman finding herself enmeshed in some pretty fantastical situations. Oftentimes involving equally fantastical and quirky ways she tries to get out of said situations.

I like the idea of a regular woman discovering new aspects of herself she didn't think possible. This is usually predicated upon the idea that she's just come out of a long-term relationship where she got into a routine and kind of lost her sense of self. The mystery genre works well in this regard because I feel like anytime you're trying to solve something you have to think outside of the box, outside of the norm, out of the comfort zone if you will. Gabby has lost her sense of self. Always putting the needs of her family first - especially her children and previously her ex-husband - did not help matters. One of the best things about the book is seeing Gabby do something for herself and build something for herself.

However, I felt like there were also times where the story felt very repetitive. Gabby's ruminations throughout would usually go back to the same thing her kids, her family. Over and over again. While valid, I felt like we didn't need to be reminded so often.

There were also moments where the story itself seemed to go on for too long. I understand that we couldn't just cut out a lot of the exposition and building up of Gabby's mission, but I feel like some of it could have been paired down a bit to pace things better.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed this one. The ending leaves us with the possibility that we'll see things continue on for Gabby. I'd definitely be interested in seeing what's up next for Gabby Greene.

This book was so ridiculous and so fun. I could not put it down! I loved the recently divorced, stay-at-home mom who becomes an undercover secret agent. How does this happen you ask? Well she looks exactly like an undercover agent who was killed. All she has to do is juggle her normal life and act as an executive assistant, all while trying to uncover money laundering involving the Russian mob. I loved the dynamics in this book. I truly enjoyed reading how the main character, Gabby, found her voice again and faith in herself. She struggled to stand up for herself in the beginning, but by the end she was standing up to everyone and being her own voice. I laughed outloud. I cringed. But I mosty was rooting for the mom who needed a little self confidence. Well written, amazing characters and just a fun book!
Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida
Mystery, cozy style if a bit longer.
Gabby Greene is a housewife, mother of two young children, burner of meatloaf, and in the process of divorce. Laundry is a lot cause.
Gabby is surprised by two secret government agents at her door one night. Apparently she is almost an exact double of an agent that was recently killed and they want Gabby’s help to finish the case against a local business man allegedly deal with the Russian mob. Gabby will have to figure out how to get the kids back and forth to school and activities when she agrees to go undercover. With a grandmother that defected from Russia as a young woman, Gabby knows a few words of Russian, so when a couple of mob men kidnap her when she’s taking out the garbage, she figures out what’s going on. An amateur in the spy business, Gabby does her best to learn and solve the problems no ordinarily housewife should have to deal with. When granny moves in with her boyfriend, it helps with taking care of the children, but why is she being nice and chatting with the men in the car parked at the end of the driveway? She should know how the mob works.

Lots of humorous action and slapstick, while the housewife does a better job undercover than expected. The children’s attitudes and actions are typical and add to the stress Gabby has but she clearly loves and supports them. Handsome co-agent Marcus is a temptation and it’s fun to see Gabby run circles around him.
Better than I expected from an amateur spy story. Gabby is smart and figures things out even when asking friends to get involved without sharing the whole spy thing. I can easily see this becoming a series as the housewife out-spies the pros.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

On a whim I decided to read Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida. The premise sounded fun but I honestly had no idea how much fun this novel would truly be. Reminiscent of some 80’s sit con I vaguely remember, though this is actually even better. I know exactly how Gabby Greene feels from the loss of confidence over time to the overwhelming feeling of being a real live spy for the CIA. We can all have that adventure even if it is living precariously through Gabby. At least we don’t have to worry about dying unless it is from laughing.

If you are in need of a beach or pool or just an escapism read, this is the one for you. It is so unbelievable except the author writes it so that is believable. Great writing. Surely there will be a sequel in the future. I would love for there to be anyway.

What a fun read! Gabby Greene is recently divorced and trying to figure out who she is. She hopes that stepping up at the schools, hanging with her bestie, and self-help books will help her find her new identity. Her world dramatically changes one day though when she opens the door and the CIA is trying to recruit her. They have a matter of urgent national security interest and only she can help. After some contemplation, Gabby puts on her most comfortable yoga plants and jumps into a world of secrets and espionage. It isn't easy and Gabby has some awkward moments including a fake nose and a lesson in gun safety. This book totally reminded me of Elle Cosimano and her Finlay Donovan series. It's got the unexpected detective/spy, a hot love interest, and a mom just trying to manage her ex-husband and kids. I really hope the author turns this into a series- I'd totally read.

Such a fun modern cozy mystery. I love an accidental detective thriller but now I think the accidental spy might be even better!

I picked up Errands & Espionage as a Read Now on NetGalley and I'm so glad that I did!

Sam Tschida's writing is fun and her characters were so relatable. I found myself reading with a smile on my face as Gabby got deeper and deeper into her mission. The relationships she had with her kids, ex-husband, best friend and even the kooky neighbour had so my love and warmth to them, while also feeling SO real.

Sure, there were elements of the plot that were a bit predictable, but the writing was so good that this wasn't an issue for me.

I would certainly read another instalment of this series if Sam Tschida were to write it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever (Grand Central) Publishing and Sam Tschida for an early review copy. These are my honest thoughts.

Mom. CIA operative. Russian mafia.

Errands & Espionage was such a fun summer read. Lighthearted and witty, Gabby was such a fun character to hang out with.

Just a mom trying to hold it all together after a divorce, who suddenly gets thrown into an undercover job she never expected, only to discover she is far more capable than she realized.

If you’re looking for a fun read to top off your summer book list, this is it!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

Sometimes you just have to read a really fun book, and this satisfied that need. A housewife gets chosen to go on a secret mission for the CIA, and hilarity ensues!

This one is super funny. It’s very light on the romance, so don’t go in expecting it to be a regular romance novel. Basically, Gabby is a struggling divorced stay-at-home mom who gets recruited to some spy business because she looks just like the last agent who was killed and did not finish her assignment. She’s going in and pretending to be an executive assistant, which she does not actually know how to do. And she’s very bad at being a spy. It’s a huge comedy of errors, plus she’s got a wacky best friend to add to the humor. Loved it. Super fun.

ARC READ THROUGH NETGALLEY. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN. The only thing I liked about this book was the writing. I thought it was well-written and had some funny lines and also had good descriptions of things. However, the storyline of a mom finding herself being a detective feels kind of overdone these days. I will admit though that some of my being tired of it probably comes from not being able to relate to it in any way, shape, or form, so I'm not as entertained by it or as drawn in to the plot.

This might be the most fun I've had with a book in a long time...I found myself snorting and laughing at Gabby's expense but also her thoughts were hysterical. I loved that while this was obviously a comedic book, it also touched on how women who have chosen to be stay at home moms sometimes feel: inadequate, under-appreciated, and lost. As one myself, this book resonated during some of the thoughtful moments. For the rest of the book, I was rolling. The prosthetic nose incident made me legit laugh out loud and this quote felt directed at me: "She had a great view of him recklessly sucking down a Big Gulp like he had access to a bathroom. He clearly hadn't given birth twice." I know sister, I know.

This book was super fun! Gabby Green is a divorced SAHM of two who is recruited by the CIA because she looks exactly like an agent who was killed in the line of duty. Hilarity ensues while she trains for the job while on the job and has a flirtation for her trainer. Completely unrealistic rom-com/mystery mashup yet 100% delightful.

Gabby Greene, in the midst of a divorce, and busy being the single mom of two kids and a Bichon Frise named Mr. Bubbles, is looking to reinvent herself. However, what she did not plan on was the CIA knocking on her door, telling her that she is the dead-ringer for an agent that was murdered while undercover, and they need her to take her place. Gabby is all set to show them the door, when they let her know that the job will pay 80K, no matter how little time it takes to accomplish. Being broke, that money would change everything for Gabby & her kids. So, against her better judgement, she agrees. As Gabby embarks on a dangerous mission involving money laundering, a Russian oligarch, and an unfortunate incident with a prosthetic nose, she begins to realize that she is far from the invisible housewife she once believed herself to be, and that maybe, just maybe, she might be capable of saving the day.

First, let me say, you will just have to suspend belief on this, because really..... are the CIA really going to recruit a housewife with no training to go undercover for a dangerous mission like this? That said, you just need to sit back, roll with it, and enjoy the comedy. This is like a smash-up of Finlay Donovan and Stephanie Plum.. and Gabby's grandma definitely gave off Grandma Mazur vibes (from the Janet Evanovich novels). Gabby is a screw-up, in the most fun loving way possible, so she was constantly getting into scrapes. The way the book ended set it up for there to be a follow-up book, so I am hoping this will be an entire series. If you are a fan of Elle Cosimano & Janet Evanovich, then you will enjoy this as well.

I enjoyed reading Errands & Espionage by Sam Tschida. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The premise of this book was super fun! Gabby was funny and resourceful and fun to read as the main character. I loved the side characters as well, especially Justin and Granny. I thought the plot was interesting, but a bit cliche. The writing style was also not my favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.