4 stars.

"Mr. Nice Spy" by Tiana Smith is loads of fun! It's an action-heavy and thrilling romantic comedy with great characters, fun spy-oriented twists, and enough to keep you on the edge of your seat. K1dnappings, explosions, double-crossings, str1p poker, falling in love... it's all par for the course for main characters Andee and Chan! I was enthralled with their journey and continually rooted for them to defeat Holt and get out of their sticky situation(s). I *loved* Andee and Chan so, so much. Andee is super smart and compassionate. She is the typical character who is desperate to find out the truth about her father because her mom may or may not have lied about who he was.. and it turns out, he might just be an internationally wanted criminal. Oopsie! Andee's spy abilities leave... a lot to be desired, so when she gets kidnapped by Holt, she doesn't have many tools to combat him. Luckily, she has Chan by her side. Chan is caring, slightly demanding but not pushy, attractive, and can hold his own in a fight. He is hard of hearing, and I appreciated this representation so, so much. They have to fake-date to cover up the fact that Chan is really a CIA agent! Why? Just go with it! I really liked this book. I found it to be quickly paced, not overly long, engaging, and enticing. I can't wait to go back and read the first installment in this series, and I hope that author Tiana Smith makes more of these books! So much enjoyment here!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tiana Smith, and Berkley Publishing Group for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

A fun and action packed romantic comedy that will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

I loved Andee's voice throughout the novel. She is funny, resourceful, and strong. Mr. Nice Spy also has great disability rep with the use of ASL and the mmc, Chan, being hard of hearing. Plus, Chan is Asian, which adds to diverse rep in a romance novel!

Need suspense and action in your romance? This one is for you!

This was so fun!! I was immediately hooked because of Andee’s profession as a pyrotechnics engineer. SO unique!! And, Chan… what hunk! This was full of adventure and humor. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this.

Thank you to Berkley for the eARC and PRH Audio for the free audiobook.

3.5 stars.

Mr. Nice Spy starts with a bang—literally, Andee works as a pyrotechnic expert. Andee has just done a DNA test to find and confirm her biological father and unfortunately she discovers he is an international criminal, when the CIA shows up at her doorstep.

She’s kidnapped by her father’s men, along with CIA agent Chan, who is believed to be her boyfriend. The rest of the story is basically plotting ways to escape and learn more about her father’s evil doings. The romance was a little lax, it felt more like trauma bonding; where being forced to pretend caused them to get to know each other better.

While the story sucked me in and I was hooked on the audio (I especially loved the narrator’s inflections during Andee’s inner monologue), the romance was not believable for me. I wish there had been an epilogue just to see Andee and Chan together in the future, while not kidnapped.

Overall, Mr. Nice Spy was fun and enjoyable.

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is the 2nd book in her My Spy series. The story picks up where it left off, with the CIA still actively on the hunt to find Holt, the dangerous arms dealer. Andee Paxton is very good at her job as a pyrotechnic fireworks engineer and designer; the CIA is aware that Holt is looking for his long-lost biological daughter (Andee). Andee decided to do a DNA test, and learns that Holt, is her real father and a dangerous villain.

CIA Officer Adam Chan meets Andee, who is being set up as bait to catch her father; but to her surprise, she is kidnapped along with Chan (he pretends that he is Andee’s boyfriend). They are both drugged and flown to France, where Holt is hiding. Chan goes out of his way to play pretend boyfriend, as he is sweet and protective; Chan also has a hearing disability. In a short time, they both begin to have feelings for each other.

Andee and Chan must find a way to stop Holt’s evil plans, as well as discover a way to escape, not to mention getting the CIA to help find them. They were trapped in the catacombs by the deranged Holt. Andee and Chan must rely on each other to trust themselves, to secure their freedom; as well as both of them definitely have chemistry. Using the fake relationship, turned out to be fun, and I really liked them together. The scary part is Holt’s villainy that will bring upon global destruction and chaos, bringing the world to its knees. He has created a pill that will kill those who take it, as he is determined to destroy the world.

Mr. Nice Guy was an exciting, action-packed, captivating thriller, with a sweet spy romance story. Mr. Nice Guy was very well written by Tiania Smith, with a wonderful couple and a steamy romance. If you enjoy a spy drama, I suggest you read Mr. Nice Spy.

I struggled to get invested in this story. I'm not sure if it had to do with the whole set up of the plot, which felt rushed and forced, but I didn't find myself caring too much about any of the character. I really enjoyed the first book in this inter-connected series, and I was looking forward to reading this story as well, but I was unfortunately disappointed.

The romance was quick and didn't feel authentic. It seemed to be pushed into the story rather than a naturally occurring result of the plot.

The whole tension of the book, them being kidnapped and a dangerous drug existing, seemed to be low stakes for the entire book. It wasn't until the very end of the story that there seemed to be any sort of real danger or urgency created.

I would have loved to like this book more than I did, but it was still a decent romance if you aren't looking for anything too solid or believable.

In the follow up in Tiana Smith’s “My Spy” series, pyrotechnician Andee Paxton has always wanted to know exactly who her father is. When she takes a DNA test, she soon discovers her father is Holt, a notorious international criminal and arms dealer, when he has his henchman abduct her. The CIA Agent assigned to her case, Adam Chan, happens to be with her at the time, and she says he is her boyfriend to keep him safe. Now they are both trapped in a very dangerous situation with their violent kidnapper and his organization. Sure, it’s nice to have time together to get to know each other, but that time is limited and under threat from Andee’s father, who wants to groom her to be the heir to his criminal enterprise and his world-altering plan. Can Andee and Chan work together to foil Holt’s dangerous plans before it’s too late, and will their romance survive the process?

Mr. Nice Spy has the same fast-paced, enjoyable quality as its predecessor. Both main characters are extremely likeable that readers will root for. Andee is a sympathetic, everywoman character who behaves realistically in the atypical situation she faces. Chan is absolutely dreamy and the type of guy you’d want to be kidnapped with if you were in that situation. He’s sweet, sexy, caring, and an extremely capable operative. Tiana Smith handles his partial deafness very well, depicting how he manages it, and his job as a CIA officer. They have great chemistry together, with nice steamy kisses and interactions that work well with the ongoing storyline. While most of the secondary characters could be more developed, they serve the story well. The action scenes are good, and it’s rewarding to see how Andee and Chan’s strengths and skills are used to help them out in their situation. Readers who love a good spy movie with a nice dose of romance will enjoy Mr. Nice Spy.

4.25, SO FUN!!! Please sign me up to all spy rom-coms 🥳 I loved the characters and the plot, this book was so different from what I usually read and I couldn’t love it more! It was super fast paced and because of that I’ll recommend it to anyone looking to get out of a reading slump, this one is perfect for that!!

While I would suggest this title to patrons who like romance and suspense, it wasn't my cup of tea. I started it 3 different times, thinking perhaps I wasn't in the mood for this genre (which I do like) but it didn't grab my attention. The cover is catchy, the writing isn't bad - just not for me.

This was a really fun spy romance with a hard of hearing MMC, fake dating, and forced proximity. There was a lot of action, a bit of chemistry, and plenty of romance. I overall really enjoyed this. It was a quick read for me, and I really enjoyed the author’s note at the end!

This is an hilarious and unexpected series for me. I've never been the biggest romantic suspense or action romance Girly but throw in a healthy dose of comedy and suddenly it's the perfect book. Great chemistry, fast plot, high stakes with low drama. A match made in heaven

Sadly this wasn't for me. I didn't enjoyed the chemistry of the main characters. The insta-love was very instant and the relationship looked superficial and some scenes were not believable. I enjoyed the hearing impairment representation and the ASL component. Thanks for the e-copy!

This is such a fun book! It’s got an intriguing premise and entertaining characters, and it’s set in Paris. The love story was cute, if somewhat hasty, but this is a spy thriller romance, not a documentary! The book left me with a smile on my face which was all I needed.
Briefly, Andee is a fireworks explosives expert. Her mom always told her that her dad was famous but she wasn’t expecting a famous criminal! He tracked her down just after the CIA did, and she tells her kidnappers that the hot CIA agent named Chan is her boyfriend.
They find themselves trapped in the catacombs of Paris with no privacy and no discernible way out. They have to figure out how to contact the CIA while their fake dating relationship grows more and more intense.
I highly recommend this entertaining spy romance, 4.5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you so much Berkley publishing for giving me the ARC of this book!

Mr. Nice Spy follows Andee, our lovable fmc who finds her world turned upside down. I have never read a book where a character has such a terrible turn of events happen in a 24 hour period! Andee finds out some crucial information about her family at the same time that Chan appears in her life. Together Chan and Andee need to fake date as if their lives depended on it!

I loved the uniqueness of the story, it made it very easy to keep reading. There was always something happening and I was on the edge of my seat. I also loved Chans character, he was so refreshing for the story and provided most of the cute moments.

This story reads as an instant love trope, the main characters start to form feelings after just one meeting. It was hard for me to keep track of the chemistry between them because there was always a lot of events happening at once.

If you are looking for a fast paced plot and a fast burn romance, then you need to read this one!

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is a truly enthralling & epically entertaining romantic suspense novel. A pyrotechnical engineer goes searching for her unknown father only to discover an adventure that will turn her life upside down.

This is book #2 in the My Spy series, which can easily be read as a standalone. However, I enjoyed the first book, so I do recommend both.

Mr. Nice Spy is great for those looking to read…
🖤 Spy Romance
🖤 Disabled Hero
🖤 Fake Dating
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Woman in STEM

I was ecstatic when I started reading & found out this novel had a disabled hero! I love finding disability representation & loved the fact that he was in the CIA. The combination of romance plus action & suspense is the best match. I found the heroine’s job in STEM field of sorts extremely interesting.

This novel had some of my favorite tropes & delivered them in an intriguing way that kept me mesmerized throughout. I am so excited to see what this author is writing next!

If you are looking for an action-packed spy romance that will spark your heart in the best way, I highly recommend Mr. Nice Spy!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

This story is the perfect blend of adventure, suspense, and sizzling romance, and it keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish!

The story introduces us to a spy who has it all: charm, looks, and an undeniable sense of duty. But beneath his suave, polished exterior, he’s hiding a softer, more vulnerable side. When he crosses paths with the heroine—a woman who’s as smart, independent, and quick-witted as she is beautiful—the sparks are instant. Their interactions are full of humor, tension, and electric chemistry that practically leaps off the page.

LJust as you’re getting drawn into a heart-stopping chase scene or tense confrontation, she throws in a steamy, playful moment that leaves you smiling—and maybe even a little breathless. The heroine isn’t just a sidekick; she’s a strong, engaging character in her own right, bringing her own set of skills, quirks, and secrets to the table. This leads to some seriously fun moments as they try to outsmart each other while navigating their attraction, which only intensifies as they’re thrust into danger together.

The plot twists are exciting and unpredictable, pulling you deeper into the espionage world Smith creates. She captures the high-stakes glamour of spy life but with a fresh, contemporary twist that makes it feel accessible and real. Every page crackles with tension, whether it’s from the imminent threats they face or the undeniable pull between them that neither can resist.

Overall, “Mr. Nice Spy” is an addictive read that delivers on every front: a sexy, dangerous hero; a heroine who more than matches his intelligence and wit; thrilling action sequences; and enough heat to keep you turning pages well into the night. Tiana Smith has created a story that’s both a heart-pounding adventure and a steamy romance, perfect for readers who love their love stories with a side of danger. If you’re looking for a book that will keep you laughing, swooning, and on the edge of your seat, “Mr. Nice Spy” is a must-read!

Thanks so much to Berkley for my ARC!

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the advance reader copy and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

Andee has never known her biological father, and her mom spun tall tales about who we was. When she submits her own DNA to an ancestry site, she learns that her father is an extremely dangerous arms dealer. And her life spirals out of control.

I loved that Andee was a pyrotechnic engineer. I'm always happy to see women in STEM. And it's especially great to know how to blow things up when you are fighting for your life.

But even more, I was thrilled with the love interest. Adam Chan was my favorite character in The Spy and I. This new book can stand alone, but I like them better as a pair. Adam is hard of hearing, and I found the author's note about her husband's hearing loss and the choices she made in depicting Adam incredibly powerful.

This was a fun escape (pun sort of intended). I enjoyed all of the fireworks metaphors. I never knew who to trust (other than Andee and Adam, of course). And I got lost in a story of spies in Paris.

Alex Finke was an excellent narrator, and she made me love the book all the more.

4.25 stars

Andee has never met her father, but the last thing she expects is to find out he’s an international criminal. When his people find her, she has to pretend the CIA agent she’s with is her boyfriend. The two have to work together to escape from Andee’s father and get to safety, but months of fake dating while trapped quickly gets blurry and feelings become real.

2024 has been the year of the spy romances for me - it has quickly become one of my favorite tropes. Tiana Smith writes some of the best! This book had the perfect mix of romance, drama and action! This book was truly a wild ride and I could not put it down! I read the whole thing in a day because I kept losing myself in the story. I loved this fast-paced suspenseful read!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

So cute, I loved this one. It was such a fun and adventurous romance. I loved the characters and the overall plot. It was such a fun time.

Pyrotechnical engineer Andee and CIA strategist Chan are kidnapped by her estranged arms-dealer bio-dad and held in his unground lair, and they have to try to free themselves while also foiling his plot to aerosolize a biological weapon. It will appeal to fans of fake dating and forced proximity romances, and the spycraft is undeniably fun. The representation of a main character with hearing loss was a plus. This is book two of a series, but stands alone. I will recommend to fans of Sarah Adams and Emily Henry.
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for Digital Review Copy.