MR. NICE SPY – Tiana Smith
My Spy, Book 2
Berkley
ISBN: 978-0593550328
November 5, 2024
Contemporary Romance

United States & France – Present Day

Andee Paxton is a fireworks designer and isn’t happy with her job because her coworkers don’t take her seriously. Meanwhile, Andee wants to confirm that a worldwide famous actor is really her father as her single mother claims, so takes one of those common DNA tests. It comes back that the actor isn’t her father. Okay, she can live with that, but her life soon changes faster than an exploding firecracker.

One night shortly thereafter, Andee is in a bar when a creepy stranger hits on her. She informs him that she has a boyfriend (not true), but it doesn’t seem to dissuade him. Then out of nowhere, another strange man rescues her by pretending to be her boyfriend. His name is “Chan,” and he appears nice. He even escorts her to her car. Andee arrives home to find out the CIA is there waiting for her. Turns out her father is an international criminal and is wanted by the CIA among others. And Chan is a CIA agent who is assigned to protect her. Alas, the protection fails, and both end up being kidnapped and brought to France, where she meets her father. He is criminally insane and wants to claim the daughter that he feels was stolen from him. She soon learns that he has invented a deadly pill, and it will be up to Andee and Chan to stop him and escape from his evil clutches.

Yes, it is true that MR. NICE SPY is a bit implausible but if you enjoy escapist entertainment then this is the one for you. Andee’s mother was always a bit mysterious about how she met Andee’s father and fueled the fantasies of a famous father. It helped shape Andee’s decision to go into fireworks design, but it also made her want to be acknowledged by him. Learning the actor isn’t her father was a disappointment, but it turns out people were out there waiting to see if she did a DNA test. It set into motion the CIA and her father both coming after her. While she is trying to get over the news about who (and what) her father is, she is kidnapped. They only planned to take Andee, but she insisted that Chan come along because he was her boyfriend. She needed his expertise and support.

Once in France, the duo is ensconced in the catacombs and locked in a room. Andee’s father is as ruthless as expected. He even kills one of his men in front of them, as if to drive the point home that he is in charge. Of course, Andee and Chan plot an escape, but it is going to prove difficult with all the guards around. They do gain a friend in Mila, who appears to have been kidnapped also but she has a bit of freedom underground. Will she help them escape? What about the “kill pill” that Andee’s father plans to soon release on the world? Can they stop him?

MR. NICE SPY is an intriguing read that is part suspense and part romantic comedy. Andee and Chan are interesting people and throughout this tale, they get to know each other better. Along the way, some things are done that might have readers shaking their heads. Though, one might not blame our couple for wanting to do anything to get the heck out of there. Will Andee and Chan finally escape her criminal father and help save the world? Will they find love by the end? Discover the answer for yourself by grabbing a copy of MR. NICE SPY today.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

You guys should know by now that I’m a Berkley Romance girlie.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

It didn’t pack the fun, action, or adventure I hoped for. It was just a bit flat. The insta-love/insta-lust did not work for me. I did not feel much chemistry between Andee and Chan. They just happened to be two attractive people stuck in a less-than-ideal situation and somehow I’m supposed to believe I’ve fallen for each other fast and hard.

The point is the plot wasn’t compelling and neither was the romance.

This book was a swing and a miss for me.

Mr. Nice Spy is a captivating blend of heart-pounding suspense and swoon-worthy romance that will left me on the edge of my seat. This thrilling novel is packed with exciting twists, compelling characters, and tension that keep me hooked from start to finish. With its can't-put-it-down quality, I found myself reading late into the night, unable to put it down. A must-read for fans of suspenseful and romantic stories.

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is a romantic suspense and action novel with it being heavier on the suspense and action. There is attraction and an eventual romance mixed with a little humor. While the story starts in Virginia, most of the book takes place in Paris, France.

Andee Paxton is a pyrotechnic engineer currently working as a fireworks designer. The Central Intelligence Agency surprises Andee with the news that her biological father is a dangerous arms dealer who escaped prison and is searching for his daughter. They want to use her as bait to capture him, but before that is set up, she’s abducted along with Officer Adam Chan. Can they disrupt her father’s plan before it’s accomplished? Why is he searching for Andee after all these years?

Andee is resourceful, uses humor as a coping mechanism, and has a problem being a team player. She’s considered an overachiever and has a fiery temper. Chan is kind, considerate, pays attention to details, and puts others first. Can they manage to work together to defeat her father?
The narrative flows well with a twisty plot and a story that engaged me from the first chapter to its conclusion. The world-building is much improved in this novel compared to book one in the series. Themes include secrets, trust, subterfuge, relationships, power, and much more.

Overall, this entertaining and fast-paced novel has great characterization with likeable characters as well as solid action and thrills along with a good romance. Readers who appreciate romantic spy novels will likely enjoy this novel.

Berkley Publishing Group and Tiana Smith provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for November 05, 2024.

What a beautiful sequel to the story!

I absolutely loved Andee & Adam’s chemistry and felt connected to them a lot. The story was believable, but a little dragged out in the middle. I would’ve loved more action.

Most of the story is set in a make shift prison and involves a lot of sneaking around so the story is more dependent on the characters.

The romance felt a little on the back burner, so if you’re looking for something more than a game of suggestive poker, it’s not for you 🤺

I loved how the writing has evolved since The Spy and I and would love to read more by Tiana Smith in the future!!

Huge thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for my copy!

Mr. Nice Spy by Tiana Smith is a romantic comedy about Andee, the daughter of an international arm’s dealer, and Chan, a CIA agent. Andee has spent her life believing her father is a famous actor, and it isn’t until some in-office bullying pushes her to do a DNA test that she finds out the awful truth of who her father really is. Within hours of learning the truth, Andee is taken by one of her father’s henchmen and, not wanting to go alone, convinces him that the CIA agent currently in her home is actually her boyfriend. Now trapped in the underground tunnels of France, Andee and Chan have to find a way out that doesn’t get them killed.

This was such a fun read! I found myself completely engaged from start to finish. The story is told exclusively from Andee’s POV as she navigates an unknown world with the goal of keeping Chan alive. I loved how the author portrayed Andee as just a regular adult woman in her first big job. She’s doing what anyone would do when her life implodes, and then she has to pivot. Andee handles it with more grace and cunning than I would have for sure!

Chan is adorable. He is a strategist for the CIA and brought in to help Andee plan. Those plans go out the window with their abduction, but he keeps his cool and thinks on his feet. His calm is what keeps Andee calm and centered through the whole book. Despite no longer being an active field agent because of an injury, Chan jumps in and handles the situation well.

I love how the author integrated Chan’s disability (he is partially deaf due to an explosion on the job). The author represents this very well, showing how it becomes second nature for Andee to be on his right side which is his good ear, how she makes sure he can see her mouth moving when she talks or that she has his attention before she does. Little things like this make it feel natural and not added just for the sake of diversity. It is so well done that I had to wonder if she had real life experience with it. I appreciated her talking about this in the acknowledgments at the end of the book. So well done!

Overall, I really enjoyed Mr. Nice Spy. This is the second in the series and can be read out of order, though I plan to go back and read book one because I enjoyed this one so much. The banter, the excitement, and the bits of steam we get are blended to perfection. Highly recommend this one to fans of romantic comedies or if you are just looking for a quick fun read.

Tiana really keeps me on my toes with these books! they’re such a unique concept and i love how spy rom-com books are making a comeback, we need more of these

Do you love a good spy thriller filled with danger, romance, and action? Well, look no further than this book. I requested this on Netgalley because I love a good spy movie or TV show. I used to love watching "Alias" with Jennifer Garner, but I especially love spy or espionage movies with a touch of comedy like "True Lies," "The Spy Who Dumped Me," and one of my all-time favorites, "Spy" with Melissa McCarthy and Jude Law. While I didn't find it especially groundbreaking, it was a lot of fun and did not disappoint.

This novel follows Andee Paxton, a talented fireworks designer who likes to do things her way - and this often irks her boss and coworkers. Andee feels like they haven't respected her ever since she told them that her father is a famous Hollywood actor - and someone she has never met. Andee thinks that if she could just prove that she is his daughter and connect with him, she'll finally get the respect she deserves. So - Andee sends in her DNA and waits for a match, but she soon learns that he isn't her father and that her mother had lied about this. No sooner does the bad news come in than Andee finds herself caught up in a web of secrets and deception when she discovers her biological father is actually a dangerous arms dealer on the loose - and he wants Andee in his life. It's a good thing that the hot guy she just met is a spy and can help her evade her dangerous father - or can he?

Smith masterfully blends high-stakes action with the simmering chemistry between Andee and Chan. As they race against the clock to stop Holt's nefarious plan, the story is filled with suspense and romance, making it a perfect read for fans of action-packed stories with a romantic twist.

From the moment the CIA drops the bombshell on Andee, the suspense and action in this novel ramp up and keep firing until the end. As Andee is tasked with escaping her dangerous father, we see her strength and intelligence shine through as she navigates the dangerous game of espionage she's now a part of. Andee is not your average spy protagonist - she's a fireworks designer with a sharp wit and a fierce determination to take down her father. And let's not forget the swoon-worthy Officer Adam Chan, who adds a layer of intensity and romance to the story as he and Andee form a fake relationship to protect themselves from her father's wrath.

Personally, I found this book to be a fun and enjoyable read. While I didn't find it to be a groundbreaking masterpiece and felt that the pace was a bit choppy in the middle, I still found it to be a refreshing departure from the type of books I've been reading lately.

Overall, this is a fun and entertaining novel that was a nice departure from your standard rom-com. The characters are great, the plot is fun, and there is just enough action to break up some of the more familiar and expected romance tropes. Romance lovers who like high-stakes action should definitely check this one out.

This romance meet spy caper was such a breath of fresh air! I had so much fun reading and listening to this one and would highly recommend it.

Andee learns that she is the daughter of an escaped criminal when she submits her DNA to a website and the CIA comes calling. Unfortunately, one of her dad’s goons shows up too, taking Andee and one of the agents who she claims is her boyfriend, thinking he can keep her safe. As the pair are held captive in the catacombs of Paris, they bond and try to fight the strong chemistry flowing between them.

First of all, what a fun setup! The storyline was unique, and Andee’s job as a fireworks expert is utilized in smart ways while the pair attempt to escape. The back half of the book is action packed, after a slower setup where we get to watch the connection between Andee and Chan grow. It pulled me in and wouldn’t let go! The tension and flirtation was expertly written and a total delight to read.

I listened to this on audio as well while reading the ARC, and narrator Alex Finke does an incredible job bringing the story to life. Her tone goes from playful to terrorized to determined in an instant, drawing the listener even further in to the story. I’ll happily listen to her narrate pretty much anything, and I’m looking forward to reading more from Smith in the future!

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

An international spy romance, Mr. Nice Spy, is non-stop action. Our heroine, Andee, always believed her father was a famous actor. Its only after a DNA test does she realize her father is an international crime boss. She soon finds herself, along with a CIA agent, dragged into the world of her father's crimes overseas.

Get ready for a ride or die love story of Andee and Chan.

Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley

Thoroughly enjoyed this romantic suspense that sees fireworks designer Andee taking a DNA test to confirm the celebrity she's always been told is her father actually is only to discover her birth father is instead a dangerous criminal who kidnaps her before the CIA can take her into protective custody.

What follows is a forced proximity, fake relationship romance between her and Chan, a hard of hearing undercover CIA operative where they have to use their wits to outsmart her father who is intent on having her help him make a dangerous chemical weapon.

With great disability rep, this was a flirty, fun and fast-paced love story that was great on audio narrated by Alex Finke and is my new fav by Tiana Smith. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!

Mr. Nice Spy is a good if not great book. The premise is fun with our FMC as a top fireworks designer whose father is a notorious arms dealer. The CIA approaches her with an idea to lure him out of hiding and hijinks ensue. The story is fast-paced and action-packed. The romance features fake dating, forced proximity, and instant attraction. Romance readers should know that it is a closed door romance.

I didn't fall in love with the characters or the writing style (first person pov) but it was still a quick and fun read.

This was a fun read - it was fast-paced, quick, and I read it one sitting!

You’ll enjoy this book if you like:
- Single POV (from the FMC)
- No spice but all the tension
- A smart FMC
- Forced proximity
- Fake dating
- Action with romance

Mr Nice Spy is the brilliant 2nd installment of this closed door CIA suspense romance series “My Spy”. As a single POV book featuring a smart FMC, who is unexpectedly thrown into the middle of an international arms dealers machinations, the book is fast paced from start to finish. What makes this book stand out from its predecessor is the thoughtful inclusion of a character with hearing loss and descriptions of the little things he does to cope accommodate his needs. Romance readers however will enjoy the use of classic tropes like fake dating, only one bed, insta-attraction, and forced proximity that bring our two hero’s together for their HEA.

TW/CW: Kidnapping, hostage situations, absent parent

This was such a fun book!! I love spy books and I ate this book right up! and I loved the representation in this book!

Many thanks to @berkleyromance @netgalley and @prhaudio for the digital and audio advanced copies of this action-packed, closed-door romance! It completely delivers on the fun, fast-paced, swoon-worthy story I was hoping for. #berkleypartner #prhaudioinfluencer

Andee Paxton is one of the top fireworks designers in the country, but her world is turned upside down when an online DNA test reveals that her biological father is Holt, a notorious arms dealer who recently escaped from prison. Suddenly, the CIA is at her doorstep, looking to use her as bait to lure Holt out of hiding. But before they can execute their plan, Andee and CIA Officer Chan are kidnapped—and Andee impulsively claims Chan as her boyfriend to protect his cover. Now, they're fake-dating while being held captive by Holt, who is plotting a scheme with devastating global consequences. Can Andee and Chan outwit Holt, escape, and save the world? And, with all that close proximity and undeniable chemistry, can they keep their "relationship" strictly fake?

I adored the first book in this series, The Spy and I, but rest assured, these can be enjoyed as standalones. Mr. Nice Spywas a five-star read for me because it ticked all the boxes I hoped it would: fun, fast-paced, and action-packed, closed-door romance. Andee’s STEM background and Chan’s CIA skills made them a perfect team, navigating one danger after another. I especially appreciated the representation of Chan’s hearing loss, their use of sign language, and the attention to hearing aid technology—those details added depth to his character and the story.
If you’re looking for an adventure-driven, closed-door romance with a blend of humor, suspense, and heart, this one is a must-read!

The audiobook, narrated by @finkeboutit, is fantastic. She brings the characters and the action to life with her dynamic performance. Fans of her work in Ready or Not and Love and Other Conspiracies will not be disappointed.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first one in the series, which I need to say is a total compliment because authors should be getting better with every book they write. Those who don't like instalove will not like this, but good for me idrc as long as the chemistry is good. And trust me the chemistry is good. There is a certain difficulty that comes with writing an interesting plot that takes place mostly in an underground bunker. But trust me, I ate this UP. The combination of both the action and romance made it unable to put down!!!

This was a great follow up to "The Spy and I". This can be read as a stand-alone, but there are plenty of references to the first book that make it fun. I hope the author continues this series.

I thought the hard of hearing representation of our male main character was very well done. The main relationship was a bit insta-lovey, but I still enjoyed their overall progression. Not much happens in the first half of the book - there is a lot of time setting everything up, but the last half makes up for that. Overall this was a very fun, quick read.

Rated 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

This book was one that I absolutely could have read in one sitting if life didn't get in the way! I adored the HoH representation in this story, and all of the characters were so well written (I mean, who couldn't love Chan?). This book was definitely on the same level as The Spy and I, and I loved them both.

While "Mr. Nice Spy" took a hot minute to get into thanks to the exposition, it eventually picked up to deliver an interesting and intriguing romance-slash-action story. It reads quite quickly, and I found that I barely wanted to put it down. It was short enough that I could polish this one off in a single day and feel completely satisfied. While it's heavy on the romance (mostly closed-door), there's an equally prevalent action-slash0spy subplot that was intriguing. And since I'm a plot girlie, that satisfied my reading appetite.

Also, Adam Chan (MC Andee's love interest) is hard-of-hearing and wears hearing aids (and depicted on the book cover), which love to see the representation! Author Tiana Smith also handled his story line with care and showcased an authentic, real HOH character who didn't let his hearing impairment define him, his badass career as a CIA agent and a hot AF, swoony love story with Andee.