CODE WORD ROMANCE by Carlie Walker is a fun adventure with a side dish of second chance romance!!

Max is struggling, working front-of-house in a catering business after her restaurant closes its doors. When a mysterious CIA agent shows up with an offer of a "simple job" with a quick payout of 5 million dollars, who is Max to say no?? Only it turns out the "simple job" is anything but simple and her CIA handler is none other than her first (only?) love!

Suspend a little belief with this one and you'll love it. The setting of summer in Italy was the perfect escape for a little winter storm weekend read. Max was brave, and as we got to understand her guilt and her wanting to take care of those who took care of her, you want her to succeed even while begging her to stop putting herself into trouble for this Prime Minister! And enter Flynn - I think he more than made up for what happened in their past. The one thing maybe missing from this one? More development on Calvin, he was the gift that kept on giving though!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for an ARC of this one in exchange for an honest review. Code Word Romance comes out March 18th, make sure to grab a copy!!

I had so much fun reading this novel. The characters felt so real and I fell in love with them. I immediately connected with Max and how intelligent she is and the way she perceives others. The banter and chemistry between Max and Flynn made me smile and even laugh out loud.

I enjoyed the constant sense of danger and need to be vigilant that Max and Flynn experienced. The mystery is also really good. I did allow myself to suspend my belief that Max could do some of the "official" things she did, but only because the writing is so good. Each night, I couldn't wait to dive back into this book. Thank you to NetGalley for my digital early copy.

3.5 Stars!
I really enjoyed the author’s last publication so I thought I would give this one a shot as well. I like her concept of the story as it was definitely a different plot than what we normally see.

The author certainly gave us plenty of twists in this book and I felt the romance portion was secondary to the action and suspense.

Personally, I was looking for more in between the two main characters. I felt that their connection was good, but the story lacked that intrinsic connection and passion, focusing more on the suspense/espionage factors. The secondary characters were a big part of this story adding depth and dimensional factors.

Code Word Romance is an enjoyable story that keeps you guessing. It is entertaining and completely standalone in terms of the plot. I wanted more depth to the romance. Otherwise, this is a fun, fast-paced, and exciting story that pumps your heart.

Who doesn’t want an all expenses paid trip to Italy, staying in 5-star resorts, seeing the Mediterranean and historical sights with a handsome man? The catch: that handsome man is the one that got away and assigned to be your CIA handler while you double for a foreign dignitary on her annual vacation to help thwart an assassination attempt on her life. Still interested? ✈️

This is a second chance romance about a wildly unrealistic (in a light and fun way) ex-chef turned CIA asset and her first love turned CIA handler. I enjoyed the easy and clear, well-paced prose that was sweet and funny.
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🥰Romantic comedy
☕️Travel & adventure
🇮🇹Second-chance romance
🍝Body guard x protectee
📍Italy
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Thank you Berkley Publishing Group & NetGalley for this complimentary ARC - all thoughts are my own! 📚
Publishers release date 3/18/2025

I don't read a lot of adventure romance books, but this was such a fun one! It's a lighthearted, over the top fun read. While the action was fun, I didn't feel a really strong connection with the characters. They could have been a lot stronger to match the storyline.

This was a fun adventure romance. I wasn't the biggest fan of the Carlie Walker's first book but I really enjoyed the writing style. I love this kind of romance book so I was excited to give Code Word Romance a go. I was not dissapointed. I really liked both our main characters and the story overall was fun. This was just the quick pallet cleasing book I was looking for. I'll definitely reccomend this to romance fans and will be keeping an eye on the author's future projects.

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

Carlie Walker is back with another fun, action-y rom-com! THE TAKEDOWN was one of my favorite Christmas books in 2023, and my five-star review held up on my re-read this year. I couldn't wait to get my hands on her next release!

If you read THE STAND-IN by Lily Chu, the concept of CODE WORD ROMANCE is similar. A totally normal girl has been approached to act as a body double for someone famous. The twist here, though, is that Max's handler is her hot ex, Flynn. This book is hot, steamy, hilarious, and action-packed. Flynn is the most protective bodyguard, despite Max routinely disobeying him.

I loved that Max wasn't content to just be a bystander when things went wrong. She, perhaps inadvisably, did what she could for the leader of the made-up country she was standing in for. It made for a great read!

This sophomore novel has cemented my love for Carlie Walker. I'll certainly be following her closely in the future!

Code Word Romance follows the life of Max, an average girl facing overwhelming financial troubles and working odd jobs to make ends meet. When she discovers her uncanny resemblance to Sofia Christensen, Europe’s youngest female prime minister, her life takes a dramatic turn. The CIA approaches her with an enticing offer: a staggering $5 million to pose as the prime minister during her annual vacation in Italy, where Sofia is under threat from assassins. As Max navigates the luxurious yet perilous world of espionage, she must also confront her past when she discovers her CIA handler is none other than her ex, Flynn. Tension mounts as the pair grapples with their unresolved feelings while dodging threats and trying to maintain the façade of political power. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Italy, this contemporary romance is packed with action, humor, and a slow-burn romance that keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

Code Word Romance is a delightful blend of modern contemporary romance and thrilling espionage. It tackles relatable issues such as financial struggles, second chances and sexual tension in close proximity, while immersing readers in a glamorous vacation setting in Italy. With its witty humor, fun plot, and entertaining characters, this book offers an escape that perfectly balances romance and adventure. Ideal for readers seeking a fun, lighthearted story with a touch of suspense and heart, it promises to keep you flipping pages while dreaming of sunny Italian shores. This book is set to be published March 18, 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an ARC of this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing a DRC of this title.

Code Word Romance was definitely a light, fun book with a touch of adventure and romance. Some of the humor may be an acquired taste, but I think fans of Carlie Walker’s first adult book, The Takedown, or other recent spy/heist romances (like Ally Carter/Sara Desai/Eliza Jane Brazier) will enjoy this one too. Perfect for an afternoon by the pool or beach!

It was a cute romance with lots of action and lots of humor, it was an okay read for me. Things were a little convenient, and some scenes were very unrealistic, but if you are looking for a comedy with nonstop action and a second-chance romance, this story is for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Code Word Romance is a high-concept rom-com with all the makings of a thrilling escape: mistaken identity, sizzling chemistry, and the stunning Amalfi Coast. The premise—Max, an ordinary woman, doubling as a prime minister on the run from assassins—is fresh and fun, with plenty of opportunity for intrigue and romance.
Max is a relatable heroine, and her fish-out-of-water moments as a fake prime minister bring plenty of humor. Flynn, the brooding yet swoon-worthy CIA handler, adds sparks to the story, especially with the tension of their shared past. Their dynamic has its moments of charm, but their rekindled romance often feels rushed, with the deeper emotions taking a backseat to the action-packed plot.
The Italian setting is lushly described, and the glamorous backdrop elevates the story. However, the blend of romantic comedy and thriller doesn’t always hit the right balance. The assassin subplot feels underdeveloped, and some of the twists are a bit too convenient.
Code Word Romance is an enjoyable read if you’re in the mood for a lighthearted, escapist rom-com. While it doesn’t fully deliver on its thrilling premise, the chemistry, humor, and stunning scenery make it worth a visit. Perfect for fans of adventurous romance with a touch of danger.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

the writing isn't gripping enough, there's a sense of trying too hard to create that impactful moment and it just doesn't work. could have been a lot better. I wasn't taken by the characters.

This was such a cute romance! I loved the second chance romance and the mystery aspect of trying to figure out who is trying to kill the prime minister. I also really liked the side characters, especially Calvin. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was the ending. I feel like it was too rushed and too convenient.

I branched out of my comfort zone for this one and I was not wrong. This was a fucking fun read. It was so chaotic and hilarious, I loved the humor and the romance was melt worthy.

If you‘re looking for a fun little romance with a side plot of mystery, a little identity switch and assassins thats full of action look no further! Both mcs were so enjoyable to read about! I loved their connection (and them reconnecting again, if you read the blurb correctly - unlike me lol). Loved the tension this added to the story and them having to work together. The side characters were cute, funny and despite the plot being somewhat crazy this was so adorable and theres not like some sad undertones in this story! I had my suspicions about people but as it turns out most of them were truly kind and just wanted to help. Thanks so much netgalley & the publisher that I got an arc!!

This was cute! I always love second chance romance, and Max and Flynn were adorable. I did start getting a bit bored towards the end though, and didn’t feel very satisfied by how the whole operation ended. I also wasn’t a huge fan of the prologue that was basically pulled from the climax. Didn’t work for me.

I don’t typically want action-adrenaline infused in my love stories—lusty-adrenaline sure, but life is stressful enough, thankyouverymuch—but the opening of Code Name Romance, with its motorcycle chase through the streets of Italy in an assassination attempt was too intriguing to put down, and the fast-paced, cliffhanger, plot-twisty writing kept up the pace to the end.

Max, having lost her restaurant to the pandemic, is working as a caterer and living in near squalor with a stoner and ranch-dressing addict Calvin, having burned almost every bridge from borrowing money to keep her failing business afloat. Max’s uncanny resemblance to the prime minister of the small European nation of Summerland leads the CIA to offer five million bucks for Max impersonate PM Sofia during a short vacation in Italy to throw would-be assassins off her trail. In a series of events that escalates like a Hogwarts acceptance letter trying to get to Harry, agent Gail is persistent until Max cannot say no.

Once in Rome, Max is awed by a cityscape she never expected to see, described in lush sensory detail. She’s awestruck when her handler turns out to be a blast from her past: Flynn, who she chanced to meet during an idyllic summer vacation. Flynn, her first. Flynn, who broke her heart when he broke it off without explaination. And now, as her handler and bodygaurd, Flynn has to put his own life on the line to protect Max. They agree on a set of rules (no touching, and a safe word to avoid uncomfortable conversations). They can’t let their simmering attraction get in the way of getting the job done. Even the prime minister is concerned for her motives and safety as Max is used as bait to lure in the suspect “The Producer” and his crime ring to foil an assassination attempt.

I don’t want to give away any spoilers. Tightly plotted, this novel is full of turns, unexpected connections, and one surprise after another. I’m a naive reader, so I found this all more delightful than unbelievable, and sopped it up, along with along with solid writing, believable dialogue and emotion, and sensory details for fashion, food, passion, and Rome. The culinary details could have been amped up even more–as a fellow foodie, I wanted a little more description for the out-of-this world cuisine expereinced through Max’s palate. A note for the art department: an image of Max and Flynn on a motocycle would have been a much better cover option. Scoop this one up of you want a heart-thumping, escapist page-turner with a side of second-chance romance.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #CodeWordRomance via #NetGalley courtesy of #Berkley. This review will go live on HLBB on 3/18/2025.

Loved the chemistry and plot in this book. Good book that will want you to keep reading till the end. Recommend.

This book was so much fun!

Max getting thrown into the role of a prime minister, dodging assassins, and dealing with her old flame Flynn made for the perfect mix of chaos and romance.

I loved the whole “pretending to be someone else” thing—it kept things exciting the whole way through.

The second-chance romance with Flynn was executed so well, and I liked that there was way more going on than just a cute love story.

The mix of danger, suspense, and swoony moments kept me hooked.

Definitely recommend this one!

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for this free ARC.

Not as good as Carlie Walker’s debut novel but I still enjoyed it. I felt it lacked the sparkle and humor of The Takedown which I highly recommend. Could it be sophomore slump or this book's intention was more serious? But I still look forward to Walker’s next book as she definitely has romance writing skills.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC exchange for an honest review.