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.

This was so so so good! I loved the romance between Max and Flynn but the case that they were working on together was so interesting and enjoyable as well!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I devoured this book. But, what truly captivated me was the dynamic between Max and Flynn. Their history adds layers to their chemistry, blending nostalgia with tension that kept my heart racing. The writing effortlessly balances laugh-out-loud moments with the emotional weight of Max’s journey, exploring themes of identity and love amidst chaos. This book is a delightful escape that reminded me of the joys of romance, adventure, and the courage it takes to embrace both. I was left craving not just the next page, but the next summer of my own.