Mae, you are a Marvel! "If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You" is the latest from the collaborative team that is Mae Marvel, and it's every bit as fun, sexy and well written as their last book. The book features Yardley Whitcomb (aka "Unicorn") and KC Nolan (aka "Tabasco"), two women who, because of their need to keep the fact that they are spies secret from each other, have allowed their romantic relationship to erode to the point where Yardley is moving out but doesn't want to, and KC is letting her go but doesn't want to. From there, we are on a journey of discovery. Unicorn and Tabasco find themselves working a high level international case together (I mean, they have meetings in the White House with the President!) and as they work to solve the case, they discover much about themselves and each other. Does this mean a happy ending? You'll have to read to find out!

I have always admired Mae Marvel's writing - their books are always light years more intelligent than most "popular" fiction - but this one is amazing even for them. The research that had to be done to accurately portray the life and work of undercover agents, the complex technology that KC works with, and the variety of locations that are depicted is impressively thorough. At one point, one of the ladies casually starts speaking in Portuguese, for example. Or we find ourselves in Sweden navigating the city like locals. All the details are carefully tended to, and accurate, as far as I was able to tell. The one thing that I found puzzling was how they found so much time and so many locations for discreet kissing and canoodling, although I give credit to the Marvels that our beloved spies were usually able to jump out of a linen closet or a dark corner without missing a step of their mission.

In their acknowledgements, the authors emphasize that they weren't trying to write a "gender flipped" spy story; rather, they were trying to highlight the fact that queer people have been a part of every profession "for as long as there have been people." This book honors the women who have worked in intelligence, and it does it beautifully and naturally, avoiding in-your-face moral lessons. I loved it.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

*If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You* by Mae Marvel is a thrilling romantic adventure that deftly blends espionage and heartfelt emotion. This captivating tale follows second-generation spy Yardley "the Unicorn" Whitmer and her ex-girlfriend KC "Tabasco" Nolan, both of whom are entrenched in the high-stakes world of international espionage. The tension escalates as Yardley navigates the complexities of her spy life, trying to keep her cover intact while grappling with the fallout from her strained relationship with KC.

The chemistry between Yardley and KC crackles throughout the narrative, providing a compelling counterpoint to the suspenseful plot. Their journey takes them from the elegance of the Eiffel Tower to the adrenaline-fueled streets of Europe as they uncover shocking truths about each other and their intertwined pasts. The story's pacing is superb, expertly balancing high-octane action with intimate moments that reveal the depth of their feelings and regrets. The stakes are raised even higher when the duo must confront not only external threats but also the emotional turmoil stemming from their past.

Marvel’s writing is sharp and engaging, with a clever blend of humor and tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. *If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You* is a fun and exhilarating exploration of love, trust, and the complexities of relationships in a world filled with secrets. With memorable characters and a fast-paced plot, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys romance intertwined with adventure and intrigue.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC. I really enjoyed this read. The story was very unique and the characters were really well written. The spy/mystery part of the plot did get very technical and dry at times but if you like spy novels it’d would be very interesting. The romance was a good story. The two Main characters really worked on themselves and their relationship. The spice was low in my opinion. And I would classify it as almost a bit of a slow burn. I did enjoy that the relationship was mature and felt very adult. Would recommend you pick up this read!

This was a delightful read! I loved the characters in this and the story made me feel like I was watching a teen rom-com unfold in front of me. From fun plot and the blooming romance between Yardley and KC, this is one of the best sapphic books to come out in the genre in a long time and I am incredibly fortunate to have had the chance to read it early.

A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a ARC in exchange for an honest review.