Member Reviews

ALC Review
Later On We'll Conspire by Kortney Keisel
Narrated by Amanda Friday; Andy Harrington

This is a sweet romance book but it was not really for me. I wont say that there was really anything wrong with it, but It was very unbelievable and it was hard for me to get through it.

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This includes an audiobook review...

All the stars!!! I am game for a Hallmark type holiday romance book or movie, but eventually they tend to blur together. THIS IS NOT THAT KIND OF BOOK!

I loved this so much! It is fiction and fun! My favorite TV show was and still is ALIAS. You know the spy show with Jennifer Garner and Michael Vartan. This book gave me those kind of feels. It even had its own Marshall character! It was great! I love a smart heroine! And I'll take Park too!

This is part of the Christmas Escape series of books. Each of them is a completely standalone story though. This book is completely different than the rest too.

Kortney Keisel has some mad writing skills. This had me laughing and cheering at the banter and twists and turns. I could picture her laughing away as she was typing the story and yet another death happened. Yes, there are numerous deaths. It is fiction and it is fun. Don't expect it to be Hallmark. It isn't. But it is a closed door RomCom! And I loved it!

I was given a complimentary copy of the audiobook to listen to. I thank the author and Netgalley for that. I'm voluntarily adding a review of that to the previous review I made after reading a purchased copy.

I am personally not a fan of the narrators that were used to read this book. I know that the author tends to use both of them for many of her books. I feel that, especially the female narrator, makes all of her books sound the same. She reads all of her main characters in the same way. I do not feel that the many authors have written the same characteristics or mannerisms like she tends to read them. I did feel that she did a nice job with voices other than the main female lead. And I did listen to the whole book, even though I had read it previously. I loved the story enough to do that.

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This was so much fun!! Such a journey with a good amount of suspense but not too intense or over the top to outshine the romcom aspect. Kortney once again delivers a delightful story that is engaging and full of adorable, laugh out loud moments. I’m just disappointed when it ends.

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This was a fun, cute, very Christmasy book. You definitely need to suspend reality because the book is not realistic. It honestly reminded me of a Ryan Reynolds spy/action movie. If you’re looking for a book with a lot of cute Christmas scenes and traditions, combined with a cute, clean romance that also has action scenes. This is a book for you. I did enjoy the two main characters and thought that their romance would really cute. I appreciate that the book was clean as far as sexual content and language. Overall, I thought it was cute and enjoyable, especially for the Christmas season.

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ALC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Christmas is a time for celebration, not covert missions. But Park, an undercover agent, and Lacee, a chemist, find themselves teaming up to stop a possible chemical attack. Will this unlikely duo be the key to saving innocent lives, or will their efforts be stopped?

Kortney Keisel’s Later on We’ll Conspire is one of six books in the multi-author series Christmas Escape. This is a fast-paced, action packed, holiday romance. It’s as if Hallmark and Die Hard came together and made the perfect Christmas story.

I had the pleasure of listening to this as an audiobook. Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington do a fantastic job narrating. They truly made this story come to life!

Listen to this book if you also enjoy:
-witty banter
-unexpected twists and turns
-dual POVs

Special thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape select, and Kortney Keisel for allowing me to listen to this book in exchange for my honest review.

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Later On We’ll Conspire is a lively, holiday-themed spy romance that combines action, romance, and festive fun in a way that feels refreshingly lighthearted. Set against the backdrop of Christmas, the story leans into its goofiness with a charmingly over-the-top style and a plot full of silly, cheesy moments. It’s the perfect read if you’re looking for something playful and don’t mind suspending a bit of disbelief.

The audiobook performance by Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington truly shines. Their duet narration—Friday voicing the female characters and Harrington the male—adds depth and energy to the characters, showcasing the snappy banter that makes the romance so enjoyable. Their chemistry enhances the humor and playfulness of the story, making it a delight to listen to.

Later On We’ll Conspire doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s its charm. It’s a great pick for the holidays, blending spy intrigue with Christmas spirit in a fun, feel-good romance.

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Later On, We'll Conspire A Sweet Romantic Comedy** by Kortney Keisel, narrated by Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington.

I was absolutely thrilled when I began listening to this audiobook. From the very start, it embodied everything I believe an audiobook should be. Amanda Friday's narration brought the female characters to life, while Andy Harrington's portrayal of the male characters was equally captivating. Their performances set a wonderful tone, filled with engaging dialogue and rich character development. The story kicked off with well-defined characters, vivid descriptions, and a delightful mix of humour and drama that truly drew me into the experience.

**Lacee's Story:**
Lacee intended to spend her Christmas alone, opting for a quiet holiday at home. However, fate had other plans when she unexpectedly crossed paths with a charming and handsome stranger. This intriguing man seemed to pop up just when she least expected it, leading her to reconsider her solitary holiday. Thus, an impromptu plan was born—a plan centred around a lighthearted, casual holiday fling. After all, what could go wrong with a dash of romance during the festive season? Merry Christmas to me!

However, what started as a carefree holiday romance quickly spiralled into a tense and chaotic situation when Lacee discovers that Park Bradshaw, her charming companion, possesses dangerous skills that extend far beyond just carving the Christmas ham. What was meant to be a delightful escape soon turns into a perilous adventure.

As Lacee finds herself swept up in a whirlwind of unexpected events, she realizes she's caught in her own version of *Die Hard*, racing against time. With her safety at stake and only days left until Christmas, her thoughts become consumed with a single burning question: can she trust Park, or is he hiding a darker side? All she wants is to make it home in one piece—hopefully without losing her heart to the one man who complicates everything.

As the countdown to Christmas reverberates with tension, she is left questioning not only Park's motives but also her own desires.

Unfortunately, the story took an unexpected turn about three-quarters of the way through, when the author introduced a significant plot twist that caught me by surprise. This curveball changed the tone of the narrative, and for a moment, I felt disappointed. It felt as though the direction of the story contradicted the delightful build-up I had enjoyed until then. I almost considered setting the Audiobook aside, overwhelmed by my dissatisfaction with this new development. However, I had invested so much time and enjoyment into the story that I decided to push through my disappointment. I wanted to know how Lacee's chaotic holiday adventure would conclude, and I hoped to discover if love could truly prevail amidst the chaos.

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Title: Later On We’ll Conspire
By: Kortney Keisel
Pub. Date: October 28, 2024

Genre:
Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Mystery

Red Flags:
Murder, Violence, Adult Banter

Summary/Review:
Lacee is getting ready for her Christmas trip when she unexpectedly bumps into Park at a clothing store. A spontaneous kiss on the escalator sets them off on a holiday adventure together. Park is mysterious, charming, and self-assured, while Lacee is a smart, attractive, and witty electrochemist.
This is a closed-door romance, but with plenty of banter and some playful innuendos—depending on your spice tolerance. Blending Christmas cheer with Mission Impossible-style action, the story delivers a fast-paced, easy-to-follow plot. The alternating points of view, narrated by Amanda Friday and Andy Harrington, keep the momentum high and make for a quick and enjoyable read. I should note that the level of violence may be intense for some readers, but for me, it added an extra layer of suspense to the story. While I saw the plot twist coming, it still managed to meet my expectations. This is my first novel by Kortney Keisel, but it won’t be my last!
Thank you Kortney Keisel, Dreamscape Select, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

#LaterOnWe’llConspire
#KortneyKeisel
#Dreamscape
#AmandaFriday
#AndyHarrington
#reluctantreaderreads
#advancedreadercopies
#NetGalley

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Oh my goodness, Kortney did it again, however,
Andy and Amanda did a fabulous job with the Dual Narration and POV. The tone they set and the life they brought to the characters was fantastic and again makes you feel like you're watching it happen. The first 2 chapters had me hooked on their voices and story. I couldn't wait to finish listening to it. The audiobook brings even more warmth and charm to this festive romance. The narrators expressiveness and nuances adding a fantastic layer to the romance and storytelling. They captured the tension and chemistry between Park and Lacee perfectly.

It is fantastic, also...can we talk about their meet-cute? AMAZING!! Kortney Keisel is so great at her meet cutes and chemistry. I didn't find it strange how they met. Also, spies...I love Spy stories and this one was great. The mystery, the spying, the madness...I was here for it! The dialogue and the banter in this story was also my favorite...I love it all.
So, for those looking to enjoy a seasonal romance with intrigue, humor, and holiday magic, Later on We'll Conspire is a captivating listen that is sure to add to the holiday spirit. It's great if you read it too, but this audio is wonderful!.

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Oh my heck, what a fun twist on a Christmas romance. I was completely intrigued from the very beginning. This book was not just a romance, but a rom com and a bit of mystery. There was bombs, kissing, funny elderly ladies, Christmas magic, evil ex boyfriends, secrets, a bit of murder (I mean, he is a CIA operative… haha), and some more really good kissing (10/10?! 😉 IFYKYK)

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed it. The narrator’s did a fantastic job (but my favorite may have been Mary Bradshaw as a Russian gangster 😂 Way to go Amanda Friday!!). I would absolutely recommend this for anyone seeking a fun Christmas listen.

Disclaimer/potential spoiler:
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There is quite a bit of people who die in this story. One is *slightly graphic, but I didn’t think it was inappropriate.

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3.25/5 ⭐️

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC of this novel. This is a closed-door rom-com about a girl who accidentally involves herself with a CIA agent when they meet at a mall while she is Christmas shopping and he’s running from the bad guys. He had always been working with another (female) agent, that he had never met and we so figure out who it is by the second half of the book. I knew it had to be our lead FMC from the start, but the books was still cute and fun for a quick holiday read that required very little thought.

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This book was amazing! The romance and banter was so fun and I could not stop reading/listening to this book! I would highly recommend!

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Possibly the most unique Christmas romance I have ever read! Loved the flirty banter, the characters and the cute romance and of course the spy element was so much fun!! Narrators were fantastic and really brought the story to life. Loved every minute of it!

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If you like chaotic energy, witty banter, and Christmas shenanigans that rival running through the airport like you’re being cast in Home Alone the Reunion Tour… this book is for you.

It’s got action, adventure, second-hand embarrassment, and the most swoony moments. An argument for the attractiveness of cozy snowman pajamas frosts this delicious holiday cake, yall!

10/10 no notes.

Spice: 🫑🫑
CW: several people are killed, but its gentle.

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The last thing I ever want to do is to not love a book. This multiplies when I am given the privilege of an advanced copy to listen/read in exchange for a fair and honest review. I can only imagine the time, effort, passion and energy that goes into getting a book published. I feel bad, but this book did not work for me on. It took me multiple times of starting, stopping and restarting to finally get into. I didn’t find any chemistry between the main characters in any way other than fake, forced and not even a tad believable. Additionally, I didn’t really connect with or like either of them enough to root for them individually or as a team. I thought the concept was fun, but just not the characters themselves. Lastly, I didn’t love the narration. I think I might have enjoyed this more had I read it. All of this said, I look forward to what comes next from this author as just because I didn’t love this one won’t take away from the others I’ve enjoyed and what is to come.

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Later on We’ll Conspire was an absolute delight! Perfect Christmas romance with action and intrigue to boot! I would love to watch a movie version of this! Until then I’ll just relisten to the audiobook!

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I quite like this book! It's a cute romance novels with witty banter. There's lots of awkward and entertaining moments.

It's a bit of fun, set at Christmas time.

The main character is an awkward woman, recently dumped and out of a job. She meets a suave and handsome spy and they travel to her family for Christmas.

They go on adventures together and there's lots of twists and turns.

I recommend this audiobook as a bit of lighthearted entertainment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kortney Keisel for the ARC.

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I love Kortney Keisel’s books so much. They are always so fun. I’m constantly laughing out loud and smiling so much. Her writing style is one of my favorites. And I never turn down a spy romcom.

The chemistry between Park and Lacee was absolutely electric. There are so many fun moments. Even though this book has been out awhile, I don’t want to spoil anything, so I can’t summarize much, but this book has everything you want in a holiday romcom:
Holiday charm
Funny, laugh out loud moments
Crazy reindeer
Elf vomiting holiday cheer
Lacee’s family was so great
Twists and turns
Many surprises

I listened to the audio and it was fantastic. The narrators were absolutely perfect. And I love dual narrators. Andy Harrington and Amanda Friday brought Lark and Lacee to life. Their expression and emotion was perfectly timed and instantly brought me into the story. Each doing so well with the different characters.

Huge thank you to the audio publisher for the NetGalley approval.

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I loved the idea behind this one! A Christmas spy rom-com sounds absolutely delightful. Unfortunately, I ended up having to DNF this one after about 5 attempts to listen to it. The narration fell really flat for me, and I did not like the way the main characters were voiced. (Honestly checked to see if it was AI) I also didn't connect with the characters. Their monologues were odd, and I just couldn't get into it. Thanks to NetGalley, Kortney Keisel, and Dreamscape for the chance to read and review! This one didn't end up being for me, but I am obviously in the minority. If you are looking for some Holiday fun, it might still be worth checking out!

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Later On We’ll Conspire by Kortney Keisel
Another holiday novel…sort of. You have to include intrigue, the CIA, secret identities, murder, mayhem, high speed car chases, lies, and deception…but round that out with ginger bread house competitions, and you’ve got a great story, full of mystery and romance. Give it a read to see how Kortney Keisel ties all this together in a nice Christmas package!!!

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