Member Reviews
Are you ready for a fun Christmas read full of spies, family, surprises, sweet love story and lots of humor? I saw this book when it released in a multi-author series and wanted to read it last year, but I never got around to it. So when I saw it was available to request the audiobook to listen and leave feedback, I jumped at the chance. Many of my friends absolutely loved it. And I have loved the books I've read by this author.
Let's just say that I made a good listening choice for me! I loved it. I loved the mystery throughout the book and kept hoping it would be a certain way for these two characters! And I was right!!!
The other fun thing, right before I started listening to the audiobook, I was talking with a friend about Leavenworth, WA. And guess where these characters end up heading during part of the book??? Leavenworth, WA!!! It was really funny. And made me want to go back to visit this fun and quaint town!
I loved the spy aspects of this book and how everything was revealed and all the loose ends tied up! So much fun! I laughed and held my breath at some points. And I couldn't help but think about the movie Knight and Day!!! Hahahaha!!! It's a favorite movie in my household and this felt like that. Loved it all!
The family aspects were great. Especially Park's grandma! You're going to love her and all that she is involved in. The BEST!!!! Get ready for fun, swoon, laughter, surprises, twists and a Merry Christmas!!!
Content: Some mild moments of peril. Some mild innuendos. Some kisses but nothing further.
I received a copy from Dreamscape Select via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own. I had also previously purchased my own copy of the ebook.
Happy Reading!!!
Wasn't my favorite but was a light and easy read.
I liked that Lacey was a sassy and I thought a lot of her inner dialogue was funny but the story was a little bit predictable. I also liked the christmas themes.
CIA agent Park is benched after screwing up an important assignment. When a colleague asks for his help with a dangerous mission he is eager to oblige. But when he starts a romance with Lacee and she gets caught up in all the danger, he realizes some things are more important than the job.
I DNFed this novel at 53%. The title and premise for Later On We'll Conspire are interesting. A mix of a spy thriller and a holiday romance? Yes, please. Sadly the execution falls short in nearly every aspect.
I have to admit I did not like this book from the very first sentence referencing Jeff Bezos. But I wanted to give this book a fair shake. Listen to at least half so I could write an informed review. Regrettably my gripes did not improve over the course of the book.
"His eyes are purple and full of annoyance. Either he's got some really cool contacts, or he's an anomaly. But based on the fact that no one can be born with purple eyes he's wearing colored contacts."
What stands out the most are the cookie cut characters and awkward dialogue. The characters have barely any personality besides being attracted to each other, and at times I seriously wonder how either of them is a functioning adult, let alone “one of the top CIA agents”. I'm pretty sure we are supposed to like Park, but a good portion of his actions are morally questionable at best. When a guy thinks a woman looks most beautiful when she is drugged and can't defend herself...that sets off alarm bells in my mind.
Holiday media is always a bit cheesy, and as a lover of the genre I embrace that. However Later On We'll Conspire takes it to a whole new level, where cheesy turns into cringe. While kissing Lacee, Park thinks:
"She's Rudolph and I'm Santa Claus. She's guiding the sleigh ride."
The plot is so predictable I am surprised this book wasn't published decades ago. It follows a lot of the classic 90s romcom clichés, including some of the more problematic aspects.
Now onto the narration. I think going for dual narration for this book was a wonderful move. It feels more dynamic and engaging. However the narration in general was another point where Later On We'll Conspire falls short.
The speed of the narration between the two narrators differs quite a bit which makes listening at a higher than 1x speed a bit annoying. The narration itself also wasn't very good. Andy Harrington did a passable job with Park. However I really didn't enjoy Amanda Friday's narration.
Firstly her tembre is nasally and staccato, which makes characters sound annoyed a majority of the time even when it doesn't fits the scene. Secondly her sentences often don't flow well from one to the other with long pauses between sentences. Thirdly all voices for female characters sound incredibly similar.
The ideal reader for Later On We'll Conspire is a fan of old school rom-coms with predictable characters and cheesy humour. Someone who can shut off the logical part of their mind and isn't bothered by social attitudes from a few decades ago.
TW: murder, mentions of disordered eating, non-consensual drug administration, undressing a drugged person, purposefully misleading a woman with dementia
I've read a few other books by Kortney Keisel that I loved, so I didn't want to pass this up. Unfortunately, I could not connect to the plot. This will not persuade me away from other future KK books. Clean romance.
Loved the romance aspect of this book and thought the banter between them was great. The action part seemed a bit far fetched and cheesy to me. Overall it was a great book and I would recommend it but just know there are a few parts that see a bit fake and made up. It was like a crazy action movie met with a hallmark movie. (if you aren't into hearing some violence this isn't the book for you as there are some violent scenes). I really liked the narrators for this book and thought they did an excellent job!
A fun, quick-paced holiday/ spy read. The banter and dynamic between the two main character’s was super fun to follow and made me fall in love with them. I enjoyed the spy plot, while a bit unbelievable, it was the perfect lighthearted read that I needed. The narrators did a great job elevating the characters and developing their quick- burn romance.
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy of this audiobook!
Later On We'll Conspire by Kortney Keisel is a hilarious, action-packed holiday rom-com that had me grinning from ear to ear! If you loved the movie Knight and Day with Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz this book is perfect for you! It’s got all the fun spy action and flirty banter you’d expect in a romcom, but with a festive Christmas twist!
The story follows CIA operative Park Bradshaw, who’s on a mission to recover a microchip when he crosses paths with Lacee in the most awkwardly hilarious way! Think dressing rooms, bad guys, and an unexpected kiss on an escalator! The chemistry between Park and Lacee is electric, and while the plot may be a little cheesy, it’s full of twists, turns, and surprises that keep you hooked!
I especially loved that it’s a closed-door romance with no swearing, making it a perfect feel-good holiday read without any awkward moments! This book truly has it all—romance, mystery, holiday cheer, and plenty of laughs
Huge thank you to @netgalley and @dreamscapeselect for the audiobook copy of this book!🩷
Later on We’ll Conspire by Kortney Keisel is a delightful Christmas romantic comedy that manages to capture the holiday spirit without being overly focused on it. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, drawing readers in with every witty exchange and playful moment.
Keisel crafts an engaging plot filled with unexpected twists, making it an edge-of-your-seat spy operation. The humor is perfectly balanced, providing plenty of laugh-out-loud moments alongside the romantic tension. Despite the absence of explicit scenes, the connection between the characters is palpable and wonderfully crafted.
This charming read is perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted story that combines romance, adventure, and humour.
The narration was well done! Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity of listen to this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’ve never read a book even remotely close to this plot. So original! Not a fan of Park but enjoyed Lacee’s POV especially back with her family. I’m also a nervous over-talker so I resonated with her.
Thank you NetGalley, Dreamscape Select, and Kortney Keisel for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Lacee bumps into a very handsome man while shopping and somehow they keep running into each other leading to some very interesting conversations and situations. She plans to fly home for the holidays, and who should she run into at the airport? The handsome stranger, of course.
Thank you Kortney Keisel and Dreamscape Select for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts here are mine and mine alone.
This book was definitely a stretch. It was also predictable, which is fine, but there was supposed to be an element of surprise for the reader. I never found myself getting very attached to the characters and there was no slow burn which I enjoy in a book.
I liked the narrators except when they voiced a different character and there was little to no differences in the voice fluctuations. They voiced Park and Lacee well, but not any of the side characters. This story just didn't speak to me or kept me engaged as the reader.
This is a fun holiday mystery/romance for people who are fans of Hallmark movies and spy missions. It is light and easy, just not my cup of tea.
I really enjoyed this story, it had so much more going on than just a romcom. I loved the spy plot, and I loved the conclusion of the spy Op. This is a clean read with heaps of chemistry. It does contain people in underwear and ogling of bodies, but there is absolutely no sex with open or closed doors, not even fade to black. I listened in audio and the narrators were fabulous.
very cute and fun. with lots of banter, was a fast paced read. LAcee and Park were adorable together.
It’s a super cute Christmas closed door romance. They have a little one bed situation but still fluffy and light and closed door all the way through. It was really cutesy. It wasn’t heavily Christmas so not hallmark movie style which was kinda nice. I also got the audiobook of it and loved the way it was done. 2 voice actors that were wonderfully casted always makes a book so much better. I absolutely would read or listen to this again next winter.
Later On We'll Conspire had all the elements I'm loving lately - romcom, banter, mystery elements, holiday theme. Was it realistic? Not so much. Was it perfectly plotted? Eh. Was it a fun time? Yup! Park and Lacee were fun characters, the Christmas setting was delightful, and the pacing made for a really quick listen. I enjoyed the narrators and recommend this book if you're looking for a different spin on a holiday romcom or just need a little bit of escapism.
Thank you to Dreamscape Select for gifting me with an ALC to review! All opinions are my own.
This was a fun rom-com about spies. I had a blast as the two MCs worked on the mission. Lots of fun twists and turns and great side characters. The narrators were amazing but they ended up being a bit spoilery.
I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher.
3 stars for the story. Two goofy agents mumble their way through to solving the case. The narrators made it very hard to listen and finish this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape for this free digital copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily
This book wasn’t the experience I was hoping for and that may be partly due to the audiobook experience. While the narrators weren’t necessarily bad, their voices felt more suited to light-hearted holiday romances rather than a high-stakes spy romance. The delivery lacked the tension needed for moments like "OMG, someone is shooting at us," and stayed on the same tone throughout, which made it hard to immerse myself in the story.
As for the plot, the first half was overly focused on Christmas—almost to a fault. The characters made decisions based on Christmas-related whims, which felt excessive even for a holiday book. While there were a few amusing moments, the plot just didn't hold my interest, and I almost didn't finish it. I really had to push through. moments, it wasn’t enough to keep me fully engaged. The second half of the book did improve, with the pace picking up and more action, but even then, it didn’t quite live up to its potential.
If you're looking for a thrilling spy romance with a festive twist, "Later on We'll Conspire" might not be the best choice.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review, and while it had its moments, it ultimately didn't work for me
4⭐️ read for a Hilariously funny Christmas story!
When a Spy needs a little Christmas magic to get out of a tight situation. With the added bonus of cheeky banter, and funny back and forth. The right woman drops into his changing room like a gift from Santa himself! If only he knew!
I really enjoyed this book from the first page to the last. It’s an easy Christmas must read.
Really loved this spy romance there was intrigue hidden identities witty banter and more it was so good
This was a GREAT story to listen to! AWESOME narration! Great main characters. The plot was easy to find. The story was engaging and easy to follow. Will be purchasing this book. Shout out to Netgalley and publishing for allowing me to listen and review this story.
4 STARS!