DNF @ 30%.

UGH, as a lover of spy thrillers and romcoms, I had high hopes! But this was just not hitting for me at all. It was wayyy too cheesy (and this is coming from someone who doesn't mind some good cheese!) and honestly cringe at times? Definitely a light hearted and easy read, but not one I could see myself finishing.

4.5⭐, 1🌶️

I loved this book! I honestly felt like so many of the romance movies where a girl unknowing falls for a spy/ gets involved in secret agent hijinx. Hallie Bee Bard and Rusty Mewha were great narrators for Jace and Mac. I binged this audiobook in one day cause I just didn't want to put it down - even for a non-spicy romance. I fell for both characters, and love Jace falling for Mac and his whole family helping him get himself together.

💜Hidden Identity/ Career
💙Dual POV
💜 Closed Door/ Just Kissing

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Mac is a spy movie loving girl who's just trying to get her life together. Jace is... a spy. When a drop goes wrong, and Mac accidentally gets handed a package meant for another redhead with a magenta bag (who knew there would be TWO?) Jace is sort of forced to tail Mac constantly and "show up" wherever she is.

This book is SO MUCH fun. I honestly think I could happily listen to it a few times over and still really enjoy it (and I'm not one for rereading things most of the time...) and have fun letting the whole thing play out.

The romance is perfect. The background characters are fun and interesting. The family full of spies?! Hilarious that is even a thing, but the characters themselves work individually, and then the fact that they're family is just a delight.

The audiobook is a lot of fun to listen to, and I really liked both voices. The pacing is great. I loved this whole thing.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy via NetGalley in return for sharing my thoughts on this book. Thanks to the author and publisher for this opportunity!

This is dare I say… a new fav genre? I’m putting it out there. Jace saves MacKensie from the biggest loser kind of date. And then he’s assigned to keep tabs on her. Hellooo Jace. MacKensie is witty and lovable and so hilarious. I was fully watching this story unfold on the big screen of my heart and the dual POV narration was downright swoony. Sorry Tom Cruise. You got nothing on Jace. I’m a BIG fan of this series! The narration was spot in and the duo POV was exactly right. So swoony!

James Bond turned ROMCOM!

Shout out to NetGalley, Meg & Mountain heights Publishing for the early release of the audiobook!

What to Expect:
⭐ Fake Relationship that becomes real
⭐ James Bond vibes
⭐ Closed Door Romance
⭐ Dual POV
⭐ I loved their meet cute!

My Thoughts:

I enjoyed this one via audiobook which I absolutely loved! The back and forth of the narrators (Hallie Bee Bard + Rusty Mewha) were delightful! Overall you will find the male main character (Jace) works for an undercover private agency aka. he is a spy! A weird set of events put female main character (Mackenzie) in the middle of it without knowing. They find themselves bumping in to each other and end up connecting without really planning for it.

I hadn't read anything by Meg before however I truly enjoyed the depth of the characters individually and together. The plot is well told and mapped out through the story. There were times that I was rolling my eyes only because there was some deep cheese BUT overall I enjoyed the overarching story and their journeys.

I would have LOVED more depth in the spy portion. The depth of that portion of the plot did feel a bit lacking, but overall I truly enjoyed this story and the characters!

Synopsis:
He’s an international spy. She accidentally becomes his asset.

Every Tuesday, my best friend and I get together to watch spy movies, and I dream of a secret agent sweeping me off my feet.

Imagine my surprise when a) one actually does, b) I don’t realize he’s a spy (even though “secret” is in the job title, so I should’ve seen that coming), and c) his mission is to protect me.

For the I don’t need protecting. But if I did, Jace would be my top pick. I have more fun and feel more connected during the 10 minutes when he’s rescuing me from a blind date than I’ve had in the past several years of dating combined. Add a helicopter, a black-tie gala, and a motorcycle chase, and even though I’m reluctant to date anyone, I’m ready to let him protect me anytime.

Yet, my (considerable) reluctance to date is nothing compared to Jace’s. He has a rule not to date anyone until he is no longer a covert intelligence operative. Something about it being a bad idea to mix love and espionage.

But am I falling anyway? Yeah, I might be falling.

Send help.

Oh my word, I AM IN LOVE!

Can I have a new favorite genre? Is that allowed? Because spy romcoms are absolutely it. I can't even with this book!!!!!

MacKenzie is a fan of spy movies but never thought she would have a spy adventure of her very own. After she is mistaken for a target, her world is turned upside down as she starts to fall for the guy who is determined to protect her.

As a spy, Jace knows he is committed to the single life but there is something about MacKenzie that makes him want to change his mind. But before he can decide if he wants to pursue a future with her, first he has to make sure they both survive.

What to love:
Spy MMC
Small-town FMC
Dual POV
The meet-cute
The picnic
Witty dialogue
Motorcycle ride
The swoony kisses! All of them!!!
Dancing
The helicopter
The Lancaster Fam
The Epilogue!!

This book had the perfect balance of high-adrenaline spy scenes and fun, cute, swoony scenes between Jace and MacKenzie. I loved how their relationship progressed so naturally and oh my, they were just ADORABLE together! And don’t get me started on Jace’s family - I am ALL IN on the rest of this series!

I wish I could give this book a hundred stars because I loved it that much. All I want to do is start the audio over and experience it all over again. The narrators did such a fantastic job bringing the story to life!

If you have never read a Meg Easton book before, this is the perfect time because this book is not to be missed!! 10/10, will recommend now and until the end of time

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the ARC

A fun romance feautering spies and fangirls of spies. I really liked the secret identity and thought the love story was cute. Our FMC was adorably oblivious and positive. She was a really cute character. In addition to the romance the plot was engaging and enjoyable. There was always something happening and moving the plot along. I had a great time reading it and I'm definitively interested in the next book in the series.

This was a fun and lighthearted read! The story definitely leans more on the romance side, starting with Jace (the spy) helping Mackenzie (the asset) get out of a terrible dinner date. Mackenzie unfortunately somehow gets involved in Jace’s mission, eventually bringing her in as his “asset” in a way. There were a lot of cute and romantic scenes between the two and not a lot of spy action scenes - I feel like if there were a bit more spy like scenes would have been more fun. I had an audiobook version of this - I loved the narrator for Mackenzie - she seemed like a ray of sunshine and definitely added to her character. I totally wish the Outside the Bubble events were an actual thing - they seem so fun! I’ll definitely check out the second book in the series.

Okay, okay, this is my new favorite spy series! Some other books in the genre by other authors have turned me off the genre, but I'm so glad I gave this one a try because it absolutely met my expectations and was a delight to listen to. The references to James Bond and Mission Impossible were so fun, and the reworking of cover stories from Jace made the story all the more interesting. The humor throughout the book was infectious, and the romance arc was incredible.

Overall, this book is a fantastic read. The romance is wholesome and kept to kisses only. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the complimentary listener copy. A review was not required.

I loved listening to Spies Don’t Fall for Their Assets. The narrators fit the story so well and I especially loved the female narrator, Hallie Bee Bard. Her voice was joyful and perfect for Mackenzie. I loved Jace and Mackenzie’s meet-cute and his protective nature throughout the book. This was a fun spy romcom and I’m really looking forward to listening to the next one.

I listened to the advanced audio courtesy of NetGalley and Dreamscape Media.

This is my first NetGalley audiobook. I’d read the story previously, and always enjoy having audiobooks to listen to while I work. This production was well done, the voice for Mackenzie did come across as more . . . bubbly than I imagined when I read it. But it wasn’t too distracting. I liked the characters and the overall storyline. It’s a sweet, clean story with a side of adventure.

"Spies Don’t Fall for Their Asset" by Meg Easton is a charming romantic comedy with a perfect blend of suspense, humor, and chemistry.

The characters are a highlight. Mackenzie is likable, quirky, and relatable, while Jace is the perfect brooding spy with a soft side that slowly emerges. Their banter is witty, and the romance builds slowly and realistically, making it both satisfying and swoon-worthy.

Easton’s writing is fast-paced and filled with humor, making it an easy read. The author balances the spy world’s intrigue and danger with lighthearted moments and romantic tension. The dialogue is snappy, and readers have praised the witty exchanges between Mackenzie and Jace.

If you're a fan of rom-coms with a bit of suspense and a lot of heart, "Spies Don’t Fall for Their Asset" is definitely worth checking out. The combination of espionage, romance, and humor makes it a fun and engaging read. It’s perfect for anyone who enjoys a good mix of action and love with a satisfying, happy ending.

Tropes/Vibes:
Hidden Identity
Fun Best Friend
Family Spy Business
Banter


Quick Review

Spy movie obsessed Physical Therapist falls for a Spreadsheet Jockey (SPY) without knowing that he is an international super spy.

The book definitely needs you to suspend belief - but let’s be honest, how many romantic comedies don’t!

This definitely a cute (and in my opinion appropriately cheesy) closed door romcom that had me laughing. Mackenzie’s character felt realistic with her tendency to ramble, and the need to push herself out of her comfort zone to avoid falling into boring routines. While Jace’s emotions felt realistic, his job and use of government equipment to basically stalk/date an asset felt significantly less possible. I didn’t agree with the reasoning for the lies/tactics used, and felt like that was done to aid the hidden identity part of the story. Though, overall the book was a fun escape from reality and the author did a good job of building a relationship between the two characters that you could root for in the end.

I will be picking up the next book, as the premise sounds entertaining and seeing hints of Mackenzie and Jace life after this book will be an added bonus.

***************Audiobook Update***************
I listened to the audiobook of this one and loved the narrators! They did a fabulous job and pulled me right back into this story. I loved it just as much as when I read the book. I felt I was there with MacKenzie and Jace in their adventures. Especially when Mackenzie wasn't sure what was happening. So fun diving back into this story! I'm hoping that these two narrators will be narrating more books for this author!
Thank you Dreamscape Media, via NetGalley, for the audiobook!!!
********************************************

I have been anticipating this book since the author started sharing little teasers about a big project that was different from what her normal projects are! I kept waiting for the announcement and big reveal and when she finally did, I squealed! Yes, I'm a grown woman and I squealed!!! Because I love this author's books, she's just wonderful and very talented. And I love me some spy and suspense and comedy all wrapped in one and I knew she was going to nail it! And let me tell you, she did!!!

I didn't want it to end. I was hooked from page one and completely immersed in MacKenzie's world. She's fun and lovable and down to earth and funny and sweet! The first time Jace sees her, he can't help but be pulled in by her wit and cleverness. That first meeting was so much fun! I giggled and cheered Jace on in his ruse. And MacKenzie played right along and made it even more perfect! From there it just kept rolling and the adventure just kept coming! Which of course made MacKenzie very happy and made Jace a little distracted. Hahaha! But he was so good at staying in character but also being himself. Those reflexes were amazing...at least MacKenzie really thought so. ;-)

So many fun scenes throughout this book. The purse. The picnic. Walking the dog. The spy movies. The dancing. The dress. The club. The helicopter. The asset. The Lancaster family. The mansion. The motorcycle. The sweet love story! The suspense! The thrill of it all!!! Worth every minute spent reading this one! I promise you won't be disappointed. Especially if you're a fan of Meg Easton's books and you're thinking that this one is different than all of her other books. Throw those worries aside and pick it up! This is true Meg Easton style with a really fun twist! One of my favorite books by her! I'm looking forward to more books in this series!

You'll laugh and cheer and swoon and sigh! Snuggle in for a wild ride and the sweetest love adventure!

Content: Clean. Some mild moments of peril and aspects of a spy novel; chases, disguises, fights, etc. Some kisses but nothing further. Very well written!

I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

This storyline was so fun! I loved reading Mackenzie’s point of view and having insight into her thoughts. It really helped make her more realistic as a character. Jace was also pretty realistic, but there were moments that suspended disbelief couldn’t really help. Their chemistry was written well, and the plot was well conceived. There are some moments I would have liked more tension/emphasis on throughout the book, but not enough to make this unenjoyable. The narrators did a great job and made this easy to listen to. I would have liked more emotion in their voices during many scenes; it literally just felt like someone was reading me a book for most of this. For some that is what they want to hear, so I respect it!

Thanks to Dreamscape and NetGalley for an early copy of this audiobook.

This is such a fun, quick, easy and lighthearted read. There are times that are pretty cheesy, but I loved every bit of this audio book. I wished this book was longer! Would love to see this as a movie. This is the first book I have read by Meg Easton but I don't think it will be the last.
Thank you NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for the arc

This audiobook was super cute, fun with a sweet story. I absolutely love spy stories, so this was a perfect read for me. It was a little extra sweet at times, but I still enjoyed it. The characters were great and well developed. The action was spot on and the romance was enjoyable. I am excited to continue with this series. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. The narrators did a great job on this one. Huge thanks to Dreamscape and Netgalley for allowing me to listen and review this story.

*Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ALC of this audiobook; the review is my own.*

I've wanted to read this book for a while and just hadn't gotten around to it despite it being available on Amazon Prime Reading, so I was excited when I received the audiobook from NetGalley. I was able to enjoy listening to it while driving and doing chores.

I love books with close-knit families, and both Jace (27) and Mackenzie (26) have that support system. There isn't a lot of drama between them, and I appreciated the way they handled the matter of Jace's occupation when it finally came out. Their first meeting was cute, though I found Mackenzie's blind date (Spencer?) to be wildly exaggerated (do people like him really exist in the word? Have I just been lucky enough to never meet one?). But it didn't bother me, to be honest, because I enjoyed the back-and-forth between Jace and Mackenzie and the way he was looking out for her before he even knew her.

Spies Don't Fall for Their Asset is a light, fun spy-themed rom-com that I could easily recommend to people I know, and I look forward to continuing the series. If you liked Date with Danger by Jenessa Fayeth, you'll probably like this one, too.

How it ends: (view spoiler)

Note: I can't recall anything bad.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW:

Although I did enjoy the audiobook, I think I might have enjoyed reading the book a little more. The narrators were fine, but they weren't spectacular. I think I enjoyed Bard's voice more when she was reading for characters besides Mackenzie, which is kind of sad because she was the narrator for Mackenzie. I can't quite figure out why her voice bothered me, but she just didn't sound like she was speaking in her regular voice. Mewha read in a way that frequently reminded me of the house in Barbie: Life in the Dreamhouse (don't just me--I'm a mom, though that Barbie show is probably my least favorite). He sounded a bit artificial and stilted. Again, they're not bad narrators; they're just not my favorites.

Narrators: Hallie Bee Bard and Rusty Mewha

dnf at 10%

Call this "White Americans: A Novel". I'm still undecided if it's the way the audio narrator delivered those lines, but the author's attempts to make this heroine fun and quirky only ended in disaster. My will to finish this book vanished once and for all when she was shown getting obsessed with a shoe while shopping, as if she lives in an early 00s rom-com (which would be an insult to those rom-coms). And then that meet-cute... really? Really???

This was so cheesy and unrealistic that it was almost unbearable to get through. I was so sad because I was really excited about it. The narrator made the character way too airheaded and naive. She needed some grit to her voice and some questioning maybe? I don’t know honestly. Maybe it was just how the main girl character was written.