I enjoyed this second book in The Survivors series, but the hero took some getting used to. Braden, seemed to lack confidence in himself, as it relates to everything that didn't have to do with seducing women, and there were times when even his faith in those abilities was absent. This lack of confidence made him a bit less hero-like in my eyes, for most of the book. He slowly grew into his role as a man to be reckoned with and taken seriously. As his assertiveness grew so too did my enjoyment.

Put together a young woman who is desperate to save her father’s life, and one confirmed bachelor who is quite good at what he does and you have a good mix to begin with. Add in that the gentleman is a very accomplished spy, seduces women left and right for their secrets and has become a bit jaded about his life. Put a completely inept want to be a spy, declares with regularity that she is an excellent spy, young lady who when nervous can with quite a straight face explain the love life of hedgehogs… well, then you have a humorous situation, a charming couple and a mystery to solve.

Collette feels she has no choice but to find the letter that will free her father. But she really has absolutely no idea of how to effectively spy or search for it… in spite of being convinced that she’s quite good at this spying endeavor, which honestly she is not. I enjoyed Collette very much, her innocence and her determination where her shining shield against the charms of Rafe.

With his usually irresistible charm, Rafe is accustomed to getting what he needs from any woman. Yet Collette is becoming a challenge, an innocent challenge that is starting to feel very different than his usual affairs that support his profession. This young lady is no traditional beauty, but her personality, her natural sparkling attractiveness is getting to Rafe far more than the most established beauty of the ton. And really, her spying leaves much to be desired. He’s learning quite a bit about hedgehogs these days for he certainly does make this young lady nervous. I enjoyed Rafe, he’s just enough jaded with life to make him realistic. He’ll do what he needs to do for his country, but falling in love with Collette wasn’t in the plan… so now he needs another plan, like helping his lady.

Secondary characters can make or break a story for me, and again we get to meet some people that I cannot wait to learn their own stories. There is humor in An Affair with a Spare, the kind that endears a character to me, certainly there are steamy romantic moments, and a slow burn of anticipation as well. Not every woman can be a classic beauty, so as Collette’s charm and natural attractiveness began to work its magic on Rafe I think I fell a bit in love with this hero myself. An intriguing mystery rounds out this story. I had fun, I enjoyed my time in this world – and that’s the whole point. If you’re in the mood for a lovely romance with a bit of suspense between a spy and an expert on hedgehogs, then You’ll enjoy An Affair with a Spare.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Collette Fortier is in England under an assumed name staying with Lady Ravensgate trying to get information that will free her father from prison in France. Collette's father was Napoleon's assassin during the war and was arrested when the Bourbon's reclaimed the throne. Collette's only chance to free him is to get close to someone in the foreign office and steal codes that the Royalists want. Finally she makes the acquaintance of Col Draven, but in her nervousness, begins babbling about hedgehogs. Collette learned English by reading nature texts and tends to ramble about the mating practices of hedgehogs when she is nervous.

Rafe Beaumont works for Draven, he is one of the survivors, known as the Seducer. Women fall over themselves to get to Rafe - he is handsome, charming and an exceptional lover. He is only ever given missions involving women, because he never fails where women are concerned. That is until he meets Collette. Collette seems immune to his charms and he has no idea what to do. Advice from his fellow survivors is amusing and actually helpful. Instead of seducing her, he sets out to be her friend.


Here is the rub, he really likes Collette and the more he gets to know her, the less he wants to have to turn her over to Draven. He wheedles the truth out of her and promises to help her. They become lovers and he knows that he has never felt this way about a woman before, but an event that happened to him as a child has marked him and he never lets a woman get close enough to hurt him. That is until Collette.


Collette is devastated when she learns that Rafe used her for information, but he promises to help her find and free her father, but she must trust him.


Is it possible for a French spy and an English war hero to have a happy ever after? Can Rafe overcome his past and find a future with the only woman he has ever really loved without being a traitor to his country? Will Collette be able to save her father?


This is a well written, fast paced story with secrets, lies, steamy love scenes, amusing dialogue, some action, some intrigue and lots of advice from the other survivors. It is the third book in the series, but can easily be read as a stand alone title. I enjoyed this story and would be happy to recommend the entire series and am anxiously awaiting Japer's story!

Hard to believe but each book in this series just keeps getting better. In a story of hidden identities and deeply hidden emotions, this book will take you on an engaging journey to an ending that will leave you wanting more. This is the story of Rafe Beaumont, termed the Seducer as he spied for the crown. Of course that is not known by many but if you just looked into his violet eyes, one could believe it!
Collette Fortier is on a mission of her own, to obtain information to send back to France to free her father from prison. But when the spy begins seducing the spy, what will happen? Upon meeting, Rafe is his charming self, but Collette seems to be immune to his charms. But as he offers her friendship (of course in hopes of getting info from her), he is hard to resist.
In typical Shana Galen prose, you are taken through a wonderful tale, full of spies, suspense, traitors and even amusing quips about hedgehogs (yes wait until you read what that is about!). I really did not want to turn the last page, but I know there will be another book in this series and just cannot wait!!!

I really liked this historical read. Lots of drama and intrigue. Great characters with great chemistry and a fast-paced story that holds your interest throughout. A good read.

This was a good book by an amazing author. Shana always knows how to tell a story and Keep. you interested! I look forward to her new books!

A enjoyable and entertaining book. This historical romance offers plenty of drama and humor as Rafe and Collette's story unfolds. As these two are at cross purposes while being attracted to each other, you know there will be much bantering an sparks flying. Collette is sassy and fun and Rafe is a very handsome guy (and he knows it) and charming. Together their story was a fun (if a bit of a slow burn in the beginning) read.

As with all of Shana Galen’s historical romances, she has again delivered a tale with sparkling dialogue and an adventure-packed plot. I’m so glad I accepted an invitation from the publisher, via Net-Galley, to read and review An Affair with a Spare, the third book in her Survivors series. My opinions are my own and are not influence in any way.

An Affair with a Spare moves a little slow in the beginning, but as a devoted reader of Ms. Galen’s, I persevered, and I’m so glad I did. The book truly took off at the halfway point. From that point on, I could not read fast enough, and it had the ingredients that I love in Ms. Galen’s writing style.

Collette’s character is vulnerable but determined. While it took some time to become vested in her, by the middle of the book, I fully wanted her to find her happy ending, and with Rafe. She has many of the characteristics that I enjoy in a heroine.

Rafe makes a drool-worthy hero. I enjoyed his character quite a lot. I found it interesting when he does not pursue an amorous attachment to Collette and keeps his manner to her friendly and helpful for a good bit of the book.

There is plenty of sexual tension between Collette and Rafe once they both recognize their feelings for each other. By the end of the book, I was thrilled when they found their happily ever after.

If you are a fan of Regency romances with plenty of action and heart-warming characters, then you will love No Earls Allowed as much as I did. I highly recommend this book and this very talented author. Happy reading!

I have been a big Shana Galen fan since her first series. I love her way with characters and plots. This book is about Rafe Beaumont who is the fifth son of an earl and he uses his charm with the ladies to find out secrets. Collette Fortier father’s life is at stake. Will she end up being able to trust Rafe and save her father.

I must admit I did find this a little slow in parts until just before half way and then the story really took off. There was an abundance of action from there on and it became a real page turner. I wasn’t too keen on Rafe Beaumont at first but he did redeem himself. Colette Fortier was in a difficult position between her love for her father and her feelings towards Rafe. There were a number of interesting secondary characters amongst Rafe’s friends. Overall, this was an entertaining read. I was given a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a pretty good book and enjoyed it very much. Even though a part of a series, it can be read as a stand alone. The characters were fully developed with thoughts and feelings of their own.
I liked the story line with lots of funny stuff, along with a bit of adventure and of course love.
Collette Fortier is one woman with one thing on her mind. Get her father out of prison in France no matter what it takes. She must get her hands on a code to give to the bad guys. So Collette pretends to be someone else to get the information she needs at the Foreign Office. She just has to get a man who would have that info.
Then she meets Rafe Beaumont who tries to distract her from her mission. He is one heck of a handsome guy with sex appeal oozing from him. Rafe is a rogue who makes all women fall for him, but Collette isn't one to add to his list.
Rafe must try to win her affections by being a friend. He will also seduce her with lovely words with a lot of kisses thrown in. It will take a lot of work, but Rafe will conquer the lady's heart.
I appreciate Net Galley for this ARC title in which I gave an honest review.

Publisher's Description:
“An endearing love story that kept me up all hours reading… Wonderful!” —SABRINA JEFFRIES, New York Times bestselling author, for Third Son’s a Charm

He’s turned seduction into an art form…
Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he’s putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She’s entirely immune to Rafe’s flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father’s life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined…

My Thoughts:
I try to not miss a chance at reading a book by Shana Galen. She always seems to entertain with well developed plots, unforgettable characters and entertaining as well as intriguing storylines.

Rafe Beaumont is the fifth son of an earl and far enough down the line as to not likely to inherit. Most of the ton see him as a seducer of women and a wastrel. This is however an excellent cover for his duties to the crown as a spy.His current mission is to seduce information out of Collette Fortier.

Collette Fortier is the daughter of a French spy and assassin. She is trying desperately to find a way to save her father and succumbing to the charms of a rake like Rafe is definitely not in the plan. In order to save her father she has been tasked to find a way to break the code used by the English. She needs to get Rafe's assistance not fall in love with the man. She struggles to resist him but for the most part succeeds.

This witty, sometimes humorous book is filled with intrigue. It is a real page turner and in this reader's opinion, "Not To Be Missed".

I gave this newest Shana Galen book 4.75 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.75 of 5.0 flames. This unusual plot includes our rakish spy with a conquest that he cannot seduce.

I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title through NetGalley to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

I have read books by Shana Galen in paperbacks some years back & it was a pleasure reading this ebook ...its a delightful Regency Romance with lots of intrigue,suspense,action etc....It was a refreshing change to read a Shana galen book after a long time ...her books ve all right elements to captivate a reader ...a well developed plot ,scripted excellently, witty, humour, sex ,romance, gripping emotions ...u name it ...just cant the book down...In this book the start was a bit slow but after a few chapters the pace went fast & its became engrossing ,adventurous ....

This books presents the story of, Rafe Beaumont, the fifth son of an earl , who is seen as a wastrel ,seducer by the ton but in fact is a spy having assignments which makes him act a rake among the peerage ...Collette Fortier is the daughter of Napoleon’s most successful assassin & now her father's life is at stake who has been taken as prisoner by the french .. so to save him she succumbs to presure & becomes a spy for the french.

Rafe is assigned to entice Collette & ferret information from her about her mission...how the two of them in the process gt attracted ,fall in love & also save the day as it goes...The secondary characters in this storyline also help to make this such an entertaining read with Ewan, Neil and Jasper...I would love to read there stories also... Galen manages to bring her characters together and synchs them with the story well ...overall a good read ....i would recommend it

Collette Fortier, aka Fourney, is pretending to be the niece of Lady Ravengate, the contact to the Bourbon government, imprisoning her father. He was Napoleon's most deadly assassin, although forced into that role. To free her father Collette has been tasked with stealing the English secret code so the French can decode Britton's communications. She has come to the notice of Lieutenant Colonel Draven of Britain's Foreign Office. He tasks Rafe Beaumont, one of the surviving members of Draven's elite suicide squad in Napoleon's War, to find out if she's spying. Rafe was known as "The Seducer" as he's charming as so very beautiful. Women has ALWAYS fallen at his feet. It was an easy task for him to seduce information from women during the war. Now back in England as the 5th son of the Earl of Huddingfort, he's just kinda drifting from one woman to the next, never making real connections. Draven believes he's perfect to determine if Collette is Fortier and if she's spying.

Rafe is totally at a loss as to how to proceed when Collette rejects him. He's NEVER been rejected! Truth be told she's overwhelmed by him and gets tongue tied around him. When she gets nervous she starts spouting facts about hedgehogs since that's the only text she had teaching herself English. It makes for some really funny, laugh out loud moments in this story. Not to mention Rafe being at a total loss as to how to proceed with his mission. Rafe finds himself taking advice from his friend Jasper as to the strategy to engage Collette. I found the whole story engaging and funny. This is a really good story!

Thank you Shana Galen for inviting me to be part of your review group and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to honestly review this story.

An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen is book Three in the Survivors series. This is the story of Rafe Beaumont and Collette Fortier. I have read the other books in this series (and loved them!) but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Rafe being a spare son to his titled father was able to be free to become become a spy and be put in questionable situations. With his charm and good looks he has been able to seduce some top secrets out of women. When given the assignment to spy on the daughter of Napoleon’s most successful assassin he is shocked that she can't be seduced by him. Collette is working to free her father who is being held hostage by the French royalists. To free her father she must spy for them and she is trying to break a letter in code that may also help her father. So when Rafe comes around she tries to resit him and his charm. But when he in turn changes things by offering friendship and help she starts to weaken.
This was a page turner for me!

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery. Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined. Collette is staying with Lady Ravensgate posing as a cousin whilst trying to find secret codes to send to France in order to win her father’s release.
A lovely read as always from the author the characters have plenty of depth, Rafe is swoon worthy but as well as looking gorgeous he’s also caring. Collette is driven to free her father & even pretends to be uninterested in Rafe. The pace of the story is very good & flows extremely well. There is intrigue & mystery but also lots of humour, especially Collette learning English from a book about hedgehogs & how when nervous she spouts facts about the prickly creatures. Of course the pair are attracted to each other but decide to become friends & all the while that attraction simmers. This is the third book in the series & could very well be read on its own but I’d recommend reading the previous books & I can’t wait for the next, hopefully Jasper’s story.

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I am loving this series more and more with every book. Galen just continues to deliver.
Rafe, the hero meets his match in Collette, the French spy that he can't seduce so instead he becomes her friend and the fun begins. I loved how the heroine Collette was French. Hero and Heroine were very well crafted characters that are the best match for each other. A great romantic adventure! I can't wait for the next book.

Loved, loved, loved Rafe and his Violet eyes!!! This whole Survivors series has been amazing and we’ve gotten glimpses of the professional flirt Rafe Beaumont that hinted that there was more to him than met the eye...and boy was there! I loved the intrigue, that Shana does so well, while also getting the deep emotions and backstories of both Rafe and Collette. Also let me just say Thomas Gaines 😍
Can’t wait for Jasper’s story and to learn more about Draven’s lost lady!

This story really hooks you in. I never knew so much about hedgehogs before, but the heroine's comments about them was a very humorous addition to the story. I loved the fact that this romance was messy and you can't see a good outcome for the couple. I'm hoping to see them again in subsequent stories in the series as they are very compelling characters. I'm a big fan of this author and was happy to be able to read and review this book.

Book Info
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: July 3rd 2018 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1492638951 (ISBN13: 9781492638957)
Edition Language English
Series The Survivors #3
Other Editions (1)
Source:Netgalley EARC

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BOOK BLURB


He's turned seduction into an art form...

Rafe Beaumont, fifth son of an earl, uses his irresistible charm with the ladies to glean dangerous war secrets. Now he's putting those skills to the ultimate test: capturing an elusive assassin by seducing his daughter. The problem? She's entirely immune to Rafe's flattery.

Never before has Collette Fortier met a man as attractive as Rafe. But her father's life is at stake, and succumbing to Rafe would be disastrous. But when Rafe turns the tables on her, offering support and friendship instead of a fleeting affair, Collette finds herself tempted in ways she never could have imagined...

My Thoughts


First off have to say after immersing myself in the past two reads with death and dying this lively historical romance story is a breath of fresh air. Plus learned more than needed to know about Hedgehog mating habits from our heroine Collette Fortier.

From glittering ballrooms to the more dangerous areas of London this book encompasses a wide variety of a society that has always fascinated me.

Our heroine Collette Fournay/Fortier is a very passionate French woman of only 20 and our hero Rafe Beaumont is not much older as he is also in his early 20's. However back when these characters would have lived most people of their age were expected to live as and make their own way as adults from an even earlier age than that.

Poor Rafe, his illustrious reputation as a man-about-town magnet for willing women is being threatened. Funny thing is his attraction to Collette is actually returned, she is just the first in a long line of female conquests to have the will to resist The Seducer for any length of time.

Collette wanted to perform the task which would supposedly free her Father from his incarceration in France. However once she starts trying the object of her quest is not amenable to any kind of persuasion on her part to divulge any information.

Enter Rafe Beaumont, tasked with his own onerous instructions that made sense when he did not really know Collette Fournay/Fortier yet as they do grow closer can he actually carry out his orders?

This was filled with quite a bit more relationship building than it's predecessors for me and in a much more fun manner for the most part as well.

Not a bad addition to what has been a great series so far.


[EArc from Netgalley ]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.