This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
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“During the American Revolution, General George Washington employed a ring of spies in and around New York City, the headquarters for the British war effort in North America. These spies identified themselves in their letters by code numbers. One was known as “355,” which stood for “lady.” To date, her true identity remains unknown.”
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A coming of age historical fiction that will catapult you back to the American Revolution era. Inspired by true "355" the author Veronica Rossi delivers a stellar Historical Ya Fiction, with atmospheric details and intrigue.
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1776, living on Grand Bahama Island fifteen year old Francisca Tasker has suffered the loss of her mother. Left in the care of her abusive alcoholic stepfather Sewel, who’s way of making a living is “wrecking” diving old shipwrecks looking for sunken spoils to capitalize on.
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Taking things into her own hands when it becomes clear that her stepfather has matrimony on his mind with Frannie. When a devastating shipwreck leaving no survivors, provides the perfect opportunity for escape. Assuming the identity of a girl who closely resembles her own self, by the name of Emmeline Coates. Fannie escape is sealed when learning that the young woman has lost her entire family in the shipwreck and the she will be put her on the next ship bound for New York, where her new guardian is located. The ship happens to full Loyalists, she has a chance meeting with a young man, Asa Lane who leaves a profound impact on Frannie. He is an American rebel, who stands for liberty, and complete American independence from the long reaching tyrant King of England.
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Frannie’s new position as a highborn lady of society in New York gives her the perfect vantage point for transferring intelligence. The the constant balls and soirées gives the new Emmeline Coates an opportunity to mingle with the British soldiers milling around at the events she attends. This collection of information is then transferred to well developed network of spies working for George Washington.
Finding something more to life than the bonds placed on woman during this time in history. Frannie’s adventurous spirit leads her to a new direction one that might ultimately be her downfall..
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The storyline is well paced with reveals that come at just the right time, the authors narration and the writing flows effortlessly and smoothly. Making this book a fast read one that I completely inhaled. A Ya historical fiction that I was captivated from the beginning all the way through until the very end. Great character development and the growth of the main POV is noticeable. The authors descriptive writing constructs a world with lifelike characters, all the while giving the reader front row seats throughout all the events in this compelling engaging book.

Frannie Tasker has lost both of her parents and is stuck with her abusive step father. When she sees the opportunity to start a new life for herself she takes. Frannie assumes the identity of Emmeline Coats, a high society American girl who died in a ship wreck, When life in high society New York begins to lack adventure, Frannie finds herself gathering British intelligence as a spy for George Washington.

I was very excited about this book expecting it to be primarily about a female spy during the revolutionary war. And it is about that, but it takes a lot of back story to get to that point. It lacked a lot of the adventure that I was anticipating and moved at a pretty slow pace.

My first thought on how to describe this book is just, wow. It was so good. The history in it reminds me of the Seeds of America series by Laurie Halse Anderson. It brings to mind a time that we don’t always learn about as much as we think we did in school. At least I know there are things about the Revolutionary War that I never thought about, even though I’m sure it was pretty obvious. But like the Anderson series, this reminded me about how slavery was still something going on in this time, it didn’t just revolve around the Civil War like we get so much about in school. Not to mention how much we talk about the United States starting in 1776, but that wasn’t the end of the Revolutionary War, it really was right around the beginning!

This book is about a female spy that actually we don’t know for sure who she was, but Veronica Rossi has woven an imaginative tale that invites the reader in to where you can just see the type of woman who might have volunteered for this type of duty. But not just that, we got a peek into so many different lifestyles of people at that time. From those living on islands like the Grand Bahamas, to those privateering or pirating, and clear up to the well-to-do members of society. In this story we really get only the society of those who were Loyalists, siding with the British. Our glimpses into the lives and fight of those who were fighting for American’s freedom are mainly through shopkeepers, prisoners on horrible ships and other prisons, and those smuggling to safety those that they can from the area of New York and the other British holdings.

We got to hear the names of several historical figures as players mostly in the background of the story, George Washington and Benedict Arnold to name a few.

A wonderful story, fitting for the times we are in, bringing up how the slaves were treated at that time. Yes, the British may have “freed them”, but it was only the slaves of Loyalists, not those of the Patriots. And it wasn’t just that this was such a good story, the writing really kept me reading, barely able to put down this over 350 page book. It’s one I’ll be highly recommending, as well as purchasing for the students at the high school library where I work.

REBEL SPY BY VERONICA ROSSI⁣
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𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 3.75/5 STARS⁣
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𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Frannie and Asa⁣
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𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗧 𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: Sewel⁣
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𝗙𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗘 𝗔𝗦𝗣𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗦: I was really intrigued by the history behind this story; I haven’t studied a great deal about the American Revolution but the background in this book was really interesting. I did find it ironic that America had to fight for independence from the British and now the current political climate shows a complete change in their attitude! ⁣
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I also loved the 355 spy organisation; it was intriguing to know it actually existed. I do wish there was a bit more about the spying itself; the book gets entangled in the romance a lot and I would’ve loved a bit more development on Frannie’s spying. ⁣
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Rebel Spy did hold my attention throughout the story; I did fall in love with Frannie and her story. I was rooting for her. Her hardship, her sass, her wit and her courage were traits I admired. The story really hit my heart at certain points. ⁣
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𝗦𝗛𝗜𝗣𝗦: Asa and Frannie. This has angst. Be prepared for a semi-heavy dose of it. There’s no intense love triangle, just a very Romeo and Juliet feel to their story.⁣
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𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗗 𝗙𝗢𝗥: readers looking for an easy historical fiction read with spies and romance.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Rebel Spy tells the story of the unknown Agent 355, who was instrumental in aiding the fight for independence during the American War of Independence. Francisca Tasker is struggling with her grief following her late mother's death, and trying to stay safe with her wicked step father, Sewel, in Grand Bahama. After he attempts to kill her, she discovers a washed up body of a girl who is very much similar to herself, and decides to assume her identity. Now on her way to the besieged city of New York, as the wealthy, and orphaned, heiress, Miss Emmeline Coates, she finds kinship with the dashing Asa Lane, who is a patriot, and makes her reconsider everything she had known about British rule, and slowly begins to support the move for independence. Over the next few years, she lives as Emmeline easily, but is soon caught up in mystery and intrigue, leading her to pass along information she can overhear, as a upper class lady in society. She knows she is risking everything, especially as she is being courted by a British officer, Lieutenant Duncan, but her sense of patriotic duty is too much, and soon she finds the smoking gun, so to say, that will aide General Washington, and the whole movement.

I will admit that I don't know much about the American War of Independence. I adore history - even did my degree in the subject - but being English, it's barely a blip on our radar. I know the basics - Boston Tea Party, General Washington, Benedict Arnold, July 4th and the Declaration, etc. - and had heard of Culper spy ring, but that's basically it. I knew that as soon as this book was announced, I needed to read it, and am so glad I was approved for my review copy. I do have two slight negatives about the book, but otherwise it's a solid 4 star for me. Frannie/Emmeline was an outstanding main character, who grew so much throughout the course of the book - not just through her assuming Emmeline's identity and becoming a society Lady, but also through her thought processing and realisation of the world around her.

Plot wise, it was slow to get into. I wasn't expecting it to take 31% before Emmeline even set foot on US soil, but I see how that was setting the stage of her past and transformation. Once she arrived in New York, and started to see how political prisoners were treated in the prison ships, and the ruthlessness of the British and Hessian armies on the island, Emmeline used the snippets of information she heard from officers at garden parties, especially about the allusive 'Monk', and passed it on to her contact, Townsend. She was really risking everything, and from that moment on, until she is caught, the tension really ramped up, and I couldn't put the book down. The romance in the book was good, though I never really understood the attraction to Duncan, and always wanted Asa to return, and for Emmeline to be with him. Other than it being a slow start, I didn't like the ending, as I felt it needed a bit more of a conclusion, but think it was done in that way to add to the mystery of Agent 355.

Veronica Rossi's Rebel Spy was filled with adventure and the right amount of history. As a dramaturg, I greatly appreciated Rossi's author notes and the details she incorporated within the pages of the book to bring the story of "355" (aka "Lady) to life.

Like everything in history, the sources are not always factual, but Rossi's writing made me feel as though I was with Frannie every step of the way. I fell for the main character's believability and her story. Frannie was not only Washington's spy for the American Revolution, but she was a watcher within a social class she did not belong to and worked among those outside her gender.

The facts inspired and informed Rebel Spy teaches the importance of diving deep into history and uncovering stories that are more than mere legends.

Source: ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was drawn to Veronica Rossi’s new novel Rebel Spy because although I love historical fiction and read it often, I’ve not read much in the way of fiction that focuses on the American Revolution. I was especially intrigued by Rebel Spy because the rebel spy in question is actually a woman, which was definitely new information to me. Aside from those who went on to become First Ladies, the only other female figure that even comes to mind when I think of the Revolutionary War is Betsy Ross. Needless to say, I was thrilled to learn that there were actually female spies in George Washington’s intelligencer networks and that they played a vital role in the war.

Rossi’s novel follows a woman identified in our historical records only as Agent 355 “Lady.” Agent 355’s true identity remains unknown to this day and all we know of her is that she was a woman of high society in New York and that she worked as a part of Washington’s Culper spy network. In her novel, Rossi has used her imagination to fill in the gaps and reimagine Agent 355’s life.

In Rossi’s reimagining, Agent 355 is Frannie Tasker, an orphaned young woman who lives on Grand Bahama Island with her abusive stepfather. Frannie dreams of a new life free from his abuse, and when her stepfather announces that he wants to marry her, Frannie becomes all the more desperate to get away from him. A timely storm, a devastating shipwreck with no survivors, and the body of a young woman who drowned in the wreck and bears a striking resemblance to Frannie provides her the escape she has been looking for. With her quick thinking, Frannie switches places with the young woman, thus assuming her identity. She learns that the young woman has lost her entire family in the shipwreck and the plan is now to put her on the next ship to New York, where her new guardian is located. The story follows Frannie as she takes on this new identity, learns to behave like a proper lady of society, and begins her life anew in New York City. It is while she is on the journey to New York that Frannie meets a young man who puts the idea of rebelling against the Crown into her head and sets into motion her journey to joining a spy ring. Frannie’s new position as a lady of society in New York gives her a prime vantage spot for intelligence as there are constantly British soldiers milling around at events she attends.

Rebel Spy is definitely a character driven story in the sense that while we do see Frannie in action as a spy, the spy ring and the Revolutionary War itself are very much in the background. This is a story about Frannie, the life she has left behind, the new life she embraces in New York, the new friends and more-than-friends she meets along the way, and then finally her introduction to the world of spying. As much as I enjoyed reading about Frannie’s life and what a resourceful and principled young lady she was, I would have rated this book even higher if we had gotten to see a little more of the actual spying and the war up close.

Even with that little quibble, I still found Rebel Spy to be a quick and satisfying read and one that has definitely made me want to learn more about the women who played a role in the American Revolution.

Rebel Spy follows Frannie as she assumes the identity of a loyalist young woman during the Revolutionary War in an attempt to escape her abusive step-father.
I really enjoyed the descriptive writing that Veronica Rossi utilized in the novel. Frannie has a very imaginative mind that pairs with the writing style so well. Frannie used this imagination throughout the book to help her temporarily transport herself away from the hardships she went through.
Frannie is a very strong and independent character who was ahead of her time as a woman in society. I thoroughly enjoyed her development in this character-driven story.
This book was less about the spying and focused a lot more on the romance which just felt lacking to me. I didn’t connect with Frankie’s romantic interests at all. I found most of the romantic plot lines to be unnecessary and I wish that the Frannie’s spy adventures would have been explored more as I had expected them to be based on the description.
I haven’t read many books from this time period so I appreciated learning more about this part of history. I liked the revolutionary aspect and that I got to read about characters realizing that their previous views can change based on new information that they learned and new events taking place in the world. I think I just had different expectations for what the main plot lines of this book would be.

Frannie Trasker escapes her stepfather by assuming the identity of a drowned society girl, traveling to New York from the Caribbean in her place. She becomes convinced that the American Revolution means a better world. Flirting with British soldiers as Emmeline Coates, Frannie gathers information to pass on to the rebel army.

Based loosely on stories of an actual Revolutionary spy ring, this book falls somewhat short due to the rather untenable way in which Frannie becomes involved and learns to spy. If one can overlook that, it's a conversation started on an obscure and little known piece of American history, the spies of the Revolution.

I am a Revolutionary history nerd. I had instant heart eyes when I read the description of this book. I love reading non-fiction and fiction surrounding Washington's intelligencers. I was intrigued at the idea of a YA novel centering around Agent 355, especially as historically she is the member of the Culper ring that we know the least about.... other than that she was a lady. Veronica Rossi definitely delivered an engaging and unique take on "lady."

Frannie Tasker grew up on Grand Bahama island and works for her stepfather diving for treasure in shipwrecks. He is abusive and after her mother's death reveals that he intends to marry Frannie. When a ship wrecks near the beach and all aboard die, Frannie assumes the identity of a young woman who was aboard the ship. This leads Frannie to a new life in New York City, where she is a well-off society lady in a home of loyalists. Frannie is a patriot at heart and decides to use her access to British officers to gain information for the Rebel cause. Frannie encounters real life revolutionaries and British officers along the way including Culper Ring members and the head of British Intelligence, Major John Andre.

This was definitely character-centered story with the historical action used as a brilliant backdrop for Frannie's conflicting emotions and choices. I hope that this peek into an aspect of Revolutionary history will encourage readers to do even more digging into the lives and histories of those involved in providing intelligence during the Revolutionary War.

I would highly recommend this to teens and adults who enjoy historical fiction with some romance and intrigue! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for the egalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I loved this story. From an incredibly strong female character to rogues with heart, this story was hard to put down and I really enjoyed all of it. There was intrigue, drama, suspense and it all came together in an exciting and surprisingly believable way. I will read more from this author in the future and I am grateful to have been introduced and given the opportunity to read this book in advance.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Rebel Spy intrigued me as a historical fiction lover who knew a tiny bit about George Washington’s spy ring prior to picking up the book. And the fact that, while Frannie as a fleshed-out character is fictional, her actions were inspired by a real life Revolutionary spy had me curious to know more.

I liked Frannie and her courage in intense situations, whether it be dealing with her stepfather’s abusive behavior or taking on a new identity. I also liked how, upon developing awareness of the tense situation between the colonists and the British and how people tend to take her for granted due to her unassuming appearance leads her to use that to her advantage in aiding Washington.

Rossi does an excellent job of illustrating the tensions between Revolutionaries and Loyalists in a realistic way through the characters and their relationships, such Asa and his father.

While the book focuses on Frannie coming into her own more than the spy intrigue as I was hoping it would, I think it’s a fairly solid book for what it is. If you like historical fiction, I think you’ll like this one.

2.5 stars

You can read all of my reviews at https://www.NerdGirlLovesBooks.com.

This is an ok historical fiction about the mysterious Agent 355 - the famous "lady" spy who passes information to George Washington's Culper spy ring.

Frannie Tasker is a young girl in the Grand Bahama Islands. Her mother died and she is left in the custody of her drunken, lecherous step-father. When Frannie discovers the body of a young women, Emmaline Coates, floating off the coast, she assumes the girl's identify and takes the opportunity to escape her brutal step-father. Frannie discovers that the young woman is rich and part of society, so Frannie must learn to act and speak like her in order to keep up the charade.

Once in New York Frannie blends into Ms. Coates' life. She is courted by a British lieutenant and soon learns about the darker side of the war. Using her position in society, she begins to eavesdrop on British officers and passes on the information to Robert Townsend, a member of the Culper spy ring.

I am fascinated by the Revolutionary War, and in particular, the spy ring developed by George Washington. So, I was very excited to get the opportunity to read this book. Unfortunately, it wasn't what I expected. The writing was ok, but the story fell flat. Disappointingly, the spy ring was a very small part of the book. Frannie's exploits and "spying" was described very simplistically and the author didn't provide much detail about what she did and how she did it. Considering the book is 368 pages long, I was expecting a much more robust depiction of Frannie's participation in the spy ring, but didn't get it.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"I was just like America, was the truth. Only I couldn't declare independence. All I'd been able to do was run."

Weeks after Frannie Tasker's mother dies, she knows she needs to flee from her cruel stepfather. When a shipwreck brings an unexpected method of escaping her small island, Frannie takes on the identity of a dead girl and becomes Emmeline Coates. Now free and wealthy, Frannie sails to the American Colonies to live as a Loyalist Lady. But when a chance encounter with a rebel makes her question all of her allegiances, and another opportunity is put before her, Frannie undertakes a dangerous task: spying on the redcoats for General Washington, becoming the famous and mysterious 355, or "Lady".

This brilliant historical fiction interweaves many different narratives of life in Revolution era America and dangers that come with being a Patriot. Rossi highlights the real brave men and women who fought for freedom (as well as those who sought to stamp out that freedom), and wonderfully introduces readers to the legend-like figure that is the real 355--an identity lost to history. (Alas, Anonymous truly is always a woman.) I would think that the real 355 would be impressed with how Rossi writes Frannie, who represents many of the ideas and values that built America--the ideas and values worth risking one's life for, worth risking a fate worse than death for.

"Rebel Spy" is a page-turning supplement to American History that brilliantly fills in the gaps that the textbooks leave out. Namely, it answers the question: where are the women of the Revolution? Step into this thrilling work of historical fiction to find the answers.

Francisca “Frannie” Tasker longs to escape the hell her life has become since her mother passed away. When an altercation with her abusive stepfather ends in physical violence, she knows there is nothing left for her in the Bahamas but misery and flees under the guise of another woman. Assuming the identity of Emmeline Coates, Frannie sets sail for the American colonies. But in 1776, the American colonies are as fraught with tension as well. Educated on the ideals of the American patriots by her fellow passenger, Asa Lane, Frannie can’t help but feel sympathy for the Americans. However, Miss Coates comes from a family of loyalist and there is safety and security if Frannie can continue to assume her identity. Can Frannie continue to successfully pass for Miss Coates when the ship reaches New York City’s harbor? Will she be willing to risk everything she’s gained to help free the American’s from the type of tyranny she herself has experienced?

VERDICT is that this is a engaging historical fiction read that I think will appeal to many readers. I love that Veronica Rossi was inspired to create this story after learning that there was a “Lady” spy with the code number 355 during the Revolutionary War. Although the main character, Frannie, is a work of fiction, I enjoyed the author’s note at the end that discussed the real historical figures and the role of spies during the American Revolution. I wish that with all this history behind it that the novel would have had a little more depth. It was a quick and engaging read, but I would have liked to see some of the characters surrounding Frannie developed more fully.

“Veronica Rossi’s historical fiction of Agent 355 is depicted as determined, brave, and unflinching, bringing to the surface a voice and story that adds definition to the contours of our human narrative.”

Cecelia Beckman, Sheaf & Ink

Veronica Rossi’s Rebel Spy gives a unique perspective of a historical figure. Agent 355 helped the American cause for freedom from the tyranny of King George’s rule. As someone who feasts on historical fiction whenever possible, this bread crump Rossi discovered turned into a banquet with tasty and fragrant morsels that will entice readers to take a second helping.

The Prologue of Rebel Spy had me hooked. It sank its metal claws deep. Wanting answers to two very important questions that had me swiping every page.

After the jolt of a Prologue, the story started off relatively slow. Our main character, Frannie Tasker was dealing with the loss of her mother and she seemed stuck by her social status with no way to elevate herself in a conventional way. Although her day-to-day activities of wrecking was intriguing and would later serve her well. But the lull didn’t last long. Things began to pick up when Frannie takes on a new identity that would provide the opportunities of a lifetime.

With a love triangle, a slice of history during the American Revolution, a female spy in 1776 America, Veronica Rossi’s Rebel Spy was a riveting tale. It grabbed my attention and held me under as we plummeted into the darkest depths of our past. At each fathom, the layers of our nation’s story unravel like a fraying thread pulled from an intricate garment. Quickly coming undone into a pool of colors in shades of garnet and ash. Finding within the heap of cloth that women were major players in that birth.

History seems to paint these heroines of our Nation into the margins. Forcing them to become footnotes of our past rather than as leading contributors in the forefront, who are as vital as the Founding Fathers or the Sons of Liberty.

More and more authors are carving a place for those characters that were subjected to and limited by the scope of privileged white men. Rossi’s own interpretation of Agent 355, is depicted as determined, brave, and unflinching, bringing to the surface a voice and story that adds definition to the contours of our human narrative.

A unique view of the Revolutionary War from the pov of a fierce female. Deception awaits around every corner, and I couldn't put this book down. Frannie explodes from the page through Rossi's lyricism. I was cheering for her every step of the journey and actually found myself talking to the pages trying to speak to her throughout the book. What a timely book to question what freedom is worth and how much it costs. I have always loved Rossi's writing, but this novel has quickly become my favorite.

I went back and forth on finishing this one. It ebbed and flowed with action and for me what read like filling in with fluff. I know it is based off of a true story and that a lot of Frannie’s story is unknown (like her actual name). I appreciate all of the effort and creativity that the author put into writing this. In the end I finished and I am glad I

Veronica does an excellent job giving a name and a face and a voice to '355'. How the story unfolded was brilliant and how things always tie together in some way or form was exceptional. I only wish there had been an epilogue unfolding what happened to all the characters at the end, but it was a very adventurous story.

In a need of a cosy historical fiction read to go with that tea or coffee you’re having? Rebel Spy has you covered. Set in the American Revolutionary War, it is filled with a little romance, camaraderie, and not least of all spies, so it is sure to satisfy that cosy need!

In this book, we meet Frannie, who somewhat finds herself on a ship away from her step-father, Sewel, who sounded rather nasty and abusive. Frannie is relieved to be away from  her step-father, however we quickly find out that she’s about to trade her life away in order to be able to gain passage to the ship’s destination: New York. The crew mistake her for the rich Emmeline, who was thought to be rather well mannered and lady-like, things that Frannie is not.

I liked that the book has a comparison between what Frannie was before the ship, and after, given that the social classes are vastly different to each other. I also enjoyed the character development of Frannie throughout, as she was trying to figure out how to fit into this new, extraordinary life. I believe that this was super important to have in the book to give the reader a greater sense of context.

Although this is driven by the research done on the mysterious real-life spy 355, I felt that the spy aspect (including the spy ring) didn’t take the forefront in the story. Whilst I appreciate that it was hard to incorporate the spy aspect with the already double life, I would’ve loved to see a lot more of it as the story progressed. Whilst spying in this context sounded super risky, I was also rather sympathetic to Frannie as she was trying to battle who she was on top of being a spy.

Whereas the focus was more on Frannie and her status in society, I did like how romance and love (or lack thereof in some cases) was incorporated throughout as a key theme. We had the abuse of her stepfather telling her that she wouldn’t find anyone to marry, to potentially finding someone in high society. Whilst the latter was kind of flowery, there was a bit of tension between Frannie and Asa Lane (or is it Asa Latimer? Time will surely tell...) If only Asa had more page time as he was honestly my favourite character, even though he tried to pretend that Frannie is too good for him. To me, Asa and Frannie gave me the same vibe as the early Bella and Edward from Twilight (if you get what I mean, with Edward being super cold at the start.).

I also enjoyed the writing style, full of prose and historical terms that made me delve right into the past mindset, trying to figure out how everything fit within the United States at the time. The book was  slow to start with while we familiarised ourselves with Frannie, however, I really felt like the book really did pick up pace when we hit New York, on the boat. Imagine that... fleeing from the Bahamas to New York by boat, when a flight is only two and a half hours long now! The pace towards the end of the book was perfect for me to keep going and not stop, something I often look for in a book that sounds (and looks) so good!

Overall, if you’re looking for a cosy read and historical fiction is your jam, this book might be what you’ve been missing. Definitely fill that hole by reading this one when it comes out!