Thank you so much to Entangled Brazen and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Undercover Engagement! This book comes out today, so if y'all are interested in reading it, you can go and grab it right after you've read my review! Undercover Engagement is the 5th book in the Private Pleasures series set in Bluelick, KY and while I haven't read all of them, I did read book 4, and that made me reallllyyyy want to read this one.
Undercover Engagement 4/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
Buttoned-down Eden Brixton is less than thrilled when she’s partnered with smooth-talking wild card Marcus Swain in an undercover op. Both their careers hinge on convincing folks in tight-knit Bluelick, KY that he’s the love of her life. She’d sooner tase him than prance around in practically nothing, hanging all over his chiseled body like she can’t get enough.
For Swain, being partnered with the too-gorgeous-for-his-sanity Eden promises to test his well-honed control. She’s smart, she’s skilled, she’s not just by-the-book—she knows the damn book backward and forward. And she hates his guts.
When Eden absolutely nails her role as his sexy fiancée—where the hell did she learn to seduce with a single glance?—Swain is knocked right on his ass. Living with a temptation like Eden makes it hard to remember their chemistry is strictly for show. And when the heat gets too real, doing the undercover op might prove to be their undoing.
Each book in the Private Pleasures series is STANDALONE:
* Private Practice
* Light Her Fire
* Falling for the Enemy
* Wet and Reckless
* Undercover Engagement
We're first introduced to Eden and Marc in book 4, Wet and Reckless, when they're doing pat down practice at the academy and they're 100% enemies. That scene is repeated from their points of view (well, Eden's point of view) at the beginning of this book as a way to set the scene and I loved it. I really liked Eden and Marc as characters and the way they played off of each other was masterful. Their undercover work was great. I was a little surprised that that much effort was being put into a sting operation for weed (don't ask me why I thought it was coke or heroin the whole book and then was highly disappointed when I realized it was weed that they were trying to find). I thought Eden played the spoiled financée who wanted to spend all the money on everything was so funny, especially since it felt like she was going so over the top, but I'm sure there are people like that all the time. Marc's trust issues got the best of him time and time again, but it was nice to see him being able to grow past them in the end. Pacing wise, I thought it was done really well- I was never bored nor overwhelmed with what was happening. All in all, it was a solid romance and I highly recommend it!

<i>Undercover Engagement</i> by <b>Samanthe Beck</b> is an enemies to lovers trope and sweet heavens it was so good. *sighhh*

Eden Brixton is brilliant, fast thinking graduate of the police academy, so why did she let Marc Swain needle her? or is it that she finds herself drawn to him? Eden has to keep her head in the game, her career depends on it.

Marc Swain is more then he seems to be, what will happen when he lets people see his real side? Marc is put to a test on his sanity when he is paired up with the one woman who stars in his nightly fantasies. Will he be able to finish their mission and get the girl?

Eden and Marc are a unlikely duo, Eden was rule follower and Marc was more of a wing it guy. Fresh out of the police academy they are put on their first assignment together, the question is will they blow their covers before the op is over? Their witty banter and sexual chemistry was off the charts. *swoon*

The supporting characters were interesting to say the least. There were a few curve-balls I did not see coming, in which made <i>Undercover Engagement</i> all the more interesting.

<b>Samantha Beck</b> is a new author to me. <i>Undercover Engagement</i> was an intense sexy fun read, with strong character building that held my attention from the first chapter. That is what prompted me too pick up the four earlier books in the <i>Private Pleasures Series</i> from the small town Bluelick, Kentucky .

<center><b>Rated 5 Stilettos by Deb !</b></center>

It’s been a while since I’ve last read a book by Samanthe Beck and this one reminded me exactly why I love these books!!! The “I pretend to hate you, but secretly love you” trope is EVERYTHING. Give me ALL the enemies to lovers romance books! The back and forth banter between Eden and Mark/Swain is something I absolutely loved reading. Both characters are part of the PD and have to team up together in an undercover op despite hating each other. The hate turns into something more and they both figure out that there’s a lot more to how they feel for each other. I loved seeing their relationship develop through out this book. It was a quick, not too hot, read. If you’re looking for something to read in a few hours this is it.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own***

3.8⭐️

I didn’t love the like basis for their op? Like there is acknowledgment that it would probably be legal come the next election, so … it just felt like a lot of effort for what was happening? I’m not sure.

I did like the romance story. Love fake dating. Plus a smidge of enemies to lovers. And I liked the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

This is the 5th book in this series I believe, and you can tell that this world is a world that the author enjoys writing in. From the cover alone it can be deduced that this leans more on the erotic side of the romance genre - not quite bodice ripping, sex non-stop, erotica, but there is no lack of steam in this book if you are looking for that. I enjoyed that the POV changed between the two main characters, and it felt like their relationship built out of actual feelings and it wasn't forced the way it could have been. My biggest issue with this book is what the actual police assignment was - but I think that is a personal preference, and I can understand why the choice was made. Overall this was a steamy book that was easy to read, and can stand alone in the set, though I am sure it is more enjoyable if you have read the other books in the series as well.

I enjoyed going back to Bluelick, KY with this fun, steamy story of 2 officers undercover as an engaged couple.

Eden Brixton just graduated the police academy, following in her father's footsteps, and she's already dreading her first assignment: going undercover with her class nemesis, Marcus Swain. They have to pretend to be engaged to find out who the local drug dealer is in town. The same town where she has to live and work once this assignment is over. She's less than thrilled with the arrangement, but it turns out she and Swain work pretty well together when they're on the same team.

Marcus Swain is a former Marine, who is now going to be a county sheriff's deputy. He's wanted Eden from the start of the academy, but she's not a big fan of him, or his easy, flirty, bayou manner. He hopes he can help her to improve her undercover skills, and she can help him convincingly sell their cover identity. But, if he wanted her before, being in close quarters makes that wanting heat up to out of control levels, and he worries what will happen if he acts on it.

Swain and Eden had lava-hot chemistry, and I loved their bickering banter. She didn't let him get away with ANYTHING, and it made him want her all the more. He takes her, and her skills seriously, and he trusts her to have his back more than anyone. I loved how they slowly argued their way into love. Also, their nicknames for each other were delightful!

The side characters in this small town are amusing, as always, and Dobie and Kenny were especially enjoyable here. I love getting to see glimpses of main characters from prior books, and we got quite a bit of that here, which was fun! There was a bit of a mystery plot with Eden and Swain trying to uncover the identity of the town's big dealer, and there were some clues along the way. Also, if you read the prior book in the series, Wet and Reckless, I felt there were clues to that person's identity in there as well, which is fun.

I enjoyed this story, and especially how they resolved their problems in the end. I loved the way they decided to jump in and trust each other, no matter what. This author's books are always enjoyable, and I adore her voice and style. I highly recommend this series!

Eden and Marcus were enemies turned partners coming straight out of the academy. Eden was straitlaced and Marcus more of the joker. A great romantic suspense storyline and their banter and chemistry was off the charts. I loved the secondary characters.

I received an arc from NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.
When two newly graduated cops from the academy, who had tension galore throughout school, get thrown together in an undercover op what could go wrong?
Both Marc and Eden felt the sexual tension throughout their time in the academy but how will that translate to undercover?
What a great read and lots of twists and turns throughout the book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. 4.5 stars

Eden and Marcus finished in the top of their class at Kentucky's Department of Criminal Justice basic training academy. Very competitive, they battled each other for the top spot but Eden edged Marcus out. Eden prides herself on her professionalism but when she ends up partnered with Marcus on an undercover op she's unhappy. She's especially aggravated when she finds out their cover is to be a young couple in love. Both Eden and Marcus are attracted to each other but they can't afford to get distracted while they're dealing with dangerous people. This enemies to lovers story is action-packed romantic suspense that keeps the reader engaged until the very end. Recommended.

Enemies to lovers, fake relationship and undercover cops make for a fun story. You don't have to read the other books in the series, this can be read as a standalone, but I admit I loved that I already knew all the side characters from the previous books.

I was worried about two of those side characters when I found out what the undercover work was for however the author concluded this in a great way.

Eden and Swain were new to the series and while they weren't my favorite couple in this series, we do still get that great chemistry that we got from previous couples. The enemies to lovers trope kept these two interesting.

(3 or 3.25)

Overall I enjoyed this book! The pace was very quick and even though I have not read the other books in the series I felt it was good as a standalone and I didn't feel like I was missing any pertinent information.

Swain was the kind of hero I like to follow and there was PLENTY of steam (A+). My biggest criticism comes from the characterization of Eden. Although she graduated at the top of the class and seemed to have so much potential, I found that she fell slightly flat in back bone and "going with the flow" of an OP. I also had to suspend my disbelief that all of this effort would happen for a small town weed dealer but *shrugs*.

WOULD recommend: strong hero, steamy scenes, the typical romance formula

Undercover Engagement by Samanthe Beck is an intriguingly heart-pounding and intoxicating story of delicious enemies-to-lovers romance that is sure to pull you in and leave you wanting more. What a stunning journey into the very heart of love!

If you are looking for a steamy and flirty police romance that will need you to have a fan nearby, don't look any further!

The story starts when Eden and Marc graduate from the police academy and are assigned together (despite they are working for two separate forces) to do an undercover assignment to find out who the drug dealer in town is. They are definitely not besties from school and the sexual chemistry between those two is phenomenal and even do they try to fight against it, no luck there.
When they both thought even if the con went on for years, they wouldn't mind staying in their own bubble? My heart melted there.

This was a refreshing break from the usual rom-coms I read, since this book has more suspense and a very forward plot. Also this is a police romance, something I do not read very often and I quite liked the change of scenery. The one thing that got me scratching my head was that this seemed a rather big thing (I mean undercover engagement?) to catch one drug dealer? I know it is a big problem, but I guess I thought it would be something more…Intense? Deadly? Either way, I liked the story and the characters enough to look up the other books in the series immediately and add them to my TBR.

Also, a big shoutout for the including a content warning in the book! I recently read one ARC who didn't have one (and definitely should have), so I just wanted to give an extra fanfare for that.

This is a story that has little bit of everything. Eden and Marc are recent grads from the academy with a bit of a rivalry for top of the class. Marc is good looking and he knows how to use it to his advantage. Eden is a hard working no nonsense by the book person. When their first assignment is to go undercover as an engaged couple, sparks are flying. Will they be able to work together to bring down the drug dealers in their town and county? Will they be able to keep it 100% professional? Do either of them have a chance of loss in their heart?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Really enjoyed the story, the banter and the struggle to protect their hearts!

One of my favorite type of genres to read include a male lead who is a hot cop. Good stories including them are not all that easy to find but they sure get me wound up. I am not talking about the romantic suspense type, but straight up romance with plenty of hands on loving. Samanthe Beck hits that target for me with this new book.

Beck creates a high tension love/hate relationship between two officers and the sparks fly from the beginning. With fabulous characterization and that slow burn to start, the story builds and those work relationships cross the line.

But it is not all heat and steam. Yes, there is a plot and a very plausible one at that, although I would question the fact that these two become the darlings of the community after it all comes to a close. But that is what literary license is all about.

Undercover Engagement hits the fine points of a hot romance and the beautiful development in the characters from humor to heat makes this book a go-to grab!

Undercover Engagement my Samanthe Beck is a fun, fast, sexy read that checks off many of my boxes. It follows two rookie cops who are partnered for a simple undercover op to unearth a pot dealer. The conflict comes less from the op than it does from their relationship; if you're looking for action of the non-sexy variety, this is probably not the book for you.

Marcus and Eden have been striking sparks off each other since day one of the academy. By-the-book Eden is top of the class with seemingly laid-back Marc right behind her. He loves to push her buttons, and she loves to best him. Shortly after graduation, Marc--who's headed for the county sheriff's department--and Eden--Bluelick PD-- are asked to pose as an engaged couple with money issues in an attempt to lure out the local weed kingpin. The sparks from their academy days quickly become a conflagration, resulting in some of the best sexy times I've read in a while.

I like that they are clearly and unapologetically into each other; not much time is wasted on a push me-pull you antagonism. What works less well for me is the undercover setup; I am not particularly excited about a weed ring (pot is legal or nearly legal in many states, though I do appreciate that Marc acknowledges that on one occasion), and the lack of cop action attests to the low-level urgency of the op. I also struggled somewhat that two fresh-from-the-academy rookie beat cops are suddenly undercover detectives. And finally--though this may be more that I am in denial of my old age--I wished that the protagonists were a little older; I'm not sure if Marc's age, but Eden, at 23, is a little too young for my taste.

Overall, this novel is great fun with relatable, yummy characters. I think this was my first novel by this author, but I won't hesitate to pick up a second.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

Undercover Engagement
By: Samantha Beck

💕📚⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️📚💕

Chemistry from the jump!

Marcus and Eden are the most unlikely pair, which is why they just might work.

The author writing is flawless, and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of these two authors. They write with so much intensity, humor and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Buttoned-down Eden Brixton is less than thrilled when she’s partnered with smooth-talking wild card Marcus Swain in an undercover op. Both their careers hinge on convincing folks in tight-knit Bluelick, KY that he’s the love of her life. She’d sooner tase him than prance around in practically nothing, hanging all over his chiseled body like she can’t get enough.

For Swain, being partnered with the too-gorgeous-for-his-sanity Eden promises to test his well-honed control. She’s smart, she’s skilled, she’s not just by-the-book—she knows the damn book backward and forward. And she hates his guts.

When Eden absolutely nails her role as his sexy fiancée—where the hell did she learn to seduce with a single glance?—Swain is knocked right on his ass. Living with a temptation like Eden makes it hard to remember their chemistry is strictly for show. And when the heat gets too real, doing the undercover op might prove to be their undoing.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Eden Brixton is a conservative and by the book cop. Marcus Swain is cocky, handsome, and great at being a chameleon to fit into any situation. Together, they must complete an op to uncover a drug ring in a small town, by posing as an engaged couple.

This romance was such a spicy and sweet tale of Eden and Swain’s relationship and it progressed.

I really enjoyed this book. 4 stars

Eden and Swain are competitive from the start. So it only makes sense that they have crazy chemistry that will lead to a lot more if they give in to their desires. It was a slow burn/ fake romance that left me wanting more.

This is a steamy read. Eden and Swain are competitors in the police academy who are pulled to do an undercover operation together when they graduate. It is more about the very tense and steamy relationship between them than the procedures they use to solve the case. There are some interesting characters that make for some funny moments throughout the story. I liked that Eden is a super strong female who can kick butt. Swain has to learn to let go and open his heart to love.