Better Off Wed is a delightful rom-com featuring a strong female lead and a brave bookish hero.

It is book #3 in the Love and Let Spy series but can be read as a standalone. I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing the first two books in the series.

Laura Hopkins was an ordinary miss by day, but she avenged exploited women by night and brought their assailants to their knees, sometimes literally (lol). She was known as Lady Sterling.

Jeremy Addison was the son of a vicar who, against his wishes, became a spy and a bankrupted Viscount, Lord Sterling.

When his commander ordered Jeremy to find Lady Sterling and discover her methods and motives, the joke about their matching titles rankled on him.

But in finding Lady Sterling, Jeremy found a dangerous conspiracy unfolding that forced him to team up with her.

The romance was sweet, with a good pinch of spice; there was an adventure with espionage and lots of bantering and action.

Overall a lovely read!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 12/28/2021*

A wonderful book, but unlike most folks I see on twitter, I always want more drama in my third act climaxes. This one was sorely lacking in that area so, while delightful, that particular aspect wasn't for me.

My first from this author and what a book it was.

Both Jeremy and Laura were strong characters yet portrayed in a realistic way. Several scenes surely will keep the readers on the edge.

At one point my thought was 'maybe a bit more drama around the climax would have been good?' But ---- isn't it human nature to expect more drama when it feels subtle and say overly dramatic when it's included?
This book felt practical.

Am off to reading all of Ms. Craig's other books.
Eagerly waiting for the next in the series

Using the alias Lady Sterling, Laura helps young women who have been mistreated or compromised by their employers. Some might see it as theft and blackmail. For Laura, it is a small measure of justice. But while in pursuit of her latest target, Laura is unexpectedly aided by a gentleman who announces that he is Lord Sterling.

As a spy for the Crown, Captain Jeremy Addison, Viscount Sterling, has been assigned all manner of dangerous missions, though none as complicated as investigating the beguiling Lady Sterling. Forced to pose as newlyweds at the home of a disreputable earl, Laura and Jeremy forge an unexpected alliance…and a passionate connection. But can such a dangerous masquerade possibly lead to a real, lasting love?

I love Susanna Craig's books. They are always so funny and romantic. Fake marriage is my favorite trope after enemies to lovers. so I know I would love this book.... I love both characters and I love how smart the heroine is. The chemistry is sizzling. A great romance....

Okay, let me start this off by saying that I have been eagerly anticipating this book for months now. The instant I finished One Thing Leads to a Lover, I was ready for this book. Susanna Craig is an insta-buy author for me and one of my very favorite historical romance authors. Also, for the record, I stayed up until well after 2am to finish reading--that's how good this book is.

So, Better Off Wed. Lady thief? Check. Lady thief who targets awful men in the interest of helping the women they've wronged. CHECK. How could I not adore Laura? She's clever and brave and intrepid. Enter Jeremy. Oh, Jeremy. Bookish, kind, trustworthy, shy, somewhat unsure, gentlemanly Jeremy. Look, I was lost from the start with that one. Add that he's utterly devoted to doing what's right and... who wouldn't swoon?

I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship. Fake marriage isn't my favorite trope--far from it, actually. But in this book? It was done so well that I forgot I don't care for it. Laura and Jeremy enter into their roles as actors with constantly changing parts. It. Was. Amazing. And the theater references? *chef's kiss*

Basically, as I expected going into this, there wasn't a thing I didn't love. I laughed out loud--often. I swooned at the romance, fanned myself at the *very hot* sex scenes, and got teary eyed with emotion. I don't know how she does it, but every Susanna Craig book I read is even better than the previous. Her work is amazing.