I love this author, and she seems to have done her research for this book. Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, she lost her style, and things got boring.

Her depiction of scientists was extremely off-putting. They aren't all socially stunted, and they don't speak like automatons. I'm married to one so I can personally attest to this. And highly intelligent people aren't weird.

I loved Wyatt, but I was frankly sad that he was linked to such a disagreeable woman. Blake is about as lovable as a snake. (Sorry, snake lovers).

I'm not sure if I would have finished the book if I had not agreed to leave a review. But I did enjoy a few things, and I kept going.

I wanted to scream when Craig mentioned the sunset over the ocean. Huh?? The sun sets in the west, but he was talking about Maine, so...????

The book jumps around too much, so it doesn't flow well. And I recognize that it's my problem only, but naming her Blake was a bad choice. I kept mixing her up with Wyatt because she has a man's name. Yes, I have heard of Blake Lively. It just struck me in a bad way throughout the book.

The beginning of this book starts off with a big bang! It pulled me in immediately and I loved the banter. The book was slower paced after that and started to lose my attention a bit. I was rooting for Blake and Wyatt the whole time and really enjoyed them together. Overall, it's a great slow paced, small town, romance.

Blake Montgomery is an intelligent and successful scientist living in a small town in Maine called Swan Cove. When she visits NYC, she decides to through caution to the wind and have a one night stand with the charming and handsome Wyatt Keene. Wyatt is trying to reacclimatize to civilian live after being a black ops special agent. Except suddenly Blake and Wyatt aren’t just forced to live in the same small town, but share the same office. Things get pretty interesting for the pair when the chemistry and sexual tension are page scorching.

I enjoyed this fun romance read. I always love reading about a FMC who works in STEM! Blake is smart and sexy, and Wyatt trying to learn who he is without his job was entertaining.

Read if you enjoy:
Forced Proximity
One night stand to friends to lovers
Banter
Small Town Romance
Protective MMC
FMC working in STEM

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Christi Barth for the E-arc of The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me. It was a great work-place-close-proximity romance, that also took place in a cute small town in Maine.

When Blake and Wyatt meet and hookup while waiting for their delayed flight, neither of them thought they would see each other again. But, as it so happens to turn out, they run into each other again in the most unlikely of places: Swan Cove, Maine. A small town that is practically ran by Blake's family, and former home to Wyatt's deceased aunt.
Before Wyatt's long stint as a spy, he was going to school to be an artist. His aunt always thought he was talented, so she entered him into an art contest that mixed art and science together. He arrives at Swan Cove to realize that the scientist he's paired up with is none other than Blake (who is just as shocked to see him). While they are paired to work together, they decide that they can't let anyone know that they hooked up before, or ever hook up again. Blake has her reputation as a female scientist to uphold, and Wyatt can't let anyone know that he was an ex-spy unless he wants to risk a target on their back as well. But how long can they really last when their chemistry is still palpable?

I enjoyed this book so much! I loved that it was dual POV, even if it was in the third person. And even though both Wyatt and Blake could be stubborn and ignorant about each other, the chemistry was still there, and it didn't seem forced. The banter was fun, and the sincere moments were just as special. And the spice was good too! Not lacking at all. I felt like in the end, both characters showed growth, and they had depth and personality throughout the book. The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me is a great romance book for those who loved witty characters and forced close-proximity romance books.

Wyatt Keene is just an average guy—now. But four days ago, he was a black ops intelligence agent who spent fifteen years being someone—anyone—except himself.
NYC is exactly what scientist Blake Montgomery needs. A little decadence and a whoooole lot of anonymity, well away from the prying eyes of her charming, touristy small town of Swan Cove. Now, at the end of a whirlwind trip, she has one final thing to cross off her to-do list: a sexy fling. And the hot, green-eyed stranger at the Maine airport bar might be her perfect one-night stand.
Suddenly the one night stand is now a part of her life, working in the same office and the chemistry is still as strong as it was in NYC.
I enjoyed reading this book, enjoyed the push and pull of their relationship and of course the hot chemistry once they gave in to it. I loved the small town setting and how everyone in town embraced Wyatt within their fold.
This is the second book based in Sean cove and I am eager to know who is next to get their HEA.

I enjoyed this novel to the extent that the slow pacing was the only issue for me. I'm sure other readers prefer that. The characters were loveable as well as their dialogue with each other was very hilarious at times (the banter was excellent). Their chemistry felt natural as well.

Thanks NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a pleasant surprise and my first one by the author, I'm definitely checking out her previous works. I've been reading a lot, so it's safe to say that I found the plot of this book pretty original.

Wyatt was starting his new life after he had to, involuntarily, left his job as a spy. Stuck at the airport due to the weather, he meets Blake and what was supposed to be a hot one-night stand between two strangers gets messy when the next day not only they are in the same town but also they find themselves paired up for a contest in the lab where Dr. Blake works for.

Wanted to know more about Blake beyond being a scientist. I was under the impression I didn't get to know her enough. But I did love her scientist side, though, because I can relate to her. Albeit she was a little too much stereotyped bordering on annoying. It was cute how Wyatt got to dig into the woman underneath Blake, PhD. Although we didn't get to know more of her through her lens. I wanted to see more of that carefree Blake from the first chapters. Anyway, both characters were in their mid to late-thirties, so kudos for that.

The book was slow-paced throughout the story – not my personal favorite, but as long as it's cohesive, I can take it – until the very end, when it got rushed. I think I would have enjoyed the conflict resolution a lot more if it had been kept at the same pace.

Overall, it was a really enjoyable, cute, and low-angsty reading.

3.5⭐️❤️

“I think you’re remarkable. And if we had the chance, I think you’re the woman I’d enjoy licking until you scream.”

YES PLEASE.

“I’d like to request that you put a solid nine inches inside me.”

HERE FOR THIS.

One night stand. Forced proximity. Grumpy/Sunshine - ish. It’s giving “Draw me like one of your French girls, Jack.” Energy.

Characters Fitz and Hallie (Hottie on Her Shelf) make appearances which is super great (re: my previous review on that book), but this is a completely independent standalone with mildly interwoven characters.

This was my first novel by Christi Barth and I’m now a huge fan! The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me, releasing March 20th, is such a fun contemporary rom-com that had me smiling, laughing, and falling in love with small-town Maine.

Blake Montgomery is small-town Swan Cove, Maine royalty; descendants of the town’s founders and sister-in-law to the former (her brother) and now current Mayor! She is a brilliant genome scientist who understands the challenges of being female in a male dominated industry, so she has a no-commitment love life, and frequently travels to cities such as NYC for anonymous flings. Wyatt Keene was a black ops intelligence agent who spent the past 15 years traveling abroad, literally saving the world. Four days ago his life and career imploded when his identify was compromised, and he was exited from the intelligence agency. Blake and Wyatt run into each other at an airport bar, and spend one scorching hot night together. However, fate brings them back together when Wyatt learns he had inherited his late-aunt’s home in… Swan Cove, Maine.

The chemistry between Wyatt and Blake was fire. I really enjoyed watching Wyatt relearn how to connect to peers and neighbors in his new ‘normal’ life which exploring his art talent. The idea of combining scientist and artists in a fun competition was an interesting plotline that kept me engaged! The middle part of the read dragged a little, but definitely ramped back up at the end when Wyatt must take on one final mission.
This is a perfect fun read, so add it to your TBR.

Readers will adore:
Small Town Maine setting
Laugh out loud banter
One Night Stand turned Friends to Lovers
Forced proximity (workplace partners)
Fierce, smart and funny heroine
Cinnamon roll, yet pensive hero
Thank you to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This was a whirlwind book and a great spy story.

Thank you Netgalley and Entangled Publishing for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I really liked the ex spy-scientist plot. The characters were very lovable, particularly Blake and the whole “Can’t fall for him”, small-town trope.
Having read the first book I can honestly say I liked this one better, it was well written and non-predictable.
The only thing that annoys me is that when the chapter ends in a particular way, it doesn’t continue in the next, but that’s a little detail of mine. 4,5⭐️

Blake and Wyatt meet at an airport bar while their flight is delayed. Blake is searching for a one night stand with no details given and that’s exactly what she wants. Little does she know when she’s back in her hometown that she’s going to be one of the scientists paired up with an artist, which happens to be Wyatt. Let’s just say Blake got more than she was asking for with her one night stand.
This was definitely a fun read and I was cheering for both of these characters that definitely don’t let people in.

Thank you #NetGalley for the advance copy

The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved me follows Blake (PHD) and Wyatt (ex-Spy) who meet at the airport where they get snowed in and spend one anonymous steamy night together. No last names, no contact numbers, no strings attached - until Wyatt ends up in Blake's small town.

What i loved:

1. Story moved forward quickly
2. Great relationship development - really got to see why they fell for each other
3. Cute anecdotes about Wyatt's time as a spy
4. Strong female lead - this wasn't some weak character who couldn't fathom why Wyatt would be with her.

What i liked less:

1. I would have liked to see a scene where they showed Wyatt in an action scene

All-round good book - i would recommend reading it!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this ARC. All reviews are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wyatt Keene is a former spy who moved to a small town, Swan Cove, in hopes of starting fresh. However, between his natural instinct to be paranoid and having to work with the very attractive, supposed to be one night stand, Dr. Blake, you could say he is having major problems assimilating. Let's also add in the fact that he has yet to grieve the death of his aunt, who basically helped raise him.

This book is extremely messy in multiple ways. There is the drama, the spicy sex scenes, and the ex-spy who is keeping way too many secrets and is kind of a downer. That being said, it was also messy because of the plot. There would be something really exciting that happened and then it would lull for too long. I had to go back and re-read a few sections because I wasn't sure if I missed something due to lack of attention or if the book was missing pages. Overall, I would give the book a 3 out of 5 because when it was good, it was good (especially the spicy parts), but it did have some lulls.

This is one of those stories that will surprise you, this was a whirlwind of a story, it just swept me up and had me dreaming about live, love and the arts. I have loved this authors previous works, and it was so nice to see Fitz pop up with the towns new Mayor Hallie, but you don’t have to worry they pop up but don’t dominate the story, that’s what Wyatt and Blake as they have such amazing chemistry. There is a lot going on in such short pages, but don’t worry the story is strong enough to keep you hooked.

This is a fun and witty story. Blake is a scientist and a pragmatist. She is smart and sexy. Wyatt is an ex spy with trust issues and heading into a change of career as an artist. The author does a great job building the tension between the two characters and watching it explode like fireworks. The plot and the characters are awesome and the story is easy to read. It is great addition to the small town Montgomery series.

It was an entertaining and fun story with a likeable couple of characters and an unusual plot. I rooted for the characters and had fun, the romance works as the the chemistry is well done.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me is the story of Wyatt and Blake, who find themselves in an airport together after their flight is cancelled. They have a scorching one night stand after which they go to their respective destinations, which neither of them knows, happens to be the same place - Swan Cove. Here they are both paired together for a summit and they both begin fighting their attraction which burns bright.

I enjoyed reading this book and found it to be thoroughly entertaining. I found both characters to be real and appealing in their thoughts and insecurities and I loved the chemistry they shared. The dialogue and banter in this was great and the secondary characters were brilliant too. I would have loved to see a bit more action from Wyatt at the end given the situation but on the whole, it was a fantastic read.

The book I didn’t know I needed! The (ex) Spy Who (maybe) Loved Me reads like a plush gravity blanket on a cold day.

It what turns out to be the sequel to Hottie on Her Shelf (Fitz and Hallie’s story) comes Blake Montgomery and Wyatt Keene. A scientist and ex-spy meet in a bar…where what was supposed to be one perfect night becomes a little more complex.

We are back in Swan Cove, Maine with an outstanding sequel that leaves you wanting more.

Eeek! Of course, I loved this book! The characters profiles have been my forever dreamworld fantasy match.
Hunky artistic spy meets beautiful brainiac scientist…need I say more?!?!
My heart soared in delight as they both were able to open themselves up to each other and see themselves in a greater sense.
I love it when the universe turns one night flings into happily ever afters!
Steam: 🌶️🌶️🌶️