Without a shadow of a doubt, you can never go wrong with a E J Noyes book. I had recently reread the Ask, Tell series which finally got me in the mood to pick up Integrity.

Two people with different life experiences quickly sense that there's a spark unlike other between them but with Lexie's job, the journey to love isn't as straightforward and it should be.

This book is also more than a romance, following Lexie and her job, there's mystery and secrets to unveil throughout.

I quite enjoyed this novel, by now I know I can trust EJ Noyes and their books to give me a solid story to read and this was exactly that. Both characters have a great personality and I liked the flow of the writing between Lexie's internal thoughts and sassy remarks. Sophia is just as loveable and you really root for these two as they navigate their way through the secrecy of Lexie's job as a not spy Intelligence Analyst.

So if you're a fan of the spy genre and unravelling scandals I would recommend picking this up.

Intelligence Lexie Martin learns something she shouldn’t about a chemical weapon attack abroad. She’s warned to keep her mouth shut about what she knows, and then is falsely accused of stealing intelligence. She’s not sure who to trust, and she’s got to get away for a while. Unfortunately, she’s just started a thing with beautiful and sweet Sophia Flores. Seeing an opportunity for cover and potential safety in numbers, Lexie convinces Sophia to go away with her on vacation. Having a companion might keep “them” off of her back. The more time they spend together, the more Lexie’s feelings for Sophia grow, but what happens when Sophie finds out the truth? When Lexie’s secret could put her in danger? Can they build a relationship built on secrets and lies?

I’m a sucker for an E.J. Noyes book, and this one’s no different. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to see what happens to Lexie and Sophia next. I’m not usually into breaking the romantic tension right off the back, but between Lexie and Sophia’s lack of knowledge of each other, the secrets, and the espionage-like intrigue, I was into this book and its characters. I don’t feel that their relationship lost momentum from starting off so quickly, and I appreciated their story unfolding. Both books out. The first two in this series are out already, and the third one comes out in May, plenty of time to catch up on Lexie and Sophia’s adventures so far.

Integrity is the first book in the Halcyon Division series. It’s a spy thriller/political intrigue romance that left me wanting to immediately dive into the next book.

Lexie is an intelligence analyst when she gets a call from a source that will change everything. She’s forced to go on the run and decides to take Sophie, the woman she’s been talking to, with her as cover.

This was a fun and engaging read, which isn’t a surprise since it’s E J Noyes. It starts off with some action pretty early on and then slows down quite a bit. Lexie and Sophia are on a road trip and are hotel hopping for the middle. It slows the action down but allows the relationship to grow. This was interesting as they had already started seeing one another before the start of the book. They had about a month or two of flirting that we don’t get. So, while this isn’t quite instalove, it’s pretty fast. I wasn’t sure I 100% bought into the romance, especially with what Sophia was thrown into. Luckily, there’s no big declaration or anything, more like I really like you and wanna see where these goes. Which I was very happy with. The action picks up again towards the end for those that like all those action scenes.

The main issue I had was that we don’t get Sophia’s point of view. There’s a lot that goes on in a very short amount of time. She’s having to process it all quickly as things are very time sensitive. I would have loved to be in her head when some of the revelations start coming out and I was disappointed we didn’t get that.

There wasn’t much of a cliff hanger, as I would’ve been totally okay with this if it wasn’t a series. But I’m so glad to know that this isn’t the end of the story. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I received an ARC from Bella Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was recently asked to name just one author who is an automatic read and after much thought, I said E.J. Noyes. One of the main reasons is how different each of her books is. With Integrity, she dives into espionage with the same skill in which she has written her previous books. Everything she writes is unique and they have all drawn me in and kept me interested from start to finish.
Intelligence analyst Lexie Martin has no idea that a call from a trusted source will turn her life upside down and make her a target from those who wish to keep the intel secret. The beautiful woman she has only been out with a few times, Sophia Flores, joins her on the run, although she is adorably clueless as to the real reason for their escape from the city. The two women grow closer as Lexie tries to solve the mystery of who is behind a despicable act of terrorism.
I keep waiting for a book from E.J. Noyes that I don't love, but I am starting to think there may never be a book from her that doesn't speak to me. She is unequivocally one of the best writers in sapphic literature and I wait anxiously for the second book in this captivating, intense series. Lexie Martin is a heroine who values her integrity above all things, even more so than her own safety. I only wish more real-life people shared her values.

An ARC was received from Bella Books via NetGalley for an honest review.

Integrity is exactly the kind of book many of us need right now in light of the wave of fascism running rampant in American government. The plot is well written, keep me engaged and on the edge of my seat while the romance was woven expertly in that balanced the story overall. Looking very much forward to the next installment.

An intriguing sapphic espionage tale!

I really enjoyed this one. The political intrigue was well crafted into a believable story.

The romance felt a bit off but this was probably do to it’s subplot nature.

Will definitely read the next installment of this series.

I do enjoy EJ Noyes writing and several of her books have totally engaged me. I’m not sure why this one didn’t. The writing is strong, the characters are well developed, and the plot certainly has intrigue and angst. The book started well with the discovery of information which puts Lexie’s life in danger and as she deals with the subsequent house break in, I was thinking this is going to be great… but… I floundered a bit and I didn’t think the romance angle was quite credible enough. The reasoning was sound but there seemed little chemistry.

There was some good stuff here and the idea of the nondescript data analyst being such a badass was very clever and well handled but overall I wasn’t invested enough. I will look out for the second in the series and see how the Halycon Division develops.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Wow, what a ride. Romance, intrigue and suspense.
When this book starts out, Lexie is just an intelligence analyst. Some vital information about a new chemical weapon falls into her lap. She goes straight to her boss with the information. That night as she sleeps, someone breaks into to her house and wants her to give them the information that she has. This is when you find out she has some mad ninja skills. She knocks him out and goes on the run. Lexie has just started seeing Sophia, who is a strong independent woman. After talking to her the next morning, she invites Sophia to go on vacation with her. They have sex right away, but the feelings catch up to them. There is strong chemistry between them.
I love EJ Noyes books and can’t wait for the sequel.

Pure brilliance.

A fantastic thriller that keeps you captivated from beginning to end!

4.6 stars.

Overall, a fast-paced exciting engaging romance that leaves you wanting more. The characters were lovable and communicated well. I recommend.


Thank you, Bella Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I have read very few stories were the author writes such engaging dialogue with very few characters. Alone comes to mind. The first book in the series provides a fairly good description of Intelligence Analyst, Alexandra Martin and Web Designer, Sophia Flores. Other than running from hotel to hotel, there is not much action but the foundation is set for some exciting stuff. There are good guys and and not so good guys and it is a guess as to who is who. Oh yeah, the government is involved and are they the former or the ladder? Things that make you go ummmmm. As the story unfolds, the reader learns about Lexie and her take on the work she does and the people she works with. the reader also gets her thoughts on relationships. Both Lexie and Sophia are difficult not to like. Danger! Danger! Watch out ladies. Lexie needs to provide more information to Sophia???

Romance, intrigue, and suspense … what more can a reader ask for? This is the first book in the “Halcyon series”. From the very beginning, I was hooked and did not want to put the book down until I finished it.

The main characters are Lexie Martin, an intelligence analyst, and Sophia Flores. They meet on a dating app. Lexie works constantly and hesitates to join the app but is so very glad when she is paired up with Sophia. She is looking forward to starting a relationship with Sophia and the feelings are mutual.

While on a regular work shift, Lexie stumbles upon information about a chemical attack and quickly finds herself on the run from people who want the incident to be buried. To help with her cover while on the run, she invites Sophia to go on a “vacation”. Lexie feels no one will be looking for a couple on a holiday. During this time, Lexie is trying to uncover more information about this terrible attack on innocent people.

Integrity is a well written story and has a good pace to it. The romance between Lexie and Sophia is a tad unbelievable, but readers will believe it because they will want true love to survive.

I really enjoy suspense stories and look forward to the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Integrity is a thriller with a lovely dose of romance which captivated me from the first moment. Lexi isn't a spy, per se, but she will understand if you think that. A trusted contact sends her intel on a horrific chemical weapons attack on innocent civilians and what follows is a wild ride that kept me turning pages like a madwoman. EJ Noyes's ability to write expertly in first person is second to none and through Lexi's eyes, I was able to see, hear, and feel everything so deeply. Lexi's self-deprecating humor and sarcasm made being part of her thoughts highly entertaining!
The dual parts of this story (thriller and romance) and so perfectly written. Lexi's obsession with finding the truth about the attack combined with trying to remain hidden along with her growing feelings towards the dazzling Sofia made this story truly special. The chemistry and pull between Lexi and Sofia are palpable and easily the best part of this book. As I said earlier, I could not put this book down because I just needed to know how it was all going to play out. This first book in the series is phenomenal and I am anxiously awaiting book two!

I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I can’t wait for the next one in this series! The story pacing is great and the main characters are well written. Loved the plot twist at the end. Would recommend.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this interesting book

wow what a rollercoaster of a ride this book was

intelligence analyst Lexie Martin is thrust back into her old life when her phones goes and an operative from years past has critical information for her and its horrible

she does her due diligence and brings it up with her next line manager who she trusts

but that night her home is broken into and she is being threatened that all data she had from that phone call was to be destroyed...

and now lexie doesnt know who to trust but she is tasked with finding out who ordered the terrible things she saw on that video

wow this one keeps you on the edge of your seat with all the action going on...not knowing who to trust

will be keeping an eye out for more of this authors works

I really love E.J. Noyes books and was interested to see how her spy thriller would turn out. There are some moments that are action packed but they were also mixed in with a few tender moments between Lexie and Sophia. Lexie is an intriguing character as she has a huge sense of responsibility for humankind but then is more than happy to manipulate Sophia to protect herself as well. She was a great character to follow. I will admit though that Sophia didn't completely win me over - maybe because she felt a little too perfect and understanding. I'm mindful that this could all change though in book two!

There was a chunk of this novel that dragged a bit so I found myself skipping over a few pages but thankfully it picked up again shortly after. The conclusion of the novel was great -it both resolved Lexie's currently predicament but then kept her future intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading book two!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Cracking thriller, Lexie is a data analyst working for a government agency, within a government agency, so things get mighty complex when she sees something she shouldn't. She goes on the run with Sophia on their third date, taking the whole lesbian u-haul joke to a whole new level! The story is well built, the characters are engaging, and the plot is believable, had me gripped until the end.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Noyes never fails to impress me with her talent. She is fearless in her storytelling, never hesitating to flesh it out and let the story take her where it will. Because she does, it feels organic to the reader. Scenes don’t feel forced. They work. Furthermore, they advance the plot. It all works to prove Noyes is a master at producing stories that are pure, indulgent escapism. Readers get so caught up in the narrative that it’s over before they know it and they’re a little disappointed that it has. However, a true Noyes fan always knows that the reread is going to be just as good, if not better than the first time through.

Such is the case with Integrity. Integrity is the first book in Noyes’s new Halcyon Division Series, and it is some top-shelf stuff. It’s a lovely romance infused with a fast-paced mystery, and it all makes for one hair-pulling ride. The romance plays a central role in the fabric of this story, and Noyes weaves it into the framework quite beautifully. Readers will love Lexie and Sophia’s chemistry. They are strong, independent women and perfect for each other. Moreover, they are perfect for this series.

When I first cracked open the pages of this story, I wasn’t sure how Lexie and Sophia’s relationship was going to fit into the big scheme of things. However, Noyes surprised me; she’s quite clever with her romance plotting in Integrity. I thought the story was going to be all espionage/government cover-up/crooked politics. I kept wondering how the romance would matter to the storytelling as a whole. I shouldn’t have questioned Noyes’s intentions though. I should have known she’d reveal all in due time; she’s sneaky that way. In a delightful turn, Noyes uses the romance to strengthen the plot, and it plays out superbly. Readers are hooked by the spy action as much as they are the bedroom eyes being tossed about on the page. It’s lovely, and it’s engaging, and it leaves one wanting more.

Final remarks…

Readers can always count on Noyes for a first rate story and Integrity does not disappoint! Book one of the Halcyon Division Series is a fantastic beginning; I have no doubt readers are going to enjoy this journey and sign up for more. This is heart-pumping, non-stop page-flipping fun, and one heck of a ride! My recommendation: don’t miss out!

Strengths…

Well-developed plot
Thrilling storyline
Likable characters
Exciting and fast paced
Engaging romance
Leaves one wanting more

Four and a half stars. Integrity is a blast!

We know from E. J. Noyes' previous books that she is capable of pulling off high stakes and dramatic tension all day long, so the execution of Integrity should come as no surprise. Lexie makes it quite clear that she is no agent, and anyone expecting a life-or-death spy mission is going to be disappointed. In fact, if you consider that the bulk of the book is spent camping out in a hotel room, it could very well have been a boring read. Of course, it wasn't. Noyes' trademark humour fuses with two strong personalities and an obviously well-researched premise to produce quite the page-turner.

I really liked that the romance of the story didn't suffer with the pacing required by Lexie's predicament. Lexie and Sophia have solid chemistry, if a little accelerated, and as with all of Noyes' characters, thoroughly enjoyable banter. I would have liked to see a little more steel from Sophia, which accounts for part of the docked half star, though I can understand that she needed to fill a more supportive role with Lexie's life in turmoil. The resolution of the romantic aspect was perfect, and thankfully not cheesy. The resolution of the main plotline was satisfying, if a little light on the feeling of inevitability that grounds the best thrillers. (Lexie's jailbreak seemed like... a bit of a cop-out.)

Overall, yes. Seeing the name E. J. Noyes always sets the bar high in my mind, and Integrity was pretty much everything I wanted from it. Looking forward to seeing what's next in the series!

Really good mystery/thriller romance. There was never a dull moment in this book. The constant action from the first page to the last page kept me on the edge of my seat. Lexie who's an analyst for the government comes across some really bad Intel that is shocking and horrible, when she alerts the higher ups this puts her life in danger. The relationship between lexie and Sophia was equal parts sexy, fun ,and intriguing, because this is a story within a story, and both women have secrets, that they are keeping from each other. The supporting characters were written well and helped to move this story along I'm not going to say much more, because then I'll be giving spoilers, just know you won't regret reading this book. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's next from this author.