A sapphic spy rom-com that follows Yardley Whitmer—Southern debutante, socialite, and elite secret agent. She’s smart, stylish, and lethal in heels. What she’s not prepared for? Running into her ex-girlfriend, KC Nolan, on a mission.

KC, a brilliant hacker, also works for the same spy agency—something she never told Yardley during their relationship. When a mission forces them to team up, secrets surface, sparks fly, and they have to figure out if love can survive betray and and bullets.

Set against a backdrop of high-stakes espionage, international adventures, and romantic tension, this book delivers a fun, fast-paced story with a second chance lesbian romance at its center.

This book has some great tropes:
🩷 Second Chance Romance
🩷 Forced Proximity
🩷 opposites attract
🩷 Banter & Wit

I had so much fun reading this book! The romance and action were perfectly balanced, and the chemistry between the two main characters was on point. 😍

There was so much delicious tension—every time they tried to talk (or more 😉), something would interrupt them, which kept me totally hooked. I’ve never read a spy romance quite like this before, and I loved the fresh take. It was funny, fast-paced, and full of high-steaks moments.

If you’re into sapphic romance with secret agents, second chances, and plenty of banter, this one’s a must-read! 💋🕶️

Thank you to SMP Romance for the free book and to Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

I can't even tell you how much I adored this amazing sapphic spy story. Parts are reminiscent of Mr. And Mrs. Smith. But this is so much better. I actually found the set up for the beginning completely believable, in their special spy world. And I loved all the action and adventure throughout the book.

With code names of Unicorn and Tabasco, what else could I possibly want? We have two phenomenal heroines who both take charge in their own ways. Yardley is a master spy, and KC is a phenom hacker and coder. And they have such chemistry together.

There's secrets and mysteries and so much fun. I found this novel absolutely delightful. I never wanted it to end and would love more in this world. I'm officially here for all sapphic spy romances ever.

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw narrated the audiobook perfectly. Somehow, she managed to pull off that trick of letting you know exactly which character was speaking even as the character was disguised as someone else. So impressive!

This book was so much fun! As a huge fan of shows like Alias and Covert Affairs, I was so excited to read a spy romance. We find out (before they do) that the main characters, Yardley and KC are both CIA agents, but neither of the other knows. Instead they are in the process of breaking up, because the secrets they have been keeping from each other have ruined their relationship. The story starts out on a mission with Yardley and we are immediately dropped into the CIA spy world. After KC and Yardley discover that they are both working for the agency, they have to quickly come to terms with the fact that they've both been lying. A lot. Then they have to move on, because they have some world saving to do.

The narrative is told from both of their points of view, which adds a lot of depth to the romance, because you can see them both yearning for each other the entire time, but not knowing how, or if, they can fix their relationship. I've never read a spy romance, and even though the stakes were pretty high, the writing style gave the story more of a caper feel than an apocalypse feel. Since I'm reading for escapism these days, this book was perfectly on point for me.

As for the romance, it was really well written. The fun Ms. Spy and Ms. Spy plot in no way detracted from the very real way their love came through. The breakup, feelings, breakthroughs and work needed for the HEA were all fleshed out really well, and, also Yardley and KC are just the SWEETEST together. I loved the book. Thanks to St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the digital ARC. I recommend it for anyone who loves capers or romance!

If i told you, i’d have to kiss you is a contemporary sapphic romance. It can be described as Ms. and Ms. Smith meets Pairing. It follows two women who are spies for the CIA. This was fun but the characters felt flat at times. The middle of the book dragged quite a lot.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This was so cute and so deliciously sapphic.

These ladies thought about each other and communicated with each other like women which is something that surprisingly doesn't always happen in sapphic stories. But I was super grateful that this wasn't just a traditional (i.e. hetero-coded) stories that have to have two female live interests.

The you plot was also fun and interesting though I was in no way surprised by any of the outcomes or 'mysteries' in the spy plot. However, I was perplexed with how preoccupied the characters were with themselves and their relationship (and sex) when there was world saving to do. But I could also see how a spy might start to desensitize to that sorry of thing if that was literally their day job. On they other hand, the fact that KC was supposed to be new to actually field work, despite being trained, kinda hurts that explanation a little.

I also think if this was a straight romance, I might have taken issue with the fact that both the MCs just so happen to be incredible pays, the best in the world, even in their first missions ever. But the speech in the situation room with the President about queer inclusion, as cheesy as it was, kinda won me over. In real life, women and queer people are just as normal and flawed as anyone. But doesn't that also mean that they have just as much right to be in the same league as the James Bonds and the Ethan Hunts of the world?

Also, the side characters in this book are great. I maybe only wish there were one or two less of them so we could focus on the remaining ones a little bit more.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun own voices sapphic room with plenty of emotional processing and a hugs worth of found family.

The story follows Yardley “the Unicorn” Whitmer, a legendary second-generation spy who balances charm and skill with ease, and KC “Tabasco” Nolan, a hacker who can crack any system—except how to tell Yardley about her real job. Unbeknownst to each other, they’ve both been working for the same covert agency while secretly dating. When an undercover mission goes sideways, their true identities are revealed, forcing them into an uneasy partnership as they crisscross Europe trying to complete their mission—and decide if their relationship can survive all the lies.

I went into this excited for a sapphic Mr. & Mrs. Smith story, which this technically was: two spies in a relationship, secrets, betrayal, and forced partnership. But despite that promising setup, the execution really let me down. First off, I just couldn’t get past the code names—“The Unicorn” and “Tabasco”? Every time they came up, it pulled me out of the story and made the whole thing feel silly rather than high-stakes or thrilling.

Beyond that, the chemistry between Yardley and KC was lacking. I was expecting tension, sparks, mistrust turning into heat—the things that make this trope work—but their dynamic felt flat and underdeveloped. The emotional fallout of them lying to each other for years was brushed over way too easily.

The writing itself also felt choppy at times, which made the pacing uneven. Scenes didn’t flow smoothly, and the dialogue often felt stiff or forced. Honestly, I only finished the book so quickly because I just wanted to be done with it.

A great concept on paper, but the delivery didn’t live up to the potential.

Thank you St. Martin Press and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
The premise of this one sounded so fun sapphic spies! But unfortunately just wasn't fun. I liked the first 10-15% when there was tension and banter but then I just got so bored and nothing was really happening. I couldn't really follow what the spy mission was and I didn't really care anyway. I wanted more tension and romantic drama with spy stuff just as background. I decided I could probably just guess the ending so didn't really feel the need to keep reading.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Starting with the best part of this book: all of the characters were very likeable. KC and Yardley have a really sweet and fairly low-stakes romance with a happy ending.

I really liked the "Ms. and Ms. Smith" concept, especially the first few chapters (they're both very talented spies and they're working together but they don't know it!) but the rest of the plot didn't really work for me. Despite being a spy novel, a lot of the plot is pretty tedious. The villain is set up from the beginning with little motivation and most of the missions KC and Yardley go on are really just to take us to the next relationship conversation. KC and Yardley are also broken up for essentially the entire book, but it's clear that they're also still together so there's not even a ton of relationship tension.

I found the repeated discussion of patriotism really off-putting, especially the "we can fix it from the inside" discussion near the end where the characters share platitudes about caring for others but don't even imply that any action will be taken to prevent misuse of government power. I honestly don't understand why KC was on the CIA's side at all given her backstory (I was holding out for some sort of crazy twist related to this but it never happened)!!

Overall, this story had a really promising premise that fell flat for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Mae Marvel for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Millennials that ate up Brangelina in Mr. & Mrs. Smith but thought- can it be MORE gay, please? This sapphic tale of espionage and action is for you!

The story was a bit all over the place- and the "multiple break ups" at the beginning were a little distracting/confusing. But the overall vibe of the story was a good action packed time of chemistry, betrayal and rebuilt trust.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the *free* ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You is a high-octane, globetrotting spy romp with a sapphic romance at its core—and I absolutely loved it.

Yardley “Unicorn” Whitmer and KC “Tabasco” Nolan are ex-girlfriends, current secret agents, and unfortunately for them, currently on the same mission, without realizing it. The chaos kicks off when their covers start to crack and they’re forced to work together, all while navigating the fallout of betrayals (both personal and professional), unfinished emotional business, and some truly delightful sexual tension.

The banter is cheeky, the action is cinematic, and the chemistry between Yardley and KC is both playful and emotionally layered. I especially appreciated how the book let both characters develop outside of just the relationship, their growth runs parallel to the spycraft, which made the resolution more satisfying.

That said, the pacing wobbled a bit for me in the middle. There’s a stretch where the emotional beats start to repeat without much forward motion, and the “how did they not realize they were both spies?” question does require some suspension of disbelief. But if you’re willing to roll with the spy movie logic and focus on the emotional undercurrent, it’s easy to enjoy the ride.

The story doesn’t dive too deeply into the moral grey zones of espionage, but it’s not trying to. This is a fun, romantic, slightly campy thriller about two hot women who lie for a living and still manage to find truth with each other—and honestly, it’s executed so well.

If you love second-chance romances, forced proximity, international intrigue, and women in tuxedos whispering threats and love confessions in the same breath, this one’s for you. I’ll absolutely be reading more from Mae Marvel in the future.

This book follows Yardley and KC, two top-tier spies who unknowingly dated each other for three years. When their secret lives are exposed during a mission gone wrong, they have to figure out how to handle both their personal feelings and a dangerous global threat .

I was interested in their relationship/romance and emotional journey, but the plot didn’t always hold my attention. It started off strong, but I lost interest around the middle, though the ending was a bit better.

It was an easy read, but some parts felt repetitive and slow.I wish there had been more emotional depth to make me feel something, preferably more than just confusion.

Fast-paced, clever, and packed with heart, this is the sapphic spy rom-com I didn’t know I needed.

Yardley and KC are a dynamic duo—equally skilled, stubborn, and vulnerable in ways that make their second-chance romance feel as thrilling as the international espionage unfolding around them. The spycraft is slick, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional stakes hit just as hard as the action scenes.

I loved how the book balances high-octane missions with intimate, character-driven moments. The reveal of their true identities is both hilarious and heartbreaking, and watching them try to untangle their feelings (while dodging bullets and exes) was deeply satisfying.

Perfect for fans of Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes with a queer twist. I’d follow these two anywhere—preferably in a sequel!

This is the queer spy book I didn’t know I needed. It is a fun and sexy, fast-paced read. I don’t think the spy stuff was realistic and I was not shocked by any plot twists, but the romance and banter were great. I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a WLW romance that has some adventure.

If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You was everything I needed and more! Our main characters are in the middle of a break-up when they learn they both work for the same spy organization. Oops! They have to put aside their personal feelings to stop a huge criminal plot, which will be totally easy.

IITYIHTKY is funny, romantic, and suspenseful. The spy details and plots were interwoven so perfectly; I felt like I was right alongside KC and Yardley as they flew to Scandinavia for their undercover missions. The romance especially was so perfect with the angst and tension of two people who want to be together but don't know if they can. I can't recommend this book enough!

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It's hard to think of a more exciting premise than secret agents breaking up with each other for being secretive and standoffish--because they don't know that the other is also a secret agent and that they've been working together the whole time.

Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the ARC!

I loved Mae Marvel's first novel and was so excited to be offered another sapphic romance! This book had it all - mystery, intrigue, "enemies to lovers", and more! The characters were great, the story held my attention, and the spice was fun!

Thank you again for the ARC!

Who doesnt love a sapphic spy love story?! This book was very fun. I enjoyed the relationship and the Mr and Mrs Smith vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited about this because a lesbian spy novel is not something I've ever read before, but the spy portions were lackluster. The plot was interesting, but they kept doing things that felt like stupid moves for spies (e.x. saying their real names in front of others, hooking up in the middle of dangerous situations, etc.), so that made it a lot harder to believe the spy side of things. Also it's a little weird that they both work for the CIA, although I guess it's hard to divorce any spy novel from real-world shitty governmental organizations. Diversity win, lesbians can promote imperialism and create terrible weaponry too! They really glossed over the awful things their work was probably contributing to. The romance was fun, although their arc did feel repetitive by the end, I think Marvel could've waited longer to make it clear they were actually going to get back together. But if you're looking for a suspenseful spy romance that you don't need/want to think much for, this delivers. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Such a fun and quick read for me. I love a "secret identity" plot line and enjoy the stakes that surround it. Thr dynamic between the couple was adorable.
I'm getting more into second chance romance and I'm happy to add this to my list.

If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You is a fun, fabulous, high stakes adventure, with smoking chemistry and a cast of characters I loved.

Recently-split Yardley and KC are both still in love with each other, they just don't know how to navigate a relationship that's been built on the secret they've both had to keep from each other: they're both secret agents of the CIA. A mission gone wrong brings them together and reveals the truth, and now they're forced to work together to save the mission, and hopefully their relationship along the way.

Yardley and KC are both wildly competent in their areas of expertise (and damn it's sexy), and I really loved how the authors handled their heartache and love for each other while keeping the mission at the forefront. The side characters were all interesting, and the story was engaging with realistic dialogue. I'll definitely be reading more from Mae Marvel!

I received a free ARC from NetGalley, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.