Evie Undercover by Liz Harris
Find the Author: Twitter, Goodreads, Amazon
Published by Choc Lit on July 7, 2015
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 233
Heat Rating:
Audiobook Narrator: Penelope Rawlins
Audiobook Length: 7 hours and 41 minutes
I received this book for free from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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Synopsis
When libel lawyer, Tom Hadleigh acquires a perfect holiday home - a 14th century house that needs restoring, there’s a slight problem. The house is located in the beautiful Umbria countryside and Tom can’t speak a word of Italian.
Enter Evie Shaw, masquerading as an agency temp but in reality the newest reporter for gossip magazine Pure Dirt. Unbeknown to Tom, Italian speaking Evie has been sent by her manipulative editor to write an exposé on him. And the stakes are high – Evie’s job rests on her success.
But the path for the investigative journalist is seldom smooth, and it certainly never is when the subject in hand is drop-dead gorgeous.
My Review
I really like Evie and Tom a LOT!
There is so much to like about this book. There are some giggles, at LEAST one tear for Evie’s predicament, a great message, and no sex. What’s so great about no sex in a romance novel? It’s great because some people PREFER their romance novels like that, and they can give them to their daughters as an introduction to the books we love without filling their brains with sex details we don’t want them to know yet. The raciest this book got is a couple steamy kisses (no mention of groping) and running hand-in-hand toward the house, a break in the scene, and then mentioning them lying down together and her placing her hand on his bare chest. NICE. I can’t wait to give a paperback version of this book I won recently to my tween daughter, as soon as it arrives. I have it on Kindle, so that paperback can be hers. I love it!
What great message? Honesty is always the best policy. If Evie had told the truth from the start, then there would be no story. The way the story is told, though, with Evie’s angst about her deception, shows that good people sometimes make bad decisions, and the longer you wait to tell the truth, the worse your predicament becomes. You can’t run away from your problems. YOUR PROBLEMS WILL FIND YOU, WHEREVER YOU ARE! LOL!
Lastly, I’m an American woman who simply loves everything British, especially slang and the many words I have left to learn. Choc Lit books are a good read every time, I’m finding! Their “tasting panel” of readers pretty much guarantees a solid good read.
Why did I take a star off? The story is entirely predictable. I knew everything before it happened, and the surprises weren’t really surprising. But that’s okay. This book is perfect for when you want a light read that won’t strain your brain with lots of twists and darkness. It’s light, fun, and “tasty” AND tasteFUL! Imagine that! A Contemporary Romance you can let your tween read!
Thank you Choc Lit and Liz Harris for the opportunity to read this book! It’s been out on Kindle for a couple years, but recently released in paperback, which I believe will make its way across the pond to the States in August 2015. Pre-order is available in the US for those who prefer hard copy. Good solid read. Buy the book!
About Liz Harris
After graduating in Law in the UK, I moved to California where I led a very varied life – from cocktail waitressing on Sunset Strip to CEO of a large Japanese trading company. Upon returning to England, I completed a degree in English and then taught for a number of years before developing my writing career.
My debut novel, THE ROAD BACK (Choc Lit), was published in September 2012. Also in 2012, EVIE UNDERCOVER was published as a Choc Lit Lite e-book. A BARGAIN STRUCK (Choc Lit) was published in September 2013. Later in the year, THE ART OF DECEPTION was published as a Choc Lit Lite e-book. A WESTERN HEART (Choc Lit Lite), a novella set in Wyoming 1880, was published in spring 2014.
I have a story in each of the two Choc Lit anthologies: ANGEL CAKE in Choc Lit Love Match, and CUPCAKE in Kisses & Cupcakes. Each anthology is a collection of short stories by Choc Lit authors, with a recipe for each story.
What a powerfully positive review. Thanks so much for sharing, Amelyn. I can’t wait to read this one. I’m a proudly published Choc Lit author and I learned ‘how to’ by reading every Choc Lit book I could lay my hands on. You are so right, you are always guaranteed a delicious read. I am so relieved and happy my books have found a safe home. Have a lovely rest of your day. 🙂 Well done, Liz! xx
Thank you! And I agree…Choc Lit is so special among publishers. I’m working on my first novel right now, and plan to publish independently. Much as I love being an American, I’m suddenly wishing I was British. LOL! I’m 44% in your book, Sheryl, on my Kindle, and I ADORE the damaged Adam. I’m hoping to finish today, but with real-life responsibilities, it will likely be tomorrow. I’m drooling for more right now, but…real life. SIGH! 🙂 Choc Lit forever! <3
Warmly, Amy