I found this hard to rate. I'm not really sure how I feel - I loved some bits and hated others. In theory, I should've loved this but something just put me off. It was just very all over the place. Sophie and Bruce were both strong characters with complex backstories and separately I mostly liked both of them - but together the romance grated on my nerves. I don't know - I just don't think this was my cup of tea. ( )

The Regency Spy Who Loved Me!

Post French Revolution, French actress Sophie Bertrand is a spy for the British espionage group Zodiac. Sophie is one of Zodiac's best, utilizing her acting talents, street smarts and skills at seduction to create different personas to track down information to aid the British government. James Bond would be proud. Sophie is a loner and so is not happy when she is told she will be working with a partner on her next assignment. Bruce Allender, Lord Forester is titled, wealthy and also a dedicated spy. He is also Sophie's new partner. As opposites attract, these two are a lock to become a couple. Sophie is free wheeling and likes to work in the moment, instantly adapting to every situation. Bruce is a bit stuffy and likes to carefully plan out each step. Naturally they are assigned to act as husband and wife to learn the identity of a traitorous important government official at a country estate.

Sophie and Bruce are good at what they do and it is easy to become absorbed in how they learn to respect each other's different styles and gradually trust each other as partners in espionage. Bruce in particular, has to overcome his own prejudices of Sophie's gender and social class. Being an actress at the time was not considered something a nice girl (like say Meryl Streep) would do. Plus fictional James Bond gets to sleep around with no marks on his character but it didn't work out so well for actual spy, Mata Hari. Sophie struggles more on the romance end of things as she begins to trust Bruce enough to let go of her defenses and be herself with him.

The perspective goes between Sophie and Bruce as they attempt to work together to learn the traitor's name and deal with their mutual attraction. The story has a strong spy storyline that is not just a filler for the romance. It holds your attention and manages to keep you guessing until the unexpected reveal. Sophie and Bruce certainly make a spicy couple for the romance side of the story and they keep the heat up as well. They also manage to keep you wondering just how are these two opposites are going to get there happily ever after too.

Elizabeth Cole is a talented writer and she does not disappoint in her newest book. This is a great read that will grab you all the way to the end and even gives you a little lesson about the French Revolution so you can characterize this as educational reading!

A Reckless Soul is the second book in Elizabeth Cole's 'Secrets of the Zodiac' series but it works just fine as a standalone.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. ( )