“The Secret Service of Tea and Treason” by India Holton

Title: The Secret Service of Tea and Treason
Author: India Holton 
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2023
Genre(s): historical fiction, historical fantasy, action
Part of a Series: Yes, Book #3. Read my review of Book #2 here.

Why I read it: Because I enjoyed Book #2.

Summary: To uncover and stop a plot to assassinate Queen Victoria, the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (A.U.N.T.) sends their best agents undercover as a pirate and her husband. Agent B (aka Daniel Bixby) is used to the ways of pirates but Agent A (aka Alice Dearborn) struggles to understand their ways. Not helping is her growing attraction to her partner. Will they stop the plot? And what will become of the feelings growing between them?

Rating: 

Review: I was eager to read this book after enjoying The League of Gentlewomen Witches. And while I didn’t enjoy this book quite as much as that one, it still was a fun read.

I’ll get out what I didn’t like out of the way, like I usually do with negative things so we can focus on the positive. It was the romance. I didn’t really feel like I truly felt the desire between Daniel and Alice like I had with Alex and Charlotte in the other book. I know Holton can do romances better so I was disappointed with this one.

Otherwise, I enjoyed the rest of the book.

I enjoyed Daniel and Alice as characters. I feel like Alice was autistic and I thought that was an interesting choice, one that I feel really made her an intriguing character. Her way of viewing the world made for a compelling read and it was enjoyable to follow as her way of thinking shifted from her relationship with Daniel and the pirates. Kudos to Holton for that!

Daniel was a great foil for her. He understood her analytical and practical (and many times literal) way of seeing the world. But he also understood nuance and how irrational the world could be. He was able to help her and guide her as she navigated being an undercover pirate.

The pirates were wacky and it was fun to read about their shenanigans, even if Alice was completely baffled the entire time. The actions scenes were also well written and enjoyable to read. So if you’re looking for a fun read, I’d definitely recommend this for those scenes.

There is a villain in the story but I won’t spoil it here. You’ll find out when you read the book.

Bottom line: A good read if the romance isn’t the greatest.

Sex: Some but the characters are very talkative through them so you might forget or not realize they are sex scenes.

Moonlight Musing

Have you ever stepped outside your comfort zone?