The Gentleman Spy - Review

The Gentleman Spy (Serendipity & Secrets, # 2)

By: Erica Vetsch

Publication: July 28th 2020 by Kregel Publications

320 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

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Goodreads description--He only wanted a duchess for a day―but she's determined to make it a marriage for life

When his father and older brother suddenly pass away, the new Duke of Haverly is saddled with a title he never expected to bear. To thwart the plans of his scheming family, the duke impulsively marries a wallflower. After all, she's meek and mild; it should be easy to sequester her in the country and get on with his life―as a secret agent for the Crown.

But his bride has other ideas. She's determined to take her place not only as his duchess but as his wife. As a duchess, she can use her position to help the lowest of society―the women forced into prostitution because they have no skills or hope. Her endeavors are not met favorably in society, nor by her husband who wishes she'd remain in the background as he ordered.

Can the duke succeed in relegating her to the sidelines of his life? When his secrets are threatened with exposure, will his new wife be an asset or a liability?

I was so pleasantly surprised last year when I read The Lost Lieutenant. I knew that I wanted to read Marcus's book as he was such an interesting side character. And I was equally disappointed when I wasn't approved for The Gentleman Spy for review. No matter though. I just purchased it for myself. And I wasn't disappointed.

Marcus has recently inherited the title of Duke. His father and older brother were killed in a carriage accident, and his brother's wife gives birth to a baby girl and not a boy. But Marcus isn't sure how to reconcile his new duties as Duke with the work for the crown he was doing. But his mother and his boss begin pushing him to look for a wife. Marcus sees some benefits to the idea, but he thinks he can keep his work life separate from his personal life. We, women, know this isn't going to fly, and even though multiple people advise him that his strategy isn't going to work, Marcus thinks he knows better. He thinks he just has to be strict and disciplined.

Charlotte is opinionated and works to continually educate herself by reading. Her father has determined that if she doesn't find a husband this season she will be sent to live with her aunt. She has had a hard time with society because she tends to say too much for what is acceptable for a woman. But Marcus finds her interesting. I loved their relationship and the uncertainty. I could also relate to Charlotte's trust issues. Her core beliefs have been shaken finding out that her father kept a mistress for many years and actually has a daughter, Charlotte's half-sister.

I love that this series has taken on the topic of how the country's veterans and their families have struggled and been mistreated. Many of the veterans were wounded and returned home to find themselves in poverty due to their inability to work. But also many veterans widows and daughters have found themselves in such a dire situation that they end up selling themselves to survive. I've not seen another series take on these troubles.

I've been waiting on The Gentleman Spy for months, and it didn't disappoint. I loved the relationship build-up. I loved the side characters and the additional story about the veterans and their families. I don't think there was a section of the story that disappointed me. The Gentleman Spy gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Gentleman Spy ? What did you think? Let me know!