Title: Spies, Lies, and Alibis
Author: Natalie Walters
Genre: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Contemporary Romance
Format: Audiobook ALC / eARC
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4★)
Synopsis
Cybil Langford has spent years secretly gathering intel on the criminal network tied to her powerful boss. Ben Bradley is working undercover for the FBI investigating the very same dangerous organization.
The problem? Neither of them knows the other is undercover too.
When the two childhood friends unexpectedly cross paths again during a high-stakes gala, they find themselves trying to navigate dangerous criminals, hidden agendas, and unresolved feelings from the past, all while desperately trying not to destroy each other’s cover.
My Thoughts
This was honestly such a fun book.
I originally got the ebook ARC through NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction, but when the audiobook showed up as a “Listen Now” narrated by Andrew Eiden, aka Teddy Hamilton, there was absolutely no way I was skipping it :D. And honestly? I really think the audiobook made the experience even better.
As the blurb says, Cybil and Ben were childhood friends who spent summers together at the family farm pulling ridiculous pranks on each other. Frogs in boots, flour fights, complete chaos… and somehow that same playful energy still follows them into adulthood.
Now both of them are working undercover investigating the same dangerous criminal organization without realizing the other is involved too, which gave the entire story strong Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes at times.
The banter between them was genuinely one of the highlights of the book for me. This is not a spicy romance, but honestly, I didn’t even mind because the chemistry and humor between the characters carried the story so well on their own.
I also really liked Cybil as a main character. She’s resilient, smart and trying her best despite having a difficult childhood and complicated circumstances growing up. Ben was also a great match for her. Protective without becoming controlling and supportive without feeling insecure whenever Cybil handled situations better than him.
The pacing itself was really solid too. The story stayed entertaining throughout, and even when things became more serious toward the end, it still kept that lighter and fun atmosphere overall.
My only real complaint was the romance progression. Once they reunited, things emotionally escalated a little too quickly into “oh no, I still love them” territory without giving us much insight into what happened during the years they spent apart. I would have loved a bit more backstory about how both of them ended up working undercover in the first place.
That said, overall this was a really enjoyable and bingeable romantic suspense, and the audiobook narration absolutely elevated the experience for me.
Final Thoughts
Overall, this was such an entertaining mix of undercover missions, childhood-friends-to-lovers energy, humor and suspense.
If you enjoy lighter romantic suspense with strong banter, fun chemistry and Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes, this is definitely worth checking out, especially in audiobook format.
ARC Disclaimer
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.
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