A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London Series1)

A Spy’s Devotion: The Regency Spies of London Series

By Melanie Dickerson

  Oh My God…my mouth kept opening throughout the entire book. It’s finally my turn to write this book’s review! I’ve waited for so long! Now, I proudly present you—Pride and Prejudice!!! …Halt!!! I thought I’m going to do A Spy’s Devotion’s review? How come it becomes Jane Austin? Well…I’ll explain that latter. But come on! It’s a regency novel!!! How can you refuse it? Especially it’s written by Melanie Dickerson! One of the best romance authors I’ve read!!! I read every book of hers, and I was never disappointed. Her every book and series bring something new and fresh to the reader, so you’ll never be boring!!! Now, behold, the mighty, the romantic, the best—A Spy’s Devotion!

  In England’s Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life—but behind closed treason and deception thrive. Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility and bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

  At the home of Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues leads to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray. Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?

  See? It’s just like the 19th century Jane Austin. (Wait…when do her novels exactly belong…? I think they must be after the Regency era…right?) This book reminds me so much of Pride and Prejudice! Don’t get me wrong, the plot is completely different, and the characters’ personalities are different too. But all the scenes and their interaction just somehow reminds me Pride and Prejudice. This must be the modern Pride and Prejudice!!! That’s how great this book is!!! Yeah!!! I once again drown by Melanie’s writing! (Not to mention she is such a kind author!) It has been a long time since I was attracted by the main characters…not so much after Gisela and Valten in The Captive Maiden. But Julia and Nicholas…ahhh!!! They were as great as Gisela and Valten!!! (Screaming!!!) Julia is a kind and talented person, she always performed well in all society occasions, and her only wish is to serve her uncle and aunt happy, and of course, the happiness of her beloved cousin. She was so smart…yet with no money of her own. She only processed little diary, so she couldn’t possibly hope to marry well…not if that was important. On the other hand, her cousin, Phoebe, owned a huge amount of money, and any man who married her will get them as well. Unlike Julia’s kindness and proper behavior, Phoebe acted like a spoil princess sometime. She expressed her emotion whenever she wanted…and she depended her happiness on Nicholas Langdon. Silly girl! You can never rely on man like that!!! Especially you barely know him!!! However, Julia and Phoebe were best friends and sisters, they enjoyed each other’s’ company. So…there will be an interesting twist between their relationships. Especially when it came to men…they were from different planet—one sensitive, while other practically. Now, our handsome officer—Nicolas Langdon!!! He reminds me so much of Valten. Even though they were in completely different era (1401 and 1811…so sad, I originally hope they might have the chance to meet…unless time travel), different world (Across the continent.) …and different society, their spirits were so similar!!! (Swoon…) Yet unlike Valten’s lack of words, Nicolas was actually talkative…and humorous. He…well...tease our beautiful Julia sometime, but not in an improper way, of course. He in every way was chivalrous, kind and brave. The only fault I must say is that—he care too much about his property!!! Foolish property!!! Ahh!!

  Now, let’s guess, who was the spy? Who was in this dangerous situation? He or she? Actually…both! As you can guess from the summery, the “she” part is our intelligent heroine—Julia! She placed herself after the country where her loyalty lied. She put herself in grave danger to protect her country. And when all were discovered, she must hurry up, or her love one might be died. Exciting huh? My heart kept jumping when I read this part. As for the male spy…he wasn’t loyal at all. He was selfish, disgusting, and heartless. No need to tell, it mustn’t be our Mr. Langdon. Then who was he? And what’s Mr. Langdon part in this mission? Well…he just kept saying “let me help you” and acted as a gentleman…and all will be right. Just kidding, but he did actually speak tones of “let me help you of you need” in the book. This is Melanie Dickerson’s first book without fairytale, and I think she did a wonderful job. Even without the lovely support of fairy tales, her story still prove to be excellent and worth reading. The characters all have different personalities under her words and you can easily recognize them. Her plots weren’t boring at all, instead, they kept in a rather fast pace. I know I can never be boring while reading her books. And now…I can’t wait for the sequel!!! I wonder what will the plot be…will it be also Julia and Nicolas’ story? Or will there be other wonderful characters? But I’m sure that no matter what it is, I won’t be disappointed!!! Now…it’s time to move on to the Fairy Tale Romance Series’ sixth book—The Silent Songbird and the Medieval Fairy Tale Series’ second book—The Beautiful Pretender!!! (It’s so sad that I can’t get an ARC…I know some reviewer has already finished The Beautiful Pretender…)