REVIEW: Code Name Gorgeous by M.C. Vaughan
A spy who hasn’t yet admitted she’s a spy turns her fiancé’s life upside down with the truth in this thrilling, steamy romance.
Love is always risky—but loving her could be downright hazardous.
Vivian Flint knows danger. Intrigue and combat are all in a day’s work for a spy. Her alias, however, lives a quiet life. Jane Davis is an art broker with a gorgeous art-handler boyfriend, a dog and an apartment in DC. Said boyfriend knows exactly nothing about Vivian, which is a problem—since he just proposed. Now Viv is coming clean and hoping for the best…
John Seymour just had the rug pulled out from under him. Not only is everything he knew about his fiancée a lie, but suddenly they’re both on the run. After an attack at her office (which might involve a criminal ex and bioweapons?!) they’re scrambling through air ducts and fighting off goons. Who is this woman jetting them around Morocco, Gibraltar, Monte Carlo and Paris? She may be sexy and strong, but the wedding is definitely off.
Vivian can’t blame John, but for the moment, they need each other. His mission, should he choose to accept it: Trust the woman he loves, and maybe they’ll make it out of this mess alive.
Dear M.C. Vaughan,
A few years ago I had a lot of fun reading “Romancing Miss Stone.” This book looked as if it could be just as good. Is it realistic? Probably not but I put my nitpickiness aside and leaned into the verve of it.
After dating a short time, John knew that Jane was the one but he managed to wait a year before popping the question. Well, part of that is the fact that Jane’s job takes her abroad a lot but now he’s ready to present her with a beautiful ring and hope like hell she says “yes.” She does but … well due to her job, she’s got to take him in to be questioned and things go south leaving the two of them to flee the country and try to discover who wants the goods and worse, who’s on their side and who is not.
“Whoa.” John entered. “Is this a conceptual piece?”
Oh God. This sweet, innocent man thought the polygraph machine was art.
I agree with other reviews I’ve seen that cheerfully say that reality has no place in this book. I never bothered to question whether or not the CIA works like it’s shown, if agents have to have their potential spouses polygraphed, or how quickly the agency can respond to the requests of agents in the field. Don’t know, don’t care.
“Jane” is actually Vivian – something that John initially has trouble dealing with. The woman he loves has lied to him for a year?? Most of what she’s told him about her family and her job are lies?? John, to put it mildly, is hurt. He’s also pretty darn sure the wedding is off. Growing up with his diplomat parents putting him second to their jobs and paying him little attention has made John touchy, and with reason, about truth and openness. He’s going to call the whole thing off until suddenly he’s running for his life and getting a whole new look at the woman he still – darn it! – loves. John is definitely not steeped in the patriarchy though. He’s beta through and through. Maybe a bit unbelievably beta but that’s okay.
Her particular trauma response was fuck you.
Vivian is stunned at the proposal but also knows John is the one she wants. She just hopes he’s not going to be too upset about all the secrets she’s had to keep from him. Taking him in to work for the polygraph lands them in all kinds of WTF but, after crawling through some duct work, both land on their feet and Vivian begins to work her contacts to get them both out of the line of fire while she tries to figure out which end is up.
Landing first in Morocco, then transiting to Gibraltar, Marseille, Monaco, and finally Paris the two actually have some time to talk while sprinting from danger, ducking for cover, and trying to figure out who to trust. A whole lot of action and feelings are packed into six day with the two of them doing soul searching, attempting to be the brave one looking out for the other’s feelings and then finally deciding on their future. Surprisingly John manages to keep up fairly well with Vivian, of whom he is in awe at her quick thinking and kickass abilities. This is a fast and fun story that I enjoyed reading but remember that this is a No Reality Zone book. B
~Jayne
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I am here for the No Reality Zone books and a complete suspension of belief is just what I need. Thanks, Jayne. Are there more?
@Darlynne: This is either a stand-alone or the first book if this is a series. But you could also read “Romancing Miss Stone” if you haven’t already. I did try the follow-up to it but didn’t finish it.