Not going to lie, I saw Stars and Smoke and thought it was a science fiction. It’s so ingrained in my mind that Marie Lu is SF, but this action packed swoony spy romance is far from it! It’s a fun book about illusions, fake identities, and subterfuge. Keep reading this book review of Stars and Smoke for my full thoughts.
Summary
Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.
Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She’s fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.
When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter’s lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter’s bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter’s charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there’s more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Stars and Smoke could easily have a subtitle of smoke and mirrors. It’s a story about spies, fake identities and cover stories. If you love a classic spy story of a trained operative, a new recruit, and sparks, then you have to read Stars and Smoke. We have the classic operative who is so convinced this new recruit could never succeed. And we have the recruit who may just change some minds and hearts? It’s full of good banter, chase scenes, and close calls.
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Becca Q. Co’s narration gives Stars and Smoke a fast paced feeling. There’s nothing like reading adrenaline soaked passages navigated which feels like a mission de-brief. Stars and Smoke is an action story with a core of mystery sprinkled in Winter’s character. It’s hard not to feel bad for him and how much he craves his mother’s attention, her love, as they reel from his brother’s death. With high stakes, Stars and Smoke is just so fun. It’s a cute, swoony, spy story which made commuting fun!
Find Stars and Smoke on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.