A Spy's Devotion (The Regency Spies of London, 1)

Julia Grey! Wow, you just have to love her.Julia is an orphan, but lives with her Uncle and Aunt. They have a daughter, Phoebe, who is clearly favored and loved more then Julia. Through out the book you see how little Julia matters to her Uncle and Aunt. My heart broke every time they did or said something to her that made her feel less then worthy...and that was often. I have to stop her and explain how real Julia became to me when her family mistreated her. I am the Godmother to 5 great-nieces/great-nephews and NEVER in my wildest thoughts could I imagine treating them less then my own. Every time they reminded Julia of her "lesser" status...I saw those beautiful 5 faces in my mind. So, from the beginning moments...Julia had my heart.Julia is the type of person that you'd love to know in real time. She's strong, smart, analytical, kind and generous...she is, as the book describes her, "....older then her years....".Her life gets a little topsy-turvy when she meets Nicholas Langdon. Nicholas has no intention of falling in love...even though Phoebe (Julia's cousin) has every intention to make him do so.As the story progresses you get glimpses of the back stories for Nicholas, Julia and even Phoebe. The delightful game of cat and mouse continues with these three (and a few others) as the story continues. You learn why Nicholas is against falling in love, you discover Julia's reasoning and you figure out why Phoebe is....well, Phoebe.Nicholas and Julia find themselves in the middle of a conspiracy and are trying their best to work their way out of it and do the right thing for their country...which isn't very easy when people you care for are involved.At some points in the book...I couldn't wait to see what happened next and would jump ahead a few chapters to "peek" into the future of these characters. That type of excitement and anticipation for a story doesn't happen often. But, when you become invested in the character and fall in love with the hero/heroine...you can't help but want to jump ahead. Ahhh...if only life was like that!Melanie has a way of creating characters that are relatable and in doing so she creates wonderful worlds where we can not only visit, but reflect on, enjoy and long to return to one day.

A SPY'S DEVOTION is a departure from Melanie Dickerson's usual books. Instead of being a fairy tale retelling, it is a regency romance. As with her other books, it is an entertaining story that held my interest from beginning to end. Regency books do rile me up though: the snobbery and the lack of options for women. Julia Grey is an orphan who has lived with her aunt, uncle, and cousin, Phoebe since she was a young child. Phoebe is a couple of years younger than Julia and is very spoiled. She is convinced she is in love with Nicholas Langdon, a young British officer who has returned home to heal from a battlefield injury. However, he finds himself drawn to Julia, which causes problems, especially when her uncle forbids her to meet with him and orders her to marry Hugh Edgerton. How will Julia get out of being forced to marry the scoundrel Edgerton? Will she (gasp!) have to become a governess? The spying Nicholas and Julia are doing for the Crown brings danger to them both. The woman who threw Nicholas over to marry another man several years ago is now a widow and further complicates things. There are many interesting characters in this book, both likable and contemptible. I enjoyed it very much.

Having enjoyed many of Melanie Dickersons fairy tale re-telling, I looked forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed!The story of Julia and Nicholas is delightful and exciting. From poor relation to spy to governess, poor Julia always tries to do what society asks. However, she doesn't find true love, revelations do not value her, and her future looks bleak.Turning to God for wisdom, her life takes several abrupt turns, most for the worst.Nicholas is a soldier on leave because of wounds suffered in the Napoleonic wars. He inadvertently has become involved in espionage due to the 'innocent' diary he was asked to deliver upon his return to England.You will enjoy finding how the paths of Julia and Nicholas cross and how they both find their way through the obstacles their enemies, and society, throw in their path.Enjoyed this book very much, purchasing the next as soon as I finish this review!

An enjoyable read by Melanie Dickerson. This story has spies, treason, love and infatuation. The h/Julia Grey discovers that her uncle and guardian is spying against England for France and agrees to help the H/Nicholas Langdon spy on her uncle to get enough proof to have him and his cohorts arrested. Julia also agrees to help make Nicholas fall in love with her cousin Phoebe, as said cousin is severely infatuated with our intrepid hero, even though Julia is beginning to have feelings for him as well.Will Nicholas and Julia succeed in bringing the people committing for treason to justice? Will Nicholas fall in love with Phoebe? Will Julia admit her feelings for Nicholas to anyone, including herself? Check out this wonderful book and see what happens.This is a clean, historical romance and I highly recommend it to everyone. Enjoy!

We love this series

If Julie Klassen would write YA Christian Regency... this would be it!Building the story for Julia and how different and unique this book is from her fairytale retellings is something else! I am utterly impressed. The main characters are classically, and wonderfully crafted by Melanie with side characters playing crucial roles.Loved the intrigue and suspense later on in the book. The elements of Julia as a spy were priceless lol! She was so innocent. I also liked the many dances which aren't typical to Melanie's books, but something I enjoyed.The Faith aspects were more on the shier side of things yet prevalent too.I simply can't wait for the next books to The Regency Spies of London Series!16+Recommended as a Christian YA Regency Novel

Ich habe alle anderen Fairytale Bücher von Melanie D. gekauft und nahezu verschlungen, einfach nur großartig geschrieben und spannend.Mit diesem Buch wagt sich die Autorin in die Regencyzeit. Sie gibt sich Mühe; die Beschreibungen und die Sitten dieser Zeitperiode stimmen, aber die Charakterentwicklung fällt etwas flach aus und streckenweise ist es leider etwas mühsam zu lesen, da es schlicht und einfach zu langweilig ist.Gegen Mitte/Ende nimmt der Roman Fahrt auf, aber zu spät und man will eigentlich nur noch wissen, wie es ausgeht.Das ist das erste Buch von Melanie D., welches ich wohl so schnell nicht nochmal lesen werde.Schade.

I really enjoyed this story! The intrigue was great, and the romantic tension between the hero & heroine was well-done and realistic. I have enjoyed many of Ms. Dickerson's books and would definitely recommend this one as well!

Dickerson's new series. The girls loved the Fairytale series and I'm sure they will enjoy this one as well. Thanks Melanie for your new addition to good YA literature.

I usually love Melanie Dickerson's books, but I found this one not quite as good as the others. It took awhile for me to get into the book. Once I did, I enjoyed it. But it lacked the captivating power of her other books.

This was the first book by Melanie Dickerson that I've read. If her other books are as charming, I will definitely be reading more of her books. Good plot - not just the usual Regency love story. Well written and "clean"!

Definitely a must read for all romantics....its very well written and builds up your curiosity at every step. Thank you.

For me, a good romance has to find the damsel in distress and this novel fits the bill. Addictive. Quick read. Full of excitement and beautifully clean romance. Perfect!

Another amazing book!