The Bachelor Spy

Did author Pepper Basham know the sensation that she was creating when she wrote The Mistletoe Countess in 2021? Did she realize that four books later, in what is supposed to be the last book in her series, readers would still be totally smitten with Grace and Frederick Ainsley? Well, believe me, this reader is! I loved The Bachelor Spy! The chemistry between Grace and Freddie is just as tantalizing now as it was then, but there's something even more intriguing in this story. Their love has deepened; they have grown emotionally, and they're now faced with the realities of war and separation. And Grace is still an amateur sleuth who can't help being drawn into danger and mystery! If you're craving a clean romance with some of the best kisses ever, grab a copy of The Bachelor Spy! It is a delightful book with amazing characters, inspiring faith, a story that kept me turning the pages, and the best epilogue EVER! It can be read as a standalone, but I'm sure you'll want to read the others also. The books in the Freddie and Grace mystery series are meant to be read and savored! I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

The Bachelor Spy is the fifth book in Pepper Basham's A Freddie and Grace Mystery series, and it was my first introduction to her work. I'm happy to report it holds up on its own. You don't need the previous four to follow what's happening, but the book drops enough allusions to past adventures that I found myself genuinely curious to go back and read them in order. That's a good sign. The story splits its time between two couples and two mysteries threading through a WWI-era English country estate converted into a convalescent hospital. The historical backdrop is well-researched and never overdone. The Christian themes are present without ever feeling forced. The emotional standout is Chapter 11, where the war and the home front finally collide. I won't say more than that, but it caught me off guard and I teared up. The pacing in that stretch is really well done. Where the book stumbles is in doing too much of a good thing. The banter is fun but sometimes runs too long. Some of the romantic moments do the same. And the final act has three intense sequences back-to-back, two fights with a rescue in between, and by the third one I was more tired than anything. A little more breathing room would have helped. My one real frustration is Grace herself. She is supposed to be sharp, but at certain moments she is conveniently oblivious, played for comedy, and often successfully, but occasionally it stretches a little far. That said, the cast is likable across the board, the mysteries tie together well, and the faith elements feel genuinely integrated into the story. One final note. Mr. Brandon, the butler, is an absolute scene-stealer and my favorite character in the book. Thank you to Pepper Basham and Barbour Publishing for the advance copy via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.