REVIEW: The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth

In The (Ex) Spy Who (Maybe) Loved Me by Christi Barth, scientist Blake Montgomery was visiting NYC. When her flight was delayed, she met a man, and when the flight was cancelled, she decided to spend the night with him. She returns to Swan Cove, only to discover that her job is pairing scientists with artists to promote their work. And she finds out her one-night-stand is none other than the artist she has to work with.

Wyatt Keene recently got out of the spy business, going to Swan Cove to participate in the art competition that his aunt had unknowingly entered him in before she passed away. Being an artist had been his dream, until he lost his parents. Now, he has another shot at it, but he has to get through working with the woman who he had thought he’d never see again.

Wyatt has suspicions that something is going to happen at Blake’s lab. While the sparks from their one night are still there, he has to hide who he previously was in order to keep Blake safe.

The book was slow paced, with a lot of hot and cold going on in the relationship, especially on Blake’s end. She would do something to make it seem like she wanted to be with Wyatt, and then she’d push him away. While Wyatt is hesitant to get into a relationship due to having to lie about his past, Blake’s hesitant for other reasons. She wants to be taken seriously as a woman in her male-dominated lab and feels that people finding out she was involved with the artist would make her look bad.

Blake also comes across as somewhat of a pushover, which was surprising since she attempts to act like a strong, intelligent, and somewhat stubborn woman. She lets her boss of the lab make her do things she doesn’t want to do without sticking up for herself. She lets her family’s expectations dictate her career decisions, even if they make her unhappy. One of her ex’s does something he should have been reported for, yet she didn’t do so when she should have. Eventually she starts to come around and starts to make a stand, but at that point, it felt like it was too late.

All of the action regarding the possible criminal activity at lab takes place off the pages, which was disappointing. With how little was written about it, it probably wouldn’t have changed much of the story if it had just been left out.

I’m on the fence about this book; there were some aspects I liked, some I didn’t, and they seemed to almost balance each other out. While not listed as part of a series, this is tied to the book Hottie on Her Shelf. I had not read this book, and I felt like I was missing some of the character dynamics, especially when it came to Blake and her brother, Fitz. It also felt like I was already supposed to have known Fitz, along with his girlfriend, Hallie, and one of Fitz’s friends. I don’t know if that’s because I haven’t read Fitz’s book, but I would recommend reading that one first just in case.

Book Info:

Publication: March 20, 2023 | Amara |

NYC is exactly what scientist Blake Montgomery needs. A little decadence and a whoooole lot of anonymity, well away from the prying eyes of her charming, touristy small town of Swan Cove. Now, at the end of a whirlwind trip, she has one final thing to cross off her to-do list: a sexy fling. And the hot, green-eyed stranger at the Maine airport bar might be her perfect one-night stand. Until, of course, he shows up in her town the very next day.

Wyatt Keene is just an average guy—now. But four days ago, he was a black ops intelligence agent who spent fifteen years being someone—anyone—except himself. For one hot night, Blake makes him forget he’s supposed to start his life all over again…as himself. Talk about mission impossible.

Except suddenly Wyatt and Blake are not only stuck in the same town together, but also sharing the same office, and there’s no escaping their scorching hot chemistry. Wyatt’s trying to convince everyone, especially Blake, that he’s just a normal guy—whatever that means. But nothing spells danger like trying to start a relationship with an ex-spy who hasn’t quite left his old life behind…