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.
You might be wondering how in the world can you write a story about a superstar singer and a spy and not make it cringe/unbelievable, well, ask Marie Lu cuz she did it.
The reason for their partnership made sense and every choice they made during the mission was a smart one. While I can most definitely say I enjoyed the subtle romance story, it was their partnership that truly made me fall in love with the book. The trust and mutual understanding, how they could easily „read each other’s minds.” Gorgeous.
The plot was a wild one. There are several plot twists and while I did see the second one coming, the first one shocked me. Like, how do we move on from this?? Where will the story go? Fun times. Also, this is all accompanied with crazy action scenes that you can vividly imagine.
When it comes to the main characters, I can’t even tell you who I like more, Sydney or Winter because they are both my broken lil babies who deserve all the love ♥ They each had a shitty childhood that made them wary of relationships. They could’ve been resentful and angry, but instead chose to be better and do something good in their lives.
BONUS POINTS:
-This isn’t mainly a „singer/boy band” book but it still gave an insight into what really happens backstage and the cost of fame in a more realistic way than some books whose only topic was this.
-The found family trope is tropeing. Sydney and her agency supervisors have the best relationship.
-I also really loved the friendship between Winter and his dancers.
-I truly appreciate how the main villain was written. Not gonna spoil anything, but it was so good.
*I only planned on writing the review above, but since I'm a bit late with posting it...I already read the second book in this duology 😂 Sooo I'm also gonna drop my shorter review for the final book below 😄 Don't worry, no spoilers!
While the plot was fabulous, honestly I flew through it, there were 2 things that slightly bothered me: 1. one character's ending that I absolutely hated and think it was written like this only for shock value 2. the way I predicted the main plot twist 2 chapters in.
Everything else was amazing - Sydney and Winter's relationship, the friendships between other characters, the action sequences, and what I loved most = the ending.
I was wondering how the author will end the story without being either too HEA or too depressing, because we all know a singer and a spy can't truly be in a normal relationship. One would have to quit or something. I shouldn't have worried because Marie Lu handled it with grace - she gave us a satisfying ending that made sense, but didn't cost anyone anything. It was perfect ♥
Have you read this duology? Have you read anything else by Marie Lu?
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