A Raven's Heart

Secrets & Spies, Book 2

By: Kate Bateman

Narrated by: Marnye Young

When a bookish codebreaker and a dashing spy are reunited in this steamy historical romance from the author of To Steal a Heart, their lives depend on their ability to resist temptation. But fate is a mistress who cannot be denied. . .

England, 1815. In the war against France, Heloise Hampden is a high-value asset to the Crown. When she cracks the enemy’s most recent communication, French agents are sent to silence her. But it’s the agent assigned to protect Heloise who poses the greatest threat to her heart: William de l’Isle, Viscount Ravenwood. Heloise has quarreled with the man they call Raven since childhood, yet always maintained a chaste distance. She’s sure nothing will change, thanks to the disfiguring scar on her face.

Nothing has changed. Raven still wonders how Hell-cat Hampden’s lithe body would feel pressed against his, but for the mission he must remind himself that the woman takes more pleasure in ancient languages than she does in seduction. His imprisonment six years ago broke him in a way that makes the prospect of love impossible—he’s a shadowed Hades pining for sun-kissed Persephone. Still, his heart beats like mad whenever he’s within ten paces of Heloise, and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe—even if that means taking her to Spain as an unwilling hostage. Protecting her from danger will be a challenge; protecting her from desire will be pure agony.

©2022 Kate Bateman (P)2022 Spotify Audiobooks

Scarred but mended

I'm giving this a 4.5 rounded up to 5 stars because it did give me the feels. Another great adventure romance with witty banter and a sweet theme of broken people more beautiful because of mending. Would prefer the narrator have a better man's voice and not too much steam but did love the progression of the story.

Outstanding story of complex characters

The hero Raven is emotionally scarred and uses the code name Hades. He views himself as dark and sinister and not good enough for the women he loves, The heroine Heloise “Hellcat” is brilliant but a tad naive and physically scarred but filled with light and goodness . She has loved Raven all her adult life and has felt rejected and unrequited love for him. The story is an adventure. It’s a best friends little sister/ bodyguard / second chance romance. I have read this book at least four times and every time I find some new insights into the characters’ psyche. I love how they attempt to hide their feelings for each other ( spoiler) it appears everyone knows but them. The ending is just so good and different. The audio read is excellent and enhances the story.

Meh.

This was leagues better than book one, but was still not a favorite. The narrator, though not faking a French accent this time around, still managed to produce an irritatingly affected English accent. I’ll be sure to avoid her as a narrator in future.