kjanie's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5 stars
This was definitely a me problem, not the actual book. As soon as I started it, I was having an absolute blast. This book jumps right into a fun, quirky story with equally quirky and entertaining characters. From that, I thought I would love the whole book, but alas, I didn't. Again, I really don't think this book is bad at all, it was more of a me problem. If you're into romantic suspense or mystery in your romance novels, then this will definitely be the book for you. Unfortunately, this is just not me. This book really focused on the mystery and over-arching storyline in such a way that it took away from the romance. It felt like the romance was more of a side plot, and was quite underdeveloped because of it. This would normally be fine, but I went into this book expecting and wanting a romance, so the fact that the romance was a let-down broke my heart.
This was definitely a me problem, not the actual book. As soon as I started it, I was having an absolute blast. This book jumps right into a fun, quirky story with equally quirky and entertaining characters. From that, I thought I would love the whole book, but alas, I didn't. Again, I really don't think this book is bad at all, it was more of a me problem. If you're into romantic suspense or mystery in your romance novels, then this will definitely be the book for you. Unfortunately, this is just not me. This book really focused on the mystery and over-arching storyline in such a way that it took away from the romance. It felt like the romance was more of a side plot, and was quite underdeveloped because of it. This would normally be fine, but I went into this book expecting and wanting a romance, so the fact that the romance was a let-down broke my heart.
hammock_and_read's review against another edition
5.0
This is book 2 and I couldn't wait as book one was sooooo good. I love April's writing style which is wicked smart that I want to go read more so I know all the lines. This one doesn't disappoint at all it has all the smart writing, sassy leading lady, charming leading man, and mystery and action all packed into this book. I just loved it and Anna was a wonderful leading lady- that you just wish you could be that cool. There are some of the characters from book one and others from Penny's Knitting in the City world, which is always nice and feels like home.
Anna meets Darius when we steals a painting out of one of the house he designed the security systems for. They have killer chemistry but can that win over their values?
Overall, 5 stars and 3 steams.
Anna meets Darius when we steals a painting out of one of the house he designed the security systems for. They have killer chemistry but can that win over their values?
Overall, 5 stars and 3 steams.
marquez's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
phoenixinthecity's review against another edition
4.0
This was so delightful! I loved Anna - her lack of filter and spewing of random facts kind of reminded me of Janie, which Darius, the Disney prince, noticed as well. The Cipher gang including Quinn & Dan and Shane & Gabriel plus Sparky from Code of Conduct make cameos and it was so fun to see Shane and Anna form their misfit girl gang of badassery.
My fav thing about Darius is that he reads romances and keeps his condom stash in a carved out copy of Sarah MacLean's Brazen and the Beast, which is fine because he has the ebook, too.
Darius on Anna: “I felt as though I should only ever travel with this woman from now on–that her view of the world was so fascinating and unique that listening to a tourist guide would be a pale fragment of the experience I’d have seeing the world with Anna Collins.”
Anna on Darius: “I see the very best version of myself when you look at me.”
My fav thing about Darius is that he reads romances and keeps his condom stash in a carved out copy of Sarah MacLean's Brazen and the Beast, which is fine because he has the ebook, too.
Darius on Anna: “I felt as though I should only ever travel with this woman from now on–that her view of the world was so fascinating and unique that listening to a tourist guide would be a pale fragment of the experience I’d have seeing the world with Anna Collins.”
Anna on Darius: “I see the very best version of myself when you look at me.”
book_realm_revisions's review against another edition
5.0
As a D&D nerd, the “I workout to do what my character does” plot thread was amazing. Anna became her D&D and her quirky trivia was amazing.
I have a new role model and Darius as a Disney Prince was the best. The question of codes of morals was the best.
I have a new role model and Darius as a Disney Prince was the best. The question of codes of morals was the best.
bananatricky's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm. I really enjoyed the first book in this series but I have to say this book left me feeling that April White was trying too hard to make our heroine Anna quirky and dorky. You know, I got that feeling that she was pointing her thumbs at her chest, rocking from side to side saying 'I'm clumsy, dorky, have no filter, and I wear wacky t-shirts, me'. It was too much, especially when almost every chapter starts with one of Anna's wacky t-shirt slogans. Also, if Anna described Darius as a Disney prince once she did it a dozen times (I've checked my Kindle and I underestimated, it was 29 times).
Anyway, Anna is the dorky twin, her identical sister Collette has all the glamour and poise. Anna is a bounty-hunter and her sister is an interior designer. Together they have planned a daring robbery to steal back a painting of their mother and her sister.
Darius is the designer of the security system protecting the painting which is located in a panic room. He meets Anna, masquerading as her sister, at a party when she is casing the joint prior to the robbery. He is instantly attracted to this beautiful woman who doesn't behave like all the other women at the party and who spouts her every thought out loud.
Can you fall in love with the man who is trying to discover your identity?
I enjoyed the story and the link to a 1990s robbery of a Boston museum, I liked the way it linked together all the pieces, I liked Darius and his unusual family history, I just didn't like the way Anna was written.
Anyway, Anna is the dorky twin, her identical sister Collette has all the glamour and poise. Anna is a bounty-hunter and her sister is an interior designer. Together they have planned a daring robbery to steal back a painting of their mother and her sister.
Darius is the designer of the security system protecting the painting which is located in a panic room. He meets Anna, masquerading as her sister, at a party when she is casing the joint prior to the robbery. He is instantly attracted to this beautiful woman who doesn't behave like all the other women at the party and who spouts her every thought out loud.
Can you fall in love with the man who is trying to discover your identity?
I enjoyed the story and the link to a 1990s robbery of a Boston museum, I liked the way it linked together all the pieces, I liked Darius and his unusual family history, I just didn't like the way Anna was written.
cbell8104's review against another edition
5.0
How do you describe a book that makes a character your spirit animal? I stumbled upon April White purely by happenstance. It has been an amazing fall through the looking glass ever since. I feel in love with the Immortal Descendants and have a fond relationship with Baker Street as I am still a lady in waiting (coughs). However, I am rambling.
Code of Conduct is a brilliant and quirky story. The relationship between Anna and Darius is wonderful. I laughed and got a touch misty eyed. I could relate to Anna and her thirst for little known tidbits of information and their insertion into conversation. Darius was delightful and his need to stick to his code was enduring. Watching these characters come together was a joy. I received this as an ARC but preordered the book. I believe in supporting those that compose the written word that stimulates our imagination.
Code of Conduct is a brilliant and quirky story. The relationship between Anna and Darius is wonderful. I laughed and got a touch misty eyed. I could relate to Anna and her thirst for little known tidbits of information and their insertion into conversation. Darius was delightful and his need to stick to his code was enduring. Watching these characters come together was a joy. I received this as an ARC but preordered the book. I believe in supporting those that compose the written word that stimulates our imagination.
izziede's review against another edition
3.0
I am a bit on the fence with this book.
At first the humor was a bit juvenile for me, I almost didn't bother but it got better.
The set up is the heroine is a twin and the Hero meets her while she is pretending to be her sister, but he realises things aren't quite right.
The twin sister has a one night stand with 'the mark' but the Hero thinks it's the heroine and she has just slept with another man, he even sees camera footage of it and then he has sex with the heroine some hours later.
That felt a bit ew to me.
Yes he is having sex with the heroine and it's the heroines twin sister he saw having sex with another man but he thinks it's the heroine.
There are a few intimate comments about the sister and other man.
Intimate scene with the Hero and heroine.
Also the pooing on a boat scene.... Really... Ew... And why have that there??
Humor? I think not, I suppose it depends on your taste.
We see glimpses of Quinn, Dan and Stan, as they all work at Cipher Security and the previous couple from an earlier book.
That said the plot of the theft is quite clever and the book is well written.
HEA in form of happy for now, I imagine we may see bits of them as a couple in future books in series.
At first the humor was a bit juvenile for me, I almost didn't bother but it got better.
The set up is the heroine is a twin and the Hero meets her while she is pretending to be her sister, but he realises things aren't quite right.
The twin sister has a one night stand with 'the mark' but the Hero thinks it's the heroine and she has just slept with another man, he even sees camera footage of it and then he has sex with the heroine some hours later.
That felt a bit ew to me.
Yes he is having sex with the heroine and it's the heroines twin sister he saw having sex with another man but he thinks it's the heroine.
There are a few intimate comments about the sister and other man.
Intimate scene with the Hero and heroine.
Also the pooing on a boat scene.... Really... Ew... And why have that there??
Humor? I think not, I suppose it depends on your taste.
We see glimpses of Quinn, Dan and Stan, as they all work at Cipher Security and the previous couple from an earlier book.
That said the plot of the theft is quite clever and the book is well written.
HEA in form of happy for now, I imagine we may see bits of them as a couple in future books in series.
nnniro411's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fun mystery heist romance story. Fun characters and enjoyable plot