This was great fun! I love a good romance and this was sharp and modern with fab, funny dialogue. Will definitely look out for more by this author,

For some reason I dnf this book and I can't remember why or if its because I was in a reading slump, and this book just wasn't hitting. But from what I read I did quite like it (I think). soo 2.5 stars

A very interesting and unconventional romance! A spy is sent undercover to her own family home when her sister gets engaged to a crime lord - and her mission is to seduce his best friend.
It is very well written in terms of the pacing, emotional content, and characters. I particularly liked the main character Sydney’s personal trajectory through the book - it was an exceptional example of a character learning about herself and changing for the better, which is such a crucial part of the romance genre.
My main qualm with the book is that Sydney is a CIA agent who works with the FBI as well. And I know that the premise requires that she’s a spy but the CIA? And FBI? Ouch. It was just incredibly hard for me to look past that, despite the book’s and Sydney’s own ethical doubts about her work.
Other than that, I would have liked to see more of Nick and her doing fun things together, although I acknowledge it would have been difficult with the plot. I think this would have made me more invested in their relationship as I felt we saw them build a connection based on deep personal information and some banter but I would have appreciated some more lightheartedness in their relationship - I could see how they loved each other but not so much how they liked each other.
That being said, I really enjoyed reading ‘The Takedown’ and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a little bit of action with their romance!

A great book to sit down with during the festive period and wind down the last bit of the year.

Didn’t know I needed an CIA undercover fake dating romance but I’m glad I got one!

I could see this making a good Christmas rom com film.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher
4/5 ⭐️

Can Sydney stop her sister Calla marrying a gangster? All is far as it seems in this delightful romance . Loved it.

Wow, this is the best romance novel I have had the chance to read in a while. The fake dating trope is perfectly executed, with two extremely attractive main characters that can’t wait to tear off each other’s clothes, or kill one another!

This book was entertaining enough! It was intriguing and really drew me in. I would consider reading this author’s work in future.

A great wee read.

An action packed adventure with good chemistry between the 2 main characters Sydney and Nick. A little bit of spice, enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity tropes that I love in a book.

A solid 4 stars. I will look out for this author in the future.

Thank you NetGalley and Carlie Walker for the ARC in return for an honest review.

DNF:52%
I would like to thank the author and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in return for an honest review. From the description and title, this book had so much potential but unfortunately did not live up to the hype I've seen in other reviews. In general, I liked the plot and the storyline, especially with our MFC being in the CIA. I did not like the MMC as it was basically installed, and for him being a bodyguard for a dangerous criminal, he did not live up to the part.

The Takedown was such a fun festive read! You know those fin little Netflix Christmas movies (or what I think are Hallmark movies in the US?), where the female main character goes home for the holidays & falls in love but also has some ridiculous job & shenanigans ensue? This is the book version of that. Like it’s a quick entertaining read & if those are your vibes then you’re sorted!

My biggest gripe was the epilogue, literally takes place like 2 weeks max after the events of the book & what happens happens, but it really felt out of place & out of character too, shame as everything else was great!

Initially I didn't think I was going to like this book but after the first two chapters, I was well and truly drawn in. Spy Sydney's new assignment is just a bit too close to home. Her younger sister Calla is engaged and due to marry Johnny Jones from a violent, organised crime family. Sydney has to not only prevent the wedding but find out where the next violent robbery by the Jones' will take place. To do this, Sydney has to get close to Johnny's bodyguard Nick who just happens to be a caring, intelligent hunk - or is he? This book drew me in and kept me guessing until the very end. The wedding is taking place at Christmas time so there are lots of seasonal links, romance, humour and tension. A really good read and I thoroughly enjoyed the skilful characterisation and red herrings which kept me guessing. Thank you to Netgalley for an advance copy to read and review.

This book was so good! It was intriguing and really drawed me in. I'll be reading more of this authors work.

It’s been a long time since Sydney Swift has gone home. An unrelentingly successful CIA field officer, she has spent the last three years pretending to be someone — anyone — other than herself.

But this year, the festive season is coming with some added surprises. Sydney’s beloved little sister has just announced that she’s engaged to Johnny Jones, the heir of an organized crime dynasty. With her built-in cover and her best-in-class reputation, Sydney is approached by the FBI as their way to infiltrate the Jones family at last.

Sydney is a great character and I warmed to her quickly. This was a fast-paced story with some characters that are an absolute dream. There is a bit of romance too.

Loved it.

This book was so incredibly fun and exciting! I was not expecting such a fun and action packed book based on the cutesy rom com cover. Loved the way it tells the story of Nick and Sydney and their unexpected connection. Sooo fun!

The Takedown
By Carlie Walker

“Sipping champagne near the end of the table, my sister’s fiancé catches my eye and winks. Asshole.”

I knew from this line a few pages in that this was going to be GOOD!

Sydney is a CIA agent recruited by the FBI to help take down her sisters notorious criminal of a fiancé. What she doesn’t bargain for is falling for his head or security along the way…

Nick and Sydney’s chemistry was electric! I love how they made a pointed effort to *know* each other, particularly after Sydney has made a pointed effort all her adult life to hide.

Trust was also a big theme throughout this book - who can we trust and who should we trust? Sydney battles with who that could be throughout the book, and it adds a great level of tension to things.

I really wish there were more spy-esque romance stories out there - any recommendations?!

“Falling for someone is like reading a book, and the pages keep turning themselves”

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.

I’ve got to say that I was very impressed by this debut story. Fast paced and well written, even if the premise itself is pretty out there. Not overly spicy but the chemistry is definitely there (it does span over like 2 weeks so I guess it would qualify as “insta-love” but I did not mind it).
The family dynamics are definitely the highlight, but the villain is a bit underused in my opinion. All in all, an enjoyable holiday read!

I do have one question though. Just how big was that living room??!

This was quite a different book to what I normally read and it took me a few chapters to get into it. Having said this I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
The whole book focuses on the 2 weeks around Christmas. Sydney is sent home to spend Christmas with her family but is undercover for the government. Her family don’t know what her job is. Sydney’s sister Calla has just got engaged to Johnny whose family are on the CIAs list as one of the most wanted. Sydney’s job it to find out what the latest heist is. The job proves to be a lot harder than she imagines - how can she do her assignment when it involves her family and can she separate the two?
A really good Christmas book that keeps you guessing until the end how things will work out. I’d definitely recommend.

Spy-Rom-Com was the mashup I didn't think I needed. Very entertaining and engaging, with a lovely holiday feel.

i went into this one relatively blindly. it was sitting on my shelf for a few weeks before i picked up and I'm glad i did because going into this how i did made this book even better.

first off, this is a Christmas book! just yes. I love Christmas romances. We follow Sydney as she flies home to essentially spy on her sisters new fiance because hes a MOB BOSS! like what!? tell me that doesn't sound frickin awesome. and shes flying home for the holidays. the best thing about this being a Christmas book and a spy book and a romance book is that neither genre took center stage. it was blended brilliantly. i wasn't consumed by the Christmas or the espionage or romance.

secondly, the plot twists! Normally I can sniff out a plot twist or at least get an element or two right, this one came out of nowhere. double agents? espion-yes please. the meet cute for our two agents was hilarious as well, it made me think of how id be if i was a spy and it made me giggle.

the ending was just the cherry on top. my faith in the ending wobbled a little but I'm so glad it all panned out because that chase scene!

go into this blind guys, its worht it,

Absolutely loved this book!

The authors writing style is amazing!

I look forward to reading more from them!