I started reading this and got to about 50% and unfortunately it wasn’t for me. I found the characters irritating and the plot did not draw me in.
The dialogue did not seem natural and the plot was not gripping. I normally give a book about 30% to get going and I gave this one a lot more- it still didn’t draw me in.
The premise was good- a CIA agent who is also a con woman, stealing from the rich to give to charity. However I found Blair very two dimensional as was Max, the other agent and seeming love interest who was assigned to work with her. At first they don’t get on but gradually there is a mutual attraction which was a rather hackneyed idea.
Despite my own personal opinion being rather negative I’m sure others will appreciate this debut novel.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝟓⭐️?
* 𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐮𝐧: The plot’s unexpected developments had me glued to my seat.
* 𝐔𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞: Every time I believed I could predict the outcome, reality surprised me.
* 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬: Blair and Max are dynamic characters with great chemistry. Blair’s depth and her internal battle were especially captivating.
* 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲: It was so enthralling that I lose track of time, utterly captured by the anarchy and intrigue of the story.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝:
* 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝: Think Oceans 11 meets The Blacklist. So if you like espionage thrilling, high-stakes, with the barest touch of romance, this is the book for you.
* 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐚: The book is flavored with power-hungry authorities, epic disguises, and cross-continental travel, so to speak.
* 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐭: The deft touch of humor amidst high-stake drama is quite refreshing.
* 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐖𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: Sharp and twisted, Emma Forouhari’s writing makes it inimitable—once you have begun, it is impossible to put the book down.

DOUBLE AGENTS NEVER LIE is a titillating rollercoaster combining espionage, romance, and humor into one fluidly unpredictable plot with complex characters and some deadly high-stakes drama. Trust me; this is one book that will keep you turning the pages and thus keep you entertained from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

Felt like a 2003 book. Its gripping and I enjoyed reading it, but it feels dated somehow, mostly because the romance and the characters and their relationship is underdeveloped - especially in this time of rom-com renaisance. It lacks richness, depth, sexiness, anticipation.

Double Agents Never Lie was a fun thriller. It was full of witty banter, and hot chemistry. If you like action packed reads, this book is for you.

Blair Carter must keep her double life as a con artist a secret while she’s assigned to work with an annoyingly-hot partner to protect a priceless diamond ring, all while stealing it right from under his nose! Good book! This book was a bit like oceans 11 I definitely enjoyed reading this one! It had suspense, action packed, murder, mystery, high end theft, double crossing, and a few crazy moments! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I devoured this, whats better than two agents who are complete opposites giving major enemies to lovers vibes AND one of the agents is a double agent??? I’ll confirm that there is in fact nothing better!

Unfortunately I didn't really vibe with this story. I had a hard time understanding Max's character: one moment he's all rule-follower to the point of making a fuss about it, one minute he's being all teasing, one minute being petulant about his rules. Blair was a contradiction: she would spend loads of money (the company's albeit) on clothes for an operation, even if it would blow the budget, and on the other hand, steals to give money to charity. These two aspects together don't make sense to me. I would think that a person who prioritizes charity over everything would have more sense than to spend money unnecessarily, even if it's not her own money.
The protagonists are so young that it feels unbelievable that they'd be at this point in a secret agency career. On top of that, the whole thing feels more like they are playing dress up. This particular situation <spoiler>when Blair tries to distract Max by flirting with him, when she has been constantly annoyed with him up to that point, and not hiding that from him, </spoiler>.. and Max not being suspicious at all? Side-eye.
Blair's attitude towards Max was too much. She came across as immature for always flying off the handle and being irritated with him. There is no professionalism in that relationship, or any pretense of one.. which again, does not make sense, them being secret agents and not at the very least, faking the good entente that you'd expect in such a situation.
Also, pet peeve: incorrect grammar in another language, in this case "cherie" (French for sweetheart) to indicate a man, when it should be "chéri".
Anyway, the whole thing is not for me. Dnf at nearly 40%.

Thank you to the publisher for the ARC via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

The banter in this book exceed my expectations! Banter is one of my favorite things in a book and this delivered on that note.

I usually read HEAVY romance/spicy books so I was nervous this book wouldn't stand out to me, but I was totally wrong.
It had the story of romance while still having an incredible plot.
The plot twists kept me on my toes (I never once guessed correctly about anything lol) but they were done so well that once she explained more in depth, it made perfect sense. It kept me on the edge of my seat!

Also.. the ending... OMG! Absolutely loved it!

YES YES YESSSS!!!!

This was so much fun! So addictive! The twists! The turns! I was on the edge of my seat and I freaking loved it!!!

Just when I thought I knew what might happen next I was constantly proved wrong!! The characters are excellent and I need a second book with all their amazing chaos all over again!!

The way I couldn’t decide to follow what my heart, brain or gut told me! It was such a roller coaster of chaos and I couldn’t get enough!!!

The way my jaw was on the floor with the “omg he double crossed her” and then “omg no wait she knew the whole time and double crossed him back!” And then to “wait! He really loves her they are teaming up to double cross the boos!!”. It was incredible! Amazingly written!!