Undercover Engagement (Private Pleasures 5) by Samanthe Beck-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: July 26, 2021.

Buttoned-down Eden Brixton is less than thrilled when she’s partnered with smooth-talking wild card Marcus Swain in an undercover op. Both their careers hinge on convincing folks in tight-knit Bluelick, KY that he’s the love of her life. She’d sooner tase him than prance around in practically nothing, hanging all over his chiseled body like she can’t get enough.

For Swain, being partnered with the too-gorgeous-for-his-sanity Eden promises to test his well-honed control. She’s smart, she’s skilled, she’s not just by-the-book—she knows the damn book backward and forward. And she hates his guts.

When Eden absolutely nails her role as his sexy fiancée—where the hell did she learn to seduce with a single glance?—Swain is knocked right on his ass. Living with a temptation like Eden makes it hard to remember their chemistry is strictly for show. And when the heat gets too real, doing the undercover op might prove to be their undoing.

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REVIEW:UNDERCOVER ENGAGEMENT is the fifth instalment in Samanthe Beck’s contemporary, adult PRIVATE PLEASURES erotic, romantic suspense series. This is rookies Eden Brixton, and Marcus Swain’s story line. UNDERCOVER ENGAGEMENT can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Marc and Eden) UNDERCOVER ENGAGEMENT follows recent academy grads Eden Brixton, and Marcus Swain on their first undercover assignment in Bluelick, Kentucky. An increase in drug possession has warranted an investigation into the sale, cultivation and distribution of marijuana in the Bluelick area, and Eden and Marcus have been assigned to go undercover as a couple, a couple struggling financially with their upcoming wedding but Eden and Marc’s previous encounters with one another have been less that tolerable, in fact their relationship is more antagonistic than hopelessly in love. Working together finds Marc and Eden struggling to remain in characters but a perceived act of betrayal pushed Eden to go it alone. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Eden and Marc, and the potential fall-out as their time together comes to a close.

The relationship between Marcus and Eden is acrimonious at best. Marc is a bit of a hotshot with ego to spare, and Eden is a bit of a straight-laced recruit from a long line of front line workers. Having butt heads with one another through basic training, their acrimonious relationship continues in the small town of Bluelick, Kentucky. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are reintroduced to former Navy SEAL Shaun Buchanan and Mayor Ginny Boca: Dr. Ellie Swan and Tyler Longfoot, Melody Merritt; former Navy SEAL West Donovan and his girlfriend/singer Roxy Goodhart, and several townies including Kenny and Dobie.

UNDERCOVER ENGAGEMENT is a story of secrets and lies, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is engaging and entertaining-the angst level is low, the conflict resolution quick and easy; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and colorful.

Previous reviews
Private Practice
Light Her Fire
Falling for the Enemy
Wet and Reckless

Copy supplied by the publisher

Reviewed by Sandy