Book Shelf: You Only Love Twice (London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy #3) by Bec McMaster

With the clock ticking down, the Company of Rogues must find a deadly killer and stop them from assassinating the Queen... before London burns.

First rule of espionage: don't ever fall in love with your target.

Five years ago, Gemma Townsend learned the hard way what happens when you break this rule. She lost everything. Her mentor's trust. The man she loved. And almost her life. Love is a weakness she can never afford again.

When offered a chance at redemption, the seductive spy is determined to complete her assigned task: to track down a dangerous assassin known as the Chameleon, a mysterious killer sent after the queen, whose identity seems to constantly change.

But as her investigation leads Gemma into a trap, she's rescued by a shadowy figure she thought was dead—the double agent who once stole her heart.

A man with few memories, all Obsidian knows is Gemma betrayed him, and he wants revenge. But one kiss ignites the unextinguished passion between them, and he can't bring himself to kill her.

Can Obsidian ever trust her again? Or is history doomed to repeat itself? Because it soon becomes clear the Chameleon might be closer than either of them realized... and this time Gemma is in the line of fire.

More info on Goodreads.....


Review:

You Only Love Twice is the third instalment in the London Steampunk: The Blue Blood Conspiracy series and is another deftly told, exciting and steamy story!

Gemma Townsend is trained in the art of seduction. Since a young child she has been sculpted into the ultimate spy but five years ago Gemma learned the hard way what happens when you break the biggest rule of espionage; don’t fall in love with your target. It cost her everything; her mentors trust, the man she loved and almost her life. When she was offered a chance at redemption, Gemma took it, becoming a member of the Company of Rogues in service to her Queen and country. Gemma is determined to right her wrongs until she comes across a face from her past that leaves her shaken. A dhamphir, Obsidian is a deadly assassin and a far cry from the man he once was. Though his history with Gemma remains largely a mystery thanks to missing memories, Obsidian knows that Gemma was the one to betray him and he’s determined to get his revenge. Obsession and passion rage as Obsidian struggles to kill his former enemy and the woman who destroyed him but when it becomes clear the truth about their past may not be as it seems, will Gemma and Obsidian have another chance at love? Or will their history be too much to overcome?

Bec McMaster continues to entrance with this series, proving she has no problem winning over even the most critical of readers. Heading into You Only Love Twice I was unsure just how much I would enjoy the story. I’m not the biggest fan of second-chance romances and Gemma has never really been someone I have connected with a whole lot. In fact, of all the characters we have encountered throughout both series she is the one I have probably been the least concerned about. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised by the person Gemma turned out to be.

A seductress and assassin, Gemma is trained and deadly. She knows how to use her looks and talents to bring a man to his knees and doesn’t hesitate to get the job done. In You Only Love Twice we discover a softer, even somewhat maternal side to Gemma where her feelings about those she loves is concerned. It’s subtle but Gemma absolutely adores her fellow Company members and I enjoyed seeing the love she has for each of them. Their bond is lovely and this side to Gemma helped me see past the seductress and into the heart of the woman.

It also didn’t hurt that Bec McMaster wrote Gemma’s weakness in the form of Obsidian, a former lover who she has never really let go of but who is now back in her life. I liked Obsidian—he and Gemma clearly adored one another and it became pretty clear from early on that someone had manipulated his memories for their own purpose and that his and Gemma’s past wasn’t necessarily what they both thought.

I enjoyed seeing them both come to discover the truth. You Only Love Twice is very exciting towards its final few chapters as Bec McMaster writes some edge of your seat events that will no doubt have a great impact on future stories. I’m super excited for Adele and Malloryn’s story and am dying to see them get together as a true husband and wife although Lark and Charlie’s tale is next and given they’ve been there since the beginning I have big expectations for their story!

Rating:
Source: Purchased by me from Amazon.com
Publisher: Lochaber Press
Format: Kindle ebook
Release Date: August 14th 2018
Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Final Thoughts: Another great read---I'm ready for more!