ARC Review: An Affair with a Spare by Shana Galen

An Affair with a Spare is the third book in Shana Galen's Survivor Series. The Survivors are a group of men who were a part of a "suicide squad" in the war with France. Their missions were ones that they didn't expect to survive. However, some of them did make it through the war. This book showcases Rafe Beaumont, nicknamed "the Seducer" among their troupe. His expertise was to go undercover and seduce French women who were wives or close confidante's of French leaders and acquire information. While he didn't get much battle experience, he was in very risky situations.

Collette Fortier is the only daughter of an infamous French assassin. She is being blackmailed by the Royalists to attain British codes in exchange of her father's release from prison. She comes to England to spy upon military officials for the codes under the false name of Fournay. Collette finds herself without anyone to trust or turn to. She is determined to do whatever it takes to free her father, and cannot allow herself to be distracted by the handsome rake, Rafe Beaumont. Rafe has been tasked with finding out who Collette Fournay really is and what she's up to. She presents to Rafe his most challenging target of all as she seems to be completely disinterested in him.

One of the main things that bugged me in this book was how it was mentioned at least three times in just the first quarter that Collette's curvy figure wasn't the current fashion. Also, I got annoyed with Rafe because it seemed like he complained a little too much (even if it was only in his head) that he wasn't much of a fighter in his war days or that he didn't get to do more of the actual battle missions. He also seemed very unprepared for some of the dangerous situations he put himself and Collette through. The romance seemed to despairing. I felt like I was getting beat in the head about how there was no possible future for the couple together. These irritations might not seem horrible, but they were mentioned way too often for my liking.

Despite those irritating points, I still enjoyed this story. It was dangerous, and Collette wasn't just going to sit by the sidelines. She was determined to do whatever she had to do to save her father. There were some funny conversations about hedgehogs that made me laugh. It was a special type of romance where trust was a huge obstacle for them both. That challenge made a lot of this book more exciting. It was a true hurdle for this couple to jump to see whether it could work between them.

I liked this book, however I didn't feel it was at the same level as the previous two books. I still love the whole theme of the series with this brotherhood of survivors. I believe Jasper's book is next, and his has been the one I've been anxious for ever since I read book one! Excited to continue on this journey!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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