Spiced Chais & Secret Spies by Meg Easton: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Contemporary romance with some suspense elements
• Series: The Coffee Loft: Fall Collection (Book #9)
• Length: 168 pages (Kindle edition)
• Publication Date: October 8, 2024

Tropes

• Friends to lovers
• Fish out of water

My Rating

Book Description

“All it takes is one cup of spiced chai, one spontaneous barista, and one unexpected assignment to turn his carefully balanced world upside down. 

Winston “Ollie” Baldwin’s life is predictable and safe, just the way he likes it. An accountant by day and a cat dad by night, his daily highlight is his morning visit to the Coffee Loft, where Daisy Maxfield, the lively barista and devoted dog mom, serves up the best spiced chai — and the brightest smiles. 

Ollie’s crush on Daisy is as big as his ledger is thick, but his courage to ask her out? Not so much. He’s resigned to admire her from afar, convinced she’s out of his league. That is until a chance encounter not only thrusts him into an unexpected favor for an old acquaintance but also into closer quarters with Daisy than he ever dreamed possible. 

As Ollie navigates his suddenly less predictable and anything-but-boring work life, he finds that Daisy’s easygoing charm is helping him face his fears — one misadventure at a time. When a mix-up at work throws these opposites together outside the Coffee Loft, their connection deepens, showing Ollie that life might have more to offer than just balance sheets and quiet nights in.

Can a man who’s always played it safe in life and love learn to take the ultimate risk? Ollie’s about to find out that stepping out of his comfort zone might just lead to the best payoff yet.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

Spiced chai latte. Shaken not stirred.

On the surface, Ollie and Daisy don’t seem like the espionage types. He’s an accountant who prefers his routines and not rocking the boat. She’s a cheery barista with an artistic streak.

But, Ollie isn’t the type to let a friend down, which is how he ends up becoming a spy (for this one assignment anyway). 

And when Daisy overhears him being recruited, she’s ready and willing to help.

Their spying escapades provide a good mix of suspense and humor, as they find creative ways to dodge the bad guys.

Although his spy career was short-lived, this mission did have a lasting impact on Ollie — helping him be more confident in his abilities and to stand up for himself. 

Favorite Moments

☕️ meeting at the dog park
☕️ hiding from the suits
☕️ the carousel 
☕️ first date

Favorite Quotes

“I did not expect to run into an old friend from high school, find out he’s working as an intelligence operative for a secret spy agency, and then be asked to plant a bug in the records room at my work.  And it’s not even nine a.m.!“

Meg Easton

“His smile is one I want to put in my pocket and take with me everywhere.“

Meg Easton

“‘Winston Oliver Baldwin.  Your name literally begins and ends with “win.” You can do this.’ 

One side of his mouth pulls up in a smile. ‘My last name also contains the word “bald,” but I’m not hoping for that.’“

Meg Easton

“‘Yes. I’ve been seducing you with spiced chai lattes.  It just took a lot longer than I thought it would.’“

Meg Easton

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