Book Review – Under His Sheets by R.L. Merrill

Accidently Undercover
Publisher: Celie Bay Publications
Pages: 229
Characters: Randall/Alonso
POV: 1st
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, Series

Blurb:
Indie rock star Randall Sutter is hard at work creating a new life for himself in Spain after his band was robbed and decided to break up. The inspiration for his reinvention? The passionate night he spent with a Spaniard who encouraged him to consider spending more time in his country. So Randall 2.0 decides to dust off his credentials and take a job teaching music at an international school in a suburb of Barcelona. But questions soon arise when the stranger Randall can’t stop thinking about appears at the school—as Alonso the Custodian. And pretends not to recognize him. And claims to not speak English. Randall then discovers his new community—like the rest of Catalonia—is experiencing political turmoil, and Randall isn’t sure who he can trust. When Alonso reveals the truth about the night they met and just what he was doing there, Randall will have to have faith that Alonso’s feelings for him are real and not just part of his mission, or they may both end up victims of a centuries-long dispute playing out in modern Spain.

Under His Sheets is part of the Accidentally Undercover shared romantic suspense series.

Buy Link

Review

I love stories in which music plays a part, and the combination of that, romance, and a dash of suspense was perfectly balanced. I also enjoyed the setting, with its beautifully described scenery against a backdrop of political unrest.

Both MCs are fully realised and interesting. I enjoyed Randall’s time in the classroom and with the kids. He’s a great teacher and it shows. I liked the mystery around Alonso and how it’s revealed who he really is and his assignment. I loved how protective he is, and their connection and romance.

I loved Alonso’s family, and hadn’t released that his brother has his own book. I’ll have to check it out! I liked Randall’s old teacher, Cecelia, and the friends he makes at the school. His friendship with Pere is sweet. I also liked Alonso’s friends, and would like to know more about them.

The red herrings are cleverly threaded through the story. I didn’t guess who the insider at the school was until it was almost too late. The action scenes are tense and well written, and I liked that taking down the bad guys wasn’t without consequences.

I found the story a gripping and satisfying read with a sweet HEA.

5 out of 5 stars.

About Anne Barwell

Anne Barwell lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She shares her home with a cat with “tortitude” who is convinced that the house is run to suit her; this is an ongoing “discussion,” and to date, it appears as though Kaylee may be winning. In 2008, Anne completed her conjoint BA in English Literature and Music/Bachelor of Teaching. She has worked as a music teacher, a primary school teacher, and now works in a library. She is a member of the Upper Hutt Science Fiction Club and plays violin for Hutt Valley Orchestra. She is an avid reader across a wide range of genres and a watcher of far too many TV series and movies, although it can be argued that there is no such thing as “too many.” These, of course, are best enjoyed with a decent cup of tea and further the continuing argument that the concept of “spare time” is really just a myth. She also hosts and reviews for other authors, and writes monthly blog posts for Love Bytes. She is the co-founder of the New Zealand Rainbow Romance writers, and a member of RWNZ. Anne’s books have received honorable mentions five times, reached the finals four times—one of which was for best gay book—and been a runner up in the Rainbow Awards. She has also been nominated twice in the Goodreads M/M Romance Reader’s Choice Awards—once for Best Fantasy and once for Best Historical. Anne can be found at https://annebarwell.wordpress.com

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