The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton
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Web ID: 168357217 reviews
4.5 Stars - A rollicking good time!
CW: Violence; gun violence; abandoment; child abuse; physial abuse; emotional abuse; pregnancy Starting a new India Holton book means you’re in for a whimsical, over-the-top, fantastically fun time. And The Secret Service of Tea and Treason was just that. In the third and final book in Holton’s Dangerous Damsels series, you get a rollicking good time with an adventure involving spies, pirates, misquoted literary references, assassination attempts, and the overwhelming urge to clean everything. With all the hijinks and hilarity that ensues, Holton still manages to weave in an incredibly sweet romance. I absolutely adore India Holton’s writing style – she has such a unique voice that I’ve yet to find anywhere else. Her stories are bonkers in the best possible way, and I love how she plays with conventional tropes and plots but flips them on their head to deliver the unexpected. Of all the books in the Dangerous Damsels series, this one had me laughing out loud the most. It was so funny! I swear I had a grin on my face the entire time I read this, as I was having such a blast. I love how tongue-in-cheek her style is. The book never takes itself too seriously, which works perfectly for the story. I love how Holton plays with classic literary references, as I love trying to see how many I recognize. While this series does not need to be read in order, I feel you get the most out of it if you do! I think I would be a bit confused if I entered this world in this book, as the world-building happens in the earlier books. But every book in this series has been a delight, so I recommend picking up The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels first and reading in order. As I expected, the plot for this is bonkers. We have a secret spy agency composed of servants who thrive on order, sending their two best agents undercover as married pirates, pirates who thrive on chaos, to stop an attempted assassination of Queen Victoria. What can go wrong? A lot! But it is such a fun time! You literally never know what is going to happen next. For example, I did not expect a conga line and a tiger to show up in the same scene. It was also super fun to see some familiar faces from previous books, as it felt like everyone and their mother showed up to the pirate’s house party (even if they weren’t invited!). Our two main characters in The Secret Society of Tea and Treason are two familiar faces from The League of Gentlewomen Witches, as we have Daniel Bixby, butler extraordinaire, and Alice Dearlove, a lady’s maid of unusual talents. I was intrigued by these two since their chance meeting in an alley in Clacton-on-Sea in the last book. I truly appreciate the neurodivergent representation in this book. While never stated directly in the book, India Holton has shared that she wrote Daniel and Alice to be autistic (Holton is autistic herself). They present quite differently from each other, which I liked as neurodivergent people are not a monolith; they’re individuals. I hope people who are neurodivergent can feel seen by Holton’s characters, as I think she does a good job capturing different experiences and presenting neurodivergence in a way that does not stigmatize it. I felt like we spent a little more time with Alice than with Daniel, so I felt I got to understand her a little bit, though Daniel holds a lot close to his chest, which could contribute to my feeling that way. I loved that they both are bibliophiles (I can relate), and books are the most important thing to both of them. They both had some traumatic experiences growing up raised by AUNT that left its mark on them in different ways. But I loved how they both felt they could confide in each other – there is a level of trust between them that feels unusual for them as secret agents. They also notice things about each other that everyone else seems to overlook – such as Alice with her finger tapping – and know how to give each other the space they need to be comfortable. I also loved how much the chaos of the pirates went against everything they stand for – Alice and Daniel thrive on order, cleanliness, and rules. As AUNT’s best undercover agents, they’re genuinely TERRIBLE at being undercover as pirates. The romance in this book was super sweet! I loved watching Daniel and Alice explore their connection, as it was so pure and perfect. AUNT has taught them that feelings are a weakness, but once they give in to their feelings, they realize how much of a strength it is to feel love. I absolutely love a fake-dating scenario, and we get a bit of that with Alice and Daniel’s relationship, as they’re supposed to be undercover as a married couple. That leads to so many delicious moments of them having to show off how married people act at the urging (and swooning) of the other pirate ladies. The chemistry between them was apparent to everyone, and it was so fun to watch the sexual tension and emotions build until they spilled over (in some very sexy ways!). Daniel’s also so enamored with Alice and that’s one of my favorite tropes. By the end, it truly felt like they found their person, and I was so happy for them and that they were willing to fight for their love in the end. I’m so sad that the Dangerous Damsels series is over, but I loved how it wrapped everything up! It was so great to see Ned and Cecilia, and Alex and Charlotte again. Alex and Daniel’s friendship was one of my favorite secondary relationships in this book, and I loved the role it played in this story (even if both of them won’t come out and say they’re friends). The epilogue did a great job tying everything together, and I got a bit misty-eyed at having to say goodbye to this wild world of lady pirates, witches, spies, and flying houses. I cannot wait to see what India Holton writes next! Holton’s writing style is unlike anything I’ve ever read – her plots are wild and over the top, but her characters have such heart, and the romances sizzle. Her next book, The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love, kicks off a new series, and I’m already excited to read it in 2024.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Memorable and Funny
India Holton seamlessly blends historical fantasy, romantic comedy, and espionage in The Secret Service of Tea and Treason . Alice Dearlove, known as Agent A is the top operative within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers, a secret government intelligence group. She is their best fixer. When rumors of a possible assassination attempt on Queen Victoria reaches the agency, Alice is assigned to the case. However, this time she won’t be working alone. Agent B, Daniel Bixby, the agency’s most reliable investigator, is also assigned to the case. Their undercover assignment is that of a married couple. They must attend a pirate house party and find the hidden weapon. Used to working alone and as a ladies’ maid, butler, or valet, this is new territory for the agents. The assignment doesn’t go smoothly. Alice has no friends, is sensible, is naive, and has no hobbies other than reading whenever she can. Daniel also reads, is controlled, and is used to working alone. They rely heavily on orders, structure, and discipline. Both characters are more complex than they initially seem and go through transformations as the events unfold. Their banter is a highlight in the book. The world building and characterization were great. While set in Victorian England, this novel also has witches and pirates with flying houses. It is filled with literary quotes and misquotes as well as humor, and it has a few steamy scenes. Each chapter heading gives a list of major events without giving away too much. There are many characters in the book, but there is a character list at the beginning of the book. Additionally, if you’ve read the previous books in the series, some of the characters will already be familiar to you. My biggest quibble was that there were times when the story was more “telling” than “showing”. While the book is somewhat over the top, it also has more depth than one might expect with the level of romantic comedy involved. Woven throughout are threads related to loneliness, romance, grief, friendship, and found families. Overall, this memorable and funny novel has adventure, romance, a mystery, and plenty of excitement. This is a book that I am going to remember. While this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. Each book features a different couple. Readers that enjoy historical romances with humor, pirates, flying houses, and witches will likely love this novel. Berkley Publishing Group and India Holton provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for April 18, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
wild fun exciting story
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton is the 3rd book in her Dangerous Damsels series. We meet Alice Dearlove (Agent A), who is one of the top agents within the Agency of Undercover Note Takers (AUNT). This is a secret government intelligence group that sends out spies; with Alice successfully handling many roles, such as a lady’s maid, witches, pirates, wealthy ladies, etc. Her boss notifies her that she is being assigned to another job, and to her dismay, she is partnered with Daniel Bixby (Agent B), who is also a top-notch agent. Daniel recently worked undercover as a butler to Alex O’Reily, a famous pirate. Alice and Daniel are not too happy to be working together, but the task at hand is important, as they may need to thwart a possible assassination of Queen Victoria; they are told they have to pretend to be married. Their assignment is to steal a secret weapon held by pirates, and they arrive at an English house party, filled with a group of high-class people who are secret pirates (Wisteria Society- League of Gentlewomen Witches). Many of the heroes in the first two books (Cecilia and Ned-book 1 & Charlotte and Alex- book 2), as well as a wild group of ladies and men, who think nothing of doing dangerous things for their enjoyment. Alice and Daniel are determined to work together as professionals, but in a short time, the attraction between them grows, as their chemistry heats up; they know any kind of relationship is forbidden by AUNT rules. Despite the danger, they cannot resist each other, as the sexual tension between them increased. The romance was a slow burn, but with little experience they embraced their feelings and slowly accepted that they were falling for each other. Alice and Daniel are wonderful together, as they made a great couple; it was fun to watch them slowly act on their sexual chemistry, and at the same time continue to do their job to find the weapon. What follows is a wild fun exciting story, filled with flying houses, pirates, witches, mad scientist, spies and many dangerous situations. To tell too much more would be spoilers, and with so much action from start to finish, you need to read this in its entirety. This was a wild escapade of a ride throughout, and this book completes the series. The Secret Service of Tea and Treason was very well written by India Holton.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Intelligent Swoon & Delight
What a delight to be lost again in India Holton's quirky world. Book 3 in her Dangerous Damsels' series, THE SECRET SERVICE OF TEA AND TREASON, is my absolute favorite and can be read solo, but I'd recommend devouring the first two for an even more wondrous experience. I guffawed at Holton's laugh-out-loud twists of the pen (A.U.N.T., the British agency that protects the Queen, riffs on that old '60s TV show, "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.") Charming humor is a Holton signature, as is slow burn romance, with phrases that hint at passion, sparking more fire than explicitness ever could. As Alice and Daniel fake matrimony to save the Queen from assassination, I fainted from glee. Holton's newest in the now beloved series cements her as a must-read author for readers who love historical romantic fantasy with heart and wit. She's all that plus a steaming cup of Earl Grey and warm scones with jam and clotted cream. One quibble: As I raced through this spirited romance, I could only think, "India, please write MORE scintillating stories that make readers quiver." In answer, she includes an excerpt of Book 1 of her next series, The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love, coming Summer 2024. Huzzah!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Witty and Delightful!
I always enjoy explaining India Holton books to my friends. I start with the witty banter, the Jane Austenesque language, the polite manners, and end on the flying houses, the witches, and the pirates. And in book three, we have spies who pose as servants! Alice and Daniel are the best agents that A.U.N.T, or Agency of Undercover Note Takers has. And to prevent the assassination of Queen Victoria, they must pose as pirate and worse, as a married couple. This book is full of delightful and hysterical hijinks, slight danger, and a couple determined to fight their attraction to each other. This even leads to a “there’s only one couch” scene (when there was a bed in the room!). Both Alice and Daniel were orphans and raised to be spies and traumatized along the way. They know their organization won’t allow them to be together and so they work hard to avoid their attraction. However, pretending to be pirates literally pushes them into each others arms. And the delightful cast of side characters and their ribald jokes led to experimentation to keep up their cover. Don’t worry, our favorite pirates and witches from the previous books are back too. I’m disappointed this was the last book in the series but I’m excited for whatever India Holton writes next!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Funny Read
The Secret Service of Tea and Treason by India Holton, book three in the Dangerous Damsels series is a slow-burn with plenty of unintentional innuendo, this time set in the most insane house party one could imagine. To be honest, this story was not what I expected, at all; not to say I didn’t enjoy it. In some ways it felt like the characters were way too literal; almost Amelia Bedelia-like, only as adults. The plot revolves around Agent A, Alice, and Agent B, Daniel Bixby, her greatest rival, the two top secret agents of their organization. Alice and Bixby are, are assigned a new mission: to infiltrate a house party hosted by an evil pirate in order to save the Queen from being assassinated. For the sake of the mission, they have to pretend to be married. They have zero clues how to act married, but quite humorous watching them figure it out. Kisses, hugs, even steamy moments. It was all so foreign to them, including these new feelings; questioning whenever they started feeling things. If you love romances that includes fake wedding and enemies to lovers, flying houses, scheming shenanigans, thieves, pirates, witches, spies, house parties that end up with guns and explosions, quests, cons, and falling in love with someone you didn't expect, this series is definitely for you. I recommend The Secret Service of Tea & Treason to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book prior to purchase.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Five of five glorious stars!
Author India Holton, please write more and more of these cozy books - the Dangerous Damsels series are the best books to read during quiet evenings at home. Utterly charming book #3 has Agent A immersed in historical romance and mystery as usual, and my teacup, shortbread cookies and fireplace all complemented Holton’s latest. A sure pleasure for everyone, No wonder it is one of 2023’s most anticipated in libraries all over! Five of five glorious stars! Thank you so much to Berkley Publishing via NetGalley for this cozy, lap-cat, soft blanket and fireplace loving arc. All opinions are my own.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com