Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker

‘Code Word Romance’ is the latest book by Carlie Walker.

Max is just your average girl. She works odd jobs, has a soul-crushing amount of debt and just happens to have an uncanny resemblance to Europe’s youngest female prime minister, Sofia Christensen . . . So when the prime minister receives a credible death threat, the CIA approaches Max with a deal: a life-changing amount of money if she pretends to be Sofia on the prime minister’s annual Italian trip. It would be a dream if it weren’t for those pesky assassins and Flynn, Max’s ridiculously hot handler – the man who broke her heart years and years ago. With her life now on the line, Max knows she has no choice but to lose herself in the role. But losing her heart to Flynn again? Now that’s a risk that she isn’t willing to take…

If you’re looking for escapism then look no further than ‘Code Word Romance’ as it’s perfect, whisking the reader off to Rome allowing them to forget all about the mundane 9-5.

Instead we meet Max, who’s life has not worked out how she expected, having to close down her restaurant during the pandemic, she now works in hospitality, in debt and having arguments with Gary the goose. But then the CIA come calling and offer her the opportunity to start over with an incentive to pretend to be the Prime Minister of Summerland as they look so alike and if the mission is successful she will be paid 5 million dollars! Sounds easy, but the Prime Minister has become a target and the CIA agent in charge of looking after Max is Flynn the boy who broke her heart when she was 18.

This story flows at a fast pace as Max adjusts to becoming a person in the spotlight and having Flynn return to her life and brings back old memories and feelings all whilst trying not to get herself killed from explosions to shootings, it seems that someone is determined to get rid of the Prime Minister of Summerland.

I loved this story, it’s wonderfully written and against the backdrop of Rome, the vivid descriptions of the landscape and the delicious food makes for tantalising reading. Max is a great character, we see her blossom and grow in confidence and strength as the story develops and she begins to believe in herself again. Her interactions with Flynn make for fun and intense reading as they try to be professional but it’s hard when the old feelings return. Another great character is Max’s housemate Calvin, a quirky reclusive character who adds some comedy to the story.

Fun, uplifting and rich in drama and culture, ‘Code Romance’ is a sexy and flirty story that makes for the perfect summer read!

You can buy ‘Code Word Romance’ from Amazon and is available to buy from good bookshops.