This polished entry in the multi-author Accidentally Undercover series is powered by both romance and suspense as Randall begins to feel a deep attraction to Alonso while trying to understand why separatists are arguing in the school parking lot. The tense, well-described milieu ups the stakes as Randall soon learns that Alonso is a soldier working undercover as a custodian and also the brother of Cecilia’s fiance, whose family owns a winery in Catalonia. As the attraction builds, Randall learns that Alonso is working to identify potential terrorists with connections to the school seeking Catalonian independence. The romance pulses with both levity and intrigue, providing a respite from the danger from those involved in the quest for Catalonian independence while leaving Randall wondering whom he can trust in a country where he is still learning the language.

As the pace intensifies along with the peril to both Alonso and Randall, Randall’s authenticity shines through as he becomes immersed in Catalonian culture, made inviting and fascinating by Merrill, and thrives in his role as a music teacher. Readers will be cheering for Randall to find his happily ever after with Alonso, especially when Randall risks his life for one of his students who was kidnapped, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Takeaway: A rocker-turned-teacher in Spain gets caught up in romance and tense political unrest.

Comparable Titles: Sarina Bowen’s Roommate, Elle Keaton’s Conspiracy Theory.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A