If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You by Mae Marvel

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The details…

  • Title ‏ : ‎ If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You
  • Author‏ : ‎ Mae Marvel
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St. Martin’s Griffin
  • Publication date‏ : ‎ June 10, 2025
  • Formats‏ : ‎ paperback, ebook, audiobook 
  • Paperback length‏ : ‎ 352 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1250894700
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1250894700
  • Audiobook length‏ : ‎ 10 hours, 12 minutes; narrated by Mia Hutchison-Shaw;presented by Macmillan Audio
  • Genre: action thriller/romcom
  • Trope: second chance romance
  • Themes: espionage, spies, counter-intelligence, undercover work, secrets, romance, relationships, careers, work, relationship challenges, breaking up, getting back together, love, living together, honesty, trust, vulnerability, women loving women relationships 

The blurb from the publisher…

Ms. and Ms. Smith meets The Pairing in this heart-racing romance of secrets, spies, and steam.

A few rules for the international superspy:

(1) Never blow your cover.

(2) Never accept the first plan.

(3) Never fall for anyone at the agency. Especially if she’s your ex-girlfriend.

Yardley Whitmer, code name “the Unicorn,” can do no wrong. She’s honed her spycraft and become an instant legend in the field. If only breaking up with her girlfriend were as easy as rappelling off the Eiffel Tower. Living a full-time cover story has slowly eroded her relationship until there’s nothing left but lies.

KC “Tabasco” Nolan, hacker extraordinaire, can crack any code—except the one that would tell her the right moment to confess her secret job to Yardley. Now it’s too late, and she’s in danger of losing the best chance at love she’s ever had.

When an undercover shakedown goes wrong, Yardley and KC discover the unbelievable truth—that they’ve both been working at the agency for years. To salvage the mission, they partner up and fly across oceans, race through winding European streets, and give in to inconvenient passion while hiding in an ambassador’s linen closet. But can they throw away their rules and fight through their secrets to fall in love with each other’s true selves?

My thoughts…

If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You by Mae Marvel is a splendidly crafted romcom that effectively intertwines action, humor, and emotional depth into the storytelling. Set against a backdrop of international espionage, high-stakes intrigue, and comedic misadventures, Marvel’s novel operates at the intersection of character and plot-driven storytelling, delivering both thrills and heartfelt romance.

At the heart of the narrative are Yardley Whitmer, a seasoned superspy, and KC Nolan, a brilliant hacker—two protagonists whose contrasting yet complementary personalities generate an electric romantic tension. Their dynamic exemplifies the classic interplay between opposites, where friction fuels both conflict and attraction. The novel’s setting, spanning from adrenaline-pumping cross country chases to covert rendezvous in shadowy, tight spaces, serves as a backdrop for their relationship, underscoring the delicate balance between risk and reward, both in espionage and in love.

The romantic tension between Yardley and KC is palpable, crackling with unresolved feelings, sharp repartee, and a magnetic push-and-pull dynamic. Their ability to challenge, support, and ultimately transform one another speaks to the novel’s solid character-driven storytelling. Their chemistry transcends mere attraction; it is rooted in mutual admiration, shared history, and the kind of emotional depth that makes for an unforgettable romance.

Structurally, the novel employs the beloved second-chance romance trope, a device that not only enhances emotional stakes but also allows for a nuanced exploration of regret, redemption, and rekindled passion. Yardley and KC’s shared past—marked by heartbreak and unresolved longing—imbues their interactions with an inherent tension. The revelation that they have been unknowingly working for the same intelligence agency functions as a narrative pivot, adding complexity to their dynamic while reinforcing the story’s thematic exploration of fated love. Their reconciliation, when it finally arrives, is all the more satisfying due to the emotional groundwork laid throughout the novel.

While spy thrillers have traditionally been dominated by hypermasculine protagonists, Marvel challenges these conventions. Her creativity changes the landscape in exciting ways. She centers two highly competent, multidimensional women whose expertise—Yardley’s fieldwork precision and KC’s technological mastery—positions them as formidable leads. Their agency within the narrative is never secondary to their romance; rather, their professional and personal identities are intricately woven together, reinforcing the novel’s thematic meditation on self-discovery and trust. This approach not only enriches character development but also challenges the limitations often imposed on female protagonists in action-oriented genres.

Understanding that romantic comedies thrive on moments of levity, Marvel convincingly integrates humor into If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You’s espionage-infused narrative. She employs a combination of situational comedy, verbal sparring, and dramatic irony to generate comedic momentum. From hiding in an ambassador’s linen closet to narrowly escaping undercover catastrophes, the novel embraces the inherent absurdity of spy life while allowing Yardley and KC’s wit and charisma to shine. Their sharp banter and ability to find humor even in perilous circumstances serve as a testament to their chemistry, making their romance feel both organic and deeply engaging.

At its core, If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You embodies all the elements of escapist fiction—offering readers a whirlwind of exotic locales, high-stakes espionage, and steamy romance. Yet it is not without emotional depth, as Yardley and KC’s journey forces them to confront their vulnerabilities and redefine what it means to trust, both in themselves and in each other. This delicate balance between action-packed adventure and heartfelt introspection is what distinguishes truly exceptional romantic comedies.

Final Thoughts…

With its compelling protagonists, razor-sharp dialogue, and expertly paced narrative, If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You delivers everything readers seek in a fast-paced sapphic romance. By melding pulse-pounding espionage with a deeply resonant second-chance love story, Mae Marvel crafts a novel that is as exhilarating as it is emotionally satisfying. She delves into universally resonant themes: the precarious balance between personal and professional obligations, the necessity of vulnerability in relationships, and the emotional commitment required to reconcile past mistakes. Yardley and KC’s arcs reflect these struggles with authenticity, making their love story quite compelling. If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You is a thumbs up for me, as it redefines the spy genre and gives readers something a little unexpected. 

Strengths…

  • Entertainment and fun
  • Fast-paced
  • Romantic 
  • Steamy
  • Full of adventure and surprise
  • Engaging lead characters

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A bit about the author…

Mae Marvel is the alias of cowriters Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare, bestselling authors of over a dozen acclaimed romance novels between them. Mae lives with two teenagers, two dogs, one cat, four hermit crabs, and a plethora of snails and fish in a witchy century house in Wisconsin whose extravagant perennial garden gives them something to look forward to in the depths of winter. In addition to romance, they also write mystery novels and cannot promise not to branch into new novelistic territories at a moment’s notice.

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