No matter the season, there’s always room for a festive romantic comedy—especially one packed with espionage, surprise romance, and just the right amount of family drama. If you’re craving a cozy-yet-thrilling read that feels like your favorite holiday movie with a twist, The Takedown by Carlie Walker might be exactly what you need.
Book Summary
In this witty and suspenseful rom-com, we follow Sydney Swift, a CIA agent living a double life. She returns home for the holidays under the guise of family bonding, but her true mission? Investigate her sister’s fiancé—Johnny Jones—who just so happens to be the heir to an organized crime empire. No pressure, right?
But things get even more complicated when Sydney starts falling for Nick, Johnny’s loyal (and incredibly charming) bodyguard. With a major heist on the horizon and her sister unknowingly tangled in the middle, Sydney must juggle her duty as a secret agent and her heart’s growing desires—all before Christmas arrives.
My Review: Spy Shenanigans + Holiday Feels = YES
This book was such a fun and fast-paced read, the kind that keeps you turning pages long after you should’ve gone to sleep. The holiday setting added a cozy charm, but don’t be fooled—there’s danger, deception, and drama lurking beneath the twinkle lights.
Sydney is a character you root for. Living two lives, she’s torn between protecting her family and unraveling a high-stakes crime operation. The emotional tension feels real, especially as she grapples with the possibility that her actions might betray the people she loves most.
One of my favorite parts? The romance. Sydney’s chemistry with Nick is off-the-charts, and what I thought would be a straightforward good-guy vs. bad-guy plot turned into something way more nuanced. Nick may appear to be the villain’s sidekick, but The Takedown does a great job blurring those moral lines. It’s not always clear who’s on the right side—and that’s what makes it so compelling.
If I had one critique, it’s that the ending felt a bit rushed. I would’ve loved a few more chapters to breathe in the resolution, but it still wrapped up in a satisfying way. And let’s be honest: not being predictable is a huge plus in romantic suspense.
My Final Thoughts
If you’re a fan of books like The Love Hypothesis but wish it came with a splash of spy intrigue, The Takedown will hit the sweet spot. It’s romantic, suspenseful, funny, and leaves you thinking about the lengths we go to for love and loyalty—especially when they’re in conflict.
Add this one to your holiday TBR, or gift it to someone who loves a little mischief with their mistletoe. ✨
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