Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu

This smoldering enemies-to-lovers novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Marie Lu puts a superstar global phenomenon and a hotshot young spy on a collision course with danger – and Cupid’s arrow – in an electric new series perfect for fans of Nicola Yoon and Ally Carter.

Meet Winter Young – International pop sensation, with a voice like velvet and looks that could kill. His star power has smashed records, selling out stadiums from LA to London. His rabid fans would move heaven and earth for even a glimpse of him – just imagine what they’d do to become his latest fling.

Meet Sydney Cossette – Part of an elite covert ops group, Sydney joined their ranks as their youngest spy with plans to become the best agent they’ve ever had. An ice queen with moves as dangerous as her comebacks, Sydney picks up languages just as quickly as she breaks hearts. She's fiery, no-nonsense, and has zero time for romance – especially with a shameless flirt more used to serving sass than taking orders.

When a major crime boss gifts his daughter a private concert with Winter for her birthday, Sydney and Winter's lives suddenly collide. Tasked with infiltrating the crime organization’s inner circle, Sydney is assigned as Winter's bodyguard with Winter tapped to join her on the mission of a lifetime as a new spy recruit. Sydney may be the only person alive impervious to Winter's charms, but as their mission brings them closer, she’s forced to admit that there's more to Winter Young than just a handsome face . . .

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61796738-stars-and-smoke

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Another great story by Marie Lu! No surprises there. Marie's latest world leads us to the lives of spies. Sydney is part of an elite cover ops group. When there is something that needs to be done and the government can't do it, they are called in. And in her latest mission she is required to go undercover as a bodyguard and work with an international pop start, Winter Young. Winter may have this famous life, but it's not all that it is cracked up to be. At moments, he wonders if there is something more he can be doing. And when he is recruited by Panacea, he is at first reluctant to be some sort of spy, but is soon convinced that he can help. Especially when they have information on the death of his brother. Sydney and Winter are an unlikely pairing. But both surprise the other in so many ways. Their chemistry is full of banter and snark that you can't help but love. Their mission is to infiltrate a crime organization's boss and get the proof to finally put him away. There will be plenty of twists and turns, and revelations that will keep you one your toes. As always in Marie's books, there is lots of action and romance, and a great story line. It took me a bit to get into the story but once I hit a point, I was hooked and couldn't put it down! Hoping to see more in this world. And definitely more of Winter and Sydney.