If I Told You, Id Have to Kiss You, Mae Marvel
If I Told You, Id Have to Kiss You, Mae Marvel
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If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You
A Novel

Author: Mae Marvel

Narrator: Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Unabridged: 11 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 06/10/2025


Synopsis

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?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

About Mae Marvel

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.

About Mia Hutchinson-Shaw

Mia Hutchinson-Shaw (she/her) performs across Audiobooks, Stage, and Screen. She has narrated 100+ books and voiced stories featured as New York Times, USA Today, and Indie Booksellers Bestsellers. She is a Booklist Editors' Choice Award Winner. She has also been recognized by The School Library Journal, Apple Books Must Listen, BookRiot, Vulture, and AudioFile.At the heart of her work is a love for character driven debauchery and nuance, setting as character, and a dry bent of comedy. From satirical lit fic, to queer coming of age YA, to sunshine girls fighting inner (or actual) demons, she champions themes of resilience, discovery, and awe.Trained at Interlochen Arts Academy (Theater) and the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (BFA Acting) she brings a zealous and rigorous love of language and accents to her work.Having called the seashore of Massachusetts, the rockies of Montana, the sand dunes of Michigan, and the friendly streets of Glasgow all home, she now resides in NYC. She is always on the look out for a good walk, big vista, and an excellent thrift store.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Nicole on June 13, 2025

I absolutely loved my first read by Mae Marvel. If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You was not what I expected; it was so much more. For some reason, I thought this was going to be a comedy, but I was mistaken. High-stakes espionage, spy-versus-spy conflict, and matters of the heart are all on the line......more

Goodreads review by Madison on June 10, 2025

If I Told You, I’d Have to Kiss You by Mae Marvel Contemporary sapphic romance. Yardley Whitmer is a spy. Second generation. Her skills have made her one of the elite in the business. With the spy business comes a lot of security clearance which means she can’t talk about what she does to anyone besi......more

Goodreads review by Juniper on December 27, 2024

I absolutely loved this novel! One thing that I always love is when a novel has more than just one element to it, and this was a perfect example. This was/had a solid romance plotline for sure, but it was also an action/spy thriller with a full plotline that would make for a satisfying novel on its......more

Goodreads review by currentlyreadingbynat on June 28, 2025

If I Told You I’d Have to Kiss You is a fun sapphic spy novel with a unique premise — two women in a long-term relationship each hiding the fact that they’re spies. The setup is ridiculous, but kind of great, and I was on board for the mix of action, romance, and identity-reveal chaos. The book blend......more

Goodreads review by Charlie Marie on March 26, 2025

What an absolute queer gem! The sapphic spy romance of my dreams!! Full RTC when I stop squeeing!......more


Quotes

Most Anticipated by Goodreads

Praise for If I Told You, I'd Have to Kiss You:

“The international intrigue and well-plotted action sequences evoke James Bond, but the story keeps a sense of cozy sweetness at its core and wears its politics on its sleeve, extolling the virtues of diversity, public service, and queer love. It’s a delightful diversion.” —Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Engrossing and highly unique… This slow-burn, fascinating novel reads like a spy thriller that is laced with angst and sexual tension… an exciting addition to the sapphic genre.” —Booklist

"The action is fast, and their inconvenient make-out/make-up sessions are hot, while the covert operation is expertly woven through the romance. Marvel sends readers on a thrilling ride in this steamy spy romance.” —Library Journal

“A whirlwind of spies and lies and sexy fun, Mae Marvel always understands the assignment to the highest possible degree. Absolutely loved.” —Charlotte Stein, author of When Grumpy Met Sunshine

“Terrific . . . A really fun on-the-run.” —Fated Mates Podcast

Praise for
Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous:

"As I knew I would be from the first page, I was immersed in Mae Marvel's Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous. Katie and Wil's journey here--of longing, of self-discovery, of falling in love all over again--is somehow both classic and modern, both vulnerable and strong, both sweetly tender and arrestingly sexy. Gorgeously written, with sentences and phrases so lovingly constructed that they had my heart skipping a beat--Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous is a romance to add to your keeper shelf.” —Kate Clayborn, Author of Georgie, All Along

“Charming and smart, Everyone I Kissed Since You Got Famous is a delicious romance about second chances, taking risks, and the beauty that can come from chasing our dreams.” —Ashley Herring Blake, author of Delilah Green Doesn't Care

"There is everything to love about this sexy, swoony, huge-hearted, beautiful book. Written with sparkles, sizzles, and the sweetness of apple crisp, Katie and Wil's achingly romantic story is about reaching for the stars and, at the same time, coming home. Mae Marvel delivers friends-to-lovers perfection." —Joanna Lowell, author of The Duke Undone and Artfully Yours