About the Book

"It isn't exactly the vacation Max would've chosen: dodging assassins on the beaches and side streets of Italy. But here's the thing: Max happens to look exactly like Sofia Kristiansen, the youngest female prime minister in Europe. Sofia is powerful, beautiful--and unfortunately, someone is trying really hard to assassinate her. Her security service wants to outsmart the bad guys by employing a body double during the prime minister's annual Italian holiday. Physically speaking, Max is an outrageously convincing doppelgèanger; surely no one will spot the difference. No one can know about Max's new job--no one except Sofia and a few intelligence officers, including Flynn, the handler assigned to Max's case"--

Book Synopsis

One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

Max is just your average girl. She works odd jobs, has a soul-crushing amount of debt, and happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Europe's youngest female prime minister, Sofia Christensen. Sofia is powerful, beautiful--and unfortunately, someone is trying quite hard to assassinate her.

When the CIA approaches Max with a deal, a life-changing amount of money if she pretends to be Sofia on the prime minister's annual Italian vacation, Max packs her bags for the Amalfi Coast. The delicious food, the breathtaking views--this trip would be a dream if it weren't for those pesky assassins and Flynn, the handler assigned to Max's case. Flynn, who has an unexpected history with Max, from another sun-drenched summer years and years ago. Now he's instructed to stay in Max's suite to protect her, as old passions and assassins collide.

Losing herself in the role of a prime minister is one thing. But losing her heart to Flynn again? Now that's a risk she isn't willing to take . . .

Review Quotes

"A sharply written novel with surprise comedic twists. Readers will enjoy this tale of two ex-lovers who are reunited by espionage and who ultimately find true love as they race through the beautiful streets of Italy, trying to stay alive."--Library Journal (STARRED)

"Walker's tight pacing and Max's first-person viewpoint fuel the excitement, and the supporting cast adds smile-worthy comedic touches in this winning romance."--BookPage (STARRED)

"The tightly plotted mystery is leavened by moments of laugh-out-loud humor and endearing supporting characters, especially the scene-stealing Giorgio, a bumbling but jolly hotelier. Walker's sophomore novel is sure to please existing fans and win her plenty of new ones."--Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Takedown

"I absolutely loved this super-fun, believably romantic, and emotionally thoughtful novel. In fact, I can't remember the last time I smiled so much while reading a book. Carlie Walker will be an auto-buy author for me."--Annabel Monaghan

"Steamy, swoony and laugh-out-loud funny, The Takedown is part-Finlay-Donovan mystery, part-Emily-Henry-rom-com--and 100 percent perfect. The clever dialogue! The hot bodyguard! The twists I didn't see coming! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough, and can't wait to see what Carlie Walker writes next."--Colleen Oakley

"Carlie Walker's debut novel is an absolute knockout! Her sparkling wit and keep-em-guessing plot had me totally smitten and also dreaming of a new career as a spy. One minute I was laughing, the next I was swooning, the next I was gasping in shock at the brilliant plot twists. This book is for everyone who (correctly) insists that Speed is a romance!"--Falon Ballard

"Riotously fun and perfectly swoony, The Takedown is the spy romcom you didn't know you needed. I loved every page." --Allison Winn Scotch

"The Takedown by Carlie Walker is hands down a masterclass in Romantic Comedy writing. The plot is original and thrilling and the heat between Sydney and Nick is a literal inferno right off the bat. Carlie has taken the genre to a new level with her razor sharp prose, quick wit and genuinely hilarious dialogue. I love everything about this book. I'm a Carlie Walker fan for life. The easiest five stars ever."--Lizzy Dent

"Sizzling with romantic tension, The Takedown effortlessly blends romance, action, and shifting sibling dynamics into one firecracker of a story--you won't want to put this one down!" --Kayla Olson

"Walker makes her adult debut with this might-be-mob caper that is both a romantic comedy and a holiday mystery, complete with snow, carols, and gorgeous bodyguards wrapped in a bow."--Library Journal (STARRED)

About the Author

Carlie Walker attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she first majored in Peace, War and Defense, a feeder program for intelligence services--before realizing that she is way too anxious to be a spy. Having gone on to study at Oxford University and at City, University of London, she worked briefly in publishing before becoming the bestselling author of seven books for children and young adults. She has a registered 250-pound dead lift, volunteers in a cat shelter, and used to spend her Saturdays practicing Krav Maga. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband and their American dingo.