24 February 2026
His Quiet Agent
Romance - 2017
Character
Arthur is an analyst in a cubical farm at a secret government agency, where he is such a non-entity that not even his boss knows who he is.
Setting
Yep, just some cubical farm full of people who speak three languages and write reports about secret operations that no one reads.
Plot
Arthur gets another lateral promotion. When he complains, he is told that he needs to do something to stand out. In his attempts to make friends, he starts talking to Martin, who is so antisocial that the other analysts call him "The Alien". However, Arthur begins to like him.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ ½
His Quiet Agent is a wonderful romance with intentionally zero spice. Seriously, there is not even a kiss. What it does have is a wonderful intensity with at least as high stakes as your normal romance novel. Rather than trying to get into Martin's pants, Arthur's achievement is getting Martin to open up enough to actually have a conversation. By the end, I really felt like it was a victory that I could savor.
This isn't a book that is specifically about characters who tell you that they are asexual. Just like Arthur's relationship with Martin, the sexuality aspect sneaks up on you. I won't ruin it with spoilers, but I can say that even though the story feels shallow at first, especially with the sterile workplace, each character has a lot going on under the surface. I love that.
The setting likewise starts out really sterile, and just like with the characters, we slowly get more out of it. There isn't a ton, mind you, but Martin's apartment says a lot about him.
I think that most romance readers understand at this point that the plot is very much secondary. This is an incredibly character-driven story, and every tiny move forward is riveting. I'm good with that, but not everyone would be.
What about chemistry? Of course, being a book that is marketed as "no spice", there isn't much in terms of sexual tension. However, I feel like there is still chemistry. This isn't just a theoretical relationship.
All romance readers know the formula. There has to be a big fight to build tension. However, I think that this book manages to have the tension-building without the big fight. What is there instead works so perfectly with the characters.
Will I read this book again? Actually, I'm thinking of reading it right now. It is short, and I could get through it in no time. Hmm.... Well, anyway, yes, I would definitely read it again, already have read the short piece that follows, and am really looking forward to the sequel.
Should you read this book? It depends on if the relationships that you want to read about are the ones with sex. Also, you know, the main characters are two men. I expect that most romance readers who don't have to have spice would enjoy it, but some people have needs.
This isn't a book that is specifically about characters who tell you that they are asexual. Just like Arthur's relationship with Martin, the sexuality aspect sneaks up on you. I won't ruin it with spoilers, but I can say that even though the story feels shallow at first, especially with the sterile workplace, each character has a lot going on under the surface. I love that.
The setting likewise starts out really sterile, and just like with the characters, we slowly get more out of it. There isn't a ton, mind you, but Martin's apartment says a lot about him.
I think that most romance readers understand at this point that the plot is very much secondary. This is an incredibly character-driven story, and every tiny move forward is riveting. I'm good with that, but not everyone would be.
What about chemistry? Of course, being a book that is marketed as "no spice", there isn't much in terms of sexual tension. However, I feel like there is still chemistry. This isn't just a theoretical relationship.
All romance readers know the formula. There has to be a big fight to build tension. However, I think that this book manages to have the tension-building without the big fight. What is there instead works so perfectly with the characters.
Will I read this book again? Actually, I'm thinking of reading it right now. It is short, and I could get through it in no time. Hmm.... Well, anyway, yes, I would definitely read it again, already have read the short piece that follows, and am really looking forward to the sequel.
Should you read this book? It depends on if the relationships that you want to read about are the ones with sex. Also, you know, the main characters are two men. I expect that most romance readers who don't have to have spice would enjoy it, but some people have needs.
Fiction: His Quiet Agent by Ada Maria Soto
National Library of New Zealand, 2017-10-13
978-0473416201
140 pages
National Library of New Zealand, 2017-10-13
978-0473416201
140 pages