If spies, assassins, extractors, and covert operations are your jam--this book is for you.

Reagan has spent her whole life moving from place to place, never making real friends. Instead she's been training to defend herself, to use guns and other weapons, to hack computers, and to be a part of the Black Angels, a covert CIA group. But maybe, if someone would ask--she'd like a normal life.

Having moved every year as a military kid, I could identify with Reagan. My parents didn't train me like her's or expect me to follow in their footsteps. But leaving everyone behind never gets easier, unless they weren't really your friends to begin with. I had to put this one down at the halfway point, when I didn't want to face the plot issue that was happening, but powered through a few days later. The first half sets up the world Regan lives in, with the second half much more action filled. One frustrating aspect of the plot is that Regan is considered "gifted" but the adults don't listen to her, or even consider her input. Which of course turns out to be the motivation for her to take risks. ( )

"Like that's what love really is; that back and forth, give and take. She says one thing. He says another. She laughs. He touches her arm. If you're lucky, it's in those simple moments you find complete happiness. And that's how you want to spend the rest of your life. Forever in the middle of a conversation with the person you never, ever get tired of talking to."

This was a lot darker than I was expecting. I knew it was going to be about spies and espionage, secret agencies and double lives, but I wasn't thinking about the unpleasant aspects. That's my fault, honestly. I should have known it wouldn't be a romantic, happy and carefree story. The romance is subtle, but I wish it had been nonexistent. Their relationship just wasn't something I could get behind wholeheartedly. It never clicked for me.

As for the unpleasant aspects, the author doesn't explicitly mention the gory details, but she skillfully nudges the mind in a specific direction. She encourages certain thoughts, and those played out very vividly in my mind.

I get that Reagan was paranoid and anxious, she had every reason to be, but she should have shared her concerns with someone. She endangered herself and everyone around her because she didn't want to look crazy. I also didn't like how much hatred she directed at herself. She always wanted to take all of the responsibility and make it her own, and then she would drown in her emotions. I wanted her to handle things a little differently, but alas...

You Don't Know My Name captured my attention and held it. I have a few issues with the main character, her self-loathing being one of them, but they are all qualities she can grow and learn from.

Originally posted at Do You Dog-ear? on January 16th 2018
http://www.doyoudog-ear.com/2018/01/you-dont-know-my-name-you-wont-know-im.html ( )

I read this book as part of BookTubeAThon 2017, for the challenge of reading a book featuring a character very different from yourself. This book's main character is Reagan, a seventeen-year-old girl born into a life of hardcore training including hand to hand combat, firing range, and drills. Very different from myself, if I say so myself.

Reagan is destined to be a Black Angel, an agent in a secret government agency sworn to protect and save the American people. Only, Reagan is beginning to realize she doesn't want that life when she is shown the alternative. When a mission goes bad for her parents, she must rely on her training and a close friend to help her save them before it's too late.

I really liked this book as it featured a combination of spy thriller and YA fiction. I loved connecting to the characters and feeling Reagan's fear and anxiety as she worked her way through everything. Can't wait to read more from the author. ( )

You Don’t Know My Name is an intense and thrilling story that brings us right to the action from the start. The story begins as Reagan’s family home is being invaded by an assassin. That’s definitely one way to catch the attention of your reader!

I love Reagan as a character. She is fierce, brave, smart and strong. Reagan’s parents belong to a secret spy agency called The Black Angels, and Reagan is expected to become one too. Even though she is training to become a Black Angel, the reader can still relate to her. She’s vulnerable and questioning what she really wants to do with her life. The constant stress of having a new identity, and constantly moving is starting to become too much for Reagan.

When Regan’s parents are kidnapped, Reagan has to decide how much she is willing to risk and sacrifice in order to save them. There are some crushing moments in this story, and I wanted to reach into the book and comfort Reagan. The relationship between Reagan and her parents is a big focus of this story. They expect her to follow in their footsteps and become a Black Angel. However, Reagan is torn between doing her duty or following her heart

Though I normally shy away from anything with anything that seems like it could be INSTA-LOVE, I really enjoyed Reagan and Luke’s budding romance. It is actually quite swoon-worthy. I like that Luke can stand on his own as a character, even without the romance. Luke is sweet, adorable and completely accepting of Reagan “just as she is”. Luke’s support for Reagan is one of my favorite things about them as a couple/team. Also, I didn’t feel like their relationship was rushed or that it was INSTA-LOVE, which made me happy.

You Don’t Know My Name has some fantastic pulse-pounding action scenes, it keeps you entertained and turning the pages. The author does a great job keeping you hooked and guessing what will happen next. There are so many twists and turns that I truly couldn’t guess what would happen next.I love the suspenseful mood the author creates and the detail she put into the world of the Black Angels. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves spy stories, suspense, and books that completely absorb the reader into the intrigue of the story.

**Thank you to Swoon Reads for providing me with an advance copy of You Don’t Know My Name in return for an honest review. ** ( )