Romance

Review: Undercover Light by Yuliana Zaikman

September 28, 2026

Synopsis:

Nanny turned amateur sleuth.

Ukrainian hotel mogul turned single dad.

And a relentless detective who might tear them apart.

Aurora Sinclair is a failure. At least that’s what she thinks when she’s not selected for a crucial internship, and her dream of becoming a school psychologist hits a dead end. Hoping for a change, Aurora decides to take a stopgap nanny job for a boy whose mother recently died under suspicious circumstances. When she meets his father, Sergei Chernov, she’s taken aback by his unapproachable demeanor. However, as they spend time together, Aurora discovers the soft, hopeful layer beneath, making it hard to keep boundaries from blurring.

Sergei is a guarded Ukrainian mogul opening a luxury hotel in Las Vegas. Following his wife’s tragic death, Sergei is determined to be the best papa he can be. When Aurora enters his home, she ignites an unexpected attraction that threatens to complicate his already messy world. While navigating these feelings, he must protect his loved ones from the shadows of his past.

But when Daniel Custode, an overzealous detective, finds out that Aurora is working for Sergei, he pressures her into joining his investigation to prove Sergei is responsible for his wife’s death. As Daniel’s demands escalate, Aurora grows increasingly determined to clear Sergei’s name. She must decide whether to betray the man she’s falling for—or come clean and risk losing him.

Review:

The first words that came to mind after finishing this book were: This one feels like a warm hug. It feels like everything is just a little bit better at the end of the day.

Aurora is someone who struggles with a lot of self-doubt and believes that if something goes wrong, it must be her fault. I obviously knew better and kept hoping she would realise that she is one of the kindest and smartest people out there.

Then we have Sergei, who initially comes across as a money-driven person who puts his own needs before those of others. Then I learned that he blames himself for what happened to someone dear to his heart and is actually one of the most caring people out there.

Our third main character is Daniel, who is so focused on blaming Sergei for what happened months ago that he refuses to accept he might be somewhat blinded in his approach.

Aurora and Sergei just worked. They are two people who care so much that I couldn’t help rooting for them.

The mystery woven into the story made it especially entertaining for me. It felt unique and different, and I appreciated getting a glimpse into a different cultural background. It never felt forced or preachy; instead, it fitted naturally into the narrative.

Overall, I liked this one and, especially for all the low-spice readers out there, this book will be for you.

🌙 Recension: Undercover Light by Yuliana Zaikman
📚 Genre: Romance
📅 Release Date: September 28, 2026
📖 Publisher: Velvet Clue Publishing
📗 available in various formats – included in Kindle Unlimited
📱 Read as: Kindle
💸 I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
🗣️ Language: English
📆 Pages: 355
⭐️ 4/5