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The Love Thief: A Novel
He stole her heart and crushed her dreams . . . then karma intervened. The Love Thief is a story of love, betrayal, and unexpected transformation with a juicy revenge sub-plot and a surprise ending. (it's inspired by actual events!)
Arielle Ford's fun and breezy style grabs you from the first page, taking you on a roller coaster ride of love lost and found that will surprise and delight any romantic. When creative, food-loving Chef Holly gets swept off her feet by the handsome and sophisticated man of her dreams, she cannot help but be blindsided by the betrayal that follows. Her journey into the depths of self-doubt are not only soul-crushing, but edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, as she discovers a devastating, hidden truth about her former fiancé. With her future hanging in the balance, Holly finds herself transported to--and deeply transformed by--India's most sacred city, Rishikesh. And if you are a foodie, you will delight in Chef Holly's sharing of delectable Indian recipes, including the proper way to make killer Chai and Paneer-stuffed masala cheeseburgers! The Love Thief is an inspiring journey well worth taking.
Arielle Ford's fun and breezy style grabs you from the first page, taking you on a roller coaster ride of love lost and found that will surprise and delight any romantic. When creative, food-loving Chef Holly gets swept off her feet by the handsome and sophisticated man of her dreams, she cannot help but be blindsided by the betrayal that follows. Her journey into the depths of self-doubt are not only soul-crushing, but edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, as she discovers a devastating, hidden truth about her former fiancé. With her future hanging in the balance, Holly finds herself transported to--and deeply transformed by--India's most sacred city, Rishikesh. And if you are a foodie, you will delight in Chef Holly's sharing of delectable Indian recipes, including the proper way to make killer Chai and Paneer-stuffed masala cheeseburgers! The Love Thief is an inspiring journey well worth taking.
- GenresRomance
350 pages, Paperback
Published June 21, 2023
23 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
About the author
Arielle Ford
58 books78 followersArielle Ford is a leading personality in the personal growth and contemporary spirituality movement. For the past 30 years she has been living, teaching, and promoting consciousness through all forms of media. She is a celebrated love and relationship expert, author, speaker, and is the co-creator and host of Evolving Wisdom’s Art of Love series. Her mission is to help people Find Love, Keep Love and Be Love.
Arielle is a gifted writer and the author of eleven books including the international bestseller, THE SOULMATE SECRET: Manifest The Love of Your Life With The Law of Attraction (published in 21 languages and 40 countries).
She has also written many groundbreaking books including Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate: A Practical Guide To Happily Ever After and Wabi Sabi Love: The Ancient Art of Finding Perfect Love in Imperfect Relationships, and Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate.
A long-time “Student of Love,” Arielle regularly presents workshops around the world including England, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Kuwait, Canada, Romania, Ireland, Austria and Bali as well as personal growth centers such as Omega Institute, Kripalu, The Chopra Center, Esalen, Alternatives in London, AwesomenessFest, Celebrate Your Life, and many other prestigious venues..
Arielle has been called “The Cupid of Consciousness” and “The Fairy Godmother of Love.” She lives in La Jolla, CA with her husband/soulmate, Brian Hilliard and their feline friends.
Arielle is a gifted writer and the author of eleven books including the international bestseller, THE SOULMATE SECRET: Manifest The Love of Your Life With The Law of Attraction (published in 21 languages and 40 countries).
She has also written many groundbreaking books including Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate: A Practical Guide To Happily Ever After and Wabi Sabi Love: The Ancient Art of Finding Perfect Love in Imperfect Relationships, and Turn Your Mate Into Your Soulmate.
A long-time “Student of Love,” Arielle regularly presents workshops around the world including England, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Kuwait, Canada, Romania, Ireland, Austria and Bali as well as personal growth centers such as Omega Institute, Kripalu, The Chopra Center, Esalen, Alternatives in London, AwesomenessFest, Celebrate Your Life, and many other prestigious venues..
Arielle has been called “The Cupid of Consciousness” and “The Fairy Godmother of Love.” She lives in La Jolla, CA with her husband/soulmate, Brian Hilliard and their feline friends.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 8, 2025
Our main character, Holly, had an accident after discovering her fiancé with her best friend. That is the main reason she accepts her aunt's suggestion to go to India and take a cooking course. I really liked that the author put the recipes in the book. I also liked Holly's spiritual and healing journey, it was very nicely written, simple and full of enjoyment. However, I almost dnf this book. The very detailed parts of the book are just too long and almost boring. Overall, I really did like the book and I give it 4 stars.
July 2, 2024
Wow. This is one time when Goodreads really let me down. I just cannot believe the high rating this book got, with so many 5 star reviews. I found it interesting that many of them had no actual reviews, just ratings. Hmmmmm….
The Love Thief was so poorly written, poorly edited, and all over the place that it seemed to have been written by a child. The basic premise sounded promising, but it was very poorly executed. Holly goes from being overwhelmed with anger one day to having a deep spiritual awakening the next day, then back to reeling in self pity. She was not a likable character at all. It was difficult to believe she would be so swept up by a man like Barry and jaunt off to Budapest after knowing him just two weeks. And she wasn’t a child, she was pushing 40! I found her behavior hard to believe. And although I respect the various spiritual practices described in this book, I just got sick of hearing about them in so much detail. I also didn’t believe in Holly’s transformation; it was too forced. All of the amazing, incredible, kind, enlightened people who Holly encountered in India and who immediately accepted her and showered her with love and support were just too hard to believe. So sickening sweet I feel like I need an insulin injection, and I’m not diabetic! The frequent detailed descriptions of the foods in India got tedious, and the recipes didn’t add value to the book at all. And the overly flowery descriptions of people, their clothes, the love pouring out of their eyes…like I said, high school. And not AP English, either.
I almost DNFd this several times, and I don’t know why I pushed through.
I haven’t written such a negative review in forever. I hope my next reads are better than this. It would be hard to be worse.
The Love Thief was so poorly written, poorly edited, and all over the place that it seemed to have been written by a child. The basic premise sounded promising, but it was very poorly executed. Holly goes from being overwhelmed with anger one day to having a deep spiritual awakening the next day, then back to reeling in self pity. She was not a likable character at all. It was difficult to believe she would be so swept up by a man like Barry and jaunt off to Budapest after knowing him just two weeks. And she wasn’t a child, she was pushing 40! I found her behavior hard to believe. And although I respect the various spiritual practices described in this book, I just got sick of hearing about them in so much detail. I also didn’t believe in Holly’s transformation; it was too forced. All of the amazing, incredible, kind, enlightened people who Holly encountered in India and who immediately accepted her and showered her with love and support were just too hard to believe. So sickening sweet I feel like I need an insulin injection, and I’m not diabetic! The frequent detailed descriptions of the foods in India got tedious, and the recipes didn’t add value to the book at all. And the overly flowery descriptions of people, their clothes, the love pouring out of their eyes…like I said, high school. And not AP English, either.
I almost DNFd this several times, and I don’t know why I pushed through.
I haven’t written such a negative review in forever. I hope my next reads are better than this. It would be hard to be worse.
July 21, 2023
Riveting Storyline and Characters with a Spiritual Message
I enjoyed this story, it took me on the highs and lows of Holly’s life and it had me rooting for her to come out feeling stronger from her experiences. The depths to which Barry, her narcissist ex sinks to destroy her life was astounding and it was fascinating to see the journey it took her on an adventure to Rishikesh, India on a journey of self-discovery.
It is here that we witness Holly’s healing process in the Ma Ganga and the beauty of learning to become still with the soul. I liked the character of Deepak and how he stands in as a father figure for her during difficult times, his words of wisdom change Holly’s life and reignite her sense of purpose.
I love how the author weaves a spiritual message throughout this novel. It’s beautifully written with lots of gorgeous and sensory imagery. This story gave me a lot to think about, and gave me a powerful reminder of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation practice, all wrapped up in a thrilling storyline. Highly recommended.
I enjoyed this story, it took me on the highs and lows of Holly’s life and it had me rooting for her to come out feeling stronger from her experiences. The depths to which Barry, her narcissist ex sinks to destroy her life was astounding and it was fascinating to see the journey it took her on an adventure to Rishikesh, India on a journey of self-discovery.
It is here that we witness Holly’s healing process in the Ma Ganga and the beauty of learning to become still with the soul. I liked the character of Deepak and how he stands in as a father figure for her during difficult times, his words of wisdom change Holly’s life and reignite her sense of purpose.
I love how the author weaves a spiritual message throughout this novel. It’s beautifully written with lots of gorgeous and sensory imagery. This story gave me a lot to think about, and gave me a powerful reminder of the benefits of mindfulness and meditation practice, all wrapped up in a thrilling storyline. Highly recommended.
August 9, 2023
Great story!
I was captivated from beginning to the end! Such fun and even plausible. Ms. Ford’s writing style is really a pleasure to read.
i am recommending or gifting this book to so many friends!
I look forward to more from Arielle Ford.
I was captivated from beginning to the end! Such fun and even plausible. Ms. Ford’s writing style is really a pleasure to read.
i am recommending or gifting this book to so many friends!
I look forward to more from Arielle Ford.
June 1, 2025
Tales of spiritual journeys are always a magnet for me. This one delivers in an entertaining and informative manner – chockful of spiritual principles and wisdom as the protagonist sheds her victim identity and awakens to her true self and her life purpose.
Holly Grant had a lifelong dream of marrying for love, having children, and owning a home with the white picket fence. Now at thirty-eight years of age, her dream remains unfulfilled until she is swept off her feet by Barry, a wealthy, charismatic lawyer and part-time art dealer. Just as suddenly, her world implodes as Holly discovers her fiancé and best friend/business partner are cheating on her, her investment in a shared home has tanked her life savings, her fledgling catering business is shuttered, and she sustains injuries in a near fatal car accident. All of this is a catalyst for her journey to India to study exotic cooking, and unbeknownst to her, to heal deep-seated emotional wounds.
This is the author’s first fictional book (she has eleven popular nonfiction books to her credit) and her writing style is engaging and entertaining. Holly is a sympathetic protagonist, who despite her skepticism about all things spiritual, is open to the opportunities that present themselves in the magical, mystical city of Rishikesh. The wisdom imparted is presented in an easy-to-embrace manner without preachy overtones. The only part of the novel I did not enjoy was the development of the 1950s diner-style restaurant in an elegant hotel in Delhi.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Holly Grant had a lifelong dream of marrying for love, having children, and owning a home with the white picket fence. Now at thirty-eight years of age, her dream remains unfulfilled until she is swept off her feet by Barry, a wealthy, charismatic lawyer and part-time art dealer. Just as suddenly, her world implodes as Holly discovers her fiancé and best friend/business partner are cheating on her, her investment in a shared home has tanked her life savings, her fledgling catering business is shuttered, and she sustains injuries in a near fatal car accident. All of this is a catalyst for her journey to India to study exotic cooking, and unbeknownst to her, to heal deep-seated emotional wounds.
This is the author’s first fictional book (she has eleven popular nonfiction books to her credit) and her writing style is engaging and entertaining. Holly is a sympathetic protagonist, who despite her skepticism about all things spiritual, is open to the opportunities that present themselves in the magical, mystical city of Rishikesh. The wisdom imparted is presented in an easy-to-embrace manner without preachy overtones. The only part of the novel I did not enjoy was the development of the 1950s diner-style restaurant in an elegant hotel in Delhi.
My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 6, 2025
I love Holly's quest to find peace in India.I love the mention of India's beautiful culture and traditions wedding seasonGods and mentions about of manifestation. I love the supporting characters such as Deepak,Kurt,Aunt Geeta and Mom.Their support serves as a reminder that people and even some strangers are willing to take care of you and lusten to you when you are at your lowest. I did think it was a shame that Kurt disappeared after only appearing for a few pages,I thought he would have made a good male lead. Neverdeless ,Agent Jackson still made a wonderful male lead. Holly's personal growth was very relatable,the mention of her "misery levels" were both funny and easy to understand. I also liked how the author added the recipes Holly learnt while on her journey of healing,i might try them out too 🤣🤣. The touch of though Holly never got to find her biological father,he asn't needed as Holly now has such a amazing round of supporters and a fatherly figure like Deepak. I like how all lose ends were tied up and how satisfying was the conclusion! Overall,I think this book really bring out underated parts of India and it's culture,the friendly people and amazing cuisine.The journey to healing healed a part of me while reading the quest.Overall, I loved this book and would recommend it for everyone who wants to read a calm and peaceful healing journey.
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June 26, 2025
The Love Thief is an inspiring journey well worth taking. Arielle Ford's fun and breezy style grabs you from the first page, taking you on a roller coaster ride of love lost and found that will surprise and delight any romantic.
When food-loving Chef Holly gets swept off her feet by the handsome and sophisticated man of her dreams, she cannot help but be blindsided by the betrayal that follows. Her journey into the depths of self-doubt are not only soul-crushing, but edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, as she discovers a devastating, hidden truth about her former fiancee. (No spoilers here.)
With her future hanging in the balance, she finds herself transported to--and deeply transformed by--India's most sacred city. And if you are a foodie, as I am, you will especially delight in Chef Holly's sharing of delectable Indian recipes. Did you ever want to learn the proper way to make killer Chai Masala and Paneer-stuffed masala cheeseburgers? These and other delectables are part of treat of reading The Love Thief. Arielle Ford's novel is exactly the kind of heartwarming story about love and community that our world needs right now. Thank you!
When food-loving Chef Holly gets swept off her feet by the handsome and sophisticated man of her dreams, she cannot help but be blindsided by the betrayal that follows. Her journey into the depths of self-doubt are not only soul-crushing, but edge-of-your-seat suspenseful, as she discovers a devastating, hidden truth about her former fiancee. (No spoilers here.)
With her future hanging in the balance, she finds herself transported to--and deeply transformed by--India's most sacred city. And if you are a foodie, as I am, you will especially delight in Chef Holly's sharing of delectable Indian recipes. Did you ever want to learn the proper way to make killer Chai Masala and Paneer-stuffed masala cheeseburgers? These and other delectables are part of treat of reading The Love Thief. Arielle Ford's novel is exactly the kind of heartwarming story about love and community that our world needs right now. Thank you!
July 10, 2025
A Captivating Spiritual Adventure with a Twist You Won’t See Coming
A review of The Love Thief by Arielle Ford
From the first page, The Love Thief swept me into a rich, emotional journey that spans the beauty of California to the mystical landscapes of India. Arielle Ford has woven a story that is both deeply human and soulfully transformative. It’s a powerful tale of love, heartbreak, betrayal—and ultimately, profound healing.
This book is more than just a novel; it’s a spiritual odyssey filled with heart-opening moments, unexpected turns, and wise insights. I found myself totally engaged in the heroine’s journey as she navigated emotional pain and rediscovered her power. And yes—I did not see that ending coming!
Whether you’ve ever had your heart broken or you’re simply craving a beautifully written escape that leaves you wiser than before, The Love Thief is a must-read. Arielle Ford’s storytelling is luminous, layered, and deeply satisfying.
A review of The Love Thief by Arielle Ford
From the first page, The Love Thief swept me into a rich, emotional journey that spans the beauty of California to the mystical landscapes of India. Arielle Ford has woven a story that is both deeply human and soulfully transformative. It’s a powerful tale of love, heartbreak, betrayal—and ultimately, profound healing.
This book is more than just a novel; it’s a spiritual odyssey filled with heart-opening moments, unexpected turns, and wise insights. I found myself totally engaged in the heroine’s journey as she navigated emotional pain and rediscovered her power. And yes—I did not see that ending coming!
Whether you’ve ever had your heart broken or you’re simply craving a beautifully written escape that leaves you wiser than before, The Love Thief is a must-read. Arielle Ford’s storytelling is luminous, layered, and deeply satisfying.
September 21, 2025
The Love Thief is an entertaining, hard-to-put-down novel starring the initially all-too-trusting Holly, who is hit hard by massive betrayal, heartbreak, and much more. Then follows a transformative journey of healing in India, full of charming guides (especially Deepak), yummy foods, a magical body of water, culinary training, and a crash course in meditation and spirituality. Sorry, can't share the ending, but shall we say, Holly has come into her own as a self-loving, loveable, accomplished woman. ...Tons of admiration for Arielle Ford, a celebrated love and relationship guru, for her first foray into fiction after penning numerous, renowned, bestselling nonfiction books.
July 13, 2025
Arielle Ford has been a nonfiction writer for many years with tremendously successful best-selling love and relationship books. The Love Thief is her first stab at writing fiction and I have to say, as a writer, I was astonished by her natural skill. I immediately fell in love with the protagonist, Holly. She leaps off the page with authenticity and charm. I was hooked on her journey all the way to the cleverly executed end. Having been to India several times, I saw the country, it’s spirituality and culture from an entirely new perspective. But now I need to know what Holly does next!
June 1, 2025
Join Holly, a server who ends up in the worst moments of her life, travel to India to find herself and explore exotic cuisines. She meets new people who help her overcome her grief, aid her in her culinary journey, and help her discover her heart over mind, transforming her into a more resourceful person ready to brace the world and overcome her inner fears.
Definitely a five star book⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Definitely a five star book⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
August 11, 2025
This book hooked me from the very first sentence. I know want to go to India and experience the culture and spiritual traditions they have.
I highly recommend this book to people who want to read something different, this book will give you all the feels of love, break up, finding yourself, and finding love again.
I highly recommend this book to people who want to read something different, this book will give you all the feels of love, break up, finding yourself, and finding love again.
July 24, 2023
Enlightening
One of the most rewarding books I have ever read. Life changing !!! If you believe there are no accidents and know that many experiences are pathways to growth. Namaste
One of the most rewarding books I have ever read. Life changing !!! If you believe there are no accidents and know that many experiences are pathways to growth. Namaste
September 26, 2023
what a wonderful story
I loved Holly’s story of finding herself. In finding herself and loving herself she opened the door to manifestations and more love to show up in her life.
It’s a beautiful book!
I loved Holly’s story of finding herself. In finding herself and loving herself she opened the door to manifestations and more love to show up in her life.
It’s a beautiful book!
December 10, 2023
a fun read
I picked this up because I love books about visiting India. It’s a fun read, with some romance. The story depends on many coincidences to move along. But there are many teaching moments within the book that are valuable.
I picked this up because I love books about visiting India. It’s a fun read, with some romance. The story depends on many coincidences to move along. But there are many teaching moments within the book that are valuable.
July 14, 2023
I read this in two days. Couldn't put it down. Such a good story. Never a dull moment in this book. Inspiring.
June 21, 2024
Was a slow start but once I finally got into it, it was a nice read with a twist or two
June 25, 2024
My favorite summer read yet. I loved the many journeys of this book… romance, travel, food, and the journey of healing.
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November 14, 2025This one was not for me.
October 21, 2023
Loved the format of the book. I am from India but have not visited the places mentioned in the book. A very good read and I thoroughly enjoyed.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews