Silent Heist

by Jenessa Fayeth

He came for the painting…

Soren Stapley is a professional thief. He is prepared for every scenario and has a plan for every situation.

But he never planned for her.

The painting he needs? It’s being guarded by the woman he once loved and the nine-year-old terror she’s nannying.

What’s worse? He’s not the only one hunting it down.

Christmas is about to get complicated…



…she became his reason to stay.

Maya Perry is out of options. Her job as a nanny is the only thing standing between her and rock bottom, and she’s not about to lose it—not to Arabella Hartwell, a feral child with a Nerf gun she nannies, and definitely not to the thief who shattered her heart. Soren may be charming, but he’s dangerous. And still the guy who broke her heart and apparently learned absolutely nothing about knocking.
It’s only a matter of time before he disappears again, but this time, Maya isn’t going to break.
At least, that’s the plan.

Silent Heist is an adventure filled, closed door, Christmas romantic comedy inspired by Home alone.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Contemporary, Rom Com, Clean Romance, Second Chance

225 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 19, 2025

Reviews

[Jenessa Fayeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christmas heist + Home Alone vibes = a book I had a lot of fun with!

[Cait | GoodeyReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’D REC IT.

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Y’all know I go on a big holiday romance quest every year and this one came highly recommended. I really do love reading a Christmas romance that brings a different vibe than the usual and the light heist vibes of this one were fun!

I think what works great for shorter stories like this is that there’s some kind of second chance angle. And this one pulled at my heart strings!! I loved the little mentions and notions to their back story and you could see the chemistry between Maya and Soren from the beginning.

I’m not sure all of the Home Alone antics worked for me? But I know that’s totally a personal preference. For a book set entirely in one location I was impressed at the plot created. I definitely plan to continue reading Jenessa Fayeth’s books.

Overall audience notes:
- Holiday Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: mild

[Jo|Ruth Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a unique and fun read! I absolutely loved this story! From the moment I started reading, I knew I had to see how everything would unfold.

Maya is surprised to discover she’ll be babysitting Bella over the Christmas break, but that’s only the first surprise! While on the job, she’s confronted by a thief attempting to steal a painting from the house. The real twist? The thief turns out to be none other than Soren, the man who broke her heart years ago. Now he’s back, jeopardizing her job , and stirring up old emotions. But Maya’s determined, Soren is not getting that painting. This is one heist he won’t pull off!

Soren thought this job would be simple...he definitely didn’t expect to run into Maya and Bella, or to end up nursing Maya’s injuries after a mishap that gives her just enough time to hide the painting from him. With the painting missing and old feelings resurfacing, Soren and Maya are forced to confront their past and what went wrong between them. But can Maya ever truly forgive him...and could she really fall for a thief? To make things even more complicated, Soren isn’t the only one after the painting, making their time together even more intense and dangerous.

I loved this story! Maya and Soren’s backstory, the tension between them, the appearances from characters in previous books, and of course, the amazing Bella! She is super impressive!

I gave this 4.5 stars, rounded to a 5 star read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion.

[Jenah Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud during this book. If you want a lighthearted, comical, slightly unhinged Christmas novella (200ish pgs) then look no further! This gives Home Alone vibes and I had so much fun reading this, and loved the Liam & Serena cameo!

[Mary Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️ ARC Review: Oh this book. I want to preface that I have loved Jenessa’s books. (The Caught in Chaos series) But for some reason, this one did not work for me like those ones did.

Jenessa says the vibes of this book were like Home Alone. Yes. I totally got that. But it was an even more annoying Home Alone ha. The little girl in this book was incredibly annoying. Like Kevin. But Kevin is a likeable annoying. This girl was not.

And the main couple, Maya and Soren, spend the entirety of the book stuck in the little girl’s penthouse. They have history and bad blood, so they butt heads the whole time. So lots of things were happening with the little girl pulling pranks, Maya keeping things away from Soren, them not getting along for far too long, etc. Even with all of those things going on, I was still sooooo bored. And it was way too long for spending the whole time in one setting. They also severely lacked in the chemistry department. I did not like them together.

I hardly ever get into the writing of an author, but for the life of me I could not keep up with the layout of the penthouse! Her explanations seemed extremely unrealistic for a home and I was like how big is this place? Where are they? They have what in their house? That really took me out of the story. The poor explanations was tough, confusing, and unrealistic.

Loved the Serena and Liam cameo though. And did not expect the plot twist. Was it a plot twist? Maybe. Ha.

Anyways, I feel like this review was all over the place, but I said what I said. My least favorite Christmas book this year (so far) unfortunately. I think my expectations were just so high after Taken With Trouble. Sad.

*Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
- Clean romance
- Home Alone vibes
- Second chance romance
- Bad boy x good girl
- High stakes (but not really)
- Nanny FMC
- Dual POV

Content 💋:
- No language
- Kisses only

[Audrey Colman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need this one on the screen! For real, with the romance, the mystery, and the home alone vibes it would be perfect for all ages!

I have yet to meet a book by Jenessa that I didn’t love, or one that didn’t make me giggle and kick my legs like a little girl!

This one might be her best one yet! The Home Alone meets White Collar vines were the best! And the prior connection between the two main characters was amazing!!

Bella just might be the star of the show, with her shenanigan, but also with her character and relationship with Maya.

I promise that you will love this book, or you have no heart!

Thank you Jenessa for the ARC copy! Absolutely a favorite for the year!

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: Silent Heist - Jenessa Fayeth - ARC
4.9/5✨
0/5🌶️

An unexpected event will bring Soren Stapley and Maya Perry, once again, in each others proximity. They had a complicated past, one which left Maya with a broken heart, from which she never completely healed.

Soren was a professional thief trying to recover a painting, which, unfortunately, was located exactly where Maya worked as a nanny for a nine-year-old girl. Because he wasn't the only one wanting that painting, these three were about to dive into a really complicated situation, one which will become a bit dangerous at times, but the comedy of the moment was still very much present. How will this whole event turn out in the end? Will Soren be able to convince Maya of the necessity of having that painting?

OMG! How much I adore Jenessa's books!!😍 I'm always having the bestest time reading her books and this one didn't disappoint! I loved all those moments with Soren, Maya and Arabella (the little girl), which were filled with funny events. It also had an emotional side, which complemented the whole story so well. But the main focus was on the constant bickering between Maya and Soren, who never saw things eye to eye. All of that was super delicious to follow and I couldn't get enough of it!! And you can't not ignore all those "Home Alone" hints, which were super hilarious!

I'm so thankful for accepting me to receive this e-ARC, Jenessa!🥰 Super happy that I had this opportunity and because I love collecting "book trophies" of my favourite reads, I had to own a paperback version of this book! 😍😍

✨Tropes
#EnemiesToLovers
#RomanticComedy
#SecondChance
#FoundFamily
#ProtectiveMMC
#ClosedDoorRomance

[Lynsey McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second chance but make the meet cute as chaotic as possible.

I ate this up. Christmas vibes, pranks that are OUTRAGEOUS, adventure, this is just so much fun.

I wasn’t sure about Maya for a while, just because there is NO WAY I would ever be so nonchalant about that many personal injustices. However, she did win me over in her care for Arabella! That child— every scene with her in it is probably my favorite. She is an absolute riot. We love when a kid has real personality.

Read this if you’re looking for a quick (240 pg) Christmas read that’s closed door but absolutely nuts, giving Home Alone vibes.

FOTMS: 🫑🫑

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHAT A BLAST! This was just what I needed. Second chance, Christmas, banter, chaos, adventure, crime solving, and a precocious kid. Seriously, I realized while trying to explain it to my teenager that you can’t explain the plot without sounding mildly unhinged, but who cares when you’re laughing, swooning, and feeling all the warm fuzzies?! Just do yourself a favor and go ENJOY this book.

TW: Mildly Suspenseful Situations laced with humor

[Randi Sampson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to describe this story? Pure holiday joy! I always love the adventure, banter and swoon-worthy romance in Jenessa Fayeth's Caught in Chaos books... and when you combine that with the holiday hijinks and a kid who is clearly a genius, if not a little unhinged... well, it's the perfect recipe for an adventure holiday romcom with all the Home Alone vibes that I absolutely loved! Home Alone is a favorite in my house... and Bella? Well, this girl could certainly give Kevin a run for his money! I never knew quite what to expect with each turn of the page. I couldn't put it down. And that chemistry between Maya and Soren? Oh my goodness! It was the best... I just couldn't get enough of these two together whether they were fighting each other– or just fighting their feelings! I loved seeing them get their second chance at a happily ever after. This story truly had me smiling and laughing from start to finish–one of Jenessa's best yet! This is definitely one not to be missed.

Silent Heist is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language.


**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[StoryLoverShelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t realize I needed a Home Alone themed nanny/thief romance in my life but I absolutely did. This is the perfect feel-good story to get you in the Christmas spirit. He’s insufferable and yet endearing. She’s responsible and a little too serious. Together, they’re a perfect match.
I loved the fast pace, the intriguing setting, the complicated relationship backstory, and the witty, action-packed banter.

[Reanne - (Faith, Fiction, Fact and Fluff) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can handle a fun Christmas romcom, but this one was a bit of a stretch for me...
I guess I'd recommend if you're looking for a romance that's kinda goofy, with Home Alone vibes.

[Tatum - nuggetybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Soren & Maya
- Three POVs
- Adventure, hidden identity, suspense, blackmail, theft
- Nanny FMC
- Thief MMC
- An interesting 9 year old with odd obsessions
- Penthouse with secret passage ways
- Second chance

✨ a few of my favorite things:
- the MCs are so flirty
- Their complicated history but pull to each other
- The garlic 🥴
- Bella and all her shenanigans (her secret room)
- How much Maya resists Soren and tries to push his buttons back
- The suspense of it all

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
I’m obsessed with Soren and Maya. Jenessa writes some of the best banter in romcoms. They tease each other and are so witty. Both MCs always have a witty comeback and push each others’ buttons. Their chemistry is very evident from their first encounter. Their history is complicated but it’s clear they both still care for one another. So it wasn’t hard to start rooting for their HEA.

Everything happens relatively quickly because the book takes place over a 2-3 day period. However the book doesn’t feel rushed.

The crazy shenanigans in this books made me laugh and also left me a little dumbfounded. lol I don’t know how I feel about a 9 year old being obsessed with horror movies and very adult things. However I was proud of the “She’s the man” reference 😂 her elaborate house, scary planning abilities, and obsession with home alone lends itself to many pranks and traps. Some intended for her nanny but come in handy with all the thieves that keep breaking in 😉

Overall this is a really fun Christmas read. It’s not your typical Christmas read and it’s so easy to dive into.

This is a closed door Christmas adventure rom com with non-descriptive making outs and no cursing. There are dangerous situations and suspense but the story ends in HEA.

**Thank you so much to Jenessa for letting me read this gifted ARC. No positive review was required. All thoughts are my own.**

[Nicole | Nicole's Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Jenessa Fayeth’s books while reading the Caught in Chaos series, so I’ve been eagerly anticipating Silent Heist since the moment it was announced. This story is a fun, playful second chance romance filled with tender moments and hilarious hijinks. The Home Alone vibes made it an instant holiday favorite.

The lingering feelings between Soren and Maya were achingly obvious, and I couldn’t wait to learn what tore them apart in the first place. Their back-and-forth felt flirty and mischievous and their attempts to outsmart each other were so fun to read. Soren is the ultimate cinnamon roll hero. He has a soft spot for Maya and risks everything to ensure she is okay. I wasn’t expecting the twist at the end but it wrapped up all the loose ends perfectly.

Arabella was one of my favorite parts of this book. Her personality leaps off the page—super smart, wildly perceptive, and just the tiniest bit frightening. I loved her spunk. I also love how Maya refused to let her push her away, and how Soren quietly followed suit. My heart broke for the hurt she was hiding. I would love to see more of her in a bonus epilogue.

Silent Heist is for readers who like lighthearted mischief and second chance sparks. Think break-ins, bickering, and forced proximity… but make it cute and cozy with a dash of seasonal sweetness and a tender, rekindled romance at its heart.


Includes:
🩶Morally Aligned Thief
🩶Disgraced Archeologist Turned Nanny
🩶Precocious 9 Yr Old With Questionable Interests
🩶Second Chance
🩶Home Alone vibes
🩶Found Family
🩶Protective MMC
🩶He takes care of her.
🩶She is his weakness.
🩶She sees the good in him.

Favorites:
💜The bond Maya builds with Bella
💜Decorating the house for Christmas
💜Nerf guns
💜”I remember everything.”
💜The way Maya sees Soren
💜Powdered sugar fight
💜Maya and Soren acting out Bella’s movie scene
💜”Then kiss me and don’t feel a thing.”
💜Soren’s protective nature
💜”I need you to trust me, sweetheart.”
💜Hiding in the closet
💜Arabella’s POV
💜”Really? You’re doing this now? Read the room, girl.”
💜Liam and Serena
💜Rockefeller Center
💜The ring
💜The ending

Thank you Jenessa Fayeth for the gifted ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[McKenna Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Book Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to the author @AuthorJenessaFayeth for the #gifted e-book.

🎄🖼️ Silent Heist by Jenessa Fayeth 🖼️🎄

Jenessa Fayeth is a favorite indie author of mine, and Silent Heist is exactly why—I’ll read anything she writes. She has such a talent for blending romantic suspense, mystery, adventure, and just the right touch of comedy, and this one was an absolute blast from start to finish.

Giving major Home Alone vibes with holiday hijinks, high-stakes adventure, and a mischievous nine-year-old who steals every scene, this story had me hooked. Soren Stapley is a professional thief—cool, calculated, and morally gray—who always has a plan… until the job puts him face-to-face with the woman he once loved. Add in a protective MMC who absolutely cannot resist her, a second-chance romance crackling with tension, found family feels, and a painting worth risking everything for, and you’ve got a wildly entertaining ride.

Fast-paced, fun, and full of heart, Silent Heist delivers suspense, swoon, and chaos in the best way. If you love romantic suspense with humor, holiday flair, and characters you can’t help but root for, this one is a must-read.

Also this cover is just great! Love it 😍

[Reagan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Home alone is my favorite Christmas movie 🍿 and this book brought me ALL THE FEELS 🤭 I had literal tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard 😂

Maya. She is love and goodness personified, 💗 so seeing her pure rage at Soren was amazing 😂 I loved how dynamic her character was 💜 and there were so Annah times I was thinking “same girl, same.” 💗

Soren. His internal monologue was AMAZING 👏🏻 Soren was such a layered character and the more I learned the more questions I had 💜 I loved his connection with Liam and his protectiveness over Rosie was so cute 🥹

Okay she has to get a whole paragraph. ARABELLA BAHAHAHA THIS CHILD IS INSANE 😂 and I ADORE HER. When I say I was actually LOOSING it every time she was on page I’m not joking 😂 I can’t imagine how much fun she was to write 😂

This book had so many things that SHOCKED me 😂 plot twists, and also insane pranks galore 🫧 I was flipping pages as fast as I could to see what shenanigans these three would get up to 😂

If you like home alone 🌃 romance 💘 and uncontrollable laughter 😂 THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU, but beware 👀 because the heart and soul of this book will shock you (like a metal wok, iykyk 😉)

⚠️ CW: criminal behavior, intense fight scenes, violence, neglectful parents ⚠️

[Tabitha · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐ - rounded up to 3

This book is so cheesy and goofy. I didn't enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed other books by this author, but it is still fun if you go into it with the right expectations.

I needed more Bella POV chapters. The nine year old "Home Alone" inspired child was the perfect balance of endearing and annoying.

Maya and Soren were... just so cheesy as characters and I don't know what else to say. Everything about them was a little too manufactured for them to feel real and relatable -but again I think that was the point.

Who kisses their ex in a closet while a potentially murderous thief stalks through the penthouse you're stuck in because of a snow storm? This couple does.

And that Epilogue chapter... omg lol. So over the top. Cue the dramatics.

But again, I think this book knows exactly what it is and it's proud of who it is, and I respect that. If you want a cheesy rom com that dances the line of cringe sometimes, complete with a snarky but endearing child character, this is the book for you.

CONTENT WARNINGS:
No notes. It was clean. No language.

[Strzykar · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a lot funnier and more mysterious than I expected it to be! Also, now I have to go read Liam and Serena's story, they seem so awesome.
Back to this book, it's a combination of Home Alone, The Notebook, and Robin Hood. If that sounds like a fun time (and seriously, you should probably get checked if you DON'T think that sounds like a fun time), dive right in.
Bella is probably one of my favorite children written into a romance book. She's devious and hilarious and the kind of kid that makes sense to have around in this type of mad caper book!
Soren and Maya are just so great. Even when she is wary of him in the beginning, you can still tell there's worlds of history and love between them.
I don't usually read second chance, but that's typically because of all the angst and 'I should/I shouldn't'. This was refreshingly light and fun (even though the trauma of what happened to seperate them is bad). It's dealt with openly, and honestly, and I truly enjoyed that!

[~Bellegirl91~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely HILARIOUS!!! And bonus my two favorite rom-com duo narrators, Andy Harrington and Amanda Fry, narrated this book and after being introduced to them with Kortney Keisel audiobooks, I absolutely LOOOOOOOVE these two and they make the stories/books a lot more fun!

I COULD NOT stop laughing half the time through this book. Particularly the 9 year old little girl Arabella aka Bella who was an absolute hoot and I was loving her by the minute whenever she was on the pages *laughing hysterically*

Definitely a cute fun clean Rom-Com and one I'd recommend the heck out of to anyone who loves or wants a good rom-com laugh out loud fun book. I couldn't get enough of Soren and Maya and were the cutest ever!! Not a bad way to end the year with too on top of that!

[Jami Pruitt (My.lovely_readingcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was so much fun to read! I love the banter between Soren and Maya, and I love Bella's sassy personality.

I really loved hownthisbsecons chance romance played out. The suspense of the story as they had to find off bad guys was so good. I also really enjoyed getting a small portion of Bella's point of view - so much fun to read!

If you are looking g for a Christmas second chance romance with strong vibes from Home Alone, this story is for you!

Thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[carli ✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5★)

such a fun holiday romance and interesting plot !!!

i liked the thief aspect of it, it’s always interesting to read or watch about what goes into prepping a heist or something criminal (sue me i’m curious)

and second chance romance will always do it for me, i love the thought of people getting a second chance in life, it makes me have more faith in human kind

anyways a lovely christmas romance with a mischievous but sweet child that definitely gave off home alone vibes

i’ll definitely reread this one next year during christmas time 🤭

[Morgan Giesbrecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a delightful bit of fun!

A fast-paced riot of situational comedy. Suspend belief for an afternoon and settle in for Christmas heist adventure with a thief, a nanny, and a precocious child proficient in booby-traps.

While I haven’t seen Home Alone, I’m familiar enough with it to see the clever nods to it.

A super cute & easy read with sweet (and comedic) moments!


Content: making out; scene with sharing a sauna in their underclothing but nothing it mentioned

[Jeanine Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m going to start with something controversial…Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas movie? I definitely do!

Silent Heist is for readers who think Die Hard is a holiday treat or even though those who just enjoy hilarious, adventure romcoms filled with Christmas cheer and a little danger.

Why aren’t we getting more stories like this?!? I love these adventure romances so much. They are fun and flirty, sometimes outrageous (but that’s the way we like it), and give us rush of adrenaline to our mundane lives!

This story was a sweet and sassy second chance romance that will leave you smiling and maybe even a little bit breathless. With a spitfire little girl that gives Kevin McAllister a run for his money, a nanny whose life needs some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, and a not-so-bad bad guy, you are in for a wild ride.

Many thanks to the author for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Alissa Peppo (bookstagrambyalissamorgan) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This hilarious ode to Home Alone is a creative and spectacular clean romance for the holiday season! The romance between Robin Hood-like thief Soren and nanny Maya is sweet but sizzling, the Kevin McAllister-esque antics of the young Arabella are snort-laughter inducing, and the Christmas setting makes for a cozy (yet quite exciting) holiday read! Readers who loved Jenessa Fayeth’s Psych nods in “Date with Danger” and White Collar/Leverage nods in “Taken with Trouble” (aka her Caught in Chaos series) will love this tribute to Home Alone with the same style— and even a few cameos from some beloved characters! This one (and all of the Jenessa Fayeth books I have read) gets a shining 5 stars from me! I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes, but my thoughts are my own and I really did love it!

[Sarah (tn.bibliophile) · Rating 5 out of 5]

thief MMC
nanny FMC
home alone vibes
found family
second chance
he can’t resist her
closed door romance

Silent Heist hooked me from page one with its perfect blend of danger, warmth, and Christmas charm. Soren and Maya’s chemistry pops off the page and their banter, tension, and tender moments made this heist feel both emotional and fun. The traps, twists, and sweet moments kept the story moving in the best way and I loved how cozy and action-filled it felt at the same time. It is a festive, closed door romance that delivers heart and humor with every chapter.

Content Warnings:
-danger, break ins, mild violence
-makeouts
-no language
-emotionally absent parents

*Thank you to the author for a copy of the story. All thoughts are my own.

[Teddy G · Rating 3 out of 5]

In concept and idea this is a 10/10 for fun and excitement!
I 100% can see why so many people enjoyed it.
This was very story heavy and not as much about the characters or character development.
If you like the larger than life mess, over the top, thing after thing this is a treat!

In execution, for me it didn’t quite land.
There were a lot of moments although exciting I felt I was skimming through because it just didn’t hold any weight.
I actually loved the couple and their backstory but we never got to really know their backstory, life now or future. I feel like at least one could have taken more of a role. There were plenty of hidden rooms for them to sneak away and atleast talk more.
I also think there were some really heavy topics with this family and little girl that maybe needed some more context.
The layout of the house never made sense. The entire time I was trying to figure out how things were connected and where they were…it took me out of the moment.
The writing should be so clear someone can see it all play out in their mind and there were way too many moments when I was like wait what?
Isn’t his shirt messed up? When did he get a new shirt?
Also with all those hidden rooms they don’t have a broom? That was the most ridiculous part! 🤣😂

[Kayla Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Audio Review✨

Silent Heist by @authorjenessafayeth
Narrated by @amandafridayaudio @andyharringtonvo THE dynamic duo! Absolutely loved every minute.

This was the perfect Christmas read. Full of laughter and surprises. I LOVED the ‘Home Alone’ vibe and seeing the dashing Liam and kick butt Serena.

If you love
Pranks
Missions gone wrong
Surprises
Quick Escapes
Old Flames
And a hilariously strong willed youth
You will be entertained by this story.

Quick, yet full story that had me smiling throughout.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

so so funny omg

[Allie McGuire · Rating 5 out of 5]

so fun and cute!

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super cute! I listened and the narrators did a fine job.