What do you think?
Rate this book
Love Among Thieves
Billions of dollars on the line. One irresistible distraction.
Adelina Choi is a hacker with a heart of gold and a talent for emptying bank accounts. An MIT dropout with Robin Hood tendencies, she funnels cash from greedy marks to those who need it most. It’s a simple gig . . . until she targets the wrong man.
West is a retired conman-turned-single-dad who catches Adelina in the act. But instead of turning her in, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Help him pull off the ultimate heist—stealing billions from an Italian crime boss—and she’ll walk away with an equal cut of the money. The catch? She has to play nice with his eccentric team of thieves.
Dangerous? Absolutely. Tempting? Even more so, because West is infuriatingly charming and impossible to ignore. And as the job heats up, so does the tension between them. Can Adelina keep her head in the game, or will her feelings for her partner-in-crime blow the whole plan sky-high?
Adelina Choi is a hacker with a heart of gold and a talent for emptying bank accounts. An MIT dropout with Robin Hood tendencies, she funnels cash from greedy marks to those who need it most. It’s a simple gig . . . until she targets the wrong man.
West is a retired conman-turned-single-dad who catches Adelina in the act. But instead of turning her in, he makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Help him pull off the ultimate heist—stealing billions from an Italian crime boss—and she’ll walk away with an equal cut of the money. The catch? She has to play nice with his eccentric team of thieves.
Dangerous? Absolutely. Tempting? Even more so, because West is infuriatingly charming and impossible to ignore. And as the job heats up, so does the tension between them. Can Adelina keep her head in the game, or will her feelings for her partner-in-crime blow the whole plan sky-high?
296 pages, Paperback
First published May 12, 2026
About the author
Katrina Kwan
6 books492 followersFollow Katrina Kwan on
Instagram
for updates on her latest books.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Love Among Thieves
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑
💻་༘࿐ Adelina Choi sees herself as a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from the wealthy to help those in need. When West Porter discovers that his account has been hacked and the rightful owner of the funds calls him to address the issue, he realizes he must confront his troubled past. It's high time to reunite his crew and pay a visit to the hacker, QWERTY, with a business proposal they won’t be able to refuse.
Release Date: May 12, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ Robin Hood Heist
⌗ Hacker x (former) Con Man
⌗ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
⌗ Speaks French to you while ...
𓏲⋆🕶️* This was such a fun and cute read! I went in wanting a heist and a sweet romance, and it definitely delivered. Consider me a new fan of Katrina Kwan, whose writing style is so easy to read and digest. I'm a sucker for the grumpy x sunshine trope, and the heist element raised the stakes, adding an exciting layer to the story.
𓏲⋆🐱.* Adelina Choi: As an Asian academic, I could relate to Adelina in many ways, especially with the constant pressure and criticism her mother gave her after her father's passing. Although I thought that there were some moments where she had selfish thoughts, she definitely made up for it midway and remained consistent until the end of the book.
𓏲⋆🐶.* West Porter: He is a freaking dream. West brought so much fun to the story that I have nothing but good things to say about this man. He loves to tease, people naturally fall for his charm and loving uncle! I am so down for him.
I found myself breezing through the pages and feeling giddy about the romance blossoming between Adelina and West. Although the romance developed quickly, both characters were so charming that they complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses perfectly, which made me overlook that aspect. Overall, this book exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to explore more of Katrina Kwan's works!
✶⋆.°
pre-read : I AM SCREAMING. i love a good black cat and golden retriever trope!! reading this with my arc buddy, bestie joni *‧.₊˚*੭*ˊᵕˋ੭.*
⤷ ⭑⭑⭑⭑
⋆⭒˚.⋆ ❝ If you kiss me, I want to see stars. ❞
💻་༘࿐ Adelina Choi sees herself as a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from the wealthy to help those in need. When West Porter discovers that his account has been hacked and the rightful owner of the funds calls him to address the issue, he realizes he must confront his troubled past. It's high time to reunite his crew and pay a visit to the hacker, QWERTY, with a business proposal they won’t be able to refuse.
Release Date: May 12, 2026 ⟢
⌞ What To Expect: ⌝
⌗ Robin Hood Heist
⌗ Hacker x (former) Con Man
⌗ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
⌗ Speaks French to you while ...
𓏲⋆🕶️* This was such a fun and cute read! I went in wanting a heist and a sweet romance, and it definitely delivered. Consider me a new fan of Katrina Kwan, whose writing style is so easy to read and digest. I'm a sucker for the grumpy x sunshine trope, and the heist element raised the stakes, adding an exciting layer to the story.
❝ The combination of her flat hair and wrinkled hoodie, and the dark circles under her eyes, delights me to no end. She reminds me so much of a grumpy Doberman. ❞ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ ໒
𓏲⋆🐱.* Adelina Choi: As an Asian academic, I could relate to Adelina in many ways, especially with the constant pressure and criticism her mother gave her after her father's passing. Although I thought that there were some moments where she had selfish thoughts, she definitely made up for it midway and remained consistent until the end of the book.
⟡ ݁₊ . ❝ Whatever higher power there may be, they clearly have a favorite among mortals—and that would be Westley fucking Porter. ❞
𓏲⋆🐶.* West Porter: He is a freaking dream. West brought so much fun to the story that I have nothing but good things to say about this man. He loves to tease, people naturally fall for his charm and loving uncle! I am so down for him.
I found myself breezing through the pages and feeling giddy about the romance blossoming between Adelina and West. Although the romance developed quickly, both characters were so charming that they complemented each other's strengths and weaknesses perfectly, which made me overlook that aspect. Overall, this book exceeded my expectations, and I can't wait to explore more of Katrina Kwan's works!
˚˖𓍢ִ໋🦢˚ ❝ Has she always been this beautiful? Adelina is very much like the night sky. Dark and cold and something to be wary of. But when she smiles like this, it’s like gazing at the dawn, when the first golden rays peek out from behind the horizon to show you that there was never anything to fear. That the night sky can bring with it its own quiet splendor. ❞
✶⋆.°
pre-read : I AM SCREAMING. i love a good black cat and golden retriever trope!! reading this with my arc buddy, bestie joni *‧.₊˚*੭*ˊᵕˋ੭.*
May 25, 2026
aww, it was so cute. the heist was a bit unrealistic but the characters and humor made up for that. it was an easy read as well, kept me company during exam season, so can't complain😜
~~~~~
in honor of the new money heist season announcement with the professor, I wanna read something related to heist and the crew and a little sprinkle of romance in between🤭🤭plus last month, I loved Katrina Kwan's TLOTNTF as well, so I have high hopes!!
~~~~~
in honor of the new money heist season announcement with the professor, I wanna read something related to heist and the crew and a little sprinkle of romance in between🤭🤭plus last month, I loved Katrina Kwan's TLOTNTF as well, so I have high hopes!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𐙚⋆°｡⋆♡ ── 4.25 stars
✧˖°🩷 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & things to expect
⤷ single dad
⤷ secret identity
⤷ slow burn
⤷ heist with benefits
⤷ he falls first
⤷ modern day robin hood
⤷ black cat x golden retriever
⤷ she's a hacker
out now!!
oh my gosh. i ate this uppppp!!!!!!
this was my second book by katrina and she's now an auto-read author of mine! the story was very fast paced and easily bingeable, i found myself speeding through the pages and enjoying the character development! west and adelina fit so well, they both didn't want to get attached and the "just for the mission" friends with benefits situation was obviously failing, him pushing past her walls and wanting to be there and understand her was really beautiful.
i could relate to her being from an immigrant family in canada, not being able to speak my mother tongue fluently and struggling to keep up with cousins and family, this isn't a topic many people choose to write about and i really appreciate katrina for diving into this topic, it hit really close to home.
jf you're a fan of black cat x golden retriever, women in stem (she's a hacker!), and fast paced stories with heists – i would definitely recommend this book!!
another day, another arc read with my friend justine <3 !!! 4th br in the last month 🤭 look at us go!
thank you random house canada for the physical advanced copy!
✧˖°🩷 ⋆｡˚꩜ tropes & things to expect
⤷ single dad
⤷ secret identity
⤷ slow burn
⤷ heist with benefits
⤷ he falls first
⤷ modern day robin hood
⤷ black cat x golden retriever
⤷ she's a hacker
out now!!
oh my gosh. i ate this uppppp!!!!!!
this was my second book by katrina and she's now an auto-read author of mine! the story was very fast paced and easily bingeable, i found myself speeding through the pages and enjoying the character development! west and adelina fit so well, they both didn't want to get attached and the "just for the mission" friends with benefits situation was obviously failing, him pushing past her walls and wanting to be there and understand her was really beautiful.
i could relate to her being from an immigrant family in canada, not being able to speak my mother tongue fluently and struggling to keep up with cousins and family, this isn't a topic many people choose to write about and i really appreciate katrina for diving into this topic, it hit really close to home.
jf you're a fan of black cat x golden retriever, women in stem (she's a hacker!), and fast paced stories with heists – i would definitely recommend this book!!
another day, another arc read with my friend justine <3 !!! 4th br in the last month 🤭 look at us go!
thank you random house canada for the physical advanced copy!
May 23, 2026
Love Among Thieves is a heist romance following Adelina, a robin hood inspired hacker, and West, a retired thief who is compelled to take on one last job in order to keep himself and everybody he loves safe. This was such a fun and tension filled romance, I loved the high stakes action and all the will they won't they banter between West and Adelina. The two were so good together, and I couldn't get enough of their dynamic. I appreciated that the two had such a light-hearted vibe but also knew when to get serious and be vulnerable with each other. Their slow burn romance unraveled perfectly with the hijinks and thrilling heist to balance out the fast-paced plot.
~Many thanks to Penguin Random House for an ARC in return for an honest review.
~Many thanks to Penguin Random House for an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 10, 2026
3.75 ⭐️ rounded up!
April 11, 2026
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. all opinions are my own.
i am a sucker for a good heist book and this was so, so much fun!! a modern day robin hood romance that takes place in france?? yeah, say less.
this was fast paced, atmospheric, full of banter, and action packed. i really enjoyed adelina as a main character and, although tough to read about, i appreciated how the author handled her relationship with her mother. i also loved west and absolutely ate up the way he relentlessly and shamelessly flirted with adelina throughout. their romance was witty and sweet and i loved how they came together.
the heist aspect of this was great, though i would have liked even more details surrounding everything because i devour a heist story every single time. the setting was perfect and being in france contributed to the classic vibe that comes to mind when yoi think about a heist movie.
i will say that the romance could have been a bit more developed. also, the grand finale scene at the end felt a bit rushed, a tad corny, and not very believable. with that being said, i still really enjoyed this one.
i am a sucker for a good heist book and this was so, so much fun!! a modern day robin hood romance that takes place in france?? yeah, say less.
this was fast paced, atmospheric, full of banter, and action packed. i really enjoyed adelina as a main character and, although tough to read about, i appreciated how the author handled her relationship with her mother. i also loved west and absolutely ate up the way he relentlessly and shamelessly flirted with adelina throughout. their romance was witty and sweet and i loved how they came together.
the heist aspect of this was great, though i would have liked even more details surrounding everything because i devour a heist story every single time. the setting was perfect and being in france contributed to the classic vibe that comes to mind when yoi think about a heist movie.
i will say that the romance could have been a bit more developed. also, the grand finale scene at the end felt a bit rushed, a tad corny, and not very believable. with that being said, i still really enjoyed this one.
May 16, 2026
My rating 4.25 ⭐
Tropes:
Hacker FMC x Ex-conman MMC
Heist with benefits
Black cat x golden retriever
Single dad (he’s a guardian)
He falls first
Set in Vancouver and France
If you love heist movies such Ocean’s Eleven and the Italian Job, then you’ll love this book. I have never read a heist romcom before and this book was so much fun!
Adelina is a pro now hacking into the bank accounts of the wealthy and giving away the money to local charities. When she targets West, this time she gets caught. Instead of turning her in, her makes her an offer to help him pull off a heist!
I loved Adelina. She’s intelligent (our girl studied Computer Science at MIT) and kind hearted. She was dealing with some complex family dynamics. As a daughter of immigrants myself, I could relate to Adeline having to face this pressure to succeed academically and making a career choice that her parents would approve. West was really charming and dealing with grief, while caring for his adorable niece.
Adelina and West had amazing chemistry and the black cat and golden retriever trope was well done in this book! Their banter was top notch! There were so many twists and turns in the story that I couldn’t put the book down and I finished reading it in one day!
Consider me a fan of Katrina Kwan’s writing now and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the gifted ARC copy.
Tropes:
Hacker FMC x Ex-conman MMC
Heist with benefits
Black cat x golden retriever
Single dad (he’s a guardian)
He falls first
Set in Vancouver and France
If you love heist movies such Ocean’s Eleven and the Italian Job, then you’ll love this book. I have never read a heist romcom before and this book was so much fun!
Adelina is a pro now hacking into the bank accounts of the wealthy and giving away the money to local charities. When she targets West, this time she gets caught. Instead of turning her in, her makes her an offer to help him pull off a heist!
I loved Adelina. She’s intelligent (our girl studied Computer Science at MIT) and kind hearted. She was dealing with some complex family dynamics. As a daughter of immigrants myself, I could relate to Adeline having to face this pressure to succeed academically and making a career choice that her parents would approve. West was really charming and dealing with grief, while caring for his adorable niece.
Adelina and West had amazing chemistry and the black cat and golden retriever trope was well done in this book! Their banter was top notch! There were so many twists and turns in the story that I couldn’t put the book down and I finished reading it in one day!
Consider me a fan of Katrina Kwan’s writing now and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.
Thank you Penguin Random House Canada for the gifted ARC copy.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Current rating: 4-4.25 stars!
This was such a great, fast-paced read! I would definitely have read this in two sittings, but I was busy, so I ended up stretching my reading over the course of a month.
I was quickly hooked from the first page and was very reluctant to put this down when I realized that I actually needed to be productive. I really enjoyed the humour, and the chapter titles were such a nice touch. Both Adelina and West's POV chapters were equally entertaining, meaning I didn't look forward to one over the other, something I yearn for when reading a book with multiple POVs.
The romance development felt relatively natural, and I loved how much they supported one another. Their scenes together were wonderful, and the banter was so fun! I was suddenly glad that I could understand French because...
As for the heist itself, it was really a fun time! Meeting the rest of the crew, scheming, executing the plans, twist + turns + obstacles in the way, etc were all aspects I enjoyed and haven't been able to find in a heist novel for a while. Kwan's writing keeps you engrossed, and I found myself immersed to the point I could clearly see scenes playing out in my head, which made me think that this would make such a cool movie!
Thank you to the author and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a great, fast-paced read! I would definitely have read this in two sittings, but I was busy, so I ended up stretching my reading over the course of a month.
I was quickly hooked from the first page and was very reluctant to put this down when I realized that I actually needed to be productive. I really enjoyed the humour, and the chapter titles were such a nice touch. Both Adelina and West's POV chapters were equally entertaining, meaning I didn't look forward to one over the other, something I yearn for when reading a book with multiple POVs.
The romance development felt relatively natural, and I loved how much they supported one another. Their scenes together were wonderful, and the banter was so fun! I was suddenly glad that I could understand French because...
As for the heist itself, it was really a fun time! Meeting the rest of the crew, scheming, executing the plans, twist + turns + obstacles in the way, etc were all aspects I enjoyed and haven't been able to find in a heist novel for a while. Kwan's writing keeps you engrossed, and I found myself immersed to the point I could clearly see scenes playing out in my head, which made me think that this would make such a cool movie!
Thank you to the author and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
May 30, 2026
4.5✨
It was perfect, a d I can't express how beautiful it was, I'm on loss for words.
It was perfect, a d I can't express how beautiful it was, I'm on loss for words.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This heist romance was so freaking good!! From the characters to the plot to the spice, there was so much to love about Love Among Thieves.
Let’s first talk about my girl, Adelina. I loved how she was a woman in male dominated fields: both tech and thieving. She absolutely rocked it in both…until that one time she got caught, but we’ll get to that! I loved her whole Robin Hood vibes of stealing from the mega wealthy and giving to charities, living a very modest life herself. I loved how generous and non-judgmental she was of those who were not as fortunate. I definitely think this was due to her father’s great influence on her before he passed, as well as her having to go no contact with her mother due to her judgmental ways. I also loved how relatable she was, knowing that she could do what she could but still getting giddy over being able to hahaha she was definitely a badass and had every right to be proud and think she was cool.
I absolutely loved West!! At first glance he was a suave and charming man who could flirt the pants off a nun (do nun’s wear pants?), but once you got to know him you realized he had so much tormenting him behind his facade. I loved both aspects of his personality, the shameless flirt and the man trying to right past wrongs. I felt this made him an incredibly complex character and much more than just another “pretty boy”. I loved him speaking in French and all of his dirty talk! I especially loved how caring he was with Adelina when he learned about her terrible first and last experience in the bedroom…and boy did he make up for it…over and over again!!
I adored their “meet-cute” of her stealing from “him” and then him breaking into her apartment to basically blackmail her into doing a big heist with him. Ahhhhh good times!
Circling back to the no contact family situation, the book explored various family dynamics and tensions between the two MCs that were incredibly relatable and not always sunny. Adelina had lost her father, had no relationship with her mother after being subject to her abuse, and had a less than perfect relationship with her sister (though they did try and were always there for each other at the end of the day). West was a single guardian to his niece, a precocious six year old, after losing the last of his family. We saw West juggle the heist and checking in with Jacks, and we also saw him struggle with some pretty heavy emotions later in the book when some stuff came to light that I won’t be telling you about! Happiness mixed with grief mixed with a sense of how his family unit would work going forward. I’m telling you, this man in complex!
I need the romance that I think I saw at the end of the book between her identical twin Lily and…someone to come to fruition! I haven’t heard anything about a second book for this series, so maybe this will just live on in my head lol
Thank you to Katrina Kwan and Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
Let’s first talk about my girl, Adelina. I loved how she was a woman in male dominated fields: both tech and thieving. She absolutely rocked it in both…until that one time she got caught, but we’ll get to that! I loved her whole Robin Hood vibes of stealing from the mega wealthy and giving to charities, living a very modest life herself. I loved how generous and non-judgmental she was of those who were not as fortunate. I definitely think this was due to her father’s great influence on her before he passed, as well as her having to go no contact with her mother due to her judgmental ways. I also loved how relatable she was, knowing that she could do what she could but still getting giddy over being able to hahaha she was definitely a badass and had every right to be proud and think she was cool.
I absolutely loved West!! At first glance he was a suave and charming man who could flirt the pants off a nun (do nun’s wear pants?), but once you got to know him you realized he had so much tormenting him behind his facade. I loved both aspects of his personality, the shameless flirt and the man trying to right past wrongs. I felt this made him an incredibly complex character and much more than just another “pretty boy”. I loved him speaking in French and all of his dirty talk! I especially loved how caring he was with Adelina when he learned about her terrible first and last experience in the bedroom…and boy did he make up for it…over and over again!!
I adored their “meet-cute” of her stealing from “him” and then him breaking into her apartment to basically blackmail her into doing a big heist with him. Ahhhhh good times!
Circling back to the no contact family situation, the book explored various family dynamics and tensions between the two MCs that were incredibly relatable and not always sunny. Adelina had lost her father, had no relationship with her mother after being subject to her abuse, and had a less than perfect relationship with her sister (though they did try and were always there for each other at the end of the day). West was a single guardian to his niece, a precocious six year old, after losing the last of his family. We saw West juggle the heist and checking in with Jacks, and we also saw him struggle with some pretty heavy emotions later in the book when some stuff came to light that I won’t be telling you about! Happiness mixed with grief mixed with a sense of how his family unit would work going forward. I’m telling you, this man in complex!
I need the romance that I think I saw at the end of the book between her identical twin Lily and…someone to come to fruition! I haven’t heard anything about a second book for this series, so maybe this will just live on in my head lol
Thank you to Katrina Kwan and Penguin Random House Canada for the eARC! The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
4.5 stars!
June 21, 2026
original thoughts
they were actually so cute
review
this was suchhh a fun book to read.
i wanted something light but not terrible. after a huge flop with the tuxedo society, this book seemed perfect- short enough, with a reallyyy cool premise, and a romance.
it was indeed perfect. the premise definitely delivered. a mission impossible - hacker - con man - oceans 11 romance??
yes.
it absolutely felt like an oceans 11 type thing, and i love that movie, so i loved the plot. it wasn’t slow at all and i was intrigued the whole time.
the twists weren’t super duper amazing or anything, but it didn’t matter that much, because the ending was really good anyways.
the romance was so good as well. they were adorableeee and i loved them. the mmc was kinda obsessed with her since the start (which we love ofc). the banter was also sooo greattt.
i felt like the fmc was really likable, even though she was supposed to be the grumpy trope, she was so kind and i loved her too
definitely recommended!!
happy reading :)
they were actually so cute
review
this was suchhh a fun book to read.
i wanted something light but not terrible. after a huge flop with the tuxedo society, this book seemed perfect- short enough, with a reallyyy cool premise, and a romance.
it was indeed perfect. the premise definitely delivered. a mission impossible - hacker - con man - oceans 11 romance??
yes.
it absolutely felt like an oceans 11 type thing, and i love that movie, so i loved the plot. it wasn’t slow at all and i was intrigued the whole time.
the twists weren’t super duper amazing or anything, but it didn’t matter that much, because the ending was really good anyways.
the romance was so good as well. they were adorableeee and i loved them. the mmc was kinda obsessed with her since the start (which we love ofc). the banter was also sooo greattt.
i felt like the fmc was really likable, even though she was supposed to be the grumpy trope, she was so kind and i loved her too
definitely recommended!!
happy reading :)
May 16, 2026
It was genuinely going so well until I read the phrase "turning my brain off" in reference to her giving him a blowjob and it just couldn't be saved from then on. I wish authors would discover the word 'relax' again instead of constantly reinforcing misogynistic phrasing.
May 20, 2026
strong 4, maybe even 4.5 stars!!!!
Is action romcom a genre? If not, it should be! This is exactly how this book felt to me - a perfect mix of action, romance and comedy.
Thieves romance but make them more of morally gray rather than bad guys? And now due to a “mistake” they join forces (cough, blackmail, cough) to fight the really bad guy.
So you have a bit of blackmail, revenge, heist, flirty at hilarious banter that’s also cute at the same time, some family drama (*tough family situations, not drama-drama), ACTION, COMEDY, ROMANCE.
There are couple spicy scenes so open door readers will enjoy it but I think closed door readers can still grab this book as the spice is more of an addition and can be skipped ;)
Good writing, well paced plot, interesting storyline and well build characters. I had a lot of fun reading this book and I made a ton of highlights!
Tropes: hacker FMC, single (not) dad (*single uncle) ex-conman MMC, reverse grumpy sunshine, slow burn, fun banter, heist, dual POV, open door, forced proximity, betrayal and revenge, verbally abusive mother
Big thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for NetGalley ARC!
Out of context quotes:
“Fight or flight is a real bitch, because I do precisely neither.”
“SHE THROWS THINGS . They hit me. All in all, I’d say our first meeting is going really well.”
“I’ve got one foot in the grave, and she’s got the shovel ready to bury me alive.”
“She isn’t just angry, I realize, but furious. And for some reason, I find that absolutely thrilling.”
“Denial can be such a beautiful thing.”
“I’m tempted to make her smile, if only to see how painfully awkward it’d make her look. Like the Grinch discovering he does, in fact, have a heart.”
Is action romcom a genre? If not, it should be! This is exactly how this book felt to me - a perfect mix of action, romance and comedy.
Thieves romance but make them more of morally gray rather than bad guys? And now due to a “mistake” they join forces (cough, blackmail, cough) to fight the really bad guy.
So you have a bit of blackmail, revenge, heist, flirty at hilarious banter that’s also cute at the same time, some family drama (*tough family situations, not drama-drama), ACTION, COMEDY, ROMANCE.
There are couple spicy scenes so open door readers will enjoy it but I think closed door readers can still grab this book as the spice is more of an addition and can be skipped ;)
Good writing, well paced plot, interesting storyline and well build characters. I had a lot of fun reading this book and I made a ton of highlights!
Tropes: hacker FMC, single (not) dad (*single uncle) ex-conman MMC, reverse grumpy sunshine, slow burn, fun banter, heist, dual POV, open door, forced proximity, betrayal and revenge, verbally abusive mother
Big thanks to Penguin Random House Canada for NetGalley ARC!
Out of context quotes:
“Fight or flight is a real bitch, because I do precisely neither.”
“SHE THROWS THINGS . They hit me. All in all, I’d say our first meeting is going really well.”
“I’ve got one foot in the grave, and she’s got the shovel ready to bury me alive.”
“She isn’t just angry, I realize, but furious. And for some reason, I find that absolutely thrilling.”
“Denial can be such a beautiful thing.”
“I’m tempted to make her smile, if only to see how painfully awkward it’d make her look. Like the Grinch discovering he does, in fact, have a heart.”
June 12, 2026
i cant be impartial with kat, she is slowly becoming one of my favorite romance authors 🙇🏼♀️
how am i supposed to get over west and addy? 🫠 and also... kat gimme m and lily PLEASE
i'd also die for a precuel featuring diana and joseph, and it could mix into a pov from this same story, and then the tragic ending IM IN KAT, YOU JUST NEED TO WRITE IT 🥹
i don't know what to say about the book 😂 you liked oceans 11? feel like a little bit of heist to go with your romance? this is your book, and you'll love it, i don't make the rules 🤷🏼♀️
how am i supposed to get over west and addy? 🫠 and also... kat gimme m and lily PLEASE
i'd also die for a precuel featuring diana and joseph, and it could mix into a pov from this same story, and then the tragic ending IM IN KAT, YOU JUST NEED TO WRITE IT 🥹
i don't know what to say about the book 😂 you liked oceans 11? feel like a little bit of heist to go with your romance? this is your book, and you'll love it, i don't make the rules 🤷🏼♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2026
This book was just a hot mess. The concept is fun and cool, but the writing (and characters) were so childish, I just couldn’t help but be entertained by how laughably stupid it all was. This book is FAR from spicy, despite it being called “a spicy heist romance” right in the description.
The writing is just weak and awkward at times. There are definitely better books out there to read.
The writing is just weak and awkward at times. There are definitely better books out there to read.
June 29, 2026
4.5 for the unique premise! A heist action romance ? Count me in!
June 21, 2026
If you are looking for a light, banter heavy romance this book will not disappoint! I am a big fan of Katrina’s books The Last Dragon of the East & The Legend of the Nine Tailed Fox, so I knew this one would be right up my alley.
The black cat and golden retriever dynamic between Adelina and West was golden. Not to mention Adelina being a bad ass hacker, think full Robin Hood vibes. The lead up to the big heist was entertaining with new characters who were introduced, the growing relationship between Adelina and West, and how everything began to complicate.
Overall I enjoyed this read! It definitely has more of a slow burn romance but I loved it and the banter was hilarious. I usually find myself amused by Katrina’s sense of humor so give this a read!
Thank you Random House Canada for the ARC!
The black cat and golden retriever dynamic between Adelina and West was golden. Not to mention Adelina being a bad ass hacker, think full Robin Hood vibes. The lead up to the big heist was entertaining with new characters who were introduced, the growing relationship between Adelina and West, and how everything began to complicate.
Overall I enjoyed this read! It definitely has more of a slow burn romance but I loved it and the banter was hilarious. I usually find myself amused by Katrina’s sense of humor so give this a read!
Thank you Random House Canada for the ARC!
April 8, 2026
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Katrina Kwan, and Penguin Random House Canada for access to this advanced reader's copy of Love Among Thieves. This is my unbiased and honest review.
---
"So this is what it looks like when a man is clinging to the last remnants of his sanity. It never occurred to me just how powerful I could feel while on my knees, but now that I know, it's an addictive sensation."
---
I never thought I would daydream about what it would take to act as a virtual Robinhood, but consider me invested. Deeply.
Adelina Choi is, by all accounts, a good person. She's smart, she adores her twin sister, and she spends her days putting her tech knowledge toward investing in local charities. The only problem is that she's investing money she stole from the rich, and it was only a matter of time before that landed her in hot water. Thankfully, she's caught by West, a conman who needs her help to pull off the ultimate heist: stealing Adelina's heart--(ahem)--I mean, his Italian crime boss's fortune.
Adelina and West are a matchmade in a gambler's den. Their romance is wrought with high-stakes bets and big payoffs, but the risk is what makes their relationship so interesting. Adelina and West's mutual distrust for each other had me wrapped around Love Among Thieves' bejeweled pinky finger. They're snarky with each other, delivering some of the most scathingly hysterical flirting I've seen in contemporary romance. I don't know how many times I yelled "KISS" only for something to come along and mess it all up. Leave it to Lady Luck to be a massive tease, I suppose.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. France is a truly iconic location for a heist, and I loved the way it tied back to West's history and Adelina's propensity for feeling out of place. Plus, all of the French used in the book added a certain je nais se quois that made the story so easy to get lost in. Despite the picturesque setting, the stakes in this story were astronomical. It wasn't just money on the line. It was feelings and hearts and, yes, lives. Kwan evokes a sense of realness to the plot through a complicated exploration of grief, culture, and familial expectations that added depth to an otherwise flirtatious (and dangerous) meet-cute.
It would be wrong of me not to mention the actual romance in this book. West is a proper gentleman despite some of the things he'll mutter into an ear behind closed doors. Adelina is a soft and shy but knows what she deserves. When they collide, it's not fireworks or an avalanche, but something much more natural and fluid, like light bleeding into a dark room. Their chemistry is undeniable and the way they care for each other (even when they are actively resisting the urge to care) is truly heartwarming.
This is my first book by Katrina Kwan, but Love Among Thieves was an absolutely exquisite blend of high-stakes action, searing romance, and banter to (almost literally) die for. I can't wait to see more from Kwan in the rom-com space!
---
"So this is what it looks like when a man is clinging to the last remnants of his sanity. It never occurred to me just how powerful I could feel while on my knees, but now that I know, it's an addictive sensation."
---
I never thought I would daydream about what it would take to act as a virtual Robinhood, but consider me invested. Deeply.
Adelina Choi is, by all accounts, a good person. She's smart, she adores her twin sister, and she spends her days putting her tech knowledge toward investing in local charities. The only problem is that she's investing money she stole from the rich, and it was only a matter of time before that landed her in hot water. Thankfully, she's caught by West, a conman who needs her help to pull off the ultimate heist: stealing Adelina's heart--(ahem)--I mean, his Italian crime boss's fortune.
Adelina and West are a matchmade in a gambler's den. Their romance is wrought with high-stakes bets and big payoffs, but the risk is what makes their relationship so interesting. Adelina and West's mutual distrust for each other had me wrapped around Love Among Thieves' bejeweled pinky finger. They're snarky with each other, delivering some of the most scathingly hysterical flirting I've seen in contemporary romance. I don't know how many times I yelled "KISS" only for something to come along and mess it all up. Leave it to Lady Luck to be a massive tease, I suppose.
I absolutely loved the setting of this story. France is a truly iconic location for a heist, and I loved the way it tied back to West's history and Adelina's propensity for feeling out of place. Plus, all of the French used in the book added a certain je nais se quois that made the story so easy to get lost in. Despite the picturesque setting, the stakes in this story were astronomical. It wasn't just money on the line. It was feelings and hearts and, yes, lives. Kwan evokes a sense of realness to the plot through a complicated exploration of grief, culture, and familial expectations that added depth to an otherwise flirtatious (and dangerous) meet-cute.
It would be wrong of me not to mention the actual romance in this book. West is a proper gentleman despite some of the things he'll mutter into an ear behind closed doors. Adelina is a soft and shy but knows what she deserves. When they collide, it's not fireworks or an avalanche, but something much more natural and fluid, like light bleeding into a dark room. Their chemistry is undeniable and the way they care for each other (even when they are actively resisting the urge to care) is truly heartwarming.
This is my first book by Katrina Kwan, but Love Among Thieves was an absolutely exquisite blend of high-stakes action, searing romance, and banter to (almost literally) die for. I can't wait to see more from Kwan in the rom-com space!
May 13, 2026
Sacré bleu! My first 5 star book for May.
Adelina Choi is a whip smart, sarcastic hacker. She keeps to herself, takes what she wants, when she wants. Unfortunately, Addy's latest hack ends up taking $250 k from a corrupt King pin named Berruci. Oopsies. Unfortunately, West manages the laundering fund for Berruci, his boss. Tasked with finding out what happened, West has to come out of hiding, use his previously shady skills to bring Adelina to Berruci for punishment. Except, West has other ideas up his sleeve.
I ate this up, I binged through this in a couple of days. I'm convinced Addy and I have the same Asian mother, though mine isn't as harsh, I loved that we got Addy's history and complex family relationships. Only Katrina could create a blonde MMC I actually adore. West is such a loveable golden retriever. Wink wink. You know he's putting those hands to work. Their chemistry was fantastic. The plot reminded me of the movie Hackers. Prime Angelina. I love a good heist, and I've never wanted to sign up for Duolingo faster.
Highly recommend if you want a fun, bingeable romance.
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the arc
Rating: 5 🥐
Release date: May 12
Adelina Choi is a whip smart, sarcastic hacker. She keeps to herself, takes what she wants, when she wants. Unfortunately, Addy's latest hack ends up taking $250 k from a corrupt King pin named Berruci. Oopsies. Unfortunately, West manages the laundering fund for Berruci, his boss. Tasked with finding out what happened, West has to come out of hiding, use his previously shady skills to bring Adelina to Berruci for punishment. Except, West has other ideas up his sleeve.
I ate this up, I binged through this in a couple of days. I'm convinced Addy and I have the same Asian mother, though mine isn't as harsh, I loved that we got Addy's history and complex family relationships. Only Katrina could create a blonde MMC I actually adore. West is such a loveable golden retriever. Wink wink. You know he's putting those hands to work. Their chemistry was fantastic. The plot reminded me of the movie Hackers. Prime Angelina. I love a good heist, and I've never wanted to sign up for Duolingo faster.
Highly recommend if you want a fun, bingeable romance.
Thank you to @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the arc
Rating: 5 🥐
Release date: May 12
March 29, 2026
*Thank you to Random House Canada and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Review: An exhilarating, spicy heist romance!
“Love Among Thieves” follows Adelina Choi, a hacker with Robin Hood tendencies, after she targets the wrong man. Instead of turning her in, West, a retired conman-turned-single-dad, makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Help him pull off the ultimate heist and she’ll walk away with an equal cut of the money. As the job heats up, so does the tension between them.
Kwan’s action-packed, fast-paced romantic thriller drew me in from the very first page! The cleverly written twists had me on the edge of my seat as the stakes heightened with each chapter. I particularly enjoyed the compelling dynamics between the crew members as they navigated their contrasting personalities to get the job done.
Adelina and West definitely steal the show with their entertaining banter and sizzling chemistry! The two could not be more different, but the heist is what ultimately brings them together. Initially, Adelina was determined to keep West at arm’s length, but it is impossible not to develop a soft spot for him! As the novel progresses, forced proximity and stifling tension transform their reluctant partnership into something more. Along the way, both characters grapple with their own family drama, but seemed to grow from it with the support of each another. They complement each other perfectly and the spice is oh so good as a result. All in all, Kwan’s signature blend of humor and heat make this a must-read!
➤ 4.25 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
Review: An exhilarating, spicy heist romance!
“Love Among Thieves” follows Adelina Choi, a hacker with Robin Hood tendencies, after she targets the wrong man. Instead of turning her in, West, a retired conman-turned-single-dad, makes her an offer she can’t refuse. Help him pull off the ultimate heist and she’ll walk away with an equal cut of the money. As the job heats up, so does the tension between them.
Kwan’s action-packed, fast-paced romantic thriller drew me in from the very first page! The cleverly written twists had me on the edge of my seat as the stakes heightened with each chapter. I particularly enjoyed the compelling dynamics between the crew members as they navigated their contrasting personalities to get the job done.
Adelina and West definitely steal the show with their entertaining banter and sizzling chemistry! The two could not be more different, but the heist is what ultimately brings them together. Initially, Adelina was determined to keep West at arm’s length, but it is impossible not to develop a soft spot for him! As the novel progresses, forced proximity and stifling tension transform their reluctant partnership into something more. Along the way, both characters grapple with their own family drama, but seemed to grow from it with the support of each another. They complement each other perfectly and the spice is oh so good as a result. All in all, Kwan’s signature blend of humor and heat make this a must-read!
➤ 4.25 stars
Review cross-posted to: Book Blog | Bookstagram | Amazon
May 18, 2026
Love Among Thieves by Katrina Kwan is a thrilling STEM romance with a sexy green flag single dad French MMC who will make you swoon. Add in a badass MIT-dropout hacker FMC who is a modern day Robin Hood - stealing money for a good cause, plans for a big heist, and some action-packed scenes along the way, and you’re in for a guaranteed good time.
I loved the dynamic between Adelina and West, as well as the relationship between Adelina and her twin sister Lily. However, I have to say that their mom absolutely blows 🙄. I’m glad that West was able to stand up for Adelina!
Read for:
👩🏻💻 Single dad
👩🏻💻 Eldest daughter vibes
👩🏻💻 Attagirl
👩🏻💻 East Asian FMC
👩🏻💻 Action romance
👩🏻💻 Heist
👩🏻💻 French MMC
👩🏻💻 Conman x hacker
👩🏻💻 STEM romance
👩🏻💻 Damsel in distress MMC
I loved the dynamic between Adelina and West, as well as the relationship between Adelina and her twin sister Lily. However, I have to say that their mom absolutely blows 🙄. I’m glad that West was able to stand up for Adelina!
Read for:
👩🏻💻 Single dad
👩🏻💻 Eldest daughter vibes
👩🏻💻 Attagirl
👩🏻💻 East Asian FMC
👩🏻💻 Action romance
👩🏻💻 Heist
👩🏻💻 French MMC
👩🏻💻 Conman x hacker
👩🏻💻 STEM romance
👩🏻💻 Damsel in distress MMC
May 18, 2026
Lighthearted, suspenseful, and fun!
𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 is a sweet, action-packed story that takes readers into the lives of Adelina, an intelligent hacker who may have just stolen from the wrong man, and West, a fiercely protective man determined to uncover who took the money he was safeguarding for a dangerous acquaintance while keeping his niece safe at all costs.
The writing is playful and tense. The characters are feisty, impulsive, and amusing. And the plot delivers an adventure-filled mix of life, love, temptation, mystery, sizzling chemistry, witty banter, humorous mishaps, heartfelt moments, danger, and romance.
Overall, 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 is a charming, sexy, highly entertaining read by Kwan that I absolutely adored and devoured from beginning to end.
𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 is a sweet, action-packed story that takes readers into the lives of Adelina, an intelligent hacker who may have just stolen from the wrong man, and West, a fiercely protective man determined to uncover who took the money he was safeguarding for a dangerous acquaintance while keeping his niece safe at all costs.
The writing is playful and tense. The characters are feisty, impulsive, and amusing. And the plot delivers an adventure-filled mix of life, love, temptation, mystery, sizzling chemistry, witty banter, humorous mishaps, heartfelt moments, danger, and romance.
Overall, 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐒 is a charming, sexy, highly entertaining read by Kwan that I absolutely adored and devoured from beginning to end.
May 31, 2026
Love Among Thieves was cute and a lot of fun. I LOVE a heist.
Adelina Choi is a first generation Chinese Canadian who dropped out of MIT to hack rich people, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. But this time, she stole from the wrong person. West Porter isn't actually rich. He's holding the money for a powerful mobster who IMMEDIATELY got the notification of the withdrawal. But instead of turning her in, West instead asks Adelina to help him take down the mobster once and for all.
I've read a few heist romances that promised a big score and failed to deliver. This one did. Adelina falls in love and learns to trust. West helps her stand up to her Chinese mother. They stop a really bad guy from hurting more people. I was intrigued and stressed and hopeful.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.
Adelina Choi is a first generation Chinese Canadian who dropped out of MIT to hack rich people, stealing from the rich to give to the poor. But this time, she stole from the wrong person. West Porter isn't actually rich. He's holding the money for a powerful mobster who IMMEDIATELY got the notification of the withdrawal. But instead of turning her in, West instead asks Adelina to help him take down the mobster once and for all.
I've read a few heist romances that promised a big score and failed to deliver. This one did. Adelina falls in love and learns to trust. West helps her stand up to her Chinese mother. They stop a really bad guy from hurting more people. I was intrigued and stressed and hopeful.
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the ARC.
May 10, 2026
I loveeee a heist but unfortunately this book/the pacing was too slow for me.
What I liked:
- a heist story overall
- hacker fmc
- strong writing style
What didn’t quite work for me:
- family drama
- Wests banter was a bit overboard at times (I did giggle at some though!!)
- the team wasn’t a found family/a rag tag group - it was really small
- pacing was very slow
- French being the love language. I’m sorry but my family speaks French so I could not get into the romance of it
- the story took a direction I wasn’t expecting and wasn’t sure I really loved
What I liked:
- a heist story overall
- hacker fmc
- strong writing style
What didn’t quite work for me:
- family drama
- Wests banter was a bit overboard at times (I did giggle at some though!!)
- the team wasn’t a found family/a rag tag group - it was really small
- pacing was very slow
- French being the love language. I’m sorry but my family speaks French so I could not get into the romance of it
- the story took a direction I wasn’t expecting and wasn’t sure I really loved
June 28, 2026
this book truly reminded me how much I LOVE blond MMCs that live life through charm and humour. I NEED MORE OF WEST AND ADELINA, They are the definition of ADORABLE. Katrina absolutely NAILED the banter, genuinely, the way these two would go back and forth whether by bullying or flirting with each other had me cackling. 😭 Don’t even get me started on West’s lighthearted persona, this man cracks jokes in the midst of the chaos raining hell onto him and his team.
No matter what it is—if a heist is involved, you can bet your left arm it’ll be a five star read for me. I really enjoyed how fast this book felt, it was a great catalyst to push me out of my reading slump. Plus, being a standalone gave the plot that perfect wrap at the end closely following the climax.
The second I finished this book I immediately booked a ticket to France…Adelina and West, we shall be meeting very very soon. 😜
No matter what it is—if a heist is involved, you can bet your left arm it’ll be a five star read for me. I really enjoyed how fast this book felt, it was a great catalyst to push me out of my reading slump. Plus, being a standalone gave the plot that perfect wrap at the end closely following the climax.
The second I finished this book I immediately booked a ticket to France…Adelina and West, we shall be meeting very very soon. 😜
May 30, 2026
Well. The synopsis was good.
May 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense, contemporary romance (M/F), heist, suspense/thriller, Robin Hood, Vancouver, France (primarily Nice)
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Grumpy x sunshine (sub-trope of Opposites Attract)
> Thief / Heist
> Unexpected Parenthood/Guardianship
all about tropes here
POV: 1st person, alternating/dual
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone, no cliffhanger
Format: ebook (e-ARC)
🔽🔽🔽
Overall ratings
Heat level: 🌶 3/5 spicy seduction 🌶
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)
~ Heroine/FMC (Adelina) ~ 4.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
~ Hero/MMC (West) ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Other characters ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Plot ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Pacing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Romance ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Writing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 1
~ Diversity & representation: Chinese-Canadian FMC, French MMC, interracial relationship
~ Angst level: 2/5
~ Annoying 3rd act breakup? no
~ Sadness level: 1/5
🔽🔽🔽
❗CW/Triggers:❗beating, death of a parent (historic, but discussed on page), emotional abuse by a parent, guns, gunshot wound, mafia/mobster, parental estrangement
🔽🔽🔽
📝 Review/Notes 📝
Quick descriptors: An angry, Robin Hood, brilliant hacker FMC + a charming, French hottie MMC <3 International travel, fast pacing, easy to devour, with fun & heat.
From The Italian Job being my favorite movie, to the primary genre that turned me into a hardcore reader being romantic suspense, this book was basically written for me. Being everything I love, I’m really glad Kristina Kwan delivered! Moral thieves, MCs with chemistry, a heist in France, a cute romance, heat, and a fun time.
Loved this one, no notes.
🔽🔽🔽
🤠 Recommended for: anyone who loves romantic suspense; fans of The Italian Job
Genres, settings, categories, themes: romantic suspense, contemporary romance (M/F), heist, suspense/thriller, Robin Hood, Vancouver, France (primarily Nice)
💗 Tropes: 💗
> Grumpy x sunshine (sub-trope of Opposites Attract)
> Thief / Heist
> Unexpected Parenthood/Guardianship
all about tropes here
POV: 1st person, alternating/dual
Series/Sequencing Style: standalone, no cliffhanger
Format: ebook (e-ARC)
🔽🔽🔽
Overall ratings
Heat level: 🌶 3/5 spicy seduction 🌶
(from Ampersand’s guide to heat levels in romance novels – (0) sweet, (1) mild sizzle, (2) sensual steam, (3) spicy seduction, (4) red hot, (5) erotic)
~ Heroine/FMC (Adelina) ~ 4.5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗
~ Hero/MMC (West) ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Other characters ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Plot ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Pacing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Romance ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Writing ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Reading enjoyability & fun ~ 5/5 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌕
~ Depth & tone (1 light & fun --> 5 more serious, addresses heavier topics?): 1
~ Diversity & representation: Chinese-Canadian FMC, French MMC, interracial relationship
~ Angst level: 2/5
~ Annoying 3rd act breakup? no
~ Sadness level: 1/5
🔽🔽🔽
❗CW/Triggers:❗beating, death of a parent (historic, but discussed on page), emotional abuse by a parent, guns, gunshot wound, mafia/mobster, parental estrangement
🔽🔽🔽
📝 Review/Notes 📝
Quick descriptors: An angry, Robin Hood, brilliant hacker FMC + a charming, French hottie MMC <3 International travel, fast pacing, easy to devour, with fun & heat.
From The Italian Job being my favorite movie, to the primary genre that turned me into a hardcore reader being romantic suspense, this book was basically written for me. Being everything I love, I’m really glad Kristina Kwan delivered! Moral thieves, MCs with chemistry, a heist in France, a cute romance, heat, and a fun time.
Loved this one, no notes.
🔽🔽🔽
🤠 Recommended for: anyone who loves romantic suspense; fans of The Italian Job
June 8, 2026
Tropes:
♥️ Black Cat / Golden Retriever
♥️ He washes her hair
♥️ Hurt/ Comfort
♥️ Heist Romance
♥️ Interracial Relationship (French - Chinese Canadian)
CW: Emotionally abusive parental relationship, death of a parent, open door romance, Three chili peppers
Notes:
♥️ He speaks French to her
♥️ Thief with a heart of gold
Summary: Adelina Choi is a failure. Or at least that's what her mother thinks. While her twin sister is achieving her potential by attending law school, Adelina dropped out of MIT and is secretly hacking her way to steal from the rich to give to the poor. When she unknowingly steals from a mobster, "Wes" hunts her down and blackmails her to work for him to take down his boss. Now, Adelina's pressured to steal 50 billion dollars and hopefully end up unscathed by a group of professional thieves. What starts out as a professional heist turns into so much more when Wes flirts his way into her heart. With their lives and 50 billion dollars on the line, can they win the ultimate score unscathed?
Thoughts:
I called my husband to tell him that I have never felt so seen by a book. While I'm no hacker, the interracial relationship between Wes and Adelina provided so much raw hurt/ comfort that it reminded me of my own love story. The painful trauma and emotional toxic relationship she's had with her mother was very reflective of my own relationship with my Asian American mother.
I found the story of the Choi sisters not learning Cantonese and their parents forcing their children to speak in the colloquial tongue very similar to my own family's past which includes my grandparents being swindled out of property simply because they did not speak English. I think Katrina Kwan's story is dynamic and intriguing. I wasn't expecting to love this story as much as I did, and now I can't stop thinking about these characters.
Thanks, Katrina for writing this story because I feel so seen and understood in a way I never thought was possible. ♥️
♥️ Black Cat / Golden Retriever
♥️ He washes her hair
♥️ Hurt/ Comfort
♥️ Heist Romance
♥️ Interracial Relationship (French - Chinese Canadian)
CW: Emotionally abusive parental relationship, death of a parent, open door romance, Three chili peppers
Notes:
♥️ He speaks French to her
♥️ Thief with a heart of gold
Summary: Adelina Choi is a failure. Or at least that's what her mother thinks. While her twin sister is achieving her potential by attending law school, Adelina dropped out of MIT and is secretly hacking her way to steal from the rich to give to the poor. When she unknowingly steals from a mobster, "Wes" hunts her down and blackmails her to work for him to take down his boss. Now, Adelina's pressured to steal 50 billion dollars and hopefully end up unscathed by a group of professional thieves. What starts out as a professional heist turns into so much more when Wes flirts his way into her heart. With their lives and 50 billion dollars on the line, can they win the ultimate score unscathed?
Thoughts:
I called my husband to tell him that I have never felt so seen by a book. While I'm no hacker, the interracial relationship between Wes and Adelina provided so much raw hurt/ comfort that it reminded me of my own love story. The painful trauma and emotional toxic relationship she's had with her mother was very reflective of my own relationship with my Asian American mother.
I found the story of the Choi sisters not learning Cantonese and their parents forcing their children to speak in the colloquial tongue very similar to my own family's past which includes my grandparents being swindled out of property simply because they did not speak English. I think Katrina Kwan's story is dynamic and intriguing. I wasn't expecting to love this story as much as I did, and now I can't stop thinking about these characters.
Thanks, Katrina for writing this story because I feel so seen and understood in a way I never thought was possible. ♥️
May 26, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Adelina has just been busy living her normal life: using her hacking skills and computer science training to steal money from the rich, and donating that money to charities to help the needy. Avoiding her emotionally abusive mother and family (with the exception of her twin sister) at all costs is also at the top of her priority list.
But that plan goes straight to hell when West shows up in her apartment, telling her that it was his money that she last stole. Well, not West's. Just money that West was holding for safekeeping on behalf of a notorious Paris crime boss, Valentino Berruci. And Berruci is not happy.
Instead of following Berruci's instructions to bring him the thief, West strikes a deal with Adelina: she lends him her technological skills to help him pull off the ultimate heist to ruin Berruci for good, and Adelina (along with a ragtag team of other felons) will get a cut of Berruci's dirty money. And bonus: West also won't turn her in to Berruci. If they succeed, they could escape the shackles that living in a world with Berruci would mean. The question is... can they do it?
TROPES
✨ Allies to lovers
♥️ Heist with spice
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
♥️ Modern day Robin Hood
✨ He falls first
♥️ Ex con-man x hacker
MY THOUGHTS
Started this off the back of reading a very emotionally damaging book ("Into the Blue" by Emma Brodie) with the thought that it would be nice and light by comparison, which is what I needed after being made to feel so emotionally raw. And "Love Among Thieves" totally lived up to that expectation.
The banter between Adelina and West was cute, and the way West would rile her up was sooo funny at times 🤣 But I felt like the romantic tension took too long to spark, and there was very little payoff since the tension was still barely present even when it did get going. I didn't really see the two characters as much of a "shippable" couple in the long run.
I'd still recommend it if you love heisting stories... The romance just didn't slap as hard as I'd hoped lol.
✨ 4/5
♥️ 2/5
Adelina has just been busy living her normal life: using her hacking skills and computer science training to steal money from the rich, and donating that money to charities to help the needy. Avoiding her emotionally abusive mother and family (with the exception of her twin sister) at all costs is also at the top of her priority list.
But that plan goes straight to hell when West shows up in her apartment, telling her that it was his money that she last stole. Well, not West's. Just money that West was holding for safekeeping on behalf of a notorious Paris crime boss, Valentino Berruci. And Berruci is not happy.
Instead of following Berruci's instructions to bring him the thief, West strikes a deal with Adelina: she lends him her technological skills to help him pull off the ultimate heist to ruin Berruci for good, and Adelina (along with a ragtag team of other felons) will get a cut of Berruci's dirty money. And bonus: West also won't turn her in to Berruci. If they succeed, they could escape the shackles that living in a world with Berruci would mean. The question is... can they do it?
TROPES
✨ Allies to lovers
♥️ Heist with spice
✨ Black cat x golden retriever
♥️ Modern day Robin Hood
✨ He falls first
♥️ Ex con-man x hacker
MY THOUGHTS
Started this off the back of reading a very emotionally damaging book ("Into the Blue" by Emma Brodie) with the thought that it would be nice and light by comparison, which is what I needed after being made to feel so emotionally raw. And "Love Among Thieves" totally lived up to that expectation.
The banter between Adelina and West was cute, and the way West would rile her up was sooo funny at times 🤣 But I felt like the romantic tension took too long to spark, and there was very little payoff since the tension was still barely present even when it did get going. I didn't really see the two characters as much of a "shippable" couple in the long run.
I'd still recommend it if you love heisting stories... The romance just didn't slap as hard as I'd hoped lol.
✨ 4/5
♥️ 2/5
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews