Grift

by Jason Mosberg

Why would a 17-year-old girl pretend to be a prostitute?

Piper is a con artist whose canvas is the city of Las Vegas. She rolls with a crew of young grifters including a card-counting genius, a tourist-hustling pool shark, and a pocket-picking magician. Together, this crew of teenage outlaws live with their mentor Max in the penthouse of a hotel casino. They work hard and play harder. But unlike the others, Piper must balance her hyper-real Vegas fantasy with the reality of raising her 14-year-old half-sister Sophie. Disaster strikes when the Las Vegas mafia kidnaps Sophie and demands a multimillion-dollar ransom. With only five days to piece together the money, the crew races the clock to save her.

"Ocean's Eleven for the Reddit set, with a twist of Oliver Twist floating in a dirty martini none of the characters are old enough to order. Jason Mosberg deftly explores the very real world of Vegas runaways and misfits through the lens of a heist movie Sinatra's great-grandaughter would be proud of." -Sean Beaudoin, author of Wise Young Fool

"Thrilling read... couldn't put it down!" -- New York Times best selling author Aubrey Rose

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Romance, Teen

234 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 4, 2015

Reviews

[Aadivah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and honestly I LOVED IT!!!!!!

Some mild spoilers ahead.
So Grift depicts the story of Piper, a 17 year old con artist in the city of Las Vegas along with her crew of Grifters. Together they live in a luxurious penthouse apartment in the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino with their mentor, Max. But Piper has more responsibility than they others: she is raising her 14 year old sister, Sophie.

One thing I loved from this book is the suspense it held me in. I am fairly new to books that include heists and conning but this book was just it for me. It blew mind. The twists and turns had me feeling like I was running down the side of a very steep switchback mountain. It had me constantly spinning while at the same time it was thoroughly explained and very well written.

The characters were great and were also very well developed. The sheer determination of all the characters when they were gathering all that money was remarkable. No matter the setbacks, they banded together to make sure they gathered the money.

I cannot express how much I loved this book. Everyone needs to read it.

[April Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would really like to thank the author for the free review copy. The plot was amazing. I have read a lot of mystery and suspense novels so that's saying something. Can say kept my nose glued to the book till the very end!!
The writing was simple and the flow was well maintained from the start. What I really liked about the book was that it threw us into Piper's world from the start. Also it showed both the ill effects of life in Vegas and the good side too (err, well only if you are a very good con artist!).
But all in all it was fantastic and the cons were well carried out. I will be looking out for more books by this author....

[Kandice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. It wasn’t highbrow literature, but I didn’t expect that. In addition to a pretty thrilling tale we get quite a few interesting tidbits about Las Vegas. Things that tourists really shouldn’t know. At least not in Las Vegas’ opinion.

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book is how Pi is obviously very attractive but the author doesn’t dwell on that or devote pages and pages to describing her look or what she is wearing. Her beauty is stated, a vague description of her clothing and then narrative goes on. I hate nothing more than when a contemporary book takes five pages describing a beauty top to toes in excruciating detail. Give me a period piece and some bustles...I can read about that all day! But not about today’s fashion!

I found the fragments, embellished upon with each chapter, not only distracting but spoilerish. I predicted much of the plot right away, but the story was told in such a way that I didn’t mind not being surprised. Instead of let down I felt vindicated. With the exception of the fragments!

I saw this as an updated and glitzed up Oliver Twist. I was okay with that because I am one who believes “if it works...use it!” and we all know Oliver works.

[Ellen Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like Piper, the main character, a lot and I think the relationship between her and Jesse is well delivered. The story is interesting and really conveys the city of Las Vegas as a living, breathing entity in its own right. This is a great debut and I'm looking forward to more from this author. Thanks to the author for a free review copy.

[Dimitrije Vojnov · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jason Mosberg je pre svog izvanrednog romana MY DIRTY CALIFORNIA imao izvanrednu seriju ONE DOLLAR. A pre svega toga napisao je roman GRIFT, za koji bismo mogli pretpostaviti da je nastao kao pitch za pitku seriju o vegaskim prevarantima, ali sa jednim dodatkom - svi oni su tinejdžeri.

Dakle, ovo je nešto što bi se moglo definisati kao YA krimić, sa zapletima karakterističnim za odrasle ali u miljeu mladih junaka u kojima su mnogi moralni uzusi bliži literaturi za decu i mlade. U pojedinim deonicama, ali one su moram priznati mnogo manje pristutne nego što sam očekivao, to smeta. Naprosto, Las Vegas i forma kriminaliteta kakvu čine prevare naprosto junake tera na mnogo suroviju marginu od ove koja je prikazana u romanu GRIFT.

Nije problem u glamuru koji emituju glavni junaci, problem je u tome što niko od njih nije erodirao kao ličnost u zadovoljavajućoj meri. Svi se bave jednim od psihološki najzahtevnijih vidova kriminala ali su svi zadržale izvesne moralne skrupule a iznad svega lični dignitet.

Isto tako u romanu seks igra važnu ulogu jer je glavna junakinja prevarantkinja koja svoje akcije obavlja praveći se da je eskort, ali seksa zapravo nema ni za jednog junaka, osim onda kada sve okolnosti priče nagoveste da je "zaslužen".

U tom smislu, kada vidimo kako Mosberg postavlja priču, kako prikazuje okolnosti i sam milje, jasno je da on nije nimalo naivan prema realnosti Las Vegasa, ali da je očigledno dosta upoznat i sa time kako bi na nekom programu kao što je CW morala da izgleda naizgled sirova ali zapravo prihvatljiva serija o vegaskim prevarantima.

Za razliku od romana MY DIRTY CALIFORNIA ovde nema formalnih bravura. Tekst je jednostavan i spreman za YA konzumaciju, pa ipak činjenica da je ovaj roman danas teško dostupan sugeriše da se ipak nije našao u YA rotaciji.

No, za one koje zanimaju kako prozni tako i televizijski krimić, iz ovog romana mogu da nauče dve stvari. Jedna se tiče kako pisati YA roman u nekim okolnostima "povišenog realizma" jer ovde je to dosta solidno - mada ne i savršeno - izvedeno. Druga se tiče kako postaviti omladinsku seriju i isto tako postavljenom kriminalnom miljeu, što doduše nije toliko potrebno za praksu kod nas ali za neki teorijski rad o stranoj televiziji može biti.

[Faith Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well today I finished grift. And I want to start off saying Congratulation to Jason Mosberg for such an amazing job on his first book. I am greatly blessed that he has given me the opportunity to read his book. So I am very great full for that so thank you Jason Mosberg.
First off when I was given the book I wasn't sure how much I was going to like it. But The phrase "Don't judge a book by its cover* came to mind, so I gave it a chance. I enjoyed the plot a great deal. When you began reading it already jumped you along Pipe'rs ...work as one would call it.
Piper work comes along with being in Las Vegas Casino's which I did think that was super cool.
I was able to see the whole lay out of Las Vegas. Which I truly enjoyed being able to be apart of Vegas and all its light's and casinos and hotels. I did enjoy all the places that Jason was able to take his readers which was super cool and I rather enjoyed.
Along the way we meet Piper's sister Sophia and her friends, Jesse, Mars, Rob, Kim even Max.
The first part of the book had the back-story to all Piper's friends and herself. Which was cool cause he was able to show the readers about all his characters from Piper's friends to the Vegas Mod to all the characters we get to meet along side Piper. However it was a great deal longer then I expected but I enjoyed. The start of the book there wasn't much talking as much as it was catching up on all the characters and how they become part of this picture.. Or adventure. I believe readers will enjoy all the great mystery that Jason Mosberg was able to put inside his great book. All the twist and turns us read like. I like how the author was able to keep his readers on there toes on what will happen next, what we think will happen, or who's the real villain. Which is really great. This book is quite the thriller it turns out to be. Which I rather enjoy. We get to see what Piper had to go though when a terrible incident happened when sister gets kidnapped. Along the way we as reader try to help Figure out along side Piper and her friends who would do this any why. Us Readers are able to put our selves inside Piper's shoes in order to want to bring back one of our own beloved sister or even brother. To keep going and having hope that all will be fine in the end. However for Piper she has to deal with the Mob an, Max that which he was pretend to be like a father to Piper (what to know what I mean read and find out ^_~) an her clients an worrying about her friends. Along the way we see Piper dealing with normal girl trouble when the guy she likes maybe holding something important.
I believe that the following readers will greatly enjoy this book as much as I haveFigure out along side Piper and her friends. U.S. Readers are able to put our selves inside Piper's shoes in order to want to bring back one of our own beloved sister or even brother. To keep going and having hope that all will be fine in the end. However for Piper she has to deal with the mod Mex that was he pretend father (what to know what I mean read and find out ^_~) to her clients and friends. Along the way we see Piper dealing with normal girl trouble when the guy she likes the most may be holding something important. So trying to be normal isn't really Pipe'rs give but she does try. I try like Pipe's character sometimes but she is a strong character and that's what I like about her.
I believe that the following readers will greatly enjoy this book as much as I have. The only bump in the ross a long this book was that there was to much GD for my taste (wondering what I mean about GD just as me) but other then that is book was great I love how this book kept me guessing wondering and trying to help out Piper to get her sister back. There is so many surprises along the way which I believe that all you great readers will greatly enjoy.
Just as much has I have. I am hoping that we will get to see Piper and her sister along with her friend very soon .


I do recommend this book to all ages however maybe for those under a certain age may want to ask there parents before reading. But other then that, it is a super amazing book.

Thank you again Jason Mosberg forgive me the opportunity to read your book I look forward to your next book

God. Bless you
Till next time

[Merril Anil · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bumpy ride but an exhilarating one

First of all a huge thanks to Marsilla for recommending this book.

As true to Marsilla's words, the book indeed was a fantastic thriller. The second half of the book is racing with so many turns and trickery that it is hard to sit straight through your read. Pages after pages keeps churning so much devious plans that it is hard to stop your from turning the pages fast enough.

Yes the plot is good but the book do comes with its own sets of faults. The language and narration is not exactly the smoothest and hence my reference in the title that it is a bumpy ride. Though,there is rarely a dull moment in the book, somehow you cant deny that the book takes a while to be on track and once it does,the book just blows up your expectations.

The author definitely seems to be well versed with the city of Las Vegas and its nuisances. The way the author narrates and portrays the world of Grift that resides parallel to the glimmer of Las Vegas, leaves me confused as to whether be suspicious as to how well he knows all the trickery and modus operandi of the same or to be amazed at his research skills.

The fact is that the author does truly justify the title Grift and brings forward a face of Las Vegas that you have never seen before but sometimes that is also the problem as he kinds of halts to explain the background details or history a bit too often but luckily does not do in a fatal way. (hence the bumpy ride )

I love how the author has shaped his characters, each characters have their own space and is clearly distinguishable from others and are not stereotype characters but seems to be normal with their own vises and wises. Makes them more real and understandable.

Yes it needs a bit more polishing . For me personally , it was the narration and language that needed a bit work, but even still i would say that for any thriller fans this would give them enough dose to keep them sated. Wait till it catches the speed. But even then in the beginning it was fun to get accustomed to the world of debauchery and Grift. I loved our main character along with her entourage.

The book starts with a bumpy ride and takes its time to be on track but when it does, the thriller component of the book makes it a terrific read with its twisted characters and plot. The characters are the best highlights of the book. You cannot chose to be not impressed by each one of them. The author paints a brilliant and in depth face of Las vegas that is hidden behind all the shimmer and glimmer. Stick for a while and there is no stopping this book. As of now it lacks a bit of polishing but even then it is a good thriller

How was this?

[Celline · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book, it's one of those reads that is entertaining enough for me to keep on turning the next page. I blame this mostly on Piper and the setting of the book. I will absolutely try anything that involves heists, con artists, and thieves. Piper being a great heroine was just a bonus. I'm giving this book a solid 3 and a half stars because I think there could've been more improvement on the character side of things and the plot being a tiny bit predictable. The book has flaws, but it's an enjoyable one nonetheless.

The characters. The good? As I mentioned before, I really liked Piper. She's independent, head-strong, and completely the driver of her own story. The entire card-themed analogy going on in the book definitely fits her since she really does make do with all the stuff that the world has dealt her. And now, what's disappointing? Having such a stellar main character, I feel like she's the only person in the entire book that we actually get to know. Everyone else felt one-dimensional compared to her, they were just there to fulfill their role to the plot, like a means to an end. Sure they have different personalities and we were told some tidbits about their pasts but they never really felt like individuals. Maybe it's because I got used to reading series that gives time for more in depth character development and interactions or maybe the author intended for us to never know more about the supporting characters since they are all closed-off con artists with issues. Still the entire book would've felt more genuine if we had more insights and character interactions. Instead I kinda had this feeling that I was viewing everything through a lens, as opposed to actually living the story with the characters. But then again, this is never really a character driven book for me. Which brings us to the next topic,

The plot. Here's the thing, I was pretty much able to predict the stuff that was going to happen the moment the team declined to participate with the jewel heist. And from the moment Piper introduced us to Max, I already found them suspicious as hell. It's just that in stories like this, the main conflict is almost always an inside job and he was the ideal culprit in this case. With that being said, knowing what was gonna happen didn't take away from any of the enjoyment of reading the book. The scenes were engaging and I was really eager to see Piper outwit her enemies. The little tidbits about Last Vegas are interesting and the cons that the team does are really fun to imagine.

Anyway, this was overall a satisfying read that I would recommend to people that are interested in heist stories. I just wish we had a scene where Piper and the team watch while Max gets his ass dragged away from Vegas. Oh well, I'll settle for that fantastic poker scene.

[Colleen Fauchelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First I would like to say thank you to the Author for sending me a copy of this book it was very kind of him to do so. Second I would like to thank my friend for when she went to the states for a month with her five children she brought me back a fridge magnet of the Treasure Island Hotel in los Vegas. I didn't tell her and she didn't know about the book I was reading. The hotel is where the main setting for this book is set. Amazing. They found it hard to find the exit in the hotel and casino they were staying in. That is also mentioned in the book.

The theme song for this book would be You've got to pick a pocket or too. To me this was a modern day Oliver twist. Max has taken these 6 kids under his wing, set them up in the Penthouse of the Treasure Island Hotel. He has helped hone their skill's of stealing. They are a cool bunch of kids and they are a family.

Piper is the main character. She has been taking care of her younger sister Sophie since she was about 11, their mother was a hopeless case. Piper is a wonderful 'mum' she has Sophie doing home school and wants her to get a good education.

Now when Sophie is taken from the penthouse and Max beaten up the race is on to raise the money needed top save Sophie's life. All 5 kids get together to get the 10 million needed. It's a race against time and with a traitor in their 'family' it's not going to be easy.

I really enjoyed this story, Piper is an amazing young woman to learn and grow from her mothers mistakes. You know what they are doing is wrong but you are also on their side. The story also has some interesting information about casino life.

So give this book a go it was a fun ride.

[ᒪᗴᗩᕼ · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I discovered this book in a odd way, at least odd for me; I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I was sent a message by someone I do not know on Goodreads. The message was sort of like a chain letter (which I despise), except there was no "your going to have bad luck" if you don't send this on kind of crap. He said he picked me because I liked Dangerous Girls, supposedly. The whole thing was kind of shady, but I still checked the book out and I was intrigued by the synopsis. I looked it up on the Amazon and it was only 99 cents, so I read a sample and I was hooked.

I think I was in the mood for something different and the backdrop of Las Vegas was just what I needed. Learning about the cons that they pull on unsuspecting tourists in "The City That Never Sleeps" was fascinating. And, the fact that they are all done by kids is really cool.

Well written with only a few typos and misused words, this book captivated me and I would recommend this to anyone who finds themselves intrigued by the synopsis.

[Tilly Booth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was awesome! I honestly didn't expect myself to like this book so much but holy shit it was good. Grift by Jason Mosberg is based around a group of con artists living in Las Vegas. The main girl, Piper, has been caring for her sister since she was eleven and when her sister gets taken prisoner Piper and the group of cons do anything and everything to get her back.

The writing in this book is easy, intriguing and it flows so well. The characters, although there are plenty, stand out against each other making each of them memorable. The dialogue between characters is realistic and even though they're grifters in Lav Vegas the situations are believable too.

There are a few twists in this book and some I could predict and others that I didn't see coming. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes mystery, a bit of romance or contemporary novels with a bit of action.

4.5 out of 5!

Thanks to the author for giving me the chance to read this book!

[Star]

Piper and her sister Sophie fled from a broken home when they were very young and into the arms of Max, a grifter and hustler, who teaches Piper the tricks of the con trade. Piper, Sophie, and a group of grifter kids all live with Max and bring in the cash with their cons. They work hard at their game, but they party even harder. Piper’s a bit more serious as she has the responsibility of raising Sophie as best as she can and keep Sophie out of the con game. When Sophie’s kidnapped by the Las Vegas mafia and held for a multi-million dollar ransom, Max’s entire crew works hard to get together the money to save her. GRIFT is a very well-written mystery novel. The characters are outstanding and each one has a distinct personality, so they don’t blend together. The author’s descriptions of the city brought the story to life. GRIFT is a dark labyrinthine tale of mystery, mayhem, and corruption with the love between sisters at the heart.

[Lawrence Sordo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If Oliver Twist was a rich girl, Fagin was nice and generous and 19th century London is Vegas today. A team of teenage con men live the dream until an unexpected event messes with their lifestyle. Enchanting protagonist with street smarts and insight. Enjoyable and great fun. I loved it.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Grift" by Jason Mosberg is an innovative blend of crime and romance with a touch of mystery that takes place in Las Vegas with five grifters- a card counter, pool shark, scam artist, picket -pock and high class escort. When the story opens Piper's half- sister, a fourteen year old she's pledged to keep far from the clutches of their drug-addicted, prostitute mother, has been kidnapped. With a multimillion dollar ransom to raise for her release Piper and her fellow outlaws agree to engineer a diamond heist which could be fatal if they're caught. When their robbery goes awry Piper takes action that could have dire consequences for the team, but time is short as Sophie's death draws closer.

Written as a first person narrative, the plot is an adrenaline rush, a thrill ride into the heart of the crime world of Las Vegas. Under the leadership of Max a former gambler the outlaws have been trained as skilled con artists; criminals who gain a person's confidence in order to take advantage of them. Proficient in their specific areas of expertise, skilled at staying under the mafia's radar and always on the edge of being arrested, the teens work and play hard, but Piper has more of an incentive than the others for her lucrative career. When Sophie's kidnapped and a jewel heist is a quick fix for the problem, the plot quickly heats up; intensity and suspense building to a fevered pitch.

The mood of the plot is dark and chilling in a battle of wits and wills as the teens reluctantly scam not only a murderer, but also a corrupt poker player and the head of the mafia. The action is fast-paced and emotionally- charged as Jesse and Piper not only have to face their burgeoning feelings but the demons from their past as they struggle to save Piper's sister. And when you think the worst is over, Jason Mosberg throws another twist into his exciting and addictive story.

All the main characters are not only unforgettable, but realistic and complex. Each adds spice, drama and high-energy to the plot. Piper haunted by memories of the abusive home she fled with her sister as a child was trained and used by Max, a conniving hustler who's addicted to sex and money. With parent and abandonment issues, Piper excels at poker and conning her " johns". Highly protective of Sophie, she can be blunt, acerbic and volatile. She loves and trusts Jesse a restless, pathological liar and adrenaline junkie who specializes in extended scams. Ironically it's his reciprocation of a love he tries to deny that rebuilds his trust in himself. Rob a seventeen year old pick-pocket from New York loves skate-boarding and hip hop music as much as he loves taking risks. Like Katrina the sharp and clever card counter from New Orleans and eighteen year old Mars the unruffled and sly pool shark from Texas all the grifters are loyal to their outlaw band. Yet it's the chilling manipulation, menace and cold bloodedness of Max, wealthy Ladislav Kral and the Las Vegas Mafia leader Charlie Moss that add a sinister tone to this page-turner.

I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend "Grift" which kept me on the edge of my seat from the beginning to its startling conclusion. Although, I often wondered why Piper and the other outlaws never bumped into one of their multiple marks on the Las Vegas Strip. This is a book that would make a great movie or television show...kudos to Jason Mosberg.

[Bronwyn Lok · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at http://bronzelock619.blogspot.com/2015/04/grift-jason-mosberg.html.

First of all, I would like to thank the author for a free digital copy of the book. My review on Goodreads for Ally Carter's All Fall Down caught the attention of a representative of the author of this book, so I was sent a copy of Grift in exchange of an honest review. I am really glad that I agreed to this, because it really is a great read. This book is a lot more mature and serious compared to other young adult books I read involving espionage and crime. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed it due to the unpredictable plot, and the layers upon layers of deception. Every time I thought I knew what the story is going to be, a surprise was thrown in my way. The author also did a great job in pulling the readers into the enticing Las Vegas, highlighting both the glamourous and the ugly parts of it. Piper and her friends were really familiar with both sides of it, and therefore they thrived in that environment. I personally had never been to Las Vegas, so I did not know how accurate is the Las Vegas described in the story, but this book really made me want to go there. I would be careful of people like Piper and her friends after reading this book though. In addition, the story also brought us into the world of poker playing. Personally, these parts were hard for me to follow, as I know absolutely nothing about it. I never knew the hand Piper had was good or bad until the story revealed the winner. It was fun to follow Piper when she was catching people's tell and going through her strategies, so I imagine people who knew poker would have a lot of fun in these scenes.
One of the things I could not get used to is huge amount of flashbacks in this story. At first I was okay with it, but there are still a lot of flashbacks even after I went through three quarters of the book. For a person like me that did not have a lot of patience, I felt that flashbacks this late into the story took out some of the tension. I also felt that there was too much time spent on introducing the characters, their personalities, and their origins before they arrive at the main point. Sophie only got kidnapped 36% into the book. It would have been better if the characters were just introduced slightly at the start, and later bring out deeper aspects of their personality after the main plot point of the story is established. These are really small misses though, and did not keep me from enjoying the story.
By the end of the book, there were a lot of loose ends, with a high number of antagonists that would and could come back into the story to cause problems for Piper and her friends. So the author had a lot of possibilities to go for if he wanted to continue Piper's story. If this is turned into a series, I will definitely read the sequels.

[Molly Surette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was sent to me for free in an effort to spread the word about it and I'm glad it was because YA readers could benefit from a book like this. The characters were complex and interesting, the setting was new to me and the plot was riddled with so many twists and turns I nearly fell off my seat I was sitting so close to the edge of it.

Piper, the main character, was tough and incredibly smart but still relatable. She's a con artist trying to make enough money to buy her sister a better life away from Vegas where she lives in an expensive suit with four other young grifters and a man who manages them all. Each grifter has a specialty and backstory that left me wanting more. More then once I thought I had a character all figured out only to be proven wrong one chapter over. To be honest I thought it was a missed opportunity that the rest of the grifters weren't examined more in depth but hopefully there will be a sequel that reveals more.

Up until I read this book my knowledge on conning was limited to what I'd learned in Heist Society and if you enjoyed that then you will certainly love Grift. Piper explained several cons that Max (the man who manages the rest of the grifters) thought up but even more interesting were the ones she planned herself. In the casino's of vegas Piper and her friend conned many rich patrons who are hard to feel bad for, and even pulled a couple of huge heists together. I won't go into details but Piper certainly did, explaining where she learned how and why each con worked. It might've been boring if it weren't for the fact that each con came with tons of risks and room for variation. A tough main character is fun to read about but a truly clever one adds way more to the plot.

As the story progressed many twists tested the MC as well as a betrayal that I didn't see coming. Jason Mosberg kept adding one more sentence to a paragraph before each chapter that would trick you into thinking one thing only to spring something else on you just the way a con artist would which I thoroughly enjoyed.(Especially since it's so hard to find an unpredictable story in YA once you've read enough of it.)

A few more things I enjoyed include: The romance, which managed to be heart wrenching while not getting in the way of the story. Pipers quick flash backs, which normally I find tiresome but were short and sweet enough to hold my interest. And finally the little bits of Vegas history added in, here and there.

Despite all these good things I did feel there were some missed opportunities, glossed over details and one unnecessary scene near the end that I didn't feel added to the book. (As well as a couple spelling and grammar errors.)

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery and a bit of grit and of course anyone interested in the art of conning or even spy novels.

[Teenage Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las Vegas, a town in the middle of the desert, a place where people win and lose millions of dollars. A town where casinos are open 24/7, alcohol is allowed on the streets, and it is on everyone’s bucket list on places to go. Where Las Vegas is a place for tourists, people live there too. Some have normal jobs, leading formal lives for them and their family. Others live there in hope to strike big, or regain their wealth that they have already lost. For Piper, well she’s there for a whole other reason.

Piper mother was a coke smoking prostitute. She has two children with two of her clients, so Piper never knew who her farther was. When she was twelve she left her mother, and ran away with her little sister Sophie. From there she rented a hotel room and conned people into giving her money so that she can take a bus, or buy her mother a present that she was a few dollars short of. This was how she met Max. Max had the perfect life, wealthy job, and a loving life. Yet he was addicted to poker. In a business vacation to Las Vegas he managed to lose his job, wealth, and wife. He took Piper and Sophie in to his penthouse apartment, gave Sophie homeschooling, and taught Piper how to con. When she grew up, with kid needing a bus pass con stopped working, Piper pretended to be a prostitute, get money from men and fake dead before she had to do anything. Piper and Sophie were not the only one he rescued. Together they had become a team (Piper, Mars, Kim, Rob and Jesse), a family of con artists with Max being there farther. When Sophie was kidnapped by the Las Vague mafia, it was up to Piper and her team to get her back by paying the multi-million dollar price.

This was Jason Mosberg debut novel and was it a stunner! The story line is different as it was darker than most young adult books. The story was about Piper a seventeen year old girl who pretends to be a high class escort, and con them for their money. Her sister gets kidnapped and it is up to Piper to get her back. I liked the part of them trying to get the money after their first plan did not work. I did not like however how the whole Ladislav issue. I felt like the author could have expanded on him a bit more, as it seems liked a fill in plot, giving extra drama where it was not needed. The story line was filling, with some extremely shocking twists. There was even a bit of romance in there between Piper and Jesse. The writing was good and overall a great read.

[J. Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

If anyone talks to me about books for more than thirty or so seconds, they'll learn that I appreciate the dark stuff in the way that people appreciate warm weather or fine wines. (Alright, maybe it's a little bit creepier than those examples.) I like a novel that isn't afraid to get down and dirty, and the promise of that is what drew me to Grift in the first place. In reality, plenty of teenagers are put in "adult" situations, so why shouldn't that be reflected in YA?

Well, I was not disappointed in Grift, which was a wild ride that got realistically and deliciously gritty. Piper was a great voice, in the fact that she felt like an actual teenager. Not because her way of speaking and thinking was dumbed down, but because it wasn't. She was intelligent and had personality, and enough sense she gathered from all the situations she had been in. A little something like a YA antihero (which, by the way, I'd love to see more of), I thoroughly enjoyed reading from her perspective.

A reason why the characterization of Grift was so good is because the characters all had flaws. They acted like humans instead of some kind of superhuman literary images of perfection (who may even go on and on about how "bad" they are though they do nothing wrong). These characters don't always do the right thing. They can be selfish and greedy and make bad decisions and it's so wonderfully wrong and so wonderfully human.

Despite the fact that this is contemporary, a whole new world is created in the novel. Because it gives a believable account of what it would be like for teenage grifters in Las Vegas. It almost comes out as heightened reality, and will suck readers right into the story. Not to mention high stakes that would have my acting teach salivating. Although the idea of teenagers racking up six-digits in a short amount of time to spend on a poker game seems ridiculous when looking at my college tuition rates, it definitely makes for some heart-pounding action.

Because the suspense is great, the action doesn't stop, and readers will probably be holding their breath for a couple of pages as they wait to see what happens next. I have very few complaints, and would definitely recommend the novel to those who enjoy high-stakes and taking a walk on the darker side. Grift has a very cinematic quality that makes for an enjoyable an relatively quick read.

[InkBitten · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s rare that you find a book that can totally transport you into another world. I’m not talking merely well written here, I’m speaking of the times when you truly believe you’ve been picked up and transported somewhere else in the world; an all-consuming, all immersive read you simply can’t put down. Think Harry Potter and Hogwarts or Gone Girl and Carthage, MO and now, Grift and Las Vegas

Grift is one of those obsessive reads, not just because the plot centers on the glittering, thrilling city of Las Vegas and showcases a band of cons, thieves, and swindlers, but also because you fall absolutely in love with those cons, thieves, and swindlers. While Piper is ostensibly the hero and the plot does center around her, Mosberg does an excellent job of showcasing the minor charcters, of detailing their backstories and making sure they are well fleshed out. You have a card-counter, a billard prodigy, and even an expert pick-pocket. The plot does an excellent job of making sure every character is used; no one here seems useless or annoying no matter how few time they may be seen. No matter what these characters have done; you want them to succeed.

The only thing I could possibly complain about here is that some of the plot twists appeared a little obvious. I figured out one of the major ‘reveals’ about half way through the story and just nodded when the curtain was pulled aside. This didn’t bother me as much as I thought it would; however, as the very nature of the plot; a race against time with only sheer cleverness, and Mosberg's talent for wringing suspenseful situations for every shred of anticipation meant I was still racing as quickly as I could through the book.

Ultimately, the book is a delight to read. The plot will draw you in while the characters will make you truly care. And with a sweet romance, harrowing plan, spunky heroine, and of course, high-stakes gambling, this book is just like the city in which it is set. A little bit of something for everyone.

[Jam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, this story is a 4.5/5 for me. It’s one of the most exciting novels I’ve read so far, considering that the protagonists are con artists – young, teenage con artists who hustle pool, pick pockets, count cards, and pretend to be prostitutes.

Have you seen that film 21, based loosely on the real-life story of smart kids playing the Vegas scene? Grift is a bit like that, only better, with a set of characters that are interesting, likeable, detestable, and moving. They are smart, witty, sympathetic, and so cool you want to keep cheering for them.

The story is fast-paced. I got hooked, from the very beginning, and I really couldn’t put it down till I finished it (in like a day!). The novel opens with a young hooker who lures her john into the room. Then, she “accidentally” lets slip her real age – seventeen – and after she drinks medicine for a headache, she collapses and starts foaming at the mouth.

And that is our introduction to our main character, Piper, who, after her customer leaves, gets up and leaves with the money, cool as a cucumber.

Piper is a kickass protagonist whose last plan to get a lot of money was so badass you would just love to see this story get turned into a movie and see the action on the silver screen! She is one tough girl. And her friends? You’ve got Rob, a young pickpocket who stole from a hundred people in one night, Kim, the card counter who can hack into casino databases to erase her files, Mars, the laid-back billiard player who can hustle like a mafia, and of course, Jesse, the enigmatic con artist who thrives on the challenge and thrill of deceiving people.

This is a must-read and you will not regret laying your eyes on this.

- See more at: http://thebooktales.com/experience-th...

[TinTin Kalaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

* I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review *

Grift revolves around the life of the con artists, grifters, card counters, and the like of Las Vegas. What's more interesting is that these con artists are teenagers. The story is told in the first person point of view of Piper, a skilled con artist. I really like her character. She's smart, sassy, and strong. Her narration is simple and easy to follow. There's a lot of exposition but I see the need for it since I'm not that aware of the culture in Las Vegas. Heck, the only things I know about that place are what I see from movies. Anyway, Piper's narration is fun to read most especially when she's dissing her mom XD Also, props to the cool effect in which a certain dialogue is slowly revealed as you progress the chapters!

It's hard to deliver cons in literature simply because the author has to keep the suspense from the readers, like letting them know only what they need to know at a certain point before the big reveal, something that can just be easier seen (like in the movie Now You See Me or the TV series Leverage). I guess it failed in that part. All the plans of the cons are detailed from the very beginning and we just see whether they succeed or not. I'd say it's not elegant. However, the elegance is not in the cons but rather in the deceptions surrounding the characters. Most epic scene is definitely the poker tournament ;)

A very fun and interesting read with lot's of suspense and betrayals. I would have finished this in one sitting had I not been busy. Nevertheless, I would recommend this book to those who enjoy stories about heists and cons. Many thanks to the author for the copy! :)

[Katy Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ideal for fans of Hustle / The Sting

I love these kind of stories, smart and tricksy long-con tales. This is clever and keeps you guessing (though I admit, the biggest trick was one I saw coming), with a protagonist you invest in and want to beat the odds.

Piper is the best-characterised of everyone here (I didn't feel anyone else particulary distinguished themselves from the background) but that was fine with me, as it was all about the story and the con for me. And the poker. Who knew poker could be so entertaining on the page? I don't even know the rules and I ended up riveted.

Piper lives in L.A. with her younger sister and a group of grifters and con artists, as part of a gang that live well thanks to their father-figure leader Max. Determined to give Sophie a better start than she had, she educates her and protects her while earning their living as a con artist.

But it all comes crashing down when Sophie is kidnapped by a mafia boss and their only way of raising money to get her back involves cons and a high-stakes poke tournament.

Pure entertainment, it had me along for the ride from the get-go. I could picture this on the screen, and found the con scenes fascinating (especially Piper's could-have-been-uncomfortable 'dates' with men) - nicely handled.

The resolution is good, you aren't sure if it will all work out, and though I wasn't overly keen on the 'love' aspect, I went along with it. Though you are reading about criminals, technically, they are our heroes and you feel on a moral plane with them. They are decent kids who try to do a 'Robin Hood' and only con the rich and greedy.

I've had this to read for ages and wish I'd got to it sooner. I'd definitely try others by the same author. A good choice for YA readers as well as adults.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whew. Let me tell you, this is one fast-paced story. I originally opened Grift with the intention of reading a bit before bed. Bad choice. It didn't take long for me to realize that I was completely wrapped up in Piper's life. I was utterly mesmerized by the idea of a group of teenagers living on the money from successful cons. Who wouldn't be? To live in a penthouse suite of one of the most tempting cities in the world? Well, that's pretty amazing. To live there because you're a successful con artist at the age of 17? Even more amazing.

It helped things along that I really liked Piper's character. She was so full of life, and the fierce love that she had for her sister made my heart happy. While I didn't always agree with Piper's life choices, her want to give her sister a better life made it more palatable for me. Honestly, I can't say anything but good things about all the characters in Grift. They each have their own vivid, likable personalities. Couple that with their unique con artist abilities, and you have the recipe for a story that's hard to put down.

I think my favorite part overall though was the fact that there wasn't too much romance bugging up the works in this story. True to its glittering setting, this is the story that never sleeps. Action abounds, twists are around every corner, and Mosberg creates the perfect amount of tension to keep you reading on. I had nothing but love for the little bit of romance that did make a debut. I'm just happy it didn't keep Piper from being her own, completely amazing person.

Grift gets a solid four stars from this reader. It held all the things I needed to be completely entertained from beginning to end. I'm honestly hoping there's more coming.

[Bri B · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ THIS BOOK!!! Thanks to the author for sending me a free copy of this book!! Honestly, this book is probably something I wouldn't usually read, but I'm really glad I got the chance to read it, because I really enjoyed it! I'd highly recommend it to my friends, it's got a great storyline and a bit of a mystery too. I loved the main character Piper, how she wasn't just a con artist doing it for more money or the thrill of it, I liked that for her it was something more important, doing it to give her sister a better life. Set in the backdrop of Vegas, Moseberg transports you into a completely new world of con artists, grifters and thieves. The book kept me up late into the early hours of the morning, wanting to read more about who kidnapped her sister, and if Piper and her friends would get her back before time ran out. The only thing I'd say about this book was that the ending didn't feel complete...after all Piper went through I honestly didn't think she would stay in Las Vegas with her sister and continue living the life of a con artist. The ending didn't really make sense to me...but saying this maybe Piper's story isn't finished yet. To me it doesn't feel finished, I hope it isn't finished...because I want to read more about Piper, her sister and her friends. Thanks again Jason Moseberg, I'll definitely be looking out for you in the future!

[Sarena · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

If you're a fan of books like Heist Society and/or TV shows like White Collar and Leverage, then I'd highly recommend giving Grift a try. Even if you aren't fascinated by the complexity of cons like I am, this would still be an intriguing, high-stakes novel. Piper's a well-crafted, brilliant protagonist (I'm super happy that she was never depicted as someone "dirty," in spite of her con artist job), and so are the other minor characters. The setting, too, is really well-done: all of the intricate details on Las Vegas brought the city to life as we followed Piper through all of those cons and plot twists. I have just one complaint--maybe I'm weird, but all of the moments where "?!?!" bothered me; I don't know if that choice was stylistic, or supposed to contribute in a way to the authenticity of portraying Piper as a teenager, but I'm of the opinion that, if the dialogue/narration is strong enough, then you shouldn't need more than one form of punctuation.


(I've gotten really lazy about writing reviews lately, but I figured that the least I could do was put some effort into this one since the author was kind enough to send me a free copy of the book.)

[Dee/ bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! When I started it, it took me a little while to ensnared. But I think that was mostly because I personally don't know a lot about cards, but the book did explain things in a very vivid and understanding way. It was interesting because they made it very easy for people like me who have no knowledge of cards, or this life style. There was great imagery though out the book. Once got about 10 to 15% through the book, it was hard to put down.

I really liked Piper's character. She was smart, and protective. She acted more mature than her age, except for when she got desperate, but who knows how any of us would handle being in her position. I like her ability to read people, and she did a great job, except for her enemy she considers family. I like that Max made a family out of misfits, even though some would consider the kids trouble makers, they really just needed direction, which they were given, and when the chips were stacked against them. They rose to the challenge and helped Piper.

Great read, 4.5 stars!

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

[Literary Picks · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you enjoy stories of clever comeuppance with a side of dirty dealings, “Grift” is a fun read. It’s a new adult take on the con, with great characters. Protagonist Piper is a 17-year-old grifter in Las Vegas, teamed up with a modern-day Fagin’s crew. When the gang crosses a local big time player, Piper has to use her wits to save her sister. As a long-time fan of the TV show “Leverage,” I really enjoyed reading about the cons and schemes. Maybe they’re on the wrong side of the law, but it’s hard to feel any sympathy for their marks. After all, most of what they do involves exploiting the mark’s own worst intentions.

Piper is fun to follow, and the contrast between her con artist self and her real, vulnerable self keeps her interesting. Her devotion to her sister and her naivete in the face of real romance is quite endearing. It’s hard not to root for her completely.

The writing itself could use some judicious trimming and can be a bit uneven in spots, but once the plot really kicks in, it’s engaging and well paced. “Grift” is a good first effort from Jason Mosberg, with a solid and engaging plot and relateable characters.

[Chloe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was provided the digital copy of this book by the author in exchange of a review.

It didn't start off that nicely in my opinion as I was raising my eyebrows as I read. Well, that's because I didn't read the synopsis beforehand and I found the situation a little unusual. But I decided to read on. It progressed quite well and as the story goes, you figure out why they did the things they did.

Each one of the characters had their own back story which shows some contrast with who they are now. The small cons they pull can be interesting but after I keep seeing Piper pull hers off too many times I tend to get a little bored of those scenes.

When things are at stake near the end of the book and Max decided to pull a heist, I got a little worried for the sake of the other characters. But at least they found another alternative which got them what they needed at the end.

Grift is a nice book if you don't give up at the first few pages. The story tends to grow on you as you read. So just keep reading on and watch as multiple series of cons play out in front of you.

[Infinitybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firstly, I’d like to thank the author for the free review copy of the Grift.
Grift was a brilliant book that I enjoyed to read from the beginning to the end. It was a book that kept you wanting to turn the page and always kept you on your toes.
The book had many types of genres such as romance, mystery and some comedy. But it was mainly about thief's and cons.
The story had many twists and turns that occurred to the main character, Piper and her friends. The Grift mainly occurs around about Pipers sister being taken but as the story progresses many other problems occur keeping Piper and her friends on their toes to save her sister.
The book continued to grab your attention and was a book I would advice others to read. It was fantastic and all the problems and the reality of it was well written. Jason Mosberg is a author I will now be looking out for to read more books by him.

[Chris Eboch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got an advanced reader copy of this book. It was very exciting, with plenty of action and suspense, especially after the first few setup chapters. I suspected one or two plot twists, but there were so many reversals, betrayals, and twists that I kept reading past my bedtime. There's a lot of detail about Las Vegas, perhaps more than is really necessary, but overall it's interesting. The reader also learns a lot about how con artists work. The life was not at all glamorized, so I don't think the story will lure anyone to that field of work. I found the information fascinating. Despite the elements of crime, kidnapping, and prostitution, it's not a dark book but more of a caper/heist thriller.