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Heist in Paradise
Money Heist meets Taken in this dark, fast-paced thriller romance.
A hundred-million-dollar masterpiece. A crew of thieves. An island that doesn’t forget.
Jax has pulled off impossible heists before—but nothing like this. When his mysterious employer sends his crew to a remote, uncharted island, they hope it will be the score of a lifetime.
But the island has its own secrets. And they are not alone.
Good girl Olivia has no interest in riches. She’s hunting answers—her sister vanished here, leaving behind only silence and heartache. What she finds instead is a dangerous man with secrets as sharp as her own grief… and a violent spark she cannot afford.
Because something is watching.
Because the island remembers.
Because no one leaves unchanged.
As new alliances fracture and truths claw their way to the surface, Jax and Olivia are pulled into a deadly game of survival where trust is a weapon—and desire is the most dangerous risk of all.
On this island, love is a liability.
And escape may cost them everything.
A hundred-million-dollar masterpiece. A crew of thieves. An island that doesn’t forget.
Jax has pulled off impossible heists before—but nothing like this. When his mysterious employer sends his crew to a remote, uncharted island, they hope it will be the score of a lifetime.
But the island has its own secrets. And they are not alone.
Good girl Olivia has no interest in riches. She’s hunting answers—her sister vanished here, leaving behind only silence and heartache. What she finds instead is a dangerous man with secrets as sharp as her own grief… and a violent spark she cannot afford.
Because something is watching.
Because the island remembers.
Because no one leaves unchanged.
As new alliances fracture and truths claw their way to the surface, Jax and Olivia are pulled into a deadly game of survival where trust is a weapon—and desire is the most dangerous risk of all.
On this island, love is a liability.
And escape may cost them everything.
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 19, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 22, 2026
ALPHA: "Do you copy?"
I glance over the perimeter of the site taking in how many people are currently surrounding our target location.
ME: "Three inside the main room on the first floor. One inside the second bedroom on the left. Backside, Sparrow?"
SPARROW:" No movement from kitchen. Second bedroom target moving to first floor. Second floor clear."
ME: "Green Light, Alpha."
ALPHA: "Affirmative."
Jax sneaks through the second floor window that is slightly ajar and makes his way to the target's nightstand, picking up the device sitting on top.
SCOOBY: "Cute case. She's a Dark Romance Reader, isn't she?"
I roll my eyes just thinking about his cocky grin that I'm sure Nate is sporting right now.
ME: "Stay on target, Alpha."
Jax grunts in approval but I don't miss the sneer at being told what to do - he's a natural born leader after all. But he understands the rules. Wait for target to leave location, pick up device, download, and leave undetected.
ALPHA: "Install complete. Download starting."
*Target finishes making iced matcha and begins cleaning up the mess in the kitchen.*
ME: "Completion ETA?"
ALPHA: "60 Seconds."
*Target begins making their way to the second floor.*
ME: "Target on move to second floor."
ALPHA: "Download complete."
Jax drops the device where it was originally left and pushes out the window, dropping effortlessly onto the ground below while giving a two finger salute at Madoc and I sitting in nearby trees. I look back at the target who has now picked up her Kindle Device and finding the book that Jax just installed, Heist In Paradise by Elliot Ray. She looks at the screen confused, yet interested, as she sits down to begin opening the book to begin reading.
SCOOBY: "She's going to dream about me."
"Okay guys, that is target number five for today - let's head out because we have more ground to cover and more people to get that book in their hands."
ALL: "Roger That."
If anyone has read my reviews thus far, we know I LOVE to make an impact punch right at the beginning. How did this one go? Intrigued? Interested? Hopefully it at least got your attention because this is EXACTLY what I would be doing with the team right now as I am DYING to talk about this book with anyone and everyone right now. I DEVOURED this book and when I say DEVOURED, I mean reading it start to finish in one sitting because it kept me on my toes the entire way through. I just couldn't put it down when I saw it pop up on my Kindle after downloading the read from the author, who graciously sent to me for review. And for anyone looking for a relatively quick read that is not only enjoyable but keeping you guessing till the very end, this is DEFINITELY the read you should pick up to place on your TBR this month.
Before we get into specifics, let's talk a bit about the tropes we have with this book - especially because it's similar to what we just experienced in our "fake heist simulation" above:
🖼️ Obsessive Morally Gray MMC
🖼️ Spitfire and Determined FMC
🖼️ Unhinged Found Family
🖼️ Secrets and Betrayal
🖼️ Forced Proximity
🖼️ High Stakes Tension
🖼️ Banter & Sizzling Chemistry
🖼️ Mystery & Heist Plot
So many good tropes, right?
I've been in such a kick right now with books including both romance & mystery elements that this was definitely something that hit right up there with that need. In fact, I am literally foaming at the mouth right now waiting for BOOK 2 as it's going to be an immediate purchase once it's available for PREORDER after leaving us on that cliffhanger!
The book starts the reader off with learning a bit about Jax and his "unhinged family" (aka: unique coworkers) that work together as team for an unknown mystery boss known as Dr. Z. You get a good grip on understanding who each person is, what their personality is like, and also how Jax, the main MMC feels about each of them as well. It's a great start to "world building" in such a short story that I greatly applaud the author for finding a way to do this. Jax and his team are given their next heist assignment which finds them taking a boat to a secluded island where they are in charge of finding a painting which Dr. Z needs them to locate. The mission? Find the painting, bring it back, and he will pay them out an agreed predetermined cut of the pay. While scoping out the place, they surprisingly run into Olivia, who was not expected to be at the location during the time that Jax and them were set to arrive. In fact, Olivia doesn't look like she belongs there either and it's almost as if she's here on her own "little heist" as well. Turns out, Olivia does in fact have an agenda, and hers is to figure out what happened to her sister, Molly, who has disappeared and her last known whereabouts are tied to the owner of the same house Jax and his team are performing a heist on. With time ticking down, both Olivia and Jax come to agreement to help her with her research of Olivia's missing sister while his team continues to perform their mission so that they can get out by early next day in their set scheduled timeframe. The only issue? The connectivity with Molly and this case starts to grow even more as Olivia and Jax uncover secrets held within the house, and as they continue getting closer during that search, the burning chemistry that they feel starts to bubble at the surface which none of them are prepared to ignore.
As I mentioned before, this is a short read but don't let that stop you from giving this a shot as this was absolutely WORTH IT. It was so fast paced and kept my interest all the way through that I found myself sitting up in bed after finishing going, "WHAT?!?". Trust me, the last 10% of the book leaves you not only with a HUGE cliffhanger but CRAVING to know more about what's happening with Jax, Madoc, Nate, Zola, Callum, Ryle, and Olivia.
Within this story, there was a slight issue I had in regard to the tension between Madoc, Jax, and Olivia. This tension had two sides which I felt both were really left unresolved and that we didn't get enough detail on to make us understand what was really happening between Madoc & Olivia and what was happening between Madoc & Jax. I felt as though we really needed to put another POV within the storyline to understand Madoc's side of things - it was as if he was a "closed book" per say that even the author didn't really know how to dive within. Granted, this could be on purpose - but it felt as though it was an afterthought to something that should have been much more. I'd like to know more about this tension within these characters as the book started off really building upon this and it almost felt as though it fizzled out at the end with no real resolution or explanation. It could be possible that we understand more about this come the second book, so I'll hold on to that thought for now. But I felt as though this should have been something important within the story based on how it was pushed throughout and it really didn't come to surface at all for the reader to build that relationship with the characters nor allow the reader to fully understand why it was such a big deal to begin with.
Overall, this was an AMAZING read and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. I'm hoping for a more "multi-POV" look with the next book as I'd love to see each character's different sides to the story as it unfolds which would be amazing to see how the rest of the gang's "inner workings" contribute. Right now we see how Jax sees his team, but I'd like to find myself being able to see the views of Madoc, Nate, Zola, Callum, and Ryle as well. And once again, that cliffhanger? OMG - it's keeping me up at night and I NEED to know what happens in the next book slated to come out later this year.
I glance over the perimeter of the site taking in how many people are currently surrounding our target location.
ME: "Three inside the main room on the first floor. One inside the second bedroom on the left. Backside, Sparrow?"
SPARROW:" No movement from kitchen. Second bedroom target moving to first floor. Second floor clear."
ME: "Green Light, Alpha."
ALPHA: "Affirmative."
Jax sneaks through the second floor window that is slightly ajar and makes his way to the target's nightstand, picking up the device sitting on top.
SCOOBY: "Cute case. She's a Dark Romance Reader, isn't she?"
I roll my eyes just thinking about his cocky grin that I'm sure Nate is sporting right now.
ME: "Stay on target, Alpha."
Jax grunts in approval but I don't miss the sneer at being told what to do - he's a natural born leader after all. But he understands the rules. Wait for target to leave location, pick up device, download, and leave undetected.
ALPHA: "Install complete. Download starting."
*Target finishes making iced matcha and begins cleaning up the mess in the kitchen.*
ME: "Completion ETA?"
ALPHA: "60 Seconds."
*Target begins making their way to the second floor.*
ME: "Target on move to second floor."
ALPHA: "Download complete."
Jax drops the device where it was originally left and pushes out the window, dropping effortlessly onto the ground below while giving a two finger salute at Madoc and I sitting in nearby trees. I look back at the target who has now picked up her Kindle Device and finding the book that Jax just installed, Heist In Paradise by Elliot Ray. She looks at the screen confused, yet interested, as she sits down to begin opening the book to begin reading.
SCOOBY: "She's going to dream about me."
"Okay guys, that is target number five for today - let's head out because we have more ground to cover and more people to get that book in their hands."
ALL: "Roger That."
If anyone has read my reviews thus far, we know I LOVE to make an impact punch right at the beginning. How did this one go? Intrigued? Interested? Hopefully it at least got your attention because this is EXACTLY what I would be doing with the team right now as I am DYING to talk about this book with anyone and everyone right now. I DEVOURED this book and when I say DEVOURED, I mean reading it start to finish in one sitting because it kept me on my toes the entire way through. I just couldn't put it down when I saw it pop up on my Kindle after downloading the read from the author, who graciously sent to me for review. And for anyone looking for a relatively quick read that is not only enjoyable but keeping you guessing till the very end, this is DEFINITELY the read you should pick up to place on your TBR this month.
Before we get into specifics, let's talk a bit about the tropes we have with this book - especially because it's similar to what we just experienced in our "fake heist simulation" above:
🖼️ Obsessive Morally Gray MMC
🖼️ Spitfire and Determined FMC
🖼️ Unhinged Found Family
🖼️ Secrets and Betrayal
🖼️ Forced Proximity
🖼️ High Stakes Tension
🖼️ Banter & Sizzling Chemistry
🖼️ Mystery & Heist Plot
So many good tropes, right?
I've been in such a kick right now with books including both romance & mystery elements that this was definitely something that hit right up there with that need. In fact, I am literally foaming at the mouth right now waiting for BOOK 2 as it's going to be an immediate purchase once it's available for PREORDER after leaving us on that cliffhanger!
The book starts the reader off with learning a bit about Jax and his "unhinged family" (aka: unique coworkers) that work together as team for an unknown mystery boss known as Dr. Z. You get a good grip on understanding who each person is, what their personality is like, and also how Jax, the main MMC feels about each of them as well. It's a great start to "world building" in such a short story that I greatly applaud the author for finding a way to do this. Jax and his team are given their next heist assignment which finds them taking a boat to a secluded island where they are in charge of finding a painting which Dr. Z needs them to locate. The mission? Find the painting, bring it back, and he will pay them out an agreed predetermined cut of the pay. While scoping out the place, they surprisingly run into Olivia, who was not expected to be at the location during the time that Jax and them were set to arrive. In fact, Olivia doesn't look like she belongs there either and it's almost as if she's here on her own "little heist" as well. Turns out, Olivia does in fact have an agenda, and hers is to figure out what happened to her sister, Molly, who has disappeared and her last known whereabouts are tied to the owner of the same house Jax and his team are performing a heist on. With time ticking down, both Olivia and Jax come to agreement to help her with her research of Olivia's missing sister while his team continues to perform their mission so that they can get out by early next day in their set scheduled timeframe. The only issue? The connectivity with Molly and this case starts to grow even more as Olivia and Jax uncover secrets held within the house, and as they continue getting closer during that search, the burning chemistry that they feel starts to bubble at the surface which none of them are prepared to ignore.
As I mentioned before, this is a short read but don't let that stop you from giving this a shot as this was absolutely WORTH IT. It was so fast paced and kept my interest all the way through that I found myself sitting up in bed after finishing going, "WHAT?!?". Trust me, the last 10% of the book leaves you not only with a HUGE cliffhanger but CRAVING to know more about what's happening with Jax, Madoc, Nate, Zola, Callum, Ryle, and Olivia.
Within this story, there was a slight issue I had in regard to the tension between Madoc, Jax, and Olivia. This tension had two sides which I felt both were really left unresolved and that we didn't get enough detail on to make us understand what was really happening between Madoc & Olivia and what was happening between Madoc & Jax. I felt as though we really needed to put another POV within the storyline to understand Madoc's side of things - it was as if he was a "closed book" per say that even the author didn't really know how to dive within. Granted, this could be on purpose - but it felt as though it was an afterthought to something that should have been much more. I'd like to know more about this tension within these characters as the book started off really building upon this and it almost felt as though it fizzled out at the end with no real resolution or explanation. It could be possible that we understand more about this come the second book, so I'll hold on to that thought for now. But I felt as though this should have been something important within the story based on how it was pushed throughout and it really didn't come to surface at all for the reader to build that relationship with the characters nor allow the reader to fully understand why it was such a big deal to begin with.
Overall, this was an AMAZING read and I am definitely looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book. I'm hoping for a more "multi-POV" look with the next book as I'd love to see each character's different sides to the story as it unfolds which would be amazing to see how the rest of the gang's "inner workings" contribute. Right now we see how Jax sees his team, but I'd like to find myself being able to see the views of Madoc, Nate, Zola, Callum, and Ryle as well. And once again, that cliffhanger? OMG - it's keeping me up at night and I NEED to know what happens in the next book slated to come out later this year.
May 12, 2026
Review of advanced reader copy
Um excuse me! This book delivered!!! What happens when I heist goes wrong? This book!!
This is a darker thriller romance filled with tropes such as forced proximity, lethal protectors and amazing morally grey MMC’s
This book is fast paced and will keep you begging for more and guessing what will come next. There were also elements of comedy throughout that brought it back from its darker moments which I really liked!
This is book one of two so if you struggle to wait with endings that make you scream WHAT then I would maybe hold out until book two is in your hands and can immediately pick it up because I am feral for book twos release right now!
Um excuse me! This book delivered!!! What happens when I heist goes wrong? This book!!
This is a darker thriller romance filled with tropes such as forced proximity, lethal protectors and amazing morally grey MMC’s
This book is fast paced and will keep you begging for more and guessing what will come next. There were also elements of comedy throughout that brought it back from its darker moments which I really liked!
This is book one of two so if you struggle to wait with endings that make you scream WHAT then I would maybe hold out until book two is in your hands and can immediately pick it up because I am feral for book twos release right now!
May 17, 2026
Elliot Ray is a new author for me. I loved this book. The banter was on point. The twists and turns were great. It had amazing tension. I would say it has medium spice, if alot of spice isn't your thing. It does end on a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to Book 2.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
May 15, 2026
Lucky girl I am being gifted this read by the author!
It was dark and delicious. The story was not like anything I’ve read before. A heist gone wrong and forced proximity….. yes please! The character development was great, I loved all of them. Damn Maddoc is delicious in all his darkness! The plot twists had me thinking “oh no” and “what the”.
Quietly anticipating the next book!!
4 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
It was dark and delicious. The story was not like anything I’ve read before. A heist gone wrong and forced proximity….. yes please! The character development was great, I loved all of them. Damn Maddoc is delicious in all his darkness! The plot twists had me thinking “oh no” and “what the”.
Quietly anticipating the next book!!
4 ⭐️ 2.5 🌶️
May 13, 2026
She is everything he's not. So different, yet drawn to each other as their paths cross very inconveniently on the same island... In the very same house.
The banter is quick and fun and the group of people doing the heist feels really close-knit and everybody has their areas of expertise. The dynamic reminded me of "ocean's eleven" meets "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" while Olivia reminded me a little of Elle Woods.
This was a fun and fast read for me! It's deeper than I thought it would be and I really liked the story, execution and where it ended up! There are some gruesome topics throughout the story, so I’d recommend checking the content warnings beforehand if that’s something you’re sensitive to.
Thank you So much for giving me an eARC to read and review! I am so grateful!
All opinions are my own ♡.
The banter is quick and fun and the group of people doing the heist feels really close-knit and everybody has their areas of expertise. The dynamic reminded me of "ocean's eleven" meets "The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare" while Olivia reminded me a little of Elle Woods.
This was a fun and fast read for me! It's deeper than I thought it would be and I really liked the story, execution and where it ended up! There are some gruesome topics throughout the story, so I’d recommend checking the content warnings beforehand if that’s something you’re sensitive to.
Thank you So much for giving me an eARC to read and review! I am so grateful!
All opinions are my own ♡.
April 28, 2026
I received an ARC of this and absolutely LOVED it.
4🌟 1🌶
So, I devoured this and I loved it more than I thought I would.
A crew who have become the family that each of them need. All the men unhinged. The woman, Zola, smart, sassy and calculated. Olivia, a shock to all of their systems especially Jax and Madoc's.
I loved the plot, it kept me on edge and wanting to read more and more until, I had ran out of pages to read 😂 It had a couple plot twists in which I really enjoyed.
The tension between Jax and Madoc HAD to be my favourite part. I thrived on it, I craved it, I wanted MORE.
A good book, ALWAYS has good banter for me. Whether its a rom com, or a dark romance. The witty back and forth between the whole crew was great. You can tell it was basically their love language, and despite their sarcasm, they had such deep love for one another. The sarcastic back and forth between Olivia (who was so ballsy at points, I loved it!) and Jax had me giggling. And who knew the part machine man, Madoc, had a sense of humour aswell; whether he realised it or not. He made me giggle and took me off guard a few times.
This is book 1 and book 2 releases in August which I'm so excited about it. It has me in a chokehold. Especially with that ending, and the epilogue (which I assume was Dr Z?). This is just the tip of the iceberg and if you thought this one was bloody and chaotic? I imagine its about to get waay more intense.
I especially did not feel any fulfilment with Madoc and Jax, so I'm going to need much more of them and their exploration of their own feelings. Everyone can see it, everyone can sense it, yet the two men just fight it all the time. The fact that this is left so open has me FOAMING at the mouth for book 2!!!😭 I imagine the spice is going to be SPICINGGGG. And the anticipation is KILLING me.
I really enjoyed this and am so grateful for being able to read this🖤 I cant wait to delve more into the complexity of these characters, their bonds, and deepen new ones!
4🌟 1🌶
So, I devoured this and I loved it more than I thought I would.
A crew who have become the family that each of them need. All the men unhinged. The woman, Zola, smart, sassy and calculated. Olivia, a shock to all of their systems especially Jax and Madoc's.
I loved the plot, it kept me on edge and wanting to read more and more until, I had ran out of pages to read 😂 It had a couple plot twists in which I really enjoyed.
The tension between Jax and Madoc HAD to be my favourite part. I thrived on it, I craved it, I wanted MORE.
A good book, ALWAYS has good banter for me. Whether its a rom com, or a dark romance. The witty back and forth between the whole crew was great. You can tell it was basically their love language, and despite their sarcasm, they had such deep love for one another. The sarcastic back and forth between Olivia (who was so ballsy at points, I loved it!) and Jax had me giggling. And who knew the part machine man, Madoc, had a sense of humour aswell; whether he realised it or not. He made me giggle and took me off guard a few times.
This is book 1 and book 2 releases in August which I'm so excited about it. It has me in a chokehold. Especially with that ending, and the epilogue (which I assume was Dr Z?). This is just the tip of the iceberg and if you thought this one was bloody and chaotic? I imagine its about to get waay more intense.
I especially did not feel any fulfilment with Madoc and Jax, so I'm going to need much more of them and their exploration of their own feelings. Everyone can see it, everyone can sense it, yet the two men just fight it all the time. The fact that this is left so open has me FOAMING at the mouth for book 2!!!😭 I imagine the spice is going to be SPICINGGGG. And the anticipation is KILLING me.
I really enjoyed this and am so grateful for being able to read this🖤 I cant wait to delve more into the complexity of these characters, their bonds, and deepen new ones!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
Suspense Had Me Hanging By Threads
This was my first book by Elliot Ray and excuse me while I go side-eye myself for not picking up this author sooner because WOW. Besties... "Heist In Paradise" came in swinging with suspense, chaos, hilarious banter, and enough plot twists to have me yelling “OMG?!” at my Kindle.😳
Jax and Olivia pulled me in immediately, but can we talk about the crew? The guys had me giggling one minute and stressed the next. The banter was absolutely thriving in this book. 🤭 I lived for every interaction. Add in a crime heist gone completely sideways, dangerous secrets, betrayals that cut deep, and plot twists being launched at me from every direction? I was fully invested.
The suspense level? Intense. The little sprinkle of spice? I would've happily accepted more, 😏 but honestly, it still worked because the tension and mystery carried this story hard.
And that ending?! Like, whhhhyyy?! Elliot Ray really looked me in the eyes and said, "Good luck sleeping after this." I need Book 2 immediately because that cliffy hurt my feelings.🥺
Add this one to your TBR. Trust me.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 1.5/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
This was my first book by Elliot Ray and excuse me while I go side-eye myself for not picking up this author sooner because WOW. Besties... "Heist In Paradise" came in swinging with suspense, chaos, hilarious banter, and enough plot twists to have me yelling “OMG?!” at my Kindle.😳
Jax and Olivia pulled me in immediately, but can we talk about the crew? The guys had me giggling one minute and stressed the next. The banter was absolutely thriving in this book. 🤭 I lived for every interaction. Add in a crime heist gone completely sideways, dangerous secrets, betrayals that cut deep, and plot twists being launched at me from every direction? I was fully invested.
The suspense level? Intense. The little sprinkle of spice? I would've happily accepted more, 😏 but honestly, it still worked because the tension and mystery carried this story hard.
And that ending?! Like, whhhhyyy?! Elliot Ray really looked me in the eyes and said, "Good luck sleeping after this." I need Book 2 immediately because that cliffy hurt my feelings.🥺
Add this one to your TBR. Trust me.
My Ratings: ⭐ 4.5/5 ▪︎ 🥵 1.5/5
🥀 My ratings and review are my own. For my rating scale breakdown, head over to my Goodreads &/or Amazon profile! 🖤
April 26, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have never read anything like this before and this was book 247 of this year's 2026 challenge
Pages: 338 (sold where books are sold l on Kindle Unlimited)
Pub Day: April 19th, 2026
THANK YOU ELLIOT RAY FOR THIS GORGEOUS EARC! This is my honest, voluntary review. I binged this in an evening. LOVED THIS SUBGENRE OF DARK ROMANCE.
If you love:
heists 🏴☠️
chaos 💣
masked strangers 🎭
forced prox 🌡️
banter sharp enough to draw blood 😏🗡️
…congratulations, this book was written to personally attack you.
From the beginning of this story, we are dropped into a gorgeous, dangerous, deliciously tense setting where two storylines collided. The vibes were immaculate.
I don't want to spoil anything so if you want danger, spice, some delicious spice and a perfect entry into this new series, grab this and read it.
Pages: 338 (sold where books are sold l on Kindle Unlimited)
Pub Day: April 19th, 2026
THANK YOU ELLIOT RAY FOR THIS GORGEOUS EARC! This is my honest, voluntary review. I binged this in an evening. LOVED THIS SUBGENRE OF DARK ROMANCE.
If you love:
heists 🏴☠️
chaos 💣
masked strangers 🎭
forced prox 🌡️
banter sharp enough to draw blood 😏🗡️
…congratulations, this book was written to personally attack you.
From the beginning of this story, we are dropped into a gorgeous, dangerous, deliciously tense setting where two storylines collided. The vibes were immaculate.
I don't want to spoil anything so if you want danger, spice, some delicious spice and a perfect entry into this new series, grab this and read it.
May 22, 2026
If you haven’t already, READ this book!
It had me at hello. I devoured it in 2 days. It had me in a chokehold. I was hanging on to every word. Gasping at every plot twist. This dark romance book gave me Jeffrey Epstein island vibes.
The group completing the heist had a beautiful found family although each of them were their own kind of unhinged and had heartbreaking back stories.
A why choose situation between Olivia (FMC), Jax and Madoc had me giggling, internally screaming and kicking my little legs.
How can we be left with that cliffhanger. I do hold Elliot Ray personally accountable for the late nights and continued obsessive thoughts about these characters and their future. I NEED BOOK 2
It had me at hello. I devoured it in 2 days. It had me in a chokehold. I was hanging on to every word. Gasping at every plot twist. This dark romance book gave me Jeffrey Epstein island vibes.
The group completing the heist had a beautiful found family although each of them were their own kind of unhinged and had heartbreaking back stories.
A why choose situation between Olivia (FMC), Jax and Madoc had me giggling, internally screaming and kicking my little legs.
How can we be left with that cliffhanger. I do hold Elliot Ray personally accountable for the late nights and continued obsessive thoughts about these characters and their future. I NEED BOOK 2
May 6, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
OMG I did not expect this at all.
Huge thanks to Elliot Ray for letting me ARC read this—I couldn’t put it down. From the very first page, I was hooked. The mix of high-stakes heists, danger, and that intense chemistry between the characters made it impossible to stop reading.
The island setting is so eerie and full of secrets—it honestly felt like a character itself. Every twist pulled me in deeper, and I never quite knew who to trust.
I’m completely obsessed with this story and these characters.
Can’t wait for book two! 🌴🔥
OMG I did not expect this at all.
Huge thanks to Elliot Ray for letting me ARC read this—I couldn’t put it down. From the very first page, I was hooked. The mix of high-stakes heists, danger, and that intense chemistry between the characters made it impossible to stop reading.
The island setting is so eerie and full of secrets—it honestly felt like a character itself. Every twist pulled me in deeper, and I never quite knew who to trust.
I’m completely obsessed with this story and these characters.
Can’t wait for book two! 🌴🔥
May 20, 2026
Another ARC review!!
This book started out slow and a little too drawn out for me… it was feeling a bit young and disjointed and I didn’t think I was really going to like it.
UNTIL IT TOOK A FREAKIN TURN. I haven’t had a total flip like that in a long time. The drama, the tension, the story line, the build-up, the character building… all of it. Multiple times it had me asking myself “why am I liking THIS so much?” Give me all the dark grey.
And then to end LIKE THAT?! I need the next one immediately.
This book started out slow and a little too drawn out for me… it was feeling a bit young and disjointed and I didn’t think I was really going to like it.
UNTIL IT TOOK A FREAKIN TURN. I haven’t had a total flip like that in a long time. The drama, the tension, the story line, the build-up, the character building… all of it. Multiple times it had me asking myself “why am I liking THIS so much?” Give me all the dark grey.
And then to end LIKE THAT?! I need the next one immediately.
May 21, 2026
Huge thanks for gifting this read 💕 such an entertaining and memorable read! Can't wait for the 2nd book in this series.
May 9, 2026
4.5⭐️
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC reader, which I am so grateful for and would like to thank the author for the opportunity.
Now, let’s talk about the about the book. Ex-f*****g-cuse me? Leaving me on a cliffhanger like that, I hope I am lucky enough to receive the next book as an ARC as well because it just might kill me having to wait until release day.
I am in love with Jax and his crew, the banter was next level and all I could do was laugh the whole way through, which I was surprised about considering the book was on a serious topic, check the TW before you read.
The tension between Jax, Madoc and Olivia was next level and I have now have more answers than question (completely unacceptable considering I can’t dive straight into the next one) and I want Jax & Olivia to work out so bad!
The love for the other charcaters was unexpected especially Ryle I just wanted to squish his cheeks and give him a cuddle, also please bring his book out I want to know his story.
The overall book was a nice short read and a good entry into dark romance if you are new to it as I would say it is extremely mild and not spicy at all.
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC reader, which I am so grateful for and would like to thank the author for the opportunity.
Now, let’s talk about the about the book. Ex-f*****g-cuse me? Leaving me on a cliffhanger like that, I hope I am lucky enough to receive the next book as an ARC as well because it just might kill me having to wait until release day.
I am in love with Jax and his crew, the banter was next level and all I could do was laugh the whole way through, which I was surprised about considering the book was on a serious topic, check the TW before you read.
The tension between Jax, Madoc and Olivia was next level and I have now have more answers than question (completely unacceptable considering I can’t dive straight into the next one) and I want Jax & Olivia to work out so bad!
The love for the other charcaters was unexpected especially Ryle I just wanted to squish his cheeks and give him a cuddle, also please bring his book out I want to know his story.
The overall book was a nice short read and a good entry into dark romance if you are new to it as I would say it is extremely mild and not spicy at all.
April 19, 2026
That cover?? HELLO?? I feel kidnapped 💖✨ and then MADOC?? Sir??? The way I folded IMMEDIATELY 😭🥵 bad boys with ✨...issues...✨ are my Roman Empire.
And Olivia+Jax??? Be so for real, we ALL know where this is going and I am absolutely feral for it. Just one more chapter turned into me emerging 7 hours later from my room like a goblin. Devoured this in one sitting like it was cotton candy for my soul 💅💕
Also… the sequel. Author... Bestie. Love of my life (well, newest love of my life), I am on my knees (respectfully). Please. I need it yesterday. Kindly write faster. Thx xx 💖✨
And Olivia+Jax??? Be so for real, we ALL know where this is going and I am absolutely feral for it. Just one more chapter turned into me emerging 7 hours later from my room like a goblin. Devoured this in one sitting like it was cotton candy for my soul 💅💕
Also… the sequel. Author... Bestie. Love of my life (well, newest love of my life), I am on my knees (respectfully). Please. I need it yesterday. Kindly write faster. Thx xx 💖✨
May 8, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐ for the book
But the spice ….?
🌶️🌶️ spice
I loved the book, but I would appreciate it and would give it five stars if there was more spice. I’m the spice kind of girl but overall the book was perfect.
Heist in Paradise was absolute chaos in the best way possible. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, another betrayal, secret, or insane reveal got thrown at me and somehow it only made me more obsessed. The pacing was ridiculously fast, but instead of feeling rushed, it made the book impossible to put down because every chapter ended with me needing to know what the hell would happen next.
The dynamic between the crew carried this entire book for me. They all felt unhinged in completely different ways, and the tension between everyone was constant. Olivia was stubborn, bratty, reckless, hot-headed, spoiled, and somehow still incredibly lovable. She constantly made the WORST possible decisions, especially after Jax literally told her not to move and she still came out of hiding. I was genuinely losing my mind.
Jax though??? Yeah. That man had me completely flustered. He gave me serious Killian from God of Malice vibes with the possessiveness, the control, and the “touch her and die” energy. But underneath all the dangerous behavior, he still listened when Olivia said stop, which honestly made him even more intense somehow. Their chemistry had me giggling, blushing, kicking my feet — all of it. Chapters 18 and 19 especially absolutely destroyed me because the tension between them finally exploded and I genuinely felt overheated reading it.
But what I loved even more was the tension between Jax and Madoc. Jax’s interest toward Madoc was impossible to ignore, and it added this whole extra layer to their dynamic that made every interaction feel sharper. Meanwhile Madoc acted indifferent most of the time, like none of it affected him at all, but underneath that there was still this possessiveness toward Jax that kept slipping through the cracks. The push and pull between them was honestly addictive because you could constantly feel something simmering underneath all the banter, irritation, and chaos.
Ryle surprised me the most. At first he seemed calmer and softer compared to the others, almost peaceful in a weird sea-obsessed way, and then the book casually drops the bomb that he killed his father at ten years old??? That completely changed the way I looked at him. Suddenly all that sunny energy felt darker underneath, and it made his character way more interesting.
The betrayals in this book were brutal too. Molly, Nate, Preacher, even slightly Ryle — every time I thought I knew who to trust, something happened that made me question everyone again. Kane showing up only made everything spiral even further.
And then there’s the ending. I genuinely did not know this book ended on a cliffhanger and I was FURIOUS when I realized. Everything completely exploded and then the book just ended like that. I need the next book immediately because there’s no way I can sit with all of that unresolved chaos.
Overall, Heist in Paradise was messy, dramatic, intense, addictive, full of tension, and ridiculously entertaining. Morally grey disasters, insane chemistry, betrayal after betrayal, masked men, chaos, and a cliffhanger that emotionally attacked me. I had way too much fun reading this.
Just FYI, this spice of the book isn’t that much I would give it pretty much three. For spice only.
So glad to be an arc reader for this.
@eliotray
But the spice ….?
🌶️🌶️ spice
I loved the book, but I would appreciate it and would give it five stars if there was more spice. I’m the spice kind of girl but overall the book was perfect.
Heist in Paradise was absolute chaos in the best way possible. Every time I thought I understood what was happening, another betrayal, secret, or insane reveal got thrown at me and somehow it only made me more obsessed. The pacing was ridiculously fast, but instead of feeling rushed, it made the book impossible to put down because every chapter ended with me needing to know what the hell would happen next.
The dynamic between the crew carried this entire book for me. They all felt unhinged in completely different ways, and the tension between everyone was constant. Olivia was stubborn, bratty, reckless, hot-headed, spoiled, and somehow still incredibly lovable. She constantly made the WORST possible decisions, especially after Jax literally told her not to move and she still came out of hiding. I was genuinely losing my mind.
Jax though??? Yeah. That man had me completely flustered. He gave me serious Killian from God of Malice vibes with the possessiveness, the control, and the “touch her and die” energy. But underneath all the dangerous behavior, he still listened when Olivia said stop, which honestly made him even more intense somehow. Their chemistry had me giggling, blushing, kicking my feet — all of it. Chapters 18 and 19 especially absolutely destroyed me because the tension between them finally exploded and I genuinely felt overheated reading it.
But what I loved even more was the tension between Jax and Madoc. Jax’s interest toward Madoc was impossible to ignore, and it added this whole extra layer to their dynamic that made every interaction feel sharper. Meanwhile Madoc acted indifferent most of the time, like none of it affected him at all, but underneath that there was still this possessiveness toward Jax that kept slipping through the cracks. The push and pull between them was honestly addictive because you could constantly feel something simmering underneath all the banter, irritation, and chaos.
Ryle surprised me the most. At first he seemed calmer and softer compared to the others, almost peaceful in a weird sea-obsessed way, and then the book casually drops the bomb that he killed his father at ten years old??? That completely changed the way I looked at him. Suddenly all that sunny energy felt darker underneath, and it made his character way more interesting.
The betrayals in this book were brutal too. Molly, Nate, Preacher, even slightly Ryle — every time I thought I knew who to trust, something happened that made me question everyone again. Kane showing up only made everything spiral even further.
And then there’s the ending. I genuinely did not know this book ended on a cliffhanger and I was FURIOUS when I realized. Everything completely exploded and then the book just ended like that. I need the next book immediately because there’s no way I can sit with all of that unresolved chaos.
Overall, Heist in Paradise was messy, dramatic, intense, addictive, full of tension, and ridiculously entertaining. Morally grey disasters, insane chemistry, betrayal after betrayal, masked men, chaos, and a cliffhanger that emotionally attacked me. I had way too much fun reading this.
Just FYI, this spice of the book isn’t that much I would give it pretty much three. For spice only.
So glad to be an arc reader for this.
@eliotray
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
This is what happens when a heist goes wrong… and the island starts playing back.
Dark thriller romance, forced proximity, survival, morally grey MMCs, quiet lethal protector, possible MM tension, and a FMC driven by grief not greed.
This book does not ease you in—it throws you straight into chaos and expects you to keep up. And honestly? That’s what makes it addictive.
The premise is already strong—a high-stakes heist on a remote island, a missing sister, and a crew walking straight into something they don’t understand—but it’s the characters that elevate it.
Jax is your classic controlled, dangerous, morally grey leader. You never fully trust him, and that tension carries through every scene.
But then there’s Madoc—and he’s the one that really shifts things. Quiet. Observant. Absolutely lethal. The kind of character who says very little but means everything when he does. He doesn’t demand attention, but you end up watching him anyway.
And the dynamic between Jax and Madoc? There’s something there. It’s subtle, but it’s enough to make you question, to look twice, to feel that underlying tension. If it develops further in future books, it’ll be very interesting.
Olivia holds her own in all of this. She’s not there for the money—she’s there for answers, and that emotional driver gives the story weight. Her grief, her determination, and her refusal to back down balance out the chaos of the crew.
The romance builds under pressure rather than falling into easy tropes. It’s not soft—it’s reactive, sharp, and tied to survival. Trust is fragile, and that makes every connection hit harder.
Plot-wise, this leans heavily into tension and atmosphere. There’s always something slightly off—the island, the crew, the situation. The “something is watching / the island remembers” thread adds a psychological edge that keeps you unsettled in the best way.
What worked:
• Constant tension—no wasted scenes
• Madoc (honestly, he deserves his own bullet point)
• Strong character dynamics, especially between the MMCs
• FMC with real purpose and emotional depth
What didn’t fully land:
• Can feel chaotic if you prefer clean, structured plots
• Some elements lean more into mystery than clear explanation
Spice 🌶️
More tension than spice—but it’s layered. And there’s definitely an undercurrent that could evolve into something more (👀).
Fast, dark, and addictive—with layered character dynamics and just enough tension to keep you slightly on edge the whole time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
Dark thriller romance, forced proximity, survival, morally grey MMCs, quiet lethal protector, possible MM tension, and a FMC driven by grief not greed.
This book does not ease you in—it throws you straight into chaos and expects you to keep up. And honestly? That’s what makes it addictive.
The premise is already strong—a high-stakes heist on a remote island, a missing sister, and a crew walking straight into something they don’t understand—but it’s the characters that elevate it.
Jax is your classic controlled, dangerous, morally grey leader. You never fully trust him, and that tension carries through every scene.
But then there’s Madoc—and he’s the one that really shifts things. Quiet. Observant. Absolutely lethal. The kind of character who says very little but means everything when he does. He doesn’t demand attention, but you end up watching him anyway.
And the dynamic between Jax and Madoc? There’s something there. It’s subtle, but it’s enough to make you question, to look twice, to feel that underlying tension. If it develops further in future books, it’ll be very interesting.
Olivia holds her own in all of this. She’s not there for the money—she’s there for answers, and that emotional driver gives the story weight. Her grief, her determination, and her refusal to back down balance out the chaos of the crew.
The romance builds under pressure rather than falling into easy tropes. It’s not soft—it’s reactive, sharp, and tied to survival. Trust is fragile, and that makes every connection hit harder.
Plot-wise, this leans heavily into tension and atmosphere. There’s always something slightly off—the island, the crew, the situation. The “something is watching / the island remembers” thread adds a psychological edge that keeps you unsettled in the best way.
What worked:
• Constant tension—no wasted scenes
• Madoc (honestly, he deserves his own bullet point)
• Strong character dynamics, especially between the MMCs
• FMC with real purpose and emotional depth
What didn’t fully land:
• Can feel chaotic if you prefer clean, structured plots
• Some elements lean more into mystery than clear explanation
Spice 🌶️
More tension than spice—but it’s layered. And there’s definitely an undercurrent that could evolve into something more (👀).
Fast, dark, and addictive—with layered character dynamics and just enough tension to keep you slightly on edge the whole time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
April 25, 2026
ARC READ…thanks to author
High Stakes and Deadly Banter
If you’re looking for a thrill ride that’s part Ocean’s Eleven and part survival horror, this is it! I gave Heist in Paradise a 4-star rating. It’s a fast-paced, witty, and surprisingly dark "heist-gone-wrong" story that kept me guessing until the very last page.
The setup is classic but effective: a team of specialized thieves led by the brooding, "unhinged boiling pot of issues" Jax, and a high-society "princess" named Olivia who is trying to fund her own escape from a toxic family. They end up on a jagged, foreboding island thirty miles off the coast to rob an eighty-two-year-old art dealer. But as Olivia quickly realizes, the movies (sorry, John McClane!) make air vents look way easier than they actually are.
Why it Works:
• The Crew Dynamic: The banter here is top-tier. Whether it’s Callum (the stubborn Scottish strategist), Madoc (the reliable muscle with an eidetic memory), or the mysterious "Jadoc" energy between Jax and Madoc, the chemistry makes you root for this band of outlaws immediately.
• Olivia’s Evolution: I loved Olivia’s self-awareness. She starts off joking that she isn't the "Final Girl" and would be the first to trip in a horror movie, but she proves she’s got a surprising punch for a "beauty queen." Her "bratty princess" energy clashing with Jax’s "monster" persona is pure fire.
• The Atmosphere: The transition from the high-tech Compound to the predatory, primitive island creates such a great sense of unease. The feeling that "everything is too pristine" keeps the tension high long before the first alarm even goes off.
• The Humor: Amidst the "dirty blond deviants" and "Count Chocula" insults, the book is genuinely funny. The "cookies are my crack" line and the constant movie references keep the dark themes from feeling too heavy.
This was a total blast. It balances the "007" heist excitement with a gritty, feral romance that feels earned. Jax is the kind of MMC who doesn't offer soft words, but he offers a truth that Olivia clearly craved. It’s spicy, clever, and intense.
In a world of predatory islands and locked safes, Olivia found that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can steal isn't an art collection; it's a thief's loyalty; a 4-star cliffhanger that will have you reaching for the next book.
High Stakes and Deadly Banter
If you’re looking for a thrill ride that’s part Ocean’s Eleven and part survival horror, this is it! I gave Heist in Paradise a 4-star rating. It’s a fast-paced, witty, and surprisingly dark "heist-gone-wrong" story that kept me guessing until the very last page.
The setup is classic but effective: a team of specialized thieves led by the brooding, "unhinged boiling pot of issues" Jax, and a high-society "princess" named Olivia who is trying to fund her own escape from a toxic family. They end up on a jagged, foreboding island thirty miles off the coast to rob an eighty-two-year-old art dealer. But as Olivia quickly realizes, the movies (sorry, John McClane!) make air vents look way easier than they actually are.
Why it Works:
• The Crew Dynamic: The banter here is top-tier. Whether it’s Callum (the stubborn Scottish strategist), Madoc (the reliable muscle with an eidetic memory), or the mysterious "Jadoc" energy between Jax and Madoc, the chemistry makes you root for this band of outlaws immediately.
• Olivia’s Evolution: I loved Olivia’s self-awareness. She starts off joking that she isn't the "Final Girl" and would be the first to trip in a horror movie, but she proves she’s got a surprising punch for a "beauty queen." Her "bratty princess" energy clashing with Jax’s "monster" persona is pure fire.
• The Atmosphere: The transition from the high-tech Compound to the predatory, primitive island creates such a great sense of unease. The feeling that "everything is too pristine" keeps the tension high long before the first alarm even goes off.
• The Humor: Amidst the "dirty blond deviants" and "Count Chocula" insults, the book is genuinely funny. The "cookies are my crack" line and the constant movie references keep the dark themes from feeling too heavy.
This was a total blast. It balances the "007" heist excitement with a gritty, feral romance that feels earned. Jax is the kind of MMC who doesn't offer soft words, but he offers a truth that Olivia clearly craved. It’s spicy, clever, and intense.
In a world of predatory islands and locked safes, Olivia found that sometimes the most dangerous thing you can steal isn't an art collection; it's a thief's loyalty; a 4-star cliffhanger that will have you reaching for the next book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2026
I received an advance review copy of this book and am writing this review voluntarily. All views are my own.
This was such a fun, fast-paced read that had me hooked from the start — even if I had a few reservations along the way.
The entire story takes place over, what, about 12 hours? Because of that, the romance element didn’t feel fully earned to me. The attraction was definitely there, and I did like both characters, but the jump to something deeper possibly brewing between them felt a little rushed given the tight timeline.
That said, I was invested.
We get enough backstory for each character to care about them and understand their motivations, but I would’ve personally loved a bit more depth beyond the classic good girl x bad boy dynamic. There’s a lot of potential here, especially with both the main and side characters, and I’m really hoping the next book dives further into who they are — particularly Madoc. I’m really intrigued by his character, and I’d love to explore more of his history with Jax.
I love dark comedy and stories that balance humour with heavier, more real themes — but here, the blend didn’t always fully land for me. Some lines felt a little disjointed from the scenes they were in, which pulled me out at times. And while the humour itself was great, it occasionally felt overdone in moments where something darker would’ve hit harder. Personally, I think if you’re going to go all in on the humour in a dark comedy, you need to go equally hard on the darker details to balance it — but that’s just my preference.
There were also a few elements that didn’t quite hit the way I’d hoped. I did find the twist with one of the crew fairly predictable (especially considering who it was — I guessed there was something fishy going on with them from the get go), and the payoff felt a bit lacklustre when it was revealed. I was expecting something a little more twisted or darker from that moment. Likewise with the truth revealed about the missing girls, Molly and the pay off — it just felt a little brushed aside at the end when it had the potential to hit so much harder?
Despite all of that, I’m definitely continuing with the series. I’m invested, I want to see where these characters go, and that cliffhanger? I’m invested.
This was such a fun, fast-paced read that had me hooked from the start — even if I had a few reservations along the way.
The entire story takes place over, what, about 12 hours? Because of that, the romance element didn’t feel fully earned to me. The attraction was definitely there, and I did like both characters, but the jump to something deeper possibly brewing between them felt a little rushed given the tight timeline.
That said, I was invested.
We get enough backstory for each character to care about them and understand their motivations, but I would’ve personally loved a bit more depth beyond the classic good girl x bad boy dynamic. There’s a lot of potential here, especially with both the main and side characters, and I’m really hoping the next book dives further into who they are — particularly Madoc. I’m really intrigued by his character, and I’d love to explore more of his history with Jax.
I love dark comedy and stories that balance humour with heavier, more real themes — but here, the blend didn’t always fully land for me. Some lines felt a little disjointed from the scenes they were in, which pulled me out at times. And while the humour itself was great, it occasionally felt overdone in moments where something darker would’ve hit harder. Personally, I think if you’re going to go all in on the humour in a dark comedy, you need to go equally hard on the darker details to balance it — but that’s just my preference.
There were also a few elements that didn’t quite hit the way I’d hoped. I did find the twist with one of the crew fairly predictable (especially considering who it was — I guessed there was something fishy going on with them from the get go), and the payoff felt a bit lacklustre when it was revealed. I was expecting something a little more twisted or darker from that moment. Likewise with the truth revealed about the missing girls, Molly and the pay off — it just felt a little brushed aside at the end when it had the potential to hit so much harder?
Despite all of that, I’m definitely continuing with the series. I’m invested, I want to see where these characters go, and that cliffhanger? I’m invested.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Seriously, please do not let the cover stop you from picking this one up it is such a hidden gem (the cover has been updated and I LOVE IT SO MUCH!!!), and I am still completely reeling from how much I loved it. I went in with zero expectations and came out absolutely obsessed, and honestly, I don't think I’ll be over this story for a long time. It’s one of those rare reads that just sticks to your ribs and makes you want to dive right back in the moment you finish.
The storyline was something I never knew I needed: a gritty crew of thieves colliding with Olivia, a female lead who is just trying to find answers about her missing sister. I found Olivia so incredibly easy to root for. On the surface, she’s portrayed as the classic good girl, but there’s this simmering potential underneath that really starts to boil over by the end. Getting that small glimpse of the badass she’s becoming was everything, and I am so ready to see her fully embrace that side in the next book.
I’m also dying to know where the romance is headed. The chemistry is so thick you could cut it with a knife, but I’m still guessing about the actual dynamic. Is it just going to be Olivia and Jax, or are we heading toward something more inclusive with the rest of the crew? The mystery of their relationship structure is driving me crazy in the best way possible, and it kept me turning pages just as much as the plot did.
Since the entire story is set across the span of just one day, the book isn't very long, but that actually worked so well for the pacing. It felt like a non-stop, high-speed chase where I barely had time to catch my breath. Because it was such a quick read, we didn’t get to do a massive deep dive into everyone’s psyche just yet, but that only made me more eager for the next instalment. I’m so impatient to really get under the skin of these characters now that the groundwork has been laid.
This book really had it all. The banter was top-tier, the sexual tension was through the roof, and it even had these wild Home Alone vibes that I loved. But let’s talk about that ending. Between the cliffhanger, the mountain of unanswered questions, and that betrayal which felt like a total gut punch, I am an emotional wreck. It was a wild, high-stakes ride, and I need the sequel immediately.
The storyline was something I never knew I needed: a gritty crew of thieves colliding with Olivia, a female lead who is just trying to find answers about her missing sister. I found Olivia so incredibly easy to root for. On the surface, she’s portrayed as the classic good girl, but there’s this simmering potential underneath that really starts to boil over by the end. Getting that small glimpse of the badass she’s becoming was everything, and I am so ready to see her fully embrace that side in the next book.
I’m also dying to know where the romance is headed. The chemistry is so thick you could cut it with a knife, but I’m still guessing about the actual dynamic. Is it just going to be Olivia and Jax, or are we heading toward something more inclusive with the rest of the crew? The mystery of their relationship structure is driving me crazy in the best way possible, and it kept me turning pages just as much as the plot did.
Since the entire story is set across the span of just one day, the book isn't very long, but that actually worked so well for the pacing. It felt like a non-stop, high-speed chase where I barely had time to catch my breath. Because it was such a quick read, we didn’t get to do a massive deep dive into everyone’s psyche just yet, but that only made me more eager for the next instalment. I’m so impatient to really get under the skin of these characters now that the groundwork has been laid.
This book really had it all. The banter was top-tier, the sexual tension was through the roof, and it even had these wild Home Alone vibes that I loved. But let’s talk about that ending. Between the cliffhanger, the mountain of unanswered questions, and that betrayal which felt like a total gut punch, I am an emotional wreck. It was a wild, high-stakes ride, and I need the sequel immediately.
May 2, 2026
This book throws you straight into chaos and honestly never really lets you breathe—and that’s exactly what makes it so addictive.
At the center is a messy, unhinged found-family crew. Zola is sharp, smart, and always calculating a few steps ahead, while Olivia brings the emotional weight—she’s not chasing money or thrill, she’s there because of grief and a missing sister. That mix alone gives the whole story real depth.
The setup is strong: a high-stakes heist on a remote island where nothing feels quite right, and a crew that shouldn’t trust each other but kind of has to. The “something is off / the island is watching” vibe adds this constant unease that keeps you hooked.
Jax fits that classic morally grey leader role—controlled, dangerous, and never fully safe to trust. Then there’s Madoc, who completely steals attention without trying. Quiet, observant, lethal in that calm way that makes you pay attention every time he speaks. The tension between Jax and Madoc is subtle but very much there, and it adds an extra layer under everything else.
The romance builds more through pressure and survival than anything soft or straightforward. Trust is fragile, connections are messy, and that makes every interaction feel heavier. There’s more tension than spice, but the undercurrent is definitely there.
And the crew dynamic? One of the best parts. The banter is constant—sharp, sarcastic, and honestly their way of bonding. Olivia especially holds her own, and her back-and-forth with Jax had me smiling more than once. Even Madoc, who barely speaks, manages to land a few moments that catch you off guard in the best way.
Overall, it’s fast, dark, a little chaotic, and super bingeable—with great character tension, found family energy, and just enough twists to keep you on edge the whole time.
At the center is a messy, unhinged found-family crew. Zola is sharp, smart, and always calculating a few steps ahead, while Olivia brings the emotional weight—she’s not chasing money or thrill, she’s there because of grief and a missing sister. That mix alone gives the whole story real depth.
The setup is strong: a high-stakes heist on a remote island where nothing feels quite right, and a crew that shouldn’t trust each other but kind of has to. The “something is off / the island is watching” vibe adds this constant unease that keeps you hooked.
Jax fits that classic morally grey leader role—controlled, dangerous, and never fully safe to trust. Then there’s Madoc, who completely steals attention without trying. Quiet, observant, lethal in that calm way that makes you pay attention every time he speaks. The tension between Jax and Madoc is subtle but very much there, and it adds an extra layer under everything else.
The romance builds more through pressure and survival than anything soft or straightforward. Trust is fragile, connections are messy, and that makes every interaction feel heavier. There’s more tension than spice, but the undercurrent is definitely there.
And the crew dynamic? One of the best parts. The banter is constant—sharp, sarcastic, and honestly their way of bonding. Olivia especially holds her own, and her back-and-forth with Jax had me smiling more than once. Even Madoc, who barely speaks, manages to land a few moments that catch you off guard in the best way.
Overall, it’s fast, dark, a little chaotic, and super bingeable—with great character tension, found family energy, and just enough twists to keep you on edge the whole time.
May 10, 2026
Loved the premise for this one - definitely something different than the usual dark romance plots but it really hit the mark for me.
We have Jax, Madoc, Ryle, Callum, Nate, Zola - an unhinged misfit group of mercenaries working for a mysterious benefactor. They are send to a remote island to steal a painting from a billionaire's mansion and the entire heist quickly falls apart.
While they are in the middle of their heist, they run into Olivia - preppy cheerleader has broken into said mansion searching for answers to what happened to her sister two years ago.
The connection between Olivia/Jax and Olivia/Madoc both fell flat for me; I didn't really feel any chemistry between the three of them, it just kinda felt like they spent barely any time together but by the middle of the book she's already able to read their body language, guess their intentions and seems to know about them way more than should be possible.
Now the relationship between Jax and Madoc (or Jadoc haha)? I definitely felt the tension between those two and I CANNOT wait to see what happens between them in book two! I also would have loved a bit more info on what exactly happened between the two, we get an overall picture but I'm a sucker for heartbreak a flashback would have been much more impactful for me overall.
Madoc was 100% my favorite character - I am always going to go for the most unhinged MMC and he was definitely it - quite, observant, INCREDIBLY intuitive to the point of almost being psychic, confident, plans ahead - need I go on? I only wish we had gotten some spice between him/Olivia/Jax before the book ended. Here's to hoping that means if/when we get it in book two that it hits twice as hard!
We have Jax, Madoc, Ryle, Callum, Nate, Zola - an unhinged misfit group of mercenaries working for a mysterious benefactor. They are send to a remote island to steal a painting from a billionaire's mansion and the entire heist quickly falls apart.
While they are in the middle of their heist, they run into Olivia - preppy cheerleader has broken into said mansion searching for answers to what happened to her sister two years ago.
The connection between Olivia/Jax and Olivia/Madoc both fell flat for me; I didn't really feel any chemistry between the three of them, it just kinda felt like they spent barely any time together but by the middle of the book she's already able to read their body language, guess their intentions and seems to know about them way more than should be possible.
Now the relationship between Jax and Madoc (or Jadoc haha)? I definitely felt the tension between those two and I CANNOT wait to see what happens between them in book two! I also would have loved a bit more info on what exactly happened between the two, we get an overall picture but I'm a sucker for heartbreak a flashback would have been much more impactful for me overall.
Madoc was 100% my favorite character - I am always going to go for the most unhinged MMC and he was definitely it - quite, observant, INCREDIBLY intuitive to the point of almost being psychic, confident, plans ahead - need I go on? I only wish we had gotten some spice between him/Olivia/Jax before the book ended. Here's to hoping that means if/when we get it in book two that it hits twice as hard!
April 26, 2026
What an interesting start to this duet....
So, we have our fmc, Olivia and she is a spitfire through and through. She is kind, caring, loyal but has this edge to her that I really like. Olivia has been searching for her sister's unaliver and will stop at nothing to get the answers she seeks.
Our mmc is Jax. He is the leader of his operation and is an alpha through and through. He is intelligent and broody but he cares about his team, especially Madoc. His team of thieves are sent to a respected billionaire's home to take a certain something...
The plot was good. Both Olivia and Jax's team head to the same destination for their missions. Neither Olivia nor Jax expected to find the other which leads to Jax interrogating Olivia. A deal is made and that starts this weird dynamic and vibe between Olivia, Jax and Madoc kind of. Olivia is drawn to both Jax and Madoc and Jax really only pays Olivia attention or so we think... Things get even more complicated when Olivia, Jax and his team find more then they bargained for.
It ended on a cliffhanger and I am really interested to see what happens next. I have a feeling this will end up being mmf/ mfm but I guess we'll find out very soon. I think this installment was possibly setting the stage so to speak for the next installment.
I really enjoyed this story and excited for book 2 🖤
Thank you Elliot and your lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am extremely grateful 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💛 dual pov
💙 fiesty fmc
❤️ masked men
💛 forced proximity
💙 morally grey mmc's
❤️ Possible Betrayal???
💛 Angsty
💙 so many secrets
So, we have our fmc, Olivia and she is a spitfire through and through. She is kind, caring, loyal but has this edge to her that I really like. Olivia has been searching for her sister's unaliver and will stop at nothing to get the answers she seeks.
Our mmc is Jax. He is the leader of his operation and is an alpha through and through. He is intelligent and broody but he cares about his team, especially Madoc. His team of thieves are sent to a respected billionaire's home to take a certain something...
The plot was good. Both Olivia and Jax's team head to the same destination for their missions. Neither Olivia nor Jax expected to find the other which leads to Jax interrogating Olivia. A deal is made and that starts this weird dynamic and vibe between Olivia, Jax and Madoc kind of. Olivia is drawn to both Jax and Madoc and Jax really only pays Olivia attention or so we think... Things get even more complicated when Olivia, Jax and his team find more then they bargained for.
It ended on a cliffhanger and I am really interested to see what happens next. I have a feeling this will end up being mmf/ mfm but I guess we'll find out very soon. I think this installment was possibly setting the stage so to speak for the next installment.
I really enjoyed this story and excited for book 2 🖤
Thank you Elliot and your lovely team for the opportunity to read this story. I am extremely grateful 💜
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💛 dual pov
💙 fiesty fmc
❤️ masked men
💛 forced proximity
💙 morally grey mmc's
❤️ Possible Betrayal???
💛 Angsty
💙 so many secrets
May 12, 2026
I have the book hangover of the century. I read this book in about 3 hours... And already I need the next book asap.
Tropes:
🗡️ Bad boy gang leader MMC
🗡️ Good girl FMC with a ferocious temper
🗡️ MMC, enforced and FMC...👀👀
🗡️ BETRAYAL
🗡️ High stakes heist
Spice meter 🌶️ 3 /5
When a book starts off with "says the kid who plays hard and fast with his ADHD medication" I know I have found my kind of book 🤣🤣.
Spoilers ahead:
A fast passed and thrilling tale. Jax leads his gang of thieves to the mysterious island of the wealthy and allusive Mr Salvadore. Tasked with stealing a painting, Jax and his crew find that they have more than they bargained for...
Olivia, hell bent on finding her missing sister Molly finds the only lead to her whereabouts at the same remote island.
Coincidence? I think not.
The unlikely partnership and later romance between Jax and Olivia (if you can call it that) is crafted really well. I love that it's not "love at first sight" but rather a lust filled need that developed into something more - atleast I hope! The hints of something more with the enforcer Madoc, Olivia AND Jax...👀👀👀
Also can we give a big up for Zola and her NOT taking Nates crap 🤣
Elliot has crafted a really unique and thrilling book that has it all. And I definitely didn't expect the betrayal at the end. My jaw was on the FLOOOOOR. A classic heist that hides something way more sinister than the gang expected. Think Morally grey outlaws who fight for the right thing even at the expense of their lives.
I now have to nurse the book hangover of the century because the cliff hanger has me REELING.
Tropes:
🗡️ Bad boy gang leader MMC
🗡️ Good girl FMC with a ferocious temper
🗡️ MMC, enforced and FMC...👀👀
🗡️ BETRAYAL
🗡️ High stakes heist
Spice meter 🌶️ 3 /5
When a book starts off with "says the kid who plays hard and fast with his ADHD medication" I know I have found my kind of book 🤣🤣.
Spoilers ahead:
A fast passed and thrilling tale. Jax leads his gang of thieves to the mysterious island of the wealthy and allusive Mr Salvadore. Tasked with stealing a painting, Jax and his crew find that they have more than they bargained for...
Olivia, hell bent on finding her missing sister Molly finds the only lead to her whereabouts at the same remote island.
Coincidence? I think not.
The unlikely partnership and later romance between Jax and Olivia (if you can call it that) is crafted really well. I love that it's not "love at first sight" but rather a lust filled need that developed into something more - atleast I hope! The hints of something more with the enforcer Madoc, Olivia AND Jax...👀👀👀
Also can we give a big up for Zola and her NOT taking Nates crap 🤣
Elliot has crafted a really unique and thrilling book that has it all. And I definitely didn't expect the betrayal at the end. My jaw was on the FLOOOOOR. A classic heist that hides something way more sinister than the gang expected. Think Morally grey outlaws who fight for the right thing even at the expense of their lives.
I now have to nurse the book hangover of the century because the cliff hanger has me REELING.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
4.25 ⭐'s 1.5🌶️'s
Wow! This book! It was non-stop from the first page!
Heist in Paradise by Elliot Ray focuses on a group of highly trained and skilled thieves, who are more like family, and who have been sent to steal a painting worth $100m from a billionaire's remote island home. They find more than the painting when they come across Zola, a smart-mouthed, sassy cheerleader with her own, very personal reason for breaking in.
With immediate tension and mistrust between the two parties, they find themselves having to work together when unexpected revelations throw them onto the same path.
What follows is a banter filled, twisty journey of surprising and disturbing secrets.
The writing style and pace were equally matched with the way they left you eager for the next chapter and what would be revealed next. The tension was on point when it needed to be, and when trusted bonds are tested, you felt the emotional impact.
The character growth was limited for the most part, but with this book being the first in a series, I think this will be seen more in future books. Zola's character developed and I struggled to get on board with some of it. In particular, the sudden moving away from the values that seem so entrenched in the beginning.
This book had me laughing aloud with the top-tier banter and dialogue that perfectly suited each individual character and stayed consistent throughout.
This book is sprinkled with spice and as much as it was well-written and exciting, I'm not absolutely sure it was needed or added to the plot. Perhaps leaving it until book two would have been better as there is a tension building between Zola, Jax and Maboc which I feel will perhaps become more of a focus in book two.
This was a great read and I had it finished in a couple days. I am excited about the direction this series may heads in, as it leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger but more so with the promise of more secrets being revealed and a new group dynamic, with the addition of Zola to their midst
Wow! This book! It was non-stop from the first page!
Heist in Paradise by Elliot Ray focuses on a group of highly trained and skilled thieves, who are more like family, and who have been sent to steal a painting worth $100m from a billionaire's remote island home. They find more than the painting when they come across Zola, a smart-mouthed, sassy cheerleader with her own, very personal reason for breaking in.
With immediate tension and mistrust between the two parties, they find themselves having to work together when unexpected revelations throw them onto the same path.
What follows is a banter filled, twisty journey of surprising and disturbing secrets.
The writing style and pace were equally matched with the way they left you eager for the next chapter and what would be revealed next. The tension was on point when it needed to be, and when trusted bonds are tested, you felt the emotional impact.
The character growth was limited for the most part, but with this book being the first in a series, I think this will be seen more in future books. Zola's character developed and I struggled to get on board with some of it. In particular, the sudden moving away from the values that seem so entrenched in the beginning.
This book had me laughing aloud with the top-tier banter and dialogue that perfectly suited each individual character and stayed consistent throughout.
This book is sprinkled with spice and as much as it was well-written and exciting, I'm not absolutely sure it was needed or added to the plot. Perhaps leaving it until book two would have been better as there is a tension building between Zola, Jax and Maboc which I feel will perhaps become more of a focus in book two.
This was a great read and I had it finished in a couple days. I am excited about the direction this series may heads in, as it leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger but more so with the promise of more secrets being revealed and a new group dynamic, with the addition of Zola to their midst
May 21, 2026
⭐⭐⭐.75/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Wow this book is a whirlwind! I absolutely loved the premise of two people trying to break into the same house at the same time, but for completely different reasons. This book is pretty average length, around 350 pages, but man does it pack so much in! Come for the heist plot, stay for the criminal investigation (that means criminals doing the investigating obviously). There are 7 characters we're following in the main storyline, and throughout their interactions and the internal dialogue we hear about them, I feel like we get to know each of them in a somewhat meaningful way. I've read series where after 3 books I know less about 2 MCs than I do about these characters. Our FMC, Olivia, is the perfect cheerleader type, but perhaps there's more to her than meets the eye. After this encounter, maybe she wants more for herself than to fit into the image her parents want for her. Our first MMC, Jax, is the calm, cool, and collected (at least on the outside) leader of The Crows. He's the glue that holds the whole operation together, so he obviously has all of his shit together... Right? Madoc is our other MMC and he's definitely the dark and mysterious type with maybe just a dash of psycho thrown in for good measure. His silence says he doesn't care, but something in his eyes says different. This book is strongly worded FMM but is quickly going to become MMF in the next book, I can feel it in my nuggets 😈
🌶️🌶️/5
Wow this book is a whirlwind! I absolutely loved the premise of two people trying to break into the same house at the same time, but for completely different reasons. This book is pretty average length, around 350 pages, but man does it pack so much in! Come for the heist plot, stay for the criminal investigation (that means criminals doing the investigating obviously). There are 7 characters we're following in the main storyline, and throughout their interactions and the internal dialogue we hear about them, I feel like we get to know each of them in a somewhat meaningful way. I've read series where after 3 books I know less about 2 MCs than I do about these characters. Our FMC, Olivia, is the perfect cheerleader type, but perhaps there's more to her than meets the eye. After this encounter, maybe she wants more for herself than to fit into the image her parents want for her. Our first MMC, Jax, is the calm, cool, and collected (at least on the outside) leader of The Crows. He's the glue that holds the whole operation together, so he obviously has all of his shit together... Right? Madoc is our other MMC and he's definitely the dark and mysterious type with maybe just a dash of psycho thrown in for good measure. His silence says he doesn't care, but something in his eyes says different. This book is strongly worded FMM but is quickly going to become MMF in the next book, I can feel it in my nuggets 😈
April 29, 2026
⭐ Rating: 4
Tense, dark, and at times genuinely brutal. Not an easy read, but that’s exactly what makes it addictive.
📚 Reading Type & Length
Read as an ebook, received as an ARC, and now available.
📝 Review
Heist In Paradise pulls you into a world that looks like pure luxury on the surface… sun, freedom, escape. But underneath? It’s messy, dangerous, and ready to explode.
You follow a crew planning a high-risk job that feels almost too perfect. And that’s where things start to unravel. Trust turns fragile, intentions get blurry, and suddenly nothing feels safe anymore.
The vibe is constantly tense. Dark, raw, and sometimes ruthless. At the same time, there’s this underlying spark between characters… that kind of tension where you’re not sure if it’s about to turn into something or completely fall apart.
What really hits is the loss of control. You think you’ve figured it out… and then it slips right through your fingers again. And that’s exactly why you can’t stop reading.
🚨 Tropes Alert 🚨
💰 Heist / Crime Crew
🌴 Exotic Setting
🔥 Tension & Chemistry
🖤 Dark Vibes
⚠️ Trust Issues
🎯 Perfect for you if…
You love darker stories driven by tension, messy dynamics, and morally grey characters.
⚠️ Not for you if…
You’re looking for something light and cozy or don’t enjoy brutal scenes.
Tense, dark, and at times genuinely brutal. Not an easy read, but that’s exactly what makes it addictive.
📚 Reading Type & Length
Read as an ebook, received as an ARC, and now available.
📝 Review
Heist In Paradise pulls you into a world that looks like pure luxury on the surface… sun, freedom, escape. But underneath? It’s messy, dangerous, and ready to explode.
You follow a crew planning a high-risk job that feels almost too perfect. And that’s where things start to unravel. Trust turns fragile, intentions get blurry, and suddenly nothing feels safe anymore.
The vibe is constantly tense. Dark, raw, and sometimes ruthless. At the same time, there’s this underlying spark between characters… that kind of tension where you’re not sure if it’s about to turn into something or completely fall apart.
What really hits is the loss of control. You think you’ve figured it out… and then it slips right through your fingers again. And that’s exactly why you can’t stop reading.
🚨 Tropes Alert 🚨
💰 Heist / Crime Crew
🌴 Exotic Setting
🔥 Tension & Chemistry
🖤 Dark Vibes
⚠️ Trust Issues
🎯 Perfect for you if…
You love darker stories driven by tension, messy dynamics, and morally grey characters.
⚠️ Not for you if…
You’re looking for something light and cozy or don’t enjoy brutal scenes.
May 1, 2026
Easy easy easy 10/10 must read recommendation!
Download this book right now before I continue. Did you do it yet? … I can wait. Yes, it’s that important to wait for.
Okay, now that you’ve downloaded it.
Read. It. Immediately.
Elliot Ray has delivered one hell of a story for us and I am already counting down for the release of book two - Mile High Heist. I need to know what choices were made. I have to know what happens to every single character and I don’t see myself being patient for this one. Incredulously, they were all somehow individually left on a cliffhanger that simultaneously intertwined into a group question of “what the hell happens now?” I won’t be spoiling any tidbits, but I will tell you relationships are questioned, misunderstood, betrayed and also - by fair means or foul - built brick by brick to a point of uneasy breathing when the two characters have moments of mutual humanity (or there lack of - looking at you, Madoc).
This story has suspense, emotional rollercoaster intensity, and yes - white hot carnal energy between more than a couple of these thieves that had me panting with the most delicious unease. Read this and come back to me - I need someone to talk about this with immediately.
PS - I’m sort of obsessed with Ry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Download this book right now before I continue. Did you do it yet? … I can wait. Yes, it’s that important to wait for.
Okay, now that you’ve downloaded it.
Read. It. Immediately.
Elliot Ray has delivered one hell of a story for us and I am already counting down for the release of book two - Mile High Heist. I need to know what choices were made. I have to know what happens to every single character and I don’t see myself being patient for this one. Incredulously, they were all somehow individually left on a cliffhanger that simultaneously intertwined into a group question of “what the hell happens now?” I won’t be spoiling any tidbits, but I will tell you relationships are questioned, misunderstood, betrayed and also - by fair means or foul - built brick by brick to a point of uneasy breathing when the two characters have moments of mutual humanity (or there lack of - looking at you, Madoc).
This story has suspense, emotional rollercoaster intensity, and yes - white hot carnal energy between more than a couple of these thieves that had me panting with the most delicious unease. Read this and come back to me - I need someone to talk about this with immediately.
PS - I’m sort of obsessed with Ry.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
May 18, 2026
Tropes to expect -
🌴Forced proximity
🌴Lethal protectors
🌴Morally grey MMC
🌴Heist
🌴Dark romance
🌴Secrets and betrayals
🌴Dual POV
Trigger warnings (part of the storyline) -
⚠️Kidnapping/trafficking
⚠️Rape
⚠️Drugs
⚠️Torture
This was my first book by Elliot Ray, thank you for sending it to me ❤️ in return for my honest review.
Heist in Paradise had me hooked from the first page and I could not put it down until the last page. It is full of a high-stake heist that goes terribly wrong, suspense, utter chaos, comedic banter, secrets and betrayals, plenty of plot twists to keep you invested and then one final twist/betrayal at the end leaving us on a cliffhanger!!!
A band of miscreant thieves, Jax, Madoc, Ryle, Callum, Zola and Nate are sent to a mysterious island to by their rich benefactor, Mr Z, to steal a painting from a reclusive billionaire.
Olivia, a kind and loyal cheerleader has broken into the same mansion, she is trying to find answers to what happened to her sister who went missing two years ago. Everything has led her to this island, and she will stop at nothing to get the answers she is looking for.
Their worlds collide and they come to arrangement to work together to uncover the eerie island secrets that it holds.
Thank you again Elliot Ray. I am quietly awaiting book 2 ❤️
🌴Forced proximity
🌴Lethal protectors
🌴Morally grey MMC
🌴Heist
🌴Dark romance
🌴Secrets and betrayals
🌴Dual POV
Trigger warnings (part of the storyline) -
⚠️Kidnapping/trafficking
⚠️Rape
⚠️Drugs
⚠️Torture
This was my first book by Elliot Ray, thank you for sending it to me ❤️ in return for my honest review.
Heist in Paradise had me hooked from the first page and I could not put it down until the last page. It is full of a high-stake heist that goes terribly wrong, suspense, utter chaos, comedic banter, secrets and betrayals, plenty of plot twists to keep you invested and then one final twist/betrayal at the end leaving us on a cliffhanger!!!
A band of miscreant thieves, Jax, Madoc, Ryle, Callum, Zola and Nate are sent to a mysterious island to by their rich benefactor, Mr Z, to steal a painting from a reclusive billionaire.
Olivia, a kind and loyal cheerleader has broken into the same mansion, she is trying to find answers to what happened to her sister who went missing two years ago. Everything has led her to this island, and she will stop at nothing to get the answers she is looking for.
Their worlds collide and they come to arrangement to work together to uncover the eerie island secrets that it holds.
Thank you again Elliot Ray. I am quietly awaiting book 2 ❤️
May 2, 2026
I have been giving the amazing opportunity to do an ARC Review
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, 🌶️
When reading in the beginning I forgot this was a FMM and thought it was a MM, honestly I would have been fine with either. Especially with the sexually tension between our 2 MMC. We have our MMC’s whose part of a heist group, not good guys and from what little background we know of they will get their hands dirty. Then we have our FMC who is trying to get answer/find someone. Love the first time they find her they assumed she a thrifter like them and maybe she is, maybe she has a hidden talent that she doesn’t even know about. They end up working with each other to help out. The pacing of the story was great and easy to follow. There wasn’t any parts that had me thinking “oh this should have happened”. The author managed to to show each character’s personality without over powering each other. And the side characters had enough “screen time” to show they was still important. We did get some spice, a little balcony scene which was still good. We do see how our ,aim characters are very slowly starting to get closer to each other.
I can not wait for book two, and will be stalking the author page waiting for it 🥰🥰🥰
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟, 🌶️
When reading in the beginning I forgot this was a FMM and thought it was a MM, honestly I would have been fine with either. Especially with the sexually tension between our 2 MMC. We have our MMC’s whose part of a heist group, not good guys and from what little background we know of they will get their hands dirty. Then we have our FMC who is trying to get answer/find someone. Love the first time they find her they assumed she a thrifter like them and maybe she is, maybe she has a hidden talent that she doesn’t even know about. They end up working with each other to help out. The pacing of the story was great and easy to follow. There wasn’t any parts that had me thinking “oh this should have happened”. The author managed to to show each character’s personality without over powering each other. And the side characters had enough “screen time” to show they was still important. We did get some spice, a little balcony scene which was still good. We do see how our ,aim characters are very slowly starting to get closer to each other.
I can not wait for book two, and will be stalking the author page waiting for it 🥰🥰🥰
May 16, 2026
I received an arc copy of heist in paradise & I really enjoyed this series.
This is book 1 in a 2 book series read.
This is a high stakes, forced proximity, masked mmc, sizzling banter and suspense through out this dark romance story!!
The Mmc Jax and his crew take on a dark web heist where they meet the Mfc Olivia who’s been searching for missing sister, she suspects was taken against her will & trafficked.
This takes place upon a private billionaires island where they’re tasked to steal an expensive painting, when they stumble upon an illegal sex trafficking operation, Olivia strongly believes her sister has been there & involved.
The spice and sexual frustration between Jax and Olivia is great, while they try to figure out their feelings you can also sense a hint of a triangle between Maddox, Jax and Olivia.
In the end they all team up together, create a plan to stop and save the girls. A lot of gun fire and dead bodies later they find Molly.
Just when they think they’re all in the clear they meet the preacher. He’s offered to save them but what will they choose?
I need the second book immediately!!! I seriously couldn’t put this story down. I need to know what they choose.
I loved the sexual chemistry / sexual frustration.
Great read!
This is book 1 in a 2 book series read.
This is a high stakes, forced proximity, masked mmc, sizzling banter and suspense through out this dark romance story!!
The Mmc Jax and his crew take on a dark web heist where they meet the Mfc Olivia who’s been searching for missing sister, she suspects was taken against her will & trafficked.
This takes place upon a private billionaires island where they’re tasked to steal an expensive painting, when they stumble upon an illegal sex trafficking operation, Olivia strongly believes her sister has been there & involved.
The spice and sexual frustration between Jax and Olivia is great, while they try to figure out their feelings you can also sense a hint of a triangle between Maddox, Jax and Olivia.
In the end they all team up together, create a plan to stop and save the girls. A lot of gun fire and dead bodies later they find Molly.
Just when they think they’re all in the clear they meet the preacher. He’s offered to save them but what will they choose?
I need the second book immediately!!! I seriously couldn’t put this story down. I need to know what they choose.
I loved the sexual chemistry / sexual frustration.
Great read!
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