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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.
340 pages, Paperback
Published April 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
June 20, 2026
Fun premise, but everything felt rushed, I didn’t connect with the characters, and it just didn’t leave much of an impression
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 23, 2026
Thank you so much Elliot Ray for this eARC <3 All thoughts in this review are my own
4 stars!!!
I loved it! Fast paced heist with a lot of banter? Sign me up!
I devoured this in one sitting in less than 6 hours, the double POV kept me hooked and I’m hopeful that in the next book a third POV will be added 🫣
The fact that all of this happened in less than 24 hours is insane and that ending ughhh I want book 2 now, I will definitely be continuing with this series!
Once again thank you Elliot Ray for the eArc!
4 stars!!!
I loved it! Fast paced heist with a lot of banter? Sign me up!
I devoured this in one sitting in less than 6 hours, the double POV kept me hooked and I’m hopeful that in the next book a third POV will be added 🫣
The fact that all of this happened in less than 24 hours is insane and that ending ughhh I want book 2 now, I will definitely be continuing with this series!
Once again thank you Elliot Ray for the eArc!
July 20, 2026
OOkkk I ran through this under 24hrs so good. The cast of characters are great; their personalities and found family dynamics killed me. I need Jax and Maddox right now the tension was on point. Olivia is out here being 007 searching for her sister but stumbles into an already in progress heist. But the tension oo so good. thank god book 2 is almost here...this will leave you on a cliffhanger.
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 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! 🖤
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 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 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 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 31, 2026
PERO QUE ONDA ESTE LIBRO 🫢
Primero que nada, muchas gracias por la oportunidad a Elliot Ray de poder leer este librito que realmente me voló la cabeza 🫣
La autora nos presenta una tripulación de criminales que se dirigen a una mansión aislada en una isla en donde se supone hay un cuadro invaluable que quieren robar. Sin embargo, al llegar a ese lugar todo parece demasiado sencillo, aparece la guinda del pastel: una animadora rica que no debería estar ahí, pero se niega a retirarse del lugar sin encontrar a su hermana desaparecida, so que podría salir mal?🧍🏻♀️
Ctmre, realmente yo no podía creer lo que estaba leyendo, porque realmente iba de menos a más en cada momento. Además, los personajes son todito que ver JAJAJA🫦
Por una parte, tenemos a Olivia, que es una mujer que se hace respetar y le importa tres pepinos lo que estos criminales le digan. Y, por otra parte, tenemos a Jax, Madoc y Ryle que ctmre..., ya no podía respirar con toda la tensión que tienen los primero dos, pero amé demasiado esos momentos que tenían de found family, lo que para mí lo fue todo, en especial si consideramos a estos muchachos y Olivia ahí 🥹
En resumen, una historia que me sorprendió, una autora que me hizo volar la cabeza y que me dejó con muchas preguntas con ese final, por lo que ahora solicito la segunda parte para ayer JAJAJ 👀
Thanks very much Elliot, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one💘
Primero que nada, muchas gracias por la oportunidad a Elliot Ray de poder leer este librito que realmente me voló la cabeza 🫣
La autora nos presenta una tripulación de criminales que se dirigen a una mansión aislada en una isla en donde se supone hay un cuadro invaluable que quieren robar. Sin embargo, al llegar a ese lugar todo parece demasiado sencillo, aparece la guinda del pastel: una animadora rica que no debería estar ahí, pero se niega a retirarse del lugar sin encontrar a su hermana desaparecida, so que podría salir mal?🧍🏻♀️
Ctmre, realmente yo no podía creer lo que estaba leyendo, porque realmente iba de menos a más en cada momento. Además, los personajes son todito que ver JAJAJA🫦
Por una parte, tenemos a Olivia, que es una mujer que se hace respetar y le importa tres pepinos lo que estos criminales le digan. Y, por otra parte, tenemos a Jax, Madoc y Ryle que ctmre..., ya no podía respirar con toda la tensión que tienen los primero dos, pero amé demasiado esos momentos que tenían de found family, lo que para mí lo fue todo, en especial si consideramos a estos muchachos y Olivia ahí 🥹
En resumen, una historia que me sorprendió, una autora que me hizo volar la cabeza y que me dejó con muchas preguntas con ese final, por lo que ahora solicito la segunda parte para ayer JAJAJ 👀
Thanks very much Elliot, I really enjoyed this book and I can't wait for the next one💘
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! 🌴🔥
June 20, 2026
I couldn't put this book down 🤩
I applied to be an ARC reader for Heist in Paradise and I'm so glad I was selected. I love the diversity of the characters and the story was really good. It definitely has a couple twists in it that I wasn't expecting and a couple of bits where I was like 🥵 Madoc and Ryle are my absolute favourite characters 😂
There's action, betrayal, comedy, heat and so much more in this book.... I kinda get Taken mixed with Losers except there's a twist in it you don't expect . The ending has really left me hanging over the cliff edge.... I need book 2 and I need it yesterday 😂
Will 100% recommend this book
I applied to be an ARC reader for Heist in Paradise and I'm so glad I was selected. I love the diversity of the characters and the story was really good. It definitely has a couple twists in it that I wasn't expecting and a couple of bits where I was like 🥵 Madoc and Ryle are my absolute favourite characters 😂
There's action, betrayal, comedy, heat and so much more in this book.... I kinda get Taken mixed with Losers except there's a twist in it you don't expect . The ending has really left me hanging over the cliff edge.... I need book 2 and I need it yesterday 😂
Will 100% recommend this book
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.
May 26, 2026
Excellent Read
Great quick read! Loved the characters and the love hate you have with each of them. I can't wait to read more from this series!
Great quick read! Loved the characters and the love hate you have with each of them. I can't wait to read more from this series!
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 💖✨
June 16, 2026
3.5 rounded down to 3. Merry band of thieves. Fun read, insta lust, want more with Jax and Madoc Cliffhanger ending will read the next book in the series
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 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!
July 3, 2026
Arc read!!
It felt like you were thrown straight into the book and into their lives. That made me get hooked almost immediately, and I just couldn’t put the book down.
Olivia has such a strong presence—she’s stubborn, determined, and has a great attitude. She stood her ground even when others tried to tell her what to do.
Olivia and Jax have such fun banter. Meanwhile, Madoc is off on some kind of killing spree, and you don’t really know much about him yet. It made me incredibly curious about Madoc in this series.
Olivia ends up right in the middle of this friend group, which already has that wonderful found family vibe where everyone has each other’s backs.
I just know the next book is gonna be a five star read!
It felt like you were thrown straight into the book and into their lives. That made me get hooked almost immediately, and I just couldn’t put the book down.
Olivia has such a strong presence—she’s stubborn, determined, and has a great attitude. She stood her ground even when others tried to tell her what to do.
Olivia and Jax have such fun banter. Meanwhile, Madoc is off on some kind of killing spree, and you don’t really know much about him yet. It made me incredibly curious about Madoc in this series.
Olivia ends up right in the middle of this friend group, which already has that wonderful found family vibe where everyone has each other’s backs.
I just know the next book is gonna be a five star read!
April 19, 2026
This was so much fun! Highly recommend for anyone wanting a fun, fast-paced, spicy read. The plot was engaging and the characters kept the pages turning. Recommend for anyone into romance/mysteries or wanting something familiar but different - it has twists!
Thank you for the ARC 🙂
Thank you for the ARC 🙂
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)
June 17, 2026
ARC review- Heist in Paradise by Elliot Ray
Want to experience The Money Heist? But, in 24 hours show, THIS IS IT.
Perfect for the fans of Mîñdfuck series
And my god, elliot ray, you've got a lifetime fan of yours!
Requesting hear, please give me another opportunity for your Next book of this series😭I might even cry if i didn't get to know more about Madoc!
An Actual Page turner, filled with so much anticipation, so much of thrill, so much bond 007 energy, that would leave you wanting more of them! The eyebags I've got after pulling an all nighter for this one is totally worth it.
What started as a million-dollar heist, on a beautiful paradise, quickly turned into blood lusted circle which would made your hackles rise, your mouth dry and your sympathetic system on full on alert mode!
I NEVER read any such book before and it made me tremendously happy to get my hands on this arc, even after its release.
The tight knit group of Crows, the masked members, each with their own ducked up past… but all binded and sworn by the loyalty to their group and working under a supreme leader.
Guys, it's a hella of a ride, this one deserves all the attention that you could give!
So let me introduce you to the gang: The team leader Jax, the techie Zola, the sunshine Ryle, the anchor and trust Callum, the slight jacked up Nate and my favourite, the whole lot of unhinged, packed with the serious, lethal grace and a bit much of relaxed posture, Madoc. When the whole gang ends up on the beach with a surprise waiting for them, already there, with their own motive, clashed together, suspicion arises, hackles raised , heart changed and thus, the result!
Hell, i didn't remember the time when i was so much worked up to know MORE about the relationship between the characters! The gang members had such a unhinged yet devoted friendship, that it would make you root for them.
Same happened with me while watching Money heist, i questioned my morality but you know, not all the things are black and white in this world.
Perfect 4.75 ⭐read for me-
The Wit, the banter, the tension between the characters, truthfully speaking, i was rooting for Jadoc, they were sorta left unexplored. Oh, how i hope to understand them better in the next one!
Just one mini thing that lacked for me, some moments, mainly of Jax and Olivia, seems like they were dragged when the whole story was totally expanded in 24 hours frame. Other than that, a totall thrill, adrenaline rushed story!
Want to experience The Money Heist? But, in 24 hours show, THIS IS IT.
Perfect for the fans of Mîñdfuck series
And my god, elliot ray, you've got a lifetime fan of yours!
Requesting hear, please give me another opportunity for your Next book of this series😭I might even cry if i didn't get to know more about Madoc!
An Actual Page turner, filled with so much anticipation, so much of thrill, so much bond 007 energy, that would leave you wanting more of them! The eyebags I've got after pulling an all nighter for this one is totally worth it.
What started as a million-dollar heist, on a beautiful paradise, quickly turned into blood lusted circle which would made your hackles rise, your mouth dry and your sympathetic system on full on alert mode!
I NEVER read any such book before and it made me tremendously happy to get my hands on this arc, even after its release.
The tight knit group of Crows, the masked members, each with their own ducked up past… but all binded and sworn by the loyalty to their group and working under a supreme leader.
Guys, it's a hella of a ride, this one deserves all the attention that you could give!
So let me introduce you to the gang: The team leader Jax, the techie Zola, the sunshine Ryle, the anchor and trust Callum, the slight jacked up Nate and my favourite, the whole lot of unhinged, packed with the serious, lethal grace and a bit much of relaxed posture, Madoc. When the whole gang ends up on the beach with a surprise waiting for them, already there, with their own motive, clashed together, suspicion arises, hackles raised , heart changed and thus, the result!
Hell, i didn't remember the time when i was so much worked up to know MORE about the relationship between the characters! The gang members had such a unhinged yet devoted friendship, that it would make you root for them.
Same happened with me while watching Money heist, i questioned my morality but you know, not all the things are black and white in this world.
Perfect 4.75 ⭐read for me-
The Wit, the banter, the tension between the characters, truthfully speaking, i was rooting for Jadoc, they were sorta left unexplored. Oh, how i hope to understand them better in the next one!
Just one mini thing that lacked for me, some moments, mainly of Jax and Olivia, seems like they were dragged when the whole story was totally expanded in 24 hours frame. Other than that, a totall thrill, adrenaline rushed story!
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.
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