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Rules for Aging and Larceny
Win a free print copy of this book!
8 days and 00:21:15
25 copies available
U.S. only
10 hours, 21 minutes
Ocean's Eleven meets the Golden Girls when an all-female group of chaotic, elderly thieves come out of retirement for one last heist against a young Crypto-loving DudeBro-type... while trying to repair their fractured friendship along the way.
Frances Deluca has always been a force of nature. Active and agile into her 70s, she can handle anything—except perhaps the stretch of empty days looming ahead. Widowed, with a grown son living far away and her own mortality suddenly in view, Frances longs to feel busy again. What she really wants is the familiar rush of a well-crafted plan coming together. It’s been a while, decades in fact—since Frances and her friends pulled off a heist . . .
Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene were a girl gang before such things even existed, joining forces in their 20s for a one-time job that revealed a remarkable affinity for crime. They developed a code of honor, taking only from those who deserved it—until misunderstandings and pride drove them apart.
Now, one by one, Frances manages to convince her old friends to put aside their grudges and reunite. And where better for a reunion tour than Las Vegas? Their Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson who’s developed a high-tech shakedown. Rocco is a Crypto-loving scam artist, and Edie’s beloved granddaughter just lost everything to him, including her self-respect. But the women intend to take it all back—with interest.
Risks will be taken. Fractured relationships will be mended. And four badass seniors will discover how formidable a whole lot of experience can be . . .
Ocean's Eleven meets the Golden Girls when an all-female group of chaotic, elderly thieves come out of retirement for one last heist against a young Crypto-loving DudeBro-type... while trying to repair their fractured friendship along the way.
Frances Deluca has always been a force of nature. Active and agile into her 70s, she can handle anything—except perhaps the stretch of empty days looming ahead. Widowed, with a grown son living far away and her own mortality suddenly in view, Frances longs to feel busy again. What she really wants is the familiar rush of a well-crafted plan coming together. It’s been a while, decades in fact—since Frances and her friends pulled off a heist . . .
Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene were a girl gang before such things even existed, joining forces in their 20s for a one-time job that revealed a remarkable affinity for crime. They developed a code of honor, taking only from those who deserved it—until misunderstandings and pride drove them apart.
Now, one by one, Frances manages to convince her old friends to put aside their grudges and reunite. And where better for a reunion tour than Las Vegas? Their Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson who’s developed a high-tech shakedown. Rocco is a Crypto-loving scam artist, and Edie’s beloved granddaughter just lost everything to him, including her self-respect. But the women intend to take it all back—with interest.
Risks will be taken. Fractured relationships will be mended. And four badass seniors will discover how formidable a whole lot of experience can be . . .
Audiobook
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Julia London
198 books3,196 followersJulia London is the New York Times and USA Today best selling author of more than two dozen romantic fiction novels. She is the author of the popular historical romance series, the Cabot Sisters, including The Trouble with Honor, The Devil Takes a Bride, and The Scoundrel and the Debutante. She is also the author of several contemporary romances, including Homecoming Ranch, Return to Homecoming Ranch, and The Perfect Homecoming.
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
Julia is the recipient of the RT Bookclub Award for Best Historical Romance and a six-time finalist for the prestigious RITA award for excellence in romantic fiction. To keep up with all the Julia London news, please visit http://www.julialondon.com. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/julialondon
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 141 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The book blurb describes this as the Golden Girls meet Ocean 11. And I’d say it was spot on!
Frances, now in her 70’s, is getting restless and not ready for the rocking chair in a retirement home. She feels the itch to assemble her little gang of girlfriends and pull off one more heist before they all go gently into the night! And what better place for this comeback tour than Las Vegas.
I loved learning about the characters in their personal life struggles. We learn what drove them apart, and now their efforts to put their differences aside for each other. It is a heartfelt story mixed with humor and witty banter. A great combination!
✍️ Julia London
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: June 30 , 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Contemporary
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing
Frances, now in her 70’s, is getting restless and not ready for the rocking chair in a retirement home. She feels the itch to assemble her little gang of girlfriends and pull off one more heist before they all go gently into the night! And what better place for this comeback tour than Las Vegas.
I loved learning about the characters in their personal life struggles. We learn what drove them apart, and now their efforts to put their differences aside for each other. It is a heartfelt story mixed with humor and witty banter. A great combination!
✍️ Julia London
📄 304 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: June 30 , 2026
📈 4/5🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Contemporary
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing
June 7, 2026
5 SOLID ⭐️
When I read “Oceans Eleven meets The Golden Girls”, I was immediately intrigued.
I’d also say that that’s a very accurate blurb, with one of the characters even living in a 55+ community in Miami called Shady Oaks (a reference to Shady Pines).
In the first chapter we meet Frances Deluca, who loves to play pickleball and then hit the bar.
I was already laughing out loud in the first chapter when she was kicked out of her pickleball club for being too aggressive (she even hit a ball right at one guy’s hernia)!
She’s got chutzpah!
This was in Houston, although it sounds like something that would actually happen in The Villages, Florida.
Then suddenly everything changes when Frannie receives a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Instead of destroying the pickleball courts, she’s having headaches and feeling nauseous.
Realizing she doesn’t have much time left, she decides to try to reunite with her three best friends, all of whom haven’t spoken in over forty years because of a major falling out.
In their 20’s they did heists together, and Frannie decides that before she checks out (as she calls it), she wants to have that adrenaline rush one last time.
The four ladies in this book are all so different, but together they form such a cohesive quartet.
We learn what they’ve all been up to in the forty something years since they last saw each other, and for the most part have all had very different lives.
I couldn’t help but love all of them!
There were several parts of this book that had me laughing out loud.
All of the talk about seniors with STIs was both disturbing and hilarious at the same time.
As someone who watches MS NOW on a daily basis, I also appreciated the subtle Fox News references.
This is easily going to be one of my top 5 favorites of 2026!
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.
When I read “Oceans Eleven meets The Golden Girls”, I was immediately intrigued.
I’d also say that that’s a very accurate blurb, with one of the characters even living in a 55+ community in Miami called Shady Oaks (a reference to Shady Pines).
In the first chapter we meet Frances Deluca, who loves to play pickleball and then hit the bar.
I was already laughing out loud in the first chapter when she was kicked out of her pickleball club for being too aggressive (she even hit a ball right at one guy’s hernia)!
She’s got chutzpah!
This was in Houston, although it sounds like something that would actually happen in The Villages, Florida.
Then suddenly everything changes when Frannie receives a terminal cancer diagnosis.
Instead of destroying the pickleball courts, she’s having headaches and feeling nauseous.
Realizing she doesn’t have much time left, she decides to try to reunite with her three best friends, all of whom haven’t spoken in over forty years because of a major falling out.
In their 20’s they did heists together, and Frannie decides that before she checks out (as she calls it), she wants to have that adrenaline rush one last time.
The four ladies in this book are all so different, but together they form such a cohesive quartet.
We learn what they’ve all been up to in the forty something years since they last saw each other, and for the most part have all had very different lives.
I couldn’t help but love all of them!
There were several parts of this book that had me laughing out loud.
All of the talk about seniors with STIs was both disturbing and hilarious at the same time.
As someone who watches MS NOW on a daily basis, I also appreciated the subtle Fox News references.
This is easily going to be one of my top 5 favorites of 2026!
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC to review.
July 6, 2026
Rules for the Aging and Larceny by Julia London
Contemporary mystery, fiction.
Four friends decades ago were a bit wild and on the run. Amateur thieves, they managed to pull off a few major heists in the 70’s. They only stole from someone crooked themselves and doing harm to others. When one of their crew fell in love, the gang broke up and they each went their own ways.
The women have gotten back together for one last heist. They are in their 70’s and want one more hurrah. If their hips and joints will allow.
The tag line is Ocean’s Eleven meets Golden Girls and that description fits well, except these women are not experts in anything current. Assuming they will actually make everything come together is half the humor. They still have some skills, the best is friending the locals and finding the right people to help.
The women each has their own conflicts and complications, primarily Frances who drives the determination.
It’s amusing at times, sometimes sad, as we get more backstory of the women and how they’ve lived the intervening years.
An impossible caper. Four determined women with supporting helpers. A crazy plan.
A campy undertaking. A crazy plan.
Never underestimate a woman and her friends.
4.25
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
Contemporary mystery, fiction.
Four friends decades ago were a bit wild and on the run. Amateur thieves, they managed to pull off a few major heists in the 70’s. They only stole from someone crooked themselves and doing harm to others. When one of their crew fell in love, the gang broke up and they each went their own ways.
The women have gotten back together for one last heist. They are in their 70’s and want one more hurrah. If their hips and joints will allow.
The tag line is Ocean’s Eleven meets Golden Girls and that description fits well, except these women are not experts in anything current. Assuming they will actually make everything come together is half the humor. They still have some skills, the best is friending the locals and finding the right people to help.
The women each has their own conflicts and complications, primarily Frances who drives the determination.
It’s amusing at times, sometimes sad, as we get more backstory of the women and how they’ve lived the intervening years.
An impossible caper. Four determined women with supporting helpers. A crazy plan.
A campy undertaking. A crazy plan.
Never underestimate a woman and her friends.
4.25
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
February 25, 2026
I was so happy that this cast of characters were older. I loved how it was described as Ocean’s Eleven meets Golden Girls. It was hilarious but also so true. All these ladies were active and were not ready to give up their adventures.
Frances Deluca finds out she has terminal cancer. She decides she wants one last hurrah so gets her gang of female friends/thieves together to pull off one last job. They have lost touch and ended on bad terms but she wants to be able to make amends and repair the friendship before it’s too late. Frances, Edie, Joan and Irene all have different skills they bring to the team. The ladies were all very comical especially all the witty banter and nick names and outfits as disguises.
It was great to see them all connect and get a little revenge in the process.
Frances Deluca finds out she has terminal cancer. She decides she wants one last hurrah so gets her gang of female friends/thieves together to pull off one last job. They have lost touch and ended on bad terms but she wants to be able to make amends and repair the friendship before it’s too late. Frances, Edie, Joan and Irene all have different skills they bring to the team. The ladies were all very comical especially all the witty banter and nick names and outfits as disguises.
It was great to see them all connect and get a little revenge in the process.
Did Not Finish
July 11, 2026I can't rate this one, even though I read a bunch of it, because my primary problem with it was personal. The main character is dying of brain cancer and the heist is her last hurrah. I don't want to read about brain cancer after watching someone die of it, especially not in my light heist novels. Like, I tried, because I do love Old Ladies Doing Crimes, and I hung in there for 80% of the book, but it was making me actively sad and I eventually quit. Not for me! Definitely for someone else, though.
May 18, 2026
I laughed, I cried, then repeated the process. Loved the entire story 🫶🏻
June 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader copy of Rules for Aging and Larceny by Julia London in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Rules for Aging and Larceny is described as “Ocean's Eleven meets The Golden Girls when an all-female group of chaotic, elderly thieves come out of retirement for one last heist”. The book turned out different than I had anticipated. I had expected more of a Killers of a Certain Age vibe, with more twists and outsmarting the bad guys. Unfortunately this group of female friends was more disorganized and not quite as fun.
I love a heist story and was excited by the premise of four 70-ish former thieves and best friends reuniting. The four main characters are quite stereotypical: 1 bored retiree, 1 stepford wife, 1 black (also lesbian), and 1 Asian. Relatively early in the book, a major development involving one of the four main characters felt unnecessary and pulled me right out of the story. At that point, I stopped trying to make sense of it and just went along for the crazy ride. I liked the focus on the female friendships but would have enjoyed even more feminine rage and vigilantism. Ultimately although the novel’s premise had great potential, the execution was a bit of a disappointment to me 2.75/5⭐️
Rules for Aging and Larceny is described as “Ocean's Eleven meets The Golden Girls when an all-female group of chaotic, elderly thieves come out of retirement for one last heist”. The book turned out different than I had anticipated. I had expected more of a Killers of a Certain Age vibe, with more twists and outsmarting the bad guys. Unfortunately this group of female friends was more disorganized and not quite as fun.
I love a heist story and was excited by the premise of four 70-ish former thieves and best friends reuniting. The four main characters are quite stereotypical: 1 bored retiree, 1 stepford wife, 1 black (also lesbian), and 1 Asian. Relatively early in the book, a major development involving one of the four main characters felt unnecessary and pulled me right out of the story. At that point, I stopped trying to make sense of it and just went along for the crazy ride. I liked the focus on the female friendships but would have enjoyed even more feminine rage and vigilantism. Ultimately although the novel’s premise had great potential, the execution was a bit of a disappointment to me 2.75/5⭐️
Read
June 25, 2026I'm loving the recent trend of criminals of a certain age, especially if they are women. In this amusing heist caper, a woman gets some unfortunate news and decides to reunite her old crime gang for one last hurrah.
Because Edie and Frances got (close third) POVs, I feel like we got to know them better, and that they had the most developed backstories. The other women (Joan and Irene) got a bit of a short shrift.
No surprises here, but if, like me, you are inspired by watching seventy-year-old woman kick ass, grab this for your summer TBR!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
Because Edie and Frances got (close third) POVs, I feel like we got to know them better, and that they had the most developed backstories. The other women (Joan and Irene) got a bit of a short shrift.
No surprises here, but if, like me, you are inspired by watching seventy-year-old woman kick ass, grab this for your summer TBR!
Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!
July 5, 2026
Rules for Aging and Larceny completely stole my heart.
I picked this up expecting a fun mystery with a quirky premise, but what I found was so much more. It was hilarious, heartfelt, inspiring, and surprisingly emotional. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, but it also reminded me that life, friendship, and adventure don’t have an expiration date.
Frances, Edie, Joan, and Irene each brought something different to the group, and that’s what made their friendship feel so authentic. Their conversations, unwavering loyalty, and determination to take on one last adventure were an absolute delight. They reminded me that growing older doesn’t mean becoming invisible…it means carrying decades of wisdom, resilience, and stories worth telling.
And can we talk about Margaret? Every scene with her was comedy gold. She completely stole the show for me.
This is one of those books that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished. It’s funny, clever, uplifting, and full of heart. By the end, I found myself hoping I’m just as bold, witty, and fearless when I’m in my 70s.
If you’re looking for a story about friendship, second chances, found family, and proving that it’s never too late for one more adventure, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Thank you to Kensington for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I picked this up expecting a fun mystery with a quirky premise, but what I found was so much more. It was hilarious, heartfelt, inspiring, and surprisingly emotional. I laughed out loud more times than I can count, but it also reminded me that life, friendship, and adventure don’t have an expiration date.
Frances, Edie, Joan, and Irene each brought something different to the group, and that’s what made their friendship feel so authentic. Their conversations, unwavering loyalty, and determination to take on one last adventure were an absolute delight. They reminded me that growing older doesn’t mean becoming invisible…it means carrying decades of wisdom, resilience, and stories worth telling.
And can we talk about Margaret? Every scene with her was comedy gold. She completely stole the show for me.
This is one of those books that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished. It’s funny, clever, uplifting, and full of heart. By the end, I found myself hoping I’m just as bold, witty, and fearless when I’m in my 70s.
If you’re looking for a story about friendship, second chances, found family, and proving that it’s never too late for one more adventure, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Thank you to Kensington for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own.
Did Not Finish
June 12, 2026I received an ARC and I am very grateful!
However, I was kind of expecting something different. I think I wanted more humor. That doesn’t mean this was bad! This just means it’s not the right book for me and I don’t want to give a rating to something that’s going to be great for others, but wasn’t written for someone like me! I think the writing is really quite good and this is absolutely a story for, like the back says, those that enjoy Ocean’s Eleven. For fans of The Golden Girls? Maybe not so much.
If you’re interested, though, give it a try!!
However, I was kind of expecting something different. I think I wanted more humor. That doesn’t mean this was bad! This just means it’s not the right book for me and I don’t want to give a rating to something that’s going to be great for others, but wasn’t written for someone like me! I think the writing is really quite good and this is absolutely a story for, like the back says, those that enjoy Ocean’s Eleven. For fans of The Golden Girls? Maybe not so much.
If you’re interested, though, give it a try!!
June 30, 2026
Four women in their 70s get together to pull off one last heist. Needless to say, chaos ensued!
I had a lot of fun reading RULES FOR AGING AND LARCENY. You have to suspend disbelief for the plot. The likelihood of any of this happening is pretty slim, but I didn’t care because I enjoyed the journey.
My favorite part was the way these estranged friends found their way back to each other. I loved that the author showed how women of a certain age are overlooked, ignored, and underestimated by society. These women used that to their advantage, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.
*Thanks to Kensington Books (#Thrillfluencer) for the free copy!*
I had a lot of fun reading RULES FOR AGING AND LARCENY. You have to suspend disbelief for the plot. The likelihood of any of this happening is pretty slim, but I didn’t care because I enjoyed the journey.
My favorite part was the way these estranged friends found their way back to each other. I loved that the author showed how women of a certain age are overlooked, ignored, and underestimated by society. These women used that to their advantage, and I was rooting for them every step of the way.
*Thanks to Kensington Books (#Thrillfluencer) for the free copy!*
May 24, 2026
I won an advanced copy of Rules for Aging and Larceny from between the chapters Kensington books!
Rules for Aging and Larceny hooked me because the characters felt real and easy to connect with. It put me through a whole mix of emotions. I laughed, got tense, and had a few moments that hit deeper than I expected. It’s chaotic, funny, and full of heart, and I loved the whole story. Honestly one of the best reads I’ve picked up this year! I loved the entire story from beginning to end, getting to know each character and about their lives. I loved cheering these women on and hoping for the best. I enjoyed seeing their friendship come back from the pain it suffered. Will definitely reread this book !
Rules for Aging and Larceny hooked me because the characters felt real and easy to connect with. It put me through a whole mix of emotions. I laughed, got tense, and had a few moments that hit deeper than I expected. It’s chaotic, funny, and full of heart, and I loved the whole story. Honestly one of the best reads I’ve picked up this year! I loved the entire story from beginning to end, getting to know each character and about their lives. I loved cheering these women on and hoping for the best. I enjoyed seeing their friendship come back from the pain it suffered. Will definitely reread this book !
July 1, 2026
I absolutely LOVED that! I love a heist book and add in some sassy and fun 70 year old ladies and I knew this was going to be a blast. The writing was just so much fun and I loved getting to know these characters. It was high drama, but not in a stressful way, but with the lightest air that kept me smiling and also hooked to the story. I love the bonds of this friendship and showing that you can always return to your loved ones before it's too late. This really was a blast!
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
Thanks to the publisher for a free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own.
July 8, 2026
Did not finish, stopped at 11%
Main character receiving a diagnosis of in Chapter 3 should really have been a trigger warning
Main character receiving a diagnosis of in Chapter 3 should really have been a trigger warning
May 8, 2026
ARC review- This book was filled with heart and humor. A story of friends reconnecting after a falling out and navigating the difficulties of past hurts. The older women get together and plan one last heist on a guy who wronged one of their own. The women are all 70+ now and aren’t able to move like they used to in their 20s! The 4 friends learn to use their age to their advantage. It was a fun and entertaining read! I would recommend to anyone who needs a good laugh. It also reminds us that age is just a number and we are still alive. So keep living life!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: June 20th 2026
"She missed that old life. She missed the days when she, Edie, Joan, and Irene were a girl gang before girl gangs were cool."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
May 12, 2026
Somewhere between laughing at seventy-year-old women planning a Vegas heist and suddenly getting emotionally body-slammed by a conversation about aging, friendship, and mortality, Julia London’s Rules for Aging and Larceny completely stole my heart. Kensington Books, thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the gifted ARC.
This book is absolute proof that stories about older women can be chaotic, hilarious, sharp, messy, meaningful, and honestly way more entertaining than half the twenty-something “finding herself” plots floating around lately. Frances Deluca is seventy-four, facing terminal cancer, and decides what she really wants before the end is one last job with the girl gang she lost decades ago. And honestly? Icon behavior.
Frances, Edie, Joan, and Irene were once thieves with a moral code—only stealing from people who deserved it—and reuniting them after years of resentment, heartbreak, misunderstandings, and plain old stubbornness was just as entertaining as the actual heist itself. The chemistry between these women felt so lived-in and real. Their banter had me laughing out loud one minute and quietly staring into space the next thinking about how friendships evolve over a lifetime.
And listen… watching these women use the fact that society underestimates older women as their literal superpower? Incredible. Give me more books where grandmothers are smarter than crypto bros and mob-adjacent scammers. Cinema. Absolute cinema.
What I loved most was how the story balanced humor with genuine emotion. Frances isn’t just chasing adrenaline—she’s trying to repair something broken before time runs out. Edie’s love for her granddaughter Marcy gives the whole mission heart, while Joan and Irene bring their own layers of grief, grit, and glorious chaos. The book never turns aging into a joke, but it absolutely finds humor in the realities of it. Bad knees, hearing problems, forgotten details, medication schedules… all woven into this wildly entertaining caper without losing the emotional core.
“There comes a time when you realize surviving isn’t the same thing as living.”
Yeah. That line got me.
The heist itself requires a little suspension of disbelief at times, but honestly? I didn’t care. I was having too much fun watching these women reconnect, heal old wounds, and remind everyone—including themselves—that life does not magically end once society decides women are “past their prime.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love found family, female friendships, cozy crime, revenge plots, witty banter, Vegas chaos, and stories that make you laugh while quietly wrecking you emotionally, this one deserves a spot on your summer reading list immediately.
Also… can we collectively agree we need more senior citizen heist novels because these women were cooler than most fictional men I’ve read this year?
#RulesForAgingAndLarceny #JuliaLondon #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #BookReview #Bookstagram #CozyMystery #MysteryThriller #WomenWhoRead #GoldenGirlsMeetsOceansEleven #FictionLover #CrimeFiction #SuspenseReads #BooksCoffeeBrews #ARCReader #SummerReads #BookCommunity #FemaleFriendship #MysteryBooks
This book is absolute proof that stories about older women can be chaotic, hilarious, sharp, messy, meaningful, and honestly way more entertaining than half the twenty-something “finding herself” plots floating around lately. Frances Deluca is seventy-four, facing terminal cancer, and decides what she really wants before the end is one last job with the girl gang she lost decades ago. And honestly? Icon behavior.
Frances, Edie, Joan, and Irene were once thieves with a moral code—only stealing from people who deserved it—and reuniting them after years of resentment, heartbreak, misunderstandings, and plain old stubbornness was just as entertaining as the actual heist itself. The chemistry between these women felt so lived-in and real. Their banter had me laughing out loud one minute and quietly staring into space the next thinking about how friendships evolve over a lifetime.
And listen… watching these women use the fact that society underestimates older women as their literal superpower? Incredible. Give me more books where grandmothers are smarter than crypto bros and mob-adjacent scammers. Cinema. Absolute cinema.
What I loved most was how the story balanced humor with genuine emotion. Frances isn’t just chasing adrenaline—she’s trying to repair something broken before time runs out. Edie’s love for her granddaughter Marcy gives the whole mission heart, while Joan and Irene bring their own layers of grief, grit, and glorious chaos. The book never turns aging into a joke, but it absolutely finds humor in the realities of it. Bad knees, hearing problems, forgotten details, medication schedules… all woven into this wildly entertaining caper without losing the emotional core.
“There comes a time when you realize surviving isn’t the same thing as living.”
Yeah. That line got me.
The heist itself requires a little suspension of disbelief at times, but honestly? I didn’t care. I was having too much fun watching these women reconnect, heal old wounds, and remind everyone—including themselves—that life does not magically end once society decides women are “past their prime.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If you love found family, female friendships, cozy crime, revenge plots, witty banter, Vegas chaos, and stories that make you laugh while quietly wrecking you emotionally, this one deserves a spot on your summer reading list immediately.
Also… can we collectively agree we need more senior citizen heist novels because these women were cooler than most fictional men I’ve read this year?
#RulesForAgingAndLarceny #JuliaLondon #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley #BookReview #Bookstagram #CozyMystery #MysteryThriller #WomenWhoRead #GoldenGirlsMeetsOceansEleven #FictionLover #CrimeFiction #SuspenseReads #BooksCoffeeBrews #ARCReader #SummerReads #BookCommunity #FemaleFriendship #MysteryBooks
Review of advance copy
"Rules for Aging and Larceny" is a silly delight.
After I became accustomed to the slightly cartoonish tone, I fell into curiosity punctuated by giggles, not a bad combo for a rainy afternoon.
First, the four main characters: I initially thought that they checked too many boxes: e.g., African American, Asian American, lesbian, well-preserved society maven-and-garden-club-champion-with-cheating-spouse, the "nice" widow with terminal cancer. However, the deeper I sank into the book, the more interesting the characters became, especially Edie, who knows herself and her needs so well that she jettisoned her friends, as well as jeopardized their futures, to obtain her dream life of married affluence and a family, and who also knows in her heart that she loves her skunk of a husband.
Second, I appreciated that the characters' love for each other survive severe disagreements and perceived betrayal, just like so-called "real" life.
Third, the plot moved well and was bolstered by the subplot of the tribulations and inconsistencies of Edie's granddaughter, Marcy, as well as (sadly) by Franny's deteriorating health.
Fourth, although some of the humor skews quite broad, I laughed out loud a few times in spite of my snobby self, especially when London juxtaposes the characters' snarky and spicy interior thoughts with others' perceptions of them. I must admit - women of a certain (i.e. my) age are largely invisible to large swaths of society. In fact, Franny uses her geriatric cloak of invisibility to help her avoid numerous stressful and fraught situations.
Ultimately, although "Rules" is hardly (and makes no attempt to be) "War and Peace," it left me with the following provocative questions. E.g.: (i) If I knew I had only months to live, what would I want to do? What would I actually do? (ii) Are long-term friendships different (or deeper?) than bonds more recently formed? (iii) Can we really know our family members? Should we even try to discover their pasts in order to do so? (iv) What is the difference between love and co-dependency? (v) Is revenge a healthy goal? (vi) Can friendships or romances survive betrayal? (vii) When is forgiveness healthy? When is it misguided?
Thanks to my colleagues for this autographed ARC and for introducing me to an author who, with her wit and talent, brightened this cloudy day.
After I became accustomed to the slightly cartoonish tone, I fell into curiosity punctuated by giggles, not a bad combo for a rainy afternoon.
First, the four main characters: I initially thought that they checked too many boxes: e.g., African American, Asian American, lesbian, well-preserved society maven-and-garden-club-champion-with-cheating-spouse, the "nice" widow with terminal cancer. However, the deeper I sank into the book, the more interesting the characters became, especially Edie, who knows herself and her needs so well that she jettisoned her friends, as well as jeopardized their futures, to obtain her dream life of married affluence and a family, and who also knows in her heart that she loves her skunk of a husband.
Second, I appreciated that the characters' love for each other survive severe disagreements and perceived betrayal, just like so-called "real" life.
Third, the plot moved well and was bolstered by the subplot of the tribulations and inconsistencies of Edie's granddaughter, Marcy, as well as (sadly) by Franny's deteriorating health.
Fourth, although some of the humor skews quite broad, I laughed out loud a few times in spite of my snobby self, especially when London juxtaposes the characters' snarky and spicy interior thoughts with others' perceptions of them. I must admit - women of a certain (i.e. my) age are largely invisible to large swaths of society. In fact, Franny uses her geriatric cloak of invisibility to help her avoid numerous stressful and fraught situations.
Ultimately, although "Rules" is hardly (and makes no attempt to be) "War and Peace," it left me with the following provocative questions. E.g.: (i) If I knew I had only months to live, what would I want to do? What would I actually do? (ii) Are long-term friendships different (or deeper?) than bonds more recently formed? (iii) Can we really know our family members? Should we even try to discover their pasts in order to do so? (iv) What is the difference between love and co-dependency? (v) Is revenge a healthy goal? (vi) Can friendships or romances survive betrayal? (vii) When is forgiveness healthy? When is it misguided?
Thanks to my colleagues for this autographed ARC and for introducing me to an author who, with her wit and talent, brightened this cloudy day.
June 29, 2026
I didn't realize I needed this book in my life until I was reading it.
I think all of us are afraid to admit we are scared of aging and what comes next. And this book tackles that in such a fun, exciting way.
We follow a girl gang full of some extremely unique characters. Frances, the idea generator who originally got the gang together when they were all young, backing up their initial outings with her late father's money. Edie, the looks of the group who was used as the eye candy to distract their targets; she is also the one they all blame for why they nearly got caught and the reason they broke up. Then you have Joan and Irene, the fun lesbian pairing who did A LOT of the heavy lifting- fake IDs, fake credit cards, scheduling power outages, and Joan being the literal martial arts muscle.
This was fucking awesome, especially throwing in that they are all in their 70's doing this shit one last time.
After nearly getting busted, they disband and don't speak again. Until Frances learns she's got terminal brain cancer. She doesn't want to live the rest of her life at an old folks home or on her son's couch doing nothing, so she decides to get the girls together again one last time.
This story was funny, emotional, and has as happy of and ending as you would expect. We mainly read from Frances and Edie's POV, which was so heartbreaking at times when you are in Frances' POV, seeing how the cancer is getting to her progressively throughout the story. I think this story was handled with so much care and love that I never felt disconnected from the characters because of my age difference; they just felt like how I expect I'll feel at that age, still mentally the same, just trapped in an old person suit.
I laughed. I cried. And I highly recommend you read this book. It was the genre break I needed (I usually read fantasy or romance), but I was HOOKED from start to finish. I just had to take a few tearful breaks in between chapters.
Thank you so much to Kensington for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book. I will be holding onto it as a loved collector's item for a long time.
I think all of us are afraid to admit we are scared of aging and what comes next. And this book tackles that in such a fun, exciting way.
We follow a girl gang full of some extremely unique characters. Frances, the idea generator who originally got the gang together when they were all young, backing up their initial outings with her late father's money. Edie, the looks of the group who was used as the eye candy to distract their targets; she is also the one they all blame for why they nearly got caught and the reason they broke up. Then you have Joan and Irene, the fun lesbian pairing who did A LOT of the heavy lifting- fake IDs, fake credit cards, scheduling power outages, and Joan being the literal martial arts muscle.
This was fucking awesome, especially throwing in that they are all in their 70's doing this shit one last time.
After nearly getting busted, they disband and don't speak again. Until Frances learns she's got terminal brain cancer. She doesn't want to live the rest of her life at an old folks home or on her son's couch doing nothing, so she decides to get the girls together again one last time.
This story was funny, emotional, and has as happy of and ending as you would expect. We mainly read from Frances and Edie's POV, which was so heartbreaking at times when you are in Frances' POV, seeing how the cancer is getting to her progressively throughout the story. I think this story was handled with so much care and love that I never felt disconnected from the characters because of my age difference; they just felt like how I expect I'll feel at that age, still mentally the same, just trapped in an old person suit.
I laughed. I cried. And I highly recommend you read this book. It was the genre break I needed (I usually read fantasy or romance), but I was HOOKED from start to finish. I just had to take a few tearful breaks in between chapters.
Thank you so much to Kensington for sending me an advanced reader copy of this book. I will be holding onto it as a loved collector's item for a long time.
July 1, 2026
Once upon a time Frances was a world class thief
More than forty years later, she’s a widow, recently kicked out of pickleball tournament for playing too aggressively, and - most of all - she’s bored
What starts as an attempted grocery slip and fall scam, ends with her getting a grim medical diagnosis
With the memory of her husband’s last days (and resulting medical bills) hanging over her, she decides she’s not signing her son up for that
Instead she plans to keep the medical news to herself, and go out on her own terms - reconnecting with former friends/partners in crime Joan, Irene, and Edie for one last heist
They aren’t in their twenties any more, but they aren’t going to let age (or the years apart) stop them
Their plans really get set in motion once they find their mark - a new casino owner whose Ponzi scheme cheated Edie’s granddaughter out of her money
I was drawn in by the ‘Be old, do crimes’ theme
It’s a super fun concept, and watching them get away with things because they’re constantly underestimated is so satisfying
Even as they argue over old business, the reconnecting goes surprisingly well
Sad to think of the years they wasted having to stay apart though, especially Joan and Irene. And Edie’s husband has me internally raging!
I liked how granddaughter eavesdropped and meddled her way into their business, before they’d even settled on a plan. She’s for sure a chip off the old block, one generation removed
Francis doing this in the face of death is the heavy side of the story
Spoilery yet important content warning, an inoperable brain tumor is progressing more quickly than she’d expected so she’s quietly dealing with all the related meds and effects of that
Still, knowing that this is all she could think of for a bucket list scenerio is actually inspiring
Evidence of a life well lived!
Of course things aren’t going to go off completely without a hitch - and there’s some suspension of disbelief required for how well they do - but I was more than happy to go with it, because these ladies were a delight to read about
Thanks Kensington for the arc!
More than forty years later, she’s a widow, recently kicked out of pickleball tournament for playing too aggressively, and - most of all - she’s bored
What starts as an attempted grocery slip and fall scam, ends with her getting a grim medical diagnosis
With the memory of her husband’s last days (and resulting medical bills) hanging over her, she decides she’s not signing her son up for that
Instead she plans to keep the medical news to herself, and go out on her own terms - reconnecting with former friends/partners in crime Joan, Irene, and Edie for one last heist
They aren’t in their twenties any more, but they aren’t going to let age (or the years apart) stop them
Their plans really get set in motion once they find their mark - a new casino owner whose Ponzi scheme cheated Edie’s granddaughter out of her money
I was drawn in by the ‘Be old, do crimes’ theme
It’s a super fun concept, and watching them get away with things because they’re constantly underestimated is so satisfying
Even as they argue over old business, the reconnecting goes surprisingly well
Sad to think of the years they wasted having to stay apart though, especially Joan and Irene. And Edie’s husband has me internally raging!
I liked how granddaughter eavesdropped and meddled her way into their business, before they’d even settled on a plan. She’s for sure a chip off the old block, one generation removed
Francis doing this in the face of death is the heavy side of the story
Spoilery yet important content warning, an inoperable brain tumor is progressing more quickly than she’d expected so she’s quietly dealing with all the related meds and effects of that
Still, knowing that this is all she could think of for a bucket list scenerio is actually inspiring
Evidence of a life well lived!
Of course things aren’t going to go off completely without a hitch - and there’s some suspension of disbelief required for how well they do - but I was more than happy to go with it, because these ladies were a delight to read about
Thanks Kensington for the arc!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
If someone told me The Golden Girls decided to pull off an Ocean's 11-style heist, I would have laughed... and then immediately picked up this book. Turns out, that's exactly the vibe of Rules of Aging and Larceny, and it is every bit as entertaining as it sounds.
Watching this wonderfully chaotic group of women navigate one outrageous situation after another had me grinning from ear to ear. The banter is sharp, the personalities couldn't be more different, and every character brings something unique to the table. Their friendships aren't perfect, and honestly, that's what makes them feel so real. They argue, they hold grudges, they make questionable decisions (some more questionable than others), but underneath all of that is a group of women learning to trust each other and finding family where they least expected it.
What surprised me was how much heart and emotion is woven into this story. Yes, there are laughs. Yes, there are schemes that had me thinking, "Oh, this is either going to be brilliant or a complete disaster." But throughout the humorous moments, are meaningful themes of forgiveness, second chances, growing older without becoming invisible, and realizing it's never too late to become the person, or the friend you were always meant to be.
The cast completely steals the show. Each woman has her own baggage, strengths, flaws, and unforgettable personality, making it impossible not to become invested in their journey together. They prove that friendship doesn't have an expiration date and that sometimes the people who drive you the craziest are the very ones you'll fight the hardest to protect. Gah....I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Rules for Aging and Larceny is clever, heartfelt, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional. It's the kind of book that makes you laugh one minute and quietly reflect the next. If you're looking for a story filled with unforgettable characters, witty dialogue, and a reminder that life and adventure isn't over just because you've collected a few more birthdays (oh how this is true). This is one you don't want to miss and I cannot recommend enough.
Watching this wonderfully chaotic group of women navigate one outrageous situation after another had me grinning from ear to ear. The banter is sharp, the personalities couldn't be more different, and every character brings something unique to the table. Their friendships aren't perfect, and honestly, that's what makes them feel so real. They argue, they hold grudges, they make questionable decisions (some more questionable than others), but underneath all of that is a group of women learning to trust each other and finding family where they least expected it.
What surprised me was how much heart and emotion is woven into this story. Yes, there are laughs. Yes, there are schemes that had me thinking, "Oh, this is either going to be brilliant or a complete disaster." But throughout the humorous moments, are meaningful themes of forgiveness, second chances, growing older without becoming invisible, and realizing it's never too late to become the person, or the friend you were always meant to be.
The cast completely steals the show. Each woman has her own baggage, strengths, flaws, and unforgettable personality, making it impossible not to become invested in their journey together. They prove that friendship doesn't have an expiration date and that sometimes the people who drive you the craziest are the very ones you'll fight the hardest to protect. Gah....I LOVED THIS BOOK!
Rules for Aging and Larceny is clever, heartfelt, hilarious, and surprisingly emotional. It's the kind of book that makes you laugh one minute and quietly reflect the next. If you're looking for a story filled with unforgettable characters, witty dialogue, and a reminder that life and adventure isn't over just because you've collected a few more birthdays (oh how this is true). This is one you don't want to miss and I cannot recommend enough.
June 30, 2026
Happy publication day!!
When I say I devoured this book, I mean it. It was so hard to put down! One of the few I've read this year when the lights were off, my eyes were strained, and I really needed to sleep, but I absolutely had to finish the next chapter. And the next. And...the next, until I finally got to the end.
I'm glad it was so addicting, because I wanted to get this review done before publication. I was only able to do so thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing - but I only had four days to do it! I only needed 24 hours. The writing was quick, snappy, and distinctive. Each of our leading ladies (especially Frances and Edie who were our POV characters) had distinct personalities and reasons for their choices. I really appreciated that this book was a mix of show and tell. We were shown pieces of the lives of Joan and Irene, and told some of Frances and Edie, and then that mix carried on into all other characters. It was nice to not be served all information on a platter in chapter one. I was discovering the characters and situations along with our main four.
As for the Larceny, the journey was the meat of the book. How they were going to pull it off, and how they all came together again after 40 years. This story was more about the journey, and it was such a fun ride! If anything, I wish more time was devoted to the actual heist at the end, as it really only got going at the 70-70% mark. The rest was set-up.
But that did not stop my enjoyment overall. The setup and the relationships between the characters was the main focus of the book. I really loved how the author took their time to have us get to know them, and their motivations. Even when I didn't always agree with them (looking at you Edie) I completely understood where they were coming from.
If you're a fan of zippy thrillers with a side of cozy (like Killers of a Certain Age) you will love this!
When I say I devoured this book, I mean it. It was so hard to put down! One of the few I've read this year when the lights were off, my eyes were strained, and I really needed to sleep, but I absolutely had to finish the next chapter. And the next. And...the next, until I finally got to the end.
I'm glad it was so addicting, because I wanted to get this review done before publication. I was only able to do so thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing - but I only had four days to do it! I only needed 24 hours. The writing was quick, snappy, and distinctive. Each of our leading ladies (especially Frances and Edie who were our POV characters) had distinct personalities and reasons for their choices. I really appreciated that this book was a mix of show and tell. We were shown pieces of the lives of Joan and Irene, and told some of Frances and Edie, and then that mix carried on into all other characters. It was nice to not be served all information on a platter in chapter one. I was discovering the characters and situations along with our main four.
As for the Larceny, the journey was the meat of the book. How they were going to pull it off, and how they all came together again after 40 years. This story was more about the journey, and it was such a fun ride! If anything, I wish more time was devoted to the actual heist at the end, as it really only got going at the 70-70% mark. The rest was set-up.
But that did not stop my enjoyment overall. The setup and the relationships between the characters was the main focus of the book. I really loved how the author took their time to have us get to know them, and their motivations. Even when I didn't always agree with them (looking at you Edie) I completely understood where they were coming from.
If you're a fan of zippy thrillers with a side of cozy (like Killers of a Certain Age) you will love this!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Poignant, quirky, and oozing with heart and humor, Rules for Aging and Larceny covered the full spectrum of emotions from laughter to tears. You see, not only did it have a found-family vibe amidst a bevy of hurts and betrayals, but the underlying themes were thought-provoking to be sure. Exploring female friendship, death and mortality, second chances, and learning how to age while maintaining one’s agency, it was filled to the brim with important food for thought. The biggest win in this crime caper story, however, were the senior citizens at the center of the action. All possessing strong wills that were believably tempered with doubt, this misfit band of thieves were quite the hoot. Don’t get me wrong, I had a few issues here and there with this laugh-out-loud-funny tale.
Where should I start? Well, right off the bat, this Golden Girls-meets-Ocean’s Eleven plot felt cozier than I would’ve liked. Lacking the tense, suspenseful feel that I expected to find inside of this novel, the heist took a definite back seat to the characters, which meant that it was pretty slow to start. Other than that, the only other thing to irk me a little was the over-the-top, far-fetched nature of the entire shebang. I won’t spoil it by saying much more, but just know there’s a huge wrench thrown in the works in terms of realism. That being said, once I suspended my disbelief, I flew through the pages in no time at all. Perfect for fans of Killers of a Certain Age or Finlay Donovan, while this high-stakes cozy mystery wasn’t exactly the banger I wanted, it was still a solid read. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Frances Deluca has always been a force of nature. Active and agile into her 70s, she can handle anything—except perhaps the stretch of empty days looming ahead. Widowed, with a grown son living far away and her own mortality suddenly in view, Frances longs to feel busy again. What she really wants is the familiar rush of a well-crafted plan coming together. It’s been a while, decades in fact—since Frances and her friends pulled off a heist…
Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene were a girl gang before such things even existed, joining forces in their 20s for a one-time job that revealed a remarkable affinity for crime. They developed a code of honor, taking only from those who deserved it—until misunderstandings and pride drove them apart.
Now, one by one, Frances manages to convince her old friends to put aside their grudges and reunite. And where better for a reunion tour than Las Vegas? Their target: Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson who’s developed a high-tech shakedown. Rocco is a Crypto-loving scam artist, and Edie’s beloved granddaughter just lost everything to him, including her self-respect. But the women intend to take it all back—with interest.
Risks will be taken. Fractured relationships will be mended. And four badass seniors will discover how formidable a whole lot of experience can be…
Thank you Julia London and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 30, 2026
Content warning: cancer, drug use, sexual content, being roofied, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, mention of: infidelity, grief, racism
Where should I start? Well, right off the bat, this Golden Girls-meets-Ocean’s Eleven plot felt cozier than I would’ve liked. Lacking the tense, suspenseful feel that I expected to find inside of this novel, the heist took a definite back seat to the characters, which meant that it was pretty slow to start. Other than that, the only other thing to irk me a little was the over-the-top, far-fetched nature of the entire shebang. I won’t spoil it by saying much more, but just know there’s a huge wrench thrown in the works in terms of realism. That being said, once I suspended my disbelief, I flew through the pages in no time at all. Perfect for fans of Killers of a Certain Age or Finlay Donovan, while this high-stakes cozy mystery wasn’t exactly the banger I wanted, it was still a solid read. Rating of 3 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
Frances Deluca has always been a force of nature. Active and agile into her 70s, she can handle anything—except perhaps the stretch of empty days looming ahead. Widowed, with a grown son living far away and her own mortality suddenly in view, Frances longs to feel busy again. What she really wants is the familiar rush of a well-crafted plan coming together. It’s been a while, decades in fact—since Frances and her friends pulled off a heist…
Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene were a girl gang before such things even existed, joining forces in their 20s for a one-time job that revealed a remarkable affinity for crime. They developed a code of honor, taking only from those who deserved it—until misunderstandings and pride drove them apart.
Now, one by one, Frances manages to convince her old friends to put aside their grudges and reunite. And where better for a reunion tour than Las Vegas? Their target: Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson who’s developed a high-tech shakedown. Rocco is a Crypto-loving scam artist, and Edie’s beloved granddaughter just lost everything to him, including her self-respect. But the women intend to take it all back—with interest.
Risks will be taken. Fractured relationships will be mended. And four badass seniors will discover how formidable a whole lot of experience can be…
Thank you Julia London and Kensington Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: June 30, 2026
Content warning: cancer, drug use, sexual content, being roofied, toxic relationship, emotional abuse, mention of: infidelity, grief, racism
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Kensington Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
Frances Deluca may be in her 70s, but she remains active and agile. But when her own mortality comes into view, and her husband passing away and son living so far away, she longs for the days of feeling busy again. What better than getting the gang back together again? That girl gang includes her friends Joan, Edie, and Irene, who joined forces in their 20s to pull off some amazing heists; that is, until one of them broke their honor code and they were driven apart. This is their last chance to relive the glory days, and when a Crypto-loving scam artist opens up as a target, the stars align. I mean, who would expect the little old ladies?
Watch out world, Julia London has entered her action/heist era, and I am SO here for it! I love a good heist movie as much as the next person, but the added twist of a girl gang of grandmas adds a certain flair. But beyond the heist aspect, there’s a whole lot of history among the group members, adding complexity to the characters and amplifying their personalities beyond their heist skillset. They’re a quirky group who encounter some quirkier characters, but the plot comes together so well that I was locked in like an unbreakable safe. Maybe one day we’ll get a prequel, but until then, I’m enjoying learning the rules of aging and larceny.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
👵 want a mix of Ocean’s 8 and the Golden Girls, maybe with some Love Island mixed in there
💰 still don’t fully understand Crypto?
🎰 love hearing the phrase, “just one last heist!”
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Frances Deluca may be in her 70s, but she remains active and agile. But when her own mortality comes into view, and her husband passing away and son living so far away, she longs for the days of feeling busy again. What better than getting the gang back together again? That girl gang includes her friends Joan, Edie, and Irene, who joined forces in their 20s to pull off some amazing heists; that is, until one of them broke their honor code and they were driven apart. This is their last chance to relive the glory days, and when a Crypto-loving scam artist opens up as a target, the stars align. I mean, who would expect the little old ladies?
Watch out world, Julia London has entered her action/heist era, and I am SO here for it! I love a good heist movie as much as the next person, but the added twist of a girl gang of grandmas adds a certain flair. But beyond the heist aspect, there’s a whole lot of history among the group members, adding complexity to the characters and amplifying their personalities beyond their heist skillset. They’re a quirky group who encounter some quirkier characters, but the plot comes together so well that I was locked in like an unbreakable safe. Maybe one day we’ll get a prequel, but until then, I’m enjoying learning the rules of aging and larceny.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
👵 want a mix of Ocean’s 8 and the Golden Girls, maybe with some Love Island mixed in there
💰 still don’t fully understand Crypto?
🎰 love hearing the phrase, “just one last heist!”
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
ARC Review, Thank you Goodreads for the Advance Copy of Rules for Aging and Larceny. This book is a delightfully quirky and entertaining story that mixes friendship, second chances, and a little bit of crime into one fun adventure. Beneath the humor and robbery schemes is a heartfelt story about friendships that have fractured over time and what it takes to reconnect after years of hurt, distance, and misunderstandings.
The real strength of the novel is its characters. The dynamic between the friends feels authentic, full of sharp banter, lingering resentment, and genuine affection that never completely disappeared. Watching them slowly rebuild trust while getting tangled up in increasingly chaotic situations made the story both emotional and incredibly fun to read. Their chemistry carries the book from beginning to end.
The robbery element adds an entertaining caper vibe, giving the story energy and unpredictability, but the emotional core is what makes it memorable. The book explores aging, regret, and reinvention in a way that feels lighthearted without losing depth. It’s funny, clever, and full of charm, with eccentric characters who prove that growing older doesn’t mean life has to become boring or predictable.
Overall, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a witty, feel-good read with heart, humor, and just enough mischief. Perfect for readers who enjoy unconventional friendships, quirky adventures, and stories that remind us it’s never too late to reconnect—or to pull off one last outrageous plan.
The real strength of the novel is its characters. The dynamic between the friends feels authentic, full of sharp banter, lingering resentment, and genuine affection that never completely disappeared. Watching them slowly rebuild trust while getting tangled up in increasingly chaotic situations made the story both emotional and incredibly fun to read. Their chemistry carries the book from beginning to end.
The robbery element adds an entertaining caper vibe, giving the story energy and unpredictability, but the emotional core is what makes it memorable. The book explores aging, regret, and reinvention in a way that feels lighthearted without losing depth. It’s funny, clever, and full of charm, with eccentric characters who prove that growing older doesn’t mean life has to become boring or predictable.
Overall, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a witty, feel-good read with heart, humor, and just enough mischief. Perfect for readers who enjoy unconventional friendships, quirky adventures, and stories that remind us it’s never too late to reconnect—or to pull off one last outrageous plan.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rules for Aging and Larceny by Julia London
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
With lots of heart and humor, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a fast-paced and fun read that also highlights the significance of letting go of the past and embracing forgiveness. A cozy, found family book with a fast-paced heist, excellent character development, and lots of witty banter! An overall great story!
Frances Deluca, who is in her 70s and widowed, wants to feel busy again and have a well-devised plan coming together. It has been decades since Frances and her friends have pulled off a heist. Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene joined forces in their 20s for job, but misunderstandings drove them apart.
Now, Frances convinces her old friends to reunite in Las Vegas. Their target is Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson and scam artist. Edie’s granddaughter lost everything to him and the women intend to get it all back. They will take lots of risks, mend relationships, and discover their own strength along the way.
Rules for Aging and Larceny is such an entertaining, heartfelt, and enjoyable read from start to finish. The book looks at aging genuinely, while also demonstrating that everyone can step out of their comfort zone and take a leap. With female friendships, found family, a heist, chaos, witty banter, lots of humorous moments that make you laugh, and emotional moments that are deeply meaningful, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a wonderful read!
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Kensington Publishing, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
With lots of heart and humor, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a fast-paced and fun read that also highlights the significance of letting go of the past and embracing forgiveness. A cozy, found family book with a fast-paced heist, excellent character development, and lots of witty banter! An overall great story!
Frances Deluca, who is in her 70s and widowed, wants to feel busy again and have a well-devised plan coming together. It has been decades since Frances and her friends have pulled off a heist. Frances, Joan, Edie, and Irene joined forces in their 20s for job, but misunderstandings drove them apart.
Now, Frances convinces her old friends to reunite in Las Vegas. Their target is Rocco Vitali, a mobster’s grandson and scam artist. Edie’s granddaughter lost everything to him and the women intend to get it all back. They will take lots of risks, mend relationships, and discover their own strength along the way.
Rules for Aging and Larceny is such an entertaining, heartfelt, and enjoyable read from start to finish. The book looks at aging genuinely, while also demonstrating that everyone can step out of their comfort zone and take a leap. With female friendships, found family, a heist, chaos, witty banter, lots of humorous moments that make you laugh, and emotional moments that are deeply meaningful, Rules for Aging and Larceny is a wonderful read!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Rules For Aging And Larceny by Julia, London, the day 73 year-old Francis Deluca got kicked off of the Pickleball team for being too aggressive she starts thinking about the last time before her deceased husband Nick when she was truly happy and it was with her best friend Irene, Edie and Joan. back when they were young and beautiful they would pull off heist but only to those who deserved it. So when she decides to pull off a little heist of her own at the local grocery store she instead of getting a thrill gets a ride in the ambulance after slipping in spilled soda and hitting her head. This is how she finds out that she has brain cancer but instead of telling her best friend marjorie who’s been her steadfast friend nor does she tell her son. What she does instead is find Irene and convinces her to come and find their other two friends and at first Irene is hesitant because the last time the girls saw each other there was a big argument thanks to what Edie and her boyfriend at the time and now husband Simon said. Francis wants to get the girls back together to go out with a blast. first she’ll have to convince Joan and Irene that ED is trustworthy and then she’ll have to convince Edie to stop making them leave every time they show up. Finally with the help of Edie’s granddaughter Marcy she listens to what they have to say and decides to do it. The only problem is they need a mark and that’s something else Edie will provide. Because a guy named Rocky who’s also a Nepo baby scammed her granddaughter out of her inheritance. while on the road trip Marjorie keeps trying to get in touch with her and eventually she inadvertently lets Marjorie decide that she has a boyfriend named Stefan. She also promises as soon as her road trip is over they’ll take a cruise together. The only problem is she’s going on a heist her symptoms are getting worse but she powers through for one last bit of excitement. This was one of the best books I have read so long I laughed throughout the whole thing but I’m gonna be honest when Joan and Irene met Marjorie I wanted to tear up that was so sweet. I would say this is one of my favorite books this year it was so so good I just loved it love love loved it! #NetGalley, #TheBlindReviewer, #MyHonestReview,
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you to Julia London, Kensington Publishers and Between the Chapters Book Club Facebook Page for a copy of Rules for Aging and Larceny. I don't give away spoilers in my reviews.
I immediately liked the main character, Frances. She is a senior who is dealing with mortality and is alone. She wants to reunite with her old girl gang - Irene, Joan and Edie. Too many hurt feelings and misunderstandings ruined the girl gang and Frances wants to make amends.
She also wants to pull off one more heist. The girl gang wasn't just a group of friends. They were a criminal gang who got even by ripping off people who hurt people. It's her Make A Wish before her life is over.
The other members - Irene, Joan and Edie were just as easy to like. I especially liked Edie and liked the high society/garden club winner/grandmother being an ex-con. Irene and Joan were interesting as well.
Edie's granddaughter, Marcy, has just been scammed by an old college "friend" who cheated her in a crypto racket. Marcy lost everything and Edie wants to make her whole, as well as Marcy's friends who were also cheated.
The friendships - both current and the memories shared of their younger friendship, were really endearing and especially funny. I loved all the details that went into the crime and the outcomes. Perfect ending too.
I immediately liked the main character, Frances. She is a senior who is dealing with mortality and is alone. She wants to reunite with her old girl gang - Irene, Joan and Edie. Too many hurt feelings and misunderstandings ruined the girl gang and Frances wants to make amends.
She also wants to pull off one more heist. The girl gang wasn't just a group of friends. They were a criminal gang who got even by ripping off people who hurt people. It's her Make A Wish before her life is over.
The other members - Irene, Joan and Edie were just as easy to like. I especially liked Edie and liked the high society/garden club winner/grandmother being an ex-con. Irene and Joan were interesting as well.
Edie's granddaughter, Marcy, has just been scammed by an old college "friend" who cheated her in a crypto racket. Marcy lost everything and Edie wants to make her whole, as well as Marcy's friends who were also cheated.
The friendships - both current and the memories shared of their younger friendship, were really endearing and especially funny. I loved all the details that went into the crime and the outcomes. Perfect ending too.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While the pulse pounding action in the last quarter of the book will have the Reader riveted, this Reader felt misled and confused. Was this Frances' story, Frances and Edie's or the entire quartet?
If it had been the latter, would have needed more development between Joan and Irene, other than their disappearing acts. If it was the quartet's then would need more background on occurred between the group's breakup to the present for Irene and Joan. What has been occupying their time, 'professionally' ? Or if it's truly a story of Frances and Edie, need to see more of their interaction as young women, when Frances' world fell apart.
Then there's the Golden Girl references. Other than their physical similarities, Joan's' height, Edie's Southern beauty, Irene's small stature, and Frances (not much of a connection with Rose), being four women of advanced age does not translate into the GG. (Book that does it better? See Wade Rouse's "That's What Friends are For". )
This is not Golden Girls meets Ocean's 11. It's a lesser version of "Killers of a Certain Age". Good, not great. A borrow from a friend or local library, not buy book.
This ARC was provided by Kensington Publishing | Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#RulesforAgingandLarceny #NetGalley
If it had been the latter, would have needed more development between Joan and Irene, other than their disappearing acts. If it was the quartet's then would need more background on occurred between the group's breakup to the present for Irene and Joan. What has been occupying their time, 'professionally' ? Or if it's truly a story of Frances and Edie, need to see more of their interaction as young women, when Frances' world fell apart.
Then there's the Golden Girl references. Other than their physical similarities, Joan's' height, Edie's Southern beauty, Irene's small stature, and Frances (not much of a connection with Rose), being four women of advanced age does not translate into the GG. (Book that does it better? See Wade Rouse's "That's What Friends are For". )
This is not Golden Girls meets Ocean's 11. It's a lesser version of "Killers of a Certain Age". Good, not great. A borrow from a friend or local library, not buy book.
This ARC was provided by Kensington Publishing | Kensington via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
#RulesforAgingandLarceny #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Frances Deluca has always been a force of nature, so having to slow down is not acceptable, even in her 70s. Now widowed and with her son far from home, she starts trying to find something to keep her busy, but what she really misses is the thrill of pulling off heists with her girlfriends. And that leaves her wondering, could it be possible to reunite for one last ride?
I went into this not knowing what to expect, and I came out to the other side absolutely loving it. I couldn't even tell you what exactly it was about this that got me the way it did, but I simply devoured it. The best way I can think of to describe this is that it simply was so incredibly charming. Such a fun, yet emotional read; I did not anticipate to cry as much as I did, honestly. I do think that is on me, though, because Frances storyline hit a little too close, and kinda poked a wound that never really closed, But oh well! I loved diving into all these women's stories, learning how different they are, and watching them find their way back to each other after all that time. As I never shut up about, I love reading about women, about their lives, and especially about friendships, and that apparently also applies to women in their 70s! There was something so heartwarming about it, and I adored it.
Many thanks to Kensington Publishing & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I went into this not knowing what to expect, and I came out to the other side absolutely loving it. I couldn't even tell you what exactly it was about this that got me the way it did, but I simply devoured it. The best way I can think of to describe this is that it simply was so incredibly charming. Such a fun, yet emotional read; I did not anticipate to cry as much as I did, honestly. I do think that is on me, though, because Frances storyline hit a little too close, and kinda poked a wound that never really closed, But oh well! I loved diving into all these women's stories, learning how different they are, and watching them find their way back to each other after all that time. As I never shut up about, I love reading about women, about their lives, and especially about friendships, and that apparently also applies to women in their 70s! There was something so heartwarming about it, and I adored it.
Many thanks to Kensington Publishing & NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
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