A person who steals another person's property, especially by stealth and without using force or violence.
Luca Kareem and Riana Santee made an exchange a little over eight years ago - a heart for a heart. Riana had no problem relinquishing her heart to Luca, but Luca preferred spreading his love and his body thinly to almost every attractive woman he came in contact with. After a year of warring for a place in his heart, Riana finally gives up, but when Luca leaves her, he takes her heart with him.
Riana Santee and Herbert Jacks made an exchange a little under seven years ago - a life for a life. Herbert had no problem saving Riana's life, knowing that one day, she'd be able to return the favor in the most lethal way. She'd become a heartless, emotionally detached hit-woman, stealing the hearts of men on her path just for fun. It's when Riana chooses to leave her life of crime that Herbert decides to cash in on that last lethal favor.
When Luca and Riana's paths cross again, Riana has the opportunity to not only reclaim her heart but stop Luca's as well. There's just one problem; the Luca of now is not the Luca from back then. This Luca has the ability to not only return Riana's heart but make her love him twice as deeply with it as well. Will Riana finally receive her revenge, or will she end up losing more than she ever thought was possible because of her love for Luca Kareem?
Voted AAMBC's 2018 Romance author of the year, Master storyteller B. Love is the unparalleled self-love teacher. As the powerhouse for modern-day womanhood, she pens contagious content that encourages readers to internalize admiration and intimacy. She allows her most powerful vessel to guide her stories, wholly. Since age 12, Love has been spreading self-awareness, care, and appreciation. For over six years, Love has authored over 40 publications centered around heart-piercing, reverence-worthy romance. Her novels not only entertain but challenge the audience to explore love. With a keen eye for passion, desire and dynamism she includes heuristic methods in her beautifully curated accounts of life. B. Love’s entire persona is spearheaded by her incredible infatuation with the power of love. Contained within each novel, is an edification created for the glorification of self. Her pen bleeds for the souls who need just an inkling of empowerment. Each story is written with the intent to enlighten, engross and enkindle the passion in whoever picks up her book.
the fast-paced, emotionally charged storyline with second chance trope with a unique heroine I liked it but didn't love it..will be checking this author's backlist for sure.. this cover is gorgeous!! 3,5 stars
I spent the majority of this book pissed off at Riana and Luca. More so with Riana because, she willingly chose to go down the path of emotional chaos with Luca. While I disliked Luca, I'll give him cool points for being honest at the beginning about what he didn't want. He flat out told Riana he did not want to be in a committed relationship and he did not want kids. But, like many females do, she thought she could change this man's mind by loving him, being loyal, and giving him truck loads of coochie. In the end, that turned out to be an epic fail because, he meant what he said. But, my problem with Luca is, he pursued Riana knowing he wouldn't give her what she wanted and consistently gave her false hope the entire time they were together. Both of these characters were a hot mess. It took them 7 years to finally get their shyt together but, by the time they did, my dislike for the two of them was very strong and I couldn't find any joy in their happiness. This is why I don't like reading books on characters in the early 20's. I can't relate to this kind of stupidity. Also, I was not a fan of the author's writing. It was very elementary. This story line didn't come together very well for me. Even when the plot twist was revealed, it was very anticlimactic. The narrator was horrible. I will not buy another with Zuzu Robinson as the narrator. She was absolutely terrible. She doesn't know how to do a decent male voice, her child voice was annoying, and she doesn't know how to show real emotion when there's conflict between the characters. This was my first book by B. Love and, if I hadn't already bought other books by her, it would probably be my last. I just did not enjoy Thief as much as I thought I would.
If you are looking for an Exceptional book, this would be it. Riana was hurt by Luca countless times in the past and grew up somewhat heartless. Luca in his adult years changed for the better. Riana is out for revenge or is she. Im so damn happy Aaliyah is grown and about something meaning theres no drama. You couldnt tell me, i was gonna like her. Tati is so damn cute.
I almost dont want to read part 2 because this ended perfectly. Umm i hope David is a good friend, i really do. Who is coming to South Carolina?
This book was exactly what I've come to expect from B. Love. An urban story with street cred but a love story at heart... B. always does a great job of balancing urban and romance. I highly recommend this book and look forward to hearing from these characters again...
B. Love never disappoints us! I wanted Luca to grow up! Riana gave him one too many chances for me. But love always win right! I hope there is a part 2 because this can’t be the end of Herbert letting them go!
Wow this was so different but oh so good. Riana and Luca relationship was complicated and different from the beginning, it's like at times you wanted to blame him then blame her for what they were going through because they both played a part in the heartbreaking. I felt like Herbert had a motive since the beginning and I'm starting to feel like he's the reason Riana was even physically and sexually assaulted so that he could look like captain save a h*& and take her under his wing from there because he knew who she was and who she was dealing with. I feel like all of this will be answered in the next book so that's why I surely can't wait.
This was a good read. And although I know the author mentioned deciding to add a book two, the day before publishing...there were a few things that I just didn't get closure on. Riana and Herbert's connection just didn't add up for me. And I felt like the background we got on their story was rushed. I kept going back to the brief explanation thinking I'd missed something. He just happened to be walking by when she was assaulted at a homeless shelter? The man who has guards and lives in a mansion? Anyway, beyond that the quotes in between chapters became annoying, so I just started skipping them altogether.
I've read a few other stories from this author, but not enough to say that this was the usual B. Love story. Since the other stories I've read weren't similar to this. Overall, I did enjoy the story x but would have been okay with it ending here.
This would have been a higher rating but the more I read, the less I liked Luca. I didn't like his actions in the past - he did a couple of things to Riana I consider irredeemable. But I was willing to try to like him for Riana's sake. Then, in the present, when he is supposed to be a changed man, he nearly cheats with another woman when he was mad at Riana! At that point, I was only in the story to see how Riana would get out of her predicament. And that ended up being anticlimactic - we saw none of the action. It felt like we kept showing up near the end of an exciting scene to tidy it up without any of the fun leadup to get us there. This felt less like a dark romance with an assassin heroine and more like a contemporary with a timid heroine who needs a man to save her.
-No exposition -No character development -No relationship development -Problematic acceptance of toxic and just wild behavior -No real exploration of the assassin storyline which was what drew me to the story in the first place No Bueno
Like I loved the build up of this story. Luca and Riana's story sent to through all the emotions possible. Riana is so relatable, they way she felt after all those years of living without Luca was crazy. Even though he told her that he did not do commitment, she fell in love with his potential. We have have fell in love with the potential. Sometimes it turns out to be good but other times not so good. Honestly I don't think David is unloyal because of the circumstances surrounding the situation. How would you really feel knowing your father wanted you dead and knew he was you father? He is no better than the man Luca knew as his father leaving him without no communication. I hope the next book shows Riana in action, yea we knew she was the Femme Fatale but I want Luca to see that savage side of her because he only knows the shy and timid Riana. From that ending, I can see both of them showing their savage.
This book started off very promising but fizzled towards the end.
Riana is in love with a dope boy named Luca. He breaks her heart and she meets another dangerous man named Herbert. Riana becomes an hit woman nicknamed the Femme Fatale and she works for Herbert.
She returns home for her grandmother's birthday and promises her grandmother she will come back home and settle down.
So you know what happens. Riana tells Herbert she wants out of the game but she has to do one last hit. Guess whose life she has to take? You guessed it, poor Luca.
I was intrigued by this plot. A black female assassin whose heart had become so hardened she was now offing other men as revenge. Riana was the softest damn hit woman. When she reconnected with Luca, she turned soft as toilet tissue and fell back into his trap. He claimed he had "changed ". Boy bye!!!!
It was a nice quick book to listen to during this Coronacation but I needed more.
Wow this book was really good and deep. Very well written and the character development was great. When reading this story you will feel all types of emotions. Heart for a Heart is what Riana is seeking as her revenge against Luca from the years of pain he has caused her. I loved how the book gives the reader the history of Luca and Riana while understanding why she turned so cold. Although Luca refuse to commit to her, in her eyes he was hers and they were one. After constant rejection, Riana gives up fighting and walks away. As they are reunited under not so good intentions, Riana finally gets the Luca she has always wanted but didn't expect. With new revelations coming to the surface, what will become of Luca and Riana now that they have gotten a second chance at love. So many questions that need answers and looking forward to that in part 2.
THOUGH I CAN'T SAY THAT I HAVE A FAVORITE CHARACTER, I WILL SAY THAT THIS BOOK I FOUND MORE INTRIGUING THAN THE AUTHOR'S PREVIOUS BOOKS IT MUST BE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FEAMLE MAIN CHARACTER IS A HITTER ON THE LOW! I LOVE MOST STORYLINES WHERE THE FEMALE ISN'T JUST A PRETTY FACE & THE OBJECT FOR MALE CONSUMPTION, BUT CAN ALSO PUT 'THAT WORK IN' AS WELL WHERE MOST FOLKS WON'T BE EXPECTING A FEMALE HITTER, NOT KNOWING UNTIL IT'S COMPLETELY TOOOOOOOOOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING TO STOP WHAT'S GOING DOWN OR THEIR FATE. I ALSO LIKE THE IDEA THAT A LADY ASSASIN CAN FIND LOVE TOO. SO FAR THIS IS PROBABLY MY FAVORITE BOOK BY THE AUTHOR; THOUGH I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LISTENING/READING OTHER BOOKS IN HER LITERARY ARSENAL.
They always would say if it's meant to be let it go and if it returns then it was. That's exactly what happened Luca grew up, it wasn't that he couldn't love he just didn't understand how and what he was feeling scared him so he hurt his love just to bury his true feelings. Herbert waa indeed a wicked man, he used Lucas mom out of spite never to recognize him then wanting to end his life because of an old beef between so called friends. In the end they both got a chance for a new start. Wish it was a part two because it felt as if Herbert wasn't done, and Luca needed to know the truth about his sperm donor, a lot of unanswered questions.
I knew it wasn't over! Baby I'm over here clutching pearls and holding on for dear life. The devil is about to read his ugly head. I feel it in my spirit that it's about to be some stuff. I have so many questions that I'm literally over here pulling my edges lol. I don't even smoke cigarettes but I want several. Hurry honey with the rest. I'm about to lose my mind up in here. I'm rubbing my hands together like this is getting real good. This was an extremely good book! I'm ready to see the rest unfold. Chile, I'm here for it all.
Honestly B. Love publications have taken over the month of January with so many quality books. This book does not disappoint. I love the honesty and character growth of Luca and Riana ; that type of growth can only happen with time and life experiences. While I can go on and on about the book my FAVORITE part is in chapter 1 when we get the phonetic spelling of Riana name. There’s nothing worse than reading a book and doubting if your pronouncing the characters name wrong, so thank you B. Love. Thank you so much that phonetic spelling is truly appreciated.
Dang!!! This book was teaching on some levels. We can all justify and say that Luca was wrong for how he treated her, but like she said, he was honest but she kept going back. He was honest and selfish because he knew he was no good for her but loved her too. It’s a shame how our life’s circumstances create broken adults trying to live. I knew Herbert wasn’t going away. Now he has to deal with the both of them, a bond not easily broken. I think David will come through for them in the end. I’m loving the evolution of B’s writing!!!
Luca and Riana (sigh) I was tying my hardest to feel the connection between these two but I didn’t. The story starts with a traumatic break up between the two because Riana wanted commitment but Luca wasn’t ready. Even still She lived him so much it turned her into a heartless killer. Seduction was her lethal weapon of choice and when men fell for her she did to them what She only knew how. Luca was weak to me. He didn’t even try to fight for his life after he knew a price was on his head and knew who had done it. He was just gonna accept as is but had so much power in the streets, and had the Governor in his favor? I couldn’t believe that he just would prepare to die instead of going to war with dude.
I'm in love with tuis story. All this couple went through, all they feel for each other and the way the author went back and forth in the story were all perfection. Our MMC was a TERRIBLE person to the FMC whe they forst get together, so check trigger warnings because it's not for everyone. But he redeems himself somewhat ( it's still feelhe should have grovelled much more co sidering...) I loved the ending. Also loved how strong our fmc is Narration was perfection, highly recommend this KU and audible +catalogue novella.
This book captivated me from the start and held me to the end. Had me blowing up B messages like she better not kill him or we not cool no more lol. I’m laughing now but I was dead serious. Ok, maybe I wasn’t lol. The attention to detail and the way she captured you with the placement of her words is unmatched. Just like fine wine her books get better better with time. Great read!
In true B. Love fashion you form a connection with the characters and feel what they. I love how she gives flashbacks of their past in between the present. It really allows you to get the full backstory from their perspectives. While the ending was cool I can't wait for part two so we can see what happens when they really experience turmoil. As usual B did a beautiful job.
If I'm being honest this is not the best book that I've read from B. Love. It was little slow and a lot of reflecting to the past. I enjoy pretty much anything she writes and I will read the sequel but it was just a little bland. Not enough of that page turner feeling I usually get when I read her books. Riana was bitter and was willing to kill her true love. I believe David is a snake and not a friend to anyone.
Raina & Luca...what can I say? They definitely had a volatile history. Personally, I don’t know if I would’ve kept going back to Luca. It’s clear he was selfish in his younger years. I could relate to Santee & that bitterness she felt towards him. I loved the twists & turns & the plot had me absolutely blown away. I’m ready for the next book, even though things may be rocky again for this couple. I can never resist a B.Love story. Until the next one!
When Riana Santee got with Luca Kareem, he freely admitted that he wanted to be with her. He also freely admitted that he did not want to be in a committed relationship and that he would not be faithful. Luca showed Riana this better than he could tell her and broke her heart to pieces. Fast forward seven years. Riana is a changed woman. And she's on a deadly mission.
As the story unfolded, I wanted to hate Luca, but the truth is, Luca grew on me, though. He slowly became my new book bae because, deep down, he did love her—he just wasn’t ready to show it. Luca & Riana’s story is a wild rollercoaster with plot twists that had my jaw dropping at every turn. But we were left with so many unanswered questions! That cliffhanger?! I need more! What happened next??
If you’re into drama, love, and unexpected surprises, this one is a must-read.
I just knew from the description that this would be so good and I literally could not put it down. I went through so many emotions wanting Santee to get her revenge against Luca to wanting her to find a way out. I love this HEA and I’m scared to read book 2 but I’m hooked! I secretly want Luca to endure some pain still.
You did that B. Love!!! Thief was unique and flawless! Heck it stole my heart like a thief in the night as I read it, lol! It flowed together so perfectly and I wasn't expecting that twist at all. Riana and Luca was made for each other and I'm excited to see what's next for them. I know it's going to be a rollercoaster ride but I'm here for it. Great read!!
When I read the synopsis, I had no idea the journey B. Love was actually going to take me on until I read the book. This book...wow...it truly hit home for me and I loved EVERY page. B, you almost had a sister crying. Hahaha! The things you do for love man. I can’t wait to read the next part, however, I’m not sure if my emotions are ready. I’m going to read it anyways. Lol!