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Counterfeit Capers #1
It Takes a Thief
“A charming, action-packed heist.” — Publishers Weekly
Don’t miss this new high-stakes romantic caper series, where they’re planning the art heist of the century—to right the wrongs of the past.
When catching a thief requires becoming one.
Jared Towers has skills. One of them is being able to talk his way out of—or into—anything.
Audrey Abbott has skills, too. Need something hacked and only the best will do? She’s your girl.
He’s charming.
She’s reclusive.
They have absolutely nothing in common—except for a driving desire to take care of those who need it the most.
For Jared, that means assembling a team of thieves to steal back what rightfully belongs to the victims of a crime perpetrated by his own father. For Audrey, it means doing whatever she can to make sure her grandma never has to worry again.
And now they have something else in the art heist of the century.
It was supposed to be all business. Get in and get out, then move on to the next target. But when Jared finds himself falling for Audrey, artwork isn’t the only thing at risk of being stolen...
Counterfeit Capers
Book 1: It Takes a Thief
Book 2: Between Two Thieves
Book 3: To Catch a Thief
Don’t miss this new high-stakes romantic caper series, where they’re planning the art heist of the century—to right the wrongs of the past.
When catching a thief requires becoming one.
Jared Towers has skills. One of them is being able to talk his way out of—or into—anything.
Audrey Abbott has skills, too. Need something hacked and only the best will do? She’s your girl.
He’s charming.
She’s reclusive.
They have absolutely nothing in common—except for a driving desire to take care of those who need it the most.
For Jared, that means assembling a team of thieves to steal back what rightfully belongs to the victims of a crime perpetrated by his own father. For Audrey, it means doing whatever she can to make sure her grandma never has to worry again.
And now they have something else in the art heist of the century.
It was supposed to be all business. Get in and get out, then move on to the next target. But when Jared finds himself falling for Audrey, artwork isn’t the only thing at risk of being stolen...
Counterfeit Capers
Book 1: It Takes a Thief
Book 2: Between Two Thieves
Book 3: To Catch a Thief
336 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 27, 2021
About the author
Sloane Steele
6 books15 followersSloane Steele is the pen name for Shannyn Schroeder. Shannyn is a part-time English teacher, part-time curriculum editor, and full-time mom, even though her kids are pretty self-sufficient teens. In her down time, she bakes cookies, reads romance, and watches far too much TV.
If you want to connect with Sloane (and Shannyn):
www.SloaneSteele.com
Sign up for her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/sloanes...
If you want to connect with Sloane (and Shannyn):
www.SloaneSteele.com
Sign up for her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/sloanes...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 2, 2021
Jared Towers and his cousin, Mia Benson, have a mission and it’s big and risky. Their fathers cheated many out of millions through a Ponzi scheme and avoided justice by fleeing the country with the help of their wealthy and enabling friends. Jared and Mia have a plan in which they can recoup a lot of that money and surreptitiously repay the victims but will need help. They assemble a team to pull off a series of capers that definitely cross over into the gray area of the law. He reaches out to hacker Audrey Abbott, who he only knows as Data (she only knows him as Mr. Green) and has used for other projects. They’ve never met but have communicated often by flirty texts. When they do finally meet in person, Jared realizes his instincts were not only correct about her hacking skills but that she’s someone he’d like to see off the clock.
I loved the whole concept of this story and what Jared was really up to. Audrey was also interesting in that what drives her to accept these assignments is the need to provide care for her grandmother. There are two other members of the team, the art thief and the forger, who add flavor to the mix, especially Nikki the thief. Jared’s attraction to Audrey ramped up quickly and the story detoured too far in that direction, seriously dragging for me as I was much more interested in the caper.
I enjoyed the story once it redirected back to the team’s planning for and execution of the art theft. I really liked the characters, who were very well developed, and the whole effort to plan their first theft. But, it took a while for the story to get back on track for me. Once it did, though, I had a hard time putting it down. The romance had issues because it developed so quickly but I was invested in these two working. I definitely plan to continue the series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
I loved the whole concept of this story and what Jared was really up to. Audrey was also interesting in that what drives her to accept these assignments is the need to provide care for her grandmother. There are two other members of the team, the art thief and the forger, who add flavor to the mix, especially Nikki the thief. Jared’s attraction to Audrey ramped up quickly and the story detoured too far in that direction, seriously dragging for me as I was much more interested in the caper.
I enjoyed the story once it redirected back to the team’s planning for and execution of the art theft. I really liked the characters, who were very well developed, and the whole effort to plan their first theft. But, it took a while for the story to get back on track for me. Once it did, though, I had a hard time putting it down. The romance had issues because it developed so quickly but I was invested in these two working. I definitely plan to continue the series. 3.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
March 21, 2021
First of all, this book is a bad decisions book club book. I started it Friday evening intending to read just a couple of chapters and stayed up until 2:30 am finishing it.
Cousins Jared and Mia’s lives were hurt when their fathers were exposed as scammers, but their fathers hurt a lot more people financially who couldn’t afford it. Now that they’ve inherited trust funds from their mothers, they plan to commit a series of art heists to raise money to provide compensation to as many of their father’s victims as possible. They need a thief, a hacker, and an art forger. Jared has been flirting with a hacker, Data/Audrey, for months.
I love heist stories and the promise of 12 heists in 3 books is like catnip. The strategizing, problem solving, and strangers growing into a team is delightful. Double plus for stealing from the rich to give to the people hurt by the rich. I love that for all Jared and Mia have good intentions, all the characters are morally grey.
It Takes a Thief is a good, almost great, book. I’m not even sure why I don’t think it’s a flat out great book. There are so many things it does well. By the end of the book I was invested in all of her core characters, she built a world, she showed how Audrey, Nikki and London become a team despite Mia’s best efforts, and she made me want Jared and Mia to succeed in their revenge plot. There were some pacing issues, mostly around Mia, and some of the early scenes with Audrey. I expect, now that the 5 major characters are established, the next books will be more streamlined.
I am really looking forward to the next books. I plan to stay up too late reading them too.
I received this as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Cousins Jared and Mia’s lives were hurt when their fathers were exposed as scammers, but their fathers hurt a lot more people financially who couldn’t afford it. Now that they’ve inherited trust funds from their mothers, they plan to commit a series of art heists to raise money to provide compensation to as many of their father’s victims as possible. They need a thief, a hacker, and an art forger. Jared has been flirting with a hacker, Data/Audrey, for months.
I love heist stories and the promise of 12 heists in 3 books is like catnip. The strategizing, problem solving, and strangers growing into a team is delightful. Double plus for stealing from the rich to give to the people hurt by the rich. I love that for all Jared and Mia have good intentions, all the characters are morally grey.
It Takes a Thief is a good, almost great, book. I’m not even sure why I don’t think it’s a flat out great book. There are so many things it does well. By the end of the book I was invested in all of her core characters, she built a world, she showed how Audrey, Nikki and London become a team despite Mia’s best efforts, and she made me want Jared and Mia to succeed in their revenge plot. There were some pacing issues, mostly around Mia, and some of the early scenes with Audrey. I expect, now that the 5 major characters are established, the next books will be more streamlined.
I am really looking forward to the next books. I plan to stay up too late reading them too.
I received this as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Read
April 2, 2021Categories
Thriller, Contemporary Romance, Mystery Romance, Crime Thriller, Action & Adventure Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Counterfeit Capers (Book #1)
Thriller, Contemporary Romance, Mystery Romance, Crime Thriller, Action & Adventure Romance, Romantic Suspense
Miniseries
Counterfeit Capers (Book #1)
April 10, 2021
Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.
This rule follower loves the thrill of a heist romance so I grabbed It Takes a Thief by Sloane Steele as soon as I read the description. While I have some quibbles with the execution of this one the steam is applause-worthy & I see potential in the series, particularly for fans of authors like Katie Reus.
Jared Towers is a wealthy, sort-of fixer, and also the son of a Ponzi scheme runner who fled the country after stealing from people. Jared & his cousin Mia—whose father is also guilty—come up with a scheme to steal artwork that their fathers own before their fathers can liquidate them.
So Jared hires “Data," a hacker he's worked with in the past, who turns out to be Audrey. Audrey knows nothing about Jared's real identity or his motivations behind the theft & she has her own reasons for wanting to be involved.
Fast forward to sparks between them erupting into flames & Audrey finding out Jared’s secrets...
The premise of this one is intriguing, the steam is delightful, & Jared is a devoted hero.
On paper everything is there for me, but the romance loses a lot of power after the conflict, which seems to drag on for a considerable amount of the book & which I didn’t entirely understand (or maybe buy?) the reason for. Some aspects of their relationship also feel rushed to me, particularly at the beginning, when I would have enjoyed more build-up.
Overall the romance could have been tighter but It Takes a Thief is a fun read.
3 ⭐️. Release date: 04/27
This rule follower loves the thrill of a heist romance so I grabbed It Takes a Thief by Sloane Steele as soon as I read the description. While I have some quibbles with the execution of this one the steam is applause-worthy & I see potential in the series, particularly for fans of authors like Katie Reus.
Jared Towers is a wealthy, sort-of fixer, and also the son of a Ponzi scheme runner who fled the country after stealing from people. Jared & his cousin Mia—whose father is also guilty—come up with a scheme to steal artwork that their fathers own before their fathers can liquidate them.
So Jared hires “Data," a hacker he's worked with in the past, who turns out to be Audrey. Audrey knows nothing about Jared's real identity or his motivations behind the theft & she has her own reasons for wanting to be involved.
Fast forward to sparks between them erupting into flames & Audrey finding out Jared’s secrets...
The premise of this one is intriguing, the steam is delightful, & Jared is a devoted hero.
On paper everything is there for me, but the romance loses a lot of power after the conflict, which seems to drag on for a considerable amount of the book & which I didn’t entirely understand (or maybe buy?) the reason for. Some aspects of their relationship also feel rushed to me, particularly at the beginning, when I would have enjoyed more build-up.
Overall the romance could have been tighter but It Takes a Thief is a fun read.
3 ⭐️. Release date: 04/27
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February 26, 2021Robinhood? Is that you?
Haha.
Jared and Mia want revenge on their fathers and their fathers' friends for the humiliation their crimes caused for their families, but they need a little help to get it. The plan? Steal priceless artwork, sell it on the black market, and payback the families that their fathers stole from.
Audrey, a hacker that Jared can't keep his eyes off of.
Nikki, a thief with trouble staying OUT of trouble.
Things could fall apart when the team starts getting a little close than they intended.
*
This story was hot. The plot? Fantastic. Characters? Dynamic and engaging. This story was written incredibly well. Watching Audrey & Jared fall in love was an experience in and of itself. I look forward to the rest of the series and other works by this author.
*This eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Haha.
Jared and Mia want revenge on their fathers and their fathers' friends for the humiliation their crimes caused for their families, but they need a little help to get it. The plan? Steal priceless artwork, sell it on the black market, and payback the families that their fathers stole from.
Audrey, a hacker that Jared can't keep his eyes off of.
Nikki, a thief with trouble staying OUT of trouble.
Things could fall apart when the team starts getting a little close than they intended.
*
This story was hot. The plot? Fantastic. Characters? Dynamic and engaging. This story was written incredibly well. Watching Audrey & Jared fall in love was an experience in and of itself. I look forward to the rest of the series and other works by this author.
*This eARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Did Not Finish
May 11, 2021This should have been the easiest book in the world for me to read and I could just never click into it.
September 8, 2024
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
This is a first for me from this author and it sounded interesting. I was not disappointed, although I wasn't expecting it to end where it did.
Jared and his cousin Mia are trying to right wrongs done to their families by their own fathers. But in order to do this, they have to have people with the knowledge in the art of stealing and not getting caught. They have to find a forger (London) to make copies of the items they want to replace, a grifter (Nikki) to replace the forged item with the real one, and a hacker (Data/Audrey) to take care of all of their computer needs.
What Jared wasn't expecting was to have a strong pull towards the hacker. He has been using her expertise for a while now but when they met the sizzle was there for them both.
Can this new team work together to make a wrong right? What happens when Audrey learns who Jared really is?
I really enjoyed this story, it is full of suspense that will keep you wondering how they will pull this job off without getting caught. With a romantic interest thrown in to make it even better. I can not wait to see what happens in the next book.
This is a first for me from this author and it sounded interesting. I was not disappointed, although I wasn't expecting it to end where it did.
Jared and his cousin Mia are trying to right wrongs done to their families by their own fathers. But in order to do this, they have to have people with the knowledge in the art of stealing and not getting caught. They have to find a forger (London) to make copies of the items they want to replace, a grifter (Nikki) to replace the forged item with the real one, and a hacker (Data/Audrey) to take care of all of their computer needs.
What Jared wasn't expecting was to have a strong pull towards the hacker. He has been using her expertise for a while now but when they met the sizzle was there for them both.
Can this new team work together to make a wrong right? What happens when Audrey learns who Jared really is?
I really enjoyed this story, it is full of suspense that will keep you wondering how they will pull this job off without getting caught. With a romantic interest thrown in to make it even better. I can not wait to see what happens in the next book.
June 11, 2021
It Takes a Thief by Sloane Steele
Counterfeit Capers #1
Jarred and his cousin Mia have a plan they have waited years to implement. It is a bit Robin Hood-ish and meant to right wrongs perpetrated by their fathers. To achieve their goal they need some help, though. So, a few savvy women are hired to carry off a heist and in the process of perfecting the plans…a team is born, friendships are made, and romance is kindled. What more could one ask for in a book?
What I liked:
* Jared/Jay: intelligent, focused, dedicated, strategist, secretive, warm, rich, problem solver/fixer, witty, likes Audrey
* Audrey: computer hacker, IT savvy, brilliant, loves her grandmother, hard worker, values honesty, likes Jared
* Mia: a bit stiff and by the rules, rich, has her guard up, prickly, rules oriented, focused, intelligent, intriguing – can’t wait to read her book
* Nikki: thief, quirky, good friend, skilled at her job, adrenaline junkie, loves money, moral compass iffy, hope she has a book of her own
* London: counterfeiter, artist, quiet – still waters run deep, would like to learn more about her and hope she has a book
* Grandma: has Alzheimer, raised Audrey, the reason her granddaughter works so hard and is working to make ends meet.
* The plot and future books to look forward to
* The way the three women worked together to solve problems
* The friendship that developed
* The growth exhibited in characters
* That the couple has a HFN ending
* Knowing that there are more books to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* The fathers of Mia and Jared and what they did
* That it took me more time to engage with the story than I thought it would
Did I enjoy the book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Counterfeit Capers #1
Jarred and his cousin Mia have a plan they have waited years to implement. It is a bit Robin Hood-ish and meant to right wrongs perpetrated by their fathers. To achieve their goal they need some help, though. So, a few savvy women are hired to carry off a heist and in the process of perfecting the plans…a team is born, friendships are made, and romance is kindled. What more could one ask for in a book?
What I liked:
* Jared/Jay: intelligent, focused, dedicated, strategist, secretive, warm, rich, problem solver/fixer, witty, likes Audrey
* Audrey: computer hacker, IT savvy, brilliant, loves her grandmother, hard worker, values honesty, likes Jared
* Mia: a bit stiff and by the rules, rich, has her guard up, prickly, rules oriented, focused, intelligent, intriguing – can’t wait to read her book
* Nikki: thief, quirky, good friend, skilled at her job, adrenaline junkie, loves money, moral compass iffy, hope she has a book of her own
* London: counterfeiter, artist, quiet – still waters run deep, would like to learn more about her and hope she has a book
* Grandma: has Alzheimer, raised Audrey, the reason her granddaughter works so hard and is working to make ends meet.
* The plot and future books to look forward to
* The way the three women worked together to solve problems
* The friendship that developed
* The growth exhibited in characters
* That the couple has a HFN ending
* Knowing that there are more books to look forward to
What I didn’t like:
* The fathers of Mia and Jared and what they did
* That it took me more time to engage with the story than I thought it would
Did I enjoy the book? Yes
Would I read more in the series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
May 2, 2021
Ocean's Eight meets You've got Mail.
I love a good heist story -as my Netflix history can confirm- sprinkle in a tale of romance, and this seemed like the perfect book for me.
The premise of the story was refreshing, it wasn't your more commonly use trope. It Takes a Thief merged socialites with characters from the dark web. What should have been a band of misfits became a great team of friends. As I was reading the book, the emphasis was on Audrey and Jared yet the author created enough intrigue with each supporting character that I knew I needed their story before I even finished this one.
Audrey and Jared were endearing characters and I was rooting for them. I loved Audrey's growth from hermit to confident woman aware of her own worth, and even though Jared dabbled between right and wrong, I was there for it! The romance was swoony and although I felt it was quick in places with more telling than showing, it worked. The author had a tough job of balancing the heist storyline with Audrey and Jared's romance and she pulled it off successfully. As well as feeling the excitement of the heist and the mission behind it, I was rooting for Audrey and Jared through it all.
"Tomorrow we can go back to hacker and fixer. Tonight, we can just be two people in love."
I took a chance on reading a new author by the synopsis alone, and I'm very glad I did. The writing flowed easily, it enabled me to care for the characters and want to see them succeed. This is definitely one heist I want to see through to the end.
I love a good heist story -as my Netflix history can confirm- sprinkle in a tale of romance, and this seemed like the perfect book for me.
The premise of the story was refreshing, it wasn't your more commonly use trope. It Takes a Thief merged socialites with characters from the dark web. What should have been a band of misfits became a great team of friends. As I was reading the book, the emphasis was on Audrey and Jared yet the author created enough intrigue with each supporting character that I knew I needed their story before I even finished this one.
Audrey and Jared were endearing characters and I was rooting for them. I loved Audrey's growth from hermit to confident woman aware of her own worth, and even though Jared dabbled between right and wrong, I was there for it! The romance was swoony and although I felt it was quick in places with more telling than showing, it worked. The author had a tough job of balancing the heist storyline with Audrey and Jared's romance and she pulled it off successfully. As well as feeling the excitement of the heist and the mission behind it, I was rooting for Audrey and Jared through it all.
"Tomorrow we can go back to hacker and fixer. Tonight, we can just be two people in love."
I took a chance on reading a new author by the synopsis alone, and I'm very glad I did. The writing flowed easily, it enabled me to care for the characters and want to see them succeed. This is definitely one heist I want to see through to the end.
April 6, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of It Takes Thief in exchange for an honest review. I was actually pleasantly surprised by this book. The plot was semi appealing, and I went into this with low expectations. What a mistake. I got sucked into the plot and character development, and was captivated by the "outside the box" thinking. Maybe that is why I would never be a good heister. Thanks for the pleasant read Ms. Steele. I'll be looking forward to the next adventures with Audrey, Jared, Mia, Nikki (my favorite), and London.
April 18, 2021
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
This is the first book in a series, and I really enjoyed the set up, the reveal and the twist - as well as the romance, which is rather wonderfully nerdy!
Jared and his cousin Mia suffered greatly when their fathers escaped justice after a huge ponzi con. They have recovered most of their status by hard work and being independently wealthy thanks to their mothers. They now want to right the wrongs the best they can, and plan on using the wealth of their absent fathers' friends to fund such restitution. To do that, they have to find suitable individuals to do the deeds themselves... and so they engage a thief, a hacker and a forger.
I love how it all falls into place (haha!) or rather how they have to really work at overcoming all the challenges and through it become a cohesive team, as well as Jared and Audrey forming an unexpectedly close bond. Mia really isn't impressed with how things work, as she is so careful of the plan working out.
Hugely entertaining story with the promise of some more crazy adventures to come, and I am hoping more passionate romance for one of the team!
This is the first book in a series, and I really enjoyed the set up, the reveal and the twist - as well as the romance, which is rather wonderfully nerdy!
Jared and his cousin Mia suffered greatly when their fathers escaped justice after a huge ponzi con. They have recovered most of their status by hard work and being independently wealthy thanks to their mothers. They now want to right the wrongs the best they can, and plan on using the wealth of their absent fathers' friends to fund such restitution. To do that, they have to find suitable individuals to do the deeds themselves... and so they engage a thief, a hacker and a forger.
I love how it all falls into place (haha!) or rather how they have to really work at overcoming all the challenges and through it become a cohesive team, as well as Jared and Audrey forming an unexpectedly close bond. Mia really isn't impressed with how things work, as she is so careful of the plan working out.
Hugely entertaining story with the promise of some more crazy adventures to come, and I am hoping more passionate romance for one of the team!
May 6, 2025
I really wanted to like IT TAKES A THIEF because I love heist romances and while I could see the potential in the story it just never really got there for me. I did like the set up for the heist and thought that part was interesting; it was cool to see them plan how to infiltrate and steal the art and how each person’s skill brought something to the table. If you’re a fan of the TV show Leverage then you might like this book because it has the same high stakes but slightly goofy feel. I didn’t mind the characters but I never really got invested in their stories so that made it hard for the book to keep my attention. And I found it particularly annoying that Audrey knew that Jared was keeping his identity a secret but then she still gets mad at him for keeping it a secret. Make it make sense.
Unfortunately I found out after I was already at 40% and struggling to keep going that Sloane Steele is a pseudonym for Shannyn Schroeder. I’ve read Schroeder’s books before and I’m not a fan of her writing style and her books just generally don’t work for me and it’s clear that hasn’t changed even under her new name. I do feel like most of my meh feelings are a me thing so if the book sounds interesting to you then give it a try, it might be a better fit.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Audrey’s grandmother has dementia
Unfortunately I found out after I was already at 40% and struggling to keep going that Sloane Steele is a pseudonym for Shannyn Schroeder. I’ve read Schroeder’s books before and I’m not a fan of her writing style and her books just generally don’t work for me and it’s clear that hasn’t changed even under her new name. I do feel like most of my meh feelings are a me thing so if the book sounds interesting to you then give it a try, it might be a better fit.
ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Content Warning: Audrey’s grandmother has dementia
July 11, 2021
I really wanted to love this book. A heist romance sounded like everything I love but there were just too many required things missing and it didn't quite gel. I never quite got what Audrey saw in Jared? I mean, I love a morally gray dude who falls in love and sees the error of his ways, too, but Jared is all about "I'll just never apologize because I didn't do anything wrong and stalk her until she changes her mind." Ew? We get very few details of their attraction to each other, either? I could have maybe seen an instalust angle but it's very sparse on the page.
Audrey's reasoning for why she does what she does like didn't quite add up - the repeated explanations didn't make it make sense. The hacking...well, my expectations were low and I should have lowered them further.
Mia was extremely unlikeable but then has a personality transplant without any explanation of how or why. It didn't seem right to me that Mia suddenly became a more likeable character than Jared?
Maybe it's just my thing, but we didn't get enough description of what each character looks like. In one part, Audrey is described as having blue eyes. In another, a character with blue eyes is described as looking like "the opposite of Audrey." Huh?
The heist itself wasn't what I was expecting, either. The book clearly wants to imply that it's competence porn (this was almost explicitly stated) but
Then there was the time the book actually used the word "leverage" but it was "he wanted to leverage me" but from context, it appears he wanted to use leverage against her, not to leverage her. An editor should have caught that, especially given the very specific hype around this book.
This book had some good elements, but ultimately, it didn't deliver on the love story, the heist, or the characters. 2.5 stars
Audrey's reasoning for why she does what she does like didn't quite add up - the repeated explanations didn't make it make sense. The hacking...well, my expectations were low and I should have lowered them further.
Mia was extremely unlikeable but then has a personality transplant without any explanation of how or why. It didn't seem right to me that Mia suddenly became a more likeable character than Jared?
Maybe it's just my thing, but we didn't get enough description of what each character looks like. In one part, Audrey is described as having blue eyes. In another, a character with blue eyes is described as looking like "the opposite of Audrey." Huh?
The heist itself wasn't what I was expecting, either. The book clearly wants to imply that it's competence porn (this was almost explicitly stated) but
Then there was the time the book actually used the word "leverage" but it was "he wanted to leverage me" but from context, it appears he wanted to use leverage against her, not to leverage her. An editor should have caught that, especially given the very specific hype around this book.
This book had some good elements, but ultimately, it didn't deliver on the love story, the heist, or the characters. 2.5 stars
May 8, 2021
It Takes a Thief by Sloane Steele is the 1st book in her new Counterfeit Capers series. We meet Jared and Mia (cousins), as together they plan on their series of heists as payback against their fathers. A number of years ago, their fathers were exposed for a Bernie Madoff financial scam, causing many people to lose their money; a number of those people were put into financial binds. The fathers are in hiding, leaving the children and their wives to suffer the backlash against them; of something they had no idea what was happening.
Years pass, and now both Jared and Mia have inherited from their mother’s trust funds, which they plan to use to help out all those people who were hurt financially. They will aim at their fathers’ cronies, who have valuable art, for which they eventually will sell to allow the fathers’ to return home, cashing in on those invested art. Jared and Mia plan to steal the various paintings/sculptures, replace with forgeries, and provide compensation to the victims; which they plan to do 12 heists (in three books 😊). But they need to find people who can help them perform the necessary deeds; so, they need to find the best in those fields who will not get caught; a thief, a hacker and a forger.
At this point, Jared takes center focus, as we meet the ladies who are the best. Audrey (Data) is a hacker, Nikki is the thief and London is the forger. It was great to see Data and Nikki, who are totally different, but who become friends. Mia when meeting both of them, wasn’t sure she could trust them, but in time that will change. Jared, who spent most of the time with Data and Nikki, started to fall hard for Data (Audrey), though she is a loner (buried in her hacking world), she too started having feelings for Jared. London comes in later, when hired by Mia to forge a painting. They were a very good group, and the three ladies helped each other plan their parts in the heists.
What follows is a wonderful story, giving us a glimpse at how hackers and thieves work, as well as enjoying a slow build romance between Jared and Audrey. The romance closer to the end, has some hiccups, but we do love them together and hope they stay together. It Takes a Thief was a fun and witty adventure, as well as being exciting and suspenseful when they were on the job. I do not want to say too much more, since you should be reading this without spoilers. Sloane Steele did an excellent job writing this wonderful suspenseful story, with a group of great characters. I look forward to the next two books, which will continue with more heists to come.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Years pass, and now both Jared and Mia have inherited from their mother’s trust funds, which they plan to use to help out all those people who were hurt financially. They will aim at their fathers’ cronies, who have valuable art, for which they eventually will sell to allow the fathers’ to return home, cashing in on those invested art. Jared and Mia plan to steal the various paintings/sculptures, replace with forgeries, and provide compensation to the victims; which they plan to do 12 heists (in three books 😊). But they need to find people who can help them perform the necessary deeds; so, they need to find the best in those fields who will not get caught; a thief, a hacker and a forger.
At this point, Jared takes center focus, as we meet the ladies who are the best. Audrey (Data) is a hacker, Nikki is the thief and London is the forger. It was great to see Data and Nikki, who are totally different, but who become friends. Mia when meeting both of them, wasn’t sure she could trust them, but in time that will change. Jared, who spent most of the time with Data and Nikki, started to fall hard for Data (Audrey), though she is a loner (buried in her hacking world), she too started having feelings for Jared. London comes in later, when hired by Mia to forge a painting. They were a very good group, and the three ladies helped each other plan their parts in the heists.
What follows is a wonderful story, giving us a glimpse at how hackers and thieves work, as well as enjoying a slow build romance between Jared and Audrey. The romance closer to the end, has some hiccups, but we do love them together and hope they stay together. It Takes a Thief was a fun and witty adventure, as well as being exciting and suspenseful when they were on the job. I do not want to say too much more, since you should be reading this without spoilers. Sloane Steele did an excellent job writing this wonderful suspenseful story, with a group of great characters. I look forward to the next two books, which will continue with more heists to come.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
June 2, 2021
Sloane Steele’s It Takes a Thief is a delightful caper spiced with humor, suspense and romance about two polar opposites who come together for the art heist of the century.
Jared Towers and Audrey Abbott are as different as chalk and cheese. Jared is charming, charismatic and so debonair. He can talk his way out of anything and he has the ability of making people eat out of the palm out of his hand within minutes of meeting them. On the other hand, Audrey might be a whiz when it comes to computers who can hack into any IT system, however, people are a completely different story. Reclusive Audrey would sooner be locked in an empty room with a computer for hours than have to speak to single person for any length of time – until Jared comes into her life with a daring proposition she simply cannot say no to.
Despite their differences, Jared and Audrey are united by a desire to take care of the people they love who need it most. Jared wants to right the wrongs of the past and is assembling a team of thieves to steal back the possessions his father had pilfered and passed on. Meanwhile, Audrey will do whatever it takes to ensure that her grandmother does not have to worry about anything ever again. Jared and Audrey had joined forces purely for business purposes, but the more time they spend together, the more they realize that the biggest danger the two of them face is losing their hearts…to one another!
A zesty and compelling read spiced with zingy banter, nail-biting intrigue and poignant romance, It Takes a Thief is a witty, charming and absorbing tale where the stakes are high, the chemistry between the leads is electric, the pace never flags and the passion is red-hot. Sloane Steele’s It Takes a Thief is an enjoyable romp that will delight and enchant readers and have them eagerly anticipating the next instalment in Sloane Steele’s Counterfeit Capers series.
Jared Towers and Audrey Abbott are as different as chalk and cheese. Jared is charming, charismatic and so debonair. He can talk his way out of anything and he has the ability of making people eat out of the palm out of his hand within minutes of meeting them. On the other hand, Audrey might be a whiz when it comes to computers who can hack into any IT system, however, people are a completely different story. Reclusive Audrey would sooner be locked in an empty room with a computer for hours than have to speak to single person for any length of time – until Jared comes into her life with a daring proposition she simply cannot say no to.
Despite their differences, Jared and Audrey are united by a desire to take care of the people they love who need it most. Jared wants to right the wrongs of the past and is assembling a team of thieves to steal back the possessions his father had pilfered and passed on. Meanwhile, Audrey will do whatever it takes to ensure that her grandmother does not have to worry about anything ever again. Jared and Audrey had joined forces purely for business purposes, but the more time they spend together, the more they realize that the biggest danger the two of them face is losing their hearts…to one another!
A zesty and compelling read spiced with zingy banter, nail-biting intrigue and poignant romance, It Takes a Thief is a witty, charming and absorbing tale where the stakes are high, the chemistry between the leads is electric, the pace never flags and the passion is red-hot. Sloane Steele’s It Takes a Thief is an enjoyable romp that will delight and enchant readers and have them eagerly anticipating the next instalment in Sloane Steele’s Counterfeit Capers series.
March 20, 2021
I adore a good heist story - and this one was so vividly written and compelling that I completely fell in love with it. Also - the fact that almost all of the crew involved are women? Swoon. Seriously - if they could make this into a movie or TV series - I would be ALL IN. Jared and his cousin Mia are the children of Bernie Madoff style villains. They are off hiding in Montenegro leaving their children and wives to deal with the repercussions of their acts. Mia and Jared had no idea what was going on - and neither did their mothers. Now Jared and Mia have devised a plan to punish not just their fathers but their cronies by stealing valuable artwork and using it to fund reparations to the families that were hurt by their family.
Jared is a negotiator (really a fixer) who lives in the grey between right and wrong to do his job. He has been working with a hacker, Audrey (otherwise known as Data) to get information he needs to help his business. To make the thefts happen - they need a hacker they can depend on to get past security. Audrey and Jared have been flirting over text for months and when they meet things between them escalate - even as the heist gets more complicated.
I adored the characters involved in this. Everyone on the team has so much depth of character. They are all fascinating in their own right. I cannot wait to see where things go from here. There are quite a few things left to be taken and so much more to the story to unravel.
I highly recommend this because it was incredibly satisfying on all levels. Please excuse while I run off to watch the Thomas Crowne Affair and the Inside Man.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
Jared is a negotiator (really a fixer) who lives in the grey between right and wrong to do his job. He has been working with a hacker, Audrey (otherwise known as Data) to get information he needs to help his business. To make the thefts happen - they need a hacker they can depend on to get past security. Audrey and Jared have been flirting over text for months and when they meet things between them escalate - even as the heist gets more complicated.
I adored the characters involved in this. Everyone on the team has so much depth of character. They are all fascinating in their own right. I cannot wait to see where things go from here. There are quite a few things left to be taken and so much more to the story to unravel.
I highly recommend this because it was incredibly satisfying on all levels. Please excuse while I run off to watch the Thomas Crowne Affair and the Inside Man.
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.
April 28, 2021
~4.5⭐Rating~
Jared and his cousin Mia are out to right the wrongs of their fathers and that starts with giving back to the families that were wronged. With their plan of pulling the heist of the century by stealing expensive art and selling them on the black market only to give that money back to the families that very much need it, all they need is a solid team; one hacker, one thief and one art forger.
••
Things take a steamy turn when Jared comes face to face with the hacker, Data that he has been using for a while now. As it would turn out the face behind computer wiz Data is that of the beautiful Audrey. With Jared unable to deny the insane pull and attraction that he has been feeling towards Audrey, but what will happen when she finally learns exactly who he is?
••
I loved this cute suspenseful romance. It was such a cute play on Robin Hood, with righting the wrongs of the past and taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
••
I absolutely loved the connection between Jared and Audrey and that they had such a dramatic pull to each other. I really liked that Jared was such a nice guy and that he cared about his entire team. I absolutely loved the bond that the entire team formed even when things got though.
••
Overall this is definitely a book I would recommend reading, it has the perfect mix if suspense and romance all mixed in with a few laughs.
Jared and his cousin Mia are out to right the wrongs of their fathers and that starts with giving back to the families that were wronged. With their plan of pulling the heist of the century by stealing expensive art and selling them on the black market only to give that money back to the families that very much need it, all they need is a solid team; one hacker, one thief and one art forger.
••
Things take a steamy turn when Jared comes face to face with the hacker, Data that he has been using for a while now. As it would turn out the face behind computer wiz Data is that of the beautiful Audrey. With Jared unable to deny the insane pull and attraction that he has been feeling towards Audrey, but what will happen when she finally learns exactly who he is?
••
I loved this cute suspenseful romance. It was such a cute play on Robin Hood, with righting the wrongs of the past and taking from the rich and giving to the poor.
••
I absolutely loved the connection between Jared and Audrey and that they had such a dramatic pull to each other. I really liked that Jared was such a nice guy and that he cared about his entire team. I absolutely loved the bond that the entire team formed even when things got though.
••
Overall this is definitely a book I would recommend reading, it has the perfect mix if suspense and romance all mixed in with a few laughs.
April 27, 2021
Jared Towers and his cousin Mia were affected by their fathers' crimes. Now he's a fixer and uses his connections to bring a thief and hacker together for an art heist. As the hacker, Audrey just wants the money so she can afford care for her grandmother with dementia. Their orbits never would have connected in person if not for the job, and there's more at stake than a stolen painting.
I really liked Audrey, isolated and shy in the beginning, with her only connection to the "real world" being her roommate, job, grandmother, and assisted living staff. She still had a sense of sass along with her humor as she ribbed her unnamed benefactor online. Jared came in on Mia's plan to humiliate the men assisting their fathers and wants to have a hands-on approach. This is especially true when he meets Audrey; they have an instant attraction that they eventually give in to. He doesn't explain who he is, who Mia is, or why they're putting together this elaborate plan, so it all blows up in his face.
Think of this as the romance novel version of Leverage, if you enjoy bad guys getting one over on worse guys. I hope there's more to this series because all of the characters in it were lots of fun, not just Audrey and Jared.
I really liked Audrey, isolated and shy in the beginning, with her only connection to the "real world" being her roommate, job, grandmother, and assisted living staff. She still had a sense of sass along with her humor as she ribbed her unnamed benefactor online. Jared came in on Mia's plan to humiliate the men assisting their fathers and wants to have a hands-on approach. This is especially true when he meets Audrey; they have an instant attraction that they eventually give in to. He doesn't explain who he is, who Mia is, or why they're putting together this elaborate plan, so it all blows up in his face.
Think of this as the romance novel version of Leverage, if you enjoy bad guys getting one over on worse guys. I hope there's more to this series because all of the characters in it were lots of fun, not just Audrey and Jared.
April 24, 2021
So awesome!
This is the story of Jay, who, along his cousin Mia, plans to steel some pieces of artwork from their father's friends, in order to undo the wrong they did to innocent people who they tricked. They hire a hacker, a thief, and an art forger. He knows the hacker, Audrey, from previous works when they flirted a bit. As they get to know each other sparks fly as they get closer and closer.
This was truly an awesome book! It felt like an unique plot, very well written, the story was fast paced and kept you wanting to know more about what was going to happen. All the characters are well developed and though each is very reluctant in the beginning they transform into a great team, all melting a bit their protective walls.
Jay and Audrey have a lot of chemistry going on between them, there are sensual moments, very hot ones and some difficult ones as she gets over her feelings of betrayal and explore their love.
This book was a great read, sweet, fun, fast paced, keeping me engaged. Can't wait to read the next ones!
I received a copy of this in exchange for my opinion.
This is the story of Jay, who, along his cousin Mia, plans to steel some pieces of artwork from their father's friends, in order to undo the wrong they did to innocent people who they tricked. They hire a hacker, a thief, and an art forger. He knows the hacker, Audrey, from previous works when they flirted a bit. As they get to know each other sparks fly as they get closer and closer.
This was truly an awesome book! It felt like an unique plot, very well written, the story was fast paced and kept you wanting to know more about what was going to happen. All the characters are well developed and though each is very reluctant in the beginning they transform into a great team, all melting a bit their protective walls.
Jay and Audrey have a lot of chemistry going on between them, there are sensual moments, very hot ones and some difficult ones as she gets over her feelings of betrayal and explore their love.
This book was a great read, sweet, fun, fast paced, keeping me engaged. Can't wait to read the next ones!
I received a copy of this in exchange for my opinion.
April 26, 2021
Man, I love a good caper! Getting a team together was the easy part, having a plan move smoothly was tricky. Jared and Mia are determined to get revenge on their fathers, the plan is give back to those their fathers stole from and make things right. They’ve got a hacker, a thief and a forger. The plan is genius: replace art with forgeries and watch the plan their fathers carefully constructed fall apart. The vibe from the team is electric as they work together to straighten out the kinks and learn to trust the others. As this motley crew molds into a family of friends there is a shift as they are finally let in on the real reason for the heists. The perfect start to a new series now that the group has done a job or two it’ll be exciting to see where else the series takes them. I received my copy from Netgalley but wrote my review voluntarily.
May 7, 2021
Reviewed for NetGalley:
This one was okay, but it wasn't my favorite. I really liked Data, Audrey, she was interesting. I also really liked Nikki. However, by the end of it, I was hoping that Data, Nikki and the painter would go off and form their own little crew sans Jared and Mia.
I don't think the relationship really worked for me. I know that Steele tried to show that they had a relationship online before hand, but it didn't really mesh that they went from COMPLETELY professional, to maybe I'll say this thing (and Steele tells you it's flirting, even though it doesn't REALLY feel like flirting) to WOW, I am attracted to you, and we shouldn't get involved, BUT LET's GET INVOLVED ANYWAY really quickly. I just didn't buy it.
Again, the chemistry was better between the other operatives.
I also really didn't like Jared OR Mia. So, I wouldn't really recommend this one.
This one was okay, but it wasn't my favorite. I really liked Data, Audrey, she was interesting. I also really liked Nikki. However, by the end of it, I was hoping that Data, Nikki and the painter would go off and form their own little crew sans Jared and Mia.
I don't think the relationship really worked for me. I know that Steele tried to show that they had a relationship online before hand, but it didn't really mesh that they went from COMPLETELY professional, to maybe I'll say this thing (and Steele tells you it's flirting, even though it doesn't REALLY feel like flirting) to WOW, I am attracted to you, and we shouldn't get involved, BUT LET's GET INVOLVED ANYWAY really quickly. I just didn't buy it.
Again, the chemistry was better between the other operatives.
I also really didn't like Jared OR Mia. So, I wouldn't really recommend this one.
May 4, 2021
In this one I encountered the characters Jared and Audrey who happen to have different personalities. They also have some interesting skills. They both have their reasons on why they do what they do but they are not for themselves. They come across a big payoff so they team up but with their goals in mind. Then there happens to be emotions that grow in the mix. Since this was my first time reading this author this did have the ability to keep me interested and turning the pages. With a long time reader such as me that is a feat. A good chemistry all the way around I would say with what a outcome.
May 7, 2021
3.5 stars!
I have mixed feelings about this book. My attention was going in and out. There were moments I couldn’t turn the page faster and other moments I had to go back and re-read. It’s almost like their love and the plot was two different books. There could have been more character development, maybe a bigger plot twist? I was really more interested in the heist. Heist books are generally my favorite, this one missed the mark by a few memos.
I have mixed feelings about this book. My attention was going in and out. There were moments I couldn’t turn the page faster and other moments I had to go back and re-read. It’s almost like their love and the plot was two different books. There could have been more character development, maybe a bigger plot twist? I was really more interested in the heist. Heist books are generally my favorite, this one missed the mark by a few memos.
July 11, 2021
Was good, but I should have known from the cover it might have explicit sex in it. It did. I prefer to have some things left to the reader's imagination. There was not a lot, but I won't be reading any more in the series.
July 20, 2021
I really loved the whys and hows of this story, because I am a fan of heists and capers, especially when they’re for a good cause. I loved Jared and Audrey. How they met, how they fell in love, just all of it. Can’t wait for the next book!
May 7, 2021
Pretty good heist romance.
April 12, 2021
4.25⭐
This was a really enjoyable introduction to a new series that reminded me so much of one of my favourite TV shows Leverage, and I was hooked from the start.
Thanks to a well-written and plotted storyline that nicely introduces the five central character's thief Nikki, hacker Audrey (data), and forger London who are all pulled together by cousins Mia and Jared to pull off 12 heists so the cousins can lure their con men fathers out of hiding and provide compensation to their victims.
And with an engaging romance between Jared and Audrey as well as plenty of planning for the heists, themselves this was a really entertaining read, and I'm excited for what comes next as the team take on more heists and deal with the consequences of those they've already stolen from finding out their art is now fake.
Would recommend.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchfor an honest review**
This was a really enjoyable introduction to a new series that reminded me so much of one of my favourite TV shows Leverage, and I was hooked from the start.
Thanks to a well-written and plotted storyline that nicely introduces the five central character's thief Nikki, hacker Audrey (data), and forger London who are all pulled together by cousins Mia and Jared to pull off 12 heists so the cousins can lure their con men fathers out of hiding and provide compensation to their victims.
And with an engaging romance between Jared and Audrey as well as plenty of planning for the heists, themselves this was a really entertaining read, and I'm excited for what comes next as the team take on more heists and deal with the consequences of those they've already stolen from finding out their art is now fake.
Would recommend.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchfor an honest review**
May 6, 2021
Check out our full post for IT TAKES A THIEF on Wicked Reads.
Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team
Mary – ☆☆☆☆
This is a first for me from this author and it sounded interesting. I was not disappointed, although I wasn't expecting it to end where it did.
Jared and his cousin, Mia, are trying to right wrongs done to their families by their own fathers. But in order to do this, they have to have people with the knowledge in the art of stealing and not getting caught. They have to find a forger (London) to make copies of the items they want to replace, a grifter (Nikki) to replace the forged item with the real one, and a hacker (Data/Audrey) to take care of all of their computer needs.
What Jared wasn't expecting was to have a strong pull towards the hacker. He has been using her expertise for a while now but when they met, the sizzle was there for them both.
Can this new team work together to make a wrong right? What happens when Audrey learns who Jared really is?
I really enjoyed this story, it is full of suspense that will keep you wondering how they will pull this job off without getting caught. With a romantic interest thrown in to make it even better. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.
Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a series, and I really enjoyed the setup, the reveal, and the twist – as well as the romance, which is rather wonderfully nerdy!
Jared and his cousin, Mia, suffered greatly when their fathers escaped justice after a huge Ponzi con. They have recovered most of their status by hard work and being independently wealthy, thanks to their mothers. They now want to right the wrongs the best they can, and plan on using the wealth of their absent fathers' friends to fund such restitution. To do that, they have to find suitable individuals to do the deeds themselves... and so they engage a thief, a hacker, and a forger.
I love how it all falls into place (haha!) or rather, how they have to really work at overcoming all the challenges and through it become a cohesive team, as well as Jared and Audrey forming an unexpectedly close bond. Mia really isn't impressed with how things work, as she is so careful of the plan working out.
Hugely entertaining story with the promise of some more crazy adventures to come, and I am hoping more passionate romance for one of the team!
Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
August 22, 2021
2.5 rounding up, finished strong.
It Takes a Thief, covers the first heist and the building of the crew. Because these are romances, we also get the story of Jared and Audrey, the Hacker, whom have been flirting for ages as Jared hired her for previous jobs under her alias Data. Now that they have met the flirtation has only increased. But, Jared and Mia aren’t upfront with Audrey and the other members of the team (Nikki the thief and London the forger) about who they are and why they are organizing these thefts. When Audrey finds out, it halts the relationship she and Jared have just begun and puts their plan of running the remainder to the thefts together in jeopardy.
What I like about these books is the characters. Steele builds characters with great backgrounds. Jared and Mia’s father’s betrayals, and what it has done to their own reputations layers in easily understood motivation, and how Jared is completely comfortable living and working in life’s gray areas, while Mia has made her peace with having to get dirty in order to do right. Audrey’s focus on her grandmother and providing her the best care she can make her loveable, as does her insistence that she and Jared must function as equals.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/...
It Takes a Thief, covers the first heist and the building of the crew. Because these are romances, we also get the story of Jared and Audrey, the Hacker, whom have been flirting for ages as Jared hired her for previous jobs under her alias Data. Now that they have met the flirtation has only increased. But, Jared and Mia aren’t upfront with Audrey and the other members of the team (Nikki the thief and London the forger) about who they are and why they are organizing these thefts. When Audrey finds out, it halts the relationship she and Jared have just begun and puts their plan of running the remainder to the thefts together in jeopardy.
What I like about these books is the characters. Steele builds characters with great backgrounds. Jared and Mia’s father’s betrayals, and what it has done to their own reputations layers in easily understood motivation, and how Jared is completely comfortable living and working in life’s gray areas, while Mia has made her peace with having to get dirty in order to do right. Audrey’s focus on her grandmother and providing her the best care she can make her loveable, as does her insistence that she and Jared must function as equals.
full review: https://faintingviolet.wordpress.com/...
March 29, 2026
"It Takes a Thief" by Sloane Steele was something of a modern-day Robin Hood tale. For some time, Jared Towers and his cousin Mia Benson had been working to plan a series of art heists in order to generate funds to make reparations to the victims of a Ponzi scheme masterminded by their fathers. Jared and Mia assembled a team consisting of thief Nikki, forger London, and hacker Audrey to help them pull off the thefts from their fathers' rich friends, who had also benefited from the scheme. I really enjoyed the way those three came together and not only started solving problems as they arose, but also formed an unlikely friendship as the story progressed.
Jared had worked with hacker Audrey in the past, and they'd always had a bit of an online flirtation. Their relationship felt somewhat rushed to me after they met in person, however. Audrey and Jared had great chemistry, but I would have liked to see more emotional build-up. The conflict between them seemed a bit forced to me as well, and it dragged on for longer than necessary. Most of their problems could have been cleared up with a simple conversation, and it always drives me crazy when couples fail to communicate, no matter the extenuating circumstances.
Overall, while I think I enjoyed the heist part of the plot more than the romance, it was still a fun read and I would recommend it. Fans of light romantic suspense and TV shows such as Leverage are likely to enjoy this story. The next book in the series promises to be even more interesting IMO, now that much of the groundwork for the art thefts is in place.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
Jared had worked with hacker Audrey in the past, and they'd always had a bit of an online flirtation. Their relationship felt somewhat rushed to me after they met in person, however. Audrey and Jared had great chemistry, but I would have liked to see more emotional build-up. The conflict between them seemed a bit forced to me as well, and it dragged on for longer than necessary. Most of their problems could have been cleared up with a simple conversation, and it always drives me crazy when couples fail to communicate, no matter the extenuating circumstances.
Overall, while I think I enjoyed the heist part of the plot more than the romance, it was still a fun read and I would recommend it. Fans of light romantic suspense and TV shows such as Leverage are likely to enjoy this story. The next book in the series promises to be even more interesting IMO, now that much of the groundwork for the art thefts is in place.
*Review copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
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