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First & Forever Stories #7
The Thief and The Gangster
Adriano
It started as the hottest hook-up of my life. Jack was gorgeous, and the spark between us was intense. But the night ended with me chasing him through the streets of San Francisco half-naked, after he stole my late father’s watch. Awesome.
Days later, I finally tracked him down, just as I got the news that all hell was breaking loose back home in Las Vegas. Now I have to bring Jack along while I deal with the mobster who’s targeting my family—as if a road trip with that little thief is even sort of a good idea. But what choice do I have? If I let him out of my sight, he and my most prized possession will disappear forever.
I can’t deny it, I’m still drawn to Jack—but how can I trust him?
Jack
I like to think of myself as a modern-day Robin Hood. I rob from the rich and give to—well, to me. I’m poor, so that counts. Not that I’d planned to rip off Adriano Dombruso when he picked me up in a bar, but that vintage Rolex was just too tempting to pass up.
It sucked when he managed to track me down. Then, before we could retrieve his watch, an urgent call from home set him in motion. Now I suddenly find myself in Vegas. The bad guys are closing in, and the smart choice would be to escape and save myself—after all, self-preservation is what I’m best at. Somehow though, I hate the thought of leaving Adriano to deal with this on his own.
Am I actually falling for that big, burly gangster?
The Thief and The Gangster is a lighthearted gay romance set in the world of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series. While long-time readers will recognize some familiar faces in supporting roles, this can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.
It started as the hottest hook-up of my life. Jack was gorgeous, and the spark between us was intense. But the night ended with me chasing him through the streets of San Francisco half-naked, after he stole my late father’s watch. Awesome.
Days later, I finally tracked him down, just as I got the news that all hell was breaking loose back home in Las Vegas. Now I have to bring Jack along while I deal with the mobster who’s targeting my family—as if a road trip with that little thief is even sort of a good idea. But what choice do I have? If I let him out of my sight, he and my most prized possession will disappear forever.
I can’t deny it, I’m still drawn to Jack—but how can I trust him?
Jack
I like to think of myself as a modern-day Robin Hood. I rob from the rich and give to—well, to me. I’m poor, so that counts. Not that I’d planned to rip off Adriano Dombruso when he picked me up in a bar, but that vintage Rolex was just too tempting to pass up.
It sucked when he managed to track me down. Then, before we could retrieve his watch, an urgent call from home set him in motion. Now I suddenly find myself in Vegas. The bad guys are closing in, and the smart choice would be to escape and save myself—after all, self-preservation is what I’m best at. Somehow though, I hate the thought of leaving Adriano to deal with this on his own.
Am I actually falling for that big, burly gangster?
The Thief and The Gangster is a lighthearted gay romance set in the world of Alexa Land’s Firsts and Forever Series. While long-time readers will recognize some familiar faces in supporting roles, this can absolutely be read as a stand-alone.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 29, 2022
59 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
About the author
Alexa Land
58 books787 followersIndependent MM romance author. For more information, please visit Alexa's blog: http://alexalandwrites.blogspot.com/
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
Please note: the author does not check messages on this site. The best way to contact them is through Facebook.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 2, 2022
so sweet
4.5 rounded up. This book might be my favorite of the Firsts and Forever series. Not only does it revisit some of her characters from a previous series, it also just has all the things… steam, action, moral ambiguity, low angst without being silly, teeny bit of angst… I just really loved this book beginning to end. I haven’t loved every book from this series but Alexa is one of the few low angst authors that can deliver quality writing without heavy drama. I just loved this book.
Also, kudos to Alexa for the consistently gorgeous covers!!
4.5 rounded up. This book might be my favorite of the Firsts and Forever series. Not only does it revisit some of her characters from a previous series, it also just has all the things… steam, action, moral ambiguity, low angst without being silly, teeny bit of angst… I just really loved this book beginning to end. I haven’t loved every book from this series but Alexa is one of the few low angst authors that can deliver quality writing without heavy drama. I just loved this book.
Also, kudos to Alexa for the consistently gorgeous covers!!
November 25, 2022
Perfect ❤️❤️
I love Alexa Land’s writing. This book made me laugh and smile so much my face hurts! Loved it!
Reno and Jack seem like a very unlikely match but with their past experiences they were perfect for each other.
If you are a fan of the Firsts and Forever series, you’ll especially love this book! Nana makes a grand entrance.
The HEA was super special as well! Loved these characters! 🥰🥰
I love Alexa Land’s writing. This book made me laugh and smile so much my face hurts! Loved it!
Reno and Jack seem like a very unlikely match but with their past experiences they were perfect for each other.
If you are a fan of the Firsts and Forever series, you’ll especially love this book! Nana makes a grand entrance.
The HEA was super special as well! Loved these characters! 🥰🥰
October 31, 2022
Sweet and fun!
You’d think any book that starts off with chasing a thief through the streets would get less exciting from there, but the second half of the book gets even crazier! I love all these characters so much, both new and old (I think you could read this on its own but several beloved characters also play a part). This was just such a fun read!
You’d think any book that starts off with chasing a thief through the streets would get less exciting from there, but the second half of the book gets even crazier! I love all these characters so much, both new and old (I think you could read this on its own but several beloved characters also play a part). This was just such a fun read!
January 23, 2023
This story was classic Alexa Land. Sweet and sexy, plenty of fu, with good banter and some "sneaks up on you" emotional moments. Adriano and Jack are adorable and even though things move quickly for them, I was all in on their crazy adventure. Loved the Dombruso family cameos and I really can't wait to see how she pulls off the story for the next couple!
November 8, 2022
This book is really madcap fun with a lot of funny, preposterous scenes and a deep dive into Nana's extended family. Adriano and Jack meet at a San Francisco bar as a casual hook-up. Jack, being a thief, can't help himself when he spots Adriano's $50,000 Rolex, a precious family heirloom, and he swipes it. Adriano tracks him down, but when there is a mob hit against his illegal gambling ring in Las Vegas, Adriano kidnaps Jack, so he can help him locate the watch later. Can the thief and the mob boss find love among the danger and deceit? This low-angst, feel-good book has a dose of danger and all the passion and love.
February 25, 2023
Fun read.m
The gangs all here.
The gangs all here.
June 12, 2023
It’s too much
I barely managed to finish. I like all the people in the pink Victorian but gangsters is too much for this series. The crazy gramma was mildly humorous before but this book is so far over the top it’s just stupid.
I barely managed to finish. I like all the people in the pink Victorian but gangsters is too much for this series. The crazy gramma was mildly humorous before but this book is so far over the top it’s just stupid.
October 31, 2022
Loved it! I read this book in one sitting, I only put it down long enough to eat and when nature called ;) .
I love Jack and Adriano!! It took my awhile to love Jack but not too long, I loved Reno from the start. Their story made me angry, sad, a tad scared at a certain part , then happy again. I may have cried a few times but then not long after I was laughing at something Nana said or did. It was great to more on the Dombruso’s , their a wonderful and very loving family. Well done Alexa Land! A Must Recommended Read! Not a standalone, you have to read series. What got me the most was the sneak peek at the next book, I slapped my kindle down, said “ no freaking way” and walked away, lol. It’s a big shocker and I can’t wait to read it even though an enemy is in it. 5 Glowing Stars!!!
I love Jack and Adriano!! It took my awhile to love Jack but not too long, I loved Reno from the start. Their story made me angry, sad, a tad scared at a certain part , then happy again. I may have cried a few times but then not long after I was laughing at something Nana said or did. It was great to more on the Dombruso’s , their a wonderful and very loving family. Well done Alexa Land! A Must Recommended Read! Not a standalone, you have to read series. What got me the most was the sneak peek at the next book, I slapped my kindle down, said “ no freaking way” and walked away, lol. It’s a big shocker and I can’t wait to read it even though an enemy is in it. 5 Glowing Stars!!!
December 6, 2022
Contemporary romance with humor, heat, and low angst. I love the over-the-top Dombruso family and friends, but their appearance here made the story feel a bit rushed towards the end. All in all it's a sweet and fluffy story, and 'The Thief and The Gangster' is a fun read with a HEA.
November 1, 2022
Jack and Reno’s story was fast, funny and definitely entertaining!
I couldn’t believe who Romy’s love interest will be. I can’t wait until next year to read his story.
I couldn’t believe who Romy’s love interest will be. I can’t wait until next year to read his story.
November 7, 2022
Fun
So much fun, as usual, with this big family adding members and getting into trouble. What a fun read. Entertaining.
So much fun, as usual, with this big family adding members and getting into trouble. What a fun read. Entertaining.
December 12, 2022
Alexa never misses!
Jack is a thief. Adriano is a gangster. A one-night stand, stolen watch, and problem with another gangster leads to their unexpected happily ever after … and I loved every moment!
This book was just as delightful, funny and romantic as I was expecting. There is something so unique about Alexa’s writing that makes her easily distinguishable from other writers. I love the voices of her characters and the wacky things they get up to, plus all of the amazing found families.
While this book is plenty serious, it’s also plenty hilarious. The wacky series of events of this book were some of the funniest I’ve ever read, and that’s saying something, because it’s Alexa’s specialty. Every time I start a new book I think that Alexa can’t beat the last wacky stuff she wrote, and I’m always wrong.
I was rooting for Jack and Adriano from the moment they met. They were already so fun together and had some really lovely (and spicy!) chemistry. And despite their not-so-legal professions, they’re both kind in their own way and sweet on the people they love. They have some bumps on the way to their HEA, but they never let anything linger for too long and have some really great - and vulnerable - conversations as they navigate things.
There are a LOT of cameos from characters of Alexa’s previous books, but most notably is how much page time we get with some of the Dombrusos! Long time fans of Alexa will appreciate their reappearance. They’re just as fun and wild as ever, and I think it speaks to Alexa’s writing that I remembered them all so well even though I haven’t read their books in years. While there is some found family in this book, the focus is on the blood relations as things lead up to Adriano finally meeting his half brothers and other Dombruso family.
This book could be read as a stand-alone no problem. If you like the pink house crew and Dombrusos and want to know more, then you have to read All In, Salvation, Belonging, The Rest of Forever, and the First & Forever Stories series. And then everything ever written by Alexa because I’m obsessed. Happy reading!
Jack is a thief. Adriano is a gangster. A one-night stand, stolen watch, and problem with another gangster leads to their unexpected happily ever after … and I loved every moment!
This book was just as delightful, funny and romantic as I was expecting. There is something so unique about Alexa’s writing that makes her easily distinguishable from other writers. I love the voices of her characters and the wacky things they get up to, plus all of the amazing found families.
While this book is plenty serious, it’s also plenty hilarious. The wacky series of events of this book were some of the funniest I’ve ever read, and that’s saying something, because it’s Alexa’s specialty. Every time I start a new book I think that Alexa can’t beat the last wacky stuff she wrote, and I’m always wrong.
I was rooting for Jack and Adriano from the moment they met. They were already so fun together and had some really lovely (and spicy!) chemistry. And despite their not-so-legal professions, they’re both kind in their own way and sweet on the people they love. They have some bumps on the way to their HEA, but they never let anything linger for too long and have some really great - and vulnerable - conversations as they navigate things.
There are a LOT of cameos from characters of Alexa’s previous books, but most notably is how much page time we get with some of the Dombrusos! Long time fans of Alexa will appreciate their reappearance. They’re just as fun and wild as ever, and I think it speaks to Alexa’s writing that I remembered them all so well even though I haven’t read their books in years. While there is some found family in this book, the focus is on the blood relations as things lead up to Adriano finally meeting his half brothers and other Dombruso family.
This book could be read as a stand-alone no problem. If you like the pink house crew and Dombrusos and want to know more, then you have to read All In, Salvation, Belonging, The Rest of Forever, and the First & Forever Stories series. And then everything ever written by Alexa because I’m obsessed. Happy reading!
March 15, 2023
I had the extreme pleasure of reading Alexa Land's The Thief and The Gangster (Firsts and Forever Stories # 7/KU) yesterday and it was SO MUCH FUN! I LOVED it! The premise is clever, the writing is on point, the banter is fab, her humor is wonderfully ever present, Jack and Adriano's chemistry is SMOKING HOT 🫦 and as ALWAYS, she surrounds us with wonderful secondary characters! 😍😍 It is a one sitting read that had me hooked from word 1!!! You do not have to read all of the stories in order to read this one. I have missed a few but had no trouble following the bouncing ball! 🤣 Alexa delightfully gifts us with the presence of some of her "famous", previously written characters but they just flow effortlessly in to the story. If you have read this series then YOU KNOW 🤣 and if you haven't, no worries, you will not feel lost but you will want to start from the beginning.😉 I can not wait to see what she has in store for us in My Brother's Enemy (March 16th) and the sweet, innocent Romy (Adriano's brother) cuz DAYUM!! I can not wait to see how she weaves this story!!! It's going to be a doozy!! 🥰
November 2, 2022
This was surprisingly sweet and fluffy, not what I'd expect from a story about a thief and a gangster but there you go. There is definitely some drama, some laugh out loud moments and getting to be part of that crazy Dombruso family again was just what I needed! This was a really good story but there were a few small niggles, nothing to get in the way of my enjoyment of the read!
QUICK THOUGHTS
** Gangster/thief pairing
** Combatants to lovers
** A hook-up turns to more
** Forced proximity
** Drama
** Sweet moments
** Laugh out loud funny
** A few heartbreaking moments
** Meeting the family (it was nice to see them again)
** there's a stiff ex that I'm not sure why he was there
** Not filled with sex
** Loved the MCs... Adriano & Jack
** Satisfying ending
** Not sure I'm going to like where the next book goes
October 29, 2022
This was one of my favorite Alexa Land books by far and I’ve read every single one of her books. They are all good if not a little boring but this one had me hooked from the first page. I loved these two characters. They were so sweet together and I love how it’s never just about sex for her characters. There’s never too many sex scenes and they don’t go off about all their conquests. She’s really good and making us fall in love with each MC. I liked seeing some of the old Dambruso gang and I’m super excited for the next book. I literally said I hope it’s Romy and Mario before it was confirmed at the end!!!
October 31, 2022
I don’t think I’ve read a somewhat fluffy gangster story before. This one was enjoyable because of the charming family around the two nice MCs. The meet cute was good as was their subsequent unwilling road trip and the falling for each other. I liked this couple. Cover guy is nice, too.
My eyes got big when I read the blurb for the next in the series that major good guy Romy will be falling for major bad guy Marcus Greene, aka Mario Greco! Wow! Well, Nana did say he was sexy when she saw his photo.
My eyes got big when I read the blurb for the next in the series that major good guy Romy will be falling for major bad guy Marcus Greene, aka Mario Greco! Wow! Well, Nana did say he was sexy when she saw his photo.
January 18, 2023
Finally caught up with this series, and I can't say how much I love it. Learning who Adriano was in the Dombruso family was really interesting and I liked that the Pink Victorian Crew was included in this story as well. There are so many great side characters in this series that I want all of them, all of the time. I absolutely cannot wait for the next book in this series.
March 1, 2023
I enjoyed this way more than I should have. Jack was wonderful. I love everything about him. Adriano was also lovely, though the "gangster" part is a little misleading. By the end of the book I was absolutely cackling. I forgot how much I adore Nana and her antics. It was super fun to see how it all tied together.
April 26, 2023
Loved this story so much. Reno and Jack were so good together and as things were heating up with Mario Greco I was hoping someone would contact Nana and then Jack does after Reno has been kidnapped and then it go really wild. Love the Drumbusos so much and was so happy that they accepted Reno as part of the family and Jack too. I can't wait to read about his brother Romy.
July 19, 2023
I was doing ok with this until around 60% when ‘gangster granny’ and the half brothers showed up. The storyline just went downhill after that! It just became ridiculous. Seriously…the pink outfit! It just wasn’t remotely funny! Jack was supposedly thirty four but acted like he was fourteen. I skimmed the rest of the book just to get to the end! I might give this author another try..but not sure!
October 29, 2022
Jack and Reno
She does it again and it is always great to see what Nana can get into each book. The Relationship between Reno and Jack is great and one that shows while they are both being hurt it is never too late to learn how to trust someone .
She does it again and it is always great to see what Nana can get into each book. The Relationship between Reno and Jack is great and one that shows while they are both being hurt it is never too late to learn how to trust someone .
October 30, 2022
loved it
I read this in one night. I love these books. I always try to wait and slow down reading but I can’t. It was great reading about the brothers again. The family just keeps growing. It’s another page turner. Alexa Land did it again
I read this in one night. I love these books. I always try to wait and slow down reading but I can’t. It was great reading about the brothers again. The family just keeps growing. It’s another page turner. Alexa Land did it again
October 31, 2022
absolutely awesome
Alexa tells a story that once again makes you wish the Dombrusos were real and that you could go join the family.
This story has you wondering what is going to happen next and rooting for the them find the Love they deserve.
You really must read this book!
Alexa tells a story that once again makes you wish the Dombrusos were real and that you could go join the family.
This story has you wondering what is going to happen next and rooting for the them find the Love they deserve.
You really must read this book!
November 5, 2022
firsts and forever 7
This was a great mix of much loved characters from the San Fran mobsters and the quirky folk from the pink victorian causing havoc in Las Vegas, I’ve really enjoyed every story from this world
This was a great mix of much loved characters from the San Fran mobsters and the quirky folk from the pink victorian causing havoc in Las Vegas, I’ve really enjoyed every story from this world
November 14, 2022
It was good until Reno's step brothers trying to rescue him and the rest of the story was so hectic and made Reno and Jack's story fading in the background.
Can't wait for Romy's story with Greco and I hope Petey, Romy's friend will get his own story.
Can't wait for Romy's story with Greco and I hope Petey, Romy's friend will get his own story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2023
Great mm contemporary story set in the USA. Thief Jack and Gangster Reno make an unlikely couple but a great story. Perfect title for this book. The story takes place in San Francisco and Vegas . Action packed and a real page turner.
October 29, 2022
It was good
It was exactly what you'd expect from an Alexa Land book, cute story with lots of family/found family love with a dash of Nanas craziness.
It was exactly what you'd expect from an Alexa Land book, cute story with lots of family/found family love with a dash of Nanas craziness.
October 29, 2022
First person dual pov
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
Angst: 💧💧
Heat: 🔥🔥🔥
Angst: 💧💧
November 1, 2022
4.25⭐
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews