Rook to King

Love and Treasure #2

by Carina Taylor

A romantic adventure Bodie King My entire life revolves around convincing people to do what I want. Some people call me a con man. Some people call me… other things. I prefer to call myself a broker. (I even made business cards, so it must be official.) Charming someone into helping me has never been a problem—until now. The Bennetto chess set is rumored to lead to a priceless fortune. Who better to find it than me? I need an authenticator to help me buy the missing pieces of the chess set. The problem is finding someone who knows the set but is still honest—a quality I lack. Enter Gracen Winthrop. She’s knowledgeable. Annoyingly trustworthy. And, most importantly, available. After some persuasion, she seems to catch the treasure hunting bug as well. Unfortunately, I don’t actually want to share. Now Gracen refuses to be left behind, despite a homicidal, grudge-holding ex-employee of mine chasing after us. I can’t protect her… but turns out she can handle herself just fine. The closer we get to the chess set, the slower I want to find it. Because once I find the missing pieces? I’m going to disappear into the sunset, never to see Gracen again. But Gracen has her own secrets… and how could I expect her to ever love a con?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Mystery, Audiobook, Clean Romance, Fiction, Rom Com

368 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 13, 2023

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun/funny romp with some great twists.

This was probably a 5 star until about 80% when it felt like the author rushed to wrap everything up and show how clever all the twists were.

No sexy times. Just some kisses. But for the most part, great chemistry and banter.

Gracen is a really fun character. So kickass and smart. And twisty.

[Kelsey S · Rating 3 out of 5]

▹TL;DR Review: A fun, rat-race-like adventure where the main characters end up finding more than they originally bargained for. A fairly quick read with very mild spice and fun romance. This is book 2 in the Love and Treasure series, but could be read as a standalone.

▹My ⭐ Rating: ★★★.25 out of 5
▹Format: 🎧Audiobook (Dual narration rating: 5/5)
─────────────────────────

○★○ What to Expect from This Book: ○★○

– About: Gracen has her hands on the highly sought after king in a famed chess set that is rumored to be a treasure map to a fortune. Bodie wants to get his hands on that king—and the fortune—but they soon learn that they need each other’s talents in order to outlast the “competition”.
– FMC: Gracen Winthrop. Antique store manager and expert authenticator who’s smart, determined, and initially at odds with Bodie
– MMC: Bodie King. A reformed-ish con man/broker with charm, wit, and a knack for getting into trouble (and stealing hearts)
– POV: Dual first-person
– Spice: Closed-door (mostly kissing and light innuendo)
– Tropes: enemies-to-allies-to-lovers, adventure, (lightly) morally gray MCs
– Content warning: mild violence/dangerous situations, family pressure to marry and have kids
– Representation: nothing noteworthy

─────────────────────────

↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 1:00 ──ㅇ────── 4:12

Now Playing: Treasure by Bruno Mars

╰┈➤ ❝Treasure, that is what you are; Honey, you're my golden star; You know you can make my wish come true; If you let me treasure you❞

─────────────────────────

★○ If You Like the Following, You Might Like This Book ○★

➼ Light adventure romantic comedies like The People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry, What Happens in Vegas, and Date Night
➼ The TV show White Collar (but way less FBI and a bit more romance)

─────────────────────────

⍟»This or That«⍟

Character Driven————✧———————Plot Driven
Fast Burn———————✧————Slow Burn
Sweet——✧—————————Spicy
Light/Fluffy————✧———————Heavy/Emotional

─────────────────────────

🎯 My Thoughts:

I had never heard of this book or author, but it was available as a free borrow on Hoopla so I thought I’d give it a shot.

This book is a fun little light adventure with a bit of romance. It felt very much like an episode of White Collar, but without the FBI aspect and introducing a romantic FMC. It was an easy and quick read for someone looking for a fun palette cleanser.

The main issue I have is that it’s not uniquely memorable in the long-term. I wished there was a bit more punch in either the danger aspect or the romance aspect. It overall felt even keeled, which isn’t a bad thing, but made it difficult for me to feel excited to return to between reading sessions. And the main characters were just OK. I didn’t resonate with either of them as much as I’d have liked to.

Would I Recommend?: Maybe to yes. If you are looking for a fun, light adventure with romance, this is a cute read. Just know that this is technically book 2 (which I didn't realize) however, it read well as a standalone

[Inna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This was a really fun read - but had some issues. don’t read my review if you don’t want even the mildest of spoilers. This book is totally safe.

******

Long story short… the ending was a bit disappointing. Has the author ever heard of an unreliable narrator? Because none of the heroine’s inner thoughts make much sense from the start of the book. I guessed the twist really early on, but kept thinking “this can’t be it, we are in the heroine’s head!” Clearly that didn’t matter to the author. 🥸🥸

Safe, no OM/OW drama, no cheating between MCs, no sex at all, just some kissing, it’s a bit of a weird FTB sitch where I’m not even sure if anything happened between the MCs ever.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread via audiobook and had a BLAST. It was so fun revisiting these two and their adventures via audio.

This book is just plain FUN. First of all, if you happed to be a fan of the show White Collar—READ THIS BOOK. That’s all that needs to be said there. If you have no idea what that show is but you’re up for some mystery, adventure, banter, puzzle solving with a white collar criminal, and hilarity—READ THIS BOOK.

Things I Loved:
-Broadsword
-The slippers
-“Sometimes I want to congratulate my own mind. It is still managing to surprise me after all these years together.”
-“And only a moment ago, you tried to chop my head off for being here. My, you’re a hot and cold thing, aren’t you?”
-“This was not how I saw my Sunday going. Sundays are for napping, not kidnapping.”
-“I gasp. Is there nothing worse than being called cute in the face of righteous anger? No, no there isn’t.”
-“‘You stole a dog?’ ‘Of course not. I’m babysitting for a friend. They brought her by this morning.’ I click my tongue. ‘What kind of person do you take me for?’”
-“I thought Tuesday were for flowers.” (I AM A PUDDLE)
-Chess
-“I don’t know why you’re trying to hide that you’re capable or hide who you really are, but I see you.”
-“‘You’re in serious danger of making me fall for you.’ ‘And why is that dangerous?’ ‘Because I don’t let go of people I love.’ He moves forward, pressing his lips against mine in a possessive warning. I don’t listen.”
-The entire end, like the whole of it. Just, yes.

I find that most of my reviews of Carina’s books seem to be mostly quotes, because honestly, I can’t even sum it up any better. I loved this book and hope we get to see more of these two in the future!

Content: About a dozen swear words, almost all A**. Little bummed about that many. Totally closed door, only kisses.

[Kathy * Bookworm Nation · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one!!

This was such a fun book. I loved the characters, their witty banter and fun chemistry. The storyline was fun. The adventure was fun. Kept me engaged and quickly turning the pages as story unfolded.

This is a companion/sequel to World's Worst Boyfriend, which I read a couple years ago. I didn't realize the connection until I got to the end of the book and read the author's notes. So yeah, Rook to King can stand well on its own but it did make me want to go back and read the first book again.

Content Rated PG
Clean romance, kissing. Mild language mild violence

[Sylvie {Semi-Hiatus} · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars!

[Katie (hiding in the pages) · Rating 5 out of 5]

(03/2024) I listened to this as an audiobook and fell in love all over again. The narrators were fantastic and really brought these amazing characters and their adventures to life. I couldn't get enough of this story. Maybe I need to make this an annual re-read/re-listen..

Oh, Bodie and Gracen, how you made my heart laugh and my soul zing!

Gracen authenticates antiques and Bodie collects them. She is a zippy, sweet, sassy, and hilarious women, determined to keep a certain chess piece out of this conman's hands and he is equally determined to get it at any cost. The results are so delightful and I kept laughing out loud, much to my husband's amusement.

"This was not how I saw my Sunday going. Sundays are napping, not kidnapping."

This cat-and-mouse mystery adventure was stuffed full of romance and danger, and I couldn't put it down or get enough.

The clever hints of romantic attraction exploded into something swoony.

"Why did you kiss me?" "Because it's Tuesday." "I thought Tuesdays were for flowers." "They're also for kissing."

These days of the week had me smiling so hard, and I loved it all:

♟️desirable chess set
♟️chess games
♟️dog sitting
♟️supposed friends
♟️crazy, quirky family
♟️the wittiest of banter
♟️sizzling kisses
♟️competition
♟️Italy

Taylor does a fantastic job of writing likable and surprising characters. Gracen always seemed one step ahead of the game and the twisty turns left me gasping with shock. Rook to King is a job well-done and a book you don't want to miss!

Content: mild+ language; mild+ romance (kissing/shared room); mild+ moments of danger/peril/violence

*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

[Alysha (For The Love of Christian Fiction) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well if this wasn’t the cutest, greatest little story!! I loved the adventure rom-com situation and hope Carina does it again.


I loved the characters and their interactions together! And the fun little plot twists/spins. Seriously it was just a FUN TIME!!!


5/5 stars!!!

[Megan (messybun.bookishfun) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best audio I’ve listened to in a while! Super engaging. Love the dual POV and make/female narrators. There was romance, but I also loved the adventure / spy plot too!

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

SWOON SWOON SWOON

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a fun afternoon read! I loved all of the banter between Bodie and Gracen. The kidnapping scene was definitely one of my favorites😂 A super entertaining read for anyone looking to add a bit of hilarity to their lives😆

{Is there anything worse than being called cute in the face of righteous anger? No, no there isn’t.}

{While I’m competitive, it’s not the end all if I don’t win every time. Unless of course winning involves Bodie. I’m really liking winning with him. It warms this little spot of my soul.}

{Ladies and gentlemen, this is why you never skip dessert. It’s much harder for your kidnapper to maneuver you.}

{“I protect what’s mine.”}

{“My charm worked fine until I met you. You broke it.”}

[Cassidy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The female narrator was decent, but the male narrator’s “girl” voice was awful—he made every woman sound like she had a nasally head cold, which made me not like any of the characters because they all sounded annoying.

But I LOVED the concept of the plot, so maybe I would have liked the book better if I had read it? It’s a romcom about a conman and an antiques expert that must partner up to find chess pieces that will lead them to a fortune. I just can’t tell if I didn’t like the execution of the story because the plot twists were predictable or because of that dang narrator 😫

However, I know several people who LOVE this book, so it’s probably a Me problem more than anything else.

[Mylissa B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you Victory Editing and Netgalley for the Advance Reader Copy. I listened to the audiobook of this novel and found the main male character to be super awkward for each other. This novel felt like it was trying to incorporate too many story lines into a short story. I never really connected with the characters in the one.

[Jeeves Reads Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

This was so much FUN! Taylor calls it an "adventure romcom," and I wasn't exactly sure what that would entail, but it quickly became apparent that it was right up my alley. She's a new-to-me author who I've been meaning to try, and the striking cover paired with the intriguing blurb had me feeling like this was the right place to start. A fun (and funny!) cat-and-mouse game the whole way through, this has BANTER for days, and so much chemistry. It's incredibly playful and lighthearted, and I loved putting all of the pieces together. Sure, the romance does come together pretty quickly, but it was immensely entertaining to watch these two figure each other out. Our hero is a con man and semi-reformed bad boy, and our heroine is not as innocent as she seems. Watching them fall for each other while going on an adventure made this absolutely fly by. I loved it!

The story follows Bodie, a con man on a mission. He's attempting to put together an antique chess set that is said to double as a treasure map, and he needs some assistance. When Bodie meets Gracen, he realizes that her skills in assessing antiques will be invaluable to him. Though Bodie's reputation precedes him and he's never claimed to be good, he still doesn't love the idea of getting someone as innocent and normal as Gracen tangled up in his problems. That doesn't stop him from borrowing her brain for a little while - via some light kidnapping. But the more Bodie gets to know Gracen, the more he realizes that he may have misjudged her. And the more he realizes that she might be the missing piece in his life after all.

I went into this with zero expectations, in the mood for something light and fun. And that is exactly what I got! Sparks fly between these two from the moment they meet, and I loved watching their bickering turn into banter. It was easy to fall for Bodie, who is a con man with a good side buried underneath the surface. Gracen makes his perfect partner, and that became more and more apparent as the story progressed. The mystery and adventure is a big part of the story, but Gracen and Bodie are in nearly every scene together, so it didn't feel like the romantic element was forgotten at all. Maybe things moved a little faster because of the short timeline, but I could see why they fell so quickly. It's also a closed door/no spice romance, so that made it feel like a slower burn. I certainly wouldn't have minded some heat, which would've dialed up the sexual tension more, but I also don't feel like it was necessary for the story. This was just exceedingly light, funny, and devourable in the best of ways. I binged it in one sitting and was smiling the whole time.

[Rachel Nahabedian · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

This was such a cozy little romance adventure. The humor and banter was incredible. Bodie and Gracen are seriously probably my favorite book couple ever. If I were to give you some of my favorite quotes from this book, I'd be quoting the entire book. That's how much fun I had listening to this.

I'm a smutty and often dark romance gal and I was having so much fun with this story that I didn't even realize it was a closed door (really all they do is kiss 'cause they just met each other kinda).

"I thought Tuesdays were for flowers."
-enter me melting into a puddle of goo on my couch while squeeeeing too loud-

This reminded me of the TV show White Collar meets Psych meets Oceans 11.

Honestly, Kim Churchill and Wayne Mitchell are perfection in this audiobook. I've already started looking up other work by them because I need more of those voices in my life.

I don't want to give away too much, but here are some buzzwords of my favorite things/scenes from this book: broadswords, cute fuzzy slippers, lazy Sunday kidnappings, cat-and-mouse chase, cooky families, secret treasure, unlikely friends, the chess set to end all chess sets, possible dog napping (not really), being called cute in the face of righteous anger, and a the perfect excuse as to why you never skip dessert.

I had no idea this was a series and now I cannot wait to go back and get book 1. I really hope it's as amazing as this book really, really was. I went in blind and had zero expectations and was blown away by how much fun I had with this.

Thank you, NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this ALC.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Paperback

Thank you to @carinataylorauthor and @delightfullybooked for sending me a copy of 𝗥𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗧𝗼 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 to add to my summer reading!

This was a cute sorta cat-n-mouse romance novel with treasure hunting. I even learned a lil more about chess while reading this one.

I really enjoyed Gracen and Bodie’s banter. I liked how Gracen was a strong female lead and that while Bodie felt the need to protect her, he also know she was strong all on her own…which she proves throughout the book.

I liked that the grandparents were included in the story as well.

Bodie staying “on course” and going after what he wants in this book from start to finish was a delight.

[Emily Waits (emilylovesreading_) · Rating 5 out of 5]

{Thank you to the author, Carina Taylor, for my gifted copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.}

This was just the funnest, cutest story! I love a good adventure romance and had the best time listening to this. I’ve never read anything like this before, and I’d love to read more books like this one. The narrators also did a wonderful job bringing Gracen and Bodie to life.

Read this if you like:

-Stories with white collar criminals/“morally gray” characters
-Banter
-Just kisses romance
-Puzzle solving
-Antiquities
-Mystery
-Adventure
-Plot twists

This was a clean read, aside from occasional language.

If you’re looking for an exciting and funny read with excellent (I do mean EXCELLENT) banter, I’d definitely recommend this one to you!

[Destiny Hall · Rating 3 out of 5]

!! Arc Read From Netgalley !!

At times I did find the book a little cringe and juvenile but for the most part, if it's a chess romance i will more than likely read it. I also like that there was a bigger element to it than just being a romance, i love when books venture out like that.

[Irishbookmammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, Flirty, and Full of Adventure

Bodie King is such a fun romantic adventure, perfect for an easy holiday read. It’s got everything—treasure hunting, banter-filled romance, and just the right dash of danger to keep things interesting. Bodie, the charming con man (sorry, broker), and Gracen, the straight-laced authenticator, make an opposites-attract duo you can’t help but root for. Their dynamic is full of chemistry and humor, and I loved watching Gracen surprise Bodie by holding her own every step of the way.

The treasure hunt for the Bennetto chess set had some great twists and kept the story moving, though I’ll admit it was a bit predictable at times. You could see where certain plot points were heading, but honestly? That didn’t take away from the fun. The mix of action, romance, and banter made it an enjoyable, easy-going read.

If you’re in the mood for something light and adventurous, Bodie King delivers. It’s the kind of book you can breeze through on a lazy afternoon, with enough charm to keep you entertained. A solid 3.5 stars for me!

[The Emperor Napoleon · Rating 5 out of 5]

summary: mansplain, manipulate, manslaughter (Indian cinema version)

[Brenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kind of predictable but just so much fun! I absolutely loved how witty this was and the banter was perfect. This book reminded me of white collar (aka one of my favourite tv shows) and so I automatically loved it!

[Kathryn (adventuresinpaper) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best word I can think of to describe “Rook to King” is FUN!! This book was SUCH a wild ride with twists and turns and sooooo much SWOONY BANTER!! And the COMEDY was top-notch. If you’re in need of a good laugh, PICK THIS ONE UP ASAP!! The dry humor Gracen & Bodie shared was SO good!! There are a few scenes that will forever live rent-free in my head… when Gracen explained to Bodie how to properly kidnap someone …. I WAS WHEEZING🤣🤣🤣

The ROMANCE was also phenomenal😍 The tension was wonderful and I really enjoyed the little ways in which Bodie showed his affection for Gracen. I was constantly going: 🥹🥹🥹 Like when Bodie rolled up Gracen’s sweatpants so she wouldn’t trip…🥹😭😂 SWOON!! Bodie was just the PERFECT book boyfriend (you know, aside from the fact that he’s a CONMAN👀🤨😅😂).

Even though this book was super entertaining, humorous, and fast-paced, Carina STILL managed to interweave a few deep themes into the plot which I was SUPER happy about!! I particularly enjoyed seeing the evolution of Gracen’s character as she came to terms with her people-pleasing tendencies❤️ This is something I struggle with, so it was nice to see her character mature in this way🥰

Overall, I highly recommend this adventurous romcom & can’t wait to see what Carina has up her sleeve next!!🥰

🚨TW: MMC is a con-man (he steals art/antiques)
🚨CW: just kisses & infrequent mild language

[Jes Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book!!! Seriously, it felt like it was written for me; I mean, it's an adventure rom-com!

Bodie and Gracen were so fun, both of them confident and capable characters. The banter was fantastic, and Bodie always has to get a little flirt in. I'm already looking forward to rereading this book to enjoy their interactions all over again.

There was adventure and excitement as well as twists and turns- especially near the end. The romance was swoony as always with Carina, and the humor was next tier. I laughed out loud so many times. Gracen and I may be very different, but we do have a similar creed in certain aspects:

"Sundays are for napping, not kidnapping."

"I took a short shower- actually, no, because I don't believe in those."

(Forgive any paraphrasing- and definitely read the book to get the full power of those quotes!) Anyway, yeah, I loved this book for more than just it's GORGEOUS cover, and if you're anything like me, you will, too.

Note to more sensitive readers: There were a couple bad words and innuendos.
I received a copy of this novel from the author. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

This book is perfect for anyone looking for an adventure rom-com!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭
Chemistry: 🧪🧪🧪🧪🧪
Plot: 5/5

Rook To King was such a fantastic read!!! I couldn't put it down long enough to eat, much less to sleep. So I slept the minimum and ate while reading. (I am SO not that girl...I will spill air on myself. Mmmkay?)

Nothing could have kept me more engaged in this cute romance with a mystery well hidden within its pages! The ultimate mystery was so shocking I had to go back and reread a few things to make sure I wasn't misreading. (Dyslexia will do that.) But nope. I was reading it right (for the first time in a while 😉.)

But the rapport between Gracen and Bodie was so refreshing and playful, but competitive to the end. I loved that they were able to hold conversations with plenty of snark, sarcasm and still be able to see the love that had grown between them.

When the ultimate shock reveal came I was like the cartoon character who shakes their head back and forth with their eyes really big. Because I was so surprised. I was trying make sure I didn't misunderstand. But nope. It was a huge revelation that made sooo much sense when looking back at what was revealed about that character. But was so well hidden that you couldn't have guessed it, unless you're the ultimate sleuth 🔎. (you go glen coco)

Thank you so much to Carina for sending me a review copy! All opinions are my own and not based on getting a free copy.

[Ally | SkipTheSpice · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I came across this audiobook on NetGalley, I immediately applied even though I didn’t know much about it. I’d just seen it all over bookstagram for the last several months, and knew it was an adventure romance written by Carina Taylor (I’ve read two of her books before and enjoyed them). But it wasn’t until I started listening to it that I realized it’s the second book of a series and I had read the first one and liked it! A wonderful surprise. The first book, World’s Worst Boyfriend, is a fun read and I feel like reading it first would give a fuller picture of who Bodie is and his backstory, but Rook To King can also be read as a standalone too.

From the very beginning of this book, I told my daughter it was giving me serious White Collar/Neal Caffrey vibes (a recent favorite we watched together). So if you loved Neal Caffrey & White Collar, Rook To King is probably going to hit the mark for you. This book had a bit of everything: white collar crime, adventure, overseas travel, a modern day treasure hunt, the wittiest of banter, and of course, swoony romance. It kept me guessing until the very end, and when the book ended, I just wanted to start it over again. Bodie and Gracen’s verbal sparring was so entertaining! Fingers crossed Carina will write a third in the series! Also, I enjoyed the narrators - they really brought the book to life. And I loved that there were dual narrators ❤️

Intimacy: Sizzling kisses only
Language: A handful of milder swear words (no f-words) and mild innuendo
Content Considerations: Morally grayish characters

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for the audio copy of this book. These are my honest opinions.

[Joyce T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. I've read a lot of romance books in my lifetime (almost 300), and I just gotta say, I haven't read a romance book this exciting before. There are a lot of plot twists (not about the romance, just about the treasure hunt, so no worries about a third-act breakup), and it made reading this so delightful. Gracen and Bodie are both quick-witted and sharp-tongued, which makes for some rather amusing dialogues. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who's interested in chess, romance, and antique collectors.

~ 𝓯𝓪𝓿𝓸𝓻𝓲𝓽𝓮 𝓺𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼 ~

She straightens and looks at me warily. "And why should I believe the man who kidnapped me?"

"I did not kidnap you. I simply carried you to the car so I could explain on the way."

"Have you ever heard of the term gaslighting?"

Bodie looks at me. I'm driving his car because I don't trust him to not kick me out while driving fifty miles an hour.

"Were you born in a suit?" I can't help but ask.
"Yes. My birthday suit," he fires back dryly.

Content: CLEAN. No curse words, explicit scenes, or violent scenes.

[LESLIE J (mrsj_readsbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Carina Taylor for my complimentary copy of Rook to King. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This fun book was published in April 2023, so it is available now for your summer reading!!

Rook to King is billed as an Adventure Romance and it does not disappoint. Just a heads up, it is a clean romance but the simmering tension and kisses will make your heart happy.
An added bonus - NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP.
The action is non-stop and I did not expect that twist at the end.
(But hey, as I have said in the past, I am clueless when it comes to solving mysteries).

The back and forth conversations between Gracen and Bodie are outstanding. I found myself laughing out loud throughout my reading. This is a fun read centering on finding missing chess pieces. But who exactly are the players? After a few twists and turns the heat is on as our story takes us to Italy.

Grab your fuzzy slippers and your favorite beverage and settle in for an exciting read, this one will not disappoint!

[April | Aprilsbooknook_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Your move"

OH MY GOSH. This book was SO MUCH FUN.

Bodie and Gracen are the most unlikely pairing. The banter... Guys THE BANTER. the back and forth, I was laughing, squealing and kicking my feet throughout this book. Bodie is sooooo dreamy. Imagine Flynn Rider (from tangled... You cannot convince me otherwise). I am OBSESSED.

I was gifted an early copy of the Audio & it was sooooo good. The narrators did a fantastic job of keeping the story engaged and moving. -- we also get some surprised twists thrown in there and I had to run and grab my physical copy so I could eyeball read while listen... Because it was THAT GOOD.

If you haven't picked this up yet, now is the perfect time because the audio is OFFICIALLY AVAILABLE & I promise you want it! 🤍

Thank you, Carina Taylor for my gifted copy. You are officially stuck with me for life🫡🤍

[Larissa (That Baker That Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Synopsis:
Bodie King is a notorious art thief and, in order to finish a rare chessboard, he needs a few more pieces but a clever art enthusiast stands in his way.

Includes:
✨Con Man/Art Thief
✨Enemies to More
✨Mystery
✨Adventures
✨Forced Proximity
✨Fuzzy Slippers
✨Fun Banter

🌶️Heat Level:
Just Kisses (Non Descriptive)
Mild Innuendo
Attraction/Tension:🔥🔥

My Opinion:
This was such a fun book! I love the narrative and the story, it was a good change from the rom-coms we see all the time. The characters are very charismatic and the plot is light and fun, it is a feel good read. I recommend it.

*I received a free review copy of this audiobook from the author. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.*

[Tristany Corgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super fun adventure romance read! If you like rivals to lovers romance and heist movies like Ocean’s 11 or The Italian Job, then you’ll love Rook to King by Carina Taylor. This story is full of witty banter, international intrigue, and twists and turns. As the two main characters are a little on the morally gray side of things, there was a lot of deceit and miscommunication going on between them for most of the story, which makes sense but I’m also not a big fan of the miscommunication trope. Also, I did read this via audiobook, and while I didn’t love the male narrator, I think the female narrator did a great job. Overall, a very fun and clean read with no spice and only some mild language!

A big thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for sending me an audiobook arc of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.