What do you think?
Rate this book
To Love a Thief
Ensnared!
Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, Alice, and she's never been caught. Well, there's always a first time.
Enticed!
Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.
Enthralled!
But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle, and Alice charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn, and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses—especially when she's stealing his heart.
Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, Alice, and she's never been caught. Well, there's always a first time.
Enticed!
Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.
Enthralled!
But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle, and Alice charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn, and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses—especially when she's stealing his heart.
355 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2005
84 people are currently reading
1989 people want to read
About the author
Julie Anne Long
38 books2,961 followersWell, where should I start? I've lived in San Francisco for more than a decade, usually with at least one cat. I won the school spelling bee when I was in 7th grade; the word that clinched it was 'ukulele.' I originally set out to be a rock star when I grew up (I had a Bono fixation, but who didn't?), and I have the guitars and the questionable wardrobe stuffed in the back of my closet to prove it.
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
But writing was always my first love.
I was editor of my elementary school paper (believe it or not, Mrs. Little's fifth grade class at Glenmoor Elementary did have one); my high school paper (along with my best high school bud, Cindy Jorgenson); and my college paper, where our long-suffering typesetter finally forced me to learn how to typeset because my articles were usually late (and thus I probably have him to thank for all the desktop publishing jobs that ensued over the years).
Won a couple of random awards along the way: the Bank of America English Award in High School (which basically just amounted to a fancy plaque saying that I was really, really good at English); and an award for best Sports Feature article in a College Newspaper (and anyone who knows me well understands how deeply ironic that is). I began my academic career as a Journalism major; I switched to Creative Writing, which was a more comfortable fit for my freewheeling imagination and overdeveloped sense of whimsy. I dreamed of being a novelist.
But most of us, I think, tend to take for granted the things that come easily to us. I loved writing and all indications were that I was pretty good at it, but I, thank you very much, wanted to be a rock star. Which turned out to be ever-so-slightly harder to do than writing. A lot more equipment was involved, that's for sure. Heavy things, with knobs. It also involved late nights, fetid, graffiti-sprayed practice rooms, gorgeous flakey boys, bizarre gigs, in-fighting—what's not to love?
But my dream of being a published writer never faded. When the charm (ahem) of playing to four people in a tiny club at midnight on a Wednesday finally wore thin, however, I realized I could incorporate all the best things about being in a band — namely, drama, passion, and men with unruly hair — into novels, while at the same time indulging my love of history and research.
So I wrote The Runaway Duke, sent it to a literary agent (see the story here), who sold it to Warner Books a few months after that...which made 2003 one of the most extraordinary, head-spinning years I've ever had.
Why romance? Well, like most people, I read across many genres, but I've been an avid romance reader since I got in trouble for sneaking a Rosemary Rogers novel out of my mom's nightstand drawer (I think it was Sweet Savage Love). Rosemary Rogers, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Laurie McBain...I cut my romance teeth on those ladies. And in general, I take a visceral sort of pleasure in creating a hero and a heroine, putting them through their emotional paces, and watching their relationship develop on the page. And of course, there's much to be said for the happy ending. :)
And why Regency Historicals? Well, for starters, I think we can blame Jane Austen. Her inimitable wit, compassion and vision brought the Regency vividly to life for generations of readers. If Jane Austen had written romances about Incas, for instance, I think, we'd have racks and racks of Inca romances in bookstores all over the country, and Warner Forever would be the Inca Romance line.
But I'm a history FREAK, in general. I read more history, to be perfectly honest, than fiction (when I have time to read!) these days. When we were little, my sister and I used to play "Littl
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
August 29, 2025
Current 2024 rating: 3-stars
Original 2013 rating: 5-stars and a keeper.
I originally read this story over 10 yrs ago, before I was using GR and writing reviews. I picked this story to reread with the purpose of being able to officially write a review of my thoughts and see if it needs to stay on my Keeper shelf.
Lily - a pick pocket that somehow still comes across as honest and honorable, she’s responsible for the care of her adorable younger sister, lives in St Giles but was raised by her mother with the proper manners and education of the gentry.
Gideon - tall, handsome, intelligent, hardworking successful barrister, goal is to elevate himself and succeed in life, is unfortunately poor as hell though as he never actually gets paid by his rich gentry customers, has a Master Plan to marry the beautiful daughter of a rich Marquis and live a picture perfect life.
The trope is that of a love triangle. I dislike love triangles, and would never pick a story containing this trope nowadays. Too much heartache and anguish.
The first half of the story is the strongest. I loved how they meet, how he rescues her from the scene in the street, how he opts to use her as a way to make the woman he hopes to become engaged with jealous and push that woman to want to marry him. I loved how the hero and his bff Kilmartin spend time training Lily how to properly curtsy, walk gracefully and dance the waltz. These scenes were fun, but I felt there could have been more. More awkward dancing, more heated stares or glances, etc. As it was, the first kiss was on page 223 of 372. And first sex scene was on page 282 of 372. So it felt like forever before they gave in to their mutual desires. And I wouldn’t classify the build-up as a super charged sexual tension slow burn. It was low-key (for todays standards)
The second half of the story, Gideon is too hyper focused on his Master Plan of marrying the rich Marquis’s daughter, that he fails to see sweet perfect Lily right in front of him. After becoming intimate with Lily, they both realize how important each other is to the other, it’s clear they are in love, yet Gideon stubbornly sticks with his path to achieve his Master Plan. And so comes the idea to have Lily be the side chick/mistress and he go ahead and become engaged to the very arrogant and selfish other woman. That’s where the story lost me.
I enjoyed reading this just for the fact Julie Anne Long is a great author. Wonderful storytelling skills. I think the only thing preventing me from keeping this on my Keeper shelf is that I don’t enjoy the Love Triangle trope these days.
Original 2013 rating: 5-stars and a keeper.
I originally read this story over 10 yrs ago, before I was using GR and writing reviews. I picked this story to reread with the purpose of being able to officially write a review of my thoughts and see if it needs to stay on my Keeper shelf.
Lily - a pick pocket that somehow still comes across as honest and honorable, she’s responsible for the care of her adorable younger sister, lives in St Giles but was raised by her mother with the proper manners and education of the gentry.
Gideon - tall, handsome, intelligent, hardworking successful barrister, goal is to elevate himself and succeed in life, is unfortunately poor as hell though as he never actually gets paid by his rich gentry customers, has a Master Plan to marry the beautiful daughter of a rich Marquis and live a picture perfect life.
The trope is that of a love triangle. I dislike love triangles, and would never pick a story containing this trope nowadays. Too much heartache and anguish.
The first half of the story is the strongest. I loved how they meet, how he rescues her from the scene in the street, how he opts to use her as a way to make the woman he hopes to become engaged with jealous and push that woman to want to marry him. I loved how the hero and his bff Kilmartin spend time training Lily how to properly curtsy, walk gracefully and dance the waltz. These scenes were fun, but I felt there could have been more. More awkward dancing, more heated stares or glances, etc. As it was, the first kiss was on page 223 of 372. And first sex scene was on page 282 of 372. So it felt like forever before they gave in to their mutual desires. And I wouldn’t classify the build-up as a super charged sexual tension slow burn. It was low-key (for todays standards)
The second half of the story, Gideon is too hyper focused on his Master Plan of marrying the rich Marquis’s daughter, that he fails to see sweet perfect Lily right in front of him. After becoming intimate with Lily, they both realize how important each other is to the other, it’s clear they are in love, yet Gideon stubbornly sticks with his path to achieve his Master Plan. And so comes the idea to have Lily be the side chick/mistress and he go ahead and become engaged to the very arrogant and selfish other woman. That’s where the story lost me.
I enjoyed reading this just for the fact Julie Anne Long is a great author. Wonderful storytelling skills. I think the only thing preventing me from keeping this on my Keeper shelf is that I don’t enjoy the Love Triangle trope these days.
December 28, 2021
This was such a hidden gem. I really enjoyed the story and it was brilliantly executed. I have never laughed so much while reading a book!
Lily was raised a lady by her mother who married below her class, and without parents she survive on pick pocketing to support herself and her little sister Alice. One day she tries to pick pock Gideon Cole and barely gets away. The next day she gets caught for real and Gideon saves her. In return, she agrees (somewhat reluctantly) to pose as his friend's cousin from Sussex to make Constance, the woman Gideon needs to marry to secure his Master Plan, jealous.
Lily was the absolute highlight of this novel. Her sharp and witty responses are hilarious and one of my favorite parts is when she is introduced to the ton and goes up against snotty, self absorbed Constance and totally own her. She is caring for her baby sister, she affects everyone in her presence and totally swoon Gideon. They have plenty of time together and they gradually realize what a great match they are. They have obstacles to overcome, but both are reasonable, somewhat communicative and the story is so believable. I really enjoyed the end .
I savored every moment of this book. Often when I read romances I want to get to the happily ever after, but here I wasn't stressed at all. This book could have been so much longer, I just adored following the characters and especially Lily. This is a true “Pretty Woman”-story (without the hooker thing) and Lily could not have been a better heroine.
Update: Some books hold up for reread and some don't. I'm happy to announce that this definitely did! At one point I was afraid it didn't but I finished it with a big goofy grin on my face. I'm still of the opinion that this is Julie Anne Long's finest.
Lily was raised a lady by her mother who married below her class, and without parents she survive on pick pocketing to support herself and her little sister Alice. One day she tries to pick pock Gideon Cole and barely gets away. The next day she gets caught for real and Gideon saves her. In return, she agrees (somewhat reluctantly) to pose as his friend's cousin from Sussex to make Constance, the woman Gideon needs to marry to secure his Master Plan, jealous.
Lily was the absolute highlight of this novel. Her sharp and witty responses are hilarious and one of my favorite parts is when she is introduced to the ton and goes up against snotty, self absorbed Constance and totally own her. She is caring for her baby sister, she affects everyone in her presence and totally swoon Gideon. They have plenty of time together and they gradually realize what a great match they are. They have obstacles to overcome, but both are reasonable, somewhat communicative and the story is so believable. I really enjoyed the end .
I savored every moment of this book. Often when I read romances I want to get to the happily ever after, but here I wasn't stressed at all. This book could have been so much longer, I just adored following the characters and especially Lily. This is a true “Pretty Woman”-story (without the hooker thing) and Lily could not have been a better heroine.
Update: Some books hold up for reread and some don't. I'm happy to announce that this definitely did! At one point I was afraid it didn't but I finished it with a big goofy grin on my face. I'm still of the opinion that this is Julie Anne Long's finest.
February 27, 2022
This book was simply lovely. A must read for historical romance fans. I highly recommend it. What a lovely story.
I am not usually a big fan of difference class trope, but here it worked perfectly. The way things happened, the way the heroine thought, it was quite realistic and I was awed by how amazing the heroine is. The hero was a good sort too. Just an idiot but I can't fault him for wanting a better life than the one he grew up in. Just the way he went for it was rather idiotic... of sorts. I still understand him.
I loved the fact that every character presented had a big role to play constantly. We followed the life of almost all of them and that made the story feel so cozy. And I loved seeing how silly society is through Lily’s eyes. It was quite funny.
I would say this is one of Mrs Long finest works.
I am not usually a big fan of difference class trope, but here it worked perfectly. The way things happened, the way the heroine thought, it was quite realistic and I was awed by how amazing the heroine is. The hero was a good sort too. Just an idiot but I can't fault him for wanting a better life than the one he grew up in. Just the way he went for it was rather idiotic... of sorts. I still understand him.
I loved the fact that every character presented had a big role to play constantly. We followed the life of almost all of them and that made the story feel so cozy. And I loved seeing how silly society is through Lily’s eyes. It was quite funny.
I would say this is one of Mrs Long finest works.
August 22, 2020
I am re-reading all my 5 star rated romance novels. There are 62 on my shelf (and counting). This is book 47.
(Tropes: Unstarched (him), Opposites Attract, Class Difference, Work Relationship, Forbidden Love, Disguise/Mistaken Identity, Unrequited Love)
This is how my 47th re-read held up.
Some authors take a few books before they find their stride and become the pen and voice that makes them an auto-buy. JAL had it from the start – this was her 2nd book!
It’s a highly entertaining version of My Fair Lady; amusing, charming, great battle of will and wits. The banter is all over the pages. Both characters are highly likeable.
The first half is much stronger than the second, as the rest is at times tedious. They are so into each other, clearly in love, but the obstacle (Gideon's Master Plan) stubbornly stands in the way.
My final gripe is that I don’t like women who are pitted against each other. And there is too much of that in this book.
Nonetheless, a highly recommended read.
Changed from 5 stars to 4 stars.
*****
“Miss Masters, you underestimate the gravity of your predicament. You do understand what I just said, am I correct? You understand words like ‘underestimate’ and ‘gravity’ and ‘predicament’?” He didn’t trouble to disguise his sarcasm.
Lily glowered at him.
“Because the typical pickpocket would not, you see.”
“I,” Lily emphasized, “am not typical.”
*****
Summary from authors website as it’s missing on Goodreads:
Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, and she's never been caught. Well, there's always a first time.
Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.
But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle and her sister charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses— especially when she's stealing his heart!
- Lily glowered and inhaled sharply, but that turned out to be a bit of a mistake; the scent of Gideon Cole rushed into her. Sometimes a stiff wind blew in from the sea, strong and cold enough to be scoured clean of the London odors that usually rode it, and his scent was a little like that: fresh, sharp, a hint of port. It worked on her senses like gin; her glower wavered, along with her courage.
She was out of her depth with this man.
- Transfixed, his breath lost, he stared at the revelation that was Lily Masters. And as he stared, Gideon felt something inside him, something he could not quite identify, break loose from its moorings, shifting his equilibrium perilously.
- There are other options, Miss Masters. You could sell flowers, or—”
“My body, Mr. Cole? Is that what you’re implying I do? Would you find that preferable to my taking your watch?” Her cheeks flamed with fury.
Gideon looked down at her small proud chin, her soft, full mouth. “No,” he said softly, at last. “I would not find that preferable, Miss Masters.”
Lily blinked hard, like someone who had been charging full speed at a bolted door only to have it swing open at the last minute. Gideon smiled a little.
- “You would make a terrible servant, Miss Masters. Perhaps a better colonel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cole.” She looked genuinely pleased.
He couldn’t help it; he smiled again.
- “If not for me, Miss Masters, you would very likely be sentenced to transportation to Australia at this very moment.”
“I hear ‘tis quite fine this time of year.”
He refused to smile at that. “The life you lead is dangerous, Miss Masters.”
“I know. It’s not as though I enjoy it.”
There was a pause. “Oh, I think you enjoy it a little,” he murmured.
And God above, she smiled at him then: an unrepentant smile, broad and mischievous and dazzling and young. The beauty of ithurt; it stopped his breath. Gideon took an involuntary step back, a peculiar act of self-defense.
- Lily’s hand stilled. “I never ask anyone for anything, Mr. Cole.”
He raised a brow. “Of course not. You just take.”
Her head snapped back indignantly; her mouth parted on a planned retort. But then she seemed to think better of it; she closed her mouth and studied him instead, her forehead slightly furrowed. He returned her appraisal with an unblinking, challenging one of his own.
And then it happened.
Slowly, simultaneously, wryly…
They smiled at each other.
An acknowledgment that they were each, despite themselves, taking an unexpected pleasure in their exchange.
- Gideon shifted restless in his chair, took in a deep steadying breath, released it. “I’m not sure why I care, Miss Masters,” he admitted softly. He sounded genuinely puzzled. “But I do.”
And then he smiled. It really wasn’t much more than a rueful, self-mocking lift of the corner of his mouth, but there was a hint of vulnerability in it. And God help her, that smile spiraled right around Lily’s heart and tugged it nearly clean out of her chest.
- “Why do you insist upon following that little rule book when it has nothing to do with who you really are?”
His head snapped toward her. Lily’s smile held a hint of mischievous triumph. But, oddly, a little sympathy, too.
- Oh, damn. Lily didn’t want to care about Gideon Cole, or the things that drove him and the deeper reasons for them. She didn’t want to care about, wonder about, the pain that flickered across his face whenever his sister was mentioned. She didn’t want to feel again this treacherous weakening or want, she didn’t want to feel…tenderness … she didn’t want to—
She didn’t want to like him.
- “Very well, Mr. Cole. How does one waltz?”
“First, you must place your hand in mine.” He waved the fingers on his outstretched arm coaxingly.
Lily’s gloved hand rose tentatively to meet his, and he gently folded his fingers around hers.
Gideon looked down. Lily’s head was averted.
“You must step closer to me, Miss Masters.” He said it softly.
“I must?” Two faint words.
“Again, I am afraid so.”
Lily inched forward.
“Closer, Lily,” he murmured.
Lily flushed a deep tortured rose, but obediently inched toward him until they were very nearly touching. The scent of her rose up to him, something subtle and complex, musky and sweet, released by the warmth of her body. He was close enough to hear her quick shallow breaths.
His heart was thudding strangely in his chest, making his own breath come swiftly.
- But he now knew the truth: the only pure happiness he had ever known had been crystallized in a single moment in his uncle’s ballroom, in the arms of Lily Masters. And it could—she could—never have anything to do with his future.
He had brought this unspeakable cruelty upon himself.
- I love him. The realization struck Lily as cleanly as a rock to the head, though it had been dawning for days now. She loved him. It was a strange, delicious anguish, a birth and a death. She traced Gideon’s profile with her eyes, numb with a sense of unreality that something that seemed so clearly meant for her could never, ever be.
***
- - “Lily?”
She paused, turned back toward him.
“You are… you are remarkable.” The words were softly said, but urgency thrummed through them; a yearning that thrilled her and terrified her.
Her lips curved into a hint of a smile. “I know.”
Gideon gave a short pained laugh, and turned his head away from her.
(Tropes: Unstarched (him), Opposites Attract, Class Difference, Work Relationship, Forbidden Love, Disguise/Mistaken Identity, Unrequited Love)
This is how my 47th re-read held up.
Some authors take a few books before they find their stride and become the pen and voice that makes them an auto-buy. JAL had it from the start – this was her 2nd book!
It’s a highly entertaining version of My Fair Lady; amusing, charming, great battle of will and wits. The banter is all over the pages. Both characters are highly likeable.
The first half is much stronger than the second, as the rest is at times tedious. They are so into each other, clearly in love, but the obstacle (Gideon's Master Plan) stubbornly stands in the way.
My final gripe is that I don’t like women who are pitted against each other. And there is too much of that in this book.
Nonetheless, a highly recommended read.
Changed from 5 stars to 4 stars.
*****
“Miss Masters, you underestimate the gravity of your predicament. You do understand what I just said, am I correct? You understand words like ‘underestimate’ and ‘gravity’ and ‘predicament’?” He didn’t trouble to disguise his sarcasm.
Lily glowered at him.
“Because the typical pickpocket would not, you see.”
“I,” Lily emphasized, “am not typical.”
*****
Summary from authors website as it’s missing on Goodreads:
Lily Masters has a gift for picking pockets and telling stories—skills that come in handy for surviving London's slums. She's proud of providing for herself and her lively young sister, and she's never been caught. Well, there's always a first time.
Gideon Cole is a brilliant barrister with an unfortunate weakness for clients who can't pay. His latest charitable misstep: buying the freedom of a daring, beautiful thief. To repay the debt, Lily agrees to his proposition: pose as the object of his desire and help him snare a wealthy bride. All he has to do is transform the impudent Lily into a diamond of the first water.
But the education of Lily could cost Gideon his carefully planned future. While she plays cards with his invalid uncle and her sister charms the servants, the honorable Gideon is harboring less than honorable thoughts. For sweet, stubborn and sensual Lily has a way of slipping past a gentleman's defenses— especially when she's stealing his heart!
- Lily glowered and inhaled sharply, but that turned out to be a bit of a mistake; the scent of Gideon Cole rushed into her. Sometimes a stiff wind blew in from the sea, strong and cold enough to be scoured clean of the London odors that usually rode it, and his scent was a little like that: fresh, sharp, a hint of port. It worked on her senses like gin; her glower wavered, along with her courage.
She was out of her depth with this man.
- Transfixed, his breath lost, he stared at the revelation that was Lily Masters. And as he stared, Gideon felt something inside him, something he could not quite identify, break loose from its moorings, shifting his equilibrium perilously.
- There are other options, Miss Masters. You could sell flowers, or—”
“My body, Mr. Cole? Is that what you’re implying I do? Would you find that preferable to my taking your watch?” Her cheeks flamed with fury.
Gideon looked down at her small proud chin, her soft, full mouth. “No,” he said softly, at last. “I would not find that preferable, Miss Masters.”
Lily blinked hard, like someone who had been charging full speed at a bolted door only to have it swing open at the last minute. Gideon smiled a little.
- “You would make a terrible servant, Miss Masters. Perhaps a better colonel.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cole.” She looked genuinely pleased.
He couldn’t help it; he smiled again.
- “If not for me, Miss Masters, you would very likely be sentenced to transportation to Australia at this very moment.”
“I hear ‘tis quite fine this time of year.”
He refused to smile at that. “The life you lead is dangerous, Miss Masters.”
“I know. It’s not as though I enjoy it.”
There was a pause. “Oh, I think you enjoy it a little,” he murmured.
And God above, she smiled at him then: an unrepentant smile, broad and mischievous and dazzling and young. The beauty of ithurt; it stopped his breath. Gideon took an involuntary step back, a peculiar act of self-defense.
- Lily’s hand stilled. “I never ask anyone for anything, Mr. Cole.”
He raised a brow. “Of course not. You just take.”
Her head snapped back indignantly; her mouth parted on a planned retort. But then she seemed to think better of it; she closed her mouth and studied him instead, her forehead slightly furrowed. He returned her appraisal with an unblinking, challenging one of his own.
And then it happened.
Slowly, simultaneously, wryly…
They smiled at each other.
An acknowledgment that they were each, despite themselves, taking an unexpected pleasure in their exchange.
- Gideon shifted restless in his chair, took in a deep steadying breath, released it. “I’m not sure why I care, Miss Masters,” he admitted softly. He sounded genuinely puzzled. “But I do.”
And then he smiled. It really wasn’t much more than a rueful, self-mocking lift of the corner of his mouth, but there was a hint of vulnerability in it. And God help her, that smile spiraled right around Lily’s heart and tugged it nearly clean out of her chest.
- “Why do you insist upon following that little rule book when it has nothing to do with who you really are?”
His head snapped toward her. Lily’s smile held a hint of mischievous triumph. But, oddly, a little sympathy, too.
- Oh, damn. Lily didn’t want to care about Gideon Cole, or the things that drove him and the deeper reasons for them. She didn’t want to care about, wonder about, the pain that flickered across his face whenever his sister was mentioned. She didn’t want to feel again this treacherous weakening or want, she didn’t want to feel…tenderness … she didn’t want to—
She didn’t want to like him.
- “Very well, Mr. Cole. How does one waltz?”
“First, you must place your hand in mine.” He waved the fingers on his outstretched arm coaxingly.
Lily’s gloved hand rose tentatively to meet his, and he gently folded his fingers around hers.
Gideon looked down. Lily’s head was averted.
“You must step closer to me, Miss Masters.” He said it softly.
“I must?” Two faint words.
“Again, I am afraid so.”
Lily inched forward.
“Closer, Lily,” he murmured.
Lily flushed a deep tortured rose, but obediently inched toward him until they were very nearly touching. The scent of her rose up to him, something subtle and complex, musky and sweet, released by the warmth of her body. He was close enough to hear her quick shallow breaths.
His heart was thudding strangely in his chest, making his own breath come swiftly.
- But he now knew the truth: the only pure happiness he had ever known had been crystallized in a single moment in his uncle’s ballroom, in the arms of Lily Masters. And it could—she could—never have anything to do with his future.
He had brought this unspeakable cruelty upon himself.
- I love him. The realization struck Lily as cleanly as a rock to the head, though it had been dawning for days now. She loved him. It was a strange, delicious anguish, a birth and a death. She traced Gideon’s profile with her eyes, numb with a sense of unreality that something that seemed so clearly meant for her could never, ever be.
***
- - “Lily?”
She paused, turned back toward him.
“You are… you are remarkable.” The words were softly said, but urgency thrummed through them; a yearning that thrilled her and terrified her.
Her lips curved into a hint of a smile. “I know.”
Gideon gave a short pained laugh, and turned his head away from her.
April 22, 2025
Even a mediocre tale built on the Pygmalion framework grabs my interest and this is far, far from a mediocre tale—it’s brilliant. Imbued with wit, emotion, imagination, and fully developed and nuanced characters, this is one of Julie Ann Long’s best novels, perhaps THE best. Lily is a superb heroine, intelligent, caring, and resourceful, however repugnant her career choice. Gideon, too, is intelligent, caring, and resourceful, but blindly ambitious and driven to succeed professionally, socially, and financially. He is the most fascinating hero in all the books I’ve read by this author so far, because he is so single-mindedly focused on his goals that he willingly discards his needs and his means of happiness in pursuit of them. I wanted to throttle him for actually becoming engaged to his vacuous, vicious daughter-of-a-marquis while planning to establish Lily as a GRATEFUL (!) mistress. I wanted to throttle her for deciding she could accept that. I was very happy she did not have to in the end.
Nobody writes like Julie Ann Long. One of my favorite lines from this book, after Lily and her little sister Alice are removed to the country from their hand-to-mouth existence in London so that Lily can be polished into usefulness:
“Dinner?” Alice marveled. “Imagine having dinner two nights in a row!”
I wanted to cry.
Nobody writes like Julie Ann Long. One of my favorite lines from this book, after Lily and her little sister Alice are removed to the country from their hand-to-mouth existence in London so that Lily can be polished into usefulness:
“Dinner?” Alice marveled. “Imagine having dinner two nights in a row!”
I wanted to cry.
March 19, 2022
I was going to give this book three stars; it was nicely written as are all of JAL’s stories, but I really disliked the fact that the story was more of a love triangle than I thought it would be. I avoid love triangles like the plague. Too much heartache and anguish. I found the H to be a complete and utter fool. A handsome, charming fool with many good qualities, but a fool nonetheless, for not seeing what was right in front of him. Three stars, I thought, all for Lily, because I loved and adored her character.
But then I thought about all of the times I laughed out loud while reading; of my love for Kilmartin, Lily’s little sister Alice, and Lord Lindsey. I thought about how I ugly cried near the end of the book; how broken my heart was; how much I despised the vain, shallow, spoiled, vapid Lady Constance; how frustrated I was by Gideon’s insistence on blindly following his Master Plan. And I thought, this book deserves more than three stars simply because of how the author played my emotions like finely tuned instrument.
For a moment Lily thought she wouldn’t mind that job; polishing those whimsical cherubs, giving them names: Oi, Denis, can I dust yer bum for ye? She covered a giggle with her palm.
“When I saw the book, I understood how you... well, ‘You are a bird,’ you said, ‘and the music is a current of air. And I am the wings you use to sail over it.’ It was beautiful, Gideon. And it worked, you know. You taught me to waltz with those words.” Gideon felt shy. “You remember that?” “I shall never forget it.”
How foolish she was. Here she’d thought Gideon Cole had already broken her heart. She recalled her book of Greek myths, and she now understood that she was like poor Prometheus chained to the rock: as long as she remained near him, Gideon Cole would have the power to break her heart over and over again, and the pain of it would be fresh every single time.
But then I thought about all of the times I laughed out loud while reading; of my love for Kilmartin, Lily’s little sister Alice, and Lord Lindsey. I thought about how I ugly cried near the end of the book; how broken my heart was; how much I despised the vain, shallow, spoiled, vapid Lady Constance; how frustrated I was by Gideon’s insistence on blindly following his Master Plan. And I thought, this book deserves more than three stars simply because of how the author played my emotions like finely tuned instrument.
For a moment Lily thought she wouldn’t mind that job; polishing those whimsical cherubs, giving them names: Oi, Denis, can I dust yer bum for ye? She covered a giggle with her palm.
“When I saw the book, I understood how you... well, ‘You are a bird,’ you said, ‘and the music is a current of air. And I am the wings you use to sail over it.’ It was beautiful, Gideon. And it worked, you know. You taught me to waltz with those words.” Gideon felt shy. “You remember that?” “I shall never forget it.”
How foolish she was. Here she’d thought Gideon Cole had already broken her heart. She recalled her book of Greek myths, and she now understood that she was like poor Prometheus chained to the rock: as long as she remained near him, Gideon Cole would have the power to break her heart over and over again, and the pain of it would be fresh every single time.
April 12, 2015
OMG ! WHAT THE HELL !!!!? COME ON ! WHERE IS THE EPILOGUE !?
Miss Long seriously just rocked my boat the wrong way with that ending !? :/ how could she just end it like that ...NO NO NO NO !!!! :'( This book was sooo going to pull a five star from me ! But now i cant help but give it a 4..... the very end was waaay to anti-climatic to me :(
oh well :/
Miss Long seriously just rocked my boat the wrong way with that ending !? :/ how could she just end it like that ...NO NO NO NO !!!! :'( This book was sooo going to pull a five star from me ! But now i cant help but give it a 4..... the very end was waaay to anti-climatic to me :(oh well :/
May 19, 2025
3.5⭐️ A nice spin on Pygmalion.
This was an early attempt by JAL. The prose wasn’t as fully developed as her later books. And, um, the steamy scenes seemed more like a duty than a feature.
I might have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t for the MMC being an ass. His obsession with marrying a woman of the ton instead of the FMC stretched nearly to the end of the book. Although, to be fair, it reflected the mores of the period.
This was an early attempt by JAL. The prose wasn’t as fully developed as her later books. And, um, the steamy scenes seemed more like a duty than a feature.
I might have enjoyed it more if it wasn’t for the MMC being an ass. His obsession with marrying a woman of the ton instead of the FMC stretched nearly to the end of the book. Although, to be fair, it reflected the mores of the period.
May 28, 2021
This was sooooo good! It was funny with a lot of heart as well. I was smiling and laughing for the first 3 quarter of the book and was crying towards the end. I didn't expect much but this one totally blew me out of the water. A solid 5 star.
July 25, 2025
"[I paid] thirty pounds [for the pickpocket], Kilmartin. Every penny I had. I was on my way to buy the town house in Grosvenor Square. I rather hoped to make a wedding gift of it." Gideon threw himself onto Kilmartin's settee and slouched in frustration.
"Perhaps you can give the pickpocket to Constance as a wedding gift instead."
"Oh, very amusing, Laurie. Do you know what I now have to offer Constance? Precisely nothing."
"And here I thought Constance loved you for your own dear self."
Some books captivate you from the first page and hold your interest until the very end. This is one of those books. I couldn't put it down!
Gideon is a near-penniless barrister with a Master Plan. Believing it will bring him happiness, he wants a stable life – wealth, property, position, security, and permanence – and he lives to achieve his goal. The key to his Master Plan is Constance, the beautiful but shallow rich daughter of a marquess. She's not uninterested, but there's a wealthy and titled rival for her hand, so Gideon needs to pique her interest. The idea is to make her jealous with the help of Lily, a pickpocket from St. Giles, who's in his debt after he saved her from prison. He brings her and her little sister to his allegedly dying uncle's estate to educate her and prepare her for the ton. And because this is a romance, we all know what's happening … unsurprisingly, they fall deeply in love.
The road to their HEA is rocky, however, because, despite their longing and feelings for each other, the Master Plan is always firmly in place. Gideon sticks to it far too long without ever questioning it, and Lily just accepts it. That's why I'm deducting one star.
Otherwise it's a wonderful book. It's the perfect mix of emotional and funny, the writing and dialogue is light and witty, and all the characters, both main and supporting, are just great. I especially loved Gideon's friend, Kilmartin. Every single scene with him is awesome and made me laugh, and I wish he had his own book. Gideon's revitalized uncle, Lord Lindsey, and Kilmartin's whimsical aunt, Lady Hester, are also hilarious, and even Constance, despite being the antagonist, is exceptionally well done.
4.5
"Perhaps you can give the pickpocket to Constance as a wedding gift instead."
"Oh, very amusing, Laurie. Do you know what I now have to offer Constance? Precisely nothing."
"And here I thought Constance loved you for your own dear self."
Some books captivate you from the first page and hold your interest until the very end. This is one of those books. I couldn't put it down!
Gideon is a near-penniless barrister with a Master Plan. Believing it will bring him happiness, he wants a stable life – wealth, property, position, security, and permanence – and he lives to achieve his goal. The key to his Master Plan is Constance, the beautiful but shallow rich daughter of a marquess. She's not uninterested, but there's a wealthy and titled rival for her hand, so Gideon needs to pique her interest. The idea is to make her jealous with the help of Lily, a pickpocket from St. Giles, who's in his debt after he saved her from prison. He brings her and her little sister to his allegedly dying uncle's estate to educate her and prepare her for the ton. And because this is a romance, we all know what's happening … unsurprisingly, they fall deeply in love.
The road to their HEA is rocky, however, because, despite their longing and feelings for each other, the Master Plan is always firmly in place. Gideon sticks to it far too long without ever questioning it, and Lily just accepts it. That's why I'm deducting one star.
Otherwise it's a wonderful book. It's the perfect mix of emotional and funny, the writing and dialogue is light and witty, and all the characters, both main and supporting, are just great. I especially loved Gideon's friend, Kilmartin. Every single scene with him is awesome and made me laugh, and I wish he had his own book. Gideon's revitalized uncle, Lord Lindsey, and Kilmartin's whimsical aunt, Lady Hester, are also hilarious, and even Constance, despite being the antagonist, is exceptionally well done.
4.5
September 17, 2015
Historical Romance (The Book Club) BOTM August 16-31, 2015
JULIE ANNE LONG! I SPEAK YOUR NAME! And when I say it, I do it with eyes heavenward, hands clasped to my bosom, and with the reverence of Mr. Collins (wonderfully portrayed by David Bamber) from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice whenever he rapturously spoke the name of his patroness "Lady Catherine deBurgh!"
This is my first experience with this author--Just WOW!
In this book, JAL used the "pygmalion/My Fair Lady" trope to turn a pickpocket into the "Lady" of the ton so the H, named Gideon, though an heir to a fabulous estate, but not a great fortune and is quite poor, is an impecunious, though successful barrister.
Gideon is ambitious and strategic. He covets a particularly high position in the government and wants to make a marriage that will help him reach his goals. To that end, he has set his sights on an heiress who is the daughter of an influential Marquis. The young Lady's father likes and respects Gideon and favors the match. The Marquis is also in the way of helping him with his ambitions for this high-level government position.
Enter Lily Masters, an orphan from St. Giles (a slum area in London). Though she has some education, she has been forced to become an accomplished pickpocket, who steals watches and other small items of value to sell to her fence thereby using the proceeds to support herself and her 10 year-old sister Alice.
Lily finds herself in debt to Gideon who used all of the money he had in the world to save her from arrest and jail. He forces her to repay her "debt" to him for saving her from arrest by making her submit to "training" to pass herself off as a lady of ton, to make the heiress jealous and solidify his position as one of many who are vying for the wealthy, aristocratic young Lady's hand.
Of course, Gideon and Lily fall in love, but our hero remains steadfastly committed to his political ambitions and plans to secure the necessary fortune and position in the haute ton to make it all happen.
There are also some really engaging supporting characters along the way. I particularly want to mention Lily's 10 year-old sister Alice. Usually I groan when there are child characters included in a story, but in JAL hands, this little girl is not put forward too much, nor is poorly behaved or a nuisance to anyone in the book or to the reader. Kids will be kids it's true, but in HR, I prefer the less of them the better. If all authors who wanted to include children handled them as JAL did Alice, I'd be more tolerant of them in my fiction reading.
I highly recco this book and suggest that HR fans read this for themselves to see how JAL makes Gideon and Lily's HEA happen. This book is very engaging and is a fresh take on the pygmalion/My Fair Lady trope.
JULIE ANNE LONG! I SPEAK YOUR NAME! And when I say it, I do it with eyes heavenward, hands clasped to my bosom, and with the reverence of Mr. Collins (wonderfully portrayed by David Bamber) from the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice whenever he rapturously spoke the name of his patroness "Lady Catherine deBurgh!"
This is my first experience with this author--Just WOW!
In this book, JAL used the "pygmalion/My Fair Lady" trope to turn a pickpocket into the "Lady" of the ton so the H, named Gideon, though an heir to a fabulous estate, but not a great fortune and is quite poor, is an impecunious, though successful barrister.
Gideon is ambitious and strategic. He covets a particularly high position in the government and wants to make a marriage that will help him reach his goals. To that end, he has set his sights on an heiress who is the daughter of an influential Marquis. The young Lady's father likes and respects Gideon and favors the match. The Marquis is also in the way of helping him with his ambitions for this high-level government position.
Enter Lily Masters, an orphan from St. Giles (a slum area in London). Though she has some education, she has been forced to become an accomplished pickpocket, who steals watches and other small items of value to sell to her fence thereby using the proceeds to support herself and her 10 year-old sister Alice.
Lily finds herself in debt to Gideon who used all of the money he had in the world to save her from arrest and jail. He forces her to repay her "debt" to him for saving her from arrest by making her submit to "training" to pass herself off as a lady of ton, to make the heiress jealous and solidify his position as one of many who are vying for the wealthy, aristocratic young Lady's hand.
Of course, Gideon and Lily fall in love, but our hero remains steadfastly committed to his political ambitions and plans to secure the necessary fortune and position in the haute ton to make it all happen.
There are also some really engaging supporting characters along the way. I particularly want to mention Lily's 10 year-old sister Alice. Usually I groan when there are child characters included in a story, but in JAL hands, this little girl is not put forward too much, nor is poorly behaved or a nuisance to anyone in the book or to the reader. Kids will be kids it's true, but in HR, I prefer the less of them the better. If all authors who wanted to include children handled them as JAL did Alice, I'd be more tolerant of them in my fiction reading.
I highly recco this book and suggest that HR fans read this for themselves to see how JAL makes Gideon and Lily's HEA happen. This book is very engaging and is a fresh take on the pygmalion/My Fair Lady trope.
February 5, 2020
Ok so it took a while but I get the Julie Anne Long (JAL) hype now.
To Love a Thief is like the best romance I've read in a long, long, long time.
And what I mean by that is from beginning to the end I was laughing and sighing and completely enraptured. You know when you read slower in order to relish each scene and savor each word? I did that. Now, THIS is regency.
To Love a Thief is dazzling. It’s got this silliness I crave in romances because romances are by their very nature silly. Yet there’s a subtlety to the banter and to the romance.
Whether it’s jokes like this:
“Gratitude,” he said softly, finally, “is an appealing quality in a young lady.”
“You should be careful, Mr. Cole,” she retorted. “You may surprise everyone and actually be amusing one day.”
Or a description of intimacy:
“Something was taking shape between them; it was like standing at the entrance of a dark room, she thought, in the moment before your eyes adjust and the outlines of things become clear.”
To Love a Thief has some very lovely writing. It is a light read, but it never leaves a cloying aftertaste. It is light but it is subtle, not shallow. I was surprised to find my own toes curling in certain sections, and my chest aching at the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. FYI there are only like three love scenes.
This is a take on Pygmalion. Gideon is a barrister intent on completing his Master Plan of restoring the family’s depleted coffers. To do so, he is set on marrying the right woman, who happens to be Lady Constance Clary, who has a rich dowry and a well-connected Marquis of a father. However, Gideon needs to play the game and push Constance’s hand if he wants to win hers in marriage. Plot device, plot device, he decides to transform Ms Lily Masters, a curate’s daughter turned pickpocket back into a lady, a diamond of the first water, to pretend to be a rival for his hand.
I friggin LOVE Lily because you rarely ever get heroines like Lily. When was the last time you read a heroine who is confident and fun and not punished for it? Who even, on occasion, gets the upper hand?
Never.
If she’s confident, she’s crying on the inside. If she’s fun, chances are that is a lie or she’s not having fun. Lily doesn’t have a stick up her butt, she’s not a damsel, a wallflower or an ice queen. She’s got a hard life but she’s still got joy and fighting spirit. The reading dress was BRILLIANT. I knew Lily would be amazing when one of the first scenes, she is telling her upstairs neighbour about her “first customer”:
“es a special case, Fanny,” Lily shouted up. “es ‘avin’ trouble getting’ is staff to rise. It jus’ sort of lays there, like. Very sad. ‘Is name is Gideon Cole, by the way.” Lily raised her voice to make sure as many people as possible heard her. “GIDEON COLE.”
…
Gideon shot Lily an unreadable look. Lily was very pleased with herself.
But everyone has a bit of a Bertie Wooster streak to them! Gideon and Kilmartin? Best BFFs ever.
Exhibit A:
“You used to be fun.”
“Fun?” The notion surprised Gideon. “I was never fun.”
Exhibit B:
“And furthermore,” Kilmartin added a little haughtily, “everyone can abide Lady Anne Clapham.”
“Yes, yes, Laurie,” Gideon soothed. “She’s lovely.”
And my favourite Kilmartin moment, Exhibit C:
“Barnacles?” Kilmartin was delighted with the image.
…
“Barnacles,” Kilmartin said sadly.
I’m really intrigued to read JAL’s older works.
I have read one other book by JAL, Like No Other Lover, which I hated and still do for being so corny it made me want to roll my eyes every other page. Ironic because plot-wise, it has similar parallels to To Love a Thief: a man seeking a good marriage and a confident but down on her luck woman who get thrown together in the countryside. Picnics and the man brings his lady gifts. I think JAL punishes her heroine in Like No Other Lover, and I am tired of reading about confident women being punished. On the other hand, To Love a Thief celebrates her heroine and lets her have her day and her say. I also appreciate the male ogling of Gideon by Lily, which is very important.
I would give To Love A Thief more than 5-stars, it's that good.
To Love a Thief is like the best romance I've read in a long, long, long time.
And what I mean by that is from beginning to the end I was laughing and sighing and completely enraptured. You know when you read slower in order to relish each scene and savor each word? I did that. Now, THIS is regency.
To Love a Thief is dazzling. It’s got this silliness I crave in romances because romances are by their very nature silly. Yet there’s a subtlety to the banter and to the romance.
Whether it’s jokes like this:
“Gratitude,” he said softly, finally, “is an appealing quality in a young lady.”
“You should be careful, Mr. Cole,” she retorted. “You may surprise everyone and actually be amusing one day.”
Or a description of intimacy:
“Something was taking shape between them; it was like standing at the entrance of a dark room, she thought, in the moment before your eyes adjust and the outlines of things become clear.”
To Love a Thief has some very lovely writing. It is a light read, but it never leaves a cloying aftertaste. It is light but it is subtle, not shallow. I was surprised to find my own toes curling in certain sections, and my chest aching at the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone. FYI there are only like three love scenes.
This is a take on Pygmalion. Gideon is a barrister intent on completing his Master Plan of restoring the family’s depleted coffers. To do so, he is set on marrying the right woman, who happens to be Lady Constance Clary, who has a rich dowry and a well-connected Marquis of a father. However, Gideon needs to play the game and push Constance’s hand if he wants to win hers in marriage. Plot device, plot device, he decides to transform Ms Lily Masters, a curate’s daughter turned pickpocket back into a lady, a diamond of the first water, to pretend to be a rival for his hand.
I friggin LOVE Lily because you rarely ever get heroines like Lily. When was the last time you read a heroine who is confident and fun and not punished for it? Who even, on occasion, gets the upper hand?
Never.
If she’s confident, she’s crying on the inside. If she’s fun, chances are that is a lie or she’s not having fun. Lily doesn’t have a stick up her butt, she’s not a damsel, a wallflower or an ice queen. She’s got a hard life but she’s still got joy and fighting spirit. The reading dress was BRILLIANT. I knew Lily would be amazing when one of the first scenes, she is telling her upstairs neighbour about her “first customer”:
“es a special case, Fanny,” Lily shouted up. “es ‘avin’ trouble getting’ is staff to rise. It jus’ sort of lays there, like. Very sad. ‘Is name is Gideon Cole, by the way.” Lily raised her voice to make sure as many people as possible heard her. “GIDEON COLE.”
…
Gideon shot Lily an unreadable look. Lily was very pleased with herself.
But everyone has a bit of a Bertie Wooster streak to them! Gideon and Kilmartin? Best BFFs ever.
Exhibit A:
“You used to be fun.”
“Fun?” The notion surprised Gideon. “I was never fun.”
Exhibit B:
“And furthermore,” Kilmartin added a little haughtily, “everyone can abide Lady Anne Clapham.”
“Yes, yes, Laurie,” Gideon soothed. “She’s lovely.”
And my favourite Kilmartin moment, Exhibit C:
“Barnacles?” Kilmartin was delighted with the image.
…
“Barnacles,” Kilmartin said sadly.
I’m really intrigued to read JAL’s older works.
I have read one other book by JAL, Like No Other Lover, which I hated and still do for being so corny it made me want to roll my eyes every other page. Ironic because plot-wise, it has similar parallels to To Love a Thief: a man seeking a good marriage and a confident but down on her luck woman who get thrown together in the countryside. Picnics and the man brings his lady gifts. I think JAL punishes her heroine in Like No Other Lover, and I am tired of reading about confident women being punished. On the other hand, To Love a Thief celebrates her heroine and lets her have her day and her say. I also appreciate the male ogling of Gideon by Lily, which is very important.
I would give To Love A Thief more than 5-stars, it's that good.
June 6, 2020
4.5/5. Highly captivating story with some shared elements of My Fair Lady. The beginning was especially hilarious with brilliant repartees between the characters. Lily Masters pickpockets for survival, bringing up her 10 year old sister in St Giles. She picks the wrong pocket one day, that belonging to the brilliant and super-ambitious barrister, Gideon Cole, but manages to escape by disabling him physically. Gideon has but one little known weakness, he cannot turn his back on poor and needy clients, which does put a damper on his Master Plan of social, political and financial success. This grand plan involves wooing and marrying the ton's current diamond of the first water, Lady Clary, whose wealthy Marquis father has the power to fulfil Gideon's political ambitions. Unfortunately for Gideon, this character 'weakness' of his results in him using his last 30 pounds to buy Lily's freedom, when she is once again caught in the act by a less forgiving man.
Ever scheming, Gideon soon works out that Lily has other than monetary value. Her rare beauty, unusually cultured speech not native to St Giles, and exceptional quick wit makes her the perfect candidate to stage a pretence challenge for the affections of Gideon, hopefully nudging the very competitive Lady Clary right into his waiting arms. Constantly reminding Lily of her debt to him, Gideon pressures her into agreeing to his crazy and desperate charade. They embark on deportment and dance lessons and guides on how to make inane social conversations with the help of his good friend, the excellent and very funny Lord Kilmartin.
Of course, Lily conquers hearts everywhere she goes, although Gideon takes a frustratingly long time to realise that his has been conquered. For his stupidity and dishonourable intentions towards her almost down to the last few pages, the book lost 0.5 mark. The characters are golden, superbly portrayed, mostly endearing and likeable and Lily with her stubborn proud tilt of her chin and lightning wit is a gem of heroine. This is probably the most humorous book of Julie Anne Long, I have read to date, but there is still a lot of emotional depth, which makes this such a memorable read.
Ever scheming, Gideon soon works out that Lily has other than monetary value. Her rare beauty, unusually cultured speech not native to St Giles, and exceptional quick wit makes her the perfect candidate to stage a pretence challenge for the affections of Gideon, hopefully nudging the very competitive Lady Clary right into his waiting arms. Constantly reminding Lily of her debt to him, Gideon pressures her into agreeing to his crazy and desperate charade. They embark on deportment and dance lessons and guides on how to make inane social conversations with the help of his good friend, the excellent and very funny Lord Kilmartin.
Of course, Lily conquers hearts everywhere she goes, although Gideon takes a frustratingly long time to realise that his has been conquered. For his stupidity and dishonourable intentions towards her almost down to the last few pages, the book lost 0.5 mark. The characters are golden, superbly portrayed, mostly endearing and likeable and Lily with her stubborn proud tilt of her chin and lightning wit is a gem of heroine. This is probably the most humorous book of Julie Anne Long, I have read to date, but there is still a lot of emotional depth, which makes this such a memorable read.
August 20, 2020
The book began well enough and I’ve always loved the poor heroine meet Lord troupe. I appreciated the author’s style as it’s easy to read, humorous, and light enough for a regency book but not shallow. I liked the MCs very much, although there were times I wished Gideon had been much firmer with Lily.
I didn’t like that the book seemed to drag for about 65%, with the day to day lessons and constant back and forth between Gideon and Lily. It became a bit tiring and I just wanted something different, anything, to “happen”. This made it easy for me to put the book down without being excited to pick it up. I also didn’t like the wagering because I was nervous that Lily would complete the debt via the wagers and I really wanted to see her in London’s society. The overall plan, to make Constance jealous enough to marry him, when deeply considered, seemed too petty for Gideon -but I don’t know how the author did it, she made it quite easy to ignore and I rooted for Lily and smiled each time she rattled Constance.
When reading the middle, I was considering skipping pages and eager to get to the end. I got to the end, and found myself wishing the book would take longer. So touching was their love.
One thing I really liked about this book was the straightforwardness in their feelings for each other. There were no wrong assumptions or miscommunications to drive the plot as is common in most books. Even though they weren’t always able to act on their feelings, they always knew the truth of how they both felt in the different situations they faced. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch too.
For my rating, I was torn between 4 and 5 stars because while I loved most of it, there were parts I wished were different. Like the very end so I’m settling for a 4.5 star rating :) A pleasant read.
I didn’t like that the book seemed to drag for about 65%, with the day to day lessons and constant back and forth between Gideon and Lily. It became a bit tiring and I just wanted something different, anything, to “happen”. This made it easy for me to put the book down without being excited to pick it up. I also didn’t like the wagering because I was nervous that Lily would complete the debt via the wagers and I really wanted to see her in London’s society. The overall plan, to make Constance jealous enough to marry him, when deeply considered, seemed too petty for Gideon -but I don’t know how the author did it, she made it quite easy to ignore and I rooted for Lily and smiled each time she rattled Constance.
When reading the middle, I was considering skipping pages and eager to get to the end. I got to the end, and found myself wishing the book would take longer. So touching was their love.
One thing I really liked about this book was the straightforwardness in their feelings for each other. There were no wrong assumptions or miscommunications to drive the plot as is common in most books. Even though they weren’t always able to act on their feelings, they always knew the truth of how they both felt in the different situations they faced. The secondary characters were an interesting bunch too.
For my rating, I was torn between 4 and 5 stars because while I loved most of it, there were parts I wished were different. Like the very end so I’m settling for a 4.5 star rating :) A pleasant read.
March 26, 2011
Aster Park, this was where all the magic happened.. 
I loved Lily and Gideon and Alice and Laurie and Uncle Edwards even Constance too. This was a funny (a bit predictable maybe) and enjoyable read. Lily's internal POV was very witty and cracked me up.
In order to be among the ton Gideon, a barrister has to marry for title and money. He even had his Master Plan laid out to achieve just that. And he needed Lily's help to speed things up. And boy, did she ever.
And the bedroom scenes were H.O.T too (not that that would be crucial for a good book).
I loved Lily and Gideon and Alice and Laurie and Uncle Edwards even Constance too. This was a funny (a bit predictable maybe) and enjoyable read. Lily's internal POV was very witty and cracked me up.
In order to be among the ton Gideon, a barrister has to marry for title and money. He even had his Master Plan laid out to achieve just that. And he needed Lily's help to speed things up. And boy, did she ever.
And the bedroom scenes were H.O.T too (not that that would be crucial for a good book).
October 4, 2021
Lily and Gideon. Loved this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2017
"Amar a la ladrona"
Romance histórico pero un poco diferente.
Los protagonistas tienen historias parecidas, aunque las resolvieron de forma diferente. Gideon Cole es un abogado famoso por sus éxitos en el tribunal, aunque generalmente defiende a personas que no tienen con qué pagarle. Tiene una hermana, infelizmente casada, y sus padres murieron en un naufragio hace tiempo dejándolos en la ruina. Gideon no tiene dinero, aunque es heredero de un tío Barón que se está “muriendo” desde hace varios años y es propietario de una hacienda estupenda, envidiable.
Tiene un “plan maestro” para recuperar su posición económica y social y rescatar a su hermana: abrirse paso en la alta sociedad, casarse con Constance (la reina de la sociedad, rica e hija de un Marqués) y hacer una carrera política bajo el ala de su futuro suegro. Tiene pinta y labia seductora, aunque hace falta “algo más” para conquistar a Constance, la típica dama hermosa que sólo piensa en sí misma.
Lily Masters también es huérfana y tiene una hermana de 10 años. Viven en el peor de los barrios de Londres y, aunque fueron educadas como damas (son nietas de un vicario), desde que su madre murió sobreviven de lo que Lily logra robar a los transeúntes y vender. Viven al día, sin planificar el futuro.
Así se conocen, cuando Lily intenta robar el reloj de Gideon. Y se vuelven a ver cuando él la rescata de otro robo frustrado en que logran atraparla.
Gideon tienen una idea cuando se da cuenta que esta muchacha habla como una dama: transformarla en una señorita de sociedad, hacerla pasar por prima de un noble amigo y largarla a los salones para que compita con Constance por su atención. Parece algo traído de los pelos, pero tiene sentido, no es para darle celos a la hija del Marqués sino para utilizar el orgullo de esta dama insoportable a su favor. La convence a Lily de entrenarse, si no, a la cárcel.
Y bueno, la historia transcurre primero en la casa del tío, el entrenamiento es muy gracioso y a la vez vamos conociendo la historia de ambos. Luego en los salones.
Es divertida, con gran tensión sexual, pocas escenas hot pero una las quiere “ya”. Me gustó, excepto que cerca del final se pone un poco melodramático. El final muy lindo.
Creo que es para momentos que necesitamos romanticismo y amor.
Romance histórico pero un poco diferente.
Los protagonistas tienen historias parecidas, aunque las resolvieron de forma diferente. Gideon Cole es un abogado famoso por sus éxitos en el tribunal, aunque generalmente defiende a personas que no tienen con qué pagarle. Tiene una hermana, infelizmente casada, y sus padres murieron en un naufragio hace tiempo dejándolos en la ruina. Gideon no tiene dinero, aunque es heredero de un tío Barón que se está “muriendo” desde hace varios años y es propietario de una hacienda estupenda, envidiable.
Tiene un “plan maestro” para recuperar su posición económica y social y rescatar a su hermana: abrirse paso en la alta sociedad, casarse con Constance (la reina de la sociedad, rica e hija de un Marqués) y hacer una carrera política bajo el ala de su futuro suegro. Tiene pinta y labia seductora, aunque hace falta “algo más” para conquistar a Constance, la típica dama hermosa que sólo piensa en sí misma.
Lily Masters también es huérfana y tiene una hermana de 10 años. Viven en el peor de los barrios de Londres y, aunque fueron educadas como damas (son nietas de un vicario), desde que su madre murió sobreviven de lo que Lily logra robar a los transeúntes y vender. Viven al día, sin planificar el futuro.
Así se conocen, cuando Lily intenta robar el reloj de Gideon. Y se vuelven a ver cuando él la rescata de otro robo frustrado en que logran atraparla.
Gideon tienen una idea cuando se da cuenta que esta muchacha habla como una dama: transformarla en una señorita de sociedad, hacerla pasar por prima de un noble amigo y largarla a los salones para que compita con Constance por su atención. Parece algo traído de los pelos, pero tiene sentido, no es para darle celos a la hija del Marqués sino para utilizar el orgullo de esta dama insoportable a su favor. La convence a Lily de entrenarse, si no, a la cárcel.
Y bueno, la historia transcurre primero en la casa del tío, el entrenamiento es muy gracioso y a la vez vamos conociendo la historia de ambos. Luego en los salones.
Es divertida, con gran tensión sexual, pocas escenas hot pero una las quiere “ya”. Me gustó, excepto que cerca del final se pone un poco melodramático. El final muy lindo.
Creo que es para momentos que necesitamos romanticismo y amor.
August 20, 2013
I loved this book! Loved!! Like clutching-to-me-and-sighing-deeply loved. More review to come later. Basking in glow... Now must sleep as I stayed up to 1:30 a.m to devour this book.
9:07 a.m. I have not been this giddy over a book in a while. This is the type of read that comes along only once in a while, making a romance reader remember why she loves the genre so much. This was a beautiful story. I adored the good and altruistic Gideon, who was always trying to battle his true self to be who he thought he ought. And - although I tend to be very picky about my heroines, I fell in love with Lily, too. She is exactly the type of heroine I love - strong, funny, willing to do what it takes to survive. She is a person who places value on loyalty and kindness and love.
I loved these two, as they brought out the best in one another. They made one another happy in a way that no one else ever could, and I so enjoyed reading the wonderment of these characters as this realization slowly dawned on them throughout this story's unfolding. It was beautiful. I laughed out loud several times, I got choked up and nearly cried, my heart caught in my throat. When a book makes me feel like that, I know it's a favorite.
I read this book nearly straight through from about 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., and then I re-read the good parts this morning when I woke up. I can't believe this is the first Julie Ann Long book I've ever read, and I can't believe I've had this book on my TBR since 2011 and am just reading it now.
Highly recommend!
9:07 a.m. I have not been this giddy over a book in a while. This is the type of read that comes along only once in a while, making a romance reader remember why she loves the genre so much. This was a beautiful story. I adored the good and altruistic Gideon, who was always trying to battle his true self to be who he thought he ought. And - although I tend to be very picky about my heroines, I fell in love with Lily, too. She is exactly the type of heroine I love - strong, funny, willing to do what it takes to survive. She is a person who places value on loyalty and kindness and love.
I loved these two, as they brought out the best in one another. They made one another happy in a way that no one else ever could, and I so enjoyed reading the wonderment of these characters as this realization slowly dawned on them throughout this story's unfolding. It was beautiful. I laughed out loud several times, I got choked up and nearly cried, my heart caught in my throat. When a book makes me feel like that, I know it's a favorite.
I read this book nearly straight through from about 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m., and then I re-read the good parts this morning when I woke up. I can't believe this is the first Julie Ann Long book I've ever read, and I can't believe I've had this book on my TBR since 2011 and am just reading it now.
Highly recommend!
September 23, 2010
This book seems to be very promising to me from the start: The plot is intrigue, and i like Lily enough, the sub characters are interesting too. Well, i am very disappointed now.
Until 20 pages left, Gideon never ever have thought of marry Lily. Actually, he's intend to make his mistress so he can propose another woman. He coerced her by her desire and then hoped she would bend her pride enough to share him with the other and then he could sooth her pride by sex. It's almost too late that he realized he's stupid and changed his mind. NOT before i've aready call him some bloody nice words. i've never believe such love Lily and Gideon shared that made her accept to be his mistress in the end. Compared to Jane's decision in Sinful its just... pale and unfathomable. I've not seen enough connection between them to believe in their love.
For some reasons, i don't see Gideon as a man; i see a boy, instead, who is rebellious outside but insecured inside due to peers' contempt. He is toostupid illogic for a barristor, too.
In short, i really need to re-read some Lisa Kleypas after this.
Until 20 pages left, Gideon never ever have thought of marry Lily. Actually, he's intend to make his mistress so he can propose another woman. He coerced her by her desire and then hoped she would bend her pride enough to share him with the other and then he could sooth her pride by sex. It's almost too late that he realized he's stupid and changed his mind. NOT before i've aready call him some bloody nice words. i've never believe such love Lily and Gideon shared that made her accept to be his mistress in the end. Compared to Jane's decision in Sinful its just... pale and unfathomable. I've not seen enough connection between them to believe in their love.
For some reasons, i don't see Gideon as a man; i see a boy, instead, who is rebellious outside but insecured inside due to peers' contempt. He is too
In short, i really need to re-read some Lisa Kleypas after this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2016
Edit on 3/20/2016: Having read a slightly better Pygmalion retelling, The Proposition, I don't feel entirely comfortable having rated this 5 stars. I think that at the height of my Julie Anne Long kick, I hadn't yet read most of the books I now consider my favorites in this genre. Having seen more of what's on offer, I still love many of her books, but I do think I'd over-inflated some of my ratings. Anyway...this book definitely remains of my favorite shelf, but it's a solid 4 star read.
Definitely the best Julie Anne Long book I've read yet, and one of the best books I've read this summer. It's got a plot that's been recycled time after time, but the Pygmalion tale shines in this author's hands.
This was full of such lovely, good characters who weren't sappy sweet. Everyone from the hero and heroine, to the hero's best friend who helped "scrape the barnacles," as he put it, from the heroine's rough exterior, to the heroine's curious little sister, was wonderful. Even the villain of this piece, the woman the hero, Gideon, hopes to marry, was a deliciously great foe for the heroine, Lily. Their little competition to be the belle of the ton made for very fun reading.
The hero does some questionable things and intends to
Definitely the best Julie Anne Long book I've read yet, and one of the best books I've read this summer. It's got a plot that's been recycled time after time, but the Pygmalion tale shines in this author's hands.
This was full of such lovely, good characters who weren't sappy sweet. Everyone from the hero and heroine, to the hero's best friend who helped "scrape the barnacles," as he put it, from the heroine's rough exterior, to the heroine's curious little sister, was wonderful. Even the villain of this piece, the woman the hero, Gideon, hopes to marry, was a deliciously great foe for the heroine, Lily. Their little competition to be the belle of the ton made for very fun reading.
The hero does some questionable things and intends to
March 12, 2011
This was a fantastic historical romance. I loved the characters and the tension between Gideon and Lily. The "My Fair Lady" feel of the book was enchanting and the secondary characters made the story light and fun, while still emotionally charged. I read the ending with tears in my eyes - the love expressed between Gideon and Lily and the fantastic way the last scenes were written had me tearing up. I love when I finish a book and just want to sit and digest it for a minute. When I finished TO LOVE A THIEF I let out a huge sigh and smiled - this is what a historical romance should be.
January 4, 2012
This was a great story from start to finish. All the characters are simply wonderful. Fantastic book.
April 11, 2012
I am really enjoying this book! Sometimes it is just nice to have a laugh instead of such a serious book. Long has a knack for making you laugh!
March 3, 2016
Peut-être 3,75/5 si je veux pinailler.
Un livre un peu au hasard, le résumé me disait bien. Et bien très sympa ! Très classique, rien de neuf, mais on passe un bon moment :)
Un livre un peu au hasard, le résumé me disait bien. Et bien très sympa ! Très classique, rien de neuf, mais on passe un bon moment :)
July 8, 2023
Particularly loved the second half—the jealousy, tension, pining and longing *chef’s kiss*
March 26, 2025
Romance perfection!
January 12, 2012
Cute little take-off on the Pygmalion theme.
Gideon is a well respected gentleman barrister in London who has painstakingly repaired his depleted family fortunes. However he still isn't rich (he quite poor actually) and he's a bit of a do-gooder when it comes to his cases (he's pretty much pro-bono). But he keeps up excellent appearances and is the heir of a fantastic estate once his perennially ill uncle dies. But all will be fixed if he can just marry the fantastically, wonderful Lady Constance Clary. She's is the wealthy daughter of a Marquis and she is the final element of the plan for his life he calls The Master Plan. Except he has a rival for Constance's hand.
Enter Lily Masters, thief. Gideon has come to the conclusion that the one thing necessary to tip Constance to his side is that she needs a rival as well. Gideon saves Lily from a prison or possible deportment after she is caught picking a man's pocket. Quickly realizing that Lily is a much more than meets the eyes, Gideon brokers a deal with her. He will turn her into a lady capable to navigating the ton, and creating seething jealousy in the heart of the Fabulous Constance Lily's debt to him will be paid. Lily is smart, capable of telling the most outrageous (yet believable stories) and she's beautiful. so they embark on their scheme.
Lately I have pretty much given up on Historical Romances except for a handful of favorite authors. They just haven't been working for me as a whole. But JAL is usually good for an uplifting easy read. This book was absolutely that.
I feel like a broken record when I review a JAL book, but her strength as a writer shines through in each book on the same strong elements. In a romance novel it is critical that the reader feels the romance. JAl does that in spades with her books. No matter the plot, the romance part of the book is wonderful.
Another big strength is her dialogue. I could "listen" to her characters talk all day. Lily and Gideon spar, insult, one-up each other with finesse. I love the fact that they recognize in each other a kindred soul and will often smile at each other in a silent, acknowledging 'I see what you did there.' I also love all the snotty, mean-yet-sweet exchanges between Lily and the Fantastic Lady Constance. Meow!
And finally her third strength is how she incorporates humor. Humor is hard to write. But it is all over the place in this book, in the dialogue, in the scenes where Gideon and his best friend Lord Kilmartin basically act as finishing school teachers for Lily, even in the snippy notes Gideon sends to Lily each day on her schedule. I always appreciate humor in romance. It gets a short shrift sometimes to angst.
But there is some lovely romance-y angst here too. A nice, total package of a book and reminds why some writers can lure me back to Hist Romance once in awhile.
Gideon is a well respected gentleman barrister in London who has painstakingly repaired his depleted family fortunes. However he still isn't rich (he quite poor actually) and he's a bit of a do-gooder when it comes to his cases (he's pretty much pro-bono). But he keeps up excellent appearances and is the heir of a fantastic estate once his perennially ill uncle dies. But all will be fixed if he can just marry the fantastically, wonderful Lady Constance Clary. She's is the wealthy daughter of a Marquis and she is the final element of the plan for his life he calls The Master Plan. Except he has a rival for Constance's hand.
Enter Lily Masters, thief. Gideon has come to the conclusion that the one thing necessary to tip Constance to his side is that she needs a rival as well. Gideon saves Lily from a prison or possible deportment after she is caught picking a man's pocket. Quickly realizing that Lily is a much more than meets the eyes, Gideon brokers a deal with her. He will turn her into a lady capable to navigating the ton, and creating seething jealousy in the heart of the Fabulous Constance Lily's debt to him will be paid. Lily is smart, capable of telling the most outrageous (yet believable stories) and she's beautiful. so they embark on their scheme.
Lately I have pretty much given up on Historical Romances except for a handful of favorite authors. They just haven't been working for me as a whole. But JAL is usually good for an uplifting easy read. This book was absolutely that.
I feel like a broken record when I review a JAL book, but her strength as a writer shines through in each book on the same strong elements. In a romance novel it is critical that the reader feels the romance. JAl does that in spades with her books. No matter the plot, the romance part of the book is wonderful.
Another big strength is her dialogue. I could "listen" to her characters talk all day. Lily and Gideon spar, insult, one-up each other with finesse. I love the fact that they recognize in each other a kindred soul and will often smile at each other in a silent, acknowledging 'I see what you did there.' I also love all the snotty, mean-yet-sweet exchanges between Lily and the Fantastic Lady Constance. Meow!
And finally her third strength is how she incorporates humor. Humor is hard to write. But it is all over the place in this book, in the dialogue, in the scenes where Gideon and his best friend Lord Kilmartin basically act as finishing school teachers for Lily, even in the snippy notes Gideon sends to Lily each day on her schedule. I always appreciate humor in romance. It gets a short shrift sometimes to angst.
But there is some lovely romance-y angst here too. A nice, total package of a book and reminds why some writers can lure me back to Hist Romance once in awhile.
April 25, 2016
This was the case where the story started with a bang but defused into predictability and cliché galore.
Gideon Cole, a successful, but near-penniless barrister, has a Master Plan:He'd formulated it from the wreckage of his family's fortunes: wealth and property and position, security and permanence-all of the things his father had managed to smash to kindling-he'd have them all before the age of thirty.His plan, if successful, would also save his sister from abusive marriage and would see him married to a diamond of the first water, Lady Constance Clary. To succeed in the latter Gideon needs to convince Constance that she wants to marry him despite his luck of title, property, and money. And that is where our heroine, Lily Masters, comes in. A member of the gentry fallen on hard times, a patchwork creature, half lady, half urchin Lily survives the rough and tumble streets of St. Giles by pick-pocketing. That is until she was caught. It would be Gideon who came to her rescue and used his last 30 pounds to buy her freedom from a sure trip to Newgate prison. In return, Lily would repay her debt by posing as the cousin of his friend and pretend to be Gideon's new love interest in order to make Constance jealous and to ensure a successful marriage proposal.
What follows is the plot in tradition of My Fair Lady. And somewhere in there the story seams to veer off into a Pollyanna direction. The main characters, though sufficient in development, were too bland and predictable. It could've been such a riveting and interesting story of class differences and difficult decisions but the author decided to take a safe route by making Lily a genteel woman as oppose to working class person and by turning Constance into ridiculously cartoonish character. There were few dramatic moments but overall the plot felt flat.
On a plus side, the writing was competent and the author did a good job in developing a slow-building romance.
Overall: sweet, lightweight and very-very predictable story with some flaws.
September 23, 2017
3.25 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews