Partners in Crime was the high-stakes heist romance I didn’t know I needed. When her aunt passes and Mira Patel is suddenly reunited with an ex at the reading of her will, she thought the awkwardness would end there. But when her family’s shady past catches up to her, Mira and Naveen find themselves on the run from the notorious mafia boss known only as Cobra. On a whirlwind journey that will take them from L.A. to Las Vegas, and from the nicest casinos to the seediest locales on the Strip, Mira and Naveen will both have to stop running from their past if they hope to explore a possible future together. Often playing out like a heist story rather than a second-chance romance, Partners in Crime is definitely different from any other story I’ve read from Alisha Rai. I know I can count on Rai to feature diverse characters throughout her romances. What started as another disappointing match from matchmaker Hema Auntie – the last in a long line for Mira – quickly turns into a heist that also has Mira and Naveen confronting their family history as well as their love for each other. I loved that while Mira’s past is far more important to the overall story plot, Naveen is also no stranger to cutting family ties that need to be mended. Both Mira and Naveen mirror each other in terms of familiar pitfalls and personal lows, and it was obvious from the very beginning that no one else could possibly understand the other as well as they do. I spent most of the story just wishing that Naveen and Mira would realize how much they belong together. Fortunately, Rai gave us plenty of action throughout the plot to keep me entertained. While I’m no stranger to mafia romance, I haven’t read a romance in a while where the main characters are on the run from the crime bosses so this romance was a nice change of pace for me.

While Mira and Naveen are fantastic main characters, their relationships with others (or lack thereof) is so important to who they are that I would be remiss to not mention all the intriguing secondary characters throughout this book: from family members they still talk to, to the ones they don’t acknowledge; to old friends lost, to new acquaintances gained. Partners in Crime is far more than just a second-chance love story. Rai gives us two characters who are fighting to not let their families’ past transgressions define who they are in the present. Both Mira and Naveen were complex characters within an even more complex family dynamic. While I loved their slow-burn, second-chance romance, it was truly the heist and race across Vegas that kept me entertained throughout the story.

I looooove Alisha Rai and this book just felt so slow to me. It was a meh read for me. I'll still read her new books!

I love Alisha Rai. Her characters are always so playful and complex. This novel was adventurous and wild much different than her others in the best way. Absolutely loved

I love matchmaking books and this one was definitely one I'll be recommending to everyone! I love the cover and I love the whole drama of a second chance romance after the first time was a fail.

This is going to make a great movie! Witty dialogue and lots of twists, and a really great romance, much deeper than what you see in most romantic suspense.

This was light on the romance and heavy on the escape from the drama. I think this would have been better marketed towards a fun thriller audience versus the romance audience.

Partners in Crime throws together Mira, the daughter of a con man whose lack of a good family keeps stymying her matchmaking attempts, and her ex, Naveen, the man who kind of got away. And by that, I mean the man she dumped over text after meeting his family. The two find one another on either side of Mira's aunt's will, Naveen as her lawyer. What both assume will be an awkward but brief meeting becomes a whirlwind reunion when the two are kidnapped in the parking garage.

Prepare yourself for a romantic comedy that is also full of delightful action tropes against a fluorescent Las Vegas backdrop. There's poker, a strip club, breaking and entering, assumed identities, and a fair bit of faking it til you make it (or die). If their unexpected alliance isn't enough to locate a diamond necklace stolen by Mira's late father, both have family members in the crosshairs. The high stakes are perfect for helping our protagonists muscle past any angst that typically accompanies the second chance trope. There isn't time for pining, moping, etc. But luckily for everyone, there's ~just~ enough time for them to wrestle with lingering attraction and revelations that reignite their interest in one another. It's a story about seeing one another as full people, masks unavailable. Instead of trying to seem good enough in a classic, socially acceptable dating sense, there's only space to be the best versions of themselves for survival's sake, warts and all, messiness included.

While the action and romcom elements work seamlessly together to create an entertaining story, the best part for me was Mira's reckoning with her past and identity, inseparable though she might wish it otherwise. Some things in Mira's childhood were objectively bad and traumatic, but that doesn't mean everything and everyone from that time of her life was worthless or undeserving of celebration. Her journey is about the power of reconnecting with your past self instead of hiding her away from yourself and others to feel safe. This ranks as one of my favorite action-y romances and one of my favorites from this talented author. Thanks to Avon for my copy to read and review!

A fun rom com romp! Truly puts the comedy in rom com. A page turning, fast paced read that made me smile.

Love, love, loved this book! It was fun and fast and had the typical beautiful writing that I've come to expect from Alisha Rai. Please give me every heist romance! The character development is impeccable. The conflict between the characters would have been believable even without all the outside obstacles. Being able to do that takes a seriously talented writer.

Oh my god I loved this book. It had something that I love in a romance book. It had the perfect balance between an exciting plot and romance. The storyline was so interesting and I loved the adventure that the two characters went on together. They grew so much throughout the novel and I loved seeing it. It is a great second chance romance. I did have an issue with the amount of times the phrase "pregnant pause" was used. It was used so many times and I just was not a fan of that. Overall, I loved this book!

I received a digital ARC from NetGalley and Avon in exchange for an honest review. Mira Chaudhary just got dumped. She’s gone through a matchmaker, but 12 matches and none has stuck. Now her aunt died, and even though she’s run away from her family and the life they led, someone has found her because she’s the sole beneficiary in her aunt’s will. Who is the lawyer in charge of the estate? None other than her first match, Naveen Desai. After years at a prestigious law firm, he has sobered up and taken over his grandfather’s practice. The last person he expected to see was the match who walked out on him, sending only a text to say goodbye. Now, the two find themselves on the heist of a lifetime, being chased by criminals and just wanting to keep their families safe. Will they be able to resist the attraction that is still there? Can they let go of the past to move forward together?

I was so excited to get an ARC of this book, I love Alisha Rai’s writing, but this one just wasn’t for me. There were so many details to keep track of, and I never felt fully invested in the characters. I enjoyed reading it, but it won’t be one I pick up again. I would recommend this fans of heists, second chance romance, Indian representation, and open-door romance.

If there's one thing Alisha Rai is going to do, it's write interesting, complex, and diverse characters and Partners in Crime was no exception. Both main characters and many of the side characters were well rounded and robust. My only complaint was that this felt a little too mad-cap for my tastes and the ending felt a little rushed as a result.

Book Review: Partners in Crime

"Partners in Crime" delivers a delightful blend of romance and adventure, reminiscent of a playful fusion between Indian Matchmaking and Date Night. The story unfolds around Mira Chaudhary, a woman seeking stability and a quiet life after a tumultuous past, and Naveen Desai, an unassuming English professor. Little did they know that their journey towards a predictable life would soon take an unexpected turn, plunging them into a whirlwind of danger and excitement.

Mira, at the age of thirty-five, seeks the comfort of a predictable life, hoping to find a simple and unremarkable partner through a specialized matching app for Indian American singles. Enter Naveen Desai, a seemingly perfect match with an ordinary and uneventful life. However, their plans for a tranquil future are disrupted when Mira's aunt passes away, setting off a chain of events that spirals into a chaotic escapade.

As they grapple with kidnappers, art thieves, and hackers, Mira and Naveen find themselves thrown into a high-stakes adventure. The narrative brilliantly captures the essence of their unexpected journey, infusing humor, wit, and a touch of danger, all while exploring the dynamics of their evolving relationship. The story is a rollercoaster of unexpected twists and turns, offering readers an exhilarating ride through the bustling streets of Las Vegas and the mysteries surrounding Mira's aunt.

The characters, particularly Mira and Naveen, are well-developed and endearing, each grappling with their desires for stability and their newfound taste of excitement. Their chemistry is palpable, and their banter adds a delightful layer to the narrative, making it an engaging and enjoyable read.

"Partners in Crime" is a testament to the author's skill in crafting a romance that thrives amidst chaos. It's a lighthearted and entertaining read that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. Fans of romantic adventures with a dash of intrigue and humor will undoubtedly find this book to be a satisfying and memorable addition to their reading list.

In conclusion, "Partners in Crime" offers an exhilarating romantic adventure that is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next twist in Mira and Naveen's unexpected love story.

So at first I was really enjoying this but as I got deeper into the book … it almost felt very finlay donovan. If you aren’t familiar with that series you should check it out. I feel like alisha was maybe trying to bring some mystery or thrill into her romance and honestly for me it didn’t work.

This makes me want to see an increase in romantic suspense releases! There were a couple of reveals that really got me. I don't think this book will have longevity in my mind but it was fun while it lasted!

"Partners in Crime" by Alisha Rai is a sizzling romantic adventure that had me hooked from the very beginning. This novel is a captivating blend of passion, suspense, and the irresistible pull of unexpected attraction.

Rai's writing style is both captivating and steamy, drawing readers into a world of intrigue and desire. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their interactions are filled with tension and heat.

At the heart of the narrative is a thrilling partnership that takes the characters on a journey of danger and discovery. The author skillfully weaves together elements of suspense and romance, creating a narrative that is as gripping as it is romantic.

"Partners in Crime" successfully balances the excitement of the plot with the emotional depth of the characters' connection. The exploration of trust, vulnerability, and the allure of forbidden attraction adds complexity to the story.

In conclusion, "Partners in Crime" is a page-turning and passionate read that combines romance with suspense in all the right ways. If you're looking for a novel that delivers a roller-coaster of emotions and a love story that sizzles, this book offers an exciting and irresistible journey that will keep you enthralled until the very end.

I didn't know how much I needed a fun and wild Vegas heist story featuring South Asian leads until I read Partners in Crime. I know the cover gives rom-com vibes but this story is jam packed with car chases, jewelry heists, high stakes poker games, and kidnappings. Is it hard to believe that all of the crazy drama happens over the course of one and half days? Yes. But is it fun? Hell yes. I mean, if you can suspend your disbelief for movies like The Hangover, Date Night, and Lovebirds...you can definitely do it for this book because that is totally the vibes here. What I loved most about this story is that being South Asian was not the sole defining characteristic for Mira and Naveen. Their culture and background was evident from the beginning but you got to see two characters just be themselves and do wild and unhinged things in a role thats not really associated with desi characters. The romance is not the main focus but I enjoyed how Naveen and Mira worked through their own issues to find each other.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Alisha Rai always knows how to write a funny romance. This book was ridiculous, funny, endearing, and thrilling. I adored Naveen and Mira! I loved how complex Mira's character was. This was also just such a well paced novel!! I will say the logistics of the ending confused me a little, but honestly if you are reading this and it feels like a Bollywood movie you can excuse the flaws.

Definitely a new fav and it makes me wanna go through her backlist <3

This was pretty middle of the road 3 star read. I liked it while I read it, but almost nothing about it stuck with me. I felt like it tried to do too much and so didn't do anything quite well enough. And unfortunately the romance fell flat for me.

This book started off like Alisha Rai's other romances but then took an adventurous turn, and I was 100% here for it.

Mira Chaudhary is trying to leave her past behind and settle into a normal life. She has a stable accountant job and would like to find someone to settle down with. She meets Naveen Desai and he seems just the ticket, until things get complicated and he finds out she's not exactly who she's been presenting herself to be. The two of them end up getting kidnapped and go on a wild romp around Vegas trying to get themselves out of trouble. While all of this is going on the two of them get to know each other on a much deeper level, and turns out they may have a shot after all.

It was action-packed, twisty, and full of suspense. The two main characters were flawed and completely loveable, and I couldn't put it down from the first chapter!