This is a first Alisha Rai book that wasn’t up to par for me. I didn’t feel connected to the writing nor the premise, or the characters. They felt childish. The romance felt lacking with no chemistry. The plot was very messy that it overwhelmed everything else.

When Mira arrives at the law firm to settle her aunt’s affairs, she never expected Naveem (the first match she rejected) would be the lawyer. She also never expected to end up on the run with him. As her family’s past comes back to haunt her, Mira realizes that Naveem might be her future.

This is not a typical Alisha Rai romance - there was an action adventure element to this. I enjoyed it, but it wasn’t my favorite Alisha Rai book.

I'm always on the lookout for new South Asian books to read, but this one fell flat for me. From the get-go, this book was over the top, and not in a way that made any sense. The characters didn't feel authentic to me, and the plot was just a lot to wrap my head around. I might try rereading in the future, but this book unfortunately wasn't for me this time around.

Alisha Rai has another hit on her hands. An enthralling page turner from start to end, a heist gone wrong, apparent mistaken identity and the past catching up on you.

Mira wants to find a partner and settle down, but she just can’t find a man. When she runs into Naveen, a man that she had been set up with by a matchmaker years ago, she is surprised to see him. Even more surprising is the two of them get kidnapped together and need to work together not only to escape, but to solve a crime.

This book was such a unique and wild ride! I loved that this romance was set in a situation with so much action and drama that was not related to the relationship. This book was full of over the top and hilarious hijinks - heists, fake identities, car chases, henchmen, and they all made for a hilarious adventure. In the process Mira and Naveen don’t just become partners in crime, but begin to reevaluate their relationship. This book is fast paced and full of fun!

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Not at all what I was expecting- in a good way! I’m not usually into second chance romances, but add in some running for your life and capers and I was SO in. It was really fun to watch these characters unfold and grown back together. Not as spicy as I expected from Alisha Rai, but still had a couple steamy scenes. The action and adventures were fun and a bit silly too.

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai was a fun read! Definitely an adventure. I enjoyed reading a book that was outside of my genre.

Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai was a decent read, but it didn't quite live up to my expectations. The premise of two former childhood friends turned crime-solving partners was intriguing, and the chemistry between the main characters was palpable. However, the pacing felt uneven at times, with some parts dragging on while others felt rushed. The mystery itself was also fairly predictable, which was a bit disappointing. That said, the writing was solid, and the characters were well-rounded and likable. Overall, I think this book is worth checking out if you're a fan of the mystery and romance genres, but don't expect to be blown away.

Alisha Rai is an author that I love so much as a person(ality), but I haven't loved her books as much since she left behind the angst filled Forbidden Hearts series. That said, Partners in Crime was a really fun listen that I would recommend if you want a high external stakes book that feels relatively light despite the dysfunctional family trauma being processed at the same time. Now that I write it down, I'm having a hard time figuring out how this book did feel more light and amusing than it did serious and angsty because when you think about the plot and the issues between Mira and Naveen, it really doesn't sound like a fun time...

Speaking of the plot, essentially Mira's aunt died a little bit ago and Naveen's law office handled her will. The two of them have a history that didn't end well so things are a little awkward between them when Mira shows up at his office and neither realize they're going to be encountering their ex. But then Mira and Naveen are kidnapped and then a whole lot of while shenanigans ensue.

So again, a good time, but just not something that I fell in love with the way I was hoping to. But all in all, a good read.

I really liked this and enjoyed the romance +thriller, I generally am a fan of Rai's stories and writing, and this didn't disappoint

Loved this book! Great to see different cultures represented. Last 20% was a little far fetched but still made for a very fun read!

I requested this as soon as I saw it was by Alisha Rai. In retrospect, I should have read the synopsis first. I am not a big fan of romantic suspense.So to me, this did not have enough romance in it. And the plot just kept getting messier. It was a bit too much/ over the top for me. And because there was so much going on in the plot I felt I never really got to know the characters or feel their chemistry, outside of all the adrenaline highs.
I have no issues with the writing, this just isn't my book and I felt like it was a bit all over the place plot-wise. It could have been scaled back a bit and still been exciting.

Suspense, action, danger, humor, heat—Alisha Rai gave me everything I could want and more in Partners in Crime. The book transports readers to Las Vegas, where settling a relative’s affairs turns into a dangerous and unforgettable adventure. Mira didn’t plan on seeing her ex-boyfriend Naveen again, let alone working side-by-side with him. But when they’re kidnapped together and have to go on the run, the two are given a second chance to realize they might just be perfect for each other.

I love a good second chance romance, and Rai uses that setup here to craft incredible tension between the two leads. She slips in memories of their past together to bring the heat, even as they try to resist their growing feelings for each other. She perfectly balanced this alongside the excellent momentum of the plot—making the stakes of mortal peril and emotional vulnerability feel equally weighted and important.

I adored Naveen so much as a hero. He's incredibly intelligent and capable, but also so soft and pure (this man keeps trying to Venmo criminals and it made me laugh every time). And Mira is my beautiful hurt queen, so afraid of love and trust. I rooted for her every step of the way as she learned that she could lean on Naveen and started to believe he'd be there to catch her if she fell.

Rai writes about family dynamics often, and I think this book really shines in how skilled she is when it comes to exploring the complexity of those relationships. She offers up nuanced portraits of humans who are flawed and make mistakes, but also never cuts a character slack for the harm they've caused.

This is one of my favorite reads of 2023; I loved absolutely every second of this book.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is my first time reading Alisha Rai so I was intrigued on how this will go.

Summary:

Mira Patel’s got a solid accounting career, good friends, and a whole lot of distance between her and her dysfunctional family. All that’s missing is a stable romantic relationship. Armed with a spreadsheet and professional help, she sets out to find her partner in only legal activities, but much to her matchmaker’s dismay, no one is quite right.

Including Naveen Desai, the very first match she unceremoniously rejected.

Lately Naveen’s been too focused on keeping his sick grandfather’s law firm afloat to think about love, and he’s stunned when Mira walks back into his life to settle her aunt’s affairs. He’s determined to keep things professional…though it’s impossible not to be intrigued by all of the secrets piling up around Mira.

If getting back together with an ex is a bad idea, getting kidnapped with one is even worse.

Suddenly, Naveen and Mira find themselves in a mad dash through Las Vegas to escape jewel thieves, evade crime bosses, and follow the clues to untangle the mess her family left behind. As her past comes back to haunt her, Mira despairs of ever finding someone who might understand her…but maybe, over the course of one wild night, she’ll find that he’s right by her side.

Review:
Honestly, it was a great ride! Mira wants the entire opposite life that she had growing up which resulted in her over correcting in her day to day life. This book is all about her accepting and embracing parts of her childhood trauma (and admittedly gaining a few more) meanwhile Naveen is working through his own problems. I loved watching this two have real conversations and being amazed by each other's authentic self that wasn't there the first time around that they dated. I loved the cons they pulled together over the course of one night and the twists at the end was a little heartbreaking, but it was a great way to continue to show that not everything is as black and white as it seems at first glance. I also loved the Indian culture that was shown throughout the story and the epilogue takes place a year later which I appreciated. It was dual pov in alternate chapters so you honestly get both sides of the story. I would definitely read more by Alisha

THIS WAS SO MUCH FUN. PARTNERS IN CRIME is certainly my new favorite Alisha Rai book!

Packed with action, twists, and a fast-paced plot that made this impossible to put down, this book was incredible. I loved the characters, I loved the romance, etc etc. Alisha Rai has always been a plot-heavy romance writer, so I think this really worked with what she’s best at. I am not usually a fan of second chance romance, but Mira and Naveen sold it for me. I need a spin-off book STAT. I cannot emphasize enough how much fun this was. A million stars for me!!!

3.5/5

i have extremely mixed feelings about this book. "partners in crime" is about mira and naveen, two exes who, right after an awkward reunion, get kidnapped together and must run around Vegas dealing with the remnants of mira's past life.

so much of this book was so fun! i enjoyed the glamorized crime (i know, i know, okay, but at least they aren't actual criminals/mobsters) and the flirting was SO fun in these contexts. it was fast paced and enjoyable...until i reached about the 90% mark. inexplicably, i got so incredibly bored with this book and couldn't rev myself up to finish it. i ended up skimming the last five percent almost two months later, but it still didn't feel like the rest of the novel. i felt like the sex and the ultimate relationship just... weren't that satisfying?? it wasn't enjoyable to read about and just felt like i was eavesdropping on a not particularly juicy brunch debrief involving a bunch of people i didn't know. alas, not every book can hit that perfect ending! i did enjoy the journey though :)

I love romantic suspense so I was really excited to read this one. Typically my version of “suspense” leans a bit darker, but it’s great when I can find it in a romcom.

After surviving the chaos of her childhood and dysfunctional family, Mira wants nothing more than a calm, boring, stable life with a calm, boring, stable partner. She enlists an Indian matchmaker to help find her dream guy and hits the jackpot when she’s matched with MMC Naveen. Despite their compatibility, Mira succumbs to a moment of self-sabotage and dumps him.

Months later, after the death of her favorite aunt, Mira is contacted by a law office to settle her aunt’s estate. Fate, meet your second-chance because guess who the estate lawyer is? Naveen. (Obviously.) Before the MCs have time to process the awkward reunion, they are kidnapped at gunpoint and dragged into the dark, messy world Mira worked so hard to put behind her. The story follows their harrowing journey filled with action, suspense, and mystery. As they try to survive the high-stakes shenanigans, the MCs learn to support and trust each other, raising the stakes even higher.

This was such a cool blend of romance and mystery with a solid plotline. I’m not a big fan of second-chance romance, but this one really worked for me. The hijinks helped smooth out the angst of the MMC’s reunion, which I appreciated.

I loved the MCs’ both individually and as a couple. They both had their own brand of crazy family baggage that shaped their need for security and stability, but they worked through their stuff separately while supporting each other. I liked that they were true partners – neither of them was a damsel who needed saving. They worked together as partners to survive, which in my mind…if you can survive a kidnapping, taking on life together seems like a forgone conclusion.

Romantic suspense is my bread and butter so I didn’t really have high expectations for the mystery/suspense elements in a romcom. I’m woman enough to admit I was wrong to underestimate the author, because she served up some serious twists and turns. The plot and romance were so well-executed and I loved every minute of it!

Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of "Partners in Crime", written by author Alisha Rai. This novel told the story of Mira, 35, who works as an accountant. She uses a dating app in order to match with Indian American singles in the hopes of settling down. Naveen is an English professor.

When Mira learns that her aunt has passed away and that she is the one expected to take care of putting her affairs in order, They end up going to Vegas and Mira once again has to experience the dysfunction that happens in her family, all while hoping that it doesn't scare Naveen off.

Overall, I rated this novel 4/5 stars!

So, I'm getting to this review late due to the Harper Collins Union strike.
To this books credit, it was a one sitting book. It was fast paced and engaged me all the way through.
With that said, sadly this one was a little too over the top for my personal tastes. The romantic suspense vibe was a little too campy for me, and the second chance romance side of it didn't give me enough. Granted, if I were watching this as a movie, I think I would truly enjoy my time with it.
But, I don't usually look for a new movie in my books. So, this one lands in the middle with a rating of a 3 for me. Again, not the worst thing, but not a new fav, which is sad. I adore Rai's writing. Just didn't get enough from this one.

2.5 rounded up...Sorry, but I just didn't find this all that intriguing or exciting. It's a second chance at love story, and the plot sounded like it would make for a funny action comedy, so I couldn't wait to read it. The romance did nothing for me and I didn't care about the characters, therefore I didn't enjoy the book overall. It just didn't feel right, didn't it? That's strange, considering Alisha normally crafts convincing romantic chemistry in her novels. And there's no regret, either, despite the fact that this was a second opportunity at a love that ended badly. In any case, as soon as the conversation turned to Bitcoin, I completely lost interest. I was anticipating a lighthearted romantic comedy, but instead I found myself reading a suspenseful thriller with a ludicrous amount of tacked-on romance. I won't complain about the exciting moments because they were enjoyable, but everything else was so ludicrous that I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I'm not sure I'm supposed to be enjoying this because it reminds me of things we never quite moved on from.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC for an honest review.