This review is kind of hard to write, because there are so many great things about this book, but there were a few small things that really bothered me. A Million to One is a heist story that takes place aboard the Titanic. Our heist crew is a diverse group of teenage girls, from different backgrounds and countries. There’s a sweet sapphic romance, a which was always a nice break from action-packed adventure. This also leads to one of my issues, which is that I wish we got to know all the girls just a little more. I think character work is really important in stories like this, and I definitely cared about these girls, but I needed a little more. I wanted to sob when tragedy struck and the boat sank because I cared so much, but I wasn’t there. I needed it to be a little longer.

I also thought the villain was ridiculous and made our heist leader look awful. There’s also a white girl who doesn’t realize racism exists, and a few other heavy topics that needed more time. Still, the heart of this is excellent. The heist is fun and I was on the edge of my seat. I was filled with dread the whole time, and I rooted for our crew until the bitter end. I’m glad this exists and I think teens will love this, especially queer girls or girls of color. This is such a unique take on the Titanic and I think it would be an excellent film.

Entertaining YA novel set on the Titanic! I do think the characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, and some elements felt a bit rushed, but an entertaining heist story that teens will likely enjoy nonetheless.

I love historical fiction about young, scrappy sapphics! A fun, mysterious romp. The ending is a bit of a bummer (it's The Titanic after all) and I found the constantly shifting persepctive a little disorienting at times, but this book felt fresh and fun.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely loved this book. I don't know if it was because it was a heist story, a female led story, a mystery or that it is historical fiction, but this book is everything wrapped up into one nice, neat little bow.

4 girls, each with a particular valuable talent, set aboard the Titanic to steal the treasure of a lifetime.

This was a really compelling read! The intricate plans of Josefa, the forgery of Emilie, the grace of Hinnah, and deception of Violet all come together as a force to be reckoned with. As long as the matron of the 2nd class isn’t hovering, that is.

The sapphic love in this was very sweet, and rife with tension as their plan unfolds,

Something I thought was really well done was the counting down throughout the book. Because of the context, the readers know what is coming, but none of the passengers do, and it builds the tension as you creep closer to the end we know is coming.

Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC of this title. I enjoyed reading this title. Would recommend for my library.

Four friends brought together by a need to escape to new opportunities team up to board the Titanic, and steal a very expensive, jewel encrusted book to help them start their new life in America. Josefa is the mastermind, and with her partner in crime, a limber circus performer, and an artist/forger, her plan can’t fail. That is, until the ship strikes an iceberg and the girls find themselves fighting for their lives.

I picked this up because it reminded me a bit of Ocean’s 8 aboard the Titanic, and it didn’t disappoint. I was enthralled in the journey from the start, and I was rooting for the girls all the way. It’s a major tragedy in history, though, so it’s not all fun and games, and the stakes are much higher than getting caught trying to steal the book. Still, it moves quickly, has great character development, and even has a little queer romance, which I’m always here for.

It’s out now wherever you get your books.

A heist on the titanic with a diverse set of characters, what's not to love? Honestly, the book does have a bit of a slow start, but it picks up and becomes an enjoyable read. As with all good heist books, it gets really interesting when things start to go wrong.

Let's also not forget that this is a Titanic story because I certainly forgot. I was honestly surprised that it wasn't an entirely happy ending. I deluded myself into thinking there would be one since they are all women, but in the end, it's a Titanic story.

Overall, it could've benefitted from being a tiny bit longer to better develop the characters and the bonds they have, but still a solid read. 3.75 stars

Kudos to Jaigirdar on executing such a unique plotline! Queer, feminist heist story aboard the Titanic is very specific, but she absolutely delivers on everything promised from the blurbs. The story moves along quickly - partially due to the non-stop action and scheming, partly due to the jumping POVs and brief chapters. It's an easy book to fly through and I constantly wanted to keep reading to see what would happen next... aside from the large historical event looming over the entire story that you absolutely know is coming. (The author's steady countdown at the beginning of each chapter just adds to that tension so cruelly)

I really enjoyed the cast of characters. Everyone brought a perspective and backstory that felt completely independent from the other main characters. I found myself interested in all of them and constantly wanted more of their individual stories rather than finding them distracting or taking away from the main storyline.

But as much as I enjoyed this story and it's feisty femmes, there were some areas where I just wanted more. For one, I feel like this leans young for YA. This isn't necessarily a criticism, but just something I wish I had known before starting the book. I think I would have read it differently had my expectations been managed a little better.

Along those same lines, I found myself wishing the author would dive deeper into some of the social issues touched upon in the book. The reader gets subtle moments that are handled very tactfully surrounding topics like race, gender, and queerness. While it's fantastic that the author handles this content so gently, I felt like this cast of characters was perfect for something with more punch and I wish Jaigirdar had explored that more.

Overall, this is an entertaining adventure featuring some badass young women seeking to secure their place in a world that overlooks them. If only they weren't trying to make their mark during a tragic historical event that may cause them to lose it all. Very glad I read this and definitely recommend - just don't go in expecting anything too dark or gritty.

It's a shame that this book is working against so many big reputations. It was enjoyable enough, but it kept getting overshadowed by history, famous movies, and other popular books.

I did love the author's note that explained how this group of individuals wouldn't be as out of place on the Titanic as we may think.

However, it's kind of hard to fully engage when you know what's going to happen in the story.

Overall, it was definitely enjoyable, but has too much working against it to be phenomenal.

Literally stunning! I love heists, I love the Titanic movie. This cover is absolutely brilliant. I think I enjoy the cover more than I should.

This was a very entertaining read! I found it fascinating that the story revolves around a jewel heist on the Titanic! I loved the characters! The author paid close particular attention to detail, and it felt as if I was walking alongside the characters on the Titanic! The story is very fast-paced and engaging! I read it in one sitting! I recommend this novel for fans of Salt to the Sea!

This book had all the makings to be a fun read, a heist set in the titanic, a diverse group of friends and sapphic! Unfortunately I wanted to DNF this book at so many points mostly because I couldn’t stand the characters.
Josefa as the leader of this heist was the most improbably thing I’ve ever read, she was rash, secretive, untrusting of her friends, selfish and honestly straight up annoying. How are you going to invite three other girls onto this mission that is so poorly planned and steeped in your own ulterior motives.
I didn’t believe the relationships between any of those characters, not the friendships or the budding relationship between Josefa and Emilie.
I had major problems with Emilie as well. Her character was supposed to be the voice of reason in this heist group but you can’t really join a heist without doing the heisting. Her constant moral dilemma or will she, won’t she, in stealing the book didn’t have the effect I’m sure the author was going for. Instead Emilie seemed selfish, picking her own moral superiority over the lives of the other girls.
Hinnah was unfortunately very forgettable, an extra when needed for the more acrobatic parts of this book she was left out of this group and “friendship” often.
While I did like Violet, and I was rooting for her the lost out of everyone considering her story trying to get back to her brother I did have problems with her characterization as well. Why did the hate Emilie so much? They never talk about her being an actress before getting on the titanic. It was all a little messy.
I would say overall that was my biggest takeaway from this book. Everything was just very messy. The characters and the story were very all over the place trying to do too much but also not giving the reader enough.

A very fun and entertaining read! Loved the idea of an Ocean's 8 type heist on the Titanic. Characters were all very unique and plot was very intriguing

Obviously I liked this seeing as how I read it in a day, but I will say that I think I was so excited for a sapphic heist on the Titanic that I built it up in my head so much and it let me down a little. It was good, but it somehow left me wanting more Titanic (yes I know the majority of the book takes place on the ship, I said what I said) and more heist? I did like the different dynamics among the girls and Hinnah was definitely my favorite.

sadly, this book wasn't for me. despite titanic being my hyperfixation when i was younger, i felt like that aspect of the book just didn't really work. it was hard to root for these characters when you knew that everything would go wrong by the end. this is by no means a bad book, just disappointing.

An all female heist aboard the Titanic... say no more. I'm in. I think there is just something about the Titanic that draws people in, at least it does for me. This book as no exception. I loved how Adiba created this fun scenario, where these 4 girls could come together to pull off the heist of the century and change their lives forever, if they succeed. Each one brought their own special talent to the crew. Almost like a smaller version of Oceans Eleven. I loved the dynamic between each of the girls. The interactions felt genuine and the character growth had a natural feel.
The story of the Titanic will always have the same ending unfortunately, but if you're looking for a new story that leads you up to that point, then definitely pick this one up and check it out.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins for the Advanced E-Reader Copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was a fun book to read. i really enjoyed the characters and story ! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Josefa, a petty thief, convinces her friend Violet, a smooth talker, Emilie, a painter, and Hinnah, an acrobat, to sail on the Titanic and steal a priceless artifact.

I thought this was a great fast paced heist book that kept me entertained and on my toes. I liked the diversity in the book and thought it was well written, with good dialogue, and interesting characters. This book was described as Oceans 8 meets the Titanic and I think it lives up to that comparison.

Thanks to Harper Collins Canada and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. #Ad

EFFORTLESS TO READ AND EFFORTLESS TO LOVE!
This was my 400th book of 2022 (the review came after HC FINALLY talked with the union), and I was thrilled to finish my reading goal with this book.
A heist book filled with diversity and Lgbtq+ representation set in Ireland to the titanic ship, I was so set to love this. We have a range of skills, an actual accurate portrayal of mistakes occurring during the heist and the backstories of the girls unfolding until you are as invested as they are in the success of this robbery!

Also, I knew I was meant to be prepared, it was set on the titanic, but I still cried. I was not ready! DAMN THE ACCURACY!