I'll be honest it was a struggle for me to get into this one. I feel like it lacked some momentum. While I loved the concept (who doesn't love a heist?!) I feel like it fell flat compared to other heist books.

Personally, there was too much ~mystery~ with our love interest that made me honestly not care about him. I much preferred the rest of the crew and the friendships that they were forming. If we had been given some additional perspectives, I think that would have been more fun.

I love Sara Desai and she's been a favorite contemporary romance writer for me for the last few years! I wish I'd gone into this book knowing it is lower on the romance and higher on the heist. Desai is a great writer, I was just kind of waiting for more of the romance.

I loved Simi and her group of friends, particularly Anil and Gage, both of whom who made me chuckle. I also loved Simi's development, though she starts out a loyal, firm friend with a strong sense of self, she ends the story confident, unflinching and badass. As she says, the heist changes her. I thought Chloe was a little under-developed, but perhaps there will be a second book with her?

I loved the writing, it's a little different than previous books but no less exciting and fun, with the same flare for dramatic and snappiness.

As to what brings this down from four stars: I hate to say it's a bit underbaked? Chloe being set up by her shitty ex-husband is not something I saw coming, because he's such a dud, but we never find out who the original necklace thief was either. The heist kept twisting and untwisting, it was fun to follow but by the end I felt like there was a bit too much crossing and double crossing. I liked Bella being a stone-cold bitch, that felt fun, but we don't even see the fight at the end, it's all suspense.

I think it's a really fun read, but it needed another revision to hit perfect pitch. Rose was kind of a stock character for me, though she was fun, and Simi's family, who had a pretty large presence initially, just disappear halfway through the book. I also thought there was a bit too much ruminating on how hard it is to get along in the world these days, under late-stage capitalism. Yeah, me too! Everyone too! I appreciate how hard it is to get by, and it was interesting to see how each of these characters got to where they are (needing a heist) to get out of financial purgatory. It's just that it kept being the focus instead of the imminent danger, which was more interesting.

My biggest issue with the book was how little Jack was in it? While I get this isn't a straight rom-com, Jack was barely around as the love interest. If he weren't on the cover, one might be convinced that the detective is the romantic subject, since he gets a decent amount of air time. Jack is great, and I liked him, I just felt like I didn't get enough of him on page.

This does remain a four for me, even though I had a some issues with it, because I love Sara Desai's writing so much.

This was an adorable story! I loved every minute of it and definitely laughed throughout. I love that the heroine spoke her mind. Will definitely be reading more.

I can positively say that I have loved every single thing about this book; the strong heroine who fearlessly speak their mind, the unshakable hero whose depth of emotion is so often evident yet remains hidden behind their natural reserve until the very end. Highly recommending it.

This was a cute story. Funny and quirky for sure. I imagined a little mix of Pretty Woman and Oceans 11 but where everything goes sideways and no one is paying attention to the movie.

I enjoyed the characters and how they each were very different from each other. The "romance" in this book was quite lacking to me. I felt that Simi had a better connection to Garcia than Jack, but apparently that was incorrect.

Simi finds herself at the crime scene of a jewelry heist while trying to save her best friend from being arrested for something she didn't do. Said friends get sucked into stealing the stolen necklace BACK in order to clear Chloe's name. While planning the heist, the crew Simi pulls together (a complete band of misfits) end up becoming the wedding planning party to the fence who has said necklace.

It's an odd and quirky story. It had me laughing but the romance fell flat for me.

I’m a sucker for anything with a heist that brings together a quirky group of people with unique skill. And this book is definitely one of those. The characters are cute, the story is fun and there’s a small twist at the end that isn’t obvious. I didn’t really feel the romance between the main characters as much as I should though, I kept thinking she would maybe end up with the detective, but who knows…maybe that’s a set-up for a future love triangle?

This was.. interesting?

It wasn't bad but it wasn't good either. The book kind of just exist and tries to do things but falls short.

A fabulously fun high-stakes heist with zest and thrills. Glitz, glamor, and so many twists, turns, and improbable moments that make a heist just right.

This gave me Ocean's 11 meets romcom vibes. But it was almost too cheesy for my taste. I wasn't in love with the main characters - which isn't always a bad thing. I can get down with an unlikeable main character, but I think I was supposed to like them?!?!? Parts of this were funny and entertaining, but most was just a bit over the top for my taste.

This book was really good! I love the idea of a heist romance. I am recommending to everyone. I also love the cover of this book. It stands out and also looks cute!

A fun story with characters that are easily loveable. However, I felt as if the relationship between Simi and Jack wasn’t fully developed to be resonating or connecting with me as a reader. It felt as if their story was a subplot. Nevertheless, a decent read.

DNF.

I want to say that it’s only because I couldn’t get into it. But the writing is great! Definitely an interesting book for lovers of the tropes!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this eARC.

I found this an enjoyable, quick read. I will also admit to having read basically everything this author has written.

Pros: cute, caper style romance
Own voices representation, quirky, quick and easy read

Cons: I don't think there were any surprising plot twists or anything or a very complex plot

Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for my copy of this hilarious, fast-paced, action-packed story! It’s giving major Ocean’s 8 + rom com vibes. Simi isn’t having the best week- she got fired, walked in on her octogenarian roommate having sex, her basement apartment flooded AND to top it off, her best friend is accused of stealing a very expensive diamond necklace. When a mysterious and cute guy, let’s call him “Jack”, shows up to offer a solution to Simi’s problems + a lot of $$$, she jumps at the chance. What follows is HILARIOUS hijinks: the assembly of a crew, a wedding planning business con, a runaway bride, a couple threats from the mob, an elephant, some sexy times and non-stop laughs. This heist + love story had me laughing out loud and I was thoroughly charmed + entertained. Sara Desai- this gem of a book truly shines!

This book had me cry laughing and it was so much fun! This was my first ever Heist book and I can say that I want so many more! The plot of this book was fantastic and I ate up every moment of it! I enjoyed the witty banter and the mystery of it all. The characters were easily likable, even some of the side characters had me laughing out loud, This book was so good I don’t even think I have the words. I immediately want to read everything Sara writes! Perfection and a new comfort read for me!

Such a fun read!

I absolutely adored the characters in this book. Desai did a great job in giving them all such unique and fun personalities. This could be a cute little rom-com movie!

Who knew what I was missing was a heist / mystery romance?? I love Desai’s writing! It’s quippy and fun, with banter and a character driven plot. This is a binge-worthy read!

So the premise at the beginning of this book for all of this to happen was a little bit ridiculous. Like has this happened to people yes but for a character that smart to fall for it threw me off for a bit. However once you get past that this is a fun and fast book. I loved the crew of characters and the family they built.

I love a good heist plot but this was truly forgettable. I genuinely cannot remember the plot or the characters. If you’re looking for a good con artist romcom, try Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai instead.

Five stars! My interview on While You Were Reading, a podcast for contemporary romance readers is here:

https://www.whileyouwerereading.com/episodes/love-opposites-attract-maybe-bad-boys-sara-desais-to-have-and-to-heist-will-steal-your-heart