This was such a fun book! I loved all of the characters and their storylines. Sometimes in romances, it feels like the romance comes out of nowhere but theirs really grew as the story progressed. The author also did a fantastic job of describing the setting and I could really imagine all of the scenes. So glad I came across this book.

Fairly predictable mystery, but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. I only thought it was predictable because I solved the mystery before the characters did.

i don’t have anything very positive or negative to say about this to be honest. i didn’t have to force myself to finish it but it’s not anything groundbreaking or amazing. had it been written in the 1800s, it would’ve been an amazing class commentary. the romance was fine is suppose but i wished we had gotten even more of the thievery aspect. that’s one thing i liked about della rose, although she seemed a little bit like a kleptomaniac at times. the earl was fine i guess, i don’t have anything against him. my only (small) issue is the whole conflict about them not being able to marry if society thinks they’re cousins… it’s 1879 (?)… cousins getting married was normal😭. the modern la gauge threw me off a bit but it was still readable in the end. 3.25⭐️

Della Rose is a pickpocket from the slums of Seven Dials - shrewd and quick. A chance encounter with the Earl of Bradford, Cole Winthrop, results in a proposition that would result in Della being set up for life, if she can pull it off: break into the Duke of Salisbury's safe and steal papers of the highest importance.

Della is a realist - out for whatever she can get in life, in order to better herself and pulls no punches in her speech or her actions. Cole, on the other hand, is a spy for the British Home Office, and full of smouldering looks and "golden/amber eyes". The Duke is the stereotypical rich bad guy who feels untouchable. The side characters were practically non-existent.

I really wanted to like this one - a historical heist novel along the lines of My Fair Lady meets James Bond meets Enola Holmes meets Jane Austen (yes, I know Recency != Victorian era!), would have been awesome, but after a strong first half (with the occasional hint of romantic longing) this spiralled very quickly into historical smut with graphic sex scenes and the actual plot being a vague side note. The actual climax of the story (the heist and the aftermath) was completely oversahdowed by multiple chapters of graphic sex that felt anachronistic to the time period (and status of the Earl) and made me lose interest.

I would have given this a much higher rating for a "clean" version - there was so much that could have been included: backstories, the Duke's shady dealings, a new career for Della as a lady spy, *detail* about the heist, and so on.

This could have been a really good, rollicking story, but it felt a bit like a bait and switch the way the tone shifted, and I feel the blurb wasn't accurate when it described the book as "irresistible charm, sparkling romance and an unforgettable heroine".

As a general note, (not just about this book) - If a book is going to be a smut book or have graphic sex scenes, it is up to the publisher to be honest and up front about it. Don't bait and switch us. Nothing about The Lady Thief of Belgravia - not the cover, not the blurb, not the entire first half - indicated that it was going to include graphic content. It's a disappointing trend I am seeing more and more.

~ Many thanks to NetGalley for a copy op this book in exchange for an honest review~
(edited for typos)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

The Lady Thief of Belgravia follows notorious thief Della Rose, who is hired by Cole Winthrop to pose as his sister and help him steal back something that was stolen from him.

This was a decently solid historical romance. There was less intrigue regarding the thievery and trickery plots than what I'd hope for, but I think the book made up for it with a swoon-worthy romance plotline. It was quite a quick read, too, which I always love with stories like this as I can zoom through them in one cozy afternoon. Though I was a little let down based on my expectation from the premise, overall I did enjoy myself with this read, and I thought it was a solid debut.

3.5 stars.

This was a fun historical romance. I always like it when my historicals have some action added in to their plots so I enjoyed the heist/spy aspect of the plot. I liked our main couple together but do wish it had been a little bit more of a slow burn than it was. The steamy scenes in this one were well written but I do wish there were fewer just because I felt like some of that page time could have better been used either bolstering the heist plot or spending a little bit more time developing the romance side of their relationship.

The beautiful cover and the catchy title caught my eye.
I was expecting more of a regency spy mystery with a cute romance but it didn't really materialise. There are shades of My Fair Lady but I couldn't quite believe she was being made to learn the piano in order to pass herself off as accomplished at tonnish events.
All she had to do was steal a few papers I couldn't believe that the Home Office couldn't have dealt with that themselves without bringing in a criminal to help them. Everything she goes to do is accomplished straight away and she has no trouble stealing, making a mould of a key and replacing said key around the duke's neck all without him noticing. This just made him look dumb and not much of a villain to worry about.
I've seen a few reviewers complain that Della uses the F word a lot and that it wasn't used back then. It has actually been around for centuries and came into common usage in the 18th and 19th centuries.
I however, winced at the use of fall instead of autumn.
There are scenes upon scenes of sex so if you are into that you will be happy. Maybe a naked character on the front of the novel would give readers a better idea of what to expect.
The final few chapters where there is a lot of tense drama and action saved the blah storyline but I was still glad to see the end of this book.

A humble orphan forced to live on the streets pick-pocketing in Victorian England meets the Earl of Bradford when she, Della Rose tries to steal his watch. He immediately sees more in her and eventually enlists her help in a covert operation to expose a traitor to the crown. This is wonderful plot that was enticingly written. It is part spy novel, part My Fair Lady where the Earl is Della's tutor and a wonderful rags to riches story. I thoroughly enjoyed Della's success in winning over all those who met her because it was the first time in her life that she was valued for herself and supported and loved. It was unputdownable until a certain part where it slightly went off the rails.

This novel could be a top ten best seller and appeal to fans of Downtown Abbey, if the author didn't stoop to inserting chapter after chapter of endless sex scenes complete with heated loin references and seemly unending references to the Earl's amber eyes. The extremely graphic sex scenes were too much and they really cheapened the story with no real gain. It almost seemed like two novels: a historical fiction and a bodice ripper. A little heat between the Earl and Della was fine, but several chapters was way too much. It was a chore to get through and delayed the plot twist which was written so well. Their budding romance of intellectual equals was enjoyable to read. A bit of back story into why the Earl chose to be a spy and how his Dad got involved with spying could have replaced the sex chapters.

All in all I enjoyed Della and the Earl's story and it could have been a 5-star book with the the sex toned down. The book still held my interest and I am glad I read it.

Funny, romantic, full of action and passion with a bit of spice.
Follows Della Rose, an orphan who has developed into an artful pickpocket in Victorian London.
She gets more than she bargained for when she try’s to steal from Cole Winthrop aka Lord Bradford.
He has a proposition, he’s in need of a thief and is willing to pay £10,000 for her to retrieve important personal documents, the only problem is she needs to charm the letcherous Duke of Salisbury to get to the documents
As the plan starts firming up, Cole & Della realise they are are falling for each other, but must remain focussed on the task at hand fo they want to succceed.
Loved Della as a strong female character, with her love of books.
Perfect for any Bridgerton fan with an Oliver Twist vibe about it.
Thanks @allisongrey, @stormbooks_co & @netgalley for the chance to read

"For ten thousand pounds, I'd pretend to be Queen bloody Victoria herself,"


Thank you Netgalley and Storm publishing for giving me this book to read as an eARC!
The Lady Thief of Belgravia is released Jan. 18,2024 and you absolutely do not want to miss it!


Della Rose comes from nothing. Living her days away hiding in a brothel, she does whatever she can to get herself through the hardships of living in London, 1879. Before she could stop it, she built herself a reputation for picking pockets and her reputation serves right- she was very good.
Until one day, she picks the pocket of the wrong man- Cole Winthrop.
When he catches her stealing his watch, he strikes a deal - he wouldn't report her or the suspicious brothel she lives in as long as she aids him in a task.
He only requires a simple task- Della must steal some papers from the higher-ups, and he's willing to pay her ten thousand pounds. What's a girl going to do but agree to the offer?
Soon, Della Rose of Nothing finds herself thrown into a world of high class society, balls, gowns, and corruption. And in the midst of it, Cole Winthrop shines and radiates the warmest glow of comfort. So what happens when this robbery becomes full-strings attached?


Thank you again NetGalley and Storm publishing for the eARC! I really enjoyed this book. It did take me a second to get into it, but in the end, it really pulled through!
Della and Cole took a hot minute to grow on me, but now I can't stop thinking about them! I loved the development of Della's character- from the pickpocketing thief who doesn't trust a person within an inch of her life- to....still Della Rose. The same girl, except now she knows more than starving and picking pockets and hiding in the shadows. She learned to grow to love and allow herself to be loved. The way romance to her was heavily altered after living in the brothel was a big part of her character. The way it was nicely worked through and the clear way Della slowly learned NEW ways of love through Cole was....oh it was so yummy.
I loved the Victorian setting- I loved the high society aspect of it and the Undercover Spy tropes!!!
Cole Winthrop is SWOON WORTHY. SWOON. WORTHY!!!
This book simply wowed me away. My favourite favourite part had to be the visuals- the way Allison Grey can so perfectly capture the setting from dark alleyways to ball rooms and mansions, I can see every inch of it so vividly. While I do love characters, I love imagery and good settings even more and Allison Grey DELIVERED.
I also really enjoyed the high stakes of some of these events. I liked the politics and how well the habits and expectations of this era were captured! From the corruption to the dirty politic play and questionable men, I was so perfectly thrown into London 1879, I couldn't have asked for anything better.

The Lady Thief of Belgravia is out January 18, 2024, and you should absolutely give it a shot! From the plot to setting to characters, this book cannot be put down. Not to mention, Cole and Della's romance is SO good, it had me giggling and squealing and shrieking like a child all over again.

Allison Grey you have my UNDYING loyalty.

3.5 Stars
London, 1879. Della Rose learned her trade as a pickpocket on the streets of the notorious Seven Dials. But when the handsome Cole Winthrop, Earl of Bradford & kept my interest. offers her a huge sum of money to steal from his arch nemesis, the nefarious Duke of Salisbury, it seems Della’s days of deceit and thievery could soon be behind her. To do the job she must go undercover as a member of high society, learning to walk, talk, ride and flirt like a lady.
As an undeniable attraction grows between Della & Cole. Succeeding in her mission could be her ticket to a new life.
I believe a debut novel for the author & I enjoyed the book & look forward to reading more from the author as she hones her craft. The characters had some depth but I felt it was a bit superficial & I didn’t really get to know them. The pace was good & the story flowed well. There were historical inaccuracies & sometimes I felt it was more Regency than Victorian. Overall an interesting & entertaining debut
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

Overall, this was an enchanting and enjoyable read - the author did a great job at illustrating the setting and the main character’s wit and charm made her super relatable.

This was such an interesting read, the cover made me feel like we were in for a full-on historical romance, but this has such an amazing twist. We knew there was a thief, but the assignment was astronomical and I adored this book. It kept me on my toes, as Della kept Cole on his. This was a fun quick read and I will look forward to what Grey does next.

How fascinating when in historical romances the protagonist breaks out of the mold, but even more so when she is a thief!

The Lady Thies of Belgravia is a beautiful story where we find some characters out of series, on the one hand we have Della Rose a masterful street thief who makes a living by lightening the pockets of the unwitting donors she meets on the street and on the other hand, we have Cole Winthrop, an aristocrat who in the eyes of the nobility performs the noble profession, we have Cole Winthrop, an aristocrat who in the eyes of the nobility performs the noble office of being a "scalp" (difficult jobs at this level) but on the other dark side of the coin is a spy who is after the clues of some documents stolen by a high aristocrat who is suspected of committing treason.

Well, I think I've already summarized the characters, now the plot, I can't because I can easily drop some spoiler than the ones above, but let me tell you that the synopsis is very revealing, I would suggest to go more blind to have more excitement in the first pages, but what I can tell you are my opinions about it.

To begin with I liked the tug of war between the characters, I found it most amusing to see that despite the changes to which Della is subjected in order to fit into the role of aristocrat and be able to enter the ballrooms and fleece the aristocrat traitor, she does not leave aside her suspicious and thieving nature and goes stealing valuables every now and then; I have come across some books in which they tend to forget what the nature of her character is and it doesn't fit with her supposed personality, that's why I liked that here she was so faithful.

Della's lack of decorum shown in the story has been fascinating, I always love it when protagonists in this genre break the rules, but when they don't have a single appreciation or first thought of them it fills me with great glee.

In case you haven't noticed, I loved Della much more than Cole, but I just enjoyed her character.

There were a few things that shocked me, but I still recommend it, I think it was a good story for those looking to get into the historical romance genre and have a season in London.

Thank you for this ARC, it has been a beautiful adventure.

#TheLadyThiefofBelgravia #NetGalley.

Unfortunately I didn't particularly enjoy The Lady Theif of Belgravia. I found it quite long and drawn out and was a bit underwhelmed by the climax. It's a shame because I thought I'd really enjoy it. Della and Cole were likeable characters though and I did enjoy their chemistry but it wasn't enough to save the story for me.

I received an eARC from NetGalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Two and Half stars for this book.
This is a Victorian romance with a sprinkling of mystery and intrigue/ thieving And a bit of spice.

I thought there would be a bit more action given the title, but enjoyed the book nonetheless.

A lot of the book focuses on Della Rose learning how to be a lady of the ton. In a Pygmalion situation except Della is under no illusion as to her role, to infiltrate the Duke of Salisbury inner circle and steal items per her agreement with Cole.
It was sweet and frustrating at times seeing the romance grow between Della and Cole. Both stubborn Individuals set in their ways not wanting to change their minds.
Naturally their chemistry and passion was hard to ignore!

I would say a bit more fact checking on customs and the Victorian period could have been done to ensure accuracy.

This book is a charming but imperfect Victorian romance with opposites attract/different world main characters. It's like if someone took a spy movie and crossed it with My Fair Lady, with our pickpocket heroine and our too kind too decent too noble hero. That's not a criticism! I always like a hero who is a decent human being, and too often we get rakes or stiffs in Regency and Victorian romances. Cole is charming and wonderful, Della is sharp and protective. Of course they fall in love. I enjoyed this and wouldn't have minded it becoming a series.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

This book is heavily into the my fair Lady vibe but with spy/undercover tones. This is focused more on the romance side than mystery/spy side which was basically no mystery as the villain is known as it's all about the theft. The only failure for me was how they were going to be together at the end. This outcome was unrealistic for the era. 3.5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

The premise of this book was enticing, and I enjoy regency romance novels, so I was excited to read this one. Unfortunately it fell a bit flat for me. As far as the storyline goes, there were too many plot holes and instances where it was just unbelievable. The tasks they had to complete in order to do the job the Earl hired the pickpocket for would have been extremely difficult, but they had no resistance whatsoever and seemed to just move through each step as if it was super easy. She even seemed to learn the piano in a matter of a few weeks enough to play a song at a dinner party. As someone who played piano for 7 years I can assure you that this would be almost impossible. There were definitely exciting parts and enough of a story to keep you interested, but it just wasn’t believable to me.
The romance also fell flat for me, and I couldn’t really understand what either person saw in each other. They didn’t even have many conversations or moments when it felt like they connected. There was too much emphasis on their physical connection and nothing else. I also do not understand how the fact that he is an earl and she is a thief who grew up in a rookery isn’t a bigger part of the plot and was seemingly easy to overlook. In every other regency romance I’ve read, crossing classes is basically impossible unless the characters are able to lie or move away.

All in all, there was a lot of questionable things that made it just an ok read for me.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like this, it had so much promise but unfortunately fell flat for me.

From the cover and the blurb I did not expect this book to be filled to the brim with raunchy smut, I am not against spice and I have read plenty of books with spice but this was totally over the top especially when there's nothing that alludes to it going in.

I was expecting more of the mystery and thieving aspect but it was fairly minimal and not very exciting. It felt like there was bare minimum plot thrown in so that the whole thing wasn't just about lusting and f*cking.

I wouldn't say the book is bad, just not at all what I was expecting or what it was described as. If you're looking for a light, spicy historical romance then this will probably be just right for you but it wasn't for me