This had so much potential in the first few pages, with the banter between MCs being top tier from their first meeting. Unfortunately, we hit insta-love a little too hard for me.

Solid 3.5 stars, cute and quick read!

This was soooo cute!!!! Loved tenley with all my heart. She’s what every woman aspire to be! And Knox… SUPER HOT KNOx had my heart as well! He was so loving and heartfelt! They’re banter was soo funny! I’m totally checking this author other books.

Their banter back and forth throughout this book was so cute and Tenley was such a spitfire the whole time. It was so nice to see that they had chemistry from the very beginning and when they finally give into the tension that has been going between them it was nice and hot.
This was a fun, cute read that led to BI PANIC

I loveeee the fake relationship to a real relationship trope! I also adore a morally grey heroine, as we usually only see a morally grey hero. It was nice to have the ladies take the front seat on questionable actions for once.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Heat Factor: There are some very explicit pants feels…and physical feels…in this book.

Character Chemistry: So good right away. The way they interact is phenomenal.

Plot: Tenley needs a getaway mark after stealing a bunch of diamonds. Knox needs a wife to get his inheritance after being in prison for five years. Together, they wreak havoc.

Overall: This book is ridiculous and really fun.

The best thing about this book is Tenley. You see, Tenley is extremely confident. She has been a con artist since she was a child so she could survive, and because she was so good at it, she more than survived. She’s got a cool million in offshore accounts. She knows exactly what she can do and what she’s worth. You know all those Romance Relationship Problems that always make the FMC shrink and/or run away? They don’t mess with Tenley. Tenley is the character who looks down her nose at the encroaching hanger-on trying to mess with the MMC and tells her to try harder.

Don’t worry, she does have some hangups about really being with Knox because she’s got some emotional baggage from being orphaned and abused as a child, so there’s still tension in the relationship, but I cannot describe my delight at Tenley owning the space she takes up in the world. And asking for more. An example would probably help illustrate what I mean, so please enjoy this one:

Knox’s brow furrowed. “What next move? Once the trust is released, we’re free to go.”

“That’s fine. But if he keeps things mostly civil, I might not destroy his life before we go.”

“And if he doesn’t?”

She shrugged. “Wouldn’t be the first time I deployed the nuclear option.”

“I’m still not sure it’s worth it.”

Tenley couldn’t help but walk her fingers up his chest playfully before saying, “Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it. I’ll take care of everything.”

He frowned. “That’s… terrifying.”

“Your flattery will get you everywhere, sir.”

Another delightful thing is that Knox keeps watching Tenley be a boss and he keeps thinking she’s terrifying (in a respectful, enamored kind of way, ofc) because she is so supremely confident. I’m chuckling just thinking about it. And it’s not that Knox is incompetent or a himbo, but he is a law abiding citizen (he was imprisoned for embezzlement, but framed, natch), so he watches Tenley with awe and later with pleasure as she moves everyone around her like a chess wizard. I have another book by Jordan that I haven’t read yet, and looking at the cover I would not have guessed that I would be so delighted by the voice of her writing, but her characterization is ON POINT, and I was really glad I was reading this while traveling so I didn’t have to worry about my normal everyday distractions and could power through. I may or may not have laughed out loud, but I was tickled pink from page one.

This book is for readers who appreciate a morally gray character and a dose of revenge-as-justice. The mood is light and playful, even when they’re talking about more serious topics, so it is not a book to be taken seriously. Think superhero movies. The cost of blowing up everything in terms of both lives and resources is, in fact, grotesque…but it’s fun to watch and we still feel good when the heroes win at the end. If that’s not your jam, this is not your book.

I’ll leave you with this quote that summarizes the vibe of this book pretty well:

“Stalking is an ugly word. Look, you have to understand that a criminal’s way of showing love and respect to another criminal isn’t going to be… traditional. I show my love and respect by always paying Ren for his work. He shows his love and respect by… watching over me.”

[Knox] raised a brow. “Sounds like he’s stalking you.”

[Tenley] shrugged. “Po-tay-toe, po-tah-toe.”

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Fantastic novel, enjoyed every minute of it! Absolutely nothing not to like about it. Such a cute story and great characters. Highly recommend this!

This storyline was so cheesy. I really could not enjoy it, it was laughable at times but I could not connect with these characters. I was surprised I actually finished it.

This was a first time read for me by this author, and it definitely won't be my last. I have to confess, the unique title is what first caught my attention. I had a feeling it would be fun, sassy, different type of rom com that would keep me laughing and smiling, and I wasn't wrong. Tenley and Knox are an unconventional couple, but they work so well together. Though both are labeled as criminals, they only do those questionable things to survive. Tenley is a con artist and meets Knox right after she steals some jewels and is trying to get out of town. Knox has recently been released from prison, and Tenley sees him as the perfect means for a clean getaway. But the tables are turned and he ends up kidnapping her. Knox is trying to get possession of his inheritance and he needs a wife to do that. Tenley is the perfect candidate to help him out. The two end up working together to help Knox get his life back on track. And somewhere along the way, real feelings begin to develop between them. Can a real relationship between them actually work?
The humor and witty banter was absolutely on mark and I couldn't keep the smile off my face. A completely unconventional and unique love story that will absolutely melt your heart! The characters were well-crafted and believable and the chemistry between them was undeniable. This is the first book of the series, and I can't wait to read more!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

whoa!! this book was fantastic!! i could not get enough of this one! it was just so well written and wonderful and amazing!! thank you so much netgalley!!!

What a hilarious, sexy and snarky romance this was! The blurb promises witty banter, wacky hijinks, spicy times and ALL the tropes and, wow, did Isabel Jordan deliver. If you are looking for a romance that is just the right amount of off-kilter then you should definitely pick up this book!

My absolute favorite part of this book was Tenley's inner dialogue-she is hilarious and kind of a psycho. Overall the plot was super fast-paced and enjoyable. The romance was super spicy too! This is a book that does not take itself too seriously, which makes it an easy read.

I would definitely read more by this author because this book was so fun and wacky. I will definitely be recommending it to all of my spicy romance lovers!

Criminals Need Love Too by Isabel Jordan is the First book in the Adorable Psychos Series. This is the story of Knox and Tenley. Knox is just out of prison and Tenley is a con artist who is looking for an escape route. This was such a fun read! Enjoyed.

I found this ARC on netgalley shortly after it was published but not yet archived and for that I feel so lucky! Thank you!

This book was such a wonderful witty surprise! It’s a fast paced, cheesy, laugh out loud, page turner every step of the way! And it was a great read if you have a book hangover!

The banter between Tenley and Knox was so adorable. And yes, Tenley is scary, and kick ass awesome! With her mad fighting skills, not scared of anyone, will steal all the jewelry you have and ruin your life because you were an arse hole type of awesome 🙌🏻
So if you love a strong female sassy mc, this cute quick romance is for you!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is definitely an original and fun storyline. I liked it but it just didn't fully keep my attention. I did not connect with the characters at all, so I had to DNF.

This this this! Hilariously sarcastic! I couldn't put this down. I wish it actually had of went longer. It was a quick read, it could have been longer but everything was quick and to the point. Both the MC were funny and easy to like right away with their criminal with hearts vibes.

LOVED
Spicy right away and ohhhh was it spicy!
Instant attraction from both sides
Dual POV
Fall in love at the same time
Fake marriage
Bad B*tch Energy!

4.5⭐️ Their first time meeting had me cracking up! The way he thinks he’s in charge.. 😂

Tenley is such a badass. I love how in control she always is/seems. She really knows how to keep people on their toes. Especially Knox! I swear I thought he was going to jump out of the vehicle to get away from her. 🤣 Sounds terrible but it was HILARIOUS. Especially since he was JUST released from prison yet a woman a whole foot shorter than him has him questioning his life choices.

Highly recommend!

I found this to be a fun likable story and was right up my alley. Tenley Taylor needs a way out of town along with the bag of stolen diamonds she has. Enter her mark Knox Wilder who thinks he has kidnapped her or at least is under that impression. He is shocked when a few miles down the road she has turned the tables on him and he realizes he is way in over his head. It only gets worse when he sees her in action with the police officer at a checkpoint and the way she handles herself and that whole interaction just sets you up for the rest of the book. There is of course the two of trying to figure out each other and Tenley of not thinking that Knox would want anything to do with her, but by the time you get to the end you are left with a good story and you are sad it has ended at least I was. A good story with good characters and very much worth the read.

Was I just gaslit into thinking that criminals need love too? Yeah, I think so and that is how well Isabel's book was written! Loved it!

This book has all the stuff I love so much in one place:
Morally grey heroine/Ex-con hero
Grumpy sunshine romance
Forced proximity/One Bed
strangers/Enemies to Lovers
Marriage of Convenience/Fake Dating
No 3rd Act Break Up
HEA
Revenge
Spice

4 stars

This snarky, witty, funny, adorable rom com was the perfect way for me to end 2023. Knox and Tenley were adorable and perfect and I'm not ready to say goodbye to them. I'm excited this is the first of a series and there will be more in the future. I have a feeling Ren is going to be next which is going to be fantastic I can already tell.

This book has all the stuff I love so much in one place:
Morally grey heroine/Ex-con hero
Grumpy sunshine romance
Forced proximity/One Bed
strangers/Enemies to Lovers
Marriage of Convenience/Fake Dating
No 3rd Act Break Up
HEA
Revenge
Spice

The spice wasn't too spicy, but it was the perfect balance for keeping the plot going and not overpowering the story. I'm so glad that everyone got what they deserved and it was SO SO SO much fun to watch it happen.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.