Jewel Me Twice is like the old Reese’s Peanut Butter cup tag line. “Two great tastes that taste great together.” It combines two of my favorite things, a heist romance written by one of my auto-buy authors, Charish Reid. I liked Charish Reid from the first page of The Write Escape, and have enjoyed all of her books. I love the characters she writes and the relationships she builds with them.

As a side note, I got into a conversation about Charish Reid’s heroines, and the phrase “academia to heist pipeline” was introduced by ariana_reads. I think that if any of Reid’s heroines were faced with planning a heist, they could pull it off. If I wrote fanfiction, I would assemble a team of Reid’s lead characters, but I would put Celeste in charge. Dr. Doris Grant, Celeste’s mentor, did put Celeste on the academia to heist pipeline, though Celeste ultimately left academia to become an antiques dealer (and thief).

Celeste St. Pierre was once a part of a team of 5 that pulled off heists all over the world. One bad job and a falling out with her friend with benefits, Magnus Larsson, and the team disbanded. Now she owns an antique store and consults with wealthy clients. While on a job with her protege, Beatrice, running tech, Celeste runs into her former lover and makes off with a kiss and a tiara. A few days later the team is pulled back together by the last wishes of their former leader. She wants to send them on a last job to rectify some mistakes from the past. She’s giving Celeste and Magnus another shot at a relationship.

I love that Celeste and Magnus are in their 40s with all the self-knowledge and baggage that brings. Grief and regret are woven through the story. Though initially Celeste and Magnus downplay their past relationship, it becomes clear that they were both more serious and in love than they’ve been willing to admit. As they circle each other, they are each reexamining the past and making small movements towards emotional intimacy (they’ve already got a gold star in physical intimacy). It is a lovely and grown up romance. Jewel Me Twice gives the reader emotional depth and maturity along with stolen diamonds and some smoking hot pre-heist role playing.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Canary Street Press and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I loved the concept of this - a treasure hunt of heists. And after reading it, I would say it's a solid story, but I just didn't love it and I cannot put my finger on why it missed the mark.

The main characters are well-written with more complex backstories that I expected. The baggage in a second-chance romance has to be just right for it to work out believably. Their chemistry was well done, and once Magnus started all-out flirting, I was sold But it often felt like we missed out on how 'perfect' they were before, instead of flashbacks we we just told how good they used to be together which for me isn't as compelling. I will say that I love a mature/older couple, but I don't know if I believed that CeCe and Magnus were in their late-30s, early 40s. They felt older, but I wish that this had been leaned into more.

The book seemed a bit slower paced than I think I expected for a heist caper. I think I was 40% through the book before it really felt like the plot picked up. It all seemed to go a bit too smoothly and the plans all seems a bit elementary, but it was still fun to read.
I really wish we would have gotten more of the side cast, it really was a strong focus on Magnus and CeCe with the others mostly just there for the plot instead of really seeing a full cast of developed characters.

I think this is an overall good solid book, but I am a bit disappointed it's not a great book.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

It's been five years since Magnus Larsson let down his team of thieves, especially his girlfriend Celeste Ct. Pierre, in a big way. Now they and the rest of the team are summoned to a treasure hunt for the ultimate payout, and Celeste has to decide whether to trust Magnus again--on the job and with her heart.

This second-chance romance has a lot of spice between two hugely attractive, talented people. They may not agree on how to get the job done, but when they work together their differences complement each other and they make a great team. I found the justification for their thievery interesting--that they are only stealing from sleazy guys and the descendants of robber barons who stole it first. I also enjoyed the ingenuity of the heists and how they pulled them off. This one is a great read about a diverse set of characters and found family, and for those who just appreciate a good plot-driven, spicy romance.

3.5 stars

A crew of thieves must reunite to pull off one last job. Celeste and Magnus were part of the same crew and lovers until a heist went wrong and then they went their separate ways. 5 years later they reconnect after their mentor passes away and from beyond the grave she tasks the old crew to complete a scavenger hunt and complete one last job.

This had all the making for a fun caper in the style of Ocean's 11 or The Italian Job and while the set up and plot was good, it did lack a little suspense.

Celeste and Magnus did have a connection but they argued a lot of the same things over and over and it seemed like neither of them actually wanted to listen and forgive at first. They were both stubborn and not willing to bend their thoughts and opinions to try and mend the crack in their relationship. I really started to enjoy the romance part of the story when Magnus decided he'd had enough arguing and started unabashedly flirting with Celeste instead. That's when their spark really came alive.

The supporting characters could have been more developed. I would have liked a little more background on the other members of the crew or just some more banter between them all to really show how close these people were and the history they all shared.

The diary entries from Doris were clever and insightful. Just enough background to give you an idea of who the woman was and how Celeste had modeled herself after her. Made you think if Celeste really ever really knew Doris and if Celeste will follow in her footsteps as the ultimate protégée or will she carve her own path and fight for what she wants?

I did think the pacing could have been better at first. It started pretty slow but once they got to Estonia and they started plotting the heist, it did pick up and that’s where the story took off. The heist plot was very basic and straightforward. I would have liked a little bit of a twist or hurdle to help build a little more suspense but overall a solid read that was fun and engaging.

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• Run date for when the review will be posted/published: July 23rd - release date!
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Amazon Link: Still Waiting on Approval

Jewel Me Twice was like a book straight out of axmovie, heist, comedy, witty entertainment. Tge cover alone is so beautiful, the story inside. Celeste and Magnus complimented each other as partners so well. Duos written well with chemistry always gets me!!! I laughed, u had such a great time.

JEWEL ME TWICE – Charish Reid
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-00946-3
July 23, 2024
Contemporary Romance

New York City & Europe – Present Day

Does she want to do one last heist? Even if it means reuniting with her former partner and lover. That’s the dilemma professional thief Celeste St. Pierre ponders in JEWEL ME TWICE. Five years ago, Celeste and Magnus Larsson were part of a team of jewel thieves headed by a college professor. But their last operation ended badly—and ended their romance. Their mentor is now dead and in a series of letters, she wants them to do one last jewelry heist, but they must do it as a team like the old times. Celeste isn’t sure if she wants to work with Magnus, but the job sounds tantalizing, especially since it will help them right what went wrong last time. Along with their usual partners in crime, Lawrence and Santiago, plus Celeste’s employee, Beatrice, they head first to Estonia to the first leg of their operation. Will it give the former lovers a chance to rekindle the flame, or will they continue to butt heads?

JEWEL ME TWICE is an unusual tale because in this case, crime does pay. Celeste first encountered her mentor, Doris, when she was eighteen and trying to get ahead in life. Doris introduced her to the world of jewelry heists, and it gave her a rush like she’d never experienced. Though Celeste’s last job with Doris was five years ago, she continues to steal along with the help of her own trainee, Beatrice. The end of her relationship with Magnus was acrimonious and the two haven’t spoken since. Can they work together? It soon turns out that the answer is yes, and they work beautifully together. Everyone in the group must work as a team because if something goes wrong, it could have a domino effect.

Celeste and Magnus continue to lock their horns even as they dance around their simmering attraction. Will they decide to scratch the itch in between meetings, planning, and doing their heists? Will they mend the fences and prove how great they are together? The other characters only play minor roles, though Beatrice is beginning to become attracted to Santiago. The focus of JEWEL ME TWICE is on Celeste and Magnus. Readers will be amused by their bickering and bantering back and forth. They are made for each other, but will it end with them walking away from each other again? Will their crime sprees be successful?

Grab an ice-cold drink as the love scenes between Celeste and Magnus are as steamy as a hot humid night, Will the passion they find end with a forever for them? Find out by grabbing a copy of JEWEL ME TWICE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Only the real og friends (literally just @mrsmoss410 ) will know about the time I wrote a whole paper about caper films, but I loved it, loved them and THIS BOOK gave me the same fun high as all my fave caper heist films. But better cause ROMANCE! What I’m saying is that I absolutely ate up this book and loved it and highly recommend it.

Dr. Celene St. Pierre and Dr. Magnus Larsson were lovers and crew mates stealing priceless jewels and paintings and artifacts until a botched job in Stockholm broke up the crew and ended their relationship. Now, five years later, the death of their mentor is forcing the crew back together and sends them on a stealing scavenger hunt across Europe. Once back together, Celeste and Magnus can’t deny the feelings they still have, but can they trust each other in both their job and in life?

First of all, Magnus Larsson has the dirtiest mouth of all times and I would like to clone him. He is also obsessed with Celeste from the moment he sees her again and I love love love it. Both Magnus and Celeste are orphans with very different but very traumatic pasts and the way Reid dealt with them dealing with those pasts was so careful and sweet. The rest of the crew is also a party of misfits who are family to each other and I loved them each individually as well as digging the dynamics of the crew. ALSO NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP, just finding their way back to each other, but in a healthier and fuller way.

This is for you if you love:
💎tall Nordic men with dirty mouths
💎second chance romance
💎not enough beds for everyone
💎found family
💎stealing but only from the rich
💎40-something main characters
💎heist films

Anyway it’s SO GOOD and SO FUN and out 7/23 so preorder it friends!!!

"Jewel Me Twice" by Charish Reid is a thrilling, second-chance romance featuring Celeste St. Pierre and Magnus Larsson, two professional thieves reunited for one last heist. The story is packed with chemistry and banter, making their relationship dynamic and engaging. I loved the representation of smart, clever black women and appreciated the unique plot of a heist with a found family element.

However, I found the pacing a bit slow, and I wished for more action and suspense. While the physical attraction between Celeste and Magnus was evident, I felt their emotional connection needed more depth. The story's resolution left some questions about their mentor, Doris, unanswered, which was a bit disappointing. Despite these points, it’s a fun and spicy read, perfect for fans of heist romances with mature characters. Overall, I’m excited for the potential sequel featuring other intriguing characters from this book.

I enjoy a good heist movie so the premise of this called to me straight away. Diamonds, a fun story with twists and turns and two leads with decent chemistry. 3 stars.

A solid 3 for me. Not because I didn't enjoy it but I had a hard time connecting with all the characters and caring about them. But, I did love a few things. I loved the message of female empowerment. You can tell these women are independent and determined. Also, the found family aspect. You can tell these characters have been through a lot and are willing to do one last job without question. The mature 40+ MCs. Hello! Can we get more of this please? And ultimately the spice was on point. You have the tension and the chemistry as well.

Overall, the vibe was a bit slow for me and I found myself trudging along waiting for the fun to start. I thought we had it in the beginning but then it went super slow... for me at least. I would still recommend this book for fans of second chance romance, heists, and found family. I personally just expected more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.

I really wanted to like this book- coworkers and ex friends-with-benefits fall in “love” or at least back to “friends with benefits”? Do you know what romance means? I have read some extremely good books lately and some clever and challenging contemporary romances, but this one was just awful. Clipped dialogue, huge plot holes. The jewel heist parts were confusing at best and boring at worst. There are way too many great books out this year for you to pick up this one. Very skippable.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Cringe face— they have a lot of good books, this just isn’t one of them.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Canary Street Press, and NetGalley for this ARC!

Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid is a second-chance romance with main characters in their early 4os who reunite to carry out their mentor's final wish of pulling off the ultimate heist. The heist they failed at five years prior. Celest St. Pierre, Magnus Larsson, Lawrence, and Santiago come back together, along with help from Beatrice, Celeste's assistant, and a few other acquaintances they meet along the way to try and not repeat history.

As always with Reid's stories, I appreciate and love the black women representation in her stories, and Jewel Me Twice features three incredibly smart, clever, and brave black women. Magnus has a lovely dirty mouth and a strong weakness for Celeste. When Celeste and Magnus see each other again for the first time in five years the sexual tension is strong. The attraction was never the problem, but pride definitely was and still is. Both Celeste and Magnus had difficult childhoods, and it has shaped who they are today and why they steal. I felt like I got to know Magnus and what drives him more than Celeste. At the end I felt like Celeste was still a safe to be cracked by Magnus. In this story Celeste starts to question if she truly knew her mentor mostly because the comments Lawrence, Magnus, and others make about Doris. Celeste gets to read Doris' journal to discover more about her beloved mentor, but does Celeste feel like she now knows who Doris was? Why the mysterious, passive aggressive comments from those who knew Doris? I would've loved to get Lawrence's inner thoughts about Doris.

Overall, I give this story a 3.75 rating. I enjoy Charish Reid's writing, but this story was a little slow for me and I expected more action and suspense from this band of thieves. The sexy times were sexy, but I felt like there was still so much for Celeste and Magnus to open up about. I understood the physical attraction and adrenaline-fueled romps, but I needed a little more to feel like they were truly in love with each other. Jewel Me Twice seems to be the start of a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the next story about two characters who I really enjoyed reading about in this story.

Sexy friends/coworkers to lovers - the banter and the intrigue are white hot. Loved the female empowerment component of this heist thriller.

A Delightful Blend of Humor, Heart, and Heat!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Jewel Me Twice" by Charish Reid is a delightful romance novel that seamlessly blends humor, heart, and heat. Reid has a knack for creating relatable, multi-dimensional characters and placing them in engaging, emotionally rich scenarios.

The plot follows the lives of two protagonists, whose paths cross in an unexpected and humorous way. The narrative is well-paced, with a mix of witty banter, romantic tension, and genuine emotional moments. Reid excels at character development, crafting protagonists with distinct personalities, motivations, and backgrounds. Their chemistry is palpable, making their romantic journey both believable and compelling. Supporting characters are also fleshed out, adding depth to the story.

Reid's writing is engaging and vivid. She has a way with words that brings scenes to life and immerses the reader in the story. The dialogue is sharp and often humorous, adding a layer of charm to the narrative.

The book explores themes of love, self-discovery, and personal growth. It highlights the importance of communication and trust in relationships and delves into the complexities of balancing personal aspirations with romantic commitments.

What I loved most about "Jewel Me Twice" is that it felt like the movie *Spy*, but with more romance and depth, which hooked me in completely. The added romantic elements and the deeper exploration of characters' emotions made the story even more engaging. Additionally, I appreciated that the female main character was a person of color (POC), adding a refreshing and much-needed diversity to the genre.

"Jewel Me Twice" is a thoroughly enjoyable read. It's perfect for fans of contemporary romance who appreciate a good mix of humor, heart, and heat. Charish Reid has delivered a charming and satisfying story that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next book.

If you like second-chance romance, "one last job" heists, posthumous scavenger hunts, MCs in their 40s, a child-free epilogue, and some really steamy steam, you probably want to check this one out. I wish there had been a little more resolution with the dearly departed mentor's farewell "job," but all in all this was a fun book. I think it will really appeal to contemporary romance fans who want all their romance goodness with just a little something extra to set the book apart.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

A spicy second chance romance caper! Celeste and Magnus are thieves who worked together and then split to do their own thing. She's gone legit-sort of. And now they're back together at the behest of their mentor who wants them to do one last run. Their bantering is good, some of the situations will make you chuckle and Reid does a nice job of showing how race can affect, well, being a jewel thief. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. It's light and might make a fun movie.

This was a really fun, high energy heist romance! I enjoyed Cherish's previous book so I hoped this would deliver a similar level of sweetness and spice and it did! Celeste St. Pierre and Magnus Larsson used to be in the same crew of thieves until they failed at a big job and the team broke up. 5 years later, the death of their mentor and leader of their former crew brings them back together for one last big job. I love how Celeste and Magnus are a little older (40s) but still have a great energy (and chemistry)

I enjoyed the treasure hunt across Europe and adventure of planning the heist but also the relationship building between the action. I think, like the author's other book, I wanted a little bit more at the end when everyone is happy and am hoping that there is a follow up book for two of these side characters....

ARC Review: Jewel Me Twice by Cherish Reid ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Former criminal partners Celeste St. Pierre and Magnus Larson haven’t seen each other in 5 years - since a botched mission to steal crown jewels in Sweden. Reunited after the unexpected loss of their mentor, Celeste and Magnus must decide if they can work together again to honor their mentor’s last wish - one final heist. Teaming up for a globetrotting adventure reopens old wounds and Celeste and Magnus’s sex-filled history. Can they forge a new path forward while completing a heist that threatens to drag them back to the past?

Jewel Me Twice is a fun read! It’s fast-paced, action-packed and H-O-T! I really liked the idea of a heist romance, and thought this cover was gorgeous! However, for me the heist plot and the romance plot didn’t really connect for me. Celeste and Magnus’s dynamic in the field and in the bedroom give off very different vibes, it feels like they belong in different stories. The heist plot was suspenseful and cinematic, I was on the edge of my seat to see if they could pull it off! I just wish the romantic elements were more my taste, but I’m also not a second chance romance girlie (don’t come for me 🫣).

Jewel Me Twice will be published July 22nd 2024!

Comp with Oceans 11 had me intrigued enough to request this ARC and I was glad I did. Big thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher.

NYC antique dealer Celeste St. Pierre and geology professor Magnus Larsson lead double lives as professional jewel thieves. Once romantically involved when part of the same crew, they once again cross paths on a jewel heist, and we are off to the races. Jetsetting to gorgeous locations, this steamy romance is fast-paced and entertaining, with witty dialogue and action that will have you flipping those pages.

Cons - the plot is simple. The characters aside from Celeste and Magnus are not well developed, and after a while, the storyline gets repetitive. In terms of movies, this is not one for The Criterion Channel, more along the lines of Lifetime TV.

It is what it is, and what it is is a charming, fun read perfect for the summer.

3.5 stars rounded up

I’m sure this book is wonderful as I love Charish Reid and her previous work but the formatting of this book made it difficult to read. It was just a PDF and when I tried to read this on an e-reader I kept coming across random letters and numbers and it took me out of the story to much to actually read and enjoy this one. I’ll give it another go when it is a published and in a readable format.