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3.5⭐

This book pulled me in with its mix of historical setting, subtle magic, and a romance that felt natural and forward throughout. The writing style was smooth and easy to follow, making it a fun read. But the ending?

I really enjoyed the ride through most of this book. The writing was easy to sink into, the pacing kept me turning pages, and the dynamic between Evelyn and Jaq had just the right amount of tension and warmth. The romance is absolutely front and center.

For the majority of the story, I was invested. It gave me what I wanted: a clever heist woven with slow-burn romance, and a unique alternate-history setting that didn’t feel overcomplicated. The balance between plot and character development worked well.

But the ending… no. I didn’t enjoyed the ending

This book exceeded my expectations. I picked it up because I can never overlook a good heist book. But not just the heist but the plot is very well thought out.
The FMC is a clever robber with excellent knife/archer skills and sleight of hand. She is recruited by "The Reaper" to steal a precious and magically bound gemstone to expose a brutal noble. She accepts but she has to work with another recruitee that being the MMC. The MMC has got the mysterious vibe going for him. He is equally smart and cunning and is kind of infuriating. They both pair up well and are on par with each other on their skills.
The world can be said to have magic but not in the typical sense. You don't see much magic in the book but those pertaining to the MMC and some kind of enchantments. I would have liked to see other nature-related magic mentioned in the book,
Now this is where I'll give some minor spoilers so read with caution. There are at least 3 twists at the end. One of them is very predictable but you still get excited over it. The other two made me freak out. I was like 'What the FUCK!!!' the whole time. If you read it I'm sure you'll agree with me.
I loved this book and can't wait for the sequel. Please give it to me now!!!!
Lastly, I would like to say that this book was adventurous. thrilling, spicy, romantic, funny and humorous and a lot more. I hope others pick it up and see how much effort and love the author has put into it and come to love it as I now do.
*Thank you Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Netgalley for the ARC**

With sharp banter, a richly atmospheric Paris setting, and chemistry that sears, Gray delivers a heist story that’s thrilling, impassioned, and impossible to put down.

This is one of those books where I’m shocked more people aren’t talking about it! There is so much happening in this book and I’m so glad it’s going to be a series because I can’t wait to learn more about the world and the magic in it!
Set in France, shortly after the revolution, we follow Evelyn a young girl who also happens to be a notorious assassin. We quickly learn that Evelyn is living this double life so she can help the orphanage that took her and her sister in stay afloat. One night she is approached by The Reaper about stealing something most valuable to one of the most vile men in the country, Elias Chapelle, the man who killed Evelyn’s parents.
This book has a little bit of everything. The basis is a heist story but there is romance, revenge, and family as well. Evelyn has vowed to get revenge on the man who killed her parents but also wants to make sure above all her sister is cared for.
Some of the “twists” were very easy to guess and I felt it was a bit weak in the world building department. I want to know more about how magic works in this world. I also would love to know a bit more about the political climate - this doesn’t need to be a focal point but since it’s just after the revolution some context here would be nice.
The highlight for me were the Catacombs! I thought it was extremely unique and creative to use them as a magical maze. This is the main setting for a large chunk of the book since this is where the heist takes place and boy did Gray make them eerie and creepy and at times even I felt claustrophobic reading it!
I really enjoyed this one, highly recommend and I am anxiously awaiting the next book!

Oh this was fun!!

The writing style was magical and enthralled me from the very beginning. Now, I love a unique, action-packed and high-stakes heist plot and this had exactly that!! It may have been slow to build but once it kicked off, it was unlike anything I've ever read. I really enjoyed the pacing of the whole journey both Evelyn and Jaq went on together.

The romance between them was full of witty banter and tension-filled proximity which was very addicting.

There were a few solid twists; a few I guessed and a few that took me by surprise. Which brings me to ending...damn. I knew going in that this book is part one of a duology so I was prepared for the ending to be left on a possible cliffhanger. I was not prepared for the emotional shock. No spoilers here!! But a certain character choice left my emotions a complete mess before theorising all the possibilities for part two.

I'm SO ready for the sequel!!

The Heartbeat Heist is such a fun, high-stakes romp—thievery, magic, enemies-to-lovers, all set beneath Paris in the catacombs. Evelyn (the Bird of Bordeaux) is a badass FMC with a plan: a relic, revenge for her parents, and enough money to save the orphanage that raised her. Partnered with Jaq, who’s clever, dangerous, and infuriating, the tension between them is practically a character in itself.

I was hooked by the atmosphere and the heist setup, but some parts felt rushed—world-building and character backstories could’ve used more room to breathe. Also, a few plot twists I saw coming, which lessened the “surprise” factor for me. The ending is bold, though, and left me with a lot of emotions.

If you like morally gray characters, romantic tension that builds, and heists with magic, this is one to add to your TBR

This was such a great book! The story was very well written and I could not put it down. And the romance was so addictive!

Dark romance meets fantasy set against the stunning architecture of Paris and the dregs of the French Revolution. Alternate history is fun.

This book, oh my lord where do I begin? We have slooooow burn, we have shadow daddy, we have 1800's Parisian settings, we have plot, we have a freaking HEIST... there is so much in this book and it all works out so well and honestly, I don't think you could have this book without all of these things. I cannot wait for the second book.... I may have already told my boss that I would be taking PTO the day it comes out to read it and then reread it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC and HUGE thanks to Florence Gray for the amazing read.

We are in France in the 1800s after the French Revolution. This is an alternate fantastical version.
Evelyn lost her parents when she was young and ended on the streets. There she tried to survive by little pocket picking, stealing, ... One day she sees an even younger child she has mercy on and decides to take care of her. As she then tries to steal from the wrong person both their lives change for the better. They end up at the Vineyard, an orphanage where over the years more and more children end up and are being taken care of.
To make sure these kids have a good place to be Evelyn is now a master thief and even has an alias. She is the Bird of Bordeaux, even so everybody assume as typical during this time that this master thief is a man. A shadowy figure makes her a job offer she is unable to resist. She is supposed to steal a relic of dark magic which is sealed in the tunnels beneath Paris. Her reward would be enough money so the future of the Vineyard is secured but most of all revenge on her parents murderer. The only downside is she won´t work alone, as usually, no this time she has to team up with an interesting young man called Jaq who explored parts of the tunnels. Can these two strangers trust each other? What is this unexpected attraction between them and as both have secrets will they have a chance to survive this risky heist?


For me this story sounded interesting as we have here a mix of a story about a thief, a romance, fantasy as magic is partially also woven in and secrets.

I liked the idea that our hero is a young woman, a well known thief but as typical for the time everybody assumes the Bird of Bordeaux is a man, hence this is giving her a good coverage. The story starts with Evelyn fighting very strongly to survive a job which goes wrong and where is also has no issue killing to make sure she will survive. She was good written, to see how she is with the little girl she sees like a sister was wonderfully done and shows us a totally different side of her character. Still I must confess she was not really a character I liked, one I could really understand in her actions.
Jaq is an interesting counterpart but also one with lots of secrets, who is keeping many things from her.
The feelings between both of them, how much they feel for each other could not really convince me.

The idea that both want revenge for people they loved but lost due to the same evil man and want to destroy him is a good idea. The tunnels below Paris, the riddles, what is waiting there for them is interesting written but I must confess as nearly from the start I guessed the plot twists so there were no surprises for me.

So it was interesting to read, had good parts in it but unfortunately did neither the setting, the characters or the story really catch my attention so much that I couldn´t stop reading, that I was lost in the storyline.

Only one mystery remains which I assume will be solved in the second book but I doubt that I will give the second book a chance.

Quite an engaging story but ultimately a little to predictable for my liking.

I did enjoy the chemistry between the two main characters, the banter was A+, Jaq is a great love interest. What I didn’t enjoy though was the hard switches from they love and they hate each other, sometimes for seemingly no reason, or at least none that were apparent to me.

The plot set-up was interesting but the ending fell flat for me, especially because I guessed the „plot twists“ pretty early on and it just weren’t very good ones to begin with, sadly.

I really wanted to enjoy the book more but ultimately it was a bit too simple and straight-forward for me, just wish there was more to it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Heartbeat Heist.

I'm not often one for an urban setting for a fantasy/romantasy book but I did enjoy the premiss. I felt as though some of the back story of the characters seemed a little rushed, and it did have me pondering on the timeline that the book follows and the ages of some of the characters at the time of certain events.

But we always love a strong FMC, and it's a slow burn, he's got shadow daddy vibes. So if you can read it for the fun and vibes of it all I tink this book would be for you.

The Heartbeat Heist is a fast-paced, action-packed romantasy set in the catacombs of Paris. Evelyn is a skilled thief known throughout her village as the Bird of Bordeaux. When a mysterious figure proposes the ultimate heist, Evelyn finds herself accepting. However, she soon regrets her decision when she's told she won't be working alone; rather, she will be partnered with Jaq, a charming, clever, and infuriatingly handsome con artist. While she knows she cannot trust Jaq, she also realizes that this heist, which will take them into the dark and magical mazes of the Paris catacombs, will not be easy. The two must not only work together if they hope to acquire the sought-after relic but also fight their growing feelings for each other.

The Heartbeat Heist has a bit of everything: morally gray characters, atmospheric settings, intriguing heists, and romance. I really like both Evelyn and Jaq as characters. I actually really hope that in the next book, we'll get Jaq's POV as well. I absolutely loved the banter between the two main characters! In addition to great characters, I also thoroughly enjoyed the overall plot and the ultimate heist. I had fun piecing together the puzzle along with Evelyn and Jaq. My one critique would be that I wished some of the scenes had been more developed. I, especially, felt that the challenges in the catacombs were rushed. I would have liked a longer book with more detailed and drawn-out chapters. I also would have liked if a bit more time had been spent on the development of their relationship. Nonetheless, the ending is definitely a cliffhanger, and I can't wait for book 2.

Wow. This was such a ride! I loved that this whole book was set in the France after the Reign of Terror following the Revolution. We are following Evelyn or as she is infamously known as The Bird of Bourdeaux-an anonymous and notoriously skilled theif. Until she meets Jaq, a seemingly entitled gentleman of society. He saves her life during a heist, but these two are thrust together in another heist. To steal an amulet of a notorious cult leader and reported serial killer. The book is basically them preparing to enter the Paris Catacombs and break through the magic locks within them to find this amulet while also learning to trust each other when both have lived their lives not trusting anyone. This books on a kind of cliffhanger but I hope there is an answer on the horizon. I really loved the banter between these two and the whole time period is fascinating to me as well. Absolutely recommend if you want a good fantastical thriller.

✨ Quick Summary & 🍵 Tea Thoughts
Evelyn—the “Bird of Bordeaux”—is a master thief with a heart for justice and an orphanage to protect. When the enigmatic Reaper hires her for a high-risk heist under the streets of Paris, she has to team up with Jaq, a lethal, cocky shadow-wielding thief. Their reluctant partnership sparks wild tension, magic cloaked in shadow, and a game of trust that might just burn everything down.

Rereading this was like jumping back into a Parisian fever dream. The banter still slaps, the catacombs still feel like a trap I’d fall into, and yes, Jaq’s shadow-daddy energy still has me heart-eying the page. Only thing—some parts still sprint through the worldbuilding and character layers too fast, like they’re bingeing ahead and leaving you starving for more. But the tension, those quiet betrayals, and the heist chaos? Still unmatched.

🏰 Paris underbelly
🚨 High-stakes heist
🖤 Enemies-to-lovers tension
🕷 Shadow magic
🥀 Morally gray heroine
🔥 Slow-burn chemistry

I didn't love this book and found myself choosing to doom scroll instead of read which isn't like me.

There were lots of areas where commas were used unnecessarily and times when they weren't used. Grammar sets the tone.

While she does preface that it’s inspired by France it annoys me that she just renamed a popular nursery. One my grandmother sung to me. Alouette, Gentille Alouette. She renamed it Gentille Alouette Gentille. So sweet lark sweet. When the title is lark, sweet lark which makes grammatical sense. Also she’s called the bird of Bordeaux so why would he call her Alouette? Bird is oiseau. Like I get it you’re into French culture but girl do some googling

Her timeline is off, way off. Says she took on financial burden for the orphanage at age 14 but found Claira when she was 3 and they lived on the streets for a month until Evelyn tried to pickpocket Thea. Claira is 13 year younger than her…so Evelyn and Thea didn’t meet until she was 16….

Referring to a corset as a waist trainer was just weird…not only did women in that time NOT call them that but since this book supposedly has French influence you’d think she’s refer to it as a jump.

Also they are in France, ergo speaking French. The book is written in English so we can pretend we just all understand French. So why throw in French words? “Lower your bow, Alouette” why not say lower your bow, lark? Which also makes no sense since bird is oiseau.

British slang??? This and waist trainer took me right out. Like what?

The FMC is absolutely obnoxious, I found it hard to care about her. She's petulant and her hubris stinks.

She’s so conceited. Often mentions how exceptionally pretty she is and how she’s usually the most intelligent person in the room. Which is hilarious since she says the most obvious rebuttals.

Her hubris is eye roll inducing. Thinking being infamous means you’re worth your salt. When I’d assume being a thief and assassin you’d want to be as anonymous as possible. She was only known because she fucked up a heist and almost got herself caught. Which is exactly what happened when she met Jaq. Yet she thinks she’s better than him? She’s giving 15 yr old girl not 20 year old hardened orphan.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I really loved this book. The setting, the time period, and the characters. The FMC was very likable, and the MMC was an amazing blonde, shadow daddy. Their interactions and growth throughout the book were very well written, and the ending threw me for a loop! Can’t wait for book 2!

This was actually pretty good! I loved the writing style. It was so addictive and the plot was THERE. The only reason why it took me so long to read this was cause life was super busy🙂‍↕️. But there were a few things keeping this book from getting 5 stars.

First of all, I felt like this book was kind of rushed? Well the beginning was nice we had all the background info but as the book was coming to an end… well it just ended too quickly! One moment we were in a grand heist and then the next we were walking and laughing together as if we weren’t kidnapped a few pages ago😭🙏. I also didn’t see the character development that much, the book was mostly focused on the conflict but I definitely wanted more of the main character- Evelyn.

But besides the negative I really liked the fantasy aspect of this book and the lore. Of course the backstories were definitely rushed at the end and they kind of seemed like a last minute thought.

So honestly the main problem of this book was that it just felt rushed but it was super close to five stars. That ending was completely unexpected and would make any reader want the next book

🔥♥️ The Heartbeat Heist by @morallygrayauthor @azalapress was an unexpectedly unputdownable read.

If you love a strong FMC, a Paris setting, heist adventures, and yearning - this one’s for you! Available now on KU 📲📕

Jaq. Man, oh man. When he took care of Evelyn after she was shot… it wasn’t a huge part of the story but it was so intimate to me. There was so much vulnerability. I cannot wait for book 2!!

| enjoyed this book, the heists were very interesting and seeing how the magic works was entertaining. It was captivating! Love that it was happening during the early 1800s in France The MMC was full of charms and wit, definitely makes you want to know more about him.
The FMC is a badass but was sometimes too arrogant!
I like confident women but not much into arrogance personally. And It's part of characters, they need to be flawed too.
Some plot twists were predictable but some were very interesting. The secrets and hints of betrayal keep you in the story.
If you like tension, banter, thrilling moments and good pacing then this book is for you!