A compelling read and a wild ride!

Ruthi is bent on avenging her sister's broken heart by pretending to be a debutante to win over the man who did the heartbreaking. Ruthi did not account for his sister Sol, and soon Ruthi finds herself enmeshed in an even higher stakes scheme. Oh, and the whole thing takes place in space.

This was a brilliant debut mixing sci fi with Sapphic romance featuring a con artist. I loved the world building and the characters and all the moving parts.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

This is a fun read that took all the typicals a turned them askew in a new take that made this a book unlike any I could compare it to.

The worldbuilding was well done - fully immersive but unique that it didn't feel like a copy paste from every other sci-fi future. I liked that there is a whole 1920s/1940s vibe for the whole book, it gave it a new layer that I really enjoyed.

To me I think the con as a whole fell a bit flat for most of the book - I think because even as Ruth points out multiple times Esteban is not a difficult mark, and I still have a hard time figuring out what her sister ever saw in him. The subplots add in the intrigue and conning that I think the main con is lacking so it's still a fun read with all the right genre elements that I crave from heist/long con stories.

I didn't feel the chemistry between Ruth and Sol that I wanted, although I can't quite put my finger on why. I think it's mostly they didn't interact enough for me to really feel like I understood the attraction on Ruth's part. We do see Sol become more complex and layered, but I still found it hard to be sympathetic with her problems.

I appreciated that we can see through Ruth the commentary on the richest classes and how their wealth impacts their worldview/lives- and probably why I love heists and long con stories. It's nice to see the people usually obviously to real problems and consequences get it a bit of comeuppance. We also see Ruth grow in her relationship with her sister which I thought was really well done.

All that said, again it is really a fun book with multiple stories and layers that makes this a better than usual book and a great summer read or for a book club.

This was fun! A sci fi crime caper with a dash of romance that evokes the vibes of the Roaring 20's. The world building and characters were great, and I loved the way the ending was pulled off--very clever and satisfying!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read, I enjoyed the sisterly bond and the inclusion and diversity of this book. Ocean 8 vibes with a twist of sapphic made me giggle and kick my fèet, I loved every part of this book especially the last line of the book making me gasp and then giggle.

This was a great queer romance with a fun and engaging heist plot. Diverse characters and great worldbuilding. Would recommend for those interested in black, Jewish, and diverse science fiction romances.

Loved this take on "The Lady Eve" set in space. A grifter sets her sights on the man who wronged her sister. She will make him pay. If only his sister wasn't so beguiling or smart or everywhere.

a revenge heist turned sapphic romance set in space? sign me up! this was compulsively readable and a huge amount of fun. brilliantly well formed characters in a uniquely exciting and opulent high society.

Thank you to NetGalley and Solaris for my digital review copy.

I really enjoyed this book!

I loved the setting - the glitz, the glamour - it's almost Gatsby-ean in the vibes and I am absolutely the target audience for any form of Jazz Age inspiration.

This was a delightful blend of an almost caricature Jazz Age, coupled with sci-fi and I loved every second of it.

Ruth as a character is complex - she has one goal, but many obstacles in trying to reach said goal, and I lived for seeing her scheme and plot her way through high society.

The plot pacing of this book felt really great to me - it progressed naturally and didn't feel too slow or too quick.

I would have liked more of an explanation to the sci-fi technology and I would have liked the ending to be better, but overall, I would recommend this book for someone who wants something sapphic and fun to read.

Ruthi Johnson has a plan. An experienced con woman, she is going to charm Esteban, the wealthy insurance heir who knocked up and ditched her sister. Once the betrothal contract is signed, she’ll be able to take off with a good chunk of money for her sister and future niece, as well as leaving the asshole publicly humiliated.

The complication is the mark’s sister Sol, who is immediately suspicious of this supposed heiress from a remote colony world. She is also attractive and charming, and a crush is a whole *other* complication Ruthi wasn’t counting on.

Things get even more tangled when Ruthi finds out Sol is in debt to the mob - and the mobster on hand is an old acquaintance of Ruthi’s. He’s got no problem with her running her own game, so long as she stays out of the mob’s business. But he would appreciate it greatly if she used her in with the family to do him a trifling favor or two…

This is a fun romp with clever people outsmarting other clever people in a world of glitz & glamor. I love a con story, and this is a good one. Ruthi is caught between many opposing forces - her desire to get comeuppance for her sister; her desire to protect Sol from the mob; her desire to avoid drawing the ire of the mob herself, as they generally don’t like people telling them “no;” her worries over being so far from her pregnant sister.

The atmosphere has a distinct Roaring Twenties/Art Deco vibe, which the cover strongly reinforces. It’s fun, it’s filled with twists, and it’s spicy. Great entertainment.

🍸 𝕃𝕒𝕕𝕪 𝔼𝕧𝕖’𝕤 𝕃𝕒𝕤𝕥 ℂ𝕠𝕟 🍸

Ruth has only ever cared about one thing in the galaxy, her sister Jules. Orphaned at a young age she took care of her the only way available, a life of crime. Seasoned con artists the girls know how to get what they want, until the game is flipped and Jules ends up with broken heart.

Now Ruth is out for revenge. Posing as rural heiress she sets her sights on the fortune of the man who hurt her sister. The stakes are high but Ruth knows how to play her hand, until a wild card she didn’t expect enter the game: the marks sister. Sol is on to Ruth’s plan and doing everything she can to stop her. However, being stopped suddenly doesn’t seem so bad. As Ruth gets closer to payout she may have to choose between losing the money or her heart.

I’ve never considered myself much of a romance reader but after this I may have to broaden my horizons. This book was so much fun! It reads like a 1920’s noir but takes place in a future where we’ve successfully colonized the galaxy. Imagine flapper girls in zero gravity and tell me you’re not intrigued.

The writing was honestly what hooked me. Ruth’s voice comes thru so clearly with language that is so colorful and candid you can’t help but feel like your with bestie giggling over cocktails.

The author does an amazing job of world building through out the narrative in a way I like to describe storytelling versus explaining. It just flows naturally.

The romance aspect was enemies to lovers, filled with witty banter, and leaves you on the edge of your seat waiting for the moment they realize how their relationship has evolved. I loved every minute of it.

If you enjoy fun, light hearted, sapphic romance with a noir feel, I highly recommend you adding this read to your TBR. Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Pub Date: June 4, 2024

Thank you NetGalley and Sorrell Publishing for a free e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Lady Eve's Last Con is a book that promises a hustle based plot line with in built romance and boy did it deliever! Ruth is on a mission to get revenge and a payout from her sisters ex, after he left her heartbroken, however what Ruth did not expect was falling for Esteban's sister. Can Ruth get the revenge she desires or will her feelings for her targets sister alter her plans?

This book was brilliant, first off the cover is stunning and it has fascinating world building (with humans inhabiting other planets with artificial environments which sounds so intriguing and brilliant) I did get a little lost in regards to the planets proximity to each other so would have loved a galaxy map to show just where each of the planets were and how they connected.

The romance is brilliant with an unusual love triangle, but the tension and chemistry between Sol and Ruth is palpable and very well written, especially the one steamy scene that is described very tactfully so! I enjoyed the way they interacted with each other, and seemed to encourage each other's behaviours, I completely shipped them, but I couldn't get a read on which way the author was going to take their relationship! The book was paced really well and I liked the build up throughout, you were really able to get inside Ruth's head, and as a main character I really liked her and understood her intentions. The author did a great job of keeping the reader engaged and I like how the pace picked up with the big con reveal/action sequence it was completely engrossing!

The characters were all great, I really liked Ruth, Sol and Julia, I enjoyed reading the sisters interactions and would have loved to have more reading time with the pair of them as their scenes were brilliant, you could just feel the bond and relationship they had, plus adding Sol into that mix was brilliant, she gave just as good as she got. I think Esteban was a little bit of a wallflower in this story, he seemed to be more of an object in this story to be used for the plots development, but I didn't really get a connection or sense of personality from him, I would of liked to see how his story ended to be honest.

Overall this is a great book, with a sapphic hustlers ploy, with plenty of shock reveals and brilliant relationships throughout, I would love a sequel!

4.5

I was initially unsure about Lady Eve's Last Con - for what I had taken to be a space-faring, futuristic heist, there was an air of regency comedy of manners about it. However, as the plot hit its stride and the characters developed fully, the two seemingly conflicting genres worked together beautifully. I found the first-person narrative really engaging - I like the occasional nod to noir and heist tales with Ruth's tone. I was taken aback by how much I warmed to her as a character - I was truly rooting for her by the end, and let out a gasp aloud at a particular twist (despite having seen it coming all along) as I was so invested. I also enjoyed watching Ruth and Sol interact - the development of their relationship felt both real and satisfying, as the reader got to see them work through their various issues.
4.5 rounded up to 5 because I had such a good time reading it.

This was a delightful, fun book! I breezed through it — the characters are charming and distinct, and the world-building adds flavor without becoming overly complicated or distracting. Satisfying romance and family story-lines — I will be eagerly looking for Fraimow's next book!

This was a fun, lighthearted and quirky clean sapphic romance set in a futuristic, interstellar, 1920's-esque high society.

The story, told in first person, follows a con artist Ruth Johnson who arrives in the high society of New Monte while pretending to be an eligible debutante, Evelyn Ojukwu - a princess from a faraway planet. She immediately captures the attention of Esteban Mendez-Yuki, one of the wealthiest heirs in New Monte, with the intent of making him fall in love with her, marry her, break his heart, and steal his fortune as revenge for breaking her sister's heart. Things don't go as plan when Esteban's charming and brilliant sister, Sol, appears to be suspicious of her and seems to have her figured out.

I found the worldbuilding, particularly the technology aspect, to be a bit flimsy (the technology seems high-tech... but also not? Also, when do they use breathers - is it just an optional fashion choice to be carried around for emergencies?) but the high-society and futuristic parties and social engagements were pretty interesting.

I'll also note that the con also didn't seem well thought out (if I were Ruth's sister, I'd be LIVID that my sister ran off to marry my ex, even if it's just to scam his of his money).

The romance and banter was fun (even though I wasn't the biggest fan of Ruth's personality and voice), and the story was fast-paced (although maybe a bit too rushed at times).

Overall, a decent book for those looking for a light-hearted sci-fi story.

this book started off really strong but lost me throughout the last half. (this is very much my fault since i was hindered from reading it).

i enjoyed the sapphic romance plot as well as the sci-fi plot very much.
overall this is a very enjoyable and fun story.

THIS WAS A MASTERPIECE! put it in a museum! it deserves so much recognition! i’m going to blast it in all socials! everyone needs to read this book!!

A quick perusal of publishing deal announcements will show you that there are basically two types of fiction books: those described as “lyrical” vs. those described as “voice-y." It’s a fairly decent stand in for picking out the literary books from the genre. I enjoy both varieties, but skills wise, I’m pretty fairly entrenched in the “voice” camp. Plus, as a reader I find them compulsively fun. Which is why I practically inhaled Rebecca Fraimow’s adult sci fi Lady Eve's Last Con

I’ve enjoyed Fraimow's short stories before, because they are often the delicious form of bizarre that makes my heart sing (robot nuns anyone?) and sometimes come paired with queer Jewish representation. In this longer piece we meet Ruthi, a con artist looking to pull a scam on the billionaire that knocked her sister up and dumped her. That's all well and good, except the young man in question has a big sister named Sol that is hot on Ruthi’s tail and has some shady dealings of her own that keep complicating matters. 

Within two sentences I was completely immersed in both Ruthi's world and knew exactly who and what she was. This is no small feat, as Lady Eve's Last Con has a tremendous amount of world building - imagine a space age Bridgerton - yet by carefully selecting Ruthi's words, Fraimow allows the reader to grasp it all seamlessly. By the time Sol, a veritable lady killer in her own right, shows up I was having a debate with myself about whether I wanted to be Ruthi or be with her. Sol cleared that up - all the girls want to be with Sol. Including Ruthi, which presents a bit of a challenge to the whole conning Sol's brother plan. 

The book has a delightful sense of humor, exceptionally witty banter, but mostly the best love interest I’ve seen in a very long time. And lest I miss out on any of my favored bizarre factor - kosher duck plays a crucial plot point. 

I’ll admit that my reading and writing favor high heat romance. But sometimes watching two extremely clever individuals circle each other, almost but not quite bringing their flirtation to fruition, has its own benefits. Namely a sex scene at the end that can only be described as explosive. Maybe sometimes good things do come to those that wait. Plus, given the speed with which I read this book, I didn’t have to wait all that long. 

The ways in which I fell in love with these characters are numerous, but it was all made possible by Ruthi's unique voice. She’s possibly the most distinct character voice I have read this year. I could pick up a random page, out of context, and know instantly that it came from Lady Eve. It’s aspirational, and swoony, and I hope to see more bizarre shenanigan books soon from Fraimow. 

Note: BookishlyJewish received a free e-ARC of this book through NetGalley

Absolutely fantastic! I love a good con artist, and it was hugely refreshing to read a book where kashrut and Yiddish are just no big deal, part of the story but not the entire point of the story. This'll definitely be in my shortlist of best books read this year - it was so funny and fast and just plain fun! And I loved the nuance in the relationships between each set of siblings, the masks we put on and the ways we try so hard to show up for each other.

I got this as a review ARC ebook, and am about to go pre-order a physical copy too - I want this one on my shelf for reals!

This was SO CUTE! I absolutely loved this story, and the development of the characters and their love story was so fun to experience.

If you are looking for an action-packed, science fiction novel with a touch of romance, then "Lady Eve's Last Con" by Rebecca Fraimow is the perfect book for you. The story follows two sisters, Ruth and Jules, who have been hustlers on interstellar cruise lines for years. However, Jules falls in love with Esteban Mendez-Yuki, the sole heir to the family insurance fortune, and it seems that he reciprocates her feelings until he discovers who she really is.

Ruth, determined to seek revenge, disguises herself as a provincial debutante named Evelyn Ojukwu and sets out to make Esteban fall in love with her, only to break his heart and take half his fortune. But Ruth didn't count on Esteban's older sister, Sol, who is a genius in a dashing suit and much harder to deceive.

As Ruth and Sol engage in a battle of wits, Ruth must decide whether to pursue her plan for monetary gain or follow her heart. The novel is fast-paced, with engaging characters and an intriguing plot that will keep you hooked until the very end. Overall, "Lady Eve's Last Con" is an entertaining read that blends romance, adventure, and science fiction elements seamlessly.