A stolen family heirloom, a broke duke, and a heist to steal it back, what could go wrong? Well, apparently falling for your mark within 2 seconds of meeting him and failing to even work the job well. The story follows Chloe Wynchester, a “dull and forgetable” mask she wears to blend in, her and her adopted siblings are trying to find the stolen painting that belonged to their adopted father who had died. The painting was stolen by the Duke of Faircliffe right before their father died and now they finally have an opportunity to steal it back. Lawrence Gosling, the son of the previous Duke of Faircliffe is left to deal with all the debts and mistakes his father made before he died. Lawrence needs to marry a rich wife to pay back everything and fix the estate. Chloe accidentally kidnaps Lawrence while trying to steal the painting and then, as they say, the rest is history. Now, onto my thoughts.... this book made me a little mad. Before you think I’m going to say I hate the book, I don’t, it just did not live up to my expectations. Heres why, Chloe is the WORST person to be the “leader” of her family’s little heist in trying to get back their “most important family heirloom” as she literally falls in love with her mark within a few minutes and then can’t seem to remember to do her job at all, she’s a lovesick person the entire book. Lawrence on the other hand is, well, a douche. He claims he loves Chloe oh so much and that “she’s like air and he breathes her in” but goes on and on about duty and finding a rich wife, soooooo SPOILERS:

Spoiler

he literally has sex with her and goes into it thinking, yeah I’m gonna have sex with her but our entire relationship is temporary and I will find a rich wife, but for now I’ll just enjoy having sex with her while I do this. He tells her to her face their entire relationship is temporary and that she isn’t worth it. That being with her isn’t worth it and dumps her. The worst part? WITHIN A FEW DAYS SHE TAKES HIM BACK. I CAN’T WITH THESE TWO. Anyways I was ten times more invested in her siblings, in Phillipa, and even in Southerby. Hell, I would rather she end up with Southerby than Lawrence.

I just found myself annoyed at Chloe and how she had ONE JOB but couldn’t even do that, and at Lawrence because he’s just so ugh. SO, even though I really didn’t like these two characters, I did like the other characters so much more, and HELLO we’re getting a sequel with Tommy and Phillippa... two ladies who are interesting as all heck and I AM SO EXCITED AND CAN’T WAIT because I know for sure they have to be at least so much better than these two. So in summary, this first book in the series just did not work for me, but I did enjoy all the side characters and can’t wait to see where the next romance goes between the two very interesting ladies!

*Thanks Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*