When I read the premise for Don't Go Stealing My Heart, I was so excited. A gender-swapped Thomas Crown Affair? Ummm, yes PLEASE. That's very much my shit.

Unfortunately, this book ended up being a Very Messy Affair™ instead. (Yes, my puns are crap, I'll see myself out now.) The tone and pacing were all over the place, and the insta-love story—and its bizarre Christian Grey-esque sexually controlling billionaire subplot—only left me with endless whiplash. Many of the supporting characters were adorable, but they couldn't salvage some of the other issues here. Even after reading, I'm still scratching my head as to if this was a rom-com, a romantic drama, a family drama, a psychological thriller, or something else?

There was a lot of potential here, and several passages in the book were ultra-compelling and/or really funny. I just think there were so many elements to keep track of that the whole novel got bogged down in its ambitions, and as a result, everything suffered. I hate to do this, but I have to give it 1.5 stars.

4.5

Don't Go Stealing My Heart isn't the lightest (or realistic) read out there, with the heroine having lost both her parents early on and having to be put into foster care, and the hero being bullied in the past and having to deal with a sick father. I thought this was drag the story down, but I've always loved the 'two lost/lonely souls find each other' storyline. And that's what Clementine and Jack seemed like to me: lost and lonely. I loved the characters of Clementine and Jack, even though at times I wondered if there were actually people out there who were as *good* as they were (maybe I'm just a cynic, though). Both Clementine and Jack were fairly strong people, but they had such vulnerable sides too. I especially loved the fact that Jack could be confident and swoony, but he could also be so shy at times.
The romance between Clementine and Jack made me want to squeal and cry and jump up and down!! One of the reasons I liked it so much because of the fact that they were both so flustered when it came to the other. You could tell they were stupid for each other, and it was just adorable. But I think most of it came down to the fact that I was just rooting for these two people to be happy, and being together did that for them.
As I said before, throughout the book there were some things that I questioned because I thought they were unrealistic, and other things that I felt were unnecessary (c'mon, give Clementine a break), but overall I really enjoyed the book. I'll be checking out Kelly Siskind's other books, and I recommend this to people who want to read an adorable romance,

Holy uniqueness batman! You can't get more quirky than a romance novel between a female thief and an Elvis tribute artist. Don't Go Stealing My Heart is a sweet story featuring an unconventional cast of characters. Alternatively heartwarming, funny and downright wacky, the plot was a bit muddled and the ending felt rushed. I did enjoy the epilogue though. Overall I'd give this a 3.5 stars.

Wow! I really enjoyed this book. It was original and sexy. It took a while for me to get into it but once I did, I really liked Clementine and Jack!

*****
Love was everything you needed and nothing you didn’t. It was Clementine Abernathy, cat burglar, who’d stolen his heart.
*****
An adorable story that really warms in these trying times. The main lead is a gorgeous dork, who matches well with the heroine despite being almost opposites in ways.

At times there is a lot of back story, which makes the story drag a little, and the heroine has quite the convenient history so we can sympathise, and ultimately have the main lead forgive her. That said, their chemistry is sizzling and their interaction is quite adorable and I was immediately hooked.

The last 25% goes a bit haywire, but it is related to the obstacle, rather than the actual romance, so it does not necessarily affect your view of this as a romance, but I did end up skimming as I got quite bored.

Nonetheless, I would definitely recommend this.

- She popped her trunk, found the greatest invention known to humankind, and held it in the air. “Consider yourself saved.”
“Duct tape?” He grinned, and the effect had her stumbling over non-existent stone.
Someone should follow him with a road sign: Beware of dimples, shortness of breath ahead.

- “Winning is important to me, and she doesn’t live here anyway. There’s no point pursuing her.”
Marco rolled his wrist absentmindedly. “Sounds like you don’t need my advice, then.”
“Guess I don’t.”
“Yeah, you’ll be way better off without a dragon-loving woman who isn’t offended by your recessive seduction gene and seems attracted to an Elvis impersonator-“
“Tribute artist.”
“I’m just saying, forgetting her seems like a swell idea. One you won’t regret at all.” Marco’s sarcasm was annoyingly insightful.

- They were nearing uncomfortable territory. “I’m not good enough for you.”
“Ah.” He brushed his lips against hers. “At twenty-eight, you, Clementine Abernathy, are taking a leap of faith. Staying the course is easier than admitting wrong or changing. I’d be proud to call you mine.”
There he was with that hypothetical persimmon again, teasing her out, offering her the roots she craved. “You should also know I read the newspaper backwards.”

*****

- “I’m feeling…things,” she said. She bit her lip, a hitch to her breath.
They were both feeling plenty of things. Fear things. Too big things. But her affection for him was written all over her flushed cheeks.

3.75 stars

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3221243042

Quirky & offbeat, with a bit of suspense — this book was so different than I anticipated. While it wasn’t my favorite, I think many readers will still enjoy the story and fall in love with the characters.

Clementine is a modern day Robin Hood with a painful past. She makes a brilliant con-woman and doesn’t get attached to anyone… until she falls for the mark of her latest heist: Jack. He’s supposed to be a conceited & heartless trust-fund snob, but she quickly learns he is anything but.

While I loved the quirkiness of the characters & was rooting for them the whole way, I also found the story hard to connect with and over the top at times. There were moments that felt real and raw, and others that just felt clunky. Ultimately, it was still an enjoyable story and if you’re up for an offbeat romance with a little suspense, you should give it a go.

Kelly Siskind is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors of romance. I fell in love with New Orleans Rush and then tore through Don't Go Stealing my Heart. Clementine and Jack were so well fleshed out with interesting and somewhat heartbreaking backstories. Their feelings bordered on instalove, but it worked well. Be warned it is a very steamy read, but the physical connection added to a solid emotional bond.

I'm already looking forward to BEAT MATCH in the fall.

4 stars
sweet and fun, but also real
Clementine is a female robin Hood, stealing expensive artworks, to sell and help orphanages. Her current target is Van Gogh owned by Maxwell jack David's wealthy family, but everything about this heist is going to be different.

I really loved the main characters and easily felt connected with them. Clementine had a rough childhood, losing both her parents in a tragic way, then she had to be put into several foster homes. but I genuinely liked jack's character more, and I appreciated the fact that the story focused on realistic vulnerabilities in a guy like stuttering. But the whole chemistry between them felt a little rushed out to me, and a little bit Disney-like.
my advanced copy was provided by Netgalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review, to them many thanks <3

This book was so good! The characters were so well rounded, you felt like you actually knew them! The plot was so good you didn't want the book to end!

After careful consideration, I will not be leaving a review for this book and I just left a note to the publishers why I won't be providing feedback due to personal reasons. Thank you publishers for giving me the chance to read this book. It is only rated three stars because I had to still leave a rating to this book.

This was really cute, albeit somewhat kitschy/unrealistic...I felt like it had a lot of potential, but the execution wasn't perfect. I think part of it was that the writing was clunky in places - I had to stop and reread things a few times. That said, I thought it was a cute story with some laugh out loud moments. I would definitely read more from the author!

I've read this author's books before and enjoyed them, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read this one as well. I was intrigued by the blurb and had visions of Jennifer Crusie and Janet Evanovich heist books (which I love) swimming around in my head. This turned out to be different, though, and while not my favorite read by this author, I did enjoy it for the most part. I really liked Clementine and Jack, and I loved them together. There's a lot happening in this book, but despite that, I found myself skimming in a few spots where the story seemed to drag. It picked back up, though, and I was anxious to see how everything was resolved. The Epilogue is great. Overall, I give this one 3.5 stars and definitely recommend it to other readers, especially those who like strong female leads who have overcome traumatic pasts.

Thank you to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing an ARC for review.

As much as I tried to like this book, I really couldn't. I didn't connect with the characters no matter how hard I tried to, and the story itself wasn't something I was interested in. That being said, I do suggest reading it as I'm sure a lot of people would like it. I just couldn't connect with Clementine, I did like Jack a bit more tho. I was excited to go into this book because I haven't read very many heist romance books, but this book just wasn't going the way I hoped it would.

2.5 stars

I was so excited when I got a copy of this book thinking it’s gonna be a cute fun read, but i think that maybe its just wasn't for me. My problem with this book is that it kinda failed to fit into a category. It failed to be a cute fun romcom or an emotional serious book. It was just laying there somewhere in between. I didn’t know how I should look at it as it has failed in achieving either. And I hate to say that, but it felt like the book was just filled with many pity parties. The idea was cute and could have been enjoyable if it was just done well. Everything was rushed that it felt kinda clumsy. I found it kinda hard to connect with the characters or take any of them seriously. Actually, they both really annoyed me. The story had potential, it just took a really cheesy route. Unfortunately, I didn’t like it as much as I hoped.

*A copy was kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest. Thank you.*

This was a disappointment for me :( I've read a few of Kelly's other books and always found them to be super enjoyable. This just didn't do it for me.

To start, the situation between the two romantic leads was so harsh! They weren't a pair that were at odds that were able to be overcome. She was trying to steal a priceless painting from a man who needed to money.

Or did he? I was a little confused about the financial situation.. At the beginning it seemed like Jack David was in dire straights. But as the story progressed, he gave Clementine expensive gifts, and it seemed like the financial situation evaporated. Maybe I missed something?

The Elvis impersonator thing was interesting, but I couldn't see Jack David as an Elvis impersonator. I don't know why but I never really believed it.

I did buy Clementine as a thief. I wasn't a fan of her name, especially when the "Oh my darlin, Clementine" line revealed itself. I felt like she was named that just for that joke, which fell flat for me. The other thing was her fake name and reason for being in town just kind of went away? No one questioned her or anything? Seemed strange.

I did like the relationship building between Clementine and Jack. I liked the lizards, and the day with Jack's sister who kinda just disappeared...along with Jack's parents.

So then it all goes down. I hate to say it but I saw the Lucien twist coming from the beginning. It felt like the only reason shes could be forgiven for stealing from Jack was if she was a mark herself.

Anyway, I'm sad. This wasn't for me, but I look forward to reading Kelly's next book and hopefully I will enjoy it as much as I did her others!

When you gotta heist a man’s place that you have crush on him and turn yourself into prey when you’re hunter, how do you get yourself out of his dilemma?

This entertaining, sweet reading reminded me of Jennifer Cruise’s “Faking It” but at that one, entire heroine’s family were thieves and she met her hero at the closet during the heist when she was hiding from the house owners. But this story is about Clementine, a female Robin Hood not quite interested to wear tight pants steals from the rich to give to the poor. Actually she wants to help orphaned children. So she already melts our cruel hearts because she does wrong things to make things right! I know it doesn’t make so much sense but let’s give a try because writing is enjoyable and Clementine is likable character.

Now, she is about to get her most tricky, complex task because as soon as she meets charming Jack keeps his family business intact and taking care of his sick father, she knows that she’s in trouble because there is undeniable hot chemistry and witty banter around them growing on him. She is about to head over heels in love with him and thankfully her interest is not unrequited but what did she get herself into? She has a heist needs to conduct.

As her true identity reveals, the trust issues and relationship complications they need to deal put them into more intense, compelling situations. And a laugh out loud ending at annual Elvis contest in the town (I didn’t mention our charming, sweet, also Alpha hero-small spoiler: we had explicit hot sex scene proves his controlling manners- is also competing at this festival) gives you more than enough fun you expected.

Overall: It’s sweet, fun, action packed, feel good rom-com. There are still some holes about the progression and revelations but we got to be more generous grader when it comes to soft rom-coms and not to dig out for more logical explanations for everything.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4: this is another fast read and great feel-good choice for these depressing, lockout days. So give it a try to keep on smiling.

Special thanks to NetGalley and CD Books for sharing this entertaining ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

“I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review”

After enjoying the previous book ‘New Orleans rush’ of this writer I was very looking forward to this story. Especially after reading the blurb, a woman who wants to steal a painting but instead falls for the owner of it?!? This had to be an entertaining story and I was right, it totally was! ‘Don’t go stealing my heart’ is a sweet, fun and light-hearted romance story. You get both POV’s in the story. The main characters Clementine and Jack were really wonderful! I loved them both.

Lately, I read a lot of books with alpha main man characters and although I love them, it was refreshing to read about a guy who wasn’t one. Jack was a shy, caring, dependable, lovable and kind guy. But that didn’t mean that he didn’t go after the woman that he wanted with everything that he had. He did it just in his own quirky, thoughtful, sensitive way. Jack may have grown up in wealth but he wasn’t spoilt. Having a stutter growing up made that he was more compassionate to others.

Clementine was also a very likable character. She may think that she’s better off alone but you could really feel her longing for love and friendship. I’m so happy that she found all that in the small town of ‘Whichway’. A small town that shared Jack’s love for Elvis Presley and his music and where some interesting and kind persons lived.

Clementine and Jack may come from different backgrounds but both also shared some things like their love for bearded dragons. Both also had been hurt in the past so both were careful with their heart but what I loved most about them was how they shared their hurt, painful past and feelings with each other.

‘Don’t go stealing my heart’ is an entertaining, light, sweet story that made me smile from the beginning until the end.

Don’t Go Stealing My Heart is like watching a crime movie with the best romance intertwined.

I’m a big fan of heist movies, when I was a kid, I lived for the Oceans movies. As I got older the movies continued but I could never find a book I loved that had that fun heist feel to it. While this book has a heist in it I love how it takes a lot of twist and turns along the way. Clementine is a burglar with a heart of gold and a past as shady as her future. She’s a modern-day Robin Hood, stealing from slimy rich people to give to an orphanage in India. It’s hard not to love Clementine, she’s very guarded and has a past that made my heart twist. Maxwell “Jack” David is not your average leading man in a romance novel, for a lot of reasons. One: he’s basically super awkward and sticks his foot in his mouth more times than not. Two: HE IS AN ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST. Three: He’s the perfect mix of soft and hard in all the best ways. He’s just trying to do right by everyone around him and feels like he’s constantly failing, he’s a real sweetheart in every sense of the word.

There is a lot to love about this book, the main characters are well written and easy to connect with. Neither one has the most relatable backstories but the author shares enough details about them that you feel connected to their stories. The romance is subtle and sweet until it takes a turn to the steamy then it DEFINITELY made me blush. I loved that there were so many things in this book that I had truly never read in any other book. The Elvis aspect of everything was odd but truly I loved it so much and it is such a different element to a book. There were many many more moments that had me on the edge of my seat and that is why I loved this book. The heist was incredibly and is what drew me into the book to begin with. As I said, Oceans Eleven was my obsession as a teenager/kid so reading a book in a genre I love (romance) with a small hint of that exciting addition of a heist made my heart happy. I’m going to stop going on and on about everything I loved about this book before I spoil something. So, if you are looking for a romance that’s not boring and has the same plot as all the others READ THIS!

*Thanks for my arc NetGalley!*

This one was such a fun book!
I'm still smiling when thinking about this quirky and cute story. It was so addictive. I just sat and read it in one sitting and didn't even realize when I was done with it.

I loved the characters so much. Clementine was such a badass, she's been through some things but she's so tough and sarcastic. She made me cheer for her and laugh out loud. Jack was amazing too and I was so here for their chemistry.

The story was well developed and balanced so good. I enjoyed the humor and romance but I also appreciated the painful things the characters experienced.

I'm so glad I received this ARC because this book is a treasure. Am I going to read more of this author? Yes! I need more.

Thanks to publisher and Netgalley for the ARC.

REVIEW | Don’t Go Stealing My Heart by Kelly Siskind

Clementine is the modern day Robin Hood- heister stealing from the rich to give back to the poor. But when her next task is to steal from her potential love interest, Jack, things get a little dicey. 😏

This book was very different from a lot of contemporaries I’ve read lately and in a refreshing way! Most are very rooted in mundane real life, whereas this one reminded me a bit of a heist, action movie.

The background and complexities of Clementine and Jack were well articulated. It made me understand and root for them both! I also love an awkward hero lol. Further, this one is super steamy 😍🔥

Last, I’m a fan of Kelly’s writing style! I have a tendency to prefer first person, but this third person narrative really worked for me.

Overall, this is an action packed, dramatic contemporary with some twis, set in a quirky town. I’d recommend if you’re looking for something a little different and exciting!