Solid romance, had a really interesting plot! I liked the characters, and the pacing was nice and flowed really well. Never felt like it had a slow moment or anything. Haven’t read anything else by her before so it was a good introduction to the author

In Sloane Steele's Between Two Thieves, the 2nd installment in the Counterfeit Capers romantic suspense series, this latest novel will keep you on your toes and leave you in suspense. For Nikki Russo, she's a well-known art thief that works for a company that's reminiscent of the Leverage TV series, that steals for a common purpose. She knows a trick or two about stealing since her father Dodger taught her how to do it at a young age. It's all how she met and fell in love with Wade Palmer, her father's protégé, a decade ago. They were both after one particular painting, the Devereaux, at the Carlisle Museum. Little did they know they met each other at the same party pulling a con and crossed each other's paths. But they worked together for one common interest that brought them together in the first place: her father who was in deep trouble. Wade had gone straight and worked for a security consultancy firm who wanted to break free from Dodger like Nikki did. She was the one who got away so many years ago and never stopped loving her. Though they worked both sides of the fence, his dog Flynn became his best friend--it's something that Nikki never liked and feared. They team up to pull the switch and the ultimate con to exact revenge and to get something they both want and desired--another chance to be together in the end.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin/Carina Press for the ARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the 2nd in a series, and I have not read the first. I believe it jumps right in where the first left off, so I was a bit confused but its easy to catch up. For me this was one of those books that I loved the blurb and really wanted to like the book but just didn't. Not sure why. The characters were interesting. I really liked Nikki and the crew. Maybe it was pacing? Not sure this was just ok for me. I would read this author again though. 3 stars

Between Two Thieves is book two in the Counterfeit Capers and I really like the set up of one mission running through all three books with a different couple highlighted each time. Usually it's the same world with a new couple as the focus but the fact the heist was the main thread, I really enjoyed it and thought it brought something new.

Nikki and Wade took centre stage and it was good to find out more about Nikki behind that brash exterior. I'm a huge fan of heist movies/tv shows so it was exciting when reading about how they were going to pull off each job. The writing flowed well as with the first book and I loved Wade's character from the get go. He wanted Nikki and didn't hide that fact-she was his-she just had to catch up with him.

I'm loving this series and can't wait to see how it concludes with Mia's story.

In the Counterfeit Capers Series Sloane Steele is going for a feeling like the television show Leverage and as I had just finished binging through the original, I was in just the right mood for what Steele was after. The second book, Between Two Thieves, picks up with action already in progress. Nikki runs into Wade while casing a house for a robbery and immediately knows they have problems. She and Wade used to work with her father in cons and thefts and have an intense romantic history that went up in smoke when Nikki went out on her own and Wade didn’t follow. In order to get her father out of hot water Wade needs Nikki’s help, but Nikki has to balance the work she’s doing with Audrey, London, Jared, and Mia with how much she’s willing to let her father and Wade back into her life.

What I like about these books is the characters. Steele builds characters with great backgrounds. Jared and Mia’s father’s betrayals, and what it has done to their own reputations layers in easily understood motivation, and how Jared is completely comfortable living and working in life’s gray areas, while Mia has made her peace with having to get dirty in order to do right. Audrey’s focus on her grandmother and providing her the best care she can make her loveable, as does her insistence that she and Jared must function as equals. Nikki is an absolute livewire, she has been on her own, truly on her own, for years and agreeing to work for Jared and Mia, but most importantly with Audrey and London is an experiment in letting people in – an experiment she doesn’t realize she is doing until her ex, Wade sneaks his way back into her life. At the end of two books we know the least about London but she fits in seamlessly with Audrey and Nikki, providing the optimistic, artistic counterweight that the team needs. What worked less well for me – the pacing. This read a little slowly for me,. While I appreciate that Steele gives herself the time to indulge in the planning/plotting/executing of the heists the reading experience suffered for me in the shifting gears from revenge plot to emotional arcs.

More heist, AND a second-chance? Um, yes please. I love the backstory with Nikki and Wade, and how they found their HEA. Plus, the continuing storyline…

Between two thieve is a second chance romance with a fun heist type of story. As a reviewer I was shocked to find the story wasn't just a fluffy romance to past the time. The story had interesting characters that were flushed out and at times a little hard to dislike. The last of characters has readers knowing there will be more romance between the Nikki team.
The story moves quickly leaving heist stories happy at the end of the day.
I plan to read the the first in the series.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of Solane Steele Between Two thieves.

Between Two Thieves by Sloane Steele
Counterfeit Capers #2

Second chance romances don’t happen often in real life, but they do in stories and in this one two people are given a second chance…if they are willing to trust one another and take a chance. The stakes are high with the life of one man possibly at risk. Will they be able to work together and in so doing find their way to a HEA in the future?

What I liked:
* Nikki: She knew when it was time to leave the dark path her father had led her down…and forge her own way…even if she didn’t opt for going straight.
* Wade: He stayed a bit too long but did eventually go straight and use his skills on the right side of the law.
* That Nikki and Wade still had chemistry after so many years apart.
* The growth exhibited by both main characters and the development of their relationship.
* The team Nikki works with, catching up with them, and wondering who will have their story next.
* Wondering if there will be a spin-off series for the men that work in Wade’s Security Firm.
* The twists and turns.
* Knowing that the reason for the heists is based in doing good – that Robin Hood element to the story.
* The way I was reminded of Oliver Twist though Dodger was really Finnegan in this story and the “pickpockets” a lot older when they met.
* That the bad guys (some of them) were caught.

What I didn’t like:
* The manipulative nature of Nikki’s father and the people he worked for/with.
* What the fathers of Mia and Jared did, how they seem to have gotten away with it, and that they were not punished or held accountable – though Mia and Jared might bring them in eventually…or bring them to their knees.
* Having to wait for the next installment of the series.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Did I like it as well as the first book? Not quite as much but I did like it
Would I read more in this series/by this author? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

I love this series!! If this was on Netflix, it’s the show all your coworkers would be talking about! This is the second Counterfeit Capers book - following a team that is performing a series of Robin Hood style heists, taking art from the bad guys and helping people who were hurt.

This book focuses on Nikki - the thief. As they are doing some recon for the next theft she runs into someone from her past. And quickly learns he’s after the same painting. I loved the second chance romance and their chemistry was 🔥🔥🔥.

I also love the found family aspects of the team working together. And some of the moments will have you holding your breath as you read. While you could jump in at this book, I recommend reading this series in order.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading copy.

This series, Counterfeit Capers, has an interesting premise. Two cousins, whose fathers have conned many out of their possessions and skipped the country in order not to go to prison, come together to steal from the people who profited from their fathers and give the money back to the victims. It is a fun series of cons and heists. I happened upon the first book in those series knowing nothing about this series and Jared and Audrey really hooked me with the storyline and their HEA, so I was really looking forward to this second book. The storyline continues with Nikki, the master thief of the group, and Wade, a former con man and thief with her, and love of her life, who has gone “Straight”. They are after the same piece of artwork, but he is doing this one last job to keep her father out of trouble. Nikki is estranged from her father and is worried about Wade once again helping him out. Because I already knew the main characters this was a fun book to read. Nikki and Wade were meant to be but the getting there kept me wondering how they would get there. Now I am really looking forward to the next book in the series.

A good book about two thieves who used to work together, fell in love and were torn apart. A few years later they meet up again when they are both casing the same house. The sparks are still there, but there is also a lot of heartache and betrayal.

Wade was honestly a sweet guy who never stopped loving Nikki. He was in a horrible position and went with what he thought was the correct option. Trying to be legit, now, he will only do shady things for one person, the man that connects them all.

Nikki is the best thief, and wants to trust Wade but doesn’t know how to let go of the past. When she finds out some information he withheld from her their newfound relationship might be over before it began. She never stopped loving him either, but she is slower to accept they have a chance now.

A wonderful second book in the series. The lead up to Mia’s book appears to be interesting. Great characters who do shady things for the greater good (kind of like Robin Hood). I received an ARC in exchange for an honest, voluntary review.

What’s not to love about an exciting caper? Two capers! Nikki and her team have a long list of art that needs to disappear but she’s got a side mission too. Her old partner, Wade, needs to help her dad, Dodger, but it involves stealing a painting. Nikki and her team are tackling their list while she decides to help Wade. Her team has a few balls in the air at once but one of those balls was great comic relief. A recluse will not leave his home which makes it difficult to steal his art, but Audrey and Nikki work around it in a fabulous way. The team mission is really like Robin Hood and their team dynamics are like the Odd Couple. The heists are unique and quite exciting. I recommend reading the books in order to get the reasons for the team but you could start here and still enjoy the book. I was thrilled to get a copy through Netgalley and have written this review voluntarily.

The Counterfeit Capers gang returns with the second story in Sloane Steele's extremely engaging Leverage-esque heist series. And this time it's thief Nikki, who takes centre stage as she's reunited with an ex who was once a con-man/thief, but is now a legit businessman.

And with lots of high jinks, multiple heists, and a great group of characters Between Two Thieves was a really enjoyable, fun romance. That I would happily recommend to others.

This series is insanely satisfying for those who love a good heist. Each book brings in elements from all the famous heist movies that might come to mind - andof course includes a sexy romance to go along side of it. This is the second book in the series and it could be read as a standalone - but it definitely dives right in to the story arc and the background of the first book definitely helps you get in to the story.

Nikki is a thief. And a really really good one at that. She is confident, fearless, and lives for the next high of adventure. She is also very much alone. She has developed friends on the team she's working with on the heists, but ultimately she keeps everyone at arm's length. This has to do significantly with her past. Wade is a big part of her past - they fell in love after her father took Wade on as an apprentice of sorts. When Nikki's father made one too many mistakes that put them in danger - Nikki left both Wade and her dad behind.

I truly think Nikki needs Wade in her life - and she really seemed to be adrift without him. And I think Wade was only half living his life without Nikki. They definitely had a true soulmate level connection. Especially with their total acceptance of each other just as they are.

The action in this book is definitely worthy of a big screen heist movie - and I adored the romance. Nikki is a hard person to love - and I really felt for her. I think Wade's unfiltered honesty with her about his feelings was what really sold things for me.

The only thing that bothered me - was something that happened at the end of the book. <Spoiler>At the end, Nikki reacts badly to Wade trying to keep her out of things. She is upset he didn't trust her with what was going on - and I don't think he did. But it was more that he didn't trust her to stay if she knew the full depth of what was going on. That part I totally got - what I would have liked was for Nikki to admit she didn't trust Wade either. She wanted all the trust to go one way. But she immediately assumes the worst of him and goes out of her way to handle things on her own. She says at one point - that she "had" to go see her dad's bookie because Wade wouldn't tell her the truth. She didn't have to do anything - but she chose to. It was totally in character to her- and Wade should have talked to her. But she really wasn't any better than Wade in the end. </spoiler>

Overall - I enjoyed it and I can't wait to see where the story goes next.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

Between Two Thieves by Sloane Steele is the 2nd book in her Counterfeit Capers series. I enjoyed the first book, It Takes a Thief and looked forward to the second book, and happy to say I loved this one equally or even better. Refresher: Jared and Mia (cousins), plan their series of heists as payback against their fathers. A number of years ago, their fathers were exposed for a Bernie Madoff financial scam, causing many people to lose their money; a number of those people were put into financial binds. The fathers are in hiding, leaving the children and their wives to suffer the backlash against them; even though they had no idea what was happening. Years have passed, and now both Jared and Mia have inherited from their mother’s trust funds, which they plan to use to help out all those people who were hurt financially. They will aim at their fathers’ cronies, who have valuable art, and they plan to steal the various paintings/sculptures, replace with forgeries, and provide compensation to the victims; which they plan to do 12 heists. But they need to find people who can help them perform the necessary deeds.

The series revolves around those people who Jared and Mia hired to help them. Audrey (Data) is a hacker, Nikki is the thief and London is the forger. In Between Two Thieves, Nikki is the lead in this story, as she runs into her ex-boyfriend, Wade whom she left a few years ago, since he refused to leave her father, the criminal who trained both of them. Nikki is the best at what she does, and seems happier working for Jared and Mia, since she loves being a thief, and this time its for a good cause. When she meets with Wade, she discovers that he is trying to steal the same painting as her group is planning on. Though she still has feelings for Wade, she doesn’t trust him, especially since he helps her father. Wade still loves Nikki, but knows he needs to steal the painting to help her father out of a threatening situation.

Nikki learns that Wade has gone straight, being a partner in a security firm, but without telling her too much information, he pleads with her to let him get the painting. Unfortunately for Wade, Nikki and her team manage to steal the painting before he can, and she learns why he needed it (her father owes money to a bookie, and they are threating him). She then decides to help Wade get the painting (she will have London make a forgery) and work on stealing the original now at a museum.

What follows is another wonderful exciting story, in the world of hackers, thieves and forgers, as well as playing robin hood (payback to the victims). There was plenty of action, intrigue, suspense and a couple we rooted for. Nikki was a great heroine, and Wade was a nice guy who was very much in love with her. I do not want to say too much more, since you should be reading this without spoilers. Between Two Thieves was very well written by Sloane Steele. Between Two Thieves was a fun, as well as suspenseful story, with a fantastic group of characters. I look forward to the next book in this series.

I loved the first book in this series and was excited to have the opportunity to read this one. Unfortunately, I didn't like this one nearly as well. Part of it might be that I'm not a big fan of second-chance stories. Also, while I really liked Nikki in the first book, she did some things that rubbed me wrong in this one. I won't give details because I don't want to spoil anything or wrongly influence someone from giving this one a try because it is definitely well written and worth reading. My own personal hang-ups simply got in the way of my enjoyment this time, I'm afraid. Fans of strong, independent heroines and lots of action mixed with romance should give this one a try.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Press for providing an ARC for review.

Thank you netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wasn't completely blown away by the this romance but there was plenty of action, intrigue and romance to keep me writing. The heroine is ballsy and gives the hero a run for his money.

Sloan Steele’s Counterfeit Capers series is fun and messy. I wondered after the first book, It Takes a Thief, if Steele would tighten up the story telling, and she does, a little. Between Two Thieves has the advantage of established characters, but then Steele introduces more characters, including Flynn, a dog, and a very good boy. It works though. The multiple heists, large cast of characters, and intertwined character arcs works.

If you are fan of the show Leverage, this is a good series for you. In the show, there was a heist or con of the week with a certain focus on the client who needed the Leverage team’s help. The counterfeit Capers series keeps the focus on the team. While you won’t find a one to one match of characters, this is not fan fiction, you will recognize some of the names of the artists whose works are stolen.

The team’s thief, Nikki, is a bit like a feral barn cat – not domesticated, untrusting, not worried about what other people think, but loyal once her trust is won. While casing a house in preparation for stealing a painting, Nikki sees her ex-boyfriend, Wade. For Nikki, it makes more sense that her love interest would be someone from her past. She’s too guarded to let a new person in enough for a romance in a book that covers a short period of time.

I love that Nikki never really stops being a feral barn cat, and Wade is completely ready to blow up his life for her. I’m looking forward to the third book in a couple of months.

I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well I really loved the first book in this series, and this book was good and definitely worth reading it just didn't hit me like the first book?! This book had intrigue, action, suspense and some good plotting lol it just wasn't heart pounding like the first! Like I said its worth reading and its a good book! Just not as good as the first! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!