Oh this was FUN.

I love a heist novel. I love a sapphic romance. I love two extremely gorgeous and extremely cunning detectives being forced to revisit their marriage while also chasing after an untouchable art thief. The stakes were high, the relationship drama was believable, and the pacing kept me engaged. It was well-researched and well-written too: you could tell that the author has a real appreciation for fine art. '

I will say - the two main characters are extremely messy. Put them both in therapy like now. But the second chance romance was executed really well. The reason for the original divorce was believable but also understandable, and not such a huge red flag that their second chance felt doomed from the start. Made it a lot easier to root for their reconciliation!

I also like that this reads more like a fast-paced mystery than a thriller - for selfish reasons, because I'm not a fan of thrillers, and because the mystery was well-done. I usually guess plot twists and endings, but I wasn't really sure where this was going to go for about 70% of the read. If you like the show White Collar, this felt a lot like that, and I'll be reccommending it to fans of the show.

This was an entertaining read with interesting characters that had a story to tell. I appreciated the backstory presented by Agent Fleur van Beekhof. I also rode the rollercoaster of emotion Fleur went through with the loss of her marriage to Renata, a fan of great art. Both women have been after the elusive art thief, "Fabulous Gustave". Fleur and Renata work together to chase down and hopefully catch not only the thief but maybe a relationship second chance.

This was a well written story with intrigue, humor, and romance.

An exciting second chance romance with intriguing characters and many enriching places in europe.

The personal struggles and processing of mistakes in the past makes this story appealing.

The rekindling of love between the main characters was palpable and created some sizzling moments.

I think this my forst book of this kind. An investigation without it being too heavy or making me anxious. It was kind of refreshing. The pace is good, the book was easy to read and I could not put it down. I just had a bit trouble with all the name (I am not good with names) so sometimes I had to back track to know who they were talking about. The relationship between Fleur and Renata is explosive. Full of chemistry, banter, contractiction and challenge. It was really alive. Seeing them catching up and getting close again was really satisfying. You really feel how these two comes to life when they are around each other. The tension and resolution of conflict of the second chance was perfectly balanced with the intrigue around the chase of the thief.
It’s the kind of book I could totally see adapted as a movie.

Second chance lesbian romance between two art crime detectives (and ex-wives) who are thrown together after years without speaking. Forced to work together due to their unique expertise, they go on a mission spanning several countries to find and capture an international art thief, the only case that got away from them years before and a chance at redemption.

This was well-written and I found the reason for the initial divorce and the ways they’ve changed while apart plausible (for example, Fleur now has her 5 years Gamblers Anonymous sobriety chip), which had me both understanding why they had gone separate ways, and rooting for them to get back together. This is not always done successfully with second chance romances so I was so glad to not have reservations about their romance and the ways they are better together.

I found the mystery fascinating and could feel the author’s own appreciation of art history and particular artists. I liked that they were incredibly competent, while still doing some legwork and using their resources wisely, be it sources, coworkers in other cities, or the muscle of backup.

I grabbed an ARC ebook of this from NetGalley recently and decided Sapphic September was the perfect time to read.
I’m giving an honest review and recommend it for fans of police procedural novels. I’m interested in checking out other novels by the author Jennifer Giacalone, and produced by Ylva Publishing.

Thank you to NetGalley and YlvaPublishing for the free copy of this book. Now, let's review!

I liked the main character Fleur. I also really like the storyline of addiction that was very nicely woven into the main plot of chasing down Gustave. There were unfortunately too many characters milling about imo so that I lost track of them quite frequently. Some were written very clichéd, I'd have liked a bit of nuance there. Renata's son, Luca, is an example of that. Despite all that, it was still an enjoyable read. 2/5 stars.

Books or movies with heist genre are always my favorite, and this book is not exception. Instead of heist book told from the thief pov we now have an interesting pov from detectives and it was just as enjoyable. Fast paced cat and mouse game added with second chance romance element, the witty retort between both characters were fun to watch. The author haven't released much book but there were both excellent, she is definitely an instant read author for me from now on.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this book

what a ride ... when a notorious art thief appears on the scene again there are only two people that have an hope of catching him

Agent Fleur van Beekhof and her wife Renata, the only problem being they were no longer married and renata had even changed jobs...

their first meeting didnt go well.... neither one could stand to be in the same room as each other but to catch this art thief it was clear they would have to get over their issues and pull this one out of the bag

but those six years apart had changed them and they both had a lot to learn about each other

with the art thief taunting them it wasnt long before they were on his trail....

a good solid read that kept me reading late into the night

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Art of the Chase delivers an engaging blend of suspense and second-chance romance, centred around two enthralling characters, Fleur and Renata. As Europol agents from different backgrounds - one Dutch, one Italian - their contrasting personalities create a dynamic that's as fiery as it is effective. Brought together to investigate a high-profile art theft in Florence, their shared history as former spouses adds a complex emotional layer to their professional reunion.

The novel excels in its portrayal of Fleur's unique personal journey, offering a fresh perspective not often explored in sapphic fiction. Her character, haunted by past decisions, is a compelling mix of professional brilliance and personal vulnerability. Renata, equally skilled in her role but fiery AF, complements Fleur's character, making their interactions a highlight of the story.

Their chemistry is undeniable and adds an electrifying element to the narrative. The push-pull dynamic of their relationship, coupled with the high stakes of an art heist and subsequent investigation, keeps the tension high and the pages turning.

While the pacing can feel slightly uneven at times, and the writing could benefit from tighter editing, these aspects don't detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story. I enjoyed the way the author skillfully navigated the intricacies of the art world, and made it accessible and intriguing, even for those unfamiliar with the subject.

Art of the Chase is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys a mix of crime-solving action, art heist excitement, and sapphic romance. It's a story that proves time can heal and change, offering redemption and an intriguing ride along the way. Highly recommended for those seeking a unique blend of romance and suspense in their reading list.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

A really fun cat and mouse game between two Europol agents (one former the other stuck to desk duty) and the one (thief) that got away.

This gave me a lot of Ocean’s 12 vibes the with lovers-to enemies-to lovers again. And the very spirited traipsing all across Europe.

Definitely recommend this one and am very excited to read more from Jen Giacalone.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

Art of the Chase is a mystery about stolen art and second chances. Fleur and Renata are ex-wives and work partners who are thrown back together for another opportunity to catch the thief that got away. With well rounded characters and good knowledge of the art world, this story is sweet, funny, and well written.

3.5 rounded up to 4 for Goodreads.

Taunted by a master art thief who has been just beyond her reach, Europol Detective Fleur van Beekhof is forced to reunite with her ex working partner and wife Renata. They are reconnecting to try once more to catch the elusive “Fabulous Gustave”.  Fleur’s life unraveled the last time she tried and failed to capture Gustave. This time she wants to place him behind bars and get her wife and her life back.

Fast paced ingenious cat and mouse chase through the art world of Europe does not get any better. Add to this the second chance romance and I was at Giacalone’s mercy.

Art of the Chase is a smart and well written book that thoroughly entertains. Be sure to add this one to your reading list.

I received an advance review copy from Ylva Publishing through NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

As I wrote recently in another review, I love heist stories, either in books or movies. I usually love them from the thieves’ perspective but Jennifer Giacalone got me invested in the detective side. With Fleur and Renata, she gives readers two captivating characters and more than one fascinating relationship. The theft of a painting from the Palazzo Pitti in Florence (Italy) brings them back to work together again for the first time in five years to resume the chase of elusive thief Gustave. They’re both Europol agents, one from Netherlands, one from Italy. They have very different personalities—one icy, one fiery—and modi operandi and they complement each other perfectly. They also used to be married and the failure of that partnership didn’t come from any lack of love for one another.

I enjoyed this exciting novel very much, despite the slightly uneven pacing and the fact that it could have benefited from tighter editing/proofreading. The writing is good but a couple of inaccuracies and several word repetitions could have been avoided, for instance. Astute plots deserve more incisive phrasing. That said, the author very cleverly weaves tension from both the investigation that delves into the parallel art world of stolen pieces, with cameos of the Russian mafia, and the love/hate bond between two women whose lives aren’t really complete without the other.

This is an excellent story of two estranged women chasing ‘the one that got away’ while trying to navigate their relationship boundaries. Fleur destroyed her career and her marriage because of her addiction. Renata left her, not because of the addiction, but because of the deceit around it.

They get the chance to work together again to catch the art thief who escaped from them before. As an added twist he’s stolen a painting by one of Renata’s favourite artists.

There are twists and turns aplenty as we chase across Europe with our intrepid detectives. In the middle of solving a complex case, Fleur and Renata start being honest with each other about what went wrong. Not right away as in the first part of the narrative, they’re on parallel paths with little hope of connection.

The story is strong, the writing is excellent and I enjoyed the art aspects very much. I also liked Luca and Oksana as supporting characters. If this little clan reappeared, I would definitely buy the book.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Six years ago, Fleur and Renata just narrowly missed catching Gustave, a famous art thief that liked to play with them. Fleur did not handle it well and destroyed her career and her marriage to Renata. But Gustave and the police chief wants them working together again. Can they catch Gustave? Can they catch each other again? Can Fleur stop being full of self-pity?

I really wanted to like this book. And it's okay. But I didn't love it, and I had to keep pushing myself to return to it and finish it. I did want to find out if they caught Gustave. And I really liked a couple of the side characters (Luca and Oksana especially). But Fleur annoyed me, and very little about their relationship seemed healthy.

If you enjoy reading about relationships full of arguing, definitely pick up this book. If you like art, I think you would also enjoy this book. The discussion about the art were among the highlights for me. (Also, I really want Oksana to have her own book.)

Thank you to Ylva Publishing and NetGalley for the free pdf advanced review copy. Opinions are my own.

Art of Chase is an absolute gem, even though it begins a tad slowly. I must admit, my impatience had me yearning for immediate revelations. However, as the story unfolded, I found myself increasingly hungry for more, and I'm convinced this narrative would make an outstanding movie. It's a must-see in the making!

The descriptive richness of the locations in the book truly captivated me. While I'm not typically a fan of second-chance romances because I relish the 'falling in love' aspect, I was pleasantly surprised by the skillful portrayal of the relationship. It felt wonderfully natural and authentic, leaving me genuinely pleased.

I found the chasing and plot elements of the story to be particularly stronger than the romance. However, this doesn't diminish my overall enthusiasm for the book, and I wholeheartedly give it a solid 5-star rating.

This was an amazing book! I loved the premise and the character development. The characters were complex but very real in their lives and issues. I also really enjoyed the subject matter too.

If you’re into a push and pull romance with a crime solving duo and art heist, is this the book for you. The art heist of this story had me gripped from the first page and the romance between the two main characters shows that sometimes time does change a person for the better even if it breaks their heart a little. I highly recommend this book if someone is looking for their sapphic redemption and crime fix!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to like The Art of the Chase more than I did especially given I haven't found a book that contains two themes I enjoy: Art galleries and heist. I had trouble relating to the book as it was set in Europe. I also felt that the book could have read smoother with less big words. I enjoyed the cast and Co worker angst.