This book gave me everything I wanted. A great setting, an independent badass heroine, a “he falls first” and charming simp of a MC and some steam and heist plot on the side. I loved all of it! I can’t believe this is a debut, because it’s so great!

The characters are amazing, I immediately felt attached to all of them, even the ones that only show up for a page or two. I love a strong FMC who can hold her own, which is definitely the case with Della. And Bradford is everything I want from a male lead. Supportive, doesn’t shy away from a strong woman, know how to communicate and trust… just perfect.

The heist aspect of it all could have been a bigger part of the story, which focused more on the romance (and steamy) parts, but it wasn’t too much of an issue to throw me off.

I highly recommend this to my fellow fans of historical romance! Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing this e-arc. In return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review.

A promising premise with intrigue…..good main characters and some good description of Victorian England
The unavoidable kinda long ‘love’ scenes whilst skipped over certainly didn’t add anything for me although in keeping with Bridgerton comparison
I didn’t dislike this book but felt some differences in the blurb to what actually read

Allison Grey's "The Lady Thief of Belgravia" is a captivating blend of historical romance and thrilling heist. Set against the opulent backdrop of Victorian London, the story follows the daring exploits of Della Rose, a young woman who navigates the dangerous world of both high society and the underworld.

Strengths:

Strong Female Lead: Della Rose is a refreshingly complex and relatable protagonist. She is intelligent, resourceful, and determined, yet also possesses a vulnerability that makes her endearing.

Immersive Setting: Grey paints a vivid picture of Victorian London, bringing to life the grandeur of the aristocracy and the harsh realities of the lower classes.

Intriguing Plot: The story is full of twists and turns, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The heist element adds an extra layer of excitement and suspense.

Steamy Romance: The romance between Della and her love interest is both passionate and tender. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their relationship adds a touch of heartwarming emotion to the story.

Well-Developed Supporting Characters: The supporting cast is diverse and engaging, each with their own unique motivations and backstories. They provide valuable support to Della and contribute to the overall richness of the narrative.

Weaknesses:

Pacing Issues: The story can feel rushed at times, particularly in the latter half. This can make it difficult to fully appreciate certain plot developments and character interactions.

Predictable Plot Elements: While the overall plot is engaging, some individual elements may feel predictable to readers familiar with the genre.

Lack of Historical Detail: While the setting is well-rendered, some readers may find that the historical details are not as meticulously researched as in other Victorian-era novels.

Overall:

"The Lady Thief of Belgravia" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of historical romance, heist stories, and strong female characters. It offers a thrilling adventure filled with intrigue, passion, and suspense. While not without its flaws, the book's engaging narrative and memorable characters make it a worthwhile read.

Here are some specific elements of the book that I particularly enjoyed:

Della Rose's witty dialogue and clever strategies.

The detailed descriptions of the various heists and their intricate planning.

The emotional depth and development of the romance between Della and her love interest.

The portrayal of Victorian London's social hierarchy and the challenges faced by different classes.

If you're looking for a fun and exciting read with a strong female lead and a dash of historical intrigue, then "The Lady Thief of Belgravia" is definitely worth checking out.

This is an entertaining read and picks the best plot elements from various stories - from My Fair Lady to Dickens. There’s also the sexiness of Bridgerton thrown in.

I really enjoyed the three main characters (Della, the Earl & the Duke) and felt they were particularly well rounded. Nearer the end I felt Mr Barrow also worked. Some of other minor characters were a bit less well-rounded for me but as they were minor I didn’t feel that affected. The dialogue was good and the prose easy to read. I just wanted to keep reading this and not put it down.

Although I’ve marked this as 4 stars, for me it’s actually 3.5. This is because of one reason - all the sex scenes. These are written relatively well but there are numerous ones and all are really descriptive, covering quite a few paragraphs each. It wasn’t exactly something I was expecting but that’s ok, and many people will enjoy them. For me the premise of the book is what intrigued me and the sex scenes felt like they changed that premise a bit. I don’t necessarily think they should be cut out altogether but for me, one or maybe two would have been enough, rather than what we got and the many mentions in between.

Thank you to the authors, publishers & NetGalley for access to this arc in return for an honest review.

I found the book to be an alright read, but it didn't personally resonate with me. Unfortunately, it’s more instant love and less plot. The characters all just seem a little flat with a lack of communication. A lot of potential, but I just couldn’t connect to this! Della Rose a woman of lower class whose occupation is pickpocketing is tracked down by Lord Bradford as he has a mission for her to steal valuable documents from the Duke of Salisbury... I feel like if the heist and character-building were worked on more, I would have enjoyed this.

I suppose I really would have liked to have seen Della Rose as the Lady and Cole as the thief.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Della Rose, a notorious pickpocket is chosen by a British Earl/spy to steal back documents from a traitorous duke, but first there needs to be an Eliza Doolittle-ing so she can fit into high society. This was a fun read, though the insta-love romance wasn’t really for me, and the climax felt a little…anticlimactic. I liked the heist aspect, and thank Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

A historical romance featuring a pick-pocket and a Lord. Cole Winthrop hires street thief Della Rose to steal valuable documents from the Duke of Salisbury.

I loved the writing, particularly how Della's speech changed throughout the story. However, this was more romance-heavy than I would have liked, and I wish it would have leaned more into Della's character and thievery, and for the two main characters to meet later on to dodge the feeling of an insta-love.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book. The main characters, Della Rose, a pickpocket from the London slums and Cole, Duke of Bradford, team up to expose a spy and traitor. All the characters are interesting, it’s well written and I really enjoyed it. I also got anxious reading the lead up to the ball and their mission, which I think is the sign of a good story. 5* read.

This is such a fun historical romance, it isn’t a typical guy saves girl, it’s a story where the guy desperately needs saving in more ways than one, and who better than the best pickpocket in the Seven Dials; Della Rose. Della is bold, unapologetic and will do anything she can to finally have her dreams of being a scholar become a reality. And then of course we have possibly the most down to earth, enchanting and caring man, Lord Bradford (Cole).
 
The two really do pack a punch, they are honest and caring and willing to do whatever it takes to complete their mission. The book pushes you right into the action from the first line, and from there it doesn’t really slow down. Della is thrown into training to appear as though she has always been a lady of high society, and Cole has the task of helping along with Della’s training, he just has to try to not instantly fall in love with this magnetic woman. 
 
The social structure is a central point for the main pressures in the book. Can Della separate who she is from who she needs to be to help Lord Bradford finish his mission? Can Cole give up his life’s work for this enthralling woman? Will their differing worlds ever accept them together?
 
This book is filled with tension, spice, and a lot of room for things to go pear shaped.

Pickpocket Della Rose of Seven Dials is recruited by Cole, the dishy Earl of Bradford, to help him with a most unusual task. Promised £10,000 if she can entrance the Duke of Salisbury and steal back from him items of the utmost importance, Della temporarily leaves behind her orphanage roots to become ‘Lady Rose Winthrop’, and take her place amongst polite society.

Whilst constantly struggling to kerb her old ways and confine her quick hands, Della swiftly adapts them to her newly learned skills, becoming an accomplished pianist & discovering a love of horse riding to help her charm the Duke and complete her mission. Combining these new found talents with her street smarts, Della is ideally placed to help steal the documents the Earl craves and save the day- but can she doing that without losing her heart to him?

Whilst I loved the title & initial premise, I found the first quarter of this book rather slow going before a plot twist made the storyline seem even more cumbersome and unlikely. The sudden incursion of a number of raunchy sex scenes was another big surprise and didn’t really add anything to the storyline for me. All in all, this book feels clunky and if I’d not been reviewing it, unfortunately I probably wouldn’t have made it all the way to the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review

A plucky ( no pun intended!) crack female pickpocket is hired by a handsome Lord to break into a dastardly fellow aristocrats house to retrieve some letters which will repair the Lord's reputation and save the Country! A pygmalion transformation of our thief to become a lady is required which includes her moving into said, did I mention very handsome, Lord's own home. You can guess what happens next..
I wish that there was more jeopardy in this novel as the heroine's background was intriguing but the actual plot was quite thin and predictable.
Thank you for net gallery for providing a review copy

The Lady Thief of Belgravia is a mix of a heist story and Pretty Woman. I would have liked a bit more depth in plot and characters, but overall, I found it to be an enjoyable and enjoyable read.

Victorian London is the setting of this book where two people from opposite ends of the social spectrum are bound together to expose a Duke who is a traitor to the country.
Della is a pickpocket who is employed by Cole a Duke of the realm to steal some valuable papers which in the wrong hands could endanger innocent individuals,
Working closely it soon becomes evident that there is also a sexual attraction which cannot be ignored but where will it end.
Absolutely brilliant and very difficult to put down, a real page turner

‘Full of action and passion’

Della and Cole are from two different walks of life they’re brought together by an important mission.

The Lady Thief from Belgravia by Allison Grey is wonderful for fans of period dramas as it really does intertwine the historical context into the plot very well.

Honestly overall I really enjoyed reading this it’s perfect for fans of Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton Books. If I were to sum up the book I’d describe it as a mix of Oliver Twist and Bridgerton. It shows this life of crime that Della Rose as she uses her pickpocketing as a means of survival.

Della Rose a woman of lower class whose occupation is pickpocket is tracked down by Lord Bradford as he has a mission for her to steal valuable documents from the Duke of Salisbury.
He promises to pay her for her pickpocket services and as a woman of lower class it’s a surreal offer because it will give her a chance to make a better life for herself.

I like how it’s written in the way Della would speak the way she speaks at the start shows this lower class position in society. And how when she begins her lessons you can see through the dialogue how she transforms and begins to speak more eloquently. I really like the way this is written and done because it allows you to see this deceptive transformation in her character.

I honestly adore Lord Bradford he’s so charming!!

“And I know what you are”
He continued to swirl the whiskey in the glass. “A thief”.

This part with the Duke of Salisbury was so intense I was like wait how does he know??

Honestly you can tell it’s a historical fiction book because there was so many really good historical references. I love the reference to the Punch and Judy show at the beginning of the books. And the differences between the Seven Dials to the contrasting richer parts of London.

🌸 historical romance
🌸 action and mystery
🌸 slow burn romance
🌸 badass female characters (gotta love Della and Violet)
🌸 spies and pickpockets
🌸 well developed characters

🌶️ 3.5/5

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.75/5

This book is perfect, as it says, if you are a a fan of Julia Quinn and the Bridgerton series. I adored those books and this is the same as they are the perfect mix of period drama with romance as the lead theme. I loved the dual point of view from Della and Cole, and I liked the push and pull romance there was throughout. I liked the build up as well of would they won’t they as with any good romance you don’t want it to be too easy. The side story of the drama surrounding the Duke of Salisbury was good but I felt like it could have been developed a bit more with a few more twists. Overall a thoroughly enjoyable period romance.

"London, 1879. The city's most notorious pickpocket is about to become the jewel of high society...

Della Rose learned her trade as a pickpocket on the vice-ridden streets of the notorious Seven Dials. But when the handsome Cole Winthrop offers her a huge sum of money to steal from his arch nemesis, the nefarious Duke of Salisbury, it seems Della's days of deceit and thievery could soon be behind her.

To do the job she must go undercover as a member of high society, learning to walk, talk, ride and flirt like a lady. Which also means pretending to be Cole's cousin...

As an undeniable attraction grows between them, Della must fight to stay focused. Succeeding in her mission could be her ticket to a new life. And this thief won’t let the small matter of falling in love get in her way...

With irresistible charm, sparkling romance and an unforgettable heroine, The Lady Thief of Belgravia will delight fans of Evie Dunmore, Minerva Spencer and Julia Quinn's Bridgerton."

I mean, who doesn't like a dash of deception?

A notorious thief joins up with Belgravia’s most eligible gentleman to steal for Queen and country…

A delightful and exhilarating story! This novel really captured my attention and I ended up reading it in one sitting! The Lady Thief of Belgravia is an exciting blend of Victorian adventure and charming romance.

It was an entertaining read. But a little too predictable for my taste. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

It was an enjoyable read. A bit too predictable and formulaic, but not bad!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an e-ARC copy of this book, in exchange for this honest review.

Della Rose is a renowned pickpocket in the impoverished area she lives in, and when she attempts to lift from a gentleman (Cole Winthrop/Lord Bradford), he offers her a proposition she can’t refuse—steal something for him, and get £5000 for her trouble (she negotiates this to £10,000, which is readily accepted). With thoughts of a life of scholarly study and a comfortable home with her friend Violet, whom she would pull from her brothel work to live with her, Della reluctantly accepts. As she learns to be a proper lady to seduce a duke in order to steal from him, she finds herself falling in love with the Earl, and he with her.

This novel is FAST in terms of the opening of the plot: she meets Cole on page five (which is page two of the book), and has already agreed to the deal by page ten (page seven of the book). I would have liked perhaps to see her in action first, because the claim that she’s never caught is curious as Cole immediately catches her in the act, albeit he is looking for her. I would have liked to get to know one or both of them separately a little first before being hurtled into the action. It would have made me connect to them better, and root for their romance and love to develop beyond sexual trysts.

This story is more romance than thievery. It’s sort of “Insta-love” in that they are both immediately attracted to each other, although both characters are very resistant to naming it as love. In point of fact, it’s repeated over and over why they can’t be together and why it could never work.

I suppose I really would have liked to have seen Della more in her element—there were flashes of it after Cole has brought her into his work, but it was more akin to party tricks and not out of survival. The sex scenes were very well-written, at any rate. People who are fond of novels set in historical times with plenty of steamy bits will inevitably get quite a kick out of this one!

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.