Member Reviews
I wanted to like it I really did I just can't read another book that reminds me of The Inheritance Games with rich young kids pulling off some crazy heist/game/puzzle/mystery etc.
This writing duo used to be a hit for me but I think I've just outgrown them and nothing wrong with that!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.
I will read anything Emily and Austin write. This one was fun and fast-paced. Overall, a good read.
Seventeen-year-old Olivia Owens isn't thrilled that her dad's getting remarried...again. She's especially not thrilled that he cheated on her mom, kicked them out of their Rhode Island home, and cut Olivia out of her rightful inheritance.
But this former heiress has a plan for revenge. While hundreds of guests gather on the grounds of the gorgeous estate where she grew up, everyone will be thinking romance—not robbery. She’ll play the part of dutiful daughter, but in reality she’ll be stealing millions from her father’s online accounts. She only needs the handwritten passwords he keeps in the estate's safe.
With the help of an eclectic crew of high school students and one former teacher, Olivia has plotted her mid-nuptial heist down to the second. But she didn't plan for an obnoxiously nosy wedding guest, an interfering ex-boyfriend intent on winning her back, greedy European cousins with their own agenda, or a vengeful second wife. When everything seems like it's going wrong, Olivia has to keep her eyes on what really matters: getting rich.
I thought the concept of this story was wonderful - I loved the idea of a high school aged version of Ocean's 11. And I thought that the book came together well too, but it was just a little long-winded for me. The writing was very flowery and felt like it was too repetitive, sharing the same details and feelings of the characters again and again throughout the book. I wished it could have been edited down a little more so the plot progressed a little faster, and perhaps just one or two of the "oh no, calamity strikes" moments could have been taken out. But aside from that, it was a good story. I liked the characters, and the dialogue was great - made me laugh out loud at times, which was fun. It's nice to see that the book left off in a way that you can hope for a sequel to come as well.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers!
What a witty, smart, fun heist story! With characters you find yourself rooting for, no matter what criminal mischief they get up to.
Would love a sequel!
Somehow this was my first Wibbroka novel, but it won't be my last! Heiress Takes All is a twisty take on a heist story set amid a glitzy wedding weekend. I loved the ragtag crew and the romance sprinkled in, too.
Thank you to the publisher and the NetGalley for the ARC!
Here’s the thing: because so many people have told me that I would like these authors I have started buying their books when I see them at used bookstores or at the library book sales. This however was the first book by them that I actually read.
I’m so happy to say that everyone was right. I loved this book! It had me on the edge of my seat and I loved that it took place over a couple hours. I will definitely be getting started on those other books now.
So much fun!!! Definitely kept me hooked… some holes in logic, but who cares? Fun, fun, fun! Next book was pretty much set up at the end of this one… it will be interesting to see how she has a bunch of American teenagers performing illegal maneuvers in Switzerland convincingly, but I’m all for it if she can pull it off! 😁
I am a bit disappointed in this book. I truly thought that I was getting Ocean's 11 vibes, and it wasn't. It fell flat for me. I found it a bit too predictable that I found myself a tad bored reading it. Unfortunately, it was just a meh book.
“Heiress Takes All” is an adventurous YA mystery / thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed. Light easy, entertaining read for teens, YA and adults alike.
I love a heist novel! Heiress take all was super cute and definitely something I would recommend to YA readers.
Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
super fun and interesting vibe. a heist movie plot with characters that felt simultaneously like a perfect fit and a surpris.
Heiress Takes All is a fun, twisty heist book that is a must-read and add to any collection for teens! After being kicked out of her father's home and his life when her mom divorces him for his infidelity, Olivia is bent on revenge. She decides that she will steal his fortune during his wedding ceremony to her new stepmother -- the perfect event and cover for her scheme. Readers will love Olivia's wit and quick thinking. Her schemes, plans, and ability to make the most of any situation and get information from anyone will remind readers of the leading characters in The Inheritance Games and A Good Girl's Guide to Murder. The heist is well planned but doesn't go to plan and there are layers upon layers. It's one of those books where it seems like everything is wrapping up but you still have pages left, what's going to happen?! With the excitement, intrigue, suspense, shifting alliances, and twists and turns, readers will be staying up late turning the pages. Give this to readers who loved Thieves Gambit, are fans of mystery and suspense, or like a fast-paced read. Five stars!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
Heiress Takes All by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka is a delightful rom-com that blends glitz, glamor, and heartfelt moments. The story follows an heiress forced to compete in a high-stakes family challenge to win her inheritance, all while navigating an unexpected romance with someone from her past. The authors infuse the narrative with witty banter, charming characters, and plenty of emotional depth, making it more than just a light read.
The novel excels in its blend of humor and heart, exploring themes of self-worth, family expectations, and personal growth. Heiress Takes All is perfect for fans of smart, swoon-worthy romances with a glamorous twist.
Okay, here's the thing. I love YA novels. They're fun, they're light, and they're full of shenanigans I couldn't begin to dream up when I was a teenager. Heiress Takes All covers all of my favorite topics: wealthy families, a fun group of found family, and a heist that Keeps Going Wrong. This book is playful, fun, and surprisingly tender, and I ate it up. It's exactly what it promises: a mix of Inheritance Games and Ocean's 11, but with a YA spin that keeps you on your toes the whole way through. Really fun read, once I started it I couldn't put it down.
Lots of twists and turns! I will admit that I almost gave up near the beginning because Olivia was a bit too oh poor me whiny. But fortunately there was a plot twist that intrigued me and I kept with it.
Not a cliff hanger but the authors certainly left readers anticipating a sequel.
Thank you Net Galley and publisher for an E-ARC.
I’m aware the heiress is supposed to be annoying and stuck up because she’s an ex heiress with daddy issues but it’s not for me and I couldn’t find her like able or wanting to read her story
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💰 family drama
💰 heists
💰 single timeline
💰 single POV
💰 large cast of zany characters 🤪
💰 short chapters 🩷🩷
I do love a good revenge plot 🤪🤪 When Olivia’s dad tosses her and her mother to the curb, she comes up with an elaborate plan to steal her rightful inheritance from him… on his wedding day…. to a woman that he cheated on her mom with 🤣🤣 and then the whole family gets involved!
This book was so fun and silly… I loved when all of the “new” family members got involved with the heist as well 🤣 I hated all the characters and it worked out exactly how it was supposed to!
A lot of books I read are multi-timelines and multi-POV… and this one was honestly refreshing being just one single timeline and one single point-of-view. There was no confusion with the jumping back and forth all over the place, and I was able to just focus and enjoy the story.
I liked the team of crazy, wacky characters that Olivia put together to perform this heist with here, especially Olivia’s favourite teacher that her dad got fired for refusing to change Olivia’s grade to an A. I love a revenge plot 😈😈 With this many cooks in the kitchen, there was a lot of fighting and bickering, as I was totally here for it 🤪
This was a very enjoyable read that I breezed right through. I’ve really, really enjoyed the few books that I have read by these authors, and I can’t wait to read their next!
I don’t think I’m the target demographic anymore. Teenage me would have really enjoyed this though. I do like the writing style and the premise. But overall wasn’t for me
Posting on Forever Young Adult's blog on 9/24/24:
Cover Story: Delectable
I love this cover; it’s eye-catching and relates not only to weddings in general, but one of the characters is an aspiring baker and the cake is a bit part of the heist plan. Having the title carved into the frosting by a sneaky hand is, well…the icing on the cake. *ba-dum-cha*
The Deal:
Life threw once-heiress Olivia Owens a few curveballs over the last few years: her father cheated and divorced her mom, kicking them out of their Rhode Island mansion and leaving them with nothing. Now she’s decided that she and her mom deserve what her mother was denied with no prenup: a portion of her father’s wealth. She’s spent the last few months putting together a rag-tag group of wannabe-thieves who all have their own reasons for needing extra cash, and the day of reckoning is finally here. It also just so happens to be her father’s wedding day to his third wife.
BFF Charm: Eventually
I never disliked Olivia, but I don’t know if she was bestie material at the start. She’s clearly been through a lot, and while she’s had a lot of hurt, I do think in the long run it’s going to make her a more empathetic person (I think she’d agree). I can always count on Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka to give us a sometimes unlikeable but complicatedly layered main character.
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Olivia broke up with her practically-perfect boyfriend when she learned he was cheating on her, but this was all after he’d already been invited to the wedding. Of course, it’s not a heist story without some wrinkles, and a certain someone is determined to win Olivia back.
Talky Talk: A Decent Risk
This is a bit of a different kind of plot for Wibberley and Siegemund-Broka, who’ve often leaned more romance than thriller in their writing. It can be a challenge to translate the high-stakes of a typical heist story into YA-appropriate levels of thrills, and, for the most part, I think they pulled it off. Were some things a bit hokey? Sure. But Olivia’s righteous anger felt real, and we’ve seen enough shitty, real-world parents to know that there’s plenty of Dashiell Owens out there. I was willing to suspend any disbelief I may have had and go along for the ride.
I did think the first few chapters were tougher to get into (they do that whole “drop you in the middle of the action and then rewind a few hours” story beat) but I eventually caught the groove and it was smooth sailing from there.
Bonus Factor: Heists
I think it’s human nature to enjoy a good puzzle, and a heist has everything it takes to keep us engaged. Of course nothing about the plan ever goes quite right, but isn’t that half the fun?
Bonus Factor: Found Family
What would a heist be without a team? We don’t get to spend a TON of time with the entire group, but I liked seeing how they would pop up within each of Olivia’s heist phases and watch her soften up to them, because sometimes it really is about the friends we make along the way.
Bonus Factor: Plot Twists
Because this is a teen heist story about stealing millions of dollars from her father, I did spend most of the book wondering if Olivia was going to get the money and then have to, like, do the moralistic thing and not actually take it, or realize along the way money isn’t everything (or some such nonsense). But I won’t ruin the story for you, so enjoy also wondering about this and other plot bunnies until you finish the book!
Anti-Bonus Factor: Dan Scott Award for Awful Parenting
The way Dash Owens is written makes him sound like a Joe Rogan, jerk-for-shock-value type, but if he came from old money (I actually have no idea if Joe Rogan grew up rich or not and really don’t care to Google this to fact-check myself). He is a slimy weasel who deserves to lose every penny he has. I also found Olivia’s relationships with her step-moms interesting and complex, and while they aren’t as bad as Dash, neither woman is that great.
Relationship Status: Give Me A Disguise
I mean, if we were REALLY going to be thieves together, Book, I’d probably be the worst person to be on your team because I’d be a nervous wreck the whole time, plus I’m a horrible actor, but if we’re talking fantasy (and we are) then sign me up to infiltrate the catering staff!
FTC Full Disclosure: I received my free review copy from Little Brown Young Readers. I received neither money nor peanut butter cups in exchange for this review. Heiress Takes All is available now.
The Inheritance Games meets Ocean's 11 in this thrilling YA adventure about a teenager determined to pull off the perfect heist in the midst of her father’s wedding.
This was fine. It didn't quite live up to its own expectations, but I didn't hate it by any means.