3.5 stars.

This book should have been my catnip.

Heists! - I ADORE Heists and capers. Love them. I'd love a sexy romance series written like tv show Leverage. There were different ones, past ones, news ones, memories.

The Heist Crew! - Yeah, we got a crew with their messy history.

Romance! - Yup. Celeste and Magnus were lovers on the same crew of thieves, things ended not-so great and they meet again five years later trying to steal the same thing. They are fully brought back into each other's orbit after the death of their former mentor for one last job. The old spark re-sparks!

All Things Sexy ! - Yes, we got banter, sexy times, jewels, globetrotting, luxury items!

So why not higher?

Well...while it had so many things I loved, they didn't quite all 100% gel for me to make this a 5-star

The Heists were fun but not super clever.
The Crew weren't as well developed as I needed them to be. I liked all the characters but didn't have quite the depth.
The Romance was good. I liked both Celeste and Magnus and felt they had good chemistry. The romance was the best part, imo. They were just sexy and spicy and they had great tension.
All the Sexy Things: Were all sexy

Yeah this was overall really good but I think the parts were greater than the whole. There were some pacing issues, the beginning lagged a bit and I had a hard time getting into it at the start. But it did pick up. And the dialogue was witty.

I will say I'd actually love to see the characters again.

I love a heist and I love a romance novel and I love a romance novel that features folks older than their 20s. This was all of those things! Unfortunately I was a little too brain scattered to follow the ins and outs of the heist-as-scavenger hunt premise, so ended up setting it aside.

Jewel Me Twice-a standalone

By Charish Reid- I read Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up and gave 4 ⭐

Publication 7-23-24, Read 7-24-24

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for this ARC 💙! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Format: E-book 322 pgs.

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adult Fic, Multicultural Interests, Mystery

Tropes:

✔️lovers to enemies to lovers
✔️interracial relationship
✔️dual POVs
✔️H/h in their 40's
✔️opposites attract
✔️found family
✔️2nd chance romance
✔️grumpy/sunshine
✔️action-packed heists

⚠️: grief, loss

💭Summary: A professional international theft Celeste St. Pierre now runs a Manhattan antique store after a job went bad five years ago. Dr. Magnus Larsson is a geology professor who can create replica jewelry. Celeste and Magnus worked together and had a steamy relationship until the disaster heist. When Celeste and her assistant Beatrice are stealing jewels she sees Magnus again. Their mentor Dr. Doris Grant who taught them everything they know about thievery dies, but leaves them her diary to complete the heist of the century. Celeste and Magnus put their grudges aside, gather a team, and go hunting throughout Europe.

🤔My thoughts: I haven't read a book like this before, especially with a black heroine. I requested the ARC solely because of the beautiful cover. I loved that there were three generations of black, female, professional thieves. I forgave the stealing since they were robbing from bad guys. The found family between Celeste, Magnus, Beatrice, Santiago, and Lawrence reminded me of the Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Eight movies. Misfits put together for their specialties who protect each other.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

3.75 ⭐️ rounding up

I have to admit I am a sucker for heist books. There is something about them that always is appealing. The high end tech, the intrigue, the tension between the love interests,usually the amazing outfits and high stakes of the moments.

Magnus and Celeste were on the same heist team. They had the same mentor, Doris who is now deceased and her dying wish is for them to come back together as a team to pull off one more heist. Making the job that went sideways, have resolution. Celeste is a risk taker and Magnus lost his entire family so he didn’t want to lose Celeste. When he realizes that she is not willing to put that part to the side and recognize the recklessness of her risk taking he walks away. Celeste grew up in the system and blossomed with mentorship from Doris and she likes the thrill, the chase and yet we see her vulnerability in the book when others outside of Magnus recognize that risk taking and how much it will isolate her from people that love her.

I loved the heist aspects and how fast paced that part was and I enjoyed each of them individually a lot. I think what I wanted to see a bit more of was them as a couple the emotional connection there outside of sex. There are not any flashbacks to them as a couple in the past so you have to rely solely on their memories discussed or conversations had now and I think that if that had been more present I would have loved this book even more. That being said, it is a fun and quick read and if you like sexy heists I think you will enjoy this one.

CW: Sexual content, Sexism, Grief, Cancer, Death (off page)
Racism, Gun violence, Blood

This was an entertaining book. It was fun, fast-paced and steamy. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

Writing this review is challenging because I realize that this book simply wasn't for me, and it's okay for it not to be a 5-star read. I wanted to love it because I enjoy the idea of a heist combined with romance, but it didn't quite hit the mark. The story started out promisingly with Magnus reentering Celeste's life, but the plot lacked strength. However, the chemistry and spice between the main characters were definitely highlights.

Recommend (Yes/No/Maybe): Maybe. I think it could be good for someone but it wasn’t for me.

This was a lot of fun. A “let’s mourn our loss and get the gang back together” kind of heist. But with spice. A hella lot of spice. Very descriptive… Anyway! It’s a fun, quick read for a lazy afternoon.

I'll give this a 3.5. It was a good story and I enjoyed the banter between characters. What I didn't like is that the POVs between Celeste and Magnus switched mid-chapter. It always took me a second to be like "oh wait ok we're in this POV now."

I finally finished this book on the date of its publication after sitting on the ARC for months, and that should tell you something - not so much about the book's quality about how the book and I got along. Reid is a good writer, let's get that out of the way; the plot moved along at a good clip, the sex scenes were hot, there was some good banter. That said, the book and I didn't click. I was hoping for a heist novel, and to me the lynchpin of a heist novel - even more than the actual mechanics of "something gets heisted" - is that it's fun. The characters are having fun. The author is having fun. The reader is having fun.

This book... wasn't fun. What do I mean by that? It's a second chance romance. The thief mentor of both the FMC and the MMC has recently died; Celeste, the FMC, gets access to her mentor's diary - which is full of longing and regrets, both for her mentorship of Celeste, for her own lost love, and for the choices she made throughout her life - and messages from the grave send them and a crew on a treasure hunt through Europe. Pretty much everyone is having an existential crisis. Everyone is grieving. Everyone is hesitant about the choices they're making. No one is really having fun.

Reid made all the usual choices for a heist set-up - there's a crew, there's a secondary romance, there's what I think is supposed to be some slight comic relief (it's neither comic nor a relief, alas), there are complicated theft setups, there are glamorous settings and twists and turns and a last-minute appearance by an evil Interpol agent Out To Get Thieves. But it never really clicked for me. I never really started having fun.

As a thoughtful second-chance romance about life decisions and regret and choices, this was actually really good. But read it with that in mind.

Jewel Me Twice is a second chance romance with older characters (love, love, love). Celeste St. Pierre and Magnus Larsson were lovers who worked together to steal expensive artifacts until a job went back in Stockholm, Sweden, ending both their professional and personal relationships. They end up meeting again and start to work together after the death of their mentor, as his final wish throws them in each other's path again. They aren't sure whether it is a good idea to get involved again which leads to some fabulous tension between them. The writing is witty and made me laugh out loud several times (always the sign of a keeper book).

Readers should note there are themes of grief and loss in this romance; however, both topics are handled with much care.

Jewel Me Twice is like the old Reese’s Peanut Butter cup tag line. “Two great tastes that taste great together.” It combines two of my favorite things, a heist romance written by one of my auto-buy authors, Charish Reid. I liked Charish Reid from the first page of The Write Escape, and have enjoyed all of her books. I love the characters she writes and the relationships she builds with them.

As a side note, I got into a conversation about Charish Reid’s heroines, and the phrase “academia to heist pipeline” was introduced by ariana_reads. I think that if any of Reid’s heroines were faced with planning a heist, they could pull it off. If I wrote fanfiction, I would assemble a team of Reid’s lead characters, but I would put Celeste in charge. Dr. Doris Grant, Celeste’s mentor, did put Celeste on the academia to heist pipeline, though Celeste ultimately left academia to become an antiques dealer (and thief).

Celeste St. Pierre was once a part of a team of 5 that pulled off heists all over the world. One bad job and a falling out with her friend with benefits, Magnus Larsson, and the team disbanded. Now she owns an antique store and consults with wealthy clients. While on a job with her protege, Beatrice, running tech, Celeste runs into her former lover and makes off with a kiss and a tiara. A few days later the team is pulled back together by the last wishes of their former leader. She wants to send them on a last job to rectify some mistakes from the past. She’s giving Celeste and Magnus another shot at a relationship.

I love that Celeste and Magnus are in their 40s with all the self-knowledge and baggage that brings. Grief and regret are woven through the story. Though initially Celeste and Magnus downplay their past relationship, it becomes clear that they were both more serious and in love than they’ve been willing to admit. As they circle each other, they are each reexamining the past and making small movements towards emotional intimacy (they’ve already got a gold star in physical intimacy). It is a lovely and grown up romance. Jewel Me Twice gives the reader emotional depth and maturity along with stolen diamonds and some smoking hot pre-heist role playing.

I received this as an advance reader copy from Canary Street Press and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

I loved the concept of this - a treasure hunt of heists. And after reading it, I would say it's a solid story, but I just didn't love it and I cannot put my finger on why it missed the mark.

The main characters are well-written with more complex backstories that I expected. The baggage in a second-chance romance has to be just right for it to work out believably. Their chemistry was well done, and once Magnus started all-out flirting, I was sold But it often felt like we missed out on how 'perfect' they were before, instead of flashbacks we we just told how good they used to be together which for me isn't as compelling. I will say that I love a mature/older couple, but I don't know if I believed that CeCe and Magnus were in their late-30s, early 40s. They felt older, but I wish that this had been leaned into more.

The book seemed a bit slower paced than I think I expected for a heist caper. I think I was 40% through the book before it really felt like the plot picked up. It all seemed to go a bit too smoothly and the plans all seems a bit elementary, but it was still fun to read.
I really wish we would have gotten more of the side cast, it really was a strong focus on Magnus and CeCe with the others mostly just there for the plot instead of really seeing a full cast of developed characters.

I think this is an overall good solid book, but I am a bit disappointed it's not a great book.

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for my advance electronic copy via NetGalley. My opinions are my own.

It's been five years since Magnus Larsson let down his team of thieves, especially his girlfriend Celeste Ct. Pierre, in a big way. Now they and the rest of the team are summoned to a treasure hunt for the ultimate payout, and Celeste has to decide whether to trust Magnus again--on the job and with her heart.

This second-chance romance has a lot of spice between two hugely attractive, talented people. They may not agree on how to get the job done, but when they work together their differences complement each other and they make a great team. I found the justification for their thievery interesting--that they are only stealing from sleazy guys and the descendants of robber barons who stole it first. I also enjoyed the ingenuity of the heists and how they pulled them off. This one is a great read about a diverse set of characters and found family, and for those who just appreciate a good plot-driven, spicy romance.

3.5 stars

A crew of thieves must reunite to pull off one last job. Celeste and Magnus were part of the same crew and lovers until a heist went wrong and then they went their separate ways. 5 years later they reconnect after their mentor passes away and from beyond the grave she tasks the old crew to complete a scavenger hunt and complete one last job.

This had all the making for a fun caper in the style of Ocean's 11 or The Italian Job and while the set up and plot was good, it did lack a little suspense.

Celeste and Magnus did have a connection but they argued a lot of the same things over and over and it seemed like neither of them actually wanted to listen and forgive at first. They were both stubborn and not willing to bend their thoughts and opinions to try and mend the crack in their relationship. I really started to enjoy the romance part of the story when Magnus decided he'd had enough arguing and started unabashedly flirting with Celeste instead. That's when their spark really came alive.

The supporting characters could have been more developed. I would have liked a little more background on the other members of the crew or just some more banter between them all to really show how close these people were and the history they all shared.

The diary entries from Doris were clever and insightful. Just enough background to give you an idea of who the woman was and how Celeste had modeled herself after her. Made you think if Celeste really ever really knew Doris and if Celeste will follow in her footsteps as the ultimate protégée or will she carve her own path and fight for what she wants?

I did think the pacing could have been better at first. It started pretty slow but once they got to Estonia and they started plotting the heist, it did pick up and that’s where the story took off. The heist plot was very basic and straightforward. I would have liked a little bit of a twist or hurdle to help build a little more suspense but overall a solid read that was fun and engaging.

• Name of the publication/blog/outlet: @mycuppacoffee_books on Instagram
• Run date for when the review will be posted/published: July 23rd - release date!
• A link to your review so the publisher can share your review (note: click the link icon) Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6669029561
Amazon Link: Still Waiting on Approval

Jewel Me Twice was like a book straight out of axmovie, heist, comedy, witty entertainment. Tge cover alone is so beautiful, the story inside. Celeste and Magnus complimented each other as partners so well. Duos written well with chemistry always gets me!!! I laughed, u had such a great time.

JEWEL ME TWICE – Charish Reid
Canary Street Press
ISBN: 978-1-335-00946-3
July 23, 2024
Contemporary Romance

New York City & Europe – Present Day

Does she want to do one last heist? Even if it means reuniting with her former partner and lover. That’s the dilemma professional thief Celeste St. Pierre ponders in JEWEL ME TWICE. Five years ago, Celeste and Magnus Larsson were part of a team of jewel thieves headed by a college professor. But their last operation ended badly—and ended their romance. Their mentor is now dead and in a series of letters, she wants them to do one last jewelry heist, but they must do it as a team like the old times. Celeste isn’t sure if she wants to work with Magnus, but the job sounds tantalizing, especially since it will help them right what went wrong last time. Along with their usual partners in crime, Lawrence and Santiago, plus Celeste’s employee, Beatrice, they head first to Estonia to the first leg of their operation. Will it give the former lovers a chance to rekindle the flame, or will they continue to butt heads?

JEWEL ME TWICE is an unusual tale because in this case, crime does pay. Celeste first encountered her mentor, Doris, when she was eighteen and trying to get ahead in life. Doris introduced her to the world of jewelry heists, and it gave her a rush like she’d never experienced. Though Celeste’s last job with Doris was five years ago, she continues to steal along with the help of her own trainee, Beatrice. The end of her relationship with Magnus was acrimonious and the two haven’t spoken since. Can they work together? It soon turns out that the answer is yes, and they work beautifully together. Everyone in the group must work as a team because if something goes wrong, it could have a domino effect.

Celeste and Magnus continue to lock their horns even as they dance around their simmering attraction. Will they decide to scratch the itch in between meetings, planning, and doing their heists? Will they mend the fences and prove how great they are together? The other characters only play minor roles, though Beatrice is beginning to become attracted to Santiago. The focus of JEWEL ME TWICE is on Celeste and Magnus. Readers will be amused by their bickering and bantering back and forth. They are made for each other, but will it end with them walking away from each other again? Will their crime sprees be successful?

Grab an ice-cold drink as the love scenes between Celeste and Magnus are as steamy as a hot humid night, Will the passion they find end with a forever for them? Find out by grabbing a copy of JEWEL ME TWICE.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Only the real og friends (literally just @mrsmoss410 ) will know about the time I wrote a whole paper about caper films, but I loved it, loved them and THIS BOOK gave me the same fun high as all my fave caper heist films. But better cause ROMANCE! What I’m saying is that I absolutely ate up this book and loved it and highly recommend it.

Dr. Celene St. Pierre and Dr. Magnus Larsson were lovers and crew mates stealing priceless jewels and paintings and artifacts until a botched job in Stockholm broke up the crew and ended their relationship. Now, five years later, the death of their mentor is forcing the crew back together and sends them on a stealing scavenger hunt across Europe. Once back together, Celeste and Magnus can’t deny the feelings they still have, but can they trust each other in both their job and in life?

First of all, Magnus Larsson has the dirtiest mouth of all times and I would like to clone him. He is also obsessed with Celeste from the moment he sees her again and I love love love it. Both Magnus and Celeste are orphans with very different but very traumatic pasts and the way Reid dealt with them dealing with those pasts was so careful and sweet. The rest of the crew is also a party of misfits who are family to each other and I loved them each individually as well as digging the dynamics of the crew. ALSO NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP, just finding their way back to each other, but in a healthier and fuller way.

This is for you if you love:
💎tall Nordic men with dirty mouths
💎second chance romance
💎not enough beds for everyone
💎found family
💎stealing but only from the rich
💎40-something main characters
💎heist films

Anyway it’s SO GOOD and SO FUN and out 7/23 so preorder it friends!!!

"Jewel Me Twice" by Charish Reid is a thrilling, second-chance romance featuring Celeste St. Pierre and Magnus Larsson, two professional thieves reunited for one last heist. The story is packed with chemistry and banter, making their relationship dynamic and engaging. I loved the representation of smart, clever black women and appreciated the unique plot of a heist with a found family element.

However, I found the pacing a bit slow, and I wished for more action and suspense. While the physical attraction between Celeste and Magnus was evident, I felt their emotional connection needed more depth. The story's resolution left some questions about their mentor, Doris, unanswered, which was a bit disappointing. Despite these points, it’s a fun and spicy read, perfect for fans of heist romances with mature characters. Overall, I’m excited for the potential sequel featuring other intriguing characters from this book.

I enjoy a good heist movie so the premise of this called to me straight away. Diamonds, a fun story with twists and turns and two leads with decent chemistry. 3 stars.

A solid 3 for me. Not because I didn't enjoy it but I had a hard time connecting with all the characters and caring about them. But, I did love a few things. I loved the message of female empowerment. You can tell these women are independent and determined. Also, the found family aspect. You can tell these characters have been through a lot and are willing to do one last job without question. The mature 40+ MCs. Hello! Can we get more of this please? And ultimately the spice was on point. You have the tension and the chemistry as well.

Overall, the vibe was a bit slow for me and I found myself trudging along waiting for the fun to start. I thought we had it in the beginning but then it went super slow... for me at least. I would still recommend this book for fans of second chance romance, heists, and found family. I personally just expected more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and offered voluntarily.