This is a 3.5 for me. I really like the concept of this book. It sounded like such a fun and cute book, and I was really excited for it. I mean lovers reuniting for one last big heist and reconnecting sounded like a blast. I really enjoyed Celeste especially when she was interreacting with her assistant Beatrice. I loved their dynamic. But while I may have enjoyed the idea of this book and the FMC the book just made me feel a little underwhelmed. While the heists were interesting especially the last one, they weren't as exciting as I hoped especially the first one which seemed really really easy. The same could be said for the romance between Celeste and Magnus as I just didn't think they were a good match honestly. Magnus was just really annoying at times doubting Celeste, then doubting himself, naysaying everything he just always seemed like a wet blanket trying to cast doubt all the time. Now they are both described as beautiful people, so I get the sexual attraction to one another, but I just didn't get the emotional connection for a relationship. I felt more chemistry between Beatrice and the getaway driver.

In the end I liked the concept, the FMC, the last heist was the most interesting part of the book.


It's been 5 years since Celeste saw the last of her crew, Magnus in particular after their last job went horrible wrong. Since then, she has been living her life in her antique shop in New York with the occasional small heist to keep her talents honed. But during a heist who should walk in while she is cracking a safe but none other than Magnus. While the attraction is still there between them nothing is stopping her from walking out of that room with jewel she came for. So, she walks away from him again with a kiss to the lips and a hidden jewel tiara. This meeting, however, just brings back all the memories of their time together which just seemed to be a foreshadowing of what is to come as she receives a letter that her mentor who taught her how to be a thief has passed away. But if that wasn't enough her mentor decided to be a little cheeky and as a last wish of sort asks the old crew to get back together to complete some heists around Europe for her. An old crew which again included Magnus who the attraction is still there for but there are a lot of feelings and memories standing between them. What could do wrong?

I received an ARC Copy from Netgalley and HTP in exchange for an honest review.

I had a tough time with this story before finally sitting down to finish it. Although I found CeCe, Magnus, and their group interesting, I have to admit that none of them truly captivated me. I didn't feel the chemistry between CeCe and Magnus, and their constant back-and-forth quickly took me out of their relationship. It all became quite tedious and repetitive.

However, that's not to say I didn't enjoy "Jewel Me Twice." There were certainly some enjoyable parts, especially the insights into Celeste's work and being Black. I had hoped for more, but it's alright if it didn't meet my expectations. I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading this book, especially if you're into second-chance romances with a couple involved in heists.

I would like to thank the publisher for the opportunity to read and review it.

Jewel Me Twice is a sexy Romance between jewel thieves who reunite to pull heists at the behest of their mentor and one-time leader of a group of thieves. Through reading her mentor's diary, Celeste learns more about her life and motivation to become a thief. Celeste is not quite sure about returning to work with Magnus after a disastrous heist, but at the behest of her late mentor's last wishes, and a need to bring closure to the end of their relationship, Celeste agrees to join forces with Magnus and the old gang. A series of tests and then planning a bigger heist creates a lot of moments of sexual tension and even more moments releasing that built up desire between both Celeste and Magnus. Charish Reid has an amazing sense of describing passionate scenes. And she has a knack of writing secondary characters, wishing there was a book for them too.
Thank you to the publisher, NetGalley, and the author for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid is a captivating heist thriller that had me hooked from start to finish. The intense chemistry between Celeste and Magnus made this second-chance love story a page-turner. Reid's clever writing kept me engaged throughout, making it a truly unforgettable read.

I really appreciate Charish Reid's emphasis on more mature romances with more serious topics. While the heist plot line of this story was a fun time, what stuck out to me was the tension between Celeste and Magnus. This led to heavy, emotional moments between them against the backdrop of the action-packed heist moments.

I loved the discussion of race and privilege in this book, added more depth to a spicy romance story. I hope Charish Reid expands more on the side characters in books of their own in the future!!

A high stakes heist and dual POV second chance romance for the books.

This really is the ultimate thief-cute!! I adored every aspect of this dual POV, steamy thrill ride. Celeste and Magnus had incredible, undeniable chemistry and such witty banter that had me kicking my feet.

The heist was riveting, especially considering the clues and what not that were laid out for them along the way. It made for a very compelling and engaging plot that I was eager to continue. I actually finished this book in one sitting with how engrossed I was in both MCs and the heisting world.

I absolutely loved this book and am so excited to discover Charish Reid's other novels!

Thank you to Charish Reid, Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC <3

Pros were that I liked Magnus and Celeste together as sparring partners. But after that the whole book just started to read as repetitive after a while. The secondary characters were not well developed. And the whole plot of one last heist was wearing thin there for me after a while.

"Jewel Me Twice" follows former lovers and still thieves, Magnus and Celeste. They run into each other trying to steal something and then old memories come rushing back. When their former matriarch dies and requests one last heist with the entire crew, they agree, and then "feelings" arise.

I thought the love scenes and dialogue worked. But honestly, I think the diary entries from the former head that Celeste was reading got old quick. It wrecked the flow of the book.

Also, Beatrice, Santiago, and Lawrence were not very well developed in my opinion.

The ending I thought was solid for a second chance romance, but it seems as if Reid may be setting this up to be part of a series, and I don't know if I am interested enough to read about these same characters again.

This was such a fun heist novel! I loved the motley crew of characters, and how all their dynamics came together. I thought it was a really strong start, but got a little bit lost towards the end of the book. I did like the insight into Doris with the diary entries, but also thought that part of the book could have been tightened up a bit/more emotionally impactful to Celeste.

This book cemented me as a Charish Reid fan and I can't wait to read what she puts out next!

✅ Celeste St. Pierre, 41, antiques dealer and thief & Magnus Larsson, 44, geology professor and thief
✅ second chance romance
✅ jewelry heist + global adventure
✅ read it if you like The Italian Job, Oceans 8/11-13 or really any heist movie!

I love a heist and I love a second chance romance, but this wasn't the book for me. The characters didn't engage me in any way and so I wasn't especially interested in the relationship or the heist. Hopefully others will enjoy it!

Thank you to the publisher for sending a copy to review

I feel like I keep searching through so many anticipated releases, waiting for something that will break the reading slump. Unfortunately, this one just wasn't the one to do it. I just felt bored.

Thank you to NetGalley and Canary Street Press for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts <3

I fell in love with Charish Reid's writing last September when I read Mickey Chambers Shakes it Up. Obviously, that meant that I was desperate to read her newest release Jewel Me Twice. It was such a romp! A heist novel with a second chance romance at its center, JMT follows Celeste and Magnus former flames and part of the same squad of thieves. It was so fun reading them falling in love because of all the moving elements of the crime but also the bits and pieces of their previous, somewhat tragic ending.

Celeste is a certified badass!!! She knows her worth but she's still struggling to find her place in the world without her former mentor. I really liked how Reid built up the grief Celeste and Magnus were feeling. They really were two halves of a whole. AND SHE WAS ONLY SOFT FOR HIM!!! The steamy scenes were hot as hell because they already knew what the other character needed/wanted.

Read this if you like second chance romances, heists (with a bit of mystery), badass FMCs who are only soft for the hero, and later in life romances.

THIS BOOK IS A BLAST!!

If you watched Ocean's 8 and thought...wouldn't this be a fun romance, you will love this book.

Celeste and Magnus are former colleagues (on the same heist team) and former lovers. One the opportunity for the old gang to get back together and complete a heist that went south years ago, they are thrust (hehe) back into each other's lives in a big way. Charish Reid did a great job balancing the romance and the heist, I didn't feel like there was too much of either. The spice was divine, the characters very fun (and in their forties!) and the obstacles they had to overcome believable. Do yourself a favor and have a blast with this book!

Thanks for the ARC Netgalley :)

The story centering a romance and heist was very unique and fun. The heist was a blast to read about. I was on the edge of my seat throughout their adventures wondering what would happen. I got very similar vibes as to Ocean 11. In a way, the group of characters joining together also reminded me of Six of Crows, just without the fantasy elements.

While I liked both of the characters separately, I didn't have much feeling towards them as a couple. The attraction towards each other felt much more physical than emotional, especially in the beginning. I personally prefer more emotional connections. I was much more invested in the plot of the book than the characters and the romance.

I thought a second chance heist romance would be right up my alley but this one lacked something for me. I couldn't quite get a handle on the characters, why were they doing what they were doing? What led them to make the choices they did? I get the found family aspect of it and the heroine especially wanting a mother figure in her life but beyond that, what brought them into this life and kept them here? I just wish it was a little more character driven and not so much plot driven which yes, I realize it IS a heist book and so that has to play a large part in that but I did want some more about the MCs and their backstories.

I love Charish Reid and I am so excited about this book. I LOVE a heist!! And a second chance??? Professionally and romantically?? I love it so much it’s quite literally everything I could ever dream of.

Thanks to Canary Street Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

((This part is NOT a reflection of the book or the author!!! The formatting for the arc made it hard to read - I know that’s just the life of an arc reader sometimes but like every time it happens to me it made it a little hard to read and keep the pacing right))

Such a fun and spicy read that made a long plane ride for me feel so much faster. I love the characters’ chemistry and the balance of spice and plot.

I loved every second of this book!! Charish hit the ball out of the park. It was spicy and high stakes! I was here for the plot and adventure while also feeling drawn to the character development. I can’t remember the last time I read a book so fast. I can’t wait for Black women to see themselves in this story and see that we deserve diamonds too!

A little bit of Oceans 11 vibes with this one... At first I was feeling unsure about it. The characters, story... but I continued on and ended up enjoying the story overall. A true second chance!

Second chance romance ✔️
Character tension ✔️
Banter between MCs ✔️
Interesting concept ✔️

This is my second book from Cherish Reid and I really enjoy her writing style so far! Celeste and Magnus had undeniable chemistry and I was rooting for them to get back together the entire book. Definitely recommend reading this one if you love second chance romance with an interesting subplot. Really thankful I got the chance to read this as an ARC. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for this advanced copy. Excited to read more from Cherish!