A super fun heist romance with found family and second-chance romance elements! I loved all the details we got on the behind the scenes of the heists, the different plays, the prep, etc. It was the perfect backdrop for the tension between Marcus and Celeste which was sexy and steamy! It was also refreshing to read about older characters that brought more maturity to the story. I did struggle with the pacing which was incredibly slow for a good portion of the book. For a heist romance, I was expecting it to be more fast-paced. I also felt like the reason for their breakup could have been stronger or clearer without jeopardizing their present day romance. I didn't understand why they broke up in the past and that diminished the delicious angst slightly. Overall, very enjoyable and I would love to read a sequel featuring more heists and Beatrice and Santiago's romance!

I am a fan of Charish Reid's books in general, and Jewel Me Twice - a fun heist romance featuring a 'mature' central couple in Celeste and Magnus and an engaging crew of side characters - hit a lot of my favourite beats.

I really loved that the book doesn't shy away from showing how Celeste's vocation as a master thief is impacted by being Black; her experience as shown in this book is very different than that of Magnus, a wealthy cis white man - potential marks don't second-guess what Magnus is doing in a room the way they do for Celeste, and I found the way this treatment affected their approaches to various jobs fascinating. I also loved the mentor relationship between Celeste and Bea; their trust was apparent from the very first time we see them working together in the book and it was a refreshing change to the typical 'isolated thief' narrative.

This book is chock-full of small fun bits as well - I particularly loved Celeste forgetting she was wearing the tiara when speaking with the bike messenger - I can just picture that happening, and it's too funny.

There seems like plenty of story left to feature the other members of the crew in future; my fingers are crossed for a future book starring Santiago and Bea in particular!

I received an ARC for this book via NetGalley; all opinions expressed here are my own.

Jewel Me Twice is the story of former lovers and literal partners in crime, Celeste and Magus, reuniting to pull off one last jewel heist at the request of their mentor who has since passed away. This was a very fun and sexy read that I enjoyed! The tension between Celeste and Magnus was literally dripping off the pages and I knew those two would give into each other quickly lol Celeste and Magnus were reunited with their old crew: Santiago and Lawrence and Celeste’s mentee Beatrice. Even though their mentor, Doris, had passed on we still got to see parts of her past through journal entries she left behind. Jewel Me Twice will have you rooting for the crew to pull off the ultimate heist and it also gave Ocean’s 8 vibes. They were a found family in their own quirky way. Charish Reid has become a favorite of mine this year! Her writing will have you entertained and swooning all in the same breath. Make sure to get this one when it comes out! Happy reading✨

Pub Date: 7/23/24

Thanks to Netgalley and Canary books for this eARC

Preorder your Copy of Jewel Me Twice wherever books are sold!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the growth within the main characters and understanding on what they needed to work on as individuals to come together as partners in the field and personally.

It was a super cute heist romance. Where they had to come back together as a team and pull one last big job. It was an easy, comfortable read where I didn't feel like anything was missed .The story flowed perfectly. I loved that there was banter and wittiness amongst the group and the love interests.

The tension before the second chances lovers was too good !!! The spice was perfect! I also feel like we are being setup for a second book with Bea and Santiago which I'm so excited about.

I think this was such a good read that I see this being a great summer beach read !

3.5 stars. I mean, what's more fun than a heist crew pulling One Last Job? I liked details about the priceless jewels, the globetrotting, the tech. This book is nonstop action and suspense. And it's cinematic as all hell - I'd really love to see this adapted to film or TV.

If there's one weakness, it's the dynamic between the MCs. They're hot together but I didn't get that sense of huge emotional stakes or the satisfaction of seeing a perfectly matched couple finally get it right.

3.5 ⭐️ this was such a cute and easy going story. It was just about two people who found their way back and planning a heist lol it was a very fluid story and I liked all the character. Thank you NetGalley and Harlequinn Pub for early access to this story!

This was a really fun heist romance that follows a crew of theives as they come together for one last heist, in honor of their recently deceased mentor.

This book was fun to read through. There are several main characters in the crew, but each one added a lot to the story. The concept was interesting, and it was fun to be on the inside of the heist planning.

I do wish we got more details on the heist - the build up, the trepidation, the exhilaration - I felt like there was a lot that was missing. And for what we had, it felt like the book moved fairly slowly.

I really enjoyed the romantic coupling, and seeing their dynamics play out. It feels like we’re being set up for a sequel with Bea and Santiago, and I hope we get to see them have their own story!

Two things had me hooked: the fast-paced, globetrotting heist and the scorching second-chance romance. The heist is cleverly plotted, with hidden messages, daring missions, and enough stolen jewels to keep you on the edge of your seat. The romance between Celeste and Magnus is electric, with slow-burn tension and witty banter that will have you hooked.

My goodness! There’s just so much to love in a Charish Reid book! Something’s that I’ve grown to love reading her works is how she writes older characters. You would think older characters have it all figured out, but no they prove that it’s never too late in life to take a chance and that’s so powerful! She also writes the best witty banter! I always smile when reading the pickup lines. Let’s not even get started on the tension?!! It is HOT between these two and I love the Mr. And Mrs. Smith vibe- it’s like opposites attract, enemies vibe with a grumpy sunshine moments and I’m here for it! Love love loved this!

I did not really enjoy this title. It felt like one i might enjoy with the audiobook however when I was currently reading I couldn't get past the tense and the switch between characters. I found myself too confused to want to continue.

I loved this book! It had just the right amount of action and romance and female relationships. I loved all of the characters, and the plot was super fun and enjoyable. The writer's style is very clean and straight to the point. My only complaint is that the beginning took me a while to get invested, but once I was invested, I was hooked.

"Jewel Me Twice" by Charish Reid is a delightful heist romance that revolves around two old lovers who come together once again to pull off a job. Celeste and Magnus haven't met since their last job, which didn't go well. Although there is minimal beef between them, the confused feelings still exist. They never talked about anything personal or were technically in a relationship. So, while quickly establishing a rapport, they hesitate to indulge in true intimacy. This book is an excellent recommendation for anyone looking for a light and fun contemporary romance featuring racially diverse characters with a touch of heat.

Thank you to Cherish Reid, NetGalley, and Canary Street Press for providing me with an advanced copy.

“Jewel Me Twice” is on sale July 23 2024.

Celeste and Mags are our FMC and MMC and are old partners in a group of thieves. When Celeste is caught red handed by her former partner a tale untwists unravelling their old love for eachother along with another adventure to go one! Adventure rom com say no more!!!

2.65⭐️


Celeste y Magnus eran parte de un grupo que robaba "tesoros", ellos tenían una relación hasta él le dio un ultimátum sobre que debía de dejar de ponerse en peligro, pero ella no lo escucho, entonces abandono el grupo y no se volvieron a ver. 5 años después la jefa/mentora del grupo muere, todos se reunieron para darle el adiós y se llevaron la sorpresa de que les dejó instrucciones para la búsqueda de un tesoro.

Fue interesante, pero le faltó más desarrollo al romance.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for and honest review.

Fun! Spicy! Thrilling! Great story!

I really enjoyed getting into this story although it started slow for me, but after a few chapters I could see the appeal.

Magnus and Celeste, the MMC & FMC were part of a small crew of thieves, also lovers and haven't seen each other in 5 years. They are thrust back together and the fun begins!

I loved the chemistry, the spice and the growth Mags and Celeste went through together. Also the crew was a close family and relied on each other not only to ensure the job went good but also emotionally.

Second chance romance
Mature main characters
Little bit of thrill
Art heist

What's not to love!

Rating: 3.5

I was recently introduced to Charish Reid after reading Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up (absolutely loved 😍). I was super excited to pick up this second chance romance with an interesting backdrop for the plot.

Mangus + Celeste navigate a possible second chance while balancing new adventures, old friends, grief and self discovery. The backdrop for this "theif-cute" is a series of heists put together by the FMC + MMC's mutual mentor.

Pros:
- I really enjoy Charish writing style! She has a good flow without things feeling too wordy
- I love love that the main characters are older. I can only read about a 20yo main character so many times lol 🥴 Both Celeste and Mangus are in their 30s/40s.
- We love good representation 👏🏽 This is an interracial couple, but also Charish is good with mental health and physical disability representation
- the found/chosen family in the book was a plus! I really enjoyed the side characters and hope that some of them get their own book!
- THE SPICE: okay Charish I seeee yooouuu! Lol this is where the romance truly felt real to me, Charish knoooows how to write a spicy scene and we love her for that!


Cons:
- at times the romance and the heists felt like two separate plots that's just so happened to occur at the same time.
- I wanted there to be a bit more character development. By the middle of the had to push myself to finish their story- I wasn't as invested in Celeste and Mangus as characters as I wanted to be. I found some parts to be a little repetitive
- I was a little confused about their break up in the first place? I get they were both stubborn (this was repeated 1000 times) but something about their initial story didn't sit well with me lol especially for them both to have been in their 30s at the time.

Overall if you like second chance romances with a cute couple and an interesting side plot (with some spice and mental health representation) please pick this up!

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I don’t know what it was, but this book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t really feel/believe the emotional or romantic connection between the two protagonists. I wish I enjoyed this book more since it has an interesting concept, but it missed the mark for me.

Actual rating: 2.5 stars, rounded up to 3 stars

Love can catch you red-handed.

He was her partner—both in crime and between the sheets. It’s been five years since professional thief Celeste St. Pierre laid eyes on Magnus Larsson. These days, she runs a Manhattan antique store, but her talent for stealing beautiful, shiny things hasn’t faded. And as a chance reunion over a locked safe proves, neither has the heat between her and the gorgeous, ice-cool Magnus.

For Magnus, only one thing beats the thrill of getting away with robbery—and that’s the woman he’s tried hard to forget. Their last job together ended in disaster. But if they’re going to honor their mentor’s last wishes to pull off the theft of the century, they’ll have to temporarily put their grudges behind them.

Crisscrossing Europe on a real-life treasure hunt, Celeste and Magnus quickly rediscover how well they work together. The higher the stakes, the hotter the sexual tension. But one slipup and it won’t be only jewels on the line, but a future that, just maybe, has been the ultimate prize all along…

My Take:
Regina Black, author of "The Art of Scandal" said it best. This book is “A steamy heist thrill ride I never wanted to end. The combustive chemistry between Celeste and Magnus kept me turning the pages of this witty, second-chance love story.”

So what if the Brand and Andy from "The Goonies" grew up to be adventurous intellectuals in the vein of Indiana Jones and reunited with their Goonies crew for one last heist? And, along the way, they rekindle their romance? This is a glimpse of what we got here-but diverse! The crew was multi-generational, multi-racial, and had queer members. The world Reid built was realistic and fanciful: I could have spent more time in it and have hopes for a second book about a Philly job. If you read and enjoyed "Diamond Doris" and "Thieves Gambit," pick this one up when it publishes on July 23, 2024.

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC!

I loved Magnus and Celeste. I do wish we got more of a slow burn back into their reconnection with each other. The best parts of the book are when Magnus and Celeste are on heists together and are annoying each other. It would be so fun to have a prequel where we see how this relationship started.

What a fun read!

Two international jewel thieves whose partnership and relationship ended after a heist gone wrong are thrown together for one last job after their shared mentor passes away.

I really enjoyed this one.

- The characters felt nuanced, fun, and real. Magnus and Celeste have instant chemistry and their banter is fun and keeps you wanting more. But outside of the romance, there are some great side characters that round out this rag tag team. I love that they each have their own demons, their own redemption arcs, but always find their way back to each other and their eyes on the prize. Yes, the romance works, but the found family is just as great.

- The plot. I enjoyed how this all unfolds! The gang reuniting unexpectedly. The scavenger hunt/heist set up by the mysterious mentor. The parallels between past and present. The different locations, jobs, and shenanigans throughout. It all kept the plot and pace moving and kept me fully engaged.

-The spice! I wasn't expecting this one to be so spicy, but I'm not complaining! The steamier scenes were creative and Magnus and Celeste will they or won't they is so fun to read! And I love how at first it's physical, but they've grown in their years apart and work through what it means to truly be serious.

This one is no doubt a fun, easy read to pick up! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced electronic copy in exchange for my honest review.

Read For:
- Thieves w/ Day Jobs
- One Last Big Heist
- Second Chance Romance
- Older MCs (40s)
- Funny w/ a bit of Trauma
- Found Family
- SPICE!