I downloaded this thinking a heist plot starring a crew of clever thieves with a messy past and promises of some (steamy) romance would be a super fun 5-star read, but I couldn’t stand any of the characters and was bored out of my mind. DNF at 50%.

tl;dr
A couple of fun heists act as the backdrop for a spicy second chance romance.

Thoughts
Make no mistake - this book is about the relationship, and it knows it. Celeste and Magnus are adults. Their last time together ended poorly, but the spark never left. In fact, it probably turned into a flame during the years apart. This thing is packed with sexual tension, steamy glances across the room, and plenty of spice. They steal gems and it's sexy. They roleplay (for the job, of course) and it's sexy. They have sex and that is also sexy. The whole thing is extremely sexy, and if you're looking for a steamy good time, look no further. Supporting cast are all varied and fun. Doris, the deceased mentor is somehow the strongest personality of them all, and her story shines through her letters and diary entries as our MCs navigate their current heists. The plot itself is straightforward and fast-paced; there are a handful of heists, all with minor complications and major payoffs, and all feeding into the relationship between Celeste and Magnus. It's also a standalone - no cliffhangers to worry about - but with just enough space that the other characters might get up to shenanigans at a later date.

I liked this book but it was a mediocre experience. I thought it was going to be like her first book but it just fell flat for me. I appreciated that it was an older couple with real trust issues but it just felt very drawn out and it took a long time for me to get into it.

If you are an Oceans (movie) franchise girlie like me, you will completely love this! But it centers a black female MC and several side characters of color as well, which is a welcome change from Oceans. The spice is spicy as h*ll (she’s in charge outside the bedroom and brats him a good bit, then he’s IN CHARGE inside the bedroom). We love to see a second chance romance, and in this case we find both MCs learning to value love over their careers. The writing is gorgeous, especially describing their opulent gala attire and Magnus’ view of Celeste in general. This is definitely a romance, but the plot is more forward than the romance at times, which works well for the suspenseful heist vibe. I would love to see more from this author, and I’d absolutely read Bea and Santi’s story!

This romance is a nice foray into a new genre of romance: the heist. It’s a fun premise and takes you along with the MCs on a second chance romance adventure. I thought there were slow moments or moments that were not allowing me to connect to the characters but overall would recommend.

This was a fun second chance romance mixed with an exhilarating heist! As someone who grew up reading Ally Carter and a romance reader now, I ate this up! The heist plot was great but I wanted a bit more from the romance

The tension and suspense of this heist centered story left me completely on the edge of my seat. You might think that is because of the heist but it was really because of Magnus and Celeste. Charish Reid knows how to write badass women who appreciate a man but do not need them. The chosen family represented truly felt honest. They would do anything for one another but weren’t afraid to challenge each other either.
She has become an author that I will automatically pick up their book after finishing this.

thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC in exchange for a honest review.

After five years apart, Celeste St Pierre runs into her old partner, Magnus Larsson, as they both try to steal the same tiara. Celeste now runs an antiques store and Magnus still teaches at university. When they both get letters that their mentor has passed on and she wants the old group to do one last heist, they must team up with Santiago and Lawrence to complete their mission. Can Celeste and Magnus move past the anger and move forward to complete their mission?

I loved the idea of this book so much and I found Celeste and her assistant Beatrice to be fun and complex. I really did not understand what Celeste saw in Magnus as he got on my nerves. Also, I feel like the heist did not have enough detail to it. It seemed almost inconsequential even though it was the whole point of their reunion.

Action packed an spicy. Love the romance and the chemistry between the two MC. Would definitely recommend.

This book was an adventure! I loved every twist and turn and the love in between! It literally had me on the edge of my seat. I love how love won in the end. I loved the complexity of the characters and how they were explored with depth. Mags and CeCe had this passionate fiery love that was beautiful to watch bloom and fully uncover. Can’t wait to see what happens with Santi and Bea on the crews next adventure!

This is a sexy, lighthearted heist romance with old lovers reuniting to pull off another job. Celeste and Magnus haven't seen each other since their last job went wrong, and while the beef between them is actually minimal, the confused feelings are real. They weren't technically in a relationship before, and nor did they speak about anything personal, so while they quickly reestablish a rapport, they balk at any true intimacy.

As far as the plot goes, it's exactly what it says on the tin: "thief-cute" is a good way to describe it. You have a fun crew with a history as well as a secondary romance, you have a mysterious mentor who's recently passed and now the rest of them are left to deal with the treasure hunt she set up before her death all while reexamining the mentor's past, and of course, there's a heist... or two. It's exactly the kind of breezy romance that makes for a great beach read.

My one note is, neither Magnus nor Celeste (Magnus especially) read to me like a person in their early forties. Don't get me wrong, they're very much adults, but they felt like they were in their late-twenties based on their maturity at times. And that was surprising to me because Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up had protagonists who were around the same age (33 and 42) but they read as those ages.

The sex:

Contemporary romance sex scenes tend to vary a lot in terms of heat, but Charish Reid knows how to write a gooood sex scene that serves the purpose at that moment in the plot. Like when Celeste and Magnus are still skirting around each other, there's a quick and dirty fingerbang against the fridge. Or in a post-heist celebratory mood, Celeste lets Magnus take charge and the results are DELIGHTFUL. Also, I don't see enough toys in contemporary romances (or romances in general), so I'm glad this book followed through on that.

Overall:

I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, fun contemporary romance with racially diverse characters that also brings the heat.

Thank you to Canary Street Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 3.75/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Publication Date: July 23rd

thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book!

3.5 ⭐️

this was a fun read! I really enjoyed the concept and the cast of characters was so lovely. some of their character arcs felt underdeveloped, but the main crew still had my heart. Celeste and Magnus’ relationship could have been paced better and developed more deeply, but they were adorable nonetheless and their chemistry was off the charts!

you definitely have to suspend your disbelief while reading all the technical, “heisty” parts of the novel, but it was nice to read a romance with an exciting subplot and stakes. I thought it touched on the themes of mentorship, power dynamics and grief wonderfully.

Tension with a license to kill,
the spies who loved each other once,
is their chemistry a Dr. No?
Never say never again!

By day, Celeste St. Pierre along with her apprentice, Beatrice, are antique collectors and dealers. By night, they are jewel thieves who go on elaborate heists! When her old heist mentor, Doris Grant, passes away and she’s invited back to her mansion to fulfill one last heist as her final request, Celeste is not only reunited with her old crew, but her old partner-in-crime and the one who got away, Magnus Larsson! Could this final heist be what will mend their relationship and relieve the “thunderball” of tension?

This is the first book I’ve read from Charish Reid, and what a fantastic introduction! From the author that brought you “Mickey Chambers Shakes It Up” comes this Contemporary Spy Romance for fans of the “James Bond” franchise and “Argylle”!
It’s got everything; Agents leading double lives, fun disguises, witty banter, and a treasure hunt that has the protagonists travel the world, meet new allies, and take on elaborate heists! This novel also gives effective commentary in the form of our two leads, Celeste and Magnus!

While Celeste and Magnus might seem to not get along at times with their tense banter, they have a good deal in common and genuinely care about each other to the point they secretly dream about growing old together! And the occasion “wife/husband” play? Do not get me started, I will go on a wholesome rant! The commentary coded in their relationship comes in the form Communication, Trust, and Vulnerability.

When in a relationship, it is important to express your wants and needs, to be able to trust one another when it comes to making decisions together as a team, and to not be afraid to share your flaws and discuss your fears/traumas with your loved one. It's ok to talk to your significant other about your feelings and place your trust in them when the time is right for you, but if you shut out your partner and try to hide your feelings with pride, you'll only push them away. Thus, why Celeste and Magnus' relationship and journey is strong in its deliverance of the commentary! If you're looking for a fun read that feels like something straight out of the Summer blockbuster, don't miss out on this book when it hits online and in-store shelves on July 23, 2024!

Rating: 4/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 5/5🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶

-Tropes to Expect: Second-Chance, Heists, Treasure Hunt, Double-Lives Narrative, Found-Family, Gala Crashings, Pining, and Partners-in-Crime.
-Trigger Warnings: Relationship Anxiety, Mentions of Deaths of Family Members, Discussions of Cancer, Child Neglect, Family Conflict, and Trauma.

Thank you netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I'm a sucker for a good ensemble heist book and this one did NOT disappoint. I also love that it features several beautiful women of color as the leaders at different stages of a career that you would normally affiliate it with a man. It's a beautiful story revolving around grief, regret, and second chances. The characters were fabulous and there was several cons leading up to the big heist. CeCe and Magnus definitely leave an impression with their great sexual chemistry and Bea, Santi, and Lawrence do great rounding up the crew with their particular skillsets featured. It sounded like the author may have a follow up in mind so that we can focus our attention more on at least Bea and Santi which I would enjoy to be able to get a peak into their minds.

Overall, it was a great time and easy read. It's definitely spicy and fun!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for the ARC of this book. The summary of it had me hooked before I even started it. I love all kinds of heists, be it in a movie, tv show, documentary anything I am in! This book was filled with jewelry and national treasure heists. If you seen the movies Ocean 11 and National Treasure, this book has those vibes for sure. Magnus and Celeste being thieves was EVERYTHING. They had this push and pull that was very intense. The way Magnus spoke to her…LOVED! I hope there is a book about Santiago and Beatrice coming out next.

Favorite quote: "So polite."

Favorite Scene In 1-3 Words: Mr. Sanderson's event

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

The cover caught my eye for sure. I enjoyed the heist element of the story line. But I'm like CeCe's tech assistant Bea, I didn't get the MCs. Their mentors story was more intriguing and developed than theirs together. The story was wrapped in a little bow but this second chance just kinda sorta worked.

This was a fun quick, fun read. It felt like I was watching a movie or TV show.
Charish Reid's 'Jewel Me Twice' is a nice mix of exciting heists and romanance. Following Celeste and Magnus, former partners in crime, as they reunite for one last job after their mentor's passing. The tension risess between them while completing the heists. The steamy scenes are spicy, and the crew's friendships adds depth. Reid crafts as amazing story of passion, humor, and mystery. A must-read if you like spicy romance and adventures. Highly recommend!
Thank you Charish Reid and NetGalley for letting me read this.

i wanted to like this so badly, i really did. the premise was incredible, and i loved the idea of following criminals, a nice change from my usual reads of detective fiction. unfortunately, it all fell a bit flat.

the chemistry from magnus and celeste just wasn’t there for me. he felt pompous and full of himself, and as much as i liked cece, i just couldn’t see why she kept going back to him time and time again. while there were moments of their “relationship” that i did enjoy when they finally stated communicating with one another, the bad outweighed the good here. the smut scenes were also, not to my taste, though maybe that’s just me.

i did enjoy doris though. i almost wish we had her full story as a prequel to this, i feel i would enjoy it much more.

I love Charish's books but after Mickey Chambers this sorta fell flat. I love a good heist book but I guess I built it up in my head. The steam was very steamy though.

just don’t think I like heist romances…. It moves too fast and there’s too much flushing out of the plot to have enough time for the characters. It is sexy and funny and I did like what we learn about the characters. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC