The Winged Tiara, set in 1920s England, is a gripping race between two thieves after the same tiara. The catch? The thieves are husband and wife. Sort of.
Their complicated relationship is one to root for, with great banter and chemistry, and the action of the plot is fast-paced and enjoyable.

If a cat-and-mouse/Mr. and Mrs. Smith concept for a historical romance intrigues you, add this one to your list.

Thanks to @thomasnelson @jnellciesielski and @austenprose for the free copy!

Such a clever and fun read! I was drawn in right away thanks to this glamorous historical novel.

The story follows Esme and Jasper and we learn right away they are married thanks to a champagne fueled decision. Esme leaves Jasper and they don’t see each other for four years. Then, they meet up again and that’s where the story really starts.

We follow them through their heists and antics, and it’s all so enjoyable. Their competition and banter is enjoyable as they both try to find the prize, duping each other at every turn.

Advance reader copy provided by Thomas Nelson Fiction and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

Title: The Winged Tiara
Author: J’Nell Ciesielski
Narrated by: Ann Marie Gideon
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Length: Approximately 9 hours and 31 minutes
Source: Thank you @jnellciesielski @thomasnelson @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley audiobook review copy of of The Winged Tiara.

What book are you most likely to gift to a friend? I like to give books to friends or family that I think they will like. Sometimes I read a book, enjoy it and immediately think of who else I know that will also enjoy the book. The Winged Tiara was a book I instantly knew a few friends and family members would enjoy.

Jasper and Esme were caught up in celebrations after the end of WWI and had a quick alcohol filled marriage. Esme slipped away the next morning. Years later, the two meet up again as both are famous jewel thieves on the hunt for the elusive winged Valkyrie Tiara. Will they find the tiara, and will they find their way back to each other?

My thoughts on this book:

• I loved the witty banter and romantic tension between the two main characters. Sparks definitely fly in this novel.
• This book reminded me of many of my favorite movies that had romantic tension, witty dialogue, a love/hate relationship, and one upmanship among the leads including To Catch a Thief, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, The Thin Man, or The Thomas Crown Affair.
• I loved the constant adventure with their pursuit of the winged tiara.
• The audiobook had a great narrator with unique voices for all the characters. It was so fun to listen to this audiobook!
• The narrative was fast paced.
• I loved the roaring 20’s setting among the elite and glamorous in Europe.
• This was a clean read.
• Two of my favorite tropes were in this novel including enemies to lovers and second chance romance.
• Esme and Jasper were both great characters. They were both interesting with flaws, fears, and ambitions.
• There is a nice set of discussion questions at the end of the novel which would be great for a book club.

Overall, The Winged Tiara is one of the best books I’ve read this year. I highly recommend this historical romance. I would love to see this as a movie.

I wasn't very interested in this novel. It seemed very standard and full of stock characters. There were no surprises and it just couldn't demand my attention.

You know that feeling when you discover a new author and you think to yourself, “why did it take me so long to read their books?” That is how I felt only a few chapters into reading The Winged Tiara by J'Nell Ciesielski, it was so good! I was hooked immediately and officially want to read everything in Ciesielski's backlist.
The Winged Tiara was such a unique read for me. I loved the historical setting, the vibes, and the romance. It was fun cheering for Jasper and Esme who were semi-gray characters as they both were thieves trying to obtain a special winged tiara. I loved the motivations for both and oh man, their love story was really special. I was hooked and Jasper was just so patient and determined, I was happy to see Esme open her eyes a bit more to what they could be and the ending was very satisfying for me.
The dual POV was fantastic. I really enjoyed getting inside each characters' head. This is a clean, historical romance. I highly recommend it.
Thanks Austenprose and Netgalley for the complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a fun adventure featuring a lovers to enemies to lovers again romance. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into, but this was such an exhilarating read. And so many twists and turns, lies, deceits, and oh so much drama.

We follow two jewel thieves who after the end of the war against all odds fell in love and drunkenly got married the same day in celebration. But the following morning, Esme realizes her mistake and runs off before her newly found husband, Jasper wakes up. Four years later, they run into each other searching for the same jewel, the precious Valkyrie Tiara. And we get to watch them play games with each other trying to slow the other down in their attempt to be the first one to steal the tiara.

From the very beginning, I was captivated. As we bounce between the perspectives of Jasper and Esme, we learn about their pasts and the whirlwind romance that sparked them to get married. And despite their internal protests, its clear the spark is still there as they try to cheat their way to getting the tiara first. I adored how Jasper cared for Esme’s well-being throughout the chase despite the numerous times she left him behind.

I truly didn’t know what to expect as I made my way through this, but I absolutely loved it from start to finish. I especially enjoyed all the lavish parties that our main characters snuck into. The descriptions painted such vivid pictures. I could easily picture myself there with them.

If you enjoy historical fiction set in the 1920s and enjoy a good chase, you should definitely consider picking this up!

The Winged Tiara ticked a lot of boxes in terms of what makes an enjoyable story for me.

The Winged Tiara is historical fiction, which is one of my favourite genres. But, it is also set during one of the time periods I'm most drawn to, the early 1900s.

The story took place throughout Europe, as our main characters played a game of cat and mouse, constantly trying to outwit each other to gain the ultimate prize.

There was a real, will they/won't they romance between our two main characters.

As one might expect in a story with competing professional thieves, there was also danger, mystery, and intrigue. There were a couple of plot twists, one I suspected early on, but another that caught me off guard.

I appreciated the character development, and while I found myself quite fond of the MMC and annoyed with the FMC, I did love the ending for both of the main characters.

The Winged Tiara was definitely a slow burn. The story took off about two-thirds of the way through, though, making it difficult to put down. There were some absolutely exquisite descriptions of the landscape, food, and dress of our characters. And while I truly loved reading them, because I could actually picture the story so well, it definitely slowed the pacing of the book.

I definitely recommend this one for historical fiction and romance fans, who enjoy some adventure and a strong female main character.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson Fiction for the advanced digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

The ratio of how much I wanted to love this book to how much I actually ended up not loving it at all? 1:1. There was so much potential with the premise and the characters, but the execution is simply a hot mess. Forget the Valkyrie tiara, someone should have been out looking for the editor, because it's clear they went missing when this manuscript was delivered.

What should have been a 1920s British Mr. and Mrs. Smith (if they were contract thieves) ended up being a story about two people, Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt, that we're supposed to root for because they had sad childhoods, and because Esme took off the morning after their spur of the moment decision to wed after celebrating the armistice in Paris. Unfortunately, I didn't end up rooting for either one of them because (1) their childhoods really weren't that sad at all, (2) Esme is a spoiled, precious brat, and (3) neither Jasper or Esme have any justifiable reason for making their living by stealing from other people.

Esme (the illegitimate daughter of a narcissistic actress) and Jasper (the illegitimate son of a Duke) are mercenaries, plain and simple. Period.
They steal for a living, because it's fun and an adventure, and because it's easier than getting a legitimate job like everybody else. In the end, they only stop thieving because Jasper finds himself filthy rich by inheriting the Dukedom.

Jasper is an ex-solder in the British army, and he is more likeable as a character than Esme. We're essentially asked to believe that Jasper and Esme are fated mates, and they are well-matched when it comes to being clever and ruthless. But I didn't feel the spark of chemistry that should have been there, and I think that may be because of the broader issues of execution.

The pacing of the novel is all over the place. There are cavernous plot holes and elements to the story that make no sense whatsoever. I do not understand the point of introducing the third thief, Lamb, a bizarre caricature of a man who lives in the middle of nowhere France yet is able to put together a spontaneous party with hundreds of guests who don't seem to know him or why they're partying just to play a game of who's the best spy. Esme and Jasper are each other's perfect foil, so there is no need for another character to detract from their attempts to outwit each other in their pursuit of the ultimate prize of their careers.

Honestly, I thought that the entire storyline about the Contessa being out for revenge against the Duke over the tiara was just dumb. I don't even see the point of the serial killer Pirazzo. Jasper already has plenty of motivation to go after Esme: his pride and a desire to compete and win. Her life didn't need to be in danger to have Jasper hot on her heels. I also didn't understand why Esme needed to be arrested. What purpose did that serve to the overall plotline?

I think the author got caught in the weeds, and felt like she needed to make Esme and Jasper's rivalry something complicated when there was no need to do so. This book should have been a fun romp in the style of a 1940s Old Hollywood romantic caper, like The Thin Man or Hitchcock's Notorious. But the story didn't progress organically, and there was too much going on to invest the time needed in Esme and Jasper's romance.

Thank you Thomas Nelson Fiction, Netgalley, and Austenprose PR for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

Jasper and Esme married - and quickly divorced - during the Great War. Later they are surprisingly brought together again in the 1920's as they search for the mysterious, lost Valkyrie Tiara.

I wanted to read The Winged Tiara because I have enjoyed previous books by J'nell Ciesielski. The exes working together storyline sounded like fun, and I love 1920's settings.

This was a rollicking good read! I loved the 1920's setting, the European adventure, and the main characters. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction. Five stars!

I loved this book! With its sharp dialogue, nonstop action, fabulous romance, and glamorous 20's setting, it was pure perfection!

Exquisitely written, great character development, beautifully romantic, exciting, and just so much fun, The Winged Tiara grabbed me from page one and didn’t let go until the very end.

The story begins with Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt having a whirlwind romance and marriage just as WWI has ended. The morning after, Esme leaves while Jasper is still sleeping, certain it’s better to leave before he leaves her.

Four years later, they run into one another again, both on the hunt for a one of a kind diamond tiara. They’re both pulling a con as they try to steal the tiara, but with a hitman on their tail, and others who want the tiara for themselves, they find themselves in a game of cat and mouse across Europe.

While competing with each other, they share a connection like the one they felt when they first met. They have some heartwarming moments of vulnerability and honesty, and lots of heated chemistry between them. But Esme struggles to let go of her mother’s advice to always stay single, and Jasper is still stinging from her rejection. Will they stay together and make the marriage work, or go their separate ways once the caper is over.

Lovably flawed characters, sparkling wit and charm, sizzling chemistry, captivating plot, and Mr. & Mrs. Smith vibes, make this a solid 5 star read for me.

I received a copy from the publisher, NetGalley, and Austenprose, but a positive review wasn’t required.

I enjoyed this book. It's a different feel since the main characters are jewel thieves. It's rare to read about and root for criminals. But it's a lot of fun. Esme and Jasper have a great chemistry. Their banter and the way they kept showing up at the same place at the same time was amusing. Esme, Jasper, and others are all after the same tiara and the race is on with deadlines looming.

I liked Jasper a lot. Even when he finds himself married to a stranger, he's prepared to make it work but she's gone when he wakes up. He is a charming man with great insight into people and what makes them tick...which he uses to his advantage at times.

Thanks to Thomas Nelson for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I'd recommend it. All opinions are my own.

This one took me WAY back and I loved every single second of reading this book. From the witty banter between Jasper and Esme, to their competitive thievery activities to their growing attraction to one another. It had all the best elements of my favorite power couple from the 1930’s (William Powell & Myrna Loy).

Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt have this opening chapter filled with a whirlwind romance where the war has just ended and they hurriedly marry one another. But the morning after, Esme realizes she just can’t stay and be tied down, and so she leaves. Fast forward four years and they run into one another again as they’re both pulling a con trying to steal The Valkyrie (a tiara that a lot of wealthy people are vying for).

This is where everything gets even more complicated, but stays heavily interesting. They realize they’re both thieves and are in competition with one another. Each of them trying to find The Valkyrie for deeply personal reasons with their employers. So while they’re still married and competing against one another to get to The Valkyrie first, there are numerous moments of sensitivity between them as they are deliberating whether they should keep their marriage or get the divorce after their missions are completed.

What I loved most was their easy banter and witty interactions. Both Esme and Jasper have that classical character with etiquette and charm, but the sarcasm-laced comments that easily float about them makes it comical in a way that this time period was so well known for. Their romance was perfection and I really enjoyed how they were married first and then start to get to know one another throughout the rest of the book. Even if they both think they want a divorce, they soon realize just how perfect they are for one another.

I honestly expected more from this. The blurb was really amazing which was what made me pick this up. However, reading into it, I guess the book is just not really for me. I wouldn't say it's a slow start, but it didn't really grab my attention that much for me to continue reading further.

I love the concept of a heist, ex couple, historical fiction and wandering through Europe, which really sounds fun and exciting. However, at some point it just become boring and uninteresting. The romance wasn't really clicking that much for me. So are the places that they go, I can't feel myself being transported to the places they're travelling to.

On a contrary, I like the atmosphere of the book. It's all glitz and glamor and really felt like a high society historical fiction. It was an interesting concept as well, but maybe it's just really the execution that didn't get it for me.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for allowing me to read this book!

Esme Fox was married in the chaos at the end of the Great War, but she leaves before her new husband can wake up. Jasper Truitt is a jewel thief, looking for the last Valkyrie tiara ever created. Esme is also pursuing the tiara for a vengeful opera diva desperate to have it for herself. Their reunion after four years is cut short when Esme takes off again. The two are being chased by a hitman and they have a deadline that follows them all over Europe. Only one can win this game, and it may not be what they hoped for.

Working for the Countess means Esme is also threatened with bodily harm if the Valkyrie tiara isn't found in time for her return to opera singing in two months. Jasper is after it for his grandfather, who once owned it but sold it years ago when grieving the loss of his wife. He's on a timetable of his own, so the two hunt down clues as to the tiara's whereabouts while bumping into each other, exchanging flirtatious banter, and trying to one-up each other. In addition, another thief is after the tiara, and the Countess has a bodyguard threatening Esme to ensure she goes after the tiara.

It's a fun caper, going through different countries as Esme and Jasper try to track down the tiara as it's stolen multiple times. They keep crashing into each other, and it's clear that they are perfect for each other. As the illegitimate son of an illegitimate son, Jasper feels he must prove himself to his grandfather and the world. Esme grew up in the theater with her actress mother and tales of how terrible marriage is. Both are confronted with those ideas and that they're not true. The finale is utterly fun to read, and such a ridiculously good way to tie all the loose ends. It's a romantic heist story, with lots of charming enjoyment.

The Winged Tiara
By J’nell Ciesielski
Publisher: Thomas Nelson Publishing
Series: None
Rated: 2
Obtain: Skip
Back of the Book: “Diamonds and danger dazzle in Ciesielski's latest enchanting romp through post-war Europe as estranged spouses and jewel thieves hunt an elusive Valkyrie tiara.
November 12, 1918. It was a match made in champagne-soaked heaven, but all too soon the bubbles dried up, and Esme Fox awakens the morning after celebrating the end of the Great War to find herself shockingly and accidentally married. She gathers her belongings and slips out before her new husband can stop her. After all, she knows it's best to leave before he does.
Four years later, Jasper Truitt, after having made a name for himself in the underground world of jewel thieves, is on the hunt for a valuable heirloom: a one-of-a-kind winged tiara--the last Valkyrie tiara ever created. So it's with great surprise that he discovers it at a charity event atop the head of a woman he's never forgotten. His long-lost wife . . . who happens to be pursuing the tiara for a vengeful opera diva desperate to obtain the jewel for herself.
The reunion is cut short when Esme vanishes--again--but their separation is temporary. With a hitman on their heels and a deadline looming, the pair find themselves in an epic game of cat and mouse across Europe following leads from the French Riviera to a shop of wonders in Venice, a fairy-tale castle in Bavaria, and a veritable circus thrown by a champagne heiress, all before a dramatic horseback flight through the French countryside.
In the end only one can win, and with both of their hearts on the line, the winner may well turn out to be the loser.
In her latest glamorous historical romance, J'nell Ciesielski spins a sparkling story filled with her signature snappy dialogue and vivid atmosphere that will keep you reading late into the night to see what happens next.”
Impressions: I did not finish this book. I read about 20% of the book before setting it down. It is not something that I wanted to continue reading. The characters were crass and crude with a plot that mirrored.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

3.5/5

very luscious descriptions, very witty banter. that epilogue was extremely satisfying and this is coming from someone who hates most epilogue chapters. the last 35% or so of the book in general was pretty entertaining. there were some good moments before too (signor campano was funny as hell) but alas, the netgalley app interface definitely hindered my reading experience. really had to drag myself to go back to the book and not stop reading after 10 pages every time i picked it up so i never completely got immersed in the story or attached to the main characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Wow! My first J’nell Ciesielski book and I cannot wait to read more from her. This book is historical fiction, but I love the mystery of the tiara and where the real one is. That cat-and-mouse between Jasper and Esme had me cheering them both on. But the real prize of their game is yet to come.

I enjoyed the on and off romance part of the story a lot. I liked that Esme and Jasper had a history and that history played the main part of the story. The sparks flew between them with every meeting but I liked that their relationship was not easy. In fact, it was more than difficult for them to be together. I had hopes that they would figure it out and I liked that there were no quick answers for them.

There were a few parts that I felt like were slower and I skimmed them but mostly I was looking for times to read just a little more, to see what would happen next, and to enjoy a little more of this amazing story.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was fun, fast-paced and held my interest. I wanted to find out what was going to happen next. I enjoyed this book and will look for other books by this author.

A very engaging (general market) historical adventure romance. Jasper Truitt and Esme Fox marry in 1918 as they celebrate Armistice Day. They are overwhelmed with emotion, attraction and champagne at the end of WWI. They marry that evening, only to have Esme sneak out early the next day. Four years later their paths cross again, where these two high-end thieves are going after the same tiara.

The Jasper Truitt and Esme Fox romance and rivalry kept me turning pages!

I can always count on captivating action/adventure/historical romances from J'nell Ciesielski!

Thank you to @jnellciesielski @thomasnelson @austenprose for my gifted copy of The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski which published on 8/13/24.

What a fun adventure! Historical fiction readers will be swept across Europe as enemy (and estranged spouses) jewelry thieves race to secure the missing Valkyrie tiara. Esme and Jasper shared one blissful, champagne-filled night together when WWI ended that led to a shotgun wedding and a morning after estrangement. Several years later, the two jewelry thieves find themselves in direct competition for the same prized tiara in a race against time.

Their reconnection is tension-filled and leads to a cat-and-mouse game from England, France, Venice to Neuschwanstein Castle (by train, boat, car and horse!) . Full of 1920's glamour, fashion, and parties, this heist book was immersive and captivating. I loved Esme's strong-willed spirit and swooned over the way Jasper could seemingly disarm and charm her with his charm and wit. As the risk and danger increased as the search for the tiara continued, the two competitors find themselves increasingly working together as partners to avoid catastrophe. Fantastic chemistry, witty banter, action-packed plot twists, and descriptive prose make this book a stand-out fun and swoony romp. This was my first Ciesielski book, and it will not be my last!