Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt have a whirlwind romance and wedding at the end of the Great War. But the next morning reality hits Esme and she gathers her belongings and leaves before her new husband can stop her. Four years later Jasper has made a name for himself as a jewel thief in the underground world. In his pursuit of a one-of-a-kind winged tiara called the Valkyrie, he comes face-to-face with his estranged wife, who also happens to be in search of the tiara. She vanishes into the night, but this isn’t the last time they see each other. A cat and mouse game unfolds across Europe. One that brings them together over and over again. But only one can succeed in capturing the Valkyrie. And with a hitman on their tail and feelings starting to grow it’s becoming harder and harder to imagine that one of them will have to lose.

This was such a fun book! Esme and Jasper’s epic cat and mouse game was so enjoyable. They have great banter and surprise each other in such fun and unexpected ways. And the game just reminds them of why they got married so quickly in the first place and that maybe they should give it another try. But lessons learned in childhood and hurts from those they thought were family prevent both of them from taking that leap. They needed to sort that out first and I love how all that panned out with their families.

This book packs in a sweet slow burn romance, trickery, thievery, and a few eccentric characters to keep you entertained. But also, some trigger-happy characters that keep you on your toes and make you nervous waiting for when they will show up next. So much enjoyable storyline and fun places explored. I really enjoyed this. It's enough romance for the romance reader but also so much more with the jewel thieving and difficult/unusual family situations. So good!

If you’re looking for a historical book that takes you across Europe in a cat and mouse chase full of bantery goodness and romance, then this book might be for you.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the opportunity to read this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

The Winged Tiara is a fascinating story of a post war culture. The vivid writing style immediately transports the reader back in time to a vivid, lush fairy tale world which existed just a few years ago. The reader will enjoy the characters and plot as an estranged married couple finds each other again and learns to give love another chance. I give this book 3 stars. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

J’Nell Ciesielski begins her latest novel The Winged Tiara on the day after Armistice Day in 1918. Femme fatale Esme Fox wakes from a delicious dream about a handsome man. She can linger no longer in the fantasy: a hangover has other plans. Esme holds her throbbing head in her hands and sees a ring on a certain finger. What happened yesterday?

Esme pieces together what happened after meeting a returning soldier. In Paris, people spilled out into the streets and celebrated the signing of the agreement to end four long years of the Great War, World War I. She and Jasper Truitt went from strangers to husband and wife in a whirlwind courtship. Both were zozzled when they married. But Esme refuses to be tied down. Sick as she is, she pulls herself together and hightails it out of the hotel room. She leaves the ring, takes the cannoli. Just kidding. She takes a photo taken of the happy couple as she leaves. Jasper wakes wifeless and finds only a gold band. He will carry that band and look for his wife in the faces of strangers for four years.

The reader learns how suited they are for one another. They just don’t know that yet.

Background on the Characters

Esme and Jasper are highly skilled thieves. They love a good heist, pinching everything from an apple to food tins, art and artifacts, rare and royal jewelry, and dancing girls in their skivvies. (Jasper nicked that last one for soldiers in the trenches.) Each has a past that aids them in their life of crime.

Esme grew up with her mother Maud, known as Mimsy, who performed on East End stages and now owns the Scarlet Crown theater. Esme knows a thing or two about donning disguises and quick costume changes. She can pull off any character needed for success in a heist and in life. She can glide like a duchess through a ballroom, or blend seamlessly in the background as a servant.  Jasper grew up the bastard son of a bastard son of the 7th duke of Loxhill. His grandfather the Duke gave Jasper a formal education and even took him on a coming-of-age tour of the continent. He just won’t give Jasper the Roxburgh name. Jasper is infamously known as the “Phantom,” and his “gifts” were put to good use during the war. But that moniker also led to his arrest.  

Like Sherlock Holmes and Leroy Jethro Gibbs (NCIS lore), Jasper and Esme have rules they follow. Unlike the former Victorian-era detective and the Navy cop, they choose to use their skills for nefarious reasons. Jasper’s rules are:

1. Keep it entertaining. 2. Don’t make enemies. 3. Don’t allow the game to be personal. 4. Appear confident in all situations. 5. Know the staff of an establishment by name. 6. The truth is not an accusation. 7. Never blame circumstances; blame your own abilities.

Esme’s list is shorter: 1. Have no entanglements. 2. Depend only on herself. 3. Never let a handsome face trick her into taking her eyes off the prize. And most importantly - 4. Don't become her mother.

The Plot

Despite the fear of going back to jail, Jasper is on the hunt for the last Valkyrie tiara ever made by Pierre Cartier. The tiara’s coiled-wire springs on the wings appear to move with the wearer.  Framed in gold and silver, the ethereal Viking-inspired headpiece has 2,500 cushion-shaped diamonds and can be disassembled and worn as brooches. Jasper’s friend and former comrade Desmond Walsh tells him about a rumor that an aristocrat had the tiara made for his mistress, an Italian opera singer. When he married, he took it back for his bride.

Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on the Cote d'Azur (photo credit)

Jasper and Mond attend a party thrown at Madame Rothschild’s Villa Ephrussi in the French Riviera (see the real villa to the right.) The men gaze on enchanting costumed ladies who fairly float toward them, wearing exquisite jewelry: Empress Josephine’s sapphire-and-diamond parure; Catherine the Second’s crown and scepter; the Bagration Tiara; and the pièce de resistance – the Valkyrie tiara.

Seeing his prize, Jasper calculates how he will seduce the woman wearing the tiara. She wears huge white wings and has her dark hair in a ‘20s bob. She smiles as she makes her way toward him. Recognition dawns – Esme. How’s that for a reunion?

Upon inspection of the tiara, Jasper tells Esme it is a fake. Her employer Countess Rossalini Accardi has a jeweler confirm this – and she is homicidally livid. She has dastardly deeds in mind for this tiara. The countess demands Esme find the tiara, and she sends Gio Pirazzo, her henchman, as incentive to succeed. Scary dude lurks in the background and threatens to strangle Esme…on repeat. I think he’d rather strangle her than allow Esme to continue the search.

Jasper thinks Esme is his only rival for this famed tiara, but he learns from a collector in Venice that a no-necked, egg-headed prankster named Lamb is after it as well. Felipe Auguste Constantine Lambert Boisseau is this wealthy Prussian who wants to add the Valkyrie tiara to his collection mostly to thwart the best of the best thieves: “the Phantom and the Fox.” Instead of a guard dog, Lamb hilariously owns a guard Silkie named Lettie who is straight out of Despicable Me 2. (Made me think of El Macho and his guard chicken, Pollito.)

The hunt for the Valkyrie tiara begins for the lovers-turned-enemies. They follow the clues across Europe while pursued by Pirazzo and the impish prankster Prussian in pursuit. The duo double-crosses each other, flees from and finds each other again. They will pair up later, but not before an exciting, fast-paced cat-and-mouse game.

My Review

I enjoyed spending time in the Roaring Twenties with Jasper and Esme. I’m used to leading ladies and gents with virtues more than vices, but I rooted for these crooks just the same. In her fight to survive a hard life, Esme brooks no weaknesses. She smiles in the worst of circumstances. She works hard to stay in control. And she sounds like a dapper darling no matter what happens with her sleek black bob and high-end wardrobe. She is a 1920s fashion plate, like Louise Brooks.

True-to-life locations and historical figures add realism to Ciesielski’s clean, historical romance. The Valkyrie Tiara exists. German Composer Richard Wagner’s third act in his opera Der Ring des Nibelungen is “The Ride of the Valkyries.” His opera elicited a desire for all things Viking in the fashion world. A goddaughter of Queen Mary, the late Mary Crewe-Milnes, a real Duchess of Roxburghe, commissioned the Valkyrie tiara in 1935, based on those famed Valkyries of Norse mythology. Valkyries were powerful women who served Odin and were "the choosers of the slain." They decided whether a warrior who died was worthy of Valhalla where Viking warriors go in the afterlife. (If you’ve seen Thor: Ragnarök, then you know a bit about the Valkyries.) When I searched for the Valkyrie myself, I found a Canton, Ohio, connection. The 25th U.S. President William McKinley's wife Ida Saxton McKinley had a similar tiara.

Ciesielski is an excellent wordsmith and storyteller. She slowed down scenes to build tension. She appealed to all the senses. I could slink alongside Esme and Jasper at these grand European locations. I found only one example of what’s called on-the-nose writing about Mimsy lighting a cigarette and smoking. Most adults know about cigarette holders, how to light a cigarette, and how to smoke one. Esme and Mimsy then talk about smoking and making rings or something. I would cut that, but that’s just me. I wish I could quote from this work though. I would include quotes here of sentences that I thought sang off the page. Beautiful writing overall.

My fly-on-the-wall status enabled me to listen in on Esme and Jasper (alone or together) planning how they would steal this tiara. Their growing interest and true affection led to passion, which made for a thrilling treat of a tale. Their scents showed up before they did in their pursuit of the tiara, so I knew they had to be nearby. I thought maybe the two forgot their mission of retrieving the tiara and decided to chase each other. But hurt people, hurt people.

Themes in The Winged Tiara to Explore

Themes to consider when you read this novel begin with masks and mirrors. Jasper and Esme know about the existence of their personal masks and each other’s masks. They also see themselves reflected in the other, a mirror to themselves, their heart’s desires and needs. They refuse to acknowledge those needs, their brokenness, and the walls they’ve erected. The masks skip and all they need do is scale those walls, but will they?

Feather sighting are everywhere in this tale. I counted 40 feather references. Esme wears wings that have white feathers on the catwalk as she wears the winged tiara with its faux feathers. Wings with feathers show up on another aristocrat’s wife wearing the winged tiara. Feathers are in bandeau-style headpieces, in lapels, on a ringmaster’s whip. Peacock feathers, feathered turbans, guard-chicken Lettie’s silky feathers show up. A feather boa interferes with Jasper’s interrogation of Esme in a costume closet at one point. Thrown in for good measure are feathery expressions.

Someone could write an excellent literary critique on either of those themes. I would consider the feathers in the novel. (Hint: Use the Kindle search feature and you’ll find the feathers faster.) Feathers after all pertain to birds, flight, and freedom. But just how free are our lovebirds? That’s the question.

I want to thank Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for allowing me to read and review this novel that reminded me of stars of Turner Classic Movies. I received a complimentary advance reader copy of “The Winged Tiara,” set to release on Aug. 13.

Look at that gorgeous cover!! I’ve seen this one billed as “The Great Gatsby meets Ocean’s Eleven” and I think it fits. Esme and Jasper are jewel thieves competing to locate the infamous Valkyrie tiara for different clients. Did I mention that they are married but haven’t seen each other since Esme snuck out on their wedding night four years prior? In her defense, they did meet and get married all in the same day.

This was such a fun book! I’d say it’s part historical fiction, part romance with a game of cat and mouse. I enjoyed the chase throughout Europe in the early 1920s. Who will get the tiara and will they remain married in the end? Highly recommend!

I loved this story! Witty banter. Rival jewel thieves. Yearning. Villains. Elaborate parties to forget hard times. A collision course for Esme and Jasper. Love those two! I want more of their stories!

This book starts with the burst and fizz of a cool glass of champagne sliding down your throat. The bursts of flavor popping as I was thrust into the lives of Esme and Jasper. The details are exquisite, I could picture myself among the insanely rich. Who love to show off just how much money they have. Each topping the other parties. Making them more spectacular and over the top as the last. Trapeze artists flying through the air, fire eaters, the glitter jewels wrapping each woman from head to toe. Did I mention the Valkyrie, the winged tiara that is dripping in diamonds? Making it seem like it is a glowing beacon, especially to those who are trying to steal it! Esme and Jasper are just to name two.

Four years ago, Esme slinked out of her and Jasper's marriage bed. The end of The Great War and too much champagne led to a night where they both said yes before they could figure out who the other was. Fast forward to four years and Jasper and Esme finds themselves running into each other constantly. Both are seeking to steal the prized Valkyrie. It is a fast-paced game of cat and mouse. Each trying to leave the other in the dust and the other always showing up at the most inopportune times. Who will come out the winner in this glittering hunt? Will it help their relationship prosper or will it wither and die?

This one kept me on my toes. I loved the details that went into the insane parties. Everything over the top, nothing out of reach for the rich. The attraction these two feel for one another adds another deep layer. The way in which Esme and Jasper transverse both the world of the rich and the world of the black-market is fun to watch unfold. Thank you to J'nell Ciesielski and Thomas Nelson for my #gifted copy!

Saucy heroine Esme and honest thief Jasper are after The Winged Tiara. The catch is they are married but estranged and want the Tiara for different reasons.
The clever banter was flirty fun. The chase was fraught with danger. The danger was sometimes slapstick!
What disappointed was that I was expecting a Christian novel. Also I was taken aback by some of the slang terms.
The setting was well described as opulent Post-WWI and was scattered around Europe and the UK. For the most part it was fast paced although it dragged a bit in the middle. The characters progressed in their development but I think Esme listened to the wrong reasoning before making up her own mind.
A complimentary copy of this ebook was provided by Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

Conspirator. Thief. Charmer. Thrill-seeker. But never liar.

Quite a pair. They met in a whirlwind at the end of the War and married, only later finding out all they had in common. Both were rejected by others in their youth and ever since have been trying to prove themselves, both as thieves. Good ones. They're on the hunt for the same stolen jewels, pushing and pulling each other all the way. They're both smart and competitive, taking them into the most luxurious settings, where they each shine. Lots to sigh about. Fast paced race to a glorious end.

I received this book free from the author, publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

@jnellciesielski @TNZfiction @HarperCollins #thewingedtiara #jnellciesielski #ThomasNelsonFiction #BooksYouCanFeelGoodAbout #FiveStarNovel

This book is a fast paced romp through Europe during the roaring 20s.
The author provides rich descriptions, really making you feel like the settings are tight in front of you.
For me though I never could connect with the characters or really root for the romance.
I had really hoped for some sort of growing together for the couple. But so much of their behavior and interaction just felt a touch too toxic for me to be invested.
I have absolutely loved some of this authors other books but this one didn't do it for me.
If you are looking for a fast paced read featuring heist vibes you may enjoy this one, just don't expect much in the way of character development.
I was provided a complementary copy of this book from the publisher through Netgally, all thoughts and opinions are honest and completely my own.

The Winged Tiara is a well written historical book. I throughly enjoyed the plot and the well developed characters. I definitely will be reading more of this author’s books.

This was an interesting book. Two jewel thief’s after the same thing who happen to also be married.
It’s a game of cat and mouse certain to keep your attention to the end

Honestly!!! I ate this up!! This was a good palette cleanser because it still gave me the elements I love, the historical fiction, the romance and the suspense of it being a cat and mouse game! The 2 thieves have great chemistry that shines through the pages and she was chefs kiss!

Esme Fox and Jasper Truitt, both jewel thieves, marry impulsively after too much champagne while celebrating the end of the Great War. Esme quickly vanishes, only to reappear four years later, chasing the same tiara as Jasper. The expected high jinks ensue as they chase across the European continent, with true love awaiting at the end.

The book is exquisitely written, although a bit predictable. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for providing an early read in exchange for a fair review.

This story had me rolling my eyes (in a good way) from the beginning. A quick wedding at the end of WW1 and the wife takes off less than 24 hours after they marry. Four years later, they meet as competitor thieves after the same prize. The prize changes hands quicker than one can blink as, first one, then the other has it, ping ponging back and forth, then for a fun twist, neither. Meanwhile, they claim not to love each other, or only one loves the other, or maybe they both do? It was such a fun read.
I received an ARC copy of the book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.

"Two thieves. One tiara. Which of us will claim the prize?"⠀
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J'nell Ciesielski, The Winged Tiara ⠀
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The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski is one of my favorite books of the year! I look forward to reading J'nell's books for their immersive historical settings and exciting yet hopeful drama. ⠀
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The Winged Tiara delivers on all accounts with the breathless caper of Esme and Jasper. Their relationship is the definition of second chance romance, as a champagne filled wedding and day after regret, results in them being separated for four years before being thrown together in the search of a lifetime for the renowned Valkyrie Tiara. ⠀
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I just about swooned over their escapades as jewel thieves and I loved each time their paths crossed. Esme is clever and passionate despite her cynical upbringing and Jasper always seems one step ahead, with a heart of gold that belies his difficult childhood. Their banter and playfulness with one another was so delightful to read. ⠀
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This story is fast paced and exciting, drawing me in with a glimmering description of the 1920s culture, from railroad travel to swanky parties. The prized tiara fit perfectly with the lush extravagance of the post war era and I couldn't wait to see who ultimately won such an elegant treasure. ⠀
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If you are a fan of historical fiction, romance and revenge, or glamorous capers, The Winged Tiara is a five star book I would love you to read!

"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."

I love the trope of accidental marriage actually working out in the end. Even if they're both thieves.

What an entertaining read of two thieves that impulsively get married because of Armistice Day celebrations. Four years have passed after Esme ran out the night after their wedding. Esme and Jasper try to outdo each other to find and reclaim the Valkyrie tiara. Their quest takes them around Europe until it finds them back together in England where they have to work together to acquire the tiara and reevaluate their feelings for each other.
The author does a wonderful job creating the tension between the characters as they navigate their journey. There is the “will they or won’t they” get together throughout the story. I connected with Esme and Jasper and the secondary characters were bold and interesting. The romance is very clean and sweet.
If you are interested in a historical mystery mixed with romance, I recommend this one!
#TheWingedTiara #Net Galley
Thank you Net Galley and Thomas Nelson Fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Arc Review- 4 stars
Publishing Date: 8/13/2024

“Two Thieves. One Tiara. Which of us will claim the prize?”

Brief Summary-
We are introduced to Jasper and Esme who, 4 years prior, exchanged vows in a drunk moment of celebration. These two lovely characters are also jewel thieves. They “bump” into each other 4 years later competing in the same heist for the Valkyrie Tiara.

“May the best thief win”

My Thoughts-
This was a cute cat and mouse captivating tale set in the dazzling 1920s in Paris.
One part historical fiction. One part romance. One part suspense.

I was blushing constantly when Esme and Jasper snarking and flirty interactions.. you can’t deny the chemistry between them even if they want to.

I really enjoyed this storyline. It was a refreshing read. I recommend this book to anyone that likes historical fiction 💖

Quotes-
“Diamonds and women are more beautiful when paired together.”
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread"
“Darling, ive been in over my head my entire life, but as you can see, I’ve learned to float”

✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Thomas Nelson Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨

4.5/5

The Winged Tiara is my favorite Ciesielski book yet, and I'm so happy to have received an eARC. While I highly enjoyed the plot, what held my attention most were the two MCs--Jasper and Esme. These characters aren't perfect; they each have their own set of struggles, fears, and lessons to learn, and their realness made them so relatable.

The Winged Tiara is a riveting, dazzling, and immersive read, where lyrical prose meets page-turning action.

Favorite quote:

"There are far too many ghosts we carry in this life," she said quietly.
Jasper's head came up. His gaze was steady and deep. "How do you silence yours?"
"They refuse to be silent, but I do my best to drown them out."
"Do you succeed?"
"Sometimes. And sometimes they scream louder."

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of The Winged Tiara. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

Two jewel thieves, for whom taking from the rich had never burdened them, are searching for the Winged Tiara. They happen to be married, for one night only, after a champagne-infused celebration of the end of World War I.
This is a rollicking story. A favorite line: He took [the derringer], weighing the toy in his hand. “What do you expect me to do with this? Hunt mice?”
While this is a clean story, aside from all the alcohol, it isn’t inspirational, which is disappointing.