DNF read.

I’m pretty evenly split in books by this author; I loved two of them, and didn’t love a couple more. This new book sounded fascinating, and the cover is gorgeous! So I thought I’d give it a go and see how I got on/which camp it’d fall into.

Alas, for me it fell into the latter, and suffered from the same things as the two books I didn’t care for: ongoing alcohol use and scenes I wished faded to black a little sooner. I quit drinking a few years ago, and the MC’s enjoying my then-favorite drink on the regular was a special personal challenge.

I’m not sure I’ll leap into other books by the author, now that a few have missed the mark (and for the same reasons). She’s talented, and I still love those two other books, but I’m seemingly not the right reader for now!

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

There’s something about the books being published by Thomas Nelson that never could go wrong. The last time I requested an ARC, Storm Siren, from them was probably in 2014 and I really enjoyed the book. So when I went back to Netgalley and saw the ARCs they were offering, I immediately grabbed this one. And just as I expected, The Winged Tiara delivered all the things that I want in a historical romance novel. Two lovable protagonists, an action-packed plot with full of twists, a cozy romance all happening in different quaint places.

Our story starts when our heroine, the beguiling albeit sneaky Ms. Esme Fox, abandoned her husband, the bastard with a gentle heart Mr. Jasper Truitt, after spending only one steamy night with him in their honeymoon bed. The two did not see each other again for four years and treated the marriage as something that can be hidden in the attic for storage and forgotten over the years.

While things are going well with our protagonists’ lives and their chosen professions, a cruel twist of fate has suddenly thrown them into each other’s paths once again when their individual clients demanded that they retrieve or rather rob a highly-prized and rare winged tiara. This is where the story really picked up as crazy after crazy had suddenly engulfed the lives of Jasper and Esme. While they are hellbent on getting a divorce and treat their once beautiful marriage as a sham, their waking hours are pretty much occupied with outwitting, out sneaking, and out surviving each other to get the winged tiara first as if their necks are on the line. Well, their necks are really on the line particularly in Esme’s case. But this did not stop her from getting what she wants and ensure that her reputation as a superb thief is not tarnished by being out robbed by her estranged husband.

While Esme and Jasper’s globe-thieving adventures were quite hilarious and entertaining, the author did not forget to weave her magic into the romantic relationship between the two. It was nothing too melodramatic but nothing too passive either that you could not feel the toe-curling and giddying moments as the two protagonists cautiously navigated their resurfacing feelings for each other. From a realistic point of view, you would understand the constant push and pull between Esme and Jasper, why they cannot just immediately settle the matter and kiss to their heart’s content. While their reluctant love was not wrought with a heartbreaking story, it’s understandable given their circumstances and upbringing. They were just being mature and uncertain about what life has to offer them. This is the part where the author really shined because she was able to craft something wonderful without resorting to a lot of ridiculous stuff just to make me root for Jasper and Esme’s love story.

While the romance was the main focus the Winged Tiara, the hunt for the tiara was equally given importance as the author was relentless in throwing different obstacles and challenges for our protagonists to overcome. So much had happened in this book that no part of it was boring as it’s certainly a page turner that really ended well and happily.

3.5 *'s
This was a fun romp through Europe between the wars with a lot of Characters and one intense chicken

Set in the Guilded Age, The Winged Tiara, by J’nelle Ciesieldki, is a cross between The Thomas Crown Affair and To Catch A Thief. Follow Jasper and Esme as travel through Europe trying to steal the Valkyrie tiara and get it back to the person paying them. Only different people wAnt the tiara. Hastily married after the Armistice, Esme leaves Jasper, but they are forced to work together to recover this priceless item. It’s a rollicking time with unexpected twists and turns. The reader might even find some romance thrown in for good measure. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

PITCH: The Thin Man meets Mr. and Mrs. Smith

I loved this story. The banter is top notch. The leads (Jasper and Esme) are well defined and come across as equals. It’s a heist book set in the 1920s and it moves quickly! As a standalone, the book is delightfully refreshing. I have not had much attention span for books lately, and I devoured this one within 48 hours.

Ciesieski’s latest is a true gem. Intelligent writing, cinematic imagery, and electric moments give readers a front row seat to Esme and Jasper’s push and pull toward one another. This novel doesn’t need explicit scenes to create heat. There’s sexual tension in spades that catapults this romantic adventure to another level. Mr. and Mrs. Smith meets the Roaring Twenties in this lovers to enemies to lovers tale that’ll enchant readers with perfect banter and sizzling chemistry.

The Winged Tiara is a captivating tale of pursuit and romance, set against a backdrop of rich historical detail and suspenseful pacing. This novel held me spellbound from start to finish.

I have yet to read a J’nell Ciesielski book that I didn’t absolutely love. I went in to this one totally blind and was immediately swept up in the romance/rivalry between Jasper Truitt and Esme Fox. They are positively divine! I mean even their names are *chef’s kiss*.

From the moment the crowd parted and those two locked eyes—across the room, amidst the fanfare and excitement of the armistice—they were absolutely fire. But Esme was too afraid of getting burned. After the “I dos”, her self-preservation kicks in and she leaves Jasper with only the memories of a happily ever never to be. Love at first sight becomes leave at first light.

Every moment those to grace the page together is filled with such terrific tension and banter. The cat and mouse game, the crazy twist of fate that continually lands them in each other’s paths makes their rivalry/love/hate relationship a pure joy to watch play out.

There is so much action, danger, and heart stopping romance. Add in the glitz and glamour of the era with those two fabulously resilient and resourceful people and you have an amazing, fast paced adventure you can’t put down.


Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

Thief vs thief. Estranged spouses. A thrilling adventure full of glamour, wit, danger, and sparks. The suspense of who would win the prize and whether both their hearts would survive! A true page turner!! Spectacular dialogue and the descriptions of the places, buildings, and people made me feel like I was looking at pictures not just reading words. And in true J’Nell style there were a few unexpected twists and turns.
Esme is glamorous, quick thinking, a little underhanded, and afraid of commitment. Jasper is devastatingly handsome, brilliant, charming, and wants a life different from his patriarchs.
“I’ve made many mistakes and I’m bound to make many more, but the greatest mistake I could make would be to let you walk away before telling you I am absolutely mad about you. Desperately, hopelessly, incandescently, maddeningly in love with you “
This ARC was provided through NetGalley by the publisher. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

I absolutely trudged through this book. It's not the type of book I normally read, but I thought it sounded interesting. The writing is fantastic, the setting is interesting, but nothing about this book hooked me. I had to force myself to read it and I could not get into the push and pull dynamic of Esme and Jasper. I love tension, but it WAY overstayed its welcome in my opinion.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson Fiction for providing me a copy for review!

** “The devil with belonging. We’ll create our own world and rules, and you will make something wonderful of it. After all, you’ve proven yourself quite the champion of lost causes.” **

J’nell Ciesielski delivers an action-packed heist story with “The Winged Tiara.”

After a hasty wedding at the end of World War I, Esme Fox knows she can’t stay with the handsome and debonair Jasper Truitt. But when their paths cross again four years later — both on the quest for the elusive Valkyrie Tiara, a crown that represents women from the Norse mythology of “who choose who lives and dies on the battlefield” — they find their journeys have become very similar. Both, seeking to improve upon their pasts, have turned to heists to validate their identity.

As they both work against, and sometimes with, each other, can they capture the elusive tiara, as well as reclaim their initial feelings toward each other?

Ciesielski creates a story filled with many capers, but also includes moments of levity to lessen the tone. She develops characters that struggle with their identities as they both come from what were not considered socially acceptable beginnings. Readers will be able to relate to the flaws and doubts Esme and Jasper have.

She also includes some good themes, like being vulnerable; fighting to make something of one’s self; being accepted on one’s own merits; and finding a sense of belonging.

Fans of her “Jack and Ivy” series, historical fiction, especially war-era stories, as well as action-packed characters like Clive Cussler’s Isaac Bell and dynamic duos like Agatha Christie’s Tommy and Tuppence and The Thin Man’s Nick and Nora will love “The Winged Tiara,” which is due out Aug. 13.

Five stars out of five.

Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Oh my goodness, this was such a fun adventure! As the story begins, we meet Esme after she has just married a near stranger Jasper... and leaves him the next morning. Four years later, their worlds collide again when they both find themselves on the hunt to steal the same treasured tiara. What follows is a great cat and mouse adventure across Europe... all set in a wonderful 1920s setting. There was fantastic banter and sizzling chemistry between the two, and I couldn't help but love the back and forth between them. It was a unique story that kept me guessing right through to the very end and enjoying every minute of it. If you're looking for a fun adventure romance, this is certainly one you'll want to experience for yourself.

While this is from a Christian publisher (Thomas Nelson), it should be noted that it is not marketed as Christian fiction and does not contain any faith elements. There is also some content that readers might not expect from this particular publisher... the story starts with a couple (married) waking up in bed together, so there is definitely some implied intimacy and innuendo as well as some minor language. It's definitely closed-door, but just more than readers might expect from this publisher.

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This is a fast-paced race across Europe for this married but separated couple, Jasper and Esme, who both want to fine a special "Winged Tiara" for their respective clients. By delivering the tiara, they can prove which of them, the Phantom or the Fox, is the best thief in Europe. They both have a lot to prove and a lot to lose if they don't bring the tiara to their clients. The twists and turns in this book will keep the reader guessing as to who will end up with it in the end.

There is danger, romance, travel and competition in this book. Set right in 1922, during the roaring 20's of Europe there is so much going glamour and wealth that these two thieves could make a killing stealing all of the jewels and expensive collectibles they come across, yet they only want the tiara. Their histories of being "bastards" in an era where being born out of wedlock limits prospects also fuels their competition.

I liked how the author kept getting the tiara in their grasps then it goes away. This is definitely a cat and mouse type book and an interesting story with the clients that want to have the tiara as a prize. Some parts are predictable but others definitely are not. Esme and Jasper also have a good back and forth dialogue and the people they meet along the way definitely add to this. Just wait to read about "The Egg", that is definitely an interesting part of the story.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Winged Tiara by J'nell Ciesielski was such an enjoyable book to read. It takes place in Europe after WWI in the dazzling 1920s.

We are introduced to Jasper and Esme who, 4 years prior, were hastily married and only 24 hours later, Esme believes she's made a mistake and runs away. Years later, they are reunited, both jewel thieves after the same prized item, the Winged Tiara, and the race to see who 'gets' it first begins.

I thoroughly enjoyed their interactions with each other, The author wrote the bantering between them so well. They are both hilarious and very amusing.
There are some surprising twists and turns that made this story a lot of fun to read.

I really enjoyed this book. This story will thrill you. It has intrigue, humor, a sweeping romance, and exciting adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishing for an early copy in exchange for a honest review.

This is an exciting story about two famous thieves, who happen to be estranged spouses, in a race against each other to find an elusive tiara. Jasper and Esme had a whirlwind marriage that was over before it had barely begun. Four years later they are brought together again while searching for a one-of-a-kind winged tiara. At first they work as rivals trying to outsmart each other. Later, they must join forces to outsmart a new player in the game. It is an exciting race through 1920’s Europe that the reader is taken on. The chemistry between Jasper and Esme is strong, but they have some serious obstacles to overcome. I love the complexity of this author’s characters. Their strength and their vulnerability. I definitely recommend this story. This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to give a favorable review.

As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew I had to get this in my hands. Recently, I've grown quite a obsession with historical romances that aren't based in the regency/Victorian era. Give me something a little different! The premise was too up my alley and for a minute, I was scared it wouldn't live up to what it was trying to sell. Too many times a perfect-sounding story turns out to be the world's biggest disappointment. While I had a few qualms, it absolutely did.

We have a commitment-phobic Esme and heart-been-broken-but-too-proud-to-admit Jasper. This was a double pov so we had insight to both of them but I'd say, Jasper was the star. He felt more strongly, he was wittier, and his backstory was more nuanced. Such a sentimental, smart fool... Now, I still adored Esme. I just think she didn't care as much about their estranged relationship as Jasper. She was focused on the prize just a little bit more, which makes sense since her life was on the line, unlike him, who was doing it for the title.
(Though I'd like to believe he subconsciously gave up that reason the second he saw her hehe).

Heads up, if you're looking for a complex realistic heist, look away. This had a run for the imagination plot that I'd expect to see in a satirical spy movie, which made it light and gave room for fun scenarios. The dialogue was the highlight: flirty, witty, quick quips. And the casual-ness between them. Like they had been together for years rather than one (1) day. Just the simple scene of them sipping champagne while discussing the next move. You guys don't know each other!!! Oh but they do...

Which brings me to my qualms. I wanted: more. As I said, I liked the simplicity but it had the capacity to go ALL the way and be more than just a cat-and-mouse game. This type of story provides such a great canvas for angst and back-and-forth that wasn't availed to its fullest potential. I wanted it to be longer, have more grovelling, more anger... more everything. Secondly, the fade to black. I acknowledge this is published by a Christian publishing company and I reckon this probably scandalised its usual readers but idgaf! My imagination isn't that wild, I need words to form the picture. That weak description of a chaste kiss and time skip threw me all the way off. I know the author had restraints but I can't help but wonder what it would be like if it was bought by Diana Biller's publisher, sheesh.

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

4.5 / 5.0 Stars

A delicious romp through Europe - post World War I. Two burglars are on the same quest to quench the desires of their demanding employers. Who will be the victor? Can they both win at this game? Only time will tell.

This was an action packed race to the prize with lots of derring-do, creative thinking on the fly and some near-death moments. The romantic tension between the two lead characters was sustained throughout the story. The mise en scène was elegant and cinematic. The characters were well developed and the writing never lagged. I could hardly put the book down. This was an exciting read and all I can say is that I can't wait for Ms. Ciesielski's next wonder-filled story.

I am grateful to author J'nell Ciesielski and her publisher, Thomas Nelson, for having provided a complimentary e-copy of this book. Their generosity, however, has not influenced this review - the words of which are mine alone.


Publisher:‎ Thomas Nelson
Publication Date: August 13, 2024
Number of Pages:‎ 352
ISBN: 978-0840721204

Lovers to enemies to lovers with perfect banter and sizzling chemistry? Um, yes please!

The Winged Tiara sucked me into the world of the roaring twenties in a game of cat and mouse and rich historical details. The author has a beautiful writing style, easily bringing both the characters and the setting to life ✨

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for more books by J’nell Ciesielski!

(The book did toe the line with some content that I wasn’t a huge fan of, but it didn’t make me feel uncomfortable at any point. This will definitely not be a book for everyone, but I’m very glad it was one for me!)

I received a free-arc of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I liked the banter and feel of the writing which was reminiscent of an old movie like Cary Grant in To Catch A Thief. The action scenes were fun and kept my attention. The will they/won't they between Jasper and Esme was cute, but did get a rehashed so much (but keep in mind that I'm not a big romance reader so I'm probably not the intended audience). The descriptions of women's clothing was very appealing to me as well.

Separated couple Esme and Jasper, professional thieves, are each chasing the same object. They keep bumping into each other on a journey through several European countries. Who will win this conquest?
The Winged Tiara is a well written feelgood story with beautiful scenery and adorable characters. A highly entertaining read.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Publishers for the ARC.