Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid

This early review copy was gifted to me by Harlequin Trade Publishing as a member of The Hive influencer program. This is no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Jewel Me Twice

Author: Charish Reid

Release Date: July 23, 2024

Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Adventure

Source: paperback, The Hive

TW: graphic sexual content, blood, gun violence

Synopsis

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…

Thoughts

I found this heist romance incredibly enjoyable! From the very beginning, the chemistry between Celeste and Magnus was electric. Their feelings for each other never faded, and their attraction immediately picked up where it left off when they last saw each other five years ago. The way their connection reignited was captivating. The spicy scenes were super hot, making the tension between them palpable. Beyond the physical attraction, their emotional connection was super sweet. I loved the moments when they allowed themselves to be vulnerable with each other, revealing deeper layers of their characters.

The heist itself was both fun and tense, keeping me constantly on edge. I was always waiting for something to go horribly wrong, which added to the excitement and thrill of the story. The intricate planning and execution of the heist were well thought out, making it a gripping read.

I have to mention that I disliked Doris’s character more and more as it was revealed through her journal entries. She felt very manipulative to me, and her bringing the crew back together for one last heist after her death felt more controlling than cathartic. Her actions seemed to have a darker undertone, which added a complex layer to the story but also made her less likable in my eyes.

One of the standout aspects of the book for me was that our FMC’s POV came from a character of color. It was refreshing to have a story from a different perspective, and I appreciated how her troubled past contributed to who she became. Her background added depth to her character and made her journey all the more compelling.

Overall, this book was a fantastic read. The combination of a thrilling heist, a sizzling romance, and well-developed characters made it a page-turner. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating romance with a twist of adventure.