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crtsjffrsn's review
4.0
Isaac Shelley, grandson of the quite wealthy Marigold Shelley, went missing several years ago. And his mysterious reappearance couldn't make Marigold happier. She's welcomed him in with open arms and is all set to arrange for him to inherit her estate. But Isaac isn't who he seems. He only arrived in Marigold's life as a con set up by his mentor, Roman.
But Isaac's con isn't the only one at play. Cary Talbot, inspector for Ms. Shelley's insurance company, is on site to inventory the estate's wine collection. Except Cary doesn't work for an insurance company. He plans to convince the owner that one of her expensive wines is a fake. Then he can buy it off her at a fraction of the price and profit. His only problem is that no one can sniff out a con man like another con man.
So even though there's a mutual attraction, it's not long before Isaac and Cary figure out each other's games. And while they agree not to turn each other in, it's not as simple as that. There's another player in this game--the infamous Black Mamba. Despite everything, the two will need to work together if they want to keep the Mamba at bay and get out of the situation unscathed.
There was something about this story that resonated with me. It's not a complex plot, but it contains enough intrigue and mystery to keep the reader engaged. And the reader will want to stay engaged, let me tell you.
This isn't a particularly steamy romance. And the relationship faces some obvious complications. But even though these two aren't necessary "good guys," I found myself rooting for them both. Maybe not so much to get away with their crimes--but in the relationship department for sure.
But Isaac's con isn't the only one at play. Cary Talbot, inspector for Ms. Shelley's insurance company, is on site to inventory the estate's wine collection. Except Cary doesn't work for an insurance company. He plans to convince the owner that one of her expensive wines is a fake. Then he can buy it off her at a fraction of the price and profit. His only problem is that no one can sniff out a con man like another con man.
So even though there's a mutual attraction, it's not long before Isaac and Cary figure out each other's games. And while they agree not to turn each other in, it's not as simple as that. There's another player in this game--the infamous Black Mamba. Despite everything, the two will need to work together if they want to keep the Mamba at bay and get out of the situation unscathed.
There was something about this story that resonated with me. It's not a complex plot, but it contains enough intrigue and mystery to keep the reader engaged. And the reader will want to stay engaged, let me tell you.
This isn't a particularly steamy romance. And the relationship faces some obvious complications. But even though these two aren't necessary "good guys," I found myself rooting for them both. Maybe not so much to get away with their crimes--but in the relationship department for sure.
calila's review
4.0
*A free copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
This is a very fun read full of highly improbable hijinks between two conmen and their ill timed(or is it?) romance. The characters were all really great. A couple get the short end of the stick and questions are left, but all in all everyone is entertaining. Issac was so loveable and kind of lost. You can't really hold his plan against him. Cary was harder to like in spots. He was older so of course he knew everything and was always in the right. It's hard to take him seriously when he does get upset since it's so hypocritical. But in the end they are both good men who just happened to be doing a bad thing that ends up not being so bad. Marigold is everything. I wish I had a grandmother like her, and not just for the money. Jules was less formed, she's really just there to nag and support Cary. Wish we'd seen/learned more about Roman. Kitty...I still have so many questions about Kitty. The actual plot is so ridiculous, in the best way. It's kind of farcical. Two con men falling in love while each are unaware the other is trying to con the same person. The chemistry between them was there. I do wish there'd been more. We're left with the implication that there will be more, but in the book it's mostly just sex, though there are "feelings". It is a fairly predictable plot. But that in no way detracts from the enjoyment. If you need just a fun book that doesn't take itself super seriously...this is that book.
This is a very fun read full of highly improbable hijinks between two conmen and their ill timed(or is it?) romance. The characters were all really great. A couple get the short end of the stick and questions are left, but all in all everyone is entertaining. Issac was so loveable and kind of lost. You can't really hold his plan against him. Cary was harder to like in spots. He was older so of course he knew everything and was always in the right. It's hard to take him seriously when he does get upset since it's so hypocritical. But in the end they are both good men who just happened to be doing a bad thing that ends up not being so bad. Marigold is everything. I wish I had a grandmother like her, and not just for the money. Jules was less formed, she's really just there to nag and support Cary. Wish we'd seen/learned more about Roman. Kitty...I still have so many questions about Kitty. The actual plot is so ridiculous, in the best way. It's kind of farcical. Two con men falling in love while each are unaware the other is trying to con the same person. The chemistry between them was there. I do wish there'd been more. We're left with the implication that there will be more, but in the book it's mostly just sex, though there are "feelings". It is a fairly predictable plot. But that in no way detracts from the enjoyment. If you need just a fun book that doesn't take itself super seriously...this is that book.
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