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k_winchester's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fun, cute, and quite a bit of unexpected action! I was intrigued the whole way through, wondering how everything was going to turn out and come together.
The actual ending(/solution) seemed kinda unnecessarily complicated with the multiple - hmm, surprise appearances, let's call them. 😂
But overall it was a lot of fun. Mira was a neat character, and it satisfying to see her unpack her issues while on the run, WHILE also having to touch on or use knowledge/ stuff from her past she was actively trying not to deal with. She and Naveen had great chemistry, and I really liked how he moved from being (justifiably) angry with her to openly caring for her.
(I cast Natalie Anderson from Survivor as Mira and Sendhil Ramamurthy circa Heroes as Naveen. 😂)
(PS: GA)
The actual ending(/solution) seemed kinda unnecessarily complicated with the multiple - hmm, surprise appearances, let's call them. 😂
But overall it was a lot of fun. Mira was a neat character, and it satisfying to see her unpack her issues while on the run, WHILE also having to touch on or use knowledge/ stuff from her past she was actively trying not to deal with. She and Naveen had great chemistry, and I really liked how he moved from being (justifiably) angry with her to openly caring for her.
(I cast Natalie Anderson from Survivor as Mira and Sendhil Ramamurthy circa Heroes as Naveen. 😂)
(PS: GA)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Gun violence, Addiction, Alcoholism, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
jencolumb0's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I found this to be an incredibly engaging read: I blinked and I was almost half-way through it. Mira and Naveen make for a very likable couple and Ms. Rai did a solid job with the arc of their emotional growth and growth together. The rest of the story was a wild, if not somewhat gritty (for Romancelandia), heist of a heist that had me thinking of Dial A for Aunties (but less absurd). My hang-up with all of this is just how much was supposed to be shoved inside, like, 18 hours. ( drive to Vegas, wake up and free themselves, drive to diner, eat and arrange new car, track Emi to two places, negotiate at the poker game, play poker, the whole charade to talk to Sunil, going to the party + talking with Steve, Walmart stop, sex, sleep . . . until sunrise, then a few piles of other things Then, we have how all of this stuff was wrapped up and that’s really what knocked a star off for me. I get how it couldn’t be a much deeper resolution but the resolution provided feels super cheap and is what I think would actually mess Mira up the most . . . but there’s just a passing mention of her PTSD when there had been pretty steady talk about her emotions. This produces a bit of a disconnect that is only bolstered by Ms. Rai ’s decision to keep it real with the resolution, or lack thereof, between Mira and her sister . The warm-fuzzies of the epilogue and Mira/Naveen smooth the experience for the reader but there is a definite gap between the rather realistic emotional experiences of the characters through the first, oh, 80% of the book and then that kind of crumbled at the end. I do think this book would make a very fun movie, though, where the issues at the resolution are easily smoothed over in a move visual medium.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Abandonment, Death of parent, Violence, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Pregnancy
renpuspita's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If judging by cover alone, I expect a cute contemporary romance feature Desi characters. Even the blurb said so. What I don't expect after finish reading is rather than a conrom, Partners in Crime more like romantic suspense. With angst, LOT of angst. I had read Alisha Rai's title before and I forget that she can write a delicious angst.
I like both Mira and Naveen, since both in their thirties so they are already mature and no unnecessary or prolonged drama OR third act breakup. Before the story began, Mira matched with Naveen, only to let her insecurities about her shady family and past that make her broke things up with Naveen via text. Ouch. I like the second chance trope that Rai write because not only Mira have a huge emotional baggage, Naveen himself also just recently sober and also failed in the romantic department. I think both Mira and Naveen suit each other, they compliment each other with Mira who is savvy enough to face their enemies while Naveen also support her emotionally and also smooth things over with his communication skills. Truly a partners in crime. In the end Mira manage to face her past and pursue her happiness in the future with Naveen.
The story is fast paced and full of adrenaline. The suspense keep me reading especially regarding the jewels that Mira's late father stole and the identity of the villain named Cobra. Not only Mira and Naveen race through time because Cobra threatened Mira's sister life, they also go to many states and also do heist. The romance itself maybe not much and more like angst, but the amount of romance and angst are well balanced. However, the twist regarding the Cobra identity and another character from Mira's past left me dumbfounded. A true Bollywood moment, lel. Just like your usual Asian centered story, the story will be no complete without meddling parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc.
If you love your romantic suspense with heist element, well balanced angst and romance, family theme and a nonstop chase with a slight mystery, I will recommend Partners in Crime!
I like both Mira and Naveen, since both in their thirties so they are already mature and no unnecessary or prolonged drama OR third act breakup. Before the story began, Mira matched with Naveen, only to let her insecurities about her shady family and past that make her broke things up with Naveen via text. Ouch. I like the second chance trope that Rai write because not only Mira have a huge emotional baggage, Naveen himself also just recently sober and also failed in the romantic department. I think both Mira and Naveen suit each other, they compliment each other with Mira who is savvy enough to face their enemies while Naveen also support her emotionally and also smooth things over with his communication skills. Truly a partners in crime. In the end Mira manage to face her past and pursue her happiness in the future with Naveen.
The story is fast paced and full of adrenaline. The suspense keep me reading especially regarding the jewels that Mira's late father stole and the identity of the villain named Cobra. Not only Mira and Naveen race through time because Cobra threatened Mira's sister life, they also go to many states and also do heist. The romance itself maybe not much and more like angst, but the amount of romance and angst are well balanced. However, the twist regarding the Cobra identity and another character from Mira's past left me dumbfounded. A true Bollywood moment, lel. Just like your usual Asian centered story, the story will be no complete without meddling parents, grandparents, aunties, uncles, etc.
If you love your romantic suspense with heist element, well balanced angst and romance, family theme and a nonstop chase with a slight mystery, I will recommend Partners in Crime!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcoholism
Minor: Grief, Infidelity, Racism, and Pregnancy
megj23's review
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Body shaming
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Torture
hennie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
2.0
I was expecting a cute contemporary second-chance romance (and that's on me, I shouldn't start books without knowing what they are about). In the beginning, Partners in Crime was exactly that: We get to know our two main characters, Mira and Naveen, and we learn about their struggles in life (sobriety, a shady past, difficulties with romantic relationships). Then we see them together for the first time, and I was still convinced that this was going to be a chill romance - until they are both kidnapped by a rival of Mira's mob father literally three pages later.
I sadly couldn't get behind the whole crime/heist vibe. The problems our MCs face get resolved too quickly and too smoothly. The entirety of the story happens in literally two days - which means a lot of things are happening, and there's ultimately not enough time for the romance to build."The Talk" was always delayed by one thing or another, which irritated me. The writing style was simple, with short sentences and few adjectives (as is mine, but I still don't have to like it in other books). The same goes for the sex scenes, which were only sparsely described. Throwing a "good girl" in there doesn't make it good smut.
The resolution at the end was uninspired (too many people coming back from the dead ), and having two epilogues was just excessive.
I sadly couldn't get behind the whole crime/heist vibe. The problems our MCs face get resolved too quickly and too smoothly. The entirety of the story happens in literally two days - which means a lot of things are happening, and there's ultimately not enough time for the romance to build.
The resolution at the end was uninspired (
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent
kitwhelan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A fun action-movie rom-com that I devoured in one night.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Alcoholism
what_karla_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Cursing, and Grief
onegalonelife27's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Romance meets thriller in this one!
For the longest time, Mira has tried to find a nice, stable husband in order to avoid the life her father lived. Yet, just after getting dumped by the latest man her matchmaker set her up with, she finds out that her late aunt's attorney is actually the first-and best-match she had, whom she left. It only gets more awkward between these two exes, when they get kidnapped. Turns out her late father stole from the wrong person. Now they’re on the run in Vegas, trying to save their skins and loved ones. And along the way, find a chance to reconnect and come out with an even better relationship than before.
This story is a great blend of thriller, romance, and a bit of comedy! You hold your breath when things get intense and then cackle when some hilarious happens like Mira telling the owner of a strip club about body shaming! Then swooning as the characters find themselves falling back in love with one another.
This romance shows a lot of parallels between the two characters, coping with their pasts in different ways and it makes the connection they grow even more wonderful. Mira often tries to bottle up her emotions but Naveen helps her release them. Naveen often worries about how others perceive him, but Mira helps him become more confident.
The last hour or so had me going “Oh god!” so much with the twists revealed.
I highly recommend this one for anyone who’ll want romance but also love a good thriller too!
For the longest time, Mira has tried to find a nice, stable husband in order to avoid the life her father lived. Yet, just after getting dumped by the latest man her matchmaker set her up with, she finds out that her late aunt's attorney is actually the first-and best-match she had, whom she left. It only gets more awkward between these two exes, when they get kidnapped. Turns out her late father stole from the wrong person. Now they’re on the run in Vegas, trying to save their skins and loved ones. And along the way, find a chance to reconnect and come out with an even better relationship than before.
This story is a great blend of thriller, romance, and a bit of comedy! You hold your breath when things get intense and then cackle when some hilarious happens like Mira telling the owner of a strip club about body shaming! Then swooning as the characters find themselves falling back in love with one another.
This romance shows a lot of parallels between the two characters, coping with their pasts in different ways and it makes the connection they grow even more wonderful. Mira often tries to bottle up her emotions but Naveen helps her release them. Naveen often worries about how others perceive him, but Mira helps him become more confident.
The last hour or so had me going “Oh god!” so much with the twists revealed.
I highly recommend this one for anyone who’ll want romance but also love a good thriller too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, and Death of parent
notsobinaryart's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Death, Confinement, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Child abuse, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Mental illness, Classism, Gaslighting, and Blood
Minor: Torture, Body shaming, Cancer, Sexual harassment, and Infidelity