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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was okay. I did enjoy it. It was a spicy historical romance with prohibition vibes, heists, messy characters, and fun side characters. I enjoyed learning about Kats upbringing and her double life. I'm not a fan of love triangles, but this was kinda a "why choose". I gave it 3.5 stars with like 2 🌶 🌶 I received a copy in exchange for a review from @NerdFam
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’ve been so lucky to read some creatively impressive ARCs this year and Savannah Royals was yet another book that kept me swiping pages during every spare moment. This was such a fun romp and I can’t say I’ve ever read a book quite like this or with this specific history.
The love interests are in a bit of a love triangle, dare I say love square? The two male characters are as opposite as possible. On one hand you have Paul, child of the Savannah underworld (literally—who knew there were tunnels under the city?!) who has been running a theft/heist ring since he was old enough to pickpocket. On the other hand there’s Matthew, golden boy doctor whose family is one of the wealthiest in the U.S. Kat has known and loved Paul since childhood, but meeting Matthew is something she never expects and comes to enjoy.
I really appreciated Kat as a heroine. She lives unapologetically and is sexually free. For someone so secretive with her two lives (past and present), she is quite open with her personal desires. She initially views Matthew as an easy mark, but I loved how her getting to know him transformed her views on not only how she viewed him but herself too.
Barrett’s writing is so engaging and she hooked me from the start. I loved that I never quite knew how the story would end and had so much fun reading Kat’s trysts and heists. The descriptive jewelry and costume scenes had me lusting for rubies and Coco Chanel and the pre-Prohibition era worked so well for the setting of Jekyll Island and southern wealth. Imagine a brunette Grace Kelly from To Catch a Thief coupled with the sexiness of Cat Woman, and you get an idea of Kat as a character. There are lots of light and dark metaphors the play in nicely to how each character is portrayed and I felt like I understood how each relationship for Kat was important at meeting her needs. For sure, you may have a different view on love triangles by the time you finish reading! I received an early copy from the author. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Steam: đźŞđźŞ (openly discussed, but with limited descriptions)
Historical hook: 👑♦️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Drug use
A new debut in historical romance, and another one you don’t want to miss! Set in the turn of the 1920s in Savannah, Georgia, this was such a refreshing take on the genre, and I was immediately excited for this change of pace. The setting leads to this wonderful blend of darkness and light, and the way the characters reflected this was so superb. Katarina is such a raw and honest character. Her confidence and surety right from the start is such a turn-on, but the hidden depths are what really kept me engaged. Her complex relationship with the pack was messy, tender, and such an interesting exploration of love. And then her eventual relationship with Matthew was like a breath of fresh air.
Lindsey did something in this novel I didn’t think possible- I rooted for the “nice guy” over the childhood love interest….and while she made it difficult to choose, Matthew was the clear choice for Kat. Not only was the sexual tension hot between these two (seriously, just that first pool scene was 10x hotter than her threesome!!!!!), but he had such a way of breaking through her rough exterior and giving her a sense of calm. The way the author captures Kat’s very different feelings around Paul and Matthew was such a perfect reflection of how she was truly feeling about them. When she was with Paul, she felt frantic, angsty, and stressed, while with Matthew, she feels more serene and comfortable in her skin.
I loved this book because, ultimately, it’s Kat’s journey, with just some hot men onboard. Yes, there’s a hea, but I was mostly so proud of her for choosing what was best for her even if she thinks she doesn’t deserve it. This was a gritty and emotional story which was reflected in not only the characters, but the setting- and I loved soooo very much of it! Every character was so compelling and I was invested in not only Kat’s hea, but in our other wolves too (and Mellie, bc I always love a girls-girl unexpected reluctant bestie). I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a different take on historical romance that still holds true to the genre. It was the perfect blend of messy love triangle, surprisingly tender moments, and complicated found family dynamics!
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
Lindsey did something in this novel I didn’t think possible- I rooted for the “nice guy” over the childhood love interest….and while she made it difficult to choose, Matthew was the clear choice for Kat. Not only was the sexual tension hot between these two (seriously, just that first pool scene was 10x hotter than her threesome!!!!!), but he had such a way of breaking through her rough exterior and giving her a sense of calm. The way the author captures Kat’s very different feelings around Paul and Matthew was such a perfect reflection of how she was truly feeling about them. When she was with Paul, she felt frantic, angsty, and stressed, while with Matthew, she feels more serene and comfortable in her skin.
I loved this book because, ultimately, it’s Kat’s journey, with just some hot men onboard. Yes, there’s a hea, but I was mostly so proud of her for choosing what was best for her even if she thinks she doesn’t deserve it. This was a gritty and emotional story which was reflected in not only the characters, but the setting- and I loved soooo very much of it! Every character was so compelling and I was invested in not only Kat’s hea, but in our other wolves too (and Mellie, bc I always love a girls-girl unexpected reluctant bestie). I would highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a different take on historical romance that still holds true to the genre. It was the perfect blend of messy love triangle, surprisingly tender moments, and complicated found family dynamics!
Thank you to the author for an eARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow. A top read of the year. A standout. The premise is so interesting! It’s set in Savannah (obv) in 1919-1920. The atmosphere to me felt like Peaky Blinders meets Steel Magnolias. Kat is the only girl of the Wolfpack, and the entire story is her POV. She and her 3 pack mates were orphans who raised themselves in the Catacombs and developed into a well known and accomplished jewel thief ring. By day, Kat attends a finishing school for young ladies (the better to identify rich marks, of course), apprentices with a jeweler (convenient), and spends her evening with her pack plotting and planning.
Then she meets Matt, a second son from an aristocratic family at a finishing school sanctioned mixer. Though to her pack, Matt is a mark- but, she really starts to like him, what with a sunny outlook on life, true kindness, and he COURTS her. She’s never in her life been courted, and is kinda but not really with the leader of the Wolfpack. Relationship status: it’s complicated. Kat is kinda liking being courted despite herself. And Matt is just totally and completely intrigued by her - projects as prim and proper, but he knows there’s more there. And he likes it.
Between the romance, the depictions of the period, and the intrigue of jewel heists and turf battles - this is certainly a different historical romance - the time period and the heist aspect, and it totally works. A standout.
Then she meets Matt, a second son from an aristocratic family at a finishing school sanctioned mixer. Though to her pack, Matt is a mark- but, she really starts to like him, what with a sunny outlook on life, true kindness, and he COURTS her. She’s never in her life been courted, and is kinda but not really with the leader of the Wolfpack. Relationship status: it’s complicated. Kat is kinda liking being courted despite herself. And Matt is just totally and completely intrigued by her - projects as prim and proper, but he knows there’s more there. And he likes it.
Between the romance, the depictions of the period, and the intrigue of jewel heists and turf battles - this is certainly a different historical romance - the time period and the heist aspect, and it totally works. A standout.
adventurous
dark
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
HOLY (blank). WHAT a book. Kat, Paul, Abe and Matt. I like to think I've read a decent amount of romance. After reading THIS book, friends, I really haven't. Me, thinking I've read a fair amount, is naive. I also apparently have not read a lot of love triangle books. AND my "one true love" beliefs were sorely tested. I didn't know if I was going to make it to the end, because this turned all the tropes I am used to on its head. I was in an uncomfortable space and I yearned for monogamy.
But it all came around and all got sorted. Lindsay Barrett is an incredible story teller. I feel like I have expanded my horizons and grown as a person from reading this book. Thank you.
Thank you to Lindsay Barrett for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
But it all came around and all got sorted. Lindsay Barrett is an incredible story teller. I feel like I have expanded my horizons and grown as a person from reading this book. Thank you.
Thank you to Lindsay Barrett for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Savannah Royals was an enjoyable read. I liked the setting, the story, action and heist elements. However, I wasn't fond of the characters or all the way sold on the romantic relationships. Another issue I had with it was that I wished we had gotten a greater sense of what went on in Kat's school other than just seeing her in her room, the events and her apprenticeship. All in all it was a good story and had good bones but it just didn't fully work for me. That said I would definitely read more of this author's work.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A fascinating and twisty romance set in Savannah just after WW1.
There was so much packed into this story of gangs, heists, the ultra wealthy, and the poverty stricken.
Lindsay Barrett has populated this story with so many complex characters, but Kat was the absolute stand out. Told exclusively from Kat's point of view we got such an insight into the excruciating choices she has made in her life. Kat is an amazing character. Unapologetic about anything she's done in her life as a gang member/cat burglar.
I also enjoyed the slow reveal of Matthew's character whose life hasn't been as easy or charmed as it appears.
I am generally not a huge fan of a love triangle, but it has been well done here.
Thank you Lindsay Barrett for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
There was so much packed into this story of gangs, heists, the ultra wealthy, and the poverty stricken.
Lindsay Barrett has populated this story with so many complex characters, but Kat was the absolute stand out. Told exclusively from Kat's point of view we got such an insight into the excruciating choices she has made in her life. Kat is an amazing character. Unapologetic about anything she's done in her life as a gang member/cat burglar.
I also enjoyed the slow reveal of Matthew's character whose life hasn't been as easy or charmed as it appears.
I am generally not a huge fan of a love triangle, but it has been well done here.
Thank you Lindsay Barrett for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
This Prohibition-era heist romance completely stole my heart—and my sleep. I was hooked from the very first con and couldn’t stop flipping pages. Savannah Royals is gritty, glamorous, and full of unforgettable characters, but it was the found family and love triangle that really made it sing for me.
Katarina is the kind of FMC I love to read: bold, complicated, and unapologetically herself. Her double life as a con artist navigating high society gave this book serious tension and style. And the men? Matthew is an absolute cinnamon roll dream (doctor, gentleman, angel??), and Abe was magnetic in his own right. I’m not always into love triangles, but this one worked—messy and emotional but never gratuitous.
I especially loved how the book handled sex positivity, female agency, and complicated relationship dynamics with care and authenticity. Plus, the setting dripped with 1920s glam and danger, and the Savannah backdrop added a moody, immersive texture that elevated the entire story.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’m stunned this was a debut, Lindsay Barrett is absolutely one to watch.
Katarina is the kind of FMC I love to read: bold, complicated, and unapologetically herself. Her double life as a con artist navigating high society gave this book serious tension and style. And the men? Matthew is an absolute cinnamon roll dream (doctor, gentleman, angel??), and Abe was magnetic in his own right. I’m not always into love triangles, but this one worked—messy and emotional but never gratuitous.
I especially loved how the book handled sex positivity, female agency, and complicated relationship dynamics with care and authenticity. Plus, the setting dripped with 1920s glam and danger, and the Savannah backdrop added a moody, immersive texture that elevated the entire story.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I’m stunned this was a debut, Lindsay Barrett is absolutely one to watch.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Thank you to the @Nerdfam for gifting me this eARC!
What a fun ride this book was! Crazy to think that’s it’s a debut novel!
The story is set in the Prohibition era in Savannah, Georgia. We have a cast of morally grey characters that you can’t help but root for, for the most part. We have romance, a love triangle, betrayal, found family, underworld dealings and an All-American boy who might just take this enterprise down.
This book was such a fun read and I just loved it! I highly recommend this book!