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bookkate 's review for:
Partners in Crime
by Alisha Rai
ARC e-book via NetGalley
Provided by Avon & Harper Voyager
Publication: 18 Oct 2022
I had read Alisha Rai's "Modern Love" trilogy (The Right Swipe; Girl Gone Viral; and First Comes Like) and really enjoyed it, so jumped at the chance to read her next book.
I was expecting a fairly 'standard' rom-com style plot, so felt a little surprised when we took a screeching turn into a crime-laced caper, but I just went along for the ride and had a fun time along the way. (This situation was of my own making - going in, on purpose, with zero reading of the blurb in advance!) The characters of Mira and Naveen were interesting; I particularly liked that Mira had a career as an accountant (I think bakers, cupcake makers, influencers and event planners, though fine careers, are significantly over-represented in this genre & I always do a little silent cheer when I encounter an engineer, accountant, scientist etc as the female romance lead. #goSTEMCareers ). I also knew I was going to get along with Mira when I read the line, "Mira didn't fuck with clothes that didn't have pockets." (Ch. 1). Right on, Mira.
I liked how they are a little bit older (mid thirties) and this is a 2nd chance romance -- the piecemeal filling in history of their 1st go-round as they are on their current caper is well done. Both main characters had their flaws and there were plenty of gray areas in their and other characters' behaviors & backgrounds which was great. However, sometimes Mira and Naveen's actions & reactions to the really harrowing situations they got into seemed unrealistic and at times feels like their rekindled relationship is missing a little something - growth/oomph/spark?
The whole kidnapping-stolen-jewels-on-the-run plot line is wild, fun and exciting, and becomes a bit over the top? madcap? Particularly at one point near the end... (you'll know it when you get to it). It stays juuuust this side of slapstick (e.g. "Dial A for Aunties"), which is good because I hated Dial A... I found the string of 'clues' at times a bit foggy -- not really as taut or logical as I wanted -- (like they really knew how to get to the next point/person/contact based on a vague line in a note), whereas other obvious clues were missed.
Overall, most of my negatives are quibbles, and the bottom line is, this was a fun read: just take your disbelief, suspend it, and read on for a big dose of zany-wild-crazy-crime-spree and a bit of romance. I think fans of Rai will enjoy it but maybe not rank it as their all time favorite of hers. That's how I felt, and I will definitely pick up Rai's next book - excited for her YA coming out later this year and hopeful this one will spin into a series -- maybe we will get Alan's story next? or Sejal?
Provided by Avon & Harper Voyager
Publication: 18 Oct 2022
I had read Alisha Rai's "Modern Love" trilogy (The Right Swipe; Girl Gone Viral; and First Comes Like) and really enjoyed it, so jumped at the chance to read her next book.
I was expecting a fairly 'standard' rom-com style plot, so felt a little surprised when we took a screeching turn into a crime-laced caper, but I just went along for the ride and had a fun time along the way. (This situation was of my own making - going in, on purpose, with zero reading of the blurb in advance!) The characters of Mira and Naveen were interesting; I particularly liked that Mira had a career as an accountant (I think bakers, cupcake makers, influencers and event planners, though fine careers, are significantly over-represented in this genre & I always do a little silent cheer when I encounter an engineer, accountant, scientist etc as the female romance lead. #goSTEMCareers ). I also knew I was going to get along with Mira when I read the line, "Mira didn't fuck with clothes that didn't have pockets." (Ch. 1). Right on, Mira.
I liked how they are a little bit older (mid thirties) and this is a 2nd chance romance -- the piecemeal filling in history of their 1st go-round as they are on their current caper is well done. Both main characters had their flaws and there were plenty of gray areas in their and other characters' behaviors & backgrounds which was great. However, sometimes Mira and Naveen's actions & reactions to the really harrowing situations they got into seemed unrealistic and at times feels like their rekindled relationship is missing a little something - growth/oomph/spark?
The whole kidnapping-stolen-jewels-on-the-run plot line is wild, fun and exciting, and becomes a bit over the top? madcap? Particularly at one point near the end... (you'll know it when you get to it). It stays juuuust this side of slapstick (e.g. "Dial A for Aunties"), which is good because I hated Dial A... I found the string of 'clues' at times a bit foggy -- not really as taut or logical as I wanted -- (like they really knew how to get to the next point/person/contact based on a vague line in a note), whereas other obvious clues were missed.
Overall, most of my negatives are quibbles, and the bottom line is, this was a fun read: just take your disbelief, suspend it, and read on for a big dose of zany-wild-crazy-crime-spree and a bit of romance. I think fans of Rai will enjoy it but maybe not rank it as their all time favorite of hers. That's how I felt, and I will definitely pick up Rai's next book - excited for her YA coming out later this year and hopeful this one will spin into a series -- maybe we will get Alan's story next? or Sejal?