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readmorebooks_09's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Blood and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Murder and Abandonment
leahegood's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Summary
Olivia Brownlow once roamed the streets as a vulnerable urchin, going by the name of Oliver to protect her from those who would take advantage of an orphaned girl. It's a history few of her current aquaintances would ever guess at. The world now knows her as a beloved niece and one of London's richest bachelors seems likely to propose any day. But Olivia is not as far removed from her past as appearaces indicate. She still employes the street skills she learned as a child to fund her mission of charity to street children. Steal from the rich to give to the poor.
When her once-protector, the Artful Dodger, swaggers back into her life--now wearing the outfit of a gentleman and sporting an Irish brogue--life as she knows it tilts on its axis. But the Dodger--Jack--is the less worrysome element of her past that is stalking her.
Olivia must make a choice. Follow the path society expects (even demands) of her, or throw caution to the wind and hope fate doesn't lead her to the end of a hangman's noose.
My Thoughts
I adore the premise of this book but was much less enamored by the execution. It has all the ingredients for a riviting heist, adorable romance, meaninful heist, and more ... but they didn't come together as deliciously as they could have. Writing shortcuts kept me from sinking into the story as deeply as I wanted to. I wanted to see Olivia and Jack rekindling the trust they shared in childhood. Instead, the author hammered us over the head with the fact that they're attracted to each other by having them make out repeatedly and without much justification. This cheap attraction, in turn, leads to grand declarations such as, "if anything happened to him, she woudln't survive." Really? And of course there had to be the misunderstanding trope complete with catastrophization, overblown reaction, and distasatrous results.
Overall, the foundation was there, and this was almost an amazing story instead of an average one ... and I'm salty about the lost potential. It's still a fun story with plenty of creative juices. I love the idea of books that take old favorites and image the next chapter of the characters' lives instead of just retelling the original. I would 100% read more books with similar premises to this one, and I can tell the author put a lot of love and effort into this story.
Content
Romance: Lots of not-very-descriptive making out and one instance of almost sleeping together. It is implied that Dodger has been with women previously, but this is never stated explicitly or confirmed. The main romance occures inspite of a pending engagement with the female main character has committed to.
Language: Lots of British insults. There may have been a few mild swears/British swears as well.
Violence: Non-explicit violence in the form of fist fights, knife fights, and physical abuse. Brothels are mentioned and the potential of sexual violence repeatedly implied (mostly in memory, but also in present).
Religion: Dodger and Olivia both pray, and Dodger is inspired by Christ's sacrifice, but religion is not proment in the books or impactful to the characters' lives.
Olivia Brownlow once roamed the streets as a vulnerable urchin, going by the name of Oliver to protect her from those who would take advantage of an orphaned girl. It's a history few of her current aquaintances would ever guess at. The world now knows her as a beloved niece and one of London's richest bachelors seems likely to propose any day. But Olivia is not as far removed from her past as appearaces indicate. She still employes the street skills she learned as a child to fund her mission of charity to street children. Steal from the rich to give to the poor.
When her once-protector, the Artful Dodger, swaggers back into her life--now wearing the outfit of a gentleman and sporting an Irish brogue--life as she knows it tilts on its axis. But the Dodger--Jack--is the less worrysome element of her past that is stalking her.
Olivia must make a choice. Follow the path society expects (even demands) of her, or throw caution to the wind and hope fate doesn't lead her to the end of a hangman's noose.
My Thoughts
I adore the premise of this book but was much less enamored by the execution. It has all the ingredients for a riviting heist, adorable romance, meaninful heist, and more ... but they didn't come together as deliciously as they could have. Writing shortcuts kept me from sinking into the story as deeply as I wanted to. I wanted to see Olivia and Jack rekindling the trust they shared in childhood. Instead, the author hammered us over the head with the fact that they're attracted to each other by having them make out repeatedly and without much justification. This cheap attraction, in turn, leads to grand declarations such as, "if anything happened to him, she woudln't survive." Really? And of course there had to be the misunderstanding trope complete with catastrophization, overblown reaction, and distasatrous results.
Overall, the foundation was there, and this was almost an amazing story instead of an average one ... and I'm salty about the lost potential. It's still a fun story with plenty of creative juices. I love the idea of books that take old favorites and image the next chapter of the characters' lives instead of just retelling the original. I would 100% read more books with similar premises to this one, and I can tell the author put a lot of love and effort into this story.
Content
Romance: Lots of not-very-descriptive making out and one instance of almost sleeping together. It is implied that Dodger has been with women previously, but this is never stated explicitly or confirmed. The main romance occures inspite of a pending engagement with the female main character has committed to.
Language: Lots of British insults. There may have been a few mild swears/British swears as well.
Violence: Non-explicit violence in the form of fist fights, knife fights, and physical abuse. Brothels are mentioned and the potential of sexual violence repeatedly implied (mostly in memory, but also in present).
Religion: Dodger and Olivia both pray, and Dodger is inspired by Christ's sacrifice, but religion is not proment in the books or impactful to the characters' lives.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Sexual violence