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effiekfe's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
aunticles's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Charming and fun romcom with a heist thrown in for good measure. Cat is a very engaging and likeable heroine and, unlike other reviewers, I didn't have a problem with her story being written by a man. She seemed entirely convincing to me. I listened to the audiobook which had a great performance from the reader, so perhaps that helped. The plot brought a couple of unexpected and fun little twists. Thoroughly enjoyable read.
simoneami's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
3.5
Very cute and funny. 0 spice
zoer03's review
5.0
Wow, brilliant, fun, hilarious and heartwarming and moving too. I loved loved loved Cat, she’s both tart, sharp and vulnerable as well as kind and loving when she is allowed to be, I also love Jake who sees her for who she is and not the prickly persona she sends out. I also love the hilarious plot of a ring heist at a wedding and that she finds out that not all things that glitter is gold and that what she thinks she wants has been right beside her all along. A joy to read and an author I cannot wait to read more from.
sherwoodreads's review against another edition
One of those books that I think would make a terrific film. You have to buy the premise, which would work perfectly in an hour-and-a-half films: Cat, our heroine, down and out after busting her butt trying to make it in the grind of the corporate world, to the extent of squashing her love of art, has a secret outlet: she robs obnoxious rich people.
And she has one sympathetic ear, Jake the bartender. He in his turn is also a con artist, and again, only takes from those who can afford it, and deserve it.
Meanwhile, Cat finds herself in contact with her university roommate frenemy, Louisa, who is rich, gorgeous, and now engaged to the perfect man (also rich and gorgeous), and wants Cat as part of the wedding party. Cat knows that that means expensive clothes and gifts, when she is, as they say in the UK, totally skint.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Louisa's soon-to-be wedding ring is worth ten million dollars. But the finance makes her wear a phony for insurance/safety reasons. But what if Cat and Jake, working together as partners--nothing more--could use the wedding as an excuse to make the heist of a lifetime?
Along the way, Cat gets to know the bridesmaids better, one of whom is just awesome, and also ends up meeting Jake's family, which is not at all what she expected. She has a hands-off relationship with men, including her dad, but she does care for him...
Basically, I found this first novel really engaging, very strong and visual with complex characterization, especially the subordinate characters. The pacing toward the end was a bit sustained, bent around the now de rigueur Bad Moment, but then picks up again, and ends abruptly, leaving tons of threads dangling. Like, does Cat ever give her art a second thought? And we go from there.
That said, the read was still terrific, I enjoyed the story overall, I'd love to see a stylish, tight version on the big screen, and I really look forward to seeing what this author writes next.
And she has one sympathetic ear, Jake the bartender. He in his turn is also a con artist, and again, only takes from those who can afford it, and deserve it.
Meanwhile, Cat finds herself in contact with her university roommate frenemy, Louisa, who is rich, gorgeous, and now engaged to the perfect man (also rich and gorgeous), and wants Cat as part of the wedding party. Cat knows that that means expensive clothes and gifts, when she is, as they say in the UK, totally skint.
Meanwhile, it turns out that Louisa's soon-to-be wedding ring is worth ten million dollars. But the finance makes her wear a phony for insurance/safety reasons. But what if Cat and Jake, working together as partners--nothing more--could use the wedding as an excuse to make the heist of a lifetime?
Along the way, Cat gets to know the bridesmaids better, one of whom is just awesome, and also ends up meeting Jake's family, which is not at all what she expected. She has a hands-off relationship with men, including her dad, but she does care for him...
Basically, I found this first novel really engaging, very strong and visual with complex characterization, especially the subordinate characters. The pacing toward the end was a bit sustained, bent around the now de rigueur Bad Moment, but then picks up again, and ends abruptly, leaving tons of threads dangling. Like, does Cat ever give her art a second thought? And we go from there.
That said, the read was still terrific, I enjoyed the story overall, I'd love to see a stylish, tight version on the big screen, and I really look forward to seeing what this author writes next.
abrilcm's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
not reading a female-led romcom written by a man again
nicjmartins's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.5
laurenkraigco's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
barbistull's review against another edition
5.0
Cat lives in London and isn't as "grown up" as she'd like to be. Friends all around her are getting married, starting amazing jobs and starting their families. All the while, Cat is living in the guestroom of a couple's flat facing eviction as the couple plans to move forward with the expansion of their family. Attempts at honest work don't come easily to Cat--she can't seem to catch a break. Instead, she relies on pickpocketing men at the Oceanic, a local hotel bar, to help pay the bills. The bartender, Jake, intrigues her and hides his own secrets. When her college roommate reaches out after becoming engaged to an extremely wealthy man, an idea takes a hold of Cat and she wants to bring Jake along for the ride. This is the story of their adventures
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but I was not disappointed!
5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free ARC from the publisher and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but I was not disappointed!
5 out of 5 stars.
I received a free ARC from the publisher and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.