A review by bethanycrowepowell
Partners in Crime, by Alisha Rai
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This book is a crackling blend of romance and heist. Amira's pretty sure her elite matchmaker is going to fire her when she's dumped by her perfect (on paper) boyfriend after a series of failures.
Of course, she's hiding something major from all of them: she doesn't come from a nice South Asian family, and she didn't even give her actual birth time. When her aunt's will takes her into a law office with the first match she had (who she fled unceremoniously when things got too real) this is just the beginning of a reckoning both with what she's been running from and who she is.
This was a tightly plotted book with a very fun premise. It focused a little more on the plot and the intimate moments felt brief, but the way both characters had to integrate their real selves into the relationship despite wanting to hide was really satisfying.
Of course, she's hiding something major from all of them: she doesn't come from a nice South Asian family, and she didn't even give her actual birth time. When her aunt's will takes her into a law office with the first match she had (who she fled unceremoniously when things got too real) this is just the beginning of a reckoning both with what she's been running from and who she is.
This was a tightly plotted book with a very fun premise. It focused a little more on the plot and the intimate moments felt brief, but the way both characters had to integrate their real selves into the relationship despite wanting to hide was really satisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism and Fatphobia
Despite Amira's assumptions, I like that both characters have shadows from the past. The strip club scene where they deal with casual toxic body standards while also being deeply attracted to each other was a nice nod to how mid-size bodies still get judged.