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A review by lyloveslit
Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid
3.75
First and foremost, I want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an ARC of “Jewel Me Twice” in exchange for my honest review. This was my first book by Cherish Reid, and I must say, I really enjoyed myself!
One of the highlights for me was the portrayal of found family in this story. I absolutely adore books with this theme, and the found family dynamic in “Jewel Me Twice” is top-tier. The book follows Celeste, a skilled thief who now works mostly alone after her past with being part of a larger thief network under the mentorship of her mentor, Doris. Celeste’s life takes a turn for the worst after a heist with the crew goes bad. The failed job costs her not only her friends but also the love of her life, Magnus.
Years later, Celeste receives unexpected news about her mentor, prompting the old gang to reunite for one last big heist. This reunion forces Celeste to face her past, reconnect with her friends, and, of course, come face-to-face with Magnus. The storyline of rekindling old relationships and the tension of a high-stakes heist kept me hooked.
However, while the book excelled in many areas, I found the intimacy between Magnus and Celeste somewhat lacking. The author successfully convinced me of their deep connection, but the intimate scenes didn’t quite match the emotional intensity of their relationship. In this case, I would have preferred a fade-to-black approach rather than the lackluster scenes we got.
Overall, I really enjoyed “Jewel Me Twice.” The strong found family element, engaging storyline, and thrilling heist made for an enjoyable read. Despite my reservations about the romantic aspect, I would absolutely read more from Cherish Reid. I give this book 3.75 stars.
One of the highlights for me was the portrayal of found family in this story. I absolutely adore books with this theme, and the found family dynamic in “Jewel Me Twice” is top-tier. The book follows Celeste, a skilled thief who now works mostly alone after her past with being part of a larger thief network under the mentorship of her mentor, Doris. Celeste’s life takes a turn for the worst after a heist with the crew goes bad. The failed job costs her not only her friends but also the love of her life, Magnus.
Years later, Celeste receives unexpected news about her mentor, prompting the old gang to reunite for one last big heist. This reunion forces Celeste to face her past, reconnect with her friends, and, of course, come face-to-face with Magnus. The storyline of rekindling old relationships and the tension of a high-stakes heist kept me hooked.
However, while the book excelled in many areas, I found the intimacy between Magnus and Celeste somewhat lacking. The author successfully convinced me of their deep connection, but the intimate scenes didn’t quite match the emotional intensity of their relationship. In this case, I would have preferred a fade-to-black approach rather than the lackluster scenes we got.
Overall, I really enjoyed “Jewel Me Twice.” The strong found family element, engaging storyline, and thrilling heist made for an enjoyable read. Despite my reservations about the romantic aspect, I would absolutely read more from Cherish Reid. I give this book 3.75 stars.