To Have and to Heist

Starred review from March 27, 2023
Oceans 8 meets The Wedding Planner in this dazzling rom-com caper from Desai (The Singles Table). Simi Chopra spends her life rushing from a series of “soul-sucking, mind-numbing entry-level office jobs” to retail side gigs because she has “too much debt to pursue anything interesting, much less find passion.” When her ride-or-die bestie, Chloe, a freelance white hat hacker, gets set up to take the fall for the theft of a $25 million diamond necklace, Simi mounts a rescue that proves both hilarious and thoroughly ineffective, stymied by the presence of another criminal, Jack. Jack, a thief, doesn’t have a last name he’s willing to share with Simi, but he does have a plan. If Simi and her gig worker friends (each of whom has a relevant talent) can get him into the house of Chicago’s best fence, Joseph Angelini, Jack will steal the necklace, clear Chloe’s name, and give each member of the crew enough reward money that they’ll be able to finally focus on their passions. As the danger increases, so does the sizzling attraction between Simi and Jack—but Simi can’t tell if she can trust Jack’s motives in the caper, let alone with her heart. Desai perfectly balances the lighthearted romance with a fun and twisty heist plot enacted by a kooky cast of indebted millennials. Romance lovers will devour this un-put-downable treat, and even readers generally wary of the genre will be swept away. Agent: Laura Bradford, Bradford Literary

Starred review from December 1, 2023

Simi Chopra is tired of mind-numbing jobs where she's overqualified and underpaid. She gets more excitement than she bargained for, however, when her best friend is framed for a jewelry theft, and they must steal back a priceless necklace to clear her name. Aided by a sexy professional "repossessor" and an eclectic entourage of aspiring criminals, Simi takes on mobsters, bridezillas, and exotic animals, all while dodging one hunky detective and endless matchmaking attempts from her well-meaning aunties. Has she found her calling as a caper coordinator, or will her beginner-level burgling end in disaster? Desai (The Singles Table) presents an enchanting, plot-driven contemporary romance. The quirky cast of characters is hilarious and heartwarming, whether cracking jokes or cracking safes. Narrator Soneela Nankani shines as Simi in this fast-paced, first-person tale. From sweet to steamy, her expressive performance enhances the wit and whimsy of the narrative. VERDICT Desai's novel will draw listeners seeking a hilarious heist rom-com full of engaging entrapments and action-packed antics. A good pick for fans of Alisha Rai, Christina Lauren, and Ally Carter.--Lauren Hackert

Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.