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From the publisher:

She wants to steal his Van Gogh. He wants to steal her heart.

Some people would call Clementine Abernathy a criminal. She considers herself a modern day Robin Hood, who steals from the rich and gives to the poor. Not exactly on the up-and-up, but she knows what it’s like to lose everything. Her latest heist involves swiping a priceless Van Gogh from its owner, who’s supposed to be an egotistical trust-fund brat.

Turns out Jack David is a sexy, kind-hearted man…and Clementine is in trouble. Falling for her mark would make her the World’s Dumbest Conwoman, but Jack is charmingly persistent, always singing sweet songs in her ear.

And that earth-shattering kiss? She never stood a chance.

Now she’s imagining a fresh start with this dashing man, but that means telling Jack about her past. And other nefarious sorts are after the same painting. Too soon, Clementine learns what it means to risk it all for love.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Romance books are full of cupcake bakers and wedding planners, hunky cowboys, and firemen.  It isn’t often that you see a romance featuring a con woman and an Elvis tribute artist (don’t call Jack an impersonator).  Yet, if anyone can pull this pairing off it is Kelly Siskind who made a convincing romantic hero out of a magician in last year’s excellent New Orleans Rush. In Don’t Go Stealing My Heart, Siskind swaps out New Orleans for the charming small town of Whichway, Nebraska, but the quirky characters, humor, and heart that made New Orleans Rush so enjoyable are all still there.

Clementine arrives in town under the cover of the annual Elvis festival with the goal of stealing a Van Gogh from Maxwell “Jack” David.  However, as soon as Clementine meets her mark the chemistry between them is off the charts. It doesn’t hurt that she has a bearded dragon named Lucy and Jack has a one named Ricky, so clearly they are meant to be.  Siskind works a lot of humor into the story, any book featuring hundreds of Elvis tribute artists is probably going to be funny, but she also deftly balances the humor with more serious moments.

Clementine has survived a traumatic childhood and meeting Jack begins to make her question her chosen profession and lifestyle. Jack, meanwhile, is struggling under the burden of keeping the family business, which employs half the town, afloat. Clementine and Jack may share great chemistry and a love of reptiles but the romance that develops between them is heartwarming too.

Overall, this is a funny and feel-good read. If like me, you are looking for lighter reads right now I highly recommend Don’t Go Stealing My Heart.

4/2020 Caitlin Brisson

DON’T GO STEALING MY HEART by Kelly Siskind. CD Books (April 22, 2020). ISBN 9781988937113. 348p.

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 at 8:00 AM and is filed under Book Reviews, Fiction, Romance. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.