Hello
happy readers! I have some news that I’m
sitting on that I hope to share with you later in the week but until then I’m
working on getting things back on track and staying that way. So today I’m discussing a book I reviewed for
No BS Book Reviews and the original post can be found here, for Smash &Grab by Amy Christine Parker.
Rating: 4
Stars
Described
as Ocean’s Eleven meets star-crossed lovers and I was in. First I love me a good heist story. The last book I read that had a heist feel
was Six of Crows and I LOVED it so I went into this one excited and ready to be
entertained and I sure enough was.
We
have the POVS of our two star-crossed loves, Lexi the rich girl who with her
friends keep pushing and creating these adrenaline filled dares. Her life is a mess since her father was
arrested. I liked that she was a girl of
her means of course, she liked nice things sure but she was also self-aware and
didn’t come across as too entitled.
Christian on the other hand is from a very poor family in the center of
gang territory. He and his friends have
managed to stay out of the gang as a member but given the circumstances of
their life they have been roped into doing bank jobs for the gang. He studies hard and wants out, he wants a
better life for himself and his family but breaking out of the neighborhood and
the thin ties with the gang are not that easy.
Christian for me a bit jaded and had a chip on his shoulder for sure but
he didn’t let it rule him. The most
important thing for me in dual POV books is to make sure that each POV has a
distinct voice and this did that for sure.
Both
Lexi and Christian were working with their own people doing their own things
when their paths collide. Literally. The dynamic of the relationship from the
start is a mix between chemistry and distrust.
They both have their group of friends, people they would do anything for
so they understand that but fundamentally their lives and agendas are
different. Robbing banks may give you an
adrenaline rush but it’s much more serious than breaking in to buildings to
BASE jump off the top.
Christian
is without a doubt facing a harsher reality than Lexi. She is seeking the truth, uncovering all the
details of what had her father arrested.
Christian is seeking a better life and to stay alive. While the two
circumstances are vastly different it’s easy to see that for Lexi and living
how she has her whole life her situation feels like the worst thing that can
happen, with nothing to compare it to. I
liked the duality of the worlds, high end posh and low income gang
territory.
There
was no insta-love happening. There was
insta-attraction that leads to getting to know one another. Some flirtation and romance was present but
it wasn’t the focus and while I was rooting to see what would develop between
two characters of such different backgrounds and with the same trust issues it
didn’t consume the storyline.
Some
aspects of the storyline seem insane verging on the unbelievable, teens able to
pull things like this off but I could roll with it. Besides as I’ve never robbed a bank or went
undercover I can’t speak from experience.
Having worked in the 911 field however I can easily say some people make
themselves easy victims by leaving stuff out or doors unlocked. I don’t commend crime and want to hope for
the best in others but I also won’t leave my vehicle unlocked with the keys
inside and expect it to still be there the next day. Just saying.
I can see it.
That
said overall it was a quick read and one that had me entertained until the end. I was shocked at times which in itself
surprised me. I love a good crime show,
Criminal Minds and Dexter being favorites of mine, clearly I like to root for
the good guy and the bad guy so this was right up my alley. I did have the urge to watch some heist
movies when I finished reading as it put me in that mood and I always call that
a win. So if the concept sounds
interesting to you and you enjoy heists then I would give this one a chance to
grab you.
Until next time...
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