by Tamara Morgan
Series: Penelope Blue #1
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Heat Level:
I'm a wanted jewel thief.
He's FBI.
What's that saying? Keep your friends close...and your husband closer.Being married to a federal agent certainly has its perks.
1. I just love the way that man looks in a suit.
2. This way I always know what the enemy is up to.Spending my days lifting jewels and my nights tracking the Bureau should have been a genius plan. But the closer I get to Grant Emerson, the more dangerous this feels. With two million dollars' worth of diamonds on the line, I can't afford to fall for my own husband.
It turns out that the only thing worse than having a mortal enemy is being married to one. Because in our game of theft and seduction, only one of us will come out on top.
Good thing a cat burglar always lands on her feet.
I was intrigued by the synopsis of STEALING MR. RIGHT by Tamara Morgan, it reminded me a little of the movie Mr. and Mrs. Smith. An FBI agent married to a jewel thief sounded like a fun afternoon escape. While the back and forth timelines were jarring at times, STEALING MR. RIGHT delivered humor, an exciting heist and lots of twists.
In Morgan’s novel she introduces us to Penelope Blue, the daughter of a notorious thief who disappeared after attempting to steal a two-million dollar necklace. Left to live on the streets, she and her partners in crime have successfully pulled off heists that have left her with a tidy sum. However, she is haunted by the loss of her father’s disappearance and hidden windfall. She and her friends have spent seven years searching for it. They are in the middle of stealing the same necklace when Grant Emerson, her husband, and FBI agent shows up on the scene and they abandon the heist. The story that unfolds takes place in both the present and the past.
Current Timeline: Penelope is married to Grant, but still pulling off cases but his presence ruins her chances of getting her hands on the necklace. Things get interesting when Grant is assigned to protect the jewelry. ONLY it’s a lot more complicated than that. What unfolds was brilliant with lots of twists, turns, and shocking discoveries.
Past Timeline: This takes us through the courtship of Grant and Penelope and offered insight into both. These two are playing a game of cat and mouse. But what is their end game and who will get caught? Mogan weaves past and present together for the romantic aspect of their story all while pulling both threads into the current mystery. It was neat seeing events from the past storyline tie into the present storyline.
The story started off very slowly for me, and admittedly I struggled with the back and forth timeline. I needed to feel connected, and that didn’t happen until the 46% mark. I will say, that the remainder of the story was addictive, with puzzle pieces falling into place, suspenseful moments and FINALLY as a reader establishing a connection with the couple. I became a part of the story, one of the gang.
I ended up loving the characters and appreciated how developed the secondary characters were. Penelope is funny, with witty comments but she is also pretty ingenious at devising a plan and sneaking into weird places. Grant, is an FBI agent through and through but he is also loyal, and the more Morgan peeled back his layers, the harder I fell.
So despite my initial struggles, I whole-heartedly recommend STEALING MR. RIGHT and plan to read SAVING MR. PERFECT. Now that the pesky back and forth is over I am ready to spend more time with Penelope and Grant.
Stealing Mr. Right by Tamara Morgan was a fun, suspenseful read with plenty of twists Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Sojourner McConnell
It does sound like it is a fun read. A nice review with really cute insight.
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks. I am curious to see what book two brings.
Sojourner McConnell
When is it expected to be out?
kimbacaffeinate
An expected pub date hasn’t been announced yet.
Jess Fairday's Blog
I never saw Mr. and Mrs. Smith- but based on what I remember of it, I can see how this seemed similar to you at first. The slow start can be tricky, but often if I know about that beforehand it makes it easier when I am reading. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Bookworm Brandee
It’s too bad it was such a slow start but it does sound like it ended up being some fun. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Brandee. I will be curious to see how book two unfolds.
Lark
On the one hand, a fun premise! On the other hand… I’ve never quite understood these marriage-of-people-on-opposite-sides-of-the-law books (or opposite sides of anything else serious.) Glad you enjoyed it once you got connected, though.
kimbacaffeinate
Well, she doesn’t admit to being a thief.. She teaches ballet to toddlers.
Lily B
this looks interesting, i love the snark, but sorry it fell a little short ;/
kimbacaffeinate
Thankfully the second half was strong. I will be curious to see how book two stacks up.
Paij Slater
It sounds good, but its really hard for me to read books that only get a 3 star rating….I know…it’s silly. This does give me a Mr. and Mrs. Smith vibe also.
kimbacaffeinate
Totally understand Paij
Mckenzie
This is such a great concept! Definitely very Mr. and Mrs. Smith — I love it! I’m really glad that, despite your initial issues with the book, you grew to love the characters and the story. I’m going to look into this one for sure! Great review! 🙂
~Mckenzie
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Mckenzie. I love the movie too 🙂
Sophia Rose
On snap! That’s a good set up- jewel thief and FBI agent. Good to know that it gets rolling slowly.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, thankfully it paid off.
Felicia GeekyBlogger (
I may have to get this for the side characters. You know I love me some side story 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. I like when they are developed too Felicia.
Katherine
46% is a little longer than I like it to take to get connected. However, since you did enjoy this overall and it’s about a jewel thief I may just take the risk! I love books about jewel thieves!
kimbacaffeinate
Right. The only reason I continued was because I was curious about where her father is. For a romance it was hard to connect until after that point.
Mary Kirkland
Not sure it’s the right book for me but glad to hear you liked it.
kimbacaffeinate
Thank you Mary 🙂
Angela Adams
Unique, and sounds like a fun, premise! Thanks for the post
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks, Angela.
Heidi
Even though you ended up liking this one, I don’t think it’s for me. I struggle sometimes with the back and forth time lines.
kimbacaffeinate
It was hard to connect and I wasn’t sure who to trust,
sherry fundin
That is why I try and stick to a book, no matter how slow it starts. It is rare when I don’t finish one and the ending can be the best part.
kimbacaffeinate
I only recently began DNFing a few years ago. I will say, it has made it easier for me to explore other genres and new authors.
Quinn's Book Nook
Definitely an interesting premise, but I’m not sure I would like this one.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, it was hard to slip in at first, but I like where it ended up.
Angie
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this. I’m reading it now (I’m only at the beginning,) and like you, I’m having a hard time getting into it. Good to know the payoff is worth it!
Great review.
kimbacaffeinate
Will be curious to see what you think.
Angie
I ended up loving it! Once I realized Grant’s feelings were genuine, I was all swoony. LOL
kimbacaffeinate
I am so happy to hear that. It really did pick up and I am curious to see what book 2 brings
Nick
Sounds like a lot of fun, Kim. I wonder how I’d feel about that timeline, however! It does sound a little bit jumbled. I’m glad you liked it overall. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
It just made it difficult to connect at first and everyone’s motive wasn’t clear.
Debbie Haupt
Oh this sounds so good. Thanks Kim its on my list!
kimbacaffeinate
Happy reading Debbie.
Cyn
It does sound like a cute spy romp! I’m glad that the story did pick up! Hopefully book two is even better! Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Cyn, that is my hope.
blodeuedd
Well those two are sure not a couple meant to be at first
kimbacaffeinate
LOL, you wouldn’t think so.
Ailyn Koay
very smart plot! I cannot imagine a better place to be. why do I have suspicion that the guy is not stupid?
kimbacaffeinate
LOL. Spoilers darling.
Geybie's Book Blog
This sounds interesting and I LOVED Mr and Mars Smith. But your mention about the slow start really makes me worried. I’m afraid I would be struggling to finish this book. 🙁
Awesome review, Kim. Thanks for sharing. 😀
kimbacaffeinate
I hear ya, it may work better for you. I had trouble with the back and forth.
The Bibliophile Babe
Hm, sounds like it has some potential!
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah, I am hoping book two is stronger.