Partners in Crime: A Novel

What should have been a simple matter of settling family affairs becomes complicated when Mira’s ex turns out to be her late aunt’s lawyer…and that’s before the not-so-tiny complication of them being kidnapped and taken to Vegas. It’s just your average reunion with the ex-boyfriend you never stopped having feelings for…plus stolen jewels, hackers, crime bosses, and a mad dash through Sin City. Part rom-com, part romantic suspense, Partners in Crime is fast-paced and fun with energy to spare. Mira is the kind of heroine I love. She’s smart, successful, and confident, but she has a vulnerable center she lets few see. Mira also happens to be angering her matchmaker by not making the staid and stable match she wants. Enter her ex, Naveen. The handsome lawyer is just as irresistible as she remembers, but the thought of getting close to him again makes Mira anxious. When they’re kidnapped together, however, the way the two of them click is just too apparent to ignore. Naveen is charming and smart, but like Mira he has ghosts in his past he doesn’t want to talk about. If Naveen and Mira want to make their second chance at happily ever after work, they’re going to have to open up, trust each other, and work for a future together…if they can survive the criminals hot on their tails, that is. The action tends to overtake the romance in Partners in Crime, which is a bit of a pity because Mira and Naveen are such an engaging couple that I wish a slight bit more focus had been on the love story. Both of them have complicated relationships with their siblings I enjoyed learning more about and pasts neither is quick to open up about. Every time we got to the emotional center of these characters the story shone, more so than when the focus was on the danger and action. Their Vegas escapade is entertaining though, and author Alisha Rai keeps the story moving at a quick clip. Things did get a little overblown for my taste at the climax of the story, but whether or not readers agree will depend on personal preference in crime capers. Overall, I had a good time reading Partners in Crime. Alisha Rai’s writing is as entertaining as always, the characters are engaging, and the plot is flashy and fun.

This fast paced, suspenseful romance is a charming second chance that was perfectly provocative and swiftly drew me in and kept me intrigued. Alisha Rai has crafted an engaging plot driven romance and imbued it with charm and humor and the right amount of mystery. Rai’s writing is engaging and accessible. The novel is fun and diverse, I love the family secrets and the twist and turns that all work in harmony to create build up chemistry between our hero and heroine leading to a sweet and heartfelt romance. Mira has found a small quiet way of her life to escape her dysfunctional family and restructure your life. She is currently of an age where she is looking towards the future and has enlisted a matchmaker, but the past few options have not been successful. But when her aunt dies, Mira is reunited with her first and most prominent match and from that point on her and Naveen are kidnapped and on the run as they untangle the mysterious of Mira’s past and family. I found Mira as a heroine to be strong and independent, she has worked hard to carve out a future from herself that is not wrapped up in her father’s schemes. Naveen as a hero is a true family man. He works hard and he is caring and compassionate. These two were on the road to marriage but when Mira gets cold feet she backs out and only fate can bring these two back together. From the point of reunion and on we are in a fast paced run from moment to moment that highlights how well these two work together. I really enjoyed watching them grow and learn from the other while trying to keep their cool and understanding as Naveen is thrown for loop after loop as Mira’s true past is revealed. This novel is sweetly sexy, this light moments of sensuality while balancing with the high moments of intensity. If you love a romantic suspense this is a nice and comedic take on the genre. It is the perfect blend of Indian Matchmaker and Wedding Date and it was a really fun read. Definitely worth reading and an lovely addition to Rai’s cannon which has a wide range of super sensual to a bit more light hearted and sweet. Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an eARC.

Mira & Naveen’s story is A LOT, so leave your skepticism and disbelief at the opening chapter, and just go with it. Alisha Rai’s books are always full of South Asian family drama and this one has it in spades. It’s also a second chance love story for the ages, replete with danger and passion. It also features estranged friends and family setting aside past hurts to bring a ruthless criminal to justice, while challenging both MCs to view old wounds through very different prisms. A fun, sexy whirlwind that I willingly lost sleep over trying to devour in one night. (Also READ THE P.S., it’s gratifying AF - so happy for the author!!!)