Book Review: Perfect Scoundrels

Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting--or stealing--whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir--this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy. Quoted from Goodreads

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I love this book, the entire series in fact. It's absolute, pure, quirky, wonderful fun, and if you haven't read the first two books, you need to start--yesterday. This book is everything a third book should be: everything the first books were times ten.

Seriously, I loved everything in this book, especially Kat and Hale.  Through the entire series, Hale's been Kat's rock. He's the one who keeps her grounded, her best friend and perfect partner in crime--or at least her version of it.  In this book the tables are turned.  Hale's the one who needs help--not only with his company but dealing with his grandmother's death.  It really expanded both of their characters.  We get to see Hale's vulnerable side, the side that isn't the perfect, confident thief/billionaire, and Kat gets to show him how much she really cares and how far she'll go to help him.

Plus the first chapter is how Kat and Hale met!  You get to see what really happened the night Kat decided to steal a Monet and came away with a boy instead. Always Hale has existed in Kat's world, and it's interesting to get a glimpse of the world he tried to leave behind. The romance in this book is so sweet and fragile. It isn't perfect, and there are broken moments, but it's there in the little things: holding hands, little glances, and stolen moments that make it so delightful.  

Of course all the side characters are great.  I love Uncle Eddie, Gabriella, Hamish, Angus, Simon, and even seeing a bit more of Kat's dad.  They brought the perfect mix of laughter and loyalty, so you don't really mind that they're all thieves and criminal masterminds.  They are there for Kat when she needs them.

Then, of course, there's the heists and the schemes and the cons they have to pull off to help Hale out.  It's not burglary 101, but I thought it was really fun and clever the way things turned out.  I love books with smart characters, good twists, and evil villains, and Perfect Scoundrels had that in spades. Plus, I particularly love all the different names of the cons.  They make me laugh, especially when Ally Carter throws in random things like goats into the mix (don't worry, it makes sense when you read the book).

So what are you waiting for? Read this book. It is, by far, my favorite one in the series, and I'm awarding it a shimmering 5 stars.  If you're looking for a fun story with a great voice, good pacing, plenty of suspense, funny characters, quirky names, and a sweet romance, this is it.