Criminals Need Love Too by Isabel Jordan

Romantic comedy
​Release date: 12/01/2023
​Available everywhere books are sold

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I think I've made it clear that I'll read whatever Isabel Jordan writes. Paranormal? Great. Monsters? Sure. Superheroes? Bring em' on. Rock stars? Not usually my thing, but f-yeah, I'll give it a go. So, why was I surprised when I read about two criminals and STILL fell totally in love with them?  

Plot overview: Tenley is a super smart grifter. Knox is a desperate ex con trying to get his hands on his inheritance after getting released from prison. They work together after the most non-conventional meet cute I've ever read to get Knox's life back on track. Hijinks and spicy times ensue, as well as a surprising number of warm, emotional moments. 

Trope bingo: Morally grey heroine, ex-con hero, fake dating, forced proximity, heist romance, grumpy sunshine, only one bed 

There was SO much to love in this book, y'all. It's a hilarious (some of the witty banter between Knox and Tenley made me snort-laugh) heist romance that kind of reminds me of the truly fabulous show White Collar (not in plot, but in vibes). You don't see too many morally grey heroines in Romancelandia, but Tenley as a character makes me wonder why the hell not. This was, honestly, a trope I didn't even know I needed until I read this book. And Knox is my favorite kind of romance hero--hot, grumpy, and ALL about the heroine. This guy would give Tenley a kidney if she needed one and wouldn't think twice about it. Although, who are we kidding? If Tenley needed a kidney, she'd steal one and save herself. But that's not the point. The point is, I loved these characters. They might even be my favorite Isabel Jordan characters of all time. (Which is saying A LOT if you've read any of my other reviews.)

And for those of you who need to know...yes, there are some amazing spicy times. It's not a 5-star spice level, but a SOLID 3.5, which is plenty (in my opinion). 

Plus, there's a scene where Knox is reunited with his dog and it legit brought tears to my eyes. It was a surprisingly heartwarming scene for a rom com. 

So, long-story-short, if you're looking for a witty, spicy, snarky rom com with a unique plot, a non-conventional heroine, a few emotional moments, and a grumpy hero who hits ALL the right notes, this is your next read. It's worth a pre-order, y'all.