Book Review: The Gentleman Jewel Thief by Jessica Peterson

The Gentleman Jewel Thief by Jessica Peterson 
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Publisher: Penguin
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~~Reviewed by Ezrah~~

The Gentleman Jewel Thief by Jessica Peterson is the first book in the new series: The Hope Diamond Trilogy and I was very disappointed.  As much as I wanted to finish this book, I just couldn't.  The premise was promising:  bored gentleman steals a diamond just for the heck of it and gets attracted to the woman wearing the diamond who had a vested interest in the diamonds loss.  Very interesting, right?  Wrong!

I really had problems with the whole story.  I did not like the hero, William at all.  His reason for stealing the diamond was just too superficial for me to understand.  His actions towards the heroine, Lady Violet were just selfish bordering on "jerky" (if there is such a word)!  He also abducted Violet at the start for his own selfish reasons and did nothing to redeem himself in my opinion.  This is one of the reasons I couldn't continue reading. 

This quote showed the hero's lack of thought to the lady's reputation that did not sit well with me.

Again Harclay cleared his throat.  "Yes, yes of course.  Just working outwore in my house you might stay the night most comfortably."

"Spend the night!" she cried, the look of horror on her face so extreme it made Harclay laugh.  "But you can't be serious!  I may dance the waltz, Lord Harclay, and have a taste for stiff punch, but I do have a care for my reputation.  If it is discovered I stayed unchaperoned at your house, I'll be ruined, and so will my family, my cousin Sophia-"

I usually don't have any problems with abductions (hero abducting the heroine without a care for society and resulting to the ruination of the heroine) but this did not set well with me.  I think it was because I had a hard time connecting with the hero to begin with.  

I actually liked Lady Violet.  As far as I've read, she showed her strength and determination to help solve her family's financial problems (which William almost ruined).  I really wanted Violet to have her own HEA but not with William.  By the 10th Chapter, I had just about had it.  I could not force myself to continue reading.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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