I was warned about him. I should’ve listened. But I didn’t.Of course, I also thought Ryker Martel was about to propose.He didn’t.I was ready to say yes.He was ready to wait a little longer.Now he’s out of the country on an extended business trip and I’m staying in his penthouse apartment with seeds of disillusionment taking over my soul.Ryker reminded me that his estranged brother might show up … soul.
Ryker reminded me that his estranged brother might show up out of the blue at his penthouse. He told me to let him know right away if he did. He’d take care of it.
His brother is bad news. The rebel, the black sheep of the family.
“Don’t trust him,” Ryker said. “Stay as far away from him as possible. He’s a thief, a snake.”
Warning duly noted.
And ignored.
I considered myself equipped to handle whatever was thrown my way. I was wrong.
Nothing prepared me for Zane and the havoc he would wreak in my life–and in my heart. He turned me upside down and knocked me sideways.
Falling for the other brother is never a good idea. Keeping it a secret, even worse.
Especially when he proves to be the thief he was purported to be.
My heart will never be mine again and I want it back.
But it has been stolen and I’ll never be the same.
Never.
A stand-alone novel from the LOVE UNDER WRAPS series.
Don’t miss the other titles in the Love Under Wraps stand-alone series:
December 2019
Rules are Made to be Broken
by Mylissa Demeyere
January 2020
A Wrinkle in Forever
by Charissa Stastny
more
Heart Thief is a clean, wholesome, easy read by new-to-me author Taylor Dean. With a contemporary setting in San Francisco, an interesting premise, and realistic characters, this story drew me in and kept me intrigued. I’ll be looking forward to reading more of her books.
Oooh, this story really brought out all the feels! I love when I’m experiencing the emotions of the characters, especially when they have such great chemistry and an interesting story to go along. The family dynamics were complicated and provided the conflict in the unexpected romance Mila finds herself in the middle of. The contrast between the brothers was stark, and as layers are peeled back and revealed, I was drawn in more and more as the story increased in intensity. This is one of those books that you just can’t put down, with plenty of angst, the thrill of new love, and the personal difficulties that the characters struggle through and you just want to tell them, “You’re not alone!” Overall, this is one of the standout books I’ve read this year and plan to definitely re-read it again in the future!
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I’m always happy to read a book by Taylor Dean. Her books are so uplifting and filled with love. She has a writing style that keeps you wanting more. This book is no exception. It’s so good you won’t want to stop reading.
“It’s you, Mila, you. You’re the love of my life, the one I want to marry, the one I wnat to have children with. I know you think your life is over, but you once told me you had another dream besides the piano. And I want to give you that dream. A houseful of children, made by me and you.”
(I love this)
Mila had two dreams. One playing the piano and the other having a family. A man to love and many children.
Take a man and woman who may be in love. What if everything you think you know about him is based on lies? What if it’s some cruel kind of joke? Can you forgive a man who treats you like you are more his property than his girlfriend? The love of his life? This is what I see in Ryker and Mila’s relationship. He’s more of a mama’s boy who thinks he has to have Mila no matter what. But is he right for her?
Along comes Zane and Mila loses her heart for real. At least she thinks so. He’s the exact opposite of his brother, Ryker. He knows humor, he loves to dance, he knows what love is and he knows how to show it. Or is he too just after the girl because his brother has her? Can Zane be to good to be true?
These are a few of the decisions Mila has to figure out. Through many ups and downs she is torn. What she thinks is true may not be. These brothers are so messed up. So torn apart. They have been lied to for most of their lives by the ones that should have loved them unconditionally.
Love can be such a wonderful thing. The things that go along with it can be also and will be if it’s the right person. I completely understand why Mila could not stay with Ryker. He seemed so cold and calculated and serious all the time. He was not with her completely. His heart was just not there. Yet he didn’t want his brother to be with her. These brothers have so much to overcome. Many years of confusion and bitterness between them. Is Mila the prize or is she truly for one of them?
Taylor Dean outdid herself with this book. I loved it so much. As with all of her books there is a lot going on. Love, laughter, seriousness, tears, lots of tears at times, a cruel stepmother in this one and two half brothers who could have had such a good life together. Been there for each other to the end. Maybe, just maybe, it’s not to late.
This is a 5 star book from and I highly recommend it to everyone.
I’m in love and I don’t care who knows it! This is a favorite and my heart was completely stolen with this swoony romance Mila is a professional pianist and her boyfriend, Ryker, asks her to be caretaker to his penthouse while he’s out of the country on business. But when his estranged brother, Zane, shows up, all bets are off.
Zane and Mila fit together and complement each other like a hand to a glove and like peanut butter and chocolate. I love how real Zane is and how he subtly starts carving his way into the center of Mila’s heart. Whereas Ryker is only falling, Zane is already there. His adoration, passion, and genuine care and concern won me over from the get-go.
There’s something about a forbidden and secret romance that adds an element of excitement and fuels an already combustible chemistry to high swoon levels. Taylor Dean writes a magical escape that captivated me from start to finish with its charm. I absolutely adored these characters and lived vicariously through them from China Town to Jeopardy to Lucky Charms. I’m still swooning over here.
Content: mild+ swoony romance (kissing, some light innuendo)
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
It’s hard for me to turn off my internal editor and enjoy contemporary romance these days, but this was one of those books that I plowed through in one sitting and loved from start to finish. It’s interesting in that it’s a Cinderella type story, except the guy is the Cinderella character.