The Heartbeat Heist by
Florence Gray
Review: The Heartbeat Heist
by Florence Gray (Out August 26, 2025) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Heartbeat Heist is an exciting mix of
high-stakes romance, rebellion, and intrigue. Florence Gray introduces readers
to Evelyn, the enigmatic “Bird of Bordeaux”, a master thief navigating a
glittering world of underground auctions and whispered betrayals. With a mysterious
employer known only as The Reaper and a charismatic partner-in-crime named Jaq,
Evelyn sets off on a mission full of secrets, risks, and unexpected twists.
Gray’s writing is slick and stylish, and the tension, romantic and
otherwise, keeps the pages turning. If you enjoy morally gray characters,
intricate heists, and slow-burn dynamics, this novel checks many boxes. The
atmosphere is evocative, and the narrative momentum rarely falters.
That said, the worldbuilding left me with mixed feelings. The setting is
described as a magical realism or light urban fantasy take on
post-Revolutionary France, but this backdrop wasn’t consistently grounded in
historical detail. The tone and dialogue felt distinctly modern, and frequent
anachronisms (sprung mattresses, carabiners, eclairs, jumpsuits, etc.) were
distracting. While this could be intentional due to
the alternate timeline, it sometimes came across as underdeveloped rather than
deliberate. A stronger integration of historical elements, beyond just corsets
and vague references to Paris, could’ve enriched the setting and added depth.
Character-wise, I found myself going back and forth. Evelyn is compelling
but occasionally inconsistent in her motivations and choices. Jaq’s charm is
undeniable, but some of their dynamics felt underexplored or erratic. A few
plot twists were predictable, while others felt abrupt or unearned.
And while the ride was entertaining, the ending didn’t quite land for me.
Without spoiling anything, it felt a bit senseless and disconnected from the
emotional investment built earlier in the story.
Overall, The Heartbeat Heist is a
bold, entertaining read with great pacing, a memorable lead, and an immersive
heist plot. While some of the historical and character details could be more
refined, it’s still a fun and stylish book that will appeal to fans of morally
gray protagonists and suspenseful storytelling.
Review: The Heartbeat Heist
by Florence Gray (Out August 26, 2025) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Heartbeat Heist is an exciting mix of
high-stakes romance, rebellion, and intrigue. Florence Gray introduces readers
to Evelyn, the enigmatic “Bird of Bordeaux”, a master thief navigating a
glittering world of underground auctions and whispered betrayals. With a mysterious
employer known only as The Reaper and a charismatic partner-in-crime named Jaq,
Evelyn sets off on a mission full of secrets, risks, and unexpected twists.
Gray’s writing is slick and stylish, and the tension, romantic and
otherwise, keeps the pages turning. If you enjoy morally gray characters,
intricate heists, and slow-burn dynamics, this novel checks many boxes. The
atmosphere is evocative, and the narrative momentum rarely falters.
That said, the worldbuilding left me with mixed feelings. The setting is
described as a magical realism or light urban fantasy take on
post-Revolutionary France, but this backdrop wasn’t consistently grounded in
historical detail. The tone and dialogue felt distinctly modern, and frequent
anachronisms (sprung mattresses, carabiners, eclairs, jumpsuits, etc.) were
distracting. While this could be intentional due to
the alternate timeline, it sometimes came across as underdeveloped rather than
deliberate. A stronger integration of historical elements, beyond just corsets
and vague references to Paris, could’ve enriched the setting and added depth.
Character-wise, I found myself going back and forth. Evelyn is compelling
but occasionally inconsistent in her motivations and choices. Jaq’s charm is
undeniable, but some of their dynamics felt underexplored or erratic. A few
plot twists were predictable, while others felt abrupt or unearned.
And while the ride was entertaining, the ending didn’t quite land for me.
Without spoiling anything, it felt a bit senseless and disconnected from the
emotional investment built earlier in the story.
Overall, The Heartbeat Heist is a
bold, entertaining read with great pacing, a memorable lead, and an immersive
heist plot. While some of the historical and character details could be more
refined, it’s still a fun and stylish book that will appeal to fans of morally
gray protagonists and suspenseful storytelling.
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