To Love A Thief by Julie Anne Long, Warner Books, April 2005, Rating: B

Gideon Cole, a barrister with a propensity to take on cases that can't pay crosses paths with a beautiful thief, Lily Masters, twice. He pays thirty pounds to free her from the man who would certainly send her to prison on his way to buy a townhome that he knows will secure his betrothal to this season's finest offering, Constance Clary. Constance is yet another step Gideon plans to undertake in his Master Plan. Things have been going free and easy for him, until Lily starts to make him question his Plan and all that he's worked toward.

Lily Masters is a thief by necessity. She must support her younger sister, Alice, but unfortunately has no means to support her but her ability to pick pockets with surprising ease. When Gideon buys her freedom an idea that had only briefly entered his mind comes to him completely as he realizes what he needs to truly capture Constance's full attention is for her to believe she has a competitor. Lily is intrigued with the idea and has little choice but to go along with it as 30 pounds is a lot of money. She has a sharp wit and a quick tongue and isn't afraid to use either of them. It is clear that as Gideon and his friend work with her to polish her into a diamond of the first water that she has the upbringing of a lady underneath all the grime.

Gideon Cole, is a barrister by profession with a heart. He, as much as he hates it, cannot turn down someone in need of legal assistance. It, unfortunately, means he cannot put his Master Plan into action as quickly as he'd hoped. His intended, Constance, has high expectations and luxurious tastes. When Lily Masters enters his life and presents him with the opportunity to give Constance competition he eagerly works at transforming the urchin into a lady. Love never enters into his Master Plan, his desire is to achieve what his father gambled away, leaving his sister to be forced into a marriage so that Gideon could attend college. He hopes by landing a marriage with a successful woman he can get his sister out of her situation. He has lands and money coming to him, but his Uncle Edward shows no signs of dying despite the fact he's been on his death bed for years.

To Love A Thief is a very enjoyable story. I found myself wishing for more of Gideon's friend, but overall I enjoyed getting to know all of these characters. Constance was appropriately uptight, hootey and bitchy; Lily was great as the thief turned lady. She gave as good as she got in the little jabs the society ladies (Constance in particular) shot her way. There was humor in the book as well, which added to the story. Young Alice and Uncle Edward were welcome additions, though they too could have used more time. I rate To Love A Thief a B.

©Susan Falk and phantomroses.com