A funny and ultimately feel-good read! I loved how Cat and Jake’s relationship develops through the book, and the secondary characters are also very believably written - Louisa especially. Love a heist!

I loved this, it was a quick and easy must read. A financially strapped Cat meets bartender Jake. They collaborate on a bold once-in-a-lifetime project, to steal a million dollar wedding ring. It would make a great film, one that I’d be keen to watch to see if it lives up to the book.
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperNorth for the opportunity to read and review this great read!

Unfettered Escapism…
How difficult can it be to carry out the perfect heist? Find out in this fast moving, action packed romcom with a big heart. Packed with an engaging and credible cast of characters, a pacy and entertaining narrative and a frothy plotline this is unfettered escapism for a good dose of unreality.

Cat is at the time in her life where everyone is getting married, and the cost of the continuous conveyor belt of engagement parties, hen weekends and weddings is seriously adding up. In order to fund this life commitment (and with work being a little dry), Cat has taken up a side hustle - theft. Cat's MO is to lift only from people who deserve a little sting - bullies, sleazes and those filled with their own self importance. In the process of rewarding herself with a drink at a hotel bar, Cat meets Jake, who see's her craft - and raises her a little slight of hand side hustle of his own.

When Cat is invited along as a bridesmaid to an old school friend's very lavish wedding, Cat enlists Jake to help her with the biggest heist of her career - the huge (and very expensive) engagement ring Louisa has been given by her intended. But can they pull off such a scam unnoticed?

If you are looking for a quick, easy read that doesn't challenge you - this is the one for you.

I did like Cat and Jake, but I did also feel the majority of characters were a bit two-dimensional - so this did sometimes have an effect on connection with the book. In addition some parts were a bit clunky and implausible; I enjoyed the middle of the book more than the start or end actually.

The writing was varied - some parts fluid, other parts leaving me wanting more......the start felt easily readable albeit a little slow and drawn out (very much laying the land for the two main characters), and the end just felt like it was rapidly trying to tie up all the loose ends.

This was OK, readable and likeable enough - a light read that has a good idea behind it.

A quick and easy read that I couldn't put down, I read it in one sitting. It is well written with a gripping storyline that had me hooked straight away and well developed characters. I really liked how crammed full of action it was and I loved the romance element too.

I loved this, I read it in two sittings - probably could've done it in one if I'd started earlier!

The story was constant there were no lulls in the story, PJ Ellis' writing meant that every character was fully fleshed out, even a couple of descriptive sentences made me know exactly the type of people the supporting characters were even if there was only one interaction with them in the book.

It was obvious where the story was going, but it still held more than enough intrigue, I'd love to hear more from these characters. It would be great to know what would happen if Cat goes to see Harper in the US, I think that was one of my favourite friendships in the book and Harper was definitely my favourite supporting character.

As mentioned above the author's writing was very descriptive, I could picture every character, scene and location. I really think that helped make it such a good read, I wasn't taken out of the story trying to picture anything.

I also really liked that the romance wasn't the main story line, Cat's character being broke, jobless and nearly homeless leading her to decide to take her petty theft up a few notches was a fab plot and relatable in terms of being in the situation where everything seems to be against you. It was also the second book I've read in a row where the main character's mum had died, having lost my mum 3 years ago it always adds an extra emotional tug to a book that features it.

I cannot wait to see how this book does when it's released I really think it will be a favourite for book clubs and booktok. I'm really looking for ward to reading more from PJ too.

I really enjoyed reading and imagining this book as a tv or film. it will be so good!! Definitely a must read I would read this again and I’ve already recommended it everyone I know.
You want to read this.
The mix of crime and love was everything

Great premise for a story. A hard up single Cat meets Jake, a barman who turns a blind eye to her scamming his customers or relieving them of their money. Together they plan an audacious once in a lifetime job. Fast paced and interesting read

After being in a bit of a slump romance wise, I have to say I was thrilled when NetGalley came through and I immediately sent the book to Kindle.

While the main plot line wasn’t the romance it still played a main part in the story. I’m not entirely sure what genre I would classify it but I haven’t read something like this before and it was really interesting!

With a refreshing, modern take on single life in London and the struggles of living, the author tells the story of 2 young people trying to find their footing in the city of London. Cat and Jake are quite similar and had a nice banter between them. It was told in third person which took a bit of adjusting to but was ok in the end.

Character development was good and thought through. Nothing felt rushed in the book at all even though it feels as though the story could have carried on (in a good way). I loved the way Louisa Vincent was portrayed, many people have probably met someone similar to her. Harper was amazing comic relief and a lovely character who definitely deserves her own side story with Giovanna…

I was left in shock at the 95/6% mark because it was WRITTEN SO WELL. It was a complete surprise but fit the story line. I enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it.


p.s it’s fade to black!!

Love & Other Scams by PJ Ellis is an absolute delight. So much so that when I went to pick it up last night to keep reading I was a little gutted to remember I'd finished it!
Cat was a heroine I could love.... Identify with? Check! Empathise with? Check. Utterly root for? check, check, check.
There were parts that really broke my heart and captured the gulf between the privilege of the rich 'and the necessity to scrape by which is everyone else's reality. The relationship between Cat and her father is beautifully captured and her hopeless situation really sets up the story well.
But this was also a riotously funny heist story too with a building chemistry between Cat and Jake as they put their plans into action. With a little criminality, loads of female bonding and empowerment (despite the 'mean girl' narrative), a satisfying romance and a lovable heroine that you can't help rooting for, this is definitely one to take on your jollies, mini breaks and hen weekends in 2023!

The premise of Love & Other Scams sounds super fun, two thieves teaming up to steal an over million-pound diamond ring, while a little romance sparks on the side. I was looking forward to digging in, only this book didn't pack the punch I wanted it to. The characters were fine, except for the ones we were supposed not to like; they were awful, which was how the author wanted them portrayed, I assume, but the rest I could take or leave, including the main characters.

I think this book will be enjoyed by many readers, I just don't think it was one for me, sadly.

I so wanted to love this read but whilst it was readable, it didnt quite meet my expectations, Fun and a great concept, just could have been executed a bit sharper.

A meet-cute, heist and frenemies. What's not to love? This was a really fun read to switch off and just enjoy. I do love a good romance novel with a twist and it's got glamour in spades as well as the down-to-earth struggle of the protagonist of "what am I doing with my life". I loved the two main characters and you're given enough of their back story to understand their actions, even if they are frustrating (always the case of romantic entanglements).
Perfect for a fun beach read or for a lazy Sunday.

Having been a fan of PJ Ellis through Twitter, I was really excited to read this, and… it doesn’t disappoint! Hilarious, camp, and surprisingly romantic, it takes the tropes of romance fiction and spins them into something original and brilliant- I hope it’s the “Book Lovers” of 2023

I loved this books I was in a book slump and it totally got me out! The characters have great chemistry and an incredible cute relationship. The premise of the story was so interesting and the ending was absolutely perfect. Absolutely would recommend this book!

This wicked new rom-com from debut author Ellis shines bright like a Ritz-sized diamond. A hilarious heist story with Black and queer representation, Love & Other Scams hits all the right notes in a slice of pure enjoyment reminiscent of a young Chrissie Manby or Marian Keyes. I couldn't put it down and look forward to seeing more from this author - and if I'm ever bored at a wedding in future I'll try to think of this book instead of robbing something!

To the publisher: I won't be making this public as I enjoyed the book so much, but I felt like the author was a bit cagey about Jacob's ethnicity and I didn't realise he was actually Black until his mum showed up? Lots of romance authors do this and it drives me mad!

I adored this book, Cat is down on her luck when inspiration strikes after yet another engagement and wedding invite. This book channels the exhaustion and overwhelm most women in their late-20s and early 30s experience as the great marrying off begins and turns it on it’s head. It reminded me of Bella Mackie’s “How to Kill Your Family” and I loved the witty narrative.

I think this book will be a smash hit as there will be many women who can empathise with Cat and enjoy the plot twists and turns you get to experience.

Definitely different from my usual reads Love & Other Scams is the perfect title to acquire and make part of your next book club. It reminded me a bit of the movie between Theo James & Emily Ratajowski. Cat is definitely going through some things which makes her very relatable except she has a penchant for being a con artist. If that doesn’t catch a readers attention I don’t know what does. She teams up with hottie Jake and a wedding is involved which happens to belong to mean girl Louisa. I was so excited to see where this story was going and I was so drawn in to the storyline and characters. It was fun, suspenseful, and page turning. High
Recommend. If this doesn’t make a Reese Witherspoon book pick I would be shocked. ,