This is an adventure novel if ever there was one. We’ve got international travel, antiques, a treasure hunt, white collar crime, sting operations, and twists— all staying very light-hearted and fun. We also have swoony, fade-to-black romance, with a reluctant hero, and family secrets. If you grew up watching Antiques Roadshow, know anything at all about chess (or not), and have ever dreamt of a taking off to Italy— this audiobook is for you. I think it took me two days to listen because I was so into the story! The narrators are fun and keep the story moving. It’s kinda wonky when the male narrator vocalizes the female voice, but honestly, that’s always tricky. I enjoyed the listen and can’t wait to read more of her titles.

Thank you to NetGalley and Carina Taylor for an ALC of this audiobook.

Took to King is a romcom mixed with action and crime. It is the perfect cocktail for a great read (or listen).

This story has two POVs, some great reveals, and definite chemistry between the characters. It is fun and lively and creates a propulsive, enjoyable read. I enjoyed the dynamics the main characters had with supporting characters, and the component of the game of chess woven into the story.

I listened to the audiobook version of this story, which has two narrators who do a great job. I listened at 2x speed (my normal audiobook listening speed is 1.75-2x speed).

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op for this audiobook listen.

What starts off as a chance meeting quickly turns into a unique relationship between these two unlikely characters. Brody King is a known art dealer who works in the black market, and Graeson is an art dealer, trying to preserve and protect artifacts. When these two are forced together through an unlikely set of circumstances the two are off on a whirlwind adventure, despite their very different personalities and lifestyles. This book has lots of twist and turns and unexpected surprises that leave the reader guessing how on earth this unlikely duo will ever find their happily ever after. Kudos to the author for a creative and unique romance, unlike any other I’ve ever read. There’s lots of sass and funny moments throughout the story as well which made this an entertaining and enjoyable story from start to finish. Many thanks to the net galley for an advanced audiobook copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.

Read if you enjoy:
♟️morally gray hero
♟️nerdy, intelligent leading lady
♟️travels and adventures
♟️forced proximity
♟️lots of humor
♟️closed door jokes + innuendo

The two audiobook narrators did a great job bringing these two main characters to life. The audiobook kept me engaged and entertained from start to finish. If you’re an audiobook fan, I definitely recommend checking this out on audio. 🎧

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review

Grayson is a antique expert with a dislike for liars, deceivers and frau, most of all Bodie King. So when he one day waltzes into the shop she works in asking for a rare chesspiece, she refuses to give it to him. Little does she know that Bodie actually owns the shop and that this is the start of a epic hunt for chesspieces that's said to lead to a great treasure.

This was a really fun romance with a heist-like intrigue and mystery. The chemistry between Grayson and Bodie was sizzeling. Their constant bickering was so fun and their cute scenes were adorable. I enjoyed both of their POVs, but favored Grayson a bit more. She was stubborn, clever and strong. Despise her dislike of deception she was quite clever herself. I loved the scenes with her family, especially her grandmother's nagging about a boyfriend and grandchildren. Hilarious.

I though all the characters were well-rounded and though I guess some of the plot it didn't spoil my enjoyment of the book. I've since learned that this is the second book in a series, but it can totally be read as a stand alone. If you're looking for a quick and fun read I'd recommend picking up Rook to King.

Bodie King has been labelled a conman but refers to himself as a broker. Charming someone into helping him has never been a problem until Gracen Winthrop. The Bennetto chess set is rumored to lead to a priceless fortune. He needs an authenticator to help him buy the missing pieces but she's proving a little hard to convince.

Their first meeting was hilarious. I loved how Gracen frustrated Bodie just for the fun of it. She held her cards close to her chest where he was concerned. It took some kidnapping to finally get her to his side, and from then she didn't much convincing to join him on his treasure hunt. Not even Bodie's homicidal grudge-holding ex-employee.

I loved the high stakes hunt for all the missing pieces. Their chemistry and banter made for a welcome respite whenever things got intense on the suspense. And the plot twists! Didn't see them coming honestly 😂 I'd try to guess but be horribly wrong 😂

I don't read much adventure romance but I just had to request this one on audio. It was exciting and there was never a mundane moment.

Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Check and Mate!

Clearly the author was channeling the comedy and energy of a Peter O'Toole/Audrey Hepburn classic when she penned this novel. Dual narration was excellent and the story unfolds in layers that gradually bring you to realize that all is not as it seems. Delightful tale wonderfully told.

This was a cute sorta cat-n-mouse romance novel with treasure hunting. I even learned a lil more about chess while reading this one.

I really enjoyed Gracen and Bodie’s banter. I liked how Gracen was a strong female lead and that while Bodie felt the need to protect her, he also know she was strong all on her own…which she proves throughout the book.

I liked that the grandparents were included in the story as well.

Bodie staying “on course” and going after what he wants in this book from start to finish was a delight.

🎧Audiobook Review🎧

I don’t do rereads because my “I will never get to read all the books I want to before I die” anxiety is at a crucial level. Butttttt when an all time favorite release on audio I make the exception for a guaranteed enjoyable listen.

When Rook to King released last year it was an immediate hit in my book. I fell in love with Bodie and Gracen and the whole premise of the book. This type of story is my favorite when it comes to contemporary romance. I love the adventure, the mystery and the crazy good romance.

The audio was very good with a male and female narration for the dual povs.

I love this book and I would love to see more wild adventures with Bodie and Gracen!

Things to love:
♟️Bodie ~ “Reformed” Con Man, suave, smooth, with killer style and instincts.
👑Gracen ~ Antiquities Authenticator, smart, sassy, has stealth moves and an affinity for fluffy slippers.
♟️An elusive chess set with a treasure map
👑Enemies to partners to 🔥
♟️Hilarious dysfunctional family
👑Excellent banter/tension
♟️Dual POV
🫠With swoon off the Richter scale!

If you like movies such as The Thomas Crown Affair, Entrapment, and Knives Out, shows like Blood & Treasure, and books like Later on We’ll Conspire then you will absolutely love this one.

Many thanks to #netgalley and #victoryeditingnetgalleycoop for the audio copy, all opinions are my own.

#carinataylor #rooktoking #audiobooks #romcom #fivestar #enemiestolovers

Review live on Goodreads and Instagram posted 6/17/24

At times I did find the book a little cringe and juvenile but for the most part, if it's a chess romance i will more than likely read it. I also like that there was a bigger element to it than just being a romance, i love when books venture out like that.

Rook to King is a romantic adventure centered around a charming yet morally ambiguous protagonist who seeks the Bennetto chess set, rumored to lead to a priceless fortune. As a self-proclaimed broker skilled in persuasion, he enlists the help of Gracen Winthrop, an honest and knowledgeable authenticator. Their quest is complicated by danger from his past and his reluctance to share the treasure.
Overall, it's an enjoyable listen, perfect for those seeking something a bit lighthearted.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced audio copy.

I was thoroughly enthralled by Bodie and Gracen's story in “Rook to King”! As a reformed con man and art thief, Bodie is a charming and complex character, and Gracen's art and antiquities expertise adds a delightful layer of intrigue to their romance. The twists and turns as they chased down pieces of a famous chess set were expertly woven, keeping me on the edge of my seat. But what truly stole my heart was the tender and sweet way their relationship blossomed. The ending was both adorable and unexpected, leaving me with a warm fuzzy feeling. If you're a fan of romantic mysteries, you won't want to miss this captivating tale!

Update: Revisiting this fun adventure romance through audiobook was a blast. Bodie and Gracen are still two of my favorite characters - their quirks and banter had me hooked! The narrators did an amazing job of bringing everyone to life, adding an extra layer of depth to the story. If you haven't checked it out yet, I highly recommend giving it a listen!

This is such a fast paced plotline with amazing banter and flirt 🤌 love the interaction between the two main characters of the book.
Plus, the theme of antique things collection adds the charm to the book.
The writing was amazing and narration was smooth. I had a good time reading this in one sitting.

This was a really fun read!

The characters were immediately likable and their banter was hilarious. The situations they found themselves were at times over the top, but also funny and perfectly romcom.

The twist toward the end was so good and genuinely surprised me.

The story gave White Collar vibes (tv show) and I was here for it. It was the lighthearted / low stakes criminal romance I didn’t know I needed. And now I will be on the hunt for more like this!

I enjoyed the narration on the audiobook and mixed it with physically reading. Thanks to netgalley and publisher for the chance to enjoy an ALC.

This is a cute and fast-paced adventure romance with a heist feel. I enjoyed the female narrator but wasn’t crazy about the male narrator. (I think this is just a personal taste thing.) The volume for his chapters was louder than for hers.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This story follows Bodie and Gracen who meet while he tries to buy then steal a piece of a chess set that is worth lots of money. Gracen doesn’t know that Bodie is her boss she just thinks he’s a thief who now has taken her to help him. That’s when things get dangerous but also exciting. We have lots of funny moments in this one with a lot of sarcasm and cut romance.

This was a super fun enemies to lovers kissing only adventure romance between an antiques expert and the man who secretly owns her store who are both after the same priceless chess set pieces. The banter was top notch, I loved the family secrets and misdirections and the travel through Italy. Great on audio and perfect for fans of books like Gracie Ruth Mitchell's Happily ever murder series. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a complimentary audio copy in exchange for my honest review!