Customer Reviews

Take Me If You Can (Signet Eclipse)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The concept of the art recovery agency is fun, and the brief opening job of Avy's is quite enjoyable to follow along. However, given the manner in which these folks casually do things like take international flights while in disguises that could be sussed out during a simple pat-down (e.g., a fat-suit), it's amazing that today's heightened airport security with its random searches hasn't caused them all to get arrested yet.

While I did enjoy many of Avy & Liam's snarky interactions and sexy bedroom scenes, some also annoyed me a bit as well. Avy came across as rather whiny whenever Liam outwitted her, and she let him push her around rather more than was believable at first, particularly given some of her background details. Also, while I don't want to go into too many details so as to avoid ending spoilers, some of her choices at the end also didn't sit right with me. I ended up feeling that Avy was acting out of character in order to suit the author's plans for the story at various points.

There was also a plot point that bothered me. There are details about what's going on that Liam never tells Avy, and that omission results in several near-disasters. He does explain why he never told her, of course, but I couldn't quite buy it. It seemed as though on all levels, it would have made far more sense to everyone involved to bring her in on what was going on---except that, again, it would ruin the author's plot.

Ultimately, I enjoyed the entertaining side-plot regarding a 'test' of one of Avy's co-workers more than the main plot. It turns out to be a terribly funny caper.

I definitely enjoyed this book while I was reading it, but it's one of those books that doesn't hold together as well afterwards. Once the feeling of being sucked into the pages, which are populated with some fascinating people and wonderful scenes, is gone, it's all too easy to notice the little details that don't entirely make sense.

Avy Hunt is an art recovery agent whose new assignment is to retrieve the Sword of Alexander from Sir Liam James, a high-end art thief. With a fat commission and her reputation on the line, Avy crosses more than one moral line in her quest for the muti-million dollar art piece. A cryptic message from a trusted source shatters her common sense and leaves her basic instincts in question. The lack of which means death in her profession. Still, only one thing is clear. She'll bring in the sword no matter what.

This is the first book I've read by this author and WOW, what a great read. Never have I been gripped so early in a book. This book has everything and holds nothing back.

Miss Kendall has a succinct style of writing but not in a way that leaves you feeling cheated. You are left very satisfied. The characters are very nicely drawn, the story is plausible, her research is spot on, and the tension is high. The only complaint I have is there were a few chapters featuring Gwen that didn't seem to fit with the story, but they were entertaining and didn't distract, so...

Overall, you gotta read this book!

CarolASpradling.com author

I was reading this book on a plane and laughing so hard that I wondered what the passenger next to me was thinking. Strong female heroine. First time I have read a book by this author and I am in the search for more.

I loved the characters, but got irritated with the storyline.
Loved the romance, the chemistry between characters was blazing.
Still do not understand why Liam was tailing Avy.
Loved how the suspense played out, but did not like the final ending of the story.
Have to admit I liked Gwen's side story and the mysterious boss.
I did not like that we heard a lot about Liam and Avy's parents but did not meet them. We never found out who Liam's family really is.

typically, i read mainstream literature, not romance. but this book was suggested to me by a friend and, although skeptical at first, i read it. i was so surprised by the quality of writing, the wit, and the thickness of the plot, i couldn't put it down. it has the same premise as the movie, the thomas crown affair, but this novel contains so much sarcasm and humor, not to mention quirky secondary characters, i found it much more entertaining. as the first in the trilogy, it compels me to read the next two in the series. read it. you won't be disappointed!

A good contemporary romance with the added spice of theivery. I found this book reminiscent of Suzanne Enoch's 'Samantha Jellicoe' series about a female cat burglar trying to go straight. This time the art thief is a Brit named Liam and he's pretty freaking yummy! On the side of law and order (kinda) we have Avy. Avy is a repo woman who works for ARTemis, Inc stealing back fine art for its rightful owners. Avy is at the top of her game when she's assigned a case that brings her into contact with Liam.

There is alot to smile about while reading this book. Karen Kendall has a wicked pen for flirty dialogue and risque ripostes!! Both characters were entertaining and Kendall sprinkled elements for her next novel starring one of the secondary characters very artfully throughout this book.

The reasons why Liam and Avy do what they do were revealed slowly but in ways that seemed true to their characters. Would be a great lying-in-the-sun read, whether it's by the pool or on the beach...

Avy Hunt is a "repo man" for stolen art. Liam James is a art thief, who seems to be written with Cary Grant's to catch a theif cat burgler in mind. They meet when Avy is hired to recover a sword Liam stole. They are keeping secrets and trying to out manuver each other while intensly attracted to each other.

If you like Susan Enoch's series with Sam Jellico and Richard Addison, you will like this. It is funny and entertaining with a great balance of action, romance, and sex. I would love to see more books with Avy and Liam recovering stolen art together and bantering and out-witting each other again.

A couple of things I didn't care for were the the chapters about Avy's friend and co-worker, Gwen. It looks as if Gwen is the "heroine" of the next book, but the story line in this book took away from the story. Also, I thought the end, where the bad guy came in to play was rushed.

Overall I really liked this book and look forward to the next one.

ARTemis Inc recovers stolen art for their clients. Part owner Avy Hunt is currently searching for the Sword of Alexander. British art thief Sir Liam James is the prime suspect as the theft has his modus operendi. She tries to learn all she can about her adversary but unbeknownst to her, Liam is doing likewise re his opponent. Liam confronts Avy on his turf, London leaving her angry, confused, and wanting.

As Avy and Liam team up in search of the purloined sword, someone wants to prevent them from uncovering the truth even as their attraction for one another exponentially grows. Avy begins to wonder if she fell in love with a thief or is there something else to her beloved as his behavior does not quite add up to what she expected from a burglar.

This is an exciting romantic suspense thriller that crosses the Atlantic several times as the lead pair "competes" against one another before teaming up. The story line is fast-paced from the onset until the final extortion although the miraculous speed of recovery from on the job injuries seems implausible. Still this is a fun tale as the sassy confident heroine challenges the suave self-assured hero to take her if he can.

Harriet Klausner