Review: Thief of Hearts by L.H. Cosway

Review: Thief of Hearts
By: L.H. Conway
Series: Hearts #5
My Copy: Ebook from Publisher
The BookWhisperer's Rating: 

Seduce the teacher.

Meet the cousin.

Make a deal.

Steal the painting.

Andrea Anderson has no clue of the thoughts churning around in the dark and dangerous ex-con’s head as he enters her classroom. In fact, she’s momentarily lost for words. Not in her entire teaching career has she had a student who looked quite like Stu Cross.

A widow at just twenty-eight, love is something Andie hasn’t considered a part of her life for a very long time. However, when lingering touches turn to whispered words and hot, searching stares, she begins to wonder if maybe she should take a leap of faith.

But Stu is in her class for a reason, and it has nothing to do with love. He’s there to burrow his way into her life and repay a debt, otherwise his family will suffer. Andie is the first person to show him true kindness since he left prison, and though he doesn’t want to mislead her, he doesn’t have another choice.

Before long, Stu can’t tell whether or not he’s acting anymore, and his feelings for Andie could throw all of his carefully crafted plans into complete and utter disarray.

This is my first full novel by L.H. Cosway, the other ones were co-written with Penny Reid, and I can already tell that Cosway is going to be one of my favorites.  Thief of Hearts is a stand-alone but would probably be best if you read the series first.  I didn’t and was never confused but I could see how it might help with some of the secondary characters. 

Andi is quite possibly the best person ever.  Her past, her present, her future dreams makes her into this wonderful woman who lives with her eccentric cousin and a teacher of adults.  Her job brings Stu into her life and while I don’t want to give anything away, Cosway crafts it into a wonderful story of family ties, thievery, and love. 

Both Stu and Andrea were wonderful characters; both well-rounded in their own ways with good hearts (although sometimes Stu had me guessing.)  Their story was thought out and brilliantly crafted to wrap the reader up in their world and hold them there until the last word.  There were also wonderful secondary characters that played major parts, one of my favorites being Alfie (sweet Alfie.) The twist and turns and surprise ending kept me intrigued and just from this book, I know that I now have to start the series and basically read all of Cosways’ books. 

You should definitely read this book if you like the series and you should definitely read this book if you have never heard of L.H. Cosway.  I have a feeling that she will be one of your favorite authors soon.