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Beautiful Criminals
For fans of the Spellman Files comes an irreverent family drama about love, crime, and the ties that bind as three generations of women attempt to go straight…or not.
When Amanda Cooper steps foot out of jail, she’s determined to never go back. Two years behind bars means she’s missed her daughter, Taylor, turning into a teenager, and she doesn’t want to lose another moment with her. But as a convicted con artist, Amanda has few options for getting out of Los Angeles and securing her dream life: predictable, boring, and bordered by a white picket fence. The trouble is Amanda’s not the only one with a con. At every step of the way, someone is trying to pull her back into the game.
In her first attempt to go straight, Amanda takes a dead end retail job. But she soon discovers that her boss, Russ, is stealing from his employers by the truckload—and wants Amanda in on his crooked plan. Then Amanda gets roped in by FBI Agent Stevens, who reveals another startling truth: Amanda’s mom, Joyce, and her lover, Bruce, are involved in a scheme that smuggles military arms to a cartel. If Amanda can get the FBI agent the information he needs, Joyce will get off scot-free…but if she doesn’t, they’ll all go to the cooler.
As Amanda maneuvers and manipulates her way towards some semblance of freedom, she can only win the game by changing the rules. But along the way she takes her eyes off the prize: Taylor. Given her family history, Taylor can’t help but get into her own brand of trouble. Just as Amanda’s new life is within reach, she realizes that her final gamble might mean losing everything.
When Amanda Cooper steps foot out of jail, she’s determined to never go back. Two years behind bars means she’s missed her daughter, Taylor, turning into a teenager, and she doesn’t want to lose another moment with her. But as a convicted con artist, Amanda has few options for getting out of Los Angeles and securing her dream life: predictable, boring, and bordered by a white picket fence. The trouble is Amanda’s not the only one with a con. At every step of the way, someone is trying to pull her back into the game.
In her first attempt to go straight, Amanda takes a dead end retail job. But she soon discovers that her boss, Russ, is stealing from his employers by the truckload—and wants Amanda in on his crooked plan. Then Amanda gets roped in by FBI Agent Stevens, who reveals another startling truth: Amanda’s mom, Joyce, and her lover, Bruce, are involved in a scheme that smuggles military arms to a cartel. If Amanda can get the FBI agent the information he needs, Joyce will get off scot-free…but if she doesn’t, they’ll all go to the cooler.
As Amanda maneuvers and manipulates her way towards some semblance of freedom, she can only win the game by changing the rules. But along the way she takes her eyes off the prize: Taylor. Given her family history, Taylor can’t help but get into her own brand of trouble. Just as Amanda’s new life is within reach, she realizes that her final gamble might mean losing everything.
- GenresFictionContemporary
288 pages, Paperback
First published August 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 16, 2017
****4 STARS****
I didn't see this one coming! Beautiful Criminals was way deeper than I could have ever imaged. I think I may have found one of my new favorite authors.
Just a little FYI. . . the books starts as a bit of a slow burn but when it picks up. . . WOW!
Taylor's life has not been easy, she's been without her mother. She's been without the one person who is always supposed to be your person and it hurts her heart more than one could image. When Taylor's mom, Amanda, tries to come back and be a mother to her, well let's just say that Taylor had zero plans on making it easy for her.
This just broke my heart.
As Amanda works towards regaining her life and that of her daughter's she finds that Taylor has her own set of plans. Taylor is a teenager - full on and out. Taylor's mind is made up.
Amanda thought after she released from jail that she could settle into a cookie cutter life and for a while she tries. Trying can only take you so far when your true nature is far from cookie cutter.
Between being a con artist, mother, girlfriend, etc. Amanda starts to lose who she is. Finding herself in the midst of all of so much turmoil is no easy task for her. I found myself admiring her strength and resilience.
All in all, this is a great book to get lost in. I found myself opening my eyes and seeing things from a different angle. Most of all, it reminded me a mother's strength and the lengths we are will go for our children.
I didn't see this one coming! Beautiful Criminals was way deeper than I could have ever imaged. I think I may have found one of my new favorite authors.
Just a little FYI. . . the books starts as a bit of a slow burn but when it picks up. . . WOW!
Taylor's life has not been easy, she's been without her mother. She's been without the one person who is always supposed to be your person and it hurts her heart more than one could image. When Taylor's mom, Amanda, tries to come back and be a mother to her, well let's just say that Taylor had zero plans on making it easy for her.
"You're pathetic."
"No, I'm not pathetic, because it worked and you just spoke to me, which was my goal. I'm sorry."
"You're always sorry though, Mom. Do you know what it's like to have a sorry mom?"
"Do you even have to ask that? At least I apologize. Taylor, I'm trying."
This just broke my heart.
As Amanda works towards regaining her life and that of her daughter's she finds that Taylor has her own set of plans. Taylor is a teenager - full on and out. Taylor's mind is made up.
Amanda thought after she released from jail that she could settle into a cookie cutter life and for a while she tries. Trying can only take you so far when your true nature is far from cookie cutter.
Between being a con artist, mother, girlfriend, etc. Amanda starts to lose who she is. Finding herself in the midst of all of so much turmoil is no easy task for her. I found myself admiring her strength and resilience.
All in all, this is a great book to get lost in. I found myself opening my eyes and seeing things from a different angle. Most of all, it reminded me a mother's strength and the lengths we are will go for our children.
July 24, 2017
The story starts out a little heart breaking as Amanda is trying hard to connect with her daughter. The authors are able to pull very detailed story with lost of colorful characters and keep everyone growing, developing and changing into people readers will fall in love with.
No matter how hard Amanda tries to go straight everyone around her is back in the game pulling her into their dead end lifestyles.
Beautiful Criminals has a list of endless colorful characters that readers will enjoy. The story starts off a little slow but within a chapter or two it is off and readers will have to hold on for the ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy.
No matter how hard Amanda tries to go straight everyone around her is back in the game pulling her into their dead end lifestyles.
Beautiful Criminals has a list of endless colorful characters that readers will enjoy. The story starts off a little slow but within a chapter or two it is off and readers will have to hold on for the ride.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the advance copy.
June 14, 2018
It got sloppy and lazy toward the end but overall it was pretty interesting and unique. Also, some characters were waaaay more developed and dimensional than others. Taylor was not well written at all nor did she seem even remotely realistic. Definitely didn’t need the hallucinations of the ghost of Carrie Fisher.
January 4, 2019
I don't know if i'm totally alone in this, but maybe i was finding a little bit of misogyny here?? It could very well have been sarcasm or satire that i just wasn't picking up on, but whatever. Aside from my confusion on that point, this was a good, quick read with a good ending.
February 24, 2021
No wonder this book was only $3 at Barnes & Noble.
Saying that the plot is a “slow burn” would be putting it nicely. The first ten chapters is just a whole lot of nothing- well, except for random pop culture references without any real context and overly sexualized dialogue and narration.
All of the dialogue between the characters seems forced so they can just move the plot along, yet it still doesn’t go anywhere until about half way through the book. The description I read on the back of the book made it seem like it would be more like Oceans Twelve, but it quickly turned into that terrible Miley Cyrus movie where she was an undercover cop at a sorority. Had a great concepts, but poor execution.
You can tell a man wrote this book by the vulgar sexualized dialogue between Amanda and almost every single male character introduced in the story, the undertones of sexual harassment and how it seems to be “normal” in every situation Amanda is in, and the lack of true depth of any character in the book.
If you enjoyed this book, great. I personally thought it was full of poor writing, plot holes, and underdeveloped concepts that could have made this a good story.
Saying that the plot is a “slow burn” would be putting it nicely. The first ten chapters is just a whole lot of nothing- well, except for random pop culture references without any real context and overly sexualized dialogue and narration.
All of the dialogue between the characters seems forced so they can just move the plot along, yet it still doesn’t go anywhere until about half way through the book. The description I read on the back of the book made it seem like it would be more like Oceans Twelve, but it quickly turned into that terrible Miley Cyrus movie where she was an undercover cop at a sorority. Had a great concepts, but poor execution.
You can tell a man wrote this book by the vulgar sexualized dialogue between Amanda and almost every single male character introduced in the story, the undertones of sexual harassment and how it seems to be “normal” in every situation Amanda is in, and the lack of true depth of any character in the book.
If you enjoyed this book, great. I personally thought it was full of poor writing, plot holes, and underdeveloped concepts that could have made this a good story.
January 12, 2022
While I gave this 3 stars, it was more of a 3.5. This was a good read. Had a slow start, and once you're past the first 5-7 chapters, it gets a bit better. The chapters were short, I would have liked a bit more at the ending, but I suppose it is that way to elude to the possibility of a sequel. I will likely look into other works by these authors, and hope for a bit more next time.
March 23, 2018
Such a good, book. Very relatable characters. I feel like the main character Amanda is me in fiction form lol.
Lots of movie references. Specifically "Star Wars" and tons of "Game of Thrones" references too.
Comical, light read that really gets ya thinking... what's better than that?
Lots of movie references. Specifically "Star Wars" and tons of "Game of Thrones" references too.
Comical, light read that really gets ya thinking... what's better than that?
October 16, 2021
I would rate it about 3 and a half stars . It was better than I thought, it was cute, a fast read. I liked the pop culture references and loved that one of my favorite icons was reference also !! WWCFD
February 10, 2019
Easy read.
July 21, 2020
A likable enough read with likable enough characters. Over-written in places, brilliant in others
April 22, 2023
Pretty good. Lost some stamina in the middle but good ending
May 7, 2024
It was okay. I couldn’t fall in love with the characters. I did struggle to pick it up at times too.
It wasn’t fully predictable though so that’s good I guess.
It wasn’t fully predictable though so that’s good I guess.
June 3, 2020
SO much happened in this book in SO little time. There was so much going on with this plot that it almost seemed too busy. The premise was a great idea and well thought up, but there were minor details that could have been left out and possibly would have made the book more enjoyable. There were big events and small events and the author focused on them equally when there should have been more focus on big events and maybe he could have drawn the details out some more and elaborated a bit.
February 11, 2018
fun red..lots of reference and quotes from movies and tv shows
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews