All Bets Are Off
Release Date: February 5, 2013
Publisher: Disney Hyperion
Pages: 328 pages
Source & Format: Library; Hardcover
Series: Heist Society #3
Amazon | Goodreads
Summary (from Goodreads)
Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the Fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting - or stealing - whatever they want.
No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir - this time, Hale might be the mark.
Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy.
Thoughts on Perfect Scoundrels
I loved the parallel between this book and the very first, Heist Society. In the first book, Kat's con affected her dad and his future. Now, she's got to risk everything for her boyfriend, W.W. Hale the Fifth, and it's a job that could change his entire future.
When Perfect Scoundrels begins, things are finally looking up for this couple. It's taken forever (!) for them to be together, but it finally seems like they are on the same page and their relationship is moving forward. I was SO EXCITED because hello, I love Hale. He's handsome, rich, kind and mysterious enough to keep you guessing (but not in a bad way).
And then... Hale's grandmother passes away and he unexpectedly becomes the head of her billion dollar corporation. It's a role that means a lot to him because of his relationship and love for his grandmother. Since he's often overlooked by his family, this news feels like validation and confirmation that he is capable of doing great things.
The new responsibility introduces a little tension into Kat and Hale's relationship. After all, the gap between their two worlds is widening by the minute. And the tension just grows when Kat suspects that the will might have been altered and be part of an elaborate con. Should she tell Hale? And if she does, how will he take the news that the gesture that meant so much to him might not have been real?
Kat is wrestling with what seems like an impossible choice. If she investigates the suspicious events, will she lose the boy in the process? I loved seeing Kat navigate these tricky waters and figure out what the right thing is to do, regardless of the risks or result.
Just like the previous two books, the group dynamics are one of my favorite parts of this series! I love when the team is all gathered, brainstorming and debating how they'll pull off an impossible heist. From the names of the cons to the hilarious banter, Ally Carter really nails this aspect. It makes these books such a fun read!
I also loved that we see a little more depth in this book. Whereas the previous two were very light and funny, these have a little more emotional weight. It's still ultimately a fun read, but I loved the relationship tension because it gave both Kat and Hale a chance to grow and mature. The loss of Hale's grandmother sparks some emotional moments that made the characters seem more real and made me love them all the more.
This is my absolutely my favorite book of the series. It's got all the elements of the previous books (an impossible heist and the incredible group) with the added dose of emotion and tension that had me wishing for a book four so I could see where the characters go from here. Hopefully, there will be more Heist Society books to come!
So Quotable
"The things that are most precious to us are sometimes the most secret."
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