To Have and to Heist - by Sara Desai (Paperback)

About the Book

"To exonerate her best friend, one woman must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper. Simi Chopra is on a bad-luck streak. She's lost yet another job, her student loan debt won't stop growing, her basement apartment is a certifiable flood zone, and now her best friend has been accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar diamond necklace. To put it lightly, she's desperate for a break-that's right when Jack waltzes out of the bushes and into her life. Jack is just as charming as he is mysterious. When he offers to help her find the missing necklace and steal it back, Simi jumps at the chance to clear her friend's name and collect the substantial reward. But every good heist needs a crew. All she needs to do is transform a ragtag group of strangers into an elite heist crew, infiltrate a high-society wedding and steal the necklace from a dangerous criminal before the happy couple say "I do". Meanwhile the bride is keeping secrets, a detective with a slow-burn smile keeps showing up at her door, and the ultimate robbery might not be the wedding con, but the way Jack is stealing her heart"--

Book Synopsis

To exonerate her best friend, one woman must mastermind a jewelry heist during the wedding of the season in this hilarious romantic-comedy caper from the author of The Dating Plan.

Simi Chopra is on a bad-luck streak. She's lost yet another job, her student loan debt won't stop growing, her basement apartment is a certifiable flood zone, and now her best friend has been accused of stealing a multimillion-dollar diamond necklace. To put it lightly, she's desperate for a break--that's right when Jack waltzes out of the bushes and into her life.

Jack is just as charming as he is mysterious. When he offers to help her find the missing necklace and steal it back, Simi jumps at the chance to clear her friend's name and collect the substantial reward. But every good heist needs a crew. All she needs to do is transform a ragtag group of strangers into an elite heist crew, infiltrate a high-society wedding and steal the necklace from a dangerous criminal before the happy couple say "I do." Meanwhile the bride is keeping secrets, a detective with a slow-burn smile keeps showing up at her door, and the ultimate robbery might not be the wedding con, but the way Jack is stealing her heart.

Review Quotes

"Desai is masterful at character banter and will have readers laughing out loud."--Sharon C. Cooper, USA Today bestselling author of In It to Win It

"Dripping with banter, this action-packed and hilarious romp will keep you at the edge of your seat. Simi and Jack's sizzling chemistry leaps off the page, and their hard won HEA feels so satisfying. But what really shines is the amazing, talented ensemble of misfits working together to pull off a daring jewel heist while simultaneously planning a wedding. You don't want to miss this brilliantly crafted heist story!"--Farah Heron, author of Jana Goes Wild and Accidentally Engaged

"A wickedly fun and wildly engaging romp, led by a strong female protagonist whom readers can't help but root for through all her schemes and hijinks."--Kyla Zhao, author of The Fraud Squad

"A jewel heist, an engaging heroine, a wedding, the pitch-perfect banter, and a mysterious guy - To Have and to Heist has it all! Grab this engaging and funny mix of a caper and a romance and get ready to be charmed."--HelenKay Dimon, author of Moorewood Family Rules

"The next time someone asks for a rip-roaring action rom-com, I'm pointing (read: shoving) them to Sara Desai's To Have and to Heist. Desai strikes the perfect balance of high-stakes plot and relatable main characters. The zany and irreverent crew are peak millennial chaos and I am so here for it! The crew's skillsets are particularly interesting, especially our action man's endearing love of horticulture. From the very first page I was swept away faster than a getaway driver. With breakneck pacing, antics that don't let up, and a spunky heroine that just won't quit, Desai's To Have and to Heist will easily steal away your afternoon."--Lillie Vale, author of The Decoy Girlfriend and The Shaadi Set-Up

"Sara Desai's voice pulls you in from the first page in this fun caper with sizzling chemistry."--Namrata Patel, author of The Candid Life of Meena Dave

"Romantic comedy meets 'Ocean's Eleven'"--USA Today

"To Have and to Heist is what happens when you take Oceans Eleven-style capers, turn the sexiness up to eleven and slather it in some good ol' fashioned Desi family drama."--Good Housekeeping

"An action-packed heist story that delivers a fun hit of romance."--Women's World

"Come for the crime; stay for the sizzling chemistry."--Parade

"To Have and To Heist by Sara Desai is a wonderfully fun and thrilling read. If you are looking for a beach read, this is absolutely perfect."--Cultress

"Lots of secrets and plot twists will keep readers turning the pages. Don't miss this one!"--Fresh Fiction

"Fans of How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days will enjoy this South-Asian romantic comedy about a bet between two enemies with lots of chemistry. Indian culture plays a key role in the story, from the mentions of dishes to apparel. Between these cultural glimpses and the sparks between the couple, everything about this book is vibrant."--The Daily Star

"Desai...fills the pages with wry observations...and allows her heroine some steamy romance with a thief who's "gorgeous but in a devilish way." You can practically start casting the movie already."--Seattle Times

"Sara Desai's To Have and to Heist is the perfect hilarious and action-packed rom-com for fans of Ocean's Eleven...Fast-paced, fun, and full of all the making of a great beach read, this book will steal your heart!"--She Does the City

"This caper is perfect for those who love rom-cozies -- books that blend cozy mystery and romcom tropes."--BookRiot

"Desai perfectly balances the lighthearted romance with a fun and twisty heist plot enacted by a kooky cast of indebted millennials. Romance lovers will devour this un-put-downable treat, and even readers generally wary of the genre will be swept away."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"This unputdownable novel will fly off shelves, and readers will clamor for Desai's backlist."--Library Journal (starred review)

About the Author

Sara Desai has been a lawyer, radio DJ, marathon runner, historian, bouncer, and librarian. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband, kids, and an assortment of forest creatures who think they are pets. Sara writes sexy romantic comedy and contemporary romance with a multicultural twist. When not laughing at her own jokes, Sara can be found eating nachos.