Eighteen year old Danielle has never been to high school, she's never lived in one place for more than a few months at a time, and she's certainly never been in one place long enough to make friends. All because Danielle is an expert silver thief. Thanks to her mother's training (and questionable morals) Danielle has been stealing since she was a toddler and can plan the most expert of heists. Even though she loves her mother, Danielle has never wanted the life that gives her mom such a high - a feeling that becomes even more sharp as the pair travel to Heaven, a beach front tourist town, bursting with potential targets. In Heaven Danielle does the unthinkable. Unwillingly, she begins to make friends. Spending time with the chatty Allison is bad enough but when Danielle finds herself drawn to the goofy cop Greg, she knows her world could collapse at any moment.Why hasn't anyone told me about Elizabeth Scott before? Okay, okay. I'm sure someone has before, but goodness knows why I've waited so long to pick one of her novels up. I'm sure my reluctance is in part due to the lackluster covers. My standards are fairly high when it comes to contemporary YA novels and these headless girl covers do absolutely nothing for me. But really? Stealing Heaven could not have been more perfect! Seriously, I have the wonderful Nomes of Inkcrush to thank once again for her spot-on recommendation of this book.
I honestly loved everything about this book. I love Danielle and her astute observations of people and life. I loved her wry sense of humor and her vulnerability. Yet I also ached for her in her unwavering faithfulness to her flighty mother. And boy howdy, I also totally loved Greg! There aren't many guys who could manage to ask out a girl in front of the grocery store seafood counter and not come off looking like a total idiot.
Elizabeth Scott is a fantastic contemporary writer - I adore that she writes older characters - not just 16 year old teens. In fact (I'm sure this will get me in trouble with some folks, but here goes...), Stealing Heaven was everything I wanted Sarah Dessen's novels to be. Funny and poignant all at the same time with unforgettable characters who are just trying to figure themselves out.
So to all you Elizabeth Scott fans out there (and I know there has to be many) which of her books should I pick up next? Cause I'm definitely ready for more!
Because Everyone Likes a Second Opinion:
In The Good Books review
One More Page review
Steph Su Reads review
The Story Siren review
YA Book Reviews
