Love & Other Scams

by P.J. Ellis

New

Genres: Audiobook

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 28, 2024

About the author

Hi, I’m PJ. I started writing erotica for kicks and fun in 2019 because I wanted a creative outlet and because my partner and I find stories a turn-on. My writing is typically about straight sex, lesbian, ffm and mfm menage, group sex, and married swingers or partner-swapping. I’ve tried novellas and shorts and I’m just getting started, so watch this space. If you read my work please please leave reviews! I’ll write more of what works and less of what doesn’t.

PJ Ellis is not my real identity of course. In real life I’m married with two children, live in England, and I just love to read.

Reviews

[Agnieszka Kruczynska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Geluisterd als luisterboek, erg vermakelijk. Leuk dat het niet alleen maar om de romantiek draait.

[cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars- was okay.

The book's concept was decent and the plot was intriguing enough. And while this is a romance, I found myself a bit disappointed that the heist aspect was overpowered by it, mostly because the heist was more interesting than the romance. The characters were fine, though a bit bland; I couldn't connect to anyone or feel like I really knew anyone. Thus, I didn't feel much for their romance, but I definitely disliked the third-act conflict. Cat jumped right to accusing James (Jack? John? lol) of lying without hearing him out first, making the conflict feel forced and unnatural. I'm also not really a fan of the ending and the unnecessary plot twist. I wondered if the author would let them pull off the heist without a hitch, which would've been unrealistic but fun and somewhat satisfying. I was interested to see if the author would create problems for them during the theft, which would've been more memorable and exciting and added more depth to the story. In the end, the author allowed one singular complication— Louisa knew a fake diamond from a real one, and thus knew when her real one had been replaced by a fake— but the MCs got away with it using leverage, obtained through a stroke of luck. Cat walked in on Louisa cheating on her new husband right before/ after the ring was taken (lmao I finished this book 5 days ago and am already starting to forget😜) and so Louisa let Cat leave with the diamond, both sides quietly agreeing to say nothing about the other. I would've liked to see the characters resolve the situation on their own, instead of relying on luck and a completely new concept, which felt like a cheap way out. Overall, this was a basic, underwhelming read for me. I didn't feel much towards the characters or plot while reading.

[Marte Haga · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 - at times funny, but there's too much space and time between the funny bits. In spite of the premise - which I thought sounded fun and thrilling - I couldn't get into this book, I didn't connect with the characters or manage to really care about them at all. The story it self is so-so, not as original and quirky as I hoped it would be, but it would have been enough to entertain IF only I'd felt something for any of the characters. I don't have to like the characters in order to enjoy a book, so the whole villain thing isn't the problem for me. I think maybe I found all the characters a bit under developed and lacking in depth. The rich people were simply rich and spoiled, seemingly without any personality traits beyond having money, and with no "other" sides to them than the shallow one on display. And Cat's story, her past, felt like one big cliché and excuse for being an asshole. as if her asshole-ness is fine because she's not rich? again, I don't usually mind if there's not a good moral to the story, and I don't mind characters having bad sidens to them (i rather find that refreshing) - but I didn't really see Cat at all because everything about her was TOLD and not shown. her actions and behaviours towards people didn't seem to fit her thoughts and feelings and so I just didn't get her. at all.

[Kagan Goodliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual kind of thing. Typical romance type book, perfectly fine but predictable.

Plot for my memory - main character is 30 and living in a house share, loses her job and is permanently single. Gets invited to be a bridesmaid for a uni housemate who is rich and glam. Main character also steals partly to make ends meet but partly because she likes ripping off jerks. Makes a plan to steal her so called friends diamond ring with a bartender who is also a con man. Obviously they fall in love and succeed in stealing the diamond living happily ever after

[Ian Mcewan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is just a fun filled romp that is asking to be made into a 80’s style Saturday matinee Rom com! P J Ellis’s debut is very tongue in cheek but not when it comes to the narration of its cast of rich characters. I truly believe this is an author to watch out for in the future! (Also thank you for making 5 hours in A&E fly by)

[AtomicBiker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raced through this book. Very entertaining and well written.
4.5 stars

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute. Very cute. I love a good heist plot any day. Will never not be difficult for me to read in such colloquial language though and I don’t really have a reason for that😅

[margarida · Rating 1 out of 5]

i didn’t finish this book because it was written in the third person, what’s a shame because the story is good and i like the character.

[India Baller-Theyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing I love more than a chick flick turned mystery thriller 👀

[Gillian Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook 24:- I would give it a 4.5 ⭐️ Good story, quick paced likeable characters. Something a little different from your average heist.