Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

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Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

HarperTeen, 2008

Summary from Goodreads:

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.
Dani has been trained as a thief by the best there is—her mother. They never stay in one place long enough for Dani to have real connections, real friends—a real life.
But in the town of Heaven, everything changes. Suddenly, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known—or the one she's always wanted.

I loved this book. Loved it. Right from the beginning I was drawn to this story--why do Dani and her mom steal? Where's Dad? This story was just so different from anything else I've ever read before. People can actually do this? Just...move around constantly and survive by stealing?


Dani was such a likeable character. At several points in the story I kind of forgot how old she was. There were a lot of times she seemed so much older than her eighteen years, which fit with the kind of lifestyle she's been living. Howver, other times she seemed so much younger, which, oddly, also fits with the solitary life she leads. She has only the barest of social skills, after all, and doesn't really have any experience with "regular" conversations. I know she tried to prevent anyone from getting close to her, but I could totally see through that. As could Greg, the completely swoonworthy guy (read: cop!) who falls for her. I absolutely adored their relationship. I loved that Dani was letting her guard down with him but still acting tough. And I loved the whole "answer a question with a question" thing--I'm glad that was carried throughout the novel.


Mom was a strange duck, I thought, but her character fit. I suppose a professional thief isn't really going to be that modest with her daughter regarding her various relationships. I suppose that Dani, having lived with that her whole life, built up a shell so those kinds of things wouldn't really affect her. I loved the little town of Heaven and I was curious why Mom would choose to settle there. I mean, I know there's big bucks, but it seems really small for their talents. I think it was the town itself that really set Dani off on her "Who am I?" quest.


Stealing Heaven is a great contemporary read, pure Elizabeth Scott, and I encourage everyone to read it!


For more Elizabeth Scott Week goodness, head over to I Eat Words for a review of Perfect You (and come back tomorrow for my review of Perfect You!)!


Purchased book.
Enjoy your reading!
Christi