This is the author's first book and it shows. There were many times where I had to roll my eyes, by I always did so with a smile, too. There's alot of cliche moments, especially concerning the dialogue, and her descriptions of love. Rather than feeling the couples were in love I was immediately told they were. It was rather anticlimactic how quickly everyone paired up. It lacked the subtlety and craft that I KNOW Hooper does well in her later works. Despite this I was able to enjoy the story, because Hooper manages to sell it convincingly, if not expertly. Also, another reason I might have enjoyed this more than I should have was the constant echoes of Georgette Heyer. The plot points resemble many of Heyer's, and even the names were very familiar (Ware, Standen). I had fun playing a kind of "Where's Waldo?" with all the Heyer references. The Regency staples were there, but the story does take quite a few liberties in terms of historical attitudes. While the characters may not have been incredibly unique or completely fleshed out, they were endearing all in their own ways. The mystery too, is somewhat simplistic, and somethings are a bit unanswered, (ie the purpose of the missing ring) but, those can be forgiven if what you're really after is a light short sweet read.

Edit: read the short story "Masquerade" at later date

I had to give the novel another star because I liked this short story so much better than the novel it accompanies. It's another Regency, this time with a misunderstood rogue and an independent minded woman stuck together by random circumstance (the weather). It is a both a sweet and intense romance that plays out predictably but enjoyably. I'm not crazy about HEA's but Masquerade does it just right. This is no insult to the romance in the book, but my favorite part of the story is the politics of the servants and the minutiae of manor life. I really like those kind of details in my historical fiction. This book is worth buying for the short story alone, imo. ( )

Fun. Lady Thief is somewhat formulaic in the romance itself, though the female highwayman is a nice twist on circumstances. It also feels rather cut short - in several places, they move on to the next thing because it's the next thing, like a fairy tale. Perhaps I mean that the outline shows through the story a bit. But it's still quite a good Regency - in the upper third of ones I've read, and quite enjoyable. Hmm, I think she's affecting my writing, too - my word choices sound a little odd to me! She does mention that Lady Thief is her first book - I'm not sure whether first written, first published, or both. The novella Masquerade is - just plain fun. For one thing, they both abide (more or less) by the strictures of society - a Regency where they happily go to bed shortly after meeting drives me nuts and it's painfully common these days. In Masquerade, they fall in love almost immediately but don't fall into bed - indeed, they separate more-or-less willingly to make sure it's real. Proper concern - and no more - for reputation among the ton. And Sarah and Anatole add a lovely fillip. I was smiling after Lady Thief but I laughed aloud when I finished Masquerade. I do like Kay Hooper. ( )

This is just plain fun. Yes some of the historical details are a bit off but Jennifer Courtenay is a great character and she fits into the realm of a wish-fulfilment. She has an evil step-father who is trying to marry her off in order to get his hands on some of her money. Meanwhile she's trying to find out how her father died and who has her father's ring. In order to find this out she's holding people up as a highwayman. When she robs the Duke of Spencer she finds that he's interested in who she is and her reasons for what she does. Particularly as she's giving money and goods back.

There's also a novella 'Masquerade' attached. A sweet story about romance and mistaken identities. ( )

http://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2006/02/12-lady-thief-kay-hooper.html ( )