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Lady Eve's Last Con
Hearts will race and anti-grav boots will fly in this scifi rom-com perfect for fans of WINTER'S ORBIT and THE RED SCHOLAR'S WAKE.
Ruth Johnson and her sister Jules have been small-time hustlers on the interstellar cruise lines for years. But then Jules fell in love with one of their targets, Esteban Mendez-Yuki, sole heir to the family insurance fortune. Esteban seemed to love her too, until she told him who she really was, at which point he fled without a word.
Now Ruth is set on disguised as provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukwu and set for the swanky satellite New Monte, she’s going to make Esteban fall in love with her, then break his heart and take half his fortune. At least, that's the plan. But Ruth hadn't accounted for his younger sister, Sol, a brilliant mind in a dashing suit... and much harder to fool.
Sol is hot on Ruth's tail, and as the two women learn each other’s tricks, Ruth must decide between going after the money and going after her heart.
Ruth Johnson and her sister Jules have been small-time hustlers on the interstellar cruise lines for years. But then Jules fell in love with one of their targets, Esteban Mendez-Yuki, sole heir to the family insurance fortune. Esteban seemed to love her too, until she told him who she really was, at which point he fled without a word.
Now Ruth is set on disguised as provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukwu and set for the swanky satellite New Monte, she’s going to make Esteban fall in love with her, then break his heart and take half his fortune. At least, that's the plan. But Ruth hadn't accounted for his younger sister, Sol, a brilliant mind in a dashing suit... and much harder to fool.
Sol is hot on Ruth's tail, and as the two women learn each other’s tricks, Ruth must decide between going after the money and going after her heart.
368 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2024
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July 4, 2024Lesbian Jewish screwball heist romcom in space. You don't get many of those to the pound.
This is a bit of oddball in some ways. It's very much a screwball heist comedy caper in the spirit of old movies, down to bursts of dialogue you could imagine Jane Russell voicing, which does sometimes land slightly oddly in the context of future antigrav and spaceships. The spirit is pitch perfect though: a conwoman with a good heart underneath the hardboiled shell sets her sights on a rich young man and instead falls for his poised rich-girl sister (to whom there is more than meets the eye, natch).
It's a very likeable and engaging slow burn romance, and the heist element is great fun. I felt it could have been a touch pacier: the screwball thing really needs to be all but non-stop breakneck so we don't have the leisure to ask awkward questions about plausibility, ahaha.
Nevertheless, definitely the most enjoyable heist read in a while and a proper romance well balanced with the plot. Recommended.
This is a bit of oddball in some ways. It's very much a screwball heist comedy caper in the spirit of old movies, down to bursts of dialogue you could imagine Jane Russell voicing, which does sometimes land slightly oddly in the context of future antigrav and spaceships. The spirit is pitch perfect though: a conwoman with a good heart underneath the hardboiled shell sets her sights on a rich young man and instead falls for his poised rich-girl sister (to whom there is more than meets the eye, natch).
It's a very likeable and engaging slow burn romance, and the heist element is great fun. I felt it could have been a touch pacier: the screwball thing really needs to be all but non-stop breakneck so we don't have the leisure to ask awkward questions about plausibility, ahaha.
Nevertheless, definitely the most enjoyable heist read in a while and a proper romance well balanced with the plot. Recommended.
March 10, 2024
THIS BOOK IS SUCH A MASTERPIECE!
From the moment I opened it, I was whisked away on a whirlwind adventure filled with cunning cons, unexpected romance, and a healthy dose of humor. Lady Eve's Last Con is perfect in every way, with well-developed characters, unique, entertaining plot, wonderful world-building, rich and detailed settings, incredible writing style and much more!!
First off, let's talk about Ruth Johnson—what a character! A masterful con artist who navigates the world with wit and charm, she's the kind of protagonist you can't help but root for. And when she sets her sights on revenge after her sister's heartbreak, disguising herself as the elegant debutante Evelyn Ojukwu, you know you're in for a wild ride.
But what truly sets this book apart is its rich tapestry of genres seamlessly woven together. It's part adventure, part rom-com, with a sprinkle of science fiction and a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. You'll find yourself laughing one moment, on the edge of your seat the next, as the plot twists and turns with each passing chapter.
And let's not forget about the incredible world-building and detailed settings that bring this story to life. From the bustling streets of the city to the opulent halls of high society, every scene is painted with such vivid detail that you'll feel like you're right there alongside the characters, experiencing every twist and turn firsthand.
Now, I will admit, the ending did leave me wanting more—I would have loved a bit more closure to tie up loose ends. But hey, maybe that just means there's another thrilling installment in the works!
"Lady Eve's Last Con" is a must-read for anyone who loves flawed yet endearing characters, refreshing storytelling, and witty dialogue that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Trust me, once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down. It’s a five-star adventure from start to finish!
From the moment I opened it, I was whisked away on a whirlwind adventure filled with cunning cons, unexpected romance, and a healthy dose of humor. Lady Eve's Last Con is perfect in every way, with well-developed characters, unique, entertaining plot, wonderful world-building, rich and detailed settings, incredible writing style and much more!!
First off, let's talk about Ruth Johnson—what a character! A masterful con artist who navigates the world with wit and charm, she's the kind of protagonist you can't help but root for. And when she sets her sights on revenge after her sister's heartbreak, disguising herself as the elegant debutante Evelyn Ojukwu, you know you're in for a wild ride.
But what truly sets this book apart is its rich tapestry of genres seamlessly woven together. It's part adventure, part rom-com, with a sprinkle of science fiction and a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. You'll find yourself laughing one moment, on the edge of your seat the next, as the plot twists and turns with each passing chapter.
And let's not forget about the incredible world-building and detailed settings that bring this story to life. From the bustling streets of the city to the opulent halls of high society, every scene is painted with such vivid detail that you'll feel like you're right there alongside the characters, experiencing every twist and turn firsthand.
Now, I will admit, the ending did leave me wanting more—I would have loved a bit more closure to tie up loose ends. But hey, maybe that just means there's another thrilling installment in the works!
"Lady Eve's Last Con" is a must-read for anyone who loves flawed yet endearing characters, refreshing storytelling, and witty dialogue that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Trust me, once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down. It’s a five-star adventure from start to finish!
February 24, 2024
"Lady Eve's Last Con" by Rebecca Fraimow is wonderfully unique, and without a doubt, one of the best books I have read in the genre in a long while. In this fantastical sci-fi/space opera/rom-com tale, we get to follow Ruth Johnson, a small-time con artist and one of those characters you don't want to leave behind when the book ends.
Meet Ruth Johnson, a con artist who speaks Yiddish with her younger sister Jules, and lives on her wits. When her sister falls in love with one of their targets, Esteban Mendez-Yuki, and gets dumped by him for lack of class, Ruth decides to take revenge. Disguised as the provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukw, she plans to make Esteban fall in love with her and take him for all he is worth in the process. However, she didn't bargain for falling for his cool sister Sol, a charming and sharp-witted gal who is proving to be far more interesting than her dull brother, Esteban. The plot thickens when the mafia enters the picture, further complicating an already convoluted con.
I loved everything about this book! Kosher ducks, playful and witty banter, great setting, wonderful world-building, aristocratic society in space, gay romance reminiscent of Jane Austen—what's not to like? I loved the Jewish angel, the Rachel and Lea reference, and the use of Yiddish to hide intentions. The concept of shipping Kosher ducks with consideration to Shabbat made me cackle.
The characters are well-rounded, and the author does a great job of establishing them as people you want to root for. Ruth is smart and feisty, and I just love the way she infiltrated her way into the snobbish society. The observations on class and old wealth were right on point, and playing the provincial debutante was a clever move. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the relationship between the sisters. The dialogue is quick-witted and clever, building a strong intimacy between characters. Sol was delightful and a good counter to Ruth. Jules was hardly in the picture, which is a pity. She seems more clear-headed than her sister.
The book was well-written, well-plotted, and kept me interested throughout. The pacing of the plot is perfect; it’s not too fast or too slow, and everything has just the right amount of detail. The author paints beautiful pictures of the settings and scenes. You can see every image as she describes it: the balls, the outings, the zero-G restaurant scene—which was hilarious—and the bike rides. I loved it all!
It's a brilliant book—an adventure, a rom-com, science fiction, and humor all rolled into one. The ending was a bit abrupt, and I would have liked a bit more closure. Hopefully, another book is on the cards. In sum, this is one of those books that are very difficult to put down once you've started. I don't have words adequate enough to express how much I enjoyed this book. If you love flawed characters, refreshing tales, and tongue-in-cheek dialogues, then this is totally for you. Lovers of the genre would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
Meet Ruth Johnson, a con artist who speaks Yiddish with her younger sister Jules, and lives on her wits. When her sister falls in love with one of their targets, Esteban Mendez-Yuki, and gets dumped by him for lack of class, Ruth decides to take revenge. Disguised as the provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukw, she plans to make Esteban fall in love with her and take him for all he is worth in the process. However, she didn't bargain for falling for his cool sister Sol, a charming and sharp-witted gal who is proving to be far more interesting than her dull brother, Esteban. The plot thickens when the mafia enters the picture, further complicating an already convoluted con.
I loved everything about this book! Kosher ducks, playful and witty banter, great setting, wonderful world-building, aristocratic society in space, gay romance reminiscent of Jane Austen—what's not to like? I loved the Jewish angel, the Rachel and Lea reference, and the use of Yiddish to hide intentions. The concept of shipping Kosher ducks with consideration to Shabbat made me cackle.
The characters are well-rounded, and the author does a great job of establishing them as people you want to root for. Ruth is smart and feisty, and I just love the way she infiltrated her way into the snobbish society. The observations on class and old wealth were right on point, and playing the provincial debutante was a clever move. I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the relationship between the sisters. The dialogue is quick-witted and clever, building a strong intimacy between characters. Sol was delightful and a good counter to Ruth. Jules was hardly in the picture, which is a pity. She seems more clear-headed than her sister.
The book was well-written, well-plotted, and kept me interested throughout. The pacing of the plot is perfect; it’s not too fast or too slow, and everything has just the right amount of detail. The author paints beautiful pictures of the settings and scenes. You can see every image as she describes it: the balls, the outings, the zero-G restaurant scene—which was hilarious—and the bike rides. I loved it all!
It's a brilliant book—an adventure, a rom-com, science fiction, and humor all rolled into one. The ending was a bit abrupt, and I would have liked a bit more closure. Hopefully, another book is on the cards. In sum, this is one of those books that are very difficult to put down once you've started. I don't have words adequate enough to express how much I enjoyed this book. If you love flawed characters, refreshing tales, and tongue-in-cheek dialogues, then this is totally for you. Lovers of the genre would be well advised to immerse themselves in this story. Full stars from me!
* Thank you NetGalley and (publisher) for the opportunity to read this arc. All opinions are my own.
* Review in my blog: https://galibookish.blogspot.com/2024...
June 4, 2024
The Sting meets Fiddler on the Roof
Ruthi Johnson, our first-person narrator, arrives at the wealthy resort New Monte (which seems to be a satellite orbiting the quondam planet Pluto, not that that ever matters) bent on revenge. Esteban Mendez-Yuki, the scion of the obscenely wealthy Mendez-Yuki family and corporation, knocked up Ruthi's kid sister Jules then abandoned her. Ruthi is here for revenge. Since she and Jules are con artists, conning Esteban is the best way she knows of getting vengeance. Also, the money couldn't hurt. Jules is not here with her -- she's back at a nice resort colony making Esteban's baby.
OK, this is obviously a disaster waiting to happen. It's hard to read Ruthi's schemes of revenge and imagine any way this can have a happy ending. While Esteban is kind of feckless and oblivious, he has a half-sister Sol who is both protective of him and frighteningly smart and competent. She is also, as it happens, very attractive to Ruthi. So, Ruthi begins to enact her plan to reel Esteban in and stuff happens to Sol and to Ruthi.
At about a third of the way through the book, I began to discern a possibility for pulling off a happy ending. That was, for me, the main interest of the story -- watching Rebecca Fraimow engineer a plausible path. I'm not telling you there IS a happy ending. I'm not telling you there is NOT. But we need that possibility to make the story work -- the is-there-a-path-out-of-this-disaster suspense drove the story -- and it's very well done. There was even a twist near the end that I totally failed to see coming, although it made perfect sense.
When I was in High School, I saw the movie The Sting. In The Sting two small time con artists play a revenge con. It is impossible to watch the film and not come out of the theatre smiling, or even dancing a little with joy. (Well, it may not be literally impossible, but it certainly was not something I could do.) That's what Lady Eve's Last Con felt like. Now, I want to emphasize that aside from the points I've just mentioned, there is no similarity between the plots of The Sting and Lady Eve's Last Con. In particular, I'm not telling you whether or not Ruthi's con succeeds.
One thing that took me entirely by surprise (and the reason I'm marking this review a spoiler) was the Yiddishkeit. Ruthi and Jules grew up culturally Jewish. I seriously doubt that Ruthi keeps shabbat or eats kosher -- but I am quite confident that she would be comfortable doing both if she wanted to. And, although it is not huge, Ruthi's Yiddishkeit even has an essential plot function. There's also an explicit reference to Fiddler on the Roof.
Heist/con stories can be tremendous fun, and this one is. It left me smiling.
I received an advance reader copy of Lady Eve's Last Con from NetGalley and Rebellion. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
Ruthi Johnson, our first-person narrator, arrives at the wealthy resort New Monte (which seems to be a satellite orbiting the quondam planet Pluto, not that that ever matters) bent on revenge. Esteban Mendez-Yuki, the scion of the obscenely wealthy Mendez-Yuki family and corporation, knocked up Ruthi's kid sister Jules then abandoned her. Ruthi is here for revenge. Since she and Jules are con artists, conning Esteban is the best way she knows of getting vengeance. Also, the money couldn't hurt. Jules is not here with her -- she's back at a nice resort colony making Esteban's baby.
OK, this is obviously a disaster waiting to happen. It's hard to read Ruthi's schemes of revenge and imagine any way this can have a happy ending. While Esteban is kind of feckless and oblivious, he has a half-sister Sol who is both protective of him and frighteningly smart and competent. She is also, as it happens, very attractive to Ruthi. So, Ruthi begins to enact her plan to reel Esteban in and stuff happens to Sol and to Ruthi.
At about a third of the way through the book, I began to discern a possibility for pulling off a happy ending. That was, for me, the main interest of the story -- watching Rebecca Fraimow engineer a plausible path. I'm not telling you there IS a happy ending. I'm not telling you there is NOT. But we need that possibility to make the story work -- the is-there-a-path-out-of-this-disaster suspense drove the story -- and it's very well done. There was even a twist near the end that I totally failed to see coming, although it made perfect sense.
When I was in High School, I saw the movie The Sting. In The Sting two small time con artists play a revenge con. It is impossible to watch the film and not come out of the theatre smiling, or even dancing a little with joy. (Well, it may not be literally impossible, but it certainly was not something I could do.) That's what Lady Eve's Last Con felt like. Now, I want to emphasize that aside from the points I've just mentioned, there is no similarity between the plots of The Sting and Lady Eve's Last Con. In particular, I'm not telling you whether or not Ruthi's con succeeds.
One thing that took me entirely by surprise (and the reason I'm marking this review a spoiler) was the Yiddishkeit. Ruthi and Jules grew up culturally Jewish. I seriously doubt that Ruthi keeps shabbat or eats kosher -- but I am quite confident that she would be comfortable doing both if she wanted to. And, although it is not huge, Ruthi's Yiddishkeit even has an essential plot function. There's also an explicit reference to Fiddler on the Roof.
Heist/con stories can be tremendous fun, and this one is. It left me smiling.
I received an advance reader copy of Lady Eve's Last Con from NetGalley and Rebellion. This review expresses my honest opinions.
Blog review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2023
I love this! It's a stylish, twisty jaunt through a kind-of-dystopian Golden Age, with disaster lesbians. The only sensible person in the entire book doesn't appear until the last chapter! Just a delight.
June 23, 2024
Ruth is a long time con artist, mostly running low stake hustles with her sister, Jules, on interstellar cruise lines. But she has come to this particular space station for revenge. Disguised as the daughter of a wealthy family, she targets Esteban Mendez-Yuki, the heir to one of the biggest companies here. But everything changes when she begins to have feelings for Esteban’s sister, Sol. The story is set far into the future but the sci-fi aspect is super lite.
The writing is good, both main characters are likable, and a con played out in outer space is a fun idea. I also enjoyed some of the smaller details like what life might look like for poor people in an advanced world. But I could not connect with the story. The pace is slow and creates no tension. Usually with heist books or scam stories, I worry about the mc getting caught before accomplishing their goal. But in this story, I wasn’t invested in Ruth or Sol so I didn’t care. The book is getting great reviews so I may be an outlier. I was disappointed in this one but I would still look for future books by this author.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
Received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The writing is good, both main characters are likable, and a con played out in outer space is a fun idea. I also enjoyed some of the smaller details like what life might look like for poor people in an advanced world. But I could not connect with the story. The pace is slow and creates no tension. Usually with heist books or scam stories, I worry about the mc getting caught before accomplishing their goal. But in this story, I wasn’t invested in Ruth or Sol so I didn’t care. The book is getting great reviews so I may be an outlier. I was disappointed in this one but I would still look for future books by this author.
3.75 stars rounded up to 4.
Received an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 5, 2024
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
I love science fiction, and I love romance, but it's been hard for me to find a science fiction romance that hits the SF and the romance spot for me. The SF in Lady Eve's Last Con, like in many (most?) sci-fi romances, is primarily window dressing. That said, it's gorgeous window dressing: the logic of the universe holds together, there are no weird physics discrepancies, the new cultures of far future humanity make wonderful, messy, glorious sense. The MCs aren't out to save the universe; this is "cozy" worldbuilding.
At its heart, this is a confidence artist romance. Ruthi is in town ("town" = a satellite orbiting Pluto) to infiltrate high society, get a specific scion of corporate nobility to fall for her, and then take him for all he's worth. This isn't just a con, it's a revenge scheme: Esteban, said scion, was originally Ruthi and her sister Jules's mark on a luxury space liner. But Jules actually fell for him, and when he left her, she was left high and dry. So Ruthi not only wants his money, she wants to break his heart the way he broke Jules's. The only thing standing in her way is Esteban's sister, Sol. She not only thinks there's something fishy about "Evelyn Ojukwu," Sol is also inconveniently (for Ruthi's state of mind) hot.
Everything was just perfect about this book. The identity reveal happens at exactly the right spot. The character chemistry is off the charts. Sol and Ruthi's compatibility makes so much sense. Be prepared for a slooooooow burn; the book is on the longer side, but the pacing is so perfect it never feels too long. The book isn't closed door, but it's also not high heat. The sexual tension, though, is really well calibrated (Ruthi's got to make Esteban fall in love with her while also feeling nearly uncontrollable lust for Sol, and Fraimow never lets the reader forget it).
I really hope Fraimow returns to this universe in the future, but regardless of what she writes, I'll be reading it.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
I love science fiction, and I love romance, but it's been hard for me to find a science fiction romance that hits the SF and the romance spot for me. The SF in Lady Eve's Last Con, like in many (most?) sci-fi romances, is primarily window dressing. That said, it's gorgeous window dressing: the logic of the universe holds together, there are no weird physics discrepancies, the new cultures of far future humanity make wonderful, messy, glorious sense. The MCs aren't out to save the universe; this is "cozy" worldbuilding.
At its heart, this is a confidence artist romance. Ruthi is in town ("town" = a satellite orbiting Pluto) to infiltrate high society, get a specific scion of corporate nobility to fall for her, and then take him for all he's worth. This isn't just a con, it's a revenge scheme: Esteban, said scion, was originally Ruthi and her sister Jules's mark on a luxury space liner. But Jules actually fell for him, and when he left her, she was left high and dry. So Ruthi not only wants his money, she wants to break his heart the way he broke Jules's. The only thing standing in her way is Esteban's sister, Sol. She not only thinks there's something fishy about "Evelyn Ojukwu," Sol is also inconveniently (for Ruthi's state of mind) hot.
Everything was just perfect about this book. The identity reveal happens at exactly the right spot. The character chemistry is off the charts. Sol and Ruthi's compatibility makes so much sense. Be prepared for a slooooooow burn; the book is on the longer side, but the pacing is so perfect it never feels too long. The book isn't closed door, but it's also not high heat. The sexual tension, though, is really well calibrated (Ruthi's got to make Esteban fall in love with her while also feeling nearly uncontrollable lust for Sol, and Fraimow never lets the reader forget it).
I really hope Fraimow returns to this universe in the future, but regardless of what she writes, I'll be reading it.
This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.
June 24, 2024
Review originally on JamReadst
Lady Eve's Last Con is a romp sci-fi romcom novel, a delicious and fun proposal written by Rebecca Fraimow and published by Solaris. An ambitious con which ends taking more ramifications than it was expected, a candid romance, great worldbuilding and fully fleshed characters are the elements that make of this book a great read.
Ruth and Jules Johnson have been working as small-scope hustlers in an interstellar cruise for years; until Jules fell in love with Esteban Mendez-Yuki, one of their targets and heir to the Mendez-Yuki fortune. While it seemed a mutual relationship, when Jules reveals her identity to Esteban, he fled without more explanations.
Ruth is decided to get vengeance; disguised as Evelyn's Ojukwu, a debutante in the satellite New Monte, she will make Esteban fall in love with her, break his heart, and get the half of his fortune. However, what she didn't take into account was Esteban's sister, Sol, a brilliant and much harder to fool woman.
A con that was not easy to execute at the first time, but which still can become harder as Ruth starts falling in love with Sol, a sentiment that progressively become mutual; cold-hearted Ruth is getting melted by the impulsiveness of Sol. Her mind is still focused on procuring that fortune for her sister, but definitely, we can see how she progressively loses the rationality and the heart starts governing her decisions.
Fraimow expertly blends several genres in this novel, an explosive mix which is super enjoyable to read. From the humour and feelings of the rom-com, to some thriller elements related to a criminal subplot, and all spiced with a dash of sci-fi in the worldbuilding; I found myself laughing out loud, but at the same time super invested in Ruth and Sol, and suffering whenever they were struggling. The pacing is simply excellent, and all the relevant information is eventually revealed, keeping that layer of intrigue that hooks you into the plot.
Lady Eve's Last Con is, simply, an excellent sci-fi romcom, a really fun book which you will love if you are into flawed characters; personally I would love to return to this part of the universe, and maybe continue with the same characters, but it was a really satisfying reading. Read it if you want fun in your romantic sci-fi!
Lady Eve's Last Con is a romp sci-fi romcom novel, a delicious and fun proposal written by Rebecca Fraimow and published by Solaris. An ambitious con which ends taking more ramifications than it was expected, a candid romance, great worldbuilding and fully fleshed characters are the elements that make of this book a great read.
Ruth and Jules Johnson have been working as small-scope hustlers in an interstellar cruise for years; until Jules fell in love with Esteban Mendez-Yuki, one of their targets and heir to the Mendez-Yuki fortune. While it seemed a mutual relationship, when Jules reveals her identity to Esteban, he fled without more explanations.
Ruth is decided to get vengeance; disguised as Evelyn's Ojukwu, a debutante in the satellite New Monte, she will make Esteban fall in love with her, break his heart, and get the half of his fortune. However, what she didn't take into account was Esteban's sister, Sol, a brilliant and much harder to fool woman.
A con that was not easy to execute at the first time, but which still can become harder as Ruth starts falling in love with Sol, a sentiment that progressively become mutual; cold-hearted Ruth is getting melted by the impulsiveness of Sol. Her mind is still focused on procuring that fortune for her sister, but definitely, we can see how she progressively loses the rationality and the heart starts governing her decisions.
Fraimow expertly blends several genres in this novel, an explosive mix which is super enjoyable to read. From the humour and feelings of the rom-com, to some thriller elements related to a criminal subplot, and all spiced with a dash of sci-fi in the worldbuilding; I found myself laughing out loud, but at the same time super invested in Ruth and Sol, and suffering whenever they were struggling. The pacing is simply excellent, and all the relevant information is eventually revealed, keeping that layer of intrigue that hooks you into the plot.
Lady Eve's Last Con is, simply, an excellent sci-fi romcom, a really fun book which you will love if you are into flawed characters; personally I would love to return to this part of the universe, and maybe continue with the same characters, but it was a really satisfying reading. Read it if you want fun in your romantic sci-fi!
July 16, 2024
Extremely entertaining read from beginning to end, with lines like the following:
"It wasn’t so hard to get someone like Esteban to think that you were their romantic ideal; all you had to do was present an attractive outline and leave plenty of space, and they’d fill in the rest all by themselves." (4%)
"I’d given her plenty of time to put me back in my place; she’d be faster on the draw next time around. It’s a bad habit to let yourself get caught tongue-tied. Life’s too short for should-have-saids." (51%)
"I stuck my chin up, and tried to look like a person who was trying to look brave." (91%)
The main outcome of the novel is clear from the beginning, but getting there is a wild ride, and the twists and turns--and the deploying of the right people and moves at the right time--is excellent. Lots of super takedowns of the ultra rich of the spacefaring future.
I was also extremely relieved that the feature of romance novels that I detest (the dark moment, or as we call it in my family, the Hollywood betrayal)
There was one prediction I made that was totally wrong, but I was so wedded to it that I believed it was happening literally until the very end. The story was absolutely fine the way it went--if anything, the way it went allowed for more maturity on the part of one character, but as a consequence I had to completely rethink my approach to another character. Let me explain under a cut for those who've read the book, but the rest of you! Don't spoil yourselves!
"It wasn’t so hard to get someone like Esteban to think that you were their romantic ideal; all you had to do was present an attractive outline and leave plenty of space, and they’d fill in the rest all by themselves." (4%)
"I’d given her plenty of time to put me back in my place; she’d be faster on the draw next time around. It’s a bad habit to let yourself get caught tongue-tied. Life’s too short for should-have-saids." (51%)
"I stuck my chin up, and tried to look like a person who was trying to look brave." (91%)
The main outcome of the novel is clear from the beginning, but getting there is a wild ride, and the twists and turns--and the deploying of the right people and moves at the right time--is excellent. Lots of super takedowns of the ultra rich of the spacefaring future.
I was also extremely relieved that the feature of romance novels that I detest (the dark moment, or as we call it in my family, the Hollywood betrayal)
There was one prediction I made that was totally wrong, but I was so wedded to it that I believed it was happening literally until the very end. The story was absolutely fine the way it went--if anything, the way it went allowed for more maturity on the part of one character, but as a consequence I had to completely rethink my approach to another character. Let me explain under a cut for those who've read the book, but the rest of you! Don't spoil yourselves!
July 18, 2024
3.5 but like, a very affectionate 3.5
July 9, 2024
lighthearted and fast-paced with a diverse and interesting cast of characters. The romance was my favourite part of it but i also enjoyed Ruth’s relationship with her sister. Although I wish it was more angsty??? especially when it comes to Jules and Ruth …. I felt like they resolved their “problems” quite fast and more smoothly than i hoped they would ? However, this was a decent read, i would definitely check this author’s future lesbian books.
February 19, 2024
I cannot say enough about how fun, exciting, sexy and downright GOOD this novel is. With fascinating worldbuilding that blends futuristic technology with 1920s flapper aesthetics, it's sci fi like you've never seen. Also perfect for fans of Becky Chambers. Its main characters are so extra and so gay and so fantastic. Recommend this so highly! It had me delighted from page 1.
March 3, 2024
Everything of Rebecca Fraimow's that I've had the pleasure to read has worked for me, from short stories to novelette to novella, so I had high expectations going into this one and it did not disappoint.
It's a rollicking good art deco space opera on a lovely intimate scale. A small-time conwoman from a hardscrabble background infiltrates the upper crust of a rich planet for money, revenge, and--most importantly--love of her sister. She's very, very good at what she does, but of course things get complicated when she starts to develop feelings for a very inconvenient person.
This is an established kind of plot that depends entirely on style and characterization to work. Because it's Fraimow, it has both. The worldbuilding is fun and colorful with loads of delightful details, and our main characters are lovable with just enough rough edges to lend some weight to what might have been pure fluff.
There's a ton going on here that I love: identity porn, protective older siblings, hot girls on motorcycles, plotting, disasters in zero-gravity, fashion, kosher ducks, and a compelling central romance.
From here on I'm going to get into some thematic spoilers, so read no further if you want to avoid those.
***spoilers below***
The whole thing works because our lead is the perfect mix of justified and wrong. We get why she's doing what she's doing, we understand how she's justifying it to herself, and we understand how a person with her background and experiences would come to this place. Thankfully, the reasons she's wrong are less "it's bad to con rich people" (is it, though?) and more "sometimes you have to let your little sister grow up." I love a storyline about codependent siblings learning how to be less codependent while still loving each other, and that's what's going on here: Ruthi has spent her whole life protecting her sister, and she was right to do that, but she has to come to terms with the fact that "protecting" and "controlling" often end up being the same thing, and once your sister is an adult, too, you have to relinquish your desire for control.
As for the main romance, I'm a hard sell for romances. I love them when they work for me, but 90% of the time they do nothing for me. This one works: I believe that these two people like and admire each other, that they could make a go of it in the future. Fraimow also understands that nothing is more romantic than actually being able to trust someone, and it takes real skill to make me as a reader believe that Ruthi and Sol *can* trust each other despite the layers of deception. I buy that these are two people from different backgrounds who sense a commonality of soul and really *want* to be honest with each other.
All in all, a very fun time. I can't wait to see what Fraimow publishes next! (No pressure, Becca!)
It's a rollicking good art deco space opera on a lovely intimate scale. A small-time conwoman from a hardscrabble background infiltrates the upper crust of a rich planet for money, revenge, and--most importantly--love of her sister. She's very, very good at what she does, but of course things get complicated when she starts to develop feelings for a very inconvenient person.
This is an established kind of plot that depends entirely on style and characterization to work. Because it's Fraimow, it has both. The worldbuilding is fun and colorful with loads of delightful details, and our main characters are lovable with just enough rough edges to lend some weight to what might have been pure fluff.
There's a ton going on here that I love: identity porn, protective older siblings, hot girls on motorcycles, plotting, disasters in zero-gravity, fashion, kosher ducks, and a compelling central romance.
From here on I'm going to get into some thematic spoilers, so read no further if you want to avoid those.
***spoilers below***
The whole thing works because our lead is the perfect mix of justified and wrong. We get why she's doing what she's doing, we understand how she's justifying it to herself, and we understand how a person with her background and experiences would come to this place. Thankfully, the reasons she's wrong are less "it's bad to con rich people" (is it, though?) and more "sometimes you have to let your little sister grow up." I love a storyline about codependent siblings learning how to be less codependent while still loving each other, and that's what's going on here: Ruthi has spent her whole life protecting her sister, and she was right to do that, but she has to come to terms with the fact that "protecting" and "controlling" often end up being the same thing, and once your sister is an adult, too, you have to relinquish your desire for control.
As for the main romance, I'm a hard sell for romances. I love them when they work for me, but 90% of the time they do nothing for me. This one works: I believe that these two people like and admire each other, that they could make a go of it in the future. Fraimow also understands that nothing is more romantic than actually being able to trust someone, and it takes real skill to make me as a reader believe that Ruthi and Sol *can* trust each other despite the layers of deception. I buy that these are two people from different backgrounds who sense a commonality of soul and really *want* to be honest with each other.
All in all, a very fun time. I can't wait to see what Fraimow publishes next! (No pressure, Becca!)
June 20, 2024
Older Sister (subtype: small-time con artist)/Older Sister (subtype: dashing, lovable rogue) is the ship I didn't know I was missing in my life. This book SPARKLES with wit and warmth - such a fun, engaging, big-hearted adventure, with two deeply compelling characters at its centre.
June 26, 2024
A sapphic space sci-fi, with vibes of the roaring 20's and Great Gatsby, Lady Eve's Last Con is all kinds of fun and an utter delight to read. It's witty, cosy and utterly endearing.
If you loved Becky Chambers' Wayfarer series, this is a read I'd highly recommend.
If you loved Becky Chambers' Wayfarer series, this is a read I'd highly recommend.
July 15, 2024
This was a lot of fun. A con (rather than heist) novel, set on a satellite in space, where Ruthi/Evelyn tries to get revenge on Esteban (rich, clueless) who got her sister pregnant while on a interstellar cruise and abandonded her. Ruthi's plan: masquerade as Evelyn Ojukwu, rural-planet debutante, seduce him, get engaged, get him to break the engagement, and accept a hefty payout that will take care of her sister and the baby. And then Sol, Esteban's gloriously suave and sexy half-sister turns up and complicates Ruthi's plan. A lot. Because Ruthi thinks Sol is hot. And Sol is in trouble with the mob.
It just got a *lot* more complicated.
Think of this as a Sapphic version of one of my favorite screwball comedies (The Lady Eve, 1941, written by Preston Sturges and Starring Barbara Stanwyk and Henry Fonda); I assume the reference is intentional.
A fabulous romp that is tied up in the most satisfactory manner. You root for Ruthi and Sol the whole way.
Definitely recommended.
It just got a *lot* more complicated.
Think of this as a Sapphic version of one of my favorite screwball comedies (The Lady Eve, 1941, written by Preston Sturges and Starring Barbara Stanwyk and Henry Fonda); I assume the reference is intentional.
A fabulous romp that is tied up in the most satisfactory manner. You root for Ruthi and Sol the whole way.
Definitely recommended.
March 26, 2024
Lady Eve’s Last Con is a fun, lighthearted sapphic romance, between Ruth, a con artist and Sol, the sister of the guy Ruth is out to scam.
I really enjoyed the setting here! It never gets bogged down on hardcore sci-fi details but it still feels well established. It was also a pleasant surprise to see how the logistics of observing the Sabbath would work during space travel be something of a plot point.
I do think this was one of those genre blends were it ends up less than the sum of its parts, though. I wanted more cool heist stuff, but felt like we were spending a lot of time with the budding attraction. But anytime I was like, okay this is a romance, we would go back to the most boring part of the heist! (Pretending to find a very dull man utterly captivating)
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the setting here! It never gets bogged down on hardcore sci-fi details but it still feels well established. It was also a pleasant surprise to see how the logistics of observing the Sabbath would work during space travel be something of a plot point.
I do think this was one of those genre blends were it ends up less than the sum of its parts, though. I wanted more cool heist stuff, but felt like we were spending a lot of time with the budding attraction. But anytime I was like, okay this is a romance, we would go back to the most boring part of the heist! (Pretending to find a very dull man utterly captivating)
I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 14, 2024
Genre: sci-fi romance
Ruthi Johnson is a woman on a mission. She and her sister are con artists, and on their last big con on a luxury starliner, Jules falls hard for their target, and unfortunately things go sideways fast. Unfortunately for Estaben Mendez-Yuki, that is. Ruthi plans to con this heir to his family fortune out of as much money as possible. Donning the identity of provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukwu, Ruthi makes a splash in New Monte trying to impress Estaben, and instead catches the eye of his sister Sol, a lady rake with the brains, beauty, and poise to stop hearts, including Ruthi’s.
A genre mashup of science fiction, romance, and screwball comedy, Lady Eve’s Last Con is witty and humorous. In her own words, Fraimow is looking for the spaces between the margins of the genres to find the interesting moments, tropes, and plot points recognizable to genre fiction fans but truly unique in execution. There are points of reflection throughout informed by diasporic Jewish identity and religion, queer normativity, and commentary on excess consumerism. For me, successful science fiction is a commentary on society (now and in the future), and Fraimow uses her reflection points to support a wildly funny and unputdownable romantic screwball comedy love story.
One of my favorite things about picking up any romance is the way an author navigates the HEA. The best thing about setting one 200-300 years in the future is that the social rules are different - and so are the people - but human nature doesn’t ever fully change, and Fraimow gives us a sapphic romance that not only suits her characters but feels real and attainable to 21st century readers, too.
Lady Eve is informed by classic works of science fiction, different historical eras - though predominantly 19th and early 20th century because all human trends go through cycles - and the glimpses of worldbuilding are enough to spark the imagination but not bog down the writing. It’s zany and fun, with the appropriate level of conning, grifting, and heisting to keep the plot moving at all times.
I had the pleasure of hearing Rebecca Fraimow speak about this book last night, and it was clear she had a lot of fun writing it, and readers will have a fun time reading it.
Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for an eARC for review. Lady Eve’s Last Con is out now!
Ruthi Johnson is a woman on a mission. She and her sister are con artists, and on their last big con on a luxury starliner, Jules falls hard for their target, and unfortunately things go sideways fast. Unfortunately for Estaben Mendez-Yuki, that is. Ruthi plans to con this heir to his family fortune out of as much money as possible. Donning the identity of provincial debutante Evelyn Ojukwu, Ruthi makes a splash in New Monte trying to impress Estaben, and instead catches the eye of his sister Sol, a lady rake with the brains, beauty, and poise to stop hearts, including Ruthi’s.
A genre mashup of science fiction, romance, and screwball comedy, Lady Eve’s Last Con is witty and humorous. In her own words, Fraimow is looking for the spaces between the margins of the genres to find the interesting moments, tropes, and plot points recognizable to genre fiction fans but truly unique in execution. There are points of reflection throughout informed by diasporic Jewish identity and religion, queer normativity, and commentary on excess consumerism. For me, successful science fiction is a commentary on society (now and in the future), and Fraimow uses her reflection points to support a wildly funny and unputdownable romantic screwball comedy love story.
One of my favorite things about picking up any romance is the way an author navigates the HEA. The best thing about setting one 200-300 years in the future is that the social rules are different - and so are the people - but human nature doesn’t ever fully change, and Fraimow gives us a sapphic romance that not only suits her characters but feels real and attainable to 21st century readers, too.
Lady Eve is informed by classic works of science fiction, different historical eras - though predominantly 19th and early 20th century because all human trends go through cycles - and the glimpses of worldbuilding are enough to spark the imagination but not bog down the writing. It’s zany and fun, with the appropriate level of conning, grifting, and heisting to keep the plot moving at all times.
I had the pleasure of hearing Rebecca Fraimow speak about this book last night, and it was clear she had a lot of fun writing it, and readers will have a fun time reading it.
Thank you to Solaris and NetGalley for an eARC for review. Lady Eve’s Last Con is out now!
July 22, 2024
This was just so much fun! A space-1920s con artist caper with lots of hijinks and rich people throwing lavish parties! Stayed in its lane as a comedy without getting too deep into world building, but what was there felt solid and real despite the wackiness.
July 5, 2024
Ruth sets out to scam a rich man for his money but ends up flirting with his sister. Delightful, with some fun science fiction setting flourishes.
April 1, 2024
*I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks for the free book!*
"Lady Eve's Last Con" was a very fun and entertaining read, especially the beginning was Pride & Prejudice revenge in space, where Elizabeth (Eve) wants to avenge how her sister has been treated by a rich dude and then ends up falling for his sister. Loved the queer twist too.
Sadly the world building and the story in parts did not make a lot of sense, tons of plotholes, the ending was rushed and over engineered, that kinda marred my enjoyment a bit.
I'll still give four stars because the vibe was impeccable and I just enjoyed being in this world!
"Lady Eve's Last Con" was a very fun and entertaining read, especially the beginning was Pride & Prejudice revenge in space, where Elizabeth (Eve) wants to avenge how her sister has been treated by a rich dude and then ends up falling for his sister. Loved the queer twist too.
Sadly the world building and the story in parts did not make a lot of sense, tons of plotholes, the ending was rushed and over engineered, that kinda marred my enjoyment a bit.
I'll still give four stars because the vibe was impeccable and I just enjoyed being in this world!
February 19, 2024
This was super interesting. I loved the focus on the sisters, and the romance between the leads was filled with whipsmart banter, which I LOVED. Sapphic enemies to lovers is always a win in my books.
There were pacing issues for me, but I found it hard to tell if this an objective issue, or an "I am struggling with sci-fi terminology and words" personal problem, hence why I rounded it to a 4 rather than 3.5.
I found a lot of the worldbuilding very cool, and the visual descriptions were perfectly done, I could picture everything so well, and it combined a lot of really fun elements.
There were pacing issues for me, but I found it hard to tell if this an objective issue, or an "I am struggling with sci-fi terminology and words" personal problem, hence why I rounded it to a 4 rather than 3.5.
I found a lot of the worldbuilding very cool, and the visual descriptions were perfectly done, I could picture everything so well, and it combined a lot of really fun elements.
April 20, 2024
it started off strong but the plot lost me throughout the book.
i still very much enjoyed this story. it dove into a sci-fi topic which i have never read a bout before but it was really well done and the sci-fi terms weren’t hard to understand.
i also enjoyed the sapphic romance part of the book.
all in all a very enjoyable story.
i still very much enjoyed this story. it dove into a sci-fi topic which i have never read a bout before but it was really well done and the sci-fi terms weren’t hard to understand.
i also enjoyed the sapphic romance part of the book.
all in all a very enjoyable story.
Read
April 19, 2024This review first appeared on my blog BookishlyJewish
A quick perusal of publishing deal announcements will show you that there are basically two types of fiction books: those described as “lyrical” vs. those described as “voice-y." It’s a fairly decent stand in for picking out the literary books from the genre. I enjoy both varieties, but skills wise, I’m pretty fairly entrenched in the “voice” camp. Plus, as a reader I find them compulsively fun. Which is why I practically inhaled Rebecca Fraimow’s adult sci fi Lady Eve's Last Con
I’ve enjoyed Fraimow's short stories before, because they are often the delicious form of bizarre that makes my heart sing (robot nuns anyone?) and sometimes come paired with queer Jewish representation. In this longer piece we meet Ruthi, a con artist looking to pull a scam on the billionaire that knocked her sister up and dumped her. That's all well and good, except the young man in question has a big sister named Sol that is hot on Ruthi’s tail and has some shady dealings of her own that keep complicating matters.
Within two sentences I was completely immersed in both Ruthi's world and knew exactly who and what she was. This is no small feat, as Lady Eve's Last Con has a tremendous amount of world building - imagine a space age Bridgerton - yet by carefully selecting Ruthi's words, Fraimow allows the reader to grasp it all seamlessly. By the time Sol, a veritable lady killer in her own right, shows up I was having a debate with myself about whether I wanted to be Ruthi or be with her. Sol cleared that up - all the girls want to be with Sol. Including Ruthi, which presents a bit of a challenge to the whole conning Sol's brother plan.
The book has a delightful sense of humor, exceptionally witty banter, but mostly the best love interest I’ve seen in a very long time. And lest I miss out on any of my favored bizarre factor - kosher duck plays a crucial plot point.
I’ll admit that my reading and writing favor high heat romance. But sometimes watching two extremely clever individuals circle each other, almost but not quite bringing their flirtation to fruition, has its own benefits. Namely a sex scene at the end that can only be described as explosive. Maybe sometimes good things do come to those that wait. Plus, given the speed with which I read this book, I didn’t have to wait all that long.
The ways in which I fell in love with these characters are numerous, but it was all made possible by Ruthi's unique voice. She’s possibly the most distinct character voice I have read this year. I could pick up a random page, out of context, and know instantly that it came from Lady Eve. It’s aspirational, and swoony, and I hope to see more bizarre shenanigan books soon from Fraimow.
Note: BookishlyJewish received a free e-ARC of this book through NetGalley
A quick perusal of publishing deal announcements will show you that there are basically two types of fiction books: those described as “lyrical” vs. those described as “voice-y." It’s a fairly decent stand in for picking out the literary books from the genre. I enjoy both varieties, but skills wise, I’m pretty fairly entrenched in the “voice” camp. Plus, as a reader I find them compulsively fun. Which is why I practically inhaled Rebecca Fraimow’s adult sci fi Lady Eve's Last Con
I’ve enjoyed Fraimow's short stories before, because they are often the delicious form of bizarre that makes my heart sing (robot nuns anyone?) and sometimes come paired with queer Jewish representation. In this longer piece we meet Ruthi, a con artist looking to pull a scam on the billionaire that knocked her sister up and dumped her. That's all well and good, except the young man in question has a big sister named Sol that is hot on Ruthi’s tail and has some shady dealings of her own that keep complicating matters.
Within two sentences I was completely immersed in both Ruthi's world and knew exactly who and what she was. This is no small feat, as Lady Eve's Last Con has a tremendous amount of world building - imagine a space age Bridgerton - yet by carefully selecting Ruthi's words, Fraimow allows the reader to grasp it all seamlessly. By the time Sol, a veritable lady killer in her own right, shows up I was having a debate with myself about whether I wanted to be Ruthi or be with her. Sol cleared that up - all the girls want to be with Sol. Including Ruthi, which presents a bit of a challenge to the whole conning Sol's brother plan.
The book has a delightful sense of humor, exceptionally witty banter, but mostly the best love interest I’ve seen in a very long time. And lest I miss out on any of my favored bizarre factor - kosher duck plays a crucial plot point.
I’ll admit that my reading and writing favor high heat romance. But sometimes watching two extremely clever individuals circle each other, almost but not quite bringing their flirtation to fruition, has its own benefits. Namely a sex scene at the end that can only be described as explosive. Maybe sometimes good things do come to those that wait. Plus, given the speed with which I read this book, I didn’t have to wait all that long.
The ways in which I fell in love with these characters are numerous, but it was all made possible by Ruthi's unique voice. She’s possibly the most distinct character voice I have read this year. I could pick up a random page, out of context, and know instantly that it came from Lady Eve. It’s aspirational, and swoony, and I hope to see more bizarre shenanigan books soon from Fraimow.
Note: BookishlyJewish received a free e-ARC of this book through NetGalley
May 25, 2024
Lady Eve's Last Con is a sapphic sci-fi rom-com and one that really had me intrigued from the start! Con-woman Ruthi Johnson is masquerading as a young debutante to con the man who broke her sister's heart - she plans to make him fall in love with, break is heart in return and run off with half of his fortune. What she hasn't accounted for, is her target's charming sister, Sol, who seems to see through her right from the start and she somehow finds herself gravitating towards! And when some dangerous figures she knows from her past enter the scene, she also struggles to stay out of the way...
This was such an enjoyable read! I haven't read huge amounts of sci-fi yet, but loved all the explanations about life in space and other planets. There is a scene on a beach, where the MC takes a moment to reflect on how scientists have managed to make a beach work on a satellite with supposedly no gravity - I found all these details so interesting. It made for such great world-building!
The main characters are excellent - Ruthie (/Evelyn) is a planner and an expert at her job. She knows she is unlikely to fail and takes pride in her skills. Sol is a brilliant businesswoman and has a clever mind that helps her scope out trouble around her - well, except when it accidentally leads her into a huge problem she has to deal with throughout the book. The relationship between the two is so well developed, with tension, banter, heated scenes, some yearning and all the chemistry. I kept hoping they'd let go of their resolve to stay away from each other, because gosh are they good together!! The relationship with their families was also interesting to explore (in the present or through memories), and it was clearly a huge driver for both of the women's actions. I also loved that they are both in their late twenties, around my age!
The author's writing was really enjoyable. Although the pacing was a little slow at times and some events felt a bit repetitive in the middle, it remained interesting and really had me wanting to know more. I loved how things were wrapped up at the end, following many cool twists of events and daring plans!
What to expect?
🪐 interesting world-building
💸 con-woman disguised as a debutante
🏳️🌈 sapphic romance
🛵 love-interest with a hovering motorbike
⚠️ lurking danger
💭 1st person POV, late-twenties MC
This was such an enjoyable read! I haven't read huge amounts of sci-fi yet, but loved all the explanations about life in space and other planets. There is a scene on a beach, where the MC takes a moment to reflect on how scientists have managed to make a beach work on a satellite with supposedly no gravity - I found all these details so interesting. It made for such great world-building!
The main characters are excellent - Ruthie (/Evelyn) is a planner and an expert at her job. She knows she is unlikely to fail and takes pride in her skills. Sol is a brilliant businesswoman and has a clever mind that helps her scope out trouble around her - well, except when it accidentally leads her into a huge problem she has to deal with throughout the book. The relationship between the two is so well developed, with tension, banter, heated scenes, some yearning and all the chemistry. I kept hoping they'd let go of their resolve to stay away from each other, because gosh are they good together!! The relationship with their families was also interesting to explore (in the present or through memories), and it was clearly a huge driver for both of the women's actions. I also loved that they are both in their late twenties, around my age!
The author's writing was really enjoyable. Although the pacing was a little slow at times and some events felt a bit repetitive in the middle, it remained interesting and really had me wanting to know more. I loved how things were wrapped up at the end, following many cool twists of events and daring plans!
What to expect?
🪐 interesting world-building
💸 con-woman disguised as a debutante
🏳️🌈 sapphic romance
🛵 love-interest with a hovering motorbike
⚠️ lurking danger
💭 1st person POV, late-twenties MC
March 2, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really fun sci-fi romance with a lot of flair.
The world-building of this book was familiar with some fairly unique elements. It does involve a far future setting where humanity has become a space-faring civilization, but not one completely removed from current-day practices, prejudices and culture. In fact, capitalistic class issues have intensified so much in this future, that among the rich, some practices/culture of the Gilded Age have been reinstated. The aesthetics of that era, combined with science fiction aspects were not only window dressing but were integrated deftly into the plot.
The plot of this book was very charming with its fair share of quirky elements, but also had rather fun twists. You probably don't expect the transport of Kosher ducks and the like to be key to a science fiction book, so prepare to be surprised and amused.
The cast of characters were all flawed but well fleshed out. Ruth is such an entertaining protagonist and her push-and-pull relationship with Sol was just lovely. I really enjoyed the arc of their romance and how it played out. Even people with masks galore sometimes need someone to see them as they truly are. The familial dynamics were also interesting to read and had a lot of depth.
The ending of the book was somewhat open-ended and perhaps a little abrupt. The climax also could have been more heightened than it ended up being. It doesn't quite resolve every issue brought up. I am not sure whether that was to keep it open for a sequel or not, but either way, the book is still quite entertaining as it is.
Overall, Lady Eve's Last Con is a charming read with a lot of heart involving space travel, glitzy balls, daring rescues at the opera, space mobsters, class commentary, complicated cons, and a whole lot more. If stylistic science fiction or romance is your thing, I'd highly recommend picking this up.
This was a really fun sci-fi romance with a lot of flair.
The world-building of this book was familiar with some fairly unique elements. It does involve a far future setting where humanity has become a space-faring civilization, but not one completely removed from current-day practices, prejudices and culture. In fact, capitalistic class issues have intensified so much in this future, that among the rich, some practices/culture of the Gilded Age have been reinstated. The aesthetics of that era, combined with science fiction aspects were not only window dressing but were integrated deftly into the plot.
The plot of this book was very charming with its fair share of quirky elements, but also had rather fun twists. You probably don't expect the transport of Kosher ducks and the like to be key to a science fiction book, so prepare to be surprised and amused.
The cast of characters were all flawed but well fleshed out. Ruth is such an entertaining protagonist and her push-and-pull relationship with Sol was just lovely. I really enjoyed the arc of their romance and how it played out. Even people with masks galore sometimes need someone to see them as they truly are. The familial dynamics were also interesting to read and had a lot of depth.
The ending of the book was somewhat open-ended and perhaps a little abrupt. The climax also could have been more heightened than it ended up being. It doesn't quite resolve every issue brought up. I am not sure whether that was to keep it open for a sequel or not, but either way, the book is still quite entertaining as it is.
Overall, Lady Eve's Last Con is a charming read with a lot of heart involving space travel, glitzy balls, daring rescues at the opera, space mobsters, class commentary, complicated cons, and a whole lot more. If stylistic science fiction or romance is your thing, I'd highly recommend picking this up.
April 27, 2024
Ruthi Johnson has a plan. An experienced con woman, she is going to charm Esteban, the wealthy insurance heir who knocked up and ditched her sister. Once the betrothal contract is signed, she’ll be able to take off with a good chunk of money for her sister and future niece, as well as leaving the asshole publicly humiliated.
The complication is the mark’s sister Sol, who is immediately suspicious of this supposed heiress from a remote colony world. She is also attractive and charming, and a crush is a whole other complication Ruthi wasn’t counting on.
Things get even more tangled when Ruthi finds out Sol is in debt to the mob - and the mobster on hand is an old acquaintance of Ruthi’s. He’s got no problem with her running her own game, so long as she stays out of the mob’s business. But he would appreciate it greatly if she used her in with the family to do him a trifling favor or two…
This is a fun romp with clever people outsmarting other clever people in a world of glitz & glamor. I love a con story, and this is a good one. Ruthi is caught between many opposing forces - her desire to get comeuppance for her sister; her desire to protect Sol from the mob; her desire to avoid drawing the ire of the mob herself, as they generally don’t like people telling them “no;” her worries over being so far from her pregnant sister.
The atmosphere has a distinct Roaring Twenties/Art Deco vibe, which the cover strongly reinforces. It’s fun, it’s filled with twists, and it’s spicy. Great entertainment.
My blog
The complication is the mark’s sister Sol, who is immediately suspicious of this supposed heiress from a remote colony world. She is also attractive and charming, and a crush is a whole other complication Ruthi wasn’t counting on.
Things get even more tangled when Ruthi finds out Sol is in debt to the mob - and the mobster on hand is an old acquaintance of Ruthi’s. He’s got no problem with her running her own game, so long as she stays out of the mob’s business. But he would appreciate it greatly if she used her in with the family to do him a trifling favor or two…
This is a fun romp with clever people outsmarting other clever people in a world of glitz & glamor. I love a con story, and this is a good one. Ruthi is caught between many opposing forces - her desire to get comeuppance for her sister; her desire to protect Sol from the mob; her desire to avoid drawing the ire of the mob herself, as they generally don’t like people telling them “no;” her worries over being so far from her pregnant sister.
The atmosphere has a distinct Roaring Twenties/Art Deco vibe, which the cover strongly reinforces. It’s fun, it’s filled with twists, and it’s spicy. Great entertainment.
My blog
July 4, 2024
I read this in one effervescent gulp on a long plane flight. It was a daytime flight, so I had to stay awake for my own good, and Lady Eve's Last Con kept me from noticing that I had been awake for 24+ hours. A heist novel, a comedy of manners, and a romance all rolled up into one gilded outer-space confection like some kind of literary gougère, perfect for reading in one bite and not too sweet. A minor con artist in the throes of separation anxiety sets out (unasked!) to revenge herself on the wealthy cad who abandoned and impregnated her little sister through the most convoluted identity-cum-marriage hornswoggle ever devised. Unfortunately, this brings her into unexpected contact with some other, concurrent, far more life-and-death hornswoggles afoot on the glamorous Space!Art Deco station… and said cad's alluring and suspicious sister, Hot Butch Tuxedo Mask! How will our plucky main character get out of her predicament, and possibly into HBTM? With heaps of style, a genuinely touching story of personal growth, and a venture into outer-space kashrut law which made me guffaw from my middle seat and tied the whole glorious romp together in its combination of absurdity and sincerity.
February 19, 2024
This is just CHARMING AS HELL!! I’m going to have to come back later with more thoughts, because right now, all I’ve got is !!!! 😍😍😍😍😍
OK, now that I've slept on this book, please allow me to tell you why this book is the bee's knees! Part of the plot of this is a heist of sorts, REVOLVING AROUND KOSHER DUCK IMPORTATION. Like. I just. My people living their best Jewish lives in the future, having ALL of the opinions on transporting meat across galaxies on Shabbat! Gosh that is the BEST subtle bit of world building. But also the relationship between Sol and Ruthie slayed me. I'm just such a sucker for "I don't know who I am without my persona, so I'm going to let my guard down around you to remind myself of the truth" in a romance, but I don't know if I've ever seen it done in conjunction with a con artist and one of the people being conned before. Gosh, that level of shared intimacy is SO GOOD FOR ME! Also the exploration of class and how it impacts how you can move in the world just made me SWOON. Y'all, I will be rereading this book for AGES, it is an absolute DELIGHT.
(This is a review of an advanced copy given to me freely in exchange for an honest review.)
OK, now that I've slept on this book, please allow me to tell you why this book is the bee's knees! Part of the plot of this is a heist of sorts, REVOLVING AROUND KOSHER DUCK IMPORTATION. Like. I just. My people living their best Jewish lives in the future, having ALL of the opinions on transporting meat across galaxies on Shabbat! Gosh that is the BEST subtle bit of world building. But also the relationship between Sol and Ruthie slayed me. I'm just such a sucker for "I don't know who I am without my persona, so I'm going to let my guard down around you to remind myself of the truth" in a romance, but I don't know if I've ever seen it done in conjunction with a con artist and one of the people being conned before. Gosh, that level of shared intimacy is SO GOOD FOR ME! Also the exploration of class and how it impacts how you can move in the world just made me SWOON. Y'all, I will be rereading this book for AGES, it is an absolute DELIGHT.
(This is a review of an advanced copy given to me freely in exchange for an honest review.)
March 2, 2024
Lady Eve's Last Con by Rebecca Fraimow is an absolute scream and I loved every second, I mean, kosher duck smuggling in space?? Glorious!
Rebecca Fraimow writes razor sharp repartee and is an astute architect of world building. Character development is on point and oh my life if I am not left bereft and wanting more! (but with an ambiguous open ending, ,there is oh so much potential for a rollicking series here!)
Oh my crikey, never in my wildest could I have ever imagined something like this and furthermore, something so out of this world! (Literally and figuratively). The thing is, I was thinking, is it a cosy mystery? An adventure? Nono, I can't pigeonhole it as it is a genre buster, straddling (with grace) comedy, sci-fi, contemporary romance, satire and so much more!
Very, very well written, great narrative, excellent dialogue. An utter gem of a book and so much fun!
Thank you to Netgalley,Solaris and the author Rebecca Fraimow for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Rebecca Fraimow writes razor sharp repartee and is an astute architect of world building. Character development is on point and oh my life if I am not left bereft and wanting more! (but with an ambiguous open ending, ,there is oh so much potential for a rollicking series here!)
Oh my crikey, never in my wildest could I have ever imagined something like this and furthermore, something so out of this world! (Literally and figuratively). The thing is, I was thinking, is it a cosy mystery? An adventure? Nono, I can't pigeonhole it as it is a genre buster, straddling (with grace) comedy, sci-fi, contemporary romance, satire and so much more!
Very, very well written, great narrative, excellent dialogue. An utter gem of a book and so much fun!
Thank you to Netgalley,Solaris and the author Rebecca Fraimow for this fascinating ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
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