Review: Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Title: Stealing Heaven
Hardcover, 320 pages
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Publisher: Harper Teen
Publication Date: June 1, 2008
Source: Library
Buy: Amazon
Book Summary:
Eighteen-year-old Dani grows weary of her life as a thief when she and her mother move to a town where Dani feels like she can put down roots.
Review:
When it comes to Elizabeth Scott books, I know that I don’t need to read the plot summary to be interested in the book – the author is enough. Because of this, I was completely caught off guard by Stealing Heaven.
A book with stealing in the name can obviously mean physical theft (as in money from a gas station or jewelry from a house) or something more metaphoric (making a new town your home, or as I assumed in this case, being so happy that you are ‘stealing heaven’). The cover of the book doesn’t help you decide which is true, either – the fun bright stripes kind of lead you to believe it will be a story about a girl finding happiness.
And it is.. in a way. But the bigger plot line is that a mother and daughter are thieves – in the physical way. They move to different cities, plan burglaries, and then move on. The burglary in this particular book centers around a city called Heaven, hence the name “Stealing Heaven.” (Do we all get it now?)
I loved Stealing Heaven. We see the story through the eyes of the daughter, who questions the morals of her mother, discovers things about her past, and strives to move forward to become a better person – which isn’t the easiest thing when your mother is intent on stealing. The complex relationship of mother and daughter is what makes this book what it is – it is not a daughter detached from her family because she doesn’t believe in what they do – rather, it is an examination of what holds them close and why it’s so hard to break free.
I experienced many emotions while reading Stealing Heaven – heartbreak, anticipation, anxiousness. Love. Hope. I loved the relationships that were formed and the lessons that were learned (and not learned). This is my favorite Elizabeth Scott book so far!
Buy: Amazon
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I absolutely adored this book. This and Perfect You are my favorite Elizabeth Scott books. Great review!
I have Perfect You but haven’t read it yet – maybe it will be my next! I have been saving it so that I’m not all out of Scott books to read
Guess what… I’ve never read an Elizabeth Scott book. If Stealing Heaven is your favorite, maybe I’ll start here! Did you ever see the movie Heartbreakers? Your review just reminded me of it! It was about a mother-daughter con team and the events that finally made them want to “go straight.”
I have not! I’m not big into movies usually unless they are Harry Potter or Batman. My husband is the one to suggest that we see the rest – maybe I’ll check it out on Netflix!
Wonderful review. I’ve never ready anything by Elizabeth Scott before but I’ve heard that here books are very good.
Oh yes, Elizabeth Scott is a favorite author of many. She has books across the spectrum too – some more serious, some more about romance, some about family, etc!
Never heard of this book and it sounds really good!
Great review.
Natalie :0)
Thanks Natalie
I hadn’t heard much about it before I read it, either! Was pleasantly surprised.
Great review!
I LOVE this book! One of the first books I ever read by Elizabeth Scott and one of my 2010 favorites!
Besides my review (which was posted back in March) I never saw any other review on this book!
One of your 2010 favorites?!? Wow! I hadn’t thought about that when I read it but it actually might be a contender. I haven’t seen many reviews for it, either! Very weird.
this is my fave elizabeth scott – so glad you loved it and gave it an amazing review!
i love all her books but this one just made me ache and hold my breath
x
I agree, the emotion I got from this one was a lot different than I got for her other books that I’ve read. Though Living Dead Girl was probably the most intense – the family dynamics in this one are killer.
Twitter: oodlesofbooks
Wow, this sounds like a fun read! Great review
Thanks Miss Cindy! Hope you’re able to pick it up sometime!
This book sounds really really good!
I can always count on you to add to my TBR pile! LOL
lol I hope I’m not steering you wrong at least! I saw you read Hex Hall and liked it
Great review! This is my favorite Elizabeth Scott book as well- I love it!
Thanks! I think this one doesn’t get mentioned as much as her others, but I hope people still pick it up!