Perfect Scoundrels

Goodreads Summary:
Katarina Bishop and W.W. Hale the fifth were born to lead completely different lives: Kat comes from a long, proud line of loveable criminal masterminds, while Hale is the scion of one of the most seemingly perfect dynasties in the world. If their families have one thing in common, it's that they both know how to stay under the radar while getting-or stealing-whatever they want. No matter the risk, the Bishops can always be counted on, but in Hale's family, all bets are off when money is on the line. When Hale unexpectedly inherits his grandmother's billion dollar corporation, he quickly learns that there's no place for Kat and their old heists in his new role. But Kat won't let him go that easily, especially after she gets tipped off that his grandmother's will might have been altered in an elaborate con to steal the company's fortune. So instead of being the heir-this time, Hale might be the mark. Forced to keep a level head as she and her crew fight for one of their own, Kat comes up with an ambitious and far-reaching plan that only the Bishop family would dare attempt. To pull it off, Kat is prepared to do the impossible, but first, she has to decide if she's willing to save her boyfriend's company if it means losing the boy. 

Title: Perfect Scoundrels
Author: Ally Carter
Released: February 5th 2013
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
I love Ally Carter's series. While intended for younger audiences, I have always found her books witty, eventful, and a great representation of heroine's that respect themselves and those around them. Perfect role model characters. With how much I love her stories, I wish I could give this book more stars, but I found myself getting lackadaisical about 85% of the way through. I thought I was only halfway (I read the ebook and I wasn't paying attention to the total page number) and I just had to take a break from this story for a day. When I picked it back up, there was only 30 ebook pages left, so I finished it relatively fast.

The reason this didn't make it to 4 or 5 stars is because everything Kat planned was happening behind closed doors. We weren't a part of the decision making process, leaving us totally out of the loop kind of took away some of the excitement that was held in the past two books in this series. Not only were we kept out of the loop but so was Hale! What the heck was that about, he is her partner in crime, if anything is going down, he should know about it.

Lastly, the ending fell really flat. Everything changed so swiftly, and it never felt believable. I mean when the author knows she is going to pull a 180 sometimes they give these really obvious hints, and I think her hint might have been that she just didn't throw her gusto into the last few chapters. Kat became scarily serious and the fact that she was working alone made it so we couldn't pull that fun sense of humor out of her. She was trying to be the big bad wolf for a change and it really didn't suit her. She is the kind of person that plays the passive role, to let the other person think they are winning when really they are way underestimating her, she gives them a devilish smile that says she is smarter than you and cut scene. Big bad wolf role - is usually a failing role. It didn't fit her personality at all she is too smart to play devils advocate.

So, what did I like? I love con-artist stories, so basically the premise of the book is awesome. Kat is robin hood, stealing from the rich and giving to the poor only she steals from the thief and gives it back to the rightful owner. I still love the dialogue, when the crew is talking to one another it never stops being hilarious comments. Some of my favorite quotes...

"Cat in the Cradle?" Gabrielle said.
"We don't have Hale,"Hamish said.
"You could do it,"Gabrielle challenged.
"Do I look like a classically trained violinist to you?" he asked, and Gabrielle didn't broach the subject again.
"Then what about Ace's Wild?" Simon said.
Angus scooted forward. "With a little Count of Monte Cristo?"
"Exactly," Simon said, excited.
- Page 62 of 219 (nook ebook) I love the names of the Con's Carter throws into these books. So funny.

"What?" He cut a grin at Kat when he saw the impressed look on her face. "Corporate espionage is my second great passion."
"With your first being..." Kat prompted.
"Gelato." Hale said and turned back to the group.
-page 124 of 219 (nook ebook) - who doesn't love gelato???

"We can find Garrett, right? And he can't sell the prototype if he is...shall we say...tied up?" She gave a self-satisfied smirk.
"Gabrielle!" Kat rolled her eyes.
"What?" Her cousin looked as innocent as she could possibly be. "We could keep him somplace nice. It will be like a vacation. Or rehab. He might even thank us."
"Yeah," Kat mocked. "Thank us...have us arrested for kidnapping...really, they're practically the same thing."
- Page 126 of 219 (nook ebook)

"Dad doesn't hate you. He just...well, Dad doesn't hate you anymore than he would any boy who was...a boy."
"He doesn't hate the Bagshaws."
"The Bagshaws aren't boys. They are bombs with very colorful fuses."
"Good to know."
- Page 159 of 219 (nook ebook)

Anyways, If you have been reading this series, I think it is worth to read this book too. And I hope she writes a fourth book to this series as well. I want the con's to keep on coming. If you haven't read this series I would recommend it to you if you like the idea of some good old con-artist fun and witty characters.

Recommended reads based off of Perfect Scoundrels:
The Almost Truth and Hex Hall (Hex Hall #1)