Rose is the younger of the Fleur Cosmetic heiresses, the Fowler sisters. She always seems to be in her sisters' shadows. She is the hard worker who fights for what she believes in, but is finding it hard to believe in anything lately and is often ignored. Her oldest sister Lily's wild ways and erratic behavior keep her in the spotlight and her older sister Violet's strength, talent, and new relationship tend to outshine her. 

So Rose decides to shake things up a bit while in Europe and catches the eye of Caden. He is mysterious, sexy, charismatic, and not exactly forthcoming with personal details. They share an interesting meeting that leaves them both more than intrigued. And when they both need a change of pace and end up in the same place again, all bets are off. They can't resist each other although they both know the other is dangerous for them. But they challenge each other and their sexual chemistry sizzles. They play off each other well with her being serious and he lightens things up while also bringing her passion like she has never known. 

I liked Caden. He was charming, funny, and sexy. He became totally immersed in Rose although he felt unworthy and never dreamed it could be long term. He had a past and questionable present and future. He was a good guy that did not make an honest living. 

Rose had her own independent spirit and spunk. But she could also be dramatic and run away from issues. She was trying to find her own way and wanted to be really seen for who she was.  But she often felt left out, underestimated, and or unimportant.

They have the passion, but not full disclosure and honesty. They have secrets and hidden agendas between them. Rose's life is in complete flux and she is trying to figure out what she wants her future to hold. And she is challenging everything Caden has ever thought he wanted. But they are sucked into a whirlwind and are powerless to stop. But it was obvious that their pairing was going to have consequences.

Eventually they have to emerge from their happy little bubble and face their real lives and his secrets. Will they rise to the occasion or fall completely apart?

We got more with her sister Violet and her new love Ryder (Owning Violet) and her sister Lily and their feisty Grandmother. We also were introduced to a few other interesting side characters as well. 

I have to admit this one seemed like it built slower and was pretty steamy, but a little thin on  plot and issues. Although it did pick up the drama towards the last part. It was told in both Rose and Caden's points of view giving us access to their secrets before the other person knew. I did really like the couple and was rooting for them. It was a story about second chances, hope, perseverance, redemption, and love. The next book will be Taming Lily and from what we know of her so far, that girl does need some taming.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

“I may be the professional, but with us, you’re the thief.”

Rose Fowler feels ignored, overlooked, and unneeded at work. With the upward movement of her father’s new girlfriend, Pilar, Rose feels like she is being even more unnoticed in a position created for her when she wanted to earn a VP position with Fleur Cosmetics rather than accept one simply because she was a Fowler. 

But now she’s thinking it may be time to leave the family business, and she plans to turn in her resignation when she returns to New York. As the youngest, Rose has always been sheltered by her sisters and father. When she steps out at the Cannes Film Festival in a daring dress and iconic family heirloom necklace, she turns heads in ways she hadn’t intended.

The Poppy Necklace would set Caden Kingsley up nicely. But he hadn’t anticipated it being on the neck of Rose Fowler, nor had he anticipated his emotions becoming tangled in his quest for the necklace that would bring him a huge payout. 

“You reached right into my chest and took my heart like it fully belonged to you. And I think it does.”

As Caden and Rose dance around each other, experiencing things neither planned for nor know how to handle, their time together transforms from a simple flirtation to something far more. Their chemistry was instant, with both challenge each other to be the best, most authentic versions of themselves possible. But as hot as the sparks fly between them, they hold pieces of themselves back, secrets and omissions that eventually threaten the bond between them.

There were less details and plot lines from the business side of the family in Stealing Rose than was in Owning Violet. The girls are all still angry over Pilar’s influence on their father and the potential that she will be a more permanent fixture both in the family and the company. But because Rose is taking a leave of absence for much of the book, the future of the company that was such a focus in the first book takes a back seat to Rose and Caden. 

I loved the way this story wrapped up. From the point where secrets begin spilling into the open until the finals words of the epilogue, I couldn’t put this down. The earlier portions were entertaining, and they certainly spent enough time in bed together to make things steamy, but it was really the last 20% or so that made me love Rose and Caden. 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Monica Murphy

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New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Monica Murphy is a native Californian who lives in the foothills below Yosemite with her husband and three children. She's a workaholic who loves her job. When she's not busy writing, she also loves to read and travel with her family. She writes new adult and contemporary romance and is published with Bantam and Avon. She also writes romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.

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