STEALING HEAVEN by Elizabeth Scott

"The story of my life can be told in silver; in chocolate mill, serving spoons, and service for twelve. The story of my life has nothing to do with me. The story of my life is things. Things that aren't mine, that won't ever be mine. It's all I've ever known. I wish it wasn't."

STEALING HEAVEN by Elizabeth Scott

YA - Hardcover, 320 pages

Published June 2008 by HarperTeen

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My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.

Dani has been trained as a thief by the best there is—her mother. They never stay in one place long enough for Dani to have real connections, real friends—a real life.

But in the town of Heaven, everything changes. Suddenly, Dani must question where her loyalties lie: with the life she's always known—or the one she's always wanted.

STEALING HEAVEN is about a reluctant 18-year-old thief named Danielle. She's never attended school, and never lived anywhere long enough to make any friends or feel at home. Her entire life has been spent moving from town to town with her mom, stealing silver from the fanciest houses in town.

When Dani ends up in Heaven, a small beach community, she makes her very first real friend, Allison, a rich girl who defies everything Dani’s mom has ever taught her about the wealthy – Allison doesn't ignore those with less than her. As Dani settles into Heaven, she meets the ultimate YA nice guy. He’s cute, friendly, and welcoming. And he’s the one type of person she’s always been told to avoid -- a cop.

Why did I let this book sit on my shelf for so long? I found myself worrying about and rooting for Dani, wanting to befriend Allison, wishing I had a little beach cottage in which to spend my summer, and a charming, sweet cop to run into around town.

STEALING HEAVEN is an interesting spin on an average girl’s story. When was that last time you read a book about wary teen thief and her scheming mother? You’ll be hooked within 20 pages and hoping Dani finds a way to make the life she desires in no time.

Elizabeth Scott is the featured author for #JustContemporary today, so take a peek at an interview with her & links to other reviews over on Chick Loves Lit.