Philip Ellis masters deeply complex characters with a dangerous side in Love & Other Scams, his first novel. Cat Bellamy is a freelance graphic designer, which means she is creative and, most of the time, strapped for cash. Her predicament turns dire. However, in her times of need, Cat, a seasoned pickpocket, knows where to go: the Oceanic Bar, where she usually leaves with more money than she came with. She thinks: "There is no feeling in the world quite like that of breaking the rules, of doing the exact opposite of what a grown woman is supposed to do... and getting away with it." When Cat realizes Jake Marlowe, the handsome bartender, has caught on to her tricks, she thinks she's busted--until she sees his own tricks at play and realizes they are cut from the same cloth.
Cat, invited to be in her university friend Louisa's whirlwind wedding, spots her multimillion-dollar engagement ring and decides it's her next target. She needs Jake to complete the mission. They decide to fake-date through wedding events, ensuring their joint attendance at the wedding where they'll make their move. The dynamic pair, who prove to be the flawless match, put their brilliant minds to work to create the perfect heist. But their chemistry and true feelings rise to the surface; despite Cat determining to keep her eye on the prize, these feelings blur the lines between their fake relationship and a very real budding romance. Cat's sharp and witty personality, Jake's mysterious and confident demeanor and their clever banter work together to deliver a dynamic and hilarious rom-com. --Clara Newton, freelance reviewer