Olivia Brownlow is no damsel in distress. Born in a workhouse and raised as a boy among thieving London street gangs, she is as tough and cunning as they come. When she is taken in by her uncle after a caper gone wrong, her life goes from fighting and stealing on the streets to lavish dinners and soirees as a debutante in high society. But she can’t seem to escape her past … or forget the teeming slums where children just like her still scrabble to survive.

Jack MacCarron rose from his place in London’s East End to become the adopted “nephew” of a society matron. Little does society know that MacCarron is a false name for a boy once known among London gangs as the Artful Dodger, and that he and his “aunt” are robbing them blind every chance they get. When Jack encounters Olivia Brownlow in places he least expects, his curiosity is piqued. Why is a society girl helping a bunch of homeless orphan thieves? Even more intriguing, why does she remind him so much of someone he once knew? Jack finds himself wondering if going legit and risking it all might be worth it for love.

I’m a sucker for retellings of familiar stories, so I couldn’t wait to read this book, especially because I’d already read book one of Langdon’s Doon series and was familiar with her work. I was also interested in it because I’ve seen/performed in the musical Oliver! so I already new the characters.

Olivia Twist didn’t disappoint.

I love the new spin on the story and how Langdon brought in so many of the original characters. I also appreciate that there’s more going on in Jack and Olivia’s lives than just their relationship (though I could have done with a little less will-they-or-won’t-they angst). Overall, though, the characters captured my attention and I couldn’t wait to find out what would happen to them. I’ll definitely read more books by Langdon.