Lady Thief picks up a few months after Scarlet. Gibourne left Nottinghamshire after his marriage to Scarlet and hasn't returned since. The band has been living as outlaws trying to keep the villagers alive and fed. Teaching the women and children to defend themselves while the men are away rebuilding the wall around the castle. It's beginning to become a cold winter but they're all managing, mainly staying in the monastary. Robin is being plagued by nightmares after suffering the torture he did. 
 Scarlet still sneaks into the castle to steal provisions. It is on her current mission that she learns taht Gisbourne is returning to Nottingham along with Prince John in order to name a new sheriff. Gisbourne seeks Scarlet out and makes a deal with her. If she presents herself as his true wife in front of Prince John, at the end, when the Prince leaves, Gisbourne will grant her an annulment of their marriage. Scarlet seeing this as the only opportunity to truly be with Rob reluctantly takes him up on his offer. 
 A.C. Gaughen certainly knows how to put our heroine through her paces. Scarlet and Rob have declared their love for each other but things aren't so simple. Our characters are definitely put through their paces, but they remain strong and I found I really loved the tender moments between Scarlet and Rob the best. Their devotion to each other even in bleak times just leaps off the page. 
 I will say that this second book is tense and ends on a slight cliffhanger. I look forward to seeing how everything ties up in the next book. I hope it's not as long between books! I don't think I could wait another almost 2 years! 
 *Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.