Happy New Year, my friends!
I hope this year brings you joy, peace, and all good things. Thank you for being a part of my bookish community!
To start off 2024, I am thrilled to share my ARC review of Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen. I enjoyed this third book in the trilogy about the Hampton cousins! We get another cozy murder mystery and all the delightful romantic moments I’ve come to expect from this series.
Check out my ARC reviews of the previous books in this series:
The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart
To Capture His Heart
I received a complimentary ARC from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
This book was published this week — January 2nd, 2024!
Book Summary: “London, 1887 When newly graduated medical doctor Charlotte Duvall receives word that her father has died, she immediately leaves America and returns home to see to her family’s estate. Among her father’s possessions is a box of her late mother’s letters, which feels like a balm to Charlotte’s grief-stricken heart. But the letters contain some inconsistencies that suggest there was more to her mother’s death than Charlotte had been told. She turns to the one man she trusts more than anyone–her treasured friend and director of London’s police force, John Ellis.
John Ellis has harbored feelings for Charlotte ever since he first met her. Tucked into his heart are thoughts of her sharp mind, quick wit, and remarkable beauty. Though he has not yet found the courage to share his feelings with the young doctor, he is eager to help her in her hour of need. Investigating the details of a death was not how Charlotte imagined she would find love, but as she and John work to unravel a dark web of secrets and lies, she finds herself relying on him more and more–and opening her heart to him in the process. As the danger draws ever closer, John vows to do everything in his power to protect Charlotte from harm. But he fears protecting her heart might come at the cost of breaking his own.”
The storytelling is fascinating and captivating. I am pulled into this story from the first pages. The whole book starts with the mysterious letter from Charlotte’s father that begins her whole journey. The mystery of how her mother died and the people involved that seek to keep her from the truth is intense and captivating. I couldn’t put it down as I pieced together the details and uncovered the mystery alongside Charlotte and her friends. While some of the violent encounters were a bit much for me, the mystery is compelling. It’s not obvious who the killer is and the climax is dramatic and satisfying.
I enjoyed getting to know Charlotte and John in this story. It’s a joy to read a series that focuses on characters that you meet in previous books. So fun to see favorite characters from previous books make appearances in this story and loved seeing how the cousins and friends still support and love each other. We have seen these two before and now we get inside their heads. I loved having this story focus on Charlotte and John and getting their full backstories. Charlotte is a fascinating and favorite protagonist for me in this series. I admired her dedication to medicine and how she trailblazes her way in a profession that was quite new to women at this time. I admire John for many of the same reasons. But most of all, I love that he is willing to do anything for Charlotte. True love conquers all for these two.
Their love story is a beautiful addition to a story that revolves around a painful uncovering of a past death. There are so many things keeping John and Charlotte apart — their careers, their families, the murder mystery. But somehow they find a way to be together. I love the light and beauty that their love adds to this story. We learn a lot about the past for Charlotte especially. She has had a lot of difficulties in her life. To find John who loves her and protects her so fiercely is truly beautiful. The ways they both open up and support each other is lovely. And I love their first kiss in a stolen moment alone. So tender and so sweet.
A unique, clever series set at a fascinating time in Victorian England. The mystery is engaging and intense. I don’t love the most violent of moments. But the overall story is told with heart and complexity. I enjoy these books!
What are your favorite historical fiction series?
Favorite books set in Victorian England?
NANCY CAMPBELL ALLEN is the award-winning author of eighteen published novels and several novellas, which encompass a variety of genres, ranging from contemporary romantic suspense to historical fiction. Her most recent books, which include Regency, Victorian, and steampunk romance, are published under Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance brand, and the What Happens in Venice novella series is part of the Timeless Romance Anthology collection published by Mirror Press. She has presented at numerous conferences and events since her initial publication in 1999.
Nancy loves to read, write, travel, and research, and enjoys spending time with family and friends. She nurtures a current obsession for true crime podcasts and is a news junkie. She and her husband have three children, and she lives in Ogden, Utah, with her family, one very large Siberian Husky named Thor, and an obnoxious but endearing YorkiePoo named Freya.
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