A Heart Worth Stealing

A wonderful book with fun twists and turns
Such a fun book with twists you don’t expect or generally see in other books. Genevieve or Ginny lost her father six months ago, leaving her his estate and wealth. Usually that would have men flocking to court her but the circumstances of her birth keep them away. Now she finds herself not only alone but being targeted by someone. There have been problems on the estate and now her father’s watch, not an item of real value except sentimentality, has been stolen. Making it worse, the local authorities, including her one and only suitor, do not take her seriously. Desperate to find her father’s watch, Ginny hires a thief-taker to help but Mr. Travers is not what she expected. He dresses, moves, and acts in ways that speak of the upper class yet he isn’t part of it. He is a mystery as much as the missing watch. As they work together to find the thief, stop the estate damage, and protect Ginny, secrets that both hold, are revealed. When the villain is caught and all secrets are out in the open their feelings about their pasts and futures will need to be examined. A great read that will keep you engaged and anticipating what will happen next. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

What an amazing photo on that cover! A very fortuitous find for the designer.

This is a story between Ginny Wilde and Jack Travers. Ginny has been leading the management of her estate since her father's death a few months prior, determined to keep going despite being alone. When her father's watch goes missing, and then a string of accidents happen at the estate, she hires Jack, a former Bow Street Runner, to investigate.
In order to be able to stay at Wimborne to protect Ginny, Jack passes of as her cousin and the more time they spend together, the closer they get.

I really liked the main characters and the development of their relationship. They mystery also added to the story and it definitely keeps the narrative moving along.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Joanna Barker has done it again! This was stunning! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful telling of the power of love. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

#aheartworthstealing #joannabarker #netgalley

This was such an amazing book! I loved the storyline and the suspense, and the thrill of the mystery. It's going on my favorites list for sure!

One of the best books from the Proper Romance series!!!!!

After her father's pocket watch gets stolen, Genevieve decides to hire a private investigator to help her find it. The investigator soon discovers there might be more going wrong at Genevieve's estate than just a missing pocket watch. It does not take long for an attraction to form between Genevieve and the investigator.

This book far exceeded whatever expectations I had for it. The romance was SO SWEET!!!! The characters made the story captivating. I stayed up way too late trying to finish this book.

I admired Genevieve's determination to protect what she cared about. I LOVED her strong-willed nature and willingness to fight for what she loved.

Jack was just so SWEET!!!!!!!! His banter with Genevieve was fun and endearing. He was kind, compassionate, and a hard worker. He cared enough about Ginny to be willing to let her go (even if he didn't have to).
I also enjoyed the scenes where I got a glimpse of Jack's methods of investigation. It was fascinating how he was able to use his gift for reading people to help him solve the crime.

Another character I really enjoyed was Genevieve's half-sister, Catherine. The dynamic between the sisters was fascinating. Catherine's motives were totally relatable and made for a great character arc.

I found the plot intriguing, although at times a bit predictable. There were also times where I feel like the suspense should have been raised to keep the mystery alive more throughout the novel.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any fan of clean romance!!!

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Joanna Barker has a written a sweet early nineteen century romance in England in her newest release A Heart Worth Stealing. I thought it was a great read and will be looking for more in the future by this author. Five stars.

This book is everything I was looking for in a Regency romance. I loved the intrigue of what is going on Ginny and her home. I suspected the ending, but it still was a bit of a twist. Loved the heat and banter between Jack and Ginny as well. So sweet! Definitely recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. This was good!!! The plot was kind of stupid and exaggerated everything a bit, but the writing style was great (I also guessed who the culprit was). The book had potential, but eh.
Tropes: regency mystery, slow burn, flirty roguish guy, hate to love, whodunnit, witty banter, grump/sunshine, regency romance
First line: “my study had been overrun by men”. Gurl that’s how it be 🫣🙄
Romance!!!! Their witty banter was soo good and mannn he was roguish and hot af. Their witty banter was so good! They reminded me of Usui and Misaki from KWMS. Miss Genevieve would have made it to my top fav FMCS: I loved her easily annoyed personality pessimistic, feisty, feminist personality, she wouldn’t settle for any less than she deserved….But she turned into a simpering swooning fainting-type lady after they kissed, which literally made her whole personality change like sis why??? Romance did get cringy after the first kiss ngl

tl;dr
Endearing regency romance with two energetic leads, a fun plot, and plenty of kisses.

About
Genevieve Wilde has enough problems: Ever since her father passed away, she's been managing his estate herself, all while fending off the "advice" of men who think they know better. But when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she'll do anything to get it back - even hire the troublesome and frustratingly attractive thief taker, Jack Travers.

Thoughts
As a romance, this ticks all the boxes for a fun regency romp. Longing looks, gloveless touches, and oh goodness what WILL the neighbors think? Both Genevieve and Jack have complex back stories, and their growing interest in each other felt very natural. Jack's family is delightful (I can only hope his sister gets some focus in another book?), and I found myself pleasantly surprised by the nuance of Genevieve's relationship with her sister (I do not enjoy romances where every other woman is objectively terrible). Spice level for our couple tops out at some very passionate kisses. As a mystery, the plot is a solid one with clues laid out in intervals and several nice twists. I don't think any hardcore mystery fans are going to be that surprised, but even guessing the outcome, I enjoyed the ride all the same. A great read for fans of regency romance, and also a decent recommendation for someone looking for a strong plot to carry the leads.

Such a sweet story. I loved it. I also loved the ending! You think you had it figured out and then you don't and then....Gosh it was good. I loved how independent but dependent she was. It was a nice balance. I needed a sweet story like this. I always get good romance from Barker. Well written regency romance with not religion. This is a proper romance.

What a lovely story! This was the perfect blend of mystery and romance! Clean of course, but with all the chemistry and feels. Highly recommend to anyone who loves regency romance with a bit of suspense!

Read it for the:
- Headstrong Heroine / Flirtatious Hero
- 'Whodunit' elements
- Complex family relationships
- Well-paced romance and plot
- Kiss scenes

CW: attempted murder
Final Rating 5/5

Joanna Barker has created an immersive historical romance with a full cast of well-rounded characters in A Heart Worth Stealing.

Although this is first and foremost a historical romance, this story has many mystery elements. I think all can agree, a mystery is best told when bits and pieces of information about the characters and plot points are given graduality throughout the story. Barker does this masterfully. She slowly revealed aspects that detailed the scene without giving away the surprise. Even if some might have guessed the final villain, the plot turned enough that I was kept up till the late hours of the night wondering which direction Barker would go. It was refreshing to have such an original storyline!

The pacing worked so well for the romance between Jack and Ginny too. The build-up between Jack and Ginny allowed the tension to grow and form a wonderful chemistry which made their relationship believable. Although written from Ginny’s POV, Jack’s mannerisms and reactions were so well recorded that his feelings were clearly known. Also kissing. The best kiss scenes. And the moments of angst? Yes. I was rooting for them.

Jack may be one of my new favorite characters. Flirty, full of life, and with a drive for adventure, he balanced Ginny’s more pensive personality. I loved that both Jack and Ginny had a level of ambition that played wonderfully into the plot but left room for character growth. Without spoiling anything, I can only say it is difficult not to get attached to them as you learn about their struggles and challenges. Can I also use this moment to highlight the perfect complexity experienced between the main characters and the side characters? Ginny’s relationship with her older half-sister, Catherine, and Jack’s family and status in society, to name just a few, added that extra layer of intrigue.

I could go on but I will end this review with nothing but my highest recommendation.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I got "A heart worth stealing" on netgalley. It was wonderful. I love joanna's books because they are calm, easy reads perfect for a lazy afternoon but interesting enough to keep you in the story. This book did not disappoint. The main characters were funny and engaging. The villian, a creep i loved to hate. I want ti see more if this world and i hope Joanna works more in this world.

This just might be one of my favorite romances of the year! Joanna Barker has created such a masterpiece. This is one book you cannot miss out on.

Ginny is a wonderful heroine. She is full of business, no nonsense, and has been working herself to distraction following the death of her dear father. She is smart and brilliant and willing to do ANYTHING to save her home and her father's legacy.

Enter the 'Special Investigator' Jack. He is a tease, a flirt and so full of life. But he also knows who he is and takes his job seriously. Especially when it comes to Ginny.

Their bantering was a delight. Their forced proximity made me giggle. And their chemistry made my heart melt. It wasn't all sunshine and roses between them, but they were able to figure things out and draw closer together to face this new threat to her home.

The mystery was brilliant. It added so much depth to their romance, and tension to the story. I loved all the side characters, especially Beatrice and Jack's family. And of course the writing was phenomenal. I was completely absorbed and did not want to put this book down! I already want to reread it.

You MUST READ this book. It might just be my favorite of Joanna Barker's yet!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Romance: kisses
CW: harassment, stalking, arson

When a precious watch goes missing from her own home, Genevieve must enlist the help of a thief-taker, Jack Travers, to help her get it back. As the mystery deepens and the danger escalates Ginny and Jack work closely together to keep her home safe and soon the sparks are flying.

A Heart Worth Stealing has quickly become a favorite of mine. Not only is it a sweet romance, but it has the added element of mystery and intrigue that kept the story flowing. I was not able to predict the ending, which kept me turning page after page.

My favorite character was Genevieve. Joanna has masterfully created a strong female lead who is resilient and determined, compassionate, kind, and witty. I loved seeing all of the different sides and parts that make up Ginny. I also enjoyed watching her grow as she let Jack into her heart and let those around her help her.

Overall I would highly recommend A Heart Worth Stealing and any book by Joanna Barker!

I wasn’t catfished by the cover! (Seriously, the cover is stunning). This book was enjoyable with an independent yet relatable heroine and a flirtatious and smirky hero. I would have loved to get inside Jack’s head and his reactions to Ginny. The whodunnit was really easy to figure out but this is a romance and not primarily a mystery so I would have been surprised if I was surprised. Loved the chemistry between the Jack and Ginny, that kiss, and the ending was perfection

This might be my new favorite Joanna Barker book! I could not put it down and I had to know how it ended. It was the perfect balance of excitement and romance. We see the characters grow and develop as they try to solve the mystery of the missing watch. I desperately wish I could reread it for the first time.

Such a sweet and cute story!

Both Characters are very relatable, loved how the romance was paced. No misunderstandings regarding their feelings, but big obstacles in their way. The mystery was a little predictable, but still engaging. Loved how realistic they were regarding their situations, and their honesty with each other!

Would recommend to all clean historical romance fans!

Once again, Joanna Barker delivers a must read for historical sweet romance fans!

After losing her father, Ginny is determined to care for her family home. But when her father’s beloved pocket watch goes missing along with other strange happenings around the estate, Ginny decides to enlist help to investigate.

Cue former Bow Street Runner, Jack Travers. Jack is roguish and knows how to catch a criminal. He’s one smooth talker and enjoys “ruffling feathers”. He’s a tad bad boy on the outside, but trustworthy, dependable, and a genuine good guy on the inside.

Let me just say I was here for the romance!! I’m not going to say too much, but I’ve never read a book with a first kiss in this location!! It was so fun but also swoony and dreamy! Jack and Ginny had great banter and chemistry. I seriously could not get enough of them together.

I loved the mystery. I may have guessed who the culprit was, but it didn’t take away any of my enjoyment from the book. And I loved how the mystery concluded and how justice was served in the end!

Here are a few reasons you should read this book:
*Jack Travers
*strong female lead
*Glove removing/hand touching
*Whodunit mystery
*Dreamy first kiss
*Highwaymen
*Jack Travers (yes, I know I’ve already mentioned him, but it needs to be repeated!)

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book.
The banter between Ginny and Jack is perfect, as is the tension. The level of suspense kept my attention the entire time without diminishing the romance. First-person POV solely from the heroine's perspective is my FAVORITE kind of romance format. (So much more intrigue that way!)

Honestly, if you like this genre in the slightest, I think you'll love this book! I thought A Game of Hearts was my favorite from this author, but now this one has stolen the show!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy to review! This is my honest opinion.

This book took a while to hook me. I’m not used to reading first person POV for regency and it threw me off a little. But by the end, I was reading as fast as I could, crying, gasping, and completely invested. I found the heroine and storyline to be unique and engaging, and I wasn’t entirely sure how the mystery would unfold even until the end.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Man this was so good I didn’t want to put it down. From the moment I read the synopsis I knew I would love it. And I did. I think this might be one of my favorites in the proper romance series and definitely one of my favorites this year!! I have definitely been dealing with a book hangover from this. Ginny and Jakes banter is what did it for me. I absolutely love them!! I could go on and on about this book, but I think I’ll settle for, go read this as soon as possible!!
I received an eARC from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

A Heart Worth Stealing is A Book Worth Reading

This books opens with a grieving protagonist - Genevieve Wilde. Deeply mourning the loss of her father, she is determined to prove that a single woman can run the estate of Wimborne without a man by her side. Her well laid plans go awry when it appears that someone is vandalizing the estate, with the latest being the theft of Ginny's late father's watch.

Determined to get to the bottom of the troubles, Ginny enlists the services of Jack Travers, a self-proclaimed 'special investigator'. Thrown by his unorthodox ways and charmed by his engaging nature, she is soon drawn into the investigation and becomes closer to Jack.

The book negotiates the fine line between humour, mystery and romance rather well. By about halfway (or 2/3rds) through the book, one should be able to predict the villain of the story but Ms. Barker throws in some unexpected misdirects that lead to a good ending. That said, the end did feel a bit rushed and neatly tied up in a bow rather quickly and ignores some hopes & dreams being dashed by the HEA for the story. Would have also liked to have seen this story in a 2 person narrative.

All in all, a well-envisioned story, and lead me to pick up previous books from Ms. Barker that I am currently enjoying!

(Disclosure: I received a copy of an ARC of this book from NetGalley, for a fair & honest review. All views here are completely my own)

This book has it all - love, humor, mystery, and twists and turns that keep you guessing. I did not expect the story that unfolded in A Heart Worth Stealing, which made me love it even more. Would absolutely recommend this read!

I can’t say enough good things about this book. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and the great cast of characters. Genevieve’s beloved father’s pocket watch is missing, and, after little help from the authorities, she hires Jack Travers to find it. Genevieve is so well written. I love that she’s strong, smart, and determined, but also vulnerable, and unsure at times. She and Jack are such a good match. The banter! The friendship! The tree!! So worth staying up way too late to finish. I’ll be reading this one again for sure!

Thank you Netgalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Joanna Barker for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I could not put this book down! It starts off with a mystery and the farther you get in the book, the more intense and dangerous the mystery becomes.. While you are trying to figure out the mystery there is a slow burning love story unfolding. I love the playful flirtatious relationship Jack has with Ginny throughout the book. The first few chapters I was reading slowly and just enjoying the cute mystery. After the first few chapters I couldn’t put the book down. I had to finish ASAP to know if Ginny was going to end up safe and if they would catch whoever was trying to harm her & the estate. This book was such a fun flirtatious thrill!!

I always enjoy a good historical romance/mystery, but I hadn't read anything previously by this author, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. This was a pleasant surprise, with a fairly well-paced, low-steam but compelling setup that has a small twist toward the end. The MC's are Jack, a charming Runner turned thief-taker, and Ginny, the daughter of a deceased magistrate who who has hired Jack to investigate her father's missing pocket watch and ends up stumbling into a tangled web of deceit.

The author is talented, with a smooth writing style, and the language throughout seems true to the time period. She's obviously done her research. The insights into the workings of the law in Britain during the Regency time period are probably my favorite aspects of this book; Wily is a fun secondary character and the street jargon of the day is amusing. Actually, many of the secondary characters, particularly Ginny's friend Beatrice and Jack's family members, end up stealing the scenes they're in. I'm hoping that Beatrice and Jack's sister get books of their own.

Further, the MC's have great back-and-forth banter, and even though their physical relationship on-page doesn't go beyond a few kisses, the romantic tension works, notably in the first half of the book.

The only real weakness of this book for me was the limited first person perspective. I generally don't care for this POV, as it can be difficult to truly understand the behavior of both MC's with no switch of viewpoint. In this case, Jack was the MC I liked the most, but in the last quarter of the book his behavior seems rather hot and cold. Deeper insights into his ruminations regarding his future with Ginny would have enhanced his personality and the romantic tension.

Another danger of sticking with only one character's POV: unless that character is super interesting and smart, the narrative can become bogged down by that person's flaws. Ginny is so stubborn and narrow-minded I got fed up around the halfway mark. Pretty much any time Jack has a bright idea she dismisses it, and any time a clever gut feeling hits she pushes it away. Slight plot twist aside, figuring out the bad guy is easy peasy, and that sets the reader up to get frustrated with Ginny at points throughout the book. I particularly didn't like how she treated Jack around the 50% mark. She had agreed that one of the characters was suspicious, and it's his job to investigate, but because this involves family she accuses him of breaking her trust and gets downright nasty. She behaves as if he's not really a professional--despite his experience and obvious effectiveness--and instead as if he's just hired help she's supervising. I felt that Jack should have figured out the baddie a lot sooner, but even if he had, Ginny would have argued with him and fired him again.

Ginny's obtuseness, aside, I was happy for her eventual HEA with Jack, and thought everything was wrapped up nicely in the epilogue.

This book will be published in May 2023. I read an advanced reader copy and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

Thank you, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley, for the free copy of the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first book from the author, and it definitely won't be my last one. Genevieve 'Ginny' Wilde is a magistrate's daughter and the owner of the Wimbourne estate. Since her father's passing six months ago, she has been experiencing a series of incidents at her estate (missing sheep, blocked ditch, etc). One night after a dinner party, the pocket watch her father gave her went missing. She went to Mr Northcott, the current magistrate, who also happened to be her father's protege and her suitor, for help. He was dismissive, and she sought a thief-taker's help. The thief-taker is Jack Travers, a young, roguish, handsome man who is also an earl's baseborn son. Will Ginny be able to recover the watch and protect her estate together with her heart?

What a fine book! The characters really shine here. I absolutely adore Jack. He is a fun-loving and flirtatious guy, but at the same time, he is competent at his job (he reminds me of Rupert Carsington from 'Mr Impossible' by Loretta Chase). He is a well-fleshed-out character, and he is more than he seems as his background is slowly revealed. Ginny is very prim and proper, a stickler for propriety. I wasn't quite taken with her initially as she appeared so staid. Ginny has to be since her mother is her father's second wife, who also happens to be her half-sister's governess at that time. She can't put the wrong foot in society due to her parents' scandalous marriage. They are total opposites, and Ginny is the yin to Jack's yang. Jack is always trying to get a rise out of her. The exchanged banters between them are witty and great to read. It was lovely to see Jack's effort in trying to draw Ginny out of her shell.

This book was a bit slow to start, but once it hit its strides at the 25% mark, it was a page-turner for me. The book is entirely from Ginny's point of view. I'd usually prefer both the hero's and heroine's point of view, but Jack's absence didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. The mystery was well done with the series of accidents at Wimbourne interconnected with the missing pocket watch. I loved how everything turned out (I was able to guess how Ginny and Jack could be together at the 70% mark, but I was slightly off the mark).

Ginny's memories of her father were heart rending. And the final letter that he wrote to Ginny, man, I was bawling my eyes out. What a great dad! Wait for the epilogue. Jack's words to Ginny were an absolute chef's kiss. This sort of scene can sometimes be cringey, but it's utterly romantic here. I had a sappy smile on my face by the end of the book.

I hope that this is the start of a new series. The author hinted at Ginny's best friend, Beatrice story (a failed season in London), which sounds too delicious to pass up.

All in all, this book was an immersive and enchanting reading experience. Simply wonderful! A strong 4.5 stars.

Steam factor: Nil. Kisses only.

Oh my word I LOVED this book! This is your typical, wonderful, regency romance but has so many fun new elements. This story has that fun “who done it” feel to it and kept me reading way past my bed time.
We follow Ginny, the daughter of the town’s previous magistrate, as she continues to grow into an incredible woman. She faces struggles and must overcome the new mysteries happening to her and her home.
Then we welcome Jack, and this already incredible plot just gets so much better. He’s a breath of fresh air for Ginny and great comic relief for the reader. He is strong and capable without dousing Ginny’s natural feistiness.
These two are an adorable couple and the romance was easily 100/10.
And one of the best parts, for me, about this book is all the things I learned about upholding, and even skirting around the law during this time. This story answered questions I didn’t even know I had about how things were run and a person’s role in bringing about justice. There was the perfect amount of mystery and action, with some suspense and of course the perfect romance. Joanna Barker is able to take a classic genre and add her own fun twist in this new and enchanting story that keeps readers engaged from page one.
A few of the things I really enjoy about this book are:
• funny fencers
• starry skies
• swoony special investigators
• fun and supportive best friends
• tree (and billiard room) kisses
• the action and mystery
If you love regency romance at all this is the PERFECT book for you. Please do yourself the favor and dive into this incredible story.

Joanna Barker is SO good at the witty banter between characters, and A Heart Worth Stealing may be her best one yet!

Things I loved:
- It wasn't the normal Regency book. Genevieve is unique in that she runs her home and property as a single young woman. And Jack is not the normal member of society either.
- I loved the banter between Jack and Genevieve. Their story is everything an enemies-to-lovers should be! Their first introduction was hilarious!
- I loved that the family relationships weren't perfect.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Joanna Barker for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

When Genevieve's pocket watch suddenly goes missing, she knows it has been taken. It was her father's and after his death she's still adjusting to run her household. When local authorities don't take her seriously, she impulsively hires a former Bow Street officer to get it back. The search will lead to more questions than answers even about what she believed to be true. Themes of broken family relationships, independence, and trust are woven throughout the story.

Recommend for readers who enjoy clean historical romance with a plot-twisting mystery.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

I love a book with romance and mystery! This book was sweet and funny. The main characters were very likable, and I enjoyed how the author developed their relationship. If you like regency romance, I recommend this book!

“A Heart Worth Stealing” is such an apropos title for this book. Jack is a “thief-taker” born of an earl on the wrong side of the blanket. Genevieve, while not titled, is the well-to-do daughter of a recently deceased magistrate, and a landowner in her own right. After the theft of her deceased father’s watch (and an heirloom to her) as well as several other incidents on her property — and with the current magistrate and constable seemingly unwilling to take it seriously — “Ginnie” puts aside her qualms and hires a thief-taker to investigate.

Jack is charming from day one, but Genevieve is initially shocked by some of his comments and subtle flirtation. There is a mystery throughout which I was obviously trying to solve. Fairly early on I had guessed that one person in particular might be behind these crimes. As it turned out I was correct but I still hadn’t guessed at how truly evil the person would turn out to be.

The romance is delightful but remains ‘clean’ and, although there is much adversity to overcome, this one has a beautiful HEA. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from NETGALLEY but the review above represents my true opinions.

I was so excited to see Joanna Barker was picked up by the Proper Romance line, as she is truly one of the best regency romance authors there is. "Otherwise Engaged" was my favorite book of hers, but I think it has just been usurped by "A Heart Worth Stealing."

Upon reading the description, I was skeptical that a whole story could be crafted around a single missing pocket watch. I was so wrong! There were layers and layers of deception and mystery. The mystery often feels like an afterthought in regency romance books, but not in "A Heart Worth Stealing." It was engaging and interesting, and the mystery itself kept me turning the pages well into the night. I can tell Joanna Barker put a lot of thought and research into that aspect of the story.

Jack and Ginny's relationship was absolute perfection. Jack made mistakes but was quick to take ownership of them. He respected Ginny as an independent woman and honored her decisions even when he disagreed with them. Ginny was headstrong and smart, but willing to admit when she needed help. They made sense together, and the last quarter of the book was a delight to read as their feelings came to light. The whole book was filled with interesting characters with well-done growth, and Joanna Barker should be incredibly proud of this story. It was one of the best I've read all year.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good regency romance or mystery. Do not hesitate to purchase this for yourself or a friend- it is well worth the money. This is a book I will revisit, and I can't wait for the audiobook to be released.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A Regency Romance with a little mystery and as always a strong minded woman. Genevieve and Jack were such good characters and their chemistry was amazing.

A Heart Worth Stealing Joanna Barker

I really enjoyed this proper romance right from the beginning. I found the banter between Ginny and Jack entertaining and the side characters were intriguing.

There is a mystery element to the story in addition to the romance. I enjoy having those two elements in a book. I'm not a mystery lover in that I try to figure out "who done it". I just enjoy something else happening other than a romantic story, but I'm definitely around mostly for the romance.

I found this book a nice balance of both. It was my first Joanna Barker book, although I do own others that I will be making a point to read. I enjoyed her writing style.

I greatly appreciate the advance copy provided to me by Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing.

Oh my word!!!! Jack and Ginny. Ginny and Jack. Pure Perfection! I love, love, love them! From the first moment they are together there are fireworks. Everything was amazing: the meet-cute, the flirting, the teasing, the first kiss(es), the billiard room, the highwaymen. These two were brilliant together. I highlighted so many wonderful lines, swoony, silly, sarcastic. Jack is a dream people, a dream come true. Sigh!

Ginny is strong and independent, determined to prove herself capable after her father dies. But when her father’s watch goes missing she hires a thief taker to help find it. Enter the dashing, daring, and maddening Jack Travers. Little do they know, the missing watch is just the tip of the iceberg. There is lots of mystery and danger, interesting side characters. They are searching for an unknown enemy and finding their heart’s desire in the process. It is a grand adventure!

“If you are going to kiss a man, you ought to be prepared for him to kiss you back.” ~ Jack
“I shall try to remember that in the future,” I said breathlessly. “Do hold tight so we don’t fall.” ~Ginny
He lowered his head, his nose brushing along my jaw. “It’s far too late for me.” ~Jack

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

Ginny is determined to care for her family estate. But when her late father’s beloved pocket watch goes missing, coinciding with other strange incidents, Ginny enlists the help of a former bow street runner, the roguish Jack Travers.

Jack is sweet, flirty, full of life, whereas Ginny is feisty, strong-willed, and nonsense. I loved their banter and chemistry. Their interactions were really fun and sweet.

Ginny's relationship with her estranged sister was a fascinating subplot. Jack’s family was charming and amusing and I loved getting a glimpse of his delightful home life.

I’m rating this down only because it was never explained how Ginny reintroduced Jack when everyone thought he was her cousin!!

Overall very sweet and entertaining read. I enjoyed the mystery plot and how it was dealt with at the end. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I loved this book! Highly recommend! Joanna Barker is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Ginny and Jack.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

A heart worth stealing will definitely steal your heart! A beautifully written book that is a breathe of fresh air. Who couldn't fall in love with Ginny and Jack?! Ms. barker poured so much into this story and probably a little bit more. Well done!

Thief taker, I had never heard that term. What a fun book with lots of twists and turns. I love when the missunderstood underdog comes out on top. I love when a strong female character is true to herself. This was a lot of both and so much more. And I hope some side characters get their own books!!!

Totally loved this book! The Author is awesome at getting you into this captivating and stunning love story and its complications and difficulties but hey, a true love is worth fighting for.

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Joanna Barker has done it again. Oh my heart!

This is exactly what I want from a historical fiction novel. A bit of mystery, some overbearing relatives, at least one dramatic ball, some near death experiences, a spurned lover and a couple of plot twists as well as a feisty heroine and a swoon-worthy hero.

Yes. This was a perfect way to spend a Saturday evening, thank you for asking. Now. Go read it.

As with all of Joanna Barkers books, I fell in love with this one! I absolutely love the strong female lead. Miss Wilde is capable of handling herself and her affairs. However, when her late father's watch is stolen and the local magistrate does not seem to be very much help, she has no choice but to seek the help of a thief-taker, Mr. Travers. Mr. Travers is witty and handsome, and very good at his job. I throughly enjoyed the love story and the twist in the reveal of who was attempting to harm Miss Wilde and her estate. This is a must read!

This was a light and entertaining read. The characters were fun but sometimes inconsistent and not overly complex. However, this is often the case in frothy fun romances and can easily be overlooked and forgiven. The mystery was really only a mystery to the characters in the book, or to readers who aren’t familiar with reading mysteries, but it was enjoyable to watch it unravel. Supporting character Jack was the perfect hero for every clean-romance-loving reader.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley

I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance at reading this adorable, swoony read.

A Heart Worth Stealing is one of those books that absolutely hooked me in by the summary of a young girl, heiress to an estate having to enlist a thief-taker (or what we call a 'for-hire' PI) to find her father's stolen watch. From the moment they meet there is chemistry. I love that the romance was slow, that it didn't focus solely on them falling in love but that the story in itself brought them together.

There are some absolutely lovely moments, some intense ones, and happy ones as well. The twists and turns kept coming and I like that in a story. While the endgame was obvious, the story was not so much as how we get there.

If you're looking for a comfort read with lovely characters and a fun mystery, I'd recommend this!

I love this publisher, and I love these books. They always hit you right in the feels, the characters were a delight, and I loved the unique plot. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, closed door romance.

"I cannot be dashing and witty all of the time. One must be well-rounded."

"I tend to make terrible first impressions. I'm much better on the second go round."

What a fun novel! I can always count on Joanna Barker for an amusing and romantic tale! A Heart Worth Stealing was no exception. I loved Genevieve and Jack and their dynamic as they uncovered the mystery. Definitely a good book to pick up!

I enjoyed reading this story with a new perspective on a woman having independence. Genevieve has inherited her estate from her father and works hard to keep things running smoothly. It's fun to see her learn to trust someone to help her, and there are twists and turns along the way!

A Heart Worth Stealing was an enjoyable read. I usually like Joanna Barker's romances and this one didn't disappoint!

The story is taking place in 1802. Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is still reeling from her father's death a few months prior, even if she doesn't want to admit it. She is independent and strong, and if the local authorities do not want to investigate a theft that happened in her house, then she will take matters into her own hands, by employing a thief-taker. When former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives at her home, he doesn't make the best impression - but what choice does Ginny have?
As they look for the watch, they realise that the theft is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her. (Although how could Ginny and Jack realise there was such danger when only "small" things happened at the beginning? I wonder!) As they keep working together, they slowly realise how much they love each other - but danger is looming...

Honestly, I found it to be a great story! The characters are very well developed, interesting, they have their qualities and their flaws like any human... Sometimes the story was a tiny bit unbelievable or far-stretched, but overall the plot was good and the drama was justified. The romance was a strong element, it developed in a credible way and there was some chemistry between the two protagnists.

Overall, a really good book that I wouldn't mind re-reading in the future!

*I received an e-ARC and this is my honest opinion*

‘A Heart Worth Stealing’
By Joanna Barker

I’ll start with saying that Regency era is my favorite genre to read so when I saw a post looking for arc readers/reviewers I’d to signup 🤷🏻‍♀️ This is my first time reading from this author and I know for certain it won’t be my last. I loved this story! It has everything I like in a regency novel,

….Mystery - strange happenings around Wimborne
…Suspense - at times I was making sure my doors were locked 🫣
…Danger, whodunit, highwaymen, robbery, ambush - I feel like I’m trying to convince you like the grandfather talking to his grandson in the movie ‘Princess Bride’ 😄

-Romance…
“Because yours, my love, is a heart worth stealing.” (sigh)
-Humor…
“I will answer your questions to your heart’s content after the service.”
“And what if my heart is only content when your face turns as red as your hair?”

…a pocket watch (at times it gave me ‘Little Dorrit’ vibes with the “Do not forget” 😀)

…and an unexpected twist and so much more. But I’ll have to refrain from telling as not to give away the storyline though be certain that it’ll keep you turning the pages until you find out how the story unfolds and all the pieces fall into place. Truly well written Ms. Barker!

Ginny ❤️ Jack

This’ one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“If you care for the things you love, if you protect them and cherish them, they will shine.”

*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions stated are my own.*

Another amazing and wonderful read from Joanna Barker! She is a must-read author for me, and that is confirmed each time I read a new release from her. She is a brilliant story-teller.

This book has it all, action, mystery, humor, swoony romance. A reader simply could not ask for more. I could hardly put it down and once I got into the action I had to keep going just to find out what was going to happen! I am so impressed with how the story was written, the characters and their interactions, and the mystery and romance. It was all tied together so well that I felt I was living right there with each character.

A wonderful book and highly recommended. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

What a delightful story! It is packed with everything. Mystery, danger, oh so swoony romance, humour, a feisty heroine and a hero to match.
Jack and Ginny are quite the pair. Jack is a thief- taker, aka special investigator. When Ginny has a treasured heirloom go missing in her home, and all other options are exhausted, she hires Jack to find it for her. Opening the door to a mystery far beyond a missing heirloom.
It’s exciting and packed full of intrigue. And the tension and banter between Jack and Ginny made it all the more enjoyable.
You will not want to miss this newest book by Joanna Barker. If you’ve read her books before, you know you’re in for a fantastic read. And have already cleared your schedule. If you haven’t, well clear your schedule. You won’t want to put this book down!

Content: clean
Romance: kissing
Violence: mild; fighting, injury, not gruesome.
Language: none.

Thankyou NetGalley and Shadown Mountain Publishing for the complimentary e-arc of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

4.25 ⭐️

Okay, but I adored this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I was all in. Jack is just perfect, and Ginny is wonderful. Their banter was perfection and their romance so sweet and heartwarming.

This author reminds me a bit of Roseanne M. White, especially her book An Hour Unspent with Barclay Pearce. If you loved that character, then you’ll adore Jack and Ginny’s adventure.

Also—the part where the title made complete sense and was used as a line in the book was absolutely the best 🥲🥰

All in all, A Heart Worth Stealing is a lovely book and I’d absolutely recommend it if you love mystery couples with slight suspense, laugh-worthy banter and heartwarming romance, relatable and lovable characters! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of A Heart Worth Stealing. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

I will start by saying Joanna Barker is a must-read author in my book! Her stories are delightful and swoony, and A Heart Worth Stealing was no exception. Jack and Ginny are the absolute cutest!

Genevieve Wilde is still mourning the loss of her father, and trying to live up to her role as heiress to his estate. When a beloved possession of her father's is stolen, she does the unthinkable and hires a "thief taker" to help her find it. Jack Travers is that thief taker and he is quite the charmer. Their search for the missing item takes them on an adventure, and it's so wonderful to watch them fall in love.

The author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension high, and also creating tenderness between the main characters. I really enjoyed this book and will absolutely re-read again in the future!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

I began this a little afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype on instagram. But oh my word! It does!
Jack and Ginny are perfect! I love their banter and the way he makes her smile even when she doesn’t want to.

Johanna did a fabulous job with this story. I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. Joanna kept me intrigued and quickly turning pages to find out what would happen next. Well done!

Joanna Barker continues to prove to me why she is an auto-buy author! I LOVE HER WRITING!
This book was soo good! So fresh and original!
We get:
-Historical romance
-Romantic suspense!
-Excellent banter!
-JACK! I loved him! A confident, flirty, charmer! And also so sweet!
-Swooooony kisses!
-Mystery/who-dun-it!
-Action and adventure!
-A fantastic set of characters!

I binged this book in a day, I couldn't put it down! I was so pulled into the story, into the mystery, and invested in the characters, I HAD to know what happened! Highly recommend!

So much banter, it will curl your toes.

Romance: 4/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean on y'all)
1st kiss: 71% in
Humour: 3/5
Cry factor: 1/5
Suspense: 3/5
Drama: 1/5

Positive thoughts:
- Yes, you guessed it, this book is full of banter. It's phenomenal and so funny, and it lasts till the very end.
- I had moments of pure excitement, I was cheering! J. Barker is a fabulous writer, always keeps you on your toes and wanting more of all the good stuff she gives you.
- I loves the chemistry between our MC's, the emotions they went through to render to their love, the pain and action filled moments that just brought them closer and closer together.

Negative thoughts:
- I really really wish we had Jack's POV, he was just the bravest and sweetest, I really wanted to know what was going on in his mind

Overall:
- This was a clean, historical romance, filled with chemistry, suspense and action. A real page turner, you won't want to put it down.
- It was a fast and easy read. J. Barker gives us some old English talk, but it's very light and enjoyable.

Tropes:
- Historical
- Banter
- Protector MMC
- Strong FMC
- Loss of a parent
- MMC with a past
- Best kiss scene

I enjoyed this blend of sweet romance and mystery with a dash of danger. I loved both of the main characters. Ginny was capable and kind. Jack was a charming protector. I appreciated what family meant to both of them. It was nice to see how Jack interacted with his family, and I was moved by Ginny's efforts to improve her relationship with her half-sister.

I liked the secondary characters too and would love to see more of them. It would be nice to see Beatrice find love, and I think a book about Verity would be fascinating.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys sweet historical romance and mysteries.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the early read.

Once again Joanna Barker has written a masterpiece. All the characters seem so real; side characters can seem very 2D, but not here. I enjoyed the mystery aspect too, how it started with just a missing watch, but escalated to something so much more dangerous. I also enjoyed the trip to London so readers could meet Jack's family and see him in more than just the thief-taker role on Ginny's property. Overall, great characters, fun mystery, and excellent writing!

Captivating read as I finished this book within a day (thank goodness for weekends). This clean romance definitely peaked my interest with both characters that are on the fringes of the Ton. Genevieve, a magistrate's heiress, and Jack, a thief-taker, are not who you'd think would be a good match, but given what's been happening to Ginny's estate, it's forced her to hire him and for them to work together. It's the typical exasperation and respect on both sides, and the pacing of the mystery propels the story and their relationship forward. I have to admit I guessed early on what would happen but the story still did have a lot of twists and turns. This is a slow burn but less from yearning to more of slow realization with some bodyguard vibes. It is well written and not one with a high "yearn" factor (I'm looking at you Mimi Matthews). I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Joanna Barker!

I received this complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinion.

A HEART WORTH STEALING by JOANNA BARKER is a most enjoyable Regency romance novel with unforgettable characters and a plot filled with mystery and intrigue. As secrets are brought to light, and things are definitely not as they seem, we are kept guessing right to the end.
When Genevieve Wilde’s beloved father dies, leaving the family estate, Wimborne, to her, she is deterined to to show everyone, especially her estranged half sister Catherine Davenporr, that she can manage things on her own, until her father’s pocket watch is stolen out of his study. Her father’s favourite book, was Gulliver’s Travels and, “Like Gulliver, Father rarely,did anything without consulting his watch.” Her father had been the magistrate in Little Sowerby and used to share a lot about his work with Genevieve.. With the new magistrate, Mr Northcott, more interested in seeking her hand in marriage than in helping her find this heirloom that means so much to her, she employs Mr Jack Travers, a thief-taker, to find the watch. Then more strange and destructive things happen at Wimborne…..
I really recommend A Heart Worth Stealing as a great read, with witty dialogue, a gripping story and some sweet romance.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opinions,in this review are completely my own.

This was a really fun Regency adventure/romance! I enjoyed the characters and the banter. There's a bit of a mystery hanging over them, although one that's not overly difficult to see through. Still, it was entertaining to be along for the ride.
Genevieve, the heir to her father's estate, is having a rough time. All is not going well with the management of the property, and then her father's watch, her prized heirloom, goes missing. When she can't get the local magistrate to take it seriously, she decides to hire a "thief-taker," which raises eyebrows in all the wrong ways. Thief-takers have the most dubious of reputations and are often nearly as much trouble as the thieves they are hired to find. But when Jack shows up in answer to her summons, he tells her he prefers to be called a "special investigator" and goes on to up-end all her expectations. A pleasant read, with a nice balance of lightness and heart.

Mystery and romance? My favorite combination. Ginny is facing threats and troubles on her estate, cue the hiring of a handsome former bow street runner, Jack. I quite liked Ginny, I thought she had gumption and spunk and wasn't a helpless miss waiting for a man to solve her problems, I liked her proactive approach. Jack was a very sweet hero, and the romance was definitely swoon worthy. I particularly liked the difficult sisterly relationship between Ginny and Catherine, I found it realistic to the family dynamic. Might I hope Verity gets a story of her own in the future? This is about a 4.5 for me. I found it a bit slow in the beginning, but after the halfway point, it picked up speed that never stopped. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review

Another sweet regency mystery by Joanna Barker. A Heart Worth Stealing is a clean, easy, cozy mystery. It was easy to figure out the culprit behind the sabotage. Fairly predictable, in the usual sort of "heroine can't stand hero" kind of way. Where I think this book actually stands out or excels is in the relationship between the two half sisters. That's what I really liked about this story and why I would recommend it to other lovers of regency romance.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

This is a review for A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker. I found this book on NetGalley, and the reason I chose it was because it is set in England in the Recency era, which is one of my favorite genres. I also enjoy books from this publisher, and I wasn't disappointed with this book at all!!

Miss Genevieve Wilde, who her friends call Ginny, and is a magistrate's daughter, finds that she has inherited the estate that she grew up in because her beloved father has just died, and left her everything, including a priceless heirloom, her father's pocket watch. She remembers him wearing that watch every day, and she is devastated to find that someone has stolen it! She tries to enlist the help of the current magistrate, Mr. Northcott, whom she has recently turned down after he proposed marriage, but even though he remains friendly, he doesn't help Ginny with finding out who stole her father's watch.

In addition to the watch being stolen, Ginny has been having other problems around the estate that she cannot figure out who is behind, and one day while reading the newspaper, she sees an advertisement for a "thief-taker", which she decides to hire, since she finds herself with no other options, and she isn't prepared for who answers that ad in the slightest.

Jack Travers, a former Bow Street Runner, now offers his investigative services learned while being a runner, and decides to help the beautiful Miss Genevieve Wilde find out who stole her father's watch, and ends up getting way more than he bargained for. He and Miss Wilde must work close together, go down a road in which they uncover crimes not only of theft, but conspiracy and betrayal from unexpected culprits! But solving crime isn't the only thing that this book is about, as there is also an air of romance, but you have to read the book to learn more!!

This is a good book to read on a cold day with a mug of cocoa next to a fire. It was interesting, unpredictable, and the characters blended well to make a good story. The ending was unsuspected, and quite exciting! I read this book in 3 days, and I enjoyed it. I liked that it was a good story, but clean, meaning nothing inappropriate! There are not a lot of great stories like this out now-a-days! I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it!

Miss Genevieve Wilde is a young single woman who is determined to face life's challenges on her own, just as her late father had taught her. So when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent. She has no choice but to hire a thief hunter to find the watch.
It's a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street agent Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He's frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome and completely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she'll be able to resist such a man.
To protect her house and her reputation, the two engage in a risky charade: they pretend Jack is her cousin so she can begin her investigation, starting with the household staff.

I love the characters and the back and forth banter.
Ginny is a woman who knew what she wanted and didn't settle for less than she deserved, just love her. And then we have Jack, a charming and flirtatious man who always said awkward things, but in a comical way. I recommend it for lovers of historical romance with a bit of suspense and humour.

What’s not to love about this book?

-A beautiful, independent, red haired and spunky woman trying to prove herself to everyone and not really caring about what society says about her, but becomes a ninny when around a certain handsome man. (Check)
-A dark curly haired handsome and daring thief-taker who tells it like it is, flirts shamelessly and knows his smiles are disarming, especially to a certain red haired firecracker. (Check)
-A best friend who is witty, funny and cares not for what society thinks, but cares greatly for her best friend. (Check)
-A invisible thief in the night, causing mischief and sleepless nights for the mistress left to live at her home alone, with only servants to keep her company. (Check)

Will the thief-taker find the thief?
Will the red haired firecracker find what she is searching for?

You will love this witty, swooney, funny, action packed book! Joanna Barker outdid herself with this one. It is definitely a new favorite!

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t brequired. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book.

I love Joanna’s work and this - her first Proper Romance - is just what you want in a PR book! The swoon! There’s lots of it. There’s mystery and action! A rakish scoundrel who is too handsome for his own good and a heroine out to prove herself.
⏱️
It all starts with a watch gone missing and Genevieve goes to the local magistrate and gets laughed at. So she does the next best thing and hires a thief taker. I found this whole thread fascinating and I haven’t read anything explaining what a fence is. So I loved that!
⏱️
I came for the “he’s basically Flynn Rider” and stayed for the enemies to lovers, the banter and annoyance and the love story. I honestly didn’t know how it would end, I had an inkling of the bad guy but this went above and beyond my expectations. I couldn’t stop reading and had to know how it would end.
⏱️
This fantastic book comes out until May 2023 but it will be worth the wait! And the cover is gorgeous so just look at that until then 😉😁
⏱️
Thank you to the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley for the advanced copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

This book had all of the elements of a good, sweet regency romance and I really enjoyed it!

First off, I loved Jack Travers character. I saw on the author’s Instagram where she mentioned he was like Flynn Rider who is one of my favorite heroes ever… so I was bound to like Jack Travers. He has a flirtatious, carefree front to cover up the sweet, caring man underneath… ah, I love it! He was just so fun and full of life. I would have liked to gotten to know his character even more but as it was, I really liked him! He was so much fun!
It took me a bit to warm up to Ginny. Probably because of how she acted towards Jack and I liked him immediately. I didn’t dislike her really, it just took me a while to connect to her. But by the end, I liked her!
Also, I liked Beatrice the little we saw her and Wily was pretty fun too!

The romance was really cute! I loved the banter between the characters. I was snickering and smiling for the majority of the book. Jack and Ginny were really just adorable.❤️

I liked that there was a mystery happening as well. Historical mysteries are my favorite so I really enjoyed that aspect to the plot since it added a bit of action, suspense, and danger to the book.
Also, I really liked the writing in this book! It was just enjoyable to read. The way certain things were put, especially how the author described Jack Traver’s character, was perfect and really made me like his character. Also, there were quite a few quotable lines.

This book was clean, which as always, I really appreciate! The kisses were a bit more descriptive than I typically prefer but that’s easily skimmed. There was no language and the violence was minimal.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read with a sweet romance, an interesting mystery, and great writing. It made me smile, laugh, and swoon a little too!
If you like regency romance books that have:
•a enemies to lovers/ opposites attract romance
•a flirtatious, lovable hero
•a slightly headstrong, totally feisty heroine
•fun banter
•a whodunit mystery that brings action, danger, and suspense to the plot
•great writing
then I think you will love this one!☺️

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I will be honest,the first couple of pages in I was not so sure about this book. But as I stuck with it, I was more than pleasantly surprised!

Ginny is trying to run her family home. Her father has recently passed away and her step sister is more than unkind. Little things have been happening on her estate, but the worst was when her father's watch was taken from her study. With Little help from the local Magistrate, she chooses to higher a special investigator. And that is when things start to change.

Jack has been let go from the Bow Street runners after political reasons. He arrives and turns Ginny's life upside down.

This was a fun read, lots of intrigue, the characters were well drawn, the stage well set.

The Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a fun read that hit all the right places. There is witty dialogue, a puzzling mystery, and a budding romance with just the right amount of tension. I enjoyed watching Ginny and Jack's relationship change and grow, and I loved that Jack wasn't too serious. Overall a great read!

When Miss Genevieve Wilde's father died and left her the family estate she had no idea the challenges she would face including the theft of her father's beloved watch. She decides to contact a "thief-taker" to investigate the crime and a series of events and spirited conversations makes her realize just how much she trusts former Bow Street officer Jack Travers.

This fast paced novel was very enjoyable. The banter between the two main characters was both humorous and romantic. Unfortunately an obvious clue was shared early in the story to give away the mystery, but it did wrap up satisfactorily in the end. The mystery was a good twist to the proper romance genre and I'd love to see this couple take on more adventures together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

A clean historical romance with an excellent plot twist. Thieves, investigators, humor and romance. A typical read for a Regency genre novel with extra mystery vibes. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read for an honest review.

Genevieve Wilde - Ginny - is a smart woman and the daughter of the late magistrate. As heiress she runs Wimborne, the estate she inherited from her late father, and does that very well, but she struggles with the judgement from other people because of her heritage. Her mother was a governess so she feels judged and she feels she cannot put a foot wrong, so things get more complicated for her when accidents start to happen at the house. She fears when people find out about this, they will say that she’s unfit as mistress of the estate. When her father’s pocket watch is stolen and she isn’t taken seriously by the police, she decides to take matters in her own hand and hires Jack Travers, a thief-taker, or private investigator, as he calls himself.

Jack is a handsome, laidback kind of mn, brought up as a gentleman but like Ginny, he doesn’t quite fit in as well. They have that in common. He likes to tease to either thrown people off their game and learn more about their character, or charm them in revealing things about themselves. It is a clever way of getting more information, but it is also just a character thing. Jack doesn’t like to be all proper and polite all the time, he just prefers to say things as they are or look at the funny side of life. Ginny starts to appreciate that of him more and more, and value him as a person.

I liked the fact that two seemingly totally different people have the basics in common: the craving of being accepted and not judged and the fear or even the assumption that you are not good enough.
What I didn’t understand was that Ginny gets angry with Jack a lot. Even just after she hired him, she doubts and distrusts him, despite the fact that he hasn’t given her any reason to doubt or distrust him. When he’s working, she sometimes interferes, not always very clever of her, and ruins his work - and again, she gets angry with him again. I found that quite annoying and exasperating. Come on, girl; of course you can have doubts at the beginning, but you hired him so why not let him do his job and trust that he does well? Jack is prone to jump to conclusions, which I find quite unattractive and wouldn’t expect from someone like him. I’d expect him to be sharp, clever, witty, but not clumsy in that regard.
A few scenes are quite unrealistic, like having a whole conversation (and more) in a garden in the middle of the night while stalking a potentially dangerous armed and intruder. But overall it was a nice read. The whodunnit was well worked out, although I figured it out quite early in the book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After the death of her father, Genevieve Wilde has been on her own. Determined to prove herself, she has been running her estate and trying to stay afloat. When her father's watch (one of her most prized possessions) goes missing, she hires Jack Travers to help her find it. Jack is a thief-taker, or a special investigator as he prefers to be called, and Ginny has many reservations about hiring him. He's handsome and flirty but she has no choice but to trust him to see her watch returned. When they discover that the missing watch is just part of a larger attack against her, they come up with a plan to pretend Jack is her cousin so he can investigate and protect Ginny without damaging her reputation.

This was the perfect mystery romance! I appreciated that Ginny was independent and stood up for herself and was willing to do whatever it took to defend her home and her staff. I immediately liked Jack and his witty comments. This was a slow-burn, clean romance and I loved their emotional connection. The second half of the story was filled with twists and turns and it definitely kept the story interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC! Look for A Heart Worth Stealing in May 2023!

A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a nicely combined Regency Romance and a mystery. The story takes place in the early 19th Century, and the primary characters are Ginny (Genevieve), her half sister Catherine, the nefarious Mr. Northcott and his side-kick James Garvey, and Jack, a thief catcher. The romance of the book is the burgeoning relationship between Ginny and Jack, and it is well-drawn and believable. However, a particular scene which was somewhat amusing and questionable at the same time was a drawn-out kissing scene which tenuously took place in an oak tree.

The plot of the book is cleverly crafted and believable as are the character developments. The book moves quickly and comfortably. The setting of Ginny's house in the English countryside and its surroundings creates a true description of the era. The relationship between Ginny and Jack, the thief catcher, develops slowly but steadily, and it addresses the questionable, for the time, idea of a woman of means (albeit small) with a man who comes from a somewhat dubious background. On the other hand, the frequently lighthearted banter between Jack and Ginny enriches the plot and keeps the reader engaged to the end.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Press and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This book was incredible! I've read one other book by this author and this one u liked more. Following the story of Geneiveive and Jack was fun and it was very exciting and made me not want to put the book down.

This is absolutely my new favorite book. I loved all of it. Not a single bit was boring. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll be vague. I loved how things were resolved at the end. I didn’t see it coming and it was so clever. A rescue as great as the end of the princess bride. Most novels I read I forget the plot line pretty quickly. I’ll be remembering this story. It was much different than all the other regency novels I’ve been reading. I learned a lot about thief takers and the underground of the crime world. The romance was toe curling and heart warming (I actually sighed a couple times).
This novel is clean but definitely has some great kiss scenes. Also be prepared to laugh out loud frequently.
You’ll regret it if you don’t read this one.

Miss Genevieve Wilde realizes that her father’s watch is missing. This young heiress must track down someone to help in the search. See ends up counting on Jack Travers, a former Bow Street officer. You wonder what may develop between these two!

What a fun read! I enjoyed the mystery and the budding relationship between the main characters. As always, Joanna writes such amazing scenes ❤️ You are sure to enjoy this book!!

Loved this sweet regency romance! The characters were wonderful with plenty of tension between the two main characters. There was romance, mystery, danger and plenty of swoony kisses, the perfect recipe for a great romance,

I really liked the story line of this book. Ginny was a stubborn, loyal, and hardworking girl who loved her father fiercely. Jack is an active, curious, and astute individual. I liked how both of them worked together to find the culprit behind the terrorizing of Ginny’s home. They each had weaknesses that they had to overcome to be together.

I struggled with the flow of this book. There were times I didn’t like the main character’s bullheadedness. It could be a personality clash between her and myself that I didn’t like. But I felt like it wasn’t fair to Jack to always show why she was right. It would have been nice to see some scenes from his perspective. (That’s the only reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars)

This is definitely a book to read. It had some amazing nuggets of wisdom. I loved the line that it is impossible to know everything about a person. Because they constantly change. Everyday we make new decisions that shape our future selves. How can we possibly know every version of someone? That was very well said.

Joanna is a great author. I own all of her books and have been very impressed.

“‘None of that matters,’ he said simply. ‘All that matters is this. Us. What we feel for each other.’ He took my hand, pressed a kiss to my knuckles. ‘Last night, I had a glimpse of my life where you were no longer in it. Where I might lose you. And it terrified me. Because strong as I think I am, I am not strong enough to live without you.’”

That, my friends, is Jack Travers for you. You definitely need to know Jack. He is a thief taker a.k.a. Special investigator. He became a favorite of mine quickly. Jack is hired by our leading lady, Ginny. Ginny is strong, brave and confident. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and her estate, even if that means arming herself with a vase. She is awesome! Together, they solve a mystery or two and find love while at it.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a slow burn romance. The banter and moments that lead them to their happily ever after are all so good, though, that I didn’t feel like I was being dragged through the mud to get there. It had just the right amount of everything and I can’t wait to read it again.

I have loved every Joanna Barker book that I have read and that is all of them. A Heart Worth Stealing was better than I imagined. It was so fun and unique. If you love that and want more swoon worthy goodness, you have to read this book. I have so many good lines highlighted and I just sigh a little every time I read them. Definitely add this fun Proper Romance to your TBR.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy. These opinions are my own.

This was my first book by Joanna but I absolutely enjoyed her writing! It was easy to get swept away and I just loved how different it felt than other proper romances. It had a bit of mystery and I loved the whole investigator/protector trope!

The romance is definitely a slowburn and takes a while to get there but it was so adorable!! I just loved their chemistry and banter. Lots of swoony moments and the their first kiss was *chef's kiss* perfect! This was just very delightful and made me so happy! Highly recommend if you want a proper romance with a little different plot but just as enjoyable romance.

YES PLEASE MORE OF THIS! I loved this story, the mystery aspect of it, the characters, the setting - ALL OF IT! I cannot wait to dive more into Joanna Barker's back list!

This book was such a refreshing read, I love historical romance, and this book was different from the usual stories. The chemistry from the get go, the snark, the banter - all amazing! I loved her independence and his way of talking and dealing with her without trying to take over her life - he just got under her skin in the most delicious way.. The mystery played out in a very enjoyable way, without giving away anything. I loved all the side characters, even the half sister.

4.5 Stars!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

After her father's death six months ago, Genevieve Wilde inherits Wimborne estate. But there has been mischief: vandalism, missing sheep, and now the theft of her beloved father's pocket watch. Desperate, she hires a thief-taker to find the watch and whoever is behind all the trouble.
Jack Travers is charming, witty, and resourceful. He stays on site to make sure no harm comes to the estate or Genevieve. Little do they know, the mischief is about to turn into outright danger to both their lives.
I received a digital ARC in exchange for honest reviews, so I'll be thorough. Jack, Genevieve, her friend Beatrice, and his friend Wily are all hilarious. I relate to Beatrice more than any other Regency character I've ever read about. Keep speaking your mind, girl! I double checked some phrases to make sure they existed in 1802. "Peeping Tom" was coined in 1796, "drat" was used by the early 1800s, but "if looks could kill" (page 85) wasn't around until the early 1900s. She also claims she was "robbed" in the beginning. Robbery is when someone deprives you of property by force or fear. Breaking into a study to steal a pocket watch is burglary. As for the mystery, I knew who did it pretty early on, but only guessed a very small percentage of why the person did it. The romance elements are really sweet. Borderline too much kissing (inner prude was starting to squirm), but their selflessness for each other is beautiful. Love the friendships and the growing family relationships. I will say of Jack that black hair and blue eyes are actually a rare combination, so I have to try to suspend disbelief a bit each time (and man, it is common in romance). "Dark" hair is easier to believe, because it can be dark brown. Overall, great book! Really enjoyed it. Be sure to purchase it when it comes out in May!

Public review: https://www.instagram.com/authorlindsaybetz/
I also posted it in several Facebook groups, including one with 1.1 million members. Groups are private, so a link won't do any good, but the review is out there!

Such a cute regency with a bit of a mystery, too. Genevieve and Jack were fun characters and I loved their banter.
The story was interesting and kept me hooked beginning to end but I especially enjoyed the 2nd half of the book.
You really can’t ever go wrong with a book by this author.

Im was very looking fordward to read this book since the moment Joanna Barker annonunced it and when I was able to received an ARC from Netgalley I was really, really Happy!
This book is so funny, entertaining and have a dash of mystery that I absolutely love! Jack, the MMC is completely swoony and I love witty and funny Ginny
Joanna is an auto-buy author for me an one of my favorites
I recommend to read this book and all of hers!

Ginny and Jack! This is such a different proper romance book for me. I loved how it was a mystery with finding the watch but then turned thriller because Ginny was part of a larger plot. Enemies to lovers is always a favorite trope so that was done very well. I highly recommend! This is probably in my top 5 favorite proper romances along with Edenbrooke and Miss Newburys List.

Excellent love story with elements of mystery. I love the hero and heroine and how well they were written. Well done,

When Genevieve Wilde finds her late father’s watch is missing and receives little help from local authorities, she hires thief-taker/special investigator Jack Travers to recover the family heirloom. It becomes clear this is part of a larger series of nefarious events targeting Ginny and her estate. Over the course of their investigation the two fall in love and solve the case.

Overall this was an enjoyable read with a mystery plot bringing the two lead characters with similar histories (class standing! authenticity vs propriety!) to work together despite initial reservations on her side. The villain was pretty predictable, but I prefer that to something you’d never be able to guess.

Highlights were the scene involving Jack’s family (we love a main male character raised around so many women) and the sarcastic/flirty banter between Jack and Ginny. Would have liked to see Jack’s perspective to learn more about his upbringing, his former job, to see Ginny though his eyes, etc. The romantic pacing in the middle felt a bit off to me—like her reservations about him were knocked down in a chapter and suddenly she was in love with him. Maybe I just like more mulling and pining.

Not precisely my cup of tea but a solid choice for readers who enjoy low steam (the back cover lists this as a “clean” romance) historical romances and mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review this ARC.

Joanna Barker is an absolute master of the regency romance genre -- and A Heart Worth Stealing is her best yet, in my opinion!

Genevieve ("Ginny") Wilde is such a compelling main character. Though life hasn't always been fair to her or easy by any means, she's out to do the best she can. At the start of the book, her main focus is caring for her estate, Wimbourne, left to her by her late father. I love how Ginny takes care of the estate not for herself alone, but out of great respect and love for her father and for the people dependent on her estate. When the safety of her estate is threatened, Ginny is out to do whatever she can to remedy the issue. When the local magistrate, Mr. Northcott (who gives supreme 'nice guy' vibes right from his first introduction) doesn't take Ginny seriously, she's not about to let that stop her -- she's got a job to do and far be it from one man to stop her! So, she hires a thief taker (my quick Google search about thief takers proved that yes, this was every bit as scandalous/risky in this era as Ginny makes it out to be. Definitely a fascinating research rabbit hole!).

The interactions between Ginny and her hired thief taker, Jack Travers, are absolute gold. The chemistry is so well written and practically jumps off the page. Their dialogue is spirited and mischevous in the very best way -- the whole novel, I wonder what exactly they'll say next to push the bounds of propriety! The other relationships in the book are equally worth mentioning. Ginny has a wonderfully complex relationship with her half sister, Catherine, and it is intriguing to see that develop and change. Beatrice Lacey is such a delightful best friend and such a compelling side character as to make me hope this is a series with her book yet to come.

Lastly, the plot shows off a new dimension of Joanna Barker's talent -- the suspense and intruige of the overall plot is so masterfully done. I had no idea this was in her repertoire and was pleasantly surprised. The antagonist aspect is especially artful; I had my suspiscions all along, but there were elements I was missing up until the very end and I absolutely couldn't pull myself away until I"d finished and all was revealed! The villain was perfectly done -- such an accurate reflection of what actual terrible humans look like in real life as well as perfectly suited to the novel on the whole.

Definitely a book I'll recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was a new to me author. I was scrolling through Netgalley. The cover first drew my eye, and then the description sounded interesting. I requested and was granted an advance review copy. I am so glad I received this introduction. Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing!

This is a clean romance that is reminiscent of Jane Austen. It seemed well-researched and historically accurate. The main characters are not of the nobility, and the scenes don't take place at a bunch of balls. The story and the characters were refreshing. I definitely plan to read more by Joanna Barker.

The story began shortly after our heroine's father had passed away. Since he did not have a title and no sons, he left everything to his unmarried youngest daughter Miss Genevieve Wilde. She had been doing a great job of running the estate and staff. However, some 'accidents' had been happening, culminating with the theft of her late father's pocket watch. It was very dear to her, so she was willing to do anything in her power to get it back - even hire a thief taker!

Former Bow Street officer Jack Travers responded to her letter by traveling from London and showing up on her doorstep. Jack was confident to the point of almost being arrogant, and Ginny immediately took a dislike to him. However, as the accidents increased in magnitude, she began to feel safer with Jack than without him. He moved in as her 'cousin', and they worked together to find the thief and unravel the mystery behind the reason for these unfortunate events.

The class difference was very clear. Ginny's mother was her father's second wife. She was Ginny's older sister's nanny before her father fell in love and married her. Ginny's sister treated her with disdain in public. In spite of these struggles, Ginny was still landed gentry. She was one of the wealthier people in the area. Therefore, it was important she keep her reputation.

Jack was the bastard of a Lord who paid for Jack's education, but Jack was never accepted by his schoolmates. Raised with his sister by his actress mother, as a thief-taker, there was no way he would be an acceptable husband to Miss Wilde. However, these two moved from enemies to friends with an attraction stronger than either had ever experienced before. In the end, they had to decide what was most important and make a choice.

There was an entire cast of well-rounded supporting characters I did not mention who improved rather than confused the story. The writing was lovely. The mystery was intriguing. The romance was a slow build. Everything was believable. If you enjoy clean HR, I recommend!

This book was so enjoyable! Ginny and Jack join forces to solve the mystery of the vandalism and theft on Ginny's estate. I loved watching Ginny begin to drop her state of tension and stress as she realized that Jack made her feel safe.

Without giving too much away, there IS a happily ever after and a sweet scene that takes places IN a tree that you won't want to miss!

This #earc was provided by #netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Joanna Barker treats her readers to a delightful Regency tale with "A Heart Worth Stealing". Part "whodunit", this lovely romance has a cast of engaging characters. The seemingly mismatched Genevieve Wilde and thief-taker Jack Travers find love as they work to find the culprit behind a theft and increasing vandalism.

The reader comes along for the ride with this fast-paced book, as she also attempts to unmask the villain. There are several likely suspects, and a variety of motives. The proven "bad actor" didn't completely surprise me, although the motive did. The mystery's resolution wasn't predictable, and that's a definite plus.

Joanna Barker's prose is always pleasing, with few grammatical errors. With witty and clever banter, a sweet romance, and an intriguing mystery, "A Heart Worth Stealing" is an altogether enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this captivating story.

I'm picky about my regency set novels. But A Heart Worth Stealing was one I loved. And I think it's because this one gave me strong Independent women who are slightly out of place for the time period they are in. As well as heroes aren't exactly the one's readers swoon over. But I like my heroes a little rough around the edges.

I love Joanna Barker! This is the second book of hers that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed.

Genevieve is left to care for her home after her father's passing. When she finds that her father's watch has been taken, she obtains help from Mr. Northcott who took over her late father's position as magistrate... and the man who has asked for her hand in marriage more than once. When he seems as if he won't be of any help, Genevieve hires a thief taker, Mr. Jack Travers. They find out that there are other instances of things gone awry throughout Wimborne.

* Jack is attractive, dedicated to his investigative work, and a little bit of a flirt when it comes to Genevieve.
“I cannot help but think this a waste of time.”
“A morning spent with a beautiful lady is never a waste,” Mr. Travers said as he perused his notes.
* Genevieve is devastated with the loss of her father since he is all she's had. Her half sister hates her and her mother died (I think) from childbirth. She's intent to keep Wimborne up and running without the need to marry.

I loved these two from the moment they first interacted. This was a clean historical romance where the mystery of finding out who is responsible for all of the attacks on Wimborne seemed to be the main plot and the couple's romance as a subplot. I thoroughly enjoyed how it was written and how the story flowed.

Excellent read!

**Review will be published on my sites and socials April 27th**

MY NEW FAVORITE.

Y’all. Here me out. Romantic suspense PLUS regency romance. It’s my new favorite thing. I looooved this so much!!!

Jack was heavenly swoony. I tabbed my book many times over at his glances and endearing ways. I loved his personality and there was off the charts chemistry between him and Ginny from the get-go. Fiery banter and passionate kisses and I am in love.

I loved Ginny’s tenacity and take charge nature. It’s not overwhelming, it’s empowering. She grows through putting the past behind, solving crimes, and doing what’s best for her estate. I also appreciate a great friendship and I adored that connection as well.

There’s the perfect balance between romance and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens next. Who took the watch? Who’s causing chaos? It’s such a unique dynamic for this genre and Barker’s writing is captivating. I LOVE her writing and will continue to read anything of hers I can get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:

Regency Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, gun violence, arson, attempted murder, loss of a parent

I adored this book. The banter between the two main characters is just fantastic!! I am all for the witty banter! This was my first book by this author, but now I want to binge read her backlist.

“Even if he was a scoundrel of the worst sort, it would all be worth it.
I hoped.”

While I’ve enjoyed every story that I’ve read by Joanna Barker, this is my favorite, it is absolute perfection!

It was fresh, fun and a completely delightful with a hilarious meet cute and a perfect first kiss that is completely original, swoony and will leave you cheering for the main characters. It also has an air of mystery with some nice twists to keep you guessing.

If there is one thing I love to see in a book, it is winking. I especially love winks when they appear in regency era stories where everything is normally so proper. Let me just say that Jack doesn’t disappoint with his lopsided grin and his winking.

Genevieve (Ginny) Wilde is distraught when her deceased father’s pocket watch is stolen. When the local magistrate doesn’t come to her aid, she does what she thinks is best and hires a thief-taker.

When Jack Travers arrives at Miss Wilde’s home, she is thoroughly frustrated, not only with his good looks, but also with his personality and methods. Slowly as she and Jack spend more time together, she realizes there is more than meets the eye with Mr. Travers.

Ginny is an absolute delight of a character. She is brilliant, strong, and resilient, yet not obnoxious or overbearing. In a time when the intelligence of women was often scoffed at, Ginny shows that intelligence can also accompany humility.

Jack, well I do believe he just might be my new favorite male character. He is surprising, kind-hearted, flirtatious and absolutely lovable! I loved all of his interactions with Ginny.

Enemies-to-more
Banter
Flirting
Amazing chemistry
Forced proximity
Mystery (who-done-it)

A Heart Worth Stealing is exceptionally well done and a must read!

✨Book Review✨

“"I will not leave her. So long as she wants me, I will be at her side."”

Joanna Barker deserves an award for writing such swoon worth men! A Heart Worth Stealing is one of my favorite reads for this year, and I can’t wait for it to be available in stores next year.

Genevieve or Ginny to her friends is such a great character. She is coming into her own as a land owner, which is no easy feet to do as a woman during the regency time period. Despite someone trying to sabotage her, she still pushes forward. She takes a risk and hires a thief- taker which definitely turns her world upside down.

Jack aka the thief-taker, is a charmer and a dream boat. He is witty, intelligent and a lovable idiot. He is intelligent but sometimes jumps into things without thinking. Bless his heart. But he does recognize his faults and tries his best to be better and help out sweet Ginny.

These two are quickly became some of my favorite book characters. I loved their banter and the respect they have for each other. Watching them work together/falling in love was so enjoyable. This book was a quick read. I couldn’t put it down once I got started. I love the mystery, it wasn’t Joanna Barker’s normal but she did such a good job!

These thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks NetGalley for the Arc.

Wimborne is in trouble but Ginny doesn't really understand the lengths she will need to go to ensure it's survival.

Miss Genevieve "Ginny" Wilde's most favourite possession has been stolen and she is not getting anywhere with the local magistrate, who replaced her late father. Ginny sees an advert for a thief-taker of bow street fame and sends a letter to ask for assistance.

Jack Travers arrives at Wimborne to find more than just the single theft, but a bigger threat to Wimborne. Ginny must overcome her fears and enlist Jack's help to not only save Wimborne but also her reputation.

Do they save Wimborne? Can they find the watch? Can Ginny ignore the charismatic thief-taker and work with him to solve the mystery?

This was a lovely read! I just would have liked some spice. However, when Ginny's inner voice changed from Mr Travers to Jack that I was hooked! The only thing that would have made it better was some spice.

This is such a fun book! I swooned over the romance and the banter, I laughed over the characters’ wit, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent reading this story!

I love Genevieve and Jack together. Their banter is top-notch, and I loved how it was both witty and romantic at the same time! Genevieve is a strong and determined heroine, which I appreciated, and I liked how clever Jack is. I’ve never heard of a thief-taker (or a “special investigator” as Jack prefers) and it was interesting to read about that profession in this story!

Readers who enjoy regency romance with a mystery to it will absolutely love this book! I highly recommend it, and I am eagerly looking forward to more books by this author!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A Heart Worth Stealing by author, Joanna Barker, captured my attention from the beginning. A little mystery to solve, some criminal activity, a bit of undercover sleuthing, true friendships, an unexpected romance, discovering oneself, witty conversations, flirting and strong female roles are some of the things I liked about this story. This is a must read! Thank you, #netgalley and @authorjoannabarker for the opportunity to read Ginny's story. I was sad to see this story end. Happy reading, friends!

Book Description:
Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

This review could be summed up in two words. JACK TRAVERS. Amiright?! 😍🥵🔥

I loved everything about it. Joanna Barker can do no wrong. I love her writing style, her characters, her plots, EVERYTHING!!

Jack and Ginny’s story was entirely perfect. I really loved the circumstances in how they met. The mystery thread throughout the story kept me turning the pages until the very end. I correctly guessed whodunit early on, but Joanna truly kept me captivated until the very last page to see how everything turned out!

If you like regency romance with a mystery, you don’t want to miss this one!

Read it for:
⏱Regency romance
⏱Mystery/whodunit
⏱Dreamy kiss scenes
⏱Strong female MC
⏱Former Bow Street Runner male MC
⏱A new book boyfriend
⏱Banter/flirtation

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain, and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content warning: mild violence, attempted murder, kidnapping

4.5 stars

What a fun journey this book was! I loved the romance, the mystery and suspense. All of it was so much fun to read and captivating from early on. I read 70% of this book in one sitting and stayed up way past my bedtime. Worth it!

This story is about Ginny, who’s in charge of her family’s estate as the last remaining unmarried resident. We find out in chapter one that she has lost something and suspects it has been stolen. Since this item has great personal significance for her, she does whatever she can to have it returned to her - including hiring an investigator who she hopes will take her request more seriously than the local magistrate. What unfolds is a journey with twists and turns that keep the reader enthralled with every page turn.

Read this if you love:
💜 strong, independent leading lady
💜 a protective hero
💜 forced proximity
💜 swoony regency romance

This was so sweet and so good from start to finish. I love Joanna’s writing and this book further solidifies the fact that I absolutely have to read everything she writes. I’ve already read her entire backlist and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. The only slight thing I wish was different about this book is the single POV. I kept waiting for the book to switch from Ginny to Jack’s point of view but alas, it was not meant to be. Nevertheless this story was fantastic and I will be singing its praises for a while. Can we talk about how cute these two are together? Seriously, I love how he jokes with her and makes her smile and how she steadies him and balances him out. He never tried to hold her back or restrict her independence which is so fun to read, and especially awesome to find in a historical setting.

What else can I say? If this story sounds at all appealing to you, definitely find yourself a copy.

Many thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.

Good romance and Jack was swoony. Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for my arc copy, all opinions are my own.

What I enjoyed with this story was its easy flow. Their was easy conversation and natural friendship between the heroine and hero. I loved their interactions. The mystery and twist near the end was kept interesting. The romance swoony. If you enjoy a good kiss scene while keeping the bedroom door closed this will be a win for you. This author has been an auto read for me an will continue to be. The heroine was strong and sharp. The hero was witty, fun and a good compliment to the h. This is fiction and I'm curious how the two would've made a match in reality with their differing backgrounds. I'm always curious in the authors inspiration for stories.

What’s not to love with Joanna Barkers “A heart worth stealing”?? I loved the character building and deepening relationships throughout the book. The way she writes out a seemingly complicated mystery has perfect twists and turns and the answer unfolds into a perfectly simple explanation at the end. I always love reading her books and never get bored.

Thank you Shadow Mountain for the copy of this MOST anticipated release!

Here’s what I loved about this book:
• the mystery was addictive
• a reverse grump x sunshine
• emotional and heartwarming
• some steamy kisses, but no spice!

I adore Jack and Ginny as characters. Jack is so fun, determined, and ever so swoony. Ginny was strong, independent, and I loved seeing her open up and fall in love with Jack.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kisses
TW: death of a parent, mild violence, vandalism, stealing

A classic regency romance, featuring Genevieve, who's dealing with too many issues too handle (though she thinks she can) and Jack - who arrives to solve one problem but ends up solving them all.
What I really loved about this book is that is has the perfect proportions of angst, mystery, humor, adventure, and romance!! The banter between Ginny and Jack is so fun to read - sometimes sweet, sometimes hilarious - and rarely tedious.
One of my favorite parts of the story (and one I wish we could have seen more about) was the relationship between Ginny and Catherine.
Overall, a very well- written book with one of the best types of heroes - the competent ones!
And extra marks for the amazing cover!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for this eARC!

Are you ready for a great whodunnit story, with lots of great banter that will have you laughing and cheering these characters on, as well as some sweet romance? If you said yes, then you're going to adore this book!!!

Genevieve Wilde is doing her best to keep everything afloat at her father's estate that she inherited. Unfortunately weird things keep happening. Her father's watch ends up missing and she can't handle the thought of it being gone. It is one of her greatest treasures and reminders of him. Enter on Jack Travers, a former bow street runner. And Ginny and Jack are not seeing eye to eye. Did I mention Ginny grew up with her father as the local magistrate? And she pretty much knows all of the tricks in the book as far as investigative work goes? Yeah, you can probably see where this is leading our former bow street runner and our heroine sleuth's relationship...lots of disagreements and banter on who is right and how it happened. But the real magic happens when they start to trust each other and help each other. I loved it!!!

And I have to completely agree with several other reviewers who stated that they wish we could have seen Jack's POV and know what he was thinking. Oh that would have been so much fun, especially in regards to his thoughts and feelings of Ginny (from the beginning throughout the book). Yep, it would be fun! Maybe the author will write some bonus scenes or something for us readers to enjoy from his perspective.

I loved the sweet romance, made all the more sweet from the unconventional beginning of their relationship to friendship to more. Anything by this author is wonderful! My teenagers and I have read all of her books (well, I have one more to read and that's happening soon) and have loved them all! Joanna Barker has a household of fan's at my house! Can't wait to see what's next from her (of course as I'm posting this review, this book hasn't been published yet so it could be a little while). We'll be happily awaiting any news of it!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Some kisses but nothing further. I'd let my teenagers read this.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

I love Joanna Barker books, so I was really excited about this one.

I love a book with a mystery to figure out and it was such a fun twist to a proper romance book.

When Ginny is on her own to find the thief of the watch her father left to her, she enlists the help of a professional. When the local magistrate doesn’t take her seriously, she hires Jack to help her.

The banter and chemistry between Ginny and Jack was so fun as they work together to find and decipher clues. They end up finding more than they anticipated in the mystery and in each other.

I loved this book and it became not a question of whether or not I could put the book down, but rather, was I reading for more of that great chemistry or to solve the mystery? Another great novel by Joanna Barker.

#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley


This has been one of the best books I have had the pleasure to read in a year. I cannot give enough endorsements, but this book is filled with so many emotions, so much thought into each character, plot, etc. It would be a shame not to read it. It will pull on your heart strings and you will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ms Barker for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

A Heart Worth Stealing is packed with romance, mystery, and witty dialogue between the two main characters, Genevieve “Ginny” Wilde, and Jack Travers. Their chemistry is just irresistible. Ginny was the daughter of a magistrate that recently passed, leaving her his estate along with a treasured pocket watch. The pocket watch mysteriously disappears after a dinner party. Ginny consults the new local magistrate, Mr. Northcott; however, he dismisses her claims. As a result, Ginny decides to take matters in her own hands and hires a thief-taker to find the cherished watch. Jack Travers, the thief-taker, is flirtatious, charming, confident, and spontaneous; leaving Ginny to wonder what has she done in hiring such a man. As time passes though; she finds that Jack is much more complex and a trusted friend. What originally seemed like minor incidents at the estate, could they all related? I loved this book and the characters. I found it fun and entertaining.

My thanks to the author and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an early copy of this book. The opinions here are entirely my own.

“I had the feeling that not kissing Jack Travers would turn out to be the greatest challenge of my life.”

‘A Heart Worth Stealing’ by Joanna Barker is a regency romance that took me on a wild ride! There is a mystery to be solved, danger, suspense, action, romance, heart melting kisses, incredible witty banter and a very high level of swoon!

The romance in this book is phenomenal! Jack Travers and Ginny Wilde are so cute and the falling in love is butterfly inducing! Jack is a dream! He’s always smiling, he’s a flirtatious tease, he’s intelligent, charismatic and the list could go on and on. Ginny is feisty, bold, brave, intelligent and strong willed. They complement each other so well and I loved every moment of them together!

Their story is also filled with many obstacles to overcome. I couldn’t see a clear path to their happily ever after, and I had to keep reading to see how it would work out! I also loved getting bits and pieces of their past as I read. It gave me a better view of their characters and I loved getting to know them!

The romance and the mystery pulled me into this story! This book is emotional, intense at times with twists and turns that kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat!

I loved:
🌳Jack Travers!!!! He is dreamy with a capital dream!! You are going to love him!
🌳I enjoyed the loathing to more, forced proximity, some grumpy sunshine with a little bit of forbidden love sprinkled in.
🌳Memorable moments included the best oak tree in the world, a vase, a dance, and the meet cute!
🌳The heart melting romance was my favorite part. The chemistry! The banter! The kisses that made me weak in the knees!

I would describe this book as a regency mystery romance. So, if you enjoy regency romance with a mystery story line, beautiful writing and a love story that’ll steal your heart then I think you’ll love this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.

Content:violence,kidnapping, dangerous situations,threats

I’ll admit I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover of this book, but the inside blew the beautiful cover away! I’m pretty new to proper/regency romance and I tend to get bogged down in the stilted language of it all - but not at all with this one! It was so easy to read & I found myself staying up later to just figure out what would happen next. If you enjoy the sweetest romance with a bit of mystery - pick this one up! And if you’re new to this genre, I’d suggest you try it as well, because it was absolutely delightful! Can not wait to read more from Joanna Barker!

Absolutely delightful. I adore Jack and Ginny and this whole story. Ginny is spunky and stubborn and brilliant while Jack is a clever tease with messy curls and a unique background. Watching them work together was a joy and the romantic tension between them is delicious! I also really appreciated Ginny's journey with grief and how it plays into this story. Joanna's best yet!!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.

I loved this book so much! Loved the exciting mystery plotline, the characters, the banter, the swoony romance, the twist. And the cover! I thought Jack and Ginny’s relationship was done well. How it started as a boss/worker relationship, with some mistrust thrown in there, since Jack is a thief-taker. But Ginny takes a chance on him. And then seeing it evolve into a friendship of sorts, and then into something more that starts to sizzle. I thought the mystery plot was nicely done, and was different for a regency romance, so it really piqued my interest. And the twist at the end…wasn’t expecting that.

Definitely recommend this to anyone who loves regency romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an e-arc to review!

A fresh new story that had me guessing the entire book! I ruled out who I thought it was after being skeptical nearly the entire book. I couldn't believe I was duped. Such great writing and I love the connection and tension between Ginny & Jack. The only thing that felt very unresolved: What was in the second book of Gulliver's Travels????? Was there a letter for Catherine?? I can't imagine their dad not leaving one. That would have been such a sweet moment. After making such a point to mention going back to see that book, I couldn't believe this wasn't revisited. Other than that I completely loved the book and will be reading again!

Super adorable. I specifically liked the end and how it all turned out. There was enough mystery to keep you invested while Jack was consistently being his delightful/flirty self.

This was a fun book to read full with emotion, romance, sweet side characters, and a gripping story. Ginny’s relationship with her father was entirely relatable and realistic.

The kissing scenes were 😍!!! Jack and Ginny made sense as a couple and it was sweet to see their relationship grow. The way they were drawn together even though Ginny tried her best to keep her distance, it was all just adorable!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When an ARC by Joanna Barker pops up, I am 100% there. And this one did not disappoint!

Genevieve Wilde is alone. Her father has died, leaving her the estate, but she must work hard to convince those around her that she is capable of stepping into the shoes of her father. But then his pocket watch disappears. And other strange occurrences begin to happen that leave her without an anchor or any idea how to solve it. She does not trust the local authorities, so decides to hire a Bow Street officer. But she never expects to find a flirtatious man to show up at her door. Ginny decides to hesitantly trust him, and in the process learns more about herself, her goals and the secrets that have been hidden.

Loved this one. The characters are fabulous and the romance is fabulous. It's clean and so sweet. Wish the story wouldn't end, it was so great. Would definitely recommend! As stated in a past review, I don't normally give 5 stars for a romance, but this was such a pleasure, I'll give it anyway.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a beautiful story about trusting and love. I really enjoyed Genevieve and Jack's banter. I enjoyed how they worked together and complimented each other well. The little twists added to the mystery. A great read that I recommend to all.

I was so excited when Joanna Barker announced this book, and the breathtaking cover just made me more excited. The best part? The contents of the book were also incredible.

"A Heart Worth Stealing" is the story of Ginny, a young woman who has recently inherited her father's estate, trying to find her stolen pocket watch. Tired of the magistrate and every other man in town telling her she misplaced it, she resorts to something unthinkable—hiring a thief taker. Though Jack prefers the term special investigator.

However, once Jack starts investigating, it becomes clear there's a lot more going on at Ginny's estate than just a missing watch. And there might just be more going on between Ginny and Jack as well....

As someone who pretty much only reads romance novels, I really enjoyed that this book bridged genres. While I did really love the romance, I really liked the mystery/detective side of the story. Not only was I dying to know who was sabotaging and harassing Ginny, but the mystery changed the plot and made it unique. With swoon-worthy romance to top it off, this book was everything I wanted and more.

Another hit from Joanna Barker!

This book ABSOLUTELY stole my heart! I love a good charade trope! I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack ! I like how independent and brave Ginny and how kind and funny Jack was!

This book is perfect for fans of regency romances!

A beloved stolen watch of her late father causes Ginny Wilde to hire Jack Travers to help her track down the thief. As Jack learns more details about the estate, he realizes that Ginny is in danger of much more than a robber. Are the incidents connected, or does Ginny have more enemies than she realized?

Ginny is a young lady who I was rooting for the entire time! She is so incredibly determined to prove herself capable of keeping the estate going. She has a strong need to continue her father’s legacy and prove she is capable, even using unconventional means such as hiring a thief taker. She has little time for herself and seems like she had to grow up quickly

Jack was a great lead man. He is caring, compassionate, and a fierce protector. He’d be a man that I’d definitely want on my side if I had trouble. “I’ll always be there for you.” is the quote that perfectly describes Jack.

I loved Jack’s family and his shady assistant, Wily. Seeing their relationship to him gave me a more complete picture of what kind of man he was like. I really hope we get to see more of them in future books. It would be so fun to see the Wily and Jack unusual crime solving team in more cases.

Romance, plot twists, danger, suspense, and mystery make this a book that I am certain I will read again. I highly recommend reading this book. A bonus is there are discussion questions for book clubs, which I really appreciate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

AHHHHHHH!!!!!

I have so much I could say about this book but I can sum it up in one word: perfection.

I have read - and loved - everything Joanna Barker has written but this one? This one tops them all.

Ginny, stubborn and snarky, and Jack, a handsome "special investigator" who is charming and flirty, are such a perfect match. Joanna writes her characters in 3d - you get to know them so well that they are endearing and entirely unforgettable. The romantic tension between Jack and Ginny was so.well.done. You could feel the angst and chemistry practically leap off the page. And the flirty banter? *chef's kiss

The suspenseful scenes and the mystery as Ginny and Jack try to track down a thief had me glued to the book and yea, did NOT see those plot twists coming. Loved all the side characters who also stole my heart and will hopefully get a story of their own some day.

And oh my. That first kiss. Hold the phone. One of THE swooniest first kiss scenes in a historical fiction I have ever read. Like off the charts swoon. The best part? There is not one, not two, but multiple kiss scenes that will leave even the most hopeless romantics satisfied. And if stargazing was not romantic before, it most definitely is now!!

This one gets all the hearts and stars from me and will undoubtedly be a book I pick up to re-read over and over. Such a dreamy romance with every element that makes a good story and like Mary Poppins, is "practically perfect in every way."

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

I read my first Joanna Barker book almost exactly 4 years ago. I remember at one point of reading that book I had to stop for some reason and when I closed the book I came to a realization. I hadn't been paying any attention to the words or grammar in the book. I'd been totally focused on the story and the verbal imagery painting a picture in my mind. I was completely immersed in the story. That only happens to me if the story is really well written. And I think I've experienced that with every book I've read of hers since. The story takes over in my head with no distractions of odd phrases or awkward wording or one of the things that bothers me the most, constant repetition. They just aren't there to distract me from the story.

That was also true with this book. I was very excited to have the chance to read it. Beautifully written, outrageous flirtation on his part, some intrigue along with the romance, deception, kidnapping, perilous situations... Ha, just had the thought too of the child's taunting poem- Two little love birds sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (That happens in this book too. tee-hee).

Very enjoyable read. I loved it.

Sex: kissing
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

This was cute and sweet. I have to admit that this was the first book that I have read by Joanna Barker. However, it was so good! I have heard great things about this book and this author so I was really excited to read it.
Genevieve, Ginny, was a lovely character. I liked her from the beginning and it was interesting to get to know her more. Ginny had to learn to trust Jack and how to live again. Ginny was struggling after her father’s death but Jack had a way of helping her breath and laugh.
Oh, Jack, he was such a charmer. At first I did not know what to think of Jack, but he quickly won my heart. Jack was the perfect fit for Ginny. He was trying hard to prove himself and make amends for past mistakes. I enjoyed getting to know Jack more and seeing who he truly was. He was kind and considerate. Jack had to learn to fight for Ginny.
I loved the chemistry between Jack and Ginny. They were such a fun couple to read about. Their banter was funny and engaging. It was sweet to read about Jack and Ginny falling in love as they tried to find Ginny’s father’s watch. I was rooting for them. Barker wrote their romance so well, that it felt seamless.
The plot was also very interesting. Although it took me a little while to get into the book, I ended up sucked in by the end of it. I love the blend of romance, hints of suspense, and mystery that was woven into this book. I did not know how it was going to end and I really enjoyed reading the story. There were so many twists and turns. The characters were likable and the side characters were wonderful additions.
A Heart Worth Stealing is a wonderful book and I would definitely recommend it! It is a clean historical romance, I would recommend it to those at least 13 years and up.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

What a great, enjoyable read! I couldn’t have loved it more!

I loved the relationship between the two main characters. Ginny was so strong and yet vulnerable. I loved to see her growth as she came to trust herself and others and realize what’s most important.

Jack was a dream! So swoony with his roguish charm. He was a great hero! I just loved the relationship with he and Ginny. So much fun banter.

If you love reading awesome regency romance with a twisty mystery. You will love this book! I can’t say enough how much I recommend this book. One of the my favorite reads this year!

A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is unlike anything I've read in the Regency Romance genre. One part romance, one part mystery, this book was wholly unique and enjoyable to read!

When Miss Genieve Wilde places an ad to hire a thief-taker to help her find her late father's pocketwatch, a very handsome Mr. Jack Travers responds. As the pair work together to solve the mystery and find the watch, they also find love. But the course of true love never did run smoothly, and thank goodness, because I adored this story.

I loved seeing Genienve take action and stand up for herself, even when doing so was difficult (or ill-advised ;) ). And oh, Mr. Jack Travers! He was completely swoon-worthy--smart and confident, but also a little broken. I only wish I could have read a few chapters from his POV.

As usual, Mr. Barker's prose is on-point, her characters real, and the story stunning. Ms. Barker has outdone herself with this book! I highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance, proper romance fans, and mystery enthusiasts. You won't be disappointed!

Oh my goodness! The Queen of Romance strikes again! Joanna Barker is just the best at romantic chemistry/tension. This book was amazing! I absolutely love Ginny and Jack! Ginny is so brave, and bold and goes after what she wants. She cares about the safety of her staff and doesn’t shy away from making sure they are safe. Jack is funny, confident and charming. He is also very caring. I love how there is a mystery element to this story. Jack and Ginny work together to figure out who is behind the theft, vandalism and threats to Ginny. Clean read and definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content: Kisses

I wvoluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I'll admit the book didn't grab me immediately, and I almost put it down after 20%. But I'm glad I didn't because at about the halfway point, the book really picks up, and oh my goodness. This is sooooo good! I loved the mystery, the stakes, and especially the romance. I thought both characters were really fleshed out well, and I especially enjoyed Ginny's character, as she isn't afraid to stick up for herself or go after what (or who ;)) she wants.

I really enjoyed reading A Heart Worth Stealing, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a swoon-worthy hero and romantic kisses. Definitely loved!

She really good at leaving hints with out being obvious. It was a delightful mystery, with unique setting and characters that make you smile wide. This is such a brilliantly fun story.

A Heart Worth Stealing is an incredible story of belonging, romance, suspense, and mystery. The main characters are desperately trying to find their precarious footing in society and fight their feelings for one another in order to do so. However, danger has a way of bonding people together and Ginny and Jack are no exception.

This is a beautifully written book. The plot was interesting and kept me turning page after page (after page, after page, after page). A Heart Worth Stealing checks all my boxes: well written & suspenseful mystery, sweet and swoony romance, and (light) danger & intrigue. In romance mysteries, sometimes the mystery or the romance gets lost in the mix. That’s definitely not the case in this book! I related deeply to the characters and their feelings of being ostracized from society. I felt the emotions of the characters and it made the story that much more meaningful. Luckily, the strong romance doesn’t detract from the sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery and intrigue; it finds its place powerfully later in the book and the romance aspect actually enhances the tension of the climax of the book.

The first half of the story seems a bit slow paced, but it’s more than made up from in the end. After reading the entire book, the pacing made sense and added more meaning to the story and impact to the suspenseful ending.

Joanna Barker is now an instant-read author for me. Her hero’s are always so swoon-worthy, strong and yet vulnerable, and perfectly encapsulate Mr. Darcy energy. And so, meet Jack, our hero. My new favorite book bf. Jack is an investigator who helps our heroine, Ginny, to solve the mystery of her late father’s watch. Mystery and suspense follow the duo as they solve the crime and become closer by the minute.
The banter and chemistry they share is off the charts. For a clean romance- and tbh I read some truly spicy stuff regularly- their love story is so well composed and enthralling that I never miss the 🌶️ and would take a thousand Jack kisses any day. The way Joanna Barker writes her characters’ love crescendos makes me cry every dang time. 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for my unbiased review!

"A Heart Worth Stealing" is Joanna Barker's newest novel. Barker, known for her Regency romances, continues in the same vein with her new book. This book centers around Genevieve ("Ginny"), who is now in charge of her late father's estate after his unexpected passing. All alone in the world (with the exception of an estranged step-sister), Ginny is now experiencing strange happenings: thefts, break-ins, etc. Not knowing who to turn to, she hires a private investigator, Jack, to help her determine who is behind these occurrences. Along the way, Ginny ends up in an unexpected love triangle, and she has to figure out what to do about the sparks that are flying between her and Jack.

This was a nice, easy read, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Ginny and Jack. I would read another book by Joanna Barker! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a sweet and proper romance, with a spunky and independent heroine and a handsome hero hiding secrets. Ginny has a troubled relationship with her older half-sister, and I enjoyed watching that plot thread play out. She also has a loyal best friend who I’m guessing will get her own romance in a sequel to A Heart Worth Stealing. I loved the cover.

The plot has heart, flirting, manners, and action. What it does not have is a lot of mystery; I guessed who the villain was very early on. A ruse in which the thief-taker pretends to be Ginny’s cousin stretched believability even for me as the reader, much less for Ginny’s sister and acquaintances. As usual with historical romance, I found myself wishing the story had a third person narrator, instead of Ginny.

I read an advance reader copy of A Heart Worth Stealing from Netgalley.

What a pleasant surprise! This book combines the best of a regency romance and romantic suspense novel. I loved the mystery plot that brought forced proximity between Ginny and Jack. Their interactions were clever and delightful, and I loved seeing them work together against Ginny's mystery antagonizer. I had a hard time putting the book down because of the charming characters, tense plot, and engaging writing.

I will say that I was left wanting a bit more, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I wanted more growth from Ginny and Jack outside of their romance, or perhaps it's because I solved the mystery plot quite early on in the book. However, I still very much enjoyed reading this, and I'd highly recommend to regency romance lovers!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: thievery, threats, arson, fighting and gun violence, kisses

A fun mystery regency romance! I loved Jack's character and interesting background. I wished we could have had a chapter or two from his perspective creating more action scenes! I only figured out half the mystery but it was fun to guess who the villain was. I really like the sister story line between Catherine and Ginny. Their drama was something that happened back in the regency era but it's not normally written about and made the characters feel real. The main protagonist's romance, sister drama, and mystery kept my attention and made it a fast read.

I realize the author writes more romance but I would love a sequel that included some of Jack's investigations. As a former bow street runner and his newly acquired job at the end of this story, he would have A LOT of great stories to tell!

The cover is stunning and made me immediately want to read it.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Any romance with a first impression that involves the heroine wielding an absurd weapon at the hero just has my heart. I don’t make the rules.

This was my first book by this author, and I’m a fan, like, big fan, like “DM barrage the author” big fan. It’s a testament to the clever, excellent writing that I did not mind a single tea biscuit the first person single POV in a historical romance. I was immediately rooting for Ginny, my fellow indoorsy girl.

I’ll just say it, since it’s all you need to know: so much of what I love about Miss Scarlet and the Duke here. An independent heroine struggling to prove herself after her father’s death, a capable, protective investigator, palpable tension and delicious quick-witted banter with both of them just very into the other’s competence, intriguing mystery and peril. Except here we get class difference, and instead of a gruff inspector, we have a roguish, wide-grinned, flirty thief-taker who could charm the lorgnette off a dowager. And once Jack Travers locks eyes on our feisty Genevieve and her weapon of choice, it’s like it’s his new life mission to get a rise out of her, while special investigating and safeguarding her, of course. How we get forced proximity scenarios in the context and societal strictures of historical romance is always interesting to see, and fake idiot cousin is a new one for me. It was just so fun the whole way through, and so swoony and lovely. Did I say I’m a fan?

So thankful to the generous souls at Shadown Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for blessing me with an ARC.

Genevieve Wild finds herself in a predicament when her father's watch goes missing. When the authorities don't take her seriously, she is forced to hire a thief-taker. Little does she know how much she'd fall for the handsome and charming Mr. Travers.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for this opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I first discovered this author with her Game of Hearts book and fell in love with her writing. I was excited to read this book as well.

Unfortunately, I felt like the first 50% of the book dragged. I found myself skimming until it picked up halfway through.

Til that point, I was confused why Genevieve was so angry and bothered by Jack all the time. She had hired him to do a job and criticized him the whole way or got in his way.

Jack came off as superficial but I liked him more by the end. I wish I felt better chemistry between the characters but the romance on the page was written well. Their kisses were amazing but also not timed well for their circumstances.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book. Maybe I'm in the minority but I didn't know who the culprit was from the beginning so it was a nice reveal for me. I also enjoyed scenes between Genevieve and her friend and sister. And I also liked the way the book ended.

If you love regency romance, mystery, and no spice in your books, you'll enjoy this.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. JoAnna is one of my favorite authors. She does a great job describing detail to help me feel like I’m actually inside of the book experiencing each moment. This book was no exception.

I absolutely loved Jack. He was so bold and forthright to Genevieve. I knew from the beginning how it was going to end, and I even predicted the culprit right from the beginning but it was still a great read.

The oak tree scene was EVERYTHING. I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my friends THANK YOUUU.

One word… Jack.

Jack was a flirt and a tease which I loved! He also knew when to be serious. I think one of the most endearing things about him was he was not perfect. He made some pretty big mistakes but he apologized then tried to do better. Jack made this book special.

In addition to Jack, this story had a mystery. The who and the why of the mystery were pretty easy to guess, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the story. There are lots of twists and turns with the mystery.

Additionally, there is a great friendship to enjoy and some family dynamics that added to the story. I would love to read a book about Jack’s sister.

Finally, there is a perfume incident that spoke to my heart. I had a similar thing happen in high school. I’m still sorry for everyone in the car with us.

I loved this book! Although the mystery aspect was predictable, the characters were so perfect together. I loved both Ginny and Jack and their banter was perfect. Joanna Barker is quickly becoming an auto-buy author and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

This story hit every comfort reading box, and was very enjoyable for a Sunday afternoon! A bit of mystery and romance to keep things interesting. Ginny hires Jack to help find a missing family heirloom but problems keep growing until Ginny is in need of protection from nefarious intentions.

The two main characters were compelling and actually written with real flaws and personalities, hey look at that! Jack was a bit of a flirt but it worked well with Ginny’s more cold exterior (don’t worry, she’s all softness hidden inside). Ginny’s character was refreshing in that she was neither complacent but not overly headstrong. I liked that she had the sense to ask for help when she really needed it, instead of jumping into everything carelessly.

I felt like the book was rather slow with things actually happening, that is, the bit of mystery in the plot. But they growth of their relationship kept it interesting and I never really got bored. Very enjoyable!

When I saw Joanna Barker had a new book, then read the description I HAD to read it! And I’m so glad I did. This book was a delight! Romance, chemistry, banter, mystery… such fun! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. The characters and dialogue were well-written and the story was beyond enjoyable. If you enjoy regency romance with just enough mystery to add a fun layer that adds to—not takes away from—the romance, do not miss this book!

Witty comments, enjoyable banter, funny scenes, good sarcasm, honest characters, vivid descriptions. These are all the things I thought while reading A Heart worth Stealing by Joanna Barker. This is the first book of hers I have read, and I look forward to reading more! I enjoyed this novel, the pace was good, it kept my interest, the ending had a few turns I wasn’t expecting, and I would recommend this without hesitation to anyone who might enjoy regency romance. The mystery mixed with romance was well done. I also enjoyed the first-person point of view and got a good sense of why the main character, Genevieve, changed throughout the novel. Grab yourself a copy of this book and enjoy!

*I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

Oh my! This book! I have never read a Joanna Barker book I didn't love and this one was just as great! Ginny is dealing with trying to keep her father's estate together while a series of mishaps occur. She hires Jack to help find her missing item and they both dive deep into the secrets following her.

The story kept me guessing and trying to figure out the mystery the whole book. The story was surprising yet wasn't. At first I thought through who the likely culprit was, then was unsure as things didn't seem to be as I thought. Then the last part came with a shocking revelation. I loved her subtle hints and clues that were not at all obvious, though looking back at the story I can totally see where she was heading.

And Jack! He is a hero that you can't help but love. His mannerisms and dialogue were spot on! And I loved the dynamic between the two. And the tree, lol! As implausible as that was I still loved it.

This book has back and forth POV between the two leads. I love Joanna's writing style and how easily her words flow. There is the PERFECT amount of inner thoughts and spoken dialogue. Content is clean a few kisses etc. I would say age 15+ And I hope we will see future books about other characters in the future. I absolutely loved this book and will be purchasing it when it is released. I highly recommend if you love sweet romances with mystery.

I received a copy from the publisher for my honest opinion.

I'm a big Joanna Barker fan and I think this book might be my new favorite! The mystery aspect of the plot was so well done. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry and romance between Jack and Ginny was so sweet and natural. With the perfect mix of humor, suspense, and swoon-worthy kisses, this book was absolutely fabulous!

Genevieve Wilde a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress is determined to meet life’s challenges on her terms, so when she finds her father’s pocket watch missing, she is not impressed by the local authorities who don’t take her seriously, so she takes matters into her own hands and she hires thief-taker, Jack Travers.

Jack Travers is a flirt, handsome and unpredictable, and Ginny doesn’t know if she made a mistake but as time passes, she finds out it isn’t just her father’s missing pocket watch that something is afoot. But Jack also had a depth to him, a former Bow Street runner, there’s a history that he isn’t willing to disclose at first. His family was delightful and I wished we had gotten more of them.

This was definitely a fun read, I found myself smiling at the smart dialogue between Ginny and Jack and all the characters.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine.

I really enjoyed this story, Ginny is such strong main character. She is taking care of her families estate following her fathers death. Things aren't going well there are a lot of accidents going on at her estates and missing items. She employs Jack to help her with the investigation. Cute Ginny just can't stand back and watch.
The mystery in the story really help to add to the development of characters. I loved the way this ended.

What an incredible book. I loved the storytelling from the main heroine POV but also really loved both main characters, as their banter was so much fun, and the more deeper into the plot, the more I actually fell in love with them.

After her father's death, Genevieve Wild was left with only half sister, who hasn't liked her, an estate, that had to be taken care of and precious pocket watch, that reminded her of her father. But when the most precious thing to her heart goes missing and due to incapability of the authorities Ginny hires an independent, yet handsome and flirtatious investigator Jack Travis. She suddenly learns about more accidents that has happend of lately on her property and probably weren't accidents at all but planned attacks.
When Jack promises to keep her save, although she doesn't always agree with his methods, she unexpectedly feels alive in his presence.
From avoiding of his annoying person to finding herself more and more in his company and slowly falling in love.

Peeps I really enjoyed this incredibly well told tale and can only recommend to everyone who loves strong characters.

Wonderful regency romance, this is a romance definitely worth reading. Great banter and chemistry between Jack and Ginny and adored the happy ending.

Oohh my. It's been a minute since I've read anything by Joanna Barker. I've absolutely loved everything of hers that I've read so far, so I was really excited to get my hands on her newest novel, A Heart Worth Stealing. Thank you @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for this early e-copy!
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🌼 I have to say, it felt really good to start and finish a book in under two weeks. I couldn't put this down the last couple days, it was just SO good ❤️
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🌼 This has incredible character development, chemistry that jumps off the page, hilarious banter, and oohhh is it swoony!!! It also had a mystery that I was not able to figure out, so that kept me really engaged.
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🌼 If you're a regency romance fan, this is an absolute MUST READ. It'll surely be a favorite read of 2023 for me, it was just perfect. Her books are always clean, I have no content warnings!
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🌼 Be sure to add this to your tbr, it will be published in May!

Oh be still my beating heart. How much did I love this book? Joanna Barker, how are you so talented?

A mystery, a concerned household, an adorable best friend, a mean older sister, a determined magistrate (his determination in the face of little to no persuading reminded me of Mr Collins) a charismatic thief-taker, and an extremely stubborn and strong FMC. Plus, banter, flirting, kisses and against all odds romance.

I don't need to say anymore. But I will put the link in my stories so you can all experience this joy as soon as it releases. You're welcome.

Thank you @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Okay, Joanna Barker can pretty much writing anything and I'm all in! Jack and Ginny are delightful together—their romance is a blast and the plot keeps moving, making this an engaging book that's hard to put down. I loved it and, of course, I'm already on the lookout for Joanna Barker's next book!

Funny and engaging. The main character is someone you can relate to. An independent women trying to make it on her own after her fathers passing. It is a fun love story adventure with good character development and keeps you engaged.

A Heart Worth Stealing
By Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Series: Proper Romance Regency Book 1
Rated:4
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “Sowerby, England, 1802
Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.
Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.
But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.”

Impressions: I was amused by the quick wit and charm of Jack and Ginny in this historical romance. There was a good tension of suspense and romance that made this book easy to enjoy. Although it was meant to be a mystery as to who was plotting against Ginny, I felt the culprit was suspicious from the start. That being said, it was still fun to read and discover that I was correct. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Quotes: “‘If you care for the things you love, if you protect them and cherish them, then they will shine.’”

“‘I cannot be dashing and witty all of the time. One must be well-rounded.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

I love this book. Ginny's father has passed away and left her with an estate to run. Unlucky things have been happening or is it more than bad luck? She decides to hire Jack Travers, a thief-taker to find a stolen watch. When he sees that there is more going on than a stolen watch, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Hilarious situations, swoony chemistry, mystery and great characters are all in this book. I would highly recommend this book.

This has easily been one of my favorite requests and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of 2023. I have become a fan of Joanna Barker and plan on reading her backlist and all future books. This story had everything.... mystery, humor, adventure, and romance. Absolutely perfect!!! After I finished this, I went and preordered the paperback.

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.

"Because yours, my love, is a heart worth stealing."

‘A Heart Worth Stealing’ by Joanna Barker is a regency romantic suspense story that got me sucked in from the very first page! I picked this book out of curiosity and largely because I have had good experiences with proper romance published by Shadow Mountain Publishing. Anyway, I finished this book in one sitting. That's how good it was.

There is a mystery to be solved. There's suspense, action, romance, many swoon worthy stolen moments that were of course heart-fluttering. And the banter between Ginny and Jack was so enjoyable.

If you love Nancy Campbell Allen's books, you'll love this book. Jack reminds me a lot of the constables from her books.

The story began with the disappearance of Genevieve (Ginny) Wilde’s late father’s pocket watch. Desperate to get the watch back, she decided to hire a thief-taker (a man of certain talents) to help her to recover it. The thief-taker, Jack Travers happened to be roguishly attractive and he's a man of certain talents indeed. You'll discover many of his talents as you read along.

They went on an adventure which of course brought them closer together. The romance in this book was so sweet and just so wholesome. Jack and Ginny were it! And guess who kissed who first? You'd never guess. The chemistry was off the charts.

I am very happy with how the main issues were resolved. There's a reconciliation of some sorts between Ginny and her half-sister, which was really sweet too.

The prose was beautiful as well that I was already checking out Joanna Barker's other books before even finishing this. Joanna Barker is a new to me author and I am so excited to check out her other books.

A must read for anyone! I cannot stress how much I adored this novel! This is the story of a young woman who after the recent passing of her father, it left with the estate and the odd things happening with it. Genevieve is a strong woman who takes pride in running her estate and proving she can do it without help. When strange things start to occur Ginny must take charge. After the disappearance of her late father's pocket-watch, Ginny is forced to enlist the help of Jack. A thief-taker. It is hate at first sight. The two must work together fighting off the attraction and irritation before time runs out. This book is one of my all time favorite reads. I got sucked right in to the story and could not put it down! Ginny and Jack have such amazing chemistry and the mystery had me captivated until the last page. I would highly encourage anyone and everyone to read this book.

This was a really fun and unique regency romance. The characters were complex and compelling and Joanna’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. It was a little more mystery focused than I was anticipating, but I enjoyed the high stakes.

A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker stole my heart (no pun intended!).

A young woman trying to make her own way and prove her worth in a world full of men, and a Bow Street runner looking for redemption make for a sweet romance! When Genevieve ("Ginny") finds her deceased fathers most prized possession missing, she decides she must go beyond the local magistrates to get it back. Before long Ginny has a former Bow Street runner, now a private investigator, at her door...and he's handsome to boot.

This book kept me reading from the first page! I immediately took to Ginny, her friend Bea, her staff, and of course the hero, Jack Travers! Joanna Barker has a way of building a world and building characters that pull you. I couldn't help feeling like I was invested in Ginny's life. I wanted her to succeed, I wanted her to make peace with her sister, to prove her worth, to find love. Any readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, adventure, intrigue, unexpected friendships...this book is for you!

Swoon…

Joanna Barker was my introduction to the regency romance genre with Otherwise Engaged and I’m so glad she was. When I saw that her latest was regency with a mystery subplot… it got this cozy mystery lovers heart EXCITED.

A HEART WORTH STEALING, was everything I was hoping it to be… started it on a Friday afternoon and finished the following evening… The MC Ginny was independent and a strong heroine which I love. Her small glimpses of moments of thinking of her late father really hit me. Now for Mr. Travers… cue the best flirt! “I am in the habit of making dreams come true” I loved his character not to mention the ladies in his life, sister, mom and grandmother I could take a book about them! Multiple times in the book I marked moments of Ginny with her best friend Beatrice… I loved the friendship banter they had and why am I thinking Beatrice may need to be set up with Wily?

I loved the air of mystery with the whodunnit… stealing of the pocket watch. I had numerous suspects pegged and loved seeing the outcome play out!

This one was so fun! A perfect escape into time.

Thank you Shadow Mountain and Joanna Baker for this gifted copy!

This book was filled with highs and lows! Mostly from me! I really enjoyed the characters and especially the setting! It was difficult to follow at first but little by little the story came together. The plot took me through all the chaos of finding a missing watch! Plot Twist! I truly enjoyed the swoony moments and fell in love with the Hero! Enjoy!!

What a sweet and fun period romance. Joanna Barker takes two people, both on the very fringes of English genteel society. Ginny is the young, single, headstrong, yet kind and sweet daughter of the recently passed area magistrate. She was given everything to inherit, much to the disdain of her older half sister. When strange coincidences and small crimes start piling up on her newly inherited estate Ginny decides to hire a “special investigator” to help her stabilize her property, and therefore her image as a legitimate and capable heiress. Enter: Jack. What a heartthrob. He is irreverent and hilarious in provoking both Ginny and the sophisticated peerage he interacts with. Full of energy and skill, he takes on the job to help solve the crimes on Ginny’s estate and provide protection in the meantime. As they spend time together trying to solve the crime they can’t help but start admiring each other.
Also, at about 80% in you think you’ve reached all the conclusions and solutions for the book, BUT JUST YOU WAIT. There’s even more than meets the eye to the story. 5/5 stars, wholeheartedly recommend.
Instagram review will be posted on April 28 @laurensturningpages .

I just finished this book a few days ago, and it's not one that I will be forgetting anytime soon. Jack Travers is swoon worthy. I don't think I could have held back as much restraint as Ginny did. Just being honest.

You'll like this book if you like:
* Romance with a touch of mystery to keep it interesting
* Weak knee kisses
* Banter filled pages
* Heartthrob MMC
* Independent but loveable WMC

I adored this story of these two amazing characters. Ginny has worked so hard trying to keep up with what her father built and the strength to do that after losing her father so quickly, it's astounding. Jack, himself showed everyone what he wanted to show them. I love that we were able to see other sides of him. Made him more lovable. Ginny and Jack needed each other, and I'm happy that their story was written. So grateful that Joanna did not throw in the towel and just kept going.
This book is truly a proper romance masterpiece. For sure one of the top reads for this year for me. Can't recommend it enough.

The characters were interesting. I especially love the determination of the female lead. In addition, the plot was exciting, and I didn't expect so much mystery, which made this book more interesting. I also love that there were other characters. I didn't expect the turn of events. However, I did like the progression of their relationship. It wasn't sudden. People who enjoy sweet, clean, regency romance with a tad of mystery would enjoy this. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was an interesting read! I liked the mystery element and I was invested to know how things were going to play out. I couldn't connect to the characters though and it was a little slow for me. I do think fans of regency romance should give this one a chance!

A stolen watch...and mysterious happenings all over the estate. This story starts off with a bang! I must admit that I found a few things confusing at first and had to reread the first chapter to get things straight in my mind (mainly an influx of characters and sorting out who was who), but once I did, I had to keep reading to find out all the things.

I wasn't expecting a romantic suspense, Regency style, but that's what I got and it was a really fun element. I enjoy a story that keeps me guessing at the mystery and the whodunit and this book kept me turning the pages.

Jack and Ginny's charade and duplicity were necessary and entertaining. There were characters to love and others to feel unsure about, but the cast was wide and full of variety.

This is an agreeable addition to the Proper Romance lineup.

Content: mild moments of peril/threat; talk of illegitimacy; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and were voluntarily given.*

This book is so swing worthy and a great time era romance. I loved Ginny and Jack. If only Jack were a real man! This novel would be something that all lovers of historical romance will love! It is a sweet love story and focuses on Ginny trying to prove herself and Jack is perfect for her!

Genevieve Wilde is desperate to prove herself a competent mistress of her late father’s estate. The last straw in a string of unfortunate and suspicious incidents is when her father’s pocket watch is stolen. When the local magistrate proves unwilling to intervene, she takes matters into her own hands and hires a “thief taker” against her better judgment, particularly on first meeting him. But Jack Travers turns out to be exactly what she needs in more ways than one.

This novel is a fascinating mystery romance with fantastic characters and a fast-paced plot. I found the mystery to be compelling. I thought the author did a wonderful job at making the reader question their assumptions. The first-person narrative is lovely and adds to the suspense. Bravo to Joanna Barker for this outstanding romantic mystery that I could not put down!

#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley

This book was so good. Genevieve Wilde has been so lost since her father's death six months ago. When her father's watch is stolen, it's the last straw. When the local magistrate blows off her concerns, Ginny decides to hire a thief-picker named Jack Travers. When other things start happening on the estate and Ginny's feels threatened and doesn't know why someone is targeting her and she doesn't feel safe in her own home.
I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. This is one of the best in the Proper Romance set, I had a hard time putting it down.

*swoon*

I could stop there, honestly. It was just so good! Literally everything I wanted and even all I didn’t know I wanted. I basically inhaled this book 😅

Can we talk about the tension? The teasing? The build up?

And shall I add kissing in a tree to my bucket list? I think yes

Am I in love with Jack Travers? Absolutely

Was there some gasping? Yup

Swooning? 100%

Genevieve Wilde is feisty, determined, and relatable. She is understandably lost and sad after her father’s death and when his watch goes missing she will move heaven and earth to get it back.

Jack Travers is a thief-taker. And a devilishly handsome and charming one at that. He’s full of life and doesn’t care what the world thinks of him. And of course he’s good at solving a mystery as well.

I loved Jack and Ginny together! The tension and banter was SO good! And they were a great team in solving the mystery! I totally called the whodunnit at the beginning and then changed my mind! Joanna did a great job of setting it all up!

It is a single pov which is definitely not my favorite. I’m dying to have Jack’s pov. But! I still love it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and all opinions are my own.

If you’re looking for a traditional Regency with an appealing heroine and hero, then you may enjoy #AHeartWorthStealing.

It tells the story of Miss Genevieve "Ginny" Wilde, and Jack Travers. The two are brought together when Ginny discovers her late father’s watch missing. After getting no meaningful assistance from the local authorities, she hires Jack, a former Bow Street Runner turned “thief taker” (i.e. private investigator) to find it. The theft of the watch turns out to be one of a series of calamities that have plagued Ginny and Wimborne, the estate she inherited from her father after his recent death.

Jack is intelligent, charming and the illegitimate son of an earl. Ginny is the daughter of her father’s second marriage—her mother was governess to Ginny’s half-sister, Catherine. Her parents married within months after Catherine's mother's death, and Ginny has always felt that she had to watch her step closely to maintain her reputation. Despite this and their differences in class, Ginny and Jack are drawn to each other as they work together to try to discover who is threatening Ginny and her home.

The book is historically accurate and benefits from two likeable lead characters. However, pacing was too sedate for me, and the villain of the piece seemed fairly obvious early on.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #ShadowMountain for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the free copy of the ARC. My opinions are MINE, not swayed by anyone. :)

I loved the male characters in A Heart Worth Stealing, particularly Jack for his goodness and intensity. He was such a fun main character. Also, loved Ginny's dad, even though he was off screen the entire time. They had a sweet relationship. I even loved the bad guy, although it was easy for me to guess immediately who it was. Maybe that was intentional. The reveal was super well-written, though, and that was probably one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Ginny took a minute to grow on me. She was a little unaware of herself, which is one of those characteristics in a heroine that bothers me.

The ending was so great, and that letter from her dad? Heart eyes.

A few fabulously written scenes of note:
The ball at Katherine's
In the tree (swoonsville)
The coach kidnapping

Definitely loved this book! I am happy to be slowly making my way back to a few Regency books, after my five year hiatus.

Oh, what an enjoyable book! Yes, it’s a proper romance, but the mystery element is STRONG. Perhaps even more that the romance? But Ginny and Jack are delightful. She is so strong and independent. Jack is all charm and charisma. And they both have huge hearts. The side characters are also well fleshed out. Beatrice and Verity each need their own stories and HEAs in the future!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.