This is the 3rd book and the most difficult to read emotionally in terms of the subject matter but the author handled it very well.
I like the fact that there were characters whose stories I know from the previous books but it certainly can be read as a standalone.
A strong narrative which was quite hard hitting and made for compulsive reading. The romantic element took a back seat, and wasn’t the main focus.
My favourite book of the series to date.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest and independent review

In my opinion this story has the best of both worlds- suspense and romance! This story follows Alexa, a PI at HEARTS, and her journey trying to find Mandy, a college girl who disappears. Dean is Mandy's brother and seems to be the only one who cares that she is missing and believes that she is in danger. The author does a great job at making you feel the emotions of these characters. There is a lot of sadness and guilt but also undeniable love between Alexa and Dean as well as Dean and Mandy. Tying love into the dark topics of prostitution and drug addiction can be a tricky thing but I think Bolden nailed it.

Whenever I started this book I actually did not realize that it was the third book in a series (yes I'm aware that it says it literally on the cover but who actually takes time to look at the cover when you can dive right into a book?!) Being a few chapters in before I realized it, I was worried that I would miss a lot of the back story but this was not the case at all. Each book seems to focus on a different main character from the HEARTS firm but Bolden also gives you bits and pieces about the other PI's throughout the story. So if you are like me and tend to pass over obvious details like the front page, you should be okay to read this as a stand alone.. Now please excuse me while I go get my hands on the first 2 of the series!

Alexa had spent the last twelve years obsessing about night her older sister -Lanie- disappeared. She had been there one minute and then she was never seen again. Alexa had spent so much of her teen years learning how to work missing persons cases that she never considered anything else as a career. Than her two friends wanted to start a female PI business and Alexa was all for it. It became hearts Investigations. Now she was talking to Dean Campbell who’s little sister -Mandy- was in trouble, according to Dean but the cops wouldn’t help him. The desperation in Dean’s eyes broke Alexa’s heart. She would have to confirm it before Alexa believed it. Holly was the lead investigator and asked Alexa if she was up to taking the case. Dean said he paid Mandy’s living expenses so she could concentrate on school and he hadn’t heard from mandy in a month. They knew Dean wasn’t telling them something but Alexa was determined to get it out of him. She went to Dean’s to see Alexa’s room and after going through it, Alexa found a pot pipe and some pot, also a couple of pictures of Mandy with some friends at a nightclub, and than her journal. Dean and mandy had lost their mother to cancer three years earlier and it had been hard on both of them. Alexa wanted to hug and comfort dean as his world came crashing down around him, and he didn’t know what to do or where to turn. Than Dean said he didn’t know Mandy. He didn’t know what she would or wouldn’t do. What kind of brother was he ? Alexa reassured him he was a great brother she could see it in his eyes how scared he was and he felt it in his gut that mandy needed him. Alexa talked with Mandy’s roommate Tina -at college- who said she was doing a lot of pills and drinking. She had a jerk of a boyfriend named Darrin who Tina felt was controlling and maybe a little abusive. As Dean and Alexa worked on finding mandy they got closer. She said she what she was looking for from a man involving romance . He wondered why she hadn’t found it. She was beautiful and thoughtful and brilliant, but she also sexy as hell. The way she stared him down, as if picking his brain apart, kept him enthralled. Her tenderness kept him sane.
Excellent book. I absolutely loved it. Iread it in one setting as I couldn't put it down. I loved how close the women in Hearts were and how they were there for each other. I advise you to read this series in order for a smoother read. I loved the plot and pace. I loved Alexa and Dean together and how they interacted with each other. My heart went out to Dean and his love for mandy and Alexa still wanted to find out what exactly happened to lanie. This was just an all around excellent read as far as I am concerned. I have a new favorite book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

The Women of Hearts series just got hotter with Stolen Hearts, it’s a good mix of mystery, suspense and romance. Dean Campbell’s younger sister Mandy disappears and he turns to HEARTS Investigative Services for help. Alexa Rodriguez is tasked with this case, and this case hits close to home. The only thing keeping Dean sane is Alexa and her support and thoughtfulness. There’s chemistry and an undeniable attraction between them, but Alexa knows it can’t be acted upon while he’s her client. Until it gets to the point where she can’t help but act upon it...

This is a well written book that holds your attention. It is full of emotions and you can feel them all. This is not a book for people that are easily offended by reading about the seedy part of life, even though it's out there. This book can be read as a stand alone even though it's book three in the series. Thank you Pink Sand Press via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Marci Bolden has written my new favorite romantic suspense series with Stolen Hearts being the third addition. The spotlight is on Alexa Rodriguez who is the softest of this tough team of women investigators. Dean Campbell is wanting to find his missing sister which he hires the HEARTS Agency to do.

Marci Bolden has written the most intensely soul searching emotional book of the series with Stolen Hearts. Alexa’s past trauma and loss brings the perspective of heartbreak that one goes through over time but also another as one is currently going through it as Dean is. This story did not pull me in but sucked me completely in as I joined Alexa as she searched the Campbell home or interview dorm mates, then putting together the clues. Later I felt the sorrows, the joys and the anger right along with Alexa and Dean. One word of warning, the suspense covers some of the more seedy aspects of our society that sadly is prevalent. However the suspense is balanced out by the lovely romance that blooms between Den and Alexa.

A stand-alone complete book with no cliffhangers, by one of the most consistently great storytellers of today. I highly recommend Stolen Hearts along with all of the books in the HEARTS Agency series.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

In a story of a missing young woman, it brings home a memory for one member of the Hearts team, who has been searching for her sister for a long time. Great, engaging story that keeps the reader involved until the end.

This was a great book, as it really delved into the struggles one faces when personal tragedy impacts your current job. I found the character of Alexa to be well-written and well-developed. There was also plenty of suspense in this book. I highly recommend it and the other books in this series.

The Women of Hearts get involved in a new case that hits Alexa close to home. A young girl goes missing and her brother is the only one who seems to be worried about her. Alexa has spent years working missing persons cases because she herself has suffered such a loss. What she doesn't expect it to find everything she's ever wanted in a man, in a package that is her client Dean. There will be some broken hearts coming their way and some new mysteries popping up for other members of the Hearts team. All in all a satisfying story.

Actual Ratings = 2.5 stars

I've gotten quite used to the stories of the HEARTS women and the frequency in which the stories were released made it easier to keep up with them too. One of the pros of this story is that the stories are relatively shorter than your average full length novel (yet longer than the novellas) and they are released frequently.

Each story contains a story about the women who make up for the acronym HEARTS, thus going with the trend we can expect six book in the series with this being the third book. I was quite looking forward to this book mostly due to the fact Alexa is my favorite character in the series after Sam. So reading her story was rather exciting for me. I really wised that excitement stayed with me through out the story.

I am for one is a stickler for rules and the whole client and employee pursuing a somewhat forbidden romance is actually ok with me despite that fact but for some reason for me this romance did not actually work out. In a way although Maggie was not in major trouble I felt when Dean and Alexa pursued their romance they were in a way letting go of their responsibilities. One of the major reasons was the fact I felt as if the adrenaline or the emotions of that moment got to Dean and he acted upon them. Another fact was how the novel ended. Honestly I felt as if the novel actually ended up in a cliffhanger rather than an proper end. The quick end actually got me frustrated and in a way felt that the ending was lacking in many ways.
Despite these factors I also felt in a way the characters in this story more relateable. I liked the fact that they were written in a more humane manner. Drug addiction is not something that could be stopped at the drop of the shoe. So seeing them struggle with it and not getting the happily ever after seemed more realistic and in a certain manner made this book stand out from the rest of the series in the manner of mystery and thriller.

Nevertheless I would like to say that this is a good follow up for the series about some pretty badass women solving crimes and showing that this is not just a man's world.

This is the third book in the series, and I was looking forward to this one, because Alexa Rodriguez has been the heart of the HEART agency throughout the series. For Alexa she became an investigator because her sister was sister disappeared years ago and was never seen again.

So when Dean Campbell walks in to get help looking for his missing sister, it brings many emotions to the surface for Alexa.

" . . . I spend so much time trying to make everyone else better because . . ."
"Because fixing other people makes you feel less broken."

This story had a bit less suspense than the others but had a very relevant topic that pertains to many youth today unfortunately. However, I do have to admit that I didn't like Dean and Alexa together as I have liked couples in the other books.

Alexa is super strong and with her sleeping with a client in some ways it lessened her strength. I also felt their connection happened to soon and I didn't feel the connection like I did with Jack and Holly. Even though Holly also slept with a client it felt different then with Alexa and Dean.

In this story I think if Dean and Alexa grew close and got together after it would have felt different and more sincere. Even though I didn't like this one as much I will continue with the series.

2.5 stars!

When Alexa's sister disappeared 20 years ago she swore she'd never stop looking for her. Now she is part of a women lead team at Hearts, private investigatos. Sparks fly when Dean a worried brother hires her to look for his college sister.

What I loved about this book was not only the romance part but the mystery in it. These two can't seem to fight the feelings that start to grow as they stop at nothing to find out what happened to Dean's sister. It's got everything a true romance fan could want! I definitely recommend this book and I exited to read the rest of the series from this author.

4/5 Stars!

An interesting read. This is a harsh world with a lot happening. It is well written and a compelling read.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Absolutely love this series. Marci Bolden’s writing is effortless and engaging. The plot line touches on some sensitive issues relative to sexual abuse and drug addiction. Bolden’s approach is respectful while at the same time arriving at some harsh truths. The narrative weaves both new and old characters together while continuing to develop upon established plot arcs. It brims with suspense, mystery, and some steamy romance. Loved it. 5 stars.


Thank you to #NetGalley and #PinkSandsPress for this ARC. #StolenHearts was read and reviewed voluntarily.

Tarrah Marie (@wayward_readers)

A seriously enjoyable read. Great characterisations that form an all female detective agency, each bringing their own skills and backgrounds to the table. Now I need to read the other books in this series, Thank you NetGalley and Pink Sand Press for introducing another author for me to follow and enjoy.

This is book three in the women of hearts series and I really enjoyed reading it. Though they can be read as a standalone I feel you would benefit from reading the whole series. The characters gelled well together and there are twists and turns along with heartbreak, darker themes and great chemistry. I have read nearly every book that Marci has written and I have never been disappointed as they are all well written and addictive.

4.25⭐

Stolen Hearts, book three in Marci Bolden's Women of HEARTS series was a marvellous read. That packed an emotional punch. Thanks to superb characters, and a storyline that was well written and paced and that brilliantly delves into the horrifying world of drug abuse, exploitation, and trafficking, and I was easily hooked throughout. And with plenty of appearances from the rest of the HEARTS team, a proposal, and a nice romance that didn't overshadow the rest of the story. This truly was a great read, and one I would happily recommend to others.

5 Stolen Stars!

Dean's sister has been missing for a month and nobody has done anything to find her, so he hires the HEARTS Team. Alexa's sister has been missing for 12 years now ... she knows that she is probably dead, but deep down she still has hope. Even though this case is close to home for her, Alexa takes the lead on this case because she can feel for what Dean is going through. It doesn't take long for that connection to become deeper and neither Dean or Alexa can fight the chemistry between them.

Once again ... this is a great book full of emotion and heart break. I love how (in this series) the females are the strong ones ... not that the males aren't strong, it's just that they aren't the normal alpha males in romance novels. I love Ms. Bolden's style of writing ... the banter is so realistic between the charactesr and the storyline is always one that is current. Even though the themes are darker and may cause issues for some readers, Ms. Bolden has a way of making you feel that there is hope for all the lost souls in the world. I love how even though all the books can be read as a standalone, all the HEARTS Team has appearances in all the books and it best to read them all ... because they are all GREAT! This is a series that I highly recommend.

I received an early copy courtesy of Pink Sand Press through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

I’ve enjoyed reading about the women of HEARTS and this one about Alexa is no different. The premise of why Dean hired HEARTS and why Alexa wanted the case is both heartbreaking and scary. The attraction wasn’t immediate but was slower and intense. I know that it was a fine line and it could have ended badly. The one thing that I liked is that the resolution to Maddie’s journey was handled very realistically. Looking forward to reading about the rest of the women.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I absolutely LOVE this series. I was captivated by the first book and books two and three have been equally as great. While you can read them as stand alones, I highly recommend reading the series as there are storylines that weave their way through all of the books.

When Dean Campbell's sister, Mandy, goes missing, he's the only person that doesn't believe she left of her own volition. The police and their father believe she is flexing her muscles and showing her independence, but there is something that just doesn't sit right with Dean, so he decides to hire HEARTS.

Alexa Rodriguez understands the position that Dean is in. Her sister went missing many years ago and there was never a resolution to her case. While her partners at HEARTS feel this case might be too close for comfort, Alexa is determined to help Dean. She's the best when it comes to this type of case.

As Dean and Alexa spend time together, the lines between client and investigator begin to blur and denying their growing feelings is futile. Not only do they connect because of their sisters, but they connect in a way that they haven't with any other person. Will their relationship end up causing issues when it comes to finding Mandy? Or will things all work out in the end?

I truly adore this group of women and I give Marci Bolden a ton of credit for creating such a fascinating, yet socially real, world that these women live in. Can't wait for the next book!