What a fantastic book! ❤

It is always a good day when there’s a Jen Turano book to read. But she outdid herself with this one!

There’s a touch of mystery, a nod to Oliver Twist, and friendships that become stronger with each page. Full of the humor Turano is known for, but also a note of seriousness that brings inteligence and depth to the characters.

I’m so looking forward to the next book in the series!

The criminals better watch out, there's a new detective agency in town and these women aren't playing around!

Jen Turano has started a new series called the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, and this is her best yet. Set in New York City in the late 1880's, Turano pulls together high society and the every day working class to create mystery, tension, and romance in a way that has the reader on the edge of her seat. I love Jen's books for a lot of reasons -- her research into the time period is amazing, her characters are multi-faceted and realistic, the dialogue she creates leaves you breathless, and she brings a unique sense of comedy to every scene.

Each time I read her books I have a hard time putting them down. She has a brilliant way of drawing the reader in and ending each chapter in such a way that you have to read 'just one more'. I love cheering the characters on as they, with the best of intentions, get themselves into hysterical situations that only make them more endearing. 

There are so many intriguing women living in the boarding house on Bleecker Street that I can't wait for the remaining books in the series. I really want to learn more about each one!

To Steal a Heart launches Jen Turano’s new series in an attention grabbing and highly entertaining manner. The action opens with lead character Gabriella preparing to break into a safe at the home of one of the New York Four Hundred. If you’ve ever read Jen Turano before, you can only imagine the hilarity that follows. The action never really stops after that, and a new crime fighting force is launched.

Readers, welcome to the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency.

Following the safe-cracking attempt, Gabriella runs right into Nicholas Quinn, her dearest friend. The two first bonded while sharing a rough childhood on the streets. Gabriella is now making ends meet as a seamstress, but Nicholas was taken in by a wealthy and influential man. He’s now viewed as the most eligible bachelor in New York.

As Gabriella tries to solve different cases, and danger stalks her, Nicholas can’t help being drawn back to his former best friend, feeling she’s the only person in the city to truly know him. But Gabriella isn’t interested in harming his standing in society, or bowing to its demands.

In summary, I highly recommend To Steal a Heart. This book will amuse, provoke thought and (if you’re like me) make you cheer out loud. Another winner from one of my favorite authors.

Even if I didn’t already know this was a Jen Turano book, I’d know! Her inimitable style is delightful and unique. Her characters full of personality and gusto—not a dull one in the bunch.
I picked up on the My Fair, uh, Gentleman theme, and I’ve gotta say, I’ve not seen that done before. Brilliant, Ms. Turano, simply brilliant! And the conflict that Nicholas felt, [SPOILER]. OY!
Gabriella, headstrong and independent in an era before women’s rights, rises to the challenge every time. I love how she just jumps in and takes charge with her savvy mind and astute observations.
The colorful sidekicks—Daphne and Eunice and Elsy and Judith—add fun and flavor to the story like spices add zest to soup, and I can’t wait to see them in future stories in this new series.
Ms. Turano weaves some serious twists into her stories, and this one sure has plenty! Scenarios and resolutions that I totally did not see coming.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, To Steal a Heart, Jen Turano, Celebrate Lit Publicity

This was a really fun book! I've read a ton of Jen Turano's work previously and I have enjoyed them all a lot. Turano's characters are always so witty and fun, and it is just always a good time all around. I was really excited to see that there was another series from her coming and to meet the cast of new characters. As usual, it was humorous and bantery and all the characters were a lot of fun: I particularly enjoyed Gabriella's friendship with the other girls who lived at the boardinghouse: they were all so unique! Like usual, it took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I started figuring out who was who, it all made sense.

This book was very similar to Roseanna M. White's Shadows Over England series, in that the characters were from a street thief background. As per typical Jen Turano style, the book was set in New York society in the late 1800s, with The Four Hundred featured, but with a twist of wacky events that just seem to happen that require a tiny bit of suspension of disbelief, such as things that could have happened, but just seemed to work out *just so*, or little character traits that probably couldn't happen in real life but just did in the book (like a dog that only listens if one speaks in pirate).

I wasn't a huge fan of either of the main characters, and there didn't seem to be a ton of chemistry between them, but I enjoyed them plenty. The fact that they were childhood friends called back to the "Shadows Over England" series (is it a call back if it's a reference to another series by another author?), and I do like that trope. I did enjoy one of the side characters, Daphne, though! (and little birdies tell me that the next book is about her which I'm super excited about!). The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency was SO MUCH FUN (think: women in the late 1800s forming a tiny little detective group) and I'm super excited to read more in the series because of it.

It felt like the storyline moved a little bit slowly in the beginning, but it definitely picked up as the book moved along. The wrapping up of the storyline was really interesting: I think it really added to the "suspension of disbelief" aspect of it, since it didn't really feel like things should/could have happened the way they are.

Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and I'm really excited to see where the rest of this series goes!

4.5 stars - I loved it! Would re-read.
This was so great! I loved the characters. The story is meaty - there's the inciting incident that brings the couple together and launches the Inquiry Agency. Then there are some additional cases as well as developments in the main characters' personal lives as well as in the potential romance. Faith pieces are subtle and fit naturally into the story. The pacing is terrific, and the whole book was engaging from start to finish. I hope that every single member of the Inquiry Agency is going to get a book because I am here for every last one!

What a fun and unique story! Former friends separated by circumstances beyond their control. And it’s got quite the twist! I love this authors humor in her books and the quirkiness of her characters. Even with that, there’s a beautiful message woven in the pages. I’m loving this new series and can’t wait to read more! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

Their past and present collide...

Have you ever started a book just knowing that it would be excellent and then discovered that it was even better than you had anticipated? That was To Steal A Heart for me, well, any Jen Turano book really, but this one in particular. I've been looking forward to the start of The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency for months now and it more than lived up to my expectations!

As usual, I was into the story right away. How could I not when it pretty much started with a safecracking and a hysterically funny conversation meant to scare off a certain gentleman? Ahh, but then that's classic Jen Turano for you, fun and funny!

To Steal A Heart had a nice mystery thread running through it that I completely enjoyed. Can decades old secrets involve a current crime? And I also  loved the way that the cases handled by the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency were interwoven within the story. 

The cast of characters in To Steal A Heart are so delightful! Especially the canine characters! I had to laugh out loud many times over the antics of the boardinghouse ladies, the kids, and the two crazy dogs. I was quite tickled to find out that one of my favorite characters will be the heroine Jen Turano's next Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency novel.

If you love historical romance or romantic or just want to spend a few laugh-out-loud hours, have I got the story for you! To Steal A Heart is witty and exquisite, the perfect start to a new series from the very talented Jen Turano.

(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Another hit from Jen Turano! :)

Highly recommend!  Full review to come!

While I did receive a complimentary electronic copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley, I purchased my own paperback, which is the version that was read for this review. Had I finished the NetGalley copy, a positive review would not have been required. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

4.5 stars

What do I expect when I read one of Jen Turano's books? Well, one thing for sure is to expect laughter, and laughter I got! Not only was I laughing hard, but there were moments of unlady-like snorting going on. With her signature quirky characters and comedic dialogues, Jen Turano gave The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series a refreshing and solid start.

I've always loved the start of the author's series because it introduces me to a slew of characters I usually have some level of reactions to. On a side note, that's also exactly why I love the author's books! Her characters always elicit some level of response from me. There are never one I would just say is doesn't matter if he/she's in the story or not. In To Steal a Heart, there are so many characters I just love. Unsurprisingly, I find myself looking forward to the supporting characters as well as the main protagonists and heroes of the story. In To Steal a Heart, Daphne truly shines from the get go. I'm almost wishing to jump straight into her story right at the close of this one. Add in the patch-wearing dog and a parrot with an affinity to shiny things, first time readers of Jen Turano may not know what hit them.

Jump into our main characters, Gabriella and Nicholas, and we find a well-rounded journey from their childhood to who they are presently in the story. The level of depth in their backstory caught me off guard in the most profound way. Their individual growth coupled with their chemistry and ability to come to terms with their faith in God, gave this book substance that one may find lacking in typical light-hearted readings.

The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency definitely have this reader wanting to inquire more. Pick up To Steal a Heart and be prepare to find a bit of romance, intrigue, faith and a whole lot of comic relief.



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and have not been compensated for this. This is my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed Gabriella’s story. This was a fun, light-hearted read. Jen Turano has her witty banter down pat; Daphne kept me in stitches throughout the entire story and now I want to read hers (hint hint)! 

I love Nicholas and Gabriella’s friendship. However, their romance was a bit... delayed, and only really occurred in the last fifth of the book.  But since I knew they would end up together anyways, I didn’t mind. 

Also, this story had long paragraphs of monologue from all characters, and while I don’t usually like to read a dialogue-driven story, this time it was done well. Although it was a bit odd when after multiple paragraphs of plain dialogue, a character in the background popped out to straighten a tie or pull out a pocket watch. 

But I enjoyed reading about Gabriella’s background and how she and Nicholas’s paths crossed.. And the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency has a wealth of interesting future heroines! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone.

I have read several of Jen Turano's inspirational, screwball romances before and this was one of the stronger ones.  Although her books tend to follow a certain template, I never feel like I'm reading the same book!  She always writes unique, strong female characters, and the spiritual message is never heavy-handed.  This was  a fun, light read that I enjoyed very much.

Solving Cases & Finding Love!

Gabriella (Gabe) and Nicholas grew up with a gang of thieves and pick pockets.  Although they had been best friends, fate separated them.  Gabe ended up in an orphanage and, as an adult, became a lonely seamstress with little means. Nicholas, because he was adopted by a rich man, became a sought-after member of New York society’s exclusive Four Hundred group.

Through a variety of circumstances, they each attempt to break into a safe belonging to one of the pillars of society—and are shocked to run into each other in the process.  Despite Gabe’s unhappiness that Nicholas had never tracked her down after they were separated, she realizes the agency she has started would benefit from his help.  

This tale follows the two through the rousing exploits they face while working cases.  Criticism from society, adventure, danger and humor abound, along with surprising revelations about their families. 

The residents of the boarding house where Gabe lives make up the ragtag group of operatives working for her agency.  They provide additional comic relief along with some mystery.  Faith is part of this 5-star book.  I recommend it to those who enjoy romance or period stories with a sprinkle of fun, along with a touch of cloak and dagger.

Bethany House Publishers, through NetGalley, has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, To Steal a Heart, for the purpose of review.  I have not been compensated in any other manner.  All opinions expressed are my own, and I was not required, or influenced, to give anything but an honest appraisal. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

To Steal a Heart is true entertainment as only Jen Turano can provide! Part farce, part romantic comedy, the Gilded Age world comes alive with plenty of laughter and even a few swoons.

I need to start by talking about the supporting characters in this book – always important when you’re starting a new series because chances are that several of those secondary characters will become protagonists (or at least play a larger role) as the series progresses. And these delightfully quirky personalities definitely have me eager for more books! Daphne is hands down my favorite character – an eccentric writer with an unfortunate penchant for swooning and/or whipping out her notepad to work out a scene at the most inappropriate times (like when she’s supposed to be the lookout). But a more loyal friend you won’t find … unless it’s Phillip Villard or one of the other residents of Bleecker Street, including our heroine Gabriella.

The opening chapters are a hilarious introduction to Gabriella and her friends and the mayhem that is their dynamic. Not to mention the unexpected reunion with her long lost best friend and fellow former street thief (and our story’s hero) Nicholas. You’ll love Nicholas & Gabriella separately as individual characters but also as friends who have the potential to be so much more. Their chemistry is quite swoony (as is Nicholas) yet not without several hilarious moments as well. I really enjoyed how the author wrote their reconciliation with who they were in the past, who they are now – after everywhere life has taken them over the years – and who they aspire to be in the future. I also loved watching Nicholas pursue Gabriella with a patient intentionality and a tender twinkle in his eye, as though he knows a secret she isn’t yet privy to.

Bottom Line: To Steal a Heart is true entertainment as only Jen Turano can provide! Part farce, part romantic comedy, it brings the Gilded Age world to life with plenty of laughter and even a few swoons. You’ll run into some sweetly tender aspects to this story as well, along with a subtle-but-not-hidden faith message that is organic to these characters and their journeys. Perfect for fans of the author’s other books, P. G. Wodehouse & Georgette Heyer. Can’t wait for Daphne’s story next – To Write a Wrong releases August 2021 (and how am I to wait that long?!?)

(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book which I purchased for my own collection.)

To Steal a Heart by bestselling author Jen Turano is a Christian historical fiction that readers will enjoy. This is Book One in her new The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. I found it delightful.

I was invested in this quirky story from the beginning. There were many odd situations, strange conversations, and just crazy unruliness that I could not wait to see where this story was heading. This book is filled with humor, mystery, intrigue, adventure, and romance.

This is the story of an all woman detective agency set in New York City. What a great concept! The characters are fabulous. Immediately I loved this tale. Gabriella is a spunky lady. Nicholas is someone from her past. The tension between them pops off of the pages when they are reunited to work together.

I enjoy the writing style of this author. This plot was well thought and organized. The pace was even. It did not drag or hurry which made it easy to follow. There are so many layers to this story. It is entertaining and encouraging. Little life lessons are woven throughout it. The characters are all unique and worthy of their own stories.

I highly recommend this book. It is quite the page turner. I rated it 5 out of 5 stars. A copy was provided by Celebrate Lit, but these are my honest words.

To Steal A Heart by Jen Turano

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
________________________________________________________________
Story Notes

Jen Turano's latest story is a fantastic start for a new series that still has her trademark humor included but also has some more serious tones that other books have included. 

Jen Turano is definitely one of my favorite authors with her ability to tell wonderful stories with sharp wit and subtle humor that make you wish each story was longer to keep reading. This series is going be be a good one if this story is any indication. The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency is made up of ladies of varied talents who all reside at the same boardinghouse. Gabriella Goodhue is a young seamstress who has found herself in the middle of a case of thievery that involves her good friend Jennette Moore. Someone has framed Jennette for the theft of the famed Linwood Jewels in order to spoil her chances at a marriage to Duncan Linwood and Gabriella is going to prove it. But her quest is interrupted by a childhood friend turned wealthy gentleman, Nicholas Quinn. Nicholas cannot believe that he is seeing his best friend again after so many years. Too bad she doesn't want anything to do with him and his high society ways. But when he rescues Gabriella and her accomplice Daphne from two dangerous instances, she grudgingly agrees to renew their friendship. Very soon, Nicholas decides to ask Gabriella to help him sort through the society ladies to find a woman who would make a good wife. She has a keen eye for character and detail and would be the best help he could find in acquiring a spouse. But while Gabriella initially didn't like Nicholas and his high handed ways, she feels queasy about helping him find a wife. If both she and Nicholas can move beyond their prejudices and see each other for how they really are, they might have a chance at more than friendship. But first they have to find answers about who is targeting Gabriella to frame her with new thefts and keep her away from Nicholas. I loved the entirety of this story. The Characters were wonderfully crafted and excellently voiced. Each was distinct and so  well written that you felt that you knew them personally by the end of the book. I also loved that there was a deeper story to be told and plenty of depth added with the search for Gabriella's family. This was certainly not a surface story and one that I will highly recommend to others as a really great read. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next in the series and am very interested to see what happens to Daphne as she was a favorite from this story. 

I received this temporary complimentary E-book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed getting to know Gabriella Goodhue. She is a remarkably strong woman. She had a very difficult past that is presented throughout the book. I loved meeting her friends, most of whom are her fellow boarders at the boarding house on Bleeker Street.

It was fun getting to know Nicholas Quinn too. I was really amused to see the relationship between Gabriella and Nicholas as it went through many changes over the course of the story.

The cast of characters was large and the personalities were very different. There were a number of them with very different quirks that kept me entertained. The numerous antics came from the four legged characters as much as from the humans.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

New York. The Gilded Age. Best friends separated in their youth...

Nicholas had gone from life as a thief to being accepted as one of the most eligible gentlemen of society's Four Hundred.

And Gabriella had gone from thief to orphanage to respectable seamstress. And novice detective - or inquiry agent to be more correct.

Their reunion was surprising and quite unexpected, not only that it occurred but also the circumstances under which it did. It was fun to watch as they were thrown together again and again, much to Gabriella's chagrin. And Nicholas' pleasure and confusion.

With the humorous circumstances I've come to expect from Jen Turano, and a bunch of quirky characters (not excluding Winston, the mangy dog who loved to be spoken to like a pirate), the ladies of The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency fumbled around, solving crimes even the skilled Pinkerton agents were unable to.

I enjoyed seeing Nicholas' attitude about marriage get altered as well as his priorities as Gabriella returned to his life. Not that he had a callous heart before this - he just learned some things from his mentor that would have been better ignored.

Daphne, the secret mystery writer who got faint at the hint of trouble, was quite cute! Her penchant for taking notes about everything that could be used in a book made me smile.

A large portion of the story was told using their dialog. While I often appreciate this method of imparting details, this seemed a bit overdone and the conversations felt stilted and awkward.

Some of the seedier sides of life were exposed here. Nicholas and Gabriella's early years were spent in the care of a man who was a little like Fagan from Oliver Twist. Nicholas encouraged Gabriella to dress as a boy to protect her from lecherous men (and boys). The many mentions of the ways little girls were in danger growing up in the Five Points area of New York City were, in my opinion, too much.

To Steal a Heart is a clean historical romance (aside from the unpleasant aspects mentioned above). There is a hint of spiritual matters as Gabriella considered that perhaps God had not abandoned her as she had thought. I would not consider it Christian romance as listed on the retail sites, though.

Wow!! This is definitely one of Jen Turano’s best! I loved it so much!
It made me laugh out loud so many times that my belly ached! It was completely hilarious, yet at the same time, there’s a sweetness and charm of the characters that made them endearing to me from page one! It was a sweet and touching romance too!
Gabriella Goodhue, a street thief in her childhood, and after outgrowing the orphanage, is now a decent woman with an honest job. But when a resident from her Boarding House is framed for stealing a family heirloom, she and her friends determine to discover who the real thief is, which ends up with Gabriella disguising as a man at a Ball so she can be able to sneak to the hostess bedroom (their main suspect) to open her safe (hoping her skills are not lost) and see if she’s the real culprit. She’s in for a big surprise as she’s found in the middle of her investigation by Nicholas Quinn, her childhood best friend and partner in thieving, who by the way has snuck up to the room with the same goal of searching the safe for the lost jewels. But their so longed reunion is not a happy one. Besides having to escape in haste, to avoid getting caught, Gabriella -or Gabe as they called her when she was a street urchin- feels betrayed by Nicholas because he never went for her, after she was caught thieving and sent to an orphanage. So, they may have the same interest in liberating Jennette from jail (Nicolas helping a Pinkerton Agent), but Gabriella is surely not partnering with him, less when she discovers that he’s now a rich and well established gentleman in New York Society.
Nicholas has always dreamed with discovering what became of Gabriella, after being told by the police that she was sent far away on an orphan train. In one of his direst moments, a very prestiged Professor takes him under his wing and educates him in every possible way -a career, vocabulary, etiquette- so he can make his own path in the world. Not only that, but Nicholas is now the heir to the Professor’s enormous wealth, so he’s turned into one of the most eligible sought after bachelors in New York Society, the four hundred. So when he discovers Gabriella, he’s thrilled, but surprised at Gabriella’s rejection and accusations of how he’s a different man, and how their social differences are now a great breach between them. But he’s not yet ready to let Gabriella go. And circumstances around the mysteries they have to solve seem to throw them together. The attraction between them is undenyable. Can Gabriella let her walls down and open down to her childhood friend again? Can Nicholas see past society expectations and rules to discover that Gabriella is everything and even more of what he really needs?
I totally loved this New Series! The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency and its charming and spunky members were so delightful! I can’t wait for the next books to get to know their stories, especially Daphne, omg, she was hilarious!
And I loved Nicholas, although I wanted to shake him a bit at first for being so proper and snobby! But I loved his growth in this story, and I have to say he has a heart of gold! Gabriella was a spunky and strongminded woman, who knew what she wanted in life, and was earning her honest living with hard work. She has some lessons for Nicholas, but she’ll have things to learn in the book as well. I love that Jen Turano’s books are always inspirational and faith inspired. It’s a plus that most Romantic Comedies don’t always have. I’m always smiling or laughing when I read her books!
All in all, this was a delightful book that warmed my heart, and I think this is going to be a blast of a series, just by getting to know the secondary characters that hopefully will have their stories and chance at a Happily Ever After ad well! I definitely recommend this book! Five and more stars! Can’t gush enough about it!
I received a complimentary copy from the Publisher via NetGalley but wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

From christianbook.com:

After a childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she'd put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend--until he abandoned her.

After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he'd be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever.

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.   

This story was an interesting combination of class perspectives.  I especially loved Nicholas's contradictory character of trying to fit into society to please his adoptive uncle, while also caring so strongly for those from his former life, and having a heart for those from the life he'd managed to escape.  I liked that while many of the former criminals Nicholas and Gabriella had associated with were reformed and striving for better lives, it wasn't true of all of them.  While some of that was merely to serve as a plot device, it rang true - some people are going to continue to make bad choices and will despise those who find a better way.

I enjoyed the characters and their growth over the book.  I am excited for this series to continue, and hopefully not only get the rest of the boarding house ladies' stories, but continue to revisit the characters we meet in this one.

I give this book 4 stars.  I always enjoy Ms. Turano's humorous stories and characters.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.