I loved Nancy Campbell Allen's other book, The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart. I was excited to revisit the characters and discover Eva and Nathan's story.

There were so many things I loved about this book:
- The setting. The dinner party just sounded delightful, and the Victorian Era has always been a favorite. The author did a great job with little details to help the reader feel part of the party!

- The open-mindedness of the characters. Eva has made her way into the typically male profession of photography. She helps with investigations. Other female characters are encouraged to pursue their interests and find spouses who encourage them as well. It was very forward thinking for the time, but it works well in the story.

- Eva and Nathan's blooming romance was just so sweet. I loved how Nathan's sisters and mother helped them along!

- The pacing of the story was spot on, although some of the action was a tad melodramatic. But overall the story moved along perfectly!

I highly recommend this clean romance/mystery!

Thank you to Netgalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Nancy Campbell Allen for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I don't DNF books but i couldn't get past 30% for this one. I really thought that the story would be more interesting, i needed something to happen other than the clumsy romance between Eva and Nathan, a couple of gossip girls and shadowy small criminals. I couldn't relate to any of the characters and their dialogue felt too superficial. I'm sure there are people who would love this but sadly it was a total miss for me.

I received an advance copy of To Capture His Heart from NetGalley and then realized it's #2 in a series. So, I read #1 (The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart) first, and I definitely recommend doing it that way to fully appreciate the whole story. This series is the perfect blend of historical romance + mystery/crime drama, with many loveable characters. I hope there will be more books in this series!

To Capture His Heart is a very sweet, romantic, and charming book set in late nineteenth century England. It follows Eva, a photographer, and Nathan, a detective, as they navigate their feelings for each other while also investigating a criminal plot. I enjoyed both the blooming romance and the intrigue in this book and felt that they played well off one another. Finishing this book has me wanting to dip back into my Austen collection again right away!

I loved this book! Eva is smart, capable, kind and beautiful inside and out. She loves working as a photographer, especially when she is able to work with Detective Nathan Winston. When Det. Winston approaches her about photographing his Mother's house party and pretending a tendre for him, she can't refuse. Eva might find it hard not to give away her true feelings of love for the detective. She doesn't know that he is having the same difficulties. Enter in a madman from Nathan's past and this could be the most interesting house party yet.
I would highly recommend this book.

That was cute.

To be honest, I was expecting it to be more of a romance than a mystery. It turned out that both of the genre were balanced and I have a hard time to put this book in any of them hahaha

It was just cute. Nice story, definitely something different than the rest of the historical romances that i am used to read, and I like it. .

This was a fun and engaging book. I thought the balance between the love story and the mystery was well done. It is common for one storyline to overpower the other in these types of books, especially in clean romances, but that was not the case here.

I wish Eva’s cousins and Aunt Sally had been in more of the story, but I get that this was a house party away from London, so their absence makes sense. On the other hand, it was great to see more of Sammy and I loved Nathan’s sisters and mother.

NOTE: Until reading this book, I never really appreciated how dangerous photography was back in the day. They were literally playing with explosives!

I simply adored To Capture His Heart. I adore historical fiction and photography. This crossed both. Eva Cadwell was such a strong woman that I loved how Eva and Nathan interacted with each other. I couldn't put this book down. Definitely one I will be rereading.

I enjoyed this story. I appreciated that I couldn’t guess the villian’s identity and I liked that there were no big misunderstandings between the main characters and that the hero declared his feelings and intentions clearly. I loved Sammy as well as Nathan’s mother and sisters and (continued to love) Eva’s cousins. A series comprised of chronological events with the characters from the previous books making appearances is my favorite way to read a series.
I did think the surprise at the end would have been a new dark room, but… 🤷🏻‍♀️

I didn't realize as I chose this book that I had already read the one that comes before it. I was happy as I recognized some of the characters and engaged with the story. It's got a bit of the crime/detective spin to it, but is mostly a solid and enjoyable romance.

Another suspenseful mystery/romance in this series. This story probably leaned more to the romance side. I liked these two characters together. They worked well as a team to solve the mystery and I loved the way they looked out for Sammy too.
Personally my favorite part of this story was the interactions between Eva and the mean girls. There is nothing I enjoy more, I think, than a really good, well deserved set down. I'm a little vindictive in my reading choices. I love when women, particularly, stand up to the bully. I loved that Eva was such an independent woman and didn't wait around to be saved by her man.
I also enjoyed that Nathan was a good and caring person for those in and out of his family.
This was an enjoyable read for clean mystery/romance lovers.

Sex: no, some kisses
Language: no
Violence: yes, not graphic
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

#tocapturehisheart #netgalley

This was a great story to read. I loved the storyline and the characters, definitely recommend this book!

An utter delight from start to finish.

The friends to lovers and fake dating tropes are two of my favorites and author Nancy Allen Campbell combines them with panache. Eva and Nathan know each other through Amelie and Michael (THE MATCHMAKER’S LONELY HEART). Their feelings for each other have grown, but both are afraid of ruining their friendship. That is until Nathan’s mother wants him to attend a house party with eligible ladies. He says his interest is already taken and then he and Eva have to pretend; which isn’t too hard for either of them. Add a criminal who wants revenge on Nathan and you have one interesting house party.

The romance is sweet but very satisfying. Lots of delicious kisses (poor Eva is irritable if not kissed). Eva is a photographer and self-supporting; Victorian feminism is always wonderful. Nathan chooses to be a police detective rather than use his family’s money. The mystery is just sinister and twisty enough to keep it interesting without making the story dark.

It is a thoroughly delightful book that you’ll want to read again.

This story is set in Victorian England in 1866. Eva Caldwell is a young woman with a most unusual occupation for the time - she is a photographer who also photographs crime scenes for the police. In this book, she is asked a favor by a friend, a detective: he would like her to attend and photograph his mother's annual weeklong house party - and also pretend that they are attracted to each other. His mother is determined to marry him off and he is equally determined to avoid her matchmaking. Of course, there isn't need for pretense on either side. I really enjoyed the slow development of their romance and the fact that they were middle class rather than nobility.

There is an unexpected complication - one of Nathan's enemies is determined to do him harm. If you are a fan of slow burn romance, mystery, and Victorian England settings, then you will enjoy this book. This is book 2 of a series, and I was able to follow this one although I had not read book 1 - although I intend to.

Thanks to the publisher Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

To Capture His Heart — a story about Eva, a well-known photographer, and intelligent detective, Nathan Winston. Nathan and Eva were already introduced in the first book, so you will see some development in their relationship. It’s your typical asking for help because of a matchmaking mother. I do appreciate the hero being honest about his proposition. However, the charade could have been avoided if Nathan had been more open with his mother, to begin with.

The book was not so bad, but I preferred the first one because that had a lot more mystery than this book. I am giving it two stars because the first few chapters were intriguing. However, towards the end, it was becoming too cheesy for my liking.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I give it 3.5 Stars.

[Book Review]

To Capture His Heart | Nancy Campbell Allen
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

To Capture His Heart is where Agatha Christie and Bridgeton collide. Seriously. I loved it.

This book is the second of Nancy’s series “Matchmakers” and you can read as a stand alone or after you have read the first one, “The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart”. I, personally, read it as a stand alone, however, am eager to read the first book as well.

As soon as I saw the cover art of this book, I HAD to read it!
Nancy Campbell Allen has written a nice, easy read with great chapter flow and the sprinkle of suspense you are accustomed to in a classic whodunnit; an addictive page turner. If only I could endure a mid-week all-nighter, but early morning starts had me like🤦🏼‍♀️

The bonus to this novel is the underlining romantic story between main characters Detective Nathaniel Winston and charming photographer Eva Caldwell, traditionally told as it would occur within the societal customs in the Victoria era. Stealing glances, hushed whispers and the proverbial catch ups in the various closets and pantries. Love those slow burn vibes.

Nancy Campbell won bonus points for me when the “ton” was mentioned in this book, the Edgar Allen Poe references and the strong and empowering secondary characters, especially the Winston sisters.

A great read and am looking forward to reading previous and hopefully 🤞🏼, upcoming instalments of the “Matchmakers” series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is a well written blend of mystery and romance. The main characters are well drawn with an enjoyable cast of supporting characters.

The second book in the Matchmaker series, To Capture His Heart may be read as a stand alone but reading the first book in the series, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, will only enhance your enjoyment of this one. Both are terrific.

Eva is one of three cousins in Victorian England who swell spoken ladies but not shrinking violet’s. Determined to stand on her own two feet, Eva becomes an accomplished photographer, suffragette and a young woman who speaks her mind. When the three cousins encounter a grisly murder (see book 1), they also meet two of London’s highly regarded Detective Inspectors. Nathaniel Winston has been intrigued by Eva when they first meet and she ends up taking a crime scene photos on the aforementioned grisly murder….something unheard of for a genteel Victorian lady.

While Eva and Nathan’s journey begins in book 1, it is the focus of book 2. Nathan’s mother wants him to join her and his 4 sisters at their annual , ten day summer house party for charity. Of course, she’s invited some eligible young ladies in the hope that Nathan will finally marry. In desperation to stave off any marriage-minded ladies, Nathan blurts out that he’s already formed an interest in Eva….of course his mother immediately invites her to be a house party guest and photographer for the festivities. Now, Nathan only has to convince Eva that they act smitten with each other to keep up the façade….or is it truly a only pretend? Intrigue, murder and stolen kisses make the house party fun, dangerous and life altering.

tl;dr
Romance and mystery are mostly balanced (with romance pulling into the lead just a bit), in a very satisfying story with two likable leads.

About
Eva Caldwell has worked hard to make a name for herself as a photographer, and her skill has not gone unnoticed - she's even called upon to photograph crime scenes when the need arises. The work is good, and the company, a certain Detective Nathan Winston, is even better. So when Detective Winston asks her to pose as his beloved for a week, she's thrilled. But a criminal from one of Nathan's past cases has arrived seeking revenge, and Eva isn't sure what's more difficult - solving the case, or keeping her true affections for Nathan in hiding.

Thoughts
I love a fake romance trope, and I love a romance where the characters are honest with each other. I know these sound like opposing ideas, but Nancy Campbell Allen has somehow managed to make both of these ideas come to the table in an extremely satisfying way. The two leads are very easy to cheer for. Eva is smart, complex, and empathetic. Nathan is thoughtful, clever, and modest. The two of them feel SO very meant for each other, and their chemistry feels very natural.

Supporting cast are all interesting, with Sammy being an easy favorite. I often approach books about "strong female lead" types with trepidation, because they so often fall into the "not like other girls" trope as well. I am pleased that this is not the case here, with several women of varying natures and distinct personalities. There are definitely a couple catty types, but they are presented as an outlier. Nathan's mother, in particular, is a delight.

The mystery unfolds at a quick pace, and I absolutely ate it up. This is definitely more a read-along mystery, rather than a solve-along, but the reveal felt like it was reasonably hinted at, and the twists all made sense.

This book is a spinoff of another one. While the previous book isn't necessary reading, newcomers do have a little bit of catching up to do, and the first few chapters are packed with a lot of information to be learned in a short amount of time. Once you catch up, though, it's very smooth reading from there. I had a great time, and I will definitely be seeking out the author's other works.

I admit I am a junkie for Nancy Allen Campbell's books. I love her fairy tale steam punk series, and I love this new series.
We first met Eva in The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart. She is a photographer, a woman assured of herself, living with her Aunt and one cousin now as another cousin was just married. She has done some work for the police department and has worked with Nathan Winston many times over the past year.

Nathan is a gentleman, who desired an occupation. His family supports this but also wants to see him married. And Eva keeps catching his eye!

So, throw in a house party, a felon who wants revenge for his family's incarceration, mean girls, intrigue and the recipe for success is created.

This is a fun read, well written, with likeable and unlikeable characters! You root for the good, and the bad may surprise you!