To Capture His Heart was a very enjoyable read. It perfectly mixed romance with mystery. I did not want to put it down. This book is a perfect follow up to The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart and I hope to read Charlotte's story in the future. I also greatly enjoyed learning a little bit about how pictures were taken in the late 1800's. I love that the title really is a double meaning since Eva Caldwell, the main character, is a photographer.
Eva is invited to a house party as a guest and photographer by Detective Nathan Winston. The house party has it all- mean girls, mystery boxes, murder, and more. Will Nathan and Eva solve the mystery before more people are hurt? Read to find out!
#ToCaptureHisHeart #NetGalley

So I absolutely loved the first book in the Matchmakers Series, but this one has just become my favorite one! Words cannot describe how much I enjoyed Eva’s happily ever after. I read this story so quickly because I loved the relationship between Eva and Nathan. I love how Nancy writes these strong female entrepreneurs in these historical settings!

Eva works with Nathan as a photographer for the police department. They have become close friends since meeting through Eva’s cousin. Nathan being the great son he visits his mom who informs him of her week long matchmaking event, Nathan already having feelings for another tells his mom he is courting a photographer, Eva. Him and Eva have to pretend they are courting each other for the week.

I absolutely love the development of Eva and Nathan’s relationship. But I also love Nathan's family, his mom and his sisters are the absolute best! The mystery within this one kept me guessing and I did not know who had done it!

If you want a story which is cute, angsty, a mystery and a romance, this book is for you! Nancy Campbell Allen, I loved this story!

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you Nancy Campbell Allen for writing an amazing story!

“Perfectly normal, just another day at a house party where anyone might be guilty of crimes large or small.”

The definition of an “easy read”, this mystery peppered with romance is light and sweet.

If you’re looking for a fast, fun mystery, this is the one for you. It’s not overly complex even though it does deal with some deeper themes.
Our main characters (Eva and Nathan) are so adorable. The way he talks openly and frankly with her and perceives her feelings is truly refreshing. He’s a great detective and he starts to use those resources in their relationship, which is a cool detail. Also, I love a jealous hero, but I love even more that Nathan knows he shouldn’t be jealous no matter what, saying, “He was not used to the sudden surge of possessiveness that he knew could not be healthy.” I couldn’t wait for them to end up together.
The side characters range from truly evil to so charming. Sammy especially was a favorite of mine, and I enjoyed how Eva and Nathan’s relationship with him also grew. Nathan’s mom and sisters are fun to read. Maybe some of them will get books in the future?
The writing is good but clunky at times. Sometimes she uses big words and I’m not sure she completely knows the definitions. I don’t mean this in a mean way, it’s just a tiny bit off. The mystery was fun and yet a little bit obvious. I absolutely loved all the historical details about things like photography.
Overall this is a nice book that I absolutely recommend!

Tropes: Friends to lovers, fake dating,
CW: Kidnapping, murder, violence, toxic personalities

I received an eARC of this book via NetGalley. Opinions are all my own.

"Seaside, England, 1886.

Eva Caldwell is an accomplished and well-known photographer who often works with the local constabulary to assist in documenting crime scenes, which means she also often works alongside the handsome and charming detective, Nathan Winston. She appreciates his intellect and how he treats her like an equal, but Eva's heart is still healing from a past relationship, so, for now, she decides to keep her feelings for Nathan a secret.

One evening, Nathan arrives on her doorstep asking for a personal favor. Would Eva be available to photograph his mother's legendary, week-long dinner party and matchmaking event? The catch is that Eva would also have to pretend they are courting in order for Nathan to avoid the many single women seeking his attention.

Though wary of the charade, Eva agrees. Spending a week with the two things she loves most - her detective and her camera - sounds simple enough. And if she wants to imagine that Nathan's pretend courtship of her is real, well, what's the harm in that?

But when a criminal from Nathan's past threatens revenge on the detective, Nathan must be extra vigilant to keep his mother and the rest of the partygoers safe. He confides in Eva, and as the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the criminal, they find that they might capture more than they expected - each other's heart."

Bridgerton meets Miss Scarlet and the Duke!

4.5 stars
The romance just got me.
I don't care what anyone says. Nancy can write romance.


I just finished this delightful book and let me tell you, I needed a swoony romance and Nancy delivered.

To Capture His Heart is the next book in Nancy's matchmaker series, this time following Detective Nathaniel Winston and the lovely photographer, Miss Eva Caldwell. In an unusual turn of events, Eva finds herself attending a house party pretending to be enamored with the Detective himself, all the while both fighting their growing feelings for each other. And of course it wouldn't be a house party without a mystery to solve and a criminal to find.

Great historical romance with a suspenseful story. Loved the history and photography details! To me, the mystery seemed more on the side compared to the growing affections between the main MCs. But I was here for ALL the romance!

My friends, Nancy can write swoon. I loved every single encounter with Eva and Nathan and that their love story was already a "love in progress" from the beginning. Nathan is a dream. He wears his heart on his sleeve for that lady. Flirty banter, tender moments, and sweet touches. Give me more!

I would say my only issue is the mystery piece. Some things didn't quite add up toward the end. I needed more details to get the suspense vibe. Otherwise it was delightful!

This book comes out October 12th! Thank you to the author and Shadow Mountain for my early copy!

This was an engaging romance with nail biting action and adventure!
Spoiler alerts:
This book is part of a series, but I haven't read one yet that didn't meet the expectancy of the first. The heroine is a trio of "modern women" cousins who share a boarding house with a few older inhabitants and work in trade to keep a roof over their house. They are career women who are fighting for women's right to vote. The heroine is a photographer, who is called on by the police when their photographer is busy. One of her cousins is married to a police detective and that is her connection with the police department. His partner is the hero of this tale. He is attracted to the heroine, but has not let on yet. His work is all.consuming as is hers. But they keep stealing looks at each other. The hero was involved with a criminal family who had one member escape from justice. The villain's sister recently passed away after catching a disease in prison. The villian has begun sending the hero raven's feathers in a box of cigars decorated like a circus, because that is how they disguised their criminal business. The hero thinks that the villian will try to harm his mother and four sisters. His mother is having an annual charity house party and inviting single partners for his sisters - and him! The hero is not happy and implies that he is interested in the photographer and his mother is happy because she needs to hire a photographer at her party and asks to invite her. The hero explains to the heroine about the invitation, but both parties are sad because they with have to pretend a relationship between them even though they really like each other.
I enjoyed this story so much! I kept reading it with out putting it down because in addition to being very well written, the story just draws the reader in. The historical description of how things were at that time, the descriptions of the settings and landmarks and the characters themselves were so well described. The story just went along, dragging the reader with it, from start to finish. It was hard to put the book down. I like the fact that there were no dangling story lines or ideas and that there was realistic action, and not inconceivable stories or actions. It was all believable. I give this book 5 stars and recommend for your keeper shelf.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 🌶️1/5 (not much spice)
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for giving me this ARC, and this does not influence my review. Disclaimer: slight spoilers ahead
This was a great read, the author’s writing style was great and the book had great world-building. The book was a 3rd person limited double-POV (which I personally hate🥲). The plot was great and included a feminist working FMC in the regency era??? So cool ngl! Included with the romance theme was a mystery which I adored, and I couldn’t figure out the events even though there was some foreshadowing.
Moving on to the romance😏😏 the MMC was very bold which was kind of hot?? He was kind of swoon-worthy and mischievous. <spoiler>I mean, mans told her he was going to kiss her👀👀 and the FMC got triggered waiting for it (she thought: “The anticipation is driving me mad. What is he waiting for? An engraved invitation?” </spoiler> I loved the scheming MIL and sisters of the guy, really made the book worth it.
Tropes included in this book include: friends to lovers, fake relationship, historical/regency romance, medium-fast burn romance

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I adore Victorian proper romances. To Capture His Heart is so much fun because it has all the tension involved with wanting to kiss the love interest, internal struggles, and attraction in addition to a mystery.

Eva agrees to Nathan's request to attend his mother's ten-day party and pretend to have a romantic interest in him. A fake romance? Yes—I'm diving in and loving it because this book adds new twists to the trope. I love how Eva and Nathan's careers (a photographer and detective) overlap. They know each other on a deeper level than dancing at a ball or flirting in a large group of vain and vapid people. Eva is wonderful because she's vulnerable and self-assured, confident, and independent. Nathan's character works well because he is layered in unexpected ways to Eva. And his sisters are down-to-earth, and in need of their own romance stories.

Now for the mystery. Nathan has enemies from his work as a detective, and a particularly nasty fellow has invaded his London room with a sign that Nathan's family is not safe. A major problem is that Nathan doesn't know precisely what this enemy looks like. Though Nathan tries to keep the danger a secret, he hires extra guards, and Eva knows something is wrong. When a madman is after you, there's never enough protection. I loved how I guessed some of the pieces and not others.

This is the perfect blend of highlighting the romance with the mystery as a secondary plot.

If you love historical romances, Victorian England, cozy mysteries, or kissing books, this is the right read for you. I highly recommend this book!

I’ve been thinking a lot about Bridgerton lately.

Not for any particular reason, but my social media feeds has certainly been populated with a lot of Bridgerton content ahead of their third season, which doesn’t even have a release date yet. So while I’ve been in need of a little historical romance, I’m not quite desperate enough to dive into the novels.

Last year, I reviewed The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, about a matchmaker who falls for a police officer while trying to help him solve a murder case. It was a charming book even if it didn’t really leaving a super lasting impact on me, so I was surprised but incredibly honoured when Shadow Mountain Publishing sent me an advanced copy of the sequel To Capture His Heart.

I didn’t even know there were plans for a sequel, to be honest, but looking back, I’m surprised I didn’t spot the groundwork being laid for one.

To Capture His Heart follows two of the side characters from the previous novel, photographer Eva Caldwell and detective Nathan Winston. After meeting through the happily betrothed Bakers from our first novel, the two are starting to fall for each other, although neither are willing to make the first move.

When Winston’s mother organises a matchmaking event, the detective invites Caldwell to attend as the event’s official photographer, and as his unofficial date. The official line is, of course, to spare himself from being set up—Bridgerton season one anyone?—but it won’t do any harm if he just happens to actually have feelings for Caldwell.

But when Winston starts to receive threatening messages from a criminal he thought he had locked away for good, he realises his fake dating scheme is the least of his worries.

Similar to The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, To Capture His Heart is an incredibly charming novel with a surprising sense of humour. I read it while I was at work, still groggy from having woken up earlier than I would care to, and it was an easy read that held my attention well.

I think I actually liked the sequel a little better than the first; I felt like Nancy Campbell Allen had settled into her stride more with this book so she was able to focus more on the characters and their nuances. Where I found Hampton to be stubborn and childlike at times, Caldwell is more closed off and quick to lash out at times. She seems more relatable to me.

Her mistakes are not simply glazed over — which I always like in my books. Both of our romantic leads have their fair share of baggage; love will not suddenly turn them into angels. They take the time to comfort and help each other through their issues while navigating the beginnings of their relationship and you can really see them grow as people over the course of the book.

Where To Capture His Heart falls short is in its antagonist. While the criminal was built up to be this really tough and merciless person, the storyline is resolved way too quickly. From the climax to the book to its end, I would say it was only about 30 pages, and I actually was stunned it was tied up the way that it was. It was all a bit too deus ex machina, no matter how dedicated you are to the suspension of belief and I’m willing to close many eyes.

Had To Capture His Heart focused on just being a romance novel, the book would have shined so much more. If you were thinking of picking up this book, I would definitely say to manage your expectations. Had I gone into this expecting a mystery novel, I think I would be more disappointed. But I wanted a romance and I got it so it’s all good in my book.

I admit - this book doesn't exactly meet my expectation when I read the blurb and requested it from Netgalley. The blurb mentions that the female main character's occupation involves "documenting crime scenes" - and the male main character is a detective. It also mentions "the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the criminal". I expected a historical mystery/thriller.

What I get was, well, sweet romance (it does said PROPER romance, which basically clean, no sex scenes) with a touch of thriller. Yes, there's a criminal that sends sort of threat to Detective Nathan Winston, but dead bodies don't appear until around 80% of the book, and the rest of the story is more about Nathan and Eva and how they navigate their feelings while - at first - pretending that they're a couple of Nathan's mother's sake.

On one hand, I like the romance enough. Both characters are VERY likable.

Eva hides her vulnerability - she may be an accomplished photographer, but in her school days, Eva is bullied by the ladies above her station. She also still nurtured a broken heart when her first love left her; so Eva doesn't trust men easily.

Nathan has been on the way of falling in love with Eva for months, though (on that note I probably have to read the FIRST book of this series because that's when Nathan and Eva first met). Nathan is the kind of gentleman I like to read in romance. He appreciates and respect Eva, he doesn't belittle her just because she's a woman. He may feel a bit jealous at times when another man try to capture Eva's interest, but he doesn't act all primitively Alpha about it.

I enjoy their the progress of the relationship.

BUT STILL, I start this book imagining suspense in addition to the romance, and I feel kind of let down because of it. Yeah, expectation, it does things to you!

I like the author's writing style though. Maybe I will go back to the first book and then look forward to the third book (which I'm sure will feature the other cousin left, Charlotte). And next time, I will adjust what my expectation.


The ARC is provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an exchange of fair and honest review. No high rating is required for any ARC received.

Nathan and Eva are the perfect match. They both actually think the same thing but it takes a little time for them to progress in their relationship. And I loved reading the journey! This book is the perfect blend of suspense-but not too much/too stressful-and romance-sweet and appropriate. I highly recommend this incredible novel by Nancy Campbell Allen. She hints at Amelie and Michael’s love story from the first book in the series and now I’m wondering why I haven’t read it! Five stars, Nancy. Well done!

Oh my goodness this was such a delight to read! All the stars from me. Historical mystery and suspense with enough romance, and the plot twist choking!

Strong independent Female Photographer Entrepreneur
The Fake Romance that was actually there all along
A sweet hero that protects those he cares for
The chemestry and banter
Mystery Subplot with a twist
Mean girls and charming sisters
Samy Eva’s photographer assistant
I like there was no misunderstanding between the two…they were always a team and have each other’s back.

This book is fast-paced and engaging with characters that will touch your heart, the writing style was simple and effective and the overall flow of the story felt very smooth. I loved the backdrop of a house party and the storyline, and I enjoyed the satisfying ending, I would recommend it to anyone looking for a romance with a side of mystery. It can be read as a stand-alone. Sweet-Clean-Closed-door romance. A fun entertaining read, Highly Recommend it!

Thanks, #NetGalley and #ShadowMountainPublishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had been looking forward to reading this book ever since I finished Amelie’s story, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. I loved it! I loved the mystery and intrigue and romance. And I did not expect the ending, which is the mark of a really good mystery. I was reading this at night, and there were several times I had to stop because the mystery was creeping me out too much! I already can’t wait for Charlotte’s story!

To Capture His Heart was a delightful romp which combines historical romance and a big of thriller. With a professional photographer and a police detective, it is a perfect match for both romance and crime detection.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

I found the criminal foreshadowing perhaps a bit too strong to enjoy the opening party scenes but that is what you sign up for in this topic of romantic suspense.

The characters of Eva and Nathan are perfectly matched, they have been in each other's social circle a little while, but this book develops their relationship beautifully. They have a deep respect for each other's expertise and a simmering physical attraction.

I'm a huge fan of the society house party setting in books and this one was beautiful scene setting throughout the book.

I really enjoyed this book, and felt that it was a well written historical fiction! It takes place during the time when women were becoming more accepted in the work field and Eva is a photographer who occasionally helps out Detective Winston at murder scenes. He invites her to his family’s house party to play the charade of being interested in him. Although they both are already interested in one another.

It is a fun romance, mixed with a little mystery as Eva and Nathan grow closer together and start to better understand how they feel for one another. There are some fun background characters as well. This is a great light read!

I haven’t read the first book, so this story can stand alone without the context of the first book.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me the digital ARC of this book!

After loving The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, I was very excited to read To Capture His Heart! Eva was one of my favorite characters from the first book, and I loved seeing her romance develop with Nathan in this book.

The romantic tension is very well written; neither character wants to fall in love, but Eva agrees to pretend to be courted by Nathan at a house party. I enjoy fake dating storylines, and it was fun to see that play out in this book! The different activities for the house party sounded fun, and made for an enjoyable reading experience!

Eva is a photographer, who also has experience shooting crime scene photos, and Nathan is a detective. The suspense aspect to the story was intriguing! It was also great to learn more about photography in 1886. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

4/5 stars

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

Sadly, at 45% through this is a DNF for me, at least for now. It just wasn't catching my attention right from the beginning and I kept finding myself zoning out at times and having to go back and reread certain parts, just to zone out again. I also felt like there wasn't enough of the fake dating trope even though that's what is put in the synopsis. Maybe I just didn't give it enough of a chance before I DNF?🤷🏼‍♀️ I also didn't get a lot of the danger and mystery in this one. Again, maybe that's just because I didn't give it enough of a chance.

I really did enjoy the time period and the new technology back then, I thought it was cool how Nancy describes how the camera worked.

This book may not have been for me, but if you enjoy historical romance with mystery and suspence, I think you'll like this one by Nancy Campbell Allen.

Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

I love Nancy Campbell Allen's work, and I thoroughly enjoyed this latest installment of the Matchmakers. Like most of Allen's lead females, Eva is grounded and complex enough to be relatable and likable. Nathan, likewise, is a very likable character although not quite as deeply developed as Eva. The chemistry exists from the outset and the tension lies in Eva's previous disappointments, resulting in several barriers she has constructed and is consciously but cautiously trying to dismantle. Eva's vulnerability to the 'mean girls' of society makes her character more sympathic, and the steel she develops in standing her ground is enjoyable to see.

The relationship between Eva and Nathan drives the novel, and the mystery is secondary and a bit dry. The danger aspect becomes a bit repetitive. Had the secondary characters been developed more, the mystery could have been a fun one for readers to untangle. As it stands, the mystery essentially provides a faint background for the interplay between Eva and Nathan.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the ARC.

In To Capture His Heart, Nancy Campbell Allen continues the enjoyable love story of Eva Caldwell, a determined young woman - professional photographer in the Victorian era, and Detective Nathan Winston. Both were in the first book of the series (The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart), where Eva and Nathan were drawn to each other. In an unfolding mystery a vengeful (almost invisible) villain is threatening Nathan, his family, and guests at his mother’s weeklong, charity-fundraising country house party. This sets the stage for closer contact between Eva and Nathan, especially since she is to portray his fiancée as well as to be the event’s photographer. Nathan and Eva are well-developed characters, and the Eva and her family are exciting female trailblazers of their time. Naturally, as the danger increases and they are thrown together, Eva and Nathan’s love for each other intensifies to the expected outcome of declarations of devotion and kisses. The romance is billed as “Proper Romance Victorian” – and it is that. Genteel, sweet, and in stasis from beginning to end. Nathan loves Eva at the beginning and he knows it, so I’m not sure of the title’s meaning. I wish Eva’s beloved cousins and more of the bold Detective Baker (who does show up at the end) were part of this story. The delightful book cover is enticing.

My opinion is all my own. I am grateful to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Nancy Campbell Allen for allowing me access to this book.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were witty, charming and had wonderful chemistry. I love this author's style and look forward to reading anything she releases.