'A Heart Worth Stealing' was my first book by this author. At times it was a little ponderous for me, I just wanted to get to the conclusion/resolution. I ended up being very happy with how the book ended as it was in a way that I didn't anticipate. I will look forward to more from Joanna Barker.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I don’t even know what to say. Jack certainly stole my heart! I loved how different and yet how familiar this regency story was. I loved the ruse of calling the thief taker, or rather private investigator, Ginny’s cousin. Hello, forced proximity in regency time. Jack was a helpless flirt and I loved it! I really appreciated his character growth and seeing the change from flirting to deeply caring. The danger elements were just right and the whole ending had me literally grinning.

I absolutely loved this story and didn't want to put it down. I was a bit slow to get started for me, but once I was pulled in I just loved these characters and their world so much. I was surprised by the twists and turns, especially at the end. The playful banter and true devotion pulled at my heartstrings. Seeing these characters grow in their relationships with one another is precious. There are some terrific supporting characters that I hope get their own story and will give me a peak into these characters' lives again. In the meantime, I think I will need to reread some parts of this one soon. This is my first book by Joanna Barker and I am looking forward to more.

Jack snd Ginny were great characters. I really enjoyed this story. The dialogue was fun. The mystery was well developed. The characters were well written. The story kept my attention and the pacing of it was perfect. Overall a great book.

“ A Heart Worth Stealing” was such a sweet read, with romance and some mystery. The cover for this book is adorable and totally perfect. I definitely think Jack’s POV on some moments would have been funny to read. His and Ginny’s relationship was quite sweet and hilarious. I found myself smiling and rolling my eyes at some of their flirting/ teasing moments. I will be reading another book from this author the next time I need a sweet romance to put me in a good mood.

I received a copy from the publisher Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley. These are my honest opinions.

A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is another win for readers. Written with great wit, an opposites attract/grump and sunshine trope, mystery and action, as well as all the regency era romance one could ask for, you get a read of the year. Joanna is a master at kissing scenes, first thing. But she is just as great at writing characters that are capable of change and have depth. The readers are rewarded with all of that in this book.

I wasn't expecting to pick up this book and find myself caught in action like I was, but I hope to see more of this in Joanna's future books. It was a pleasant surprise for me. I don't know why it caught me off guard, since I knew the summary, but I don't think I was expecting it on the level it ended up being.

Genevieve and Jack are opposites. She is all things proper and upstanding. She has her worth to prove. She has an estate to run after her father passes. Jack is fun loving, a joker, but takes his job and those he loves seriously and handles them with the utmost care. What I love about books that have characters that are opposites like this, is that it allows one character, or both in some cases, to find balance in their life. I have really appreciated that in books lately and to find it here with Joanna's book was delightful.

Now to go back to those kissing scenes... I can't even say how great they are. I don't think I have the adequate words for how great these are written. I guess you will just have to pick up the book yourself to find out.

Rating: 4.75

Ginny and Jack 🥹 I love them.

I loved how unique this was for a regency romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, the danger, the flirty banter, and the tender way in which these two fell in love. A Heart Worth Stealing was such a great read and had me captivated from start to finish. We love a well written book that also entertains.

If you like your historical fiction romance with a bit of intrigue and mystery then this is the one for you. 🫶🏻

Content: grief of a loved one, danger, kissing only

SYNOPSIS
Miss ​Genevieve Wilde has kept herself busy since her father's death several months ago. But in all her busyness, she knows she did not simply misplace her beloved father's pocket watch; it was stolen. When the current magistrate, a man whose proposal of marriage she's rejected twice, doesn't take her seriously, she hires a thief-taker to help her recover the heirloom. She regrets the decision as soon as she meets Jack Travers. The man is entirely too flirtatious, never mind his good looks. And not just that--everything about him begs more questions.

When more threats than a stolen timepiece surface, putting Genevieve and her home in danger, she realizes she needs his help more than she originally realized. With Jack posing as her cousin, the two undertake an investigation of the unsettling occurrences at Wimborne estate. If they don't work fast enough, they will be at risk of losing something much more dear even than her pocket watch; they will be risking their very hearts.

BRIEF REVIEW
This was a fun one! There was romance, mystery, and a bit of adventure. I will say it was a little bit predictable for me, but there were some things I didn't see coming. The metaphors and similes were a touch overdone for my taste, but that's not a huge complaint. Overall, I was interested and invested and stayed up late more than once reading. Plus, how stunning is that cover? 😍

BRIEF CONTENT GUIDE
😘 Mild (kissing only, several mild suggestive remarks)
🙊 Mild (a few uses of potentially insensitive language)
🍷 Mild
🤕 Light-moderate

4.95⭐

Ok, but this gorgeous book! Those close to me know I am a huge Joanna fan since I read my first book by her in the fall. By saying this, I mean that I was expecting a good book, but this was just... 🤗😘
Turns out, A Heart Worth Stealing is my favourite kind of book: romance and mystery.

I loved Ginny and Jack from the beginning (especially Jack;)) and their story is so sweet and heartwarming! Dear Genevieve is a smart and capable girl and Mr. Jack Travers is a confident, flirty and ((as Ginny said)) swoonworthy man! I absolutely loved the chemistry between them!
I enjoyed every single part of this book even though I figured out who the villan might be:), I mean, that made the reveal more fun 😅.

All in all, I loved the book, even if in the beginning I hoped for a dual POV. In the end, was just as perfect without as with it.
This book will definitely be on the top of my reread list. It's perfect in every way! 🥰

Also, It's just me, or this cover is totally gorgeous?


* I received a copy from the publisher via NatGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*

Intriguing and fun!

I didn't realize this was a romantic suspense when I picked it up, but was quickly caught up in the mystery of it all. I adored the interactions between Jack and Ginny! They had some fun witty banter and great chemistry. The mystery was well paced and played out well. Highly enjoyable read and one I would definitely want to read and enjoy many more times.

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.

Joanna Barker has become a must read author for me! I absolutely adore everything she writes and this book was no exception!! In all honesty I questioned at the beginning of this book if I would grow to like the heroine, and I did. Let me tell you how rare it is that I change my mind about a character mid-way through the book, it’s just not something I do, but I grew to really appreciate Ginny and of course Jack was a fast favorite. Jack’s charisma and charm added pops of humor and levity which I loved! These characters complimented each other perfectly and it was such fun watching their romance slowly develop. The mystery was intriguing and kept me invested in its outcome! The characters had chemistry that sparked and there were a few passionate kisses that were natural and genuine to these characters. I enjoyed this book so much and definitely recommend it if you love historical romances!

What a perfect blend of historical romance and mystery! The characters are endearing and relatable, the premise is creative, the writing flows well, and the story kept me engaged and turning pages. Soon after Genevieve Wilde inherits her father’s estate, things begin to go wrong. When her father’s beloved watch disappears, she hires investigator Jack Travers to find it. Jack is a fantastic hero—handsome, charismatic, and capable. I enjoyed the interaction between Jack and Ginny as they try to solve the mystery. With Barker’s signature wit and humor, this is a delicious and charming story that will delight lovers of clean and wholesome Regency romance. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

✨Book Review✨

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

Where to start with this book? It was amazing! It had a little bit of everything. I’m a sucker for a well written and charming historical romance. Especially when the characters are complex, witty, and have amazing chemistry. The banter between Jack and Ginny was hilarious!

Jack is a thief-taker after previously being employed as a bow street runner. Ginny is the owner of her beloved family estate after the passing of her father. Ginny has a lot to prove. When her pocket watch goes missing and mysterious damages around her home start to appear, Ginny has no choice but to hire Jack.

I loved the mystery and intrigue surrounding Ginny’s missing pocket watch. There were many twists and turns I didn’t see coming. This book kept me enraptured from start to finish!

What did I love?
-I loved that Jack wasn’t the staid gentleman. He’s outspoken and does what he has to for the job.
-The flirty banter!
-The tree.
-The romance, mystery, and intrigue all rolled up in one
-Jack’s family! I hope we might get another book about his sister!
-The friendship between Ginny and Beatrice. I’d love to learn more about Beatrice and her past!

This is not a book to pass up on! This might be my favorite Joanna Barker book yet!

4.5 stars
This is the first book by this author, and it definitely won't be the last. I loved her writing and how she brought to life two loveable characters, complete opposites and yet so similar in some of their frailties. I loved Jack's character, not the typical lord described in historical romance books, which made me love him even more. The plot is interesting, with an investigative twist that is functional in building the romance and engaging readers without being heavy or overdone.

3.5 stars. Genevieve is so distraught over the theft of her late father's pocket watch that she decides to hire a thief-taker to catch the culprit and return the watch to her. Expecting an uncouth criminal type, she is shocked when dashing Jack Travers presents himself at her estate as a "special investigator" for hire. Against the advice of her friends and staff members, Ginny hires him and they soon uncover a much more sinister plot against her. Pretending to be cousins, Ginny and Jack investigate members of the community and quickly dig themselves into even more trouble. Soon, the watch is far from their biggest concern, as they must fight for their very lives.

This was a really cute historical mystery/romance! Jack and Ginny are resistant to become attached at first, and it is fun to watch their relationship evolve despite their wishes. It was easy for me to pick out the "bad guy" in this story, but I don't think it necessarily detracted from my enjoyment of the book. I absolutely loved meeting jack's family (his mom is fantastic!) and I'd love to see Beatrice's story next in this series. I'll definitely read any more installments!

Thank you to Joanna Barker, Shadow Mountain, and NetGalley for my advance digital and physical copies.

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.

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.

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!

*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.