What is it about Bow Street Runners that are so appealing? If Nathaniel represents the ideal, it's the sacrifice, work ethic, clever mind, and hunt for justice. He didn't have a chance at protecting his heart from Verity, falling for the same characteristics in her. They began as rivals of a sort, but there was always respect between them as they seemed to be solving clues in tandem. Once they began working together they were unstoppable, and so was their chemistry! I loved their banter and teasing, the way they challenged and accepted each other. So many great scenes between them!!! The multiple family dynamics we see at play brought depth and character growth, with secrets slowly revealing themselves and relationships healing and shifting into something better. The mystery and suspense held me captive and the pace was perfect for exploring our characters while also pursuing leads and resolving the case in a way I found surprising. Such a satisfying read!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

London - 1803

Miss Verity Travers is the daughter a well-known actress. Her friend, Elizabeth Harwood, is engaged to the Earl of Blakely. When the group left the theater, they were attacked by a thief who stole their jewelry and cash. Verity gave chase but was unable to catch the man. However, Nathaniel Denning from Bow’s Street helped rescue her.

Verity’s brother, Jack, was a Bow’s Street policeman. Now, he is married and living elsewhere. Verity used to help him with his cases. With this experience, she has worked on some cases herself.

Verity’s friend, Elizabeth, asks her to help find her reticle that was stolen that night and she agrees. There was a letter inside the Elizabeth doesn’t want anyone to see, but when Nathaniel Denning finds Verity investigating the case herself, he is not happy. Although they tend to butt heads, they finally agree to work together to solve the case.

The story is quite frightening at times when Verity and Nathaniel find themselves in dire circumstances. But with bravery and determination, they prevail.

This is a sweet story of two strong-willed people who come together to challenge one another and find that both are filled with strength. I enjoyed their relationship and the story.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I love love love this book. This story was full of suspense and mystery. The characters were written so well. The banter was 10/10. Seriously this book was so good, I could not put it down! I loved Nathaniel and I loved Verity.
This book follows Verity Travers (Jack Travers sister from A Heart Worth Stealing. I highly recommend reading that book first although it can be read as a stand alone.) Verity is thrust into an investigation after being robbed outside the theater. Mr Nathaniel Denning is the Bow Street runner in charge of investigating this crime. As they both learn more, they realize this goes deeper than just a small robbery. Can they work together to figure out who the real bad man is before it is too late?

Seriously give this book a read. It was so much fun and such a sweet historical romance.

So True a Love is book 2 in Joanna Barker's Bow Street Runner series. Although you could read this book as a stand-alone, you will have a richer experience reading the first book, "A Heart Worth Stealing" first so that you recognize the cameos from the first book.

This book takes place in 1803 England, with a not-so-demure female main character named Verity Travers. After being accosted by a thief, Verity literally runs into Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning while both Verity and Nathaniel are pursuing the thief. After several more chance encounters, Nathaniel decides that working with Verity is safer than working apart from her. While the pair are busy sleuthing, an unexpected romance between them begins to unfold.

This book is a wonderful romantic mystery novel with likable main male and female characters. Verity is a strong female character that knows her own mind, which is refreshing for a regency era book. The side characters are endearing and well choreographed into the storyline. I always love how Joanna's books tie up bits and pieces that I didn't pay close attention to earlier but ended up being important later.

I enjoyed this book! It was a quick, satisfying read. I hope the author writes more books in this series, as some of the side characters in this book deserve their own story next.

The content was clean, with kisses only and no swearing. If it was a movie I'd rate it PG just for the peril involved with the mystery. This series is more focused on mystery and less on flirting/banter than Joanna's other archery series. I enjoyed both series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complementary copy of this book. My review is in no way influenced by the author or publisher.

This is a charming, fast paced, Regency romance, with some Intriguing mystery and detective work. Verity Travers thought she had worked her last case when her friend asks her to help solve a crime, She can’t refuse. Of course there’s also a chivalrously attractive Bow Street runner that has mesmerizing eyes which she can’t get out of her mind. Everything about this book was wonderful. The storyline was intriguing, The characters are interesting, the romance was swoony and sweet, and the girl gets her thief and her man. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a fun adventure. Verity doesn’t want to get married. She is trying to earn money so she can be independent and not have to rely on her father for money. She wants to help people find items that were stolen from them. However, her mom doesn’t want that especially when the last time she was almost killed. Her friend comes to her to help her find a letter that was stolen from her. Later on her friend disappears and Verity is bound and determined to find her. With the help of a handsome bow street officer that she literally runs into while following a thief.

I loved this and hope there is a sequel. I want to know what happens with Elizabeth.

Once again, I loved a book by Joanna Barker. I've read just about all of them and loved them all. Her writing draws me into the story and I don't get distracted by bad writing or the like. I don't pay attention to the words at all. I just get pulled into the story she paints with her words.

I loved the characters in this book and though I've never had a desire to do something like be a Bow Street Runner I sure loved reading about these two characters and their love of helping people. And their love for each other. Their relationship was quite swoony. At least as it moved along a bit. I enjoyed their banter/teasing.

I can't actually think of anything I didn't like about this book. It was a winner read for me.

Highly recommend.

Sex: no
Language: no
Violence: some

This book by Joanna Barker is "thieving" my heart!! I'm loving learning about thief-takers and Bow street Runners. As the chapters went on, I couldn't stop reading. I was laughing and gasping, wondering how this was going to work out. A fun, enjoyable adventure and a five-star read that I truly enjoyed!

Joanna Barker has done it again! I have been so excited for Verity's story since my reread of A Heart Worth Stealing, and it was worth the wait!

This book has it all. A theft, an adorable meet-cute, a mystery, action, and the sweetest romance!

Verity wants to be a thief taker, just like her brother Jack. She is fiesty and determind, and I just love her!

Nathaniel is a Bow Street Runner, and he is just the best. He's kind and patient with Verity, and so protective from the start.

And there's a hand-holding scene that is SO much better than the famous hand-flex we all love. 😍

This works as a stand-alone, but I would read A Heart Worth Stealing first because it's amazing too!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, NetGalley, and Joanna Barker for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

I loved this book!!!!

The first book I read by Joanna Barker was the first in this series. It was so amazing I went back and read all her books. They are all great, but these are my favorites.

There was suspense, mystery, action and romance. Verify was smart, resourceful, and brave. Nathaniel was kind, supportive, and also brave. I really don't want to give any of the plot away. I just want to say that I enjoyed the characters. They were well developed. The story wouldn't let me put the book down. I highly recommend. This may be read as a standalone, but I also recommend the first in the series.

This book was such a fun regency with spectacular romance, a dash of mystery, and family and friendship. I loved Verity in A Heart Worth Stealing and I was happy to get her story in this book. I adored everything about Nathaniel especially the way he treated his parents, and it was so good to see Jack and Genevieve again! This book had me swooning big time. I’ll name a few moments that left me breathless…the self defense class 😂, the first kiss, and oh man the hand under the blanket (IYKYK)🥰. If you love regency, Joanna, or both you need to read this!

🌿Regency Romance/Mystery
🌿2nd Book in Series/Can Standalone
🌿Kissing Only
🌿No Swearing
🌿CW: Parent Abandonment and Robbery

I enjoyed getting to read the story of Jack Travers' sister. Though this could be read as a stand alone. Overall, it was great & interesting with a diverse cast of characters. It was great getting to see a reappearance of the character Wily. The book had great banter, humor and was a page turner. I had my suspicions about the mystery but even still the mystery and story was intriguing. Mr. Denning was witty! I thought their connecting felt strong and real. I loved Verity's tenacity, boldness and spirit! I enjoy a good Regency read and this was a new perspective to read so the story feels fresh even with the many Regency books I've read before.
Highlights:
*1st kiss
*Wily
*Drake and Rawlings
*"But what is he to you?" "The world, Mama. He is the world."
-Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. All opinions are 100% my own

I really liked Nathaniel and Verity!! The suspense, mystery and romance of their story was absolutely captivating!

This was so good!! This was unputdownable delight of a story!
The romance was everything! The premise was unique and full of excitement. The love interests and the way they met was-- I just can't.
They literally ran into each other. And from that point on, they were--chemistry.
This author is going to the top of my list for romances.

Bravo! What A Wonderful Sequel!

I am saying an emphatic “YES!” to all the things that make up this perfectly written story! Its storyline, plot twists, mystery, characters, perfect settings and amazing quotes all work to pull this suspenseful tale together and create such a “hard to put down” novel.

Beyond all of those things, So True a Love is truly a love story at heart. I loved meeting feisty and unpredictable Verity in A Heart Worth Stealing, so I couldn’t wait to read her book. I was curious as to what kind of H could attempt to tame her and convince her that love could be trusted. I would never have dreamed up a Mr. Denning, yet he is more than perfect for her!

So, well done, Joanna Barker! I really hope you continue to add stories that include this crew of characters. Bow Street runners, mysterious clues, savory characters , a bit of danger and love winning over all, coupled with the shenanigans of Mama and Grandmama, have this reader begging for more!

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

Another absolute winner from Joanna Barker! So True A Love took me on a fast paced, romantic journey with one determined, quick witted heroine & a swoon-worthy, charming Bow Street Runner. The intriguing mystery, witty banter, & sigh inducing, sweet, close proximity romance had me clamoring for more. Ever since reading A Heart Worth Stealing, I couldn’t wait for another Regency mystery & this one was just as amazing. If you’re a fan of Miss Scarlet & the Duke, you’ll love this!

Verity Travers is a talented artist with a knack for solving crimes. Her last disastrous assignment had her taking down her sleuthing shingle until her friend desperately seeks her help. Needing to retrieve a letter in a stolen reticule, Verity embarks on a dangerous mission. But, there at every turn is the handsome Bow Street Runner whom she met in an unexpected way and who keeps showing up where she happens to be investigating. The attractive, witty detective definitely gets under her skin, but Verity’s history makes her wary of falling in love. Rather than go their separate ways though, they decide to work together & that’s when the sparks really fly.

I loved Verity & Nathaniel! Their chemistry was off the charts & I loved the way they worked together. The underlying romantic tension was palpable & there were so many scenes I loved. The inn! I loved Nathaniel’s nickname Sir Chivalry & the way he was always looking out for Verity. Verity’s smart, stubborn, and I enjoyed her growth. Reading from her perspective was a delight. The mystery was balanced beautifully with the romance with enough twists and turns to keep me on my toes. I also enjoyed cameos from Ginny & Jack!

This is definitely one must read Regency mystery/romance! Don’t miss reading the epilogue from Nathaniel’s perspective on the author’s website. Though it’s a sequel to A Heart Worth Stealing, it can definitely be read as a standalone. However, I highly recommend reading that book too! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author & publisher. All opinions are my own & voluntarily provided.

I feel quite fortunate indeed to have received an ARC of Joanna Barker’s "So True a Love," which comes out September 3rd. I really loved this love story, my darlings. The banter, the mystery, the familial relationships, the tug towards true love- I truly enjoyed reading about daring Verity's journey and how it intersected with the chivalrous Nathaniel. This romance has a beautiful weight to it, and I highly recommend it.

"So True a Love" by Joanna Barker is an incredible Regency romantic suspense novel! This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it will certainly not be my last. This book hooked me from the first page and held me in suspense as I devoured and savored its contents. Ms. Barker’s writing is superb and keeps one invested in the story. I also love her use of humor throughout. The characters feel like real people, and I was so sad that I had to part with Verity and Nathaniel when I closed the last page. Readers will fall in love with Verity with her cleverness and stubborn streak. Her character reminds me of “Enola Holmes.” Nathaniel is just a sweetheart, and readers will fall for this Bow Street Runner nicknamed “Sir Chivalry.” This love story is one of rivals-to-lovers that is done so perfectly. The chemistry between the main characters sizzles off the page. I enjoyed their lively, witty banter. I must not forget their first swoony kiss! The side characters are all so well written and memorable as well. I am glad there is a story about Verity’s brother, Jack. Wily is another favorite. I appreciate that "So True a Love" highlights familial love, especially the love and sacrifices a mother makes for her daughter. I have been looking for more clean, well-written Regency books and I know I have found a winner!

I give this book a PG rating. Some examples of the content are: a character has tried whisky in the past; a character is said to have been born illegitimately and her parents aren’t married; characters drink alcohol; characters are at a tavern where people drink alcohol and are drunk; a man tries to assault a woman; it says someone curses, but the words aren’t actually written; someone else has a child out of wedlock.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This book had some promising features but ultimately it fell flat for me. I had a hard time getting into it and it wasn't my favorite of Joanna's. I've loved all her other books, the writing was still beautiful but the story didn't suck me in as some of her others.

What do you get when you mix a lady detective, a bow street runner and a missing letter? A mystery with well written characters, with twists and turns and a romance that will have you swooning on your fainting couch. I could not put this book down, the author wrote a fantastic story. A must read for proper romance lovers everywhere!


Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!