
Member Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! With an all new cast of characters and a sexy set-up, this series promises to be absolutely delightful! I loved the misfits and chosen family theme, and the fabulous girl gang energy from the widows. SO much fun!!

I enjoyed reading the first volume in a new series by a favourite historical romance author. I liked that the characters of the story are not part of the ton - and that the female main character is a woman who is self sufficient. This was the perfect weekend read that left me smiling in satisfaction.

Wonderful story! Intrigue, love, betrayal and action! Ethan and Heloise have an interesting journey in this book! Looking forward to reading more in this series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Good book. I thought this was a good read! I enjoyed the main characters. I liked the banter. I liked the storyline. A must read!

Thanks to Netgalley for this ebook and this is my freely given opinion.
This is the beginning of a new series, with a bit of playful references to previous stories by the author and I quite enjoyed this one. Fun characters and relationship outside of the main characters, with atypical situations and backgrounds.
Heloise is a widow, brought to live with a viscountess on Wimpole Street, after failing to continue her dead husband's fencing school, despite being a blacksmith and talented fencer herself. Colour me intrigued already - and there is more that draws my interest in her as well! She's also not the only colourful, interesting character that lives at the Wimpole St. address either.
The ladies in the house form a bit of an eccentric group that come together in friendship but also as a loose cabal that appear interested in helping others. In this case, they work to recover jewels lost by a peeress, who threatens to implicate one of her family members. Heloise, to aid in their enterprise, decides to try to seduce one of the owners of a gambling den that is at the heart of their investigation, despite not having any seduction skills whatsoever.
Ethan Sinclaire is one of the owners and the object of her seduction. He and his brothers grew up on the street and they built their success from the dirt up. He is terse, focused, and with walls a mile high and thick, especially after a particularly hurtful betrayal in his past. He takes particular pride in the honesty and reputation of Dionysus, their successful gaming hell, and when it comes to his attention that there are grumblings starting that something underhanded is occurring at his tables, he is forced to take action.
Dionysus agrees to host an exclusive event featuring a noted female pugilist coming out of retirement, and Ethan secretly investigates the rumours of cheating. To Ethan's consternation, he is forced to work with Heloise as the fighters manager, and she is determined to be involved in every aspect of the planning. Even worse, she starts to cause breaks in his walls, and despite niggling suspicions, when he has her privately investigated, all that he learns just makes him like her more, and breaks more of his walls down.
Another story of found families, with elements of grumpy-sunshine, lies and betrayal. The characters, including the secondary characters and their relationships, are fun, charming, and appealing. Heloise and Ethan are spicy but also sweet in their vulnerability as well.
4 stars out of 5

DNF at 20%
This book lost me pretty early on - by chapter 5 - but I wanted to give it a fighting chance. My issue was all the info-dumping and inner monologuing from Heloise's POV. Instead of letting the story breathe or the plot progress as Britton had set it up to do (even that early on!), Heloise had to detail EVERYTHING in pointlessly wordy ways.
Add to that the insta-lust with the Ethan (after explaining how each of the owners of the club looked - a paragraph each) after finding him soooo unattractive and I just didn't care. I kept reading to see if it would get better, but it didn't and I was too distracted by Britton's writing style to give any more of the story a fair shake.
This was my first book by Britton, and it will most likely be my last, but I appear to be the outlier here as others are really enjoying it!
Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for the ARC!

The opening chapter of this book threw me off. It started with the Widows' Society already established, but it felt like being dropped into the middle of a series -- I thought surely there was information I was missing. But no, I double-checked, and this is the first book in the series. We've got an aristocrat with a gambling problem, some lost jewels, a gaming hell swindler, and (naturally) a lady's companion who is going to be the scapegoat for the whole thing unless the widows step in to find the jewels, solve the case, and save the day.
Against this backdrop the romance between Heloise and Ethan unfolds at basically a perfect pace. They are both scarred (him literally, her figuratively) and they are gentle with each other's feelings. There is great communication about everything except the central conflict, which is that Heloise has infiltrated the club with the specific aim of seducing Ethan to gain more access. There is a lot more betrayal, intrigue, and machinations before the case and the conflict can be wrapped up in a satifsfying way.
Heloise and Ethan are compelling characters, and each one comes with a full complement of very interesting side characters who I hope will be featured in the rest of this series.

4 stars! This book was a delightful regency romance. Heloise, a widow and member of the Wimpole Street Widows Society as a blacksmith and fencing instructor, must infiltrate a gambling club and seduce its owner in order to save her sister-in-law, Julia. She's joined by a delightful cast of quirky other widows who all have their own talents--boxing, disguises, botany, lockpicking, etc. Ethan, the owner of the gambling club, has his own delightful backup cast of co-owners, including his brother and two close friends from childhood.
What I loved most about this was how awesome all the widows were. It was nice to see tough, skilled women in non-traditional roles in a Regency book. I appreciated Britton's creativity in creating this fun ensemble cast. As this is the first book in a series, I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of all the other widows!
The heist itself was more low-stakes than anticipated, but still it was enjoyable to see how the women all brought their unique talents to make it happen. The climax of the book still had me on the edge of my seat!
Thank you to the author, publisher and to Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Christina Britton delivers a delightful blend of Regency romance and clever capers in 'To Heist and to Hold'. With sparkling wit and sizzling chemistry, this book is a lot of fun. While not my usual genre due to the extremely spicy content (I did skip over these after the first spicy scene), the plot is entertaining, and the story is well-written. Their chemistry crackles from the first encounter, and the heist plot adds an extra layer of excitement. Expect stolen kisses, secrets, and a love story worth stealing your heart.
This is a great book for readers who like their swoon-worthy romances with plenty of spice.

Book review for To Heist and to Hold by Christina Britton. Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.
There’s something so satisfying about a historical romance that doesn’t rely on grand ballrooms or dukes in disguise to sweep you off your feet. To Heist and to Hold takes a refreshingly grounded approach to Regency romance, centering on two characters who aren’t part of the glittering upper crust, but who still have everything to lose—and everything to offer each other. Christina Britton delivers a story that’s bold, heartfelt, and rich in character, with just the right blend of intrigue, slow-burn romance, and emotional vulnerability. I absolutely devoured it.
Our heroine, Heloise Marlowe, is a widow with a past that makes her stand out from the usual cast of historical romance leads. Before her husband’s death, she worked as a blacksmith and taught fencing. Now, she lives among a group of widows who don’t spend their days sipping tea or mourning silently—they’re part of a secret society called the Wimpole Street Widows, a sisterhood devoted to justice and mutual protection. When Heloise’s sister-in-law is accused of losing her employer’s jewels at the notorious Dionysus gaming club, Heloise is determined to infiltrate the club and find out what really happened. The plan? Use her feminine wiles (a skill she’s hilariously unpracticed in) to seduce the club’s part-owner, Ethan Sinclaire.
From the first moment Ethan and Heloise meet, there’s a spark—not the usual “insta-lust” kind, but something simmering and real. Ethan is a man who’s clawed his way up from nothing. Betrayed by his own brother, he’s determined to maintain the honesty of his business and protect the found-family of friends and co-owners who built Dionysus with him. So when a striking, overly charming woman shows up at his club with questions she shouldn’t be asking, he’s immediately suspicious—but also curious, and undeniably drawn to her.
Their dynamic is electric, but not flashy. The romance unfolds with the kind of delicious tension that comes from two people trying very hard not to want each other—while failing spectacularly. And it’s in the small, quiet moments where Britton’s writing truly shines: a glance that lingers too long, an unexpected touch, the simple act of one tending the other’s wounds. “I have not wanted anything in my life as much as I want you,” Ethan admits at one point, and that line lands like a soft punch to the chest. It’s raw, sincere, and utterly earned.
What I loved most was how both characters carry weight from their pasts, but instead of letting that pain harden them, it deepens their emotional landscape. Heloise isn’t invulnerable—she’s fiercely capable, yes, but also unsure of herself when it comes to intimacy, to letting someone in. Ethan, on the other hand, is the classic guarded hero, but there’s no cruelty in his armor. He protects because he’s been hurt, and that makes the way he opens up to Heloise feel even more meaningful.
Britton also builds a lovely sense of community throughout the novel. The Wimpole Street Widows are intriguing as individuals, but even more so as a collective—strong women who support each other without judgment or condescension. There’s an almost cozy feel to their world, even as they plot infiltration missions and engage in moral gray areas. The scenes at the club Dionysus bring in some fun intrigue and raise the stakes, but the heart of the book remains with Heloise and Ethan.
The pacing is steady, never rushed, which works beautifully for a story like this. It gives room for the romance to breathe, for the stakes to rise naturally, and for the tension to build. There’s a light touch of mystery around the cheating at the club, but it doesn’t overshadow the emotional journey—if anything, it reinforces the theme of trust, of risk, of deciding to bet on someone even when your instincts tell you to fold.
This isn’t a flashy romance, but that’s what makes it so special. It’s grounded in character and built with care. The chemistry is palpable, but it never shortcuts the emotional growth. The ending is satisfying without being overly neat, leaving just enough open to make you eager for the next book in the Wimpole Street Widows Society series. I have my eye on Ethan’s friend Parsons and hope he gets his own story—there’s something about him that feels ripe for a good unraveling.
If you’re looking for a historical romance that blends cozy camaraderie with real emotional stakes, this is the book for you. It’s a quiet triumph, filled with slow-burn tenderness, subtle humor, and characters who feel real from the moment they step on the page. Britton has crafted a world I want to return to again and again.

It was a wonderful start to a new series. Romance, suspense, intriguing story! If this is just starting, I can't imagine what's next. Some spicy Romance sprinkled in throughout the story, too. Well done

Heloise lives in a home with other widows solving mysteries and crimes for those who need their help.
Julia her sitter in law has a case of missing rubies from a gaming establishment called Dionysus.
The widows infiltrate Dionysus with Heloise’s job: seducing the owner Ethan.
As their relationship progresses, the action and intrigue thickens.
Lots of twists, romance and spicy attraction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion
What a great start for a new series! Heloise Marlowe is a blacksmith and fencing instructor who is part of a secret organization known as The Wimpole Street Widows Society, a group of women dedicated to righting wrongs in society. When her sister in law comes to them for help in order to retrieve her employer’s jewels from a gambling hell, Heloise decides that the only way to gain access to the hell is to seduce the owner, Ethan Sinclaire. What starts off as a seduction turns into something deeper. Will Heloise stick to her plan and let Ethan go once it’s all said and done?
I really enjoyed this novel so much. The emotional depths of the characters melted my heart. Ms. Britton did a great job of raising the stakes for both characters, justifying the conflict in a very grounded way. I loved the way the relationship evolved and how Ethan slowly let his guard down. It was beautiful. I especially found the scene in which Heloise cares for his wounds particularly moving.
I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the gentleman of Dionysius and the ladies of the Wimpole Street Widows Society.

Mystery, drama, Regency-era setting, romance- and that’s just a few of the genres this book falls into. So enthralling.

This was such a fun read! Both characters were super attractive and I love a good failed seduction trope. It always hits and this was no exception!

I love it when historical characters practice the healing art of massage therapy and aromatherapy. And they watch their quality of life get SO much better!
Heloise belongs to a group of widows who all have amazing skills and talents. Heloise is a blacksmith. Ethan belongs to a group of guys who own a gaming hell. There was an incident recently during a game when one of the ladies was swindled and Heloise goes undercover to get the truth. She sets her sights on Ethan.
These two are awesome together. They have good reason not to trust each other. They play fast and loose with seduction and never plan for FEELINGS to smack themselves right upside the head. They do little, but powerful, caring things to each other, like tending to old scars and then it's no turning back, baby.
I'm REALLY looking forward to the rest of the series and I hope each one of those ladies gets paired up with one of the gaming hell owners. Mr Parsons, I'm looking at you!!
Thank you to Christina Britton and Forever for the copy of this book. Opinions are my own.

To Heist and To Hold appears to be the first in a new series about widows with skills helping those in need.
Along with the spicy romance, I liked the mystery of who was betraying Ethan, the owner of a gambling hell, along with who cheated Heloise’s sister-in-law.
She comes into her own and allows herself to be vulnerable, to let friends in who want to support her. He lets down emotional walls to allow his heart to feel again.
Sexy book with insta-love but when you know you know :)
Very distinct POVs. Britton was entirely in each of their heads.
Always enjoy a good historical romance and Christina Britton delivers every time.
Thank you NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Christina Britton’s previous series Synneful Spinsters, so when I saw this book on NetGalley I was all over it. I was not disappointed!
The first book in the new Wimpole Street Widows Society was a delightful story. Heloise was such a fun character with a complex background and also some kick ass skills. and I loved Ethan too…his emotions felt so raw and real. The mystery portion of the plot was intriguing and kept me guessing until the very end. The romance payoff was well-earned and I finished the book with that happy sigh of a 5 star read.
I’ve already got hopes for some of the matchups in future books in the series!
This is out September 2025, so request your library buy a copy or preorder it now!
Thank you to the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

The first book in her new series, Wimpole Street Widows Society #1, author Christina Britton brings us intrigue, a compelling storyline and a cast of character that is easy to love and easy to root for. Heloise Marlowe comes to the secret Wimpole Street Widows Society with a unique skillset as a former fencing instructor and blacksmith. Before her husband passed away she promised her husband that he would look after his sister Julia, so when Julia gets into a mess thanks to her current employer and the casino Dionysus, Heloise and the society jump into action to catch a thief. Except, Heloise may have gotten a bit more than she bargained for after her plan to seduce Dionysus' part-owner Ethan doesn't go exactly as planned.
This is my first book by historical romance writer Christina Britton and I found her writing style to be easy to follow, the pacing was well suited for the story and she brought in emotional-depth to the characters while still giving pause to humor and laughter. The plot was well flushed out and even I was surprised by the 'ah-ha' reveal which I loved.
The Wimpole Street Widows Society series is one I can get behind and I look forward to continuing on.
Thank you Forever Books for the gifted ARC.

Heloise Marlowe is a former blacksmith and fencing instructor. She uses her unique skills for The Wimpole Street Widows Society, a secret group of widows who help the less fortunate. Heloise accepts their latest case on behalf of her sister-in-law. She plans to seduce Dionysus’s owner, so she can secretly search within the gaming club’s inner sanctum. Heloise never anticipated growing close to Ethan or losing her heart to the man. Will she find what she is looking for in his club? Or will Heloise forfeit the mission?
Ethan Sinclaire is part-owner of a popular gaming club. He is haunted by the betrayal of his younger brother, who nearly destroyed Dionysus’ reputation. When Ethan learns about the rumors involving his business, he starts secretly investigating the matter. He is not about to let anyone, least of all the woman sniffing around the place, to destroy all he has built. Will Ethan be able to trust Heloise with more than his heart? Or will she betray him like his brother did? And will Ethan find the culprit behind the dirty dealings?
It did not take me long to like and connect with Heloise. The whole blacksmith and former fencing instructor, professions that are not common for women. I love how Heloise fumbled in her seduction attempts with Ethan. It shows that she is not the type of woman who goes around seducing men or enticing them. What I adore the most about Heloise is how she selflessly helped her sister-in-law. She could have left the girl to fend for herself, to fix her own problems. Instead, Heloise suffered from a guilty conscience to honor her late husband’s last wish.
Oh boy! What can I say about Ethan! There is just something about the grouchy, closed-off hero types that really get to me. Add in that Ethan is haunted (or tortured) by the memory of his brother’s betrayal. Yum! What I love the most about Ethan is how he came from nothing. He had no rich family member giving him a helping hand. Ethan, along with his two brothers and two friends, built a successful empire from scratch. Plus, he does not let the aristocracy intimidate him.
TO HEIST AND TO HOLD is the first book in Christina Britton’s newest historical romance series, WIMPOLE STREET WIDOWS SOCIETY. I admit, at first, I was a little uncertain about the series premises. The widow aspect is what threw me off. For some bizarre reason, I am not fond of reading about widowed heroines. I have yet to figure out why. Just an odd quirk of mine. It was the gaming club angle that interested me most. I have always been a sucker for stories that take place in such establishments. Which is kind of ironic since I do not care to gamble myself.
However, as I read, the characters grew on me. I like how the main couple, along with most of the side characters, are from the working class. It is a nice change-of-pace from the usual titled characters.
I wonder if the author plans to pair the widows up with Ethan’s three business partners. Teagan definitely! But the one who piqued my interest the most is Parsons. I kind of hope he will be paired with Iris. Something about their dynamic appeals to me. * fingers crossed*