A Heart Worth Stealing

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Pub Date 02 May 2023 | Archive Date 16 May 2023

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Description

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her...


Advance Praise

"Barker presents a wonderfully exciting work of Regency romantic suspense that features the scintillating thrill of coquetry and the high drama of a period mystery. Her characterization of Genevieve as a woman of gumption who balances determination with vulnerability shines. Humor and wit are delightfully laced throughout the novel and offer a colorful contrast to the story's complex emotional landscape of grief, family relationships, identity, and worth. Whether from the adrenaline of the action or the indubitable chemistry radiating from this proper romance, readers will be kept on edge until the final pages."—Booklist, starred review

"Barker does an admirable job conveying Jack and Ginny's passionate chemistry without revealing too much, while the side cast, including a disapproving butler, an unconventional set of friends, and a rival suitor for Ginny's affections, are all thoroughly enjoyable. An excellent choice for readers who love both traditional Regencies and detective mysteries."—Library Journal

"Beguiling. Pairs an unusual, independent young woman with a compelling investigator to captivating effect." —Foreword Reviews

"Opposites attract in this adorable Regency romance. When the authorities refuse to believe Miss Genevieve "Ginny" Wilde's claims that the watch bequeathed to her by her late father, a magistrate, was stolen, not misplaced, Ginny hires thief-taker Jack Travers to investigate. To preserve Ginny's reputation, they're forced to pretend to be cousins while he's residing at her estate-but their lingering stares and obvious attraction threaten the ruse. Jack proves easy to crush on: he's witty, sweet, and thoughtful, with just a touch of a bad boy persona. Unique characters and a fast-paced mystery add flavor to this sweet romance."—Publishers Weekly

"Barker presents a wonderfully exciting work of Regency romantic suspense that features the scintillating thrill of coquetry and the high drama of a period mystery. Her characterization of Genevieve...


Available Editions

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ISBN 9781639931040
PRICE $16.99 (USD)
PAGES 288

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Average rating from 349 members


Featured Reviews

A wonderful book with fun twists and turns
Such a fun book with twists you don’t expect or generally see in other books. Genevieve or Ginny lost her father six months ago, leaving her his estate and wealth. Usually that would have men flocking to court her but the circumstances of her birth keep them away. Now she finds herself not only alone but being targeted by someone. There have been problems on the estate and now her father’s watch, not an item of real value except sentimentality, has been stolen. Making it worse, the local authorities, including her one and only suitor, do not take her seriously. Desperate to find her father’s watch, Ginny hires a thief-taker to help but Mr. Travers is not what she expected. He dresses, moves, and acts in ways that speak of the upper class yet he isn’t part of it. He is a mystery as much as the missing watch. As they work together to find the thief, stop the estate damage, and protect Ginny, secrets that both hold, are revealed. When the villain is caught and all secrets are out in the open their feelings about their pasts and futures will need to be examined. A great read that will keep you engaged and anticipating what will happen next. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the copy. This is my review and all thoughts are my own.

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What an amazing photo on that cover! A very fortuitous find for the designer.

This is a story between Ginny Wilde and Jack Travers. Ginny has been leading the management of her estate since her father's death a few months prior, determined to keep going despite being alone. When her father's watch goes missing, and then a string of accidents happen at the estate, she hires Jack, a former Bow Street Runner, to investigate.
In order to be able to stay at Wimborne to protect Ginny, Jack passes of as her cousin and the more time they spend together, the closer they get.

I really liked the main characters and the development of their relationship. They mystery also added to the story and it definitely keeps the narrative moving along.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

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Joanna Barker has done it again! This was stunning! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful telling of the power of love. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

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#aheartworthstealing #joannabarker #netgalley

This was such an amazing book! I loved the storyline and the suspense, and the thrill of the mystery. It's going on my favorites list for sure!

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One of the best books from the Proper Romance series!!!!!

After her father's pocket watch gets stolen, Genevieve decides to hire a private investigator to help her find it. The investigator soon discovers there might be more going wrong at Genevieve's estate than just a missing pocket watch. It does not take long for an attraction to form between Genevieve and the investigator.

This book far exceeded whatever expectations I had for it. The romance was SO SWEET!!!! The characters made the story captivating. I stayed up way too late trying to finish this book.

I admired Genevieve's determination to protect what she cared about. I LOVED her strong-willed nature and willingness to fight for what she loved.

Jack was just so SWEET!!!!!!!! His banter with Genevieve was fun and endearing. He was kind, compassionate, and a hard worker. He cared enough about Ginny to be willing to let her go (even if he didn't have to).
I also enjoyed the scenes where I got a glimpse of Jack's methods of investigation. It was fascinating how he was able to use his gift for reading people to help him solve the crime.

Another character I really enjoyed was Genevieve's half-sister, Catherine. The dynamic between the sisters was fascinating. Catherine's motives were totally relatable and made for a great character arc.

I found the plot intriguing, although at times a bit predictable. There were also times where I feel like the suspense should have been raised to keep the mystery alive more throughout the novel.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to any fan of clean romance!!!

I received a review copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Joanna Barker has a written a sweet early nineteen century romance in England in her newest release A Heart Worth Stealing. I thought it was a great read and will be looking for more in the future by this author. Five stars.

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This book is everything I was looking for in a Regency romance. I loved the intrigue of what is going on Ginny and her home. I suspected the ending, but it still was a bit of a twist. Loved the heat and banter between Jack and Ginny as well. So sweet! Definitely recommend.

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Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn’t influence my review. This was good!!! The plot was kind of stupid and exaggerated everything a bit, but the writing style was great (I also guessed who the culprit was). The book had potential, but eh.
Tropes: regency mystery, slow burn, flirty roguish guy, hate to love, whodunnit, witty banter, grump/sunshine, regency romance
First line: “my study had been overrun by men”. Gurl that’s how it be 🫣🙄
Romance!!!! Their witty banter was soo good and mannn he was roguish and hot af. Their witty banter was so good! They reminded me of Usui and Misaki from KWMS. Miss Genevieve would have made it to my top fav FMCS: I loved her easily annoyed personality pessimistic, feisty, feminist personality, she wouldn’t settle for any less than she deserved….But she turned into a simpering swooning fainting-type lady after they kissed, which literally made her whole personality change like sis why??? Romance did get cringy after the first kiss ngl

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tl;dr
Endearing regency romance with two energetic leads, a fun plot, and plenty of kisses.

About
Genevieve Wilde has enough problems: Ever since her father passed away, she's been managing his estate herself, all while fending off the "advice" of men who think they know better. But when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she'll do anything to get it back - even hire the troublesome and frustratingly attractive thief taker, Jack Travers.

Thoughts
As a romance, this ticks all the boxes for a fun regency romp. Longing looks, gloveless touches, and oh goodness what WILL the neighbors think? Both Genevieve and Jack have complex back stories, and their growing interest in each other felt very natural. Jack's family is delightful (I can only hope his sister gets some focus in another book?), and I found myself pleasantly surprised by the nuance of Genevieve's relationship with her sister (I do not enjoy romances where every other woman is objectively terrible). Spice level for our couple tops out at some very passionate kisses. As a mystery, the plot is a solid one with clues laid out in intervals and several nice twists. I don't think any hardcore mystery fans are going to be that surprised, but even guessing the outcome, I enjoyed the ride all the same. A great read for fans of regency romance, and also a decent recommendation for someone looking for a strong plot to carry the leads.

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Such a sweet story. I loved it. I also loved the ending! You think you had it figured out and then you don't and then....Gosh it was good. I loved how independent but dependent she was. It was a nice balance. I needed a sweet story like this. I always get good romance from Barker. Well written regency romance with not religion. This is a proper romance.

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What a lovely story! This was the perfect blend of mystery and romance! Clean of course, but with all the chemistry and feels. Highly recommend to anyone who loves regency romance with a bit of suspense!

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Read it for the:
- Headstrong Heroine / Flirtatious Hero
- 'Whodunit' elements
- Complex family relationships
- Well-paced romance and plot
- Kiss scenes

CW: attempted murder
Final Rating 5/5

Joanna Barker has created an immersive historical romance with a full cast of well-rounded characters in A Heart Worth Stealing.

Although this is first and foremost a historical romance, this story has many mystery elements. I think all can agree, a mystery is best told when bits and pieces of information about the characters and plot points are given graduality throughout the story. Barker does this masterfully. She slowly revealed aspects that detailed the scene without giving away the surprise. Even if some might have guessed the final villain, the plot turned enough that I was kept up till the late hours of the night wondering which direction Barker would go. It was refreshing to have such an original storyline!

The pacing worked so well for the romance between Jack and Ginny too. The build-up between Jack and Ginny allowed the tension to grow and form a wonderful chemistry which made their relationship believable. Although written from Ginny’s POV, Jack’s mannerisms and reactions were so well recorded that his feelings were clearly known. Also kissing. The best kiss scenes. And the moments of angst? Yes. I was rooting for them.

Jack may be one of my new favorite characters. Flirty, full of life, and with a drive for adventure, he balanced Ginny’s more pensive personality. I loved that both Jack and Ginny had a level of ambition that played wonderfully into the plot but left room for character growth. Without spoiling anything, I can only say it is difficult not to get attached to them as you learn about their struggles and challenges. Can I also use this moment to highlight the perfect complexity experienced between the main characters and the side characters? Ginny’s relationship with her older half-sister, Catherine, and Jack’s family and status in society, to name just a few, added that extra layer of intrigue.

I could go on but I will end this review with nothing but my highest recommendation.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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I got "A heart worth stealing" on netgalley. It was wonderful. I love joanna's books because they are calm, easy reads perfect for a lazy afternoon but interesting enough to keep you in the story. This book did not disappoint. The main characters were funny and engaging. The villian, a creep i loved to hate. I want ti see more if this world and i hope Joanna works more in this world.

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This just might be one of my favorite romances of the year! Joanna Barker has created such a masterpiece. This is one book you cannot miss out on.

Ginny is a wonderful heroine. She is full of business, no nonsense, and has been working herself to distraction following the death of her dear father. She is smart and brilliant and willing to do ANYTHING to save her home and her father's legacy.

Enter the 'Special Investigator' Jack. He is a tease, a flirt and so full of life. But he also knows who he is and takes his job seriously. Especially when it comes to Ginny.

Their bantering was a delight. Their forced proximity made me giggle. And their chemistry made my heart melt. It wasn't all sunshine and roses between them, but they were able to figure things out and draw closer together to face this new threat to her home.

The mystery was brilliant. It added so much depth to their romance, and tension to the story. I loved all the side characters, especially Beatrice and Jack's family. And of course the writing was phenomenal. I was completely absorbed and did not want to put this book down! I already want to reread it.

You MUST READ this book. It might just be my favorite of Joanna Barker's yet!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Romance: kisses
CW: harassment, stalking, arson

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When a precious watch goes missing from her own home, Genevieve must enlist the help of a thief-taker, Jack Travers, to help her get it back. As the mystery deepens and the danger escalates Ginny and Jack work closely together to keep her home safe and soon the sparks are flying.

A Heart Worth Stealing has quickly become a favorite of mine. Not only is it a sweet romance, but it has the added element of mystery and intrigue that kept the story flowing. I was not able to predict the ending, which kept me turning page after page.

My favorite character was Genevieve. Joanna has masterfully created a strong female lead who is resilient and determined, compassionate, kind, and witty. I loved seeing all of the different sides and parts that make up Ginny. I also enjoyed watching her grow as she let Jack into her heart and let those around her help her.

Overall I would highly recommend A Heart Worth Stealing and any book by Joanna Barker!

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I wasn’t catfished by the cover! (Seriously, the cover is stunning). This book was enjoyable with an independent yet relatable heroine and a flirtatious and smirky hero. I would have loved to get inside Jack’s head and his reactions to Ginny. The whodunnit was really easy to figure out but this is a romance and not primarily a mystery so I would have been surprised if I was surprised. Loved the chemistry between the Jack and Ginny, that kiss, and the ending was perfection

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This might be my new favorite Joanna Barker book! I could not put it down and I had to know how it ended. It was the perfect balance of excitement and romance. We see the characters grow and develop as they try to solve the mystery of the missing watch. I desperately wish I could reread it for the first time.

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Such a sweet and cute story!

Both Characters are very relatable, loved how the romance was paced. No misunderstandings regarding their feelings, but big obstacles in their way. The mystery was a little predictable, but still engaging. Loved how realistic they were regarding their situations, and their honesty with each other!

Would recommend to all clean historical romance fans!

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Once again, Joanna Barker delivers a must read for historical sweet romance fans!

After losing her father, Ginny is determined to care for her family home. But when her father’s beloved pocket watch goes missing along with other strange happenings around the estate, Ginny decides to enlist help to investigate.

Cue former Bow Street Runner, Jack Travers. Jack is roguish and knows how to catch a criminal. He’s one smooth talker and enjoys “ruffling feathers”. He’s a tad bad boy on the outside, but trustworthy, dependable, and a genuine good guy on the inside.

Let me just say I was here for the romance!! I’m not going to say too much, but I’ve never read a book with a first kiss in this location!! It was so fun but also swoony and dreamy! Jack and Ginny had great banter and chemistry. I seriously could not get enough of them together.

I loved the mystery. I may have guessed who the culprit was, but it didn’t take away any of my enjoyment from the book. And I loved how the mystery concluded and how justice was served in the end!

Here are a few reasons you should read this book:
*Jack Travers
*strong female lead
*Glove removing/hand touching
*Whodunit mystery
*Dreamy first kiss
*Highwaymen
*Jack Travers (yes, I know I’ve already mentioned him, but it needs to be repeated!)

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.

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I loved this book.
The banter between Ginny and Jack is perfect, as is the tension. The level of suspense kept my attention the entire time without diminishing the romance. First-person POV solely from the heroine's perspective is my FAVORITE kind of romance format. (So much more intrigue that way!)

Honestly, if you like this genre in the slightest, I think you'll love this book! I thought A Game of Hearts was my favorite from this author, but now this one has stolen the show!

Thanks to the publisher for a copy to review! This is my honest opinion.

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This book took a while to hook me. I’m not used to reading first person POV for regency and it threw me off a little. But by the end, I was reading as fast as I could, crying, gasping, and completely invested. I found the heroine and storyline to be unique and engaging, and I wasn’t entirely sure how the mystery would unfold even until the end.

I received this ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

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Man this was so good I didn’t want to put it down. From the moment I read the synopsis I knew I would love it. And I did. I think this might be one of my favorites in the proper romance series and definitely one of my favorites this year!! I have definitely been dealing with a book hangover from this. Ginny and Jakes banter is what did it for me. I absolutely love them!! I could go on and on about this book, but I think I’ll settle for, go read this as soon as possible!!
I received an eARC from NetGalley, all opinions are my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is A Book Worth Reading

This books opens with a grieving protagonist - Genevieve Wilde. Deeply mourning the loss of her father, she is determined to prove that a single woman can run the estate of Wimborne without a man by her side. Her well laid plans go awry when it appears that someone is vandalizing the estate, with the latest being the theft of Ginny's late father's watch.

Determined to get to the bottom of the troubles, Ginny enlists the services of Jack Travers, a self-proclaimed 'special investigator'. Thrown by his unorthodox ways and charmed by his engaging nature, she is soon drawn into the investigation and becomes closer to Jack.

The book negotiates the fine line between humour, mystery and romance rather well. By about halfway (or 2/3rds) through the book, one should be able to predict the villain of the story but Ms. Barker throws in some unexpected misdirects that lead to a good ending. That said, the end did feel a bit rushed and neatly tied up in a bow rather quickly and ignores some hopes & dreams being dashed by the HEA for the story. Would have also liked to have seen this story in a 2 person narrative.

All in all, a well-envisioned story, and lead me to pick up previous books from Ms. Barker that I am currently enjoying!

(Disclosure: I received a copy of an ARC of this book from NetGalley, for a fair & honest review. All views here are completely my own)

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This book has it all - love, humor, mystery, and twists and turns that keep you guessing. I did not expect the story that unfolded in A Heart Worth Stealing, which made me love it even more. Would absolutely recommend this read!

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I can’t say enough good things about this book. I absolutely loved the unique storyline and the great cast of characters. Genevieve’s beloved father’s pocket watch is missing, and, after little help from the authorities, she hires Jack Travers to find it. Genevieve is so well written. I love that she’s strong, smart, and determined, but also vulnerable, and unsure at times. She and Jack are such a good match. The banter! The friendship! The tree!! So worth staying up way too late to finish. I’ll be reading this one again for sure!

Thank you Netgalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Joanna Barker for the e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

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I could not put this book down! It starts off with a mystery and the farther you get in the book, the more intense and dangerous the mystery becomes.. While you are trying to figure out the mystery there is a slow burning love story unfolding. I love the playful flirtatious relationship Jack has with Ginny throughout the book. The first few chapters I was reading slowly and just enjoying the cute mystery. After the first few chapters I couldn’t put the book down. I had to finish ASAP to know if Ginny was going to end up safe and if they would catch whoever was trying to harm her & the estate. This book was such a fun flirtatious thrill!!

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I always enjoy a good historical romance/mystery, but I hadn't read anything previously by this author, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. This was a pleasant surprise, with a fairly well-paced, low-steam but compelling setup that has a small twist toward the end. The MC's are Jack, a charming Runner turned thief-taker, and Ginny, the daughter of a deceased magistrate who who has hired Jack to investigate her father's missing pocket watch and ends up stumbling into a tangled web of deceit.

The author is talented, with a smooth writing style, and the language throughout seems true to the time period. She's obviously done her research. The insights into the workings of the law in Britain during the Regency time period are probably my favorite aspects of this book; Wily is a fun secondary character and the street jargon of the day is amusing. Actually, many of the secondary characters, particularly Ginny's friend Beatrice and Jack's family members, end up stealing the scenes they're in. I'm hoping that Beatrice and Jack's sister get books of their own.

Further, the MC's have great back-and-forth banter, and even though their physical relationship on-page doesn't go beyond a few kisses, the romantic tension works, notably in the first half of the book.

The only real weakness of this book for me was the limited first person perspective. I generally don't care for this POV, as it can be difficult to truly understand the behavior of both MC's with no switch of viewpoint. In this case, Jack was the MC I liked the most, but in the last quarter of the book his behavior seems rather hot and cold. Deeper insights into his ruminations regarding his future with Ginny would have enhanced his personality and the romantic tension.

Another danger of sticking with only one character's POV: unless that character is super interesting and smart, the narrative can become bogged down by that person's flaws. Ginny is so stubborn and narrow-minded I got fed up around the halfway mark. Pretty much any time Jack has a bright idea she dismisses it, and any time a clever gut feeling hits she pushes it away. Slight plot twist aside, figuring out the bad guy is easy peasy, and that sets the reader up to get frustrated with Ginny at points throughout the book. I particularly didn't like how she treated Jack around the 50% mark. She had agreed that one of the characters was suspicious, and it's his job to investigate, but because this involves family she accuses him of breaking her trust and gets downright nasty. She behaves as if he's not really a professional--despite his experience and obvious effectiveness--and instead as if he's just hired help she's supervising. I felt that Jack should have figured out the baddie a lot sooner, but even if he had, Ginny would have argued with him and fired him again.

Ginny's obtuseness, aside, I was happy for her eventual HEA with Jack, and thought everything was wrapped up nicely in the epilogue.

This book will be published in May 2023. I read an advanced reader copy and this is my voluntary review. Opinions are my own. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for this opportunity.

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Thank you, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley, for the free copy of the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My first book from the author, and it definitely won't be my last one. Genevieve 'Ginny' Wilde is a magistrate's daughter and the owner of the Wimbourne estate. Since her father's passing six months ago, she has been experiencing a series of incidents at her estate (missing sheep, blocked ditch, etc). One night after a dinner party, the pocket watch her father gave her went missing. She went to Mr Northcott, the current magistrate, who also happened to be her father's protege and her suitor, for help. He was dismissive, and she sought a thief-taker's help. The thief-taker is Jack Travers, a young, roguish, handsome man who is also an earl's baseborn son. Will Ginny be able to recover the watch and protect her estate together with her heart?

What a fine book! The characters really shine here. I absolutely adore Jack. He is a fun-loving and flirtatious guy, but at the same time, he is competent at his job (he reminds me of Rupert Carsington from 'Mr Impossible' by Loretta Chase). He is a well-fleshed-out character, and he is more than he seems as his background is slowly revealed. Ginny is very prim and proper, a stickler for propriety. I wasn't quite taken with her initially as she appeared so staid. Ginny has to be since her mother is her father's second wife, who also happens to be her half-sister's governess at that time. She can't put the wrong foot in society due to her parents' scandalous marriage. They are total opposites, and Ginny is the yin to Jack's yang. Jack is always trying to get a rise out of her. The exchanged banters between them are witty and great to read. It was lovely to see Jack's effort in trying to draw Ginny out of her shell.

This book was a bit slow to start, but once it hit its strides at the 25% mark, it was a page-turner for me. The book is entirely from Ginny's point of view. I'd usually prefer both the hero's and heroine's point of view, but Jack's absence didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. The mystery was well done with the series of accidents at Wimbourne interconnected with the missing pocket watch. I loved how everything turned out (I was able to guess how Ginny and Jack could be together at the 70% mark, but I was slightly off the mark).

Ginny's memories of her father were heart rending. And the final letter that he wrote to Ginny, man, I was bawling my eyes out. What a great dad! Wait for the epilogue. Jack's words to Ginny were an absolute chef's kiss. This sort of scene can sometimes be cringey, but it's utterly romantic here. I had a sappy smile on my face by the end of the book.

I hope that this is the start of a new series. The author hinted at Ginny's best friend, Beatrice story (a failed season in London), which sounds too delicious to pass up.

All in all, this book was an immersive and enchanting reading experience. Simply wonderful! A strong 4.5 stars.

Steam factor: Nil. Kisses only.

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Oh my word I LOVED this book! This is your typical, wonderful, regency romance but has so many fun new elements. This story has that fun “who done it” feel to it and kept me reading way past my bed time.
We follow Ginny, the daughter of the town’s previous magistrate, as she continues to grow into an incredible woman. She faces struggles and must overcome the new mysteries happening to her and her home.
Then we welcome Jack, and this already incredible plot just gets so much better. He’s a breath of fresh air for Ginny and great comic relief for the reader. He is strong and capable without dousing Ginny’s natural feistiness.
These two are an adorable couple and the romance was easily 100/10.
And one of the best parts, for me, about this book is all the things I learned about upholding, and even skirting around the law during this time. This story answered questions I didn’t even know I had about how things were run and a person’s role in bringing about justice. There was the perfect amount of mystery and action, with some suspense and of course the perfect romance. Joanna Barker is able to take a classic genre and add her own fun twist in this new and enchanting story that keeps readers engaged from page one.
A few of the things I really enjoy about this book are:
• funny fencers
• starry skies
• swoony special investigators
• fun and supportive best friends
• tree (and billiard room) kisses
• the action and mystery
If you love regency romance at all this is the PERFECT book for you. Please do yourself the favor and dive into this incredible story.

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Joanna Barker is SO good at the witty banter between characters, and A Heart Worth Stealing may be her best one yet!

Things I loved:
- It wasn't the normal Regency book. Genevieve is unique in that she runs her home and property as a single young woman. And Jack is not the normal member of society either.
- I loved the banter between Jack and Genevieve. Their story is everything an enemies-to-lovers should be! Their first introduction was hilarious!
- I loved that the family relationships weren't perfect.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

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

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When Genevieve's pocket watch suddenly goes missing, she knows it has been taken. It was her father's and after his death she's still adjusting to run her household. When local authorities don't take her seriously, she impulsively hires a former Bow Street officer to get it back. The search will lead to more questions than answers even about what she believed to be true. Themes of broken family relationships, independence, and trust are woven throughout the story.

Recommend for readers who enjoy clean historical romance with a plot-twisting mystery.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and for the opportunity to post an honest review.

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I love a book with romance and mystery! This book was sweet and funny. The main characters were very likable, and I enjoyed how the author developed their relationship. If you like regency romance, I recommend this book!

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“A Heart Worth Stealing” is such an apropos title for this book. Jack is a “thief-taker” born of an earl on the wrong side of the blanket. Genevieve, while not titled, is the well-to-do daughter of a recently deceased magistrate, and a landowner in her own right. After the theft of her deceased father’s watch (and an heirloom to her) as well as several other incidents on her property — and with the current magistrate and constable seemingly unwilling to take it seriously — “Ginnie” puts aside her qualms and hires a thief-taker to investigate.

Jack is charming from day one, but Genevieve is initially shocked by some of his comments and subtle flirtation. There is a mystery throughout which I was obviously trying to solve. Fairly early on I had guessed that one person in particular might be behind these crimes. As it turned out I was correct but I still hadn’t guessed at how truly evil the person would turn out to be.

The romance is delightful but remains ‘clean’ and, although there is much adversity to overcome, this one has a beautiful HEA. Highly recommended.

I received an advance copy of this book from NETGALLEY but the review above represents my true opinions.

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I was so excited to see Joanna Barker was picked up by the Proper Romance line, as she is truly one of the best regency romance authors there is. "Otherwise Engaged" was my favorite book of hers, but I think it has just been usurped by "A Heart Worth Stealing."

Upon reading the description, I was skeptical that a whole story could be crafted around a single missing pocket watch. I was so wrong! There were layers and layers of deception and mystery. The mystery often feels like an afterthought in regency romance books, but not in "A Heart Worth Stealing." It was engaging and interesting, and the mystery itself kept me turning the pages well into the night. I can tell Joanna Barker put a lot of thought and research into that aspect of the story.

Jack and Ginny's relationship was absolute perfection. Jack made mistakes but was quick to take ownership of them. He respected Ginny as an independent woman and honored her decisions even when he disagreed with them. Ginny was headstrong and smart, but willing to admit when she needed help. They made sense together, and the last quarter of the book was a delight to read as their feelings came to light. The whole book was filled with interesting characters with well-done growth, and Joanna Barker should be incredibly proud of this story. It was one of the best I've read all year.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes a good regency romance or mystery. Do not hesitate to purchase this for yourself or a friend- it is well worth the money. This is a book I will revisit, and I can't wait for the audiobook to be released.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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A Regency Romance with a little mystery and as always a strong minded woman. Genevieve and Jack were such good characters and their chemistry was amazing.

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A Heart Worth Stealing Joanna Barker

I really enjoyed this proper romance right from the beginning. I found the banter between Ginny and Jack entertaining and the side characters were intriguing.

There is a mystery element to the story in addition to the romance. I enjoy having those two elements in a book. I'm not a mystery lover in that I try to figure out "who done it". I just enjoy something else happening other than a romantic story, but I'm definitely around mostly for the romance.

I found this book a nice balance of both. It was my first Joanna Barker book, although I do own others that I will be making a point to read. I enjoyed her writing style.

I greatly appreciate the advance copy provided to me by Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing.

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Oh my word!!!! Jack and Ginny. Ginny and Jack. Pure Perfection! I love, love, love them! From the first moment they are together there are fireworks. Everything was amazing: the meet-cute, the flirting, the teasing, the first kiss(es), the billiard room, the highwaymen. These two were brilliant together. I highlighted so many wonderful lines, swoony, silly, sarcastic. Jack is a dream people, a dream come true. Sigh!

Ginny is strong and independent, determined to prove herself capable after her father dies. But when her father’s watch goes missing she hires a thief taker to help find it. Enter the dashing, daring, and maddening Jack Travers. Little do they know, the missing watch is just the tip of the iceberg. There is lots of mystery and danger, interesting side characters. They are searching for an unknown enemy and finding their heart’s desire in the process. It is a grand adventure!

“If you are going to kiss a man, you ought to be prepared for him to kiss you back.” ~ Jack
“I shall try to remember that in the future,” I said breathlessly. “Do hold tight so we don’t fall.” ~Ginny
He lowered his head, his nose brushing along my jaw. “It’s far too late for me.” ~Jack

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Ginny is determined to care for her family estate. But when her late father’s beloved pocket watch goes missing, coinciding with other strange incidents, Ginny enlists the help of a former bow street runner, the roguish Jack Travers.

Jack is sweet, flirty, full of life, whereas Ginny is feisty, strong-willed, and nonsense. I loved their banter and chemistry. Their interactions were really fun and sweet.

Ginny's relationship with her estranged sister was a fascinating subplot. Jack’s family was charming and amusing and I loved getting a glimpse of his delightful home life.

I’m rating this down only because it was never explained how Ginny reintroduced Jack when everyone thought he was her cousin!!

Overall very sweet and entertaining read. I enjoyed the mystery plot and how it was dealt with at the end. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

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I loved this book! Highly recommend! Joanna Barker is one of my favorite authors. I absolutely loved the dynamic between Ginny and Jack.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley; all opinions are my own.

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A heart worth stealing will definitely steal your heart! A beautifully written book that is a breathe of fresh air. Who couldn't fall in love with Ginny and Jack?! Ms. barker poured so much into this story and probably a little bit more. Well done!

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Thief taker, I had never heard that term. What a fun book with lots of twists and turns. I love when the missunderstood underdog comes out on top. I love when a strong female character is true to herself. This was a lot of both and so much more. And I hope some side characters get their own books!!!

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Totally loved this book! The Author is awesome at getting you into this captivating and stunning love story and its complications and difficulties but hey, a true love is worth fighting for.

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Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC!

Joanna Barker has done it again. Oh my heart!

This is exactly what I want from a historical fiction novel. A bit of mystery, some overbearing relatives, at least one dramatic ball, some near death experiences, a spurned lover and a couple of plot twists as well as a feisty heroine and a swoon-worthy hero.

Yes. This was a perfect way to spend a Saturday evening, thank you for asking. Now. Go read it.

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As with all of Joanna Barkers books, I fell in love with this one! I absolutely love the strong female lead. Miss Wilde is capable of handling herself and her affairs. However, when her late father's watch is stolen and the local magistrate does not seem to be very much help, she has no choice but to seek the help of a thief-taker, Mr. Travers. Mr. Travers is witty and handsome, and very good at his job. I throughly enjoyed the love story and the twist in the reveal of who was attempting to harm Miss Wilde and her estate. This is a must read!

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This was a light and entertaining read. The characters were fun but sometimes inconsistent and not overly complex. However, this is often the case in frothy fun romances and can easily be overlooked and forgiven. The mystery was really only a mystery to the characters in the book, or to readers who aren’t familiar with reading mysteries, but it was enjoyable to watch it unravel. Supporting character Jack was the perfect hero for every clean-romance-loving reader.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley

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I'd like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me a chance at reading this adorable, swoony read.

A Heart Worth Stealing is one of those books that absolutely hooked me in by the summary of a young girl, heiress to an estate having to enlist a thief-taker (or what we call a 'for-hire' PI) to find her father's stolen watch. From the moment they meet there is chemistry. I love that the romance was slow, that it didn't focus solely on them falling in love but that the story in itself brought them together.

There are some absolutely lovely moments, some intense ones, and happy ones as well. The twists and turns kept coming and I like that in a story. While the endgame was obvious, the story was not so much as how we get there.

If you're looking for a comfort read with lovely characters and a fun mystery, I'd recommend this!

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I love this publisher, and I love these books. They always hit you right in the feels, the characters were a delight, and I loved the unique plot. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a sweet, closed door romance.

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"I cannot be dashing and witty all of the time. One must be well-rounded."

"I tend to make terrible first impressions. I'm much better on the second go round."

What a fun novel! I can always count on Joanna Barker for an amusing and romantic tale! A Heart Worth Stealing was no exception. I loved Genevieve and Jack and their dynamic as they uncovered the mystery. Definitely a good book to pick up!

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I enjoyed reading this story with a new perspective on a woman having independence. Genevieve has inherited her estate from her father and works hard to keep things running smoothly. It's fun to see her learn to trust someone to help her, and there are twists and turns along the way!

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A Heart Worth Stealing was an enjoyable read. I usually like Joanna Barker's romances and this one didn't disappoint!

The story is taking place in 1802. Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is still reeling from her father's death a few months prior, even if she doesn't want to admit it. She is independent and strong, and if the local authorities do not want to investigate a theft that happened in her house, then she will take matters into her own hands, by employing a thief-taker. When former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives at her home, he doesn't make the best impression - but what choice does Ginny have?
As they look for the watch, they realise that the theft is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her. (Although how could Ginny and Jack realise there was such danger when only "small" things happened at the beginning? I wonder!) As they keep working together, they slowly realise how much they love each other - but danger is looming...

Honestly, I found it to be a great story! The characters are very well developed, interesting, they have their qualities and their flaws like any human... Sometimes the story was a tiny bit unbelievable or far-stretched, but overall the plot was good and the drama was justified. The romance was a strong element, it developed in a credible way and there was some chemistry between the two protagnists.

Overall, a really good book that I wouldn't mind re-reading in the future!

*I received an e-ARC and this is my honest opinion*

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‘A Heart Worth Stealing’
By Joanna Barker

I’ll start with saying that Regency era is my favorite genre to read so when I saw a post looking for arc readers/reviewers I’d to signup 🤷🏻‍♀️ This is my first time reading from this author and I know for certain it won’t be my last. I loved this story! It has everything I like in a regency novel,

….Mystery - strange happenings around Wimborne
…Suspense - at times I was making sure my doors were locked 🫣
…Danger, whodunit, highwaymen, robbery, ambush - I feel like I’m trying to convince you like the grandfather talking to his grandson in the movie ‘Princess Bride’ 😄

-Romance…
“Because yours, my love, is a heart worth stealing.” (sigh)
-Humor…
“I will answer your questions to your heart’s content after the service.”
“And what if my heart is only content when your face turns as red as your hair?”

…a pocket watch (at times it gave me ‘Little Dorrit’ vibes with the “Do not forget” 😀)

…and an unexpected twist and so much more. But I’ll have to refrain from telling as not to give away the storyline though be certain that it’ll keep you turning the pages until you find out how the story unfolds and all the pieces fall into place. Truly well written Ms. Barker!

Ginny ❤️ Jack

This’ one of my favorite quotes from the book:
“If you care for the things you love, if you protect them and cherish them, they will shine.”

*I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions stated are my own.*

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Another amazing and wonderful read from Joanna Barker! She is a must-read author for me, and that is confirmed each time I read a new release from her. She is a brilliant story-teller.

This book has it all, action, mystery, humor, swoony romance. A reader simply could not ask for more. I could hardly put it down and once I got into the action I had to keep going just to find out what was going to happen! I am so impressed with how the story was written, the characters and their interactions, and the mystery and romance. It was all tied together so well that I felt I was living right there with each character.

A wonderful book and highly recommended. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

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What a delightful story! It is packed with everything. Mystery, danger, oh so swoony romance, humour, a feisty heroine and a hero to match.
Jack and Ginny are quite the pair. Jack is a thief- taker, aka special investigator. When Ginny has a treasured heirloom go missing in her home, and all other options are exhausted, she hires Jack to find it for her. Opening the door to a mystery far beyond a missing heirloom.
It’s exciting and packed full of intrigue. And the tension and banter between Jack and Ginny made it all the more enjoyable.
You will not want to miss this newest book by Joanna Barker. If you’ve read her books before, you know you’re in for a fantastic read. And have already cleared your schedule. If you haven’t, well clear your schedule. You won’t want to put this book down!

Content: clean
Romance: kissing
Violence: mild; fighting, injury, not gruesome.
Language: none.

Thankyou NetGalley and Shadown Mountain Publishing for the complimentary e-arc of this book in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

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4.25 ⭐️

Okay, but I adored this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, but once I did, I was all in. Jack is just perfect, and Ginny is wonderful. Their banter was perfection and their romance so sweet and heartwarming.

This author reminds me a bit of Roseanne M. White, especially her book An Hour Unspent with Barclay Pearce. If you loved that character, then you’ll adore Jack and Ginny’s adventure.

Also—the part where the title made complete sense and was used as a line in the book was absolutely the best 🥲🥰

All in all, A Heart Worth Stealing is a lovely book and I’d absolutely recommend it if you love mystery couples with slight suspense, laugh-worthy banter and heartwarming romance, relatable and lovable characters! Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of A Heart Worth Stealing. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

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I will start by saying Joanna Barker is a must-read author in my book! Her stories are delightful and swoony, and A Heart Worth Stealing was no exception. Jack and Ginny are the absolute cutest!

Genevieve Wilde is still mourning the loss of her father, and trying to live up to her role as heiress to his estate. When a beloved possession of her father's is stolen, she does the unthinkable and hires a "thief taker" to help her find it. Jack Travers is that thief taker and he is quite the charmer. Their search for the missing item takes them on an adventure, and it's so wonderful to watch them fall in love.

The author did a fantastic job of keeping the tension high, and also creating tenderness between the main characters. I really enjoyed this book and will absolutely re-read again in the future!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

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I began this a little afraid it wouldn’t live up to the hype on instagram. But oh my word! It does!
Jack and Ginny are perfect! I love their banter and the way he makes her smile even when she doesn’t want to.

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Johanna did a fabulous job with this story. I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. Joanna kept me intrigued and quickly turning pages to find out what would happen next. Well done!

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Joanna Barker continues to prove to me why she is an auto-buy author! I LOVE HER WRITING!
This book was soo good! So fresh and original!
We get:
-Historical romance
-Romantic suspense!
-Excellent banter!
-JACK! I loved him! A confident, flirty, charmer! And also so sweet!
-Swooooony kisses!
-Mystery/who-dun-it!
-Action and adventure!
-A fantastic set of characters!

I binged this book in a day, I couldn't put it down! I was so pulled into the story, into the mystery, and invested in the characters, I HAD to know what happened! Highly recommend!

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So much banter, it will curl your toes.

Romance: 4/5
Chemistry: 4/5
Spice: 0/5 (it's a clean on y'all)
1st kiss: 71% in
Humour: 3/5
Cry factor: 1/5
Suspense: 3/5
Drama: 1/5

Positive thoughts:
- Yes, you guessed it, this book is full of banter. It's phenomenal and so funny, and it lasts till the very end.
- I had moments of pure excitement, I was cheering! J. Barker is a fabulous writer, always keeps you on your toes and wanting more of all the good stuff she gives you.
- I loves the chemistry between our MC's, the emotions they went through to render to their love, the pain and action filled moments that just brought them closer and closer together.

Negative thoughts:
- I really really wish we had Jack's POV, he was just the bravest and sweetest, I really wanted to know what was going on in his mind

Overall:
- This was a clean, historical romance, filled with chemistry, suspense and action. A real page turner, you won't want to put it down.
- It was a fast and easy read. J. Barker gives us some old English talk, but it's very light and enjoyable.

Tropes:
- Historical
- Banter
- Protector MMC
- Strong FMC
- Loss of a parent
- MMC with a past
- Best kiss scene

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I enjoyed this blend of sweet romance and mystery with a dash of danger. I loved both of the main characters. Ginny was capable and kind. Jack was a charming protector. I appreciated what family meant to both of them. It was nice to see how Jack interacted with his family, and I was moved by Ginny's efforts to improve her relationship with her half-sister.

I liked the secondary characters too and would love to see more of them. It would be nice to see Beatrice find love, and I think a book about Verity would be fascinating.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys sweet historical romance and mysteries.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the early read.

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Once again Joanna Barker has written a masterpiece. All the characters seem so real; side characters can seem very 2D, but not here. I enjoyed the mystery aspect too, how it started with just a missing watch, but escalated to something so much more dangerous. I also enjoyed the trip to London so readers could meet Jack's family and see him in more than just the thief-taker role on Ginny's property. Overall, great characters, fun mystery, and excellent writing!

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Captivating read as I finished this book within a day (thank goodness for weekends). This clean romance definitely peaked my interest with both characters that are on the fringes of the Ton. Genevieve, a magistrate's heiress, and Jack, a thief-taker, are not who you'd think would be a good match, but given what's been happening to Ginny's estate, it's forced her to hire him and for them to work together. It's the typical exasperation and respect on both sides, and the pacing of the mystery propels the story and their relationship forward. I have to admit I guessed early on what would happen but the story still did have a lot of twists and turns. This is a slow burn but less from yearning to more of slow realization with some bodyguard vibes. It is well written and not one with a high "yearn" factor (I'm looking at you Mimi Matthews). I enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Joanna Barker!

I received this complimentary book in exchange for my honest opinion.

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A HEART WORTH STEALING by JOANNA BARKER is a most enjoyable Regency romance novel with unforgettable characters and a plot filled with mystery and intrigue. As secrets are brought to light, and things are definitely not as they seem, we are kept guessing right to the end.
When Genevieve Wilde’s beloved father dies, leaving the family estate, Wimborne, to her, she is deterined to to show everyone, especially her estranged half sister Catherine Davenporr, that she can manage things on her own, until her father’s pocket watch is stolen out of his study. Her father’s favourite book, was Gulliver’s Travels and, “Like Gulliver, Father rarely,did anything without consulting his watch.” Her father had been the magistrate in Little Sowerby and used to share a lot about his work with Genevieve.. With the new magistrate, Mr Northcott, more interested in seeking her hand in marriage than in helping her find this heirloom that means so much to her, she employs Mr Jack Travers, a thief-taker, to find the watch. Then more strange and destructive things happen at Wimborne…..
I really recommend A Heart Worth Stealing as a great read, with witty dialogue, a gripping story and some sweet romance.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Shadow Mountain Publishing. The opinions,in this review are completely my own.

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This was a really fun Regency adventure/romance! I enjoyed the characters and the banter. There's a bit of a mystery hanging over them, although one that's not overly difficult to see through. Still, it was entertaining to be along for the ride.
Genevieve, the heir to her father's estate, is having a rough time. All is not going well with the management of the property, and then her father's watch, her prized heirloom, goes missing. When she can't get the local magistrate to take it seriously, she decides to hire a "thief-taker," which raises eyebrows in all the wrong ways. Thief-takers have the most dubious of reputations and are often nearly as much trouble as the thieves they are hired to find. But when Jack shows up in answer to her summons, he tells her he prefers to be called a "special investigator" and goes on to up-end all her expectations. A pleasant read, with a nice balance of lightness and heart.

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Mystery and romance? My favorite combination. Ginny is facing threats and troubles on her estate, cue the hiring of a handsome former bow street runner, Jack. I quite liked Ginny, I thought she had gumption and spunk and wasn't a helpless miss waiting for a man to solve her problems, I liked her proactive approach. Jack was a very sweet hero, and the romance was definitely swoon worthy. I particularly liked the difficult sisterly relationship between Ginny and Catherine, I found it realistic to the family dynamic. Might I hope Verity gets a story of her own in the future? This is about a 4.5 for me. I found it a bit slow in the beginning, but after the halfway point, it picked up speed that never stopped. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review

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Another sweet regency mystery by Joanna Barker. A Heart Worth Stealing is a clean, easy, cozy mystery. It was easy to figure out the culprit behind the sabotage. Fairly predictable, in the usual sort of "heroine can't stand hero" kind of way. Where I think this book actually stands out or excels is in the relationship between the two half sisters. That's what I really liked about this story and why I would recommend it to other lovers of regency romance.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

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This is a review for A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker. I found this book on NetGalley, and the reason I chose it was because it is set in England in the Recency era, which is one of my favorite genres. I also enjoy books from this publisher, and I wasn't disappointed with this book at all!!

Miss Genevieve Wilde, who her friends call Ginny, and is a magistrate's daughter, finds that she has inherited the estate that she grew up in because her beloved father has just died, and left her everything, including a priceless heirloom, her father's pocket watch. She remembers him wearing that watch every day, and she is devastated to find that someone has stolen it! She tries to enlist the help of the current magistrate, Mr. Northcott, whom she has recently turned down after he proposed marriage, but even though he remains friendly, he doesn't help Ginny with finding out who stole her father's watch.

In addition to the watch being stolen, Ginny has been having other problems around the estate that she cannot figure out who is behind, and one day while reading the newspaper, she sees an advertisement for a "thief-taker", which she decides to hire, since she finds herself with no other options, and she isn't prepared for who answers that ad in the slightest.

Jack Travers, a former Bow Street Runner, now offers his investigative services learned while being a runner, and decides to help the beautiful Miss Genevieve Wilde find out who stole her father's watch, and ends up getting way more than he bargained for. He and Miss Wilde must work close together, go down a road in which they uncover crimes not only of theft, but conspiracy and betrayal from unexpected culprits! But solving crime isn't the only thing that this book is about, as there is also an air of romance, but you have to read the book to learn more!!

This is a good book to read on a cold day with a mug of cocoa next to a fire. It was interesting, unpredictable, and the characters blended well to make a good story. The ending was unsuspected, and quite exciting! I read this book in 3 days, and I enjoyed it. I liked that it was a good story, but clean, meaning nothing inappropriate! There are not a lot of great stories like this out now-a-days! I really enjoyed this book, and would highly recommend it!

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Miss Genevieve Wilde is a young single woman who is determined to face life's challenges on her own, just as her late father had taught her. So when her father's pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent. She has no choice but to hire a thief hunter to find the watch.
It's a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street agent Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He's frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome and completely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she'll be able to resist such a man.
To protect her house and her reputation, the two engage in a risky charade: they pretend Jack is her cousin so she can begin her investigation, starting with the household staff.

I love the characters and the back and forth banter.
Ginny is a woman who knew what she wanted and didn't settle for less than she deserved, just love her. And then we have Jack, a charming and flirtatious man who always said awkward things, but in a comical way. I recommend it for lovers of historical romance with a bit of suspense and humour.

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What’s not to love about this book?

-A beautiful, independent, red haired and spunky woman trying to prove herself to everyone and not really caring about what society says about her, but becomes a ninny when around a certain handsome man. (Check)
-A dark curly haired handsome and daring thief-taker who tells it like it is, flirts shamelessly and knows his smiles are disarming, especially to a certain red haired firecracker. (Check)
-A best friend who is witty, funny and cares not for what society thinks, but cares greatly for her best friend. (Check)
-A invisible thief in the night, causing mischief and sleepless nights for the mistress left to live at her home alone, with only servants to keep her company. (Check)

Will the thief-taker find the thief?
Will the red haired firecracker find what she is searching for?

You will love this witty, swooney, funny, action packed book! Joanna Barker outdid herself with this one. It is definitely a new favorite!

*I received a copy of this book as an ARC reviewer, but a positive review wasn’t brequired. All thoughts are solely what I personally thought of this beautiful book.

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I love Joanna’s work and this - her first Proper Romance - is just what you want in a PR book! The swoon! There’s lots of it. There’s mystery and action! A rakish scoundrel who is too handsome for his own good and a heroine out to prove herself.
⏱️
It all starts with a watch gone missing and Genevieve goes to the local magistrate and gets laughed at. So she does the next best thing and hires a thief taker. I found this whole thread fascinating and I haven’t read anything explaining what a fence is. So I loved that!
⏱️
I came for the “he’s basically Flynn Rider” and stayed for the enemies to lovers, the banter and annoyance and the love story. I honestly didn’t know how it would end, I had an inkling of the bad guy but this went above and beyond my expectations. I couldn’t stop reading and had to know how it would end.
⏱️
This fantastic book comes out until May 2023 but it will be worth the wait! And the cover is gorgeous so just look at that until then 😉😁
⏱️
Thank you to the publisher Shadow Mountain and Net Galley for the advanced copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

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This book had all of the elements of a good, sweet regency romance and I really enjoyed it!

First off, I loved Jack Travers character. I saw on the author’s Instagram where she mentioned he was like Flynn Rider who is one of my favorite heroes ever… so I was bound to like Jack Travers. He has a flirtatious, carefree front to cover up the sweet, caring man underneath… ah, I love it! He was just so fun and full of life. I would have liked to gotten to know his character even more but as it was, I really liked him! He was so much fun!
It took me a bit to warm up to Ginny. Probably because of how she acted towards Jack and I liked him immediately. I didn’t dislike her really, it just took me a while to connect to her. But by the end, I liked her!
Also, I liked Beatrice the little we saw her and Wily was pretty fun too!

The romance was really cute! I loved the banter between the characters. I was snickering and smiling for the majority of the book. Jack and Ginny were really just adorable.❤️

I liked that there was a mystery happening as well. Historical mysteries are my favorite so I really enjoyed that aspect to the plot since it added a bit of action, suspense, and danger to the book.
Also, I really liked the writing in this book! It was just enjoyable to read. The way certain things were put, especially how the author described Jack Traver’s character, was perfect and really made me like his character. Also, there were quite a few quotable lines.

This book was clean, which as always, I really appreciate! The kisses were a bit more descriptive than I typically prefer but that’s easily skimmed. There was no language and the violence was minimal.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read with a sweet romance, an interesting mystery, and great writing. It made me smile, laugh, and swoon a little too!
If you like regency romance books that have:
•a enemies to lovers/ opposites attract romance
•a flirtatious, lovable hero
•a slightly headstrong, totally feisty heroine
•fun banter
•a whodunit mystery that brings action, danger, and suspense to the plot
•great writing
then I think you will love this one!☺️

*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy to review! All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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I will be honest,the first couple of pages in I was not so sure about this book. But as I stuck with it, I was more than pleasantly surprised!

Ginny is trying to run her family home. Her father has recently passed away and her step sister is more than unkind. Little things have been happening on her estate, but the worst was when her father's watch was taken from her study. With Little help from the local Magistrate, she chooses to higher a special investigator. And that is when things start to change.

Jack has been let go from the Bow Street runners after political reasons. He arrives and turns Ginny's life upside down.

This was a fun read, lots of intrigue, the characters were well drawn, the stage well set.

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The Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a fun read that hit all the right places. There is witty dialogue, a puzzling mystery, and a budding romance with just the right amount of tension. I enjoyed watching Ginny and Jack's relationship change and grow, and I loved that Jack wasn't too serious. Overall a great read!

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When Miss Genevieve Wilde's father died and left her the family estate she had no idea the challenges she would face including the theft of her father's beloved watch. She decides to contact a "thief-taker" to investigate the crime and a series of events and spirited conversations makes her realize just how much she trusts former Bow Street officer Jack Travers.

This fast paced novel was very enjoyable. The banter between the two main characters was both humorous and romantic. Unfortunately an obvious clue was shared early in the story to give away the mystery, but it did wrap up satisfactorily in the end. The mystery was a good twist to the proper romance genre and I'd love to see this couple take on more adventures together.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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A clean historical romance with an excellent plot twist. Thieves, investigators, humor and romance. A typical read for a Regency genre novel with extra mystery vibes. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read for an honest review.

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Genevieve Wilde - Ginny - is a smart woman and the daughter of the late magistrate. As heiress she runs Wimborne, the estate she inherited from her late father, and does that very well, but she struggles with the judgement from other people because of her heritage. Her mother was a governess so she feels judged and she feels she cannot put a foot wrong, so things get more complicated for her when accidents start to happen at the house. She fears when people find out about this, they will say that she’s unfit as mistress of the estate. When her father’s pocket watch is stolen and she isn’t taken seriously by the police, she decides to take matters in her own hand and hires Jack Travers, a thief-taker, or private investigator, as he calls himself.

Jack is a handsome, laidback kind of mn, brought up as a gentleman but like Ginny, he doesn’t quite fit in as well. They have that in common. He likes to tease to either thrown people off their game and learn more about their character, or charm them in revealing things about themselves. It is a clever way of getting more information, but it is also just a character thing. Jack doesn’t like to be all proper and polite all the time, he just prefers to say things as they are or look at the funny side of life. Ginny starts to appreciate that of him more and more, and value him as a person.

I liked the fact that two seemingly totally different people have the basics in common: the craving of being accepted and not judged and the fear or even the assumption that you are not good enough.
What I didn’t understand was that Ginny gets angry with Jack a lot. Even just after she hired him, she doubts and distrusts him, despite the fact that he hasn’t given her any reason to doubt or distrust him. When he’s working, she sometimes interferes, not always very clever of her, and ruins his work - and again, she gets angry with him again. I found that quite annoying and exasperating. Come on, girl; of course you can have doubts at the beginning, but you hired him so why not let him do his job and trust that he does well? Jack is prone to jump to conclusions, which I find quite unattractive and wouldn’t expect from someone like him. I’d expect him to be sharp, clever, witty, but not clumsy in that regard.
A few scenes are quite unrealistic, like having a whole conversation (and more) in a garden in the middle of the night while stalking a potentially dangerous armed and intruder. But overall it was a nice read. The whodunnit was well worked out, although I figured it out quite early in the book.

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

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After the death of her father, Genevieve Wilde has been on her own. Determined to prove herself, she has been running her estate and trying to stay afloat. When her father's watch (one of her most prized possessions) goes missing, she hires Jack Travers to help her find it. Jack is a thief-taker, or a special investigator as he prefers to be called, and Ginny has many reservations about hiring him. He's handsome and flirty but she has no choice but to trust him to see her watch returned. When they discover that the missing watch is just part of a larger attack against her, they come up with a plan to pretend Jack is her cousin so he can investigate and protect Ginny without damaging her reputation.

This was the perfect mystery romance! I appreciated that Ginny was independent and stood up for herself and was willing to do whatever it took to defend her home and her staff. I immediately liked Jack and his witty comments. This was a slow-burn, clean romance and I loved their emotional connection. The second half of the story was filled with twists and turns and it definitely kept the story interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC! Look for A Heart Worth Stealing in May 2023!

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a nicely combined Regency Romance and a mystery. The story takes place in the early 19th Century, and the primary characters are Ginny (Genevieve), her half sister Catherine, the nefarious Mr. Northcott and his side-kick James Garvey, and Jack, a thief catcher. The romance of the book is the burgeoning relationship between Ginny and Jack, and it is well-drawn and believable. However, a particular scene which was somewhat amusing and questionable at the same time was a drawn-out kissing scene which tenuously took place in an oak tree.

The plot of the book is cleverly crafted and believable as are the character developments. The book moves quickly and comfortably. The setting of Ginny's house in the English countryside and its surroundings creates a true description of the era. The relationship between Ginny and Jack, the thief catcher, develops slowly but steadily, and it addresses the questionable, for the time, idea of a woman of means (albeit small) with a man who comes from a somewhat dubious background. On the other hand, the frequently lighthearted banter between Jack and Ginny enriches the plot and keeps the reader engaged to the end.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain Press and Net Galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

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This book was incredible! I've read one other book by this author and this one u liked more. Following the story of Geneiveive and Jack was fun and it was very exciting and made me not want to put the book down.

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This is absolutely my new favorite book. I loved all of it. Not a single bit was boring. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I’ll be vague. I loved how things were resolved at the end. I didn’t see it coming and it was so clever. A rescue as great as the end of the princess bride. Most novels I read I forget the plot line pretty quickly. I’ll be remembering this story. It was much different than all the other regency novels I’ve been reading. I learned a lot about thief takers and the underground of the crime world. The romance was toe curling and heart warming (I actually sighed a couple times).
This novel is clean but definitely has some great kiss scenes. Also be prepared to laugh out loud frequently.
You’ll regret it if you don’t read this one.

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Miss Genevieve Wilde realizes that her father’s watch is missing. This young heiress must track down someone to help in the search. See ends up counting on Jack Travers, a former Bow Street officer. You wonder what may develop between these two!

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What a fun read! I enjoyed the mystery and the budding relationship between the main characters. As always, Joanna writes such amazing scenes ❤️ You are sure to enjoy this book!!

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Loved this sweet regency romance! The characters were wonderful with plenty of tension between the two main characters. There was romance, mystery, danger and plenty of swoony kisses, the perfect recipe for a great romance,

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I really liked the story line of this book. Ginny was a stubborn, loyal, and hardworking girl who loved her father fiercely. Jack is an active, curious, and astute individual. I liked how both of them worked together to find the culprit behind the terrorizing of Ginny’s home. They each had weaknesses that they had to overcome to be together.

I struggled with the flow of this book. There were times I didn’t like the main character’s bullheadedness. It could be a personality clash between her and myself that I didn’t like. But I felt like it wasn’t fair to Jack to always show why she was right. It would have been nice to see some scenes from his perspective. (That’s the only reason I rated it 4 instead of 5 stars)

This is definitely a book to read. It had some amazing nuggets of wisdom. I loved the line that it is impossible to know everything about a person. Because they constantly change. Everyday we make new decisions that shape our future selves. How can we possibly know every version of someone? That was very well said.

Joanna is a great author. I own all of her books and have been very impressed.

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“‘None of that matters,’ he said simply. ‘All that matters is this. Us. What we feel for each other.’ He took my hand, pressed a kiss to my knuckles. ‘Last night, I had a glimpse of my life where you were no longer in it. Where I might lose you. And it terrified me. Because strong as I think I am, I am not strong enough to live without you.’”

That, my friends, is Jack Travers for you. You definitely need to know Jack. He is a thief taker a.k.a. Special investigator. He became a favorite of mine quickly. Jack is hired by our leading lady, Ginny. Ginny is strong, brave and confident. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and her estate, even if that means arming herself with a vase. She is awesome! Together, they solve a mystery or two and find love while at it.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a slow burn romance. The banter and moments that lead them to their happily ever after are all so good, though, that I didn’t feel like I was being dragged through the mud to get there. It had just the right amount of everything and I can’t wait to read it again.

I have loved every Joanna Barker book that I have read and that is all of them. A Heart Worth Stealing was better than I imagined. It was so fun and unique. If you love that and want more swoon worthy goodness, you have to read this book. I have so many good lines highlighted and I just sigh a little every time I read them. Definitely add this fun Proper Romance to your TBR.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced e-copy. These opinions are my own.

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This was my first book by Joanna but I absolutely enjoyed her writing! It was easy to get swept away and I just loved how different it felt than other proper romances. It had a bit of mystery and I loved the whole investigator/protector trope!

The romance is definitely a slowburn and takes a while to get there but it was so adorable!! I just loved their chemistry and banter. Lots of swoony moments and the their first kiss was *chef's kiss* perfect! This was just very delightful and made me so happy! Highly recommend if you want a proper romance with a little different plot but just as enjoyable romance.

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YES PLEASE MORE OF THIS! I loved this story, the mystery aspect of it, the characters, the setting - ALL OF IT! I cannot wait to dive more into Joanna Barker's back list!

This book was such a refreshing read, I love historical romance, and this book was different from the usual stories. The chemistry from the get go, the snark, the banter - all amazing! I loved her independence and his way of talking and dealing with her without trying to take over her life - he just got under her skin in the most delicious way.. The mystery played out in a very enjoyable way, without giving away anything. I loved all the side characters, even the half sister.

4.5 Stars!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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After her father's death six months ago, Genevieve Wilde inherits Wimborne estate. But there has been mischief: vandalism, missing sheep, and now the theft of her beloved father's pocket watch. Desperate, she hires a thief-taker to find the watch and whoever is behind all the trouble.
Jack Travers is charming, witty, and resourceful. He stays on site to make sure no harm comes to the estate or Genevieve. Little do they know, the mischief is about to turn into outright danger to both their lives.
I received a digital ARC in exchange for honest reviews, so I'll be thorough. Jack, Genevieve, her friend Beatrice, and his friend Wily are all hilarious. I relate to Beatrice more than any other Regency character I've ever read about. Keep speaking your mind, girl! I double checked some phrases to make sure they existed in 1802. "Peeping Tom" was coined in 1796, "drat" was used by the early 1800s, but "if looks could kill" (page 85) wasn't around until the early 1900s. She also claims she was "robbed" in the beginning. Robbery is when someone deprives you of property by force or fear. Breaking into a study to steal a pocket watch is burglary. As for the mystery, I knew who did it pretty early on, but only guessed a very small percentage of why the person did it. The romance elements are really sweet. Borderline too much kissing (inner prude was starting to squirm), but their selflessness for each other is beautiful. Love the friendships and the growing family relationships. I will say of Jack that black hair and blue eyes are actually a rare combination, so I have to try to suspend disbelief a bit each time (and man, it is common in romance). "Dark" hair is easier to believe, because it can be dark brown. Overall, great book! Really enjoyed it. Be sure to purchase it when it comes out in May!

Public review: https://www.instagram.com/authorlindsaybetz/
I also posted it in several Facebook groups, including one with 1.1 million members. Groups are private, so a link won't do any good, but the review is out there!

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Such a cute regency with a bit of a mystery, too. Genevieve and Jack were fun characters and I loved their banter.
The story was interesting and kept me hooked beginning to end but I especially enjoyed the 2nd half of the book.
You really can’t ever go wrong with a book by this author.

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Im was very looking fordward to read this book since the moment Joanna Barker annonunced it and when I was able to received an ARC from Netgalley I was really, really Happy!
This book is so funny, entertaining and have a dash of mystery that I absolutely love! Jack, the MMC is completely swoony and I love witty and funny Ginny
Joanna is an auto-buy author for me an one of my favorites
I recommend to read this book and all of hers!

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Ginny and Jack! This is such a different proper romance book for me. I loved how it was a mystery with finding the watch but then turned thriller because Ginny was part of a larger plot. Enemies to lovers is always a favorite trope so that was done very well. I highly recommend! This is probably in my top 5 favorite proper romances along with Edenbrooke and Miss Newburys List.

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Excellent love story with elements of mystery. I love the hero and heroine and how well they were written. Well done,

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When Genevieve Wilde finds her late father’s watch is missing and receives little help from local authorities, she hires thief-taker/special investigator Jack Travers to recover the family heirloom. It becomes clear this is part of a larger series of nefarious events targeting Ginny and her estate. Over the course of their investigation the two fall in love and solve the case.

Overall this was an enjoyable read with a mystery plot bringing the two lead characters with similar histories (class standing! authenticity vs propriety!) to work together despite initial reservations on her side. The villain was pretty predictable, but I prefer that to something you’d never be able to guess.

Highlights were the scene involving Jack’s family (we love a main male character raised around so many women) and the sarcastic/flirty banter between Jack and Ginny. Would have liked to see Jack’s perspective to learn more about his upbringing, his former job, to see Ginny though his eyes, etc. The romantic pacing in the middle felt a bit off to me—like her reservations about him were knocked down in a chapter and suddenly she was in love with him. Maybe I just like more mulling and pining.

Not precisely my cup of tea but a solid choice for readers who enjoy low steam (the back cover lists this as a “clean” romance) historical romances and mysteries.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and honestly review this ARC.

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Joanna Barker is an absolute master of the regency romance genre -- and A Heart Worth Stealing is her best yet, in my opinion!

Genevieve ("Ginny") Wilde is such a compelling main character. Though life hasn't always been fair to her or easy by any means, she's out to do the best she can. At the start of the book, her main focus is caring for her estate, Wimbourne, left to her by her late father. I love how Ginny takes care of the estate not for herself alone, but out of great respect and love for her father and for the people dependent on her estate. When the safety of her estate is threatened, Ginny is out to do whatever she can to remedy the issue. When the local magistrate, Mr. Northcott (who gives supreme 'nice guy' vibes right from his first introduction) doesn't take Ginny seriously, she's not about to let that stop her -- she's got a job to do and far be it from one man to stop her! So, she hires a thief taker (my quick Google search about thief takers proved that yes, this was every bit as scandalous/risky in this era as Ginny makes it out to be. Definitely a fascinating research rabbit hole!).

The interactions between Ginny and her hired thief taker, Jack Travers, are absolute gold. The chemistry is so well written and practically jumps off the page. Their dialogue is spirited and mischevous in the very best way -- the whole novel, I wonder what exactly they'll say next to push the bounds of propriety! The other relationships in the book are equally worth mentioning. Ginny has a wonderfully complex relationship with her half sister, Catherine, and it is intriguing to see that develop and change. Beatrice Lacey is such a delightful best friend and such a compelling side character as to make me hope this is a series with her book yet to come.

Lastly, the plot shows off a new dimension of Joanna Barker's talent -- the suspense and intruige of the overall plot is so masterfully done. I had no idea this was in her repertoire and was pleasantly surprised. The antagonist aspect is especially artful; I had my suspiscions all along, but there were elements I was missing up until the very end and I absolutely couldn't pull myself away until I"d finished and all was revealed! The villain was perfectly done -- such an accurate reflection of what actual terrible humans look like in real life as well as perfectly suited to the novel on the whole.

Definitely a book I'll recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

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This was a new to me author. I was scrolling through Netgalley. The cover first drew my eye, and then the description sounded interesting. I requested and was granted an advance review copy. I am so glad I received this introduction. Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing!

This is a clean romance that is reminiscent of Jane Austen. It seemed well-researched and historically accurate. The main characters are not of the nobility, and the scenes don't take place at a bunch of balls. The story and the characters were refreshing. I definitely plan to read more by Joanna Barker.

The story began shortly after our heroine's father had passed away. Since he did not have a title and no sons, he left everything to his unmarried youngest daughter Miss Genevieve Wilde. She had been doing a great job of running the estate and staff. However, some 'accidents' had been happening, culminating with the theft of her late father's pocket watch. It was very dear to her, so she was willing to do anything in her power to get it back - even hire a thief taker!

Former Bow Street officer Jack Travers responded to her letter by traveling from London and showing up on her doorstep. Jack was confident to the point of almost being arrogant, and Ginny immediately took a dislike to him. However, as the accidents increased in magnitude, she began to feel safer with Jack than without him. He moved in as her 'cousin', and they worked together to find the thief and unravel the mystery behind the reason for these unfortunate events.

The class difference was very clear. Ginny's mother was her father's second wife. She was Ginny's older sister's nanny before her father fell in love and married her. Ginny's sister treated her with disdain in public. In spite of these struggles, Ginny was still landed gentry. She was one of the wealthier people in the area. Therefore, it was important she keep her reputation.

Jack was the bastard of a Lord who paid for Jack's education, but Jack was never accepted by his schoolmates. Raised with his sister by his actress mother, as a thief-taker, there was no way he would be an acceptable husband to Miss Wilde. However, these two moved from enemies to friends with an attraction stronger than either had ever experienced before. In the end, they had to decide what was most important and make a choice.

There was an entire cast of well-rounded supporting characters I did not mention who improved rather than confused the story. The writing was lovely. The mystery was intriguing. The romance was a slow build. Everything was believable. If you enjoy clean HR, I recommend!

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This book was so enjoyable! Ginny and Jack join forces to solve the mystery of the vandalism and theft on Ginny's estate. I loved watching Ginny begin to drop her state of tension and stress as she realized that Jack made her feel safe.

Without giving too much away, there IS a happily ever after and a sweet scene that takes places IN a tree that you won't want to miss!

This #earc was provided by #netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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Joanna Barker treats her readers to a delightful Regency tale with "A Heart Worth Stealing". Part "whodunit", this lovely romance has a cast of engaging characters. The seemingly mismatched Genevieve Wilde and thief-taker Jack Travers find love as they work to find the culprit behind a theft and increasing vandalism.

The reader comes along for the ride with this fast-paced book, as she also attempts to unmask the villain. There are several likely suspects, and a variety of motives. The proven "bad actor" didn't completely surprise me, although the motive did. The mystery's resolution wasn't predictable, and that's a definite plus.

Joanna Barker's prose is always pleasing, with few grammatical errors. With witty and clever banter, a sweet romance, and an intriguing mystery, "A Heart Worth Stealing" is an altogether enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an ARC of this captivating story.

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I'm picky about my regency set novels. But A Heart Worth Stealing was one I loved. And I think it's because this one gave me strong Independent women who are slightly out of place for the time period they are in. As well as heroes aren't exactly the one's readers swoon over. But I like my heroes a little rough around the edges.

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I love Joanna Barker! This is the second book of hers that I've read and thoroughly enjoyed.

Genevieve is left to care for her home after her father's passing. When she finds that her father's watch has been taken, she obtains help from Mr. Northcott who took over her late father's position as magistrate... and the man who has asked for her hand in marriage more than once. When he seems as if he won't be of any help, Genevieve hires a thief taker, Mr. Jack Travers. They find out that there are other instances of things gone awry throughout Wimborne.

* Jack is attractive, dedicated to his investigative work, and a little bit of a flirt when it comes to Genevieve.
“I cannot help but think this a waste of time.”
“A morning spent with a beautiful lady is never a waste,” Mr. Travers said as he perused his notes.
* Genevieve is devastated with the loss of her father since he is all she's had. Her half sister hates her and her mother died (I think) from childbirth. She's intent to keep Wimborne up and running without the need to marry.

I loved these two from the moment they first interacted. This was a clean historical romance where the mystery of finding out who is responsible for all of the attacks on Wimborne seemed to be the main plot and the couple's romance as a subplot. I thoroughly enjoyed how it was written and how the story flowed.

Excellent read!

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**Review will be published on my sites and socials April 27th**

MY NEW FAVORITE.

Y’all. Here me out. Romantic suspense PLUS regency romance. It’s my new favorite thing. I looooved this so much!!!

Jack was heavenly swoony. I tabbed my book many times over at his glances and endearing ways. I loved his personality and there was off the charts chemistry between him and Ginny from the get-go. Fiery banter and passionate kisses and I am in love.

I loved Ginny’s tenacity and take charge nature. It’s not overwhelming, it’s empowering. She grows through putting the past behind, solving crimes, and doing what’s best for her estate. I also appreciate a great friendship and I adored that connection as well.

There’s the perfect balance between romance and suspense. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to know what happens next. Who took the watch? Who’s causing chaos? It’s such a unique dynamic for this genre and Barker’s writing is captivating. I LOVE her writing and will continue to read anything of hers I can get my hands on.

Overall audience notes:

Regency Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: physical altercations, gun violence, arson, attempted murder, loss of a parent

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I adored this book. The banter between the two main characters is just fantastic!! I am all for the witty banter! This was my first book by this author, but now I want to binge read her backlist.

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“Even if he was a scoundrel of the worst sort, it would all be worth it.
I hoped.”

While I’ve enjoyed every story that I’ve read by Joanna Barker, this is my favorite, it is absolute perfection!

It was fresh, fun and a completely delightful with a hilarious meet cute and a perfect first kiss that is completely original, swoony and will leave you cheering for the main characters. It also has an air of mystery with some nice twists to keep you guessing.

If there is one thing I love to see in a book, it is winking. I especially love winks when they appear in regency era stories where everything is normally so proper. Let me just say that Jack doesn’t disappoint with his lopsided grin and his winking.

Genevieve (Ginny) Wilde is distraught when her deceased father’s pocket watch is stolen. When the local magistrate doesn’t come to her aid, she does what she thinks is best and hires a thief-taker.

When Jack Travers arrives at Miss Wilde’s home, she is thoroughly frustrated, not only with his good looks, but also with his personality and methods. Slowly as she and Jack spend more time together, she realizes there is more than meets the eye with Mr. Travers.

Ginny is an absolute delight of a character. She is brilliant, strong, and resilient, yet not obnoxious or overbearing. In a time when the intelligence of women was often scoffed at, Ginny shows that intelligence can also accompany humility.

Jack, well I do believe he just might be my new favorite male character. He is surprising, kind-hearted, flirtatious and absolutely lovable! I loved all of his interactions with Ginny.

Enemies-to-more
Banter
Flirting
Amazing chemistry
Forced proximity
Mystery (who-done-it)

A Heart Worth Stealing is exceptionally well done and a must read!

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✨Book Review✨

“"I will not leave her. So long as she wants me, I will be at her side."”

Joanna Barker deserves an award for writing such swoon worth men! A Heart Worth Stealing is one of my favorite reads for this year, and I can’t wait for it to be available in stores next year.

Genevieve or Ginny to her friends is such a great character. She is coming into her own as a land owner, which is no easy feet to do as a woman during the regency time period. Despite someone trying to sabotage her, she still pushes forward. She takes a risk and hires a thief- taker which definitely turns her world upside down.

Jack aka the thief-taker, is a charmer and a dream boat. He is witty, intelligent and a lovable idiot. He is intelligent but sometimes jumps into things without thinking. Bless his heart. But he does recognize his faults and tries his best to be better and help out sweet Ginny.

These two are quickly became some of my favorite book characters. I loved their banter and the respect they have for each other. Watching them work together/falling in love was so enjoyable. This book was a quick read. I couldn’t put it down once I got started. I love the mystery, it wasn’t Joanna Barker’s normal but she did such a good job!

These thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks NetGalley for the Arc.

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Wimborne is in trouble but Ginny doesn't really understand the lengths she will need to go to ensure it's survival.

Miss Genevieve "Ginny" Wilde's most favourite possession has been stolen and she is not getting anywhere with the local magistrate, who replaced her late father. Ginny sees an advert for a thief-taker of bow street fame and sends a letter to ask for assistance.

Jack Travers arrives at Wimborne to find more than just the single theft, but a bigger threat to Wimborne. Ginny must overcome her fears and enlist Jack's help to not only save Wimborne but also her reputation.

Do they save Wimborne? Can they find the watch? Can Ginny ignore the charismatic thief-taker and work with him to solve the mystery?

This was a lovely read! I just would have liked some spice. However, when Ginny's inner voice changed from Mr Travers to Jack that I was hooked! The only thing that would have made it better was some spice.

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This is such a fun book! I swooned over the romance and the banter, I laughed over the characters’ wit, and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment spent reading this story!

I love Genevieve and Jack together. Their banter is top-notch, and I loved how it was both witty and romantic at the same time! Genevieve is a strong and determined heroine, which I appreciated, and I liked how clever Jack is. I’ve never heard of a thief-taker (or a “special investigator” as Jack prefers) and it was interesting to read about that profession in this story!

Readers who enjoy regency romance with a mystery to it will absolutely love this book! I highly recommend it, and I am eagerly looking forward to more books by this author!

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

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A Heart Worth Stealing by author, Joanna Barker, captured my attention from the beginning. A little mystery to solve, some criminal activity, a bit of undercover sleuthing, true friendships, an unexpected romance, discovering oneself, witty conversations, flirting and strong female roles are some of the things I liked about this story. This is a must read! Thank you, #netgalley and @authorjoannabarker for the opportunity to read Ginny's story. I was sad to see this story end. Happy reading, friends!

Book Description:
Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

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This review could be summed up in two words. JACK TRAVERS. Amiright?! 😍🥵🔥

I loved everything about it. Joanna Barker can do no wrong. I love her writing style, her characters, her plots, EVERYTHING!!

Jack and Ginny’s story was entirely perfect. I really loved the circumstances in how they met. The mystery thread throughout the story kept me turning the pages until the very end. I correctly guessed whodunit early on, but Joanna truly kept me captivated until the very last page to see how everything turned out!

If you like regency romance with a mystery, you don’t want to miss this one!

Read it for:
⏱Regency romance
⏱Mystery/whodunit
⏱Dreamy kiss scenes
⏱Strong female MC
⏱Former Bow Street Runner male MC
⏱A new book boyfriend
⏱Banter/flirtation

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain, and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Content warning: mild violence, attempted murder, kidnapping

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4.5 stars

What a fun journey this book was! I loved the romance, the mystery and suspense. All of it was so much fun to read and captivating from early on. I read 70% of this book in one sitting and stayed up way past my bedtime. Worth it!

This story is about Ginny, who’s in charge of her family’s estate as the last remaining unmarried resident. We find out in chapter one that she has lost something and suspects it has been stolen. Since this item has great personal significance for her, she does whatever she can to have it returned to her - including hiring an investigator who she hopes will take her request more seriously than the local magistrate. What unfolds is a journey with twists and turns that keep the reader enthralled with every page turn.

Read this if you love:
💜 strong, independent leading lady
💜 a protective hero
💜 forced proximity
💜 swoony regency romance

This was so sweet and so good from start to finish. I love Joanna’s writing and this book further solidifies the fact that I absolutely have to read everything she writes. I’ve already read her entire backlist and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. The only slight thing I wish was different about this book is the single POV. I kept waiting for the book to switch from Ginny to Jack’s point of view but alas, it was not meant to be. Nevertheless this story was fantastic and I will be singing its praises for a while. Can we talk about how cute these two are together? Seriously, I love how he jokes with her and makes her smile and how she steadies him and balances him out. He never tried to hold her back or restrict her independence which is so fun to read, and especially awesome to find in a historical setting.

What else can I say? If this story sounds at all appealing to you, definitely find yourself a copy.

Many thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.

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Good romance and Jack was swoony. Thanks to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for my arc copy, all opinions are my own.

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What I enjoyed with this story was its easy flow. Their was easy conversation and natural friendship between the heroine and hero. I loved their interactions. The mystery and twist near the end was kept interesting. The romance swoony. If you enjoy a good kiss scene while keeping the bedroom door closed this will be a win for you. This author has been an auto read for me an will continue to be. The heroine was strong and sharp. The hero was witty, fun and a good compliment to the h. This is fiction and I'm curious how the two would've made a match in reality with their differing backgrounds. I'm always curious in the authors inspiration for stories.

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What’s not to love with Joanna Barkers “A heart worth stealing”?? I loved the character building and deepening relationships throughout the book. The way she writes out a seemingly complicated mystery has perfect twists and turns and the answer unfolds into a perfectly simple explanation at the end. I always love reading her books and never get bored.

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Thank you Shadow Mountain for the copy of this MOST anticipated release!

Here’s what I loved about this book:
• the mystery was addictive
• a reverse grump x sunshine
• emotional and heartwarming
• some steamy kisses, but no spice!

I adore Jack and Ginny as characters. Jack is so fun, determined, and ever so swoony. Ginny was strong, independent, and I loved seeing her open up and fall in love with Jack.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★/5
Steam: kisses
TW: death of a parent, mild violence, vandalism, stealing

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A classic regency romance, featuring Genevieve, who's dealing with too many issues too handle (though she thinks she can) and Jack - who arrives to solve one problem but ends up solving them all.
What I really loved about this book is that is has the perfect proportions of angst, mystery, humor, adventure, and romance!! The banter between Ginny and Jack is so fun to read - sometimes sweet, sometimes hilarious - and rarely tedious.
One of my favorite parts of the story (and one I wish we could have seen more about) was the relationship between Ginny and Catherine.
Overall, a very well- written book with one of the best types of heroes - the competent ones!
And extra marks for the amazing cover!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for this eARC!

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Are you ready for a great whodunnit story, with lots of great banter that will have you laughing and cheering these characters on, as well as some sweet romance? If you said yes, then you're going to adore this book!!!

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. Anything by this author is wonderful! My teenagers and I have read all of her books (well, I have one more to read and that's happening soon) and have loved them all! Joanna Barker has a household of fan's at my house! Can't wait to see what's next from her (of course as I'm posting this review, this book hasn't been published yet so it could be a little while). We'll be happily awaiting any news of it!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Some kisses but nothing further. I'd let my teenagers read this.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

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I love Joanna Barker books, so I was really excited about this one.

I love a book with a mystery to figure out and it was such a fun twist to a proper romance book.

When Ginny is on her own to find the thief of the watch her father left to her, she enlists the help of a professional. When the local magistrate doesn’t take her seriously, she hires Jack to help her.

The banter and chemistry between Ginny and Jack was so fun as they work together to find and decipher clues. They end up finding more than they anticipated in the mystery and in each other.

I loved this book and it became not a question of whether or not I could put the book down, but rather, was I reading for more of that great chemistry or to solve the mystery? Another great novel by Joanna Barker.

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#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley


This has been one of the best books I have had the pleasure to read in a year. I cannot give enough endorsements, but this book is filled with so many emotions, so much thought into each character, plot, etc. It would be a shame not to read it. It will pull on your heart strings and you will love it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ms Barker for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is packed with romance, mystery, and witty dialogue between the two main characters, Genevieve “Ginny” Wilde, and Jack Travers. Their chemistry is just irresistible. Ginny was the daughter of a magistrate that recently passed, leaving her his estate along with a treasured pocket watch. The pocket watch mysteriously disappears after a dinner party. Ginny consults the new local magistrate, Mr. Northcott; however, he dismisses her claims. As a result, Ginny decides to take matters in her own hands and hires a thief-taker to find the cherished watch. Jack Travers, the thief-taker, is flirtatious, charming, confident, and spontaneous; leaving Ginny to wonder what has she done in hiring such a man. As time passes though; she finds that Jack is much more complex and a trusted friend. What originally seemed like minor incidents at the estate, could they all related? I loved this book and the characters. I found it fun and entertaining.

My thanks to the author and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an early copy of this book. The opinions here are entirely my own.

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

‘A Heart Worth Stealing’ by Joanna Barker is a regency romance that took me on a wild ride! There is a mystery to be solved, danger, suspense, action, romance, heart melting kisses, incredible witty banter and a very high level of swoon!

The romance in this book is phenomenal! Jack Travers and Ginny Wilde are so cute and the falling in love is butterfly inducing! Jack is a dream! He’s always smiling, he’s a flirtatious tease, he’s intelligent, charismatic and the list could go on and on. Ginny is feisty, bold, brave, intelligent and strong willed. They complement each other so well and I loved every moment of them together!

Their story is also filled with many obstacles to overcome. I couldn’t see a clear path to their happily ever after, and I had to keep reading to see how it would work out! I also loved getting bits and pieces of their past as I read. It gave me a better view of their characters and I loved getting to know them!

The romance and the mystery pulled me into this story! This book is emotional, intense at times with twists and turns that kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat!

I loved:
🌳Jack Travers!!!! He is dreamy with a capital dream!! You are going to love him!
🌳I enjoyed the loathing to more, forced proximity, some grumpy sunshine with a little bit of forbidden love sprinkled in.
🌳Memorable moments included the best oak tree in the world, a vase, a dance, and the meet cute!
🌳The heart melting romance was my favorite part. The chemistry! The banter! The kisses that made me weak in the knees!

I would describe this book as a regency mystery romance. So, if you enjoy regency romance with a mystery story line, beautiful writing and a love story that’ll steal your heart then I think you’ll love this book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.

Content:violence,kidnapping, dangerous situations,threats

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I’ll admit I was drawn in by the gorgeous cover of this book, but the inside blew the beautiful cover away! I’m pretty new to proper/regency romance and I tend to get bogged down in the stilted language of it all - but not at all with this one! It was so easy to read & I found myself staying up later to just figure out what would happen next. If you enjoy the sweetest romance with a bit of mystery - pick this one up! And if you’re new to this genre, I’d suggest you try it as well, because it was absolutely delightful! Can not wait to read more from Joanna Barker!

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Absolutely delightful. I adore Jack and Ginny and this whole story. Ginny is spunky and stubborn and brilliant while Jack is a clever tease with messy curls and a unique background. Watching them work together was a joy and the romantic tension between them is delicious! I also really appreciated Ginny's journey with grief and how it plays into this story. Joanna's best yet!!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for my complimentary copy of this book. All opinions here are my own.

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I loved this book so much! Loved the exciting mystery plotline, the characters, the banter, the swoony romance, the twist. And the cover! I thought Jack and Ginny’s relationship was done well. How it started as a boss/worker relationship, with some mistrust thrown in there, since Jack is a thief-taker. But Ginny takes a chance on him. And then seeing it evolve into a friendship of sorts, and then into something more that starts to sizzle. I thought the mystery plot was nicely done, and was different for a regency romance, so it really piqued my interest. And the twist at the end…wasn’t expecting that.

Definitely recommend this to anyone who loves regency romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an e-arc to review!

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A fresh new story that had me guessing the entire book! I ruled out who I thought it was after being skeptical nearly the entire book. I couldn't believe I was duped. Such great writing and I love the connection and tension between Ginny & Jack. The only thing that felt very unresolved: What was in the second book of Gulliver's Travels????? Was there a letter for Catherine?? I can't imagine their dad not leaving one. That would have been such a sweet moment. After making such a point to mention going back to see that book, I couldn't believe this wasn't revisited. Other than that I completely loved the book and will be reading again!

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Super adorable. I specifically liked the end and how it all turned out. There was enough mystery to keep you invested while Jack was consistently being his delightful/flirty self.

This was a fun book to read full with emotion, romance, sweet side characters, and a gripping story. Ginny’s relationship with her father was entirely relatable and realistic.

The kissing scenes were 😍!!! Jack and Ginny made sense as a couple and it was sweet to see their relationship grow. The way they were drawn together even though Ginny tried her best to keep her distance, it was all just adorable!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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When an ARC by Joanna Barker pops up, I am 100% there. And this one did not disappoint!

Genevieve Wilde is alone. Her father has died, leaving her the estate, but she must work hard to convince those around her that she is capable of stepping into the shoes of her father. But then his pocket watch disappears. And other strange occurrences begin to happen that leave her without an anchor or any idea how to solve it. She does not trust the local authorities, so decides to hire a Bow Street officer. But she never expects to find a flirtatious man to show up at her door. Ginny decides to hesitantly trust him, and in the process learns more about herself, her goals and the secrets that have been hidden.

Loved this one. The characters are fabulous and the romance is fabulous. It's clean and so sweet. Wish the story wouldn't end, it was so great. Would definitely recommend! As stated in a past review, I don't normally give 5 stars for a romance, but this was such a pleasure, I'll give it anyway.

Thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is a beautiful story about trusting and love. I really enjoyed Genevieve and Jack's banter. I enjoyed how they worked together and complimented each other well. The little twists added to the mystery. A great read that I recommend to all.

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I was so excited when Joanna Barker announced this book, and the breathtaking cover just made me more excited. The best part? The contents of the book were also incredible.

"A Heart Worth Stealing" is the story of Ginny, a young woman who has recently inherited her father's estate, trying to find her stolen pocket watch. Tired of the magistrate and every other man in town telling her she misplaced it, she resorts to something unthinkable—hiring a thief taker. Though Jack prefers the term special investigator.

However, once Jack starts investigating, it becomes clear there's a lot more going on at Ginny's estate than just a missing watch. And there might just be more going on between Ginny and Jack as well....

As someone who pretty much only reads romance novels, I really enjoyed that this book bridged genres. While I did really love the romance, I really liked the mystery/detective side of the story. Not only was I dying to know who was sabotaging and harassing Ginny, but the mystery changed the plot and made it unique. With swoon-worthy romance to top it off, this book was everything I wanted and more.

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Another hit from Joanna Barker!

This book ABSOLUTELY stole my heart! I love a good charade trope! I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack ! I like how independent and brave Ginny and how kind and funny Jack was!

This book is perfect for fans of regency romances!

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A beloved stolen watch of her late father causes Ginny Wilde to hire Jack Travers to help her track down the thief. As Jack learns more details about the estate, he realizes that Ginny is in danger of much more than a robber. Are the incidents connected, or does Ginny have more enemies than she realized?

Ginny is a young lady who I was rooting for the entire time! She is so incredibly determined to prove herself capable of keeping the estate going. She has a strong need to continue her father’s legacy and prove she is capable, even using unconventional means such as hiring a thief taker. She has little time for herself and seems like she had to grow up quickly

Jack was a great lead man. He is caring, compassionate, and a fierce protector. He’d be a man that I’d definitely want on my side if I had trouble. “I’ll always be there for you.” is the quote that perfectly describes Jack.

I loved Jack’s family and his shady assistant, Wily. Seeing their relationship to him gave me a more complete picture of what kind of man he was like. I really hope we get to see more of them in future books. It would be so fun to see the Wily and Jack unusual crime solving team in more cases.

Romance, plot twists, danger, suspense, and mystery make this a book that I am certain I will read again. I highly recommend reading this book. A bonus is there are discussion questions for book clubs, which I really appreciate.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through the publisher and NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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AHHHHHHH!!!!!

I have so much I could say about this book but I can sum it up in one word: perfection.

I have read - and loved - everything Joanna Barker has written but this one? This one tops them all.

Ginny, stubborn and snarky, and Jack, a handsome "special investigator" who is charming and flirty, are such a perfect match. Joanna writes her characters in 3d - you get to know them so well that they are endearing and entirely unforgettable. The romantic tension between Jack and Ginny was so.well.done. You could feel the angst and chemistry practically leap off the page. And the flirty banter? *chef's kiss

The suspenseful scenes and the mystery as Ginny and Jack try to track down a thief had me glued to the book and yea, did NOT see those plot twists coming. Loved all the side characters who also stole my heart and will hopefully get a story of their own some day.

And oh my. That first kiss. Hold the phone. One of THE swooniest first kiss scenes in a historical fiction I have ever read. Like off the charts swoon. The best part? There is not one, not two, but multiple kiss scenes that will leave even the most hopeless romantics satisfied. And if stargazing was not romantic before, it most definitely is now!!

This one gets all the hearts and stars from me and will undoubtedly be a book I pick up to re-read over and over. Such a dreamy romance with every element that makes a good story and like Mary Poppins, is "practically perfect in every way."

I received a complimentary copy but a positive review was not required.

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I read my first Joanna Barker book almost exactly 4 years ago. I remember at one point of reading that book I had to stop for some reason and when I closed the book I came to a realization. I hadn't been paying any attention to the words or grammar in the book. I'd been totally focused on the story and the verbal imagery painting a picture in my mind. I was completely immersed in the story. That only happens to me if the story is really well written. And I think I've experienced that with every book I've read of hers since. The story takes over in my head with no distractions of odd phrases or awkward wording or one of the things that bothers me the most, constant repetition. They just aren't there to distract me from the story.

That was also true with this book. I was very excited to have the chance to read it. Beautifully written, outrageous flirtation on his part, some intrigue along with the romance, deception, kidnapping, perilous situations... Ha, just had the thought too of the child's taunting poem- Two little love birds sitting in a tree, K.I.S.S.I.N.G. (That happens in this book too. tee-hee).

Very enjoyable read. I loved it.

Sex: kissing
Language: no
Violence: yes
*I received a complimentary ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily chose to review it.

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What a great, enjoyable read! I couldn’t have loved it more!

I loved the relationship between the two main characters. Ginny was so strong and yet vulnerable. I loved to see her growth as she came to trust herself and others and realize what’s most important.

Jack was a dream! So swoony with his roguish charm. He was a great hero! I just loved the relationship with he and Ginny. So much fun banter.

If you love reading awesome regency romance with a twisty mystery. You will love this book! I can’t say enough how much I recommend this book. One of the my favorite reads this year!

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is unlike anything I've read in the Regency Romance genre. One part romance, one part mystery, this book was wholly unique and enjoyable to read!

When Miss Genieve Wilde places an ad to hire a thief-taker to help her find her late father's pocketwatch, a very handsome Mr. Jack Travers responds. As the pair work together to solve the mystery and find the watch, they also find love. But the course of true love never did run smoothly, and thank goodness, because I adored this story.

I loved seeing Genienve take action and stand up for herself, even when doing so was difficult (or ill-advised ;) ). And oh, Mr. Jack Travers! He was completely swoon-worthy--smart and confident, but also a little broken. I only wish I could have read a few chapters from his POV.

As usual, Mr. Barker's prose is on-point, her characters real, and the story stunning. Ms. Barker has outdone herself with this book! I highly recommend this book to fans of historical romance, proper romance fans, and mystery enthusiasts. You won't be disappointed!

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Oh my goodness! The Queen of Romance strikes again! Joanna Barker is just the best at romantic chemistry/tension. This book was amazing! I absolutely love Ginny and Jack! Ginny is so brave, and bold and goes after what she wants. She cares about the safety of her staff and doesn’t shy away from making sure they are safe. Jack is funny, confident and charming. He is also very caring. I love how there is a mystery element to this story. Jack and Ginny work together to figure out who is behind the theft, vandalism and threats to Ginny. Clean read and definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Content: Kisses

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

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I'll admit the book didn't grab me immediately, and I almost put it down after 20%. But I'm glad I didn't because at about the halfway point, the book really picks up, and oh my goodness. This is sooooo good! I loved the mystery, the stakes, and especially the romance. I thought both characters were really fleshed out well, and I especially enjoyed Ginny's character, as she isn't afraid to stick up for herself or go after what (or who ;)) she wants.

I really enjoyed reading A Heart Worth Stealing, and I recommend it to anyone who loves a swoon-worthy hero and romantic kisses. Definitely loved!

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She really good at leaving hints with out being obvious. It was a delightful mystery, with unique setting and characters that make you smile wide. This is such a brilliantly fun story.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is an incredible story of belonging, romance, suspense, and mystery. The main characters are desperately trying to find their precarious footing in society and fight their feelings for one another in order to do so. However, danger has a way of bonding people together and Ginny and Jack are no exception.

This is a beautifully written book. The plot was interesting and kept me turning page after page (after page, after page, after page). A Heart Worth Stealing checks all my boxes: well written & suspenseful mystery, sweet and swoony romance, and (light) danger & intrigue. In romance mysteries, sometimes the mystery or the romance gets lost in the mix. That’s definitely not the case in this book! I related deeply to the characters and their feelings of being ostracized from society. I felt the emotions of the characters and it made the story that much more meaningful. Luckily, the strong romance doesn’t detract from the sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat mystery and intrigue; it finds its place powerfully later in the book and the romance aspect actually enhances the tension of the climax of the book.

The first half of the story seems a bit slow paced, but it’s more than made up from in the end. After reading the entire book, the pacing made sense and added more meaning to the story and impact to the suspenseful ending.

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Joanna Barker is now an instant-read author for me. Her hero’s are always so swoon-worthy, strong and yet vulnerable, and perfectly encapsulate Mr. Darcy energy. And so, meet Jack, our hero. My new favorite book bf. Jack is an investigator who helps our heroine, Ginny, to solve the mystery of her late father’s watch. Mystery and suspense follow the duo as they solve the crime and become closer by the minute.
The banter and chemistry they share is off the charts. For a clean romance- and tbh I read some truly spicy stuff regularly- their love story is so well composed and enthralling that I never miss the 🌶️ and would take a thousand Jack kisses any day. The way Joanna Barker writes her characters’ love crescendos makes me cry every dang time. 5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this arc in exchange for my unbiased review!

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"A Heart Worth Stealing" is Joanna Barker's newest novel. Barker, known for her Regency romances, continues in the same vein with her new book. This book centers around Genevieve ("Ginny"), who is now in charge of her late father's estate after his unexpected passing. All alone in the world (with the exception of an estranged step-sister), Ginny is now experiencing strange happenings: thefts, break-ins, etc. Not knowing who to turn to, she hires a private investigator, Jack, to help her determine who is behind these occurrences. Along the way, Ginny ends up in an unexpected love triangle, and she has to figure out what to do about the sparks that are flying between her and Jack.

This was a nice, easy read, and I enjoyed the chemistry between Ginny and Jack. I would read another book by Joanna Barker! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is a sweet and proper romance, with a spunky and independent heroine and a handsome hero hiding secrets. Ginny has a troubled relationship with her older half-sister, and I enjoyed watching that plot thread play out. She also has a loyal best friend who I’m guessing will get her own romance in a sequel to A Heart Worth Stealing. I loved the cover.

The plot has heart, flirting, manners, and action. What it does not have is a lot of mystery; I guessed who the villain was very early on. A ruse in which the thief-taker pretends to be Ginny’s cousin stretched believability even for me as the reader, much less for Ginny’s sister and acquaintances. As usual with historical romance, I found myself wishing the story had a third person narrator, instead of Ginny.

I read an advance reader copy of A Heart Worth Stealing from Netgalley.

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What a pleasant surprise! This book combines the best of a regency romance and romantic suspense novel. I loved the mystery plot that brought forced proximity between Ginny and Jack. Their interactions were clever and delightful, and I loved seeing them work together against Ginny's mystery antagonizer. I had a hard time putting the book down because of the charming characters, tense plot, and engaging writing.

I will say that I was left wanting a bit more, but I can't quite put my finger on it. Perhaps I wanted more growth from Ginny and Jack outside of their romance, or perhaps it's because I solved the mystery plot quite early on in the book. However, I still very much enjoyed reading this, and I'd highly recommend to regency romance lovers!

Writing Aesthetic/Style: 5
Plot/Movement: 4
Character Development: 4
Overall: 4

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!

Trigger/Content Warnings: thievery, threats, arson, fighting and gun violence, kisses

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A fun mystery regency romance! I loved Jack's character and interesting background. I wished we could have had a chapter or two from his perspective creating more action scenes! I only figured out half the mystery but it was fun to guess who the villain was. I really like the sister story line between Catherine and Ginny. Their drama was something that happened back in the regency era but it's not normally written about and made the characters feel real. The main protagonist's romance, sister drama, and mystery kept my attention and made it a fast read.

I realize the author writes more romance but I would love a sequel that included some of Jack's investigations. As a former bow street runner and his newly acquired job at the end of this story, he would have A LOT of great stories to tell!

The cover is stunning and made me immediately want to read it.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

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Any romance with a first impression that involves the heroine wielding an absurd weapon at the hero just has my heart. I don’t make the rules.

This was my first book by this author, and I’m a fan, like, big fan, like “DM barrage the author” big fan. It’s a testament to the clever, excellent writing that I did not mind a single tea biscuit the first person single POV in a historical romance. I was immediately rooting for Ginny, my fellow indoorsy girl.

I’ll just say it, since it’s all you need to know: so much of what I love about Miss Scarlet and the Duke here. An independent heroine struggling to prove herself after her father’s death, a capable, protective investigator, palpable tension and delicious quick-witted banter with both of them just very into the other’s competence, intriguing mystery and peril. Except here we get class difference, and instead of a gruff inspector, we have a roguish, wide-grinned, flirty thief-taker who could charm the lorgnette off a dowager. And once Jack Travers locks eyes on our feisty Genevieve and her weapon of choice, it’s like it’s his new life mission to get a rise out of her, while special investigating and safeguarding her, of course. How we get forced proximity scenarios in the context and societal strictures of historical romance is always interesting to see, and fake idiot cousin is a new one for me. It was just so fun the whole way through, and so swoony and lovely. Did I say I’m a fan?

So thankful to the generous souls at Shadown Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for blessing me with an ARC.

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Genevieve Wild finds herself in a predicament when her father's watch goes missing. When the authorities don't take her seriously, she is forced to hire a thief-taker. Little does she know how much she'd fall for the handsome and charming Mr. Travers.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for this opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. I first discovered this author with her Game of Hearts book and fell in love with her writing. I was excited to read this book as well.

Unfortunately, I felt like the first 50% of the book dragged. I found myself skimming until it picked up halfway through.

Til that point, I was confused why Genevieve was so angry and bothered by Jack all the time. She had hired him to do a job and criticized him the whole way or got in his way.

Jack came off as superficial but I liked him more by the end. I wish I felt better chemistry between the characters but the romance on the page was written well. Their kisses were amazing but also not timed well for their circumstances.

Overall, I still enjoyed the book. Maybe I'm in the minority but I didn't know who the culprit was from the beginning so it was a nice reveal for me. I also enjoyed scenes between Genevieve and her friend and sister. And I also liked the way the book ended.

If you love regency romance, mystery, and no spice in your books, you'll enjoy this.

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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. JoAnna is one of my favorite authors. She does a great job describing detail to help me feel like I’m actually inside of the book experiencing each moment. This book was no exception.

I absolutely loved Jack. He was so bold and forthright to Genevieve. I knew from the beginning how it was going to end, and I even predicted the culprit right from the beginning but it was still a great read.

The oak tree scene was EVERYTHING. I will definitely be recommending this book to all of my friends THANK YOUUU.

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One word… Jack.

Jack was a flirt and a tease which I loved! He also knew when to be serious. I think one of the most endearing things about him was he was not perfect. He made some pretty big mistakes but he apologized then tried to do better. Jack made this book special.

In addition to Jack, this story had a mystery. The who and the why of the mystery were pretty easy to guess, but don’t let that stop you from enjoying the story. There are lots of twists and turns with the mystery.

Additionally, there is a great friendship to enjoy and some family dynamics that added to the story. I would love to read a book about Jack’s sister.

Finally, there is a perfume incident that spoke to my heart. I had a similar thing happen in high school. I’m still sorry for everyone in the car with us.

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I loved this book! Although the mystery aspect was predictable, the characters were so perfect together. I loved both Ginny and Jack and their banter was perfect. Joanna Barker is quickly becoming an auto-buy author and I can't wait to see what she writes next.

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This story hit every comfort reading box, and was very enjoyable for a Sunday afternoon! A bit of mystery and romance to keep things interesting. Ginny hires Jack to help find a missing family heirloom but problems keep growing until Ginny is in need of protection from nefarious intentions.

The two main characters were compelling and actually written with real flaws and personalities, hey look at that! Jack was a bit of a flirt but it worked well with Ginny’s more cold exterior (don’t worry, she’s all softness hidden inside). Ginny’s character was refreshing in that she was neither complacent but not overly headstrong. I liked that she had the sense to ask for help when she really needed it, instead of jumping into everything carelessly.

I felt like the book was rather slow with things actually happening, that is, the bit of mystery in the plot. But they growth of their relationship kept it interesting and I never really got bored. Very enjoyable!

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When I saw Joanna Barker had a new book, then read the description I HAD to read it! And I’m so glad I did. This book was a delight! Romance, chemistry, banter, mystery… such fun! I absolutely loved it from beginning to end. The characters and dialogue were well-written and the story was beyond enjoyable. If you enjoy regency romance with just enough mystery to add a fun layer that adds to—not takes away from—the romance, do not miss this book!

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Witty comments, enjoyable banter, funny scenes, good sarcasm, honest characters, vivid descriptions. These are all the things I thought while reading A Heart worth Stealing by Joanna Barker. This is the first book of hers I have read, and I look forward to reading more! I enjoyed this novel, the pace was good, it kept my interest, the ending had a few turns I wasn’t expecting, and I would recommend this without hesitation to anyone who might enjoy regency romance. The mystery mixed with romance was well done. I also enjoyed the first-person point of view and got a good sense of why the main character, Genevieve, changed throughout the novel. Grab yourself a copy of this book and enjoy!

*I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

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Oh my! This book! I have never read a Joanna Barker book I didn't love and this one was just as great! Ginny is dealing with trying to keep her father's estate together while a series of mishaps occur. She hires Jack to help find her missing item and they both dive deep into the secrets following her.

The story kept me guessing and trying to figure out the mystery the whole book. The story was surprising yet wasn't. At first I thought through who the likely culprit was, then was unsure as things didn't seem to be as I thought. Then the last part came with a shocking revelation. I loved her subtle hints and clues that were not at all obvious, though looking back at the story I can totally see where she was heading.

And Jack! He is a hero that you can't help but love. His mannerisms and dialogue were spot on! And I loved the dynamic between the two. And the tree, lol! As implausible as that was I still loved it.

This book has back and forth POV between the two leads. I love Joanna's writing style and how easily her words flow. There is the PERFECT amount of inner thoughts and spoken dialogue. Content is clean a few kisses etc. I would say age 15+ And I hope we will see future books about other characters in the future. I absolutely loved this book and will be purchasing it when it is released. I highly recommend if you love sweet romances with mystery.

I received a copy from the publisher for my honest opinion.

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I'm a big Joanna Barker fan and I think this book might be my new favorite! The mystery aspect of the plot was so well done. It kept me on the edge of my seat. The chemistry and romance between Jack and Ginny was so sweet and natural. With the perfect mix of humor, suspense, and swoon-worthy kisses, this book was absolutely fabulous!

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Genevieve Wilde a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress is determined to meet life’s challenges on her terms, so when she finds her father’s pocket watch missing, she is not impressed by the local authorities who don’t take her seriously, so she takes matters into her own hands and she hires thief-taker, Jack Travers.

Jack Travers is a flirt, handsome and unpredictable, and Ginny doesn’t know if she made a mistake but as time passes, she finds out it isn’t just her father’s missing pocket watch that something is afoot. But Jack also had a depth to him, a former Bow Street runner, there’s a history that he isn’t willing to disclose at first. His family was delightful and I wished we had gotten more of them.

This was definitely a fun read, I found myself smiling at the smart dialogue between Ginny and Jack and all the characters.

My gratitude to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain. All opinions expressed are mine.

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I really enjoyed this story, Ginny is such strong main character. She is taking care of her families estate following her fathers death. Things aren't going well there are a lot of accidents going on at her estates and missing items. She employs Jack to help her with the investigation. Cute Ginny just can't stand back and watch.
The mystery in the story really help to add to the development of characters. I loved the way this ended.

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What an incredible book. I loved the storytelling from the main heroine POV but also really loved both main characters, as their banter was so much fun, and the more deeper into the plot, the more I actually fell in love with them.

After her father's death, Genevieve Wild was left with only half sister, who hasn't liked her, an estate, that had to be taken care of and precious pocket watch, that reminded her of her father. But when the most precious thing to her heart goes missing and due to incapability of the authorities Ginny hires an independent, yet handsome and flirtatious investigator Jack Travis. She suddenly learns about more accidents that has happend of lately on her property and probably weren't accidents at all but planned attacks.
When Jack promises to keep her save, although she doesn't always agree with his methods, she unexpectedly feels alive in his presence.
From avoiding of his annoying person to finding herself more and more in his company and slowly falling in love.

Peeps I really enjoyed this incredibly well told tale and can only recommend to everyone who loves strong characters.

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Wonderful regency romance, this is a romance definitely worth reading. Great banter and chemistry between Jack and Ginny and adored the happy ending.

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Oohh my. It's been a minute since I've read anything by Joanna Barker. I've absolutely loved everything of hers that I've read so far, so I was really excited to get my hands on her newest novel, A Heart Worth Stealing. Thank you @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for this early e-copy!
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🌼 I have to say, it felt really good to start and finish a book in under two weeks. I couldn't put this down the last couple days, it was just SO good ❤️
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🌼 This has incredible character development, chemistry that jumps off the page, hilarious banter, and oohhh is it swoony!!! It also had a mystery that I was not able to figure out, so that kept me really engaged.
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🌼 If you're a regency romance fan, this is an absolute MUST READ. It'll surely be a favorite read of 2023 for me, it was just perfect. Her books are always clean, I have no content warnings!
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🌼 Be sure to add this to your tbr, it will be published in May!

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Oh be still my beating heart. How much did I love this book? Joanna Barker, how are you so talented?

A mystery, a concerned household, an adorable best friend, a mean older sister, a determined magistrate (his determination in the face of little to no persuading reminded me of Mr Collins) a charismatic thief-taker, and an extremely stubborn and strong FMC. Plus, banter, flirting, kisses and against all odds romance.

I don't need to say anymore. But I will put the link in my stories so you can all experience this joy as soon as it releases. You're welcome.

Thank you @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

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Okay, Joanna Barker can pretty much writing anything and I'm all in! Jack and Ginny are delightful together—their romance is a blast and the plot keeps moving, making this an engaging book that's hard to put down. I loved it and, of course, I'm already on the lookout for Joanna Barker's next book!

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Funny and engaging. The main character is someone you can relate to. An independent women trying to make it on her own after her fathers passing. It is a fun love story adventure with good character development and keeps you engaged.

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A Heart Worth Stealing
By Joanna Barker
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Series: Proper Romance Regency Book 1
Rated:4
Obtain: Borrow or buy
Back of the Book: “Sowerby, England, 1802
Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.
Upon reading an advertisement in the paper, she takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.
But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.”

Impressions: I was amused by the quick wit and charm of Jack and Ginny in this historical romance. There was a good tension of suspense and romance that made this book easy to enjoy. Although it was meant to be a mystery as to who was plotting against Ginny, I felt the culprit was suspicious from the start. That being said, it was still fun to read and discover that I was correct. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Quotes: “‘If you care for the things you love, if you protect them and cherish them, then they will shine.’”

“‘I cannot be dashing and witty all of the time. One must be well-rounded.’”

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

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I love this book. Ginny's father has passed away and left her with an estate to run. Unlucky things have been happening or is it more than bad luck? She decides to hire Jack Travers, a thief-taker to find a stolen watch. When he sees that there is more going on than a stolen watch, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Hilarious situations, swoony chemistry, mystery and great characters are all in this book. I would highly recommend this book.

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This has easily been one of my favorite requests and will definitely be one of my favorite reads of 2023. I have become a fan of Joanna Barker and plan on reading her backlist and all future books. This story had everything.... mystery, humor, adventure, and romance. Absolutely perfect!!! After I finished this, I went and preordered the paperback.

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Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the arc copy. All opinions are my own.

"Because yours, my love, is a heart worth stealing."

‘A Heart Worth Stealing’ by Joanna Barker is a regency romantic suspense story that got me sucked in from the very first page! I picked this book out of curiosity and largely because I have had good experiences with proper romance published by Shadow Mountain Publishing. Anyway, I finished this book in one sitting. That's how good it was.

There is a mystery to be solved. There's suspense, action, romance, many swoon worthy stolen moments that were of course heart-fluttering. And the banter between Ginny and Jack was so enjoyable.

If you love Nancy Campbell Allen's books, you'll love this book. Jack reminds me a lot of the constables from her books.

The story began with the disappearance of Genevieve (Ginny) Wilde’s late father’s pocket watch. Desperate to get the watch back, she decided to hire a thief-taker (a man of certain talents) to help her to recover it. The thief-taker, Jack Travers happened to be roguishly attractive and he's a man of certain talents indeed. You'll discover many of his talents as you read along.

They went on an adventure which of course brought them closer together. The romance in this book was so sweet and just so wholesome. Jack and Ginny were it! And guess who kissed who first? You'd never guess. The chemistry was off the charts.

I am very happy with how the main issues were resolved. There's a reconciliation of some sorts between Ginny and her half-sister, which was really sweet too.

The prose was beautiful as well that I was already checking out Joanna Barker's other books before even finishing this. Joanna Barker is a new to me author and I am so excited to check out her other books.

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A must read for anyone! I cannot stress how much I adored this novel! This is the story of a young woman who after the recent passing of her father, it left with the estate and the odd things happening with it. Genevieve is a strong woman who takes pride in running her estate and proving she can do it without help. When strange things start to occur Ginny must take charge. After the disappearance of her late father's pocket-watch, Ginny is forced to enlist the help of Jack. A thief-taker. It is hate at first sight. The two must work together fighting off the attraction and irritation before time runs out. This book is one of my all time favorite reads. I got sucked right in to the story and could not put it down! Ginny and Jack have such amazing chemistry and the mystery had me captivated until the last page. I would highly encourage anyone and everyone to read this book.

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This was a really fun and unique regency romance. The characters were complex and compelling and Joanna’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. It was a little more mystery focused than I was anticipating, but I enjoyed the high stakes.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker stole my heart (no pun intended!).

A young woman trying to make her own way and prove her worth in a world full of men, and a Bow Street runner looking for redemption make for a sweet romance! When Genevieve ("Ginny") finds her deceased fathers most prized possession missing, she decides she must go beyond the local magistrates to get it back. Before long Ginny has a former Bow Street runner, now a private investigator, at her door...and he's handsome to boot.

This book kept me reading from the first page! I immediately took to Ginny, her friend Bea, her staff, and of course the hero, Jack Travers! Joanna Barker has a way of building a world and building characters that pull you. I couldn't help feeling like I was invested in Ginny's life. I wanted her to succeed, I wanted her to make peace with her sister, to prove her worth, to find love. Any readers who enjoy historical fiction, romance, adventure, intrigue, unexpected friendships...this book is for you!

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Swoon…

Joanna Barker was my introduction to the regency romance genre with Otherwise Engaged and I’m so glad she was. When I saw that her latest was regency with a mystery subplot… it got this cozy mystery lovers heart EXCITED.

A HEART WORTH STEALING, was everything I was hoping it to be… started it on a Friday afternoon and finished the following evening… The MC Ginny was independent and a strong heroine which I love. Her small glimpses of moments of thinking of her late father really hit me. Now for Mr. Travers… cue the best flirt! “I am in the habit of making dreams come true” I loved his character not to mention the ladies in his life, sister, mom and grandmother I could take a book about them! Multiple times in the book I marked moments of Ginny with her best friend Beatrice… I loved the friendship banter they had and why am I thinking Beatrice may need to be set up with Wily?

I loved the air of mystery with the whodunnit… stealing of the pocket watch. I had numerous suspects pegged and loved seeing the outcome play out!

This one was so fun! A perfect escape into time.

Thank you Shadow Mountain and Joanna Baker for this gifted copy!

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This book was filled with highs and lows! Mostly from me! I really enjoyed the characters and especially the setting! It was difficult to follow at first but little by little the story came together. The plot took me through all the chaos of finding a missing watch! Plot Twist! I truly enjoyed the swoony moments and fell in love with the Hero! Enjoy!!

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What a sweet and fun period romance. Joanna Barker takes two people, both on the very fringes of English genteel society. Ginny is the young, single, headstrong, yet kind and sweet daughter of the recently passed area magistrate. She was given everything to inherit, much to the disdain of her older half sister. When strange coincidences and small crimes start piling up on her newly inherited estate Ginny decides to hire a “special investigator” to help her stabilize her property, and therefore her image as a legitimate and capable heiress. Enter: Jack. What a heartthrob. He is irreverent and hilarious in provoking both Ginny and the sophisticated peerage he interacts with. Full of energy and skill, he takes on the job to help solve the crimes on Ginny’s estate and provide protection in the meantime. As they spend time together trying to solve the crime they can’t help but start admiring each other.
Also, at about 80% in you think you’ve reached all the conclusions and solutions for the book, BUT JUST YOU WAIT. There’s even more than meets the eye to the story. 5/5 stars, wholeheartedly recommend.
Instagram review will be posted on April 28 @laurensturningpages .

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I just finished this book a few days ago, and it's not one that I will be forgetting anytime soon. Jack Travers is swoon worthy. I don't think I could have held back as much restraint as Ginny did. Just being honest.

You'll like this book if you like:
* Romance with a touch of mystery to keep it interesting
* Weak knee kisses
* Banter filled pages
* Heartthrob MMC
* Independent but loveable WMC

I adored this story of these two amazing characters. Ginny has worked so hard trying to keep up with what her father built and the strength to do that after losing her father so quickly, it's astounding. Jack, himself showed everyone what he wanted to show them. I love that we were able to see other sides of him. Made him more lovable. Ginny and Jack needed each other, and I'm happy that their story was written. So grateful that Joanna did not throw in the towel and just kept going.
This book is truly a proper romance masterpiece. For sure one of the top reads for this year for me. Can't recommend it enough.

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The characters were interesting. I especially love the determination of the female lead. In addition, the plot was exciting, and I didn't expect so much mystery, which made this book more interesting. I also love that there were other characters. I didn't expect the turn of events. However, I did like the progression of their relationship. It wasn't sudden. People who enjoy sweet, clean, regency romance with a tad of mystery would enjoy this. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

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This was an interesting read! I liked the mystery element and I was invested to know how things were going to play out. I couldn't connect to the characters though and it was a little slow for me. I do think fans of regency romance should give this one a chance!

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A stolen watch...and mysterious happenings all over the estate. This story starts off with a bang! I must admit that I found a few things confusing at first and had to reread the first chapter to get things straight in my mind (mainly an influx of characters and sorting out who was who), but once I did, I had to keep reading to find out all the things.

I wasn't expecting a romantic suspense, Regency style, but that's what I got and it was a really fun element. I enjoy a story that keeps me guessing at the mystery and the whodunit and this book kept me turning the pages.

Jack and Ginny's charade and duplicity were necessary and entertaining. There were characters to love and others to feel unsure about, but the cast was wide and full of variety.

This is an agreeable addition to the Proper Romance lineup.

Content: mild moments of peril/threat; talk of illegitimacy; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own and were voluntarily given.*

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This book is so swing worthy and a great time era romance. I loved Ginny and Jack. If only Jack were a real man! This novel would be something that all lovers of historical romance will love! It is a sweet love story and focuses on Ginny trying to prove herself and Jack is perfect for her!

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Genevieve Wilde is desperate to prove herself a competent mistress of her late father’s estate. The last straw in a string of unfortunate and suspicious incidents is when her father’s pocket watch is stolen. When the local magistrate proves unwilling to intervene, she takes matters into her own hands and hires a “thief taker” against her better judgment, particularly on first meeting him. But Jack Travers turns out to be exactly what she needs in more ways than one.

This novel is a fascinating mystery romance with fantastic characters and a fast-paced plot. I found the mystery to be compelling. I thought the author did a wonderful job at making the reader question their assumptions. The first-person narrative is lovely and adds to the suspense. Bravo to Joanna Barker for this outstanding romantic mystery that I could not put down!

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#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley

This book was so good. Genevieve Wilde has been so lost since her father's death six months ago. When her father's watch is stolen, it's the last straw. When the local magistrate blows off her concerns, Ginny decides to hire a thief-picker named Jack Travers. When other things start happening on the estate and Ginny's feels threatened and doesn't know why someone is targeting her and she doesn't feel safe in her own home.
I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. This is one of the best in the Proper Romance set, I had a hard time putting it down.

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*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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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✨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!

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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.

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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.

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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.*

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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

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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

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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

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Joanna Barker’s books has been a go to reads lately. I enjoy her well developed writing style and the characters she brings to life. This book is no different. I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. The storyline kept me so engaged I wanted to find out who the thief was. When I did, that character was on my suspect list! Definitely worth reading. Clean too. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this.

I received this copy in exchange for my honest review.

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A sweet Regency with elements of mystery from Joanna Barker, A Heart Worth Stealing is a perfect afternoon read. I really liked both Ginny and Jack, although I wish we had gotten Jack’s perspective too just to get to know him better. I was also really intrigued by his family; I’d love to get Verity’s story one day. All in all, this was a lovely read that I have ALL the cover love for! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker

I love all the books I have read by Joanna Barker. And this one just became my favorite of hers. I love the suspense, the struggles, and most especially the swoony romance.
Miss Genevieve Wilde is struggling keeping up with everything after losing her father and trying to keep the estate running smoothly. When her father's watch is stolen, she decides to hire a thief-taker after the local authorities do nothing. Mr. Jack Tavers, a former Bow Street runner, decides to take the case of the missing watch. But as they delve into the investigation, will they be able to solve the mystery before it is too late? And can these two find love that will overcome the odds set against them?
Jack is seriously one of my favorite male leads and I highly recommend giving this book a read. You won't regret it!
#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley

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The magistrate's daughter & the thief-taker!
Or, should that be 'special investigator'!😉
Well, wow loved the premise and the flow of this steady paced, overriding romance, packed with humour, fun and a spot of mysterious nefarious scheming to heighten the thrill of building love under the shadow of encroaching danger.
Ginny and Jack sparked from first meet. They captivated as familiarity breed closeness and shared intimacies shone from admiration and the warmth of shimmering attraction as they sparred, bartered wit and flirtatious banter throughout. Growing ever closer as digging for clues radiated a need that irredeemably brought them together, with such delightful chemistry, they kept me reading and enjoying every moment they came together. Until I was eagerly searching for the next.
Despite, knowing instantly who the culprit was and the assumptions on motives proving more assured by the minute, the thrill of the chase, finding if I was right and how the mystery unravelled kept me absorbed. Where knowing didn't once throw my enjoyment off the book as it was well written, with a romance I became thoroughly engaged and entangled in.
I loved how A HEART WORTH STEALING stressed the sweet bubbling romance as its focus and took me on a journey between two well-deep, intriguing leads.
Although, written from the point of view of Ginny, I would of liked to be cued into Jack's point of view to hype up the intensity of their mutual feelings. Though deciphering his saucy bold glances, witty flirtations and instinctual protective air sucked me in and created a different level of suspense and tension that allowed me to empathise with Ginny especially. With charming and touching results.
Jack and Ginny were such a perfect blend of bold confidence, strength and fragility they swept me up effortlessly with their likeability. Marking this a fab read by an exciting new author for me... one I will definitely be sourcing more tales from in the future!

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'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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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“ 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.

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This story was captivating from the very beginning. There is mystery (but not *too* much suspense) and wooing and swooning and rescuing. Joanna knows just how to craft a beautiful, meaningful romance that will leave you not only wanting more but also feeling so happy and content with the ending. Definitely give this one a read. You’ll thank me. 😉

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Oh my word, this book! I couldn’t put it down. If you like sweet historical romance with a mystery twist, go read this asap.

I loved Ginny and being inside her head. I was immediately invested in the story for her sake.

Then we meet Jack 🔥🫠. Flirty and swaggering and sparking excellent banter with Ginny from their first meeting.

Great side characters! From friends, to staff, to family… I loved them all and wanted more… (formally requesting books for Beatrice & Verity 🤣🤞🏻).

The mystery and action had me on the edge of my seat. It kept me guessing who the culprit was until the end.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read an advance copy. I can’t wait until everyone can get their hands on it. And now I’m off to read more Joanna Barker!

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“Believe me,” Mr. Travers said, lips curving upwards, “If I was trying to kiss you, you’d know it.”

I LOVED IT!

Genevieve Wilde has just lost her father and trying to prove she can handle her estate on all on her own. She soon finds she needs the help finding her fathers stolen pocket watch.

Jack Travers is hired to help find the stolen watch. He knows exactly how to get under Ginny’s skin with his untamed humor and personality. They soon find themselves falling for one another.

I loved the mystery along side the love story. You can feel from the pages how much these characters need one another! The flirting and moments throughout the book is the perfect amount.

The first kiss scene was practically perfect in every way. 💕

I can’t get enough of Joanna Barker’s books!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Joanna Barker for the opportunity to read and review this book!

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Wonderful book! I loved the cleverness, the mystery and the pacing of this book. It was fun and drew me in from the beginning. The characters of Jack and Ginny were well developed, quick witted and totally charming.
I never heard of thief-takers, Bow Street runner or a rum doxy, and I love it when I learn new things!

And the recurring quote and lesson of the story: “To be rather than to see.” Spot on!

This is only my second book by Joanne Baker and both have been wonderful, highly recommend.

Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

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I really enjoyed this novel!

Beautiful Cover and a great story! Very simple but well-done plot and characters. The storyline kept me engaged and I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack. Their relationship was sweet and hilarious. Opposites attract romance. A sweet Regency romance with elements of mystery, adventure, and a little bit of danger. WOW! The best swoony kisses scenes I've read. The only critique I would love has seeing Jack's POV and to know what he was thinking especially in regard to his feelings for Ginny.

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Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

This is such a good book! I enjoyed the characters. I was swooning over Jack which was kind of a first for me. I kept stealing glances at the cover which I feel like depicts Jack and Ginny SO well! I enjoyed that there is a mystery tied into this romance.
This book follows the story of Genevieve or Ginny, an independent heiress who is to keep herself up to her expectations after inheriting the family estate. When her late father's pocket watch is stolen, Ginny decides she must solve this mystery. She is not taken very seriously by the magistrate and other officials. She decides to take this matter into her own hands. She hires a thief-taker, Jack Travers to help find answers. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome and unpredictable. Can Ginny resist this man? As more of the pieces of the puzzle are being put together they realize that there is a bigger plot against Ginny then just a stole pocket watch. Can Jack and Ginny solve the mystery before it is too late?

Read if you enjoy:
Mysteries
Enemies to lovers
Proper Romance
Strong Female Lead

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4.5/5⭐️

This was such a fun, sweet story…a great feel-good book.

Genevieve Wilde has been left a young heiress at the death of her beloved magistrate father. She is headstrong and determined that she will continue to make him proud and protect and prosper her inheritance. At the theft of his pocket watch (Ginny’s most prized possession), she hires a thief-taker (former Bow Street runner Jack Travers) to find it. But soon more sinister things begin to happen around her, and she and Jack work together to unravel the “who” and “why” of the mystery.

I had two favorite takeaways from this one…characters and writing. Ginny is such a wonderful heroine. While still grieving for her father, she steps up (at a young age) with determination and spunk to try and fill his shoes. And Jack, well Jack is so charming and engaging as a perpetual rogue and flirt. But what I loved most about him was that he never made Ginny feel invisible or ignored…he helped her but didn’t sweep in to take care of things when she wanted to handle them herself. They were such a good match. The writing was smooth and flowed easily with details and descriptions that were a pleasure to read and imagine.

Really well-done.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for providing the free early arc of A Heart Worth Stealing for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

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4.5⭐️ rounded up.

Another fantastic novel from Joanna Barker.
I absolutely loved the banter between Jack and Ginny, the chemistry was strong and the elements of mystery gave this book unexpected depth.

I really loved the way Ginny especially was written. Often in historical fiction (especially in proper/clean novels as this is) even when a heroine is bold and independent it’s often tempered down because of the time period and conforming to society’s standards. In this book Ginny is strong minded, independent and not afraid to take action when she deemed it necessary. It was very refreshing.

My only wish was that it was dual pov because I adored Jack and would have loved to see Ginny through his eyes.

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley, for an honest review. All views here are completely my own

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Sleuthing and action meet a happily ever after!

Although I love a Proper Romance more than anything, I do not love a first person POV. Our MCs have such great chemistry, but we never get the hero’s point of view. This was super disappointing to me!
However, other than that I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. The resolution of the mystery was unexpected. The characters, as I said, are so lovely. Their conflicts felt grounded and not overblown. Absolutely worth reading!

Star Rating: 3/5
Tropes: Business woman, bow street runner
CW: Death of parent, violence, injury, kidnapping

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Mystery and Romance, Yes Please!

When Genevieve's father dies she inherits the estate and spends the next several months trying to prove to her staff, her step-sister, and the community that a woman can manage an estate. In the midst of her struggles to prove herself, someone steals her father's pocket watch. When the local magistrate won't take her seriously, she hires a thief taker to retrieve it. The more Jack Travers discovers, the more Ginny finds that the pocket watch is just the tip of the iceberg. Someone is out to undermine her, frighten her, and possibly destroy her. As much as she doesn't like Jack's familiar way with her, she needs him more than ever, and possibly even wants him at her side.

I liked watching Jack wear Ginny down. He liked ruffling her feathers, and she needed someone to help her take a step back from her responsibilities. I really loved when she met his family, and her best friend was a delight. I hope we get her story another time.

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So many fun tropes in this story- opposites attract, forced proximity. Loved the mystery aspect and the time period- definitely gave it "Miss Scarlett and the Duke" vibes. I enjoyed both main characters and watching their relationship progress. It was fun to figure out who the villain was, and the ending was intense and exciting. Would definitely recommend!

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Joanna Barker can do no wrong in my eyes. Every book she writes is consistent in all areas. Plot, character development, setting, side characters, details/description, dialogue...it's ALL THERE. Every single time. I don't know how she does it, but she does.

'Though I had control of my own estate, I was just a single woman. How was I to keep my home safe? I had no one left to guide me. No mother since the day I was born. No sister since Catherine had decided I was a thorn in her side. No father. Tears burned in my eyes. I fought them back. I needed solutions, not a headache.'

Enter Jack Travers :)

Jack is a jack-of-all trades who specializes in solving mysteries and crimes as a "special investigator". From the second you meet him, you will be hoping to find him on every single page lol. He is witty-has a fabulous comeback for everything. He is exasperating to our female main character and he knows it---and it makes him exasperate her even more. It's banter gold!

Ginny, our female main character doesn't want to rely on anyone to help her, but knows when she is in over her head. Little does she know bringing Jack into her life will put her way in over her head...in a way she isn't expecting. I love her strong personality. I love that she knows her own mind. I love that she's human and owns up to her mistakes and assumptions and I LOVE HER AND JACK!

Ginny and Jack just might be the best literary couple of 2023!

All the love in the world for these two!

Annnnnd then we get into the plot...the mystery and slightly suspenseful who dunnit that will keep you turning pages almost faster than you can read! I had suspect after suspect lined up and loved questioning, and re-questioning myself at every twist and turn.

This is one of those books you would love to see turned into a movie, but then second guess because you know it will never be as good as the book and you don't want it ruined!

This is another perfect novel from Joanna Barker and another book to add to my all-time favorites list!

If you're ready to swoon, laugh, sigh, hold your breath while trying to solve a mystery this book is for you!!

Thanks to the publisher for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

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I received an ARC from NetGalley and Shadow Mountain publishing in exchange for my honest opinion.

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Romantic Suspense, Proper Romance, Sweet Romance, Historical Mystery
Heat level: Sweet (you'll get some great kissing in this one)

There are Regency books, then there are REGENCY books. This is the latter and ahh-mazing! There's just something so great about this era for romance novels. They make me swoon and smile.

Our heroine, Ginny Wilde (who is anything but wild), is grieving from the loss of her father and running the estate solo. She has to be stubborn not to bend to society's wishes to tell her she's doing everything wrong. And because her mother was a governess, she's striven her entire life to perfectly proper. Not a hair out of place. Not an expression unschooled. Not anything that would bring her under scrutiny. Her one exception is her best friend, Bea, who is brash and says what she thinks—but Ginny will never abandon their friendship. She also has her servants to rely on and Mr. Northcott, the new magistrate. Ginny dismissed her run with bad luck, but once her father's beloved pocket watch is stolen, she must take matters into her own hands.

Jack Travers is the opposite of Ginny—brash, flirtatious, moves without a care in the world, and a thief-taker! (Oh my! How scandalous!) He's also wicked smart, matching his wicked smile. (Insert swooning now.) Jack also knows about not fitting in with society with a father who won't publicly claim him, but he no longer cares. The freedom he represents is enchanting—carefree in a world of rules and strictures concerning conduct. And so, he becomes Ginny's "cousin" to stay at the house without raising too many eyebrows while trying to find the culprit attacking her house.

I loved how each of the secondary characters had a backstory and how they fit with Ginny's life. This is such a fabulous read that will give you all the sweet romance feels.

The BANTER! It's so delightful! And the mystery adds extra zest to this romance. I loved how I was questioning whodunit from the beginning. (I will not reveal my thoughts on the matter so you can enjoy it to its fullest.) I adored learning more about thief-takers in the British legal system.

And whose heart do you think gets stolen??? You'll have to read to find the answer. This book deserves an award!

I highly recommend this book!

Put it on your TBR! Run out and buy a copy! You won't regret having this book steal your heart.

Happy reading!

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Two words. JACK. TRAVERS. This man! Oh my goodness, he’s a good one! I loved all his flirty remarks and his playful personality…and of course his handsomeness.

I have loved everything of Joanna Barker’s that I have read and A Heart Worth Stealing lived up to the swooniness that is a standard in her writing.

This is a Regency Romance with a bonus mystery storyline. I enjoyed trying to figure out the mystery, while not being actually scared since I’m a wimp with scary stuff. It had just the right balance of action and mystery while still giving a lot of page time and focus to the romance.

The kisses. And ALMOST kisses. Sheesh! Joanna just threw propriety out the window while still keeping it clean. Ooo the chemistry and angst were so good!

If you like Regency or Historical Romance, pick this book up! You will not regret it.

🔥:Kisses

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Thank you Shadow Mountain Pub for the gifted ARC.

3 words to describe A Heart Worth Stealing: Clever, Chemistry, Suspense.

This book was a delight and our two main characters, Ginny and Jack, have such great chemistry and banter; I loved watching them fall for each other!

Joanna Barker is one of my go to historical romance authors, but in this book she also brings suspense and mystery, which made this one standout. But don’t worry, the *romance* still takes center stage.

This book lives up to its absurdly gorgeous cover and I highly recommend it!

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A Proper Regency romance/mystery. Genevieve Wilde is managing her father’s estate. He was a magistrate before his death and she has been raised as a gentleman’s daughter. The morning after a small dinner she finds her father’s watch has gone missing. It has more sentimental value than monetary. When the police and new magistrate aren’t hopeful of the watch being found she decides to hire a thief-taker, or private investigator. Enter Jack Travers. He is an illegitimate son of earl who is educated, served in the military and is also a former Bow Street Runner. Of course Ginny involves herself in his investigation causing some clashes between the two. But as threats escalate they need to trust and work together.

This is a very enjoyable, well paced novel. The culprit is fairly easy to guess and I am happy with how the story wraps up. There is a little more familiarity between the two because they are not aristocracy but they try to keep the rules of the time. Also it is told entirely from Ginny’s POV. This is clean with kissing only and some peril. Suggest for any age who enjoys romances.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

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A lovely blending of romance and mystery, with characters seeking purpose and contentment amidst big life changes. By the final chapters, I was completely in love with Genevieve and Jack and their relationship. In the beginning, they seem total opposites who could only nettle each other to distraction, but soon enough they're indispensable to each other's daily happiness. I appreciated that their love was built as much on attraction as on mutual respect, and there was nothing more swoonworthy than Jack's (eventual) deference to Genevieve's capability and judgment. The longing glances and passionate kisses come close, however.

My thanks to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A Heart Worth Stealing features a thief-taker and a mystery to solve which made it an intriguing story. Ginny and Jack are great main characters, both are strong, caring and loyal. I enjoyed everything about this fast paced proper romance.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. A positive review was not required and all thoughts are my own.

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I love Joanna Barker's books so much! I loved the mystery of this one! The romance between the two main characters was very well written and the chemistry was so perfect!!

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This book captures you right from the start. Ginny is a modern woman in a historical era, one determined she knows best and is willing to hire a thief-taker to prove it. Even though it could be a danger to her heart. Jack is a perfectly delightful hero, even though he may pester Miss Wilde, well wild. However, the danger they may find themselves in could be worth far more than a pocket watch.

The mystery in this story is intriguing and makes you want to keep reading, up into the late hours of the night. I truly appreciate the way Joanna Barker has woven the romance and mystery together and look forward to more from her. This will be a great addition to any book lover of mystery and regency romance!

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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Joanna Barker for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Heart Worth Stealing coming out May 2, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde lives in an unusual circumstance as an independent heiress. Her late father was a magistrate who left everything to her. She is determined to meet challenges all on her own, just as her father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she vows to get it back, even though the local authorities prove incompetent.

After reading the newspaper, she contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives at her door. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable. Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is part of a larger plan against her life, she needs Jack’s help to protect her home and reputation. They enter into a risky charade with Jack as her pretend cousin. He begins his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to uncover the mystery, Ginny finds herself drawn toward her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.

Overall, I loved this book! I’ve read a few books by Joanna Barker and I love her writing style. I think some of the decisions Ginny was making near the end of the book were a little stubborn. She didn’t seem to want to listen to reason and thought her way was the only way. But besides that, I thought the characters were fun. There was definitely chemistry between Ginny and Jack. I would’ve loved to see more of the interaction with Jack’s family and Ginny. His mother being an actress was different and interesting.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sweet regency romances!

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This exciting story pulled me in and kept me guessing to the end. Joanna Barker manages to write wonderfully romantic scenes, balanced by thrilling suspense, intrigue and danger. The whodunnit element was cleverly woven throughout the story and the characters were vibrant.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

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Dear Joanna,

Ginny loves to write so I thought you would like a letter...

Once again you have delivered a fantastic swoony historical romance. This time around you gave us a mystery to solve with a little adventure and I was here for it!

I would describe Jack Travers as handsome, sweet, flirty with a little side of arrogance...YUM. I love how he is on the edge of society expectations and so he gets to run his mouth quite a bit. The banter is 😍😍🔥🔥 enough said.

You gave us a heroine that is a bit of a risk taker but smart, genuine and the perfect firecracker for your Jack. The dialogue in this story is absolutely perfect! And I thoroughly enjoyed watching each of them make mistakes and owning up to each other. It was so sweet and tender 🥰

Thank you for giving me this lovely regency escape. the mystery was fun to solve and I enjoyed every minute of Ginny and Jack's love story!

I LOVED this book! I'm here for all your written words Joanna! I need more of your books on my shelves!

Love, Kira

P.S. what is with those tree scenes?
I see a trend 😂🥰😍🔥😘

P.S.S. this book releases May 2nd!

P.S.S.S. thank you to @shadowmountainpub @properromanceseries @netgalley for the early copy!

*Romance- kisses
*TW- kidnapping, trauma, death of loved ones, grief

✨QOTD✨ who is an auto buy author to you?

#aheartworthstealing #joannabarker #shadowmountain #mayrelease #properromance #newbook #historicalromance #histfic #sweetromance

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Ginny is doing her best to hold together the estate after her father suddenly passes away. She misses him so! Ginny carefully winds his pocket watch every day and tries to do what he would do. When the watch goes missing and the local authorities don't seem to be taking it seriously, she decides to take matters into her own hands and hires someone to track it down.

Jack, however, is not quite what Ginny expected. He doesn't seem to take directions very well. And somehow, he has ended up posing as her cousin!

I love the 1st person narrative. I feel like we get to go deeper into feelings and thoughts. And Ginny struggles. She was "beginning to feel something for Jack. Something deeper than friendship or mere attraction. A low burn in my stomach when he looked at me. The urge to laugh when he teased..." "Looking at me in a way that made me feel like I might burst into flames."

Esse quam videri.

Thanks to netgalley for the eARC.

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#BookRevew: A HEART WORTH STEALING by Joanna Barker

“It is not the path I would have chosen, but it is the one I have been forced to travel.”

I have always enjoyed regency romance with mystery. I have enjoyed the author’s other books and this one did not disappoint. Genevieve was close to her father, so his untimely passing shook her. She became the mistress of Wimborne overnight. Her father’s favorite watch was stolen. She had to seek help from a thief-taker. That didn’t go well at first and Genevieve was always suspicious of Jack.

This slow burn, enemies to lovers romance had fun and witty banters. I enjoyed the humor between them, but I was also a bit displeased by Genevieve’s impulsiveness. She did some things that were not very smart in my opinion, though it made the story exciting. Their forced proximity rattled Genevieve more. Jack’s roguish and sweet ways eventually won her over.

The plot was well paced. The fun twists and turns in the story were engaging. The scenes at Jack’s home were delightful. I’m glad that Genevieve was renewing her friendship with her sister. Regency fans will surely enjoy this fun read.

Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 02 May 2023

Thank you Shadow Mountain Publishing for the complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

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This book was everything I hoped it would be and more! A regency romance with just the right amount of mystery, action, romance and resolution. Suspicious events start to take place at Ginny’s family home including the loss of her late father’s treasured pocket watch. She decides to hire a thief-taker named Jack who at first irritates her, but quickly becomes something more. Jack is the ultimate swoony love interest and their chemistry can’t be beat. I loved this one!

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A Heart Worth Stealing by @authorjoannabarker

Before I knew there was a #bookstagram world, Joanna Barker was a must buy for me. I didn't even need to read the summary to know it was gonna be good. Literally all I needed to know was that she was writing a new book. Imagine me throwing my money at her and yelling "take it! Take it alllll!!!"Years later nothing has changed. NOTHING! (*sing it as if you were Whitney Houston 🎶 Nothing, nothing!!!! 🎶)

I am sure Tasha (@the_clean_read_book_club) and I will exchange words of who's Joanna's biggest fan but I know that you know that I know that I win. 💪😉

Kidding aside this book is amazing!

Ammm mmm mmmmmmazing!

This story is well-written, unique, and ammmmmmmmmazzzzzing! 🤣

I adore the main characters and their ability to be fiesty and lovable all in one scene.

If you have read this, can we take a moment to appreciate the tree scene??? Like whoa! Way to find a place for THAT moment!!!

Anywhoos, Joanna, I love you and your awesomeness. Please keep writing and remember I am your biggest fan 😘

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I'm pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It was such a sweet romance with entertaining characters and plenty of longing. I adored Jack. That cheeky, tease. He had some great lines...

"It is difficult to speak when one's lips are already occupied." ... He can "occupy" me any day with words like that haha!

I'm positive lovers of regency/Victorian romances will adore this one. Its closed door but the author plays her cards right and still brings the romance. This is the kind of book that makes you happy. It was an easy read that I finished in a few days.

THOUGHTS:
The plot twist was a little too obvious. I'm a terrible detective and I saw it coming early on. Since the book starts with Ginny trying to solve a theft and Jack is literally hired to solve the crime, I had hoped we'd have more of a mystery to solve but It wasn't there, this is not a bad thing. Just a personal preference of mine.

There were some very angsty moments and I would have loved one more as a cherry on top during the epilogue. It was sweet and satisfying but I would have liked to end on a super high note.

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After the death of her father Genevieve is trying to prove herself capable of running the estate he left her. After her watch gets stolen and not being taken seriously by the local magistrate she seeks help elsewhere. In walks Nathan Travers.

This latest from Joanna Barker is an enjoyable read. The mystery was well paced and engaging.

I liked Genevieve although I did find her unnecessary defensive and suspicious towards Nathan at the start of their relationship. She's also the type of employer that everyone dreads, also looking over your shoulder and questioning everything you do. Nathan was a gem, so heroic and intelligent, he was definitely the ideal hero.

Joanna Barker has always been an autobuy for me and I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy from Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for an honest review.

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Ginny Wilde is the magistrate's daughter and the sole heir of the Wimbourne estate.
At 23, she's trying to prove herself that she is capable of looking after the state and handling all the business after her father's passing.
However, when one night her father's pocket watch was stolen and other incidents started to happen around this state Ginny reached out to the police but with no help she decided to take matters into her hands and hire an investigator.

Jack Travers is a young handsome man and nothing like Ginny has expected and what started as a formel relationship turned into something else when Jack had to pretend to be Ginny's cousin and live with her in the same house so they can keep their business a secret and catch the thief.
Will the lines blur between love and work? or will all be casual? You have to read to find out 😉.

Great characters
Amazing banter
Sweet romance
All in all perfect
Thanks to @Netgalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC of #AHeartWorthStealing in exchange for my honest review.

Xoxo💋

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A Heart Worth Stealing
By Joanna Barker
Release date: MAY 2, 2023

I have not read one of Joanna Barker’s book, but this one was a great one to start with. She has produced a wonderful mystery & romance all in one! These characters are just so wonderful and funny with their banter and interactions. I do love a good mystery and Joanna delivered and kept me wondering who stole her watch.
Sowerby, England, 1802

Miss Genevieve Wilde—a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress—is determined to meet life’s challenges all on her own, just as her late-father had taught her. So when her father’s pocket watch is stolen, she will do anything to get it back, especially when the local authorities prove incompetent.

She takes a chance and contacts a thief-taker to find the watch. It’s a choice Ginny regrets when former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep. He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.

But after Ginny discovers that the missing watch is just a small part of a larger, more frightening plot against her, she needs Jack’s help more than ever. To protect her home and her reputation, the two enter into a risky charade—pretending Jack is her cousin so he can begin his investigation, starting with the household staff. As they work together to unravel the mystery, Ginny finds herself falling fast for her charismatic thief-taker, leaving her heart in just as much danger as her life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for allowing me an ARC to review. All opinions are my own.
#AHeartWorthStealing #NetGalley #ShadowMountainPublishging #ProperRomance

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Ginny and Jakes story kept my attention from the start. Ginny is trying to keep a manor a float since her fathers recent death. It’s hard as a woman during that time period and she does her best to keep going until suspicious events keep happening. She reaches out for Jacks assistance . Who knew she would fall in love with this dashing gentleman ?
I loved that it wasn’t a fall in love instantaneously situation more gradually over time which made it more real to me. I loved “meeting” Jacks family and learning more about Ginny’s sister.
I laughed out loud during reading and was shocked by who is ultimately “the bad guy” . What a great read . I will definitely read again and add to my personal collection. You can’t go wrong by reading this book.
Thank-you to the publishing company for providing me with a complimentary copy of this fabulous book in exchange for my unbiased review.

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A fun and charming opposites attract regency Romance. Ginny is a headstrong and independent woman. Thinking she could manage and run her estate on her own. She didn’t need a man to marry as she was happy on her own. Missing her father terribly she had relied on one gentleman that had proposed marriage a couple of times but she felt no connection to Mr. Northcutt. when some strange coincidences started happening around her state and someone threw a rock through her window with a threatening message did she decide to hire a thief taker. Jack had originally been bow street runner but after some trouble, he turned his pursuits to being a thief taker. Making the journey to the outskirts of London. He met up with his new client, Miss Genevieve Wilde. You couldn’t find two people who were more opposite and yet were constantly drawn to each other. I loved the camaraderie and banter between these two. Watching their attraction grow and breaking down the walls to allow for romance was very sweet. The story held a lot of mystery and drama, with many twists and turns And plots to throw you off course. Do you think you have the mystery finally figured out doing something else changes and makes you question if you are a good detective. I think the author Joanna Barker is a great storyteller. I have read and enjoyed all of her books. This is a Sweet wholesome romance/mystery and is well worth the time to read it. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Oh my goodness, I loved this book so much! I seriously smiled so much as I read it. It just has it all--great writing, a compelling plot, a great setting, amazing characters, and fantastic banter. Oh man, I love characters who are intelligent and witty and have good banter, and Ginny and Jack both fit the bill. Ginny is my favorite type of heroine--she's smart and independent and not about to sit by while Jack does all of the work. And Jack is my favorite type of hero--he's got a little bit of the bad boy element to him but has a good heart and tries to support Ginny rather than hold her back. The only thing that might have made this book any better is if we had some chapters from Jack's POV. It is adorable as it...but man, even a few scenes from his POV would have been amazing. (Actually, I'd love to see ALL of the scenes from his POV as well as Ginny's. I'm sure that wouldn't ever happen, but maybe the author will give us a bonus scene sometime in the future...I can only hope!) Easily one of my favorite books of the year and one I definitely want to re-read soon!
5 stars and one of my picks for Best of 2023.

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"A Heart Worth Stealing" is a Regency romance with a mysterious twist. Ginny Wilde is trying her best to keep the Wimborne Estate running after her father's death left her both alone in the world and in charge for the estate's upkeep. When her father's pocket watch, a beloved heirloom that she draws strength from, is stolen from her study, local magistrates aren't able to track down the culprit. So she decides to take matters into her own hands and hires a "thief-taker" from London to investigate on her behalf. Enter Jack Travers...

There were a lot of elements of this book that I really enjoyed. Ginny was a wonderful character, and I particularly liked how her strength and vulnerability were well balanced. She was shouldering a lot of responsibilities and had to make some difficult decisions independently throughout the story, while also at times also accepting that she needed to rely on the help of others. The dialogue between her and Jack was well written and witty as their relationship developed. Having this be a blend of mystery and romance was quite unique compared to other historical romances that I have read and added a lot of tension and twists to the plot. (Also the cover design is absolutely stunning and fits the characters so well!)

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes closed door/sweet historical romances, fans of authors like Mimi Matthews, and people looking for some mysterious suspense alongside their love stories. "A Heart Worth Stealing" was my first book by Joanna Barker and definitely will not be my last. I am looking forward to reading through her back catalogue and will be watching for more new releases in the future.

*DISCLAIMER: I received an eARC of this book from Shadow Mountain Publishing through NetGalley for the purposes of providing an unbiased review.*

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While this book is my first read by the author, I can firmly say, it won’t be the last, from her eyes for details to her talent to breath life into her characters by making them larger than life and definitely people I would love to meet in real life, I was sucked into the pages of this book and only nighttime forced me to put on hold the last chapters of this tale.

And what a tale it was. Told from Genevieve’s point of view, in the first person, we are invited in her thoughts as she was writing in her diary, like if we were the recipient of the story she narrates, retelling the present events as they occur in her view.
I am definitely in love with Jack. He is far from perfect, it is what makes him even more endearing as he holds on his mistakes and always tries to correct them. He has such a good heart even if it is wrapped in his rakish behavior. After all it is what makes him stand-out, the mischievous glint in his eyes and his swaggering persona.
A charming rogue, one who thinks he knows what he wants and expects from life. Not afraid to offend or annoy if it leads him on the right path.
Jack is so devilishly captivating, yet cunning and clever.
Why despite everything she says, Genevieve is as much appealed, even when she harrumphs and grumbles about his demeanor, she can’t lie to herself how much he affects her.
After a year of mourning, trying to recover from her loss, she is still overwhelmed by her task as she struggles to deal with every dent appearing on her path. For so long she has been sheltered under her father’s watch, but she is now determined to prove she can stand for herself without anyone else help. Why she drowns herself under her duties.
But by doing so, she does not know anymore where she stands, whom to trust as her allegations are not even taken seriously.

So when it comes solely to her to act, she believes she has few choices in front of her. Why despite her doubts she agrees to hire Jack. As for his flirtatious way and their bickering, he appears as her only option to solve her case.
The author gifts us a witty action loaded story of two people walking on the edges of society, each at one end yet they find a path to meet in the middle.
5 stars

𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 kisses

I have been granted an advance copy by the publisher, here is my true and unbiased opinion.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a sweet romance, with some mystery and great banter!

This story follows Genevieve “Ginny” Wilde, who has inherited her father’s estate and is doing her best to keep it running. The book opens with her finding out her father’s watch is missing, as a result, she hires Jack Travers to track it down. Jack is a former bow street runner and an expert at finding missing things. Ginny is pretty sharp with investigative work and she and Jack don’t always agree. However, as they start to trust each other and work together they find out they make a pretty good team.

I loved following Ginny and Jack in this sweet romance as they solve a mystery together. The characters in the book were my favorite part. They are written well with great banter between them. You are rooting for Ginny from the start and as she grows throughout the story.

If you are looking for a fun, sweet mystery romance, then this book is for you! This clean romance is a great read for all ages and will have you grinning the entire time.

Thank you, Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley, for the free copy of the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Joanna Barker writes another FAVORITE!

I loved this book so much!!! I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the damsel in distress moments.

Jack and Ginny standing in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g!!!

I just love how these two characters complimented each other and made each other into even stronger people than they thought they could be!

I loved that this story reminds us what is most important!

Loved loved loved!

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Ever since she inherited Wimborne following her father's untimely death, Ginny has been determined to prove herself to those around her - but plagued with innumerable small and not-so-small problems. But when her father's watch is stolen, she realises this is something she can't deal with on her own. When the local magistrate declines to help, she decides to hire a thief-taker to recover the watch, but Jack is not at all what she anticipated. In fact, as they spend time together, Ginny begins to fear that he may steal more than she'd ever dreamed possible - her heart. Can they find the watch thief before the escalating problems around Wimborne turn fatal? And can this unlikely pair find happiness together?

It's been a while since I read a book by this author, but reading this reminded me how much I love her writing. I was drawn into the story from the very first page and found it very hard to put down. In fact, reaching the end was slightly bittersweet because I didn't want to say goodbye to Ginny or Jack - however satisfying the ending! I loved watching Jack gradually work his way into her life - and heart. I also loved watching Ginny develop the confidence to be able to admit when things are going wrong, and accept that no one can handle everything all the time without help. All in all, a delightful read - highly recommended.

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

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I couldn't have picked a better book to end 2022 with. This book was excellent!! Sometimes I read a book and wish the heroine wouldn't be so gullible or wouldn't be so quick to think the worst of the man she's falling for so I was so so grateful that Joanna Barker mastered that in this novel with such a loving and trusting relationship among the two main characters. I loved watching the growth in Ginny's character and I especially loved the scene in the tree... So well written!! I also hope she writes a spin off novel with Beatrice because there definitely is a story there I can't wait to read!

Clean romance.


I was given a copy from the publisher, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Genevieve Wilde cannot seem to find the help she desires with the local authorities in recovering her father's missing watch. It was the last item he gave her prior to his death and it means the world to her. Ginny reaches out to a thief-taker to recover the watch at the insistence of her dear friend, Beatrice. Jack quickly determines something else is afoot as a not-so-random series of misfortunes seem to be riddling the estate.
Joanna's strength lies within her ability to write a fantastic love interest. I loved every page featuring Jack and might have grumbled a bit with any scene he was not in. I'm sorry, not sorry. He's charismatic, full of humor and banter, and stole every scene. The mystery element takes a backseat to the romance but the cover indicates such and I was here for it.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker

Ginny & Jack Forever 😍

I absolutely love this sweet historical romance. The mystery was fun and the premise fresh for the genre. It has all the pizazz of a contemporary P.I. romance but give it regency and bam Barker has created a masterpiece.

The side characters were charming (especially Jack's family) and I hope we see a few of them get their own story.

The swoon is real and I would gladly steal Jack for my own if I didn't already have the most perfect husband. 😉

Content: mild violence, kidnapping, kisses

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

I loved this book! I always love a good mystery and a good romance, and this book has both! I love the witty, flirtatious banter between Ginny and Jack. And Wily made me laugh!

After Ginny’s late father’s watch goes missing after a dinner party, she decides to take the unconventional route and hires a thief-taker to track it down. She didn’t count on him being someone so charismatic. And she definitely didn’t plan on him lying to her half-sister and pretending to be a cousin. But it will all be worth it if he manages to get the watch back.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Joanna Barker is such a fun writer! This story is about a feisty Magistrate’s daughter and a thief-taker. Can you see the chaos that can produce?!

There are several things I love about this tale, but these are the highlights:

•Positive Father/Daughter relationship
•Love of the written word
•Air of mystery
•Playacting
•He falls first
•Witty banter
•Importance of good friends
•Forced proximity
•Things aren’t as they seem
•You can’t choose your parents (or their choices), but you can choose what to do about it.

If any of those are what you love in a regency/historical romance, then definitely read A Heart Worth Stealing.

*Thanks, NetGalley, for my eARC copy to review*

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It's not too often that I read about independent heiresses in the Regency era, so it's a nice breath of fresh air when it does happen. (I still really enjoy the traditional Regency stories too, though.) Ginny is trying to prove to everyone that she can handle the estate just fine, and as a result, she tends to take too much on. I enjoyed watching her interactions with Jack, and watching her walls start to crumble as she came to the realization that she could still be strong and independent while accepting help.

Jack's character was wonderful. He had his own past that he was dealing with, but he was the quirky, humorous person that Ginny needed. Their story was sweet and, thankfully, not an insta-romance. I definitely prefer the build-up over instantly falling in "love."

This is a clean, quick read, and I definitely recommend it.

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Joanna Barker has become an auto-read author for me in the historical fiction genre. I haven't read anything by her that I've been disappointed with. I tend to stalk NetGalley for any new releases by her, which is how I stumbled upon A Heart Worth Stealing.

Genevieve's father passed, leaving her his estate. He has an older daughter that is Genevieve's half-sister. Most people would have expected him to will his estate to his oldest daughter. Since she's married, her future is more secure than Genevieve's. However, Genevieve and her sister have a strained relationship. Genevieve feels like everyone is expecting her to fail. And it seems like someone out there might be going out of their way to ensure that she does.

I don't read too many mysteries. Certain authors seem to do it well enough that keep me guessing. But it frustrates me to figure out the "twists" before they are revealed. And unfortunately, I felt like the villain of A Heart Worth Stealing was pretty obvious. It wasn't until a small part at the end of the book that I even remotely questioned whether I was right.

I did enjoy learning more about the concept of a thief-taker. I love how historical fiction teaches history in a way that makes it entirely fascinating. Reading historical fiction has taught me so much. I would have never known these small pieces of fact or history without finding stories that discuss them. I don't know that they make a huge difference in my life, but I find it fascinating, nonetheless, and it helps me to see how learning history through literature is so much more enjoyable than the history textbooks forced upon our children in school.

As always, the love stories are what I read for. I might have found Jack and Ginny's story a little cheesy, but it wasn't too cheesy. I can't fault too much. I wasn't cringing or rolling my eyes.

A Heart Worth Stealing is one I blew through. I didn't want to put it down. During one of the busiest months of the year, I read this book in like two days, I think. I liked the relationship between Ginny and Jack, but I loved the side story of the relationship between Genevieve and her older sister. The mystery was too easy to figure out, but I wasn't reading this one for the mystery. A Heart Worth Stealing gets 4 Stars. Have you read A Hearth Worth Stealing? What did you think? Let me know!

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A Heart Worth Stealing is an enchanting Regency romance that explores the age-old adage of opposites attracting. The novel boasts a cast of unique and compelling characters whose chemistry will leave readers swooning. But this isn't just any run-of-the-mill romance novel. Barker has expertly woven a fast-paced mystery into the plot, adding an extra layer of intrigue and excitement to the story. From the very first page, I was drawn into the world of A Heart Worth Stealing.

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I really enjoyed this one! It had it all, romance, mystery, intrigue, and a few surprises. I guessed a lot of the plot, but still was just as anxious to see how it would all play out. The characters were likeable and multi-faceted. I would have liked to see more of Jack's family and a little stronger ending for him (don't want to give anything away). I would definitely read this one again! Love this author!

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This was just my cup of tea. I love a mystery with my romance and this showed that at it's best. While I did solve the mystery this didn't spoil the story which has lots of fun, banter, mischief, interesting side characters, and action to keep you turning the pages. I couldn't put this down so highly recommended and now a new favourite author for me. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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Hold on tight! This amazingly witty, swoony, enemies to lovers, Regency mystery/romance by Joanna Barker will take you on a ride that’ll have you swooning and anxiously turning those pages. I absolutely adored this book! From the fantastic characters and clever, flirty banter, to the compelling mystery, this story had it all.

Miss Genevieve Wilde, now the owner of Wimborne Manor, is trying her best to keep everything up and running. When her cherished watch left to her by her late father goes missing, Ginny seeks help from the man who took over her father’s magistrate position. Finding her concerns not taken seriously, she places an advertisement in the newspaper and hires an ex-Bow Street Runner/thief-taker to find it.

Jack Travers is the epitome of the handsome rogue. From his winning smile to his flirty banter, it’s all Ginny can do to not be constantly exasperated by the man. But Jack is good at what he does and takes her stolen watch and the threats she’s been receiving seriously. As the two work together to solve the mystery, they get more than they bargained for as every person in her sphere becomes a suspect, from household staff, to even her own half sister. When the threats escalate, Jack and Ginny find themselves fighting for Wimborne and their lives.

Loved Ginny & Jack! Take “The Duke” from Miss Scarlet and the Duke and combine him with Flynn Rider from Tangled, and you have Jack! His charm and good looks make him impossible to ignore. But, Ginny’s his match in every way. Where’s he’s unpredictable and elusive, she’s stubborn and willful. They definitely make a dynamic combination. And, when they find themselves hiding in a tree together, the passion that erupts between them is sizzling.

The story is uniquely told from Ginny’s perspective which prevents us from knowing what Jack or anyone else is thinking. We’re limited to her observations and experiences which adds to the mystery. I enjoyed trying to figure out “whodunnit,” and while my suspicions were mostly correct, I enjoyed watching the whole story play out to its thrilling conclusion. It’s a captivating, suspenseful, romantic, clean Regency mystery that will leave you wanting even more. Highly recommend! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are completely my own and voluntarily offered.

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I was pleasantly surprised by "A Heart Worth Stealing" by Joanna Barker. As an avid romance reader, I always enjoy a good love story, but this one exceeded my expectations. The novel is a delightful blend of romance, mystery, and witty banter, making for a fast-paced and enjoyable read. Although the story is told from a singular POV, I found myself wishing for a glimpse into Jack's perspective. Despite this, the novel's plot kept me on the edge of my seat, as I correctly guessed the culprit by chapter 5, but was still taken aback by the unexpected twist towards the end.

With its period setting and trope of annoyance-to-love, along with elements of forced proximity and slow burn, "A Heart Worth Stealing" has something for every romance lover. I highly recommend this novel as a perfect beach read for the summer season. Although I don't usually assign ratings, I would give this book a solid 4.3, rounded to 4 on Goodreads.

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A Book Worth Reading!
The daughter of a magistrate Genevieve is an independent heiress whose father’s watch is stolen. Cue our MMC a private investigator Jack. Mystery abounds as our two leads work together to solve the case. This was the perfect mix of mystery and historical romance. The characters were likeable and well rounded. The mystery itself was a little predictable but with a few unexpected twists. I think in the case of this plot the predictability is a gift from the author so you know what to expect. The romantic tension was perfect with just enough banter and flirting. The MFC Ginny is such a strong and believable person.
This book was excellent and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Ginny and Jack have set a new standard for 19th Century British Historical Romance! I loved learning more about the early culture of law enforcement in England through Jack's profession and seeing Ginny work through heartache to find happiness. The characters in this novel drew me in and the mystery kept me intrigued. I remember thinking that I'd hit the resolution about 80% of the way through and wondering what could possibly be left but that last 20% is EVERYTHING.

This was a definite 5-star read for me and one I'll be recommending to all my bookish buddies!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for an advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

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There are two things I love: Regency books and mystery. This book had both, which captured my attention from page one. Miss Genevieve Wilde, Ginny, has become heiress to her fathers estate when he passed early. Mysterious things keep happening around her estate that cannot be explained and she knows she is being targeted. When she cannot get local magistrate to take her seriously, Ginny hires Jack, a thief- taker. Jack bring humor into her life, keeping her on her toes while working around the clock to find the thief.
Such a fun mystery and love story!

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This is an absolutely lovely and charming romance from Joanna Barker.

Genevieve Wilde, magistrate's daughter, heiress, and trying to make her estate work well. Unfortunately accidents keep on happening, and when her father's heirloom watch is stolen, she will do anything to find it again. Even hire a thief-taker.

Jack Travers, former Bow Street Runner, and now thief-taker, has a roguish smile, and a tireless work ethic. As Jack helps Ginny search for the watch, and to unravel the mystery of the seemingly plagued estate, darker secrets are brought to life, perhaps some more dangerous than others. Will their growing attraction put them in even more danger, as events barrel towards a danger filled denouement.

I really loved Genevieve's fiery spark and general attitude towards life. She is no cowering missish miss, and it was particularly delightful to see her wits matched with the charming, handsome, roguish Jack Travers. Their growing attraction, and witty sparring was very enjoyable to read. And a particular K-I-S-S-I-N-G scene in a tree was parts swoony, parts hilarious, and just all round fun.

The mystery, and its resolution really helped tie many threads together in the book, including Ginny's estrangement from her half-sister. Those scenes were some of my favourite in the book. I really hope we see more books set in this world, so we can see some more of those developments, as well as more of Ginny and Jack.

All in all, this was a completely charming and lovely read, and I highly recommend it.

This is a low heat, closed door romance, with plenty of swoony kissing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for this free eARC in exchange for an unbiased review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Exciting and unpredictable! Loved the adventure on this one. It was swoony in the best of ways. Very different and entraining story!
Rating: PG, clean sweet romance

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker tells the story of Miss Genevieve Wilde. She is determined to take care of the home she was left by her father, without help from judgmental friends and relatives. When her father's watch is stolen, she hires a thief-taker, the handsome Jack Travers, to investigate. As the two work together to solve the mysterious happenings at Wimborne, they discover more than they expected to find.

Things I loved about this story: witty banter, roguish hero, believable romance, swoony kisses, she kisses him first!, his sweet family, Wily, the mystery, family reconciliation, Ginny's relationship with her father and Beatrice, well-done villain, happily ever after

Favorite quote: "If you care for the things you love, if you protect them and cherish them, then they will shine." Ginny and Jack both helped each other become better and truly shine. They are a perfect pair!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC; all opinions are my own.

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Likeable characters, fun dialogue, Regency romance plus some mystery.

Genevieve/Ginny Wilde is mourning the death of her father six months earlier and trying to look capable of managing his estate as a young single woman. Her most sentimental family heirloom is his beloved pocket watch. When it disappears, she pushes past the grief to hire special investigator Jack Travers in hopes of getting it back. Their conversations are fun to read from the moment they meet, neither expecting the other to behave the way they do. She’s all manners and proper while he’s flirtatious and witty.

I enjoyed this book from the beginning and as it progressed I didn’t want to put it down. I thought it would be predictable, but I was kept guessing to the end. It was clean but very romantic and fun to read. This is a new author to me and I plan on looking for more of her books. Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC to use for my review.

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I love it when a romance has a deeper plot within it. Joanna Barker hit it out of the park with this romance mystery. The romance was great and I really enjoyed following the mystery as well.

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“𝘿𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙤𝙧𝙧𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚.” 𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙩 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧. “𝙄 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚.”
“𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩,” 𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙞𝙙, 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙪𝙙𝙞𝙗𝙡𝙚. “𝙉𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙙𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
___

Gah, Jack and Ginny were just adorable! I love their banter and their interactions always had me coming back for more. The tension caused by their forced proximity was perfection. It was so satisfying to see the walls come down and watch these two fall for each other. The mystery element was intriguing and I also enjoyed the evolution of Ginny’s relationship with her older sister. Another fantastic read from Joanna Barker!

Thank you so Shadow Mountain for an advanced copy. My thoughts are my own.

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When her late father’s pocket watch is stolen, Miss Genevieve Wilde reluctantly employs the services of Mr. Jack Travers, a former Bow Street runner turned professional thief-taker.

But it’s more than just a stolen watch. Her estate seems to be the target of an unknown assailant, and Jack, as frustratingly handsome and annoying as he is, is determined to help Ginny feel safe once again.

With a mystery to solve and a home to protect, the last thing Ginny can afford to lose is her heart.

This is a regency romance that has all the good and swoony things: well developed MCs, witty banter, a ball, kissing in a tree, family drama, a little danger and lots of heartfelt declarations.

I will definitely be reading more from Joanna!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Regency Romance
Age Level: Adult
Content: kisses

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A Heart Worth Stealing has everything you could want in book. It has romance, mystery, wonderful characters, an evil villain, and a swoony kissing scene in a tree!

Ginny is trying to recover from her fathers death and prove herself capable of running the estate her father left her. After a series of “accidents” and a stollen pocket watch she decides to hire a special investigator to help her out.

Jack enters the story. He is everything you could want in a hero. He is handsome, charming, flirty, and entirely devoted to Ginny. The chemistry between the two was amazing from the the first meeting.

This is such a fun story! I was sad to see it end. This one gets five stars from me. I highly recommend it!

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First Joanna Barker book and I loved it! Ginny and Jack were great leads from such different backgrounds! I rooted for them to overcome those differences to allow them to find out what was going on around them. This is a fast-passed mystery that draws you in quickly. Frustration mounted every time I was called away to real life – I wanted to get back to Ginny and Jack to find out what was going on! Find out who was playing some really mean tricks on Ginny! And, I loved the ‘clean’ aspect of this adorable romance.

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This was such a fun story to read! I loved Jack! His big smile and his zeal for life was just great. I love how strong and independent Ginny was, yet she knew when she needed to get help.

I loved the banter between Jack and Ginny! Nearly every time they were together there was banter of some kind and I was there for it!

I loved the mystery of the story, the whole time I kept trying to figure it out and when it was solved I was so happy with how it ended.

Thanks to netgalley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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Such a fantastic read! I was engaged right from the beginning. Ginny and Jack were wonderful main characters. Both strong yet vulnerable in their own ways. They come from quite different backgrounds, but compliment each other so well. As their attraction and love grow, there are so many beautiful romantic moments. The tree! Believe me, you’ll know it when you get to it. I enjoyed that Ginny was a strong heroine, but not in that abrasive and militant way that heroines sometimes are written in historical novels by modern authors…like an in-your-face defiance of convention. Ginny was not a shrinking flower by any means, but she still fit in the era and circumstances. Jack was a charming but noble rogue, in the best way. There was some great and entertaining banter throughout. The mystery plot was very well done. It was interesting and built steadily throughout the book. I thought I had it figured out (and I did, for the most part) but I was never able to be certain because the author crafted the intrigue so well, one layer at a time. Kept it interesting. Really, such a great book. There were a couple modern words that I wish I could have switched out, and there was misconception that cousins (single male and female) could completely break the rules of propriety because they were safe (like brother and sister, was the implied meaning), whereas it would be scandalous if they had a romantic relationship. Uh, no. It wasn’t uncommon for first cousins to marry during that era, so none of that works. It doesn’t affect the story too much, but I always get distracted by those kind of details. Besides that, I loved the story. This book is a beautiful historical romance to love, and an engaging mystery to intrigue. A wonderful book. Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for this complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own, shared voluntarily.

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What a book, y'all. What. A. Book.

A Heart Worth Stealing is my favorite book by Joanna Barker yet. It is one of those books that definitely has it all - mystery, suspense, a handsome thief taker, a brave heroine, the swooniest kissing scenes, bad guys that deserve a facer or twenty, a BFF and a fence you can't help but love (can those two end up together? That would be the best. Just sayin'. Joanna, take note 😉)....what more could you ask for? It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it, and I didn't ever want to put it down. I may or may not have stayed up late reading it several days in a row 😶

Basically y'all just need this book in your lives. It is so good. So good, friends.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy; all thoughts are my own :)

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I. Loved. It! This was a wonderful and the writing was excellent. really enjoyed the plot and characters in this one. It was angsty and swoon worthy. I loved, loved Ginny and Jack’s romance. And the kisses!! I felt the tension and loved the banter between them.
The author wrote a great book and I highly recommend it. Thanks Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley!

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I liked the ending but I honestly struggled with both Ginny and Jack for half the book. Both characters were irritating.
Over the years I’ve read a number of historical romances. I had a hard time reconciling the way Ginny acted with the time period. That she inherited the house in the first place was slightly unbelievable.
Jack was often flippant and presumptuous.
I suspected a certain character of having involvement with some happenings in the book. I was right and it took an awfully long time for the supposedly smart Ginny and Jack to figure things out.
I did like how things worked out and I liked Jack’s family.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. The book may be a nice way to pass a few hours.
Thanks to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain for the opportunity to read the book.

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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (kissing only)
Trigger Warning: death of a loved one recounted, house fire, brief mentions of gun violence

Over the past few months Genevieve Wilde has been dealing with strange occurrences at her family estate, and when her late father's pocket watch goes missing she decides it's time to get help. After failing to get aid from the local magistrate, Ginny decides to hire Jack Travers- a thief-taker and former Bow Street Runner. With his flirtatious manners and roguish good looks, Jack is nothing like Ginny expected. Thankfully, he proves to be good at his job and is very thorough in his investigation. As the threats against the estate increase, Ginny becomes desperate to find the culprit. But her feelings for Jack only make things more complicated. Can the man she hired win her heart and catch the elusive villain who threatens her safety?

This was another delightful read from Joanna Barker! Jack instantly won me over with his playful charm and wit. I loved how he protected Ginny and never made her feel foolish or inadequate. He had the sweetest words that left me swooning, especially near the end of the book. Ginny was a wonderful heroine. She was strong and independent but also had to overcome the loss of her father. I loved the journal entries, letters, and memories that were sprinkled throughout to show the special bond these two shared. I'm so glad she was able to find peace in the end! The suspense elements in this book were done well, although I did find it easy to predict the villain. There were still a few surprises at the end, though, that had me gasping and questioning how everything would end. This book really had the perfect blend of romance and suspense, and I am excited to see what comes next from this author!

Thank you Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

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This was a fun mash-up of a proper romance and a mystery.

I had mixed feelings about Genevieve, aka Ginny. She is running an estate, but she makes bonehead decisions that endanger her life. I appreciate her dedication to her estate and wanting to protect it, but putting yourself in danger? Not smart, Ginny! But at the same time, I enjoyed watching her mature when it came to matters of the heart, mostly due to Jack Travers. She even managed to mend some fences with family members, which is another reflection of her maturity.

I enjoyed the mystery and watching it unfold. Was the thief someone we are introduced to in the book or someone unknown? You'll have to read the book to find out, but I will say that the answer surprised me.

My only complaint about this book is that there are no chapters, or at least not in the copy I read. This made it very hard to find a good stopping place. This is only the 2nd book that I can remember reading without chapters, and I still don't like it. I do not know if all of her books are like this, but if they are, I won't read another.

Overall, this was a fun book to read (despite my comment above), and we give it 4 paws up.

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Thank you to @netgalley @shadowmountainpub and @authorjoannabarker for my eARC!

This published on May 2!

💕Ginny’s recently deceased father’s beloved pocket watch has gone missing and the local authorities aren’t taking her seriously. It’s the latest in a series of suspicious activity around her manor home and Ginny wants answers. So she hires Jack Travers, a thief taker aka Private Investigator. Jack turns out to be not only competent and brave but lighthearted and flirtatious. They get into trouble, have to solve the mystery, fight off bad guys, and fall in love.

This book was such a fun delight! Jack steals the spotlight in every scene he’s in with his banter and humor. And Ginny was a great mix of a believable Regency lady with tons of intelligence and determination.
I couldn’t put this down and can’t wait to read other books from the author!

Read if you love:
💕Historical Fiction and mystery with
💕Unexpected twists
💕Swoony, flirty heroes
💕the Regency era

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I love a good mystery and this was definitely one!! I knew the guilty party early on, but it didn't make the book any less enjoyable.
Genevieve grew up in an unusual situation and was trying to prove herself worthy of her inheritance. She really just wants to be respected as an intelligent woman and not treated as a helpless woman.
This was my first encounter with a thief-taker !! An interesting job that was not given a lot of respect. I really enjoyed Jack Travers, his wittiness, his honesty, and his determination.

I was given a complimentary copy to review. My review is my own personal opinion.

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Oh. My. Goodness! A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker just jumped to the top of my list of favorite 2023 releases. This book deserves all the heart eyes. It contains mystery, romance, and adventure all set in a delightful Georgian setting. I officially claim Jack, thief-taker and shameless flirt, as a book boyfriend. Though Jack isn’t the only character to steal my heart. Ginny is determined and strong, making her and Jack an incredible duo. This book is beautifully written and well-paced, making for one novel I can’t recommend enough.

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I liked the lead a lot and enjoyed the way they brought the two together. I didn't quite buy the full chemistry there but I was invested in the story and resolution

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🤍 A Heart Worth Stealing 🤍

Another great book by Joanna Barker! I love Ginny’s loyalty to her house and her father’s memory. Jack is amazing! I love his attitude, flirtatiousness, and general good humor. I love the journey these two characters take together. Also the banter is perfection.
Read this for the historical romance, mystery, humor, and heart felt moments.

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A HEART WORTH STEALING

I just started this book and I’m already loving it! It’s very in line with the other Proper Romance novels with the addition of a mystery. I really love Joanna Barker’s writing and her characters! I think Jack is going to be a new favorite MMC. I love his blend of cheekiness and sweetness that’s apparent from his first appearance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the eARC!

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Yes yes yes!! Soo good. A little bit of mystery. A lot of swoony gentleman goodness. Sweet romance. Kisses. All the good stuff while remaining wholesome.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a fun, lighthearted regency romantic mystery. Ginny is grieving her father and treasures the watch he left her. When it goes missing, she’s desperate to get it back. So desperate, she hires Jack. Jack is a perfect balance to strait laced, proper Ginny. He is funny, also very intelligent, and enjoys drawing her out. While I could easily figure out the culprit early on, the story was more about their developing relationship and providing opportunities for entertaining dialogue and interactions.
I did love the resolution and the discovery. It was thoughtful and explained well. I also enjoyed seeing the restoration to relationships in Ginny’s life. I enjoyed how devoted Jack and Ginny were to each other and both determined to put the needs of the other first in all things.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

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This was a delightful read from Joanna Barker! I loved everything about Jack and Ginny's story! I especially enjoyed the mystery that was woven into this sweet romance!

I received an ARC through Netgalley and all opinions are my own.

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Romance, suspense and Regency is a great combination. I loved this story. There is so much going on and the mystery kept me guessing. Jack and Ginny are really fun together. I loved their banter, but also their sweeter moments together. There are some wonderful secondary characters and some questionable ones as well. This story pulled me right in and I hated when I had to put it down.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

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If you’re looking for your next Regency fix? Then here you go! A Heart Worth Stealing is all things fab and swoony tucked within a gorgeous cover!

The author does such a great job pairing an intelligent, slow-to-trust heroine with a charming, bend-the-rules, thief-taker. The plot was engaging that I struggled putting the book down. The romance was well-paced and full of sparks. And the overall book was just stellar.

I’m excited to see what’s next from this author!

I received a NetGalley copy. My opinions are my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker is a well written, plot driven novel that has a light under current of romance. The premise of this novel definitely intrigued me and the mystery is definitely the main driving force of the story. Barker’s writing is easily engaging and she has an easy tone which makes this novel a quick paced read. I think technically this novel has a lot going for it, I neither hate nor overly enjoyed this novel. Ultimately I did not really connect with the hero and heroine enough to really root for their romance, so I did not feel fully invested. I do think that Barker has a really lovely way with her words and there was definitely some charming and bantery moments.

Overall, if you love a soft and cozy style mystery that is very light on romance than this novel might really work for you. Well written and an easy read, I think that many people will find this to be exactly what they are looking for.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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A determined heiress hires a charming thief-taker to aid in her search for her beloved late father’s watch, only to become embroiled in an increasingly dangerous mystery in A Heart Worth Stealing, the latest Proper Romance® from Shadow Mountain Publishing.

I was hooked from the very first, clever line:

“My study had been overrun by men.” (Loc 44)

Why was the missing watch so important?

“Father rarely did anything without consulting his watch. It was a part of him. If ever a soul could be seen in an object, that watch was Father. Steady, sturdy, practical. Loved.” (Loc 112)

I could go on and on about the heartwarming prose in this story. I have enjoyed everything I’ve ever read by Joanna Barker, yet, remarkably, each book is even better than the last. She is on my list of favorite historical romance authors for so many reasons, but especially for the emotional depth she gives her characters.

Authentic Characters

Ginny and Jack are simply delightful. Relatable. Realistic. They are humanity brought to life on paper, with all their imperfections. Calling their sparkling dialogue “witty banter” seems almost like a tired compliment compared to how enjoyable it is to read. Their supporting cast is wonderful as well.

Oh, the Emotions!

Evoking a variety of emotions is the pinnacle of a five-star read for me, and Joanna Barker is a superstar at this masterful skill. A Heart Worth Stealing made me laugh, cry, and swoon from all of the beautifully wrought emotions spilling forth from the genuine characters and significant situations.

Action-packed Suspense

Secrets are revealed, unexpected plot twists and villains made me gasp aloud, and some heart-thumping action kept me riveted. It was a fantastic surprise to discover a gripping mystery in the midst of a lovely romance.

Proper Romance

Lovers of authentic historical romance will adore the sweetly sincere love story in A Heart Worth Stealing.

5 out of 5 Stars

https://austenprose.com/2023/05/08/a-heart-worth-stealing-proper-romance-regency-by-joanna-barker-a-review/

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Joanna Barker’s books are always a delight and this one was no different!
I absolutely loved Jack and his wit and charisma and while Ginny took a minute for me to warm up to I ended up liking her character as well! And the two of them together were fabulous with sparks flying from the very first meeting!
The mystery element of the story was engaging and kept me guessing till the end!
In short this book was a wonderful read that I thoroughly enjoyed and cannot recommend enough!

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“I needed you and you came.”
“Never doubt that,” he said, barely audible. “Never doubt that I will come for you.”

@authorjoannabarker does it again! Another perfect regency with the delicious twist of a mystery.

Ginny is a successful and determined woman who is running her estate perfectly well on her own until the mysterious theft of her most precious heirloom — her father’s pocket watch. After not feeling heard by local authorities, she hires a thief-taker.

Jack arrives and Ginny is shocked to find a disastrously handsome and flirtatious man at her service. I have soo many of his one-liners marked in my book. Their banter is top notch!

Ginny and Jack are forced closer physically and emotionally as threats to her estate become more sinister than the original pocket watch theft.

The mystery portion of this book is exciting and page turning. Just when I thought I might have it figured out, there was a twist I absolutely wasn’t expecting! Add romance on top of this and you have your next five star read!

Read for :
Social class difference
Slow burn
He protects her
Stargazing
The best kissing scenes
The oak tree 🫠
Page turning mystery

I feel like the popular quote about this scene has been commonly used enough that we can talk about this. She kisses him first!!! Where has this been all my life in regency romances? Best. Thing. Ever! Also, where can I find a giant oak tree? Will my husband ask too many questions if I drag him into a tree to make out?? So many questions..

“It was as if our souls had been yearning for one another, and we hadn’t known it until this moment. But now it was clear as a mountain lake. He was made for me, and I for him.”

Many thanks to @netgalley for the ARC of this lovely book! Opinions are always my own.

Content: Clean. Kissing/minimally detailed make out. The trigger warnings contain minor spoilers for the mystery so read on only if needed. ❤️








TW: Theft, harassment, kidnapping, and house fire.

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I loved this love story! It is full of mystery and intrigue, all while being wrapped up in a warm hug of a love story! The unlikely match of a well to do daughter. She hired a thief to help her find something that was stolen from her house. What pans out is hilarity and swoons. Mystery and so many twists and turns. I love the mystery of it. Typically regency romances don’t have a ton of it, but this was full of it, and it fit the story perfectly!

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Joanna Barker has written some lovely romances that I’ve enjoyed in the past so I was quite excited to try this one out too. Unfortunately this is my least favorite so far and I think it is due to the mystery. The mystery aspect of this book was incredibly slow and sluggish and I knew from the VERY beginning who the bad guy was…there weren’t any twists or turns…it was just a very slow walk to the painfully obvious ending.
There were some touching moments here and there …particularly when Ginny was reminiscing about her father or trying to make peace with her sister. And the pace did pick up once Ginny finally realized who the bad guy was but it was too little too late to save the book overall from a mediocre rating.

I want to give an extra star just because this author seems to be a super sweet person but that wouldn’t be an honest review so I’ve got to stick with 3 stars!

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for the advanced reader’s copy of this book. I truly appreciate it!

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This is a delightfully fun story! The characters are intriguing and captivating. The plot is unique, but also possible. I also liked the hint of mystery that was included in this story. That mystery also set this story apart from other stories. I'd recommend!

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A New Favorite Proper Romance!

Genevieve Wilde, a feisty little redhead whose father left her a large inheritance, including Wimborne, her family home. “Ginny” enjoyed her new role at Wimborne no matter how hard it was. Her life was filled with running her household, keeping up appearances and missing her father. She dismissed the need for help from anyone until theft, coupled with her magistrate not taking her seriously, bid her find another way to locate her father’s stolen watch.

Enter Mr. Jack Travers, the former Bow Street Runner she hired to find her father’s watch, suddenly missing after a dinner party. With shades of dashing heroes like one might encounter in The Three Musketeers or Robin Hood, Joanna Barker displays her ability to weave a story with depth and plot twists within an exceptionally paced storyline.
This quote from the blurb is an apt description of our hero…
“He is frustratingly flirtatious, irritatingly handsome, and entirely unpredictable, and Ginny wonders if she’ll be able to resist such a man.”

Readers of historical romance with mystery elements will adore this swoony jaunt. In my opinion, this book has no flaws save Jack’s name being said a bit too much. It is a 5* read through and through with a 5* narration.

Audiobook:
Elizabeth Knowelden is a narrator I will definitely listen to again. Her accent, diction and pacing were so well suited for this storyline while her portrayal of each character kept me present in every scene. The chapter breaks were hailed by a pause and chapter number to keep the reader on track. Knowelden and Barker have collaborated well to produce an excellent story with an excellent narration.

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.

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4.5 ⭐️

This book was beautiful, inside & out—from the characters, to the cover, to the themes, to the storyline!

Jack & Ginny were amazing! They had an enemies-to-lovers & reverse grumpy-sunshine feel that just worked so well. And Bea was simply marvellous—I would be so happy to read her story! 😍

The mystery had enough twists to keep me on my toes & I was beyond pleased that my suspicions proved correct.

Also, the title tie-in… ahh, so perfectly touching! And this line has my heart:

“Esse quam videri. To be, rather than to seem.” 💛



*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

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BOOK REVIEW - A Heart Worth Stealing - Joanna Barker - 5/5 Stars

THE STORY
I'm a little late to the party on this book but the wait was worth it! A Heart Worth Stealing definitely lives up to all the hype and more! Regency romance will always be my first love so this book is going on the favourites list. It had everything you want in a Regency romance, beautiful intelligent herione, dashing flirtatious hero, clever wit and banter, lovable best friend, unpleasant relatives, dresses, a ball, mystery, a bit of adventure and of course lots of romance and kisses!

THE ROMANCE
This book was the perfect example of enemies-to-lovers! Lots of verbal sparring without all the unnecessary anger and yelling. Jack and Genevieve were well matched and I so enjoyed them trying to outwit each other. Their mutual respect of each others intelligence and abilities was refreshing and it was so nice for the female MC to be the 'hero' #iykyk Oh and did I mention the need-a-fan-because-I'm-going-to-melt swoony kisses! Well there's those too....

THE TRUTHS
Jack has made some mistakes in his life that cause others to look down on him and judge him for who he is but as Genevieve gets to know him, she's able to see beyond the labels placed on him to the heart of who he really is. Isn't that what God does for us? We are constantly making mistakes and sinning against Him but God looks beyond that to the person within and loves us anyway. He loves us despite what we've done or where we've come from or what labels the world had placed on us. He loves us even knowing that many of us will not love Him back. How amazing is He!

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This was both a good mystery and a good romance. I enjoyed the characters that the author created. I would read more books by this author, especially if the two main characters became leads in a detective series.

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This novel had everything I love about a good enemies-to-something more storyline, as well as a twist of a mystery that kept me guessing until near the end of the book. Miss Genevieve Wilde has lost her father and she is doing her best to keep Wimbourne, the family estate, going on her own. When her father’s pocket watch is stolen, the local authorities don’t take her seriously, so she hires a former Bow Street runner, Jack Travers. As the investigation begins, Ginny questions whether she should have hired Jack at all. His unorthodox methods bring results however, and soon they realize that the stolen pocket watch is part of a bigger scheme to hurt Ginny. Can they solve the puzzle before anything happens to her?

This story has so many things to love about it. Our hero is handsome and witty, but more than that, he is smart and does his job well. It was gratifying to see Jack and Ginny’s relationship evolve as they worked together. Their chemistry was so well-written that instead of rushing through to see how it ends, I literally savored every page. The author also writes a compelling growth arc for Ginny as she works through her grief over her father and her relationship with her half-sister in healing old family wounds. The villain was believable and the ending was just the comeuppance you want to see. A Heart Worth Stealing had an expertly intertwined romance and mystery set against a well-described setting with secondary characters that you want to know more about. This book is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year so far.

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Ahhh this book. It was beautiful. Joanna Barker has done it again. Full of mystery and romance, A Heart Worth Stealing is a beautiful book. Jack was the perfect yet unconventional Male Main Character.

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

The way that the romance blossomed was beautiful and the mystery kept the book moving the entire time. An easy five stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. All opinions are my own.

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This was the perfect blend of intrigue and romance! I love that the whodunnit takes center stage, but we also witness a super sweet, satisfying romance slowly building in the background. Ahhhhh, Ginny and Jack. Neither is perfect, but they do perfectly complement each other.

The mystery element was the perfect amount of twisty and turny. I had a couple speculations that turned out to be correct, but the ending was brilliant! It kept me guessing right up to the very last moment -- which threw yet ANOTHER curveball! Delightful.

Thinking back on books I've recently read, this one most reminds me of The Thief of Blackfriars Lane, by Michelle Griep. Not QUITE as madcap, but the bones are similar, along with the characters. Jack -- Jack. What to say? I have a type. This is yet another impetuous, kind-hearted, loyal man who steadfastly guards a world that has been quite unkind to him. And Ginny ... Ginny, who takes up her father's estate after his death. So concerned about what society thinks, and so worried about making a mistake. It was extremely rewarding to see her gain confidence and strength. I love the humor laced through the story, and I was thrilled to find that this couple speaks sarcastic banter as their love language.

I highly recommend this one for anyone that enjoys the aforementioned story by Michelle Griep, Sarah M. Eden's Jonquil Brothers or Lancaster Family series, or Rebecca Connolly's London League series.

Content Considerations
** Romance: Nothing more than (numerous) kisses.
** Violence: Present, particularly in the last 1/3 of the book. On-page injury, but not graphic or gratuitous.
** Language: Nothing at all concerning.

Thank you, Author, Publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy of this title! All opinions expressed are my own.

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Yes- read it.

I enjoyed the story because there were so many different "things" that kept my interest. It's a romance, it's a mystery - it's just a good read.

I like the characters and the story doesn't follow any set pattern which is a very nice change. I found myself hoping the romance worked and trying to figure out whodunit. Nothing truly remarkable but a nice enjoyable read.

I received an ARC from Netgalley to help prepare my honest review.

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Oh my darling 😍

@authorjoannabarker, you are exceptional. Every book I read I fall more madly in love with your writing. But Jack Travers. You write these male characters that have personalities so large you have to say their first and last name together. Nicholas Avery, Jack Travers, they just have that extra “oomph” every writer is wanting to write and every reader is wanting to fall in love with. Way to go lady. Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻

Look, I’m late to the game with promoting this book, so I’m sure a lot of you have already read this book. But if you haven’t!! Then let this be your sign that it’s time to snatch it up and put it as your next read.

It’s regency with some fun. I mean, I love regency, it just takes it a step further than ball rooms (it does have one of those) and brings in mystery, thief takers (fancy name for paid vigilantes), lots of flirtatious banter, and of course a tree. Is it even a Joanna Barker novel if it doesn’t have the most perfect banter? Lady, you have me hook, line and sinker for your books.

So if you’re looking for swoon, adventure, and good ol’ historical fun, this is it my friends. Give Ginny and Jack Travers a chance, they won’t let you down.

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I loved A Heart Worth Stealing! Joanna Barker is a wonderful author. Her characters are great, her stories always keep my interest, and her writing is always engaging.

I really liked the romance between Ginny and Jack! I have to admit, at the beginning of this story I was a bit concerned because I felt like Ginny said some things to Jack that were frustrating. Happily, about mid-way through the book, she started really growing on me and I ended up really liking her. Jack, on the other hand, was more than easy to like. As soon as he stepped on the page I knew he was gonna be a great character! He was charming, witty, and flirtatious. The chemistry between Ginny and Jack was perfect. The mystery aspect was a fun addition to this story and I absolutely loved the ending!

A Heart Worth Stealing is the third book I’ve read by Joanna Barker and I’ve loved them all. She has definitely become an auto buy author for me. If you’re looking for an excellent regency, this is the one!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. This is a clean read.

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This book was such a delightful surprise! I didn't think I was in the mood for a regency romance but I started it anyway and was pulled in immediately! It kept me entertained the whole way through and was a really happy reading experience overall!

I really enjoyed the fact that I kept thinking I knew what would happen and then would be surprised by things going very differently than I expected! It always felt like, "oh I know what is about to happen, I have seen it so many times before" but then it would go in a totally different direction that always added to the story for me!

Jack and Ginny were such fun characters! I particularly liked Jack and his cheeky teasing, as well as his fierce care for those he loved!

This was my first Joanna Barker and I can't wait to read more from her!

Thank you, Shadow Mountain, for the arc!

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A heart Worth Stealing is a delightful read of passion, pain, determination, and of course love. The darling story explores a not to written about Bow Street runners, or retired ones. Intriguing and entertaining.

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It's hard to believe that this is only my second book from Joanna Barker, but this solidified her as an auto-buy for sure! I stayed up way too late to finish this book, and I have zero regrets 😉

First of all, JACK?? The swooniest of all the swoon?? I have such a weak spot for smooth-talking heros, so I (and Ginny) didn't stand a chance from the start 😂 the romance was amazing, the mystery was intriguing, with just enough danger thrown in to keep you at the edge of your seat.

Thank you to @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for my arc, all thoughts are my own.

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A Heart Worth Stealing is a romantic tale that will grip you as heroine Genevieve Wild seeks to find her lost pocket watch and enlists the help of Bow Street officer Jack Travers. There were so many moments that had me laughing, had me wondering what the mystery was, and kept me turning the pages.

*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley. My review was not required nor influenced.

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Aptly titled A Heart Worth Stealing is a refreshingly clean and beguiling Regency romance story with mystery, too. Genevieve (Ginny) Wilde's beloved father passed away months ago and her grief is raw and real. When his pocket watch is stolen, she is troubled as the watch held special significance for her. The police aren't helpful so she submits a newspaper ad seeking aid. Meanwhile, former Bow Street officer Jack Travers, now a thief taker, materializes, handsome and clever. As he and Ginny dig deeper, they quickly realize there is much more than a theft and they encounter dangers. In order to inveigle Jack pretends to be Ginny's cousin. But they cannot pretend they are not in love. A suitor also appears which makes the dynamic even more interesting. What joy it was to follow them through the nooks and crannies of life! The ending is satisfying and leaves me craving more from Ginny and Jack.

There is so much to love about author Joanna Barker's gorgeous writing which wrapped around my heart like a comfy quilt. My favourite aspects of this story are the setting and endearing characters including the Travers family and Ginny's household. Banter is fun and a bit syrupy at times but it is obvious the characters respect each other and win each other's hearts.

Romance readers who enjoy proper clean love stories will very likely fall head over heels in love with this. Curl up and allow yourself to be fully immersed and swept away into a beautiful escapist world. Joanna Barker is an auto-read author for me, no need for a blurb. Her name is enough.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this stellar novel.

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I have wanted to read A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker since the first time I saw its gorgeous cover. Isn’t it just lovely?! And the story itself is pretty excellent. My favorite aspect to this story is the mystery. It is very well done. I was all over the place trying to guess whodunnit, and it kept me up way past my bedtime furiously turning pages. I really enjoyed Ginny’s character. She is a wonderful heroine: determined, feisty, highly intelligent, and brave. Ginny finds herself in need of help at the beginning of this story. She is forced to take matters into her own hands after it is made clear that local powers-that-be won’t help her. Enter Jack Travers, a former Bow Street officer. I very much enjoyed the back-and-forth banter between Ginny and Jack. They made me chuckle often. Jack is a perfect hero — he has a good heart, he cares about doing what is right, he is loyal and steadfast, and he is willing to do whatever necessary to keep Ginny safe. He immediately understands that Ginny needs actual help and does what he can to help her, all while good-naturedly ribbing her and getting her to open up. I thoroughly enjoyed their journey to a romantic relationship. The internal struggle of both characters to keep their distance emotionally is well written. The chemistry between Ginny and Jack is palpable from their first interaction, so it was fun to follow along as they attempt to ignore their very obvious feelings towards each other in order to placate Society. The whole time, I kept saying to myself, “Who cares?! You love each other and that is enough!” I appreciate when a good story makes me scold it. LOL! This story also includes timely themes. I especially appreciate Ginny’s perspective on loss. Something very bad happens to Ginny near the end of this story (yes, I’m being vague on purpose), but instead of dwelling on the very bad, Ginny rolls up her sleeves and focuses on what she can do, what she can change. I love this SO much. There is no whining, no complaining. Just a strong woman standing up and doing whatever she can to make her situation better with the resources remaining to her. This world would be a better place if we all acted like Ginny in times of struggle.

A Heart Worth Stealing is a well-written, highly engaging Historical Romance + Mystery that I highly recommend. I enjoyed my time with this story very much. Purchase yourself a copy today. You do not want to miss out on this story!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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I actually finished A Heart Worth Stealing (thank you @shadowmountainpub for my gifted copy) a couple of nights ago and really enjoyed it. I love the female protagonists that Joanna Barker writes. They’re always brave, bold, and spunky. Genevieve was no different. I wasn’t quite sure about the bit of mystery thrown in at first, but I really ended up loving it. I was surprised how it all unfolded. And I loved Jack. 💕 If you’re into clean, closed door, proper romance, I definitely recommend this book. I love Joanna’s writing and am always looking forward to what she writes next!

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What an absolutely FABULOUS regency romance with a thread of mystery!! This is my first novel by Joanna Barker and I now feel an incessant urge to buy up her whole backlist!! Joanna’s writing style is lyrical and melodious and just SO beautiful❤️

“A Heart Worth Stealing” was just the absolute BEST!! I am fairly new to the regency romance genre, but it’s stories like this one that make me want to read more regencies STAT😍

First off, the mystery was FANTASTIC!! The last 20% had me SPEED-READING to discover who the culprit was and the ending took me by SURPRISE in the BEST possible way🤩 I stayed up wayyy too late finishing this story and I have NO REGRETS😂

Second, the ROMANCE!!!! There’s just something so sweet and wonderful about regency romances that makes my heart just SWOON!! The chemistry between Jack & Ginny was OFF-THE-CHARTS🤩 That tree scene… PHEW😍🔥

Overall, I HIGHLY recommend this regency/mystery romance!!

🚨TW: grief over a deceased parent, kidnapping, attempted murder, mild violence
🚨CW: just kisses & no language!!

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Miss Genevieve Wilde will do anything to get her father’s missing watch back, even hiring a thief-taker. Former Bow Street officer Jack Travers arrives on her doorstep and immediately frustrates her with how unpredictable he is. Insisting on working with the man, Ginny soon learns her father’s watch is just part of a larger plot against her and her life is in danger.

This story is told from Genevieve’s point of view, which is a shame. I was intrigued by Jack Travers and his work as a thief-taker, and found him to be the more interesting character. In my opinion, Genevieve’s headstrong nature made her difficult to like, especially as I didn’t understand why she didn’t trust anyone.

The plot felt slow in places, but otherwise moved at a good pace. The cover has to be my favorite part. It is so beautiful! It caught my eye right away.

I would recommend this to readers looking for a Regency romance with a smidge of adventure.

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I loved the chemistry between Jack and Genevieve. This was a delightful read.
Many thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

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It took me a long time to get into story. There may have been a few too many characters. I was expecting a romance, but the mystery element seemed to actually be the bigger story. I do appreciate that it was a completely clean story. I would even say that teen girls would enjoy it. There was one suggestive comment at the end of the book.

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This is a slow burn historical romance with a mystery that propels the plot. Discussions of class differences, marriage to someone of a different station, loyalty, humor, and years of misunderstanding.

I loved the gentle love story and the fabulous family that comes in near the climax. Whose? Like I’d give that away.

Joanna Barker’s books continue to draw me in and keep me hooked to the final page.

**I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher. All my words and opinions are my own.**

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Loved this one!! Loved Jack and Ginny! Loved the mystery with the regency. Kept me guessing and had me hooked the whole time! Loved the slow burn romance and loved the end. I will read anything Joanna writes! Love her books!!

Content: suspense, death of a parent, attempted kidnapping
Romance: kisses

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This Proper Romance mystery is filled with charm, humor, and intrigue. I loved the banter between Ginny and Jack as they worked together to discover who is making trouble for Ginny’s Estate named Wimborne. If you are looking for a fun, feel-good read, this is the book for you!

Thank you NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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4.5 ⭐️ If a book says Joanna Barker, my answer is yes, always yes! She’s a stellar writer and I always enjoy her books, this one was no different!

After blowing bookstagram up not long ago with A Game of Hearts, we now get another book from her with a completely different tone, but alllll the swoon!

If there’s one thing I feel Joanna nails every single time, it’s the MMC! I mean she has consistently written some of my all time fav book boyfriends. Where are you pulling these dreamy guys from Joanna?? I hope you have some perfect inspo in your real life 😂 Jack Travers is no exception, he’s 👌🏼🔥

This book tells the story of Miss Genevieve Wilde, a magistrate’s daughter and independent heiress. She’s struggling to hold her own in a man’s world, determined not to fail her late father and to see his estate flourish. But after a series of misfortunate events followed by the disappearance of his beloved pocket watch she hires Jack, a thief-taker, to help her solve the mystery.

Jack is exasperating, genius, flirty, and a bit of a mystery. He challenges Ginny, their banter was fantastic!

This book is a series of ups and downs with some fun mystery elements that made for some great storytelling. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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I absolutely love all of Joanna Barkers books and this was was no different! It was perfect! I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

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*sigh* I just love a good romantic mystery. So fun. So cozy. So sweet.
Plot: I LOVED the plotting in this one. The mystery was twisty and turny, and so fun to keep guessing at! The romance was cute and believable, and the overall story was just so fun and well-developed.
Atmosphere: Great cozy mystery vibes, mixed with sweet regency romance, tied together in a sweet historical village. Love love and love.
Characters: Jack is such a fun tease, and watching his love develop is a joy! And I love watching Ginny find herself as she learns to trust herself and others, recognize her worth, and stand up for herself.
Enjoyment: SUCH a fun read if you enjoy mysteries and sweet romance. Enjoyable from start to finish.
Depth: Fairly lighthearted for the most part. Nothing too deeply thought-provoking or controversial It does get a little intense as the mystery unravels, but nothing too scary or triggering.

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This was a first time read for me by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. The story was well-written and had an interesting plot and kept my interest from start to finish. The story is a romance, but also a mystery and had plenty of danger and intrigue which kept me turning the pages, eager to find out what happens next. After Ginny's late father's watch disappears, she hires a thief-taker, Jack, to help her find it. Together they go in search of the watch and discover not only the mystery as to why it was stolen, but also a beautiful bond that begins to form between them. The mystery and suspense kept me intrigued, and I enjoyed the budding romance between Jack and Ginny. The witty banter was also very entertaining. I really enjoyed this Proper Romance and will most definitely be coming back for more!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

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Joanna takes regency era romantic mystery to a whole new level. With witty banter, flirtations that make a person blush, and kisses that curls the toes she can weave majic with words. This book with it's well rounded characters, dramatic mysteries, and overall perfect tension throughout you have a perfectly crafted story of love, tension, and happily ever after.

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I really enjoyed this romance. I liked how there was a mystery for the characters to solve and that as they worked to solve the mystery, they fell in love. The story kept me engaged the whole time and I cared about what happened to Ginny and Jack. I thought the story was well written and very enjoyable.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

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