A Heart Worth Stealing (Proper Romance) by Joanna Barker-Regency Book Review

Book Summary

Little 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. 

Book Details 

A Heart Worth Stealing by Joanna Barker 

Publication Date: 5/2/23 

Trade Paperback ISBN: 9781639930920 

Retail Price: $16.99 Page Count: 288 

Regency Proper Romance 

Cover art: Shelly Richmond / Arcangel Images; Malorny / Getty Images Book design: © Shadow Mountain Art Direction: Richard Erickson Design: Heather G. Ward 

****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

My Review

A Heart Worth Stealing is such a wonderful combination of mystery, family healing, and a forbidden romance with a Hero and Heroine of different social classes.

There were some really great characters in this book. You have the heroine, Ginny, who is forced to be strong but has a vulnerable and tender side, and the leading man Jack, who is escaping his own demons to prove his value to others and himself. The villain was easy to spot but other side characters such as Beatrice, Wiley, and Jack's mother all stood out. The whole adventure starts with a missing watch, then break-ins, also slow dances ensue. I love a romance that is not the norm and A Heart Worth Stealing delivers on this. Ginny and Jack are the ideal couple who are meant for one another but it takes a lot of suffering and hurt to get there. 

All Regency Romance readers will fall in love with A Heart Worth Stealing and you'll also enjoy the experience of reading Ginny and Jack's love story.

****Meet Author Joanna Barker****

JOANNA BARKER firmly believes that romance makes everything better, which is why she has fallen in love with writing Regency romances. When she’s not typing away on her next book, she’s listening to podcasts, eating her secret stash of chocolate, or adding things to her Amazon cart. Joanna’s books have received praise from Publishers Weekly, the Historical Novel Society, Readers’ Favorite, and more. She thinks being an author is the second-best job in the world—right after being a mom. She is just a little crazy about her husband and three wild-but-loveable kids. 

For author interview requests, please contact Callie Hansen at chansen@shadowmountain.com 

~*~*~*~*Purchase A Heart Worth Stealing~*~*~*~*

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Paperback-https://amzn.to/3nNWttN

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Advance Praise: 

“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 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