This is one of those books that you mark as "currently reading" and then you are currently reading it for the next 12 years. I was liking it, with some fun banter and a brilliant set-up for an enemies to lovers romance. I loved the feminist/activist storyline of our main heroine, especially in Victorian period and with the rights of werewolves and shapeshifters put into question. In my busy life I simply have the time to keep reading things that I read one page per week of, so I'm dusting this off that black hole of a Goodreads shelf and declaring it "read."

Thank you to Shadow Mountain for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A good addition to the steampunk romance category. I guess I would've appreciated the book more if I had read the previous three--didn't realize this was part of a series. I laughed visualizing all the times Oliver had to haul Emma off during a protest (when their past history was described, plus one current incident), flinging her over his shoulder. Perhaps a too smooth transition from enemies to lovers, with strange flips trying to create tension that quickly smoothes over. The worldbuilding was consistent, but I'm sure a lot of that was carried over from the first three books. You can figure out pretty early who the culprit is if you think about it for more than a moment. Relatively chaste, of course HEA. I just might have to check the previous books in the series, though!

Interesting take on modern issues but wrapped in the guise of historical steampunk.
I'm usually not a huge fan of steampunk that crosses over with fantasy too much, but overall not bad in this case.

Fun, fun retelling of Cinderella. In fact, I got so engrossed in the story that I forgot it was a retelling until the very end. Then I could pick it out throughout the book. Each of the basic roles was represented, albeit with a twist. I like the steam punk setting, too. It's fun how the characters from this whole story interact with each other, yet each book is a standalone book.

This book was a nice addition to this series. I loved the characters and the plot moved quickly and introduced some new interesting characters. The world that Nancy Campbell Allen has created in this series is so interesting.

This book is a fun addition to the Proper Romance series. Told from a fairytale perspective with a steampunk twist makes for an incredibly wonderful story. Having the book come out in October was perfect timing! I highly recommend this book!

I don't usually read steampunk books but this one was very good. I liked the story . Very well done.

I do recommend.

My thanks to NetGalley for making an eARC copy of this book available to me.

I was a little disappointed in that the book is advertised as a new take on the Cinderella story, but other than having a seemingly evil step-sister the whole Cinderella story doesn't show up until the last 20 pages. I did think that the transition of the protagonist's relationship evolved very nicely over the length of the book.

Romance, clean; Steampunk; Series but stand alone read
This was by far my favorite of this series so far! All the elements really came together well, the story had excellent pacing and just felt so engrossed in this world! Emmaline and Oliver's story was the best of the series for me as a reader.
Emme and Oliver, thrown together for him to provide protection for her after she receives some threats begins as strong mutual dislike based on their past history. Their gradual warming up to each other as they spend time together and work together to keep Emme safe and able to make her presentation that is so important to change their society and influence votes on a very important legislation is fraught with upset, delays, drama, and dangers. Oliver proves himself over and over again, and Emme as well, and they both realize not only that they work well together, but that they have mutual respect, and definite admiration, and (swoon) attraction for each other that was so well drawn.
Gorgeously detailed steam punk world and elements that make this fantastical novel so engrossing and fun to read! Perfect newest addition to this series!
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. My opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Shadow Mountain, Proper Romance and the author for gifting me an arc to read. I was so excited for this installment since the last one was one of my favorites last year.
This series is such a nice surprise. I was wondering which fairy tale the author would tackle in the next installment and thrilled to see it was Cinderella. The fairy tale fit the story and the author added her own spin on it (as she usually does!)
I enjoyed the element of enemies-to-lovers that the two love interests had, especially from their first interaction! This is a clean romance but boy were those kisses steamy! Again the romance was done so well here. Just made my heart melt!
The heroine's passion for shifter's rights and being an activist kept the story fresh and interesting; as well as helping her stand out among the other heroines in this series.
I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy to put on my shelf.

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Having never read any "steam punk" styled books before, this was to be my first foray into this interesting writing style. I'm very pleased to say if other books of this style are like this one, it will soon be a favorite style. This story was loosely based on Cinderella but other than a few references to that fairytale, I found it to be a wonderfully refreshing tale. There was plenty of action and adventure alongside some very good conversations among the characters. I loved the "enemies to lovers" plot line and how it was done in an unexpected way. Both main characters were strong personalities and that kept the other from being steamrolled, a necessity to ensure the story would turn out well. The fantasy ideas presented here with werewolves and other such "shifters" was done tastefully and really gave the story both balance and heart. The situations presented could also be used to show the importance of fighting for the underdogs of society and yet not resort to hurting others in that fight. I loved how clean the story was while also drawing you in with its excellent writing. I am very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series and am hopeful for future stories by Ms. Allen in this style of writing. I will certainly recommend this story as very good and hope others will find it as entertaining as I did.

I received this temporary, complimentary E-Book from Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

I love this series. It's the only steampunk I read and I've looked forward to each new book. Not only is this a steampunk retelling of Cinderella but it's also an enemies to lovers story which I really like. Emmeline is Isla's cousin and they're friends with Hazel so we've seen Emmeline in the other books.

Emme is a passionate spokesperson for the shifter community. Working hard to get the laws that are prejudiced against them changed. She's had several run ins with Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, whom she considers her nemesis. When Emme receives a threat against her life before a trip where she's to deliver a key note address, Oliver is tasked by his superior to be Emmeline's bodyguard to ensure she arrives in Edinburgh. As they spend time together getting to Edinburgh, they come to realize they don't know everything about each other to have formed such strong opinions to think that their staunch enemies.

I really like enemies to lovers stories and loved this one. I love watching the characters change their minds about their "enemy/nemesis", as they discover they might have been wrong about the other person. Emmeline didn't want to admit she might be developing feelings for Oliver, and she tried so hard to justify that it was just because he was handsome.

I enjoyed the mystery, the suspense, and the action in the story, as Emme and Oliver tried to figure out who would gain the most from the laws governing the shifters remaining unchanged. I liked the Cinderella elements but felt they weren't overdone or in your face. Yes, there are step-sisters, a glass element, a lost shoe, a ballgown, etc, but it didn't feel as if it was Cinderella simply retold with the steampunk elements of airships, ray guns, automatons just thrown in there. All of the elements worked together seamlessly and without any effort on the part of the reader to remember this was a Cinderella retelling.

I loved Emmeline and Oliver together. They had more in common than they thought and I thought they were great together. I really want to know what happened to Emmeline's stepsister Madeline. I hope this series continues because I think Nancy Campbell Allen does a fantastic job and there are more fairytales that could be retold with a steampunk twist.

Thanks to Shadow Mountain via NetGalley for my digital copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Another amazing book to add to the already popular Steampunk Proper series. This time we get Cinderella’s tale retold with the use of Emmeline. Emme is a wonderful character that almost breaks my heart at times. This story has it all the plot, the story telling, the characters, and the romance.

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is a rollicking steampunk romance that follows Emmeline Castle O’Shea, a Shifter rights activist, as she gears up for the biggest moment of her life: giving the keynote speech at an international conference that will determine the fate of the supernatural population across the world. When she receives a letter threatening her life, who else can she turn to other than Detective Inspector Oliver Reed, the biggest thorn in her side — and maybe her best protector.

Every page is an adventure, and while the plot gets a little convoluted toward the end, the well-drawn cast of characters kept my attention. I read pretty much this whole book in one sitting, and I do not regret it. The romance between Oliver and Emme goes from enemies to lovers a little fast, but I don’t think it detracts from the overall story. It took a little while for me to get a handle on the steampunk technology (I haven’t read a lot in this genre) but after a chapter or two is became easier to keep up with.

Fans of Gail Carriger will enjoy this book, as the world is pretty similar — vampires, shifters, steampunk technology, and so on — but without Carriger’s signature zany humor. I must confess, I tried to read the Parasol Protectorate series several years ago and the tone of the narration kept kicking me out of the story. I did not have that issue with Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts.

Overall rating: 3.75 stars

Received in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

A very interesting retelling! I love steampunk novels and retellings and the two combined were pure magic!

A delightfully fun escape! Excellent book that is highly recommended for all fans of steampunk fiction, especially with the Cinderella twist. Emme and Oliver’s progression from nemesis to lovers is such a satisfying tale that is well told with enough chemistry to keep you turning the pages as quickly as possible. Emme is full of spunk, passion and personality. Oliver is similar in some regards, but quieter. If you have followed the series, you will recognize Emme and love her story. If you have not been following the series, it is okay; this book is a great standalone story. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own and freely given.

Steampunk, shifters and love!

I do enjoy steampunk but must admit I haven't read any for a couple of years. I was unsure if I wanted to get back into this genre, and wondered if I could read this without having a knowledge of the series background. I'm pleased to say this stands alone, so that's that hurdle down. I'm now committed to investigating the series, and a have renewed interest in this genre.
I enjoyed Brass Carriages immensely. I loved the courage and vivacity of Emme (Emmeline Castle O’Shea) and the long suffering, dependable and broodingly, focused energy of Oliver (Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed). (Really? Oliver Reed? Mmm! I can see that!)
Emme is a strong advocate for the rights of the shifter community and is working on trying to repeal the Predatory Shifter Extermination Act. An important international conference, The International Shifter Rights Organization is being held to vote on the matter. Emme is to speak. Forces against her have already sent threatening letters and Oliver is assigned to guard her. The lead up to this was très amusing. Of course Emme and Oliver's relationship is like oil and water, tricky and needing something else for the emulsifying factor to occur. That component is present in spades! Emme has a difficult family structure, partly pure poison. The Cinderella references are rife. As the preface states each book in the series is a, "familiar fairy tale in a steampunk 19th-century UK setting." The manipulation of this traditional literary tool is rewarding.
I think of 'Emme' and I immediately think of the suffragettes and their activism. The modeling fits the energies and activism of that era. A young woman concerned with injustice and the ability for all to choose their own path, for enfranchisement for all no matter their background and traits.
A great read that made me laugh and teeter on the edge of Oh No's! quite a few times.

A Shadow Mountain ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I have found that Steampunk books can be quite interesting. I'm not sure what it is about the setting but it feels like a combination of new and old technology, inventions, and the like.

I have read a couple of the books in this series and have enjoyed the books and this one was no different. There are a few things that liken it to Cinderella, but I feel like it is very loosely based on that fairy tale. But that is not a fault, just an observation of mine.

The story that is told is one that could fit our world today - it is about not shunning a part of society and one woman's fight for their rights. I'm talking about shifters, humans that shift into animal form a few nights a month. Most are not violent, but as we know, a few bad apples tend to ruin it for everyone. Emme is their spokeswoman and is fighting for their rights, much to the chagrin of her family. She is definitely not a proper lady by their standards, but that is what makes her a good advocate for the shifters. It isn't until she receives a notice to back off that the police take things seriously. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed. This isn't their first encounter with each other and I think they each felt something for each other but have never acted upon those feelings. It takes some harrowing situations for them to admit to each other that perhaps there is something there in the romance field.

This also has an air of mystery about it because there are secrets unknown to Emme that put her in danger. There is also a wide range of characters, some loveable, some not so much. My favorite character is Gus. There is more to Gus than what meets the eye but I don't want to spoil that surprise for anyone so you'll have to read the book.

Others have said to read the other books in this series before this one, even though it is a standalone novel. I have read one of the others but really don't remember much that might tie to this book. The curse of reading so much! I think this book reads fine as a standalone, but if you like steampunk novels you will want to read all of the books in her series!

We give this book 4 paws up and look forward to reading more of her works.

A heroine determined to fight for what’s right. A hero assigned to protect her. Danger, romance, and a clock ticking down to midnight all blend together wonderfully in Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts. I adored this action-packed steampunk romance and its stellar characters, clever inventions, and oh-so-addictive world.

I can’t imagine Emme not winning anyone over. She’s courageous, kind, and determined to fight for what is right, no matter the personal cost. As Spokeswoman for the International Shifter Rights Organization she has the opportunity to give the closing speech right before the end of a summit where legislation to protect shifters is up for a vote. Only someone is determined she not live to make that speech. Enter Detective-Inspector Oliver Reed, Emme’s nemesis and the man who has arrested her more than once. Oliver agrees with Emme’s mission – he’s a good, logical person and his best friend is a predatory shifter, after all – it’s her disruptive ways he doesn’t agree with. No matter how often they’ve come into conflict, the simmering attraction between Emme and Oliver cannot be denied. So when he’s assigned to be her bodyguard and make sure she gets to Scotland in once piece, neither of them can hide their feelings any longer. Their romance seems to be fated (especially since their closest friends are all paired up) so I didn’t mind that they fell in love rather quickly; it goes with the Cinderella theme.

What I found most interesting about Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is how well Emme and Oliver worked together. They may have been adversaries in the past, but they both want the same thing. And to get to Scotland, they must overcome obstacles at every corner. Between Emme’s evil stepsister, Oliver’s vampire brother, death threats, kidnappings, and more, I wasn’t sure at times how our protagonists would make it. Thankfully they have allies old and new who add warmth and depth to the world. Fans of the series will delight in seeing past couples play supporting roles and there is a new character I found totally endearing who fills several Cinderella roles.

Though Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts has many nods to a beloved fairytale, it does fully stand on its own. I do recommend reading at least the first book in the series (Beauty and the Clockwork Beast) before starting Emme and Oliver’s book. You should be familiar with the wonderful world Nancy Campbell Allen has built before jumping headfirst into a story of steampunk, shifters, vampires, and more that does not offer a primer. I’ve adored every book in this series and this one does not disappoint. My only quibble is that there is a lot going on in this book and a few things felt rushed because so much was packed in (namely the storyline involving Oliver’s brother). Even with that issue, I enjoyed this story overall. I adore the way Nancy Campbell Allen blends fairytale and steampunk to create a world that is wholly unique. I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next!

I really enjoyed this. Although I definitely should have gone back and read the first three books in this series first. I didn't understand the world enough at the beginning. However, I did get to know it throughout the book.
Oliver was my favorite character, but I actually all of them.
I can't wait to read the sequel and I want to go back and read the first three someday.