Such a great story with wonderful characters. Loved the setting of the story and using characters from past books to keep it moving forward. Was a little disappointed that the ending felt too similar to the previous novels endings but it was still worth reading. After finishing, I had to go back and re-read past books

I fell in love with this author's Time Series years ago, so I was excited to see something new from her. I enjoy steampunk and I love fairy-tale retellings, but I was left rather underwhelmed. The world building was non-existent. As a 4th book in a series, I understand needing less of that, but this had none! I should have been able to pick it up and understand what was going on easily. And the Cinderella tale? Poorly done. I didn't like Emme or Oliver for a moment.

I was provided with an ARC of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really like this series. Book 4 is just as good and maybe a bit better. This is a steam punk romance story with a nod to Cinderella. This isn't a Cinderella retelling. That is a very important distinction. It brings a fun element of charm to the book as you come up on each Cinderella reference. I was given a chance to read an advanced reader copy from Net Galley, so I thank them for that. Honestly I had a great time with the mystery, the setting, the characters, and all. I love that this author can show that strong women and strong men, working together, can strengthen and compliment each other and neither is diminished in any way.

I’ve loved this whole series (though I must admit that the first book was my favorite). This book was no exception. Emme was a great heroine, with strong convictions and a deep desire to help others heedless of the danger to herself.
Oliver was studly, while also being enlightened enough to stay out of Emme’s way and let her do her thing when needed (chasing after her with high anxiety- loved that).
I appreciate that each had misconceptions of the other but, after correcting those, it wasn’t made to seem as though they were always of the same mind and never disagreed from then on. It was nice to see them learn to appreciate one another and their differences, while generally working toward similar goals and having great chemistry.
The twist on Cinderella was subtle but fun and I hope there’s more about Madeline in the future. I also cherish it when a series pops in the characters from previous books, so it was great to hear updates in that regard.

To much to be believable. While one does have to suspend reality when reading, Emme is just too much. She is the definition of too dumb to live. And Oliver in not much better. These types of books are what gives Steampunk a bad name.

Thoroughly enjoyable story. Great main characters and entertaining plot. The villains are somewhat cartoonish but still advanced the plot.

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is book 4 in the Steampunk Proper Romance series. It is just as enjoyable as the first three books in the series. Books 2 through 4 involve characters who made appearances in the first book. Emmeline O’Shea and Oliver Reed are adversaries. The PSRC (Predatory Shifter Regulations Committee) is the purpose of Emmeline O'Shea's life. The PSRC reminds me of the British suffrage movement. Oliver Reed is a detective who is often sent to deal with the mobs at PSRC events. As threats against Emmeline grow more violent, Oliver is assigned to protect her. As with the other stories in the series, the characters are interesting and grow during the plot. The side characters are interesting enough to get their own book. I am looking forward to the next entry in the series.

I really enjoyed this one. In my heart, it is second only to Kiss of the Spindle. The bodyguard romance scenario worked well for these characters, and it was delightful to see them fleshed out as leads. Keep ‘em coming, Nancy Campbell Allen!

The parallels to Cinderella were surprising, but I love this steampunk world of Nancy Campbell Allen. Such a fresh perspective on this story and the return of characters loved from previous books. This is an adventure not typical. The damsel in distress is capable of saving herself, but still finds herself in need of her hero/nemesis.

I was drawn in completely to this non traditional fairy tale and found myself wanting the fashions and to see the settings. Add in Vampires and shifters and you have a perfect fantasy set in a Victorian steampunk world.

Part of the fun in this story was to find the nods to Cinderella stores I've seen before. I was completely enthralled and delighted as I read this book.

I loved this book entirely! I couldn't put it down, I had to finish it. The story is about Emmeline, a young woman who is the leader of a feminist movement in the United Kingdom. Sometimes she gets into trouble because she's involved in the protests, she wants more freedom for women. Unfortunately, the protests are not well seen by the police. One day, Detective Reed detains her, along with other participants, luckily, she's released almost immediately but from now on she will need to have a bodyguard, the great and honorable Oliver Reed. Emmeline does not agree but continues her projects, she is preparing for a very important meeting in which she will speak in front of many influential people. Oliver follows her, they get to know each other and, they become good friends, but maybe they could be something more. This story is so sweet, I loved the relationship between Emmeline and Oliver. The plot twists of the novel made me like it even more because it is not the typical historical fiction and romance story. The writer mentioned certain fantastic elements that caught my attention all the time.

I believe this is my favorite from this series so far! The similarities between this and Cinderella were subtle but perfect. Emme is such a great heroine and I loved her conviction in her beliefs. The chemistry was great and the story kept me constantly turning the next page. I was disappointed that we didn't hear more about Madeline in the end but I'm hoping that means she will have her own story... perhaps The Little Mermaid??

There is a lot to enjoy about this book. The author has developed a cadence to the dialogue that gives a great deal of authenticity to the steampunk setting of the story. The two main characters are well drawn and extremely likable. The relationship between Emme and Oliver grows slowly and naturally as the book develops and adds a nice romantic tension. Emme is a strong independent woman who knows what she believes and is willing to fight for it. In this case it is the rights of the shifter population where Emme is the spokesperson for the International Shifter Rights Organization and is to have a key role at the upcoming Edinburgh Summit.

The underlying theme of shifter rights really caught my attention. The rights of a minority population--one that is not highly valued in society as a whole--is a theme that speaks well to the place that the world is in today. The shifter population itself is really only in the background of the action of the book, however.

Emme is adamant about the inherent rights of everyone in her society. That is what seems to cause her problems. Even before Emme and Oliver head off toward Edinburgh, threats start appearing. By the time they arrive at the Summit, things become tense and Emme and Oliver must find a way to overcome them.

The book makes the claim of being a retelling of the Cinderella tale. I really didn't see it. To me, the Cinderella elements function more like "easter eggs" to be uncovered than serious plot elements. All of them could have been removed without seriously harming the novel as a whole.

While I liked the book, I was not overwhelmed. This was the first book by the author I have read, but I did not feel that this was a problem. I did not feel left out by an,y references to previous books. It's possible that I missed something, but I enjoyed it as a stand-alone book anyway.

I found the first half of the book very slow moving and had it not been for the need to write a review, I might have been tempted to quit. By the time they took the flight to Edinburgh, however, I began to feel very glad I kept at it. The book really moved along from that point on.

I have read a number of steampunk books and frankly this one felt less steampunk-ty than any I have read. Except for a few references, it felt more like a period piece. While I like the book a lot, it was not one of my favorites of the year so far.

I was given the book by NetGalley with the expectation of an honest review and appreciated the chance to live in Emme's world for a while.

I am shocked at how much I adored this little story.

Describing this as a Cinderella retelling seems a stretch since, until the end, the Cinderella similarities are few -- nasty stepsisters and a grand event and a few cryptic references to midnight being about the extent of them. No, this little page-turner was wholly unique to me; it is decidedly a romance, but it has a healthy dash of adventure and intrigue mixed in, and I like the seamlessness of the steampunk world -- it doesn't feel as though the author is trying too hard to make it cool or different. I very much enjoyed the entire thing, and was drawn in from the first chapter, genuinely wondering what would happen next. You certainly don't see warring factions of humans and supernatural beings in Cinderella..

Emme is one of my new favorite heroines, and I might be a little bit in love with Oliver; as far as book beaus go, he's a keeper. Dependably upright, charming, just a little bit infuriating, slightly mysterious, willing to die multiple times for our spunky and impossible-to-tame heroine, and handsome to boot: what else do you need, really?
Emme doesn't feel contrived, which I appreciate. Too often lately it feels like I'm reading a publisher's wishlist when I meet a new a heroine -- "She needs to be independent, beautiful without trying, ferocious yet also appealing, unique yet approachable by her cast of less-than-exciting sidekicks, etc., etc. She probably swears a good deal and can hold her own with the boys. She's open-minded, and while she'll have a love interest, she doesn't *need* him.."
Emme is the best of all those things without being trite; she does feel deeply, and it's both curse and weapon. She's independent but loves her family dearly; she cares passionately for her cause but won't exploit or discount individuals just to get her way. She has insecurities but doesn't let them absolutely hobble her like I've seen happen in other books, and she speaks her mind without being vulgar, whiny, insipid, or demanding. In short, she is entirely human, entirely female, and entirely sympathetic and believable.

The cast of supporting characters in this story is wide, and I lost track of most of them -- I believe this is because most of them have their own stories in the series (which I did not realize existed until I came on here to review this particular installment... *quietly checks out the rest of the books from eLibrary*); there are a few of note, namely a vampiric stand-in for a fairy godmother, a lovely young lady named Madeline whose story is, I believe, not yet over, and an intimidating, over-bearing, but wholly good-intentioned mother.

The plot moves swiftly; the vocabulary is not taxing, but some of the exchanges between Oliver and Emme may be seen as flowery. I enjoyed them; I love it when people are a little overly formal and say too many things in the span of one breath, when they could've just spoken plainly and briefly. Others may find it off-putting. I think it jives with the whole Victorian-era steampunk thing, though.

The arc of the romance in this story was predictable, but sweetly done, and honestly, pretty delightful. Sometimes "clean" teen books can be so treacly as to be nauseating, or so deliberately prudish as to be unreadable. This is neither. As a librarian who needs to consider middle school students who read well above their "level," but don't need to be anywhere near <i>Throne of Glass</i> just yet, I will wholeheartedly recommend this to that subset of reader, and anybody else who seems remotely interested in fairytale retellings or steampunk.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing the eGalley for this review -- it's one I'm glad to have read for my own sake, as well as for the benefit of my students!

This is a Steampunk version of Cinderella complete with an evil stepsister and a shoe on a staircase. I have to say that I was enthralled with this clever and well-written novel, and let's face it, all of Nancy Campbell Allen's Steampunk novels; I devoured it, and I could not put it down. I think that is saying something since I am not attracted to anything else Steampunk.

I really loved Emmeline O'Shea's personality. She is described as a "force of nature, and someone who doesn't do anything by halves. I also adored Oliver Reed, the law-abiding police detective who has always been there for Emmeline, including the times he has thrown her over his shoulder and arrested her. I love this line :"Perhaps on some level he figured he'd known from the very first time he'd thrown her over his should that someday he would kiss Emme O'Shea."

This is an enemies to friends love story amidst the Steampunk world of shapeshifters and vampires. The chemistry is real and palpable between the two of them. Emmeline says, "Our reactions to one another have always been strong. Two sides of the same coin and all that."

Fasten your seatbelts on for this one, as there is lots of action and adventure as Emmeline gives her all to protecting shapeshifters, as the Spokeswoman for the International Shifter Rights Organization, and Oliver Reed gives his all to protect her.. Things heat up as she prepares to depart for Edinburgh to speak at the Summit Meeting. It is at this meeting we find out who is behind all the threats and disturbing secrets are revealed.

This is a clean novel that everyone can read. I look forward with anticipation and hope that there is another Steampunk story in the works!

This is my first read from Nancy Campbell Allen. I really enjoy the steampunk genre with the combinations of history, advanced technology, and oftentimes paranormal aspects. However, I didn't really get that from this book. It was definitely set during a time where paranormal creatures such as shifters and vampires exist, but you saw really no evidence of that in the story. Neither of the main characters is creatures and there are very few scenes where the shifters and vampires appear as anything but normal people. There are also pieces of advanced tech in the story, but they are not integral to the story.

I did like the story, but would probably categorize it more of a historical romance than steampunk.

Brass Carriages and Glass Hearts is a Steampunk novel with hints of Cinderella. It seems that the evil stepsisters are there and Emme is certainly out working tirelessly. There is even a shoe to be found by the prince but there it diverges. We get the fun Victorian age steampunk inventions including some wings that can be strapped on the escape a sinister flying dirigible when parachutes go missing. We get the enemies-destined-to-be-lovers trope and it really works here. Its does not feel contrived. In short we get some spectacular yet real characters and a plot full of interest and twists. I would recommend this book to my patrons.

Wow. What a fun read! At first, I thought calling this a take on Cinderella was a stretch as there were few plot points that corresponded with the classical tale. Well, I took it all back by the end. My favorite may be Emme's Fairy Godmother. I giggled to no end! The progression of this enemies to lovers romance was believable and unforced. The sweet romance of it was lovely and refreshing. I felt this was wonderfully written (and edited!) and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The Steampunk aspect was spot on and I loved the addition of shifters and vampires. This is my first read from Ms. Allen and I will search out more by her.

I've read all the books in the series and I think this is my favorite so far. Maybe because, by now, I know the world and what to expect from it. I enjoyed the appearances of the characters from the other books and how they had a role in this story.

When the story starts, we see how Emme and Oliver's relationship with each other has been so far: he's a detective, she's an advocate for the shapeshifter community, and their work and beliefs are at odds. Or so it seems.

Even as Oliver carts Emme away from a near-riot, there's an undercurrent to what they admit about the other, and you know there's more than what they say, even if they won't admit it.

When her life is threatened and Oliver becomes her protector, their close time together brings out their feelings for each other in the open, and their romance is a sweet one. Of course, the problems surrounding them only escalate.

I felt the theme of this story was very contemporary and lent lots of opportunities for thinking about our current society climate.

This is a story that will be much better understood if read after the other books in the series.

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

Another story from the the fabulous steampunk world of Nancy Campbell Allen! This one focused on
Emme and Oliver and spun the well known Cinderella tale.

Emme has recently accepted a high ranking position and is continuing to fight for shifters' rights. We find out more about her family, including her two stepsisters, one of which has a chip on her shoulder.

Oliver is assigned protection duty over Emme to keep her safe from a threat sent to her through a "bad letter". Emme surprises Oliver by being a willing participant. The two of them find a comfortable routine and learn that they are both advocating for similar outcomes, but through two different means.

Lots of danger and adventure follow Emme and Oliver as they make their way to Edinburgh for the a festival and meetings surrounding the shifters' rights vote.

Cinderella elements include evil stepsister, Gus Gus, a pumpkin carriage, and a lost shoe. We also get to visit our friends from the first 3 books and it was delightful to see how happy they all are!

I absolutely love the characters that are created in these stories and cannot wait for the next one!

When I saw steampunk and a retelling, I immediately said, “yes please.” Little did I know that it was part of a series, number 4, in fact. I would suggest that anyone probably wants to start at the beginning, as characters from the earlier books make an appearance, and it would help with understanding the background and world building.

That being said, I still enjoyed the book. It was a fun, easy read. Nothing challenging or requiring massive thinking, but a perfectly enjoyable afternoon read.

It should be noted that I think “retelling” is a bit of a stretch for this book. Besides a parent remarrying, and inheriting some not-so-nice siblings, I don’t think Emme was shoved into a basement and forced to clean up after her new siblings/parent. She was independent, had her own profession, and didn’t seem to give to whits about that pesky step-sister.

The inclusion of Gus was a cute touch, as well as her missing shoe, though the latter, really unnecessary.

The villain was easy to guess, but it didn’t change my opinion of the book, as I was just enjoying it for what it was. I will likely try to read the earlier books in the series.