An amazing book from Jen Turano. Can be read as a stand-alone. This is a historical Christian fiction book

This is book one of The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency Series. Just when Gabriella had her life back on track and thought her past was in the past, a friend is accused of theft and she can stand by and let them be falsely accused. She unexpectedly meets her old friend Nicholas, a thief from her past, and a friend talks him into helping Gabriella prove the innocents of her friend. When they start to work on proving that her friend was not part of the theft, Nicholas and Gabriella come to terms with the past and find much more than they thought they would find.
I would recommend this book to those that want a fun, light romance, light mystery read. This book is a feel good, read to the end. One of those books that could make it as a Hallmark Movie & Mystery channel movie. I really like this author and her books are always very entertaining from beginning to end.

What a fun group of characters! The banter between Gabriella and Daphne was pure comic gold, and had me chuckling out loud several times. I enjoyed the storyline, and all of the characters really came to life for me. I frequently felt like I was in the middle of their conversations - which were frequently very amusing. The middle part of the book kind of dragged on a bit, but it didn't take too long before the pace picked up again and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. I hope that some of the other characters will get their own stories.

Loved! Loved this book! I found this book to be just the escape I needed. Nicholas and Gabriella's relationship was so fun to watch as well. Some of the situations they got into was hilarious. I could picture them clearly. Gabriella is full of determination and spunk. She grew up on the streets but didn't let that keep her from becoming the person she was and improving her situation. I like how the story comes full circle and Gabriella discovers the true facts of her past.
Each of the ladies from the boarding bouse added their unique personality to the story. I liked them all and wish they were real. The mystery of the Knickerbocker bandit added to the story. It wasn't just a romance.
I listened this book as an audiobook. I found that the narrator did an great job bringing this story to life. Every once in awhile it was a little difficult to determine who was speaking but overall it was good. I have read other books by Jen Turano and knew they were fun and clean and just a wonderful story. So I had no hesitation listening to part of this story with my boys in the car. I didn't expect them to be interested but they were. So much that my older son asked me if we could keep listening to mom's book the next day. He was worried I had listened to it without them. Both of my boys said it was interesting to them. A little intense but good. One thing they liked was the dogs in the story.
I found this story to be the perfect escape to another time and place. I'm looking forward to reading more books by her.


I recommend this book to my family and friends.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. I purchased the audio book for my own library. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

This is a fun read. The plot is fast paced and has a lot going on - maybe a bit too much at times? But even with all of action, everything seems to get resolved in the end.

This was a lovely and unique historical romance. I found myself smiling at several points while I read and was genuinely surprised by the ending. Will keep an eye out for more from this author!

To Steal a Heart is book one in The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency series by Jen Turano.

Summary: Gabriella Goodhue is determined to help a friend unjustly accused of stealing a collection of priceless gems. And if that means relying on the street smarts she learned as a child, then so be it.

But there is more to this crime than meets the eye. Valuables have been going missing throughout the city. Who could be behind these mysterious thefts, and can she find the real culprit in time to save her friend?

My Thoughts: I really like Jen Turano’s books. They are always filled with extremely quirky characters and high-jinx galore. This book is no exception. I enjoyed the storyline, the crazy characters, and the light-hearted romance as well.

This was a quick, fun read-perfect for when you just want to enjoy a book and not think too hard about it.

I am looking forward to reading more from this series. I love the characters, and can’t wait to read more about them!

I would like to thank Bethany House Publishers for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for my review. Thank you!

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano is the first book in her new Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency series. Gabriella Goodhue’s childhood was spent as a street thief until her arrest sent her to an orphanage. Determined to put that past behind her, she reluctantly recalls her skills when a friend is in need of a little breaking and entering.

Nicholas Quinn was Gabriella’s best friend until she was taken from him that fateful arrest day. He never forgot her, even though his lot in life was changed when he was sent to live with a professor who taught him to be a gentlemen. Their paths unexpectedly cross while Gabriella is attempting to crack open a safe.

The story is off and running from there, with many a twist and turn and lighthearted mishap. It’s one of the aspects of Jen Turano’s writing that I greatly enjoy – her ability to take characters with difficult pasts and put them in humorous situations.

Gabriella and Nicholas are especially well-paired and it is no wonder they were childhood best friends. Personally, their type of characters are ones I especially enjoy reading about, too. The supporting cast threatens to steal the show, but Gabriella and Nicholas are too strong to let that happen.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted read with quirky characters that also touches on deep topics like poverty, wealth, and crime, definitely pick up a copy of To Steal a Heart. It might steal your heart, too.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

This book was fantastic!

I've come to expect quirky characters and their funny escapades from Jen Turano books. This book exceeded all of my expectations and kept me thoroughly amused the entire time.

Gabriella and the other ladies of the Bleeker Street Boarding House tickle me.

I can picture Gabriella, dressed up as a man. I can see her trying to blend in at a high society function so she can sneak up the stairs to find the safe. Hard to believe that a proper lady living in a boarding house with other single ladies once used to be a safe cracker.
But if anyone can pull off a plot like that, it is Jen Turano.

This book is funny, suspenseful with a little romance thrown in.

So if any of these genres appeal to you, I think you'll like this book

To Steal a Heart is set in New York City in 1886. Gabriella Goodhue is on a mission, of sorts, to clear her friend who has been accused of a theft. While attempting to do this she is unexpectedly reunited with her former best friend, Nicholas Quinn who she thought had abandoned her years ago. They shared a common past. They had been street thieves as children. Can their friendship resume? Not likely as Gabriella resides in a boarding house and Nicholas has become a member of New York's elite society.

What follows is an absolutely delightful story populated with a quirky and memorable cast of characters. The dialogue is witty and often funny. The multilayered plot is packed with adventures, humor and surprises. This book is well worth reading! Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary of this book from Baker Publishing and NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano is a delightful historical fiction story. Set in the 1880’s in New York City,
this book looks at class discrimination and repercussions of choices made. The upper class seemed to
spend their time and energy trying to outdo each other. Bigger houses, better locations, whom you
associated with and who you married. The lower class seemed to enjoy life and be happy with what they
had.
The two main characters grew up together in the rough part of town. Separated for years, they
rediscover each other when they are each called to solve a mystery. Once best friends they are now
separated by class and vocation. Can they find their way back to each other and overcome the class
differences? Jen Turano pens a lovely story with deep characters, wonderful plot twists and great
storytelling. Mystery, suspense, romance and faith are all part of this wonderful story. Worth the read.
This book was provided through #NetGalley and Celebrate Lit and the author for my review. The opinions expressed are

Das eBook ist leider defekt. Der Seitenumsprung funktioniert nicht, dann wird oft gar nichts angezeigt, man muss mehrfach hin und her springen, um eine Anzeige zu erhalten und auf jeder Seite sind mehrere Worte irgendwie abgedeckt und nicht sichtbar. So ist das Lesen leider zu mühsam. Ich werde das Buch daher nicht bewerten.

Jen Turano is back with a brand new series, full of mystery, romance, and hilarious miscommunication!

When Gabriella's friend is falsely accused of a crime, she and her fellow boardinghouse members band together to clear the name of their friend. While on the case she comes face to face with a man that she never thought she'd see again, Nicholas Quinn, once an orphan like her who was adopted by a wealthy professor, and is now part of the dream of society. As they are thrown together in one case after another, their re-established friendship is tested, but could it be more?

A fast-paced, fun-filled read, with a full cast of colorful characters and lively interactions. The excellent pacing and great interaction between the characters, interlaced with hilarious misadventures keep the story from feeling episodic. I loved how the ladies of the boarding house all worked together, each bringing their own special skill set to the table, and I can't wait to get to know them better in future books!

Overall, a delightful, and highly entertaining read. I didn't want to put this book down. This books is not for people who take themselves too seriously, as it is just too much fun. Excellent start to what is sure to be a fantastic series!

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

What a fantastic book! ❤

It is always a good day when there’s a Jen Turano book to read. But she outdid herself with this one!

There’s a touch of mystery, a nod to Oliver Twist, and friendships that become stronger with each page. Full of the humor Turano is known for, but also a note of seriousness that brings inteligence and depth to the characters.

I’m so looking forward to the next book in the series!

The criminals better watch out, there's a new detective agency in town and these women aren't playing around!

Jen Turano has started a new series called the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency, and this is her best yet. Set in New York City in the late 1880's, Turano pulls together high society and the every day working class to create mystery, tension, and romance in a way that has the reader on the edge of her seat. I love Jen's books for a lot of reasons -- her research into the time period is amazing, her characters are multi-faceted and realistic, the dialogue she creates leaves you breathless, and she brings a unique sense of comedy to every scene.

Each time I read her books I have a hard time putting them down. She has a brilliant way of drawing the reader in and ending each chapter in such a way that you have to read 'just one more'. I love cheering the characters on as they, with the best of intentions, get themselves into hysterical situations that only make them more endearing.

There are so many intriguing women living in the boarding house on Bleecker Street that I can't wait for the remaining books in the series. I really want to learn more about each one!

To Steal a Heart launches Jen Turano’s new series in an attention grabbing and highly entertaining manner. The action opens with lead character Gabriella preparing to break into a safe at the home of one of the New York Four Hundred. If you’ve ever read Jen Turano before, you can only imagine the hilarity that follows. The action never really stops after that, and a new crime fighting force is launched.

Readers, welcome to the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency.

Following the safe-cracking attempt, Gabriella runs right into Nicholas Quinn, her dearest friend. The two first bonded while sharing a rough childhood on the streets. Gabriella is now making ends meet as a seamstress, but Nicholas was taken in by a wealthy and influential man. He’s now viewed as the most eligible bachelor in New York.

As Gabriella tries to solve different cases, and danger stalks her, Nicholas can’t help being drawn back to his former best friend, feeling she’s the only person in the city to truly know him. But Gabriella isn’t interested in harming his standing in society, or bowing to its demands.

In summary, I highly recommend To Steal a Heart. This book will amuse, provoke thought and (if you’re like me) make you cheer out loud. Another winner from one of my favorite authors.

Even if I didn’t already know this was a Jen Turano book, I’d know! Her inimitable style is delightful and unique. Her characters full of personality and gusto—not a dull one in the bunch.
I picked up on the My Fair, uh, Gentleman theme, and I’ve gotta say, I’ve not seen that done before. Brilliant, Ms. Turano, simply brilliant! And the conflict that Nicholas felt, [SPOILER]. OY!
Gabriella, headstrong and independent in an era before women’s rights, rises to the challenge every time. I love how she just jumps in and takes charge with her savvy mind and astute observations.
The colorful sidekicks—Daphne and Eunice and Elsy and Judith—add fun and flavor to the story like spices add zest to soup, and I can’t wait to see them in future stories in this new series.
Ms. Turano weaves some serious twists into her stories, and this one sure has plenty! Scenarios and resolutions that I totally did not see coming.

ROBIN’S FEATHERS
ALL | THE | FEATHERS!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but was under no obligation to read the book or to post a review. I offer my review of my own free will. The opinions expressed in my review are my honest thoughts and reaction to this book.

#Blogwords, Tuesday Reviews-Day, #TRD, Book Review, To Steal a Heart, Jen Turano, Celebrate Lit Publicity

This was a really fun book! I've read a ton of Jen Turano's work previously and I have enjoyed them all a lot. Turano's characters are always so witty and fun, and it is just always a good time all around. I was really excited to see that there was another series from her coming and to meet the cast of new characters. As usual, it was humorous and bantery and all the characters were a lot of fun: I particularly enjoyed Gabriella's friendship with the other girls who lived at the boardinghouse: they were all so unique! Like usual, it took me a little bit to get into the story, but once I started figuring out who was who, it all made sense.

This book was very similar to Roseanna M. White's Shadows Over England series, in that the characters were from a street thief background. As per typical Jen Turano style, the book was set in New York society in the late 1800s, with The Four Hundred featured, but with a twist of wacky events that just seem to happen that require a tiny bit of suspension of disbelief, such as things that could have happened, but just seemed to work out *just so*, or little character traits that probably couldn't happen in real life but just did in the book (like a dog that only listens if one speaks in pirate).

I wasn't a huge fan of either of the main characters, and there didn't seem to be a ton of chemistry between them, but I enjoyed them plenty. The fact that they were childhood friends called back to the "Shadows Over England" series (is it a call back if it's a reference to another series by another author?), and I do like that trope. I did enjoy one of the side characters, Daphne, though! (and little birdies tell me that the next book is about her which I'm super excited about!). The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency was SO MUCH FUN (think: women in the late 1800s forming a tiny little detective group) and I'm super excited to read more in the series because of it.

It felt like the storyline moved a little bit slowly in the beginning, but it definitely picked up as the book moved along. The wrapping up of the storyline was really interesting: I think it really added to the "suspension of disbelief" aspect of it, since it didn't really feel like things should/could have happened the way they are.

Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot and I'm really excited to see where the rest of this series goes!

4.5 stars - I loved it! Would re-read.
This was so great! I loved the characters. The story is meaty - there's the inciting incident that brings the couple together and launches the Inquiry Agency. Then there are some additional cases as well as developments in the main characters' personal lives as well as in the potential romance. Faith pieces are subtle and fit naturally into the story. The pacing is terrific, and the whole book was engaging from start to finish. I hope that every single member of the Inquiry Agency is going to get a book because I am here for every last one!

What a fun and unique story! Former friends separated by circumstances beyond their control. And it’s got quite the twist! I love this authors humor in her books and the quirkiness of her characters. Even with that, there’s a beautiful message woven in the pages. I’m loving this new series and can’t wait to read more! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.