Turano has given us another good story with this one. Coming from a boarding house, we now get this good new series of women who are working on being an inquiry agency. What a neat name! Gabriella and Nicholas, even Daphine, the characters were all fun to read about. From the historical time frame, to the mystery to solve, to the romance, I enjoyed this tale. It has humor that I love in this author's stories, and frankly, it's just charming. By the end of the book, I think more than one heart was stolen because I'm won over waiting for more books in this series.

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for my copy of this book. This review is mine, left freely.

Another fun and humorous tale from Jen Turano the queen of historical humor.

My first glimpse of this cover had me convinced that I would absolutely love this story, and I was oh so right!
Jen Turano gives us her classic style tale, but this one has an added punch - it has a mystery mixed in.

Gabe is by no means a society girl. She grew up an orphan, and even learned how to be an excellent thief. But she's come a long way. Now, she's helping other people with her knowledge, and is a founding member of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency.

She also runs into her old friend Nicholas, who she hasn't seen in years. Dare she trust him again, after he abandoned her so long ago?

Jen Turano has such a way with words. Her stories always have me chuckling inwardly, and sometimes even out loud.
Full of mystery, mayhem, and many funny scenes, this is a story you won't want to miss!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a delightful novel! Let’s be honest, I love everything that Jen Turano writes, but I do think that she continues to get better and better with every fun series! I love the quirky characters and humorous dialogue, not to mention the hilarious escapades our hero and heroine find themselves in on a regular basis. This novel also has a bit of mystery as they attempt to solve a crime, which adds additional depth to the story. I also loved the growth of the characters, both individually and together, and enjoyed the integration of spiritual themes. I really liked this book and look forward to more in the series!

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Can Jen Turano write a bad story?! The answer is an emphatic, “NO! No, she cannot.” To Steal a Heart is fantastic. Here are all the reasons I love this book and why you should purchase a copy ASAP:

***The women at the Bleeker Street boardinghouse. Each one is unique and quirky in her own right, and they all bring the funny. I laughed out loud so many times at their antics I lost count. The best thing about these women though is their loyalty to one another. These women will literally do anything, and I do mean anything, to help each other out. In a day where neighbors are turning on neighbors, it was so refreshing to read a story where a group of women from all walks of life comes together to support rather than tear down.

***The tension — this story is surprisingly tense in so many ways! There’s romantic tension between Gabriella and Nicholas. There’s tension between the classes. There’s tension among the upper elites. There’s tension between men and women. There’s tension between the good guys and the bad guys. There’s even romantic tension between two doggies (I’m not kidding — it’s adorable). The tension is so well written in this novel I could not stop turning pages.

***The relationship between Gabriella and Nicholas. The chemistry between these two characters is evident from their first interaction. When they first meet it has been many, many years since they last saw one another, and, boy, do they have a lot to learn about each other. I very much enjoyed their journey back to friendship. And, I love how their old friendship blossoms into new friendship into a very sweet romance. To me, it is all very realistic and just perfect! The fun interplay between Gabriella and Nicholas had me smiling the whole time.

***The bad guy is BAD. I’m talking skin-crawling bad. I was captivated by the chapters he’s in because I needed to know how Gabriella and Nicholas were going to get out of his grips. This bad guy may be one of the best bad guys I’ve ever read.

***The message. Sometimes it feels like God is a million miles away. Sometimes it seems like He works a lot in some people’s lives but neglects others. Of course, this is not true. Feelings can be deceptive. Gabriella has had a lot of bad in her life. It 100% feels like God isn’t around for her. But when she looks back on her past and the path she’s taken it’s very clear God has been there the whole time. We, humans, get so caught up in the NOW that we often forget to pause, take a breath, and reflect. I find that when I do reflect on my own past I can clearly see God in every step I’ve ever taken. This is a great reminder for all of us!

There really is so much to love about To Steal a Heart. I could go on and on with my praise! Jen Turano hit this one out of the park. I highly, highly recommend this outstanding Historical Rom-Com.

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the author, Jen Turano, via Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was so excited when I found out that Jen Turano was releasing a new series called The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency. I was even more so when I had the opportunity to read the first installment, To Steal a Heart. It is exactly what I would expect from Jen. It was so much fun with lots of laughs and delight. I was entertained with Gabriella and Nicholas from start to finish. This is such a sweet and clean romance with a touch of mystery and suspense. This one is among my favorites I have read by this author.

To Steal a Heart is getting a very well deserved five plus stars from me. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy historical romance. I look forward to the next installment from The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series, To Write a Wrong.

I received To Steal a Heart from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion

To Steal a Heart
by Jen Turano
Book 1 in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series
Rating: 4.5/5
Release date: November 17, 2020

Wow! I never stop laughing when I read any of Jen Turano's books. I'm always excited to dig into her world and see what shenanigans her characters are up to. The combination of quirky but strong-willed female characters always makes for entertaining stories that you won't want to stop reading.

Gabriella "Gabe" Goodhue has not had the easiest life but she is a strong, independent woman living in a boarding house with a job as a seamstress. Having grown up on the streets of the Lower East Side of London, Gabe dressed as a boy and got into trouble with Nicholas Quinn until she got caught and was sent to an orphanage. She's surprised to see Nicholas again while attempting to break into a safe after thinking he abandoned her all those years ago. This chance meeting has Nicholas floored that Gabe is back in his life and although he's learned to be a society gentleman, he still wants Gabe to understand what happened. The mysterious Knickerbocker Bandit is still at large and Gabriella is on the case to solve the mystery. Together Gabriella and Nicholas embark on an adventure to discover the truth about their pasts and what it means for their future.

As always, Jen Turano can weave a ridiculously funny story that still has romance, drama, and mystery. Her main characters are lovely and have a past that has made them who they are. I love being part of their journey to find out who they really are and I loved all the other characters too. As a big fan, I've read all of Jen Turano's books and enjoyed reading about places/characters from some of her previous series. The other supporting characters bring much needed intrigue and hilarity to an already fun script.

Highly recommend if you enjoy historical fiction that has humor, romance and mystery.

My thanks to the author and CelebrateLit for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

Such a fun read! In a way it reminded me of the old stories by Horacio Alger. I’m a little surprised the publisher didn’t split this into two stories, it feels like the second half of the book is a sequel instead of a continuation of the same book. On the other hand, I liked the second half better , I’m not totally sure why.
The first half is definitely a “fluffier” read, but the whole book is a fun, light, story.

Have I said yet in any of my reviews that you can't go wrong with a Jen Turano book? Because if I haven't, I'll say it now. You can't go wrong with a Jen Turano book. To Steal a Heart has one of the best opening lines of any books that I've ever read. You're immediately introduced to Gabriella and how she used to be thief. And on top of that, there's mention of being arrested after she snuck into a high society costume ball. If that doesn't catch your attention, I don't know what will.

Gabriella has left behind a childhood of crime. She was out on the streets at a young age and was a thief to survive. Nicholas was her closest friend and "partner in crime." That is, until they were caught, Gabriella went to an orphanage, Nicholas got away, and she never heard from him again. Now they're both adults and run into each other while both trying to solve the same mystery, unbeknownst to the other. Then they are constantly thrown together as Gabriella works cases for her inquiry agency among high society women where Nicholas spends quite a lot of time having been rescued from his life of crime and raised in that same high society. She doesn't want to let him back in and give him the power to hurt her again. But will he?

I will say that I felt like I had a harder time getting into the story at first. But I have been trying to break out of a reading slump which may be to blame for that slow start and not the author or plot line of the book. Once I was able to really dig into this book, I was hooked. There were some twists I saw coming, some I kind of saw coming but wasn't 100% correct on, and others I didn't see coming at all. There's always a good bit of intrigue in Jen Turano's books without being over the top suspenseful.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I'm leaving an honest and voluntary review.

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano is the first entertaining installment The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. We go back in time to November of 1886 in New York City where Gabriella Goodhue is working to prove the innocence of friend and housemate, Miss Jennette Moore. She thought her days of skullduggery and thieving were behind her, but Gabriella’s skills are needed. Gabriella soon finds that there is another party working the case and it is none other than her old thieving partner, Nicholas Quinn. Gabriella is none to happy to see the person who abandoned her nor is she willing to team up with him. Fate seems to have other plans as the pair are thrown together in one situation after another. Friendship is rekindled and new feelings begin to bloom. I laughed so often while reading To steal a Heart. There are a variety of quirky characters with Daphne, a female mystery writer who finds herself in unusual situations and tends to swoon frequently, standing out. I did find the beginning of the story confusing until the explanations began and characters were identified. Once I understood what was happening, I just kept reading. I did not want to put down my book. I thought the author captured the time-period with the language, attitudes, conveyances, fashions, etc. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the opulent homes, balls, parties, and New York City. The pacing varied in the story, but there was so much going on that I tended not to notice. The mystery was fun. There was one bit of information early on that gave me a clue as the guilty parties’ identity and I was eager to see if I was correct. It was a riot following Nicholas and the ladies of The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency as they worked the case. I chuckled, giggled, and outright laughed my way through this engaging historical novel. The ending was delightful. To Steal a Heart has faith, humor, intrigue, love, and mystery. I am eager for Daphne’s story in To Write a Wrong. To Steal a Heart is a lively historical novel with a one-eyed pirate loving pooch, a gawky writer, curious costumes, matchmaking mamas, missing gemstones, gossip galore, and messy skullduggery.

To Steal a Heart is a fun, light-hearted romance with a hint of mystery. Anyone who is familiar with Jen Turano’s work will expect a cast of endearing (and somewhat crazy) characters who get into all sorts of hilarious situations. They will most certainly not be disappointed!
While I really enjoyed the quirky characters that make up the Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency, I did hope that the mystery element would be a bit more prominent. It seemed to stay in the background for most of the book.
The main characters—while having all the necessary requirements of good main characters—failed to captivate me. It’s most likely due to my own personal taste, and I’m sure that many other readers will adore them (they were very likeable as main characters). For me, two supporting characters (namely Daphne and Eunice) completely stole the show! Between Daphne’s hysterical quirks and Eunice’s mysterious past, I was intrigued as I was entertained during every scene they were in.
The romance was handled wonderfully. While it developed a little slower than a typical historical romance, I thought it worked perfectly with the personalities of Gabriella and Nicholas. It was sweet and felt natural.
As book one in a series, I’d say it has successfully done its job in setting the stage for more funny, historical romances with a dash of intrigue. I cannot wait to read To Write a Wrong (Daphne’s book), which releases next year.
I’d recommend To Steal a Heart to fans of light, humorous romance, and historical romance set in the 1880s.
(I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit Tours for review purposes. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.)

To Steal a Heart, by Jen Turano, is the first book in the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. The story takes place in New York in 1886. This is a Christian historical fiction story with strong characters, mystery, suspense and a touch of romance. Jewelry has gone missing and the wrong person is accused of stealing it. Gabriella and her friend are trying to find the real thief when her childhood friend, Nicholas, shows up in the very room they are searching. Since their parting as children, Nicholas has been adopted into higher society and Gabriella lives in a boarding home and works as a seamstress.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is very well written and easy to envision. This is a nice book to read to just get lost in. As Nicholas is entering the season of having to choose a wife, Gabriella is becoming a strong, independent person. I enjoyed the humor in the story, of Gabriella’s friend and helper who is always writing in a notebook and has tendencies to fainting and of the lady trying to handle the horses driving the coach. I was totally surprised by the mystery surrounding Nicholas’s adoption by a wealthy man.

I received a e-book copy of this book from Bethany Publishing and Celebrate Lit through NetGalley, this is my honest review.

Was This Book Really the Best I’ve Read by This Author?
Yes. Definitely. To Steal a Heart did something fabulous for me. This book made me a Jen Turano fan. Look, I’ve enjoyed other books by her, but I’ve never loved a book like this one. And when you consider a few quibbles that I should have with it, that’s pretty impressive.

Laugh-out-loud funny (no, really. I cracked up all night long while I read it. No joke), the story kicks off as many of Turano’s do… at a party. And what a party it was!

In Turano’s classic style, she’s created some amazing characters. Gabby–brilliant. Look, this author took one of my pet peeves and thumbed her nose at it. I hate it when authors turn all the girls in historical novels into strong, independent women who don’t care about conventions. But Jen Turano did it again, and again, she made me love what she did with it. She made the reasons believable even in their wacky improbability.

Did I roll my eyes at a guy from the 1880s telling a young lady to use “pirate speech” with his dog? Yeah! It felt insanely modern. Did I care? Nope. I was too busy cracking up at the whole scene (and taking a picture of the page and sharing with another author) to bother caring.

And that’s what I’m talking about.
Sometimes, an author is just so good that she can break rules and blow raspberries at all my pet peeves and I don’t even care. Because see, when you write such a great story with engaging characters and a sweet and subtle message woven in and left unstated in all the subtext, you can get away with that.

When you write a book that readers can’t put down and with characters they can’t wait to see again, you’ve done it. You’ve succeeded at your job. To Steal a Heart is recommended for anyone needing a good laugh, anyone who loves a fun mystery, and everyone who likes their fiction sprinkled with faith that sparks life in their hearts instead of choking the life out of the story. Not recommended for folks who like to be miserable. It’s impossible to be miserable while reading To Steal a Heart.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say To Steal a Heart will steal your heart, but come on. That’s about as cliche as you can get. (Psst… it will, though!)

To steal a heart is a delightful book. I loved the dogs in the story. I loved how Gabriella had so many disguises. All the different dances they went to were fun too. Gabriella is trying to find out who the thief is to clear the innocent one. Gabriella is such a fun character.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. This book review is my own opinion.

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano is the first book in The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency series. And just like her other novels, this story is full of laugh-out-loud fun. The first few chapters had so many weird circumstances, odd conversations, and organized chaos that I think I giggled the entire time (and may have had to explain my sudden giddiness to my co-worker). I loved all the ladies of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency and their eccentric personalities. The idea of a hodge-podge group of women helping other women from all walks of life with their troubles was thrilling, adventurous, and downright entertaining. The disguises (I can only imagine!) Safecracking. Window scaling. Ahh--never a dull moment with these ladies. I cannot wait to get to know these ladies further with the rest of the series!
Gabriella and Nicholas have complicated pasts, which I loved delving into as the story progressed. There was always one more layer, one more revelation that twisted the story a little bit more and kept me on my toes. I loved their shared friendship as children, and I loved watching them find each other again as adults. Gabriella is a favorite with her strong and capable personality (and bluntness), but I also loved how Nicholas (ever the gentleman) embraced her independent and stubborn nature and supported her in all her endeavors.
Any fan of Jen Turano and humor-filled Christian historical fiction will enjoy this story. Be prepared to have the ladies of the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency confound and astound you. Oh, and be prepared to read using your best pirate accent. ;)
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Ladies of society don’t expect love, nor do they expect their hearts to go pitter-patter over their future husbands. - from To Steal a Heart

Oh my gosh!! I would give this story more than 5 stars if I could - the scrapes, twists, turns and laughter didn’t quit until the most surprising end. The author has once again started a new series with a bang, that will most certainly follow through into all subsequent novels.

They tell me what I want to hear, while you tell me what I need to hear. - Nicholas to Gabriella Nicholas and Gabriella, friends since childhood, have a relationship that has spanned the years, even though their lives diverged into two very different paths. A chance encounter brings even more hilarity to this story.

Between dogs that are particular to certain people or speech patterns, someone forever taking notes when not swooning and ladies totally unfamiliar with their required tasks, the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency starts off with the reader wondering how they will ever survive their first case. Be ready to chuckle frequently and laugh out loud at other times. This novel is Jen Turano at her best!

I received an ARC through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers, NetGalley and CelebrateLit. My impressions, comments and rating were in no way solicited.

This book was a much needed respite during frustrating and anxiety-inducing times. I always so appreciate Jen Turano’s sense of humor and the crazy antics found in her stories, but seldom have I needed it more so than right now. With a world in chaos, finding some rest in a fictional world where I know a happy ending is waiting after all the twists and turns . . . it’s a gift. And I loved every minute of it!
As always, Ms. Turano kept me smiling and laughing throughout the story! It does have some serious moments and somewhat dark themes at times (cue, the villain), but overall, it’s a fairly lighthearted read and just what this tired mind needed. I adored getting to know a new cast of characters and am already so excited for the next book! Gabriella and Nicholas are old friends who lost one another for a time and I greatly enjoyed their reunion. Daphne is quite a trip and I’m exceedingly curious regarding Eunice’s story, which I’m hoping will be explained more in future books. The mystery kept me intrigued, though I did have a fairly decent idea of “whodunit,” and I enjoyed reading about some of the cases the Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency took on.
My only mildly negative comment is that I found a bit of the ending rather superfluous. But it did tie things up quite nicely, so it worked out in the end.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it to anyone who likes zany historical fiction.

*My thanks to the publisher for my advanced copy of this book! I was not required to write a review, positive or otherwise, and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Jen Turano captured my attention on the first page and carried it through all the way to the end. The twists and turns of this mystery held me captive, and I loved how all the different characters found their way into the story.

Gabriella and Nicholas were wonderfully crafted and the execution of their romance made for much laughter and the required moments of “Aww. That’s so sweet.”

It’s always fascinating to journey with a character as they discover the God they’d thought had abandoned them had actually been walking alongside the entire time. We are loved. Something Gabriella had trouble remembering until Nicholas waltzed back into her life.

Excellent historical fiction that’s certain to entertain your funny bone while keeping your love for romance flourishing.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit. I was not required to leave a positive review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I always love Jen Turano books and this is no exception. I love the stories because of the romance and the laughter. This story almost had me in stitches. I did not want to put the book down. I love that these women work together to help their friend and then others. There were many twists and turns and we learn a lot about both Gabriella and Nicholas. I look forward to the next book in this series to learn about more of the women in the boardinghouse. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Jen Turano's quirky characters are always a delight. To Steal a Heart's romance and mystery, set in the Gilded Age, are just plain fun. This lighthearted, feel-good story is perfect for these difficult times. Gabriella Goodhue and Nicholas Quinn, raised together as street children, are now reunited as more reputable adults, but their past is nudging its way into the present. The many secondary characters whose lives are woven into Gabriella's and Nicholas' are key to the story and will embed themselves into readers' hearts, readers who will be thrilled that there are more Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency books to come. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of To Steal a Heart from Bethany House via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Can I just gush for a minute about how enjoyable Jen Turano's books are? I am always a little bit giddy when I pick one up because I know I am in for a treat, and this novel was no exception.

I'm generally not a big historical fiction fan, but the way Turano combines romance, humor, and in this book, a few well thought out mysteries, makes the experience of reading a delight. The 1886 Gilded Age setting among the New York Four Hundred's privileged members provides the perfect backdrop for this enchanting tale.

I loved the characters, particularly headstrong Gabriella and her childhood friend Nicholas. The romantic tension between the two is palpable, yet they cannot and will not admit it, not even to themselves. Both have a great deal to learn about and resolve regarding their pasts before they can confront the future. The start of the Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency is thrilling, the cases that they take and solve during the course of this novel are both fun and clever, and there's so much potential for further installments in the series with the plethora of women running the agency--all with secrets they are hiding. I can't wait to learn more about Daphne and Eunice in upcoming novels.

There's a very subtle faith message in the novel, but it is very approachable for those looking for a clean, enjoyable read. Turano's inclusion of animals in her stories consistently adds to the humor--the pirate dog and the kleptomaniac parrot are just two of the hilarious characters readers will encounter. All in all, this is a thoroughly wonderful book and a very entertaining way to spend time.