Thank you, Netgalley for the opportunity to review this title. This is classified as a 'proper romance' mystery. Much like the first book in this series, I most liken would have given a higher rating if there was more suspense early on, and some spice (I do enjoy a good, raunchy Victorian mystery romp). The first half of the book was just a bit slow moving for my taste. I did love the characters though (well, most anyway).

I’m such a fan of this author and this book brought all the things I love about her writing. Suspense. Romance. Witty banter. Hunky heroes. All the swoon and heart. Stunning.

In this charming Victorian romance, the second installment of the Matchmakers series, readers are treated to a delightful fake-dating scenario that evolves into something much more heartfelt. While the first book in the series leans heavily on mystery, this one is a bit lighter and more focused on romance, though it still includes a compelling mystery element.

The story follows Eva Caldwell, a talented photographer who specializes in crime scene documentation, and Nathan Winston, a detective who needs to fend off his mother’s matchmaking schemes. When Nathan asks Eva to accompany him as his pretend fiancée to a weeklong house party, their fake relationship begins to feel all too real.

The characters are well-drawn and endearing. Eva is strong and capable, while Nathan is both charming and protective. The pacing is just right, blending light romance with a touch of mystery as the couple navigates the party and uncovers clues to a threatening situation.

This book can easily be enjoyed as a standalone, though fans of the series will appreciate the return of familiar faces. The romance is sweet and clean, with no explicit content, making it a perfect escape for fans of historical romance and mystery.

Overall, "To Capture His Heart" is a fun, engaging read with great character development and a satisfying plot. It’s a lovely continuation of the series, and I’m looking forward to the next installment.

While the second in the series, you don’t need to read them in order. While different flair, both books are fun to read. This one is heavier on romance while the first is more mystery. The characters are well written and the story moves at a good pace. I will definitely pick up the next in the series!

This was a delightful fake dating to real love romance, complete with mystery. I was happy to read this book.

I am always looking for a good, clean period mystery that keeps me on the edge of my seat and is not over the top gory and this book fit the bill and was an utter delight, I loved all of the characters and I loved how the romance progressed, it was incredible, I am becoming a huge fan of this author and cannot wait for the NeXT book in the series!

I loved this even more than the first one! The characters were so much fun. The whole Winston family, from Nathan, to his sisters, to his mother, I loved them all. Evie, was such a likable character, feminine and strong at the same time. The story was sweet and entertaining, moreover, the ending was a surprise. I was not expecting that. I’m looking forward to Charlotte’s story.

I may have liked this second book of the Matchmaker's series more than the first! Eva and Nathan are two vibrant personalities that suit well. This time we are spending time with Nathan's wealthy family at their famous annual house party, but danger is never far for a talented inspector.

I love the support of each other's work, the fake dating they both want to be real, and their truly kind (and brave) hearts. Fans of Miss Scarlet and the Duke and Sarah M. Eden's Dread Penny suspense series will enjoy this fast paced story.

2nd book in a series. Victorian Era. First off, the book art is perfect for the series and era. Fun and light romance. No spice. The pacing of the boom is just right. Light read for a moment to step away.

A delightful read from beginning to end.

Photographer Eva Caldwell and detective Nathan Winston are both respected professionals who hold one another in high regard, content in their lives but longing for more than friendship. Nathan's mother throws a weeklong party for singles, with matchmaking in mind and in order to avoid his mother's schemes he asks Eva to attend as his love interest to prevent his mother from attempting to make him a match. Eva agrees to the arrangement but it also makes the feat of making known their true feelings for each other more difficult. When strange things start happening at the party the must work together to figure out what is going on before someone gets hurt.

Just like its predecessor before it this charming Victorian mystery was engaging form the start with winning protagonists and a riveting plot. I loved that this book brings back many familiar faces, including the main characters who were a part of the previous book as well, though this book could also be read as a stand alone. Great character development and interaction, I loved how the speech and mannerisms felt authentic to the time period and really added to the story. I also really liked how Eva employs Sam as her assistant, he is such charming young man, eager to learn more and be helpful.

Overall, this was such a fun read, engaging from beginning to end. I liked that Nathan is such gentleman, and is protective of Eva in the most gallant ways throughout. He is thoughtful and really admires her work. A wonderful escape of a read, clean in content with a great plot. Definitely recommend!

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

Eva has built up a small and successful photography business and recently began to work with the local constabulary to photograph crime scenes. A friend through work, Nathan, requests that she come to his mother's house party as photographer with a side of fake courtship. He needs the ladies, mostly his mother, off his scent. It doesn't hurt that he's held a tendre for Eva and maybe can use it as a means to get closer to her.
The mystery aspect of the book wasn't surprising in its conclusion but I look to Nancy for her ability to write a sweet and thoughtful romance. I love a "he fell first" and Nathan's interest in Eva is delightfully expressed through the prose. This can easily be read as a standalone but I recommend reading anything Nancy writes, especially to those who love a believable historical romance without on page intimacy.
Thank you to Shadow Mountain and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

This is the 2nd book in the series and has my favorite romantic trope, the fake engagement. I enjoyed the book. The characters are great. The mystery is good. I appreciate the ARC I received from NetGalley.

What an enjoyable Victorian mystery! To Capture His Heart is book two in the Matchmakers series, following The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. If you read book one, you will already know the two main characters in this story, Eva and Nathan. However, this book can also be read on its own, too, although the previous events in book one are referenced a few times in this novel.

I loved the gentleness and respect in this story between Eva and Nathan. They both greatly admire each other, yet are hesitant to put their hearts on the line when the novel begins, as they do not want to jeopardize their friendship. But I love watching as their playacting at courting becomes the real thing. The flirting and care that Nathan shows Eva begins to move him to be honest about his affections. So sweet!

I ended up listening to the audio version of this story and thought the narrator did a great job, too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I loved the first book The Matchmaker's Lonely Heart and was really excited to learn there would be another book. I love the Victorian era and how women had a little more freedom to have jobs, which Eva has. She's a photographer but also photographs crime scenes for local police which I found interesting. She enters into a fake relationship with Detective Nathan Winston so he can avoid all the young ladies his mother has lined up for him at her house party.

This was such a fun read with a mystery to solve and all the people at the house party to investigate. Nathan and Eva are perfect for each other and I found all the information about photography in the Victorian era very interesting. I really hope the author plans to write another book in this Matchmakers series.

I received a complimentary copy from Shadow Mountain via NetGalley, but also purchased a physical copy for my personal library. All thoughts expressed in this review are my own.

I just love this series, and this is Matchmakers #2.
You can't go wrong with the combination of historical mystery and romantic suspense.
Having worked professionally with Nathan Winston who is a detective, Eva Caldwell has worked with him and the constable documenting crime scenes with her photography.
When his mother decides to have a weeklong dinner party and matchmaking session, she needs a photographer and he knows just who to get for the job, if she'll agree to it. Yes, you guessed it, Eva. It'll be easy he says, she just has to pretend he is courting her so the matchmaking ladies at the event won't look his way because he'll be "taken."
And for Eva when the pretend courting starts to feel all too real, well is she really to blame when he has the most charming personality and is so handsome?
When danger from Nathan's past creeps up he and Eva have to be extra vigilant to keep themselves and the other guests safe all the while solving a mystery and perhaps falling in love.
I love how the author weaves intriguing mystery and history with a well told and fast paced story.

Pub Date 12 Oct 2022
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

A quick-thinking reply lands Nathan and Eva in a fake relationship for a Victorian house party. There is a mutual attraction from both parties, and as they occasionally work together (he as a detective and she as a photographer), this match seems to be natural and easy.

Mysterious happenings occur and with a wide cast of probable culprits, this duo is determined to solve it. I loved all the characters, from Eva's matter-of-fact and capable personality to Nathan's charming, smart self, and the house full of friend, strangers, and servants.

Nancy Campbell Allen creates a highly entertaining tale with believable characters and a convincing, swoony romance. I couldn't get enough of this story!

Content: mild moments of peril/danger; mild romance

*I received a complimentary copy through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*

I loved everythign about this, the two leads, the part of the series, the house party undercover and the mom and other characters, I want to go back and read the firs t in the series to

I wanted to enjoy this book more than I did, just couldn't get into it. I think this has more to do with the fact that I haven't been enjoying historical fiction as much recently, than the book itself.

Thank you to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to preview this ARC.

I read and reviewed the previous book in the series and had lukewarm reactions towards it. I decided to take a chance on the second without actually checking to see what this one was about. I am glad I took that plunge because this series jumps onto the next woman introduced in the original trio and only mentions the previous couple in fleeting terms.
In the first book, three women, cousins, were the focal point from which the story begins. Each of the three women had uncommon interests for women at the time and therefore kept to themselves.
Eva, the central protagonist of this story, is a photographer. She is trying to get her business off the ground and keeps running into the detective she met in the first installment. He has talked himself into a corner with his wealthy family and now needs a pretend love interest (or so he convinces himself). Eva is now a guest at a long party, as well as the official photographer of said party.
There is an undercurrent of unease as there is a convict who has it in for Nathan (our male protagonist) and has sent threats against people that Nathan cares for.
The people are more engaging in this one, and although it may seem odd, it will not be wrong to begin with this story. Reading the previous one will give a better picture of the world these women lived in, but here the people felt more interesting, and I was invested in the ultimate outcome of it all.
I would recommend this to people who like clean historical romances. It is a quick read and has some excitement almost throughout the book. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I’ve been really enjoyed romance fiction and To Capture His Heart ticked all the boxes. Will read again.