I really enjoyed this series! Charlotte returns to London after her father dies and she learns of inconsistencies surrounding her mother’s death years before. Charlotte and her longtime friend John begin investigating, but certain people want that mystery to be left in the past.

Delicious, witty banter, a delightful friends to lovers romance, intriguing mystery, and heart pounding danger make Nancy Campbell Allen’s latest Victorian Proper Romance unputdownable! I adored Protecting Her Heart. This is Charlotte’s and John’s story and I loved their friends to more, slow burn romance.

Charlotte Duvall has been in America studying to become a doctor. She’s finished her studies ready to work in a clinic in New York. Before she can start her new position, she receives a letter from her ailing father asking her to come home and suggesting her mother’s death wasn’t an accident. On the voyage back to England, she receives a telegram that her father has died.

While she sorts through her parents’ things, she begins to find unsettling information about her mother’s past. She turns to her good friend John Ellis to help her in the investigation. While she’s determined to remain single, the handsome detective begins to wear down her defenses and she finds herself wondering what it would be like to fall in love with him.

John’s worked hard to earn his position as the director of the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department. While his wealthy family looks down on his detective work, he thrives in it. But, he’s not anxious to start a family though his mother works hard to throw every eligible debutant at him. When his dear friend Charlotte returns to England, the attraction that’s always simmered between them flares to life. As he does everything to protect her and find the truth behind her mother’s death, he finds himself having a hard time seeing his friend in a platonic way.

I loved the sizzling romance between these two. Their close relationship and witty banter makes watching them fall in love so enjoyable. I loved the way they were both determined to succeed and respected that quality in each other. I loved the scene where she hides in his coat closet. I also loved seeing familiar characters from the previous books again. The cousins have such a great relationship and I loved seeing them together again.

The mystery was so good! There were several suspects which made figuring out whodunit all the more intriguing. The danger from getting too close to what really happened was always present with someone stalking and threatening Charlotte. I loved the way they finally pushed those responsible for her mother’s death to reveal the truth. I also loved the stoic body guard Dirk.

Highly recommend this book and the entire series! It can easily be read as a standalone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

This book was a fun ~death under mysterious circumstances~ mystery with a great romance on the side. I was not able to predict the true details of the ~mysterious circumstance~ that led to the death and was surprised when the full mystery unraveled. The suspenseful build-up to the big reveal was second only to the blossoming romance between the two main POV characters, who spend the first half of the book denying their obvious mutual attraction and love. The moment they finally began to admit their feelings for each other had me grinning like Amelie. Speaking of, it was fun to see how the couples and characters from the previous books in the series were getting on in life. I also enjoyed the setting and atmosphere of the book. I love a good historical fiction and it certainly didn't hurt that I was reading this book during my first trip to England. I wandered around London with this book in mind, knowing I was walking the streets these characters were supposedly to have walked over a hundred years earlier.

I didn't love the misogynistic subplot though. I know it was more commonplace in that time, but it's a theme I find entirely overused in media today. As a career woman in a male-dominated profession looking forward to being a stay at home mom in the future, I found Charlotte's dilemma over choosing between a career and a family at times relatable and at other times quite at odds with my experience. Her resolution in the end I found satisfying.

I enjoyed reading this book. Many thanks to Net Galley for providing me with an interesting read while riding the London Underground. In an exchange for an honest review, I was able to read this book for free.

Charlotte!

Three cousins, that notorious branch of the Hamptons!
Scandalous and intrepid! The reputation lives on in cousin Charlotte Duvall!
It’s 1899 and Charlotte has just graduated as a Medical Doctor in New York City when she receives a letter from her invalid father saying he was wrong to do nothing about her mother’s death. All very cloak and dagger!
Charlotte’s mother had fallen overboard from a riverboat on the Thames during celebrations, some twenty years ago. As far as Charlotte knew nothing nefarious?
Unfortunately her father dies halfway through her journey home.
Charlotte decides to investigate and enlists the help of her special friend Johnathan Albert Ellis, second son of the Earl of Ashby, and director of the Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Department of the London.
When Charlotte’s badly injured by someone demanding she stop looking into an old happening she is even more determined to continue her investigation.
Mystery and danger dodge her steps. Then there’s her relationship with John Ellis.
Few hospitals during the Victorian era will accept women doctors and definitely not married women doctors.
Still now’s not the time to think beyond the puzzle, but where it all to end?
Mystery, murder and romance, all supported with a genuine look at the morès of Victorian Society and its rules.

A Shadow Mountain ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

I loved diving back into this series! Nancy Campbell Allen does an amazing job of bringing these characters to life! While the book stands alone, it is so fun to see into the lives of other characters in the series. It is intriguing that a woman could become a doctor in America before that was allowed in England. Both Charlotte and John are so headstrong it is quite entertaining. Yet, the way they trust and rely on one another is truly heartwarming. A new character was introduced in this book, Dirk. I am hoping he gets a book of his own. Looking forward to more! I don't want to let these characters go.

4.5 stars

Wow, this was so good! I had a hard time putting this one down. Charlotte and John had such a sweet friendship. This was a murder mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more books from this author. This is the third book of the series but you could also read it as a stand alone. This was clean besides some kisses.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a review.

Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen is the third in the charming Matchmakers trilogy. It is mainly romance (clean) with ripples of mystery and slices of sorrow.

The suffragette movement is growing stronger in Victorian London but working women are still largely ridiculed and most cannot understand why a woman would choose university and an occupation. And...gasp...enjoy it! Charlotte Duvall did precisely that. Her passion for studying medicine took her to America where she recently officially became a doctor. Her father's death necessitated her journey back to London. Not only does she grieve her father but is astounded by the letter he left her. She also continues to miss her mother who had died earlier under suspicious circumstance. She reunites with her dearest old friend John, Director of Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigations Unit. John has loved her for years and she feels stirrings in her own heart. Their relationship is tender, full of care and lovely.

When Charlotte is physically attacked, her dearest rally around her and protect her. She reflects on what is most important to her.

The mystery is fascinating but the romantic relationship tugged at my heartstrings. The beloved friendship circle also included Eva and Amelie, now with families of their own. Friendships in stories are amongst my favourite things to read about.

This History Fiction Romance series has it all...believable historical details, vernacular and vocabulary of the time (megrim!), strong female characters and daily challenges. Life is not perfect.

My sincere thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of this splendid novel. .

Nancy Campbell Allen has created a wonderful Victorian romantic suspense series with these amazing books. I devoured the first two books in this series and quickly did the same with this book. Charlotte is my hero. She is finishing her studies in America to become a doctor when she receives a letter from her father apologizing for putting her in a dangerous position inquiring about her mother’s death more than 20 years earlier. Charlotte returns home and is in immediate danger, as I turned pages quickly to see how she and John would solve the puzzle. Not only does Allen write masterfully suspenseful scenes, there’s some intense attraction and romantic scenes and kisses for Charlotte and John. I enjoyed immensely the POV changes between them and it added to the wonderful story. Amelie and Michael and Eva and Nathan are also heavily involved in the story and I also smiled a lot at Amelie. And don’t forget the wonderful Aunt Sally. I also enjoyed how the story took place several years after the previous two. I enjoyed seeing how the characters I enjoy so much later on in their lives.
This series can be read as standalones but I feel you’ll appreciate the characters more if read in order.
I received a Netgalley approval and paperback copy from the publisher. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

3.7 Stars
One Liner: Enjoyable despite a few misses

1887, London
Charlotte Duvall is enjoying her newly achieved doctor status in America and working in a hospital as a surgeon when a letter from her father sends her rushing back to London. Her father’s death saddens her, but Charlotte cannot stop thinking about her late month and her death. Her father hints it was murder, and Charlotte wonders if it’s true.
John Ellis is the director of the London police force and Charlotte’s friend. He missed her a lot during her absence. When she tells him about the letter, they decide to dig deep and find out what happened. However, someone doesn’t want the truth revealed and will do anything. With the growing attraction between the two and mounting danger, Charlotte and John have much to do.
The story comes in Charlotte and John’s third-person POV.

My Thoughts:
I didn’t read the previous two books but had no issue following this plot. The story works as a standalone. The lead characters are friends, and their relationship turns into a sort of slow burn in this one.
The plot combines mystery and romance. There’s quite a bit of action as someone is stalking the heroine. The stakes increase as we enter the last section.
I like that the central premise of finding out about Charlotte’s mother’s death remains prominent. The romance doesn’t shadow the mystery or distract the readers. This can be an issue if you go in expecting romance.
The book also deals with other themes relevant to the period (though the vibes feel the setting crosses to the early 1900s) – misogyny, scandalous gossip, the secrets of the ton, etc. Some of it is done well and adds to the story. A few aspects aren’t developed enough.
The pacing is a bit uneven. With the characters stressing so much on career vs. love drama, the resolution is super easy. Why didn’t you think of this before? I expected something more dramatic, TBH.
The mystery is decent and goes well until the reveal, where it is also fast-tracked with easy confessions. Would the details come out so simply when the stakes are sky-high? Not sure.
The ending is also simplified, with everything neatly tied up. I always love happy endings and even demand them. But I like it better when the problems are solved properly before we get to happy-ever-afters.
Nevertheless, despite the issues, the book is enjoyable and has strong characters. Charlotte knows when to accept help. Her cousins seem great (I’d be happy to read their stories in the previous books someday). No miscommunication trope, either.

To summarize, Protecting Her Heart is an enjoyable read with a few hits and misses. There are a few laughs, too, so grab it if you want a light read with a mystery and romance.
Thank you, NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

4.5 stars
This was a really good book! I enjoyed the first two books and I was excited to start this one. Protecting Her Heart is the third book that follows the Hampton cousins. This set of books has been so fun and Charlotte and John definitely deserved their own books.
I really liked both Charlotte and John. They were both such wonderful characters. They were trying their best as they navigated the many different things standing in their way. I liked getting to know Charlotte and John better and to see their friendship grow. Charlotte was so fun. I love how strong she was but how she also knew how to ask for help. John was also a lovely character. He really cared for Charlotte. He was learning what it looked like to care for Charlotte and deal with his job.
The hints of mystery had me wanting to read more. I wanted to know what had happened to Charlotte’s mother and how the book was going to end. I liked the mix of romance and mystery. Charlotte and John were so cute together and I liked reading about their relationship changing and growing. They really supported each other and helped each other through the hard times.
There were so many surprises and I couldn’t wait to get to the end. The side characters were a lot of fun. I loved getting to see old characters and see how they were doing. I am so sad to see this series end but I am crossing my fingers that other characters will get their own books.
I would totally recommend Protecting Her Heart! The story was engaging and I fell in love with the characters. Protecting Her Heart is a clean historical romance with hints of mystery.


I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.

I loved this book! I've been a huge fan of Nancy Campbell Allen for years because her books never disappoint. They always have the perfect blend of romance, mystery, and suspense. This was a great addition to the Lonely Hearts series. The character development for Charlotte and John was so well done. Her determination to find out the truth about what happened to her mother along with John's persistence to follow his own life path kept me engaged and excited to read more. It was nice to see how they helped and supported each other as their relationship changed and grew. I would absolutely recommend this book to readers who enjoy historical romantic suspense stories, the friends to lovers trope, and lots of cute flirting and witty banter!

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Historical Mystery, Historical Romance, Mystery, Sweet Romance, Cozy Mystery
Spice Level: Kissing—sweet
Trope: Friends to lovers
Readability: I don't think you have to read the others before picking up this one. Will it help? Obviously, yes, because you will know the outspoken nature of the other women and how they rattle society.

I've thoroughly enjoyed every book in this series. PROTECTING HER HEART focuses on the dilemma women faced in the Victorian era of living their dreams and marrying. This seems pertinent now too. (Not that women don't work and get married, but they get criticized on their choices.)

I'm also a sucker for friends to lovers romances because I feel like they're the most realistic. And these Charlotte and John have a history—previously they had to work at becoming friends. But oh, they've missed each other, and it's apparent in every glance and internal piece of dialogue.

The mystery element was also satisfying. I kept wondering who would have killed Charlotte's mother, and will she be able to figure it out? A cold trail is hard anyhow, right? But now she's got a thug tracking her movements, and I was worried for Charlotte every minute of the book.

Both romance and mystery lovers are going to love this book. The entire series is a gem, and I recommend it!

Happy reading!

Charlotte Duvall had just graduated from medical school when she learned that her father had died. She returns home to take care of her family's estate. While there she finds letters from her mother that lead her to question the circumstances of her mother's death. The more she searches the more questions she has. She seeks the help of a long-time friend, John Ellis. He is a member of the London police force and has had feelings for Charlotte for many years. He agrees to help her solve the mystery and while solving the mystery she realizes that she has feelings for him. The great thing about this book is that while Allen develops the love story she doesn't let it take over the story itself. The mystery is still dominant and was very difficult to figure out - you have to keep reading to the end to find out. This is not the first book in the series but you don't have to read all the books to grasp the story. I did enjoy seeing characters from previous books.

Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#ProtectingHerHeart #NetGalley
This is the third book in the series. Although it could be read as a stand-alone, you won't want to miss the other two books.
Charlotte has just graduated from medical school when she receives a letter from her father asking her to come home to England. Charlotte's father passes away before she arrives home. Her father wrote her a letter wanting Charlotte to look into her mother's death, even though twenty years as pass, Charlotte is determined to find the reason behind the drowning of her mother. She decides to take into her confidence her friend John, who is the director of the London Police force. This book is full of suspense and is every bit as good as the first two books in the series.

Charlotte Duvall studied medicine and became a doctor in America. Her father writes her a letter suggesting that her mother’s death when she was a child may not have been an accident. She returns home to England but arrives in time for her fathers funeral. It is 1887 and female doctors are rare in England. She turns to an old friend John Ellis who is director of London’s police force to get information about her mother’s death. He is a second son of an Earl and well respected. Her two best friends are her cousins Amelie and Eva who have both married police detectives. They were the leads in the first two books in the Matchmakers series. Charlotte and John along with a bit of help from the others go through the files and talk to people who were there. But someone is not happy and she is getting threats on her life.

I like this series. Especially as it highlights women with unusual interests. In the previous book Eva uses her love of photography to help document crime scenes. In this book Charlotte’s medical knowledge helps her understand autopsy photos. Who knew they took them that long ago. I especially liked the proposal in this book. If you enjoy a good historical mystery with a clean romance this is a good book and series. Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC and I am leaving a voluntary review.

It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book by Nancy Campbell Allen, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why! I read every day, so it could be a matter of so many books so little time. Now that I’ve read Protecting Her Heart, I remember how much I loved the books I’ve read by her, and I’ll be reading more of both her past and future books!

I adored Protecting Her Heart! This historical romantic suspense book had me turning the pages so quickly that I read it in basically a day. I started it at 10 one night, so I did have to sleep! I finished it right away in the morning. I just wanted it to go on and on! I love how suspenseful it was because I wasn’t expecting it.

Charlotte and John have been friends for years, so this fits perfectly into the friends to lovers romance trope. It’s a clean romance while still being a little steamy. Of course, their friends knew that Charlotte and John belonged together way before the two of them did! The characters in the book are well-written with both the “good guys” and “bad guys” feeling very realistic.

I found myself completely absorbed by this novel. The atmospheric setting surrounding the hospital and the shady area it was in was so easy to picture since the author describes it so well. No matter where the story was taking place, I felt that I was right there with the characters.

I highly recommend Protecting Her Heart! The characters, setting, and mysterious suspense make it a must read for lovers of historical romantic suspense!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NerGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
It seems Nancy Campbell Allen’s first book about the Hampton cousins truly was a fluke, as I find myself once again somewhat disappointed with the last installment. For the most part, it’s better than the second book, with everything overall being more engaging.
The mystery plot is another murder, and while it definitely still felt like a subplot compared to the romantic development, there was a decent amount of intrigue, even if it was a little bit sluggishly paced at times.
The characters and romance were fairly solid too. Of all the cousins, I find Charlotte the most intriguing, given she’s a doctor who went to America to get her medical education. And John is super sweet, having long had feelings for Charlotte, although he has not acted on them. Seeing their friendship and mutual feelings grow into more was truly sweet.
So, why did I not rate this higher? I was teetering on rating it a 3.5, due to my issues with the pacing, and I might even have rounded it up to 4 due to most everything else being solid. But then I got to the discussion questions, and I saw this: “Romances almost [emphasis mine] always have a happy ending. Do you find value in this? Do you agree or disagree with the idea that it is often unrealistic?”
Um, no. A capital-R romance novel needs an HEA or HFN full-stop. And while there absolutely are ways to render believable happy endings and doing so is at the discretion of each individual author, realism is not a requirement in a genre this vast and varied, which many turn to in times of crisis for escapism and hope.
That and the related question about the “value of consuming fiction” led me to majorly side eye the author/publisher, because it almost seemed like a massive act of self-loathing to include these types of questions in a work of romance fiction, as if expecting people to have to actively defend reading something they love instead doing it without shame. Even considering this is published by a conservative LDS publisher, it still feels off-putting.
In short, a solid book, but let down by an injection of disappointing anti-romance rhetoric. While I’m sure there are some readers who will be able to overlook this, but unfortunately I’m not one of them.

New doctor Charlotte returns home for her father’s funeral to find letters suggesting her mother’s death wasn’t what it seemed. She seeks help from her dear friend John, a police director enchanted by her intellect and beauty. As they uncover secrets together, a deeper bond forms. Will Charlotte be forced to choose between career and love?

This book is more police procedural than romance. It’s slow-paced and humorless with little emotion. It’s not for me, but fans of “proper romance” seem to like this restrained kind of story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This was a really well written fast paced romantic mystery novel. I didn’t realise it was part of a series when I requested it, but it was easily read as a stand-alone. The storyline kept me fully entertained and I would recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me access to an early copy of this book.

Charlotte is returning to England from America, where she has studied and graduated to become a doctor. She is returning after receiving a disturbing letter from her father about her mother's death. When she arrives it is to attend her father's death.
John, Charlotte's longtime friend who also happens to be the Director of police affairs is there to greet her at the funeral along with their small but strong group of friends. Mystery abounds and danger lurks.
I loved all the intrigue in this book. The characters are fantastic and the plot twists are perfect.