Thank you very much to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing,
and Nancy Campbell Allen for providing me with a copy of Protecting Her Heart! All thoughts expressed in this review reflect only my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It spans quite a few genres - historical fiction, mystery, and romance - but it balanced all of them very well, and I felt that the pacing for both the mystery and the romance were believable and well-timed.

I did not realize upon requesting this book on NetGalley that it was the third in the series. It stands alone fairly well in that its plot is fully contained in this book, but I did find myself wishing that I had read the prior two books, as I could tell that there was some degree of character development and backstory that I had missed. For that reason, I do recommend reading this book in its proper place in the series.

I loved the way that the romantic storyline was handled. This book is a part of the publisher's "proper romance" line, so sexual content is within the confines of marriage and is implied using a fade to black technique. However, the interactions between the two main characters are still very swoony and I felt fully invested in rooting for their relationship. If you don't like explicit romance scenes, but also don't particularly gravitate to Christian romances, this is a great option for you.

The mystery had me on the edge of my seat, especially for the last quarter of the book! This book does get fairly violent at points, so be aware of that if you are sensitive to violence.

Overall, this was a great book and I intend to go back and read the rest of the series! Other fun elements include an independent female main character, strong friendships, and some really vile villains.

If you love mystery and suspense with a side of romance, this book is for you. As John and Charlotte unravel the death of her mother twenty years ago, it becomes apparent what lengths some will go to maintain their secrets, riches, and power. While the mystery was certainly engaging, my favorite part of the book was the progress of the relationship between John and Charlotte. It was delightful to watch their mutual admiration and respect for each other grow into something deeper in spite of their determination to remain friends. Loved the conclusion! Thanks to NetGalley I received a free ARC copy. These thoughts and opinions are my own.

Have you read any books in this series? I am all in for these Matchmakers books! This one is the third book and I loved seeing previous characters throughout this book. I love how the author made them prevalent and connected them all together. That's honestly one of my favorite things about series, being able to see previous characters and where they are at after their book ends.

I was so happy that this third book was Charlotte and John's story. They are perfect for each other, even though they've denied their feelings for each other for years. Childhood friends have grown up and have a slow burn sweet romance that will draw you in and make your heart flutter.

Another aspect I love about this series is the setting, Victorian England. It's such a perfect time for this group of young ladies. They're trying to find their place and I love that they are able to truly pursue something that interests them, and that they're good at, in a society that has previously put such strong restrictions on what females can do. And I loved that these main male characters are supportive of the talents these ladies have.

The mystery is well written and kept me guessing whodunnit! Some of my guesses were correct and others were a little off but all in all I was very engrossed in the story and thoroughly entertained. Thanks Nancy Campbell Allen for another fabulous series! I'm really hoping there's more to come with these Matchmakers books, but whatever she writes next I'll definitely be grabbing a copy and spending some enjoyable time being lost in the pages of her book!

Content: Clean. Some moments of mild peril. Some elements of murder. Some sweet romance with nothing further than kisses.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Charlotte Duvall has graduated from medical school in New York, but her sickly father sends for her with an ominous message about the past. He passes before she arrives on English shores. With the help of her friends she starts to investigate, and when she's attacked, John steps in to make sure she's protected. The past doesn't easily reveal truths but they get closer to finding out what happened to her mother all those years ago and her with her relationship to John shifting, a different future starts to take shape.

This is the third in the series, but can work as a stand alone. If you enjoy regency mystery, this one is for you.

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

This last installment (I think it's the last, unless Dirk is getting a book) in the Matchmaker series was O.K. but, like Eva's book (book 2), Charlotte's book just isn't as good as Amelie's (book 1).
I liked the Victorian setting, and I was intrigued by the mystery. John and Charlotte's relationship was presented with two major obstacles, and I was truly curious how they would get past them. I think what made this kind of fizzle for me was that one of those obstacles was solved in a paragraph and the other wasn't really addressed. The solution to the murder was also disappointing, as I wasn't convinced the confessions would have come out the way they did from people willing to kill left and right and throw their money around to cover up the original murder. A few lines at the end, saying these very rich, powerful people were awaiting sentencing, felt very tidy. Of course I wanted those rich pricks to be brought to justice, but I didn't think it would be so easy, given the power these people wielded throughout the book.
I liked Charlotte's solution to her problem, but it was so simple, I didn't know why there was so much hand-wringing about it for 3/4 of the book.
So, why even 3 stars? I like these characters, I guess, and I like the author. I love the devotion this trio of cousins and their aunt Sally have for each other. And the author knows how to write a swoony scene for sure. John and Charlotte's first kiss was lovely.
I will continue to seek out this author and look forward to new books by her. I'd really love for her to get back to her steampunk series--I thought there was at least one more book hinted at in the last one, but maybe I was wrong. For this series, the only one I would highly recommend is the first one.

Nancy Campbell Allen weaves her literary magic in "Protecting Her Heart," the latest gem in The Matchmakers series. Brace yourself for an irresistible blend of mystery and romance that unfolds with the finesse of a master storyteller. Charlotte and John's journey, pulsating with magnetic allure, ensures you'll be turning pages well into the night. Picture a cozy mystery with a dash of heart-melting romance – it's a literary escapade that leaves you yearning for more.

Having been fortunate enough to secure an early glimpse, I applaud Allen for orchestrating a symphony of emotions that resonates perfectly. A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for this exclusive preview, elevating the joy of this enchanting read. Whether you're a seasoned follower of The Matchmakers series or a newcomer, "Protecting Her Heart" stands tall as the ultimate culmination, delivering the happily-ever-after we've all been eagerly awaiting. Dive into this captivating tale, and let Allen's storytelling prowess sweep you off your feet.

I enjoyed this book. I love reading about strong women and the men who support them. It built on characters from other books and introduced interesting fun new characters. I recommend this book. It's an interesting look into the changing times of the 1900's.

This series is such a great one. I was left riveted with each word of the previous two, and this one was no different. I love that you can read this with a true stand alone vibe. I think it makes it better to read the other two first in order, but that is a personal preference.

Charlotte Duvall is sent on a rollercoaster ride of life after getting an ominous letter from her dying father. She rushes back from America to try and be there for his last days of life, but is unable to make it. At the funeral she opens up to her detective friends, and her cousins. Director Ellis decides to start looking into it. Anything to help Charlotte, a woman he definitely admires and is unwilling to admit it to himself at first.

As they look into the events surrounding her mothers death many years ago, Charlotte is put into peril. Her life is threatened, she is attacked not only physically, but professionally as a doctor as well. Director Ellis is doing all he can to protect her, but he knows that might come at the cost of breaking his own heart.

I loved the twists and turns this book takes. It takes a look at jealously and how it effects not only one person, but many lives. I hung onto every sentence. Nancy Campbell Allen is so great at this genre and I hope to read more like this. The time period as well makes it such a pleasure. 5 stars

I loved this newest book in the Matchmakers series! From the start of the series, it is clear that Charlotte and John are meant to be together, but the fun is in watching them both realize it in this third installment. The mystery of Charlotte's mother's death is the perfect setting for John and Charlotte to work together and fall in love. Charlotte's work as a doctor is also interesting to read about. This book will not disappoint!

This is a great addition to the Matchmaker Series. It’s been a little while since I read the other books but I didn’t feel lost. I liked the characters. There are a lot of strong female characters who don’t fit the mold of their time, and their activities made for an entertaining story. The mystery was intriguing and had a happy ending.

This book… ugh. It was one of the greatest books I’ve read. I loved the two previous Matchmaker’s books and was not disappointed with this one.

It was great to be able to have previous characters return and to see how they have grown and evolved. I don’t know if this will be the final book in this series but if it was, it ended beautifully.

I was hooked from the beginning. Charlotte and John’s history made their romance happen fairly quickly but I’m not mad about it at all. I absolutely adored them together.

The mystery aspect, like the other two books, was nail biting, and left me longing to know the answers. The plot line was written SO well and I am glad Charlotte was able to solve her mothers murder and also find/recognize love along the way.

John… ugh, Director Ellis. What can I say about him? I loved him. I loved how he treated Charlotte. I want and need a Director Ellis in my life now so thank you very much NCA! *swoons*

If you like mystery with a touch of romance… this is the perfect series to read. Nancy Campbell Allen is such a talented author. She really brings books to life.

Fantastic read.

The final chapter in the Hampton cousins trio was so engaging, exciting and enticing that I finished it in one sitting. The villainous element was decidedly nasty, a true puppet master behind the scenes. This produced more violence and devilry than expected, but was handled beautifully in the author’s capable hands. And the romance beginning as best friends is possibly my favorite trope of all.

I received a copy of this book from Shadow Mountain.

ARC Review. 💛 Proper Romance/Regency fans, put this in your winter wish list (releases Jan 2). Protecting Her Heart is the third story in the Hampton cousins series by Nancy Campbell Allen. I’ve read all three and this one is right up there with my love for the first title, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. All feature a protagonist cousin from the wealthy, but sometimes unconventional Hampton family.
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Charlotte has returned to England from a career as a physician in America. Her father has died and left hints that her mother’s untimely death at a young age may not have been an accident. Charlotte starts investigating the past and stirs up a hornet’s nest among a group of powerful MPs and their wives, former friends of her mom that clearly have some secrets.
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I enjoyed the mystery/danger aspect with the powerful friends. A bit of a campus novel vibe there, wondering what really happened when they were young and why they were so desperate to hide it. The romance was sweet and addled with some societal issues, including that female physicians weren’t supposed to marry. The mystery kept it from being a predictable romance, and I really liked Charlotte and her wisdom and courage. Really enjoyed this one and did not figure out the whodunnit!
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Thank you to @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.
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Content: kisses only

I love this series and Charlotte Duvall and John Ellis’s story was one I enjoyed just as much as the others. Endearing characters, mystery, secrets from the past, and romance make this a terrific book to spend your day reading. Once you start, you won’t want to stop.

There were so many things I liked about Charlotte and John. Here are just a few of them:

Charlotte
determined and intelligent
clever
ambitious

John
forthright
loyal
fights for justice

Now that all of the cousins have found their matches, I feel that the series may be finished, but I sure hope not! I’d love to see more books based upon the world that the author has created. This can be read as a standalone, but You will want to read the other books for a richer reading experience and background knowledge of Charlotte’s cousins.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not expected to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this installment!! This was my favorite of the three in this series. It pulled me right in and I read through it rather quickly.

Protecting her heart takes places in the Victorian Era. I loved learning new things about how life was for women during that time. I always appreciate my own time more, when I realize how far we’ve come in regards to women’s rights.

The main characters, charlotte and John, were both strong and independent. They have known each other since childhood and have a deep connection. Their chemistry was amazing. When Charlotte feels defeated, John is there to show her the strength he sees in her. I loved them together!

I loved that the book had a mystery to solve. Romance with mystery might be my favorite combination. I enjoyed making my own guesses and seeing how it all turned out.

While this is the third book in the series, I think it would be enjoyed as a stand alone.

This book had a great balance of mystery and romance. I really enjoyed Charlotte’s character. She is a young woman who has studied to be a doctor. She’s met with resistance when she returns home to practice medicine. She’s determined to be successful and is willing to make great sacrifices for her patients.

This is a friends to lovers romance that works well. While there was plenty of angst, it wasn’t drawn out, and I appreciated that the mutually pining wasn’t prolonged.

Both Charlotte and John are hard working and dedicated to their professions. They are also very supportive of each other’s dreams. It was fun to watch them change their priorities as they solved the mystery and fell in love.

This is the third book in the series. It can be read as a stand alone, but there are cameos from characters in the first two books. The first two books are also very enjoyable and worth reading.

This book contains not profanity and kissing.

I have loved every book in this series! Nancy Campbell Allen does such a good job of combining mystery with romance. I get so excited when one of her new books is announced. I absolutely loved Charlotte! Her experience as a female doctor was so intriguing and made her that much more awesome. I love how much tension Allen builds in her story, and I wish there had been a bit more/it had been drawn out as they put together the final pieces. The banter and playfulness between Charlotte and John was so fun and made them feel more real as a couple. Protecting Her Heart made me want to go back and reread the entire series so I could enjoy it all over again!

This story wraps up a trilogy that follows strong women, cousins, through their challenges and paving their way in a world that reluctantly accepts them and their unique talents. While it can stand alone, the reader will find much satisfaction in a depth of characters gained by reading the prior books in the series. I was kept in my toes, knowing danger was just around the corner as Charlotte and John and their friends solved the murder mystery. Well written and very engaging - this story is rich in details and is sure to delight!

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

Some of the best stories feature more than just one genre within its plot. Mixing romance with mystery, action, and suspense? Okay, I see Ms. Allen! Nicely done. From the first chapter I knew this one was going to be a good one. Sometimes a person can just tell. The tone of the story just brought the story together, and the writing was gripping. The characters were solid and the romance aspect did not get lost within the overall story. A well rounded read!

ARC provided by Shadow Mountain Publishing via NetGalley, and I have given my honest review.