4 stars

Good story. I notice that I've read the rest of the series. Not sure we call the head of the police a Director in the UK. Charlotte loves her job as a doctor. She's training in America and she gets a letter from her father saying that her mother didn't die in an accident but was murdered. The mother was a second wife and Charlotte's step brothers have often resented her. She comes back to the Uk and immediately a villian tries to beat her up to get her to return and not create waves. Her two friends help her solve everything as does her childhood friend John. It looks like their romance is doomed because his family resent her and his father threatens to pull funding for the police. Mainly kisses....

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such an incredible story. I accidentally found the first book in the series Matchmakers - and was hooked! So when I saw the other books I grabbed them!

I highly recommend starting at the beginning but you do not need to. As my Mom would say - give me a good who done it and this is one of those.

I do not know if there will be more in this series but I will be absolutely following this author.

I just reviewed Protecting Her Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen. #ProtectingHerHeart #NetGalley

I really loved this book! Beautifully written, with a swoon worthy hero, and a sweet and slow burn romance in the midst of a mystery to be solved!

Protecting Her Heart is the third and the last of book in the Matchmakers series. You could read this as a standalone, but you'd have much greater enjoyment if you read the previous two books first.

The story began with a letter from Charlotte's father seeking her return from America. Charlotte's father seemed to know the real cause of Charlotte's mother's death. However, her father had passed before she made it home. Upon his death, Charlotte returned to the family's estate where she retrieved some of her mother's belongings. While going through her mother's belongings, Charlotte discovered some inconsistencies that got her to want to find out more about her mother's death. Of course, she would turn to her best friend, John Ellis. The more clues they found, the higher the stakes and the higher the danger!

I finished this book at one sitting!

Both Charlotte and John are very likeable and very suitable for each other. And they work well together. They have their HEA at the very end. And it's very well deserved. I also liked the fact that Charlotte did not have to really sacrifice her career.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

There those books which you wished never finished…you know how they will end and yet the plot twists & turns make the journey sweeter than the destination. One of those books that make you remember why you love reading so much…this book, Infact every book in this series is such. Charlotte is a gritty heroine from the word go as a female doctor in the Victorian era…I never read a historical-romance-mystery where the main characters have such strong careers and independent personalities. I loved them for who they are and rooting for them to end up together!! This book made my soul happy! In a way I am sad that this is the last of the Hampton cousins series but cannot wait for more from Nancy Allen Campbell! Standing ovation from me 💖
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return of an honest review; I will surely be buying this book as soon as it’s published.

Charlotte Duvall is a recent medical school graduate in America. Thinking she will start her career at a Women’s Clinic, she is startled by a mysterious letter from her father. Even more startling is the news of his death. Charlotte quickly returns home to England only to find her late mother’s letters that suggest that her death may have been more than an accident. Charlotte takes this new information to her friend, John Ellis.

John Ellis is the director of London’s police force and has had feelings for Charlotte since meeting her. When she comes to him needing help, he jumps to her aid. As things start to get more suspicious and danger follows Charlotte, John will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

As they spend more time together, Charlotte and John do more than unravel a long line of secrets and lies. They start to realize that maybe they mean more to each other than just friends. But will the danger of their mystery and the rules of society allow them to follow their hearts?

Nancy Campbell Allen does it again! I was absolutely blown away by Protecting Her Heart. I had high expectations because I loved the two previous stories in this series. Protecting Her Heart was just as good if not better. Let me tell you why I loved it.

Friends to lovers done in the best way. Charlotte and John have the sweetest friendship. To see it blossom into something more was beautiful. Their banter and moments together made this book. This is definitely one of my favorite friends to lovers stories.

The suspense and intrigue is strong in this book. I was hooked from the first page and kept on my toes until the end. It was fun to solve the case with Charlotte and John. I loved that I had an idea of what happened to Charlotte’s mother but was still surprised by the ending.

The setting of Victorian England is so fun. I love the opportunities being opened to women. Charlotte and her cousins taking charge of their lives and stepping into roles held by men and doing it well, is inspiring.

Protecting Her Heart is the perfect read for anyone who loves friends to lovers, suspense, Victorian England, strong woman and charming police directors.

What a fun and sweet story! Nancy Campbell Allen is always sure to deliver, and this book is no exception.
The writing feels Victorian without being stuffy or overbearing. There is a mystery at the heart of this book that is well written and compelling.
Our main characters are so lovely, and they have such great chemistry. I enjoyed every moment they were on page together.
All this to say, I highly recommend!

Star Rating: 4/5
CW: Death, grief

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Protecting Her Heart" by Nancy Campbell Allen is a captivating historical romance set against the backdrop of 19th-century London. The novel follows the journey of Charlotte Duvall, a newly graduated medical doctor, who returns home to her family's estate in America after her father's passing. Amid her grief, she stumbles upon a box of her late mother's letters, which reveals unsettling inconsistencies about her mother's death. Seeking answers, she turns to her trusted friend and London's police force director, John Ellis. As they embark on a journey to uncover the truth behind her mother's demise, the deepening bond between Charlotte and John becomes a source of both strength and vulnerability.

The author skillfully weaves a tale of mystery, love, and self-discovery, intertwining Charlotte and John's emotional struggles with the suspenseful unraveling of secrets. Allen's vivid portrayal of Victorian London adds depth to the story, immersing readers in its rich historical atmosphere. Charlotte's intelligence and determination make her a relatable and admirable protagonist, while John's quiet devotion and unspoken affection for her tug at the heartstrings. As they work together to navigate a dangerous web of deception, their shared quest for truth becomes an avenue for their feelings to grow, leading to a tender and heartfelt romance that blooms amidst the shadows of uncertainty.

"Protecting Her Heart" is a compelling read that combines romance, intrigue, and historical detail in an engaging narrative. Nancy Campbell Allen's writing captures the essence of the era and crafts a heartfelt story that explores the complexities of love and trust. With its well-drawn characters, atmospheric setting, and a touch of suspense, this novel is a delightful choice for fans of historical romance who are drawn to tales of love forged in the midst of adversity and danger.

Protecting Her Heart is another delightful romance by the talented author, Nancy Campbell Allen. I loved it and am giving it five stars.

Full of intrigue and mystery, this is a sweet romance you will not want to miss. This is the third book in Nancy Campbell Adam’s Victorian historical series set around the three Hampton cousins. This third installment follows Charlotte, a medical doctor recently returned to England to solve the mystery of her mothers death. But as her life is threaten and others around her harmed she must rely upon her cousins, their spouses and her greatest friend John for help in solving the mystery!
This book is fast paced and keeps you turning page after page. The dialogue is witty and characters very likeable! I would highly recommend this book and the other two in the series in a heartbeat! Pick it up, you won’t regret it!
Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for a ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Charlotte returns to England after medical school with a mystery to solve, involving her mother's death. Her very good friend John, a cop is helping her. I like when a romance simply acknowledges that the two leads like each other. That's not to say there aren't obstacles, but angst gets tired fast. Thankfully the drama here involves the mystery of Kat Duvall's death, not melodrama. There are aspects that are a bit slow, and I think the old case could have been a bit more flushed out. I had a hard time remembering which James was which and caring about it. Maybe some actual flashbacks to Kat's life at the time would have helped better understand the dynamics of her group of friends. I thought the romance aspect was handled better than the mystery. I received an ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review

I love this series, and this book was such a great addition., or can be read alone. This book has romance, mystery, adventure and more. If you love historical romance novels then this is a must read.

A bread-and-butter Victorian-era historical mystery served with a sweet side of romance!

“He was in love with his best friend, whose mother had most likely been murdered by someone to whom [he] was beholden for political favors. His parents were rudely disdainful of her, she was embarking on a new career that left no options for marriage, and in the end, she had no idea he was enamored of her.”

If this neat and tidy whodunnit wasn’t set in London, and the MMC (John) wasn’t the second son of an Earl and director of the Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Department, it would be well categorized as a British cozy mystery. I think this urbane read would make an even better audiobook for a reader in the mood for something fast and light while getting chores or crafting projects done. It doesn’t offer any surprises or push any envelopes in terms of plot, character, or content. If I’m marketing the print edition, I’m targeting cishet white women 50+ with conservative values.

My favorite character was Dirk – a mysterious, brooding, dark and handsome Scot who converses in monosyllables, and has a past that no one knows anything about. You instinctively know you can trust him with your life, while also knowing he could unalive you and anyone else within a 10’ radius in less than 2 seconds. He was only in 4-5 scenes but he was more interesting than anyone else in the novel.

I did not review anything about this book ahead of time, but it was clear from the opening chapter that it is the third in a series, and that four years have elapsed since the action of the previous novel. I did enjoy it as a standalone, but there were 5 other characters that it is assumed the reader knows. The author did provide brief introductions to all of them, but I wasn’t able to enjoy the narrative callbacks to the previous mysteries that our FMC (Charlotte) and John helped solve, and their shared history together with the other characters. With that said, readers who enjoy this book will undoubtedly love the others in the series.

I was disappointed that the moment when the best friends become lovers was so predictable, and a lot more “oh, that’s nice” than squeeeeee “FINALLY!!!!”

Also, all the groundwork that occurred in the narrative for a satisfying climax between John and his aristocratic family over his choice of bride went literally nowhere. As in, not even mentioned again after the crusty old Earl threatened his son’s career at the top of the third act. What happened? Did they disown him? Did mama have an apoplexy? Is the snobby sister going to give Charlotte the cut direct? I guess we will need to read the next in the series to find out… and please, pretty please, can that book be about Dirk?

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this novel. All opinions are my own.

I LOVE the Victorian time period and add the that a murder mystery and a bit of romance? I was hooked!! The suspense kept me guessing who done it and the romance was sweet and swooney. The two of them refused to leave the friend zone and the anticipation was strong. I LOVED the cameos of the previous characters!! Especially Amelie!! She’s my absolute favorite character in the whole series!!

I received an EARC from netgalley, all opinions are my own

Protecting Her Heart is Nancy Campbell Allen's third book in a mystery/romance series set in Victorian England in the 1880s. Female doctor Charlotte Duvall and police director John Ellis work together to solve the mystery surrounding Charlotte's mother's death.

This is my first time reading Allen's work, and I haven't read the other books in the series. In fact, it wasn't clear from Amazon or Goodreads that this book was even part of a series. But, after reading the first few chapters it was obvious that the characters had a back story together. I was able to piece together their story without reading the first two books in the series, but I would recommend reading them in order if you're considering reading this book.

This book is categorized as "romance" only but I would say it leaned heavily into forensic crime / mystery, and the romance is only part of the plot. The transitions between crime investigation scenes and the romance elements were jolting at times. From the title "Protecting Her Heart" I expected John to have more of a front row role in helping Charlotte, but he ended up being more of a side character while Charlotte often when on to pursue investigations and leads by herself or with other characters. It felt like they were working separately instead of together.

This book was set in the late 1800s and I appreciated the interesting facts that the author added to the story about medical advances and police investigation practices that were popular during that time. However, I found the language of the book anachronistic and I often felt like the book was set in a later time period because of it.

I didn't connect with these characters, and ultimately, I don't think this book was for me.

Content: Some kisses, no sex scenes, some scenes of assault (not sexual assault), some descriptions of dead bodies and crime scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain for the complementary version of this ARC. My review is my honest opinion and in no way influenced by the publisher.

Suspense , intrigue , mystery , a forbidden love and a murder .
This book was a fantastic read .
I loved reading about charlotte and John’s love story .

Too many mysteries right can be solved from the first chapter , but not this book!It kept my attention and kept me guessing . I loved this story and will be adding it to my own collection.

Charlotte was a woman dr in a time that it was not easy to be in that profession . John is a lead detective , head of the police ? Not quite sure which but he is over solving crime , catching criminals and together they make a fabulous pair . In fact they’ve been a great pair for over a decade but just as friends . Now that they’ve been apart for so long they realize that they love each other much more than as friends but enough to ignore society and their families feelings about their careers to move forward together to face the world .

I loved this book !

Loved this final installment of the matchmakers! A sweet romance with a bit of intrigue woven through.

Charlotte is dealing with her fathers death, the possibility of her mother having been murdered years ago, the difficulty of being a woman doctor in her time period, and the hansom director of police (who is very much not in love with her, that would be insane)

My only complaint was that the three cousins (and the three policemen) all have almost the same personality. Slightly different, but only in their background and a few key personal quirks. I still greatly enjoyed reading all three of the Matchmakers novels, but it was a bit disappointing.

I did notice the three novels did also seem to follow the same basic structure, with most or all of the action taking place in the final 20-10% of the novel. This one was a little heavier on the action side than the previous two, with more of a mystery because you really weren't sure who the perpetrator was the whole way through. But, this might have been more obvious to me as I write for fun occasionally and do analyze books a bit more now.

Overall I enjoyed this book, but not nearly as much as the first one. I look forward to seeing what else Nancy Allen puts out!

This was really lovely! I am a huge fan of historical fiction, and this being set in 1880’s London put a smile on my face:)
The romance in this book>>
It was written so well! Best friends to lovers will forever be one of the best tropes! The mystery and suspense was also well written and kept me interested during entire story. I think I read this book in 2 hours, that’s how good it was!
This is the third book in a series, but also was readable as a stand alone!
(I am definitely going to pick up the rest of the series!) This book was impossible to put down, I highly recommend!
🗝️✉️🕰️🩺
-Friends to lovers
-Grief and loss
-Mystery and Suspense
-“Don’t you dare touch her”

I thank Nancy Campbell Allen and Netgallery for this ARC of Protecting her heart. I was hooked immediately from the first chapter. The intrigue and mystery of this story had me turning pages at every spare moment of my day. So much so that I finished the book in a day. I was transported back in time where a women could not be in paid employment and hold a career and can not imagine how hard that would be. The main characters in the story where the Hampton ladies and I loved each of them and their circle of friends. I could not guess the ending as the Web was so intricate that it was a real aha moment when revealed. I loved it, and look forward to having a copy in print on my shelf to share with friends and re read!

A proper romance, a mystery, and a Victorian all in one! Not to mention a strong female main character who isn’t afraid to buck societal norms. What’s not to love? There truly is something for everyone.♥️ It is book 3 in the Matchmakers series, but can be read as a standalone with no confusion.

Charlotte is a doctor and a surgeon, trained in America, but originally from London. In 1887 she moves back home because she has gotten word from her father about a mystery involving her mothers death years ago. By time she arrives in London, her father has passed away as well.

She reunites with beloved cousins, old friends and family members, and colleagues. Someone, however, is not happy to have her back asking questions about her mother’s past, and it is apparent that she is in serious danger. She turns to her friend and detective, the handsome and single John, to help her. Their long time friendship seems to be developing into more but they can not involve their hearts, as she will not be able to continue in her career as a doctor if she marries. (Don’t get me going on that one! 🤯) However, when someone attacks her, he is determined to protect her.

This is an engaging book with many storylines to keep you turning pages.

I’m glad I got a chance to read and review this before publication. (Jan. 2024) Thank you @netgalley and @shadowmountainpub

#ProtectingHerHeart #NetGalley.

Wonderful novel full of intrigue and suspense with a side of romance. This novel did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.