I was so excited to hear we’d get another bow street book with Verity after how much I loved A Heart Worth Stealing. I adored this story & was hooked from the beginning.

Verity & Nathaniel are everything. The way they’re thrown together… their growth throughout the story… their vulnerability with each other… their chemistry!! Your honor I love them.

Other things I loved:
Witty banter.
Edge of your seat action & suspense.
Swoony kisses.
Travels all over London & the English countryside.
Heart warming family moments.
Amazing friendships.
Visits with favorite characters from book one.

Another gorgeous Joanna Barker book! Can’t wait for what she does next.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing for the chance to review an advance copy.

I read and loved A Heart Worth Stealing and was excited to see a familiar character , Verity Travers.
Female detective /investigator.
I loved her attitude , curiosity and ability to find the “bad guy”.
I loved the authors ability to show the characters strengths and their vulnerabilities. Verity is a strong character but feels such vulnerabilities over her father and her mother for never being there. She learns as an adult that things aren’t quite as black and white as they appear.
Nathaniel is a detective /investigator who works hard in his job to support his mom and dad. He wonders who this girl is and know that because he met her life will never be the same.
I really enjoyed this book and its many layers : friendships , spies , family love , romantic love. , relationships , danger and intrigue . Well done !!!!

I received a free copy from netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

So True a Love by Joanna Barker
Well, Joanna has written another winner again, this time in So True a Love, Nathaniel's and Verity's story. Another seriously amazing, nail-bitingly, edge-of-your-seat regency era mystery with plenty of sizzling romance. Gah! so good!

 I definitely did not predict any of what was going to happen. The mystery was so well-done and kept me wondering and trying to figure it out (but to no avail) right until the end. So many good plot twists. The banter and tension and relationship between Verity and Nathaniel at the beginning was soo good and also throughout, I loved their teasing and the way they fell so hard for each other. I don't want to give anything away.
Nathaniel is just such a fun character. I adored him in every way. So protective, so sweet!
Verity isn't sure about love, but oh man, does she change her mind when Nathaniel shows her what So True a Love can be!
I keep wondering if Joanna's books can get any better, and then guess what? They most certainly do! I am loving these Regency mysteries.
Another favorite for me! I wish I had amnesia so that I could forget it all, and read it and experience it all again for the first time, because it was just soo good. Perfection personified!
My Favorite Parts:
Suspense
Hiding
Nathaniel
Meeting parents
Secrets and mystery
Sketches
One blanket
Small gestures 
Forced proximity
Jack and Ginny’s cameo
Everything!
Book info:
Series: bk 2
Genre: Historical Romance; Regency with mystery and suspense
Romance Level: kissing only
Release Date: September 3, 2024
Publisher: Shadow Mtn: Proper Romance

Content Warnings: Language: none
Sexual content: “body (clothed) pushed up against mine”, steamy kisses
Violence/gore: mild-some blood, fist fight, peril involving drowning and guns
Substance use: some drinking in tavern
Prejudices: none
Religious themes: none
Trigger Warnings: parental abandonment, illegitimate child

I received a copy of the ebook from Netgalley, the publisher and the author. All thoughts are only my own.

Verity Travers is following in the footsteps of her brother Jack in being a thief-taker, or more accurately, a private investigator. She is guarded, determined, inquisitive, loyal, and fiercely independent, which make her the perfect for this type of work. I love that even when she was faced with danger she didn’t shy away because she wanted to help a friend.

Nathaniel Denning is such a dear man. He is loyal, brave, honest, and will do anything for those he loves. His relationship with Verity was so fun to watch as she infuriated him and at the same time charmed him.

Things you will love:
Exciting first meeting
Complex characters
Self defense moves
Forced partnership
Sir Chivalry
Art
Humor
Superstitious grandmama
Bozoar pendant
Colorful informant
Mystery and danger

This book has characters from A Heart Worth Stealing, and while you do not need to read it, I highly suggest you do. It’s not because it affects the story, but it provides depth and was so fun to see the return of beloved characters. This is a book that readers of all ages will enjoy. I didn’t think author Joanna Barker would be able to exceed my expectations after reading A Heart Worth Stealing, but she absolutely did. I am really hoping there will be more books with these great characters.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own with no obligation to write a review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Joanna Barker for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for So True a Love coming out September 3, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was a wish granted to me! I definitely wasn’t expecting to receive this. I’ve read a few books by this author and I really enjoy her work. I love Regency romances. I read a Heart Worth Stealing, which features Verity’s brother Jack. This book had a wonderful plot. I love that the characters were strong. Verity has an interesting family dynamic with her mother being an actress. There were a couple plot points that I’m not sure actually happened at that time, but I still loved it. I thought Nathaniel was a really sweet character and I enjoyed his banter with Verity. The action was fun and I loved the Bow Street Runners plot.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys sweet regency romance!

Oh my heart!!! Another fabulous read from author Joanna Barker. This one has characters who are connected to her previous book, A Heart Worth Stealing. You don't have to read that one to enjoy this one, but I will say that they're both fabulous books and well worth reading!!! And aren't the covers of both of them gorgeous?! I love them! The colors and the couples on the covers!

I love the mystery and intrigue throughout this story. I was right there alongside Verity and Nathaniel as they worked their way through all of the obstacles in their paths to solve this whodunnit crime. The book reminded me a lot of the BBC TV series, Miss Scarlet and The Duke. Which is one that my whole family loves! So if you're a fan of that, you're sure to love the dynamics between Verity and Nathaniel! They are charming and delightful and full of surprises!

The sweet romance and chemistry was a great addition woven throughout the mystery and crime aspects of the book. It all balanced out beautifully! And kept me turning the pages as quickly as I could! I had heard great things about this one from other reader friends and I was so excited when I was finally able to pick it up and dive right in. It did not disappoint. And now I have another favorite book from this author...although, they are honestly, all my favorites! She's fabulous!

Grab your own copy and get ready for an adventure throughout the streets and back alleys of London, in grand homes and theaters and police precincts. You'll meet some shady characters, some characters who don't want to be know and some characters who are trying to save their secrets. Don't miss it!

Content: Clean. I love this author's books because I know they will always be clean and ones I can easily recommend to friends and family and whoever I end up chatting books with! There are some moments of mild peril but nothing graphic. Some kisses but nothing further.

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

Happy Reading!!!

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

Genre: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Sweet Romance, British Literature
Subplot: Mystery, Crime, Suspense
Spice Level: Kissing (liaison mentioned)

I'm fascinated with thief takers role in Regency England. SO TRUE A LOVE gives a twist to thief takers, and I was fully invested in the ride! Now look at the title: 1. Does this relate to the handsome man? 2. Does it relate to her love of a profession? Consider that as you read.

The romantic couple are both delightful to read, and I was enchanted to see how they worked together. Verity is changeable because she grew up with her mother, an actress (which was shocking in the Regency era). Her father was incredibly "hands-off" in her life. She and her brother were close and she'd helped him on cases when he was with Scotland Yard, but he was married now and too far away to easily visit.

We don't actually know as much about Nathaniel Denning—he's intelligent, willing to give a lady the benefit of the doubt, and of course, handsome. His family enters the story briefly to round out his character and background.

The mystery aspect was fun for me because it revolves around the art world, and I love paintings. I don't want to give any spoilers, so I'm just going to say it was enjoyable to see how Verity and Nathaniel worked together to try and solve the problem. AND what a problem!

Yes! I highly recommend this book.

Happy reading!

I truly was not expecting a suspense/mystery book from the looks of the cover and the type of books the author usually writes.
But what a ride it was! The characters were so engaging, clever and full of life. The story moved along well and the talents of Verity were what made the story so interesting.
I loved the ending and would recommend this series to anyone who loved these books:
Freddie and Grace mysteries by Pepper Basham, Black friars Lane series by Michelle Griep and The Imposters series by Roseanna M. White.
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.

The daughter of a renowned actress, society lady Verity has a secret past as a private investigator. She’s forced back into the world of crime after she and her friend are robbed. Her pursuit of justice leads her to clash with Nathaniel, a charming and persistent Bow Street Runner. As they pursue a cunning criminal, their rivalry turns into a dangerous dance of attraction, forcing them to confront their feelings amid escalating peril.

I loved this novel. The title novel doesn’t really capture the mood—it’s as much mystery as romance. The characters are well-developed and likable, while the fast-paced plot immediately caught my interest and held it until the end.

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

This was a cute mystery/suspense novel, with a sweet side romance. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, about Verity's brother Jack, though this story can be read as a standalone. This felt a little slower, as the romance didn’t start to develop until much later in the book. It didn't quite capture me like the romance of the previous book. It felt more of a side plot here rather than the main element, with the mystery element being the main focus.
Overall, a sweet and enjoyable historical romance mystery!
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this book.

This book is now on my favorites list. I love the characters. Verity Travers is independent, creative, loyal and smart. She has an instinct that is very helpful when solving cases and uses it to help others. Nathanial Denning is discerning, kind, smart and a Bow Street runner. I loved their first meeting, it was very unconventional. Evey interaction thereafter is full of depth and meaning. Danger and love seem to go hand in hand with some people. This is a book I will be rereading often.

AH! This book just hooked me from the beginning. Verity is awesome--I like how she's strong, smart, and capable but also had some self-doubt; it made her so realistic and relatable. And Nathaniel...oh, what a fantastic leading man! I loved seeing him and Verity together. The chemisty and the banter were so much fun to read. My only quibble with this book is that I sooo wish we could've had some scenes from Nathaniel's POV! I so would have loved to have some scenes directly in his head! Besides loving both of them, the plot was interesting; I liked seeing how the msytery unfolded.
Excellent book! Highly recommend!

Joanna Barker is one of my favorite authors, so I wasn't surprised when I finished this book and all I could think was WOW. She absolutely delivered on Verity's story. The characters are fun and dynamic, The love story is on point. I love having a lead female character with so much spunk, strength, and determination. And to make everything all the better, Nathaniel absolutely adores her for all of her qualities. This book is a must read!

Another absolute hit from Joanna Barker!

I LOVED this one - after reading A Heart Worth Stealing I was so excited to hear Verity's story. She's such a fun protagonist - feisty and capable and just so good at what she sets her mind to! I adored her chemistry with Nathaniel - the banter and swoon worthy moments were sprinkled so well throughout the mystery they were trying to solve! Overall, just a fabulous clean romance that I would recommend to anyone!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars. This was an entertaining and heartfelt blend of romance and mystery with a wonderful cast of characters. I highly recommend for fans of both historical romances and historical mystery series such as Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber and Andrea Penrose. This is the first book I've read by Joanna Barker, but I will definitely check out her other titles, including book 1 in this series which features Verity's brother (who we meet here briefly).

Verity quite literally runs into Bow Street runner Nathaniel Denning while they are both chasing the same robbery suspect. As the sister of a former Bow Street runner, Verity had dreams of becoming a private investigator in her own right, but the dangerous realities of the work forced her to reconsider. However, she is thrown back into investigation work when her friend asks her to recover a stolen purse that contained a very personal letter. After Nathaniel and Verity's separate investigations keep crossing paths, they reluctantly agree to work together.

Joanna Barker does an excellent job of capturing the emotions in the building relationship between Verity and Nathaniel. Growing up as the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman and a largely absent actress mother, Verity believes she can only rely on herself and doesn't even consider marriage as an option. Nathaniel is initially suspicious of Verity's motivations when she keeps showing up during his investigations, but soon grows protective of her while respecting her need for space and independence. It's a slow process for Verity to start letting down her defenses, but their chemistry from the start is obvious to everyone around them. Speaking of supporting characters, I hope Nathaniel's fellow Bow Street Runners featured here get their own books (or at least the mysterious Scottish one).

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and Netgalley for providing an ARC for review!

What a great story! I just loved it! This is book 2 in the series. It definitely works as a standalone but there is a little bit of spoilers for book 1 so keep that in mind. In book one we get Jack Travers, in book two it’s his sister Verity Travers. And of course Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning. I really loved the relationship between Verity and Nathaniel. They work together on the case well and then the chemistry is great! I also liked learning more about Jack and Verity’s mom. Verity’s friend Elizabeth, was also a great part of the story. I hope we get to see more of her. Overall, I really enjoyed this story and I definitely recommend!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.75

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

Joanna’s books just keep getting better and better! I absolutely love the Travers family and this series. Verity is a spirited individual who has a talent for detective work. When she takes a case to help a friend she ultimately ends up working with Detective Denning. Sparks are soon flying between them as they race to solve the case.
This book is a great combination of romance and mystery. From tense moments to tender kisses this story will keep you drawn in from the start. I highly recommend this and the first book in the series! 10 stars in my opinion!
Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so surprised and taken with how wonderful A Heart Worth Stealing was (my first Joanna Barker read) that I couldn’t wait to read So True a Love. This book did not disappoint.

My favorite romances show a true connection between the characters, and I loved how Verity and Nathaniel’s relationship was strong and based on mutual interests, compatibility, and trust. It was also quite a treat to get to see Jack and Ginny again, and not just in a passing way. Their personalities shine through in the scenes where they appear. The mystery was enjoyable—not too complex but with twists I didn’t see coming.

If I could have changed one thing about the book it would have been for it to be written in duel perspectives, but that’s just because it would have been nice to see the progression of Nathaniel’s feelings more closely. It also took me awhile to get into the story, but after I got about a third of the way in I was hooked.

Overall I would highly recommend this book, and I’m grateful to NetGalley for giving me an ARC, which I am reviewing voluntarily.

So True a Love checks all the boxes for me. Verity is brave, intelligent, and determined to pursue justice. Nathaniel makes me think of a smoldering hero. He is reserved and cautious, but undeniably drawn to Verity. Their initial interaction sets the stage for a perfect story, and I so loved seeing them grow together as things progressed. Joanna Barker knows how to write romance that draws in the reader. The heart is captured through dialogue, experiences, glances, and unforgettable kisses. The addition of art, London, and a mystery set a great backdrop. I did enjoy the emphasis on family and friendship and making sacrifices for those you love. I highly recommend this for those who enjoy clean regency with a lot of heart and excellent writing.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Please note that this is a standalone story but has characters connected to A Heart Worth Stealing. It doesn't need to be read in order, but I think it is more enjoyable that way. I don't like when there are related books but that connection isn't made clear on purchasing or reviewing platforms. I really like to read a series in order.

That being said, I liked Jack and Ginny from A Heart Worth Stealing a lot. But I think I loved Verity and Nicholas even more! I was more invested in the mystery that this story had. I loved Nicholas' desire to protect Verity despite her desire for independence.

The connections the main characters had with other characters in the book was compelling as well. I really liked Nicholas" parents.

There is just so much that I found enjoyable in this story. I look forward to the audiobook being released so that I can hear these events come to life.

Many thanks to Shadow Moutain Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.