To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano: Book Review

Details

• Genre: Historical fiction
• Series: The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency (Book #1)
• Length: 368 pages (Ebook edition)
• Publication Date: November 17, 2020

Tropes

• Ex-childhood friends to lovers
• Second chance romance
• Class difference

My Rating

Book Description

“After spending her childhood as a street thief, Gabriella Goodhue thought she’d put her past behind her until a fellow resident at her boardinghouse is unjustly accused of theft. Using her old skills to prove her friend’s innocence, Gabriella unexpectedly encounters Nicholas Quinn, the man she once considered her best friend — until he abandoned her.

After being taken under the wing of a professor who introduced him into society and named him as his heir, Nicholas is living far removed from his childhood life of crime. As a favor to a friend, Nicholas agreed to help clear the name of an innocent woman, never imagining he’d be reunited with the girl he thought lost to him forever. 

As Gabriella and Nicholas are thrown together into one intrigue after another, their childhood affection grows into more, but their newfound feelings are tested when truths about their past are revealed and danger follows their every step.”

— from Goodreads

My Review

To Steal a Heart was a fun introduction to the ladies of the Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency. 

Each of them has their own unique skills to contribute. And what they might lack in experience, they make up for in enthusiasm and resourcefulness.

The first part of the book centers on Gabriella and Nicholas attempting to clear an innocent woman’s name by solving a jewelry theft (with some help from the other Bleecker Street agents). 

The middle of the book did feel a bit meandering; like I didn’t know where the story was going or what it was building to. There was an ongoing plot line involving the Knickerbocker Bandit, but that was mostly in the background until the very end.

While I was able to guess a couple of the plot twists, a few others (the truth of Gabriella’s parentage, the identity of Nicholas’ father, and the real reason Gabriella and Nicholas were separated as children) genuinely surprised me. 

Gabriella and Nicholas’ romance, however, just didn’t connect with me. A lot of the time, it felt like their feelings for each other were told rather than shown. They did have a few sweet moments, though. And their dogs Precious and Winston were very cute together.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing what adventure Daphne finds herself in.

Favorite Moments

🗝️ Nicholas defending Gabriella’s honor
🗝️ Gabriella protecting Nicholas from being shot

Favorite Quotes

“With how his evening had unfolded thus far, Nicholas couldn’t claim to be overly surprised that he was now being ushered into a boardinghouse by a pistol-toting lady dressed in black.“

Jen Turano

“Have you seen the dining room yet, Mr. Quinn?’ Maryanne asked.

‘Mrs. Fairchild has decorated it to appear as if we’ll be dining by the side of a stream. She’s even brought in swans….’

“She’s including real swans on a table we’ll be eating from?’ Nicholas asked, finding that a peculiar choice, what with how birds did possess feathers, some of which might fall out as they swam. Feathers were not exactly something he enjoyed as a side during a meal.“

Jen Turano

“Gabriella arched a brow at him. ‘Will either one of those fine ladies suit you?’

Nicholas thought about it for a mere second before he shook his head. ‘I’m afraid not.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because they’re not…’

‘They’re not what?’ Gabriella pressed when he simply stopped speaking, the very idea that he’d been about to say ‘you’ leaving him reeling.“

Jen Turano

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