To Steal a Heart (The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Book #1)

Jen Turano

Nov 2020 · The Bleecker Street Inquiry Agency Book 1 · Baker Books

About this eBook

After a 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. In the middle of breaking into a safe that holds the proof to prove her friend's innocence, Gabriella is interrupted by 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 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.

Ratings and reviews

***WONDERFUL CHARACTERS FRAME THIS FUN & MYSTERIOUS STORY*** // November 1866, New York City // OPENING LINE "It was becoming evident that she, Miss Gabriella Goodhue, might very well be arrested in the not-too-distant future, and all because she'd convinced herself that sneaking into a high-society costume ball would be a relatively easy feat, given her past life as a street thief." // Tea Quote: "Perhaps we'll spread it about that Mrs. Kaffenburgh is taking tea at Rutherford & Company. I've heard the tearoom there is quite lovely, and it's a place many ladies seek out after a day of shopping." // This story is full of laugh-out-loud humor. "I'd decided to take off my spectacles after remembering that they hardly suit my Cleopatra costume. I'm afraid to say I landed in the gentlemen's retiring room instead of the ladies'." // "As they ate, Nicholas found he couldn't remember a meal he'd enjoyed more. Conversations ran rampant around the table, but the topics weren't confined to matters of fashion or the weather. Talk revolved around the latest articles in the newspapers, and then politics, but not for long since no one could agree on that topic, and then little tidbits that had happened to everyone throughout the day." // "Do you believe that God might not have abandoned me after all?" // Very well-written story and highly recommended. I enjoyed the many characters who each seem to have a story of their own to share. Book 1 really lends itself to future stories and a plethora of interesting people (and animals) to write about. // I was gifted a book from the author, in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own without compensation or further expectation. // Bethany House Publishing, 368 Pages, (c) 11-17-2020

This is book one in The Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency series, what a great place to start. I fell in love with many of the characters in this book and look forward to reading more from this series.Gabriella Goodhue is a fun, spunky opinionated woman. I enjoyed her personality and watching her open her heart to people. The handsome Nicholas Quinn, has a good heart and many hard decisions to make. I loved the sparks between Gabriella and Nicholas. The entire Bleaker Street Inquiry Agency is full of fun, unique women, I so look forward to getting to know them all more. I loved how even though I believe this series will probably be a stand alone type read, I feel the books will continue to involve everyone, therefore your enjoyment will be magnified by reading them all. Jen Turano is one of my favorite I love her spunky writing style, filled with humor, mystery and history.

To Steal a Heart by Jen Turano is the first book in The Bleeker Street Inquiry Agency and you definitely don't want to miss reading it if you love inspirational historical romances with a little suspense added in. After leaving a childhood life of crime behind Gabriella and Nicholas are reunited when Gabriella is caught breaking into a safe that proves a friend of hers is innocent of theft, but their reunion isn't all fun and games because their secrets from the past are being revealed and danger is all around them. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more books in this wonderful series! I was given an ARC from the author/publisher. All conclusions are mine and mine alone.

About the author

Named one of the funniest voices in inspirational romance by Booklist, Jen Turano is a USA Today bestselling author, known for penning quirky historical romances set in the Gilded Age. Her books have earned Publishers Weekly and Booklist starred reviews, top picks from Romantic Times, and praise from Library Journal. She's been a finalist twice for the RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and had two of her books listed in the top 100 romances of the past decade from Booklist. She and her family live outside of Denver, Colorado. Readers can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and at jenturano.com.