Protecting Her Heart
by Nancy Campbell Allen
Publisher : Shadow Mountain (January 2, 2024)
Paperback : 288 pages
London, 1887
When newly graduated medical doctor Charlotte Duvall receives word that her father has died, she immediately leaves America and returns home to see to her family’s estate. Among her father’s possessions is a box of her late mother’s letters, which feels like a balm to Charlotte’s grief-stricken heart. But the letters contain some inconsistencies that suggest there was more to her mother’s death than Charlotte had been told. She turns to the one man she trusts more than anyone–her treasured friend and director of London’s police force, John Ellis.
John Ellis has harbored feelings for Charlotte ever since he first met her. Tucked into his heart are thoughts of her sharp mind, quick wit, and remarkable beauty. Though he has not yet found the courage to share his feelings with the young doctor, he is eager to help her in her hour of need.
Investigating the details of a death was not how Charlotte imagined she would find love, but as she and John work to unravel a dark web of secrets and lies, she finds herself relying on him more and more–and opening her heart to him in the process.
As the danger draws ever closer, John vows to do everything in his power to protect Charlotte from harm. But he fears protecting her heart might come at the cost of breaking his own.
My review of Protecting Her Heart
It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book by Nancy Campbell Allen, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why! I read every day, so it could be a matter of so many books so little time. Now that I’ve read Protecting Her Heart, I remember how much I loved the books I’ve read by her, and I’ll be reading more of both her past and future books!
I adored Protecting Her Heart! This historical romantic suspense book had me turning the pages so quickly that I read it in basically a day. I started it at 10 one night, so I did have to sleep! I finished it right away in the morning. I just wanted it to go on and on! I love how suspenseful it was because I wasn’t expecting it.
Charlotte and John have been friends for years, so this fits perfectly into the friends to lovers romance trope. It’s a clean romance while still being a little steamy. Of course, their friends knew that Charlotte and John belonged together way before the two of them did! The characters in the book are well-written with both the “good guys” and “bad guys” feeling very realistic.
I found myself completely absorbed by this novel. The atmospheric setting surrounding the hospital and the shady area it was in was so easy to picture since the author describes it so well. No matter where the story was taking place, I felt that I was right there with the characters.
I highly recommend Protecting Her Heart! The characters, setting, and mysterious suspense make it a must read for lovers of historical romantic suspense!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
[…] “I adored Protecting Her Heart! This historical romantic suspense book had me turning the pages so quickly that I read it in basically a day.” – Christy […]