The Boundless Bookshelf

  About the book… *Title: Protecting Her Heart *Author: Nancy Campbell Allen *Genre: Historical fiction, Mystery, Romance *Series: Book #3 of the Matchmaker’s Trilogy {See review for book #1 here and review for book #2 here !} *Recommend for: Ages 16 & up My Personal Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.75 📖Synopsis 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 mi...

  About the book… *Title: To Capture His Heart *Author: Nancy Campbell Allen *Genre: Historical fiction, Mystery, Romance *Series: Book #2 of the Matchmaker’s Trilogy {See review for book #1 here! ) *Recommend for: Ages 16 & up My Personal Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖Synopsis Seaside, England 1886 Eva Caldwell is an accomplished and well-known photographer who often works with the local constabulary to assist in documenting crime scenes, which means she also often works alongside the handsome and charming Detective Nathan Winston. She appreciates his intellect and how he treats her like an equal, but Eva’s heart is still healing from a past relationship, so, for now, she decides to keep her feelings for Nathan a secret.  One evening, Nathan arrives on her doorstep asking for a personal favor. Would Eva be available to photograph his mother’s legendary, week-long dinner party and matchmaking event? The catch is that Eva would also have to pretend they are courting in order for Nat...

Question #1: How many books have you read so far?  ~ As of writing this, I am currently reading my 45th book of 2025!  Question #2: Have you already found a book you think might be a 2025 favorite?  ~ Yes!! Several, actually. In January I read Pride and Prejudice for the first time, and it has become one of my all-time favorite books. It was an absolute masterpiece, and I foresee rereading it many times through the years! I also recently binged the entire 8-book series of The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. Words fail me. I had such a glorious time reading the books. The laugh-out-loud wit, memorable characters, beautiful writing, and so many other aspects of those books have left me in awe. I may or may not have started rereading the first book days after finishing the last one. Other favorites of the year so far are The Blue Castle   and Kilmeny of the Orchard   both by L.M. Montgomery {for fiction}, Don’t Waste Your Life   by John Piper, Adorning th...

  About the book… *Title: The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart *Author: Nancy Campbell Allen *Genre: Historical fiction, Mystery, Romance *Series: Book #1 of the Matchmaker’s Trilogy *Recommend for: Ages 16 & up My Personal Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 📖Synopsis A romance develops as a detective partners with a lonely-hearts columnist to solve a murder mystery. London, 1885 Amelie Hampton is a hopeless romantic, which makes her the perfect columnist to answer lonely heart letters in  The Marriage Gazette.  When Amelie plays matchmaker with two anonymous lonely hearts, she also decides to secretly observe the couple's blind date. To her surprise, the man who appears for the rendezvous is Harold Radcliffe―a grieving widower and a member of Amelie's book club. Police detective Michael Baker has been struggling ever since his best friend and brother-in-law died in the line of fire. Because he knows the dangers of his job, he has vowed never to marry and subject a wife and family to the un...

About the book… *Title: Jane of Lantern Hill *Author: L.M Montgomery *Genre: Classics, historical fiction *Series: No, a standalone novel *Recommend for: Girls aged 13 & up My Personal Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 📖Synopsis The Happiest Summer of Her Life Her whole life, Jane had believed her father was dead. It was, therefore, quite a shock to receive an invitation to stay with him for the summer on Prince Edward Island. From their very first meeting, Jane falls in love with her charming father and his whimsical cottage on Lantern Hill. A whole summer of fun and adventure, meeting neighbors, and making friends―far away from her grandmother's dreary house in the city. If only she could get her mother to come too. As Jane juggles her love and loyalty for both parents, she dares to dream...a dream that she and her parents could live together without Grandmother directing their lives―of a house where they could all find home. 💭My Thoughts  While this wasn’t my absolute favorite standalone...