REVIEW: “To Capture His Heart” by Nancy Campbell Allen

 

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 Nathan to avoid the many single women seeking his attention. 

Though wary of the charade, Eva agrees. Spending a week with the two things she loves most―her detective and her camera―sounds simple enough. And if she wants to imagine that Nathan’s pretend courtship of her is real, well, what’s the harm in that? 

But when a criminal from Nathan’s past threatens revenge on the detective, Nathan must be extra vigilant to keep his mother and the rest of the partygoers safe. He confides in Eva, and as the two work together to solve the mystery and apprehend the criminal, they find that they might capture more than they expected―each other’s heart.

💭My Thoughts 

A solid 4 stars! I really enjoyed this one!

First of all, I absolutely loved all the historical photography elements and how photography was such an important part of the plot (if you read till the end, you’ll see). As someone who dabbles in photography myself, I found that element so fascinating and really enjoyed it.

I also discovered that this was the first real fake dating trope I’ve read in a book, and it was so much fun! I also liked the few matchmaking parts, and Nathan’s mother made me laugh. As an introvert, I couldn’t imagine taking part in a huge house party lasting 10 days though! Especially with what happens during it…

I tend to enjoy mysteries that keep me on my feet, that have brilliant, intricate plots, and that contain at least one unexpected twist. This book was not all that, but it did have those elements more so than the first book in the series. I have to tell myself that not every author is an Agatha Christie. However, as in the other book, I noticed that there wasn’t too much crazy excitement or suspense the first three quarters of the book, but then it really picks up towards the end. Goodness, from about chapter 23 through 29 in To Capture His Heart, my heart was pounding!

Interestingly, I felt that the Winston of this book didn’t exactly match my perception of the Winston from the first book. Maybe it’s just me? But throughout this series, I’ve wished I could see more character development. That is something I love seeing in books. Thoroughly developed characters. Characters who are interesting and have a unique, fleshed-out personality. A couple examples would be the March sisters from Little Women or Emma and her circle from The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion. Their character arcs are incredible, they feel like real people, and they are unique and oh, so memorable! If this makes any sense at all, my mild complaint is that the main couple from To Capture His Heart (in some ways-not all) felt the like the same people from The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart, just with different names. At least give me a good foil character or two!

Oops. I apologize for rambling there. I’m just very passionate about character development and character arcs! I’m not saying that this book had them, but something I can’t stand to read in books are stale, underdeveloped, very typical characters.

Anyhow, continuing on with what this review is actually about…

The romance was super cute and sweet (particularly in the first half) and I enjoyed the bit of banter between Nathan and Eva that came along with the fake dating. However, just like the first book, I wish the physical attraction was lighter. I was not a fan of all the touching and wanting to touch, and especially in the second half of the book, it unfortunately got way too kissy for my taste. Like, go ahead and kiss, but do I really need to know the details of every single one of the dozens and dozens in the book? I’m fine, thank you. And I was greatly annoyed when they just had to kiss when they were literally standing over a dead body. Really? You can’t wait?

So there was that, and overall it was just a little much for me personally. (Again though, all that was mostly in the second half of the book).But aside from the personal bumps with the romance content, this book truly was so enjoyable! There were so many aspects and elements of it that I loved, and altogether it was definitely a book worth reading. I’m very excited to read the next book and finish this fun trilogy!

⚠️Content notes

Some sexual tension throughout; Noticing, smelling, touching & wanting to touch each other; lots of kissing, a couple lasting several sentences; almost kissing & wanting to kiss; a mention of a past event in which someone tries to kiss someone who doesn’t want to; “darned”, “confound it”, “blasted”, “blazing” & “minx” each used once; mentions of whiskey & cigars; Eva discovers a dead body- described in semi-detail; another dead body but no details; mentions of poisoning- a child is poisoned but survives; severe injuries & pain; *being vague for spoilers*~ someone is shot & killed.

❤️ This book is for you if…

You are an older teenaged girl who likes Victorian books, is alright with a very romantic mystery, enjoys photography and/or fake dating, and has read the first book of the series.

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Bookishly yours, 

Lottie M.