SO TRUE A LOVE (Proper Romance Regency), by Joanna Barker, Shadow Mountain, Sept. 3, 2024, Paperback, $16.99 (young adult/ new adult/ adult fiction)
A young woman and a Bow Street Runner must join forces to solve an armed robbery in So True A Love, a Proper Romance Regency novel by Joanna Barker
London, 1803
As the daughter of a renowned actress, Verity Travers is a privileged lady of high society—and the last woman one would suspect as having worked as a private investigator. But she has hung up that dangerous hat to live the uninspiring life of a gentlewoman. However, when she and her dearest friend become victims of an armed robbery, Verity finds herself swept back into the clandestine world of mystery and crime as she seeks to bring the thief to justice. There’s just one complication: the persistent and dashingly handsome Bow Street Runner Nathaniel Denning, who always seems to cross her path.
Verity is confident she could accomplish her work quickly if only Nathaniel would stay out of her way. Focusing on the task at hand becomes more and more difficult as his keen mind, quick wit, and determination to keep her out of danger muddle her progress—and her heart.
When the two rival investigators learn they are both pursuing the same cunning criminal, they must figure out how to navigate the delicate dance of cooperation amid a backdrop of increasing peril and an irresistible passion that sets their hearts ablaze. —Synopsis provided by Shadow Mountain
So True a Love is a companion piece to A Heart Worth Stealing, which came out in 2023. There are some crossover characters/references, but both books can stand alone. That said, it’s fun having the reference points and little “cookies” author Joanna Barker offers here and there.
So True a Love is part of Shadow Mountain’s Proper Romance line and follows the same sort of formula as other books under the label — boy meets girl, obstacles stand in their way, they find love in the end. It’s also worth noting it falls into the “chaste” romance category, meaning some kissing is as steamy as it gets.
Even though there’s a formula, there’s a reason why So True a Love works — the actual path from first meet to love.
In this case, that happens from Verity’s viewpoint. As the daughter of an actress, Verity holds a strange place in society — accepted and not. She’s smart and would rather make a name for herself by solving crimes than marrying well.
Nathaniel is a recently promoted Bow Street Runner who’s out to prove himself.
There’s a lot of push and pull between the two characters, and they play well off each other. Because the story is told from Verity’s sole viewpoint, there’s less growth on Nathaniel’s part, but that’s to be expected.
Barker’s writing is smooth and inviting, and her pacing is strong throughout.
So True a Love is a fine mystery romance that will appeal to young adults, new adults and adult alike.
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