A Heart Worth Stealing

Opposites attract in this adorable Regency romance from Barker (A Game of Hearts). When the authorities refuse to believe Miss Genevieve “Ginny” Wilde’s claims that the watch bequeathed to her by her late father, a magistrate, was stolen, not misplaced, Ginny hires thief-taker Jack Travers to investigate. A rock thrown through Ginny’s window suggests that whoever stole the watch is not done targeting her, so Jack offers to stay with her for her protection. To preserve Ginny’s reputation, they’re forced to pretend to be cousins while he’s residing at her estate—but their lingering stares and obvious attraction threaten the ruse. Ginny’s “half-sister of ill-repute,” Catherine, has never tried to hide her disdain for Ginny (their father married Ginny’s mother mere months after Catherine’s mother’s death), putting her at the top of an already long list of suspects mainly comprising criminals Ginny’s father put away. Things grow more complicated in both the case and Ginny’s romance with Jack when the new magistrate vies for Ginny’s hand. Jack proves easy to crush on: he’s witty, sweet, and thoughtful, with just a touch of a bad boy persona. Unique characters put and a fast-paced mystery add flavor to this sweet romance. (May)