Book Review/Blog Tour #thelilyofludgatehill #mimimatthews
Mimi Matthews has such a lovely way of crafting a historical romance novel. Her tone is clear and informative, her characters are interesting and full of dreams and flaws, her words are strung together with thought and knowledge-all of these things work beautifully hand in hand to create a historical romance that not only feels like something from its time, but also holds a comfort and joy to it that Matthews is able to beautifully lay out. The Lily of Ludgate Hill is the third book in the Belles of London series and it is a wonderful companion to its predecessors. I have been easily charmed by each and every one of these novels, which I find can be easily read as standalones. Mimi Matthews has a uniqueness to her writing and niche that will work well with lovers of Georgette Heyer and Mary Balogh. I find that Matthews writing is always clear and focused, the heart of the story lies in the romance, and the new budding feelings of love, and she does this through moments of interaction that are everyday ones.
This novel is a second chance romance between Lady Anne, a confirmed spinster, and Hart, the wicked man that haunts her dreams. They have both carried a bit of a torch for the other since a youthful stolen kiss, but both are strongly in denial. So this novel really focuses on the push and pull between these two. Their banter and interactions build with each confrontation creating the perfect amount of tension for their chemistry and feelings to blossom. It is through the forced proximity that a holiday house party provides that is the perfect recipe for these two to fall head over heels for the other. I think Mimi Matthews brings these two to life in a fun and charming way. I really enjoyed watching Lady Anne come to terms with decisions she made around love and learning to open and trust her heart to someone else. I loved watching these two work together, grow together and to embrace some unrequited feelings that they have both buried deep down. Mimi Matthews brings to life rich feels of passion while keeping her romance a closed door one, and while this is not always my preference, I think Matthews handle this well, and her writing really illicit emotions and the depth of love in a beautiful and understandable way.
I would highly recommend this novel to any romance lover. I think Mimi Matthews is a gem in the sub genre and definitely worth peoples attention!
Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for an eARC, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
A BookBub Best Romance of Winter 2024!
Fortune favors the bold—but is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams?Lady Anne Deveril doesn’t spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, she’s the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her mother’s devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, she’s tempted to run…right into his arms. No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruse—on the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfather’s country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare.Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions—and a tender heart.
ADVANCE PRAISE
· “It is truly a wonder how Matthews can consistently craft fresh romances featuring unique, multidimensional characters who face huge obstacles to their relationships. [A] lovely story of secrets and love lost and found.”— Booklist (starred review)
· “Sparkling…Historical romance fans are sure to be moved.”— Publishers Weekly
· “Matthews delivers another richly detailed and emotionally tender closed-door romance.”— Kirkus Reviews
· “An engaging series installment offering a second chance at love to a spunky heroine and a hero with hidden depths.”— Library Journal
“No one writes Victorian romance like Mimi Matthews, and her Belles of London series just keeps getting better! "— Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author
“Mimi is truly a national treasure. All of her books are filled with such delicious chemistry and heart, and her writing is superb. This one is another winner. Highly recommend.”—Isabel Ibañez, #1 New York Times bestselling author of What the River Knows
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | PUBLISHER | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS
AUTHOR BIO
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.