Do you prefer to read an eBook
or a physical book? I enjoy reading
both. I read The Lily of Ludgate Hill as
an eBook. The benefits of reading on my eBook
is that I can read far into the night without having the light on and bothering
my husband.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill
is the third book in the Belles of London series by Mimi Matthews. I absolutely loved this series set during the
Victorian period. The books feature four
horse loving friends with each book telling one of the friends’ story. These books can be read as standalones, but I
recommend reading the entire series as it is excellent. Characters from the first books also appear
in the subsequent books and you will get more out of their appearances if you
know their back stories.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill
is Lady Anne Deveril’s story. Six years
ago, Lady Anne’s father died, and a distant male relative inherited the
Earldom. Lady Anne and her mother went
into mourning, and they still have not come out from it. Her mother is fascinated by spiritualism and
hopes to contact her dead husband. Anne
just hopes to keep her mother alive and off opium. Felix “Hart” Hartford was her friend growing
up and their friendship blossomed to love just before Anne’s father passed
away. Hart left for a year of travel
with his grandfather and Anne was left caring for her mother. When Hart returned, they had a misunderstanding,
and their fledging romance was no more.
Now six years later, will they be able to put the misunderstandings away
and have a second chance at romance?
I loved this book. Matthews writes such vivid characters. I
loved both Anne and Hart and learning more about both. I could understand how Anne felt that she
needed to take care of her mother. I
liked how Hart seemed like a man without a care in the world, but Anne soon
learns that he has a lot of people to care about and works hard to help them
out and protect his family. They have
both turned into caregivers and are strong people who understand each other in
that role. I also loved Anne’s love for
her old horse and the horses of her late father’s stable. I detested Anne’s cousin and his takeover of
the family’s London home. The inheritance
rules of the day were so unfair. I enjoyed
how Anne and Hart’s understanding of each other, and romance grew throughout
the novel. Second chance romance is one
of my favorite tropes and I loved experiencing Anne and Hart’s second chance. This was also a slow burn romance novel.
I also appreciated that the
reader got to see the other sides of stories that were alluded to in the other novels
and to see further development of the characters from the first two
novels. It was like revisiting old friends.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill
is a clean romance.
Sidenote, I went to college
at Michigan Technological University and was fascinated by the copper mines and
took a Copper Country history course on mining.
Hart has business dealings with mining involved and I found it to be
very interesting.
Favorite Quote:
“There was nothing left
now but the same lingering bitterness that had plagued her since the infamous
day she’s broken their engagement.”
Overall, The Lily of
Ludgate Hill was another enjoyable historical romance novel and a great
addition to the Belles of London series from Mimi Matthews. She is one of my favorite historical romance
authors with her engaging stories and well-developed characters.
Book Source: Review copy from Berkley Romance as part of
the Austenprose PR Book Tour. Thank-you!
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
·
Title: The Lily of Ludgate Hill
·
Series: Belles of London (Book 3)
·
Author: Mimi
Matthews
·
Genre: Historical Romance, Historical
Fiction
·
Publisher: Berkley Romance (January
16, 2024)
·
Length: (432) pages
· Format: Trade
paperback, eBook, & audiobook
· ISBN: 978-0593337189
·
Tour Dates: January 15-29, 2024
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
WEBSITE | X (FORMERLY TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS
VICTORIAN
READING ROOM
Join Mimi at her Victorian
Reading Room Facebook Group for exclusive access as she shares her love
of writing, historical romance, Victorian fashion, brooding heroes,
independent heroines, and of course, her beloved pets!
If you had of asked me ten years ago I would have said I wouldn't change from predominantly reading physical books, but now it is very rare for me to read a paper book!!
ReplyDeleteThese books always get such great reviews!
Thanks for sharing your review with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge!