The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

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.

QUICK FACTS

·       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

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.

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