Mimi Matthews is such a fun historical romance author! THE BELLE OF BELGRAVE SQUARE is another fantastic addition to this delightful series -- perfect for fans of Julia Quinn and Evie Dunmore!

"We don't need to love anyone better than anyone else. Love is big enough to encompass everyone." -- a slow start with (too) many subplots, but overall this was a solid historical romance read.

Julia is a spoiled socialite on the outside, but not so secretly spends her life stuck taking care of her invalid and abusive parents. Out on the marriage mart for her third season, she is hoping to find someone who will take her away from her suffocating situation. Jasper Blunt is in London for the season, looking for a socialite to woo and marry, especially one with a good fortune. He isn't looking for love, merely funds, and then he meets bookish, kind, and fascinating Julia. They begin a friendship and soon, realize they are interested in one another. Unfortunately, Julia's father has other plans for her and is not interested in Jasper's courtship of Julia. Trying to escape still and thinking drastic measures are the only way to move forward, Jasper and Julia decide to take their futures into their own hands.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I was very into the friends to lovers trope of the relationship. It made it more believable to see Julia and Jasper's relationship evolve like this. I also loved watching things evolve with Julia and the children's relationships. It was so sweet to see Julia come into the mothering role. I think my biggest issue is I wish that Jasper would have stood up for Julia more with her father. He did in other ways, stand up for her, but it kind of was a bummer. I was very proud that Julia found the strength to stand up for herself with her parents.

Thanks for the ARC!

I wrote this and love it, obviously. I normally wouldn't review my own work but lack of review negatively impacts my feedback ratio :(

The Belle of Belgrave Square was my favourite book this year and it will take a masterpiece to overthrown it. It is the second book of the Belles of London series, and when I read and reviewed the first book, The Siren of Sussex, I mentioned I liked it but the characters that captivated me the most were Julia Wychwood and Captain Blunt, secondary characters that would have their own story in book two of the series. Therefore, I was expectant about The Belle of Belgrave Square which I hoped it would be an incredible story, but nothing could have prepared me for how much it surpassed my already high expectations. Reader, if you are looking for a heart-warming, electrifying, poignant, captivating and well-written romance, search no more, this is it!

The Belle of Belgrave Square is a stand alone Victorian romance that tells us the story of Miss Julia Wychwood and Captain Blunt, and as you’ve probably noticed, I loved everything about it, but I would like to stand out the heroine, the hero, their chemistry, the pacing of the story and the writing.

The heroine, Miss Julia Wychwood is not the usual outgoing, sociable, witty lady we often see portrayed in romances. She is insecure and an incurable romantic who prefers the safety of novels to the crippling anxiety social events cause in her, and that is entirely refreshing! I’ve read many romances where the heroines could be switched and the story would still work, but not Julia Wychwood, she is unique and interesting! I loved seeing someone with a very different personality then my own being portrayed as it allowed me to gain more insight concerning human nature. People are very different from one another and it is inspirational to see a heroine that is not a copy of all others, that has different merits, ways of thinking and behaving, but fascinating nonetheless. I loved her love for books, her literary habits and all the dialogues she had with Captain Blunt about the novels she as reading. Her opinions were not flat and obvious, and her thoughts and speeches about books, but not only, made her a three dimensional character, which is always a detail achieved by great writers. Plus…she was the perfect heroine for Captain Blunt.

James Blunt is also a different type of hero. He is mysterious and intriguing despite his bluntness. In fact, these traits appear to be opposites, but his character was so beautifully crafted by Mimi Matthews that he was able to always be honest with Julia, to the point of telling her the ugly truth, but to keep hidden secrets that gave him a brooding, mysterious personality. I loved the fact that there were no useless misunderstandings between him and Julia and that he was always honest about what mattered, which were his intentions and feelings, but I also loved to see how much his hidden past anguished him and made him enigmatic.

He is not the usual dashing gentleman, he is a soldier with psychological and physical scars that give him a menacing look, but every time he was in a scene I felt his electrifying presence. I could vividly imagine his eyes and the looks he gave Julia, the tone of his voice and how he spoke with her and I trembled with all the raw emotion he made me feel. It was as if Captain Blunt was right there, next to me, looking and talking to me. That’s how well written and exhilarating this book is, I could actually feel the presence of his character.

Captain Blunt is also super protective of Julia and despite what people think of him, he is as honourable as you get them. He always knows exactly how to help Julia and how to give her strength. He always knows when he needs to be there, and when to give her space. He can sound harsh and objective but he listens to her and respects her. Plus… his connection to books is the cherry on top of the cake, and that’s all I’ll say to avoid spoilers.

The chemistry between these two characters was visible in every single page. It was electrifying! There was a certain magnetism every time they were together and I often found myself holding my breath in expectation of what would happen, what they would say to each other, when they would kiss, hold one another or reveal their deepest feelings. I don’t remember the last book I read where the main characters had such an incredible chemistry, and I can only hope this book will turn into a Hollywood movie!

The Belle of Belgrave Square is one of the rare books that I wish would never end because the pacing is perfect! It has a perfect balance between drivers that put the story into motion, the building of romance and characters introspection. There is never a dull moment, and when we think the story is over and there isn’t much else that may happen, it takes a 360º turn and takes the reader into a different kind of romance. One of companionship and trust after the initial discovery and flirtatious phase. I knew Mimi Matthews was a great writer but this book is just perfect and it’s writing is excruciatingly good. I believe I’ll read everything she publishes from now on.

Summing up, The Belle of Belgrave Square is the book of the year and cannot be missed! It is a poignant romance that will captivate readers from the first page and make them wish it would never end.

I cannot recommend this book enough, I can only say that I wish all books were like this one! So do yourself a favour, buy it, and read it over and over again

I love Mimi Mathews and this didn't disappoint! Every time a sweet story and closed door is on my mind she is my go to!

I loved the heroine representing social anxiety.

Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.

For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.

I always love the marriage of convenience trope and it was no exception in this book. I really enjoy the side characters in this series as well as the banter.

This book wasn’t as good as the first book, THE SIREN OF SUSSEX, but I was still a solid and enjoyable read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Mini Mathews brings such a refreshing voice to regency romance. Her writing is witty and fun. I loved Julia and Jasper together so much! I appreciated the representation of social anxiety. This was very enjoyable over all and I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical romances with a modern touch.

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the story of Julia, a London heiress, whose marriage has been arranged with Captain Jasper Blunt, a military hero, now mysterious with a seedy reputation and lack of funds . Julia struggles with social anxiety, and her horses and riding bring her comfort. (Oh, how I love how Mimi Matthews depicts equestrianism and horses).

To her marriage, Julia brings a large dowry earmarked to dig Jasper out of debt, and in return, he must give Julia her freedom.

Jasper’s backstory provided quite the mystery, and I loved both him and Julia and their strong communication with one another. A regency with a refreshing modern feel, there were some great Gothic elements as well. Another winner by Mimi Matthews, and I’m ready for book three!

I received a gifted copy.

Calling all historical fictions fans! I freaking love this series and this author @mimimatthewsesq ! Book lovers will rejoice in The Belle of Belgraves square.

I was lucky to be given an ARC of this book to review, though I’m behind and just now getting to it. This is not my first time reading something by this author, nor in this series. ​​I was able to read the first book last year, and really enjoyed my time with it. When I found out there was a sequel, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. This is a great historical romance story with a sweeping romance and chemistry I haven't been so invested in for quite a while.

I loved seeing Julia, who we met in the first book, really stand up for what she believes in. She was really starting to have confidence in herself, and our main male lead Jasper helped with that. And their chemistry! I fell in love with them as a couple from the first interaction of this book. Jasper has Mr Darcy vibes for sure, and I loved seeing them play out in their romance.

They are definitely some tougher subjects, especially when it comes to medical trauma and trauma from war. So be aware of those before you go in. But overall, all the normal things that one would expect from a historical romance were there and I really enjoyed every second of it.

Jasper and Julia initially met in the Siren of Sussex-Book 1 of this series. She is a wallflower who would rather read than socialize but she lives with parents who are hypochondriacs or at least always appear to be ill. So when Julia pretends that she is ill, her parents usually call the doctor who bleeds her. Her friends generally rescue her but they are out of town. Jasper needs an heiress as he needs money for his estate and children. Julia is an accomplished horsewoman and is confident on her horse, but not when she is on foot. Jasper rescues her and eventually marries her. There are a few surprises. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to read about heiresses in the 19th century.

After enjoying The Siren of Sussex, I was eager to pick up the next book about the Belles of London.

This book focuses on Julia, the socially anxious heiress of two invalids, and Jasper, the tall and dark “Hero of the Crimea”, who is in desperate need of a fortune for his crumbling estate. Despite Julia’s initial fear of him, she finds herself drawn to Jasper, and in a desperate bid for freedom from her parents, proposes that they marry - her fortune in exchange for more freedom than her overbearing and often cruel parents allow.

While I really enjoyed the first half of this book, I found my attention waning throughout the second half. It was *quite* a slow burn, and I knew really early on what the “big secret” was going to be. The ending wrapped up a bit too quickly considering how slow the middle felt. I’m most excited for Anne and Hartford’s story, so I will be reading the next one - which I hope has more spice.

I love the recent trend of interesting women in historical fiction! This is a solid entry into that subgenre.

A delightful historical romance with echoes of assorted fairy tales, especially Beauty and the Beast (my favorite). Julia is a desperately shy London heiress who proposes a marriage of convenience to the huge, scarred Captain Jasper Blunt. He agrees, but with ominous conditions: never ask about his past, and never enter the locked tower room at his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But as Julia and Jasper come closer, the secrets of his past threaten to swallow them both.

This was a lot of fun, with enough twists and surprises to keep me guessing. There are precocious children, vast libraries, and galloping horseback rides enough to satisfy any romance reader.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Julia Wychwood is a hostage to social expectations of the London elite as well as her manipulative parents. In the darkly mysterious Captain Jasper Blunt, Julia sees a chance to escape. Blunt desperately needs financing and legitimacy, so when Julia proposes a mutually beneficial marriage, Jasper willingly obliges. Julia assumes the duties of restoring his crumbling estate and caring for Blunt’s three illegitimate children.

This is a charming historical romance with contemporary sensibilities woven throughout. Julia is a smart, independent woman ready to take control of her narrative. Jasper is intriguing, with deep compassion simmering under the surface. The book includes intrigue and a potentially explosive secret. While fairly obvious prior to the reveal, the mystery adds interest and depth to the romance.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It had the heart of a lot of historical romances, but with some interesting drama that I don't see as often. It was fast paced and the hero was swoon-worthy. He is exactly as you imagine a hero to be, with grand gestures, yet broody controlled reactions.

There was confusion and secrets that led to some drama, but not in an annoying way. And Matthews laid enough clues throughout the book that the reader was aware when the heroine was not. It was not frustrating as some of those books can be.

The characters were fun and the plot exciting. I am definitely going to have to delve into everything else she has written.

This is a frothy little book; I try to read a romance or two in February and I liked the horse on the cover. :)

This is one of those Beauty and the Beast type books where the hero is scarred and has a scary reputation but he's really nice if you'd just get to know him and our bookish heroine and he like talking about novels together, so they are a match!

I liked Julia just fine, but I had a hard time believing her as a character. Far from being the belle of Belgrave Square, she is close to being a spinster at the age of 23 and with two failed Seasons behind her. She has social anxiety and rarely ventures out, preferring the company of her novels, unless she is forced to go. By the way, it's too bad that the age difference between hero and heroine remains so great- he is nine years older than her. I always find it difficult to believe that our hero could be fascinated by the views of a girl almost a decade younger than he is who has almost no experience of the world, just opinions about the books she reads. Julia, having never stood up for herself in her life, has no problem with asking this formidable man for what she wants and is quite open and prosaic in her expectations for their relationship. She is never afraid of him, despite his reputation.

Also, for a girl with anxiety, Julia seems to all too easily overlook issues with her beau. He has a reputation for cruelty, having flogged his men without mercy in the Crimean War? He says he's a different person now, so that's all right. He has three illegitimate children that he supports in his Yorkshire home after he abandoned their mother during the war? Well, he says he's a different person now and she believes and trusts him.

The first half of the book takes place in London as our romantic pair negotiate their relationship. The second half of the book takes place in Yorkshire at our hero's crumbling estate. I sort of preferred London. For all the forboding of a gothic hall, the estate turns out to be perfectly comfortable. Julia has no servants but she is naturally beautiful so she still looks fresh as a daisy. The three children honestly could have been skipped entirely except that one of them gives Julia an excuse to do something that moves the plot along.

This is not a steamy romance. Eventually there is sex but it's well into the book and is fade to black. And sadly, there's not really that much about horses in this book either despite the cover luring me in. I'd say this book is a fine way to spend an afternoon if you need something light (and it filled the bill for me there) but I wouldn't seek out this author again.

Loved it from start to finish! Quite different characters and story from the first in the series but same fluid and enjoyable writing style and another well researched window into Victorian life.

Oh how I have been waiting to read this book. First of all, I read the first book of the series and was immediately smitten. With the characters, with the writing, everything. Second, I have heard a log of readers talk about how amazing it is, and while I expected that to be the case, I guess I needed to find out for myself. Third, Matthews can write a swoony hero y'all. And boy did she ever.

Jasper Blunt. If for no other reason, read this book for him. He is everything I wanted him to be a more. For a guy who has a reputation of being harsh, cruel and more, he sure did surprise me. The chemistry between him and Julia is perfectly executed. Their discussion of all things bookish was such a joy to read. It was just a historic man saying that it's ok for girls to read books, he actually talked about all the books with Julia because he had read them. I mean what more can a bookish girl want?

How about love, compassion, the way he saves her in one scene (I mean total swoon moment there). Oh goodness I could go on and on. Their relationship may have been about convenience on the outside, but you could see both of their hearts - they were smitten from the beginning. And so was I.

I enjoyed that we got to see them in the "courting" stage (even though they weren't truly courting each other), and adjusting to life as a married couple. Not only did it make it a more well rounded story, it just made it that much more enjoyable. I honestly didn't want it to end. The tension. The romance. The kisses. More tension. More chemistry. I want more!!

And then Matthews hits you with not one, but two plot twists! Ok, so the one I figured out pretty early on in the storyline, and the other I figured out after some time, but it didn't make it any less enjoyable when I found out with the rest of the characters. It explained so much about the characters it affected (sorry no spoilers!), and boy did it make me love them even more.

I'm not sure how Matthews could do better then this. This is my new favorite of hers. Jasper is for sure my favorite hero of hers, and is probably top ten of all my heroes. Do yourself a favor and go get this book right now and start reading. Trust me when I say you will not regret it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.