As with the first book in this series, I love the cover of this book. But the real hook was the heroine. I could absolutely relate to Julia as an avid novel reader. While her home life was less than ideal, Julia was able to escape to books. I hate to use the term ‘evil’ when describing her parents, but they absolutely failed in the loving, supportive parent category. Plus, they thought novels were bad for her. How disturbing is that? In an era of rampant book censorship, that really resonated.

When she meets Captain Jasper Blunt, his reputation has Julia wary. Jasper is looking for an heiress to save the estate where he is raising a family. But Jasper allows a glimpse at his compassionate side, through a mutual admiration of an author. They form a marriage of convenience.

The couple has many obstacles to overcome: children, parents, meddling friends, and secrets. It’s the secrets that make the story intriguing and provide a few surprises that will delight the reader. I enjoyed seeing the couple fall in love and form a family. One of my favorite chapters was when Julia set her ‘evil’ parents straight.

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the second in the Belles of London series. The historical romances set in the Victorian era stand alone, but also, quite nicely, fit together.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.

I was somewhat taken aback by this romance, because although there is a marriage of convenience trope in the book, it really takes the time to establish characters and motivations. It's really rooted in emotion and thoughtful and that's something I want to see more of in historical romances. A little gothic, a little Beauty and the Beast, it's one of my favorite historicals I've come across this year!

in Mimi Matthews’s THE BELLE OF BELGRAVE SQUARE (Berkley, 400 pp., paperback, $16), aristocratic life has become shiveringly Gothic. For Julia Wychwood, an heiress with severe anxiety and a pair of cruel, illness-obsessed parents, London is a nightmare of surveillance, gaslighting and medical abuse. Novels are her only vehicle of escape, so when the scarred, stoic Crimean War hero Captain Blunt offers her a chance to elope to his dilapidated Yorkshire mansion with a graveyard in the garden and a trio of traumatized children, Julia seizes it.

Of course there are sinister rumors about her new husband. A locked room she is forbidden to enter, a woman’s grave, too many unanswered questions about his past. The astute reader will unravel many of the knots early, but that’s part of the fun. Watching Julia blossom away from prying eyes is almost as satisfying as seeing Jasper Blunt pine for her from nearly the first page — there are other heiresses he could be pursuing, but the secret romantic in him will not let Julia go. For best effect, save this one for a windy night when trees scrape against the windowpanes.

This was my first Mimi Matthews novel! I know, I know, “Why has it taken me so long to read a Mimi Matthews book?” I have no excuses, but after helping her out for a cover reveal, I knew I NEEDED to read The Belle of Belgrave Square.

It had me at:
📖 Beauty and the Beast Retelling
📖 Swoony Victorian Romance
📖 Book-Loving Heroine
📖 Mysterious Literary Soldier
📖 Marriage of Convenience
📖 Only One Bed

Do I need to say more?

Mimi’s writing is beautiful and her storytelling has you cheering and swooning over the characters. (You might want to hit a character too). I appreciated the character development and the hidden secrets being exposed throughout the story (not just at the end). She kept me flipping my pages, and if you are a fan of swoony romance, then this is the book for you.

Have you read any of Mimi’s books? If so, which one should I read next? I’m thinking I need to read The Siren of Sussex.

This one absolutely improved on my issues with the first book. I am enjoying this historical fiction world and I will say, the characters in this one were a bit more enjoyable. That, however, maybe be because I felt like I knew them a bit better.

I love Mimi Matthew's historical romances. She puts much horse knowledge into the storyline.

Julia is a bookish woman who wants to be able to live quietly and read her books. Her parents are hypochondriacs who believe their daughter is also very sickly.

Jasper has three baster children and he needs a wife who is wealthy and can help him raise his children and repair his home.

What I liked:
I loved Julie she gave me the vibes I loved to see in a historical romance. I love a wallflower - she wants to read and daydream all day meanwhile she is forced to go to balls and be out for the season. It is clear she has social anxiety and her parent are super selfish and constantly sick and in bed...

Jasper is way different than his reputation. You like him for who he is now and the fact that he is trying to take care of his children and he has a goal. He still wants Julia for more than the money that she has offered.

I devoured this book once I started and Julie is my favorite person ever!

Our Romance Book Club was eager to read this follow up to The Siren of Sussex! Our customers are loving this series and a more "quiet" romance. Beautiful writing and character development. And, we all adore the cover art!

This book was absolutely delicious! The Siren of Sussex was lovely and charming but the hero and heroine were not my favorite kind, still a wonderful read. NOW, The Belle of Belgrave Square had me in an absolute chokehold, I read this book in a day. Captain Blunt had me frothing at the mouth, Julia was a heroine that I wanted to root for from page one. The romance was decadent and was reminiscent of so many of my favorite relationships. Truly every scene felt like the ending bits of Pride and Prejudice, perfectly and incandescently happy. I simply could not put it down, I was kicking my legs and giggling every time Jasper and Julia were together. This novel had absolutely every trope I could dream of in my hopeless romantic pea brain, a rescue, marriage of convenience, one bed, secrets, and controversially, miscommunication.

Mimi Matthew’s is a stellar author, and her expertise on horses, fashion and history once again are the undercurrent on which this story easily rides. A brilliant follow up to Siren, Belle can in heavy with romance, desire and so much more. Needless to say, Miss Matthew’s really popped off with this one.

The second in Belles of London, I really enjoyed reading about Julia. She's very relatable with wanting to hide at parties with her book and telling her parents she isn't feeling well so she can read and not have to socialize. When Captain Blunt shows an interest in her, the timing is just perfect for her to make her own decision to marry him, um without her parents knowledge.

Though he has secrets he won't share and areas she isn't allowed to go in his estate. His secluded estate with his 3 children that live there. Hmm a secluded country estate seems like a dream to a bluestocking that just wants to read.

Loved their romance and how they slowly revealed truths even though most of the time it wasn't what the other intended.

There was a point where she stood up for the boys and it reminded me of Goldie in Overboard. Just love a good mama bear moment.

Thank you berkleyromance and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

WOW!!! Now, I loved The Siren of Sussex, but The Belle fo Belgrave Square just absolutely blew me away! It has everything I love about Victorian romances. Secret keeping, dashing/daring heroes, societal norms being broken, swoony moments, and of course beautiful romance. I still can't wrap my mind around every little detail. Not only was this book paced so brilliantly, but it had some incredible settings and storytelling woven effortlessly together. Whether we were in London with Julia and Jasper braving the London season, or on the deary moors of Yorkshire I felt like I was right in there in the action.

I can't begin to explain how much I loved the relationship that develops between Julia and Jasper. I think that it might in fact be one of my favorites of all time. Wallflowers and heroes are common Victorian Romance tropes. These however are so unique in the their own ways it just adds so much legitimacy to Mimi's abilities. I loved that this novel starts out with Julia's hesitancy towards being around Jasper not just because she's shy but because she just has this desire to be anywhere but in these large parties, the fact that he meets her in this small moments where they can start to bond and experience each other as people truly just makes it so much better. Then we get into the parts where Jasper just can't let her go. The fact that he's running to her rescue on several occasions and desiring her from afar had me swoony!

And speaking of swoony, oh my god! The way Jasper wooed not only Julia, but me?! It was astounding. He was just truly so delicious and wonderful. And the way the climax of this story pans out is not only incredibly satisfying, but just so well deserved for our heroes. I honestly will be chomping at the bit until we can have the next book in the Belles of London series as so far I can not stop loving them! And if Anna and Felix are in fact next I'm sure I will love them with my whole heart.

I also need to mention the storyline involving the children. They were once again a beautiful and effortless woven piece into the overall plot for me. I absolutely adored every moment of them and the relationship they develop with Julia. Also how Daisy is with Jasper?!! I WAS SWEATING! Truly just an amazing book I will definitely be in need of a reread soon I can feel it.

"We don't need to love anyone better than anyone else. Love is big enough to encompass everyone."

I absolutely loved Matthews' previous book, The Siren of Sussex, so when I heard this book had nods to Beauty and the Beast, I was completely in. This marriage of convenience regency romance is the second book in the Belles of London series, but can be read as a standalone. Captain Blunt must find himself a wife with a large dowery, but without relatives that will question his intents. With his estate falling apart and his three illegitimate children running ramped, he must return back to the country immediately. His eyes are set on Julia Wychwood, but it's going to be a hard sell, especially when all she seems to do is run whenever the two meet.

The romance genre has become increasingly inclusive with neurodiverse characters, but this is the first time I've seen a character with social anxiety in a historical romance. Julia escapes into books, rather than face real life. She's had a rough upbringing with her sickly parents (who I hated), yet she is very understanding of Captain Blunt's harsh ways. I didn't love how hot and cold she was with making Captain Blunt prove himself over and over again, but I loved how protective she was of the children.

There is no way around it. I absolutely adored Captain Blunt's character. With a deep voice and a commanding presence, he's blunt to a fault, yet respectful of Julia at every turn. But under his gruff exterior, he is an absolute teddy bear who's an avid reader and believes in romance. His acts of love for Julia were completely swoonworthy and I loved how upfront he was with Julia ever step of the marriage. It was a treat watching him fall first.

I felt like the book had a slower start, with too many subplots and issues that kept the pair getting together. But once they did marry, I was all in and completely invested in the two. I felt like we could have seen more interaction between Julia and the children. I wanted more antics from them; they quickly accepted Julia, which didn't feel on par with earlier descriptions of the kids. While I saw the first twist coming, the subsequent plot twists had me completely surprised, which sold the book for me.

A great interpretation of beauty and the beast but with a woman who just wants to read and ride her horse. This book was a fun and easy read. I would say this would be a good book to any historical romance reader.

The Belle of Belgrave Square, by Mimi Matthews, is the second book in the Belles of London series. Brimming with secrets, twists, and plenty of sweet romance, this book is truly stunning! Page after page there unfolds a compelling story that is memorable and moving. With captivating characters and relevant themes like truth, courage, and redemption, it is an utterly riveting and enjoyable novel.

Set in London and York during the Victorian Era, this historical romance is exceedingly well-written. Ms. Matthews has skillfully crafted authentic characters who are vulnerable, sympathetic, and realistic. They often exude fortitude, passion, and resiliency that is enthralling and inspirational. Even when contending with significant challenges, they cling to determination and hope. Through these characters and their unique story, this novel successfully reflects upon the human capacity for survival and perseverance in the face of immeasurable odds.

Ms. Mathews’ talent for descriptive storytelling is undeniable. Her writing is very beautiful, well-researched, and immersive. In The Belle of Belgrave Square, she has crafted a novel that is genuinely clever, thoughtful, and bold. It is a remarkable book from beginning to end, and I recommend it wholeheartedly. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

*I was given a copy of this book by the publisher, Austenprose PR, and NetGalley A review was not required. The review I have written is voluntary and contains opinions that are entirely my own.

Mimi Matthews is one of my long time favorites. I am 100% convinced she writes books just for me. I love her settings, character development, full cast, romantic swoony moments between the MCs, and easily bingeable stories. I feel confident to recommend her for historical fans of any steam level. Every book I've read has been top notch! I'm so delighted that @berkleyromance has signed her on for more. I only wish the pub date for book three wasn't quite so far away...
This book was highly anticipated for me especially with the narrators casted. I had to have the audiobook (even more so than normal, 'cuz you know your girl loves a book in her ear).
Jaspar's reputation is rake through and through with at least three bastard children hidden away in the country living in deplorable conditions. He's on the hunt for an heiress and Julia can't resist his grumpy charms, or lack thereof. She knows he's no good but her options are to appeal to his possible chivalry or marry a parent approved codger.
I don't think you need to read book to love this one; however, they're both a delight so read it anyway. And if you're at all an audiobook listener, you cannot go wrong with Ell Potter and Sebastian Brown. They bring all the feels and the story comes to life with their performance. Have I convinced you?
All thoughts in this review are my own! (As always!)

I actually really enjoyed this story, but had to knock it down a star due to content. I enjoy romance books, but prefer them to be clean. This one isn't graphic in nature, but it still crosses the line. If I wouldn't feel comfortable letting a teenager read it, I can't consider it clean.
Aside from that, I enjoyed getting to know Julia and Jasper, as well as his children. The fact that Julia is not a fan of crowds and would prefer to read instead of being social endeared her to me even more.

Historical romances are one of my favorites.

Here we have a shy, romance book loving, horse riding heiress, Julia, bound to duty. Her parents want her to marry someone that will stay in London, so that she may care for them… basically for the rest of their lives. Then there is famed war-hero, Captain James Blunt, whose wraith precedes him, with a crumbling estate and three wayward children, seeking a wealthy woman to marry.

During the London season, Julia’s and Captain Blunt’s paths crisscross at every event. Julia knows what he is after, but is the risk enough to be free. If she agrees to marry him, she has conditions… as does Captain Blunt.

While I felt the story seemed to drag in a few places, it picked up and I felt like I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The mystery behind Captain Blunt was one that took me a bit to sleuth out. And watching Julia become strong and find her voice was poetic in its own right. I am definitely interested in reading more books by Mimi Matthews. Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Pub for the chance to read and review this book.

You already know that I typically don’t like to read historical romance books. I tend not to like them as much. But I love reading Mimi Matthews' works. She knows how to keep my interest in historical romance books. And I was beyond excited to read her newest book in the Belles series, The Belle of Belgrave Square.

In The Belle of Belgrave Square, we get Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt's story. From the first book, we as readers briefly read about Julia, who is a very shy yet sickenly woman. But her greatest value in society is her dowry, which attracts a lot of male attention. She never pays attention to them because she really has no interest, and most of her money is her own from her former Aunt. It doesn’t stop her parents from trying to match her since they only care about their agenda instead of hers. Don’t worry, Julia may be shy in some aspects, but she is no doormat.

Captain Jasper Blunt is known for his temper during his military career. But he has a whole lot of secrets that no one knows about. And he is more than willing to keep them until his grave. The only important thing he cares about is securing a well-off wife. All things go off the rails when he keeps talking to Julia more and more. She is definitely different than he pictured, but regardless, he is more than willing to marry her when she approaches him with an offer.

They may be different from each other, but they make sense. They take comfort in each other without even noticing at first. They do have some obstacles they will need to face, but they have each other. I would say that I wanted more romance between them. I know we were trying to figure out Captain Jasper's secrets, but I wanted more romance.

The Belle of Belgrave Square was a delightful read. It’s full of dialogue-rich content that I enjoyed immensely. Julia Wychwood is a unique heiress with character traits I could readily identify with which made her relatable and easily likable. I applauded her development of courage and strength when faced with unimaginable challenges of which she had little to no experience in dealing with. This gave the story its engrossing quality. Captain Blunt is enigmatic and kept me guessing. Whenever I thought I had him figured out, new revelations had my mind pivoting in a different direction. He was a man of carefully concealed secrets. At times he was brooding and menacing, while at other times he was gallant and kind. He was highly tolerable of Julia’s attachment to her books, which made me very happy.

The Belle of Belgrave Square is a glorious, satisfying read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I very highly recommend it.

3.5 Stars
*** 1/2
If you love a sweet fade-to-black story of a couple who figure out they are perfect for each other, then
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews. It provides all the romance and plot to make you love both of these characters.

I didn't expect much but ended up really enjoying this book. Plays with popular (and well trod) tropes with ease and fun.