A Fall, rainy day just simply calls for a regency romance and this book fits the bill.
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Julia is a society lady but her crippling anxiety makes navigating the ballrooms quite difficult.
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Jasper has a reputation but needs to find himself a proper wife. They form an arrangement of sorts and a marriage of convenience, but like any good regency marriage of convenience it doesn’t take long before real feelings get involved. I really loved the two of these characters.
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I don’t want to say too much more because there are some surprises here but I really enjoyed this one !
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Huge thank you @berkleypub and @netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I gave up reading historical romances for a little while because they started feeling dated and repetitive. I understand that it’s hard to write about independent women and diverse characters in times that don’t lend themselves to that. I’m grateful to Evie Dunmore – and now Mimi Matthews – for bringing me back to historical romances. I love Evie Dunmore’s books because she explores feminism in the context of the suffrage movement, and despite the restrictions of the era, her books don’t lack in character or romance.

The Belles of London series is about four friends in Victorian-era London who defy the rules of propriety to find love and independence. There’s nothing original about this setup, except the friends are also avid horsewomen (as is the author). The horse-riding adds a nice note to the character development in both books, as these women are knowledgeable, athletic, and thoughtful about their “sport”. I was happy to receive an Advance Review Copy of the second book in Matthews’ series, as I’d heard good things about the first one, The Siren of Sussex. When I received the ARC for Book Two, I picked up the first book and loved it.

Sussex is the story of Evelyn Maltravers, who comes to London to find a wealthy husband who can help her support her sisters. She commissions a tailor, Mr. Ahmad Malik, to design a riding habit for her that will let her shine in London’s very competitive marriage market. Mr. Malik desperately needs a society woman who can show off his talents, because otherwise no one will come to a tailor who is half-Indian.

These books won’t surprise in terms of structure or plot, but I was very happy to find compelling dialogue and deep character development. Evelyn and Ahmad’s story was fantastic, full of rich historical detail about British colonialism and how London treated immigrants from India, particularly those who were fathered by English soldiers. There was quite a lot of detail about clothing design, which sometimes was a bit much for me, but I’d always rather a book be too detailed than not detailed enough.

Book 2, The Belle of Belgrave Square, tells the story of Julia Wychwood, who is first afraid of, and then intrigued by Captain Blunt, a Crimean war hero with an intimidating scar and rough demeanor. Julia, unlike most romance heroines, is timid and nervous, and prefers to be home in bed with a novel over any ball. Their romance is built on the fact that both are uncomfortable in society, yet they find they are comfortable with each other. While the first book deals with pretty serious topics like racism and colonialism, the second book is more playful, echoing the tropes of gothic romances of the time with a crumbling mansion, a locked tower, mischievous orphans, and a brooding hero who’s something of a “beast”. There are literary references to Jane Austen, Wilkie Collins, and L.M. Montgomery’s The Blue Castle, which is a book I’ve been wanting to read. I loved that the author explains her source material and historical information at the end of each novel.

While the characters in Book 1 are very open and honest with each other, Book 2 is built around secrets. The story of Captain Blunt’s past kept me guessing – some of it was obvious, but it turned out to be more complicated, which I appreciated. Though I struggled a bit with the idea that he could be so emotionally honest with her but so secretive about other parts of his life.

If this book has a fault, it’s that it throws so many barriers at our hero and heroine, so they felt a bit too easily dealt with by the end. I also would have liked more insights about Julia’s personality – is she just shy or are there deeper issues related to trauma or anxiety, or neurological issues like being on the spectrum. Matthews leaves much of this open to interpretation. Ultimately, I rooted for these two characters throughout. I liked the way Julia comes to see the darker side to her very privileged upbringing, and I found myself moved by Blunt’s blend of toughness and gentleness.

Matthews’ books are much less “open door” (in other words, not explicit) than Dunmore’s, which will please some readers. I don’t mind romances being explicit so that’s not a selling point for me – but it wasn’t a big detraction either. Both Belle and Siren are fantastic slow-burn relationships with strong character development. What I enjoyed most about both books was that the characters really build a friendship before they’re even thinking about romance. I look forward to reading the other two books in the series, or some of Matthews’ other works.

Note: I received an advanced review copy from NetGalley and publisher Berkley Publishing. This book was published October 11, 2022.

Julia Wychwood is plagued with social anxiety to the point that she can not attend any of the London balls without having a major panic attack. She feels most comfortable on her horse. Captain Jasper is intent on finding ding a rich wife and his sites are set on Julia. The two make a deal to wed but Julia insists that she is allowed to pursue riding as well as read as much as she likes. Jasper in turn expects her to stay out of his business affairs. The 2 coexist without much trouble at 1st until Julia decide she wants to know more. What will happen when Julia starts to snoop around in Jaspers life?
This is a great historical fiction novel with forced proximity trope. I really enjoyed the stubbornness of both these characters. I also really enjoyed the writing style as this is my second book by this author. I loved the 1st book in this series, and I think I love this one even more

Once I got into this story, I couldn't put it down. I read it on my way to work. I read it during every minute break during a two-day conference, to the detriment of my phone battery, which was at 12% when I got home. I wanted to know what the next obstacle for Julia and Jasper would be, and how they would overcome it and exceed my expectations while doing so. Because if there is one compliment I can give this book, it's that it really didn't go the way I was expecting.

The plot isn't very subtle, and I found it easy to figure out what exactly was going on. There was a lot of potential for relationship drama here, and especially for miscommunication, but there was surprisingly little of that going on. Secrets were revealed, they would discuss it, and their bond would grow stronger without anyone flouncing off.

I was enthralled by both Jasper and Julia. Julia's anxiety was depicted in a way that doesn't make her a regular shy wallflower of the kind historical romances are full of. But despite that, she's also brave and willing to stand up for those she cares about, even if she can't always stand up for herself. Jasper, meanwhile, appears to be a man of many layers, but the way he cares about Julia was incredibly sweet, and I loved seeing all the concessions he made just to be with her.

My only issue is the ending, which felt lackluster compared to the rest of the book. It's clear very early on that Julia's parents' motivations are incredibly self-centered, but it made for a weird plotline and an even weirder resolution. There are things that are conveniently ignored or swept under the rug, but I still really loved this book, and would recommend it.

I received this book for free from Netgalley. That did not influence this review.

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews is the second book in the charming Belles of London series. The first was The Siren of Sussex. I’ve been eagerly awaiting book two.

In this recently-released Victorian Romance, we meet Julia Wychwood, a shy heiress who prefers hiding away to read novels over making the rounds of London social events to display herself to potential suitors. She has made a few close female friends, but they are all away from London for four days, leaving her on her own with no one to run interference for her at parties. This exposes her to the attentions of the dreaded Captain Blunt, a hero of the Crimean War with a brutal reputation. Gossips report he is hiding a brood of illegitimate children at his haunted country estate. He is absolutely the wrong man for her. But he is in need of funds – in need of an heiress.

Captain Blunt is not the cruel monster the ton makes him out to be. He is the strong, silent type – silent because he has secrets he needs to keep. He pursues Julia very politely and backs away when she indicates that he should. However, he can’t keep his thoughts from returning to her. None of the other heiresses appeal to him the way she does. And so he finds himself stepping forward to shield her from unpleasantness at various social events rather than moving on to woo someone else.

The two bond over…novels. Julia finds it hard to believe, but Captain Blunt is as big a fan as she is. They even share favorites.

Julia is an only child and her parents are awful. (Practically caricatures of awfulness.) Both believe themselves to be invalids. They are selfish to the extreme. They treat Julia terribly. And they want to condemn her to a life of servitude, caring for them in their old age, catering to their presumed illnesses. If Julia marries against her father’s wishes, he will cut off her inheritance. The suitor he has in mind for Julia is a lecherous old man who killed his first wife with his repeated failed attempts to get an heir, but who has promised to keep Julia imprisoned in London so she can continue to serve her parents’ wishes.

Yikes!

Julia yearns for a romantic hero to come to her rescue. Captain Blunt just might be that man.

The novel plays with a lot of Romance tropes and with gothic novel situations, homage rather than satire. The start is a little slow, but the tension builds. The attraction between the two is believable. Julia’s mix of romanticism and level-headedness is what makes the novel truly shine. This is a not-to-miss series!

Julia Wychwood has led the life of an invalid for as long as she can remember. Her parents, obsessed with tonics and bedrest and bloodletting, refuse to let her live a normal life, and whenever her social anxiety causes her to seek solitude and a good book, she must then contend with the unsavory remedies of the family doctor.

Captain Jasper Blunt is in the market for an heiress. He has his sights set on the timid Julia Wychwood, but if his battle-scarred face doesn’t send her running, it’s possible that his rumored brood of illegitimate children or the desperate nature of his finances might do that very thing. Imagine his surprise when Julia is the one to propose marriage to him. In exchange for her freedom to live as she pleases, Julia will let him use her dowry to repair his ramshackle estate.

The marriage, however, is not quite the distant marriage of convenience as might be expected. Julia and Jasper seem to share similar tastes in–surprisingly enough–romance novels, and Julia discovers that Jasper is a far more sympathetic guardian to his “natural children” than she had anticipated. Yet even as Julia discovers Jasper’s kinder and gentler side, she also learns more about the atrocious acts he is accused of perpetrating on the battle front and begins to wonder what horrors lurk inside the closed study that he forbids anyone to enter? Can Julia reconcile these two versions of her new husband and discover the true person she is falling in love with?

A pastiche of classic tales like Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty, and Bluebeard’s Wife, this story explores the blossoming romance of two people who do not fully understand the identity of the other with whom they have joined themselves in matrimony. The double life led by Jasper presents an intriguing mystery that keeps pages turning, and his willingness to rescue Julia through marriage (even when he thinks that her parents will strip her of all the money she has) leads the reader to hope that he’s not truly the beast that London society has painted him as.

Julia herself, although she enjoys horse riding, seems a much less active heroine than Evelyn Maltravers (from The Siren of Sussex). Her inner strength, however, is highlighted as she seeks to carve her own path in the world free from parental pressure and manipulation.

With the plot of the book hinging on some of the romance novels enjoyed by both hero and heroine, Mimi Matthews creates a sort of apologetic for her own genre of literature:

“Stories like the ones we read in novels help us understand the human condition,” he said. They teach us empathy. In that way, they’re more than an escape from the world. They’re an aid for living in the world. For being better, more compassionate people.”

Victorian historical curiosities like forced bloodletting, irregular marriage licenses, and contemporary novels add color and interest to the story as do the cameos of previous Mimi Matthew characters like (my personal favorite) Tom Finchley. One thing to note about this book is that the romantic scenes have become less “closed door” that in Mimi Matthews’ previous books, following the modern trend of showing more physical intimacy in romance novels. As usual, Mimi Matthews’ command of atmosphere, emotion, and period detail is exquisite, making this Gothic-style Victorian romance a pleasure to experience.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

In The Belle of Belgrave Square, Julia Wychwood starts the day with a hard ride on her beloved horse, before she's forced to face he social anxiety and navigate the marriage mart. Because of her parent's many ailments, she's forced to care for them, but longs to escape, and hide away from society once and for all. Every morning, she sees the handsome Captain Jasper Blunt, but she's never really been able to talk to him, until she decides to take the plunge and propose. Jasper may be a war hero, but he has a crumbling castle, and bevy of illegitimate children in the Yorkshire moors, that even the shyest of debutantes would think twice. But in exchange for freedom, Julia is more than willing to risk it, and soon finds more than she ever imagined.

This book just blew me away. After enjoying The Siren of Sussex, I had high hopes, but they were blown out of the water completely here. As soon as I started it, and saw the romance between Julia and Jasper brewing, I just couldn't put it down. Julia was such a dear person, who I couldn't help but love immediately. She adored her horse, and her reading, and because of her parents selfishness, she was kept with them, and treated like a nursemaid. She longed for freedom, and that's why she took the plunge and proposed to Jasper. Jasper was a broody hero, whose home and life in the Yorkshire Moors was perfect for his character. He's hiding a big secret, which you learn early on, but Julia doesn't yet know, and the true story of it all was gripping, and made the book so unforgettable. I am quickly falling in love with this author's books, and am desperate to read by next by her!

Julia and Jasper strike an agreement when the agree to marry. They will each get something out of it. Julia gets to ride her prized horse whenever she wishes, and read as many books as she possibly can without worrying about dealing with all of the anxiety a lady of the ton has had to deal with. Jasper except this marriage of convenience as he has reason his three children alone and needs whatever finances can come from a good marriage.

Julia had no way to truly realize what she had gotten herself into until she set foot on Jasper’s property at Goldfinch Hall. Having led a life with two demanding parents who tried to control her every move, she does feel that she has chosen a lesser of two evils. Her dowry should help Jasper and his children and she gets to live a life of her own choosing.

Jasper comes with a reputation that involved the time that he was in the war. Is he the dangerous man that everyone says he is and will marrying him present any danger to Julia? Neither one of them expected this marriage to produce long-lasting feelings that would change rather quickly. The journey to love is comes to complete contrast to whom the dangerous man Jasper was said to be. I love that this book dealt with social anxiety when it came to Julia and how she gained such strength from her relationship with Jasper.

Mimi Matthews has written a delightfully sweet historical fiction, set in the Victorian era with characters that were very easy to root for. The Belle of Belgrave Square was just as enjoyable as the first book in the series, The Siren of Sussex. The series is set to continue in January 2024 with The Lily of Ludgate Hill.

Many thanks to Berkley Romance and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

A military hero known for his valiant exploits and ruthless character, Captain Jasper Blunt now has charge of his crumbling Yorkshire estate and bastard children. Coffers as bare as the moors, he has no option but to head to London for the season in search of a rich wife who can fund the repairs and be a mother to the children.

For Julia Wychwood, few things hold more terror than a London ballroom. Plagued with social anxiety, she only finds solace within the pages of a book or on a horse — two places where a young heiress cannot live indefinitely. So she proposes.

Julia has heard the rumors about Captain Blunt’s past, but she’s fleeing terrors of her own. So long as he grants her a life of freedom, far from the expectations and rules of society, he can have her dowry to use as he wishes. Captain Blunt agrees with a stipulation of his own. Julia is not to enter the tower rooms or meddle in his affairs. Both seem easy enough, that is until she starts to learn about the man behind the beastly exterior.

A Victorian, marriage of convenience penned by none other than Mimi Matthews, I couldn’t get my hands on Belle of Belgrave Square fast enough. I started counting the days as soon as I met Julia and Blunt in book one of the Belles of London series. Matthews weaves stories so rich and luscious that exiting the pages delivers a jolt to the reader’s system. Her worlds are so tangible and characters so bewitching that after entering, the reader never truly leaves.

In classic Matthews’ style, we have a strong hero who complements rather than overpowers the heroine, and a shy wallflower with an inner strength and depth that has one rooting for them from the start. Once again, I am left salivating for Matthews’ next book. I should just make that the end of every review because I can never get enough of her writing.

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That’s about all the coherent thought I can muster after finishing The Belle of Belgrave Square by the fabulous Mimi Matthews. I’m still all a’swoon, basking in the deliciousness of the romance and the literary nods and the absolute sweetness of this novel.

Normally I talk about how marvelous Matthews’ writing is (because it is) and how I learn something every time I pick up one of her novels (because I do… and I did this time, too). But this time…. fair warning… I’m just going to gush over the romance and the literary nods and how much I love Julia & Jasper together (and the perfection of how they bring out the best in each other… the best that stayed hidden until ‘them’ because it wasn’t safe to reveal until then). Because while Matthews’ writing is even more marvelous than usual in The Belle of Belgrave Square and while I learned some pretty fascinating things between its pages, it’s Julia and Jasper who will stick with me long after I’ve moved on to other books.

“Stories like the ones we read in novels help us understand the human condition,” he said. “They teach us empathy. In that way, they’re more than an escape from the world. They’re an aid for living in the world.”

Julia is a delightfully bookish heroine with a fabulous horse and two invalid (or hypochondriac) parents who have kept her rather a prisoner her whole life. They use her selfishly for their own needs, never caring about what she might need – or want – in life. She uses books as an escape from her dreary reality until on her physically weakest day she musters the emotional strength to change the course of her life forever. I loved watching her blossom as Jasper’s wife and the mother of his three kids, I loved watching her fall in love with Jasper – this big beast of a man who in equal turns overwhelms her and makes her feel safe – and I loved the way Matthews crafted this heroine to be both incredibly relatable and incredibly easy to root for.

And then there’s Jasper. Mimi Matthews has outdone herself with him. I will never ever get over besotted Jasper and his endearing Beast-ness. Never. Ever. I just…. aslw;efrlkmfsl;;ldflfndkmsa … I can’t even. You just need to meet this troubled, wonderful hero yourself because every time I try to talk about him I start babbling incoherently. He will forever henceforth be in my book boyfriend Hall of Fame.

Bottom Line: The Belle of Belgrave Square is my new favorite novel by Mimi Matthews! It’s one for my keepers shelf, and one that I will undoubtedly reread until I’ve practically memorized it. The author has lovingly woven threads from classics such as Beauty & the Beast, Bluebeard, and The Blue Castle into a plot that pays homage to them while still standing uniquely on its own. But the literary nods don’t stop there – readers’ hearts will dance with bookish glee at many classic references – from both Julia and Jasper, two wounded souls who have found life on the pages of books. And can’t we all relate to that?

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

You know that excitement you get when you know the book you’re about to pick up is going to be AMAZING and it lives up to the internal hype you’ve given it?? Yeah, that’s this book. It’s equal parts beauty and the beast (SWOON) and an homage to Victorian gothic novels with a stunning romance within. Between the settings, the character growth, captivating plot and writing there’s so much to love.

Loves:

I loved Julia with every ounce of my being. From her place of being a product of abuse to rebelling, in her way, to living her life was amazing. How someone could pick up this book and not fall irrevocably in love with Julia is beyond me. She’s quiet and shy, but Matthews handles her in such a beautiful way that she’s not meek or a push over. Incredibly compelling character.

Jasper Blunt was mentioned in passing in the previous book, but the way that he is fleshed out and grows in this book? I adored it. I adore him. Did I want a million more pages to explore him and the children? Yes. He is one of those amazing characters that is a breath of fresh air and makes you love him even through his prickly personality.

The way that Matthews writes this story is a masterclass. It feels like it was almost written in the time period of the story, yet is fresh and modern enough. How she does it, I don’t know, but it becomes the perfect backdrop to the romance she writes. The tender little moments glow and even the “villains” of the story are fully believable, which is always an accomplishment.

Long Story Short:

Do I recommend this book? YES!! It was exactly the type of book I needed to get out of a reading slump. It’s quietly charming and before you know it you’re already half done with it. Did I sneak in reading a few pages, *cough* chapters *cough* at work… I’ll never tell. But this series has become incredibly dear to me and I think that if you even remotely like historical romances you’ll love this one. Between the characters, twists, and beautiful prose this book will live with me for a LONG time.

This would be perfect for you if you love Emily Sullivan, especially her last book The Hellion and The Hero as there are many similar themes, but all of her books would be excellent comparative pieces (A Rogue to Remember, The Rebel and The Rake). Additionally, if you like Harper St. George (The Heiress Gets a Duke, The Devil and The Heiress, The Lady Tempts an Heir).

Instead of a super professional blogger review, this is going to be a review done by me as a fan: I loved it! I loved it! Is there a Mimi Matthews fan club? I want to join! It was such a great experience to follow Jasper and Julia through Victorian London society and beyond, and it was amazing to watch their relationship develop. I loved that neither one is perfect. They both have their flaws and reasons why society avoids them. I adored their romance and the way it started with horses and books. This novel is not just a romance. It's very bookish too, and Julia's love of books is just the start of it. Lovers of bookish novels will not be disappointed if they check this one out, because book-related surprises await!

Julia's growth by the end of the novel had me cheering her on! I am not usually a huge fan of romance, but this Belles of London series has hooked me and I want to read more. Although this is Book Two in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone. I would definitely recommend you read them both, and I look forward to more books in this series.

My rating is actually 5.5 stars because this book scored off the charts in the "how did it make me feel" category. Sadly I can only give it 5 stars on Amazon, etc.

I received a free copy of this book from Austenprose Book Tours. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

What an absolutely swoony and divine story! I loved the way these two characters basically rescued each other. The novel has nods to both a Beauty and the Beast type tale as well as to L. M. Montgomery’s classic, The Blue Castle.

One of the things I loved most about this story was that Jasper and Julia truly did begin to fall for each other before the marriage of convenience portion of the story. Although the book begins with a clear description of how intimidating Julia finds Captain Blunt to be, a connection seems to start shortly after that. It was sweet to see how intuitive Jasper was in regards to Julia’s moods and emotions when they encountered each other at a couple of crowded events. This concern for her comes to a head with a heroic rescue and a hopeful grab at happiness for the couple.

This is a clean story, yet delves into the passion and love that begins to brew between this newly married couple in a way that holds up the sanctity of marriage, while also keeping most of the details behind closed doors. I thought it was very well done.

Questions regarding the finer points of morality, secrets, lies, gossip, and control of others are beautifully intertwined in this intriguing love story between a brooding hero and a young woman who learns to stand up for herself. I loved it from start to finish!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this story! Julia, with her love of books and horses, is a heroine who blossoms into her own once she escapes her stiflingly home. Despite near crippling social anxiety, she’s oddly attracted to ruthless war hero Jasper Blunt who is in London to marry an heiress. With her 50,000 pounds and desire for freedom, their unlikely match is made and they agree to marry. Julia begins to find happiness, but Jasper is keeping secrets that threaten it all. Jasper’s story really kept me turning the pages as the truth was slowly revealed. It’s a book lovers dream of a book, reminiscent of Beauty and the Beast, with a lot of swoony romance and a brooding hero who discusses novels. 4.5 stars rounded up.
I received an eARC from the publisher and Austenprose PR via NetGalley. A positive review was not required and all opinions are my own.

I was lucky enough to have gotten an advanced copy of the first book in this series, The Siren of Sussex, and just adored Matthews' prose, her amazing knowledge of the time period, and her wonderful characters! I was really excited for the next one because the couple was hinted at in the previous installment and I couldn't wait to see where their romance went!

Julia Wychwood is a young lady bound by her anxiety, bed-ridden by her fear and controlled by her hypochondriac parents. She has never left London, but travels the world via her beloved novels, and dreams of a romance worthy of the pages. Her only strength comes in the form of her beloved Black gelding, Cossack, and she wakes early every morning ride in the park. But as she grows older, these little freedoms gain an expiration date. She must marry at her parents' will, and soon. When she fakes yet another illness to stay hidden away in her room, her parents' doctor demands she read no more novels, as they are undoubtedly the root of her sickness, and bleeds her twice in one day, leaving her weak and trapped.

Jasper Blunt may be called "The Hero of the Crimea", but it is a known fact that he acted anything but heroic during his time as a Captain. His dark deeds and scarred face are the gossip of all of London, just as much as his three illegitimate children and purportedly haunted Yorkshire estate is. He has come to London in want of a wife with a sizeable dowry, enough to make repairs to his estate and to provide for his children. And he thinks he's found the perfect one: Julia Wychwood. Over time, he even begins to harbor affection in his heart for her, only to be told point blank by her father that should she marry she would have to remain close to her parents so that she can care for them. And Yorkshire is a long ways away from London. Then, he goes to her on her sickbed and she asks of something he cannot deny, dowry or no. She asks him for his hand in marriage.

I really appreciated this romance with an anxious and doubting heroine because she so often reminded me of myself and I connected to her on a deep basis, with her love of books and romantic imaginings, her fears and woes, and cheered for her when she finally stood up to her parents, all on her own. Jasper was an excellent brooding type of hero with dark secrets and an inside that was as gooey as marshmallow. And though there was no explicit sex scenes, there were stolen kisses and sensuality that was so scorching you won't miss any of it! Another thing I greatly enjoyed was the influence of gothic literature (one of my favorite genres) on this book, complete with references and quotes from Wuthering Heights. Opening up one of Mimi Matthews' books is like sinking into a bubble bath, or indulging in a big mug of hot chocolate--it's pure pleasure, and one you'll quickly be addicted to!

On par with the best of fairytale retellings, the artistic nods to the familiar Beauty and the Beast stories made it easy to cherish this story and the happily ever after! The protective and mysterious hero, marriage of convenience plot, bookish heroine, and multiple nods to one of my favorite fairytales all created a wonderfully romantic tale that I will be reading again and again. The plot was intriguing, the characters were realistic yet dreamy (especially the hero!), and the romance was sweet yet sizzling with the perfect marriage of convenience trope. This story is beautifully stunning, and it truly left me speechless as I read the final page and closed the book. The Belle of Belgrave Square is now one of my favorite works by Mimi Matthews, who pens some of the best clean romance I have ever read. Without a doubt, this book gets a full five stars from me, and I encourage anyone who loves clean romance to grab a copy and disappear into a world of love, literature, danger, intrigue, and fairytale endings!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. My thoughts are my own. I really did love it!

Review will be posted on 10/14/22

Julia Wychwood is a homebody. She doesn't have any desire to attend every ball in London, much to her controlling parents' dismay. Julia is more content with riding her horse and reading novels at home; in fact, anything else makes her seriously anxious. Enter Captain Jasper Blunt, a war hero, with a reputation that precedes itself. One might think that a war hero's reputation would be unsullied, but what he is known for isn't good. Japser finds himself in a predicament though. His estate is rundown and he can't afford the upkeep. Like many British estate owners, he is looking for an heiress to be the solution to his problems and he has his sights set on Julia. When they meet, she realizes his reputation isn't great, but he is perfectly nice to her. What is she missing? To make matters worse, her father refuses to let her spend time with him. He would rather she be at home to tend to his many ailments. Once her parents show they truly don't care about her happiness, she realizes that Jasper may be her only escape. They obviously can both benefit from a marriage of convenience, but can they actually make it work? More importantly, what secrets is Jasper hiding? The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews is book two in the Belles of London series and it doesn't disappoint.

I really liked Julia in The Belle of Belgrave Square and felt for her. Her social anxiety is very difficult for her to deal with; plus, her parents force her into social situations she isn't comfortable with. Also, living with her parents has been a nightmare. They are hypochondriacs and narcissists, so this obviously has impacted Julia's world. Her only respite is riding her horse and her novels. When things get really bad at home, she thinks that maybe there is something to Captain Jasper Blunt's offer of marriage. He needs money to support his crumbling estate and she needs to get out of the grasping clutches of her parents, who clearly only want her around as a nursemaid.

I also really liked Jasper in The Belle of Belgrave Square. This novel is inspired by Beauty and the Beast and he is the perfect Beast. I really enjoyed a lot of the similarities to one of my favorite fairy tales. But this book is more than just a fluffy cross-class romance. There's a mystery that kept me flipping the pages, especially when it deals with Jasper's past as well as the secrets in his estate. Even though marriage of convenience stories have been done over and over, I feel Matthews made this one fresh and fun.

If you enjoy compelling historical romances and are a fan of Bridgerton, pick up The Belle of Belgrave Square. Even though it's book two in the series, it can be read as a stand-alone; in fact, I liked this book a tad more than the first, The Siren of Sussex.

So, are you a fan of Mimi Matthews? Is The Belle of Belgrave Square on your TBR list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Julia and Jasper: An anxious woman seeking escape. A man with a dangerous reputation seeking a rich wife. These apparently ill-suited people meet as the London season swirls around them. It seems that they can solve each other's problems. But too many secrets remain as they leave London for Goldfinch Hall, his estate in Yorkshire. Will the secrets be revealed? And will they destroy their hastily contrived marriage?

This is an entertaining, fast-paced story, although the reader will be far ahead of Julia in unraveling Jasper's secrets.

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews, the second book in the Belles of London series, follows Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt. Julia is a timid, reserved wallflower; preferring her novels to finding her way in society. She would rather pretend to be ill than attend a ball or dinner. Her lack of confidence in social settings is a result of her cruel, hypochondriac parents. Julia, however, is confident on horseback. According to her friend, Lady Anne, only a special gentleman can break Julia’s crippling shyness and anxiety. Captain Blunt is the scar-faced, infamous hero of Crimea, with a brood of illegitimate children and a haunted estate in Yorkshire. He needs to marry an heiress and has set his eyes on Julia. The uncomfortable first meeting between Julia and Captain Blunt is totally the opposite of a meet cute; Julia runs off during the introduction. Julia is delightful, charming and relatable; novels are her safe space. There is strength in her vulnerability, too. When faced with an unsettling future, Julia proposes a marriage of convenience to Captain Blunt. It was amazing to watch her grow as a person and stand up for her rights. Moreover, Julia and Jasper’s relationship evolves beautifully. Readers will experience and appreciate every nuance of their relationship. Throughout the story there are references to and elements of Beauty and the Beast/Hades and Persephone; a parallel to this story. Ms Matthews included a few twists and surprises within the story. I highly recommend The Belle of Belgrave Square to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

I can’t imagine going through a London society season in the mid-1800s! While the fashions sound divine, the pressure to conform to social standards and find a good match seems overwhelming. It certainly is to heiress Julia Wychwood, who is happy enough unmarried and would rather stay home and read rather than attend a ball or musicale, especially since her debilitating anxiety makes it difficult for her to navigate the upper class milieux. Her three best friends are out of town, and feigning illness is no longer possible since her doctor prescribes bloodletting and forbids reading.

Captain Jasper Blunt, “Hero of the Crimea,” makes it clear that he is searching for a wealthy wife. His scarred visage, bastard children, and haunted—or so people say—mansion in Yorkshire, not to mention his reputation as a ruthless disciplinarian, make eligible ladies cautious of his advances, but when Julia sees him at the season’s events then runs into him at the bookstore and learns he likes the same romance novels she does, she can’t help seeing him in a different light. To escape the bounds of convention, Julia asks Jasper to marry her. She will bring her inheritance to the match in exchange for freedom to ride her horse and read whatever books she wants. In return, Jasper requires her to stay out of his tower office and to avoid asking him questions about his past. The more time they spend together, though, the more curious Julia becomes about the real man she’s bound herself to.

Shy and self-effacing, Julia has a wonderful character arc in which she learns to use her voice to stand up not just for those she loves but for herself. While I thought Jasper’s secrets were fairly evident (maybe they were supposed to be), I enjoyed seeing how Julia discovered them and how that affected their relationship. Only Lady Anne appears in this novel, but the scenes of the friends together are fun, and Anne’s mother continues to embrace spiritualism. Jasper was a very kind and sexy love interest, and thought he and Julia made a good couple. If anything, I could have stood more steam.

Overall, I liked this as much or more as the first book in the series. Definitely pick it up if you enjoyed The Siren of Sussex or Evie Dunmore’s League of Extraordinary Women Serries.