Following this winter’s The Siren of Sussex, author Mimi Matthews now offers the second in the Belles of London Series, the fairy tale-inspired The Belle of Belgrave Square. As a lover of that folk genre and a fan of Sussex, I couldn’t wait to dive back into the world that Matthews is building with her characters. Although not as young, beautiful, and wealthy as the novel’s Julia Wychwood, I could nonetheless relate to her on a number of levels. I too, have struggled with anxiety over the years, and like her I am also a book addict! Her quote on page 216 had me laughing when she said, “You can never have too many books. That’s a fact.” While I don’t know if this is true in a practical sense, I appreciate the sentiment. Many a novel has transported me to another realm and has taken my mind off my troubles for a time. Matthews writes about Julia and her books, “It’s what they’d been for her. An escape. A gateway to another world. Somewhere she could experience romance and adventure without anxiousness or fear– even if that experience was only in her imagination.” (p.251)

Another way to combat anxiety and also boost confidence is through physical exercise. I have found this to be effective in the home video workouts I do. In The Belle of Belgrave Square, Julia finds a similar solution in riding her large black gelding, Cossack. While mounted on this magnificent horse, Miss Wychwood feels stronger and more formidable than her short stature exhibits.

The “fairy tale” element of Belgrave Square comes through the introduction of the second main character, Captain Jasper Blunt. Matthews clearly draws elements from Beauty and the Beast, but she also incorporates traits from other stories. Some authors and titles were unfamiliar to this reader, but the curious bookaholic in me has been inspired to seek out some of their works. Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon (1862) seems particularly interesting.

Although I enjoyed The Siren of Sussex this past January, I must say that I think I enjoyed The Belle of Belgrave Square even more! Many chapters concluded with sentences which hooked me into turning another page. The main characters were flawed but likable, and I found the romantic element to be realistic. Captain Blunt harbors quite a number of secrets. Some of them were fairly easy to determine early on in the story, but others were more elusive and created a delicious tension in the narrative. He is also often portrayed as a sort of “knight in shining armor”, and this old romantic loved that aspect of the novel’s tone. At the same time, Julia grows into her confidence over the course of the plot and is not always a helpless “damsel in distress.” Yes, I can confirm that she receives her Happily Ever After (and this is directly addressed in the text), but this is not a detail which would spoil the story. The enjoyment for the reader comes in witnessing the journey which the characters undertake in order to come to that HEA. Like fairy tales of old, The Belle of Belgrave Square derives most of its quality not in the final outcome (although that remains important), but in the steps required to arrive there.

For my conservative readers, I can report that the content would probably garner a “PG” or “TV-14” rating if this were put on film/video. There is a small amount of coarse language, but it is not severe. Sexual situations are addressed several times, but they are often couched in Victorian-era language to maintain propriety. The most colorful details come during scenes with two married persons, and Matthews chose to not be overly explicit in her writing here. Her writing talents are such that it truly wasn’t warranted. She is able to convey passion between characters in a way that is enticing without being salacious. As a Christian, I also appreciated the short scene when the Bible was addressed as a work of literature, containing fascinating adventures and drama.

For those who have not yet read The Siren of Sussex, knowledge of that text is helpful in understanding the interrelated friendships between various persons in Matthews’ world. However, she has written Belgrave Square in such a way that jumping into the second title of the series is not problematic. As a book nerd I recommend beginning with Sussex, but it certainly isn’t a requirement.

Mimi Matthews writes in Captain Blunt’s voice saying, “Stories like the ones we read in novels help us understand the human condition. They teach us empathy. In that way, they’re more than escape from the world. They’re an aid for living in the world. For being better, more compassionate people.” (p.251) In The Belle of Belgrave Square, she has not only brought to her readership another delightful tale of romance, mystery, liberation, and redemption, but she has also presented to the world a true-to-life fairy tale wherein an anxious bookworm falls for an enigmatic beast. Through their relationship, readers are given the opportunity to consider the plight of others in the community. Gruff exteriors or anxious spirits in people are usually there for a reason. We all carry burdens of one type or another. Matthews’ Julia Wychwood endeavors to understand the dour Jasper, and he enables her to conquer many of her fears as well. Together they make a pair which demonstrate admirable humanity in the face of a broken world. This produces a fabulous addition to a book series well on its way.

Thankfully there is more to come in a third title, The Lily of Ludgate Hill. Echoing the epilogue, I offer the notion: Clearly the reading public is “clamoring for more stories in this vein.” I’m pleased that Mimi Matthews has not exhausted her supply of them.

Honestly? I'm a Mimi Matthews fan. I have yet to meet a book by her that I haven't liked. But there are just some books that you would give more than five stars to if you could and this book is one of them for me. I LOVED it. With all capital letters and heart eyes.

Julia is an easy person to like. I mean, she's a book lover so yeah, I connected with her. She uses books as an escape from a horrible home life and social anxiety. Others view Julia as weak and fragile but not me, and definitely not Jasper Blunt who saw her and immediately wanted her. He saw past her insecurities into her sweet and gentle soul and never looked back. Because this book gives us views from both characters, it was easy to see Jasper's struggles and how much he desired Julia to accept him. He played the part of hero so well.

I loved how the whole story unfolded. I was surprised as it went along and completely immersed in the story. This is one of those stories that you think about when you aren't reading it and feel so anxious to get back to. I had a couple hours in the car the day I was reading it and I could have listened to it in the car but I just had to wait until I could read with my own eyes and feel the book in my hand. It just had to be read that way for me.

All the emotions. All the love. One of my most favorite books by this author and one I will want to read again.

Content: mild swearing. Innuendo, kissing. Intimate relations between a married couple with no details, fade to black.

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

The Belle of Belgravia by Mimi Matthews harkens back to classics of romance and is some of the best new historical romance I have read in a while.

Captain Blunt has come to London in search of an heiress to support his crumbling estate and his illegitimate children. He sets his sights on the beautiful and reclusive Julia Wynchwood, assuming that her infirm parents would be please to have her taken off their hands. Unbeknownst to him, Julia is the lynchpin of her family and the crutch that supports them, thus her father rejects his suit. Yearning to break free of her parents and their house of ailments, she elopes with the Captain, only to discover that she isn’t the only one with secrets!

The relationship between Julia and the Captain gave me a reverse Pride and Prejudice vibe and added to the books classic appeal. Full of secrets and betrayal, this sweet marriage of convenience story also included, close proximity, singe-dad, anxiety, sickbed care, romance novel writing, and found family. I don’t think I could have asked for anything more.

This book was jammed full of character and relationship building. Both Julia and the Captain are very multi-faceted characters that are revealed in stages and change and grow throughout the story. I usually find my attention drawn to author Matthews use of history and detail in her books, which was definitely present, but it didn’t over shadow the relationship and romance in The Belle. Something that really stood out for me was the Captain’s notice and acceptance of Julia’s social anxiety. He not only observed and recognized the issue, but took steps to help alleviate and give Julia back control over her situation. The growth and trust Julia and the Captain develop for themselves and their new family was a real pleasure to see come to fruition!

As the second book in the series, it was a treat to see some of the previous characters and continue the story where it was left in the first book for Julia and the Captain, but it is not necessary to read in order to enjoy this book. I will say the enemies to lovers foreshadowing for Lady Anne and Hartford has already got me excited!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for the review copy. Opinions are my own.

#TheBelleOfBelgravia #MimiMatthews

Mimi Matthews has spun another lush Victorian romantic tale in the Belles of London series. In THE BELLE OF BELGRAVE SQUARE, we get to know London heiress Julia Wychwood, who suffers from social anxiety and wants to procure a husband, and secretive war hero, Captain Jasper Blunt, to whom she proposes. I clasped this beautifully written romance to my heart and savored each and every page. May this series continue onward. Swoon ...

The Belle of Belgrave Square took me a week to read because I never wanted it to end.

Mimi Matthews is at the top of her game with this book ripe with literary allusions, references to some beloved classics, a swoon-worthy romance and a hero and heroine you can’t help but fall for. While I adored the first book in Mimi’s Belles of London series, I was ravenous for book two. Julia and Jasper are utter perfection. If you love classic and gothic stories this book will be a treat for your senses. As soon as I discovered that Mimi also pays homage to one of my most favourite romances of all times, The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. And Mimi exceeded all of my lofty expectations with humour and love.

Julia is the daughter of two selfish invalids who seem to compete to see who can be more poorly. Is anything actually wrong with them? Hard to tell. Julia is desperate to marry but believes herself to be an unlovable old maid thanks to her father’s secret habit of refusing any man who offers for her and has the audacity to want to take her away from him; he believes Julia should only do her duty and care for her parents forever. Julia hides her feelings away, including some strong anxiety, through her love of horse riding and reading novels. It’s only when she meets Jasper, a notoriously grizzled and curt war hero out to find a wealthy bride, that she realizes that there’s more to life than servitude to people who don’t care about you. Jasper is a seasoned soldier who’s not hiding his fortune hunting ways: he has a crumbling estate, three bastard children and debts to pay off. He doesn’t have time for something as foolish as love. After a terrible meet-cute that has Julia wanting to disappear into the ground forever, Julia and Jasper discover they have more in common than either, or society, ever suspected. Mimi spends a good portion of the beginning of the book building layer upon layer of their characters and the tension between them. I loved how deeply she dove into their backstories and made Jasper such a complex character who you don’t know if you should love or hate at the beginning. Julia could have easily come across as incredibly sheltered and weak, but like Valancy in my beloved Blue Castle, Mimi allows Julia the room to breathe, ask deep questions about class and roles in life, and recognize herself as a complex and dynamic woman. While Julia and Jasper’s love story is epically sweet, it’s the growth that Jasper helps Julia achieve that had me tearing up at points in the story.

When Jasper spirits Julia away to his estate, she feels like her life truly begins. Indeed, we see her discover her backbone when she’s given things to care about: kittens, children, a home of her own, and people to love. Watching Julia and Jasper fall deeply in love in this closed-door romance will melt even the most icy heart. I personally love a hero who shows his heart first, and Jasper was willing to make himself vulnerable to show Julia what it’s like to be cared for and loved. Is it any wonder I never wanted this story to end? They are a well-suited couple whose friendship and love made me wistful at the end of the story. I wanted more of their life and wasn’t ready to leave them behind.

I loved the world building and setting in this book. Mimi is renowned for the research she does in her books, and this one is no different. Her author notes are always worth a read for some of the further explanations she gives about what she references. I loved the different houses in this story so much – they almost seemed like their own characters. The oppressive house of Julia’s parents was so stuffy and sad. Jasper’s crumbling estate hidden way away in Yorkshire should have been sad and depressing, but instead it was a haven. It is a good reminder that money doesn’t buy you happiness; although by Julia’s reaction to books and a certain home library, perhaps a good story does.

A love story for book lovers, The Belle of Belgrave Square is a must-read!

Thank you to Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Julia would prefer spending her time riding her horse or losing herself in a novel, but she is once again forced to endure another season of husband hunting in Victorian London. She (and her dowry) have become the objective of Captain Jasper Blunt, who is known as a military hero with a ruthless streak, and is the father of a household of illegitimate children. Jasper needs an heiress and a mother for his children, Julia needs freedom to be her own person. However, shared empathy and passions may allow these two more than a simple marriage of convenience.

Easily read as a standalone, I preferred this book to the first in the series. The slowly developing attraction between the two main characters felt believable and beautiful, with a touch of a Beauty and the Beast retelling. In the previous book, the group of friends made the novel so enjoyable, but in this one I devoured the love story. Captain Blunt makes a wonderful morally grey hero, and Julia is a superb leading lady - she is intelligent, kind, and insightful. My only complaint is that it felt a little long, however I never grew bored while reading, or felt that any part of the novel was unnecessary!

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, Austenprose PR, and the author for my advance copy. Additionally, thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this book!

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the second novel in Mimi Matthews‘ Belles of London series. In this book, we get to know Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt.

It all begins when the two meet in Rotten Row. Julia feels confident on her horse until she sees Captain Blunt headed her way. Julia is anxious in most social situations but meeting Captain Blunt is particularly anxiety-inducing because when she was first introduced to him, she kind of ran away from him. It happens to the best of us, Julia.

This meeting goes a lot better but she still feels like she made a fool of herself. Little does she know that Captain Blunt wants to make her his wife. He is looking for someone who comes with a large dowry and someone who will be able to handle his children.

But while his intentions, at first, may be mercenary, that quickly changes the more he gets to know Julia. They meet multiple times at parties and the bookstore and he learns more about her sweetness and her passion.

Unfortunately, He also learns more about her parents. Julia’s parents demand she stay close to home so she can take care of them. And if Julia even has a sniffle, they call the doctor who performs dangerous treatments on her.

Continued on Culturess

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Books, and Ms. Matthews for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Wow, I really liked this. Somehow I missed Ms. Matthews’ first book but this, the Belle of Belgrave Square, was a delight. A modern-day version of the penny dreadfuls, if you will, but with eminently better EVERYTHING. Lots of twists: illness, secret identities, secrets, gothic (haunted?) mansions, elopements, clandestine rescues, you name it: all the “exciting” bits were there, but balanced with genuinely wonderful characterization, actual romance, communication (HOORAY!), a healthy dose of charm, and a plot that kept me hooked. Not to mention Cossack. (I wish we’d seen MORE Cossack. I also wish that Julia had gotten her long-desired pet. Oh well.)

If I had any quibble I would say that, as this seems to be book #2 in a series about a quartet of friends, I wish we’d seen more interaction from said friends, especially in the beginning when Julia felt so terribly isolated. However, on the whole this was absolutely my cup of tea, and I’m happy to round up. I think it goes without saying that I’ll be looking up book #1 and I will happily await book #3. More horses please!

⭐⭐ ⭐⭐1/2

I loved this so much. I loved the first as well but I had reservations about it - not so here. Everything about this story was historical romance perfection. I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading.

The romance was swoony, the characters beautifully written, the struggles and misunderstandings relatable, and the closed-door romance a big plus for me. I also really loved the use of the Bluebeard story - and the way the expectations arising from that were flipped. It was also really well-written - I had no problems at all with the writing like I often do with romances.

The plot felt familiar to me but I think this was a combination of having read the preview at the end of the previous book and also that it just hits every historical romance beat to perfection. This makes it somewhat predictable but isn't that one of the main selling points of romances? I like that they're cozy and predictable and follow a familiar pattern. I also am a huge fan of almost all of the tropes used in this book so that probably contributed as well.

The children were adorable in their wildness and reluctance to open up, and also in the sweet way they responded to Julia. Captain Blunt was broody and cold for a reason and as he opened up and showed his true self I couldn't help but love him. I was SO happy to see Julia learn to stand up for herself and believe in herself and her worth. I also really appreciated seeing her anxiety - I really felt for her because I, too, have extreme anxiety and would generally prefer to be reading a book. Every part of this novel just made me so happy, I was reluctant to put it down and wanted the story to go on forever.

I highly recommend this.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing an e-arc for review.

This is a companion book to last year's the Siren of Sussex which was one of my favorite books of the year! I was thrilled and honored to be invited back to join Belle's blog tour!
This book follows the "bookworm" of the 4 friends introduced in book one but you don't have to read Siren to read (and love) Julia's story! And love it I did! I read it in one sitting, staying up way later than I should have to finish it. I adore Julia and Jasper's love story and I related to Julia in more way than one (socially anxious reader? 100% me)!
What I especially liked about Belle in Belgrave Square was how honest it was. Even though it was a bit fairytale-esque with the romance it did discuss how difficult it was for Victorian Women to make their own choices. Every single aspect of their lives was controlled. It makes a refreshing change to have a Victorian main character who is shown to have real anxiety and how it would have been dealt with back then. While reading it I couldn't help but notice how far society has come in accepting mental illness and how far we still have to go when it comes to equality.

How have I not read Mimi Matthews before? The Belle of Belgrave Square is a delightful Victorian romance. It is an imaginative Beauty and Beast retailing firmly set in the reality of 1862 England. I love the nods to other books and references to other writers. I read easily as a stand alone but it is the second book in the Belles of London series.

Julia is young and has two years on the marriage mart. She is an heiress but has no title. She loathes being the center of attention and is happiest in the corner reading a book or out on her morning rides. Captain Jasper Blunt is a battle scarred war hero. He is in search of a wife with a dowry that can save his crumbling estate. Julia has caught his eye. But there there are many obstacles to a match most importantly her parents who feel it is her duty to care for them.

This book takes twists and turns I didn’t see coming. I learned about things from blood letting to marriage law. More importantly I saw a romantic grand gesture in the middle of the book and I love that he is the first to express his feelings. This is a couple that talks honestly (except, you know, for the big secret) with no silly miscommunications. They set their own rules for their marriage. I love that her character finds her own strength and has ability to rescue herself more than once.

I will be on the look out for the next in the series. The book contains kissing and intimacy is closed door. Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I've been wanting to try a Mimi Mathews book for some time now, and what better book to start with than one with a bookish, introvert heroine who hates the London social season? This type of heroine is a weakness of mine, so I jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy. Now that I've read it I can say that despite the mid range rating, I really enjoyed the author's writing style. While there were some things about that plot that didn't work from a technical standpoint (and emotional on my end) the series as a whole still has potential for me. I've already added the next book and plan to continue when it comes out sometime in January.

Julia Wynchwood comes from a wealthy family and lives a life of privilege among the higher echelon of society. From the outside looking in, anyone would say that she has the world at her fingertips. However, for Julia, the endless social activities she is forced to attend is like pure torture for the shy "bluestocking." Her discomfort is so great that she frequently fakes illness to get out of events, even knowing that her parents will call their doctor who treats her with the archaic method of bleeding. How this "treatment" was ever believed to be beneficial boggles the mind. It's also quite sad to think about all of the people who needlessly died at the hands of trusted physicians because of the practice.

Julia is a dreamer with romantic sensibilities. She wants to be swept off her feet by the sensational novels she reads. Unfortunately, she hasn't met anyone in London that could measure up to the dark and brooding heroes like Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. Except, perhaps, for the forbidding Captain Blunt. His scarred, harsh countenance is enough to make most outgoing hesitant to approach him, but his scandalous past makes people downright fear him. While his war hero status gives him a veneer of respect, everyone secretly whispers about the illegitimate children that he keeps in his own dilapidated, gothic home Goldfinch Hall. The rumored cruel treatment of his men during the war is a whole other topic for people to cast their judgement upon. Julia does feel nervous around the man when she comes into contact with him, but all of the things that should have her running in the opposite direction seem to draw her in. She romanticizes the dark reputation he has and (a bit naively) paints him as completely misunderstood.

In a way she is right about him as all is not what it appears to be. He does have a softer, caring side that comes out when they are alone in each other's presence. Jasper is not the cruel man that he is rumored to be, but he's not being honest with her either. Yes, he is completely upfront about looking for an advantageous marriage in order to save his newly inherited, crumbling home. However, he is hiding a HUGE secret that he intends to just keep from her forever. He tells her that she can never ask questions about his parents or past. Obviously, that didn't sit right with me at all. Jasper makes his intentions clear from the start: he would like to court her because he is in desperate need of her dowry. You can't fault his direct approach-Julia certainly appreciates the lack of false romantic overtures. While she is a romantic, she knows that she doesn't inspire passionate feelings from men. She's as socially awkward as can be, and has very little self-confidence. It just felt very wrong for him to draw her into a life-long commitment under false pretenses regarding his past. She commits herself to him in order to escape a home life where she doesn't feel safe, yet his big secret has very real implications on her that she is completely unaware of.

This book is over 400 pages which doesn't have to be a bad thing necessarily, but it did feel that way. The first half of the book dragged for me a little and it took me a few days to truly get captured by the story. It wasn't boring per se, but there wasn't anything happening that made me feel emotionally connected to the characters. It was a bit surprising because I do love shy bookworms, but Julia was a bit extreme with her social anxiety and lack of confidence. It allowed her parents to walk all over her horribly, even to the point of abuse I would say. If I'm being completely honest, I wanted her to have a little more backbone when her pathetic father insulted and controlled her. I did see quite a transformation though, so she made me come around.

Jasper's internal dialogue and yearning for Julia's affection in the second half was really sweet. I enjoyed reading his secret, romantic feelings. The two of them got to know one another at a more intimate level after their marriage and I really enjoyed reading as that connection formed. Of course, Jasper's big secret is a ticking time bomb and it has the expected explosion on their fragile relationship when it comes out. I can't say that he didn't deserve the heartache from that, but one good thing to come out of it was Julia taking charge of her own life. I fully respected the assertive way she stood up to her parents and resolved the big conflict. She really came into who she was as a woman and found her self worth.

Overall, I like the concept of this series as well as the author's voice. I thought Jasper and Julia's Beauty and the Beast vibes were a nice touch. Some people are classifying this as a retelling, but this was more of a faint impression rather than a retelling in my opinion. The third installment in this series has me eager with anticipation. Lady Anne's story has a lot of potential based on her short appearances here. She's bold, opinionated, and a force to be reckoned with. Her story was teased a little bit-it will be an enemies to lovers trope with Mr. Hartford, her childhood nemesis. I'm looking forward to seeing how their HEA comes about soon!

4.5, rounded up. There are a couple of eye-rolling communication mishaps, but otherwise I loved this book. Both Jasper and Julia are solid characters with relatable flaws, but the most striking aspect is how unique they are. Sure, Julia has social anxiety and could have easily slid into "wallflower" stereotypes, but for most of the book she develops a strong sense of self and agency that makes her a more compelling heroine. Jasper is probably most responsibly for my high rating; the respect he grants Julia--even as he mumbles to her that she can never know his secrets and his forbidden, locked study--made me cheer, as does his care for his kids. (Plus, I do love a Grumpy Strongman who is secretly Very Nice Strongman.)

Grab this for a strong historical romance with some genuinely surprising twists.

The plot doesn’t seem too out of the norm for a historical romance. What is different is the depth built into the back story and life of both our hero and heroine. From Julia’s awareness of wrongdoing by her parents making all of their male servants to go by the name Jenkins so that they wouldn’t have to remember names to Capt. James Blunt’s “heroic” efforts actually being horrific in the Crimea. These kinds of details makes you feel like you’re reading a historical fiction novel instead of a historical romance. This is one of the reasons why Mimi Matthews has quickly become a favorite author in this genre. She creates the scenery and through details makes that scene real.

I enjoyed the building romance between Jasper and Julia. Despite a small bit of feeling like Julia was a woman in jeopardy, she didn’t wait for a man to dig her out of a situation, she came up with her own plan and instituted it. For a shy woman she got things done. Jasper was also a contradiction. His exterior and manner were gruff but he very intently listened to Julia, knew who she was as a person, and became her biggest champion- despite having children out of wedlock and a violent past. VERY interesting characters make for a great novel, regardless of a been-there done-that plot.

If you love reading historical novels and are enjoying the new style of realism in these novels, please pick up a Mimi Matthews novel. She pays attention to what is relevant now and fills her historical novels with realism that engage the reader and make them think along with allowing them to fall in love with the characters and buy into their own love story. The Belle of Belgrave Square was a solid romance that delivered on it’s promise and can be read as a stand-alone novel, but I’d start with The Siren of Sussex the first novel in the series. It is fabulous and will set you up for ‘Belle’ and the wonderful journey these characters will take you through in their realistic historical London.

There are so many things I liked about this book, SO MANY, it will be really hard to sum-up (I’m sorry in advance!)

Julia was so relatable to me, I loved her so much. The anxiety she had around people was so well depicted and that definitely made me feel understood. Escaping reality through books is also something I would relate too (but I guess all of you on here relate as well, don’t you? haha!). Also, if I’m being honest, the first thing that caught my attention with this book was the horse on the cover. I have a profound love for horses because my mom did love them and shared that love with me. The smell of horses feels like a hug to me cause it'sl like I’m close to my mom once again. You could tell through this book how much the heroine loved her horse and how it brought her a comforting feeling to be with him and really eased her anxiety which I thought was so wonderful. I really enjoyed seeing Julia getting stronger and stronger and start to fight for herself and the ones she cared about. Her evolution was really heartwarming.

Jasper was also a perfect character. Even more than perfect. Dreamy. This man, oof, he was always acting so thoughtfully, being really a knight in shining armor. I fell for him instantly and he just kept getting better and better with every page. Let me just tell you my favourite quote of his cause oh gosh how I loved it : "When I rescue you, Miss Wychwood, you’ll know it." Yep, I love him.

This story was full of sweet moments, fairytale vibes, and a little bit of mystery. This read filled my heart with happiness and left me smiling. It was honestly one of the most romantic read ever (and I read romance all the time haha) there was something special about that story, an amazing plot, lots of great interactions and emotional moments. You know that scene in Pride & Prejudice with the hand, it was that sort of vibes and to me it’s more precious than anything.

I was happy to see how the historical facts from this book were well researched and accurate. In another life I would have probably enjoyed being an historian considering how I’m always watching documentaries on every random historical event/person, so the fact that I learned some new stuff in this book made me really happy.

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing and the author for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

A Mimi Matthews book is always cause for celebration — and The Belle of Belgrave Square (Book 2 in Belles of London) is no exception. A beyond shy heroine and a dour captain enter into a marriage of convenience that takes them into the wilds of Yorkshire from the ballrooms of London. She gets to read and ride; he gets her money. As deals go, not a bad one. Of course, it's always more complicated, and it's the journey from deal to devotion that makes this novel such a treat. It's an exploration of how friendship can turn to love, even with the complications of children, an abusive family and each partner's particular baggage. Mimi Matthews has a way of creating characters that feel like our friends; we have all struggled to reach our potential, whether entrapped by crippling anxiety or a difficult childhood. We all need help to become our best selves, and Julia and Jasper do that for each other, and in the process build a family and find true love. This is a worthy successor to The Siren of Sussex and shaping up to be one of Mimi's best series. And that's saying a lot!

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the second book in the Belles of London series by Mimi Matthews. This is a delightful regency romance with references to fairytales, including Beauty and Beast, Sleeping Beauty, Bluebeard’s wife, a sweet touch of mythology and some sweet resemblances with the Bridgerton series. The Belle of Belgrave Square is a swoon-smile- feel so good historical romance that filled my heart with pure happiness.

I absolutely adore this novel! It’s an enchanting spin on a bit of a Beauty & the Beast situation with a little influence from another favorite classic, The Blue Castle (L. M. Montgomery). Matthews is a master at combining tropes and charms and spinning a story uniquely stamped with her style. This one shines with its marriage of convenience setup, a Victorian setting, the only-one-bed trope, a bit of flair from the aforementioned classics, three impish children, and character cameos from earlier books.

Julia and Jasper are a new favorite fictional couple of mine. Their romance is equal parts tender, swoony, and steadfast. Their journey to each other is not an idealized fairytale, though Julia’s bookish habits set off events for him to sweep her off her feet. Seeing her find agency, encouragement, and belonging with Jasper, and them both finding footing with his children, are things I particularly enjoyed.

Which brings me to Jasper. #swoon He’s a brooding, serious hero who is a romantic at heart and HE. FALLS. FIRST. He blushes and shows unflinching patience when it comes to romancing Julia. His backstory coming to light proves him all the more worthy of admiration for his integrity and of Julia’s affection. This is, perhaps, the most tender romance Matthews has written, skilfully balanced with a hint of sensuality that makes the reader swoon at the simple detail of a touch or endearment between Julia and Jasper.

I appreciate the slight unconventionaliity of this storycin its genre, especially the way the characters seek to give little weight to society’s opinions. In subtle ways, the issue of a female’s role and limited ability to make independent choices are a part of the story. So, too, are bigger themes of loyalty, honesty, and justice.

Content note for my usual blog audience: this is a general market romance with a few era-fitting mild expletives and a closed door romance.

Thank you to the publisher for the advance ebook copy. I purchased the paperback for my shelves. This is my honest review.

Wow, I didn't expect the amazing and lovely story I read when I picked up this book! I adored the inspiration from The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery and Beauty and the Beast. Julia and Jasper do have some time to develop the beginnings of friendship amid the turmoil of society events and Julia's household of invalid/hypochondriacs, which provided a foundation to their relationship when secrets begin seeping out to damage their trust. I loved that they also had the stirrings of attraction from the beginning which helped their friendship naturally transition to romance as they grew to know the core of each other's goodness over time and learn how well-matched they are in personality. The author skillfully inferred how intimate relations in their marriage drew them closer together as an expression of love, while still keeping details vague enough to not cross the borderline of comfort for her readers who prefer clean romance. I didn't expect some of the reveals when I began the book, but with very light foreshadowing I was able to anticipate them as I read and it created such a wonderful reading experience, looking forward to Julia's discovery of the mysteries of her husband. Julia's own growth as an anxious wallflower to a confident woman with a greater perspective of the world is a major theme of the book, and I loved her full character arc. The supporting characters of friends, family, and servants create a vibrant world of subtle influences on Julia especially, and it was interesting to see how three dimensional the author could made even her minor characters. Overall, a favorite read of the year and highly recommended!

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews
This was the perfect Victorian era, gothic inspired romance to begin fall reading. From the hidden identities and daring rescues to the sweet moments as well, everything about this novel was so enchanting. I was engaged every minute as to what would occur next, yet comforted by the familiarity of two falling in love. Our heroine, Julia, will be relatable to many readers as an introverted bookworm with hopeless romantic dreams. It was truly beautiful watching her love story with the mysterious yet kind Captain Blunt. Here are some of my favorite parts:
- an unexpected meeting in a book shop
- the rescue scene!
- the children at Goldfinch Hall
- Julia finding her strength to eventually save herself
+ so much more that made this sweeping romance so immersive and delightful! Fans of Northanger Abbey, Beauty and The Beast, and The Blue Castle- do not miss out on The Belle of Belgrave Square.