I'd like to thank Mimi herself for overturning Berkley's denial (!) on this book. As someone who is an ardent supporter for Mimi's work (because she writes that clean, historical romance that calls to me), she kindly rescued me from not getting to plug this book. So, thank you Mimi, you are forever a gem and an author I will back until the end of time.

But enough about me, lets talk about this book. Mimi says in her afterword that this book was mostly shaped by the loss of her father in 2021. When reading it, I felt it. I felt that the main theme was grief, time, and second chances. You have two people who fall in love after being childhood friends, secretly have intentions for one another. Hart goes away on a business trip (around this time he finds out his father on his death bed reveals he had a mistress - his mom's maid - and have several children with her). Anne looses her father and her mother looses her 'place' in society and her 'rock', falls into spiritualism and melancholy. When Hart returns to her, he wants her to marry him now and save him from his misery and woe of secrets told. She on the other hand is looking to be comforted and reassured that he will be her equal in all things (since the loss of status so to speak crippled her mother). He takes issue with her choosing to remain with her mom, and in mourning, and after a spat, break off their engagement. This leaves them for the next seven years absolutely disliking one another while running into one another.

I loved Hart and Anne - the first time we meet them she is absolutely tearing into him. (We have no idea what went on between them.) But we side with Anne because man, in a man's world - especially then - women got the brunt end of the stick. Anne is not shy to let him know that she will walk all over him. Hart however believes that while Anne seems to be this way in talk she is most certainly not like that with her actions. She still remains in mourning and bends backward for her mothers' ridiculous flights of fancy. Anne asks Hart to write a column in the local spiritualist newspaper (under one of his pseudonyms), convincing her mother to drive on out to Captain Blumford's estate (looking for ghosts) so that Anne (without her mom knowing) to rescue Julia (from previous book).

So begins their slow journey to become friends again, rekindle their feelings (if they were ever really gone), and fall in love with one another while family issues on both sides try to keep them apart. Something you can always count on when it comes to Mimi's stories is that her supporting characters are always three dimensional and don't just feel 'made' for plot points. That they feel real and exist in this historical world she has adapted. There is a scene at the end of the book during a crucial moment when both families converge in a library where a secret is revealed and the hilarity and chaos of the scene had me rolling, just rolling. It's right up there with Heyer and at times a Marx Bros. film.

The romance moments also are lovely! While the books are clean, the moments feel earned and palpable between the leads. Their tender talk escalated to kisses and embraces at times and I was gleefully curling my toes in delight. Honestly her men are the best. And in a book where the main character is looking for purpose in a male driven world (and equality), this one for sure. So far, in this series, I think Hart won me over as my favorite of the gentlemen (though that excerpt from the final book, and the moment with Teddy and Stella? Hart MIGHT have some competition. Dude was so pointed and absolutely suave to talk to her the way he was.)

Anyway, I really loved this book and I devoured it. This entire series has been a treat so far with these ladies and their horses, friendship, and men. If you're a fan of clean, historical romances I urge you to jump into this series. You could start with this book, but you miss out on all the fun and lead ups that got us here.

I'll be ready for Book Four in 2024! (Thanks again, Mimi.)

I was hesitant to like this book, it's not really my style, but I do love Mimi Matthews! So I decided to give it a shot, and I do not regret it! We get a sweet story with a bit of spice, showing us a side of historical England we don't often get to see.

There is so much smouldering attraction in this installment of the Belles of London! The verbal sparring was top notch, and I love a second chance romance. Mimi again delivers a detailed, vibrant historical setting, with her usual deft acknowledgement of issues like classism, and racism. This novel also included nuanced family dynamics that were seamlessly woven throughout the story. Mimi has given us a romance that is a study of humanity as well, by turns amusing, affectionate, and ardent.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance digital copy of this book!

I adored book 3 in the Belles of London series. This time it is Anne's turn to find true love and a home of her own, after tending to her controlling widowed mother for years. It's a lovely second chance, enemies to lover, slow burn romance story that grabbed my heart and hasn't let it go. I was reminded of Austen, and even Gone with the Wind at times, and so wanted Anne and her once fiancé Felix Hartford to find their way back to each other.

Anne:
"No man on earth has ever been loved the way I love you, Felix Hartford."

Felix:
He cradled her face in his hand. "All I want--all I've ever wanted--is you."

Horses, equestrian friends, and a spirited black kitten add to the charm of this must-read tale. Janeites and histfic romance readers, rejoice! Mimi Matthews has done it again!

Not my favorite in this series, but enjoyable. Anne and Hartford were an odd couple - not because they were mismatched but because their journey was a bit different than that of most couples in literature. Their separation was not predicated on a misunderstanding that is quickly ironed out. In fact, they become estranged due to mutual disappointment in one another and hurt feelings. I found the approach to their reunion akin to that of Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. However, this wasn’t a humorous story. It wasn’t heavy either, though, so the reader will remain entertained throughout. That being said, no major climax takes place. This story is one of steadily building bonds. Because there is no axis on which the plot turns, at times things can feel plodding. But, as I reflect upon the story, I appreciate the author’s choice in how the relationship builds. All the same, it seemed to lack a true moment of realization. Even Darcy and Elizabeth faced a point of crisis in their relationship before they reached the road to understanding. In this story, the crisis passed long ago and readers comes to see how the fallout is repaired. A must for fans of the series and the author, though not quite as exciting as the previous two volumes.

Another fantastic Victorian romance from Mimi Matthews. You don't have to have read the other books in the Belles of London series to enjoy this story, but I highly recommend it because they are wonderful reads.

Lady Anne Deveril was once secretly engaged to Mr. Felix Hartford, but they quarreled. Six and half years later, the sparks are still there when Anne asks Felix for a favor. He agrees to help her, however, the source of their quarrel is still a problem. Anne's mother, the dowager Countess of Arundell, can't cope with the death of her husband and has turned to spiritualism, laudanum, and obsessive mourning. Meanwhile, Felix is struggling with his own family problems. Anne must choose a second time between duty and love.

Fans of Victorian novels will appreciate the nods to Queen Victoria's strict mourning rituals and spiritualism. This romance features 'enemies to lovers' and 'second chance' tropes. A sweet romance with a very satisfying ending.

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