“The Lily of Ludgate Hill” is a beautifully-written, swoon-worthy book rich with historical detail and lovable characters! The historical setting is described very well along with details that bring Victorian England to life. The characters feel three-dimensional along with their own personalities, thoughts, emotions, strengths, and challenges. I loved seeing friends from the other books again, too! It was wonderful to see Anne and Hart grow and change as people while they navigate not only their strong connection with each other but also their past, present, and future. The character development in this book is perfect! I also really enjoyed seeing the Furies’ friendship remain strong and unbreakable despite the changes in all of the friends’ lives. It was great to see them continuing to always be there for each other whether near or far. I loved reading about Saffron and all of the other horses! It was beautiful to read about the strong love and connection between the horse and rider. As well as the immense amount of trust necessary between both. And Eris! I love her. The wit and banter in this book is wonderful! It was fun to see Anne and Hart simultaneously infuriate and captivate each other. This romance has it all! The pining, longing glances, simmering tension/chemistry, and emotional depth. Not to mention all of the sweet and swoony moments! I absolutely adore this book. The speed of the plot is perfect, the author’s writing style is smooth and sparkling with wit, beauty, and emotion, the characters are lovable, the romance is sweet and swoony, and the story is original and enthralling. You can never go wrong with reading a Mimi Matthews book. With this author’s books you can always expect and receive: beauty, vibrancy, originality, and high-quality! And of course, swoon-worthy heroes who will steal your heart. 5 very well deserved stars! I cannot recommend this book highly enough. This is definitely a must read.

Thank you very much to AustenprosePR, author Mimi Matthews, Berkley Publishing, and Penguin Random House for the amazing opportunity of being a part of this book tour and for providing me with physical and digital copies to read and review honestly. And a big thank you to NetGalley as well.

Mimi Matthews does it again. I walked into this expecting to dislike it because I am not a fan of friends to lovers or second chance romance, but she really won me over. At first I was troubled because the first half is a lot of pain and regret throughout. You know that these two had a falling out and it is full of tense hurt and guilt. So reading them be upset at the other was kind of a drag, but even then I liked that you could tell that they loved each other and genuinely cared about each other under all that. There was a lot of bickering at the start but even then you could feel the yearning and the tenderness.

It was also nice to see the other horsewomen from the previous books and the festive occasion we see towards the end. You don’t have to read Evelyn’s or Julia’s stories to read this one though. Another thing I appreciated was that no one was truly made a villain. Everyone was redeemable, which is good because I was so worried. The second half of this book is so romantic you don’t even want to see how I tabbed up my book! I mean it’s 7 years worth of yearning and love and Hart trying to prove himself worthy of Anne. Definitely read this book.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest review.

Just when I think I’ve found my favorite Mimi Matthews book, she writes The Lily of Ludgate Hill. It’s magnificent, passionate, witty, and everything I love in a closed door Victorian romance. I adored this book! The second chance, childhood friends to more romance with a touch of enemies to lovers was so delicious. I loved watching these two strong willed people find their way back to each other. I also enjoyed the themes of working class versus aristocracy, spiritualism as it relates to grief, the Victorian double standards when it comes to women and inheritance, and forgiveness and second chances.

Lady Anne Deveril has had a lot thrust upon her beautiful shoulders. Dressed in unrelieved black long past the time of mourning, she tries to support & humor her grieving mother. She’s also a fierce defender of her friends known as the Furies. When she believes her friend Julia is in trouble, she turns to the last man she wants to ask for help. Though Felix Hartford hurt her so many years ago, she’s still in love with him. Determined to remain single, she deftly ignores his witty barbs and the sizzling attraction between them until she can’t.

Felix “Hart” Hartford regrets not marrying Anne when he had the chance. He’s never met another woman like her, but her fierce independence and rejection bring out his cutting wit. When she comes to him needing help, he offers her a bargain she can’t refuse. Yet, underneath his handsome, playboy facade, is a hardworking man who cares for his family and employees. He’s determined to keep his father’s indiscretions a secret from his grandfather and uncle, but it might just cost him his fortune and life. He’s also ready to do whatever it takes to gain Anne’s forgiveness, good opinion & love.

I absolutely adored Hart & Anne! Oh the banter and wit! And those kisses! *sigh* I loved their intellectual battles. Hart’s sarcasm is expertly matched with Anne’s sharp tongue. But, underneath that pretended animosity is a passionate love waiting to be unleashed, if only Hart can convince Anne. I loved the added complexity to the characters. There was so much more than just a simple misunderstanding that drove these two apart and I enjoyed how the past was revealed and seeing the characters recognize their own faults.

I also appreciated the way grief, pain of loss, and forgiveness are addressed in the story. Both Anne and Hart carry heavy burdens and I loved the way they helped each other. The side characters were intriguing and I’d love to know how Marcus fairs in the Highlands. I also loved seeing Julia & Capt. Blunt again as well as the other “Furies.”

It’s a must read for closed door Victorian romance fans! I’ve loved each of these Furies’ stories and am excited for more. Though this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone, but is more enjoyable if you’ve read the previous books. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

CW: mild swears, mild violence, only passionate kissing

I absolutely ADORED this book! It’s a beautiful installment to her Belles of London, featuring a second-chance romance. (If you haven’t read this series, do it now!! Especially if you love a rich love story set within the Victorian age. Mimi is an expert!)

Mimi writes such bold and vivid characters, who have equally bold and vivid conversations, so there is REAL tension, and not just the sort that arises from miscommunication. I also loved all the banter and arguing between Anne and Hartford…despite dealing with some tough themes.

You don’t need to read the prior two to know what’s happening in this book (though I recommend doing it anyway… they’re amazing!) All the books in her Belles of London are standalones, but related.

Thanks for another beautiful love story, Mimi!!! …now I shall impatiently wait for the last! ❤️

Special thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the advanced copy. ❤️

Lady Anne Deveril needs a favor from Mr. Felix Hartford because she’d do anything for her friend Julia. But being in dept to Hart isn’t something Anne is looking forward to, as they have an emotional past that still pinches her heart.

Hart can’t resist helping Anne, even though he’d love to forget her, but the favor reignites a hope that there might still be a future for them.

Anne and Hart’s relationship has been hinted at since the beginning of the series, there’s been fun/snippy verbal exchanges at every meeting! I wondered what had happened between them. There’s a lot going on with Hart as well, he’s not just the carefree, fun-loving gentleman he projects to society. I adored him!

Anne has been dealing with her broken-hearted mother’s refusal to come out of mourning since her father’s death six years earlier. Anne’s put aside any hope of marrying to help her mother, Lady Arundell, as she seeks solace in the spiritualist/occult scene.

Even though Anne’s mother was the reason for Anne putting her life on hold, I couldn’t help but like her! Lady Arundell spoke her mind and spoke to reason when others needed it! She swooped in and saved Evelyn (in book one) from a situation that could’ve ruined her reputation. I admired the strong female friendships forged between Anne, Julia, Stella and Evelyn! The foundation for Stella’s story/romance next has been laid in this installment and I can’t wait!

It’s hard to put into words just how much I loved The Lily of Ludgate Hill! I savored every minute of reading! The clever, flirty banter, the absolute loyalty and depth of feeling between Anne and Hart, despite the hurt they inflicted on each other in the past! The Lily of Ludgate Hill, and the two previous stories in the series, tick all the boxes for me! A definite recommend!

4 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a wonderful Victorian romance set in London about two childhood friends whose romance always seems to be just out of step. This is book 3 in the Belles of London series, but can be read as a standalone. Lady Anne and Felix “Hart” Hartford are childhood friends. When Anne was only 16, Felix proposed and they had an understanding. Shortly thereafter Anne’s father died, plunging her mother into a 7 year spiral of grief, taking Anne with her. After their broken engagement, Felix never gives up hope they will get back together.

Anne and Hart clearly have feelings for each other but can’t get out of their own way which frustrated me. My least favorite trope is miscommunication, and this book is rife with it. Despite this, I did like the couple and the story, even if the will they/won’t they went on way too long. Anne is completely loyal to her mother and friends, to the detriment to everything else, even herself. The book features grief in all its stages. Anne’s mother doesn’t realize how much she is stifling Anne’s life and cheating her out of her youth and potential happiness with her grief. Anne’s selflessness allows it. Again, this is admirable, but I felt it went on a bit too long.

Hart is the perfect steady, loyal, besotted beau. He’s the perfect book boyfriend. His love for Anne never wavers, and he makes sure she knows it – even if Anne doesn’t want to. He left his bad boy behavior behind him but no one gives him credit for it. I was glad when they finally got their HEA.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Austenprose PR, NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group. All opinions are my own.

Loved this addition to the series!

Anne and Hart were in love and going through so much and they lost that love with hurtful words.

Love how now he writes columns and sends her messages through his articles. Only she knows what it means.

Loved Hart who seemed like a careless rake, was taking care of so much and was quite successful in a business venture that was not acceptable in his set.

Anne has been grieving her father and reluctant to leave her mother. But with Hart helping her she's reminded of what they had. And they never stopped loving each other. Love when they wait forever and no one can replace them feel you stories.

Can't wait for Stella's book that snippet 

Thank you berkleyromance for the #gifted copy.

If you’ve been reading the Belles of London series, you may have noticed the tension (and chemistry!) between Lady Anne and Felix “Hart” Hartford. There’s definitely some history between the two, and surely their antagonism is a mask for some deeper feelings. Indeed, it’s been almost seven years since the two were secretly, briefly engaged, but their falling out left undeniable scars. Anne no longer trusts Hart, and he doesn’t think she’ll ever choose him over her long-grieving mother.

The first third of The Lily of Ludgate Hill is a bit of a road trip romance, with Anne, Hart, and Lady Arundell absconding north to Yorkshire in an attempt to “rescue” Julia from Captain Blunt. Anne and Hart are forced into each other’s company for the first time in years, and it allows a chance for them to open up those old wounds… but maybe not to heal them. That will take a lot more time and care.

I love the depiction of friendships in The Lily of Ludgate Hill. It’s Anne’s devotion to her friend Julia that sets off her romance with Hart. Anne is also still close with Evelyn (now engaged) and Stella (due for her own love story in the next book). These friendships are one of her few outlets and joys, along with riding her aging stallion, Saffron. But since her father’s death nearly seven years ago, she’s been stuck in a state of mourning and caring for her grieving mother. I appreciate the themes of grief, healthy distractions or outlets, and how a daughter might make herself smaller to accommodate her mother’s grief. These are heavy topics, but treated so well here.

Hart has his own issues to work through: two secrets he’s been closely guarding for years. First, he has three half-siblings who no one knows about. Second, despite being a gentleman, he’s in trade—how vulgar and scandalous! But the thing about secrets is they’ll have to come out eventually. How will his family react? How will Anne?

Another theme in the book is the importance of environment on a person. Hart compares Anne to a Himalayan lily, a flower that can only bloom in the right soil and with years of care. Indeed, Anne has been stifled for so long, perhaps in part by the gloom that hangs over her Mayfair home. When she and her mother are forced to relocate, they end up on Ludgate Hill (hence the book’s title). While this may be difficult for them at first, it actually breathes new life into Anne. The vibrance and diversity of her new home bring her out of her shell and reinvigorates her, ushering in her ultimate transformation. I loved this particular part of the book and seeing Anne come back to herself a bit.

Hart and Anne have quite the journey in their years-long relationship: friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers. With so much in their past, it takes months for them to rekindle what they lost, and it’s a sweet and romantic ride from start to end.

The Lily of Ludgate Hill is another stellar love story within the Belles of London series, filled with heartfelt themes and a tender happily ever after that is well earned. I love the value of friendship and animal companions, the themes of family, and the love story between two such complex characters.

This series is a delight, and I can hardly wait to read Stella Hobhouse’s story next in The Muse of Maiden Lane.

After Lady Anne Deveril’s father died, her mother plunged into grief, refusing to forgo black clothing since. Anne followed her mother’s lead, and they have maintained their position well beyond the single year of mourning required for propriety’s sake. Though the dutiful Anne has forsaken love, she has all she needs—her mother; her equestrian friends, Julia, Stella, and Evelyn; and her devoted steed. She certainly doesn’t need her old beau, Hartford, in her life.

But when Hartford is the only person who can aid her when she needs to help a friend in distress, she reconnects with the scoundrel. He agrees to provide aid—if she will attend the annual holiday party hosted by his grandfather at the family’s country estate. Julia grits her teeth and agrees.

Yet, as they spend time together, Julia realizes that Hart might not be the selfish, irresponsible daredevil she remembers. Still, after seven years, much has changed, including their other obligations, obligations that might deny them a second chance at happiness.

I really enjoyed this historical romance. Hart had all the elements of a desirable book boyfriend, though carried a lot of baggage that he tried to hide not just from Julia but from his family and Society in general. Once Julia learned his secrets and realized his always cheerful mien hid untold depths, she not only was able to appreciate Hart but to look at herself differently as well.

Even though there are some heavier themes dealing with loss and grief, the book has humor as well. Julia’s mother’s forays into Spiritualism are always amusing, and the final scene is absolutely hilarious.

I love the genre because of the historical details, and THE LILY included fascinating descriptions of the Ludgate neighborhood and the working classes and what being in trade meant for families in Society. It also touched on the frustrating laws of inheritance in England at the time.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoyed feminist historical romance such as BRINGING DOWN THE DUKE.

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, I have started scaling back on a lot of my reviews for publishers etc quite a bit for 2024. This will not always be the case, but for now I need to juggle family, work, and hobbies so for now I am scaling back. But there are a few authors that I will always make room for in my review calendar. One of those is Mimi Matthews. She is one of my favorite historical romance writers and I have read all of her books.

For me, she has been one of those authors who went overlooked by bigger publishing houses and I couldn’t understand why—–I am so gad to see that Berkley got wise to her writing and signed her and brought to life her Belles of London series! I love Matthews books and always close the book with a smile on my face and this book left me eager for the next book in this series. The last book promises to loop in her other series, Parish Orphans of Devon, which makes my heart so happy because that series is equally intriguing and swoon worthy.

This series (as well as Matthews others) are ones that I frequently recommend to those looking to satisfy their Bridgerton cravings, however I do let them know that Matthews writes more sweet romances than bodice rippers, but that said her books have intertwined characters/books/plots without having to be read in order and you get to revisit familiar characters in new settings, plus no one describes wardrobes like Matthews! I love reading about the clothes and fashion, plus Matthews history details are top shelf.

Summary

Fortune favors the bold—but is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams?

Lady Anne Deveril doesn’t spook easily. A woman of lofty social standing known for her glacial beauty and starchy opinions, she’s the unofficial leader of her small group of equestriennes. Since her mother’s devastating plunge into mourning six years ago, Anne voluntarily renounced any fanciful notions of love and marriage. And yet, when fate puts Anne back into the entirely too enticing path of Mr. Felix Hartford, she’s tempted to run…right into his arms.

No one understands why Lady Anne withdrew into the shadows of society, Hart least of all. The youthful torch he once held for her has long since cooled. Or so he keeps telling himself. But now Anne needs a favor to help a friend. Hart will play along with her little ruse—on the condition that Anne attend a holiday house party at his grandfather’s country estate. No more mourning clothes. No more barriers. Only the two of them, unrequited feelings at last laid bare.

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Finally free to gallop out on her own, Anne makes the tantalizing discovery that beneath the roguish exterior of her not-so-white knight is a man with hidden depths, scorching passions—and a tender heart. (summary from Goodreads)

Review

While Matthews books don’t include the same sizzle and spice as the Birdgerton books, Matthews does write some great romance and tenderness not to mention dashing heroes. In this book we meet Felix ‘Hart’ Hartford who has been in love with Anne since they were teenagers but since they suffered a falling out, Anne and Hart haven’t seen each other in years. This book is meant to be a second chance romance and while normally I don’t enjoy second chance romances, I did like that this book didn’t dwell so much on the mistakes of the past. Naturally there is mention/discussion about hurt feelings and rekindling of their friendship/romance but the focus was very much on their future rather than their past which I liked. Even though I liked this part of the book, I have to admit that this one has been my least favorite in the series so far. From the beginning it was clear that there was a history between the two and clear that they were still in love with each other—-a fact that I think they were pretty open about from the beginning of the book which sort of made me wonder why we were even having this book.

There wasn’t much conflict between the characters in the way of their feelings. Hart loved Anne, Anne loved Hart, they had a history that mostly resolved itself early on, but it seemed that Anne had a lot of baggage that needed resolving more so than Hart. I also didn’t feel the chemistry between Anne and Hart in the way I had felt with other characters in Matthews books. I expected to see a lot more growth from Anne throughout the story and I don’t know that I saw that in the way I expected or needed to see. Anne and her mother had a lot of unresolved tension owing to the death of Anne’s father and I didn’t feel like we got the resolve that needed to happen. In other books in this series (I am thinking mostly book 2) there are characters with family issues and I felt like they got the resolve that was needed in order to wrap the story and in this book it just felt unfinished in that regard.

So did I love this book? Hate this book? Do I feel disappointed? Satisfied? Overall I liked it, but personally book 2 is my favorite in this series so far. This book was good and I did finish it in about a day. I enjoyed it and obviously will read anything Matthews writes without hesitation. I would also recommend this book to historical romance fans without question. So yes it was good and I liked it and loved seeing other characters from other books and series, but when comparing this book to others in the series, it wasn’t as good as the others. This book can absolutely be read as a standalone so if comparing it on its own, I would rate it as a solid 4 starts but if I was comparing it to others in the series I would go for 3 stars. In the end I went with 4 stars because I love the prose, history, and the romance, characters and story had a lot to recommend themselves—-plus I love Matthews! I am eager to see Stella’s story next! I think that’s going to be a really good one!

Book Info and Rating

Format 432 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2024 by Berkley

ISBN 9780593337189 (ISBN10: 0593337182)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Berkley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 4 stars

Genre: historical fiction, historical romance

The third novel in the Belles of London is another winner!

This is one book I’ve been waiting a while for, the finale and backstory to the infamous, always joking Hartford and Lady Anne Deveril. Matthews has been teasing this one since The Siren of Sussex and I was ready for every sordid detail. Matthews delivered in spades.

Hart and Anne have a tangled past filled with love, loss, and family hardships. Both characters have given up so much for their families, including romantic relationships with each other. For a second-chance romance this is the slow burn I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s also an opposites attract in so many ways because often Hart or Anne would say something to each other and they couldn’t understand one another. The book tackles tough personal loss, around parental grief and how fear of losing control or losing love can make people act a bit crazy.

Though for all Anne’s bluster and her blunt, cutting way of reacting around Hart there were too many times I wanted to yell, “the lady doth protest too much.” She would be railing at Hart only to be forlorn when she didn’t see him for days on end. Then there’s Hart, he’ll do anything to stir Anne’s reaction because anything is better than her ignoring him. Her arrival at his house at the beginning of the book is enough to give Hart hope he still has a chance. His tenacious, steadfast determination to be there when Anne calls is swoon worthy.

These two were so wonderful to read, the tug and pull, the never-ending wonder of if they could overcome the past or if the past won’t let their love grow. What stopped it from going to five, there were a couple of secondary plot threads that weren’t resolved, but nothing that overall impacts the romance. If you’re looking for a nice slow, sweet romance I can’t recommend this book or the series enough. It’s a fabulous escape. For readers who enjoy Evie Dunmore, but with less heat.

~ Landra

I loved the dynamic between Anne and Hart! It's like a combo second chance romance/enemies to lovers story. There are a variety of complications that they are each dealing with in their own lives, and it's when they begin to help instead of hinder that their banked feelings flare back to life. Family loyalty is strong in both- Anne with placating her long-grieving eccentric mother, and Hart with secretly supporting his father's mistress and children through the stain of trade. Anne has her friends to turn to, but Hart has been shouldering his burdens on his own, until he impulsively confides in Anne. While their strong feelings for each other have always been there, there are past hurts and misunderstandings that need to be resolved and forgiven before they can move on to begin afresh in their romance. I was glued to the pages through their obstacles and adventures, easily connecting with their emotions. I'm so excited for Stella's story in the next book!

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.

After the death of her father Anne has made it a point to be a support to her mother, regardless if she is seen as a mournful spinster. Anne trusts no man with her heart, especially after her broken betrothal to Felix Hartford. But when news comes of her friend Julia’s unexpected marriage she can’t help but turn to Hartford for help. The forced proximity brings back past hurts and regrets with Hartford and Anne constantly provoking each other. But the passion is still there between them, no matter how the two try to ignore it. Slowly Hartford shows Anne his true self and familial sacrifices. A new version of him Anne hasn’t gotten to know. Little by little Anne learns to trust Hartford again by his actions towards her and others. But can she let herself be vulnerable again with the possibility of her heart getting broken a second time?

There is a tortuous sweetness to this romance that is written so beautifully. I so enjoyed learning about the different locations in London and the tradesmen industries during the period. Once again Mimi Matthews does not disappoint!

Mimi Matthews does it again! This entire series is absolutely wonderful. Each couple is well crafted and makes my heart swoon. But I have to say Anne and Hart might be my favorite now. I'm a sucker for a good second chance romance/enemies to lovers. Not only do I love the way that we get this longing between Anne and Hart over the course of the book but we really get to see a dissection of their motives. From the beginning of the story I loved how the past really plays such a vital role in the shaping of these characters. Their argument and fall out leads to so much growth between the two of them. Anne learns how to find ways to control things in her life, and Hart pushes him self to grow up and take more responsibility. I think the use of grief in this one is also very beautiful. It show cases what love and death look like as we well as the helpless feeling on gets when you can't fix things. I found myself relating to that part of Anne so much. Her need to care for her grieving mother, and to be frustrated over the way her cousin takes over the entire family estate and fortune was super compelling. And Hart, oh Hart! This man makes my heart soar. Not only do I love how dedicated he is to his half siblings, but he loves Anne so much. He's spent years trying to be in her life even after their engagement ended and that is a determined man. His columns to her, his words, his love his everything. I am truly so obsessed with how much Hart loves Anne that I found myself crying at the end of the novel. Truly this is an absolutely beautiful historical romance book, and I can not wait for Stella and her artists (wink wink) book next!

Book 3 in Mimi Matthews' latest series finally gives us Lady Anne Deveril and Felix Hartford! They've sniped at each other in scenes throughout the last two books, so readers knew they had an unresolved past, and here things get resolved! This may be one of the best second-chance romances I've ever read: a lovers to enemies to lovers who never actually stopped loving each other and just wouldn't admit it (even to themselves) book. Think Jane Austen's Persuasion (one of my favorites) with major doses of "mistakes were made", "we were too young to be mature about things", and "prove it to me this time" going on here.

Lily of Ludgate Hill has lots going on and keeps the hits coming to our characters. Some I won't mention for too many spoilers. But Anne is watching her friends marry and starting to wonder about her own life. She's chosen to withdraw from things like love and much of society in favor of caring for her mother, and while she isn't entirely sure how she could (especially in the past) have balanced the two any differently, she does regret that she couldn't have found a way. What's so great about Anne is that she doesn't care about what Society thinks of her to change who she is- especially when it comes to the people she loves. Early on Felix argues with her about how people see her as being in her mother's shadow, as being weak, how she doesn't seem like the girl he used to know. She tells him she doesn't care what people who don't know her think because they don't know about her life and she knows who she is. Anne may be willing to play within the confining rules of Society, and she and her friends may regret how those rules limit their actions, but she doesn't let them define her as a person. I absolutely love her!

I also love how we see Felix grow and understand Anne, and their past, and how to relate to her as an equal. As we uncover what happened between them and see both Felix and Anne work towards accepting the hurt they've done and the changes that have happened, Felix in particular has to change how he thinks about a lot of things. He comes to see that what he thought of as weaknesses can actually be strengths, and Matthews does a wonderful job of showing us this in multiple ways. But he gets there in the end because he figures out what's important to him.

The layers to the characters and the plot were beautifully and masterfully done, and I imagine I'll discover more nuances next time I read the book! You don't necessarily need to have read The Siren of Sussex or Belle of Belgrave Square to enjoy The Lily of Ludgate Hill, but you'll enjoy watching the characters develop throughout the series, and Belle and Lily do overlap a bit at the beginning. And this book has definitely planted the seeds for Stella's book for us to look forward to!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Mimi Matthews’s new release, “The Lily of Ludgate Hill,” is the third book in the “Belles of London” series about four horse-loving friends, their family politics and secrets, romantic intrigues, and happily-ever-afters. This second chance love story is Lady Anne Deveril and Felix Hartford’s story.

“The memory of her—of Anne—standing up on the wooden slats of the paddock at Sutton Park, arms folded on the top rail as she watched the yearling fillies at play. He’d stood at her side, his attention drawn to her as much as to the horses, losing his heart to her gradually, he hadn’t realized it was gone until she captured it completely, making it hers for all time. He suspected that a piece of it would always be hers, whether he liked it or not.”

And who wouldn’t still carry a torch for the fine, confident gallant, Hart…unless their young romance that burned bright nearly seven years before fizzled once Anne’s father died, leaving her house in deep mourning for years. But now Anne needs Felix to help her rescue her friend, and she must swallow her pride to ask the handsome buck for his assistance.

“She bore down on him like one of the mythical Furies he’d so often accused her of being. ‘Why, you arrogant, blackmailing rogue!’
His heartbeat quickened as she approached. Anne in a rage was a thrilling sight to behold. ‘It’s not blackmail,’ he said. ‘It’s an exchange. Something you want for something I want.’”

“Lily of Ludgate Hill” is layered with nuance, clever banter, enigmas, and gorgeous world-building. Though loyalty to friends and family is a driving theme, grief and how one mourns a father, a loved one, is a mood throughout. Ultimately, like all Matthew’s historical romance novels, it’s a hard-won love story.

“‘Hello, old thing.’ A familiar deep voice sounded from the library door.
Anne spun around, her traitorous heart giving an involuntary leap in her breast.
Mr Felix Hartford stood in the entryway, one shoulder propped against the doorframe. Lord only knew how long he’d been observing her.
She stiffened. After all these years, he still had the power to discompose her.”

And discompose me too! Especially once we discover Felix may not be the spoilt London dandy Anne believes him to be.

Some writers tell the story; Matthews immerses the reader in her Victorian-era world with society mores, fashion, and heart-pounding dialog. “Lily of Ludgate Hill” is a must read—sooner than later.

Lady Anne Deveril has withdrawn from society for an unknown reason but when circumstances force her back into the path of Felix Hartford, she must decide how to move forward.

This was my first read in the Belles of London series but I found that it worked just as well as a standalone and never felt as if I was missing something of substance from the previous installments. Much like Evie Dunmore's A League of Extraordinary Women series, the protagonist in The Lily of Ludgate Hill is smart, real, and such a delight to read. I wanted to be Lady Anne's friend and her story with Hart was swoonworthy to the max. A great read for those who are fans of historical romance and those who are just looking to dip their toe in the pond. Sure to please many.

Since the death of her father six years ago, beautiful Anne Deveril spends most of her time caring for her ailing mother. Any free time is spent with her close group of friends, riding their horses in London. She has given up on romance, or so it seems. Then she makes a deal with Felix Hartford (Hart), and change begins to bloom.

This is the third book in the Belles of London series and another delightful novel from Mimi Matthews. This captivating group of equestrian friends in Victorian London continues to intrigue the reader and their gentlemen admirers. This time the focus is on Anne, Matthews gives us a wonderful second-chance, former friends-to-lovers romance that does not disappoint. The description of the fine horses that the women ride adds another layer to the story that will please fans of all things equine. The wonderful stars of the first two books, Julia and Evelyn, make plenty of appearances in this book as well. Romance, friendship, horses, and second chances all make this an emotional and captivating read. Although it is Book 3 in a series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

I received a free copy of this book from Berkley via Netgalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

The romance between Hart and Anne is complicated by Anne's grief for her father and the obligation she feels to be there for her mother. It was interesting to learn about etiquette while in mourning in that time period and the expectations. They referred to characters from the first two books in the series and I'm excited to read their stories now too! The audiobook is a great way to enjoy this love story and the narrators do an excellent job of bringing these characters to life.

Reasons to read:
- Childhood Friends to Lovers
- Second Chance romance
- Victorian England setting
- Character growth
- Strong themes of family, love, and loyalty
- Beautiful writing

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭 :
Romance: Closed-Door (kissing only)
Trigger warning: light violence (non-descriptive)

𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:
A brilliant addition to the Belles of London series, the Lily of Ludgate tells the story of the formidable Lady Anne and the only man to break (and hold) her heart, Mr. Felix Hartford.

Mimi Matthews is an incredibly talented author and storyteller. Her words grip you from the first and hold you captivated in the vivid world she describes. I was happy to report that this held true in The Lily of Ludgate. While rich in historical notes and contents, the plot is beautifully balanced with emotional moments in turns. Every moment served to add to the overall growth and depth of the characters, all the while keeping the plot entertaining.

I loved the themes of love discussed in this book. Familiar, romantic, and platonic relationships were all explored and given time to mature. Hart had a complex relationship with his family members, but this made up a large part of his personality. He was devoted to them, though that fact was not always so clear to others looking in. No spoilers, but Hart’s moments with this family made up my favorite scenes. Such a sweet, but impactful storyline! Anne on the other hand had a strong loyalty to her equally formidable mother, and their relationship was one of the best parts of this story for me. I loved the healing they experienced and the support they gave one another. Anne was also a great friend, defending her fellow Belles, Julia, Stella, and Evelyn.

Finally, there came the romantic love between Anne and Hart. Theirs was hard won with the difficult history they had. I could see where both sides contributed to their falling out, and I could see the feeling they still held for each other. The pining was great. As was the chemistry! As unique only to Matthew’s writing, this book featured no explicit scenes, but still, the intensity of the romance was there. I loved that the writing focused more the emotion without sacrificing the steam or depth of the romance. I also greatly enjoyed the fact that Hart was the one who wore his heart on his sleeve and put in the work to gain Anne’s trust and love back. Anne was also a unique female lead as she did not show much affection openly, which was something interesting to see. It made their moments alone all the more meaningful.

Truly, a wonderful read.

I eagerly await the conclusion of this wonderful series with Stella’s story, though I will be so sad to see it come to an end, I have loved every one of these!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group and Mimi Matthews for my copy of this book!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.