I’m so happy to be on the book tour today for The Lily of Ludgate Hill, the third book in Mimi Matthews’s Belles of London historical romance series in which four friends share a love of horse riding and support each other through life’s trials. I’ve enjoyed this series since The Siren of Sussex and have become a big fan of Mimi Matthews’s books. The Lily of Ludgate Hill is no exception. A story about grief, duty, friendship, and taking a second chance on love, it’s a romantic and charming book. I was so eager to learn more about Anne’s story, and Hart is such a swoon-worthy love interest for her.

Anne and Hart have such a great second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance. Both are bound by familial duty and make selfless choices in their lives. They’re intriguing protagonists who both grow so much over the course of the story. Hart is so much more than the shallow man he presents to the world. Caring and kind, generous and protective, Hart is as selfless as Anne, who has put her life on hold for years to support her mother in her time of need. I felt for both of them. They’re put in impossible situations, and they go through so much inner turmoil as they struggle with duty, responsibility, and their own desires and needs.

The romance between Anne and Hart is filled with chemistry and excellent banter, and these two sure can argue. Whew! The first time they are together, she is absolutely laying into him, and they both seem affected by the antagonism and bickering. Hart has always loved Anne, and he loves to tease and taunt her, but she knows deep down that she can go to him when she’s in need. Childhood friends turned romantic interests, the pair has a history, and there are a lot of unresolved feelings between them. Their slow-building romance is fantastic, and t’s interesting to see how they resolve all of the secrets, misunderstandings, and family pressures between them.

I also love the friend group and the messages about class, gender inequities, social and familial expectations, and independence. Matthews has once again written a layered and nuanced story that made me laugh, swoon, and think. I thought it was a great addition to the series, and I can’t wait to read the next book! Special thanks to Austen Prose PR, NetGalley, and Berkley for sending me a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Berkley Romance for the free book and to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook. These opinions are my own.

The lily of Ludgate Hill is the third book in the Belles of London series and my favorite so far. It starts with a bit of time overlap with the previous book, and I definitely recommend reading in order to understand what's happening at the start.

Anne is deeply concerned about her best friend, Julia (whose romance appeared in The Belle of Belgrave Square). When she has no where else to turn, she asks Felix Hartford for assistance in checking on Anne.

This is a second chance romance set in the Victorian era. Anne and Hart have amazing chemistry and banter right from the start. And the pining and the way they are drawn to each other, even as both are determined not to be. It's magic.

Additionally, I greatly appreciated the excellent author's note. I continue to love all the social issues and contemporary relevance brought to this fabulous historical series.

Elizabeth Knowelden was a fantastic narrator for the audiobook. Samuel Roukin's male voices were much better than those for female characters. But I still found the audio an excellent format for this book.

4.5 stars rounded up

This was my first book by Mimi Matthews. I really enjoyed it. And I'd definitely read more by her. She did a really great job with her plots, her characters, and her setting.

I really loved Lady Anne. She is such a bold young lady. At the beginning of the book, she's afraid that a friend of hers is in peril. So...Anne shows up at a former beau's house and demands his help. I loved the way she knows exactly what he is up to, even though he thought he had it hidden. She also knows exactly what will make her mother decide to do what Anne wants her to do.

And then there's Felix. His character has so many facets. He is a gentleman. But Felix has secrets. And he is able to fight back when he needs to. I really loved the way he takes care of his family by not letting something put a black mark on it. I'm being purposefully vague here, you'll have to read it to find out what I mean by this.

I also loved that Felix is still in love with Anne, even after all they have been through.

This book was so good! I loved reading it!

I was sent an e-copy of The Lily of Ludgate Hill from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

London - 1862

Lady Anne Deveril is the daughter of an earl who passed away six years ago sending his wife into perpetual mourning, even to this day. Thus, Anne wears only black. She and her friends endured three seasons as wallflowers and are happily away from all that. Their great love in life is horseback riding.

Anne feels that her good friend, Julia Wyndwood has been abducted and married to Captain Blunt and living in his remote home. Thus, she calls upon her old friend, Mr. Felix Hartford (Hart), grandson of the Earl of March, a renowned botanist who has traveled the world seeking seeds from rare plants to turn int magnificent blooms. Anne knows that Hart writes articles for various newspapers under different pseudonyms. She asks him to write an article about Julia’s abduction and that Blunt's home is purported to be haunted. He agrees only if she will attend a Christmas House Party at his family’s home, Sutton Park, and she must put away her black and wear red. She agrees. Before the party happens, Hart agrees to accompany Anne and here mother to Captain Blunt’s home where they find a very happy bride in Julia. But the time that Anne and Hart spend together on this trip opens old wounds and they are honest with each other sharing how each had hurt the other. Is there a way that these two can put their stubborn differences aside and get back together?

I really loved this book and kept crossing my fingers that Anne and Hart would finally get together. There are several plots in this books and they all blend together perfectly. I had never heard of plumbago mining before and was delighted to learn something new. Such wonderful characters and even a sweet kitty! Ms. Matthews’s books are always a favorite with me and I cannot wait to read more. Enjoy!

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Lady Anne Deveril and Mr. Felix Hartford can’t stand each other. But why?? Since life throws them together again, will they be able to clear the air? And will that help them “move on” or return to each other?

Anne has thrown up ALL the walls. And put barbs on them. She’s locked her heart and thrown away the key. She loves her mother and her 3 friends. That’s enough.

Felix can’t seem to stay away. He may think he does not want Anne’s heart, but he does like to steal her attention by poking and prodding. And yet. He will do anything for this woman. His acts of kindness (even when she doesn’t know!) and his sweetness were so swoony!

One of the things I LOVE about this book is the tension between the two characters. There’s definitely a push and pull but they can’t seem to leave each other alone. And Mimi brings the heat! Gah! All the kissing scenes!

I also loved the analogy of the lily. It takes 7 years to grow, it needs to be nourished, it takes time and patience. Hart has learned to be so, so patient. They both needed to grow up, be willing to communicate, listen to others, and be more understanding. But the blooms are so worth it!!!

Don’t add this to your list. Pick it up today. You won’t regret it!!

Content:
Kisses only (but so 🔥)

Like all of Mimi Matthews' books, The Lily of Ludgate Hill combines compelling characters with a rich plot and plenty of detail about the Victorian Age, with the people inside the pages living according to a code so different from our own. And in that world, duty is all, even when it means not just the sacrifice of your -- but of others' -- happiness.
And so it is with Lady Anne Deveril, one of three friends who love horses and don't mind being a little bit eccentric in a society that doesn't tolerate differences. Lady Anne is devoted to her mother, still deep in mourning, and along the way has lost her opportunity to love as a result. That didn't just cost her love and marriage; Felix Hartford was left in pain as well. Lady Anne's need of a favor brings the two back together and they have to strip away misunderstandings and years of hurt to find each other again. As always with romance, it's the journey that makes the HEA rewarding.
This (perhaps) is my favorite of the series, because Lady Anne has so much to overcome, so much of it well-intentioned but self-inflicted. The power of second chances, friendship and belief in love shine in this wonderful story. (I received an advance copy through NetGalley;.Thanks Mimi Matthews, for such an engrossing story. Again)!

Things aren’t always what they seem as Lady Anne Deveril appears to loathe Felix Hartford, the man who doesn’t seem to care about anything other than having a good time. From the beginning of the story I found Hart to be an endearing man whom I wanted to learn more about as he puts aside his own matters to help Anne.

I loved seeing the story develop as details of Anne and Hart’s lives are revealed. Anne is a woman who “surely doth protest too much” when she meets Hart at various times around town. Both of them have been hurt by each other and seeing them have honest conversations and discover what is really in their hearts made this book one of my favorite in the series.

If you enjoy historical romance novels that are rich in detail and are well crafted, I highly recommend you read this third book in the Belles of London. While this can be read as a standalone, it would be more enjoyable if you have read the other books. The belles are all part of this story, some more than others.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.

What a delightful novel! I wish I'd happened upon this series from the start, but since it's obvious that every woman gets her man, the books are not exactly spoiled by the previous matches being wed/about to be wed in this one.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill is a Regency romance about a woman grieving her father and caring for her occult-obsessed mother. It's got a hint of Persuasion to it, where the love match had begun years earlier with a promise of marriage, until life circumstances and hurt feelings got in the way. It's clear these two love each other, but it's not clear how they'll get over their hurt feelings and be ready to take on the commitment of marriage.
The story and characters have excellent development, and I was so happy and satisfied when I turned the last page. I highly recommend to fans of the genre,
Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

What can I say, every book Mimi Matthews writes is amazing, and this book is no exception. Facing grief, romance, healing, friendship, reconciliation, all these themes and more grace the pages of Anne and Felix's story.

Lady Anne Deveril, leader of her band of equestriennes, scorns any fanciful notions love and marriage, and is particularly irked by Mr. Felix Hartford, who loves to tease her whenever he can. 

No one understands why Lady Anne retreated from society and all romantic pursuits, but when Felix Hartford is drawn into a scheme of hers to help a friend, and they are thrown into each other's company - and Felix isn't so sure his youthful love for the Lady Anne is quite extinguished. Lady Anne also isn't quite sure what to make of her own unrequited feelings. Will they give their hopes another chance, or has time lost them any hope of love?

I'm not one to usually love a second chance romance, but Mimi Matthews' beautiful prose, compelling character growth, emotional depth, and poise, had me convinced. You could just watch the careful layers to the story unfold into a rich tapestry of vibrancy. Anne and Felix truly are perfect for each other, especially once they have matured. 

Of course, each side character and story seamlessly add not only to the story, but to show both Anne and Felix for who they are and not who they portray for society. The public and the private really play a role as to why the two were initially on the outs, and why they eventually come back together. This is especially true for Felix's story. I really thought him one of Mimi Matthews' best heroes (though I probably day that about each one 😂). 

I also really appreciated the beauty and grace with which Mimi portrayed grief and loss. Each character is affected differently, and yet their reactions play such a pivotal role in the story. This novel so beautifully portrays the juxtaposition and paradox that is life: that we cannot have the joy without some measure of pain. 

It is just such a beautiful novel. And I highly recommend you read it (and the rest of the series and everything Mimi Matthews writes).

This is a closed door romance. 

Thank you to Mimi Matthews, NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for this eARC. This review is an honest and unbiased opinion.

Mimi Matthews historical romance novels often have interesting situations and diverse characters which makes her novels really enjoyable to read giving them a realistic feel that a lot of historical novels just don’t achieve. In this case Anne makes a difficult decision to stand by her mother in her many years long of mourning her father, wearing black and putting herself in a difficult place with her peers. A young woman is supposed to be trying to catch a husband, of course, and Anne has zero interest in achieving that goal. Hart, however, is tired of waiting on the sidelines and decides to push her towards her future, which includes him.

Of the three novels in the series this one is my least favorite only because of its more straight historical romance path. It was interesting to see how Anne and Harts past was intertwined as we had no inkling before this novel and only saw their antagonistic behavior towards each other. However, they were both in the upper echelon of society so there wasn’t really any diversity, and the only difficulty was the fact that a distant cousin inherited her father place in society which leaves she and her mother reliant upon him. An unfortunate part of our history but I found it interesting to see how they dealt with being victims in a world ruled by elite white guys. To me that was the best part of this novel.

Despite it landing in the my number three spot in the series, I still enjoyed this novel. Mimi Matthews is truly a talented writer and creates really interesting characters that you want to know more about. If you’re a fan of historical fiction, pick this series up. Although this novel can be read as a stand alone I think you’ll get more out of it if you’d read the other two novels first. They will give you a feel for this author’s writing and you’ll understand a bit more of the characters you’ll be reading about.

I've never been disappointed by a Mimi Matthews book. This was no exception.
I really enjoyed getting to know Anne better after meeting her the previous two books.
Hartford appears shallow and carefree but the depths of his affections are unmatched.
He is a man of integrity, and I love it!
Signature swoony moments (those short articles! "), character growth, patience, and humility.
Two thumbs up!

Anne Deveril broke with Felix Hartford years ago–when her father died, plunging her mother into limitless grief…when Anne became the sole prop to her mother in her sadness…when Felix failed to understand what Anne needed and grew resentful instead. But now, six-and-a-half years later, she needs a favor from Felix. She needs a gentleman to escort her and her mother to visit her friend Julia and check on her welfare.

Felix Hartford has been dealing with his own burden for years–a burden of secrecy to protect his dead father’s reputation and a burden of crumbling finances hidden from society. And now, when Lady Anne comes back into his life, he discovers she is “the last person he wanted to see at the moment. And, rather paradoxically, the person his heart most yearned to speak with.” Felix makes a deal with Anne–he’ll do what she asks, but only if she agrees to leave her mourning clothes and come to a house party at his grandfather’s home. Scornful of Felix’s penchant for amusement, Anne is forced to agree.

What follows is a second-chance romance of two hurt souls, trying to find out who the other truly is and to accept and respect the choices that the other has made. The theme of the book is unmistakably duty, examining whether following one’s duty hinders one’s true being or strengthens it. Anne tells Felix, “I decide who and what I am, and no one else. You mistake me when you accuse me of being weak. A flame willingly snuffed out by another. As if my sacrifice had somehow diminished me. Quite the reverse. There’s power in doing one’s duty.”

To the reader’s delight, there is power in discovering another’s true motivations as well, and Anne and Felix eventually find their way home to each other in this excellent romance by Mimi Matthews.

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

I was dreading Anne's story a little because I'm not at all interested in the spiritualism that her mother has gotten into. Thankfully, Mimi Matthews handled this in just the right way. I shouldn't have doubted. I've only disliked one of her books out of the 14 I've read. She is an auto-buy author for me, and I love the way she develops her characters.

Anne and Hart have history. Until this book, we did not know their history, but obviously they had one. Now we know Hart had just proposed to Anne right before her father died. Anne's family went into mourning, so her engagement had to be postponed. Hart went on a trip, which Anne was in support of, to pass the time until the proper mourning period was over. Only when he returned, Anne wasn't out of mourning. And the two exchanged words that broke each other's hearts. Anne and Hart have a lot to work through. But when push comes to shove, Hart is always there, willing to help Anne, wanting to be with her and support her however possible, even through his own broken heart.

Anne doesn't follow the spiritualism that her mother does. In fact, she only goes along with certain things to help her mother have something to focus her time and energy on and to help herself be more independent from her mother. Anne's mother went into a deep depression when her husband died. At times, Anne was worried her mother would follow him by whatever means necessary. And so Anne often sacrificed her wants and needs to support her mother. She didn't do it because her mother asked it of her. She did it freely. It reminds me of how Jesus said "No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18). There's power in willing sacrifice. Hart often mistook Anne's willing sacrifice for weakness and letting her mother control her, but Anne was abundantly clear that was not the case. She was the one in control, not being controlled.

Anne is the type of character that carries the burdens of others upon her shoulders. She was terrified that Julia had been abducted by Captain Blunt and forced into marriage. She wouldn't rest until she'd seen her with her own eyes and spoken to her in person. She took her mother's grief and well-being as her responsibility. And she does the same with varying degrees for others as well. This is an admirable quality, but not entirely healthy. I suppose everything in moderation.

Favorite quote:
-"I'll always care what happens to you, Anne. The truth is...I wouldn't know how to stop."

-"It's long been my misfortune to care for people who don't care for me in return."

-"I've loved you without fail the entire time we've been apart. Even when I was infuriated with you, I loved you."

Another thing I love about Mimi Matthews is fan service and crossovers. Thomas Flinchley is often used as a character in many of her stories that aren't directly connected to the Parish Orphans of Devon series. Because he's a lawyer, he is often called upon to be of service. While Tom and Jenny's story has been my least favorite by Mimi Matthews, I love that he so often steps in to help her other characters. Tom is a great guy, after all. And now Teddy Hayes is a crossover, too. Teddy is the younger brother of Laura from the Parish Orphans of Devon series, and Teddy Hayes and Laura and Alex Archer are minor characters in this story. Keep those crossovers coming! I love them!

The Lily of Ludgate Hill was much better than I was expecting it to be, simply because I was dreading the inclusion of the spiritualism parts of the story. These were minimal and explained in a way that I enjoyed much more than expected. Anne might seem like an abrasive, headstrong character, but she is strong because she's had to be. She has carried many burdens--mostly alone. But Hart is the real hero. He pursues Anne when she gives him no hope to do so. The Lily of Ludgate Hill gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Lily of Ludgate Hill? What did you think? Let me know!

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

Having thoroughly enjoyed Mimi Matthews’s first two Belle of London Novels, (The Siren of Sussex and The Belle of Belgrave Square) I was excited to receive book 3, The Lily of Lugate Hill for review. These novels focus on four unusual Regency heroines, whose friendships first centered on their equestrienne skills.

Lady Anne Deveril is the current protagonist. Since the death of her father over six years earlier, Anne has devoted herself to the support of her heartbroken mother. Her mother has, in turn, devoted herself to the occult as a way to deal with her loss. She has made herself into an acknowledged oddity, and her daughter as well. Anne, who has entered perpetual mourning alongside her mother, is now in danger of being forever “on the shelf.” However, she is spurred to take independent action when she learns that her close friend, Julia Wychwood, has eloped (or been abducted) by the dour Captain Blunt. To rescue her friend, she has to rely upon the help of her nemesis, Mr. Felix Hartford, grandson of the Earl of March.

Long ago, Anne and “Hart” were in love. They’d even kissed and entered into a secret betrothal. But then Anne’s father died, and she entered into what was supposed to be the customary year of mourning. At the same time, Hart was asked to accompany his grandfather, an avid botanist, on a collecting tour. When the year was over, Hart hurried to Anne, expecting the marriage to take place post-haste. When she balked, he took offense. They had words. She broke off the engagement. And things have been terrible between them ever since.

However, Hart is still desperately in love and is determined to win her back. Anne also still loves him, but she is determined to remain the staff her mother leans upon. When she looks at Hart, she sees a frivolous, unserious man who cares for nothing but himself. She couldn’t be more wrong.

The two protagonists discover and keep one another’s secrets as they earn their way back into each other’s good graces. This lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance keeps this series humming. I look forward to book 4!

The Lily of Ludgate Hill is the third novel about the London Amazons written by Mimi Matthews. In this case, the protagonist is Lady Anne Deveril, a young woman of great character, but who lives under the shadow of her mother, a spiritualism addicted. Beneath the vision of a young woman who lives at the mercy of the whims of her eccentric mother, it is hidden a young woman who has had to sacrifice not only her future, but also her personality, after the death of her father- At the moment she is now, with the arrival of a relative who is going to take her possessions, she will have to ask a favor from Mr. Felix Hartford, a young man who has known her since forever, and with whom something happened in her youth, and she has a rivalry.

As in the other Amazon novels, and as Matthews knows how to do, the protagonist lives bound by the conventions of the Victorian era, and will have to face, through a carefully concealed rebellion, what her future holds for her, both for the personal life as well as the romantic one. In this case, Lady Anne, as in the other novels, will show her loyalty to her friends (who will also "visit" the story), while she faces her own destiny which is linked to the one of Felix.

I honestly don't want to "spoil" the plot for you, but wait for a more conventional plot than in the other works of this saga. This is perhaps why I have not felt the same love as with the other novels, because I have to confess that The Belle of Belgrave Square was at such high levels for me (it is my current favorite by Mimi Matthews)...and also because the spiritualist theme had me created other expectations. Despite this, the work follows the tradition of this author, taking us to a story of passionate and true love, where the characters will face a destiny and overcome it even if it is outside what society dictates, and above all, to the management of the feelings of loss and the impact that those who leaves have on us.

Lady Anne and Mr Hatford are a great couple, and although sometimes they may lack a little passion (compared to the other Amazon couples), they understand each other's motivations and in the end, their love is not a disappointment, but the opposite. .

I thank the publisher and the author for providing a copy so I could give my humble and honest opinion.

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************

The Lily of Ludgate Hill es la tercera novela de las Amazonas londinenses de Mimi Matthews. En este caso, la protagonista es Lady Anne Deveril, una joven de gran carácter, pero que vive a la sombra de su madre, una aficionada al espiritismo. Debajo de la visión de una joven que vive a merced de los caprichos de su excéntrica progenitora, se esconde una joven que ha tenido que sacrificar no sólo su futuro, si no que también su personalidad, tras el fallecimiento de su padre. En el momento en el que se encuentra ahora, con la llegada de un familiar que tome sus posesiones, tendrá que pedir un favor a Mr. Felix Hartford, un joven que la conoce de siempre, y con el que sucedió algo en su juventud, y con el que tiene una rivalidad.

Como en las otras novelas de las Amazonas, y como bien sabe hacer Matthews, la protagonista vive atada por los convencionalismos de la época victoriana, y tendrá que enfrentarse a través de una rebeldía cuidadosamente disimulada, a lo que su futuro le depare, tanto para lo personal como lo romántico. En este caso, Lady Anne, al igual que en las otras novelas, mostrará la fidelidad a sus amigas (que también "visitarán" la historia), mientras se enfrenta a su propio destino que está unido al de Felix.

Sinceramente no quiero "estropearos" la trama, pero esperad, una trama más convencional que en las otras obras de esta saga. Es quizá por ello, que yo no he sentido el mismo amor que con esas novelas, pero es que The Belle of Belgrave Square estaba en cotas muy altas para mí (es mi actual favorita de Mimi Matthews), y también el tema espirista me había generado otras expectativas. Pese a esto, la obra, siguiendo la tradición de esta autora, nos lleva a un relato de amor apasionado y verdadero, a enfrentarse a un destino y vencerlo aunque sea fuera de lo que dicta la sociedad, y sobretodo, a la gestión de los sentimientos de pérdida y del impacto que tienen los que se van, en nosotros.

Lady Anne y Mr Hatford son una gran pareja, y aunque a veces puede faltar un poco de pasión (comparado con otras parejas de las Amazonas), se entienden su motivaciones y al final, su amor no resulta un desencanto, si no todo lo contrario.

Agradezco a la editoria y a la autora la cesión de un ejemplar para poder dar mi humilde y honesta opinión.

I blew through the first half - I enjoyed getting to know Anne as well as learning about Felix, whose easygoing exterior camouflages internal, inherited strife. He's been gone on Anne since they were kids, but missteps and understandings forced them apart, and this book is their second chance.

Once we get past 70%, though, the plot pitters out. It's obvious that they love each other and the external forces trying to keep them apart are nuisances, not sources of conflict. I picked it up several times over the course of a couple weeks to try and get back in the groove, but only lasted a few pages before growing bored. I'll still be picking up the next book in the series, hoping for a return to form.

This is the third book in the Belles of London series, but can be read as a standalone as well. I enjoyed this second chance romance that has nods to Jane Austen’s Persuasion here and there. The story unfolds in dual perspectives alternating between Anne and Felix. The romance is sweet (kisses only) and the banter between the characters is entertaining.

Note: one character is a spiritualist and is referenced as having a familiar spirit named Dmitri. This story line was not enjoyable for me at all, but it is a side character story line and it serves the purpose of illustrating the popularity of spiritualism during the Victorian era.

Read if you enjoy books about:
Horses
Female friendships
Complicated family dynamics
Victorian romance
Second chance sweet romance

Many thanks to Berkley Romance for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication!

So rich and satisfying!

Fascinating and complex tale of the third of the four horsewomen friends who ride together in the mornings galloping along Rotten Row. Named by the ton, The Four Horsewomen.
When her beloved father dies Lady Anne Deveril is besieged with grief. Her own and her mother’s.
When her fiancé Felix Hartford, whom Anne had loved from childhood, returned twelve months later after a trip to India with his grandfather collecting plants, Anne still wore black and refused to marry him in order to support her mothers grief. Harsh words were said and Anne repudiated him.
Now, some seven years later, Anne is still wearing black and supporting her mother’s grief, travelling to spiritualists endeavoring to be in touch with her beloved husband, Anne’s father.
Hartford has returned and continues to pursue her, from a distance.
Hart has discovered an awful secret about his father. A man whose love and approval he could never gain. A man who was pointed out as moral and upstanding, a vigorous upholder of Christian values.
As it turned out a man who had a family and three children with his mistress, Hart’s mother’s ex maid. The scandal would reverberate throughout society and badly affect his worthy politician uncle if it ever came out!
More than this, his father had left his alternate family destitute. Hart had taken on responsibility for his half siblings and their rather unpleasant mother. However his half brother Marcus was bleeding him dry with his gambling debts. He and his mother are blackmailing Hart.
Unknown to all Hart’s father had left his inheritance in desperate straights. Hart been quietly investing in a Plumbago mine, and pursuing other methods of making money to support his estate and his siblings.
Hart has never given up on Anne. He offers to escort Anne and her mother to Yorkshire in order to visit one of Anne’s close friends, Julia Wychwood at her abductor’s (now husband) residence. Anne wants to check on Julia, her mother wants to see Captain Blunt’s residence that’s of spiritual significance. His hope is that their relationship might stand some chance of being renewed.
However rough patches are very much ahead for Hart and Anne. Including Anne and her mother having to leave their Mayfair home as the new heir has finally decided to claim his London home. Anne’s mother decides they’ll move to a place on Ludgate Hill, crowded and never quiet, yet claimed to be spiritually important.
Maybe all Anne needs is to be replanted in different soil, like Hart’s grandfather’s giant Himalayan Lily that refuses to bloom. Maybe then they’ll each come into their own?!
Once again a brilliant novel from Mimi Matthews, a second chance romance, with twists and turns I couldn’t see around until they happened!
A novel full of love disregarded, love reclaimed, duty chosen, independence gained in true love, and so much more.
I loved Hart’s column about plants that hinted of course at the Lily of Ludgate Hill.
Despite the frustrations there’s so much joy and anticipation in this novel! Rich indeed!

A Berkley Group ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

This was such a wonderful, fun, thoughtful story! I enjoyed the whole series very much, and this book was no exception.
I always get this special feeling from Mimi Matthews's writing - her style is the perfect mix of old-fashioned and innovative. One moment you're thinking this could be Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, and then there's some detail that reminds you you're reading a historical romance written in the 21st century, and I mean that in the best way possible.
Lady Anne is someone we met early on in the series, and her relationship with the hero had the whole build-up throughout the first two books. I loved how devoted Felix was to Anne, and his pining was top notch - I love a pining hero, so this was definitely something that pulled on my heartstrings. Probably my favourite thing about their relationship was how Felix wanted Anne to be the best version of herself and how determined he was to help her get there. Theirs is also a second-chance romance, and we get some insights to their past, and what separated them. This part I thought was perhaps the weakest part of the story, because it was based solely on the miscommunication, or better the lack of communication between the MC's, and could've been resolved much earlier if they only talked to each other. But overall it didn't bother me much, and the romance part was executed in a satisfying way so I was willing to overlook it when rating the story.

Another interesting relationship, maybe the most interesting, is the one between Anne and her mother. In the first two books Anne's mother was a sort of comedic character, nearly cartoonish in her obsession with spiritualism and afterlife. I'm glad we got to know her better, and that the author decided to give her character more depth, and in that way added another emotional layer to the story by showing the complicated, but ultimately loving relationship between a mother and a daughter. Those were the parts when I cried, and when I laughed through tears, which is one of the best feelings a book can evoke in my opinion.

This book is very heavy on the grief and very light on the romance. I do understand Anne’s grief, her fear, and need for control but she’s made herself a doormat for her mother. As far as the relationship between Anne and Felix, I didn’t feel the attraction between them and quite honestly found them rather dull. Honestly, I just wanted this book to be over - it’s very long, very slow, and very uneventful.