The Belle of Belgrave Square (Bells of London #2) by Mimi Matthews
Expected Publication: October 11, 2022
432 pages
A London heiress rides out to the wilds of
the English countryside to honor a marriage of convenience with a
mysterious and reclusive stranger.
Tall, dark, and dour, the
notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but
tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in
Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated
ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.
For
Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety,
navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia
feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse.
Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the
saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the
reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.
In exchange for her dowry
and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she
pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine
interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of
his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his
estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the
beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOK DEPOSITORY | BOOKSHOP | GOODREADS
My Review: 5 Stars
This book is simply amazing! I was prepared to enjoy this delicious treat over the course of a few days and just like with any of my guilty pleasures, I completely binged on it--I couldn't help it and I couldn't put it down!
Mimi Matthews created a delightful masterpiece of a story that captivated every morsel of my heart and soul. Loosely based on a classic fairy tale (one of my favorites), I was eager to settle into London society once again, and I was intrigued--a beautiful girl with her nose always stuck in a book; a dashing, brooding war hero in need of money to rebuild his crumbling estate; a rag-tag group of illegitimate children in desperate need of a mother; and a marriage of convenience.
Matthews vividly brought these characters to life with her beautiful prose and unique twists and turns. Julia was easy for me to relate to, with her slight social anxieties and desire to read and escape than to do almost anything else. Jasper's brooding and intimidating countenance made for some very interesting encounters, especially with his romantic sparkles.
I adored every interaction between Jasper and Julia, but especially the unconventional marriage arrangement and its results. This nearly gothic romance, featuring some wonderfully written characters, is the perfect addition to the Belles of London series.
Content: mild+ romance (kissing, chemistry, some innuendo, fade-to-black between married couple, mistress); mild language; mild descriptions of peril and war-type violence
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
GIVEAWAY
Mimi has generously offered a fabulous giveaway that book tour participants can add to
their post and on social media. Here are the details:
- Giveaway period: October 3 – October 30
- Terms & Conditions:
- Giveaway hosted by Mimi Matthews. No Purchase Necessary. Entrants must be 18
years or older. Open to US residents only. All information will remain confidential and
will not be sold or otherwise used, except to notify the winner and to facilitate postage of
the book to the winner. Void where prohibited.
Giveaway Details:
1 winner (selected at random by Rafflecopter) receives a paperback copy of The Belle
of Belgrave Square, signed and annotated by the author with personal comments,
underlining of her favorite lines, and other highlights by Mimi Matthews.
Giveaway is open from 12:01 am Pacific time 10/03/22 until 11:59pm Pacific time on
10/30/22.
The winner will be announced on Mimi's blog on 10/31/22.
