The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles of London #2) by Mimi Matthews
Publication Date: October 11th 2022 by Berkley
Pages: 432
Source: Publisher
Rating: ★★★★★
My
Thoughts:
Julia has a large dowry, but she has yet to make a match and
she marks that up to her social anxiety. Not that she minds. She has her books,
friends, and her horse to keep her happy. In fact the social season of London
is a torture to be endured only able to get out by begging off sick which is a
double edged sword because then her awful, hypochondriac parents call for
doctors, brutal in their treatments: bloodletting being their preferred cure.
When Julia captures the attention of the infamous Captain
Jasper Blunt she’s a little alarmed at first. He’s a big, imposing man with a dark
reputation, but as they keep meeting, she they start to bond over horses, and
surprisingly books. I just loved the
whole book connection here that I won’t elaborate on.
Jasper needs to marry for money. He has three children in
his charge and a crumbling estate with tenant cottages that are all in
desperate need of repair. He can’t let his heart factor into the equation, but
Julia makes his heart sing and she’s got the money he needs. It seems like
the easy solution to all his problems. Unfortunately,
it’s not all that simple and there are some bumps in the road to get over.
I felt for Julia with her horrid parents and feelings of
being boxed in and then the relief and joy of connecting with Jasper. I loved
the tender way Jasper dealt with Julia and his steadfastness to her and the
children! Their romance was so beautiful, swoony and
passionate!
The Belle of Belgrave Square was oh-so-lovely! I relished
every word and didn’t want the story to end. Definite recommend!
5 Stars
Book Description:
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…
I've heard really great things about this one! So happy you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was so good!
DeleteGreat review, Rachel! I may have to read this one although it is out of my usual genre preferences.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
I'd recommend it!
DeleteI'm so glad to know you loved this one! I want to read it, too. Even more so now. :D
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it as much as I did, Lark! Can't wait to hear your thoughts! :)
DeleteOh I love that they bond over books! And Jasper sounds like such a good man. It's obvious how much you loved this one. I'm not really a historical reader but you have me interested now! :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I loved that and there's a little twist with it that I loved so much!
DeleteIf you liked this one so much I know I'll like it, too. :D
ReplyDeleteI think you will love this one, Lark :)
DeleteWonderful review, Rachel. I have both books in this series on my TBR, I just need to get the time to read them and fit them into my reading plan.
ReplyDeleteI did that hand on my heart thing when you talked about Jasper there at the end. I love heroes like that.
ReplyDeleteoooh I love seeing you love this one. I will be honest I doubt I would even think of picking this up due to the illustrated covers, but your review has me rethinking that this author would be one that I would enjoy! I just struggle sometimes with newer historical's so I have become more picky. But I adore single dads in HR.
ReplyDeleteGreat review darling!
I loved this one. I had a good time with these two and how they got to know each other.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. The novel looks interesting. I want to read it. Thanks for your review. Have a good day :)
ReplyDeleteYes I def want to try this one :)
ReplyDelete