Review & Excerpt: The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews

 

The Lily of Ludgate Hill (Belles of London #3)  by Mimi Matthews

Publication Date: January 16th 2024 by Berkley

Pages: 432

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

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! 

5 Stars

Excerpt:

Book Description:

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.

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.

Photo Credit: Vicki Hahn

About the author:

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. Learn more online at www.mimimatthews.com.