Scan barcode
maggiestraveledbookshelf's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“I’m flattered you think so. But beauty doesn’t last.”
“Your kind will.”
She gave him a doubtful look. He gazed steadily back at her, as solemn as he’d ever been. “I believe, ma’am, that you have a beautiful soul. That you are a beautiful soul. I don’t expect that will alter with age.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.5🌶️
This was a sweet second installment in the Belles of London series!
Overview:
•Regency Romance
•Anxious Heiress FMC x Former Military MMC
•Marriage of Convenience
•Single Dad
Mimi Matthews always delivers on thoroughly-researched historical stories! This is a true Victorian-era romance, with so many intricate details that immerse you in the era.
I loved how the marriage of convenience between Julia (socially anxious to the extreme) and Captain Blunt (supposedly both ruthless and heroic) came to be.
There were a few swoony moments that I absolutely adored! Both from the MMC and the FMC.
One aspect I loved in the first book was the friendship between the four women, and I definitely missed that element in this one.
I did find the secrets revealed to be a little predictable, but it made the book a low-stakes and easy read!
There was a lot of relatable discussion about the power of books, and I loved this quote:
“Stories like the ones we read in novels help us understand the human condition,” he said. “They teach us empathy. In that way, they’re more than an escape from the world. They’re an aid for living in the world. For being better, more compassionate people.”
Overall, I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a wholesome and realistic historical romance!
✨ Read via Libby ✨
ladyofswans's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mariahlea's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
From the first page to the last I absolutely ADORED this book, an instant favorite!!!! I loved everything about it!!!
tinkrbe1l3's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
medicinewoman's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
emeraldgarnet's review against another edition
4.0
The Belles of London series returns with 'The Belle of Belgrave Square'. As ever, Mimi Matthews creates a believable world of Victorian manners and social mores.
Readers of Matthew's 'The Siren of Sussex' will have already met Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt and the tension continues to crackle in this second installment from the get-go.
"'Do you often run off during introductions?'
'Not generally, no. Not unless I fear I’m going to swoon.' Her mouth ticked up at one corner in a rueful smile. 'You wouldn’t have appreciated having to catch me.'
Something flickered behind his icy gaze. An emotion impossible to read. 'You don’t know me very well, ma’am.'
Were it any other gentleman, Julia might have suspected him of flirting with her. But not Captain Blunt. His scarred countenance was as coldly serious as his tone."
"'My purpose hasn’t changed,' he informed her.
'I’m aware,' she said. 'But you’ve been nothing but kind to me. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you this morning. I never got a chance to properly thank you for rescuing me last night.'
'That wasn’t a rescue. That was naught but a minor service.' Jasper’s eyes held hers, his voice dark with promise. 'When I rescue you, Miss Wychwood, you’ll know it.'"
All her life, Julia has been stifled by her parents and it is through marriage to Jasper that she hopes to find freedom.
"Jasper’s isolated estate would be a sanctuary for her. A place where she could finally breathe."
Running throughout the novel is the theme of justice. What does it mean? Who gets it? When? And how?
“Laws are made by men and, therefore, fallible. Justice is something greater. Most of us—the poorest and the weakest—won’t see it on this side of the grave. But sometimes, on rare occasions, someone manages to balance the scales. It can be difficult to reconcile it with the law. That doesn’t negate the rightness of it.”
I recommend this book to all fans of closed-door Victorian historical romance.
Readers of Matthew's 'The Siren of Sussex' will have already met Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt and the tension continues to crackle in this second installment from the get-go.
"'Do you often run off during introductions?'
'Not generally, no. Not unless I fear I’m going to swoon.' Her mouth ticked up at one corner in a rueful smile. 'You wouldn’t have appreciated having to catch me.'
Something flickered behind his icy gaze. An emotion impossible to read. 'You don’t know me very well, ma’am.'
Were it any other gentleman, Julia might have suspected him of flirting with her. But not Captain Blunt. His scarred countenance was as coldly serious as his tone."
"'My purpose hasn’t changed,' he informed her.
'I’m aware,' she said. 'But you’ve been nothing but kind to me. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to see you this morning. I never got a chance to properly thank you for rescuing me last night.'
'That wasn’t a rescue. That was naught but a minor service.' Jasper’s eyes held hers, his voice dark with promise. 'When I rescue you, Miss Wychwood, you’ll know it.'"
All her life, Julia has been stifled by her parents and it is through marriage to Jasper that she hopes to find freedom.
"Jasper’s isolated estate would be a sanctuary for her. A place where she could finally breathe."
Running throughout the novel is the theme of justice. What does it mean? Who gets it? When? And how?
“Laws are made by men and, therefore, fallible. Justice is something greater. Most of us—the poorest and the weakest—won’t see it on this side of the grave. But sometimes, on rare occasions, someone manages to balance the scales. It can be difficult to reconcile it with the law. That doesn’t negate the rightness of it.”
I recommend this book to all fans of closed-door Victorian historical romance.
jacquelinec's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
kaanno's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
kelsreads's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0