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ladyofswans's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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
lolarose1234's review against another edition
5.0
I forgot how much I love physical book and could not put this down. I knew this would be my cup of tea, the ones with the dark and mysterious hero’s always are. The heroine I also found relatable while reading. I loved how the story unfolded, I did guess some things but it still never played out the way I thought it would.
I’m also currently laughing at myself because I guessed something really unlikely about a character in the next book due to language of a writer in a newspaper column. My was revealed to be true in the preview of the next book (which is not out yet). The love stories in the series overlap substantially via dates and events in one book are mentioned in another.
I do think the belle of Belgrave square will be my favourite in the series however due to the mysterious and stern seeming hero and hopeless romantic heroine.
I’m also currently laughing at myself because I guessed something really unlikely about a character in the next book due to language of a writer in a newspaper column. My was revealed to be true in the preview of the next book (which is not out yet). The love stories in the series overlap substantially via dates and events in one book are mentioned in another.
I do think the belle of Belgrave square will be my favourite in the series however due to the mysterious and stern seeming hero and hopeless romantic heroine.