A review by maggiestraveledbookshelf
The Belle of Belgrave Square by Mimi Matthews

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 ✨