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5 stars, Book Review, books, favorite series, horses, Mimi Matthews, romance, series, Victorian
Review of The Lily of Ludgate Hill
Hart was left with very little inheritance and an unwanted family – his late father’s mistress and their three children. He is left to support them by running a factory. His first (aristocratic) family knows nothing of daddy’s indiscretion (he was a moralist) and also nothing of the fact that they have a tradesman in the family.
Anne has been emotionally supporting her mother who mourns her husband six and a half years after his death. They still wear black. Don’t eat sweets. Anne’s friends don’t understand. Anne’s only fun time is riding her horse with the four horsewomen, (the Belles of London) two of which were featured in the first 2 books of this series and have found their true loves.
This sweet slow burn romance is between two people who have known each other for many years. A broken engagement means the path to romance is fraught with resistance. Their family obligations add a layer of complications that make both Hart and Anne believe they are less desirable to the other.
In the end, this lovely story is about friendship, acceptance, family and love. All of these elements will have to come together before things will work out for the couple.
So many historical romances set in England are about titled women and men. Not so in The Belles of London. In this series, we have seen a tailor of mixed heritage, a soldier and now, in The Lily of Ludgate Hill, we have a man of trade. The look into the middle class is refreshing and relatable and sets it apart from many others in the genre.
I love this series! Mimi Matthews historical romances are full of adventure, friendship, family, relationship issues, sweet moments, passion, tension and true romance.
Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book. My review is my honest opinion.
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About The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews
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.
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