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Starred review from August 8, 2022
A grand cross-class romance, a twisty mystery, and emotional internal struggles combine to excellent effect in Matthews’s effervescent second Belles of London romance (after Siren of Sussex). Navigating Victorian high society is a necessary nightmare for anxious heiress Julia Wychwood, who prefers the company of a good novel or her horse to men, but longs to escape the clutches of her ailing and overbearing parents. Seeking a spouse is equally unpleasant for war hero Jasper Blunt, who needs a lady’s fortune to secure a life for his three children and repair the country estate where they reside. Jasper and Julia discover an unexpected mutual attraction and marry despite Julia’s parents’ objections to Jasper’s suit—and the threat that they will withhold her dowry. Jasper is prepared to sacrifice Julia’s money to keep her safe with him, but her family’s continued meddling endangers the couple’s blissful union—and could dig up secrets that Jasper is desperate to keep buried. Matthews expertly paces out the mystery of what Jasper is hiding; each twist brings Julia and the reader closer to the truth, but the final reveal still manages to be a surprise. Most delightful is the genuine feeling of joy between the newlyweds, who each grow into their own together. Matthews’s fans and new readers alike will root for this well-earned love story. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary.
Starred review from March 1, 2023
Regency romance lovers will swoon over the second offering in the "Belles of London" series. Matthews has penned another fun Regency romp sprinkled with fairy-tale references and outrageous situations. Julia Wychwood is an heiress desperate to escape her demanding parents and the confines of London--she is much more at ease with books than balls or society soir�es. Captain Jasper Blunt is in London in search of a wealthy wife who can offer him a cash influx to save his crumbling estate in the English countryside. Both of their problems can be fixed with one minor event--marriage. They decide to eschew the opinions of the London elite and wed. Julia's sizable dowry will go to Jasper, and in return she asks for freedom to read, ride, and wander the estate. Jasper readily grants her that, but she can't wander everywhere on the estate; there are some off-limits areas that certainly pique Julia's interest, especially when she learns what kind of man the Captain really is. Charmingly narrated by Ell Potter and Sebastian Brown, this audiobook brims with fun, charm, and growing sexual tension. VERDICT A must-listen for fans of the "Bridgerton" series, fairy-tale spin-offs, and Regency romance.--Erin Cataldi
Copyright 2023 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
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