Review & Giveaway - - The Lily of Ludgate Hill

The Lily of Ludgate Hill

by Mimi Matthews

Belles of London - Book 3

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: January 16, 2024

Reviewed by Santa

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.

Santa Says:

The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews is the third book in her Belles of London series. It, along with the first two, is a five star read. Lady Anne Deveril is one of The Four Horsewomen christened with this name by the ever infuriating Mr. Felix Hartford. Their relationship is a caustic one but it wasn't always like this. They grew up together as his grandfather’s lands ran along her family's. And one Christmas, when Lady Anne was barely out of the schoolroom, they shared their first kiss. But tragedy struck when her father died and Lady Anne and her mother went into mourning. Hart was ready to propose but Lady Anne asked him to let them mourn for a year. Hart agrees and sets off with his grandfather the Earl of March for an expedition to the Himalayan mountains. 

Upon his return Lady Anne refuses his suit because her mother’s grief was so deep that it nearly brought her to her knees. Anne felt she could not abandon her mother; instead she, too, continued to wear uncompromising black and dabble in the spirit world along with her. Her only reprieve from this world was riding her horse, the friendships she had with the other four women and the barbs she exchanged with Hart.

Hart is devastated and for the next six and a half years carries on as a gregarious, ne'er do well. At least that was the facade he presented to the outside world. His personal life was complicated to say the least. His father left behind a mess that he has had to deal with. His grandfather and stodgy uncle have no idea that he has been earning a living by going into <gasp> trade.

Anne’s friendship with the other women who have stories of their own in this series is Anne's lifeline. It is Anne's concern over her friend Julia’s having been swept away by her Captain Blunt to a remote part of the island that brings her reluctantly to Hart’s door. She asks him to write about suspected hauntings at the Captain's castle. She hopes her mother sees the article and would want to investigate giving Anne a chance to check up on her friend. Hart agrees on the condition that at the end she attends his grandfather’s holiday party in bright red and not oppressive black. Her mother bites and wouldn’t you know it only Hart is available to accompany the ladies. YES!  Cross country journey and close proximity for the win!

Not to make light of this story. Anne and Hart struggle mightily to uncover and rediscover their love for one another. For all of the banter that these two engage in, it is the poignant moments they share that really kept me in this story. Lady Anne’s emergence out of her blacks into the bright colors of their love.

This is book three of this series. It was delightful to have characters from the first two books appear. Needless to say, I can’t wait for the next installation. Mimi Matthews is a joy to read. Her attention to details of Victorian England is flawless and her depth of character is flawless, as well.

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Thanks, Santa! This sounds like a series I need to add to my reading list.

Readers, have you read any of Mimi Matthews' books?

Are you reading the Belles of London series?

Do you enjoy books set in the Victorian era?

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, January 18 will receive a print copy of The Lily of Ludgate Hill.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18