Review & Giveaway - - Rules for Ruin

Rules for Ruin

by Mimi Matthews

The Crinoline Academy - Book 1

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Reviewed by Santa

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

Santa Says:

Mimi Matthews has a new book out. Rules For Ruin is the first book in her new series revolving around The Crinoline Academy. This five star read has all the hallmarks that distinguish Matthews’ writing in a wide field of romance writers out there.

The Crinoline Academy is not all it appears to be - at least from the outside. While the young ladies who attend are taught the rudimentary aspects of any young lady’s curriculum, they are also trained to ultimately bring to light and discredit the patriarchy. Euphemia Flint is summoned back from her position in Paris to do just that.

Her quary is a member of Parliament who is vehemently opposed to securing women's rights. And his voice and vote carry a lot of weight. He also harbors a dark secret from his past that would ruin him. Euphemia needs only to bring this to light and her obligation and debt to the school's headmistress would be stamped paid. Setting her up for a life of independence. 

Gabriel Royce, a St. Giles betting house owner, needs Euphemia to keep her distance. Not because he has any great need to protect this particular Lord. He needs him in his corner to bring forward thinking men of influence to help secure funding for rebuilding St. Giles into a decent place for the people around him to live in. 

Initially, Euphemia and Gabriel work at cross purposes. They end up chasing after a clearer purpose which has them skirting danger and intrigue. This really was a page turner for me. I could not wait to see how Mimi Matthews would help her characters clear obstacles and come together without compromising her characters’ natures. Pick up a copy! I know you are going to enjoy it!

Readers, have you read Mimi Matthews yet?

Do you enjoy a hero and heroine at cross purposes?

One randomly chosen reader who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, May 23 will receive a print copy of Rules for Ruin.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

Review & Giveaway - - The Muse of Maiden Lane

The Muse of Maiden Lane

by Mimi Matthews

Belles of London - Book 4

Publisher: Berkley

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Reviewed by Santa

Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.

Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.  

After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….

Santa Says:

The Muse of Maiden Lane by Mimi Matthews is another five star read for me. I am a huge fan of her writing and this fourth installment of her Belles of London does not disappoint. This book centers around Stella Hobhouse, a silver haired horsewoman, and Teddy Hayes, an artist who would like nothing more than to paint this goddess. 

However, Stella does not see herself as a goddess. In her eyes, those silver tresses are a cursed premature gray. It’s a look that makes her stand out as an oddity and object of pity. She would rather hide under a bushel than shine her light. Teddy is having none of this.

Teddy has had his own share of both the pity of others and his own frustrations with being wheelchair bound. Scarlet fever ravished his childhood home causing his legs to be paralyzed. He worked on honing his upper body and found that drawing scenes from outside his window kept his mind in shape. He strives to gain more freedom from his sister’s constant worry and become more independent especially after she marries. Two is company and three is a crowd.

Stella and Teddy see one another on several occasions but meet again at an art exhibit where the auburn haired subject of a painting inspires Stella to change her appearance. Stella decides to color her hair and attend a friend’s house party. She is desperate to escape her father’s attempt to sell her off to an odious man. The house party gives her five days to secure a match. This house party is where they meet again. Teddy, for his part, would recognize his goddess anywhere. He is confused as to why she is doing something so desperate.

Teddy tries desperately to convince her to pose for him and when he learns of her situation, offers her a marriage of convenience that would help both their situations. Teddy can truly establish himself in his own household and Stella would be safe in his care.

This book is the masterfully crafted love story about two people who have burdens all their own but who come together to overcome obstacles and thrive. It could be classified as a slow burn where the hero falls first. I loved how Mimi Matthews brought together the heroines of her other books in this series who are also known as The Four Horsewomen. I just love that moniker. I was also delighted to see characters from Parish Orohns of Devon series. Alec from that series is married to Teddy’s sister, Laura. I am sad to see the series end but rest assured I am already on the look out for more from Mimi Matthews.

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Readers, have you read Mimi Matthews yet?

How do you feel about premature graying? Would you color your hair or go natural? (no right or wrong answer here)

One randomly chosen person who posts a comment before 11:00 PM, November 23 will receive a print copy of The Muse of Maiden Lane.

*U.S. only

*Must be 18

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