Ever since the The Siren of Sussex released earlier this year, I’ve been counting the days till I could read the next installment in the Belles of London series. As always, Mimi Matthews doesn’t disappoint with this stirring homage to literature of the past — and readers throughout the centuries.
The notorious Captain Blunt has come to town with one goal in mind: a failing estate and three young children mean he must wed a wealthy wife as soon as possible — preferably one who won’t ask questions about his complicated past. But he didn’t reckon on being drawn to bookish heiress Julia Wychwood, whose shy exterior conceals a love of adventure and a keen intelligence. When her situation at home grows untenable, Julia ignores society gossip about the infamous war hero and trusts in the quiet kindness she’s glimpsed during their brief acquaintance. She offers her substantial dowry in exchange for the protection and freedom of marriage. He agrees… as long as she promises to leave the past in the past and never enter his tower room study, under any circumstances. But as Julia struggles to reconcile what she knows of Captain Blunt’s past with the man she’s married, will she be able to keep her promise? And can she trust this secretive, contradictory man with her heart?
Taking inspiration from sensation novels like Lady Audley’s Secret by Mary Elizabeth Braddon and Wilkie Collins’s mystery The Law and the Lady, Matthews weaves a tale of suspense and romance that kept me on the edge of my seat, waiting to see how everything would be revealed — and then, how they’d find a way out of the mess and to a happy ending. Readers of novelists like Braddon and Collins (and also my beloved L.M. Mongtomery!) will recognize allusions to their work, as well as popular narrative elements from the time, including scandalous villains (or heroes?) and virtuous maidens… but all with a special Matthews twist. Even if you’re not familiar with the type of novels Matthews is referencing, you’ll likely know her other inspirations — fairy tales and legends like “Bluebeard’s Wife” and “Beauty and the Beast.” And yes, my dears, there is a magnificent library.
As for the characters themselves, I already loved them and the possibilities of what they could be together based on their appearances in The Siren of Sussex, and The Belle of Belgrave Square delivered all I’d hoped for and more. Watching these two people, who’ve worked so hard to protect themselves, learn to rely on each other and open themselves up to vulnerability and acceptance was deeply gratifying… not to mentioning swooningly romantic. It appealed to all my girlish fantasies of high romance and melodrama, while also acknowledging the complicated reality that my older self now understands. It’s the perfect blend of Gothic literature, fairy tales, and tantalizing mystery, sure to delight all fans of these genres and of the author herself.
My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review — and to Mimi Matthews for sharing another captivating story with the world.
—b
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