Review: The Lily of Ludgate Hill | Mimi Matthews

 

Fortune favors the bold—but is a confirmed spinster daring enough to loosen the reins and accept a favor from the wicked gentleman who haunts her dreams?

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.

A scorching kiss over fabric samples makes me question all my choices. But is it too late to change my entire life to get more of them?

RELEASE DATE: JANUARY 16, 2024

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Anne had been her mother’s loyal companion and dutiful daughter since the death of her father six years ago. It was a role she did not begrudge but at the same time many aspects of her life had stagnated over the years. When she feared for her friend’s safety and was determined to journey to her and rescue her if needed, she approached Felix Hartford for help. Six years ago, Felix broke her young heart and despite her lingering feelings for him, her disappointment in him stoked the fire of their now antagonistic relationship.

 

Felix, the second son of an earl, was viewed as something of a bon vivant, always up for a good time or a wager on a curricle race. Privately, Felix was shouldering heavy responsibilities that he took pains to keep secret. Continually viewed as frivolous by both his family and the genteel society, Felix was actually noble, loyal and kind. His pursuit of Anne was positively swoon-worthy and I adored both his witty flirting and his grand gestures as he courted the only woman he’d ever loved.

 

Female friendship continues to be a theme in this series, and I enjoyed seeing the connection between the women (the Four Horsewomen) evolve. Grief and family loyalty are also explored, and both added such humanity to the main characters and made their actions all the more believable. Anne’s devotion to her mother was admirable, even while her mother’s grief had become toxic and manifested in the tight control she maintained over Anne.  

 

I loved the character growth in both Anne and Felix and watching as they made peace with their past. Their interactions were filled with snarky banter, with Anne’s intelligence and sharp wit always evident. As their relationship began to evolve and their exchanges grew more serious, I melted each time they laid down a part of their past and laid bare their true feelings. Felix was more free with both his words and his actions and the way he showed his care for Anne, in small ways and large, was the epitome of romance. I’m a sucker for pining and yearning and there were epic levels of both here.

There is much to love in this second chance romance: a mother with a familiar spirit named Dmitri, snappy banter, a temperamental kitten, a hero with an entrepreneurial spirit, a bombastic nephew, shared secrets, toe-curling kisses and swoony embraces, friends to frenemies to lovers, and a climactic scene at a holiday house party that was written to perfection.

 

Whether you’ve already enjoyed the prior books in the Belles of London series or not, The Lily of Ludgate Hill can easily be read on its own and is one I highly recommend.  4.5 STARS

Note: I was provided an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review.