Mimi Matthews returns with her third installment of the Belles of London series with The Lily of Ludgate Hill, a second chance romance set in Victorian England. Matthews masterfully incorporates details of life in England during the time and grounds the setting perfectly. We follow Anne Deveril and Felix Hartford as their paths cross once again.
Anne and Hartford, for years, have been keeping their distance and are not on good terms. After their broken engagement seven years ago, their hurt feelings have not healed. Nor have their feelings for each other completely dissipated. Their separation was born of misunderstandings and harmful words. The trust in each other was broken. But even with years of separation and pain between them, their paths cross again, and Hartford steps up to help Anne in her scheme to check on her best friend, Julia Wychwood after her elopement. He helps, but only with a condition: she comes to his family’s Christmas party months away.
Anne and Hartford end up on a journey north with her mother, who is a spiritualist. While there are stays at inns, they don’t share a bed, but they do share meals. Their banter is great and when they get into arguments, it pushes them forward with the truths that are revealed. Both are guilty of believing the worst of their characters. They still have much learning to do about each other and themselves. In their time apart, Anne has retreated into her mother’s shadows since the death of her father. Hartford, who appears not to take things seriously, has taken on the responsibility of caring for his late father’s secret family and invested in a business that is thriving.
Throughout The Lily of Ludgate Hill, Anne has to learn about herself and step out from her mother’s overwhelming presence. Anne holds on tight to her mother, to be there for her, but she doesn’t realize how it has stunted her as well. Meanwhile, Hartford has to deal with his longing for Anne and heal in his own way from his father’s choices and secret family. His grandfather does not know of his son’s infidelity and Hartford keeps it that way to preserve his father’s image.
As Anne and Hartford become closer once again they help each other grow and realize that they do not have to shoulder their burdens alone. I really love how Hartford, after all these years, still loves her and does so much for her and her friends without Anne realizing it. Matthews writes a love story that feels so natural in their development. Anne and Hartford light a spark in each other as they slowly learn to trust again. There is a little stretch after their journey to Julia that is a little slow, but they find their way back. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Anne and Hartford were easy to root for and I enjoyed seeing all the equestriennes together again. I am excited to read Stella’s love story next.
The Lily of Ludgate Hill by Mimi Matthews is available now wherever books are sold.
First Featured Image | Book Cover Credit: ©Mimi Matthews | Berkley