The Belle of Belgrave Square
(Libby/OverDrive eBook, Kindle)

Matthews returns readers to the time frame of Siren of Sussex (2022) as Julia Wychwood, the daughter of hypochondriacs, hates being on the marriage market due to her agonizing social anxiety. Captain Jasper Blunt, the reputedly cruel "Hero of Crimea," has a large estate but not the funds to run it. He is also raising his three children and needs to find a well-dowered wife. When Julia and Jasper discover that they both like the same novels, it seems they may have a future together. But unbeknownst to Julia, Lord Wychwood forbids Jasper's suit because he wants his daughter to remain in London as his caregiver. When Julia pleads illness to avoid a society event, her parents call in their doctor, who diagnoses her as having "excess heat" due to reading novels. Julia saves her very life by proposing to Jasper, who will not keep her from riding her horse or reading novels. Instead, he takes her to the country, where everything is a surprise. Readers will enjoy the Victorian marriage of convenience, rich relationships, and delightful twists and turns

A grand cross-class romance, a twisty mystery, and emotional internal struggles combine to excellent effect in Matthews's effervescent second Belles of London romance (after Siren of Sussex). Navigating Victorian high society is a necessary nightmare for anxious heiress Julia Wychwood, who prefers the company of a good novel or her horse to men, but longs to escape the clutches of her ailing and overbearing parents. Seeking a spouse is equally unpleasant for war hero Jasper Blunt, who needs a lady's fortune to secure a life for his three children and repair the country estate where they reside. Jasper and Julia discover an unexpected mutual attraction and marry despite Julia's parents' objections to Jasper's suit--and the threat that they will withhold her dowry. Jasper is prepared to sacrifice Julia's money to keep her safe with him, but her family's continued meddling endangers the couple's blissful union--and could dig up secrets that Jasper is desperate to keep buried. Matthews expertly paces out the mystery of what Jasper is hiding; each twist brings Julia and the reader closer to the truth, but the final reveal still manages to be a surprise. Most delightful is the genuine feeling of joy between the newlyweds, who each grow into their own together. Matthews's fans and new readers alike will root for this well-earned love story. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Oct.)

Regency romance lovers will swoon over the second offering in the "Belles of London" series. Matthews has penned another fun Regency romp sprinkled with fairy-tale references and outrageous situations. Julia Wychwood is an heiress desperate to escape her demanding parents and the confines of London--she is much more at ease with books than balls or society soirées. Captain Jasper Blunt is in London in search of a wealthy wife who can offer him a cash influx to save his crumbling estate in the English countryside. Both of their problems can be fixed with one minor event--marriage. They decide to eschew the opinions of the London elite and wed. Julia's sizable dowry will go to Jasper, and in return she asks for freedom to read, ride, and wander the estate. Jasper readily grants her that, but she can't wander everywhere on the estate; there are some off-limits areas that certainly pique Julia's interest, especially when she learns what kind of man the Captain really is. Charmingly narrated by Ell Potter and Sebastian Brown, this audiobook brims with fun, charm, and growing sexual tension. VERDICT A must-listen for fans of the "Bridgerton" series, fairy-tale spin-offs, and Regency romance.--Erin Cataldi

A cloistered wallflower and a notorious war hero look between the covers. Julia Wychwood doesn't want to get married, especially if it means actually talking to someone at a ball. Unfortunately, her overbearing and sickly parents are insisting that she do her duty, as long as she chooses a titled man who lives close enough to their house on Belgrave Square that she can keep taking care of them. They have an elderly nearby earl in mind, but she's drawn to Capt. Jasper Blunt, a mysterious hero (or possible villain) of the Crimean War who happens to love romantic novels as much as she does. Capt. Blunt is taken by Julia as well--and especially her dowry, which would allow him to fix his estate--though he's quickly warned off by her father. But after a brush with death makes Julia realize she needs to escape her family before it's too late, the two impulsively marry and then run away to Blunt's country estate in Yorkshire. Despite mysteries and misunderstandings between them, Julia begins to settle into her new country life, and it seems they may find some happiness in their marriage of convenience. But as secrets from Blunt's past continue to unfurl, Julia wonders whether she will ever trust him enough to love him. The heat in this relatively chaste story comes entirely from the slowest of slow burns between Julia and Jasper, which is irresistible. Matthews brings their story to life with dozens of impeccable details, especially when it comes to fashion and medicine, giving readers a unique glimpse into how the era looked. Secondary characters may feel a bit one-note, but most won't notice, distracted by the beautiful relationship blossoming between the captain and Mrs. Blunt. Julia's bluestocking ways will please contemporary readers, but Matthews never truly abandons the realities of the Victorian era, giving the book excellent balance overall and the feel of a story from Heyer or even Austen. A swoony Victorian romance that celebrates the genre. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Matthews returns readers to the time frame of Siren of Sussex (2022) as Julia Wychwood, the daughter of hypochondriacs, hates being on the marriage market due to her agonizing social anxiety. Captain Jasper Blunt, the reputedly cruel Hero of Crimea, has a large estate but not the funds to run it. He is also raising his three children and needs to find a well-dowered wife. When Julia and Jasper discover that they both like the same novels, it seems they may have a future together. But unbeknownst to Julia, Lord Wychwood forbids Jasper's suit because he wants his daughter to remain in London as his caregiver. When Julia pleads illness to avoid a society event, her parents call in their doctor, who diagnoses her as having "excess heat" due to reading novels. Julia saves her very life by proposing to Jasper, who will not keep her from riding her horse or reading novels. Instead, he takes her to the country, where everything is a surprise. Readers will enjoy the Victorian marriage of convenience, rich relationships, and delightful twists and turns Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Julia Wychwood's social anxiety makes any London event terrifying, so she rides her horse and reads novels to escape high society's judgmental gaze. Captain Jasper Blunt is a Crimean war hero with an infamous reputation for his illegitimate children and brutish behavior. He inherits a rundown estate and requires an heiress's funds to improve it. Jasper is a paradox to Julia, as his gentle behavior toward her is at odds with his beastly reputation, and she tries to discern his true nature. When Julia's parents make some questionable and dangerous decisions regarding her future, she decides she is no longer safe in their care and proposes to Jasper, making a deal with him to abscond from London. In return, Julia promises to never unlock a certain room in Jasper's home. What secret is he hiding? When Julia's inheritance is waylaid by her parents, Jasper's secrets are threatened, and Julia realizes her husband may not be who she thought. VERDICT Matthews's second installment in the "Belles of London" series (following The Siren of Sussex) combines deception, risk, and a resourceful heroine to create an intoxicating, suspenseful romance. Highly recommended.—Eve Stano

A grand cross-class romance, a twisty mystery, and emotional internal struggles combine to excellent effect in Matthews's effervescent second Belles of London romance (after Siren of Sussex). Navigating Victorian high society is a necessary nightmare for anxious heiress Julia Wychwood, who prefers the company of a good novel or her horse to men, but longs to escape the clutches of her ailing and overbearing parents. Seeking a spouse is equally unpleasant for war hero Jasper Blunt, who needs a lady's fortune to secure a life for his three children and repair the country estate where they reside. Jasper and Julia discover an unexpected mutual attraction and marry despite Julia's parents' objections to Jasper's suit—and the threat that they will withhold her dowry. Jasper is prepared to sacrifice Julia's money to keep her safe with him, but her family's continued meddling endangers the couple's blissful union—and could dig up secrets that Jasper is desperate to keep buried. Matthews expertly paces out the mystery of what Jasper is hiding; each twist brings Julia and the reader closer to the truth, but the final reveal still manages to be a surprise. Most delightful is the genuine feeling of joy between the newlyweds, who each grow into their own together. Matthews's fans and new readers alike will root for this well-earned love story. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Oct.)