The Lily of Ludgate Hill

Mimi Matthews

Jan 2024 · Belles of London Book 3 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

A BookBub Best Romance of Winter 2024!

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.

Ratings and reviews

Just when I think I’ve found my favorite Mimi Matthews book, she writes The Lily of Ludgate Hill. It’s magnificent, passionate, witty, and everything I love in a closed door Victorian romance. I adored this book! The second chance, childhood friends to more romance with a touch of enemies to lovers was so delicious. I loved watching these two strong willed people find their way back to each other. A must read for historical romance fans!

I absolutely adore this book. The speed of the plot is perfect, the author’s writing style is smooth and sparkling with wit, beauty, and emotion, the characters are lovable, the romance is sweet and swoony, and the story is original and enthralling. You can never go wrong with reading a Mimi Matthews book. With this author’s books you can always expect and receive: beauty, vibrancy, originality, and high-quality! And of course, swoon-worthy heroes who will steal your heart. 5 stars!

The Lily of Ludgate Hill is a stunning second chance romance with a wonderfully written cast of characters and the best of happily ever afters! Hartford is a relentless hero pining for his second chance with Anne, and his pursuit of her is sweet and swoony all at once!

About the author

USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances. Her novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.