The Lily of Ludgate Hill (Belles of London, # 3)
By: Mimi Matthews
Publication: January 1, 2024 by Berkley
428 pages
Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction
Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)
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Goodreads description--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.
I was dreading Anne's story a little because I'm not at all interested in the spiritualism that her mother has gotten into. Thankfully, Mimi Matthews handled this in just the right way. I shouldn't have doubted. I've only disliked one of her books out of the 14 I've read. She is an auto-buy author for me, and I love the way she develops her characters.
Anne and Hart have history. Until this book, we did not know their history, but obviously they had one. Now we know Hart had just proposed to Anne right before her father died. Anne's family went into mourning, so her engagement had to be postponed. Hart went on a trip, which Anne was in support of, to pass the time until the proper mourning period was over. Only when he returned, Anne wasn't out of mourning. And the two exchanged words that broke each other's hearts. Anne and Hart have a lot to work through. But when push comes to shove, Hart is always there, willing to help Anne, wanting to be with her and support her however possible, even through his own broken heart.
Anne doesn't follow the spiritualism that her mother does. In fact, she only goes along with certain things to help her mother have something to focus her time and energy on and to help herself be more independent from her mother. Anne's mother went into a deep depression when her husband died. At times, Anne was worried her mother would follow him by whatever means necessary. And so Anne often sacrificed her wants and needs to support her mother. She didn't do it because her mother asked it of her. She did it freely. It reminds me of how Jesus said "No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord" (John 10:18). There's power in willing sacrifice. Hart often mistook Anne's willing sacrifice for weakness and letting her mother control her, but Anne was abundantly clear that was not the case. She was the one in control, not being controlled.
Anne is the type of character that carries the burdens of others upon her shoulders. She was terrified that Julia had been abducted by Captain Blunt and forced into marriage. She wouldn't rest until she'd seen her with her own eyes and spoken to her in person. She took her mother's grief and well-being as her responsibility. And she does the same with varying degrees for others as well. This is an admirable quality, but not entirely healthy. I suppose everything in moderation.
Favorite quote:
-"I'll always care what happens to you, Anne. The truth is...I wouldn't know how to stop."
-"It's long been my misfortune to care for people who don't care for me in return."
-"I've loved you without fail the entire time we've been apart. Even when I was infuriated with you, I loved you."
Another thing I love about Mimi Matthews is fan service and crossovers. Thomas Flinchley is often used as a character in many of her stories that aren't directly connected to the Parish Orphans of Devon series. Because he's a lawyer, he is often called upon to be of service. While Tom and Jenny's story has been my least favorite by Mimi Matthews, I love that he so often steps in to help her other characters. Tom is a great guy, after all. And now Teddy Hayes is a crossover, too. Teddy is the younger brother of Laura from the Parish Orphans of Devon series, and Teddy Hayes and Laura and Alex Archer are minor characters in this story. Keep those crossovers coming! I love them!
The Lily of Ludgate Hill was much better than I was expecting it to be, simply because I was dreading the inclusion of the spiritualism parts of the story. These were minimal and explained in a way that I enjoyed much more than expected. Anne might seem like an abrasive, headstrong character, but she is strong because she's had to be. She has carried many burdens--mostly alone. But Hart is the real hero. He pursues Anne when she gives him no hope to do so. The Lily of Ludgate Hill gets 4 Stars. Have you read The Lily of Ludgate Hill? What did you think? Let me know!
