the belle of belgrave square mimi matthews

As an orphaned teenager, Ahmad immigrated from India with his young cousin. She enlists a tailor, Ahmad Malik, who is half-Indian and half-British. As an accomplished equestrian, in order to differentiate herself from the other marriage-seeking young ladies, Evelyn decides to wear fabulous riding habits while mounted on her horse in the park. Evelyn only has the financial means to participate in one London Season and desperately needs a husband who can save her gentilly impoverished family. The Siren of Sussex follows Evelyn Maltravers, a bluestocking, from a small, country village. While both books can be read as a standalone novel, The Siren of Sussex chronologically happens first, and introduces the Reader to the main characters: four women who are excellent equestrians but less successful on the London marriage market. But, I can say without a doubt, I am definitely starting my 2023 reading off right.

I devoured the first two books in Matthews’s newest series The Belles of London, belatedly and disappointingly realizing that the third book does not come out until NEXT January. I’ve read a few of her books and most especially enjoyed her holiday novella, A Holiday by Gaslight, and you know my feelings on novellas, so this is extremely high praise from me! My point is this: even when it isn’t my favorite of her works, a Matthews book will always be a cut above the rest. Many of her novels include characters from her other works, so when you read one of her books, you often catch up with old friends. I first stumbled upon her after receiving a recommendation to read Gentleman Jim, which is a delightful book. Matthews is a prolific and excellent writer. I would compare her works and writing style to that of Sophie Irwin’s A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting(one of my 2022 favorites).

A Mimi Matthews novel is always a goddamn treat.

The belle of belgrave square mimi matthews