The Belle of Belgrave Square is the swoon-worthy Victorian romance you’ve been waiting for

The Belle of Belgrave Square is the second novel in Mimi Matthews‘ Belles of London series. In this book, we get to know Julia Wychwood and Captain Jasper Blunt.

It all begins when the two meet in Rotten Row. Julia feels confident on her horse until she sees Captain Blunt headed her way. Julia is anxious in most social situations but meeting Captain Blunt is particularly anxiety-inducing because when she was first introduced to him, she kind of ran away from him. It happens to the best of us, Julia.

This meeting goes a lot better but she still feels like she made a fool of herself. Little does she know that Captain Blunt wants to make her his wife. He is looking for someone who comes with a large dowry and someone who will be able to handle his children.

But while his intentions, at first, may be mercenary, that quickly changes the more he gets to know Julia. They meet multiple times at parties and the bookstore and he learns more about her sweetness and her passion.

Unfortunately, He also learns more about her parents. Julia’s parents demand she stay close to home so she can take care of them. And if Julia even has a sniffle, they call the doctor who performs dangerous treatments on her.

The Belle of Belgrave Square is filled with fashion, horses, and love

One day, after Julia’s father banned Jasper from proposing to her and she doesn’t show up at their meetings in the park, he pushes his way into her house and steals her away. To say this is the best scene ever is an understatement. It’s romantic and heroic and delightful.

She has just been through multiple bloodlettings and needs the help of someone who really cares for her. And who is going to get in the way of the ferocious Captain Blunt??

As you might imagine, her being seen in the arms of Captain Blunt means they must immediately get married and they soon make their way to Blunt’s estate.

But married life is not everything Julia thought it would be. Especially when there is a room in the house she is forbidden from going to and her husband is clearly hiding much of his past.

But she does love Jasper and she gets along well with his children. She also is no longer under her parents’ control and that is better than she could ever imagine.

Jasper’s secrets can’t stay hidden forever though. Not with precocious children in the house. And certainly not with a curious wife who is coming into her own and becoming stronger and stronger every day.

I can honestly say that Jasper’s secrets are incredibly compelling. He is not the man most people think he is but in the best way possible. I wish I could spoil it but the surprise is too good. You’ll have to read it for yourself.

The Belle of Belgrave Square shows off Mimi Matthews’ writing at its best. There is fashion, horses, odes to myths and fairytales, and a beautiful love story. What more could you want?

If you are a fan of historical romance and/or Victorian sensation novels, you need to read this book.

Now, we just have to try to be patient and wait a year (or more) for the next book in the series, The Lily of Ludgate Hill.

The Belle of Belgrave is available now in ebook, paperback, and audiobook formats.