Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine goal: to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.
When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincey starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.
When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them . . .
Release Date: Nov 25, 2025
Series: The Crinoline Academy
Book: 2
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
My first read of the Crinoline series, and it won’t be my last.
This is probably my favorite Mimi Matthews book so far. While I thoroughly enjoyed her Sirens of Sussex series, the Crinoline Academy takes the game to the next level. The story combines all my favorite things: romance, intrigue, and the Victorian era.
We have our heroine, Penelope Trewlove, called Nell by her friends. She’s a Crinoline Academy instructor, and the one assigned a mission to stop the reporter and editor Miles Quincy from investigating the altruistic intentions of her dear school. Miles is like the best investigative journalist, and once his interest is nabbed, he’s like a dog with a bone and is unrelenting in pursuit. He also loves cats and adopts even the most feral of beasts. This is where the problems begin.
Dearest Nell and Miles find themselves in a compromising position thanks to crinoline, a cat, an inability to knock, and a priest. I won’t tell you exactly how all those details come together, but know that it ends with a marriage of convenience (yay, tropes). Nell wasn’t just in London to quell Miles. No, she was looking for a missing orphan who was supposed to come to the academy. When her AWOL charge and one of Miles’ unaccounted for reporters turn up on the wrong side of a brothel owner, the story is more than just two people forced to marry. It’s a pair of determined individuals partnering up to save their respective parties and reputations.
I absolutely loved this story. The marriage trope worked so well, forcing two people who never thought about being coupled to face an uncertain future together. Both Miles and Nell have temperaments and commitments that made it seem impossible for them to get along. Still, as the pair navigates their investigations, they find common ground and admiration for each other that gives way to deeper emotions. Of course, attraction was present from the start.
The villains and the stakes are a perfect blend amid the developing relationship. The only thing that kept this from a five star for me is Nell. There were times she made decisions that seemed unlikely to me, and her inability to trust or be straightforward with herself and others, frustrated me. This may not be a detriment to anyone else, and regardless of whether you enjoy Shana Galen, this one is for you.
~ Landra
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