Tall, dark, and dour, the notorious Captain Jasper Blunt was once hailed a military hero, but tales abound of his bastard children and his haunted estate in Yorkshire. What he requires now is a rich wife to ornament his isolated ruin, and he has his sights set on the enchanting Julia Wychwood.
For Julia, an incurable romantic cursed with a crippling social anxiety, navigating a London ballroom is absolute torture. The only time Julia feels any degree of confidence is when she’s on her horse. Unfortunately, a young lady can’t spend the whole of her life in the saddle, so Julia makes an impetuous decision to take her future by the reins—she proposes to Captain Blunt.
In exchange for her dowry and her hand, Jasper must promise to grant her freedom to do as she pleases. To ride—and to read—as much as she likes without masculine interference. He readily agrees to her conditions, with one provision of his own: Julia is forbidden from going into the tower rooms of his estate and snooping around his affairs. But the more she learns of the beastly former hero, the more intrigued she becomes…
Release Date: Oct 11, 2022
Series: Belles of London
Book: 2
Heat Level: Warm
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Great story, but if you’re an open-door fan exit here.
First and foremost, Matthews writes one hell of a historical romance. Steeped in historical details and settings, of course with some artistic license to how things play out for our heroines, this one is another compelling read. Just like the first Belles of London series.
Captain Jasper Blunt is tall, dark, and dour as the book blurb says. He doesn’t say much and when he does speak it’s meant to be as his name says… Blunt. He has three illegitimate children, a moldering estate, and is in need of an heiress. Our London Belle, Julia, is such an heiress and yearns for a life away from her parents, whose poor health and whims end up punishing Julia as much as themselves. It seems a match made in convenience and turns into a scandal of fabulous proportions.
I enjoyed both characters, whose mannerisms are so different and yet suited for each other. The pair bond over a love of fiction novels, which I love too so I can easily support both Jasper and Julia. I also appreciate Matthews’s stories because the conflict is so sharp and so real that I couldn’t see the resolution for these characters. Both for their future romantically and in general.
So, why a three? I’m glad you’re wondering. It’s because Matthews creates so much romantic tension, enough to drown a person only to have the characters use the most pitiful excuses to back away. With the first Bells of London series, it made sense why things were kept to a kiss, but I feel Matthews had an opportunity to show range in writing ability by going open door, repeatedly, through the marriage of convenience, and instead took the easy way out. This was a big letdown for me.
Will I read the third? Yes. Will I enjoy Matthews’s penchant for being less descriptive and detailed on the naked bits? No. Overall, this book is for those who like historical romance right in story and filled with longing. If you’re a closed-door fan I highly recommend.
~ Landra
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