“For this impressive Victorian romance, Matthews crafts a tale that sparkles with chemistry…an excellent series launch that will appeal to fans of Loretta Chase and Stephanie Laurens.” -Publishers WeeklyShe Wanted Sanctuary…Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and … estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar’s Abbey isn’t the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill–though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome–is anything but a romantic hero.
He Needed Redemption…
Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household–and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.
Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena’s past threatens, will Justin’s burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?
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I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was full of tragedy and survival and a woman who showed her strength.
Great introduction to this series of four heart-bound orphans who as men find the love they have yearned. Strong characters and a perfect setting to anchor this series.
Good characters and an interesting plot.
Very enjoyable read with a different slant on characters and plot.
I’m looking forward to reading the next story by this author
Helena Reynolds has fled London, desperate to escape her life. If marriage to a stranger is the answer, then so be it. Justin Thornhill has spent the last two decades improving his fortune. He is not expecting the beauty who answers the advertisement for a wife. Despite the disparity between them, will they find love?
I actually read this series out of order. I read book three and then book four, and I was eager to start at the beginning. Helena and Justin’s story was nicely told. They deal well with each other and communicate. Well, they communicate for the most part.
Helena has endured a horrific situation and with Justin’s support, she finds her courage to hold her head up high when action is taken to protect her. Justin never expected to feel anything after what he endured as an army captain, but this beauty takes him by surprise.
This is one I would definitely recommend to readers looking for Victorian romance series.
Enjoyed! Good Read.
The Matrimonial Advertisement is the first book in the Parish Orphans of Devon series by Mimi Matthews. Matthews does a fantastic job of throwing two unlikely people together when a desperate lady accepts a brooding ex-army captain’s marriage advertisement. Justin Thornhill is a courageous, handsome, hurting hero who has secrets and scars from the past. Helena Reynolds is desperate to escape her uncle’s clutches and feel safe again. I enjoyed the interaction and growing relationship between the two. Well-written and romantic, this book pulled me in and kept me turning pages. I’m looking forward to reading more of this series. 4.5 stars
New-to-me Author, Loved it!
I have many books waiting to be read in my TBR file, but when a new-to-me author catches my attention, I can’t resist! Well, Neville and Clara’s story (the 4th in Mimi Matthews’ Parish Orphans of Devon series) definitely called to me. Usually I would read as a stand-alone, but the more I checked out these stories, I had to have the entire 4 book collection! So glad I did! Each and every one brought new and unique storylines, building on the lives of the four boys and the heart wrenching trials they faced growing up together as orphans in a remote coastal town. With wonderful characters and amazing writing, as fast as I finished one book, I dove into the next. I was glued to this series until I turned the last page of the final book. I highly recommend, and am looking forward to more of this author’s work.
I love this author. I’m already starting Book #2! A big thank you to Matthews for exciting, adventurous characters.
I loved this book! I can’t believe I haven’t read a book from Mimi Matthews before, her prose is beautiful. Her research of the period trully shows throughout the book. Plus I’m a sucker for a marriage of convenience, and this one knocks it out of the park. It’s so well done, not at all ridiculous or over-the-top. Of course there is the dramatics of a scarred, tortured soldier who grew up as an orphan, a young woman who has inherited a sizable fortune, and the looming threat of confinement in an asylum. But it’s just so well done, that it’s not at all absurd.
And Justin is such a gentlemen, even if he doesn’t realize it. He is supportive and protective and everything that Helena needs during this very difficult and harrowing time in her life. I don’t know specifically what it was that I liked about her, but I really liked Helena’s character. But it’s probably her strength. Sure, she’s a damsel in distress, but she carries it and herself so well. Being brave when she doesn’t want to, finding the strength to try to fight her way out of her situation instead of accepting the fate that others have chosen for her.
Literally the only thing that I wasn’t super excited about was the conclusion, it seemed very quick . Just because after everything that they had been through and how difficult they had found it to express their feelings, there is quite the outpour of admissions and proclamations. But I suppose the grand gesture of traveling all the way back served to open up the gate for the two of them to come clean about their feelings. It probably wasn’t too short of a conclusion at all, I just might not have been ready for the book to end.
A phenomenal start to a new series. A series which I will certainly be looking forward to continue reading.
Loved this story!
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
She Wanted Sanctuary…
Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar’s Abbey isn’t the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill–though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome–is anything but a romantic hero.
He Needed Redemption…
Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household–and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.
Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena’s past threatens, will Justin’s burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?
MY TAKE
This was my second read by Matthews, and I’m sold. Her characters are deep and complicated. This “business” marriage could have been a bland “getting to know you story” but it wasn’t. Each of them have secrets, and Helena’s comes out not long after the wedding–and it’s a doozy! Swoonworthy romance and lots of feels. Can’t wait to read about other Parish orphans.
I listened to the audiobook. Justine Eyre (as always) does a fabulous job.
I stayed up until an unreasonable hour to finish this book. It was impossible to put down! Definitely one of my favorite reads.
I LOVED this one. It was just right for me. It was such a good romance. It was heart tugging and tension filled. I enjoyed both of these characters:} There was a nice touch of sensuality but a proper romance all the way through. Justin was just awesome. Leading men everywhere take note:} This had a bit of a B&B retelling feel to it. There were some dark themes. Insanity was not handled well back then and this book has a bit of a Gothic feel to it. Things were detailed but I’ve heard much worse. It was just a good read with great elements. On to book 2!
Wonderful, as are all Mimi Matthews works.
An absolute delight! I was captivated from the first page, and I adored the Helena and Justin.
This was my second Mimi Matthews historical, and I absolutely adored it. I savored every word of this wonderful historical romance and didn’t want it to end. Fortunately, there is another in this series and I’ve already bought and have begun reading. I’m so happy to have discovered Mimi Matthews and recommend to all who love fantastic well written, character driven Regency and Victorian era romances. She’s brilliant!
Without spoilers, I want to say that this was incredibly informative and I learned something about the history and treatment of women in Britain (and other countries). The characters were wonderful and although there are some reader ‘leaps of faith’, in terms of character background/current position, the book was awesome!!
Not my usual type of book but the plot sounded so interesting I just had to see what happened. Boy am I glad I did! This book had romance and intrigue and the characters were so real I hated to end the story. I will definitely be reading more by this author.