“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?
more
This book is original, entertaining, and short. It’s good fun to read, especially if you don’t demand a high degree of realism in the plot. Although it is no more suspenseful than most of the Regency/Victorian genre, it had enough twists and turns to keep me reading happily to the end. I have read two previous Mimi Matthews books and I look forward to reading the next one.
An original twist on the marriage of convenience story, with some Gothic atmosphere. Also great historical realism about women’s lack of power in the Victorian era.
Best historical romance novel I have read in a long time. The only problem I had was it ended. I have since re-read this book and I am patiently waiting for the author’s next book.
I loved this book! What a great story. I kept waiting for the sex scenes and I’m terribly happy to report that this book stands on its own and has no graphic sex scenes. I will read anything she writes, this book was that good!
An enjoyable Regency with well developed characters, setting and plot.
I enjoyed the quick read. It had a different plot, but a predictable ending.
A duke’s daughter marries a commoner found in the personal ads. What is she hiding?
Very well-paced historical romance. I enjoyed both main characters. Just the right amount of complexity in the plot. Quite different from most Victorian romance novels. Good use of language and emotions.
The characters & premise were somewhat unique and the writing style was enjoyable. I purchased the next in the series.
Great story!
Well written.
Strong characters, good story.
Different kind of romance novel. Very appealing read
I absolutely loved this story. Wish there was a little more romance but it didn’t ruin it. Great read. Wow the times that they lived in where women had no say so. I was hoping in another book that they would find her brother. Can’t wait to read the next book from this author
I loved this story. A lady runs away from London to escape a cruel man she’s been promised to and begins a marriage of convenience with a scarred (both emotionally and physically) captain who exiled himself from everything. As always, love conquers all, but the getting there was excellent story-telling. You grew to love these two tortured souls and there was also enough mystery to keep you on your toes. This author has been added to my must-reads.
I enjoyed The Matrimonial Advertisement tremendously. The characters were very engaging, and the roles played by the various supporting players were fresh in ways that enhanced the plot and Helena and Justin’s story. I appreciated the flashes in and out of honesty, because I think that’s sometimes how it happens.
Just finished this one and it was very good.
After reading an excerpt I had to buy this book. Refreshingly original in setting and plot with some suspense. This is the first I’ve read by Mimi Matthews and I intend to read more of her work.
A touch of the Gothic. Fun all the way
The Matrimonial Advertisement is a lovely first book to the series. The characters are nicely fleshed, and the plot compelling. I particularly enjoyed the suspense Mimi imposes on the first half of the book. It’s delicious. I really couldn’t put it down and had to read it all in one sitting.
Mimi’s writing is clean and interesting without being fussy. Her pacing is spot-on, and the plot, as already mentioned, is terrific.
I look forward to much more of her work.
I recommend this book WITH A CAVEAT shared at the end of my review.
This is an easy read. The author does an excellent job writing in this time period, and I enjoyed her overall voice. The imagery was good, and gave me a strong sense of the overall environment/landscape the characters existed in. The book has a heroine who starts out as a frail damsel in distress type, yet has the backbone to escape a dire situation. She grows throughout the book into a woman of great strength. The hero is noble, although the angst the reader is supposed to believe he has is lacking of any real depth. Think a really, really, REALLY tame version of Edward Rochester.
This is a sweet romance, which as a general rule I avoid because it’s the rare author who can make a sweet romance read fiery and passionate. I bought the book on a recommendation, so I was expecting something more than what the book gave me.
Justin and Helena start out not knowing each and slowly develop respect for each other as their friendship grows. But the lack of chemistry, fire, or sparks between the two makes them less than well-rounded characters for me. It’s more than possible to see sparks and chemistry between a h/h without sex scenes. But like most sweet romances, this book failed to deliver the spark. It has everything else going for it, but it was long on sweet and short on passion/fire , which is why I didn’t fall head over heels in love with the book. That said I do recommend it based on the the caveats below.
IF you like sweet romance, BUY THIS BOOK because I think it’s well-written and will hit your sweet spot.
IF you do NOT like sweet romance, proceed with caution. If you’re looking for a change of pace, this book will do nicely, but the lack of chemistry might make you find the book less than satisfying.