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Tuesday, September 18, 2018

The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews (Review and Giveaway!)


Every so often I crave a really good romance. I am picky about the romance novels I read. And I'm happy to say this one was a very satisfying read. See what I thought of it and be sure to enter the giveaway to win a copy. But hurry, it ends today.

Book Details:

Book Title: The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews
Category: Adult Fiction; 317 pages
Genre: Historial Romance
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Release date: Sept 4, 2018
Content Rating: G

Book Description:

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 Review:
Reviewed by Laura Fabiani

Every so often I crave a really good romance. I am picky about the romance novels I read. They need to have substance, a great setting (preferably historical), and believable and flawed characters. The Matrimonial Advertisement had all this and more!

I was immediately drawn into the story and basically devoured this book. The interaction and dialogue between Helena and Justin was intelligent and set the tone for their relationship. I love a romance where there is both physical and emotional tension between the main characters without resorting to explicit and immediate love scenes. Instead, the author built this romantic liaison between two complex characters with dark and heavy secrets.

Furthermore, the topics of their past were not only intriguing but very different from the common damsel in distress and dashing rich hero. Without disclosing what they are as this will give away some of the plot, these are topics that interest me and learning about them from a historical point of view truly fascinated me.

So I felt this book was much more than just a romance. It had a good plot, well-developed main characters and also good secondary characters. I was thrilled to learn that this is the first book in the Parish Orphans of Devon series. And for those of you who love clean well-written historical romance, this is it. The book cover too was well done, different from most romance novels out there.

The Matrimonial Advertisement was a satisfying read and I will be looking out for more books by Mimi Matthews! I am now a fan and will count this book among my favorites this year.



Buy the Book:





Praise for The Matrimonial Advertisement:

“Matthews’ (The Pug Who Bit Napoleon, 2018, etc.) series opener is a guilty pleasure, brimming with beautiful people, damsels in distress, and an abundance of testosterone…It’s a well-written and engaging story that’s more than just a romance. The author chooses to draw on dark moments in British history to create Justin’s and Helena’s complicated pasts…It’s an unexpected narrative addition that works well, as Matthews seamlessly blends some grim history with light and frothy fiction. An enjoyable love story that dares to dip a toe into bleak social and political history.”
-Kirkus Reviews

“I don’t have enough words to say how unbelievably incredible this book is…I am a huge fan of Ms Matthews, her writing is always flawless and articulate, but this simply is in a league of its own… ‘The Matrimonial Advertisement’ is a lot darker that what we have come to expect from Ms Matthews, but for me this is Gothic Victorian story-telling at its best. This is how this genre is supposed to be written!…Ms Matthews has out done herself with this, by far one of the best books I have read–ever!…This is a hauntingly beautiful, gripping and heart-wrenching story. It is simply spellbinding!” 
-Chicks, Rogues and Scandals

“This is an irresistible romance with the added frisson of gothic fear. At a time in Victorian Britain when a woman belonged entirely to her father, guardian or husband, can Helena ever be free to love and live as she wishes? Mimi’s writing style is engaging, and we are plunged immediately into Helena’s predicament. Secrets are gradually revealed, adding depth to our understanding of the main characters. This is Miss Matthews’ best book so far and it is only the first in a new series!” 
-Lizanne Lloyd, Lost in a Good Book

“This delightful Victorian love story took me away to another time and another place for a few blissful hours. Mimi Matthews is a wonderful storyteller. She creates very likeable, memorable, layered characters that quickly feel like friends. Her style is naturally elegant and warmly flowing, full of historical detail and charm…this is the second of her fictional works that I’ve devoured and I’m looking forward to more.” -Jayne Fresina, bestselling author of Once Upon a Kiss

“Since I first read the sample chapters, I’ve been eager to read this book. Mimi Matthews does not disappoint. She lures the reader in for an emotional journey. Full of romance and heart, The Matrimonial Advertisement takes a marriage of convenience, a pinch of Beauty and the Beast, and some truly engrossing social history and brings to life a satisfying romantic tale. I look forward to more from this talented author!” -Lena Goldfinch, bestselling author of The Unexpected Bride

“The Matrimonial Advertisement is a Victorian romance in all its glory…Mimi Matthews definitely knows how to present historical facts effectively and without sounding bookish…a delightful treat for Jane Austen and historical fiction fans.” -Readers’ Favorite, 5-Stars

“If I could only have one book for the rest of my life, it would be this one. This is my first time reading anything by Mimi Matthews, but rest assured, I now need anything that this incredible author has ever written. The characters were outstanding, developed with complexity and a humanity all their own. The setting and scenery were described with such perfection that I was able to see the circumstances through the characters’ eyes with ease. Both Helena and Justin are forever etched onto this reader’s heart, and I greatly look forward to expanding my Mimi Matthews library.” -Stacie, NetGalley

About the Author:


Mimi Matthews (A Victorian Lady’s Guide to Fashion and Beauty, The Lost Letter) writes both historical non-fiction and traditional historical romances set in Victorian England. Her articles on nineteenth-century history have been published on various academic and history sites, including the Victorian Web and the Journal of Victorian Culture, and are also syndicated weekly at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.

For more information, please visit Mimi Matthews’ website and blog. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, BookBub, Pinterest, Google+, and Goodreads.


Enter the Giveaway!

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on September 18th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

The Matrimonial Advertisement

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