Review: The Matrimonial Advertisement/A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
I’ve jumped on the Mimi Matthews bandwagon, and I get why everyone likes her books so much. I’m halfway through her Parish Orphans of Devon series and so far, I’m loving it!
For this review, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on both Book 1 AND Book 2 of the series.
The Matrimonial Advertisement by Mimi Matthews
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 first introduction to Mimi Matthews totally lived up to all the hype. The love story chocked full with romantic tension, the plot that took turns I hadn’t initially expected, and a sigh-worthy hero… It was an Audible listen (with a great narrator!) that I could hardly put down.
After finishing this book, I learned that Mimi is an indie author and that made me all the more impressed. To be such a popular and best-selling author still early in her career is a great accomplishment for anyone, but as an indie author? That is HUGE! She is what all independently published authors aspire to be-and she is the proof that such success is possible outside of the traditional publishing world.
Overall, The Matrimonial Advertisement wins 5/5 Stars!.
A Modest Independence by Mimi Matthews
He Needed Peace…
Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they’re nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can’t remedy. But that’s all over now. He’s finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman.
She Wanted Adventure…
Former lady’s companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she’s at it, so much the better.
From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest-and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you…
I was really excited to read Book 2 in Mimi’s Parish Orphans series, especially because of the idea of traveling across France, the Mediterranian, and India with the characters. However, it didn’t live up all to all of my expectations. I had a harder time connecting with this story than I did with the first book. I think part of it was the fact that I was listening to it on Audible-maybe I would have gotten into the story more if I was reading it in paperback? It was still enjoyable though, and is worth the read or listen. Most other reviews I’ve read for this book have been very favorable, so maybe it’s just me.
4/5 Stars for A Modest Independence.
If you enjoy romantic, clean reads set in Victorian England, Mimi Matthews’s Parish Orphans of Devon series could be the perfect fit for you. I just got Book 3 on my Kindle, and I’m looking forward to reading it soon, so stay tuned for that review!
Please Note: these are clean reads, but not Christian based. There are some instances of mild language.