The Matrimonial Advertisement follows the story of Helena, a woman escaping her uncle's attempts to steal her inheritance, who answers an advertisement for a wife in a remote section of Devon. She meets Justin, an ex-army captain with his own secrets, and they both find solace and protection in each other. The book delves into the characters' past traumas, slowly developing their relationship from caution to friendship, trust, and eventually love. The plot unfolds with a Beauty and the Beast feel, highlighting themes of redemption, protection, and facing fears head-on, set against a Victorian Gothic romance backdrop.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions of physical and emotional abuse, themes of mental health, and implications of institutionalization.
Has Romance?
The story contains a significant romantic element, focusing on the evolving relationship between the main characters.
From The Publisher:
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, firmly established in the grandest house in King's Abbot, 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?
Ratings (5)
Loved It (1) | |
Liked It (1) | |
It Was OK (2) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (24):
Read It (6) | |
Want To Read (14) | |
Not Interested (4) |
2 comment(s)
Not the best book I've ever read, but the perfect read to get me out of a slump. I kept picking up books and then putting them down, so I'm happy to have found one I can enjoy finishing!
I'm pretty new to Mimi Matthews as an author, but so far, the works I've seen from her have been enjoyable! I've already put a hold on the second book in this series, and I have high hopes that it will be as much fun as this one.
I recently discovered Mimi Matthews when I read
A Holiday by Gaslight. It was a short novella but I was really excited to delve into a longer novel of hers. The Matrimonial Advertisement is a enjoyable read. Solid 3 stars. I liked the main characters and the way their relationship develops. There were some funny lines. It could've been added half a star but it started to drag a little in the middle and the plot line about Giles seemed a bit too absurd for my tastes. I probably won't read the rest of the series. I didn't really like Jenny or Alex overly much to bother reading the next one and the two after that don't quite grab me. But I'll definitely keep my eye out for future Mimi Matthew releases.
What can you read after
The Matrimonial Advertisement?
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper historical romances, including Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Indie Romance of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion. Mimi's novels have received starred reviews in Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Kirkus, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine. In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.
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