Author: Mimi Matthews
Publisher: Berkley
Series: Belles of London #4
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 388
Date of Publication: November 19, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
DESCRIPTION:
A silver-haired equestrienne and a charismatic artist turn a scandalous bargain into a vibrant portrait of love.
Stella Hobhouse is a brilliant rider, stalwart friend, skilled sketch artist—and completely overlooked. Her outmodish gray hair makes her invisible to London society. Combined with her brother’s pious restrictions and her dwindling inheritance, Stella is on the verge of a lifetime marooned in Derbyshire as a spinster. Unless she does something drastic…like posing for a daring new style of portrait by the only man who’s ever really seen her.
Aspiring painter Edward “Teddy” Hayes knows true beauty when he sees it. He would never ask Stella to risk her reputation as an artist’s model but in the five years since a virulent bout of scarlet fever left him partially paralyzed, Teddy has learned to heed good fortune when he finds it. He’ll do anything to persuade his muse to pose for him, even if he must offer her a marriage of convenience.
After all, though Teddy has yearned to trace Stella’s luminous beauty on canvas since their chance meeting, her heart is what he truly aches to capture….
MY THOUGHTS:
In the fourth and final book of the enchanting Belles of London series, Stella Hobhouse and Edward “Teddy” Hates, both overlooked due to their outward appearances, discover a profound connection. Stella, at 22, is prematurely gray-haired and destined for a life of obscurity, while Teddy, confined to a wheelchair, is a talented painter yearning to capture Stella’s true beauty.
Despite their shared desire to express their artistic talents, their budding romance is met with societal disapproval, especially since Stella is unmarried. However, their initial interactions reveal a deep bond forming between them. Stella’s limited time in London soon leads her back home to her brother and her beloved horse, as she is a skilled horsewoman.
As they exchange letters, feelings of affection blossom between Teddy and Stella. Both individuals face life’s frustrations, driven by their desire for independence. Stella’s overbearing brother restricts her choices, while Teddy’s loving sister, though well-intentioned, overprotects him to the point of suffocation.
In a moment of ingenuity, Teddy proposes a marriage of convenience, a union that could grant both of them the independence they seek. However, doubts arise—are they truly seeking this arrangement, or do they harbor deeper desires? What of their future together? These questions linger as Teddy and Stella embark on a journey that could lead to a far more profound love story than a mere marriage of convenience.
What a delightful story by Mimi Matthews! This series has been a joy to read, but this particular book holds a special place in my heart because of how Stella and Teddy transcended the judgments of others. However, their journey wasn’t without its challenges, but by delving into this captivating tale, we witness their triumphs and the joys that life has in store for them.
I’ll miss these remarkable horsewomen we’ve encountered throughout the series. While Stella’s story is a standout, previous books offer heartwarming tales of Evelyn, Julia and Anne. Each emotionally charged story in this compelling series could be read as a standalone, but their exceptional quality makes them an enjoyable read in their entirety.
Many thanks to Berkley and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
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