This is another beautifully written Victorian romance from Mimi Matthews—a story full of quiet tension, heartfelt stakes, and the kind of slow-burn longing she does so well. Matthews creates such an immersive world that it’s easy to slip right into the lives of her characters, rooting for them as they navigate duty, desire, and the constraints of their time.
What really stood out to me in this one was the tenderness between the main characters. Their connection grows with such care, and Matthews balances vulnerability with both humor and charm. I also loved the way she weaves in themes of trust, healing, and second chances without ever losing the focus of the romance itself.
The pacing of the book was a bit slow for me – the emotional payoff is lovely, but I would have loved more time with the characters together. Still, this is a story that will satisfy both longtime fans and new readers.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Well removed from London’s more curious eyes, the Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies strives toward one clandestine to distract, disrupt, and discredit men in power who would seek to harm the advancement of women—by appropriate means, of course.
When intrepid newspaper editor Miles Quincy starts to question the school’s intentions, the Academy appoints Penelope “Nell” Trewlove, one of their brightest graduates, to put this nuisance to rest. An easy enough mission, she supposes. Or it would be, if Miles wasn’t so fascinating—too fascinating to resist—and if Nell’s visit to London didn’t perfectly coincide with the murder of one of Miles’s reporters.
When the inexorable claws of fate trap Nell and Miles in a compromising situation, they agree to an arrangement that will save their reputations while enabling them to investigate the story that led to a man’s death, as well as the surprising chemistry between them . . .
