The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter: A Victorian Romance by Mimi Matthews Published by Perfectly Proper Press on January 23rd 2018
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England, 1861. A world-weary rake and a prim vicar's daughter are thrown together during a holiday house party. Will they discover there's more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?
A WORLD-WEARY RAKE
After years of unbridled debauchery, Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton has hit proverbial rock bottom. Seeking to escape his melancholy, he takes refuge at one of Victorian society’s most notorious house parties. As the Christmas season approaches, he prepares to settle in for a month of heavy drinking…until an unexpected encounter changes his plans—and threatens his heart.
A PRIM VICAR'S DAUGHTER
Valentine March is not the drab little spinster she appears to be. When her new job as a lady’s companion lands her smack in the middle of Yorkshire with England’s most infamous rake, she resolves to keep her head down and her eyes fixed firmly on her future—a future which most definitely does not include a sinfully handsome viscount.
A MATCH MADE IN SCANDAL
A friendship is impossible. An affair out of the question. But when one reckless act binds them together, will two star-crossed souls discover there’s more to each other than meets the eye? Or will revelations from the past end their fragile romance before it begins?
~~Reviewed by Amy~~
I was hooked on Mimi Matthews after reading The Lost Letter. And her newest, The Viscount and the Vicar’s Daughter, has only fed my addiction more. Like her earlier book, this was a wonderful Victorian tale of two people from different worlds. Virtual strangers who fall in love and must overcome misunderstandings and family interference on their path to true love. And most importantly, it’s another beautifully romantic story that will tug at your heart strings.
Years ago, Tristan Sinclair, Viscount St. Ashton, had been accused by his father and brother of ruining a young woman. He’d denied it, but they hadn’t believed him. Once the truth came out and Tristan’s innocence was revealed, it had been too late. Tristan couldn’t forgive his brother and father for their lack of faith in him. He’d parted ways and began years of drunken debauchery. Though he’d given up the carousing and gambling some time ago, he did spend most of his time alone and drunk. And now he was attending a house party where debaucheries were the hallmark of the event. But when he finds a young woman crying in a dilapidated folly, his whole world changes. Though dressed in a shapeless gown and wearing spectacles, this prim and proper woman had the face of an angel. He’d thought love at first sight was a laughable idea until he met Miss Valentine March. In that moment he knew she was what he most wanted and needed.
Valentine March had lost her father, the vicar, a year ago. Her mother had died in childbirth. With no relations willing to take her in, Valentine was all on her own and had taken a position as a lady’s companion to Lady Hortensia Brightwell. Now she was attending a house party and answering to every whim of Lady Hortensia and her spoiled and hateful daughter Felicity. When Valentine meets Tristan in the folly, she feels at ease with him. He was a little brutish but he was a gentleman. And he was outrageously handsome. They were both a little discombobulated by each other. The sudden attraction confused them. And the fact that, though strangers, they were telling each other things they’d never told anyone, disconcerted them.
Tristan knew Valentine was an innocent and he meant to only share one chaste kiss. But that kiss was followed by many more. Passionate kisses that they lost themselves in. Until they were discovered by most in attendance at the party. Including Tristan’s father who had come to lay down the law to his errant son. Tristan knew he must do the honorable thing and propose. And frankly, he liked the idea. But his father has other plans for the couple. And unless Tristan is willing to comply, he’ll be cut off completely. Will Val’s and Tristan’s families determine their course or will they be able to follow their hearts?
I couldn’t help but fall in love with Tristan and Val. Both were feeling lost in the world and trying to find their way. I’m so glad they were led to each other. Tristan had lived with his father’s disapproval for so long that he was on the road to becoming the man his father accused him of being. Until he met Val. She was exactly what he needed- innocence, truth, and beauty. She had faith in him. For once, he wanted to be the man his father had hoped he’d be. And with someone believing in him, he had the confidence to do it. Val had never known her mother. The vicar who raised her was not her real father. When he died, she was truly alone. She just wanted a place in the world. To belong. I hurt for her as she finally met her relations. She longed for familial affection and it was sad to see how she was received. She longed for Tristan too. He showed her kindness and affection that was missing in her life. Regardless of how her well-meaning relations tried to chip away at his reputation, Val had faith in Tristan. She just hoped he felt the same about her.
This story had superb pacing and was unbelievably romantic. The familial issues they both had truly supported and wove beautifully into the plot. Miss Matthews’ writing and characterization bring the story and characters to life immediately. If you’re looking for a light-hearted, charming, and completely swoon-worthy romance, you’ll find it in this delightful story.
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
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About Mimi Matthews
Mimi Matthews 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 with both a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. She resides in California with her family, which includes an Andalusian dressage horse, two Shelties, and two Siamese cats.
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