Oh. My. Goodness.

Everytime I read a Mimi Matthews book, I feel so content and fulfilled by the end of it. I know that the whole promise of the romance genre is to deliver that HEA, but a Mimi Matthews story does it with a grace that just sweeps me away.

Her newest book, releasing Nov 10, is the story of Maggie and Nicholas. It's childhood friends, first love, and forbidden love tropes from the start but then turns into much more. Maggie is the daughter of a country squire and Nicholas is the stable boy. Neighbor Fred also grows up with them, the son of a Baron, and he despises Nicholas and wants Maggie for himself. Fred schemes to frame Nicholas for theft, and Maggie helps him escape. Nicholas disappears to search for his legendary highwayman father, Gentleman Jim. That's all in the prologue.

It's 10 years later, and Maggie is being "forced" through her father's will to marry Fred or lose everything. She has 6 months to find her way out of the mess. She visits a friend in London where she meets Lord St. Clare. He's a mysterious grandson of an Earl who was born and raised in the continent and returns to the ton to find a wife. And Maggie is positive he is Nicholas. He assures her that he is not.

This book has adventure, mystery, multiple villains, and so much heart. Maggie is a great main character who has found herself in a tough spot but fights for her own happiness. There's definite nods to The Count of Monte Cristo and Tom Jones in the story, which adds to the feeling of reading an epic and classic love story. I highly recommend any book by Mimi Matthews, and this is one of her best!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved it! What a tale! We all know that romances have HEAs, but this time I genuinely was not sure how they could possibly have an HEA. So beautifully written and wonderfully compelling. I devoured this book in a matter of hours.

Oh My.....My Gosh.....Dang Girl! Man alive that was a good romance! Swooning, sighing and so happy and sad it's done. Mimi out did herself with this one. There was tension and romance on every page. I never felt for one moment I was not getting thoroughly entertained. I did not want to put this down, I was so mad when I had to go to work. Set this aside if you have that kind of will power and wait till you have a whole Sunday or Saturday to read this. I have loved almost all of Mimi's books, but this is by far my favorite. The two leading characters were so well done. The love story pulls you in from the first pages and doesn't let you go. I was so worried and really wondering at one point and then it all began to click together and I could see how it would all work out. It is a rare author that can get me to feel stressed that things won't work out. I also love how real it all is that you can see that everything won't be sunshine and roses but if the choose they can make the best of it. So wonderful! I can't say enough good:} Mimi if you ever need a cheerleader just message me girl, you are a new favorite of mine.

This was my FAVORITE Mimi Matthews book yet! I've said it before and I'll say it again: There is no need to read any other authors of regency romance except Jane Austen and Mimi Matthews.

This story had all the right elements- strong, independent female, heroic male lead, impossible situation, electric chemistry, mystery/suspense that kept me guessing, and a happy ending where (spoiler alert) the villains get their just desserts.
Is the Viscount St. Clare who he claims to be, or has the earl's ardent desire for an heir caused him to bring an illegitimately born servant into his household? Who was St. Clare's parents, really, and what happened to him in Italy? Will Maggie give up everything for the sake of an old flame who forgot about her?
Mimi Matthews does such a wonnderful job of bringing Regency England to life with all of its cultural challenges and the delightful rivalries of the peerage. But ah, how much better this tale would have been if St. Clare had learned to forgive without revenge (which brings to mind The Count of Monte Cristo, which in the afterward, Mimi even mentioned as being part of the inspiration to this story). This kind of hatred will do him no favors in life. The epilogue felt elementary, like it was written hurriedly, but it wrapped up everything nicely, making this a satisfying read.

While not especially well known, Mimi Matthews is a refreshing addition to the historical romance canon, because her work provides what much the genre eschews: historical accuracy and writing in the style in which the work of its time was crafted. I appreciate her novella or even novella-like format that she often uses, because this kind of story is not especially deep, though it can resonate. This story in particular is much apace with the work of its time - not exactly an adventure story but filled with an adventurous spirit. It was a bit rushed, and while I don’t find big reveal scenes overly satisfying they are a hallmark of the adventure genre and therefor deserving of commendation. While the author mentions Time Jones and The Count of Monte Cristo as direct inspirations, I see a bit of old Hollywood in this, particularly the movies of Errol Flynn and 1930s comedies. Satisfying.

As always Mimi Matthews never disappoints. She has crafted another captivating and intriguing romance that kept me turning the pages. The story was so unique compared to her other novels, but equally as good. St. Claire is one of the most complex heroes that I have read from this author. She really knows how to capture the essence and emotions of characters and transfer them to the pages. The romance in this story was slightly less I would say than her previous books, but was completely fitting for the story that was told. I loved this book and would absolutely recommend it to historical romance fans!

Another excellent read by Mimi Matthews!

I first started reading this story when the author shared the serial chapters on her blog. I quickly became engrossed in it and was very happy when she announced the novel.

Nicholas and Maggie practically grew up together but were then separated. It's been 10 years since he left and Maggie has never heard from him again. Imagine her surprise when she goes to meet Viscount St. Clare and she finds Nicholas. Only St. Clare denies he's Nicholas Seaton. He's the grandson of the earl of Allendale and has never heard of the man Maggies thinks him to be.

I loved the story, the hints to The Count of Monte Cristo, to the past between Maggie and Nicholas, and the new attraction between her and St. Clare, and the new friendship that forms from there. There's a lot at stake for Maggie and St. Clare and even though it would be better for them to stay apart, the more time they spend together, the more they can't deny their feelings.

As I've come to expect, it's beautifully written and expertly researched. The settings and secondary characters complete the story but of course it's Maggie and St. Clare who are perfect for each other.

The epilogue was a treat!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

Just when you think Mimi Mathew's books are already perfection, she writes another one that is more amazing than all the rest. Gentleman Jim is action-packed, romantic, and nail-bitingly suspenseful.

Maggie is a headstrong spunky daughter of a squire who is always hanging out with the bastard-born Nicholas Seaton. He has always had her love but her father means for her to marry the neighbor's son, Fred. Nicholas is framed by Fred and flees for his life.
A decade goes by and Nicholas has still not returned but Maggie can not give her heart to another. When the Viscount St Clare comes to town, Maggie sees secrets from the past hidden behind his eyes that others can't see.

There is so much going on in this book I did not want to put it down. I read it in a day. It was that good!
Nicolas and Maggie reminded me of Anne and Wentworth. You just know they were meant to be together.
This book is an absolute must-read! I can already guarantee I will be rereading it for years to come.

5 stars

Excellent story and a clean read for those that are bothered by such things. Nicholas and Maggie have been childhood friends and as teenagers the romance was hotting up. Fred, the local squires son, is jealous, a bully and frames Nicholas who believes he's the illegitimate son of a highwayman: Gentleman Jim of the title. In dire straits, Maggie helps him flee. Ten years later she meets someone who she believes is Nicholas and thus the story progresses. The tale is well told and engaging. I like Mimi's work and I heartlily recommend this tale.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Yesterday I was blessed by the NetGalley gods and Perfectly Proper Press with an e-ARC of Mimi Matthews’s new Regency Romance, Gentleman Jim.

This was my first Mimi Matthews, and certainly not my last. For the past few months I’d been kind of circling her work, but not really diving in because I am a shameless hussy who loves smut and I had heard her books are *clean*. I really enjoy her Twitter presence, and her depth of knowledge on the Victorian era, but I just could not move past the lack of smut.

Wow do I feel stupid currently for having put off her books for so long. Gentleman Jim was such a joy for me! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump for the past few weeks, and have been unable to get interested enough to finish any of the books I’ve been picking up lately. That was not the case with Gentleman Jim; I was immediately sucked in and in fact getting really annoyed at anyone that needed my attention and made me book down the book.

I adored all of the references to The Count of Monte Cristo and The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling. Not to mention both the heroine and hero had amazing chemistry and depth, I felt they leapt off the page!

I’m going to re-read and then come back with a bit of a longer post really getting into the nitty-gritty, as we get closer to the publication date.

Gentleman Jim is due out November 10, 2020.

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press in exchange for a fair and honest review.

https://fleawithadegree.tumblr.com/post/627196499771752448/first-thoughts-on-gentleman-jim-by-mimi-matthews

"Gentleman Jim" is an engrossing Regency romance by Mimi Matthews. Gentleman Jim is central to the plot of this novel, as was Rebecca in Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca". However, this story does not have that sinister gothic tone.

Maggie Honeywell, called a "Pocket Venus" -I love that moniker- during her long ago first Season, has eschewed all suitors, faithful to the long-absent love of her life, Nicholas Seaton. Upon meeting Viscount St. Clare, Maggie is shocked. She believes he is her long lost soulmate Nicholas, something the Viscount denies.

The plot moves along quickly, and the resolution is thankfully hard to predict. This is a serious novel, although Jane Trumble's Aunt Harriet provides some comic relief. The characters are well-developed, even Frederick Burton-Smythe, a bully as a child who remains so as an adult. John Beresford, Viscount St. Clare is really just looking for "home"; he reminds me a bit of Alex Archer in "A Convenient Fiction".

Matthews' prose is always a delight. This book is clean, well-edited, and historically accurate.

Thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for an ARC of this wonderful novel.

SOMEBODY HOLD ME!

So, as standard, I got super excited when I saw the new Mimi Matthews book on Netgalley. It was approved for me to read almost immediately and I had to tell myself, very sternly, that 2am was not an appropriate time to start a new book. I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down and I was right!

As is always the case when I finish reading one of her books, I am convinced that these two may be favourite pairing yet (although, again, I say that after literally every single Mimi Matthews book).

This story is heartbreaking and uplifting all in one breath and, despite the fact that I knew Ms. Matthews would not let me down, I worried that there was no happy ending in store for Nicholas and Maggie.

I admit, I did doubt whether Maggie was right to begin with, purely because of how things were written from St. Clare's side of things but, like Maggie, I hoped soooo badly that she wasn't mistaken!

I loved Allendale and was thrilled to see Jane get her happy ever after too (I was shipping her and Mattingly hard when I was sighing over Nicholas).

Mimi Matthews is up there with the likes of Lisa Kleypas, Julia Quinn and Eloisa James in my all time historical romance authors playlist and this book just solidifies the reason why I get so bloody excited every time I see a new release of hers!