This was another beautiful, heartfelt romance from Mimi Matthews. I loved Meg and Ivo’s story and how they grew from friends to something more. I appreciated that these characters weren’t perfect; we could see their impetuousness and immaturity, but we also saw how they learned and grew. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

I love this series so much! And this book is maybe my new favorite of the four.

After reading the third book, Return to Satterthwaite Court, I wasn’t sure that I would love Ivo & Meg’s story… but oh my goodness I was wrong. I ADORED this story.

Forbidden love, friends to lovers, mutual pining… The pacing and progression of the relationship was perfect. So many lovely moments. So many heart wrenching moments.

The standout thing for me was watching Meg’s character development. The way her friendship with Ivo affects everything in her life. The way she comes into her own.

I love the groundwork that was laid for James & Hannah’s story! I want this series to just go on forever, please and thank you.

Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the chance to review an advance copy.

I only wish that we could've had just as much insight into the courtship as we did for the friendship. Loved the forbidden love. Loved Meg's stutter rep and Ivo's spectacles. Loved the overlap with Kate's romance story.

Meg Burton-Smythe has been brought up by a series of nursemaids, servants and governesses as her mother died giving birth to her. Her cold and distant father has always resented her. Her brother has been absent for some time avoiding the cold atmosphere at home leaving her a lonely existence. By chance Meg encounters Ivo Beresford, the younger son of her father's hated neighbour. They strike up a friendship gradually despite Megs misgivings she finds she is warming to him despite the potential for disaster. Another beautifully written story of love in the Victorian age.

This is a lovely story about the romance between Meg Burton-Smythe, 18, and Ivo Beresford, 23, who although they grew up on neighboring estates had little interaction due to longstanding discord between their families.

Ivo has recently returned from his Grand Tour and other travels that have kept away from home for two years. A second son, he wants to build something of his own, apart from his family, and is working with friends to get local support to bring a railroad to Somerset. Meg and Ivo meet when he assists Meg after she has fallen from her horse and hurt her ankle. Despite family friction, the two agree to meet again to ride together. A friendship grows from this interaction, which eventually turns into love.

Needless to say, neither of their families are happy about the relationship once it comes to light. Meg’s father, Sir Frederick, who was the villain in an earlier book in the series (Gentleman Jim) has not aged gracefully. He is a cold, self-centered, dissatisfied man who suffers from gout. He has essentially neglected Meg for her entire life, leaving her upbringing to her governess and other servants. Ivo enjoyed a happier childhood with his parents, Lord and Lady Allendale, and his three siblings. However, his family is also shocked when they first learn of his interest in Meg.

Meg and Ivo are a charming couple and it’s rewarding to watch them grow individually and as a couple while they learn to navigate misunderstandings and family tensions. Although Ivo initially wants to simply ignore the past, they realize that must find a way to acknowledge it so that they can move forward with their familes’ agreement, if not approval.

This is a delightful addition to the Somerset series, providing a story that overlaps in timing with the previous entry, #ReturntoSatterthwaiteCourt. It can most likely stand on its own, however there's an added dimension for those who have read the previous stories. It was wonderful to spend more time with the Beresford family.

Thanks to #NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for the ARC!

We're back to the world of the Beresfords and this time the Burton-Smythes are involved too.

Forbidden romance is one of my least favorite romance tropes. I still like it because I'm a sucker for romance, but it's my least favorite because I just generally don't like feuds and anyone being forbidden from falling in love with anyone based on their family or some history. Thankfully, Ivo Beresford agrees with me and is ready to make friends with whomever he thinks is interesting (and pretty), regardless of family history.

As usual with Mimi Matthews, the setting was lovely and historically accurate, the characters were lovable, yet flawed, some people can be redeemed more than others, and we had a good dose of pining.

If I was going to be nit picky about things, I didn't love that basically this entire book is set at the same time as Return to Satterwaithe Court. The way RSC went, I thought this one would overlap a little bit and then go from there. But instead about 80% of the books overlapped in timeline and only the last 20% percent happened after RSC ended. Not enough for me to drop the ranking, but just something that wasn't my favorite. Can't wait for James' story!!

Thanks to Netgalley and Perfectly Proper Press for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

I believe this may be my favorite book in this series so far! I just love Meg and Ivo's interactions.

Of course, I am partial to Meg as a fellow redhead. The cover of this book is beautiful. But more than that, the story inside is also.

Friendship blossoms between the children of enemy families. The author helps us see how each of the characters is affected by the friendship turned romance. I also appreciated that Meg has a stutter. I can't wait to listen to the audiobook version to see how the narrator
incorporates this. The narrator for this series is one of my absolute favorites!


I loved the fact that this book basically takes place at the same time as Return to Satterthwaite Court but from a different perspective.

This is the 4th in the Somerset Stories series by Mimi Matthews. I highly recommend reading them in order. They each build on thr previous book.

“They’re fully aware you have my heart,” he said. “And once a Beresford man loses his heart, he’s lost it forever. There’s no going back.” ~ Ivo

The Beresford sons (and daughter, Kate) are forces to be reckoned, just as their father before them. And with the fierce and passionate Magaret Honeywell as their mother, there is nothing that will stand in the way of their desires. Be it endeavors in society or love. In book three we saw Kate stop at nothing to garner Charles Heywood’s affection. And while Ivo isn’t looking for love, only investors, when he returns home, he stumbles upon the most forbidden fruit in land, Meg Burton-Smythe.

Meg has been overlooked by her peers because of her shy ways, frustrating stammer and her stern, hate-filled father. But Ivo ever one to throw caution to the wind in the name of progress, seeks a friendship that quickly becomes more, though neither are willing to admit it.

If you follow me you know how much I love Mimi’s books. They are filled with so much amazing historical detail, strong, admirable female MCs, the most dashing and daring male MCs, and epic romance. When I first picked up this story I was worried that Meg would be a wallflower in Mimi’s garden of vivid and striking blooms, but as the story evolved so did Meg. She found her voice, her strength, her backbone. She came alive with the help of Ivo. All it took was some tender, loving care.

I was afraid this Romeo and Juliet forbidden love story wouldn’t have a happy ending. I couldn’t see a way forward for the two of them, but Mimi worked her magic and did a wonderful job of bringing Meg and Ivo together. I loved seeing the old characters and the new, but most of all I loved seeing the relationship between Fred and Meg change. While it was subtle and fragile, it was a beautiful thing for her to realize that different people express love in many different ways.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Netgalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

@mimimatthewsesq #appointmentinbath #somersetstories #historicalromance #historicalfiction #victorianromance #cleanromance #bookstagram #netgalley

Will love be redeemed?

Poor Margaret (Meg) Burton-Smythe named for her father’s obsession and heart’s desire. Margaret Honeywell had spurned Sir Frederick Burton-Smyth for her love, John Beresford, Earl of Allendale. An occasion that gave rise to an intense enmity between the Burton-Smythe’s and the Beresford’s. A hatred that spilled over decades and was implacable

The short story?
Meg first meets Ivo Beresford when she’s fallen from her horse and sprained her ankle. All Meg can see is an incredibly handsome knight on a shining white horse
Meetings of friendship lead to feelings of the heart. Ivo persuades Meg to attend a small dance at his home. She’s unchaperoned but that can’t be helped. Having been refused the use of the family carriage Meg walks across the moonlit, snow covered fields to Beasley Park. Once there, she realizes from the shock on everyone’s face that Ivor has not told his family about her. She is dismayed, and at the first opportunity runs home back through those same fields. Meg flees her home for Bath and her accepting governess the very next day.
I was glued to the interactions between Meg and her father, and Meg and the servants. Megs shocked when she realizes her father didn’t name her after Ivo’s mother out of love, but for revenge!
Likewise Ivo’s machinations whilst somewhat understandable to us, are short sighted and uncaring of Meg, impressed with his own cleverness, not his parents or Meg’s pain.

The longer explanation takes us through Meg and Ivo’s daily interactions, Ivo’s carelessness and belief he will cleverly supply the healing to the family frictions (something he does not understand), Meg’s treatment by her father, her dreams and endeavours, her fears of failure, her mastery over her stutter. Ivo might help Meg to find her way forward, but it’s Meg who takes action.
A totally satisfying read in the Somerset series, despite the intricate relationships.

A Victory Editing ARC via NetGalley.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Ivo Beresford & Meg Burton-Smythe have lived next door their entire lives and finally become friends and maybe more? Their main obstacle to happiness is their feuding fathers.

All Meg wants is a season in Bath where she can enter society in a less stressful and stutter-inducing environment. All Ivo wants is the railroad to have a platform stop in their hometown and he needs her father's stamp of approval to seal the deal. Their budding friendship is a secret, and anything more would be impossible given the animosity between their families.

There's not a whole lot of plot here. I kept expecting something more dramatic to happen. There's a Romeo & Juliet, friends-to-lovers trope and a family feud that started in "Gentleman Jim" and has caught up to the next generation. They've just got to get everyone to finally get along. It was way low key and not a very memorable read, yet still very well written. I'm a sucker for a leading man in spectacles so I have to give it a four.

Great news! It looks like Matthews is planning to continue the series with the love story of Ivo's older brother James and Charles Heywood's heterochromatic sister Hannah. Mimi Matthews is an auto-read for me. Even when she does low key, she can do no wrong.

Another lovely story by Mimi Matthews! Although Appointment in Bath started off a little slower than Return to Satterthwaite Court, it gained momentum and culminated in a fantastic ending. This one is a Romeo and Juliet tale with Ivo Beresford and Meg Burton-Smythe as the star-crossed protagonists, fighting against their feelings for each other and their parents' decades-long feud. Mimi Matthews is so skilled at building the Regency world, creating distinct characters and tender but clean love scenes, and compelling plots that keep your attention. I'm assuming there will be two more books in the series because there are two more Beresford stories to be told and I can't wait to read them.

Absolutely breathtaking from the beautiful cover to the beautifully written book inside. Captivating story of two people meant to be enemies but discover so much more!! A friendship that makes you want to weep! Ivo and Meg who wouldn't fall in love with these two?! Enjoy this book the journey is beyond wonderful! Kudos to Ms. Matthews.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. All my opinions are my own.



Will be posting on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Goodreads and Kobo.

A lovely romance. Meg is 18 years old, a beautiful, innocent girl with a stammer. Ivo is 23 years old, a handsome young man who has just returned from touring the continent and who believes in progress. And their families hate each other. A chance encounter between Meg and Ivo is the start of a friendship between the two likable young people. At the start of the story, I was a little put off that the couple was so young but the characters both were strong, had depth and learned from their mistakes. They were genuine with unique issues and strengths. Although this is the 3rd book in the series, it is a stand alone read and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

The supremely talented Mimi Matthews gives readers the fourth installment of her enjoyable Somerset Stories series. "Appointment in Bath" features a Beresford sibling who pursues a Burton-Smythe. Her audience finally gets to see more of the antagonist from "Gentleman Jim", Sir Frederick Burton-Smythe.

This tale is simply wonderful. Matthews' characters come to life. Despite her horrible father, the darling Meg Burton-Smythe manages to remain sweet and unspoiled. While Ivo Beresford is naive perhaps (with awkward results), he is nevertheless a charming hero. The action of this book overlaps with that of the previous one, albeit from an entirely different perspective.

Matthews' prose is evocative, and this book is well-edited and clean. Her attention to historical detail is evident here. Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors, and she never disappoints.

This novel technically stands alone. However, some events in earlier books enhance understanding here, plus I personally like to read series in order. I look forward to the next tale. Will Viscount St. Clare be next to be hit by Cupid's arrow? The off-screen Roddy Burton-Smythe is worthy of his own story.

Thanks to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for an ARC of this engaging work.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Mimi Matthews is one of the greatest historical romances authors writing today. All of her books are unputdownable, and this one is no different.
And wow! Was this good! An excellent Victorian romance that I didn't know how much I was craving until I began this story. This gorgeously written historical novel was amazing. It was absolutely lovely! Think Jane Austen, Mary Balogh, Julie Klassen - that level of quality of writing. There are so many books in the market nowadays, and one can only read so much, so use your precious time in reading this! This one stands out from the rest because of its unique plot, and the wonderful atmosphere of the novel. Every phrase was poetry, and the descriptions were so vivid it was like I was there. It short, it was unputdownable.
This book was everything I had been wanting and missing. Excellent dialogue, solid world building, an independent, likeable heroine, a perfect romance. I just savored each page and was very sorry when it ended. I will definitely be buying this book in print! TEN STARS!

A little slow and lacking in tension. The characters were fleshed out enough for this novella, but something about the story arc itself dragged. There just wasn’t a ton of interaction of chemistry between the leads to make their connection really resonate. The prior installment had a lot of teeth for a novella, so this one fell a little flat. The villain also came around in a way that didn’t really ring true for his character. He was so villainous right up until he wasn’t. I always like Mimi Matthews, though. Her work is like a vacation that still retains authentic historical elements.

Where to begin? Mimi Matthews has done it again! A perfectly lovely forbidden romance, that deftly handles family issues, redemption, and coming into one's own.

Meg Burton-Smythe, shy daydreamer, and not out yet in society, is rescued by a charming, golden-haired knight, who turns out to be the son of her father's sworn enemy. As Meg tires to find her voice and place in her father's heart, and the world, her interest in Ivo Beresford might prove her undoing.

Ivo Beresford, handsome and charming, and pushing forward into future development and technology, has no time to nurse grudges of the long-time family feud. When he meets Meg, his attraction for her begins as friendship, and he doesn't seem to worry too much about the family history that has fueled the feud between his parents and Meg's father.

I really adored Meg in this story. Despite her stammering and shyness, she begins to stand up for herself, and is able to see the things that Ivo seems to want to ignore. Her fire and spirit are a good match for Ivo's energetic bouncing ahead into the future - even when it might not be the wisest course of action.

I also really loved that Meg and Ivo spent a lot of time getting to know each other as friends. Of course it was always skirting the border of propriety, but it was such a lovely enemies-to friends-to lovers progression. There were just such lovely moments with the two of them.

Another thing that impressed me was how Mimi Matthews was able to share more about Meg's father, Sir Frederick, in a way that didn't completely forgive his villainous deeds, but also allowed him humanity, and growth as an adult. His partial redemption arc that played out in the background, was deftly handled.

I really do think that all of Mimi Matthews's works would make such lovely television series. There is so much humour, romance, wit, and loveliness in them, and this novel is no exception to those qualities. I highly recommend you check it out when it arrives on 27 June, 2023.

Thank you to Mimi Matthews, Perfectly Proper Press, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

{“Is love not something you need?”}

The Romeo and Juliet vibes were immaculate ✨

Ivo & Meg, oh how I adored their story ♥️ Simply beautiful and very well written. Another smashing success for Mimi Matthews!

{Meg had his heart absolutely.}

Could Sir Frederick have a soft heart hidden beneath his hideous actions?! I still despise his very essence, but I will say he was moderately decent towards the end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Perfectly Proper Press for the opportunity to read the ARC of this immaculate story!

**Review will be published on my site and socials on release day!**

I LOVE MEG.

She was the best part of this whole book. I LOVED her journey. She learned who she was, stood up for herself to those around her and just did the dang thing. I loved her character and she’s a new favorite.

And I’m obsessed with this whole series. I love that we get this second generation of stories now because I’m even more in love with the whole family. I adored Ivo as well. He went on a good journey too and I appreciated his sunshine energy. The balance of friendship to romance was well paced and you could feel the tension between these two, even though the romance is forbidden (you know you want to read it now).

I’m such a Mimi Matthews fan. Her books add this perfect level of edge to the historical genre without adding spice. There’s romantic ball scenes, horse rides through the countryside and secret meetings. I LOVED IT ALL.

Overall audience notes:

Historical Romance
Language: none
Romance: kisses
Violence: low

This was stunning! The plot was well-paced and captivating from start to finish. The characters were well-developed; complex, and intriguing. I highly recommend this beautiful telling of the power of love. Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.