Rules for ruin

After spending the last five years in Paris, Euphemia Flite thought she was done with her old alma mater, Miss Corvus' Benevolent Academy for the Betterment of Young Ladies. It turns out that Miss Corvus has one last task for her star pupil. While pretending to enjoy the season in London, Euphemia must dig up any dirt that could ruin Lord Compton's political career. However, there is one major obstacle in Euphemia's path in the person of Gabriel Royce, who has his own interest in maintaining Lord Compton's prominent place in Parliament. Matthews (The Lily of Ludgate Hill, 2024) launches her new Victorian-set Crinoline Academy series with a perfect sense of aplomb, delivering a refreshingly sweet yet heart-meltingly romantic storyline that is graced with a cast of superbly nuanced characters and enhanced by its impeccable attention to historical detail (with bonus points given for the clever repurposing of ladies' crinolines and embroidered samplers).

Two scrappy orphans connect when they infiltrate London's high society in this splashy Victorian series launch from Matthews (the Belles of London series). Effie Flite and Gabriel Royce both have their sights set on Viscount Compton, albeit for very different reasons. Compton is blocking a women's rights bill in parliament and firebrand Effie seeks to orchestrate his ruin by digging up dirt on his past. Meanwhile, Gabriel needs Compton's social influence to secure funds to reform the Rookery, the London slum where his betting shop is located. Though Effie and Gabriel's conflicting goals put them at odds, attraction and mutual admiration develop across their meetings, intensified by a kiss shared after Gabriel rescues Effie, who is afraid of heights, from a balcony. It's refreshing to see characters from the lowest echelons of society star in a historical romance, and Matthews expertly fleshes out both leads' Dickensian backstories to explore class, gender, and racial inequality. Their romantic relationship primarily grows in moments of danger and tragedy, which leads to an intense connection, though some readers will wish they got to see how these two would relate in quieter moments as well. Still, the plentiful action keeps the pages turning. It's a moving exploration of family, identity, and personal freedom. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (May)

Matthews's ("Belles of London" books) vivacious series opener introduces Euphemia Flite, a woman on a dual mission--to gain her independence while discrediting Lord Compton, who is blocking a women's-rights bill in Parliament. Meanwhile, Gabriel Royce, who owns a betting shop in the rookeries of St. Giles, also has his eye on Compton, but for a different reason. Gabriel seeks to gain Compton's favor to help him shore up the neighborhood. Although Euphemia and Gabriel seem at odds, they have more in common than they realize, and the chemistry between them fairly sizzles. Blending historical romance with a touch of mystery, Matthews's story features intrigue, adventure, and plenty of delightfully repurposed crinolines. Knowelden narrates Euphemia's chapters with a youthful confidence that masks her insecurities, perfectly matching Euphemia's character. Watt narrates Gabriel's chapters, giving him the aura of a mysterious man who has experienced violence but still harbors a tender heart. Both characters are fully developed and engaging in their own right. VERDICT This refreshing romp will leave listeners wanting to dive right back into Matthews's well-described world. An action-packed romance, recommended for fans of India Holton's The Secret Service of Tea and Treason.--Amber Owrey