The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter

 Today, I read another one of Mimi Matthews' books. I liked it better than the Lost Letter but less than the Belles of London series. 

The Viscount and the Vicar's Daughter is about Tristan, the aforementioned viscount, and Valentine, the aforementioned vicars' daughter, meeting at a house party in the autumn 1861 and falling in love at first sight. 

Tristan is the heir of an earl and always felt the burden of his duties weighting on his shoulders. To escape, he grew many bad habits such as drinking, gambling and playing with lots of women. Throughout the years, he acquired a quite bad reputation. But since he's still an heir, many women want to marry their daughters to him.

It's the case for Lady Brightwell and her daughter, Felicity. They came at the Fairford party, bringing along their maids and lady companion, Valentine March, with the idea of making Tristan fall in love with Felicity. But the lady's daughter is a spoiled brat with a really bad temper and it's because she destroyed Valentine's most cherished keepsake that the poor girl is caught crying outside by Tristan. That's how they meet for the first time. Her, wearing plain clothes and crying her heart out and him, still dressed in his riding habit and suffering a night of drinking. Not the best start for a relationship but it works for them. I won't say too much of what happens later on because I think it's a rather enticing story but I'd like to talk more about these two. 

Valentine is a darling. She never knew her mother and grew up with her father and God. She loves the Bible and would like to roam the world to share the words of God. She never knew anything outside of her sheltered life. But her father died and, having no other relations, she had to seek employment as a lady's companion. I love her. I love Valentine!!! I find her sweet and kind and I love how her relation to faith is written in the story. She chooses to trust Tristan even when everyone around tell her he's not worth it. She's lovely!!!

As for Tristan, he's a comical character. A bit of a cliché in a sense but it's not a bad thing. It's just so funny to me when he's talking about how he used to love drinking and women but then he met Valentine and now he's ready for a new life and such. I love that his character has more depth than that and I love how tender and sweet he's with Valentine but I just can't help finding him sooooo funny... I like him better than Sebastian from The Lost Letter, thought, because he feels like a unique character in Mimi Matthews' universe. He's not some draft for someone else. Or, at least, I haven't met this other him yet and, for that, I like him more. 

One thing I really appreciate in Mimi Matthews' way of writing, is how she puts down such lovely and romantic declarations. Again, it's full of clichés but that's what make it all the more endearing. I loved it so much when Tristan quoted back the Bible verse Valentine told him the first time they talked. Like, YESSSSS!!!! Of course!!!!!! 

I'm really looking forward her next book! I'll be starting the Parish Orphans of Devon series and I can't wait to find myself committed to a new set of characters again!!! She has a real strength when it comes to creating lovely characters all connected to each other!