The Lost Letter by Mimi Matthews

Synopsis:

A PROUD BEAUTY

Society beauty Sylvia Stafford is far too pragmatic to pine. When the tragic death of her gamester father leaves her destitute and alone, she finds work as a governess in a merchant's household in Cheapside. Isolated from the fashionable acquaintance of her youth, she resigns herself to lonely spinsterhood until a mysterious visitor convinces her to temporarily return to her former life--and her former love.

A SCARRED BEAST

Colonel Sebastian Conrad is no longer the dashing cavalry officer Sylvia once fell in love with. Badly scarred during the Sepoy Rebellion, he has withdrawn to his estate in rural Hertfordshire where he lives in near complete seclusion. Brooding and tormented, he cares nothing for the earldom he has inherited--and even less for the faithless beauty who rejected him three years before.

A SECOND CHANCE

A week together in the remote Victorian countryside is the last thing either of them ever wanted. But when fate intervenes to reunite them, will a beastly earl and an impoverished beauty finally find their happily-ever-after? Or are some fairy-tale endings simply not meant to be?

My Review: 4.5 Stars

My all time favorite retelling is Beauty and the Beast. When I discovered that Ms. Matthews had said retelling, I couldn't wait to read it. 

I adored Sylvia. She's a very likable character. Her life was turned upside down after her father's death and instead of wallowing in grief, she did whatever was necessary to get her life back on track. Some times were harder than others, but for the most part she was happy and content with the new life she had created for herself. 

Sebastian was the perfect broody, cynical beast you come to expect in these stories. And, as I usually do with the beastly characters, I fell in love with him quickly. His life had also been turned upside down upon his return from India. Not only did he have his injuries to deal with, but he had also become the new Earl of Radcliffe after the deaths of his father and brother. 

Seeing Sylvia and Sebastian being reunited and watching them mend their relationship was beautiful. Both of them were willing to do whatever it took to make the other happy, even if that meant Sebastian having to step outside of his comfort zone. They were perfect for each other and I really enjoyed their story.

The only thing that was missing for me was an epilogue. I know.. I know.. I always want an epilogue. But I really, really wanted a bit more of their story. I wanted to see everything come together with my own eyes rather than my imagination.

I have to tell you that I am so glad a few of my bookish friends were insistent on my reading Ms. Matthews books. She was quickly added to my favorite authors list as well as my auto-buy list. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next! 

And of course I can't forget my casting. I'm really loving it. What do you guys think?