A Modest Independence

By: Mimi Matthews

Narrated by: Alex Wyndham

Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's Summary

"Fans of the series will enjoy exploring secondary characters' lives and the truly heroic compromises Tom makes to be with the woman he loves." (Library Journal) 

He needed peace....

Solicitor Tom Finchley has spent his life using his devious intellect to solve the problems of others. As for his own problems, they're nothing that a bit of calculated vengeance can't remedy. But that's all over now. He's finally ready to put the past behind him and settle down to a quiet, uncomplicated life. If only he could find an equally uncomplicated woman. 

She wanted adventure....

Former lady's companion Jenny Holloway has just been given a modest independence. Now, all she wants is a bit of adventure. A chance to see the world and experience life far outside the restrictive limits of Victorian England. If she can discover the fate of the missing Earl of Castleton while she's at it, so much the better. 

From the gaslit streets of London to the lush tea gardens of colonial India, Jenny and Tom embark on an epic quest - and an equally epic romance. But even at the farthest edges of the British Empire, the past has a way of catching up with you....

©2019 Mimi Matthews (P)2019 Audible, Inc.

Train travel heaven & such beautiful narration

I'm a sucker for stories set on epic train journeys in exotic climes. And such wonderful, subtle character building too. Perfect. Plus the narration is some of the best I've heard. Alex Wyndham gives so much to the story. Looooove!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Beautifully written and narrated!

I am thoroughly enjoying this series. The second book was even better than the first! Alex Wyndham does a wonderful job with the narration making it all the more enjoyable. Highly recommend!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Wonderful journey for my journey! Thank you!

Listened to this non stop on a cross country trip and arrived when it finished. Great atmosphere and narrator.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Modest indeed

Even the amazing Alex Wyndham couldn’t turn this plot and these characters around. Book was way too long -unless you like endless travelogues- and Jenny Holloway is one of the least engaging characters I’ve ever encountered. By the end, was rooting for the charming hero to drop her and move on. Very disappointing sequel to the lovely first book.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I typically enjoy Mimi M's books, but this one !<br />

This book dragged on needlessly (in my humble opinion). I enjoyed the first in the series very much, but in this book I found the characters and angst between them tiresome and repetitive. I am keeping the first in my library but I'll not be listening to this again and so out it goes!
Alex W was, as always , very good.

2 of 3 people found this review helpful

Slow but satisfying

I had been intrigued by Tom and Jenny’s budding relationship since reading The Matrimonial Advertisement, which is the first book in this series by Mimi Matthews. Since I enjoyed the first book so much, I started this one right after. While I like our heroine, Jenny, the “will they - won’t they” between her and Tom became frustrating. I appreciated that they were honest about their feelings for each other from the start, but the back and forth about her not wanting to marry because she desired her independence was tiring. Tom is obviously an honorable man who would never oppress her, so her reluctance to trust him in marriage was baffling. The book was very long, and much of it read like a travelogue of 19th century colonial Egypt and India. I enjoyed it because it was so obviously well researched, but I had to take frequent breaks. (I must say that because of Ms Matthews’ writing I googled Darjeeling and made my Mind up to go there because it is just so beautiful. ) Also well researched was the sepoy rebellions of the 1850s and I appreciated learning so much. But the added information slowed the plot down considerably. I urge other readers to keep going because it is with it. The last four chapters move quickly and make up for the slow middle. Alex Wyndham’s narration is a thing of beauty and I could listen to him read anything.
I’ve already ordered the next book in the series and can’t wait.

Loved it!

This is one of my favorite reads of 2019 and one I will definitely listen to again. So much swoon! So much fantastic tension between hero and heroine. The narrator was fantastic! I loved every word. I have enjoyed all of the books I’ve listened to by Mimi Mathews, and I look forward to more!

Wonderful romance!

This is the second book in Mimi Matthew's "Parish Orphans of Devon" series. I would recommend reading the Matrimonial Advertisement first but this book is every bit as good as the first. These are romantic books, not soft porn, so if you are looking for graphic sex these books won't provide that. They do provide electric chemistry as the relationships deepen. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey that Jenny and Tom take to India- all the while falling in love.

Loved it!

Contrary to all the lukewarm and negative reviews of this book, it was a wonderful story. Loved the complexity of emotions and detailed recounting of their discovery of love. Various settings and the travel stories were not boring at all!! The places that they visited were interesting and the narrative perspective of people and culture was insightful. I really liked the narrator and various voices he was able to play. Thank you for a very entertaining story.

Endearing Loyal Love

Mini Matthews is an insitefull person. The story is believable. All her characters are engaging and real.
Slow and repetitive many times but this is real too We go over and over again the same feeljngs and concerns A lesser amount in a book would be better for this age.
The narration for males was spot on. Women NO !
4.7 stars
Do listen to it!