Member Review
Review by
Yvette K, Reviewer
I’ve adored every Mimi Matthews book I have read, but having Ahmad Malik as the hero has sealed this as a favorite. First introduced in the Parish Orphans of Devon series, Ahmad is now working towards having his own dressmaking shop when the patroness he was counting on decides to reject his work. Luckily, he has an intriguing new client in Evelyn Maltravers, who approached him to design and make her riding habits. For Evelyn, their new partnership is about furthering her chances to find a suitably rich husband so that she can maintain her horse, Haphaestus, and pave the way for her younger sisters in London society. But from the first, there is something more between the half-Indian man and the country woman from Sussex.
With the scandals of the past and the prejudices of the present against them, this is a slow burning mixed race, cross class love story that wraps itself around you even as it addresses the spiritualism and colonialism that permeated Victorian society. Evelyn’s strength and Ahmad’s deep respect for women quickly endear them to the reader, while the other leads in this Belles of London series begin to make themselves known.
Even if you have never picked up a Mimi Matthews book, The Siren of Sussex is a fine place to start. Read it for the horses, for the dresses, for the Victorian society setting, or for the wonderful romance. But do read it.
Highly recommended.
This review refers to both a purchased paperback copy and a digital galley that I voluntarily requested and read via NetGalley, courtesy of the author. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.
With the scandals of the past and the prejudices of the present against them, this is a slow burning mixed race, cross class love story that wraps itself around you even as it addresses the spiritualism and colonialism that permeated Victorian society. Evelyn’s strength and Ahmad’s deep respect for women quickly endear them to the reader, while the other leads in this Belles of London series begin to make themselves known.
Even if you have never picked up a Mimi Matthews book, The Siren of Sussex is a fine place to start. Read it for the horses, for the dresses, for the Victorian society setting, or for the wonderful romance. But do read it.
Highly recommended.
This review refers to both a purchased paperback copy and a digital galley that I voluntarily requested and read via NetGalley, courtesy of the author. A positive review was not required and all opinions expressed are my own.
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