What a magnificent book! I absolutely loved this! Right from the beginning, Siegel establishes Cecilia as a strong, funny, loving young woman. I liked her immediately. She is very much in love but then the worst happens - the plague strikes her household - and she’s soon widowed. I was in actual tears by the time the first chapter had ended.

Cecilia’s grief over her beloved husband’s death is all-consuming when she meets David, a physician who is brought in to see her. David has also recently lost someone important to him and they end up establishing a connection because of it.

The grief is palpable and drives much of the book yet somehow it doesn’t feel weighed down with sadness. The writing in TPB is beautiful and powerful. It’s an exquisitely rendered love story set amid a backdrop of political and social turmoil. The profound relevance of this aspect of the story rather took me by surprise. The characters have just come out the other end of massive political upheaval, endured a plague, and are struggling with religious persecution and bigotry. Their social stability is questionable at best, especially for refugees and minorities. (The Author’s Note at the end has some interesting historical info that I recommend checking out.) David’s Jewishness and the forced relocation of his family from Portugal to England, as well as the relentless disdain he experiences in public, feels so timely.

Siegel has crafted such unique characters and a unique story in The Phoenix Bride. It is a stunning, gorgeous work, a quiet story with weighty and profound themes and exquisite writing. All in all, a very worthy successor to Solomon’s Crown. The rare sophomore effort that bests its predecessor. An absolute must read and a new favorite!

5 stars out of 5

A really lovely, tender story about grief, recovery, identity, and finding the courage to pursue what makes you happy.

Cecilia has lost her great love far too soon. She is languishing in her sister's home, seemingly immune to any cure doctors prescribe. However, David comes along and does what no other doctor has done - he listens. Soon, Cecilia begins to feel again and finds herself falling in love - with David and with London.

The writing is compelling, the story is well-paced, and there is a balance of both heartbreaking moments and joyous ones.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

‘We all have wounds. Even doctors cannot cure an injured heart.’

After only reading one chapter, tears already shone in my eyes. The Phoenix Bride is a historical novel about two people who both lost the love of their lives to the plague. Cecilia her beloved husband Will, David his best friend Manuel.

Natasha Siegel’s writing is gorgeous. Her prose is rich and abundant with beautiful descriptions of the scenery, especially plants and flowers and trees. It made me feel like I was in 1666 London, in the courtyard, the parks, and the busy streets with all the stalls. Cecilia's sadness is immediately palpable. Never one for temperance or self-control, she now is a shadow of the girl she once was. David's grief is far more subtle, a quiet, almost forbidden kind of heartache, tucked far, far away, but so tangible between the lines.

At first glance, David is a confident man, but he feels responsible for everyone he’s lost, even his patients. He’s a Jew, and his faith, his doubts about it, and his restlessness, but also not being wanted in so many places, are an important part of The Phoenix Bride. While reading this story, my heart grew heavy, and my mind wandered to Gaza many times. Jews like David have been chased away over centuries from so many countries, but right now, it’s the Palestinians who are under attack, and at the same time, antisemitism is rampant. It makes me sad and almost desperate.

‘Life has value, regardless of who lives it.’

I loved Natasha’s debut, Solomon’s Crown, but I think this one is even better. It’s a diverse story, not only because of David’s faith but also in sexuality and neurodiversity. The Phoenix Bride is soft and quiet, tender and full of yearning, heartwarming and devastating at times. This book is not a romance. It’s a love story between two people who’ve loved before, see themselves in the mirror of each other’s grief, and find solace in one another.

‘If only we could stay here always, you and I, and pretend the earth is no longer turning.’

Natasha Siegel has cemented herself as an auto-read author for me, and I know she’s writing a sapphic story now, and I can’t wait for it!

Thank you so much, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley, for this beautiful ARC! It’s a story never to forget!

I’ve rated this on storygraph as a 4.5. Thank you for an advanced reader's copy!

“He is luminous. The moon cannot compare.”

God. How my heart aches. Natasha Siegel has truly cemented myself as one of my favorite writers. She tends to matters of grief and loss with so much love. It feels chilling, heartbreaking, and endearing all at once. I think my favorite thing about Siegel, as a writer, is she fundamentally understands yearning and how to convey it on a page.

I was invested in Cecilia and David’s story from the beginning. Invested is putting it lightly. Maybe more enraptured than anything. There are times where I believe that the English language can be so limiting and yet Natasha shows what this language can do, how she can command it and bend it to her will.

This isn’t just a meditation on forbidden love but also on Jewishness and grief. It is so much larger and it is so beautiful. I found this to be so touching and heartfelt. It was also tender and in turn made me feel tender myself.

I think the only thing I’m dissatisfied with is what happened with Cecilia and her sister, Margaret. The last interaction isn’t what I had hoped it would be after what Margaret had done to her. But perhaps Cecilia is a better person for it. I’m not sure.

All I know is I loved this book and I feel so very lucky to have had the chance to read about David and Cecilia’s story.

★★★★★ - 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰
The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel
༘Spoiler free ༘
⭐️4.5/5
Historical Fiction, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Dual POV
➳ Forbidden Love
➳ Slow Burn
➳ Seventeenth Century England
➳ Grief
➳ LGBTQIA+ Representation

✨ “If only we could stay here always, you and I, and pretend the earth is no longer turning.“ ✨
In 'The Phoenix Bride', amidst the remnants of London's devastating plague, a tale of forbidden love, resilience, and unyielding human strength takes flight. Cecilia, a young widow consumed by grief, encounters David, a foreign healer, as the looming shadow of the Great Fire of London descends. Their romance faces societal barriers and imminent catastrophe, yet their unwavering pursuit of each other amid chaos unveils the beauty of a love powerful enough to endure and transcend trials and tribulations.

📚📚📚
In the wake of the devastating 1665 plague in London, the story unfurls around Cecilia Thorowgood, a young widow cloistered in her sister’s home, ensnared by unyielding grief. To aid her, her sister engages the services of David Mendes, a foreign physician with unconventional methods. David, a Jewish immigrant seeking refuge, grapples with personal loss and religious dilemmas.

As Cecilia and David navigate their emotional maelstroms, a clandestine love burgeons between them. Yet, their affection faces a number of challenges—prejudice, individual heartaches, and the looming shadow of the impending Great Fire of London. Amidst societal biases and personal struggles, the two defy the odds, determined to fight for their love in the face of the catastrophic event.

Against a backdrop of plague, fire, and societal divisions, the narrative weaves a poignant tale of love, resilience, and the wholehearted unwavering devotion, showcasing the capacity to endure even amid overwhelming trials and tribulations.

❧✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:❦:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧❧

✨ I fell in love with this book from the the book delves into societal prejudices, personal desires, and the tension between individual passions and societal norms, making it a compelling and immersive read within the historical romance fiction genre.

✨the character arcs in "The Phoenix Bride" were rich and multi-layered, drawing me into the intricate lives and internal struggles of the characters. The evolution of Cecilia, David, Sam, and Jan’s growth, conflicts, and relationships seem to intertwine in a way that shapes their individual journeys, showcasing the depth of their emotions, desires, and internal conflicts. The unexpected connections, hidden intentions, and societal pressures contribute to the complexities of their personal transformations. The relationships, felt deep and authentic.

✨ the core themes in "The Phoenix Bride" focus on the resilience of love amidst societal expectations and personal struggles during a historical period. Throughout the narrative, the story effectively explores the complexities of human connections, hidden motives, and individual desires in the midst of turmoil. The themes of love's challenges, conflicts, and societal norms persistently shape the characters' journeys and interactions.

✨The story was absolutely captivating and enthralling, leaving me deeply engaged with the characters and their journeys. However, as much as I loved it, I found myself yearning for an epilogue or some form of update on where our beloved characters ended up. The resolution was satisfying, yet an additional glimpse or closure on their lives post-events would have been a welcomed extension, providing a bit more closure and insight into their futures.

✨The prose of The Phoenix Bride is vividly descriptive, seamlessly blending emotional depth and historical detail. It eloquently portrays characters' emotions, struggles, and desires against the backdrop of 17th-century London, offering an intimate exploration of love and societal expectations within the historical context.

✨ 10/10 would recommend, i can’t wait to get my hands on this book and to have its beautiful cover and story gracing my shelves!

Thank you to Natasha Siegel, Random House Publishing Group, Dell and NetGalley for the opportunity to provide my honest opinion on the ARC of this book.

**Detailed Review on Consumer Sites and Social Media awaiting publication date (12 Mar 2024) per ARC publicity guidance**

The amazing snd heartwarming story of loss and love in the aftermath of the last outbreak of the Black Death in London. I can’t wait for this to be published!