The Siren of Sussex is an historical novel that brings novelty to the genre. In this book the reader will witness the perseverance of Miss Maltravers, a lady who is set on finding a husband as a means to support her family, and the talent of Mr. Ahmad Malik, an Indian dressmaker who does not give up on his dreams easily.

The main characters circumstances in life are so different that we would not imagine a love story occurring between them, but Mimi Matthews was able to bring much more to this story then a simple romance. These characters will not only have to struggle with the edicts of society, but also struggle with the possibility of poverty, the sense of belonging and family duty. All these aspects will have to be balanced with the love they feel for one another, and one of the aspects I loved the most in the book, was that once Miss Maltravers discovered what was more important to her, she decided that she couldn’t be a bystander when her own happiness was at stake. She wasn’t overly romantic and didn’t convince herself that love was enough to live happily ever after. She decided to take her fate into her own hands and make things happen. She was not missish, and she didn’t sit around and wait for her problems to miraculously go away, she fought for what she wanted in a rational manner, and I absolutely loved this about her. It was refreshing to see a woman unafraid to make plans that would devise her own happiness and who would focus on solutions instead of problems.

Another aspect I enjoyed in this book was the camaraderie that we witness between Miss Maltravers and her three friends. They were all misfits in their own way, but they always supported each other no matter what. Their devotion and friendship were as endearing as their peculiarities were fascinating. I loved these characters so much that I admit I was a little sad not to know more about their fates in the epilogue, namely with regards to Captain Blundt.

In fact, Mimi Matthews brought several eccentric characters and situations to the story, and that was simultaneously new and interesting because one cannot stop loving these characters. Despite their idiosyncrasies, they are all good people, and the reader wants to spend more time around them. The lack of a true villain is also an aspect I enjoyed tremendously in this book as I always find more enriching stories where characters have to fight their own demons then stories with an external party conniving to the make other people’s lives harder.

My only quibble with this story was the chemistry between the main characters. I never felt a great intensity in their romance, and I wasn’t enraptured with their scenes or dialogues. Even if I did like their individual stories and backgrounds, as a couple I couldn’t feel an electrifying love or connection.

Overall, The Siren of Sussex is an extremely well written book with a fluid prose that invites readers to continue reading. It focuses on interesting topics such as the feeling of belonging, and the impacts it may have in people’s happiness and above all in their behaviors. It is an exciting story and I recommend it to readers who enjoy well written historical romances.

As a romance, I really loved this book. It has so many wonderful aspects: strong women, fighting for independence, wonderful chemistry, and female friendships. However, as a historical novel, I struggled. The idea that a member of the ton (even a lower-ranking one) would even consider a romance with a tradesperson is pretty unbelievable. Moreover, the amount of times Evelyn was without her chaperone would have damaged her reputation beyond repair.

If you can look past the historical inaccuracies, this is a really sweet (and fairly clean) romance! I appreciated the discussions of class, colonialism, and race in the story and Ahmad and his cousin's struggles to be accepted.

Overall, for me, the romance side overcame the historical shortfalls and I immediately picked up the others in the series.

I LOVED this!! I was so invested in the two main characters, Evelyn & Ahmad; they were so fleshed out and I really got to know them. The chemistry between them was palpable, and I couldn't wait for them to get together. The side characters were so memorable too - Mimi Matthews character-work is amazing! The writing was smooth and easy to read, and it was a solid regency romance. I can't wait to pick up books 2 and 3!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a free eARC of this book to read in exchange for my review!

First by Matthews and absolutely devoured it! I loved Evelyn and Ahmad. It was refreshing to see more representation in a historical and also a man who truly appreciated dressing the female form! In most historical romances you find well renowned female dressmakers so having a man, and one of Indian decent was fantastic. I loved how their relationship developed, the tug between propriety and attraction, how they both needed and advantageous ending but only wanted each other, sigh.
Loved! Recommend!

I loved this book. There was something incredibly authentic and real about the main characters and I loved how imperfect they were. It was different than my usual historical romance story and I really wasn’t sure how my favorites were going to end up at the end of the story.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This one was recommended by a colleague and did not disappoint!

I loved that this was different from other Regency romances, with focus on horseback riding and clothing. I did find that the romance fell flat a bit, but it was still a great read!

I love a blue stocking who is not really a blue stocking and this novel didn’t disappoint. The descriptions of the fabrics made me want to drape myself in velvet and twill (instead of my target basics).

This is the book that made me accept that Mimi Matthews' books are not for me. Though she's great at plotting, the romance always falls flat for me - which means they don't actually scratch my romance itch.

Absolutely Delightful! What a smashing way to show a different side of London than that seen in most romances of the same era. Ahmad Malik, a tailor and dressmaker looking to make his name in women's fashion has, because of his half-Indian and half-English background, the challenge of not belonging to either group (like many illegitimate offspring of British soldiers who find themselves in England) but still needing to make a name for himself. Evelyn Maltravers knows, from what she's seen of Ahmad's clothing on other equestrian riders, that he's the one who can help her vault into English society and snare a husband, thus ensuring her younger sisters can make successful marriages after the scandal of her older sister running off with a neighbour. The romance between Ahmad and Evie develops naturally but as a cross-cultural couple, there is no guarantee of a happy ending. Yet somehow, the author weaves a tale that despite the obstacles, fixes everything in a pleasing and heartwarming way, educating the reader along the way, with particular emphasis on women's fashion and horses. It's a kisses only romance which is admittedly less common (at least in non-religious historical romances) but so rich in detail and longing that it suits the characters perfectly. Highly recommended!

I love clever Regency Romance and this book is so clever! Fans of Bridgerton and Eloisa James will love this one!

Couldn't get into this one, though I usually enjoy the author. The plot is all over the place and every time I got excited about the chemistry between the leads, another plot point was introduced. But fans of well researched historicals may be able to look past this.

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.

I loved that this book had more depth than a typical regency romance. Ahmad was a great romantic interest and I enjoyed Evelyn as a character.

I read Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthew's for free through Net Galley. I chose it for the description and the cover. There is romance but not sex in the book. The book is about a relationship between a debutante and her tailor who is mixed race in the 1860s. Malik designs riding habits and Evelyn needs a husband to provide for her and help her sisters gain entry in society. It describes what is was like for people of mixed race. It also describes what little choice women had when it came time to marry. I enjoyed this book and would read more books by Mimi Matthews

Though I am normally a historical fiction/romance lover, this book wasn't for me. I tried several times to jump into it, but I couldn't finish.

Evelyn would be perfectly happy if she could spend the rest of her on horseback. But as her family is heading towards ruin, she must instead find a respectable match. She intends to find this match while riding her horse, wearing beautiful, eye-catching garments.

Determined to make her the most spectacular wardrobe, Ahmed Malik is a skilled tailor with aspirations to design and sell women’s dresses. While he often creates pieces for the Pretty Horsebreakers, a stunning and respectable client could launch his career.

Evelyn is confident that Ahmed is both talented and worthy of recognition, however, the fashion industry of Victorian London is vicious at the best of times, and Ahmed’s half-Indian heritage will also add a challenge to his pursuits.

This was a slower paced historical romance without any explicit scenes, and while I don’t need that to enjoy a book, I also never felt a ton of chemistry between the two main characters. Unfortunately the book was a little too slow and a little too long to really keep my attention. I did adore Evelyn and her friends, and I am intrigued to see Julia’s story in the next book! I felt a little uncomfortable with the first half of the novel because Evelyn’s interest in Ahmed felt more to do with exoticism than other personality traits, though the author did a nice job of addressing that later in the book and in the author’s note.

Thank you to Netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group, and the author for the opportunity to read and review this book!

An easy to read historical romance set in the Victorian era in the early 1860’s. It reads very much like a Regency romance. Evelyn, a young, orphaned woman in her first and only London season must marry well to provide for her three younger sisters. She decides to make her debut on horseback in Hyde Park and she needs a new riding habit (or costume). She seeks out the designer for the Pretty Horsebreakers (an interesting part of history) and strikes up a deal. There are a few twists and turns but if you read a lot of Regency romance then you know where this is going. Content is mostly clean except for some swearing, prostitution (nothing on page) and a sister “in disgrace.” There is also a storyline about spiritualism and a séance that Evelyn takes part in, but doesn’t believe. I look forward to reading the next book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What I liked:
~the fashion
~Ahmad’s character

What I didn’t:
~entirely too long, too slow, too uneventful, and filled with too many sub-plots: fashion, horses, spiritualism, a missing sister who has disgraced the family…
~the set-up of characters for upcoming books in the series…it took away from what this story could have been
~I didn’t feel that there was any chemistry between the two MC

This is the first book I’ve read by Mimi Matthews and it definitely won’t be the last! I devoured The Siren of Sussex. It’s a tale of seeming outcasts who for various reasons are on the fringes of Victorian British Society hoping to find success. With beautiful descriptive language, a passionate forbidden romance, endearing friendships, and historical accuracy, the author weaves a captivating story that kept me fully invested.

Twenty-three-year-old bluestocking Evelyn Maltravers’ family is facing potential ruin. She knows the best way to help them is to marry well, and her only talent (according to her) is her horsemanship. She’s a beautiful rider whose horse is a much sought after breed. Encouraged to seek out a tailor to make her an exquisite attention-grabbing riding habit, Evie meets the devastatingly handsome, talented Ahmad Malik.

Ahmad is a half English/half Indian tailor whose unique gift is knowing just how to accentuate a woman’s beauty. His creations are magnificent and he’s worked hard to fight his way out of poverty and extremely difficult circumstances. An outcast in both India and England, Ahmad has become a detached observer never fully immersing himself in either culture. When he meets Evelyn, he’s finally met his muse. She brings out his creativity and passion. The sparks fly between them as simple acts of measuring her become tension-filled, sizzling scenes. The attraction is palpable and while the author never strays beyond a closed door romance, she definitely flirts at the edges while still maintaining a clean, proper Victorian romance.

Evelyn meets several other young women through their love of horseback riding who become fast friends. Each has her own battles, yet they support each other and find strength in their friendship. I loved getting to know each of these young women and hope to read more about them. I also enjoyed meeting Ahmad’s cousin.

The author does show the grittier side of life where Society’s rules aren’t evenly applied. Both Ahmad and Evelyn face threats to their reputations by the upper class. Yet, their dignity and self-respect give them the courage to thwart these attacks. Class, race, and women’s inequality are expertly addressed throughout the story without coming across as heavy handed. The Victorian fascination with Spiritualism is also explored in a thoroughly interesting way.

Evie is a heroine you can definitely cheer for. I loved how she doesn’t give up and finds creative ways to achieve her heart’s desire. Her honesty is refreshing. I loved Ahmad too. He’s so caring and gentle and desires nothing more than to aid in Evie’s success. I enjoyed the way they worked together to help each other. Their relationship is built on mutual respect and genuine friendship and I loved watching it blossom into more.

This is definitely one you’ll want to put on your TBR list. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Content: some infrequent mild swearing including taking God’s name in vain, two characters are propositioned though nothing happens, mentions of prostitution and suicide, mild sensuality with kisses only, closed door. I received a complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and I was not required to provide a positive review.