In this first book in the Belles of London series, Evelyn Maltravers comes to London in search of a husband. More skilled on a horse than in a ballroom, Evie needs a tailor who can design eye-catching riding habits, which is how she meets Ahmad Malik. Ahmad is a talented dressmaker who designed beautiful riding habits for some notable courtesans. So, when he meets Evie, Ahmad sees the perfect opportunity to further his career and get his designs in front of the societal elite. The pair agrees to help each other – he will design her clothing and help her get a husband, and she will help introduce him into polite society. However, neither expected to develop feelings for each other. Both have so much at stake, but can they resist their ever-growing connection?

Evie and Ahmad are both dynamic characters, and I totally rooted for their happily-ever-after. Torn between family duty and her own desires, Evie faces many difficult challenges, and it’s interesting to see how she deals with them. Evie is so lovely – kind and caring, she has a lot of responsibility and pressure on her to marry and help pave the way for her younger sisters. As she lives predominantly in the country, Evie feels like an outsider, and she struggles with her bluestocking label. She is also a talented equestrian, and her connection to her horse is so lovely. I love how confident she becomes when riding, and this is often when her personality really shines. It also shines when she is with Ahmad.

Ahmad is also pretty fantastic. He’s so talented, hard-working, and honorable, and I love his growth throughout the story. Ahmad is half-Indian and half-English, and because of blatant racism and social prejudices, he has never quite fit in. However, he never stops fighting for what he wants, especially since he is also trying to provide for his cousin Mira. Ahmad has had a tough life, and he has seen many injustices. Part of the reason he works so hard is so he can make other people’s lives better, which makes me love him even more. He is also a super talented designer who really understands how to accentuate a woman’s best assets. This is especially evident when he begins designing for Evie.

Evie and Ahmad have a wonderful, chemistry-filled romance. Though they come from different worlds, they find they share a lot of common ground, and their slow-building love story is delightful. The scenes when Evie goes to Ahmad for fittings are super swoon-worthy and show how their feelings are growing and changing. This couple faces many challenges, including their differing social classes, her need to marry into wealth, his business plans, and feelings of not being good enough. I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with their ever-growing feelings and the obstacles that stand in their way.

I also liked many of the secondary characters and was particularly excited when I heard a certain enigmatic military man was the subject of the next book in the series. I was so intrigued by this character and can’t wait to read his story! I also really liked the group of women who befriend Evie. They are all such unique and compelling women, and I love how they so willingly bring Evie into their fold. I love that these women will be the focus of future books in the series, and I’m excited to learn more about each of them.

This romance offers an insightful look at Victorian England, and I was so impressed with the author’s knowledge of the time period. The story includes so much rich detail, from the styles worn and designed to the equestrian standards of the time. The book also explores the popularity of the occult, the effects of British colonialism, the racism, prejudices, and social inequities of the time, and more. I love how seamlessly Matthews weaves these significant and historically accurate elements into the story. It made for an interesting and thought-provoking read.

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy slow-burn, closed-door historical romances. It has interesting and well-layered characters, a lot of fascinating information about Victorian England, and a lovely romance. I’m so thankful to the author and Austenprose PR for including me in this blog tour, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

I really enjoyed this first-in-a-series story of a handsome horsewoman determined to cut a swath through the marriage mart and the up-and-coming tailor who agrees to help her.

SUMMARY: Evelyn Maltravers decides her best chance at marriage is by demoing her equestrian skills while wearing some hot AF riding habits. Mimicking the style of some stylish courtesans, she enlists the help of Ahmad Malik, a half-Indian tailor determined to make a name for himself among the upper classes.

Ahmad and his cousin first appeared in the Parish Orphans of Devon series. I liked his character, so I was excited to read his story, but you don’t need to have read that series before getting into this one. Read it if you’re into:

💖 Slow-burn, clean romance
💖 Race/class differences
💖 Victorian-era spiritualism

This was a fun and interesting story, and I can’t wait to see what happens with this other ladies in the Belles of London series! The setup reminds me a lot of The Wallflowers series by Lisa Kleypas, which I LOVE, although (as in other Mimi Matthews books) there’s definitely less 🔥 and more 🥰.

Characters: 4 stars
Writing Style: 4 stars
Plot: 3 stars
Cover: 5 stars
Representation: 5 stars
Romance: 5 stars
Enjoyment: 4 stars
Overall: 4 stars

I really, really enjoyed this story. There are moments that absolutely shine -- especially when Ahmad is inspired to create a dress- and I really enjoy the characters of Evelyn and Ahmad, as well as their friends. If anything, we get more of Ahmad in this book than we do Evelyn, and he is a truly good character who was a joy to read about. He's everything a romance hero should be. I loved that it was a "closed-door" romance, which is a term I hadn't really encountered before but I'll definitely be looking out for more. There was plenty of passion and emotion but it didn't hinge on sex, which is a rare find in a romance novel. The discussion of class and privilege was welcome, as was Ahmad's determination to see the worth in people, not their station in life.

While I quite enjoyed the romance as it developed, Evelyn and Ahmad's instant attraction was rather too based on insta-lust, however, and for the first quarter of the book I kept thinking of putting it down because I was afraid it wouldn't deepen into something more substantial. It did deepen, though, and became a romance I could definitely root for. Still,nI wish we’d gotten a bit more of Evelyn. She loves her horse, she pretends she’s not a bluestocking, she’s trying to provide for her sisters, but there’s not much beyond that.

While I appreciated the beauty of the dresses and Ahmad's passion for designing them, I didn't need the action broken quite so often with a description of what every character was wearing.

Everything also seemed just a tad improbable, even though, again, I quite enjoyed the story. Evelyn is supposedly attempting to launch herself into society to find a wealthy husband... but spends most of the novel alone with Ahmad. We never get a deep sense of who her friends are or who their love interests are, because the focus is so very single-minded. Then, too, all the obstacles and problems are so easily surmounted. Even the villain of the piece seems quite villainous until she melts away to nothing.

...I realize all of that makes my review sound a bit nitpicky or negative but that's not what I'm going for at all. It's more like, highlighting areas of an already very good story where it could be developed or polished just a tad more in order to make it really shine. After a few weeks away from it, I can hardly remember Evelyn at all but Ahmad sticks in my mind. He's an excellent character and needed Evelyn to be a bit more developed to balance him properly.

All in all, it was undoubtedly quite good and I absolutely recommend it, but it could have been something more. Yes, I enjoyed it, yes the romance was swoony, yes the main characters were lovely... but with just a hint more depth and struggle it would have been an instant favorite and would have catapulted the author onto my auto-buy list. I will still look forward to her future books, however.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for providing an e-arc for review.

Mimi Matthews is one of the most dependable authors in that she never fails to deliver an enticing and memorable story! This one stands out in its uniqueness and attention to detail and the romance was satisfying. As always, she's an auto-read for me!

4 Thinking Outside The Box Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
I happen to love a book that has information to impart to the reader that they wouldn't already know. Mimi Mathews did all of the necessary research needed to make this authentic and then added her creativity to make us love these characters and their dreams.

Due to the "Times", people couldn't pursue the lives or careers they wanted easily. We have a woman who wants society to take her seriously, to marry well, and due to her "bluestocking background, the only way to draw the needed attention of the men she is interested in...is to excel and be noticeable while reading her horse.

Enter our fella who is a talented designer of equestrian wear. He is half Indian and this causes society to think of him as someone who provides a service...not the man he is. They cannot ignore him, though, due to the amazing outfits he creates and so he is allowed to interact with all levels.

It is the meeting and interactions of these two that cause all of the interest...and of course, they start to see each other differently than they ever thought they would.

Evelyn Maltravers is a proud bluestocking who would rather ride horses than stroll through ballrooms. She knows she won't be able to save her family's crumbling reputation through a good marriage match. Her only hope is to play to her strengths as an equestrienne, and she knows the best way to make a splash is through high fashion. To turn the heads of the London ton, Evelyn will need a habit-maker just as afraid to rock the boat as she.

Ahmad Malik has always had a knack for making women feel beautiful. His designs are gaining recognition around London after outfitting the Rotten Row's infamous band of women riders dubbed the Pretty Horsebreakers. Meeting Evelyn sparks creativity in Ahmad that he's never felt before, and the pair decide to help each other out. As Evelyn and Ahmad spend more time together, they can't deny the spark between them, but with so many obstacles to hurdle, they'll have to decide if the risk is worth the reward.

I haven't read anything from this author before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked this. I appreciated how much research Matthews must've done into this period to make it feel so historically accurate. All the descriptions of Victorian fashion were so beautiful and detailed, and the conversation surrounding spiritualism was interesting as it wasn't something I was very familiar with. I liked how independent Evelyn and Ahmad were and how they both were just trying to create a better life for themselves and their families. I didn't realize going in that this was a closed-door romance, and I do wish there was a little bit of steam because I felt the chemistry was lacking a smidge. It made the story come across more like historical fiction that just had a subtle romantic side plot. I think if I knew more or had an interest in horses or riding, I would've enjoyed this a little more, but it was still good for what it was.

Thank you Berkley Romance for the gifted ebook.

DNF @ 40% *however* I really think this is a strong case of "it's not you, it's me" or more likely "it's just bad timing". There are so many great things about this historical romance - a strong heroine who know what she wants, fashion, horses, and a look at race and colonialism through the lens of romance, which felt very unique and something I was excited for. Unfortunately though, it just never grabbed me. I found myself glancing at the percentage remaining more often than I'd like and decided I should probably just set it aside. The reviews so far on this book are stellar, so I really feel like a lot of it just came down to bad timing for me.

What a ride! Literally, as this book is full of horses.

Mimi Matthews is one of my auto-read authors, and I know, from her posts on social media, about her love for everything equestrian.

Her profound knowledge of horses and the Victorian Period shows through every page in this book. As always, everything is impeccably researched and flawlessly written.

For those who have read her previous books, the hero is Ahmad, the servant who accompanied Jenny to India in A Modest Independence. Back in England, he was struggling to start his own dress-making establishment.

Being half-Indian, half-English, he was not accepted by either society and counted only on his undeniable talent and relentless work to achieve his dreams.

The heroine, Evelyn, carried her family on her shoulders and only found solace in her horse and their time together. She needed to find a suitable husband but believed she had no talent apart from being a remarkable equestrienne.

This unlikely pair met, and their chemistry was off-the-charts despite their many differences (or maybe because of them)!

Fashion enthusiasts will love this book! Ahmad's creations were simply dazzling. I'm no horse-rider, but I want one of those riding habits!

I loved all side characters, but especially Captain Blunt. I can't resist a brooding, scarred hero who reads novels! Luck me, he is the hero of the next installment in the series.

Highly recommended!

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.

*This review will be posted on https://lureviewsbooks.com on 01/27/2021 as part of the book's blog tour*

The Siren of Sussex is the first book by Mimi Matthews that I’ve read but it will NOT be the last. Set in Victorian London, the story of Evie and Ahmad is charming and romantic. Evelyn (Evie) comes to London in search of a wealthy husband to pave the way for her 3 younger sisters’ London seasons and make up for her older sister’s scandalous behavior several years earlier. Evie distinguishes herself by showing off her best attribute….she’s an extraordinary equestrian on her powerful Arabian stallion. She seeks out an expert tailor to design and sew a special riding habit. Ahmad is that tailor and, together, they work on her husband hunting and his desire for his own clothes design shop. The story also weaves in Victorian spiritualism, the plight of Anglo-Indians both in India and Britain, and Victorian fashions. It’s well written and captivating…. I couldn’t put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

First, a huge thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for surprising me with an advanced copy at the author's personal request! I was devastated when they rejected my original request and am delighted to have been gifted with this copy.

Reading Mimi Matthews' novels is like coming home to a comfortable chair in front of the fire - cozy and just what you need at the end of a long day. Happy endings, not without struggle, are guaranteed, as are forward-thinking and quirky characters. I loved this hop back into the world of the Parish Orphans of Devon, just as I loved Mimi's debut in gothic fiction this past summer.

Evelyn Maltravers is a skilled equestrian with a lot riding – pun intended – on a successful season in London; her family’s reputation as well as her own, and their future prosperity. She figures the way to make an impression is to get a flashy, noticeable wardrobe, and display it on her impressive horseback rides in the city. I found her extremely relatable for a protagonist; duty dictating a lot of your life choices, a wish to dress and feel nice even when you can’t necessarily afford the best. And even the most casual dresser sometimes just wants something nice, and I totally felt for Evelyn in that first page encounter with the tailor Mr. Doyle. But then a better - and better-looking - alternative appears in the form of Ahmad Malik, who we know a bit from Tom and Jenny's adventures in a previous book of Mimi's.

I love the refreshing fact that the romantic lead is a tailor, rather than a Viscount or man of property - and not white. The thing about Mimi's novels is I never get the sense that we have modern characters thrown into a historical setting, as in a lot of disappointing mainstream historical fiction. The research and attention to social context of the times always amazes me in Mimi's books; she manages the unusual and remarkable without an implausible plot or characters (the author’s notes, as always, hold a bounty of information on the novel’s place in history). I liked the undertone of anti-colonial messaging in the story, something significant to note but which never detracted from the lovely romance.

Indeed, Ahmad’s unique backstory facilitates the inclusion of tons of juicy moments in the story, from addressing sexual harassment of men, to the inherent eroticism of a fitting session conducted by a handsome tailor, to one of my favorite parts of the book, a hilarious passage about dresses with pockets. I was also very drawn to the squad of like-minded women that Evelyn befriends, and as it appears they are the basis for a series in this universe, I am very eagerly anticipating more!

This novel had humor, sexual tension off the charts, a healthy dose of spiritualism, and all of the yearning you could want in a romance story. I give it five well deserved stars for a well-rounded plot, one very aware of where it fits into even current issues.

This was one of those don't-want-to-put-it-down but also don't-want-it-to-end books! Thank heavens it will be a series.

Evie Dunmore (author of The League of Extraordinary Women series) put this book on my radar earlier in the fall, and now that I've read it, I can totally see why. This is absolutely a book for fans of Evie! Why? Because both authors care about giving readers a romantic story in a well-researched historical setting. The attitudes and perspectives of the characters felt realistic for the time period, which is something I really appreciate in a historical romance.

I love that The Siren of Sussex is firmly rooted in historical context and has fascinating characters and cultures in it. I will admit, I did not read the synopsis before diving in, so the entire book was an unexpected delight. Evelyn Maltravers is a young, gently bred, country girl and an excellent horseback rider, who goes to London for the season to do her duty for her family and find herself a husband. She needs a riding habit and dresses, of course, and forms an unlikely partnership with her dressmaker, Mr. Ahmad Malik. . .okay, a little bit more than a partnership! I LOVED THIS ROMANCE! I loved Ahmad and Evelyn. I loved the unbearable tension and sizzling chemistry every time he took her measurements and did a dress fitting for Evelyn. This book could have had dozens more dress fittings, and I would still be enthralled every time! This book truly shined for me when it came to building that romantic tension between the couple.

Ahmad is Indian and isn't a gentleman. He isn't the type of husband Evelyn is supposed to catch during her season. I loved that this book ventures into conversations of British colonialism, class, and belonging in a way that I haven't seen in other historical romances yet. Also, the excitement around the occult was such a fascinating part of this book and I can't wait to see how that continues in the series.

My only complaint is that I wanted even more in the romance department. I wanted something a little bit more scandalous between Evelyn and Ahmad, and I can't help but feel a little disappointed that besides some BEAUTIFULLY written kissing scenes, this historical romance stayed extremely tame. It was disappointing only because this felt like it was supposed to be a steamy romance with all that glorious desire between them throughout! I find that an unbelievably well written romance like this one is only improved by the intimacy of an open door romance. It felt like a missing piece and a missed opportunity for sure.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading this so much. I cannot wait for other historical romance readers to get their hands on this so we can talk about it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I personally believe that Mimi Matthews is Georgette Heyer’s writing successor. Her historical romances have an incredible attention to detail, and have minimal steam (keeping in the accuracy for the time). The heroines are always brave, smart, interesting… and the heroes are worthy of their love.

This is a fantastic start to a new series, featuring a secondary character from The Parish Orphans series as the hero. Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has had a rough start in life, and is finally at the precipice of achieving his goal - of opening his own storefront featuring his designs. He has designed a series of riding habits worn by beautiful courtesans (The Pretty Horsebreakers), but is looking to make a splash with the beau monde to set up his store. The stakes are high - a living for himself, his cousin, and others who depend on him - but the barriers of a half-Indian man in Victorian England seem higher.

Evelyn Maltravers is the second orphaned daughter in a family of 5 daughters, who comes to London to make a wealthy match for the betterment of her family. She is a blue stocking with a passion for horses and riding, and a firm opinion of her own (limited) attractiveness and options. She approaches Ahmad to ask for her own beautiful riding habit, in an effort to distinguish herself for a match while riding on Rotten Row.

What I loved:
💕 the historical accuracy and attention to detail. The Pretty Horsebreakers are depictions of real people, and the Victorian fashion is interesting.
💕 Ahmad and his struggles. I love how sensitively his position is portrayed - his father was a British soldier and his mother was Indian, and he feels like he doesn’t fit in anywhere. I was also infuriated by his treatment by certain white women in this book.
💕 the love story. If you love a beta hero, who is gentle and kind, this book is for you. Evie and Ahmad are quietly in love - no big dramatics - and will need to bravely face the future and society’s judgement together.

If you are looking for your next historical romance read, be sure to add this one to your list. It publishes on January 11.

I became a fan of Mimi Matthews the first time I read one of her books. I quickly read her back list and eagerly await each new story from her. This one was no exception.

‘I’m accustomed to not getting what I want.’

This time, Matthews brings us a story full of her usual richness and depth of emotion. An Indian dressmaker and a aristocratic young woman who is determined to acquire his services to make her a magnificent riding habit. That he does, but neither are prepared for what this action will do for either. A wonderful story here and one to be sitting proudly on my shelves. I also love the way Matthews weaves actual history into her books. I always go and check all of this out because I love history. Well done! Now I have to wait so long to read her next book.

My thanks to the publisher for an early copy of this book. The opinion in this review entirely my own.

What an excellent start to a new and enticing series! A witty, sensuous, daring take on a lady's coming of age/entrance into society story. I love the dynamic between Evie and Ahmad! And we cant forget Hephaestus!

Thank you Berkley Publishing, AustenProse PR, and NetGalley for the eARC of this excellent novel. All thoughts and opinions are that of my own.

Where do I begin with this novel? In short it is a beautiful romance novel with depth and knowledge all packed into one, surprisingly quick, read. I will not be well after reading this for quite some time. The Siren of Sussex was swoon, character driven, well researched, and captivating. It took me on a journey and I couldn't put it down! I've read this in 2021 but I imagine that it will be high on my 2022 reads next year--it's that good!

Loves:

To be completely honest, when I started the book I was a little hesitant because writing about Britain and India during the Victorian Era with a half-Indian love interest is a complicated matter and it can be worrisome how it will be handled. This was one of the best, in my opinion, historical romance novels I've read that's tackled this history. Matthews has done an incredible job researching every aspect of this novel--with her notes about the various topics in the back of the book.

Ahmad and Evelyn were amazing characters to take a journey with. Their wants were clearly laid out, their chemistry was off the charts (hello fittings!), and what they all did for each other. Excellent. They had their skeletons in their closets but they were communicative, which is my FAVORITE part of any romance novel. They had it. Plus their chemistry!!! Did I already mention that? Well, it was amazing.

Side characters were thought out and I am going to need more from them in the future. Mira--superb. Loved her spunk and her story (can we have like a 1.5 novel of her life, please!!!!). Julia, Stella, and Anne--I have a feeling your stories will come and I cannot wait. I have a feeling these will be just as excellent as this novel.

The pacing! This is somewhere between a slow burn and not a slow burn (?). There was enough pining and longing to make me really relish when the characters came together, but the communication throughout the novel led it to be such a great anticipation. And the consequences surrounding the character, ugh, be still my heart.

Meh:

The only thing I have some mixed feelings over was Fenny and Anthony's story. I know why it was included, but it felt incomplete comparatively to the rest of the novel. There was background in the story of the rift between Fenny and Evelyn and that led to some beliefs by Evelyn, but I guess I wanted a bit more. What was the drift? How did it affect Evelyn before Fenny took off for London? Not wanting to spoil anything, but I wanted additional information on that aspect of the novel.

Long Story Short:
If you are in need for an excellent historical romance with enough spunk, heart, and swoon this is it. I need a movie of this. A grand sweeping movie with Oscar worthy costumes. I know that I will personally be recommending this novel to everyone I know who loves an amazing historical romance novel. How could I not? Also, they're not wrong when they say if you like Harper St. George, Evie Dunmore, or Emily Sullivan (we're including other publishers here;)). It's vibrant and can we have that movie please??

I won a digital advanced copy of this book and was SO excited because I love all of Mimi Matthews’ books! But seriously, this one might be my favorite! I almost can’t put into words how much I loved it. I am constantly reading- as soon as I finish one book, I start another. But when I finished this book, I felt so satisfied because the book was so perfect that I couldn’t start another book for a few days. I just had to think and feel for a few days before I could try a new book. Obviously I loved it so much that I had to preorder a physical copy and I can’t wait to reread it when it comes out!

Mimi Matthews as an author has always been able to draw me into a story and hold my interest to the very end. I love the rich historical detail added into the story. The writing is very descriptive and I can imagine myself there. I feel this adds so much to the depth and realness of a story and makes it come to life. I felt the h's indignation of Stephen's treatement and attitude toward her. What arrogance! We do get a glimpse of all levels of society of the time without a sermon, which I appreciated. There is such great dynamics between the characters and excellent dialogue. I absolutely love the H of this story was a spin off character from the Parish Orphans on Devon series. The ending was wonderful and sweet to me. I thought the wrap was well done. I loved the line "But wonderful things didn't happen because one was cautious. They happened because one dared." I'm so happy this will be a series following the friends Evelyn made in London. I can hardly wait for the next one!
*Thank you very much to Netgalley for an advenced copy of this book. All opinons are 100% my own.*

Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.
Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she's worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she'll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London's attention she'll need a habit-maker who's not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.
Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row's infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.
But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?
This is an awesome book! Written around the story of love for a half Indian Taylor and a girl who is from a ruined family this is an interesting story.
Mimi Matthews has written a most in-depth story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Do you ever read a book and just can't put your finger on what's bothering you about it? I found myself frequently wanting to put down The Siren of Sussex. And it was troubling me because I usually enjoy Mimi Matthew's books very much. I realized that I felt embarrassed for the characters. I don't really know why I felt embarrassed for them. I never did really figure out why. They were awkward together. And although they did have interactions beyond dress fittings, I found that their relationship moved forward too quickly for me.

Beyond the romance feeling a bit off, I also didn't enjoy the historically accurate pieces that Mimi Matthews chose to include with spiritualism. Typically I enjoy when historically accurate information is included. But I'm just not personally interested in spiritualism so I didn't enjoy this part of the story, and I hope it isn't involved as much in future books. However, if Anne's story is ever written, I imagine that it will be heavily involved because Anne's mother is an enthusiast.

So Evelyn is used to being independent coming from a smaller village. Her parents are dead and her aunt is her guardian. She goes to stay with her uncle to have a London season and attempt to find a husband. She's determined to do well in this area because her older sister caused quite a scandal and all of Evelyn's younger sisters depend on her marrying well. She does have a maid employed by her uncle but she doesn't work full-time. And so Evelyn has more unchaperoned time than a typical lady. And thus she has more opportunities to be alone with Mr. Malik.

Ahmad has dreams of becoming a dressmaker. He currently designs women's riding habits. But he wants to branch out into gowns and dresses. His success will determine his future as well as his cousin Mira and the seamstresses he hopes to hire. Ahmad lives in an in-between world. He's not quite lower society but he's not quite a gentleman. Not to mention he is half Indian and half British. He knows that marrying Evelyn will force her to live in the in-between with him. And he doesn't want that for her.

Of the Mimi Matthews books that I've read, I didn't enjoy The Siren of Sussex nearly as much as I hoped or expected. I can't explain why, but I felt uncomfortable with Evelyn and Ahmad. Embarrassed was the closest emotion that matched what I was feeling. I felt a desire to put this book down more than once and that is always an indication that I'm not enjoying a book as much as I would like. The Siren of Sussex gets 3 Stars. Have you read The Siren of Sussex? What did you think? Let me know!

Here’s what I’ll say about this book. There’s a lot of rich history and description in this book. The clothing, the language, the setting, everything is vivid and beautiful and reads in lovely detail. The author really builds a tremendous Victorian world. I loved our half-Indian hero and equestrienne heroine. A tailor and a bluestocking is such a different spin on historical romance and I loved the idea of them.

But, the plot. But, the romance.

I didn’t know this was a closed door romance. More than that, there are only a few closed lipped kisses that happen in this book. And I’m not saying that every romance has to have crazy steam, but I need some steam to feel the connection between these characters. There’s a lot of blushing and touching and pointed glances between these two but I had a hard time believing their romance. They basically talk about how they can’t be together over and over. She’s his muse for some questionable reason and she loves him because….what, exactly? It felt very surface to me. And I understand why they couldn’t be together, but it’s something the reader is told over and over, it’s not something I’m actually seeing.

I needed the steam to believe it because the emotional component fell flat for me, unfortunately.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.