I was eager to read a new-to-me author, but this fell short of my expectations.

It's hard to say exactly why. It's a well researched book about a wallflower making a splash using her skills in order to uplift her family and the half-Indian tailor/designer who helps her make that splash.

I didn't realize going in that it was going to be closed door and very chaste, which is fine. But I felt that I didn't get enough development between the two MCs to truly understand why they were going to sacrifice so much for each other. And that was a problem.

This book clearly works for many others, but wasn't my cup of tea.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ms. Matthews does such an exceptional job at making these stories come to life. The characters are so real, they practically jump off the pages. I love, love the setting. England has always intrigued me, and being able to visit Victorian England in this way is such a delight.
I found Evelyn to be quite an intriguing and interesting character. Of course, since this is a romance novel, there is plenty of romance woven throughout the pages of the story....
The attraction between Evelyn and Mr. Ahmad Malik is almost instantaneous. Matthews writes sizzling chemistry, so keep that in mind when deciding to read (or not read) this book. ;)
I really loved Evelyn, but I also loved her unique, and slightly unusual friends. I have high hopes of reading their stories in future books.
Full of romance, delightful setting and characters, and lots of unexpected twists. If you are a lover of these things, I highly recommend this book.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely.  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

This book has a theme of a mixed race relationship set in the Regency period of England. We are hopeful that Evie and Ahmed will have an HEA but really can't imagine how that will happen. Left in the hands of Mimi Matthews we are never disappointed. She weaves a story that I could not put down. She is a master of unique plots and this book brims with romantic feeling. I highly recommend this book.

I loved the diversity and the different angles of these historical romances. The fact that Indian culture and experience were included was great as well as the bad side of racism towards new cultures and people who are different.

I also loved that Maltravers was a lover of horses and helping her family. She had a plan to help her family and it wasn't within the box and I loved that.

A great story from a different aspect of historical romances

I know, I know. I usually don't like to read historical romance books. I tend to find historical romance books a bit too boring or too long pace for my romance reads. But The Siren of Sussex was totally different than what I expected.
The Siren of Sussex will bring Evelyn and Ahmad closer to their goals than they ever expected. Evelyn is determined to find a perfect match in the season to provide for her family. She may not realize how much of this pressure will change her life. Ahmad never expected to be closer to his dreams. He is more than willing to put in all of his efforts to make his dreams happen, even if he has to work with Evelyn more than Ahmad likes (he is secretly falling for her).
I truly enjoy the slow-burning romance between Evelyn and Ahmad. They may haven't gotten good first impressions of each other. But Evelyn and Ahmad both need each other for their personal goals. It may not be the same when they start falling in love with each other.

Mimi Matthews has been a long time auto-buy author for me. I’ve read all her books and have loved each and every one of them. Watching her author journey from early on has been so exciting and rewarding but in some ways sad. For me she was my best kept secret in the historical fiction genre and now the secret is out about how amazing she is with this big publishing house release!

Matthews is a master at creating realistic female characters with charming heroes that come together with electric chemistry. I have raved about her books to friends, family, and all over my social media! She’s amazing and I cannot wait for the masses to read this book. No secret, I adored it and read it in one sitting (which is often the case for all her books!).

If you are looking for a book to fill the Bridgerton sized hole in your life, then you need to pick this one up. I am also thrilled to see this one is the first in a new series for Matthews so I can come back and revisit this charming world and characters she has created. If you love historical romances and well drawn characters you need to read this book! Plus THAT COVER!!! I am in love with the cover, it adds such pizzaz and would make me snatch it right off the shelf!

Summary

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? (summary from Goodreads)

Review

When I heard this one as coming out, besides all the obvious things like I love Mimi Matthews and the cover, I loved that it was about a horsewoman! I grew up dreaming of riding to hounds through the English country side. In fact I rode only English hunters from childhood until adulthood. I knew I would love this book based on that alone! I was also intrigued to see how Matthews created a seemingly unconventional romance for the era. In this book Evelyn is ‘no great beauty’ and has little to offer in the marriage market but what she lacks in marriage appeal, she makes up for in horsemanship. So off she goes to London to try and secure her future in another way. Here she meets Ahmad who is half Indian. Right off the bat it’s clear this is going to be a very different Victorian romance, but I am 100% here for it!

Evelyn was expertly drawn and given enjoyable traits as well as a strong voice, but there was a vulnerability about her that I just loved and felt invested in. She was realistic and relatable as a main character. Ahmad was everything a romantic hero should be—-loving, open, and sincere. He had his own loneliness and it paired well with Evelyn’s. They both had this feeling of not belonging but yet belonging to each other. It was a gem of a novel. I just loved them together and watching their romance play out was so fun and the thing I love about Matthews is her romances are less about the erotic elements and more about the sensual sweetness. In my opinion there is something way more hot about a well done sweet romance than a graphic bodice ripper.

I loved this book on so many levels and I cannot wait to read more of the series. If you love historical romances—-GET THIS BOOK! It’s so good and Matthews is a joy to read. The other thing I should note, it the attention to historical details! Matthews has a substantial knowledge of Victorian fashion. I believe she has a whole book on it. The attention to the textile and fashion world in this book is top notch! She does an outstanding job explaining the industry and how dresses and outfits as well as other things were created during this time. It was a fascinating and entertaining history lesson! Don’t miss this one, it’s just so good and I am thrilled that this book is sure to bring new fans Matthew’s way!

Book Info and Rating

Paperback, 336 pages

Published January 11th 2022 by Berkley

ISBN0593337131 (ISBN13: 9780593337134)

Free review copy provided by publisher, Berkley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.

Rating: 5 stars

Genre: historical fiction, historical romance, Victorian

This is a fabulously written book. I was drawn into the story and kept getting drawn into the elegantly written descriptions. I had to stop a couple times and share some of the turns of phrase with my husband who patiently listened and didn't care. One way or the other, I was delighted with the way this book was written. The writing was beautiful and flowed well. I loved the scenes with Evie and Ahmad. They had such great chemistry.

I loved the friends that Evie picked up along the way, the Furies. I hope to see more of them in the future. I felt at times in the story that I was with them on Rotten Row with the benefit of not being on the horse.

I couldn't put this one down and look forward to reading more. I was transported to Victorian London with its fashion and spiritualism. I can't wait to travel in this book again.

I received an early copy from the publisher and this is my honest review.

I just LOVE a swoon worthy historical romance. Add in an independent heroine with a smart plot and I am over the moon! Thank you so much to
berkleypub + berkleyromance + Netgalley for my copy of this tender, sweet and fresh love story. Thoughts: I really appreciated the exploration of gender, class and race during this time period as well as other cultural phenomena. I would have preferred more steam as this was a door firmly closed romance but woah was there romantic tension + smoldering glances. I loved the small acts of thoughtfulness the main characters did for each other….and the most romantic thing of all… custom dresses with pockets! Looking forward to more in this series.

The Siren of Sussex fits right along titles like Never Fall for Your Fiancee, To Have and To Hoax, and Bringing Down the Duke as a historical English romance with a pleasantly contemporary temperament and perspective.

There is lots of horse talk as our heroine comes from a genteel yet broke household and her prized possession is her Spanish stallion. Evelyn Maltravers has been sent to stay with her uncle in London to make an advantageous match after her older sister caused some scandal in years past, almost tainting the family name forever.

Of course, Evelyn will need lots of lovely clothes to attract a suitor. Enter Ahmad Malik, an otherworldly talented dressmaker. And overall dreamboat.

The Siren of Sussex feels like it could be the second or third book in this series instead of the first installment. All of the characters, especially the side characters, feel so multi dimensional with back stories and established relationships.
This is a fun historical romance grounded in a lot of history. There isn't a lot of on the page romance. It's light while still feeling substantial, topic-wise. I enjoyed it and will likely look out for future installments in this series!

In this historical romance, Evelyn Maltravers arrives in London for the season determined to find a wealthy husband. It is the only way she can ensure the future of her younger sisters and her beloved horse since her family lives only on a small inheritance of her Aunt Nora. Yet, with her penchant for blurting out honest opinions and looks that have been overshadowed by her older sister’s, Evelyn knows that she’ll be overlooked in the ballrooms. Instead, she has a plan to bewitch a potential suitor through her riding prowess. She just needs a phenomenal riding habit as part of her wardrobe—and she knows just the designer, the tailor who dressed the Pretty Horesbreakers.

Ahmad Malik, able to flatter every size and shape with his designs, has worked with beautiful women before but none have bewitched him like Evelyn. She, too, confesses her love, but with barriers of race and class, not to mention Evelyn’s need to provide for her family, a happy ending between them is impossible, unless they are willing to put aside their dreams and flout the expectations of polite society.

Evelyn’s spunk and determinedness won me over. She was resolved not to be boxed in by the rules of what “ladies” should do. I also found Ahmad completely swoony with such an interesting backstory.

Evelyn made friends with three other women participating in the season (all of whom will have their own books in the series, I believe). They gravitate towards each other because they are awkward and not popular among society men, but that’s what makes them so endearing, and I look forward to seeing more of them.

The book is also, of course, filled with references to 1860s fashion and history. I was particularly amused by the older adults’ fascination with spiritualism, including crystal balls, seances, and spirit advisors—based on real events, but it also touched on more serious issues such as colonialism.

Fans of Evie Dunmore’s A League of Extraordinary Women will enjoy this!

Note: This has lots of sexual tension but is closed door!

After a family scandal, Evie decides to marry in order to put her horse to stud and to improve her sisters’ marriage prospects. Her intention of attracting notice in London–finely dressed atop her horse–leads her to entrepreneur half-Indian tailor Ahmad.

I loved the world building in this new series set in 1860s London. The clothing, the horses, the city, the spiritualism. The use of historical detail to enrich and not oppress the reader really spoke to me.

Ultimately, there was an easy resolution for two people who had so much against them. There were no external conflicts with the suitor who jilted Evie, the shamed older sister, the lady who wanted to seduce Ahmad, and no societal or family repercussions either. Evie thinks she needs to marry into wealth to keep her horse and set up her sisters, but then decides she doesn’t have to sacrifice her happiness. Ahmad is reluctant to marry Evie because of his growing business, and their racial and class divide, but then he decides it’s not insurmountable.

It was very much an internal story about one’s identity, and Evie and Ahmad choosing one another. The downside to that is we never see the couple face the mentioned racism or classism together. Those significant, valid concerns that gave them pause for so long are never seen or addressed as a couple, which felt like a disservice, especially to Ahmad's experience.

Ahmad must have had an appearance in another book because he has a lot of backstory. If you had read that book, then I think all the telling would be boring. And if you haven’t read whatever story featured him–like me–well, it’s still a lot of telling. Like all first series, page time is spent setting up the other heroines and their love interests. Anne, Julia, and Stella will all get their stories and I’m sure we’ll see Captain Blunt again.

This is a kisses-only romance and for all the physical attraction between Evie and Ahmad, I wanted a bigger romantic pay off. I wanted to end with more conversations, more declarations, and more kissing or more steam. They talk so much about how they can’t be together, and have a few longing touches and glances, so I wanted them to share a few more meaningful conversations and to see some of that chemistry that was heavily hinted at.

After a story that kept me rapidly turning the pages, I struggled with the pacing at the end. The trip to Sussex felt contrived conflict after Ahmad had allegedly already decided he loved Evie enough. I was frustrated that Ahmad only came to Sussex after he got career-changing work. I wish he had come for Evie before he knew she had set up his business for future success.

The writing style is visceral, I was invested in Evie and Ahmad’s personal happiness as well as their happiness with one another, and the setting comes alive on the page. The Siren of Sussex certainly makes me want to visit Mimi Matthews’s other books.

I read an advance reader copy of The Siren of Sussex from Netgalley.

3.5 Stars

Matthews kicks off her latest series with a solid read.

This is my first Mimi Matthews book, though I’ve been aware of her as a historical romance author for many years. I’ve typically steered clear because I prefer books with a little more heat. But this one was worth the read.

Prepare to dive into a world of fashion, horse-riding, and spiritualists. A lot to unpack there and I agree. Amid these three topics reside the hero, Ahmad Malik and the heroine, Evelyn Maltravers. Malik is a dressmaker, trying to make a name for himself and his talents. Where Evelyn is looking to have a successful season and secure a wealthy husband to ensure her three younger sisters have a potential at a good future. These two join forces with Evelyn commissioning a riding habit from Malik in the hopes of attracting attention for her skills as well as her fashion. Though, one habit turns into many dresses and an attraction neither of them can fight. For two people with so much at stake, love is the last thing they need.

Matthews does an amazing job of making this story realistic and weaving in historically reference events along with sensory details of the time. The tale of love finding two folks not part of the upper echelons is also refreshing and unique. Malik is no duke, but he’s every inch the gentleman. Evelyn isn’t a simpering miss, but a woman with a plan. There are plenty of villains, but in this world Evelyn and Malik get a chance to win against them.

What kept this from a higher rating for me? The pacing. While the writing is very pretty, I didn’t really get fully invested in this story until almost fifty percent through. It was too easy to put the book down and focus on other things.

Overall, this is a good read and I’m anxious to see what the next books in the series offer up. Matthews has done a fabulous job of setting up some additional potential couples. I can only hope their stories are next.

~ Landra

The Siren of Sussex is amazing first book in Belles of London regency romance series that revolved around Evelyn who came to London for her debut and met dressmaker who changed goal of her life. The story was about colonialism, prejudice, class difference, social exploitation, belongingness, family, friendship, fashion, and love.

Writing is descriptive and vivid that brought victorian era to life. Story is written in third person narrative from alternative perspective of Evelyn and Ahmad. Dual perspective worked well here. It highlighted protagonists’ inner conflict and their feelings perfectly.

Plot is fantastic. Story was set in 19th century that started with the introduction of Evelyn Maltravers. She comes to London for her debut with responsibility of her younger sisters whose lives depend on her finding best wealthy husband. She isn’t good in ballroom or have great looks or quality except she is a brilliant rider and she wished to make impression through her equestrian skill but for that she needs best habit maker. Seeing pretty horsebreakers in dazzling fashionable habits she approaches their habit maker, Ahmad Malik. Ahmad is part Indian, part British who works at a famous men’s tailor shop with an arrangement. His only goal is to save enough money to buy the shop and be London society’s lady’s dressmaker. Romance isn’t in Evelyn or Ahmad’s life goals but as they meet and start working together it becomes hard to ignore the growing attraction that will cost them everything. It was interesting to see what will they do about their feelings, will they follow their heart, and what trouble they will face in doing so.

Both Evelyn and Ahmad are amazing throughout the story. I rooted for them from the beginning. I liked Ahmad but Evelyn was my favorite. She is smart, wise, responsible, kind, caring, and circumspect. She is willing to do everything in her power to make her and her sisters’ future better but with dignity and being more careful than her elder sister who ran away with her lover and didn’t marry him. She isn’t a damsel. She isn’t bluestocking as people said but her thoughts are definitely forward and peculiar making her different from other ladies which I liked very much. I liked her determination, will, and views. I liked her for how well she understood Ahmad and respected him. The risks she took and how she changed her plans and could understand her elder sister’s reckless decision was amazing. I enjoyed reading her development and how open she was about her feelings and what she was willing to do to follow her heart. What I liked most about her was her thoughts towards Indians and British rule over India.

I love handsome brooding heroes and Ahmad was exactly the same and total gentleman. I felt for him for what he gone through ever since he came to London with his sister and how he struggled to be independent and save money to buy the shop. It was horrible to see how ladies and gentlemen took advantage of their position, servents and people looking at him suspiciously for him being half-Indian and how much that affected his work. His feelings of not belonging to either country was heartfelt and I liked how that changed slowly after meeting Evelyn. I loved him for thinking about Evelyn first, putting his feelings aside and giving every possible chance to her so she could have someone stable and rich. His doubts and inner conflicts were genuine and relatable.

I enjoyed reading side characters, especially Evelyn’s new friends in London- Anne, Stella, and Julia. They were interesting, had their unique characteristics and I loved how non-judgemental and supportive they were. I’m so excited to know this series follows their story as well. I’m so much interested in Julia and Anne’s stories in next books.

Romance was realistic and slow burn. The attraction between Evelyn and Ahmad was there from the beginning but I liked that it wasn’t insta-love. They had their responsibilities and goals in their mind for long time and they didn’t forget it even when they realized, it isn’t just attraction but more. I enjoyed how they changed their plan turned all obstacles in their favor. I liked how simple author kept it and yet it had its charm.

Characters and plot is obviously great but the best part is victorian era. I enjoyed reading about horsebreakers, dresses and fashion in this time period, beliefs of spiritualism in society, and position of Indians in Victorian London. It all is so well written. I liked reading fashion and historical facts about events happened and even some characters and what was fictionalized to suit the story in author’s note. I have read women’s position and issues they face in this era before and how people looked at them and expected them to be but it was great to see focus on a struggling, a tradesman’s position and that too a half Indian and how society treated him.

Twists and turns are well written. I was expecting some but I couldn’t guess few things like climax and everything happened after it. I liked Evelyn’s plan. It was smart and I so love her for promoting Ahmad’s dresses and how that benefited him. End is perfect. I just hope I get chance to read Captain Blunt and Julia’s story in next book.

Why 4.5 stars-

My small issue was with pace. It was terribly slow at times and took me more than usual time to finish the book.

Overall, The Siren of Sussex was fascinating, well-written victorian era romance with layered characters and amazing historical elements.

I highly recommend this if you like,
Historical romance
Victorian era
interracial, cross-class romance
Fashion during this time period
theme of belongingness, racism, and internal struggle
layered characters
third-person narrative
fresh perspective
accurate historical elements
Focus not only on women of the era but also on men and half Indians

Special thanks to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my own opinion.

This book is not my usual type of genre , but was recommended to me. I understand there were some characters who popped up in previous books, but having not read Mimi Matthews before, I did not know them. I don't think I needed to know them because this is a standalone or the start of a series, I hope. It really surprised me and I think I was just in the mood away from witches, wolves, vampires, libraries, racial books, etc.

This book happened to be a love story, between Eve and Ahmed with a slow but satisfying burn set in the Victorian era, which is an era I happen to love. The clothes, the courts, the Victorian era people, the tea and scones, you know what i mean!.4 stars I am a Mimi Matthews fan now!

Victorian romance with a difference!

Evelyn Maltravers must find a wealthy husband. Her sisters are depending on her. How to take what she is—unremarked and unprepossessing, and to turn those strengths she has to advantage?
Remembering her dead mother’s words, “one must approach a problem from a position of strength”, Evelyn decides to challenge the lure of The Pretty Horsebreakers, courtesans who ride in Rotten Row every day, their well made riding costumes setting their charms off to advantage. A talented equestrian, owner of a magnificent Spanish-bred Andalusian horse, Hephaestus—Evelyn has decided this would be the factor to set her apart from other debutantes entering the season’s lists. A well made marriage to someone who’ll provide for her family is her goal, and she works diligently, if not in the usual way, towards that end.
Evelyn recognises the superb tailoring and magic of the Horsebreaker’s outfits. She discovers where these are made and meets the designer, Ahmad Malik, a gifted Indian habit-maker looking to break into the high fashion stakes. Ahmad has recently entered into an agreement with Mr. Doyle, owner of the ton’s favored establishment Messrs. Doyle and Heppenstall, to buy out Doyle’s lease. However he must first prove himself to Doyle. (Fascinating fact that male tailors crafted female riding outfits in these times!) Evelyn approaches the establishment to make her riding costumes and meets Ahmad. That approach is a charged moment for both of them. Their story is one of endeavour and hope as each struggles to follow their dream, to find their unique destiny.
The vagaries of fashion, the many conflicting messages of polite society, the prejudices on display about menial workers, about British Indian heritage persons, the place of women in society—all are grist for the mill in this unusual and compelling tale.

A Berkley penguinrandomhouse ARC via NetGalley
Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

Oh my goodness, where does one begin to explain how much they love this book. I absolutely adore historical romance. Truly one of my favorite genres. Mimi’s world in The Siren of Sussex is beautiful and so wonderfully well written I just want more immediately. I absolutely loved Evelyn and Ahmad’s story. Both characters are so unique and similar it’s wonderful. I loved that Evelyn and Ahmad both felt this sense of duty for their younger we’ll call them wards for the sake of the story. Both had this duty to protect and ensure futures for others, and I think that’s part of the reason why they are so struck by each other. The storyline of Ahmad being half Indian and he and Mira struggling with their identity is both incredibly well written and also relatable to many many people. I was thrilled by Ahmad from the get go. I found him intriguing and I kept wanting to see his wonderful creations for Evelyn. The fashion in this book truly dazzles, just as the cast of characters in this story do as well. I am so pleased that there will be more books in this series!

The Siren of Sussex opens with Evelyn Maltravers, a 23-year-old woman embarking on her first season in London. Though a gentleman’s daughter, her family’s financial situation is getting tight, and she’s intent on not only securing a husband for herself, but also paving the way for her four younger sisters to make good matches. Evelyn considers her beauty and conversational skills lacking, so she decides to come at this season from a different point of strength: her skills as an equestrienne. All she needs is the perfect outfits to make her shine when riding her Andalusian in Rotten Row. She seeks out an up-and-coming tailor named Ahmad Malik.

Ahmad Malik is half-Indian and half-British, and despite racism and class limitations holding him back, his goal is to own his own tailor shop. He’s on track to take over once his co-worker retires, but he needs to gain both capital and reputation first. When Miss Maltravers commissions him for a riding habit, and later for dresses and gowns, it seems like the perfect partnership, one in which the both lift each other up. But how will their partnership work out once they acknowledge the growing feelings they have for one another? How can a relationship between them – between people from two different social classes and races – ever work?

There is so much I love about The Siren of Sussex, and it checks all my boxes for a perfect historical romance.

Firstly, I love that the novel’s hero is half-Indian. It’s somewhat rare that I see people of color in England-set historical romances, especially as one of the protagonists. Mimi Matthews doesn’t shy away from depicting the racism that Ahmad and his cousin, Mira, face on a day-to-day basis. From upper and lower classes alike, they aren’t always welcomed into certain spaces and face micro-aggressions aplenty. Ahmad feels like he doesn’t belong anywhere, feeling neither fully Indian nor fully British. He faces an inner struggle for acceptance for who he is, but he’s not optimistic about how much can change. This comes up once he and Evelyn consider what an actual relationship between them could look like. Evelyn would be forced to see – and in some ways, experience – the bigotry aimed at Ahmad. How can an interracial couple thrive in 1860s London?

The Siren of Sussex also offers some excellent criticism of England’s colonialism, particularly in how it disparaged India. Not too much of a spoiler, but at one point, Evelyn wants to learn more about India. She’s unimpressed and offended by the first two books she picks up, both of which were written by white British men. She and her friend, Lady Anne, briefly discuss the problems of colonialism and the harmful, dehumanizing depictions of India and Indians found in those books. Luckily, another character (who will play a bigger role in the next book) was able to suggest an #OwnVoices book… approximately 150 years before “#OwnVoices” was even a thing!

In addition to race and colonialism, I also love how The Siren of Sussex focus on characters who are neither rich nor titled. In Evelyn’s case, she does come from a higher class background, but with both of her parents gone, she and her sisters have dwindling financial resources. Money and financial security are of concern to Evelyn, and she’s trying her best for herself and for her sisters. Ahmad comes from a much poorer background, having had to work since he was 15 to support himself and his younger cousin. He grew up in a brothel and has had to climb his way up despite the many barriers placed in his way. Again, Ahmad and Evelyn will have to consider how they could work despite their different class backgrounds.

As a side note, I appreciate Ahmad’s perspective on the upper classes and their reluctance to actually work. One subplot involving Evelyn’s sister could, in his mind, be resolved if rich people would just get a job already. Hear, hear. Though I do understand the alternate perspective that Evelyn provides, too.

Evelyn isn’t your typical romance lead, either. She doesn’t consider herself beautiful, and she wears glasses. She’s opinionated and prefers the company of horses over people. I love that she is a strong and wonderful character in her own right, and that Ahmad never tries to change her. She doesn’t need to go through a glow up to become beautiful before capturing the guy’s attention; Ahmad always likes her exactly as she is, even if his garments do enhance her features.

Ahmad and Evelyn are a lovely couple, and I appreciate how their feelings for each other grow gradually and naturally. They don’t have any miscommunications. Rather, the barrier between them is one outside of their control. How can they overcome racism and financial limitations? But if they’re both willing to make it work, perhaps they could have a beautiful future together.

And although The Siren of Sussex is a closed-door romance, the relationship between Evelyn and Ahmad is still satisfyingly passionate. They have excellent chemistry, a compelling attraction between them, and are a perfect match mentally and emotionally as well. They are believable and feel completely real, and they make for an adorable couple.

This review wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the horses! I loved horses when I was growing up and always dreamed of having one. My two favorite breeds were Arabians and Andalusians, and I was excited to see the latter here. Evelyn’s horse is Hephaestus, an Andalusian from the southern Spanish region for which the breed was named. I loved learning more about horses (Andalusians in particular) and riding.

A passion for riding also introduces Evelyn to her three friends, Julia, Anne, and Stella. I enjoyed their supportive friendship, and this book does an excellent job of setting up the next in the series. I’m already eager to read about Julia and Captain Blunt in The Belle of Belgrave Square!

The Siren of Sussex is a beautifully written, thought-provoking, and immersive historical romance that weaves in complex themes of race, class, feminism, and empowerment. It offers a believable and passionate romance between two people who can seem so different on the outside but are willing to pave their own path. It’s everything I hoped it would be and more.

It’s time for a very specific book recommendation! If you die over that scene in 2019 Little Women where Laurie slowly and longingly takes off Amy’s apron, or you can’t get enough of the hand flex ™️ in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, then The Siren of Sussex, with its excellent romantic tension, is the book for you.

Evelyn arrives in London with a plan to use her equestrian talents to impress a wealthy suitor. Ahmad is the tailor she hires to design her one-of-a-kind riding habit. What follows is a novel full of longing-filled fittings at Ahmad’s shop, forbidden love, and gorgeous gowns.

The Siren of Sussex is low on steam, but high on romance. I loved it so much. Thank you to @BerkleyRomance for the gifted copy. This book comes out 1/11!

Mimi Matthews is an excellent raconteuse. I was rivetted by her prose, held spellbound by the story she was telling. The Siren of Sussex is so beautifully realized—the characters, the setting, the language, all combine to tell a complex tale. Like the smooth gait of an Andalusian horse, there is superb kinetic pacing to the story that ebbs and flows with the emotions and motions of the heroine.

I highly, highly recommend The Siren of Sussex. It is one of the best historical romances I have read in a long time.

Full Review: http://keirasoleore.blogspot.com/2022/01/review-siren-of-sussex-by-mimi-matthews.html

Delightful! Victorian is quickly becoming a favorite! The characters were phenomenal and the plot was intriguing and fast paced! Mimi Matthews seriously outdid herself!