I love when novels whisk me back in time to another era, when things were so similar yet so different. The Phoenix Bride is set in 1666 in the aftermath of a plague, one that stole loved ones from both of our main characters. Cecilia Thorowgood lost her husband after a short but happy marriage; she’s been unable to move on from her grief, physically or emotionally. This is why her sister brings in a physician named David Mendes. He’s not the first doctor to see Cecilia, but he is her last hope at this point. David, too, understands grief all too well, and he takes an alternative approach to healing Cecilia.

Although there is a strong element of romance here, the novel really does start off with both characters in a bad place, perhaps more obviously so with Cecilia. The Phoenix Bride doesn’t shy away from showing grief and how that can impact a person. From Cecilia’s inability to eat to her suicidal ideation, it can be pretty dark. Emotionally, she’s chaotic and at times reckless, but it’s largely meant to cover up her intense melancholy.

Both Cecilia and David face significant limitations, if for different reasons. Cecilia is a woman in the 17th century, dependent on her married sister and on the financial stability that marrying again would provide her. David is a Jew from Portugal, facing discrimination both for his religion and for his nation of origin. And given their differences, it would be nearly impossibly for David and Cecilia to give in to their mutual attraction and develop a life together.

Many obstacles are in the way of a romantic relationship for the two. First of all, Cecilia is being pushed to marry another man, mainly to provide security to herself and to her sister. Family gets in the way, including more loss, only compounding the uphill battle they already face. But could a devastating fire in London push them together or drive them further apart?

There are many things I enjoyed about The Phoenix Bride, from its lyrical writing and historical setting to the way both main characters are shown. There is some LGBTQ representation, discussions around differing religions, and insight into 17th century medical practices. I also appreciated several of the supporting cast, especially one person I didn’t think I’d like at all. The book sometimes felt too detached or like it wasn’t moving forward the way I’d hoped, but it was still a thoughtful and interesting read.

Overall, I liked The Phoenix Bride for its characters and many themes, even if it left me wanting a bit more by the end. This is Natasha Siegel’s second novel, and I am eager to go back and read her previous book, Solomon’s Crown, which I have on my bookshelf now.

This novel was inventive and interesting, and I was greatly interested to read the author's sophomore novel -- as a very much enjoyed Solomon's Crown. However, I found our protagonist less captivating than I was hoping for, and the foreign doctor to be far more interesting as a character. I particularly enjoyed how the doctor was torn between focusing on his own rational survival in a new land, and his feelings for his patient. I think this would be a worthy read for any book club, or fan of historical fiction. Natasha Siegel will surely provide additional exceptional work on innovative historical fiction in the future, recommended.

I think this book just wasn't for me. I could clearly see the ingredients of a good book, and the reasons people might love it, while I was reading but none of it really made me grow attached. I struggled to feel the characters emotions and that left me not really feeling anything for them

This book was beautiful. I loved Natasha Seigel’s first novel, Solomon’s Crown, and I loved this one just as much if not more.

I didn’t expect to enjoy this so much. It’s a historical romance but I think it’s more literary fiction than romance. The romance is important to the plot but it deals with different kinds of love and relationships; those between friends, family, and romantic love.

The setting is London in the 1600s and there is a lot going on. We start with the bubonic plague and end with The Great Fire of London. The author describes the city and the time period with so much detail. I felt like I was right there with the characters.

This is sort of a forbidden love plot but the heartbreaking kind. Cecilia and David fall in love after both of them have dealt with the loss of a husband and a best friend, respectively. But Cecilia is a gentlewoman of standing but no means and David is a Jewish physician. There are so many societal obstacles to their love and we get to ride the rollercoaster with them.

I am so impressed that this author has created two beautiful historical romances. I cannot wait to see what’s next for her.

"The Phoenix Bride" by Natasha Siegel is a mesmerizing tale of love, loss, and redemption set against the backdrop of a vibrant fantasy world. Seamlessly blending elements of romance, magic, and adventure, Siegel crafts a captivating narrative that will keep readers enthralled from beginning to end.

At the heart of the story is the protagonist, Cecilia , a young woman with a fiery spirit and a heart full of longing. As she navigates the complexities of her world, Cecilia journey is as much internal as it is external, as she grapples with her own desires, fears, and insecurities.

Siegel's prose is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid images of the lush landscapes and majestic cities that populate Cecilia world. The bustling streets of the capital setting feels richly detailed and immersive, inviting readers to lose themselves in the magic of the story.

Overall, "The Phoenix Bride" is a spellbinding tale that will enchant readers with its vivid imagery, compelling characters, and heartfelt themes. Natasha Siegel has crafted a truly immersive world that readers will be reluctant to leave, making this book a must-read for fans of historical romance.

Two grieving, marginalized people in England find one another and ultimately figure out their happily-ever-after. The historical detail is nice, as is the always-welcome treatment of the history of Jews in England and queer culture, but I didn't end up caring a whole lot about the characters.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Natasha Siegel for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Phoenix Bride coming out March 12, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I really enjoy the time period. I actually just finished another book called 1666 that takes place in another place in the world. So it was interesting to see how things played out after the plague. I loved the world building and slow burn in the first half of the book. The second half was a little too much “will they, won’t they?” I didn’t understand some of the unnecessary separation. I guess it was mainly because they were from different cultures, but it felt like Cecilia had a lot of freedoms as a widow that regular women wouldn’t have during the time. I really loved David’s character and the trials he faced as a foreigner and because of his religion. Overall, I loved the story and will definitely check out other books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys 1600s historical fiction!

Tropes: Queer Representation (more than one LGBTQ+ character); Historical (17th century England); Forbidden Romance (physician and patient, but they don’t become familiar until he stops being her physician); Interfaith Couple (Christian and Jewish); Forced Proximity (for the time period); Yearning and Pining like Pine Trees. (Fated mates is also listed as a trope but since there’s no magical element to this story I’m leaving it off).

Sometimes you get interested in a book due to Shiny Cover Syndrome and it works out great!

The Phoenix Bride was a lyrical, engrossing, romantic, and lovely book to read on a dreary day like today (where I live, anyway). If you like your historical romances to be full of swoon-worthy moments, pining like evergreen forests, feelings of desperation and helplessness, emotional outpourings, lamentations of “we can’t!”, and that whole vibe of “we rescued each other”, then you’re going to love this book.

There is young love followed by great loss, terrible grief, desperate dealings undertaken by loved ones, tentative and surprising friendships, frightening circumstances and courage under fire, and daring maneuvers for the sake of a chance at happiness.

Does it end happily? Yes. I was happy to have read it, because it made me smile and it was easy to love.

I was provided a copy of this title by NetGalley and the author. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/LGBTQ Fiction

Happy pub day to The Phoenix Bride! Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for this ARC.

First things first, I just adore Seigel’s writing. It enchanted me in Solomon’s Crown, and she did it again here. The worlds she creates and the feelings she evokes with her words are delightful. She genuinely makes the reader feel as if they are living in the time period she is portraying. It’s a testament to how good her writing is that I can’t get enough of it, despite not being the biggest fan of historical fiction.

As for the story itself, it’s a love story, yes, but also a tale about grief and loss, and Seigel balanced all of that beautifully. The characters are richly developed and nuanced, and I felt grateful to be able to join them on their journey of healing.

There is so much pain in this book, and so much joy. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

The Phoenix Bride is out today!

4.5/5

The Phoenix Bride was a wonderful surprise. A historical romance that both intrigued and delighted me. Natasha Siegel was able to bring the 1600s to life as she tells us about the love and loss that Cecelia Thorowgood encountered in her young life. A woman who finds the perfect man in Will, only to lose him after visiting her sister Margaret at her tony home in the heart of London, contracting the dreaded plague. What follows is the long-term grief Cecelia can't seem to shake until she is treated by yet another physician by the name of David Mendes and her life is never the same.

This book is beautifully paced as the subtle chemistry between doctor and patient gives both David and Cecelia a bit of a jump start to their hearts as both are lonely and sullen. David has his own crosses to bear with the loss of his dear friend Manuel and the ongoing health battles of his dear father. His faith is also something that needs to be carefully guarded, his family and friends fleeing Spain because of the restraints of being Jewish, something David continues to struggle with all these years later. I found it very interesting at the careful placement of symbols, traditions and rituals the author presented, using her own knowledge of the Jewish faith respectfully. I could feel David's seemingly constant battle to want to continue to embrace his faith yet fearful he wasn't always worthy. That he turned his back on it for so long, hiding as a Christian with his immediate family while living in Spain, his struggles with what he has thought and felt always right under the surface.

With Cecelia, however, the freedom David feels is something that takes him aback more times than he can count. The way they both dance around each other, crawling out of the dark and gasping at the light that wants to embrace them both, it's quite the revelation that neither ever expected. But there is a unique attraction, one that both know should never be yet how do they resist? Why put a damper on feeling something wonderful after both experiencing deep sadness for way too long? It's a tough situation as they sneak around, with Cecelia worrying her sister seemingly nonstop, but whatever fate had in store for them, I was there for every moment whether joyful or full of despair.

This book gave me an incredible insight into what life was like 400 years ago. Siegel gives us just enough detail that I could envision London and the myriad of characters who lived within its streets. I could smell the herbs David carefully tended to. I could feel the pageantry as wedding parades filled the town square. And I could feel the burgeoning affection Cecelia had for the thoughtful David and hoped beyond hope they could find a way to be together. Despite their differences in class, faith and family, their souls simply found their other half.

Every character is magnificent in their own way. Even Margaret who only wanted what was best for her sister, albeit her showing her concern in stifling ways, was memorable. Jan, Sam, even Katherine the flower pedaler, offered kindness and support when Cecelia's world kept falling apart. Feeling grateful for caring friends who were always there to catch David before he fell and pushing him to finally grab what he so very much deserved.

We're left with a happy-for-now kind of ending and I'm fine with that. Sure, Cecelia and David will continue to face obstacles if they want to be each other's everything but I'm convinced that their love truly will conquer all. If anyone deserves that happily ever after, it's these two and I'm beyond thrilled I got a chance to be by their sides as they fell forever in love with one another.

5 big stars!

There was a lot to love about this book, especially with its simple yet wholesome relationships. I thought the depiction of all of them was done so well, and the story didn’t need a lot of flashy events to convey what it needed to. The way I gravitate towards historical romances needs to be studied, truly.

Starting with what I really liked, which was the characters and their dynamics itself. I mean, David and Cecilia — their relationship was so soft and pure and gentle. Innocent but fiery. It was so Bridgerton vibes with the forbidden trope and I loved the longing they had for each other. Cecilia’s backstory of being married and David helping her through it professionally and then otherwise, was so adorable and their healing process made for a very satisfying read.

I loved how they were always there for each other in the subtle ways throughout the book and constantly fought for each other, even if it was just silently. This builds into Cecilia’s relationship with her sister, Margaret, as well. That relationship was so complex but so real. Margaret, being such a grey character, also brings out the grey in Cecilia herself which is such an interesting dynamic — loved how realistically their conflict was addressed and loosely wrapped up at the end.

Also special mention to Sir Grey — I did not expect that to go the way it did! With his introduction in the book, I was fully convinced he was going to be another one of those typical “obstacles” in David and Cecilia’s journey but he was NOT! And I was living for that.

Aside from these elements that I liked, there were obviously a reason I could not give this a four or five starts with the rating. This is more of a 3.5 on the scale for me, and it’s majorly because I just didn’t connect with the story or characters much until a significant amount into the book. I think I was at around chapter 10 when it finally started to draw me in and it was a fairly quick read after that. I’m not sure why it took so long for the disconnect to fade out, but the story just wasn’t propelling forward fast enough for me to maintain interest.

However, once it hit, it did! The Phoenix Bride is a really good historical romance (my favorite genre) and I’m glad I decided to get it from NetGalley. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and there was a lot to love!

What does a "Happily Ever After" mean to you? Does a nontraditional HEA count? I personally consider this a historical romance that's heavy on the history, but still a romance.⁠
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Without specific spoilers, this is a forbidden romance: Cecilia, a widow from an impoverished noble background, falls for David, a Jewish physician. Cecilia and David are dealing with grief due to the loss of a loved one. Cecilia's husband Will and David's unrequited love, Manuel, both died of the plague during a recent outbreak. Through their relationship, they can begin the healing process. In 1665, their romance is dangerous for both of them. Cecilia's sister is determined to marry her off to another nobleman, Sam, while David is being courted by Manuel's sister. David's business depends on the beneficent eye of the Anglican community: if one of his patients dies, he could lose his livelihood or even his life. ⁠
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David's careful balance of his Jewish heritage, his public persona, and what he sees as his debt to the Jewish community form a fascinating background to the book. Cecilia might come from a relatively privileged family, but her current position of impoverished widow dependent on her sister's charity allows her to sympathize with David's position. This is not a closed door romance, but it's not particularly explicit. And that HEA isn't ambiguous, but it's also not a public acknowledgement of David and Cecilia's relationship and love. I found it satisfying and appropriate, but I could see some readers finding it lacking.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Just when you start to give up on love and happiness, it comes in little waves washing over you as a gentle reminder its beautiful to have love and lost, but to love again. I find the journey David and Cecilia go on to reflect my own in self discovery and overall physical and mental health and quickly grew attached to them like they were my own. I don't normally reread books but this gave me such a reading experience that I know I will pick it up again as I go through my own life and experience future loss and love. A story for generations - a future classic in my own shelf. Thank you Natasha Siegel for such a slice of live and hope through The Phoenix Bride.

The Phoenix Bride is the sophomore novel by Natasha Siegel after her debut, Solomon’s Crown. The story takes place in 1666 after a plague has devastated England. Cecilia Thorowgood is a young widow having trouble dealing with grief, so a Jewish doctor named David Mendes, who fled Portugal to London is tasked with helping her. The story tells of the two slowly learning to trust each other and possibly giving in to romantic feelings with each other. With a dual POV, the reader gets to follow each character on their emotional journey.

Siegal does a great job at portraying each character. As the story switches between the two main characters, it was easy to connect with each and follow along with their journey. Each is going through grief and other emotions in their own ways, and it is great to see how they handle everything. There is a lot of prose in the writing, which adds a nice layer of complexity. There are a lot of topics explored in this story and I think Siegal did a great job with them. The story itself was an enjoyable read with good pacing. I do think the characters could have been explored even more, but they were still well-written. Overall, I enjoyed Siegal’s novel, and I would read another from her in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Dell, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Forbidden love

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good historical novel. When I first picked this up I just wasn’t in the mood, for something quite as deep. So I read a few lighter novels and then returned. I’m so glad I went back. The story has it all, illicit love, tragedy and rebirth.
I loved the sound premise to this story. Set in 1666 London. Time of the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy and King Charles. Cecilia Thorowgood’s husband has died of the plague. Cecilia is distraught. She’s suffers various doctors paraded before her trying to cure her of melancholy. David Mendes is a physician come Portugal, now living in a Jewish neighbourhood in Aldegate. He has been asked to treat Cecilia.
The story extends into a burgeoning friendship between Cecelia and David, Cecilia’s increasing fear of entrapment, a proposal of marriage from her sister’s husband’s nephew, her growing love for David, his fear of the harsh opinions of others (with good cause) all overshadowed by the Great Fire of London, when lives will be reshaped from a crucible of terror, just not in the way expected.

A Penguin Random House ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

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

The Phoenix Bride is a story of forbidden love in seventeenth century London. When Cecilia's husband succumbs to the plague, she is distraught with grief and escapes to her sister's home in London. After months with no end to Cecilia's depression in sight, her sister hires a slew of doctors to help, the last of which being David.

David Mendes, having fled Portugal with his father in order to practice his faith without persecution, is in London and practicing medicine. Having experienced his own fair share of grief, he treats Cecilia different than the other doctors, and undeniably feels stronger for her than his normal patients. David and Cecilia face many challenges if they wish to be together.

David and Cecilia's love story was so compelling, much of which has to do with Siegel's incredible writing. In just a few pages I was able to fall in love with Cecilias late husband, Will, only for him to be taken away from me!! Honestly, cruel. If you're looking for a beautifully written historical romance, highly recommend this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In 1666 London, widow Cecelia Thorowgood is trapped in her older sister’s townhouse. Doctors are impatient to cure her grief, and her sister finally turns to a new Jewish physician to save Cecilia. David Mendes fled Portugal so he could practice his faith and medicine freely, but still is unhappy in this strange land. Of all people, he knows there is no easy cure for grief. He understands Cecelia's pain and grows attached to her, torn between his heart and his practice. The great plague had come and gone, but the Great Fire is coming...

Cecelia had the good luck to marry for love, while her twin sister married for money and prestige. After her husband died, she fell into grief so profound, we would recognize it as depression. This is what leads to meeting David, who is separated from his mother and much of his community after their deaths in the plague. The two immediately have a connection, as strong as love, but the prejudice against Jews is strong in London, for all that he can practice his faith. There are other aspects he hides about himself that we don't learn until later, but he has a melancholy streak himself.

The picture we have of life in 1666 London is very vivid, and the turns of phrase in this novel are gorgeous. "We all have empty rooms in our hearts. Better to fill them, surely, than to lock their doors and hope they are forgotten." Grief, anxiety, and depression all manifest, and the Great London fire throws it all into sharp relief. We get to see what matters most to Cecelia and David, as well as their closest friends. Fear can make a prison that's difficult to escape from, and learning to move past that fear will allow happiness to shine through again.

I haven't read many historical fiction novels, but The Phoenix Bride thoroughly captivated me. The writing was very poetic, and the characters were well-crafted. The slow burn romance and the drama was a big plus for me as well.

Genre: historical fiction
England, 1666

Cecilia is convinced she knows true happiness on the day she marries William Thorowgood. Plague cares nothing for happiness though, and within months of their marriage, Will is dead. As are so many others. Cecilia’s sister Margaret tries to save her from drowning in her own grief by bringing all manner of doctors and physicians to save her. Margaret has an ulterior motive - to get her well enough to marry her husband’s heir, a charming but flighty young lord, to ensure her own financial future. One those doctor is David Mendes, exiled Jew from Portugal who comes from a long line of physicians. Their religions and classes should keep Cecilia and David apart, but compassion and companionship will help them both see beyond the grief at losing people to the plague. Cecilia learns to embrace freedom as a part of her treatment, and that means learning to love again.

The Phoenix Bride is sad, charming, bittersweet, and yet somehow still delightful. There is sorrow, but also love and joy on so many levels. I was convinced this would be a book about plague (a favorite subgenre for me), but instead it’s about medical empathy. The plague of the first few chapters sets the stage for Cecilia’s and David’s grief, and the different ways in which they confront loss. 17th century medical remedies may not have always worked, but Siegel equips David with a background that was mostly likely to do the most good, but seen as the most likely to do harm. As a Jewish physician, he’s the last person Margaret wants to have help her sister, but she’ll try anything. When Cecilia falls in love with David, Margaret is convinced he must have hexed her, and tries cures to break the curse.

The love story between David and Cecilia is a focal point of the novel, but the side characters brought the story to life. I love that none of the “other men” in Cecilia’s life are bad characters. We only see Will through Cecilia’s honeymoon eyes, but he’s filled with love and joy and sunshine. The man that Margaret wants Cecilia to marry, Sam, is warm and loving and open-hearted. Every page that Sam appeared on had moments I loved, and I was cheering for him, even as Margaret was trying to take Cecilia from David to marry her to Sam. Likewise, David’s best friend, the Dutchman Jan, has moments of frivolity balanced with serious insight that make him a good foil for David and a fully realized side character.

The underground Jewish community of mid-17th century London is fascinating subject matter. According to the author’s note, Jews were exiled from England until the 1650s, so in 1665 when this story begins, the community hasn’t taken a strong foothold yet. David and his family come to London in 1655 from Portugal where they had practiced their religion in secret, keeping Christian symbolism in their households so as not to arouse suspicion. Hiding his identity for so long makes David feel like a bad Jew who never understood how to practice, which he struggles with through the story.
One thing David does not struggle with, though, is his bisexuality. He actually met his friend Jan at a molly house, and when they realized they were not romantically compatible, they became close friends. David always assumes he will marry a woman, and that never bothers him, nor does it bother him to consider clandestine meetings with men. I appreciate Siegel’s normalization of David’s orientation, because not all queer historical stories require angst.

The Phoenix Bride is an impressive sophomore novel from Natasha Siegel.

The Phoenix Bride is a historical romance about Cecelia, a widow in mourning for her husband, and David, a bisexual Jewish doctor. The year is 1666 in London and after surviving the plague Cecelia lives with her sister Margaret while in the grips of depression after losing her husband during the plague. David mourns the lost of his unrequited love and best friend.
When David is tasked with treating Cecelia after so many other physicians have failed sparks fly and the two begin a slow burn romance.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the chance to read and review this book in exchange for my honest opinion and I am giving this book 4⭐️.
I thought this book was well written and a lovely story about overcoming grief and finding new love while dealing with obstacles constructed by society. I enjoyed both Cecelia and David as characters as well as almost all of the supporting cast.
I liked this authors first novel, Solomon’s Crown and this book exceeded my expectations. I will definitely post about this video on my social media (TikTok and YouTube) in early March prior to its release date and will probably purchase a copy of this book for my home library as well.
Video link of review added 3/10/24