"A passionate tale of plague, fire, and forbidden love in seventeenth-century London from the acclaimed author of Solomon's Crown.

It is 1666, one year after plague has devastated England. Young widow Cecilia Thorowgood is a prisoner, trapped and isolated within her older sister's cavernous London townhouse. At the mercy of a legion of doctors trying to cure her grief with their impatient scalpels, Cecilia shows no sign of improvement. Soon, her sister makes a decision born of desperation: She hires a new physician, someone known for more unusual methods. But he is a foreigner. A Jew. And despite his attempts to save Cecilia, he knows he cannot quell the storm of sorrow that rages inside her. There is no easy cure for melancholy.

David Mendes fled Portugal to seek a new life in London, where he could practice his faith openly and leave the past behind. Still reeling from the loss of his beloved friend and struggling with his religion and his past, David is free and safe in this foreign land but incapable of happiness. The security he has found in London threatens to disappear when he meets Cecilia, and he finds himself torn between his duty to medicine and the beating of his own heart. He is the only one who can see her pain; the glimmers of light she emits, even in her gloom, are enough to make him believe once more in love.

Facing seemingly insurmountable challenges, David and Cecilia must endure prejudice, heartbreak, and calamity before they can be together. The Great Fire is coming - and with the city in flames around them, love has never felt so impossible."

And not to spoil anything, but history shows us that England isn't that religiously tolerant as one might hope...

Thanks NetGalley for allowing me early access to one of my most anticipated books of the year!

I have been excited for more of Siegel’s work after tearing through Solomon’s Crown last year. While I was happy to see her lovely writing style hadn’t changed, this one unfortunately fell a bit flat for me.

After sitting with it, I just feel I didn’t connect with either Cecilia or David. I certainly felt for them and appreciated how the author approached each character’s grief, but I just didn’t fall for them in the way I had hoped. I think I preferred Sam Grey most of all, and he wasn’t a true main character.

I did find the pacing to be a bit off for me personally. I kept hitting lulls that made it hard to want to pick the book back up, especially with the repeated escapes that each felt so similar and repetitive.

Despite this, Siegel’s writing is truly lovely - I feel like I glide through pages when reading her work. While this story didn’t necessarily hit the way I had hoped, I know others will love it. I can’t wait to see what Siegel writes next!

Beautiful. Wonderful. Lovely.

I had liked Siegel's previous book, but I LOVED The Phoenix Bride. The characters were so fully realized it was like they truly lived and breathed, The grief that connected David and Cecilia permeated their early interactions so strongly, but the way they eventually learned to live with it and found love together again felt true to reality in that it wasn't a miracle cure, but a slow and steady hike with some occasional stumbles.

Truly can't recommend this enough to anyone who likes historical fiction.

I loved this historical romance , it was such a fast paced book, there is identity, diversity & something that could really spoke to me .

This was such a beautiful book!! I'm not typically a historical romance reader, but this was about so much more than that. Yes, the main characters' love is the central storyline, but it is about mental health, identity, belonging, and how places and people impact all of that. Even though this is set in the 17th century, I felt connected to the characters.

I loved the writing style--it fit very well with the time, and reminded me of Jane Austen with the quips and declarations from the characters. I loved Cecilia and David both so much... AND the rest of the cast of characters (Jan is a king, and the memories of Manuel made me so emotional). I respected that the author didn't shy away from the discrimination that characters would've faced at the time--it didn't feel anachronistic like some other historical romances. Queer people and Jewish people existed! And it was hard! But their stories are still worth telling authentically.

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review :)

I received this from Netgalley.com.

An okay read. Set in 1600's London, Cecilia and David come to understand their past and how to live into their future.

3.25☆

Is there such a thing as historical-fiction-beach-read? That's what this is, if such a genre exists. This was fast, juicy, plot driven historical fiction. I enjoyed it! But didn't find the characters to be very deeply felt.

Thank you to Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the ARC of the Phoenix Bride in exchange for an honest review!

Natasha Siegel is one of the greatest writers of our time. Her books are like music, like a song that plays on your mind, like a symphony of perfect notes, and words, and feelings. I absolutely adored Solomon’s Crown and thus The Phoenix Bride became an immediate highlight of 2024, a must-read for me that more than earned its place. Poignant, meaningful, and deeply satisfying, the Phoenix Bride should be on everyone’s shelf this year. It comes out March 12th, and you should smash that pre-order button NOW.

TPB tells the story of romantics David Mendes and Celia Thorowgood, who meet by chance. Plague has swept through England, and left Celia a widow. Now distraught and diagnosed with melancholy, Celia lives with her sister and entertains the endless parade of doctors who prod her to resolve her incurable mindset. Her sister eventually hires David, a foreigner and Jew, to tend to Celia’s state. Unlike the others, he isn’t invasive, he respects her autonomy, and only makes recommendations, acknowledging that he or anyone is limited in their ability to “cure” her. As David and Celia begin to spend more time together, something unexpected overtakes them both, igniting something that simply cannot be.

This novel has a little something for everyone. It’s more romantic than steamy, living in the pining and the painful want of love. It contains queer characters and subplots, and explores the perspective of many different minorities trying to make their way in England in the 1600s. There are supportive male friendships and understanding husbands, and the bittersweet mixture of lost and found that makes up a life. It’s something beautiful, something rare, not unlike the bond that David and Celia have. There is no cure for melancholy, and there is no cure for love, but perhaps some things are meant to be felt rather than controlled. Siegel tells a masterful tale, creating the type of book that changes you as much as it thrills you. And maybe even opens you up to something new.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for providing me with an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley.
The novel is set in London in 1666, right after a plague and encompassing the Great Fire of London. Cecilia is a grieving young widow reliant on her sister, and David is a Sephardic Jew from Portugal who meets Cecilia when he is called to treat her in his capacity as a physician. A 17th century romance between a Jew and gentile is fraught with challenges and danger. Their tale is one of prejudice, love, grief, and self-reflection. The writing is lyrical, slow-paced, and descriptive.
Personally this book didn't do it for me. If you're at all familiar with 17th century England there will be places it seems obvious that the writer took big liberties. Had their been a longer authors note of explanation on why this was the case I could have been sold, but since there wasn't, to me it seemed like lazy writing where the author didn't bother to thoroughly research the time period.

It was hard to engage with this book because the characters were never developed beyond types. We have the waifish pale blond widow, the dark melancholy Jew, the upper class twit with a heart of gold, and, of course, the gay best friend. Further, in 17th century London, it would have been utterly impossible for David and Cecilia to even be on a first name basis, let alone consider each other as possible friends. Maybe if the characters had been developed more, I could have believed that, but David is uniformly depressing and Cecilia has spiraled so deep into her grief that she's one-note.

There is a fair amount of good period detail, which actually makes it harder to believe that the relationship would be possible. And what is with Cecilia not knowing how to greet nobility? Should would have been drilled in the peerage and courtesy since a young age.

In terms of recommending that people read this, it is two stars, but it gets a couple of half-star bonuses. First, for having characters seriously deal with loss and grief, though they don't have much success at dealing with it. Second, in order to get our couple back together, half of London has to be burned to the ground. Certainly that should count for something.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is a great historical novel but this book deals heavily with grief. IF you like pining romances and don’t mind grief this book is for you.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 5/5 Stars
Published: March 12, 2024
Pages: 336

I’ve had this on my shelf for a little while and really wanted to take the time to read as the description captured my notice as a very interesting and possibly good read. What can I say about this book…that it was one of the best books I’ve read thus far into this new year.

“The Phoenix Bride” by new author, Natasha Siegel was a lovely story that sheds light on London during the 1650’s and of a young woman name Cecelia who is dealing with grief and loss. The plot of the story is wonderfully written and is told from the perspectives of Cecelia and David, a Jewish doctor that has been hired to treat her ailment.

Both characters have their obstacles to overcome. Cecilia’s is treating her grief and David is trying to look beyond prejudice and hate. The forced proximity allows both characters to grow closer to one another to the point that they fall in love. The pacing is great, interesting events and happenings and an authenticity of the feelings between the two main individuals. There are sub characters that brings a lighter side to the seriousness of the problems experienced by David and Cecelia. This story touches on history, healing, love and a few more. Wow to this new author and you won’t be disappointed with the read. Highly recommend

I loved the story, the world building and meeting the different characters. I felt completely immersed in the story and couldn't stop reading it.

This book gives great insight into the social dynamics that existed in London during the 1650’s. Cecelia is a young woman who has suffered a great loss. David is a Jewish doctor hired to treat her. The author has created a really powerful plot with the story being told from both their perspectives. The dialogue is great and makes reading the story easy. Readers will love the characters and thoroughly enjoy the culmination book.

I absolutely loved this book. It was really well written and it was also surprising. Thank you for the arc. I really appreciate it.

Cecilia is a young widow living in her sister's home in London. the city took her beloved husband. She has been unwell for a while and her sister has insisted on bringing in a line of physicians to cure her. David Mendes is a Jewish physician, who left Portugal with his father. In Portugal, they were subject to prejudice and hate to the point they could not practice their faith. Though London is more accepting, there are still bigots to be weary of.

David is the last of the physicians that Cecilia has agreed to see before she will outright refuse any more treatment for her grief. When they meet, there is a noticeable spark. As they continue to fall for each other they must look at the reality of their situation and decide if their love can withstand the world they live in.

This was a wonderful love story. The writing is great and keeps the story moving. I love what we learn of David and that it is not made to be a major conflict. This is the first love story I have read that has introduced a character like this. There are really interesting events that happen and the affection the characters feel for each other feels authentic and makes sense.

There are some punctuation errors, capitalizing at the start of sentences, and spacing. Other than that there were not huge issues.

I would definitely recommend this book for a historical fiction romance.

Cecilia is a young woman devastated by the loss of her husband to the plague and left destitute and depressed. Her sister movers her to London to watch over her, but also to make sure she is upwardly mobile in 17th century society court.
David is a Jewish doctor who moved to London to escape persecution in Portugal. He has recently suffered the loss of a close friend, Miguel, whom he loved.
Cecilia's sister calls in David to help her sister with the physical symptoms of her grief, and Cecilia is taken by his kind, gentle spirit. As Cecilia feels better, she is desperate to escape the close watch of her sister and David introduces her to the sights and sounds of London. The story climaxes with the Great Fire of London in 1666 which dramatically alters London as a whole, but also puts their lives into perspective.

What I loved:
- This story is so beautifully written. It is such a pleasure to read!
- The secondary characters - Jan and Samuel in particular added a lightness and whimsy to contrast to the more serious, grief-stricken Cecilia and David
- The representation of queerness in 17th C Europe, especially the way David's love for both Miguel and Cecilia is described. It's not heavy handed, or even really explained, but it feels real that they are both the loves of his life.

I wouldn't call this a quick read, but it is worth reveling in each chapter!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, Ballantine Books, and Natasha Siegel for providing the ARC of this beautiful novel!

5/5⭐️

“The darkness here allows for impossible things: two moons, two sets of stars, and the two of us, together.”

“There’s no need to be loud, if you are with someone who can listen”

Thank you NetGalley & the author for selecting me to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Phoenix Bride releases 3/12/2024.

This book was such a fun historical fiction read. It managed to keep me sucked in the whole time and I absolutely loved the multiple POV’s with this story.
The story follows life after grief & navigating after the plague.

David’s character was such a sweet soul and a lovely person. I found his backstory to be interesting & refreshing from most historical fiction I’ve read.

Cecilia was a stubborn widow and I adored her “unladylike” behavior throughout. lol.

This book definitely flowed perfectly and didn’t ever feel boring which a lot of historical fiction can tend to do. The minimal romance was nice and sweet.

4 Stars! Thank you, to the publisher, for this eARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion!

The story touches on love, history, trauma and healing from it, the immigrant experience, and more all under a historical lens. We come to learn the story of two individuals who have come to know loss, in that they have lost the love of their lives. I really enjoyed getting to know Cecilia and David I also appreciated the uniqueness of the storyline. The novel was also well-written; a sweet yet sad story. After this, I will be taking a look at Natasha Siegel’s other works.

I would definitely recommend it to those who enjoy historical fiction and romance.

So this was so much more than I was expecting! A complex love story between two complex, flawed characters, this was beautiful it its intensity and detail and emotion. Natasha Siegel just adds so much depth in the relationships of her characters, and pulls you in. A beautiful, touching read.