I have voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this title given to me via NetGalley. Wow what can I say about this title it was just an awesome read. This book was just something so wonderfully different I’ve never quite read anything like this. You should read to find out you won’t be disappointed. I’m definitely going to read more by this author.

This novel was so devastatingly sad and beautiful. I couldn’t put this book down. I typically don’t like the romance genre, but I think I found the niche that works for me. Maybe one of the best books of the year.

Solomon’s Crown, Siegel’s debut novel, made it into my top five favorite books of 2023 so I was so excited to get an ARC of her newest one. I LOVED this book so much and Natasha Siegel is such an underrated author who deserves way more recognition. Her prose is truly outstanding- there are so many quotes I highlighted and kept returning to.

This novel is set in 1665 in London, England. Cecilia is a recent widow after her husband dies from the Plague which has spread throughout Europe. She goes and lives with her sister and husband where she spends her days laying in bed and not eating as she struggles with the death of her husband. One day her sister hires her a physician to help with her depression and this is where she meets David. David has struggles of his own as he lost his best friend to the Plague too. The two of them form an unexpected bond even though they can never be together since Cecilia is Christian and David is a Jew. This book is an exploration of grief, mental illness, longing and forbidden love and so so much more. I highly recommend! The reason I gave it four stars instead of five was since I just wish there were one or two more scenes with Cecilia and David so there could be a deeper connection.

The Phoenix Bride is a story of love from a place of loss. Cecelia, a newly widowed gentle lady, is dying of a broken heart when her twin sister in desperation hires an immigrant Jewish doctor named David to treat her. The story is told in first person from the perspectives of David and Cecelia in London in the 1665-1666 timeframe.

This book was an interesting read, but there was a lot going on which (personal opinion) detracted from the storyline. The story switches between David and Cecilia and their voices are similar enough I sometimes forgot who was talking. There is a very odd and honestly a bit of an unbelievable story arc between the twin sisters. The sister goes from loving and caring and best friend/companion of her sister to an abusive/possessive and mentally unstable jailer. From the description of their relationship in the beginning, it’s very hard to see how their story developed into something more like a nightmare. There were themes of infertility, plague, immigration, LGBTQ, trauma, grief, religion, antisemitism, arranged marriages, classism, and it was set in London at the time of the fire but right after the bubonic plague ravaged Europe, etc. this book had so many things going on that made it difficult for the story to sufficiently explore every thematic element fully. And then the story kind of just ends. I would have enjoyed a bit of an epilogue to see how the future was navigated.

I’d like to thank Random House and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 Stars rounded to 4

I will admit that this book took me a minute to sink into – I could feel my eyes glazing over just a bit within the first David POV and I was almost lulled into believing I would find this book just so-so. An enjoyable enough love story to pass the time, but not one that would truly resonate with me. It wasn’t until I reached around the 30% mark that I was well and truly hooked. I am very glad I continued to give this book a chance, because it really touched me. Feel free to skip to the very end for a very brief TLDR (too long, didn't read) if you find yourself interested in this book. I will break down reasons this may or may not be for you.

Cecilia is a lady of the British gentry and a freshly grieving widow at the opening of the story. With her deceased husband, Will (her elder twin sister’s ex-fiance), dead of the plague she is forced to move in with her sister and her husband in their London townhome. She suffers from depression, listlessly roaming the halls and garden for months on end. Margaret, at her wits end calls for David to cure her melancholia – a Jewish physician and the second lead of the novel. David is a Sephardi Jew who left Portugal with his father some years ago under the promise of being able to practice their faith openly. From a long line of physicians, David continued in his father’s footsteps, but has trouble finding where to fit his faith within his life in London. David and Cecilia’s respective grief over lost loves and the comfort they find in one another (and their respective communities/friendships) pushes the story and I personally felt it was well worth it. It’s near instalove and I felt this novel accomplished that exceedingly well.

It’s definitely a slow grower for me; I think this may come down to personal taste rather than pacing issues. Either way, the characters really begin to come off the page the deeper into the story you get. I really began to believe in Cecilia’s and David’s respective griefs, their friendships, their familial (and religious in David’s case) turmoil. I especially loved David and the grief he felt for his lost love and friend, Manuel. I think some of the best scenes in the novel come from his remembrances and the complicated feelings he has – deep love and admiration, shame and guilt. All of it was lovingly intertwined and there were points I felt this grief a bit deeper than I did for Cecilia and Will. This isn’t to say those scenes weren’t done well in their own right, but I think it goes to show you just how powerful the other scenes were by comparison.

The side characters were a joy as well, but the standout most of all to me was undoubtedly Sam. He was a really fun character who evolved beyond the sort of trope/role he was assigned within the story which I loved to see. The LGBT representation within this novel is done really, really well especially considering the restrictions of the period and setting. Overall, you can really see the love and craft that was put into this story and book and sometimes that’s all you can ask for.

This book is for you if you:

• Enjoy a pining romance
• Are looking for a Jewish LGBT main character/good LGBT representation in general
• Want a historical romance with a bit more thought and complexity

This book is not for you if you:

• Dislike instalove
• Dislike angst in your romance novels

This was such a beautiful story. I absolutely adored it and will be recommending to everyone I know.

This wasn't at all what I was expecting. The plot involves the antisemitism that existed in the 1600s denying Jews the right to work in their chosen field as well as forbidding them to marry whom they would like. The love of the two main characters is compelling.

There were a few relationships that left me a bit confused, but that could be because my chosen time for reading is at bedtime. I think that anyone reading this book will be enlightened and will enjoy it.

In The Phoenix Bride, we have Cecilia Thorowgood, a young woman in 1666 England, having tragically lost her husband shortly after their marriage to the Plague. She seeks refuge with her twin sister who is a wealthy married woman in London, while grappling with her grief. Her sister, Margaret seeks to help her overcome her melancholy with a parade of physicians, eventually hiring David Mendes, a young Jewish doctor, new to the country after leaving Portugal with his father after Jewish people were allowed to practice open and freely in England.
While relatively short, this novel delved deeply into grief and the grieving process, and how to grow and heal after tragic loss. Cecilia lost her husband, but David too suffers grief and loss, and together they heal each other. The writing was lyrical and descriptive, and both Cecilia and David had strong and distinct narrative voices. I enjoyed how their lives became entwined and they helped each other to grieve and overcome their mutual sorrows.
Overall, I'm glad this was my first read of 2024, I devoured it from start to finish in one sitting, and rating it 4.5 stars overall, rounding down to 4 because if anything I would have enjoyed a bit more to the story, especially with regards to the Great Fire.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

This is not your typical romance book. Instead of focusing on mushy gushy love, it talks about love after loss, and how to work through those emotions to find something new. I loved the complexities of David's character, but was often times frustrated with his stubbornness, as well as Cecilia's naiveness.

This is just a beautiful jewel of a tale set in I believe regency time in Great Britain. This at a point in time where their King Charles has come back & the wealthy ruled completely with a solid caste system both economically as well as ethnically. Mid 1600s the Jews had been allowed to come back into England still treated as a distinct group like & worse to other foreigners. Homosexuality is illegal on a knives edge of either being rounded up at various houses & jailed & fined or hung in the haphazard way of judges inclinations & whim of the moment [&depending on whos who or what]. Notably a century or almost two later an almost ruined Oscar Wilde had a scandal with a Lords son & ended up in prison because he wouldn’t back down However or because of the setting & norms of the time we get to see a light under version of the mechanisms of the gentry & women's roles as well as societies mores. This tale is like a spun sugar unicorn come to life racing, prancing & dancing about casting rainbow rays all around until coming to a halt in front of you breathless. Romances against the odds with breathless thrall but knowing the impossibilities of them being more than longings & disaster if followed upon. It had the tart feel & whimsical impossibilities of another read book that was delectable concerning the King of France & Richard the Lion Hearted. I really loved this & was a very palatable & fast read as I couldn’t put it down.

I absolutely adored this book. Despite largely taking place between two very dramatic historical events—a deadly plague and the Great Fire of London—I found this story to be a quiet and beautiful one, albeit with a very human weight to it.

This is a story as obsessed with loss and grief as its two protagonists are. Cecelia, a widowed noblewoman, and David, a Jewish doctor, are character foils to the highest degree. While on the surface they have very different pasts, they’re both haunted by a similar pain: the loss of their former homes, and of the men each of them had been deeply, achingly in love with. While it is Cecelia who requires the aid of a doctor to recover from the melancholy her grief has given her, it becomes evident David is hurting no less than Cecelia is, and needs her no less than she needs him.

The loss begins in the first chapter and doesn’t end until the book itself does. While the book sometimes soars in joyous meetings and passionate declarations of love, it never quite lets you forget the grief that the characters have experienced, and are experiencing. The characters all are so achingly human, from the masterfully-crafted protagonists to even the villains. This book puts its two narrators in a seemingly unwinnable situation (after all, a Jew would never be permitted to marry a Christian noblewoman) and it accordingly evades easy solutions, but manages to find many moments of light and hope nonetheless. Tragedy continues to strike throughout the novel, not to mention during the Great Fire, but it’s always of a subtle variety, without melodrama or exploitation. It feels very true to the theme of Jewishness that also courses through the veins of this novel, with its history and culture (portrayed beautifully here) steeped with heavy amounts of both loss and love. Somehow, it’s this subtlety that makes those moments of tragedy hit all the more deeply.

The real drama in this book is found in its gorgeous prose. The author’s note in the back of the book states that Natasha Siegel’s poetry has won accolades from Oxford, and that is extensively evident in the words of this book. The prose is sumptuous and exquisite, and the dialogue feels as if it came from a love poem. It is rare that a book’s prose can take my breath away, but this one did that and more.

Natasha Siegel has absolutely cemented herself as one of my favorite modern writers, and this book is a testament to the many reasons why. Honestly, I’d happily read Natasha Siegel’s grocery list at this point, but unfortunately it seems I’ll just have to wait until her next novel comes out. In the meantime, this was an easy, easy 5 stars!

Thank you to Natasha Siegel and the publisher for providing me with an ARC through Net Galley

This book is slow, but in the way that is romantic and comfortable and yet also painful, in a way. Grief is written so well in this novel, the two MCs bound by the complex experience of loss but also the hope for life. The characters are all so wonderful— I particularly loved David, Jan, and Sam. Siegel is an incredible writer, as seen both in her debut novel and in The Phoenix Bride. The romance is touching, and the London Siegel writes of is charming and very immersive.

I will read every book Natasha Siegel writes, I swear it, because she has never disappointed me in the slightest.

This book started off really well. As it introduced Cecilia and David’s histories, and then the unlikely way they met, I found myself easily rooting for them to overcome the obstacles set forth by society and life in general. The writing was beautifully done, aside from some of the conversations being a bit stiff. But then some of the side stories progressed more than the main, and felt so forced and unnecessary to the entire plot, plus it took up a lot of time, giving less time to the actual main characters and their plot, so by the time the ending came it felt very rushed and forced for the main characters and left a lot in question. Not in the manner of some books where you can assume what happens when the story fades out, but more in a way that felt like “…that’s it??” Overall I’d still say this was a 3.5, but I’m rounding up because it really could have been great if more time had been spent developing that ending. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for providing me with an ARC ♥️

I was entranced by this historical novel, which whisked me away to a post-plague England that was both eerily haunting and radiantly hopeful. Cecilia and David's stories grasped my heart, their struggles and triumphs echoing through my mind like the tolling of a church bell. The author's masterful prose painted vivid scenes that transported me to the narrow streets and dimly lit homes of 17th-century London, where I walked alongside the characters, feeling the weight of their sorrow and the warmth of their joy.

The book's exploration of faith, loss, and identity left me breathless, like a gentle breeze on a summer's day. I found myself introspectively examining my own beliefs and experiences, my mind sparking with connections and epiphanies. The historical context, rich and textured like a tapestry, wove a narrative that was both sweeping and intimate, leaving me in awe of the resilience and strength of those who came before us.

This book is a treasure, a true masterpiece that will stay with me like a cherished friend. I implore anyone who loves historical fiction, literary fiction, or simply a story that will leave them changed to read this book. It will transport you, transform you, and stay with you long after the final page is turned.

What a lovely time this book is! I was not expecting romance to be a predominate plot, but was pleasantly surprised by how well it is woven in with the rest of the story. Cecilia and David are forbidden lovers not only because of their religion, but because they each have their own wounds they need to heal, first. Cecilia had a more satisfying character arc than David, but David was more fun to read. Their POVs balance each other perfectly. However, I hesitate to call this book a romance. While it is certainly swoon worthy and romantic, the ending will leave many romance readers unsatisfied. It’s not a bad ending, but it’s very ambiguous. It leaves potential for a sequel… which I wouldn’t be opposed to. The rest of the characters and London itself are captivating enough that I would like to see what happens next for them.

This is a story of loss, grief and prejudice (antisemitism), but also love, hope and rebirth. Cecilia’s husband died of the plague, and his death came way too soon. In her grief, she has essentially given up on life. Her sister Margaret has been trying to help her, although her motives are not entirely altruistic or born of sisterly affection. Have not had success with the standard English physician, Margaret enlists the assistance of a foreign physician, David, who also happens to be Jewish (which is very displeasing to Margaret). Cecilia is not interested in seeing another physician or getting better. However, David, who is dealing with his own losses, approaches her in a manner different from other physicians, and encourages her to open herself up to what life has to offer. While Cecilia’s method of following David’s advice is not what he expected or intended, Cecilia does start opening herself up to the world around her. She and David also form a connection that David tries hard to resist, knowing that he will never be seen as acceptable by her family or society as a foreigner and a Jew.

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well rounded and the plot kept me interested. The only thing that was a bit disappointing for me was that I didn’t really feel like I was reading a book set in the 1600’s. The language and actions of the characters made me think it was set in the 1800’s and I kept having to remind myself that this was set in 1665.

This is a story of loss, of love, and of rebuilding. This story was emotional and heartbreaking and inspiring. Cecilia and David are two very different people who have both lost the loves of their lives. When David is hired by Cecilia’s overprotective sister to be her new physician, the two of them begin a journey of healing together.

These characters are such great examples of the different ways that loss and grief affect a person. The writing of the story was beautiful, and really made me feel as though I was a part of the world. I found the characters relatable and believable, even the ones who were less lovable.

The other aspects of this book were also very well done, including the plague, the politics, the way that women, immigrants and minorities are treated, and so much more. Overall, this story has really stuck with me and changed the way that I view life and loss. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! 5/5 stars.

Cecilia has recently moved to London following the death of her husband. But the move doesn't help as much as she and her sister had hoped it would, and multiple physicians have tried and failed to properly diagnose and cure her of her symptoms. Desperate, Cecilia's sister hires David, though she's mistrustful of him because he's Jewish. But his approach seems to help, and over the course of the treatment, he and Cecilia form a friendship--and develop feelings for each other that they can never act on.

The Phoenix Bride is about grief and love and learning to give yourself grace. It's about the everyday prisons we find ourselves trapped in, and what we must do to free ourselves from them. It's about family (both the good and the bad) and faith, however (and in whatever) that comes. It's heartbreaking and tender, and absolutely beautiful.

WOW a book so far outside of my usual genre but I loved this. What a moving book about love and loss. The characters are incredible and I want more of them. 5 stars