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

This was easily (and quite unexpectedly) one of my favorite books I read this year. I am normally not drawn to historical romance/fiction, but the time period of this particular story piqued my interest. I am so, so glad I chose to stray from my usual genres for this absolute gem.

In college, I studied history and art history with a focus on medieval Spain. I am sure my interest in the cultural heritage of that time made this book all the more interesting to me, but I think it's presented in such a thoughtful and accessible way that anyone will find it extremely engaging. I could tell through every moment of the book that the story is lovingly researched and the characters empathetically crafted.

In addition to the incredibly-rendered setting, the plot was engaging and the characters were realistic and warm. It is rare that I stop to marvel at the prose of a book the way I did here; many of the passages I highlighted were just beautiful sentences that I wanted to come back to later.

Natasha Siegel has written a compelling romance that paints historical characters in an incredibly human light. She handles the histories of the sephardic diaspora and the LGBTQIA+ community with care and respect. I absolutely loved every moment of this book, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

This is a lovely, thoughtful second-chance romance between a young widow and a Jewish doctor, set amid the Great Fire of London. The characters are beautifully drawn, and the message of hope after grief is incredibly moving. Certain parts of the book were a little quiet for my personal taste, but it's very well done and well worth the read. Thank you for sending me an early copy!

Set in 17th Century London, this sumptuous historical romance tells the story of two star-crossed lovers drawn together under tumultuous circumstances.

Cecilia- a young, noble widow has recently lost her beloved husband to the bubonic plague. David- a Jewish doctor recently emigrated from Portugal hoping to live his life free from religious persecution for the first time is carrying the weight of his own past tragedies.

When David is called upon to treat Cecilia’s melancholy, they become close despite the chasm that their class and religious differences present. But their shared experience with loss provides a connection, and their fledgling but passionate love binds them together irrevocably. Although David is able to live openly as a Jewish person in 1665 London, it’s still not a safe place for foreigners or non-Christians, and they both know a shared future is impossible.

Before they can figure out if and how they can make a life together, the Great Fire of London breaks out- altering their paths and creating new ones from the ashes.

Narrated in alternating points of view, featuring characters diverse in religion and LGBTQ+ identity, this lyrically written and utterly romantic novel will appeal to readers of historical fiction, romance and epic love stories.

I really liked this book- it had a unique setting that played into the plot of the story, and it was nice to read from both main characters points of view. The book explores grief and loss, and how one can learn to go on with their life and even find happiness again. I will say that I thought the end of the book was a bit. Too drawn out- after the fire I felt they could have wrapped things up more quickly or even left David and Cynthia’s relationship unresolved. But overall I loved the character and enjoyed the book!

This review is made possible via an ARC through NetGalley.

The Phoenix Bride by Natasha Siegel is a seventeenth century historical love story around the time of the Great Fire of London. Cecilia is a Christian woman who is recently widowed and still grieving her husband while David is a Jewish doctor from Portugal grieving the recent loss of a friend.

David is understanding of Cecilia’s feelings and doesn’t shame her, drawing her attention when she’s in the midst of a deep, dark depression. David is a Bi/Pan man who is in love with his best friend when the story opens and is in the closet to everyone in his life. His regret for never telling Manuel, his friend, how he felt is palpable, mirroring the regret felt by Cecilia at the loss of her husband.

The book is not a romance, but it is a love story that reminds us that sometimes love can't move mountains when it comes to societal pressures but that doesn't mean a happy ending is impossible.

As a Bisexual reader, it was delightful to read a story where the MMC is Bi and the people who love him that he tells accept him.

I would recommend this to those looking for romantic historical fiction that takes place during the 1600s, those looking for more historical fiction depicting Jewish leads, and those looking for Bi MMCs. I would not recommend this to those looking for a straight romance.

I am going to say this book had a quiet beauty to it's storyline of two people each broken hearted by loss losing a beloved dear to their hearts and the sacrifice people sometimes make.

Thank you very much to author Natasha Seigel and NetGalley for a copy of this read