Release: January 11th 2022
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Berkley
Source: Penguin Random House
Find it at: Goodreads, Amazon, Kindle, Audible, B&N, iBooks, Kobo
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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. He inches 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. Either make their mark or following their hearts?
About the Author:
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning proper Victorian romances. Also,these include Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Indie Romance of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion. Her novels have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus. And her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.
In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats.
The Siren of Sussex Review:
The first thing that struck me was the enchanting way in which the author told the story. Right from the get-go, you fall in love with the main characters. Yes, the story is predictable at times, especially if you are a fan of the genre. Yet, both the main leads are so charming and lovable that you will immediately adore them and root for them to come together. Evelyn is a lovely equestrienne who needs to provide for her sisters. Meanwhile, Ahmad, who doesn’t feel like he fits in, requires to provide for Mira.
My heart also went towards Ahmad for feeling out of place and society treating him, especially as a man of color. The author makes the storyline heartfelt and meaningful because of the hardships both the characters ensure. Additionally, the author also describes the fashion and equestrian elements in detail. I loved reading about the various methods in which Ahmad did his business. There are surprising twists that I did not expect, and the story gets interesting, particularly when Stephen enters the picture.
Ahmed and Evelyne sizzle the screens from the get-go. Some moments that stood out for me were when Ahmed tells her to trust him entirely or when Ahmad proposes to be her dressmaker for the entire season. The author adds the right level of angst, where the two are yearning for each other, but circumstances prevent them from doing so. As the story progresses, you find out that the stakes are high for Evelyn, and she only has one shot of making her plan work. Even the supporting characters like Stella, Anne, and Julia are memorable.
Overall, I felt “The Siren of Sussex” was a wonderful historical romance and a fantastic start to the “Belles of London” series.
Blog Blitz
I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews Blog Blitz hosted by Penguin Random House.
