Book Review
Jul. 15th, 2024 09:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kenjariThe Siren of Sussex
by Mimi Matthews
This closed door historical romance takes on not only a love story but issues of class and race in Victorian London. Evelyn Maltravers arrives in the city from Sussex determined to have a successful season and marry a wealthy man in order to save her family from imminent impoverishment. Her best accomplishment is her horsemanship, and Evelyn determines to make the most of it. She commissions a new riding habit from a tailor and aspiring dressmaker, Ahmad Malik, who has begun to acquire a bit of a reputation for creating elegant and striking outfits. They are drawn to each other and soon begin falling in love.
I really loved both Evelyn and Ahmad, as they were both intelligent, determined, kind people; the sort of people anyone would want to be in a relationship with. Their partnership was strong ad believable. I also really liked how Matthews took the obstacles of race and class seriously - Evelyn and Ahmad had to work to navigate them and take significant social and economic risks. These things are often glossed over in romances, so it was nice to see them take on a significant role here. It also made the happily ever after feel more earned.
by Mimi Matthews
This closed door historical romance takes on not only a love story but issues of class and race in Victorian London. Evelyn Maltravers arrives in the city from Sussex determined to have a successful season and marry a wealthy man in order to save her family from imminent impoverishment. Her best accomplishment is her horsemanship, and Evelyn determines to make the most of it. She commissions a new riding habit from a tailor and aspiring dressmaker, Ahmad Malik, who has begun to acquire a bit of a reputation for creating elegant and striking outfits. They are drawn to each other and soon begin falling in love.
I really loved both Evelyn and Ahmad, as they were both intelligent, determined, kind people; the sort of people anyone would want to be in a relationship with. Their partnership was strong ad believable. I also really liked how Matthews took the obstacles of race and class seriously - Evelyn and Ahmad had to work to navigate them and take significant social and economic risks. These things are often glossed over in romances, so it was nice to see them take on a significant role here. It also made the happily ever after feel more earned.
