The siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews
The Siren of Sussex by Mimi Matthews Series: Belles of London Series Book #1
on January 11, 2022
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, Fiction / Romance / Historical / Victorian
Pages: 432
Goodreads
A PopSugar, Oprah Daily, and BookBub Most Anticipated Romance of 2022!
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, inching 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: making their mark or following their hearts?
The Siren of Sussex is book one in the Belles of London series. Mimi Matthews is one of those authors that I admire for her historical knowledge and accuracy. She is also a horsewoman. This particular story highlights her skill in that area as well. In this story, she demonstrates the struggles between class and race in 1800’s England. I adored the characters in this book. I would never have imagined a tailor being such an amazing hero, but Ahmad certainly is a dark and handsome personality. I enjoyed Evelyn’s transformation from insecure country girl to the Siren of Sussex. I’m crossing my fingers that Evelyn’s friends will each get their own romance. It is rare to find a story where even the side characters intrigue.
