Title: The Siren of Sussex
By: Mimi Matthews
Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
Release Date: January 11th, 2021
Publisher: Berkley
Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary from Goodreads:
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?
Review:
If the Bridgerton's had a cousin, I would imagine it would be Evelyn.
This story highlights many different aspects of the past. The ridiculousness of English society, racism and the most important thing, a strong main female character. Evelyn is looking for a husband, but she has never been the submissive normal society driven girl, she marches to the beat of her own drum, but also has a strong sense of pride in her family name.
Wanting to do the right thing and marry a well to do man to support her and her sisters, she subjects herself to the scrutiny of society, but on her path to marriage she falls in love with her half English, half Indian dressmaker. This is absolutely wonderful as I have always believed that one should follow their heart instead of the crowd.
The story was well built, but the pacing at times was a bit slow for me. It might have been Evelyn throwing herself at Ahmad the dressmaker over and over and his rejection. Although I understood why, there wasn't enough emotion around the actions to move the story forward.
All in all, I really enjoyed this story and as usual am impressed again by Mimi Matthews.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
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