If you put bluestocking in the description of a book, there is a 99% chance that I will read it. And oftentimes, I am let down. However, this book the opposite of a let-down. Mimi Matthews’ The Siren of Sussex is one of the most earnest and exciting historical romances that I’ve read, and is the perfect book to get lost in for a weekend!
The Siren of Sussex, Mimi Matthews
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?
Why You Should Read This…
I really didn’t know what to expect from this book. I tend to stick with quite light-hearted and comedic historical romances, and this is somewhat earnest in tone. It is a true romance, with the romance at its core, but it is also so much more. Matthews explores a complex Victorian world where so many people didn’t fit but made their own path. The heartfelt and more serious tone lent a weight to Evelyn and Ahmad’s characters, and really showcases Matthews’ talent.
I was absolutely fascinated by Ahmad’s storyline. Matthews’ can write fashion, and she does it well. If I am being 100% honest, I would love for a book to focus solely on his career. He is such a complex character and you cannot help but root for him and his career. His life before his career in fashion is also a whole story unto itself, and I think it would make for an incredible period drama.
This is a clean romance, also, so I think that this could work for some teens, as well as adults. If Harlots was a clean story (somehow), I think this could be it.
Is The Siren of Sussex on your to-read list?
Cheers,
The Historian
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