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themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Obsessed - this will probably be one of my favorite books I read all year. Can’t wait to read the subsequent three.
Basically Bridgerton but more horse informed. Well written and really delightful.
Basically Bridgerton but more horse informed. Well written and really delightful.
aoife98's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Let me start by saying this: If you dislike horses or thorough descriptions of clothing/dressmaking, this might not be the book for you. I personally didn’t mind all the horse talk but I have seen a few reviews mentioning this as an aspect they did not enjoy.
Getting ready to embark on her first (and only) London season, horse enthusiast Evelyn “Evie” Maltravers visits renowned tailor Mr. Doyle to commission one of his fashionable and eye catching riding habits. She intends to make a memorable first impression and believes the combination of her horsemanship and this new riding habit is the way to do it. Mr. Doyle refuses her request and Evelyn is disappointed until she realizes that Mr. Ahmed Malik, the second tailor in the shop, is the true creator of the riding habits. The pair strike up a relationship that straddles the line between business and pleasure. Their romance is tender and beautiful and both characters have to face harsh realities about their stations and the expectations placed on them — by themselves and by others. There is a lot of inner turmoil, especially on Ahmed’s side. Evelyn was more upfront about what (who) she wanted but I’m not sure she fully understood the risk she was taking. Her sole purpose in coming to London was to find an eligible, rich husband to help her younger sisters make good matches and Ahmed, a tailor, is unfortunately not that man.
Occasionally I got the impression that I should know more about Ahmed than I did but I later learned that he previously appeared in another Matthew’s novel which makes sense. While Ahmed’s background wasn’t as fleshed out (perhaps because Matthew’s had done so already), Evelyn was well written. We learn about her family, her sister (and why Evelyn is now the sister embarking on a season in London). I found myself rooting for them despite the perceived obstacles in their way.
Occasionally I got the impression that I should know more about Ahmed than I did but I later learned that he previously appeared in another Matthew’s novel which makes sense. While Ahmed’s background wasn’t as fleshed out (perhaps because Matthew’s had done so already), Evelyn was well written. We learn about her family, her sister (and why Evelyn is now the sister embarking on a season in London). I found myself rooting for them despite the perceived obstacles in their way.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story. It was my first time reading Mimi Matthew’s work and I appreciated her prose and detail descriptions of the clothing Ahmed was working on. You can tell she did her research and knows this time period well. This one of the few closed door historicals that I’ve read and I think it worked really well for this story.
My main critiques of this story are:
- It dragged a little at points a nd may have benefited from being 50 pages short
- I didn’t enjoy the Prince Albert / spiritualism side plot
I’ll definitely be checking out the other books in the series!
barizley's review against another edition
5.0
A lot going on with this book but I enjoyed it all. No notes.
bibliodefiled's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely a book for those who love horses. I am not one of those people.
fernz's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
I do enjoy a good historical romance that weaves in the context of the time-period. However, I felt like I was supposed to know more about Ahmad and who he was prior to this story. Turns out he's in another work by the author, so the catchup there wasn't fun.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this through netgalley; however all opinions are my own.
hideyourspoons's review against another edition
5.0
Ahmad & Evelyn's romance is tender in its burn but the emotionality they feel is core meltingly hot. My pulse beat in time with every turn of the page. I'm swooning. Heart fluttering. Absolutely wrecked by the pure, concentrated pining.
There is also so much truth rooted in this dreamy romance. Social criticism, racial prejudices, classist divide are all on the page. Ahmad & Evelyn fell in love knowing the challenges they would face as a mixed-race & cross-class couple. The inner turmoil that ensued was delicious though. Because despite all the hardships they'd face, no matter what was proper and accepted by society - they loved eachother. That love was worth the risk to their reputation, livelihood, and comfort.
There is also so much truth rooted in this dreamy romance. Social criticism, racial prejudices, classist divide are all on the page. Ahmad & Evelyn fell in love knowing the challenges they would face as a mixed-race & cross-class couple. The inner turmoil that ensued was delicious though. Because despite all the hardships they'd face, no matter what was proper and accepted by society - they loved eachother. That love was worth the risk to their reputation, livelihood, and comfort.
brianne_k's review against another edition
3.0
Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. This did not affect my rating.
*3/5*
The Siren of Sussex is the first in a new historical romance series by Mimi Matthews. This book follows Evelyn Maltravers as she makes her first season debut at three and twenty years old. Evelyn comes to London to stay with her Uncle, who is pretty absent from her life. She is most comfortable on her horse and is adamant on having a handsome riding habit, and this kicks off our books. Evelyn has seen The Pretty Horsebreakers and found out where they had theirs made. Enter Ahmad Malik; a half-Indian tailor who has a unique eye for ladies fashion and finds a muse in Evelyn.
She needs to make a good match for herself and to make sure her younger sisters can secure good matches in the future. There is also a scandal involving her older sister that she is hoping people don’t remember. There is some issues with her older sister and an old friend.
There is a lot of talk of fashion and spiritualism in this book. More than I was expecting. And way less romance – there are a few kisses and that’s all.
I did love how much Evelyn knew her own mind and heart. She knew she wanted to be with Ahamd, no matter the hardships. She even tried to find books to read that weren’t written by white men.
Ahmad was talented and you were really rooting for him to succeed.
I will definitely be checking out the future books in this series. I already looked and saw who book 2 is about and I am excited.
*3/5*
The Siren of Sussex is the first in a new historical romance series by Mimi Matthews. This book follows Evelyn Maltravers as she makes her first season debut at three and twenty years old. Evelyn comes to London to stay with her Uncle, who is pretty absent from her life. She is most comfortable on her horse and is adamant on having a handsome riding habit, and this kicks off our books. Evelyn has seen The Pretty Horsebreakers and found out where they had theirs made. Enter Ahmad Malik; a half-Indian tailor who has a unique eye for ladies fashion and finds a muse in Evelyn.
She needs to make a good match for herself and to make sure her younger sisters can secure good matches in the future. There is also a scandal involving her older sister that she is hoping people don’t remember. There is some issues with her older sister and an old friend.
There is a lot of talk of fashion and spiritualism in this book. More than I was expecting. And way less romance – there are a few kisses and that’s all.
I did love how much Evelyn knew her own mind and heart. She knew she wanted to be with Ahamd, no matter the hardships. She even tried to find books to read that weren’t written by white men.
Ahmad was talented and you were really rooting for him to succeed.
I will definitely be checking out the future books in this series. I already looked and saw who book 2 is about and I am excited.
silver_anchor4's review against another edition
2.0
Enjoyed the descriptions of the gowns, but didn't connect with any of the characters. Pacing was not good, imo. Definitely insta-love and the ending was dragged on for to long.
lolovesbooks3's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The dress making details in this were uh-mazing! By far the best part of the book. Evelyn and Ahmad’s attraction was solely based on the physical for most of the book and I didn’t feel like it ever really moved into a more emotional relationship until AFTER they declared their love. How can you love someone you hardly know? This bothered me a a bit but the story was interesting and I was entertained.
I will read anything and everything Mimi Matthews writes. This just wasn’t a favorite of mine like the second book in this series was!
I will read anything and everything Mimi Matthews writes. This just wasn’t a favorite of mine like the second book in this series was!