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wilybooklover's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
A beautifully woven story full of longing and rich in historical detail.
I wish this had been a bit more slow burn, with more of a friendship forming first. It felt more like insta-lust the way they were so instantly enamoured of each other; a slower start would have been a bit more believable. Still, I loved both Ahmad and Evelyn separately and together. I especially enjoyed how respectful Ahmad was of women — not just middle- and upper-class women like Evelyn, but all women right down to sex workers. Evie’s independence and determination sets her up to be his ideal match despite the significant barrier of race and class. Their romance was so heartfelt and tender, full of simmering tension during the dressmaking scenes. Even when they didn’t think they could be together, they were open and honest about their feelings with each other.
I do think that you need to like both fashion and horses in order to enjoy this book, since they take such a prominent place in the plot. There’s also significant discussion on racism and colonialism that’s very naturally woven into Ahmad’s experience as a mixed race man in Victorian London. I loved that Evie takes it upon herself to buy books on India to inform herself on Ahmad’s experience. The addition of spiritualism was perhaps one plot point too many — all of these different things going on (there’s also subplots with Evie’s friends, one of Ahmad’s customers, Ahmad’s cousin, and Evie's sister) are kind of a detriment to the building romance, which could have had more focus.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Xenophobia, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Panic attacks/disorders
jinjaritia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Classism
Moderate: Racism, Colonisation, Medical content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
Minor: War and Violence
itsgnat's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
Way too slow to develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Racism
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
blainereads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
This was a very pleasant surprise. Never in my life did I think I'd enjoy a romance story about horses (well, amongst other things), but here we are!
The scope was rather ambitious; addressing race, colonization, women's rights, and spiritualism all in one text is probably never easy, but to do so within the constraints of a Victorian romance novel—and to do it well!—feels like quite an impressive accomplishment. (As is keeping the reader engaged during what might otherwise be tedious discussions and details of equine breeding and dressmaking, but the author delivered on those counts, too.)
My favorite part about this was how well-seated it was within the actual historical context of 1860s London. Some other reviews said it seemed like it tackled too much or too many subjects, but as a former student (and participant!) of history, this is exactly how history works—there ARE a lot of moving parts, many diverse social and economic elements converging at once to create tension that ultimately catalyzes change in society. I admit that there were times while reading that I thought, "Why are we spending time on this (seemingly tangential) plot point?" but ultimately, the author wove them together with precision and purpose that any previously held doubts were thoroughly debunked by the conclusion.
My only complaint might have to do with some of the side characters—though it's more of a complaint of the genre than of this work specifically—as some of those who were less-developed will likely be given their own novels later in the series. The bit about Julia and her anxiety, for example, felt out of place or an after-thought added in later to set-up her story. (I understand why that has to be done, but it was one of the only times I was really pulled out of the world. With that said, I will be reading on in the series!)
This story might not be for those readers who want spice (the book is definitely G/PG, but with no small dose of yearning and tension), but it is for those among us who want to learn about the time period and, for a couple hundred pages, journey with the characters through their lived experiences. To tackle race, especially, realistically and without being heavy-handed or unconvincingly imposing a 21st century mindset onto 19th century people is a difficult task and Mimi really nailed it.
The scope was rather ambitious; addressing race, colonization, women's rights, and spiritualism all in one text is probably never easy, but to do so within the constraints of a Victorian romance novel—and to do it well!—feels like quite an impressive accomplishment. (As is keeping the reader engaged during what might otherwise be tedious discussions and details of equine breeding and dressmaking, but the author delivered on those counts, too.)
My favorite part about this was how well-seated it was within the actual historical context of 1860s London. Some other reviews said it seemed like it tackled too much or too many subjects, but as a former student (and participant!) of history, this is exactly how history works—there ARE a lot of moving parts, many diverse social and economic elements converging at once to create tension that ultimately catalyzes change in society. I admit that there were times while reading that I thought, "Why are we spending time on this (seemingly tangential) plot point?" but ultimately, the author wove them together with precision and purpose that any previously held doubts were thoroughly debunked by the conclusion.
My only complaint might have to do with some of the side characters—though it's more of a complaint of the genre than of this work specifically—as some of those who were less-developed will likely be given their own novels later in the series. The bit about Julia and her anxiety, for example, felt out of place or an after-thought added in later to set-up her story. (I understand why that has to be done, but it was one of the only times I was really pulled out of the world. With that said, I will be reading on in the series!)
This story might not be for those readers who want spice (the book is definitely G/PG, but with no small dose of yearning and tension), but it is for those among us who want to learn about the time period and, for a couple hundred pages, journey with the characters through their lived experiences. To tackle race, especially, realistically and without being heavy-handed or unconvincingly imposing a 21st century mindset onto 19th century people is a difficult task and Mimi really nailed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Misogyny, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Suicide, and Panic attacks/disorders
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