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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism
funny
hopeful
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Minor: Abandonment
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
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, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Moderate: Misogyny, Racial slurs, Violence
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Classism
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Medical content, Grief, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Minor: Violence, War
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book made me so happy. It dealt with tough topics, and there was a fair amount on angst. It was emotional and I was worried things wouldn’t end happily. But I never should have doubted, because, Evie. Need I say more?
I love Ahmad. He’s such a strong character and I was pleased with his character arc. I also loved his cousin, Mira. She was such a nice supporting character.
Evie’s friends were fun, too. I’m excited to see Julie’s story in book two!
I read this book because I wanted a horse girl book. And this did not disappoint. There is always room for more horses, but there was also plentiful horse content and metaphors in this book that I enjoyed.
I love Ahmad. He’s such a strong character and I was pleased with his character arc. I also loved his cousin, Mira. She was such a nice supporting character.
Evie’s friends were fun, too. I’m excited to see Julie’s story in book two!
I read this book because I wanted a horse girl book. And this did not disappoint. There is always room for more horses, but there was also plentiful horse content and metaphors in this book that I enjoyed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Death of parent, Pregnancy
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Colonisation
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Moderate: Misogyny, Colonisation, Classism
slow-paced
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Way too slow to develop.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation
Minor: Violence, Death of parent, Pregnancy
An author that does her own research and draws on personal life experiences? What is this.
This was my first book I read by Mimi Matthews and it won’t be my last.
Honestly this story was very captivating. I actually read the author’s note cause I wanted to know more about what she researched and the people that inspired this. I loved the female friendships. I’m SO EXCITED to hear that book two is about Julia.
This was a close four stars for me but I think there was a lack of focus and it just kept going on and on…
Just when I thought the novel was concluding, I saw there was over 75 pages left. There were a crap ton of plot lines going on and I its setting up further books, but I was ready to stop. Very good work though.
Ready to dive into book two!!!!
This was my first book I read by Mimi Matthews and it won’t be my last.
Honestly this story was very captivating. I actually read the author’s note cause I wanted to know more about what she researched and the people that inspired this. I loved the female friendships. I’m SO EXCITED to hear that book two is about Julia.
This was a close four stars for me but I think there was a lack of focus and it just kept going on and on…
Just when I thought the novel was concluding, I saw there was over 75 pages left. There were a crap ton of plot lines going on and I its setting up further books, but I was ready to stop. Very good work though.
Ready to dive into book two!!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Pregnancy
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was such a fun, lovely read! The author writes well, and played to her strengths. Her knowledge of period fashion—in particular the Victorian era—and of equestrianism shone in her meticulously and passionately detailed descriptions. I love that this book explored what it means to be mixed race—not really belonging to either world, but occupying some space in between—and pushed back a bit on the legacy of colonialism. Granted, these topics were within the context of a light romance and therefore didn’t delve exceedingly deep. That said, I think they were appropriately explored within the tone and context of the book.
My main qualm is that the sexual tension often felt a bit cringey and trope-y. I felt like I’ve read about blushes, heat pooling “low”, and swooning too many times. I understand Victorian society was incredibly repressed, but Ahmad was thirsty af 😂 It took me out of the book a bit, because of my secondhand embarrassment 😅
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next in the Belles of London series in the new year.
My main qualm is that the sexual tension often felt a bit cringey and trope-y. I felt like I’ve read about blushes, heat pooling “low”, and swooning too many times. I understand Victorian society was incredibly repressed, but Ahmad was thirsty af 😂 It took me out of the book a bit, because of my secondhand embarrassment 😅
Even so, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading the next in the Belles of London series in the new year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism