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funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
✦Series: Belles of London, 1
Interconnected standalones form this series of smart, historical romances. I’ve been reading it out of order, and it still makes sense and is completely enjoyable.
✦POV: Dual, third-person
Evie is an inexperienced country girl who needs to make a match to secure hers and her sisters’ futures, but she’s no pushover! I appreciated her strength, resilience, and determined attitude. Ahmad is trying to make a name for himself as a dressmaker in a racist class system that is not doing him any favours. He’s broody, and stoically delicious. They strike a deal to form a mutually beneficial partnership, but their chemistry is impossible to deny despite the difference in their social classes.
I think it’s clever that the POV often changed mid-chapter (clearly defined) so we can see how they each experienced the scene.
🎙️ Dual Narration by Vidish Althavale and Lydia Hanman
This was my first time hearing both narrators and they were great! Their voices were perfect for these characters and gave believable and distinctive range to the other characters.
✦Spice: Closed door
Great tension and feeling, and a few kisses with increasing levels of heat. I’m generally all about the spice but Mimi Matthews and the Belles have always left me satisfied with the sensuous hint of what’s going on behind that door.
» I am so glad to finally read Evie and Ahmad’s story after reading The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles 2) and The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles 4). Their chemistry is palpable through the series, so I had to see where it began; I wasn’t disappointed!
✩ Evie meets Lady Ann, Stella, and Julia when she arrives in London for her first season (at 23!) and they embrace her immediately. These gals are a stunning example of the kind of girl squad that I love.
♡ I have loved every moment of reading this series so far. Highly recommend! HEA guaranteed!
Interconnected standalones form this series of smart, historical romances. I’ve been reading it out of order, and it still makes sense and is completely enjoyable.
✦POV: Dual, third-person
Evie is an inexperienced country girl who needs to make a match to secure hers and her sisters’ futures, but she’s no pushover! I appreciated her strength, resilience, and determined attitude. Ahmad is trying to make a name for himself as a dressmaker in a racist class system that is not doing him any favours. He’s broody, and stoically delicious. They strike a deal to form a mutually beneficial partnership, but their chemistry is impossible to deny despite the difference in their social classes.
I think it’s clever that the POV often changed mid-chapter (clearly defined) so we can see how they each experienced the scene.
🎙️ Dual Narration by Vidish Althavale and Lydia Hanman
This was my first time hearing both narrators and they were great! Their voices were perfect for these characters and gave believable and distinctive range to the other characters.
✦Spice: Closed door
Great tension and feeling, and a few kisses with increasing levels of heat. I’m generally all about the spice but Mimi Matthews and the Belles have always left me satisfied with the sensuous hint of what’s going on behind that door.
» I am so glad to finally read Evie and Ahmad’s story after reading The Belle of Belgrave Square (Belles 2) and The Muse of Maiden Lane (Belles 4). Their chemistry is palpable through the series, so I had to see where it began; I wasn’t disappointed!
✩ Evie meets Lady Ann, Stella, and Julia when she arrives in London for her first season (at 23!) and they embrace her immediately. These gals are a stunning example of the kind of girl squad that I love.
♡ I have loved every moment of reading this series so far. Highly recommend! HEA guaranteed!
❝Wonderful things didn't happen because one was cautious. They happened because one dared.❞
✨ I read the eBook while listening to the audio thanks to my trusty Toronto Public Library card and the Libby App.
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Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Racial slurs, Sexual content, Suicide, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, Deportation
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:
Yes
Finally a period romance for the horse girlies! And it’s race inclusive and class-spanning too?! A solid little romance with fabulous period dress descriptions and criticisms of colonialism! Cant wait to read the next one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Pregnancy
Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, Slavery, Violence
emotional
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:
Complicated
I really wanted to love this book because I felt like it had a banger of a premise and what's not to enjoy about a hist rom for horse girls?? Unfortunately I felt like the narrative really started to unravel around the mid point when many of the potential areas for external conflict were brought up and then handily dealt with within a few chapters. There were certainly interesting elements here but I almost felt it would have been better to split this book in two so one could be about equestriennes in the London season and one could be about Victorian spiritualism. Also, not to be that guy but....they NEVER bone!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Colonisation
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
I'm so glad I've decided to give this series a chance! The peek into 1860s England values and high society was wonderfully done, and while the romance didn't quite hit, I still loved the characters. And I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to finish this series, and I hope it becomes a true favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual content, Alcohol
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
This book was a bit slow for me at times; I had to put it down to pick it up a few times (aided by the Storygraph's new paused feature). I also read the 2nd book first, and the friendship circle left me excited to read this 1st one. However, I don't think this one delves as much into their friendship as I would like. In fact, I feel there's more talk of mourning/spiritual matters than there is of the friends. I wish there was more of that, especially since the 2nd book places so much emphasis on how close they are.
Overall, I did enjoy this. I really liked Ahmad, I thought he was so sweet and doting. And I enjoyed the play on class/race in a historical romance. I feel like there aren't many stories like this one!!
Overall, I did enjoy this. I really liked Ahmad, I thought he was so sweet and doting. And I enjoyed the play on class/race in a historical romance. I feel like there aren't many stories like this one!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Xenophobia, Sexual harassment, Classism
Moderate: Racial slurs, Colonisation
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent, Pregnancy
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cute, quick read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual harassment
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I adored this! The premise, the 'stakes' - this was exactly what I wanted out of a historical romance!
The story follows Evelyn, a young orphaned lady who is tasked with finding a wealthy husband to support her and her sisters, and Ahmad, a biracial dressmaker setting his sights on expanding his business. Together they
This story clearly had a lot of care put into it, especially with the historical accuracies! Very accurate to the time-period and really helps you feel like you are there with our ladies.
This is a closed-door romance, so no spicy scenes, but the tension between our two really adds to the story, and I honestly prefer historical romances like this. If you like the slow burn romances of the likes of Jane Austen, then give this one a try!
Cannot wait to read the next one!
The story follows Evelyn, a young orphaned lady who is tasked with finding a wealthy husband to support her and her sisters, and Ahmad, a biracial dressmaker setting his sights on expanding his business. Together they
This story clearly had a lot of care put into it, especially with the historical accuracies! Very accurate to the time-period and really helps you feel like you are there with our ladies.
This is a closed-door romance, so no spicy scenes, but the tension between our two really adds to the story, and I honestly prefer historical romances like this. If you like the slow burn romances of the likes of Jane Austen, then give this one a try!
Cannot wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual violence, Suicide, Pregnancy
Matthew’s writing is great and the romance is sweet, but my god this was a tough one to get through 😭. If this was edited down about 100 pages it would have been a 4/5 star
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Colonisation
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Colonisation