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A review by hobbit_tomes
An Island Princess Starts a Scandal by Adriana Herrera
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Adriana Herrera doesn't miss!
This is my first sapphic historical romance and I fear this book has ruined all others for me because it's fantastic.
This story follows Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan and Cora Kempf Bristol, the Duchess of Sundridge. Manuela is a Dominican artist who was invited to show her paintings at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in France. She decides that this is the perfect opportunity to spend the summer with her two best friends and enjoy the sapphic circles of nineteenth century Paris before entering a loveless marriage to ensure her family's future. Cora, originally from Chile, is trying to consolidate power and prove herself as a ruthless businesswoman amongst the men of Europe who wish to see her fail. Her newest venture involves securing a railroad through South America, and in order to complete the project, she needs to convince Manuela to sell a piece of land in Venezuela that she's sworn never to part with. Completing this project will allow her to return to London and have the respect of her peers after her scandal from years prior. Manuela proposes an arrangement: she will sell the land if Cora agrees escorts her around to the best sapphic establishments and events in Paris.
These two incredibly strong Latina women encourage each other to be happy and purse their passions, and to stop sacrificing their happiness for those that don't deserve it. I was in awe of the beautiful and diverse queer community that is explored in this story. Cora's friend group, made up of fellow queer women of color, welcomes Manuela with open arms. These women are so incredibly supportive of one another, and are so unapologetically themselves, and it is so refreshing to see. By the end, they have carved out a space where women can knowledge-share with each other regarding their businesses, exchange contacts, and support other women attempting to make their own way in the world.
I also really appreciated that when they all get together, Cora goes out of her way to remind everyone that just because they're in Paris, doesn't mean they have to distance themselves from or abandon their cultures. She makes sure to supply dishes and meals from across Latin America and other cultures, as they are hard to find in Paris, and a lot of the women speak in their native languages during their get togethers.
And the romance is top tier. Every time Cora called Manuela 'querida' I just about died. From the beginning, these two are attracted to each other, and even though Cora has been burned by love in the past and swore she wouldn't fall in love again, she can't help wanting to spend more time with Manuela. They want the best for each other, and encourage one another to stop making sacrifices for and putting their own happiness on hold for those who don't deserve it. They fight so hard for their relationship in the end and their HEA is so deserved.
Fantastic story, I can't wait for book 3, highly recommend!
CW/TW: Classism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual Content (Open Door)
This is my first sapphic historical romance and I fear this book has ruined all others for me because it's fantastic.
This story follows Manuela del Carmen Caceres Galvan and Cora Kempf Bristol, the Duchess of Sundridge. Manuela is a Dominican artist who was invited to show her paintings at the 1889 Exposition Universelle in France. She decides that this is the perfect opportunity to spend the summer with her two best friends and enjoy the sapphic circles of nineteenth century Paris before entering a loveless marriage to ensure her family's future. Cora, originally from Chile, is trying to consolidate power and prove herself as a ruthless businesswoman amongst the men of Europe who wish to see her fail. Her newest venture involves securing a railroad through South America, and in order to complete the project, she needs to convince Manuela to sell a piece of land in Venezuela that she's sworn never to part with. Completing this project will allow her to return to London and have the respect of her peers after her scandal from years prior. Manuela proposes an arrangement: she will sell the land if Cora agrees escorts her around to the best sapphic establishments and events in Paris.
These two incredibly strong Latina women encourage each other to be happy and purse their passions, and to stop sacrificing their happiness for those that don't deserve it. I was in awe of the beautiful and diverse queer community that is explored in this story. Cora's friend group, made up of fellow queer women of color, welcomes Manuela with open arms. These women are so incredibly supportive of one another, and are so unapologetically themselves, and it is so refreshing to see. By the end, they have carved out a space where women can knowledge-share with each other regarding their businesses, exchange contacts, and support other women attempting to make their own way in the world.
I also really appreciated that when they all get together, Cora goes out of her way to remind everyone that just because they're in Paris, doesn't mean they have to distance themselves from or abandon their cultures. She makes sure to supply dishes and meals from across Latin America and other cultures, as they are hard to find in Paris, and a lot of the women speak in their native languages during their get togethers.
And the romance is top tier. Every time Cora called Manuela 'querida' I just about died. From the beginning, these two are attracted to each other, and even though Cora has been burned by love in the past and swore she wouldn't fall in love again, she can't help wanting to spend more time with Manuela. They want the best for each other, and encourage one another to stop making sacrifices for and putting their own happiness on hold for those who don't deserve it. They fight so hard for their relationship in the end and their HEA is so deserved.
Fantastic story, I can't wait for book 3, highly recommend!
CW/TW: Classism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual Content (Open Door)