Name: The Siren of Sussex
Rating: 4.208333333333333 (12 reviews)
ISBN: 9781638082514

Mimi Matthews

Victorian high society's most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London's most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.

Belles of London

The Siren of Sussex

Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor.

Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she’s worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she’ll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London’s attention she’ll need a habit-maker who’s not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart.

Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row’s infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible.

But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?

The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1)

This one is fine - very sweet and with likeable characters. But it didn't go much beyond just fine for me.

Annie Beth

Nicole Dykeman

ohmygodohmygodohmygod I’m in love

Idk what’s happening to me because I don’t traditionally gravitate toward historical fiction or romance but in the last month and a half I’ve read so much of it. I’m having a reader’s identity crisis. 

This was my perfect romance book. One where I fall in love with the characters while I watch them fall in love with each other. The perfect slow burn. The perfect setting. The perfect everything. 

Some key things I liked:
- The big conflict was external to the couple - they can’t be together according to society’s standards, but when it comes to one another’s boundaries and desires they are respectful and cute and so in love :) 
- strong protective handsome man :) but not a jerk alpha type. Ahmad drinks his respect women juice
- I have a thing for tailors apparently
- Actual discussion of British colonialism and the responsibility of white people to educate themselves 

I’ll be screaming eternally and maybe actually picking up Bridgerton because I guess I like historical romance now idk

Heather Wood

I loved Ahmad and Evelyn, and I loved their story. They were both very likable but their challenges seemed insurmountable, and I really wondered how they would get past them. Some of them were overcome by personal growth, from things their loved ones said to them, from decisions they made, and from having a supportive community. I really loved that. Some of the challenges were overcome by changing circumstances, some by new information they received, and others by choices they made. All in all, the character arcs were delightful. I strongly support books like this where the MCs are kind and unselfish. There were things they wanted in life, yes, but they weren't going to bulldoze over their loved ones to get those things. And furthermore, the romantic leads were honest and upfront with each other! Yay!
 I'm in love with the unique side characters and can't wait for all the Fab Four to get their own books. Tom and Jenny Finchley show up in this one and it was awesome to see old friends.

This does include a storyline about spiritualism and the occult, which the main character firmly denounces. Be aware that it's there. It's a real part of Victorian history so I enjoyed learning about what was going on at the time. Neither of the main characters had a faith on display in the book.

I was thrilled to receive an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher, but all opinions are entirely my own.

Victorian high society’s most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London’s most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor. Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she's worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she'll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London's attention she'll need a habit-maker who's not afraid to take risks with his designs—and with his heart. Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row's infamous Pretty Horsebreakers—but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible. But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?

Heather Harrington

I haven't read anything from this author before, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I liked this. I appreciated how much research Matthews must've done into this period to make it feel so historically accurate. All the descriptions of Victorian fashion were so beautiful and detailed, and the conversation surrounding spiritualism was interesting as it wasn't something I was very familiar with. I liked how independent Evelyn and Ahmad were and how they both were just trying to create a better life for themselves and their families. I didn't realize going in that this was a closed-door romance, and I do wish there was a little bit of steam because I felt the chemistry was lacking a smidge. It made the story come across more like historical fiction that just had a subtle romantic side plot. I think if I knew more or had an interest in horses or riding, I would've enjoyed this a little more, but it was still good for what it was.

Hannah Picken

Victorian high society's most daring equestrienne finds love and an unexpected ally in her fight for independence in the strong arms of London's most sought after and devastatingly handsome half-Indian tailor. Evelyn Maltravers understands exactly how little she's worth on the marriage mart. As an incurable bluestocking from a family tumbling swiftly toward ruin, she knows she'll never make a match in a ballroom. Her only hope is to distinguish herself by making the biggest splash in the one sphere she excels: on horseback. In haute couture. But to truly capture London's attention she'll need a habit-maker who's not afraid to take risks with his designs--and with his heart. Half-Indian tailor Ahmad Malik has always had a talent for making women beautiful, inching his way toward recognition by designing riding habits for Rotten Row's infamous Pretty Horsebreakers--but no one compares to Evelyn. Her unbridled spirit enchants him, awakening a depth of feeling he never thought possible. But pushing boundaries comes at a cost and not everyone is pleased to welcome Evelyn and Ahmad into fashionable society. With obstacles spanning between them, the indomitable pair must decide which hurdles they can jump and what matters most: making their mark or following their hearts?

The Siren of Sussex Belles of London

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