The Siren of Sussex (Unabridged)
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
A PopSugar, Oprah Daily, and BookBub Most Anticipated Romance of 2022!
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?
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
Looking for a stylish Victorian romance with thoroughly modern sensibilities? Mimi Matthews’ fresh story revolves around Evie, a feisty young woman from a prominent family who isn’t having much luck in London’s high-society marriage market. Between her sharp intelligence, independent spirit, and intense love of horseback riding, Evie has only ever found one man who understands and appreciates her: her Indian British dressmaker, Ahmad. The sparkling connection between Matthews’ protagonists is magnetic, and we appreciate how the author doesn’t gloss over the obstacles a couple like this would face in 1862. As the pair tackles issues relating to class differences and racist bigotry head-on, they develop a relationship that’s refreshingly open and honest. (We also loved that Evie learns about Ahmad’s culture by seeking out books by Indian authors—not by British colonizers.) Narrators Vidish Athavale and Lydia Hanman embody both characters beautifully, drawing us into this winning tale of forbidden love.