Victorian romance with a difference!

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The Siren of Sussex (Belles of London #1) by Mimi Matthews          

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Evelyn Maltravers must find a wealthy husband. Her sisters are depending on her. How to take what she is—unremarked and unprepossessing, and to turn those strengths she has to advantage?
Remembering her dead mother’s words, “one must approach a problem from a position of strength”, Evelyn decides to challenge the lure of The Pretty Horsebreakers, courtesans who ride in Rotten Row every day, their well made riding costumes setting their charms off to advantage. A talented equestrian, owner of a magnificent Spanish-bred Andalusian horse, Hephaestus—Evelyn has decided this would be the factor to set her apart from other debutantes entering the season’s lists. A well made marriage to someone who’ll provide for her family is her goal, and she works diligently, if not in the usual way, towards that end.
Evelyn recognises the superb tailoring and magic of the Horsebreaker’s outfits. She discovers where these are made and meets the designer, Ahmad Malik, a gifted Indian habit-maker looking to break into the high fashion stakes. Ahmad has recently entered into an agreement with Mr. Doyle, owner of the ton’s favored establishment Messrs. Doyle and Heppenstall, to buy out Doyle’s lease. However he must first prove himself to Doyle. (Fascinating fact that male tailors crafted female riding outfits in these times!) Evelyn approaches the establishment to make her riding costumes and meets Ahmad. That approach is a charged moment for both of them. Their story is one of endeavour and hope as each struggles to follow their dream, to find their unique destiny.
The vagaries of fashion, the many conflicting messages of polite society, the prejudices on display about menial workers, about British Indian heritage persons, the place of women in society—all are grist for the mill in this unusual and compelling tale.

A Berkley penguinrandomhouse ARC via NetGalley 

Please note: Quotes taken from an advanced reading copy maybe subject to change

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