Karin A. (Jerseygirltoo) -
I am a big fan of Mimi Matthews, and this was a sweet and touching romance with a hero and heroine on the fringes of society. Ahmed Malik is a tailor and lady's dressmaker, who is trying to make a name for himself, so he can buy his own shop and be an independent businessman. Evelyn has just one season to make a splash and be noticed, so she can make a decent practical marriage and save her family from financial ruin. There are so many wonderful historical details woven into this story, about horseback riding, Victorian fashion, the Indian community of London in the 1800's, and much more. I really identified with the characters who are just regular people, not nobility. They fall in love gradually and believably, but Evelyn is the one who takes the lead in finding a way for them to be together, in spite of the class and racial obstacles.
It was a lovely feel good story.
It was a lovely feel good story.
I didn't completely finish this book - skipped and skimmed to the end, because I had paid my $15, but never got really interested. It is set in the 1860s, Mid-Victorian, which is an era I don't much like for entertainment fiction - all the ugly down side of the 19th century and little of elegance, charm or wit.
The book itself appears to be written for teens - it uses Young Adult style language, short paragraphs, easy concepts and a lot of dialog. I was hoping for something a little more adult-oriented.
The book itself appears to be written for teens - it uses Young Adult style language, short paragraphs, easy concepts and a lot of dialog. I was hoping for something a little more adult-oriented.
