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MY REVIEW:
Genre | Tropes: Regency Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Women’s Rights
A wonderful story about strength and self understanding. Effie is a student of The Crinoline Academy, a place where girls are trained to defend themselves, assert their independence, and forge their own futures. In a time when women were solely dependent on the graces of men, subject to marriage or sponsorship to ensure their survival, Effie has been trained to not only create her own path in life, but also to support the rights of other women.
Her mission seems easy enough. Her mentor and teacher wants her to infiltrate the life of Lord Compton, a man that personally beseeched Effie’s mentor of her life and inheritance. Effie has been trained so well that she infiltrates this society setting with ease and is immediately in the presence of this dastardly Lord. But, things take an interesting turn – giving Effie challenges she hadn’t expected – when she makes the acquaintance of Gabriel Royce.
He is on a similar mission to utilize Lord Compton and the two of them find themselves on opposite sides of Lord Compton. Gabriel needs him for his business venture to proceed and Effie’s goal is to ruin him completely.
Throughout all of this, Effie and Gabriel are unequivocally drawn to one another in a way that makes it difficult to stay enemies. But they are both hard driven by their dreams and goals, not wanting to risk their own desires for a hopeful match between themselves.
I really enjoyed both of these characters and their raw commitments to their causes of helping those in need. Effie with her determination to support women in a way that allows them to be more independent in their life choices and Gabriel’s desire to help those in lesser circumstances in the Rookery.
They are perfectly matched, not only in their backgrounds and grit, but in their spirit and determination for helping others. While they constantly fight against one another thinking they have to be enemies, the truth of the perfectness of their match is right in front of them.
All of the elements of attraction between them are written with purpose and drew me into their dynamic so fully. I really adored them as individuals and as a power couple in a way that makes the entire book perfection. Filled pages of purpose, adoration, drive, and focus make this book stunning! I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect read!
GET IT HERE:
A Most Anticipated Romance for Paste Magazine · The Nerd Daily · BookBub · Marie Claire · Book Riot · Bookish · Fangirlish
No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.
On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.
But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.
From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi Matthews
USA Today bestselling author Mimi Matthews writes both historical nonfiction and award-winning Victorian romances, including The Siren of Sussex, a 2023 RUSA Reading List shortlist pick for Best Romance; Fair as a Star, a Library Journal Best Romance of 2020; Gentleman Jim, a Kirkus Best Book of 2020; and The Work of Art, winner of the 2020 HOLT Medallion and a 2021 Daphne du Maurier Award nominee. Mimi’s novels have received starred reviews in Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, and Shelf Awareness, and her articles have been featured on the Victorian Web, the Journal of Victorian Culture, and in syndication at BUST Magazine.
In her other life, Mimi is an attorney. She resides in California with her family, which includes a retired Andalusian dressage horse, a Sheltie, and two Siamese cats. To learn more, please visit http://www.MimiMatthews.com
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