Evelyn Maltravers has only one chance at a London season, and she has a plan. Orphaned daughter of an untitled country gentleman, she has no dowry, and she doesn't think she has the looks to dazzle in the ballroom. What she does have is an impeccable seat on her stallion Hephaestus. She's read in the London papers of the "Pretty Horsebreakers," ladies of low repute who cut dashing figures on horseback. Why shouldn't she, a respectable lady, gain the attention of suitors that way? Of course, the first thing she'll need is a well-cut riding habit -- which is how she meets Ahmad Malik, a talented aspiring dressmaker who has a plan to build his business, but needs a customer like Evelyn, who will wear his designs at society events. The two agree to a partnership of sorts, but the attraction between them is undeniable. Is there any way they can be together despite differences of race and station?

I enjoyed this novel very much. The Victorian setting is a pleasant change from Regency romances, which are more familiar to me. I questioned a couple of historical details, and Evelyn's attitudes are very current. There were also a few typos and a simple mathematical error, but those were minor distractions from an overall fun and pleasant read. If you like historical romances that are low on spice, this should be a good fit for you. ( )

Loved reading a historical where characters of Indian heritage take the lead. Loved the MCs, loved how they found a way to cross the class divide. Really enjoyed all the Belles and look forward to reading the next one. ( )

I've read 6 previous books by this author and enjoyed them all above average, but this one was just mediocre. Perhaps if it were edited down it wouldn't feel so meandering. But this was kind of a slog for not a ton of payoff. I didn't dislike the characters, but I wasn't that drawn in to them either.

Things I did like- I liked that the hero was a tailor/dressmaker. And I liked her female friend group. And that it starred an interracial couple.

And I liked the attention to historical detail, though I think it was partially this focus on historical events that bogged the book down. The multiple seance scenes for instance, given in great detail, which the heroine had to sit through, kind of forced the reader to sit through them too. She wasn't performing them or buying into them, the hero wasn't there for any of them, if you removed that entire theme the story would still make sense with only very slight adjustment (but the book would be significantly shorter). I think the only reason the author went into such great detail was to include some historical facts she knew. (I had wondered why the mediums were getting so much focus when they weren't even *side* characters, but in the author's notes apparently they were based on some real people.*shrug*) I generally enjoy true events worked in, but they either needed to be just touched on and not made such a large part of the story, or they needed to add something more relevant to it. ( )

I love a good historical romance, with interesting characters, and this book delivers. But what I love even more is a historical fiction book that teaches me something about the time period, and this book does that as well — based a little on the historical figures of the pretty horse breakers, courtesans of Rotten Row. Even better, a hero who loves tailoring and fashion and is of Indian background. Delightful. ( )

Now this is the way that clean romances should be written... Steamy without being scandalous! (Although I do appreciate a scandalous scene too- but I digress.)

Excellent character development and a subtle way of discussing social issues of the time made this book incredibly enjoyable. I look forward to reading the future books in this series! ( )