Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Quincy lightly riffs on Jane Austen's Persuasion in her sultry second Sirens in Silk Victorian romance (after The Duke Gets Desperate). Eight years after jilting Basil Trevelyn, Naila Darwish crosses paths with him again, this time in England, where she's visiting for the wedding of her sister, Raya, to the Duke of Strickland. Naila, who was swayed into leaving Basil by her disapproving Arab American family, regrets her past choices and has never gotten over him. Meanwhile, Basil's star has risen: he's now the powerful Earl of Hawksworth. Their magnetic draw to each other is as strong as ever, but both fear being hurt again. Basil becomes even more skittish about reentering the relationship when he learns that Naila is writing a pamphlet to help American heiresses land titled British husbands. Quincy brings plenty of romantic angst and interpersonal drama to the fast-paced plot, punctuated with some truly steamy love scenes. It's a memorable and passionate scorcher. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Sept.)
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Review by Library Journal Review
Quincy deftly hops on the Jane Austen-retelling train with an reimagining of Persuasion, featuring an American woman and her lost love. This second in the "Sirens in Silk" series continues the tale of the Darwish family as Naila (sister of Raya, the heroine of The Duke Gets Desperate) travels to England for Raya's wedding. There, Naila is shocked to discover that Basil--the man she fell in love with and ultimately rejected eight years ago--is now the earl of Hawksworth. The plot moves backward and forward in time, showing highlights from the pair's ultimately doomed relationship in Philadelphia as they reunite years later. At times, Naila and Basil grow irritating as they stubbornly stake out their positions while secretly pining for each other, but as more of the tale of their ill-fated first relationship is revealed, their reasons for breaking up become clear. Readers will breathe a happy sigh of relief when they finally get together. VERDICT Once again, Quincy delivers a steamy story featuring a bold woman who melts the heart of her icy hero. Another winner for fans of Gilded Age romances.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
The love of her life is back--and now he's an earl. American Naila Darwish is 27, and she's accepted that she's an old maid. She had her chance at marriage eight years ago, but she turned down the love of her life because her family didn't approve of him. Now she's only a little wistful as she watches her sister prepare to marry a duke at an English castle--until she's introduced to the Earl of Hawksworth, and is shocked to discover she already knows him: Before he was an earl, he was Basil Trevelyn, the man she loved madly for a summer back in Philadelphia. Now known as Hawk, he still--he admits to himself--has strong feelings for her. After Naila turned down his proposal for fear she'd lose her traditional family, both have spent years trying to forget each other and failing terribly. But though their chemistry reignites immediately, Hawk resents feeling that she may be interested just because he's an earl, and the lingering hurt between them may be too much to overcome. Though the primary storyline is a long, slow burn, it's interwoven with the quick, heated story of how Naila and Hawk first fell in love, providing a sweet (and then bittersweet) counterpoint to the story of their second chance. Both storylines build beautifully on the first book in Quincy's Sirens in Silk series,The Duke Gets Desperate (2023), with many cameos from Naila's family. ThePersuasion-inspired story, rich in historical detail, is especially strong in its depiction of Palestinian life in the Victorian-era U.S. and England, respectful of the traditions of the Darwish family as well as Naila's desire to push against them. Quincy doesn't skimp on scorching intimate scenes between Hawk and Naila, underscoring how strong their connection is even as they agonize about the possibility of a future together. Though the story works well on its own, the books are best read in order. A multicultural Victorian romance that celebrates second chances and family ties. Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
