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amberinpieces's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Grief, Murder, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
booknerderika's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Hands down one of my new favorite books!! It was entertaining and not as predictable as I expected for a romance! I kept assuming one thing only to be surprised by something else.
Ana María & Gideon were perfect for each other. I wanted more interactions between them, but I enjoyed the overall story and didn't feel like a lot of spice was needed. Although, I do hope there is more build-up in the next book. I want more angst and close encounters. If it is going to be a slow-burn enemies to lovers (which it seems like from the hints in this book) then I need more tension between the characters.
All that being said, the spicy scene dialogue was a little cringe, but I was willing to look past that since I loved the rest of the story so much. I can't wait for book 2!
Ana María & Gideon were perfect for each other. I wanted more interactions between them, but I enjoyed the overall story and didn't feel like a lot of spice was needed. Although, I do hope there is more build-up in the next book. I want more angst and close encounters. If it is going to be a slow-burn enemies to lovers (which it seems like from the hints in this book) then I need more tension between the characters.
All that being said, the spicy scene dialogue was a little cringe, but I was willing to look past that since I loved the rest of the story so much. I can't wait for book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and War
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rating: 4/5 stars
Ana María and her sisters have fled to London from Mexico for their safety during the French occupation in 1863. Against both of their better judgment, Ana María begins to fall for handsome member of Parliament Gideon Fox, but the two fight to keep a lid on their attraction—until political forces push them together once and for all.
I really loved the concept of this one, which is a Victorian romance with super diverse characters that deals with aspects of history I was previously unfamiliar with and excited to learn more about. Overall, I found this to be fun and a relatively quick read—I got through most of it in a single sitting. I also LOVED the commentary about race, class, colorism, colonialism, and politics in this era in general.
That said, I also found myself wanting a bit “more” somehow—this is a slow burn in the extreme (the action doesn’t really pick up until nearly 200 pages in, in my opinion) and there were some aspects of the plot where I really needed to suspend my disbelief.
Still, I liked the characters, and I find myself really looking forward to both of Ana María’s sisters’ books, based on the hints and foreshadowing we got here. On balance, I’d definitely recommend picking this up if it sounds interesting to you!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse historical romance; political themes; “my wife”
CW: Kidnapping/violence; sexism; racism; mentions of slavery
Ana María and her sisters have fled to London from Mexico for their safety during the French occupation in 1863. Against both of their better judgment, Ana María begins to fall for handsome member of Parliament Gideon Fox, but the two fight to keep a lid on their attraction—until political forces push them together once and for all.
I really loved the concept of this one, which is a Victorian romance with super diverse characters that deals with aspects of history I was previously unfamiliar with and excited to learn more about. Overall, I found this to be fun and a relatively quick read—I got through most of it in a single sitting. I also LOVED the commentary about race, class, colorism, colonialism, and politics in this era in general.
That said, I also found myself wanting a bit “more” somehow—this is a slow burn in the extreme (the action doesn’t really pick up until nearly 200 pages in, in my opinion) and there were some aspects of the plot where I really needed to suspend my disbelief.
Still, I liked the characters, and I find myself really looking forward to both of Ana María’s sisters’ books, based on the hints and foreshadowing we got here. On balance, I’d definitely recommend picking this up if it sounds interesting to you!
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse historical romance; political themes; “my wife”
CW: Kidnapping/violence; sexism; racism; mentions of slavery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, and War
purplepenning's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Dutiful eldest daughter and Mexican heiress Ana María Luna doesn't expect to find a taste of freedom in the rigid high society of Victorian England. When she and her sisters are sent to England to escape the invading French forces in Mexico City, however, she discovers that she has also escaped the domineering control of her politically ambitious father. She relishes the opportunity to discover who she is when her life isn't dictated to her. One thing she knows — she does not want to fall for a politically ambitious Englishman, so the intriguing spark she feels around the somber Mr. Fox must be ignored.
As much a well-researched historical novel as it is a slow-burn romance, ANA MARÍA AND THE FOX does some heavy lifting for the books that will follow it, but the patient reader will have their rewards. You'll find dances and house parties and Bridgerton vibes with Latin American color, a glimpse of some world affairs during the U.S. Civil War, dastardly plots and adventurous action, a wedding night that's worth the wait, and a teaser for some intrigue to come in the next Luna sister book!
As much a well-researched historical novel as it is a slow-burn romance, ANA MARÍA AND THE FOX does some heavy lifting for the books that will follow it, but the patient reader will have their rewards. You'll find dances and house parties and Bridgerton vibes with Latin American color, a glimpse of some world affairs during the U.S. Civil War, dastardly plots and adventurous action, a wedding night that's worth the wait, and a teaser for some intrigue to come in the next Luna sister book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual content, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Minor: Racism, Slavery, and War
laurenalysse's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Violence, and Alcohol
shaipanda's review against another edition
4.25
I really liked this!! For some reason this took me longer than I thought it would and maybe wasn’t as engaged as I would’ve liked but overall I had a good time with this and really liked Ana and Fox together :)
I also think this was a solid series starter and I’m excited to hopefully read the other Luna sisters stories when those come out
I also think this was a solid series starter and I’m excited to hopefully read the other Luna sisters stories when those come out
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Sexism, and War
Minor: Slavery, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Also brief colorist sentiments towards a side character that is called out in the book and discussed and also emotionally neglectful and distant parenting discussedaqtbenz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
whatemilysreading's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Ana María and the Fox is a really unique historical romance and I loved how diverse its characters were. It was a little lighter on steam and heavier on politics than I anticipated, which is okay because I was not crazy about how the eventual ~love scene~ was written - I kind of wished it was just a fade to black instead 😬 But the real winning element for me was the Luna sisters and their character development. Their growth felt natural as they learned to be independent thinkers now that they have some distance from their family in Mexico. I enjoyed Gabby the most, and her relationship to their chaperone Lady Yardley, so I’m hoping that comes back in a future story.
Thanks to Berkley for the advanced e-book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Death and Gun violence