Quick take
In this sumptuous, swoony Victorian romance an eldest daughter struggles with responsibility and the pull of her heart.
Good to know
Social issues
First in series
Salacious
Siblings
Synopsis
A forbidden love between a Mexican heiress and a shrewd British politician makes for a tantalizing Victorian season.
Ana María Luna Valdés has strived to be the perfect daughter, the perfect niece, and the perfect representative of the powerful Luna familia. So, when Ana María is secretly sent to London with her sisters to seek refuge during the French occupation of Mexico, she experiences her first taste of freedom far from the judgmental eyes of her domineering father. If only she could ignore the piercing looks she receives across ballroom floors from the austere Mr. Fox.
Gideon Fox elevated himself from the London gutters by chasing his burning desire for more: more opportunities, more choices. For everyone. Now as a member of Parliament, Gideon’s on the cusp of securing the votes he needs to put forth a measure to abolish the Atlantic slave trade once and for all—a cause that is close to his heart as the grandson of a formerly enslaved woman. The charmingly vexing Ana María is a distraction he must ignore.
But when Ana María finds herself in the crosshairs of a nefarious nobleman with his own political agenda, Gideon knows he must offer his hand as protection . . . but will this Mexican heiress win his heart as well?
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Ana María and the Fox
1
London: July, 1863
The wind was relentless. It ripped at her once-neat coiffure, whipping strands of black hair against her face, the sting bringing tears to her eyes. It was the most frigid of welcomes.
Ana María wrapped her cloak tighter about her shoulders, burying her chin and cheeks in the warmth of the high collar. She glanced first one way and then the other, her eyes straining to see something—someone—who clearly wasn’t there. Where was he?
“Qué feo,” Gabriela—Gabby—muttered, her blue-tinged lips curling as she surveyed the neighborhood surrounding the docks. “Isn’t England supposed to be green? I didn’t expect London to be quite so . . . so gray.”
Neither had she. Ana María sighed as she took in the coal-choked fog that clung to the docks like the arms of an illicit lover, doing its best to mask the filth and grime of the city. Yet the somber reality of their new home was apparent. The narrow buildings lining the wharf were worn and dilapidated, their brick facades stained gray by generations of coal dust. From her vantage point, she could make out piles of debris and refuse that littered the cobblestoned street, her stomach turning when she spied rats darting among the rubbish, fighting for scraps. Ana María ducked her head at the near constant stream of seagulls swooping down from above, their squawking grating her nerves like an out-of-tune pianoforte.
Discreetly shielding her nose with her hand, she inhaled the crisp leather scent of her gloves, thankful it smothered the acrid stench that wafted about her, a foul blend of the sea and human misery.
“Surely we’ll encounter more green the farther we venture into the city,” she murmured, ignoring her youngest sister’s sniff of disbelief.
Of the three Luna sisters, Gabby was taking their exile the hardest, her lavish complaints annoying even Ana María’s stalwart disposition. And Our Lady of Guadalupe knew there were no more difficult people than her sisters.
Why I love it
Farrah Rochon
Author, The Boyfriend Project
I cut my romance-reading teeth on sweeping regency historicals. But as much as I have long adored these books, I always felt slightly removed from the stories, as if I were an interloper peeking in on this world of lush balls and soirees, but never seeing anyone who looked like me. Until Ana María and the Fox. Liana De la Rosa has taken all that I know and love about regency romances and turned it on its head in the best possible way.
What I truly loved about this book is Liana’s ability to tackle real-world issues of the time, like the French occupation of Mexico, while still keeping the incredible romance between our main characters—Gideon Fox and Ana María Luna—front and center. The grandson of a formerly enslaved woman, Gideon is determined to use his position in Parliament to abolish the Atlantic Slave Trade. Mexican heiress Ana María is on a quest to free herself from her father’s overbearing ways. I especially loved witnessing Gideon’s valiant attempt to fight his growing feelings for Ana María, and eventually accepting the inevitable fall. And what a swoon-worthy fall he takes.
And did I mention the other Luna sisters? Ana María’s relationship with Gabby and Isabelle was both unexpected and refreshing and has me clamoring to see the sisters find their perfect matches. This book has everything you can want from a regency romance, and so much more. Prepare to fully give yourself over to its heady and refreshing pleasures!
Member ratings (4,608)
Sophia M.
New York, NY
Historical period romance, with a side of social justice. Stunning book! Liana managed to give us a history lesson without feeling like an info dump. I hope BOTM has the rest of the trilogy ❤️????????
Andrea K.
Watford city, ND
Loved this one! Enjoyed we got Mexico in Victoria Britain- I didn’t know about the French/ Mexican war. These two were wonderful and can’t wait for the sisters!!! This is going to be an amazing series
Bridgette L.
Carbondale, IL
A historical fiction book with Hispanic heritage?! Love. All the time. Gimme more. These characters were so great to read. The love scenes were quite… abrupt… but other than that I fully enjoyed this!
Alex R.
Edinburg , TX
I loved the strong Mexican female lead and equally as captivating male lead. Its a period romance book with social justice issues well written and it was an easy read. I can’t wait for the next book!
Casey R.
Malden, MA
Mixed love and like. Love the time period and that the characters aren’t the norm. Would’ve liked more post marriage especially with how much happens at the end but will read the next in the series!