Review by Booklist Review
Follow three friends, cousins Eleanor and Charlotte along with neighbor George, as they deal with the difficulties of growing up and falling in love. Charlotte feels like a charity case taken in by Eleanor's parents, struggling to balance finding security with battling the prejudice she faces as a mixed-race, poor relative. Eleanor cares for her father, who has become increasingly shut-in and paranoid since his wife's death. George inherited the family estate and must oversee its precarious finances while hiding how comfortable they are in masculine clothing--and the way they feel about Eleanor. What follows is a lovely historical romance worthy of Austen, along with an epilogue dedicated to showcasing what is known about queer people of the past. The art really shines in softly depicting the fashions of the time, as well as the tumultuous emotional journeys of the cast. Fans of the earnest sweetness found in Heartstopper (2020) or the Regency pining of Sarah Vaughn's Ruined (2023) will be delighted.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up--It's 1800s England and the pressure is on to find a spouse and settle down. George, Eleanor, and Charlotte are each grappling with the issue. George, who was assigned female at birth but uses they/them pronouns and prefers to wear men's clothing, struggles to hide their true identity from a rigid society that does not acknowledge anything outside of convention. Living on a large estate that is in danger of bankruptcy, George pitches in to oversee the land and its inhabitants. Close friends of George's since childhood, Eleanor and her cousin Charlotte have their own ideas about the future. They go to their share of elegant balls and mix with high society, never finding exactly what they're looking for. Charlotte, who is Black, faces discrimination and often finds herself in the company of people who don't hold issue with investing in plantations in America. As the three friends learn from poor decisions, they ultimately realize that in order to find happiness, in love and in life, they need to be true to who they are. With realistic, detailed drawings of the English countryside and the city of London, the story comes to life. The characters are well developed, revealing their inner thoughts through dialogue and reflection, and through George, the author explores what it was like to live as a young transgender person navigating the obstacles of Regency England. The topics of class, gender identity, feminism, and LGBTQIA+ rights are woven into the action seamlessly. VERDICT A charming, empowering story that will resonate with members of and advocates for the LGBTQIA+ community and their allies.--Karin Greenberg
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two best friends resist their feelings for each other in Surrey, England, in 1807. Cousins Eleanor and Charlotte are close to their dear friend, George. Although society expects proper young ladies to find a nice gentleman to marry as soon as they are of age, that fate feels unreasonable for these three. Eleanor, who has no plans to ever marry, intends to care for her ailing, widowed father. Black biracial Charlotte's white father was disinherited; Ellie's parents took their niece in, but her race and lack of a fortune are obstacles. And, although they were proclaimed to be a girl at birth, that label doesn't fit the way George feels; rather than seeking a husband, they prefer to help run the estate and dress in masculine clothing. The trio's trip to London unearths previously unacknowledged issues: George's gender expression, the unspoken love between Eleanor and George, and Charlotte's feelings of being unwelcome in high society, as well as her refusal to be "a curiosity or exotic accessory." The resulting tension forces them to come to an understanding that will forever affect their relationships. Inspired by Jane Austen's novels and their own research, Conner's work features beautiful, detailed illustrations that bring Georgian-era England to life. These lovable, witty characters explore identity in nuanced ways and show what's possible when you are true to yourself. A queer love story that's perfect for fans of slow-burn historical romance. (historical notes, resources, author's note, sketches)(Graphic historical romance. 13-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
