Are you looking for a Victorian London romance with a dark underbelly? Murder, mystery, sex trafficking, poverty and family issues are all touched upon in this standalone with an HEA. Narrated by Gemma Dawson, I was quickly pulled into the story of The Corset Girls Unlaced by Annie R. McEwen.
by Annie R. McEwen
Narrator: Gemma Dawson
Length: 8 hours and 4 minutes
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible | Libro.fm *affiliate
Heat Level:
Narration: 4 cups Speed: 1.35x
In Victorian London, passion burns bright—but darkness awaits underground . . .
After a desperate act leaves Jillian Morehouse a fugitive, she flees to Whitechapel. The escapee finds work in a Mayfair corset workshop, but the walls are closing in.
Jillian catches the eye of the handsome Michael Kelly, a reformed criminal with a dangerous history he's anxious to keep hidden. The pair are drawn together by a powerful attraction—but their love is tested when she's kidnapped and abandoned in the catacombs beneath London.
With enemies circling and secrets threatening to destroy them both, Jillian and Michael must confront their darkest fears . . . or lose everything to the shadows of their pasts.
In a world where love is the most dangerous game of all, will they find redemption, or will the darkness claim them both?
An unexpected attack leads to deadly consequences. Jillian Morehouse, a maid in a wealthy household, escapes to Whitechapel with her resourceful friend Ada. The two secure positions as corset girls. They sew these garments for women from all social ladders.
The story that unfolds pulled me in as Jillian was tasked with a home fitting. The home is an upscale brothel. Before she leaves, she will find herself accosted and rescued by the bouncer, Michael Kelly (Kell), a reformed criminal with a dark history. The two have instant chemistry and the romance that unfolds is sweet, sexy and felt genuine.
Kell is Ada’s brother and since he is provided a room at the brothel, he gives Jillian and Ada his rooms. Kell acts as a protector for the young ladies. We learn Jillian is an orphan with her own dark secrets, and I appreciated getting to know both Kell and Jillian as their relationship progressed.
We’ve got plenty of suspense, as Scotland Yard interviews the young ladies regarding a murder at their former employers. Both Jillian and Kell’s past threatened them, bringing us to the darker side of London from criminal activities to gangs.
Gemma Dawson narrates and did a great job with accents and the tone of the story. I highly recommend listening.
If you enjoy tales with a heavy romantic theme wrapped in suspense and the darker aspects of Victorian London, then this standalone romance is for you.
About Annie R. McEwen
A career historian, Annie R McEwen has lived in six countries and under every roof from a canvas tent to a Georgian Era manor house, all of which helps her create award-winning romance set in faraway times and places. Annie has novels and series available on every major sales platform. Her publishers are Harbor Lane Books (US), Bloodhound Books (UK), Rowan Prose Publishing, and The Wild Rose Press. When she’s not in her 1920s bungalow in Florida, Annie writes, blogs, and explores castles in Wales, which is just about the most magical place on the planet.
About Gemma Dawson
Gemma Dawson is a classically trained British actress born and raised in London, England. She graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and went on to become one of their prestigious company members. She has remained in NYC, where she now works as an actress and voice-over artist. Gemma has acted on stage Off-Broadway as well as back home in the UK. She has lent her voice to documentaries, television shows, commercials, and major motion pictures. She has narrated over sixty audiobooks and approaches a title in the same way she would any stage role, with the objective of bringing the story and characters to life with authenticity, accuracy, and imagination.
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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Ethan
This one seems to shine a light on a piece of society/history that isn’t often explored. It sounds fascinating.
Vicki
I haven’t heard of this author or narrator. This isn’t my usual type of read but it sounds good. I may give it a try.
Mary Kirkland
What an interesting storyline. This sounds good.