About the Book:
Title: Ana María and the Fox
Author: Liana De la Rosa
Series: The Luna Sisters #1
Page Length: 352
Publication Date: April 4, 2023
Publisher: Berkley Books
Synopsis: 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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My Review:
As soon as I saw the cover of Ana María and the Fox, I knew I needed the book in my life. And I was right – I loved it! It’s such an interesting and swoon-worthy historical romance and a captivating start to a new series by Liana De la Rosa.
Intelligent and vibrant, Ana María is conflicted between the stifling expectations of her family and her own hopes and dreams. She spent so much of her life being the obedient and dutiful daughter that she has never really learned who she is outside of that life. Now in London and not under the thumb of her domineering father, Ana María finally gets the chance to figure out what she wants. She has a great arc, and I loved seeing this vivacious, funny, and strong woman flourish.
Fleeing during the French occupation of Mexico because of family ties to the Mexican government, Ana María and her sisters are newly arrived in London. The sisters have been pitted against each other since childhood, and Ana Maria, Isabel, and Gabriela were not close. However, since fleeing Mexico, their relationship has changed. No longer so fully controlled by their parents, the sisters bond and start to support and rely on each other. I think their time away from their parents has given them independence and the freedom to figure out who they are and what they want in life, and the sisters all want more connection with each other. They’re all great! Each sister is dynamic and interesting, and the sisterhood vibes are strong.
Gabriel is an equally compelling character. Like Ana María, Gideon is treated like an outsider, and they both face racism, colorism, and prejudices as they interact with society’s elite. It seems like neither is fully accepted, and they both know it. However, Gideon doesn’t let these prejudices get in the way of his goals. Hard-working and serious, he’s determined to use his influence in Parliament to create change, especially when it comes to abolishing the Atlantic slave trade. A biracial man whose mother was a former slave, this is a cause that is important to him, and his unwavering and singular dedication is admirable. Also, his fight to abolish the slave trade adds an important layer of historical context to the novel, creating a thought-provoking exploration of the global and societal issues of the time.
I always enjoy reading historical romances, especially when I learn something new about a specific time period, and this story is packed with history. Ana María and the Fox examines issues and events that I don’t often read about in historical romances, and I found it so interesting. The story takes place during the Civil War in the US, but it focuses on the complex relationships between England, Mexico, and France at the time, as well as the struggle to abolish slavery globally. It was so fascinating to see England during the American Civil War and to learn about the similar and different issues they faced during this time.
The slow-building relationship between Gideon and Ana Maria is also fantastic. Their romance has a forbidden feel to it as Ana Maria is betrothed to someone back in Mexico. It was an arranged marriage and not a love match. However, it prevents Ana Maria from embracing her growing feelings for Gideon. Gideon, for his part, is focused on his career, and he doesn’t want to do anything that will get in the way of his goals. I have to say. I loved seeing this buttoned-up, serious and stern man become completely smitten and undone by Ana María. The pair has amazing chemistry, and their slow-building romance is filled with longing and yearning. I love the interesting and intellectual conversations they have as much as their flirty banter and angst-filled interactions.
I would definitely recommend Ana María and the Fox. It’s an immersive read that balances love, politics, and history in a way that’s engaging, thought-provoking, and swoon-worthy. This is the first of the sisters’ stories, and after loving this one, I’m eager to see what’s in store for Isabel and Gabriela in future books in the series. Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- the historical context.
- The sisters.
Favorite Lines:
You’re like a prism, displaying your thoughts and emotions in an array of colorful expressions. I’m sure I could watch you all day.
When he saw her, she was all he could see. Her sisters who stood by her side, the guests who flanked them as they issued their greetings, were all part of the void. Faceless, unimportant figures blotted out by the sheer brightness of Ana Maria’s presence.
About the Author:
Liana De la Rosa is a historical romance author who writes diverse characters in the Regency and Victorian periods. Liana has an English degree from the University of Arizona, and in her past life she owned a mystery shopping company and sold pecans for a large farm. When she’s not writing, Liana is listening to true crime podcasts and pretending she’s a domestic goddess while she wrangles her spirited brood of children with her patient husband in Arizona. Learn more online at www.lianadelarosa.com.
Yay! So glad you enjoyed it. You have me even more excited to pick it up!
Oooh, I hope you love it when you get to it!
Glad you enjoyed this one! I’m just waiting for it to release so I can grab it from the library. 😂
I hope you get it soon! 🙂
This one wasn’t on my radar, but it sounds so good! Great review!
Thanks! I really enjoyed it!
Awesome review, Julie! This sounds so so good. Definitely a little different from most histroms? But I also love learning about different events in time periods that are usually covered from one perspective. I’m definitely adding this to my TBR and hopefully, I’ll check it out sooner rather than later 😂
Thanks, DIni! Yes! That’s why I liked it. It was unique and focused on issues and political turmoil I didn’t know a lot about. And the sisters are great!