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Patience & Esther
Patience is a kindhearted country girl, eking out a living in Edwardian England as tremors of social change rock the world around her. When she starts her employment in formal service on the grounds of an opulent country manor, she has no idea that her own personal revolution is about to begin.
Selfless, dutiful, and just a touch naive, she takes to both her place as a parlor maid and to her new roommate, the bookish and progressive lady’s maid, Esther. In another time, the two women would have kept one another’s company forever in their little attic bedroom, living out their days in the employ of a Lord. But it’s now the dawn of a new age. The expanding empire has brought with it not only plundered wealth, but worldliness and new ideas. Suffragists agitate in the street, idle-rich bohemians challenge sexual mores, and Patience and Esther slowly come to realize the world is wider and full of more adventure and opportunity than they ever imagined . . . so long as they find the will to seize it.
Sensual, sweet, and beautifully illustrated, PATIENCE & ESTHER is a steamy period romance and an inspirational erotic journey across the epic sweep of history, from the end of a gilded age to the start of an uncharted future.
Selfless, dutiful, and just a touch naive, she takes to both her place as a parlor maid and to her new roommate, the bookish and progressive lady’s maid, Esther. In another time, the two women would have kept one another’s company forever in their little attic bedroom, living out their days in the employ of a Lord. But it’s now the dawn of a new age. The expanding empire has brought with it not only plundered wealth, but worldliness and new ideas. Suffragists agitate in the street, idle-rich bohemians challenge sexual mores, and Patience and Esther slowly come to realize the world is wider and full of more adventure and opportunity than they ever imagined . . . so long as they find the will to seize it.
Sensual, sweet, and beautifully illustrated, PATIENCE & ESTHER is a steamy period romance and an inspirational erotic journey across the epic sweep of history, from the end of a gilded age to the start of an uncharted future.
328 pages, Paperback
First published January 26, 2021
24 people are currently reading
3922 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Winifred Searle
45 books218 followersSarah hails from spooky New England but has since moved to sunny Perth, Australia. She writes and draws comics inspired by history, feelings, and intimacy of all sorts.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 370 reviews
September 18, 2021
Maybe I just need to stop trusting people’s recommendations 😢
I love the concept of a IR lesbian historical romance graphic novel but Searle...does not have the range and really should’ve had, for lack of a better term, sensitivity readers before publishing this.
My main issue with this book is that there is SO MUCH unchecked casual racism!! The woman who employed both Patience and Esther clearly fetishized and was paternalistic towards Esther (this book takes place during England’s imperial rule over India.) I kept waiting on Patience to defend her woman. Yet she said nothing, even when her own family was alienating Esther. Ew, give it back. Don’t want it! That is violence.
I don’t understand why there was so much racism (which obviously existed in Edwardian England) but no homophobia??? Like there was a whole gay wedding at the end but Searle had to include all the imperialist racist bullshit??? Like if you’re gonna be historically inaccurate, be consistent, you know?
Back to Patience, the fat white MC. Tell me why was the only character that actually had an arc. She was very annoyingly insecure and naive for most of the book, and Esther only existed to help her find her voice and for diversity clout and it shows.
The art is cute, but once again: I’m begging white artists to stay in their lane. Esther’s entire body is ONE color (dark brown) and Patience and all the white characters’ bodies have more color and feature detail....we know why.
TLDR; I spent $30 USD on this graphic novel and I think it sucked. I still don’t think white people should write IR romance. Prove me wrong!
________________________________________
UGHHHHHHHHHHH originally gave this two stars but writing this review made me mad enough to go down to one.
I love the concept of a IR lesbian historical romance graphic novel but Searle...does not have the range and really should’ve had, for lack of a better term, sensitivity readers before publishing this.
My main issue with this book is that there is SO MUCH unchecked casual racism!! The woman who employed both Patience and Esther clearly fetishized and was paternalistic towards Esther (this book takes place during England’s imperial rule over India.) I kept waiting on Patience to defend her woman. Yet she said nothing, even when her own family was alienating Esther. Ew, give it back. Don’t want it! That is violence.
I don’t understand why there was so much racism (which obviously existed in Edwardian England) but no homophobia??? Like there was a whole gay wedding at the end but Searle had to include all the imperialist racist bullshit??? Like if you’re gonna be historically inaccurate, be consistent, you know?
Back to Patience, the fat white MC. Tell me why was the only character that actually had an arc. She was very annoyingly insecure and naive for most of the book, and Esther only existed to help her find her voice and for diversity clout and it shows.
The art is cute, but once again: I’m begging white artists to stay in their lane. Esther’s entire body is ONE color (dark brown) and Patience and all the white characters’ bodies have more color and feature detail....we know why.
TLDR; I spent $30 USD on this graphic novel and I think it sucked. I still don’t think white people should write IR romance. Prove me wrong!
________________________________________
UGHHHHHHHHHHH originally gave this two stars but writing this review made me mad enough to go down to one.
June 21, 2022
"Shall . . . shall we continue this [referring to poetry reading followed by a passionate clinch] later? Tonight. When . . . when we can be alone again." -- Patience Payne
"I doubt I'll be able to think of anything else the rest of the day." -- Esther Byrd, on page 75
In a scenario that reminded me somewhat of a female version of Brokeback Mountain crossed with large helpings of Downton Abbey, Searle's Patience & Esther is a delightful graphic novel set in the years just prior to World War I. Patience Payne is a Scottish-Irish lass from a large farming family, just arrived at a rural British estate as a newly-employed housemaid. Her roommate is the 'lady-in-waiting' Esther Byrd (real name Esther Indumukhi Saha), an Anglo-Indian a little more well-versed in the job of domestic servitude. Readers then follow them over a few years as they move between a few jobs and attempt to continue their covert romance. (It must be noted, homosexuality was a criminal offense in England until 1967.) Also this graphic novel lives up to that description - several lovemaking scenes are unusually and at times extremely explicit, but refreshingly demonstrate that folks enjoyed amorously 'getting it on' 100+ years ago as much as they do these days - although they're not the reason I read this story. It was because it had heart, and that I truly believed the two would remain committed partners for the rest of their lives. I don't recall that said young ladies experience any necessarily earth-shattering plot contrivances that would seem to keep them apart, but yet the true 'happily ever after' conclusion felt earned and was just sweetly wonderful.
"I doubt I'll be able to think of anything else the rest of the day." -- Esther Byrd, on page 75
In a scenario that reminded me somewhat of a female version of Brokeback Mountain crossed with large helpings of Downton Abbey, Searle's Patience & Esther is a delightful graphic novel set in the years just prior to World War I. Patience Payne is a Scottish-Irish lass from a large farming family, just arrived at a rural British estate as a newly-employed housemaid. Her roommate is the 'lady-in-waiting' Esther Byrd (real name Esther Indumukhi Saha), an Anglo-Indian a little more well-versed in the job of domestic servitude. Readers then follow them over a few years as they move between a few jobs and attempt to continue their covert romance. (It must be noted, homosexuality was a criminal offense in England until 1967.) Also this graphic novel lives up to that description - several lovemaking scenes are unusually and at times extremely explicit, but refreshingly demonstrate that folks enjoyed amorously 'getting it on' 100+ years ago as much as they do these days - although they're not the reason I read this story. It was because it had heart, and that I truly believed the two would remain committed partners for the rest of their lives. I don't recall that said young ladies experience any necessarily earth-shattering plot contrivances that would seem to keep them apart, but yet the true 'happily ever after' conclusion felt earned and was just sweetly wonderful.
January 2, 2022
Everyone please go read this!! It's so good in so so many ways!!!
April 30, 2021
2020 Winter Bingo (#SnowInLoveBingo❄️): Fluffy
Edwardian England + wlw + servants/roommates in an aristocratic household + body-positive + Indian MC + background queer and BIPOC rep + on-page sex scenes. Very soft and erotic and fluffy. I would like a million queer historical graphic novels, please.
The romance is cute but the best part is how “progressive” Cordelia claims to be wrt suffragette policies while acting obnoxious/racist. A perfect personification of white feminism.
I did not realize this had Indian rep until I started reading. The rep seemed mostly okay, but I am definitely not an expert or final authority on anything.
Some notes:
- I’m a bit confused by aristocratic titles. They keep calling their boss/unmarried woman “Lady Blythe” (her first name is Cordelia) and... why?! And then Cordelia mentions an aunt of hers also called Lady Blythe. I am deeply confused. I know there are some Scottish titles where an unmarried woman can inherit a title, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here. There’s probably a good explanation for this and I’m just ignorant. Still. It was weird.
- At first I was unimpressed by the Indian MC’s name being Esther, but there is a legit explanation that quelled my annoyance.
- Some spellings took me aback, but “saree instead of sari” and “suttee instead of sati” are okay, especially in the latter case. Even if it’s fallen out of use today, suttee was the popular spelling in early 20th century UK.
- There’s a brief mention of partition and at first I was like “WTF, why would they talk about partition in Edwardian England?” Then I realized they probably meant the Partition of Bengal in 1905. The comic should’ve been more clear, imo.
- Overall the rep seems fine, but it’s possible I missed something or just don’t know enough about X (historical fact, language, sari artwork details, etc) to realize it’s wrong. Nothing seems egregiously offensive, in any case. I appreciate that while there are racist microaggressions, bigotry and homophobia aren’t plot points.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Edwardian England + wlw + servants/roommates in an aristocratic household + body-positive + Indian MC + background queer and BIPOC rep + on-page sex scenes. Very soft and erotic and fluffy. I would like a million queer historical graphic novels, please.
The romance is cute but the best part is how “progressive” Cordelia claims to be wrt suffragette policies while acting obnoxious/racist. A perfect personification of white feminism.
I did not realize this had Indian rep until I started reading. The rep seemed mostly okay, but I am definitely not an expert or final authority on anything.
Some notes:
- I’m a bit confused by aristocratic titles. They keep calling their boss/unmarried woman “Lady Blythe” (her first name is Cordelia) and... why?! And then Cordelia mentions an aunt of hers also called Lady Blythe. I am deeply confused. I know there are some Scottish titles where an unmarried woman can inherit a title, but that doesn’t seem to be the case here. There’s probably a good explanation for this and I’m just ignorant. Still. It was weird.
- At first I was unimpressed by the Indian MC’s name being Esther, but there is a legit explanation that quelled my annoyance.
- Some spellings took me aback, but “saree instead of sari” and “suttee instead of sati” are okay, especially in the latter case. Even if it’s fallen out of use today, suttee was the popular spelling in early 20th century UK.
- There’s a brief mention of partition and at first I was like “WTF, why would they talk about partition in Edwardian England?” Then I realized they probably meant the Partition of Bengal in 1905. The comic should’ve been more clear, imo.
- Overall the rep seems fine, but it’s possible I missed something or just don’t know enough about X (historical fact, language, sari artwork details, etc) to realize it’s wrong. Nothing seems egregiously offensive, in any case. I appreciate that while there are racist microaggressions, bigotry and homophobia aren’t plot points.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
April 16, 2022
The book seems very twee at first glance and when i flipped through i was really surprised it was ~erotic.
I found the art to be a bit too…polished and slick, it’s like watching steven universe characters have graphic sex LMAO.
Oftentimes the panels have no background details at all, which is a shame because as a period piece it could’ve used more atmosphere. Also i didnt like how the characters were drawn without noses a lot of the time.
Back to the twee thing, the story is verrrry saccharine. It omits any homophobia which is tbh fine when you’re just looking to read a cutesy edwardian romance between women. There is one character who is racist BUT (unlike the top review on this book suggests) it’s obvious you’re not supposed to think she’s a good person lmao. She’s clearly portrayed as a clueless suffragist who only cares about the advancement of white upper class women while she fetishizes having indian house slaves. To suggest the author portrayed her/her beliefs as positive at all is disingenuous and obtuse lol sorry. Not saying the author handled it ideally but she did address it. I do agree that it's weird to omit homophobia BUT include racism tho. Why not both? Have the story take place in a completely idealized setting?
the second bonus comic was really boring and I hated it
Anyway this was like, fine, i guess but i wasn’t crazy about it. Just read fingersmith or tipping the velvet instead girl!!
I found the art to be a bit too…polished and slick, it’s like watching steven universe characters have graphic sex LMAO.
Oftentimes the panels have no background details at all, which is a shame because as a period piece it could’ve used more atmosphere. Also i didnt like how the characters were drawn without noses a lot of the time.
Back to the twee thing, the story is verrrry saccharine. It omits any homophobia which is tbh fine when you’re just looking to read a cutesy edwardian romance between women. There is one character who is racist BUT (unlike the top review on this book suggests) it’s obvious you’re not supposed to think she’s a good person lmao. She’s clearly portrayed as a clueless suffragist who only cares about the advancement of white upper class women while she fetishizes having indian house slaves. To suggest the author portrayed her/her beliefs as positive at all is disingenuous and obtuse lol sorry. Not saying the author handled it ideally but she did address it. I do agree that it's weird to omit homophobia BUT include racism tho. Why not both? Have the story take place in a completely idealized setting?
the second bonus comic was really boring and I hated it
Anyway this was like, fine, i guess but i wasn’t crazy about it. Just read fingersmith or tipping the velvet instead girl!!
July 24, 2020
★★★,5☆ | Cute, diverse historical romance
👩❤️💋👩 f/f
👩❤️💋👩 desi & fat rep
👩❤️💋👩 Edwardian
👩❤️💋👩 includes smut
It was a sweet Edwardian f/f romance.
It’s body-posi, has Indian rep, mentions the suffrage movement, the class disproportions AND is sex-positive.
The Main Couple isn’t the only queer characters either — throughout the story it is shown that queer people existed and had means of finding each other.
The story was more of the progress of the couple’s daily lives than some bigger plot but it was still enjoyable and it clearly was well-researched.
Also, I liked that it was finished off with a small Modern Times AU chapter.
👩❤️💋👩 f/f
👩❤️💋👩 desi & fat rep
👩❤️💋👩 Edwardian
👩❤️💋👩 includes smut
It was a sweet Edwardian f/f romance.
It’s body-posi, has Indian rep, mentions the suffrage movement, the class disproportions AND is sex-positive.
The Main Couple isn’t the only queer characters either — throughout the story it is shown that queer people existed and had means of finding each other.
The story was more of the progress of the couple’s daily lives than some bigger plot but it was still enjoyable and it clearly was well-researched.
Also, I liked that it was finished off with a small Modern Times AU chapter.
February 2, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an eArc via Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
3 stars ⭐
Release date: January 26
This book is out now!
When I saw this book on Edelweiss+, I was immediately captivated by the beautiful cover and the fact that it's a F/F romance novel. I've made it an unofficial goal of mine to read more books featuring wlw relationships since I am so quick to complain that virtually all the ones I've read felt contrived and bland, so I decided to give this graphic novel as chance.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
Patience is a kind-hearted young woman who finds employment as a maid in an opulent country manor. There she meets Esther, who is also a maid, and with whom she shares a bedroom with. A romance blooms between these two women as they spend more and more time together and find comfort in each other.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
I wish I had more to say about this book than what I do, but it was just average.
The romance between Patience and Esther is certainly cute, but I think it lacks angst. It might sound like a silly critique, but for me, they get a long a bit too well, you know? They never argue and their relationship seems too picture-perfect. Also, although there are a few steamy scenes, I was expecting more? I feel like this sounds bad, but from the way this graphic novel is advertised, I thought they would be a bit... longer.
I had a problem with the pacing too. I barely realised the time jump and was very confused for a reasonable number of pages. The additional pages at the end with Patience and Esther's story in the present time were a drag for me, unfortunately.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the art style and the fact that there's both fat and Indian representation. The characters defiinitely have some qualities, like being hard-working and family-oriented. Additionally, the story takes place in the Edwardian era and suffragism is a theme touched on which I believe some readers would enjoy.
Overall, this is not the greatest book, but I can see it appealing to many people and I would recommend it if it sounds like your cup of tea.
3 stars ⭐
Release date: January 26
This book is out now!
When I saw this book on Edelweiss+, I was immediately captivated by the beautiful cover and the fact that it's a F/F romance novel. I've made it an unofficial goal of mine to read more books featuring wlw relationships since I am so quick to complain that virtually all the ones I've read felt contrived and bland, so I decided to give this graphic novel as chance.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
Patience is a kind-hearted young woman who finds employment as a maid in an opulent country manor. There she meets Esther, who is also a maid, and with whom she shares a bedroom with. A romance blooms between these two women as they spend more and more time together and find comfort in each other.
✦ ✧ ✦ ✧
I wish I had more to say about this book than what I do, but it was just average.
The romance between Patience and Esther is certainly cute, but I think it lacks angst. It might sound like a silly critique, but for me, they get a long a bit too well, you know? They never argue and their relationship seems too picture-perfect. Also, although there are a few steamy scenes, I was expecting more? I feel like this sounds bad, but from the way this graphic novel is advertised, I thought they would be a bit... longer.
I had a problem with the pacing too. I barely realised the time jump and was very confused for a reasonable number of pages. The additional pages at the end with Patience and Esther's story in the present time were a drag for me, unfortunately.
On the other hand, I really enjoyed the art style and the fact that there's both fat and Indian representation. The characters defiinitely have some qualities, like being hard-working and family-oriented. Additionally, the story takes place in the Edwardian era and suffragism is a theme touched on which I believe some readers would enjoy.
Overall, this is not the greatest book, but I can see it appealing to many people and I would recommend it if it sounds like your cup of tea.
April 28, 2021
You know how you always want the two women in period dramas to kiss? You don't? Well, many lesbians do, and this fulfills that desire. Patience and Esther are two house servants in an Edwardian house, where they get to know each other quite well.
This fantastically researched story gives us glimpses of the life of the upper class in the country as well as in London, with a lot of sex, to be sure.
I love these two women, and how they come into their own, and move beyond being servants to having their own lives, on their own terms.'
Light nudity, and lesbian as well as straight sex, though not explicit, it probably is not really for younger kids.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
--
Reread, and yes, just as lovely in paperback, in my hot little hands, as when I read it on the screen. Such a lovely read.
This fantastically researched story gives us glimpses of the life of the upper class in the country as well as in London, with a lot of sex, to be sure.
I love these two women, and how they come into their own, and move beyond being servants to having their own lives, on their own terms.'
Light nudity, and lesbian as well as straight sex, though not explicit, it probably is not really for younger kids.
Thanks to Edelweiss for making this book available for an honest review.
--
Reread, and yes, just as lovely in paperback, in my hot little hands, as when I read it on the screen. Such a lovely read.
February 16, 2021
A fairy-tale early-1900s LGBTQ+ love story that is erotic, sweet, and moving. Thick and dense, the slow build as we get to know the characters intimately pays off well in the end.
I've never watched Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs, but this reminds me of one of my favorite manga series, Emma by Kaoru Mori, but with the addition of a whole hell of a lot of very explicit sex scenes.
What a terrific read for Valentine's Day (and entirely random since I just take whatever is on the left side of my shelf of library books).
I've never watched Downton Abbey or Upstairs, Downstairs, but this reminds me of one of my favorite manga series, Emma by Kaoru Mori, but with the addition of a whole hell of a lot of very explicit sex scenes.
What a terrific read for Valentine's Day (and entirely random since I just take whatever is on the left side of my shelf of library books).
October 27, 2021
SO CUUTE 😍
The art is bright and sweet; eyelashes and stretchmarks are the stars of this show.
OK, originally I was considering 3 stars because this storyline is not very unique. The narrative goes from a to b and there are no surprises; however my mind was changed today by a presentation. A queer librarian told us that he was craving boring stories. He wanted to read more than queer trauma and coming out stories; he wanted to read about queer stories where nothing happens.
And so it hit me: I present you with this sweet, cozy, AND SEXY graphic novel where nothing much happens. You're welcome.
The art is bright and sweet; eyelashes and stretchmarks are the stars of this show.
OK, originally I was considering 3 stars because this storyline is not very unique. The narrative goes from a to b and there are no surprises; however my mind was changed today by a presentation. A queer librarian told us that he was craving boring stories. He wanted to read more than queer trauma and coming out stories; he wanted to read about queer stories where nothing happens.
And so it hit me: I present you with this sweet, cozy, AND SEXY graphic novel where nothing much happens. You're welcome.
December 21, 2020
lesbians??? being happy????? thank u so much
this was such a fun, cute read. i would 100% read an entire novel just about bev.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy!
this was such a fun, cute read. i would 100% read an entire novel just about bev.
Thank you to Edelweiss for the review copy!
January 4, 2023
lesbian Downton Abbey
![Profile Image for laurel [the suspected bibliophile].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1645808644i%2F7494844._UX200_CR0%2C6%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
March 31, 2021
Really enjoyable, although definitely not suitable for work, if ya know what I mean *wink wink*
January 27, 2021
Sexy and tender by turns, this comic tells the story of two women who meet as servants in an Edwardian English manor house, and quickly develop feelings for each other. Their young relationship is endangered when one of them is offered a different position in London. They have a dream of living together and opening up a shop. That dream seems impossible until several gifts and mentors offer them aid. The book's epilogue shows an alternate universe in which the couple live together in the present day- a very sweet note at the closing of an already endearing story.
June 25, 2022
I didn't like any characters besides Esther and Bev and found Patience in particular very annoying. Also could there have been like? a little more plot?
June 6, 2021
Book blurb: Sensual, sweet, and beautifully illustrated, PATIENCE & ESTHER is a steamy period romance and an inspirational erotic journey across the epic sweep of history, from the end of a gilded age to the start of an uncharted future.
Yes, people have complained that this doesn't really track with historical events, but I didn't care. I liked the queer/political angles and sometimes you just want a story where things end well.
If you wished Downton Abbey had a steamy queer relationship then you might really enjoy this graphic novel too. I enjoyed the diversity on the page, and there is explicit sex in several panels, so not appropriate for younger readers. I would love to see an adaptation of this one.
Yes, people have complained that this doesn't really track with historical events, but I didn't care. I liked the queer/political angles and sometimes you just want a story where things end well.
If you wished Downton Abbey had a steamy queer relationship then you might really enjoy this graphic novel too. I enjoyed the diversity on the page, and there is explicit sex in several panels, so not appropriate for younger readers. I would love to see an adaptation of this one.
February 24, 2024
the steam is HOT in this one 👀
May 24, 2022
Ah, our library has gone and done it. They bought pron. Comic book porn. Great and kudos for diversity, but considering how many awesome books they leave by the wayside and how many series they leave unfinished, this is a…questionable choice at best.
Thing is, I like graphic novels, and so I read most of them our library acquires, outside of YA and Manga. I figured this might be corny going by the cover, but I didn’t expect it to be porny too.
Should have done more research, the publisher goes by (kid you not) Smut Peddler.
So this smut is…well, smutty. Which would be fine enough in and of itself, but that’s about all it is. Guess expecting more would be like watching pornos for plots.
Not much of a plot here. Two maids in Edwardian era meet, fall in love and have sex. One is a fat Scot ,the other is a lithe half-Indian, so you got that fish out of water element. And diversity. Plus, there are all the political goings on of the era, women’s rights and all that.
The characters themselves…they have no arc, nothing. There are stretchmarks, heavily featured stretchmarks. Must be one of those fat is beautiful things, but is it really? Especially on a girl of 19?
There’s some very explicit imagery too, sex, all kinds of sex, all sorts of body parts. Quite precisely drawn for a book that often omits things as basic as its main character’s facial features.
Then art in general is pretty basic. Some of the characters, including one of the main ones have all the facial nuances of LEGO people.
But then again, this is smut, so it probably isn’t meant to wow you with its plot or its art. Which is just…ah, whatever.
There are two supplemental stories, one of which sets the protagonists in present day world, which actually tries to say something important about relationships. Almost seems out of place, given the main narrative.
Overall, ok, congrats, library. You’ve tricked me into reading porn. It’s as silly and trite as I imagined it would be. Now, go buy some real books.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Thing is, I like graphic novels, and so I read most of them our library acquires, outside of YA and Manga. I figured this might be corny going by the cover, but I didn’t expect it to be porny too.
Should have done more research, the publisher goes by (kid you not) Smut Peddler.
So this smut is…well, smutty. Which would be fine enough in and of itself, but that’s about all it is. Guess expecting more would be like watching pornos for plots.
Not much of a plot here. Two maids in Edwardian era meet, fall in love and have sex. One is a fat Scot ,the other is a lithe half-Indian, so you got that fish out of water element. And diversity. Plus, there are all the political goings on of the era, women’s rights and all that.
The characters themselves…they have no arc, nothing. There are stretchmarks, heavily featured stretchmarks. Must be one of those fat is beautiful things, but is it really? Especially on a girl of 19?
There’s some very explicit imagery too, sex, all kinds of sex, all sorts of body parts. Quite precisely drawn for a book that often omits things as basic as its main character’s facial features.
Then art in general is pretty basic. Some of the characters, including one of the main ones have all the facial nuances of LEGO people.
But then again, this is smut, so it probably isn’t meant to wow you with its plot or its art. Which is just…ah, whatever.
There are two supplemental stories, one of which sets the protagonists in present day world, which actually tries to say something important about relationships. Almost seems out of place, given the main narrative.
Overall, ok, congrats, library. You’ve tricked me into reading porn. It’s as silly and trite as I imagined it would be. Now, go buy some real books.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
January 30, 2021
This was really good and really sweet, it would get five stars but the ending was a bit abrupt.
June 18, 2024
To live first for yourself is always a valid option.
This was so so so damn charming. A very cosy, sweet, friends to lovers romance about two women in Edwardian England. Patience and Esther first meet while in service, and the graphic novel follows their lives as they develop a romance, struggle through the daily hardships of being a maid, their lives in different households, and how they seek to carve out something of their own. Patience is from a poor, far-flung Scottish village, and Esther is mixed British/Indian, and they're different in so many ways, but still perfectly suited to one another. This was just so CUTE. I loved all of the little aspects of historical life that it touched on, like what daily life was really like for people in service; the women's suffrage movement and how it had its own racist and classist problem; fasting girls (a fascinating, terrible thing I knew very little about); British colonialism; sexuality. The entire book was really sexy; explicit while still being sweet about it. Their bodies were so lovingly rendered, and it was a joy to see. I loved all the poetry; I'm gonna try to get my hands on some of Sarojini Naidu's works. I do wish there'd been more conversation about queerness and sexuality, but well, I'm me. I always want that in historical settings. I do think that would have made the book better, but it's already great as is. I adored the little bonus chapters, especially the one about Mildred and Mrs. Thorburn. :> I just really liked this so much. The art and the setting were wonderful, and I fell head over heels for these women and their romance. <3
Who bade you arise from your darkness? I bid you depart! Profane not the shrines I have raised in the clefts of my heart.
April 8, 2022
I read this ages - a little gem. Beautiful illustrations. My only graphic novel.
December 27, 2024
OH MY GOD DO NOT LET THE CUTE ART FOOL YOU AND START READING THIS IN A PUBLIC CAFE THIS IS EROTIC AF THERE ARE BOOBS EVERYWHERE.
Ahem. Not speaking from personal experience.
Anyways, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It is cozy and fluffy and, honestly, not that deep. I would have given it 3 stars usually, but it is the cozy season and I am in the mood.
It is a period romance between two housemaids/lady's maids in Edwardian England. Homophobia doesn't exist, and at no point are they in any kind of trouble or conflict or serious challenge. Again, it is the season to enjoy that. Romance itself was quite cute, and both Patience and Esther go on mild self-discovery arcs. What I really liked what the focus on the 'downstairs' of manor setting, and later the interaction with a (queer) London set and the suffragette movement.
(There is one issue I would like to mention though: Esther is Indian (racially as well as from point of origin), something I hadn't realized when I picked up the book. And let's just say my opinion of that depiction is...mixed. First of all, there are some factual errors. Book is set in Edwardian times (1901-1914), Esther is clearly from Colonial India with a very specific period-accurate background, Suffragettes are doing their thing...and somehow Partition of India (1947) has already occurred?? There are also some flattening of Indian cultures in a way that does show good research but also, unfortunately, gives away quite easily that the author is not Indian herself. There are a few nods and winks to racism and imperialism - some of which I found quite funny tbh - but it is always stopped from actually affecting the plot, similar to how the book treats homophobia.
It is a wishful depiction, but it is not quite clear what the underlying wish is. That colonialism never happened? That it did, but does not impact individual lives and relationship beyond a certain extent? That the life of a white/Scottish lesbian would not be very different from an Indian lesbian in Imperial England? I mean, sure, why not.
Honestly, his would have been a more serious problem in a more serious book. But this one, in the end, is just not that deep. It is fun, and it is sweet and it is cozy. And I think that is enough.)
Ahem. Not speaking from personal experience.
Anyways, I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. It is cozy and fluffy and, honestly, not that deep. I would have given it 3 stars usually, but it is the cozy season and I am in the mood.
It is a period romance between two housemaids/lady's maids in Edwardian England. Homophobia doesn't exist, and at no point are they in any kind of trouble or conflict or serious challenge. Again, it is the season to enjoy that. Romance itself was quite cute, and both Patience and Esther go on mild self-discovery arcs. What I really liked what the focus on the 'downstairs' of manor setting, and later the interaction with a (queer) London set and the suffragette movement.
(There is one issue I would like to mention though: Esther is Indian (racially as well as from point of origin), something I hadn't realized when I picked up the book. And let's just say my opinion of that depiction is...mixed. First of all, there are some factual errors. Book is set in Edwardian times (1901-1914), Esther is clearly from Colonial India with a very specific period-accurate background, Suffragettes are doing their thing...and somehow Partition of India (1947) has already occurred?? There are also some flattening of Indian cultures in a way that does show good research but also, unfortunately, gives away quite easily that the author is not Indian herself. There are a few nods and winks to racism and imperialism - some of which I found quite funny tbh - but it is always stopped from actually affecting the plot, similar to how the book treats homophobia.
It is a wishful depiction, but it is not quite clear what the underlying wish is. That colonialism never happened? That it did, but does not impact individual lives and relationship beyond a certain extent? That the life of a white/Scottish lesbian would not be very different from an Indian lesbian in Imperial England? I mean, sure, why not.
Honestly, his would have been a more serious problem in a more serious book. But this one, in the end, is just not that deep. It is fun, and it is sweet and it is cozy. And I think that is enough.)
April 13, 2022
What a fun find! Another amazing recommendation from my bestie--she's got such good taste in books... This book is an extremely compelling read and it sizzles from the start with tension. The ladies are both very fleshed out and their chemistry is so strong! I really enjoyed watching them discover their feelings and then maneuver in this historical setting while they kept their love alive. This is definitely a feel-good read with all the happiness one can get from a cute couple. And the sex was super HOT and quite abundant. ALL THE SEXY TIMES! Prepare yourself for all the sexy sex sex with delightfully graphic images--much fun. I also liked things like how the artist shows that women have hair and stretch marks. It emphasized that these women were women, and not some sort of lesbian fantasy that someone wanted to draw pictures of. Nicely done.
I wish there would have been more at the end to show us where they ended up after everything. There were time jumps that were a bit tricky to stay on top of sometimes. And while I started liking the story in the back, I felt like it sort of conflicted with what we knew of them in the beginning. It was interesting, but not needed for me. Overall, very fun and a lovely read.
Tropes: historical lesbian romance; sexy times throughout; interracial couple; politics and the suffrage movement; discussions of free love, sex with multiple partners (not main couple), voyeurism, use of toys during sexy times; graphic depictions of sexy times; discussions of gender identity; sexism; poverty; death (not main couple).
Heat rating: NUCLEAR—explicit sex, indelicate language during sex, and graphic depictions of a sexual nature used to further the story; may also include light kink; not quite enough for an EXPLICIT level (5), but takes it a level past HOT (3).
I wish there would have been more at the end to show us where they ended up after everything. There were time jumps that were a bit tricky to stay on top of sometimes. And while I started liking the story in the back, I felt like it sort of conflicted with what we knew of them in the beginning. It was interesting, but not needed for me. Overall, very fun and a lovely read.
Tropes: historical lesbian romance; sexy times throughout; interracial couple; politics and the suffrage movement; discussions of free love, sex with multiple partners (not main couple), voyeurism, use of toys during sexy times; graphic depictions of sexy times; discussions of gender identity; sexism; poverty; death (not main couple).
Heat rating: NUCLEAR—explicit sex, indelicate language during sex, and graphic depictions of a sexual nature used to further the story; may also include light kink; not quite enough for an EXPLICIT level (5), but takes it a level past HOT (3).
June 23, 2023
This was a bit of a disappointment. One of the only things that I genuinely enjoyed about this was the fat rep which is so rare to see in graphic novels in general and I was here for that. What I was not here was all the racism and unchecked racism at that. And I think it also goes beyond the racism within the story but also the probably unintentional racism of the art style. All of the white characters have multiple shades within their skin tone for each character but are one POC main character is a solid shade of brown the entire book. There's no nuance and very little done to compliment shadows and such like that that's all taken into account for the other characters. And if you also look at reviews from POC reviewers they also mention a lot of this.
I also had some issues with the timeline of this. The first two thirds felt like they were following this cohesive timeline that made sense and then all of a sudden years had passed I guess and there was no real description of what time we were in or how many years had passed or what the hell's going on but these characters are in a much more established relationship and I was just a bit confused. I love sapphic representation and I love fat rep and I love graphic novels but this one just was not it.
I also had some issues with the timeline of this. The first two thirds felt like they were following this cohesive timeline that made sense and then all of a sudden years had passed I guess and there was no real description of what time we were in or how many years had passed or what the hell's going on but these characters are in a much more established relationship and I was just a bit confused. I love sapphic representation and I love fat rep and I love graphic novels but this one just was not it.
July 11, 2021
A graphic novel telling the romance between two women in service, set in a time of social change and opportunity. One character is unapologetically plain and plump, the other is a bi-racial daughter of the English presence in India. There’s lots of exploration of family, loyalty, community, and the tricky balance between security and making a life of your own. And sex. There’s lots of sex. Which I hadn’t quite expected to see on the page given the feel of the cover art and description. Not a problem, just not expecting that. There are some fun bonus “self-fan-fic” extras at the end, including a modern-setting AU of the characters. This historic grounding of the story is wonderfully detailed and accurate and the art is delightful.
August 1, 2022
3 stars. The art is a bit too plain/basic/not unique, and the story was sweet but left something to be desired. The casual racism that was never addressed got a bit under my skin, and it's a good example of white feminism but I would have liked these topics to have been called out. We need more sapphic historical graphic novels please.
October 17, 2022
There's something awfully romantic about sacrificing one's whole self, even one's bodily safety. It's somewhat of a badge of honor, a suffragist's first arrest in her line of duty.
August 25, 2022
I can barely form words to describe how much I loved this.
May 15, 2025
Cute story, with a built-in historical lesson on 1900’s England, but the art style itself felt a little too childish for the material.
I’m usually a fan of graphic novels, but I think I prefer anything smutty in written form.
I’m usually a fan of graphic novels, but I think I prefer anything smutty in written form.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2024
*crawls out from under pile of horror novels, true crime podcasts, dark history stuff and manga* "ahhhhh~ let me enjoy my fluff" its unrealistic at parts but.. i just wanted my feel goodness and surprisingly adult graphic novel... it was a "ooe let me add this to my cart real fast on amazon" kinda thing so i was kinda surprised by the nudity and sex. (i turned it around and saw the smut peddler brand thing, in my head im like Oh hey i know that kinda wanted something from them) lol was looking for more adult themed graphic novels.
others say better on it being accurate or not and the problems ... i just wanted cute lesbian romance and i got it. I read enough terrible things and horror and just want cute at time with a tiny bit of history.
"thank you for the breather and the adult stuff haha didn't expect it" *puts on shelf lovingly and pats it* "welp back in a I goo~" *crawls back under pile*
others say better on it being accurate or not and the problems ... i just wanted cute lesbian romance and i got it. I read enough terrible things and horror and just want cute at time with a tiny bit of history.
"thank you for the breather and the adult stuff haha didn't expect it" *puts on shelf lovingly and pats it* "welp back in a I goo~" *crawls back under pile*
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