In the enchanting realm of historical romance, where tropes of distress and damsels are spun with new vigor, Felicia Grossman’s Marry Me by Midnight offers an enticing twist on the beloved Cinderella story. Set in the bustling cityscape of 1832 London, Grossman crafts a narrative that is both familiar yet distinctly original, featuring a heroine who embodies resilience and a love story pivoting on social boundaries.

Isabelle Lira, not a damsel in distress but an heiress in dire need, graces the pages with spirited determination. Following her father’s death and the consequent betrayal by his business partners, Isabelle finds herself on the brink of losing her familial business. Her only viable option to secure her legacy is through marriage to a formidable ally, a strategy that requires mingling beyond her usual circle of acquaintances, particularly outside the influential Berab family. Here Grossman excels, portraying Isabelle’s strategic challenges with depth and weaving a rich tapestry of social intricacies and familial expectations.

Enter Aaron Ellenberg, the synagogue custodian, whose quiet life of resignation is unsettled by Isabelle’s unexpected proposition. Aaron, a character marked by humility and a resigned outlook on his societal standing, is compellingly drawn. His initial interactions with Isabelle are purely transactional; she offers him financial freedom in exchange for his help in scrutinizing her potential suitors’ loyalties. Yet, it is in these transactions that Grossman skillfully sows the seeds of attraction and emotional turmoil.

The romance that blossoms between Isabelle and Aaron is beautifully rendered, escaping the often-idealized portrayals of love at first sight for a more complex and gradually deepening relationship. Their interactions provide poignant reflections on the societal constraints of the era, particularly around issues of class and religious expectations. Isabelle and Aaron’s journey from pragmatic partners to passionate forbidden lovers is crafted with genuine care, making their emotional battles and mutual discoveries a compelling heart of the narrative.

Grossman’s prose is elegantly constructed, balancing well-researched historical details with emotionally charged dialogues. The social and religious setting of the Jewish community adds a rich layer to the plot, offering insights and tensions that are less commonly explored in historical romances.

However, the book is not without its predictable moments. The path of true love, thwarted by societal norms and familial pressures, follows well-trodden ground, and some of the plot twists align a little too conveniently. Regardless, the strength of Grossman’s character development and her flair for setting scenes that vividly depict the era make these elements forgivable.

Marry Me by Midnight is ultimately a testament to the power of love over societal expectations, and a narrative that champions the courage to follow one’s heart despite formidable obstacles. Recommended for readers who enjoy historical romances that offer a thoughtful look at the constraints of love within the bounds of societal norms, this book promises both delight and reflective provocation, wrapped in a beautifully written package.