Patience is a new housemaid at a grand home in Edwardian England. Far from her home in Scotland, she’s a hard worker and sends money to her family whenever she can. She becomes quick friends with Esther, the Indian maid to the lady of the house. Sharing a room in the servants’ quarters, Patience and Esther learn more about one another and soon fall in love. When given an opportunity to move to London and work in a smaller household together, they take the chance to have live in the bustling city. While there, they both begin to dream about what could come next in their lives. Patience wonders if she’ll ever get out of service and Esther wants to become a milliner. Faced with the fight for women’s suffrage and prejudice against Esther’s race, one thing remains constant--their love and devotion to one another.

PATIENCE & ESTHER by SW SEARLE is a tender, nuanced, and sensual adult graphic novel. This is a quiet story that gives a thoughtful look at two women learning to identify their queerness during the Edwardian era, a time of change in England’s history. Patience and Esther both have dreams and aspirations, as well as doubts and questions about their future, but they both know they want to be together. There’s a vast cast of secondary characters who move the plot forward, as well as explore queer and racial identities during this time. When the two main characters move to London, their new employer's social circle is full of academics, artists, and people who, like Patience and Esther, are exploring their sexuality and all that encompasses.

SW Searle’s vibrant illustrations are visually pleasing. Patience is a plus-sized woman, and she is drawn with stretch marks and stomach rolls, and was a delight to see depicted in steamy love scenes. Esther is given many opportunities to celebrate her Indian heritage as well as express her longing for her family still in India and her traditions. She meets another Indian woman who becomes a source of friendship and comfort when Esther wants to show more about who she really is to the world and to Patience as their connection deepens. There's always a warm glow surrounding this couple, particularly during intimate scenes, giving a direct visual cue to their devotion and warmth to one another. At the center of this story is a loving and developing relationship that is sweet, sexy, and fun. Additionally, there’s a delightful modern reimagining of Patience and Esther included at the end, adding more depth to the historical relationship. PATIENCE & ESTHER is hopefully just the start of a fun romance graphic novel series--and career--by SW Searle.