–A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST ROMANCE of 2020–“A kindhearted love story that will delight anyone who longs to be loved without limits. Highly recommended.” -Library Journal, STARRED review.“Historical romance fans won’t want to miss this.” -Publishers Weekly, STARRED reviewA Secret Burden…After a mysterious sojourn in Paris, Beryl Burnham has returned home to the village of Shepton Worthy ready to … Paris, Beryl Burnham has returned home to the village of Shepton Worthy ready to resume the life she left behind. Betrothed to the wealthy Sir Henry Rivenhall, she has no reason to be unhappy–or so people keep reminding her. But Beryl’s life isn’t as perfect as everyone believes.
A Longstanding Love…
As village curate, Mark Rivenhall is known for his compassionate understanding. When his older brother’s intended needs a shoulder to lean on, Mark’s more than willing to provide one. There’s no danger of losing his heart. He already lost that to Beryl a long time ago.
During an idyllic Victorian summer, friends and family gather in anticipation of Beryl and Sir Henry’s wedding. But in her darkest moment, it’s Mark who comes to Beryl’s aid. Can he help her without revealing his feelings–or betraying his brother?
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Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors. Her books are full of characters who draw me in and make me care about them. They are often vulnerable, have experienced pain or heartache, but they are never bitter or selfish. They are worthy of respect and admiration for their goodness.
Beryl and Mark have been friends (and soul mates) for years. They both want to do the right thing, and thus have made sacrifices to please their families. It was sad to feel the pain and secret love they shared, but it kept me engaged to find out if and how they would get together. I love that it happened without hurting those they loved.
The setting and historical details are lovely. The secondary characters were well developed, even though it was a short book. I enjoyed every minute of this book!
I recently read that this is book 1 of a new series that will focus on some of the other characters in the book. If that is true, I will be very happy to read about what happens to them. They drew my interest, and I would like to read about what happens to them.
“I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.”
#FairasaStar #NetGalley
With each and every Mimi Matthews story that I read, I am more impressed with her writing. I am generally not a huge fan of novellas because I always want more and they always seem too quick – the romance, the conflict – everything. While Fair as a Star is a novella, it did not read like one. It had so much more depth and emotion than what you would normally find. I mean I did want more when it was done, but I was also completely satisfied.
Oh my – Mark – moral, upright, kind, understanding, patient, do you get where I’m going here? What a wonderful character! I also really liked Beryl. I loved her strength and her depth. Beryl suffered from depression and I loved how Ms. Mathews handled this subject.
Don’t miss this wonderfully written romance or any other Mimi Mathews stories! They are all excellent!
Beryl Burnham is engaged to marry Sir Henry of Rivenhill, and you would think that marrying well would make her incredibly happy. However, Beryl struggles with melancholy (depression), and even after a year in Paris with her sweet Aunt Hortense on a wedding shopping spree, she does not find her spirits in a better place.
It’s easy to love Beryl and her tomboyish and horse loving sister Winnifred. Her mother seemed sweet but somewhat distant, as did her wealthy aunt. Sir Henry just did not seem to be a perfect match for her, he is stoic and somewhat obsessive about turning around his late fathers estate. I see no warmth in him for her or she for him and that’s simply not a good way to enter into marriage. Mark, Sir Henry’s brother and village curate (minister), has always been there for her and is much admired for his kind and gentle spirit. She and Mark have always been good friends, and his compasssionate manner was Beryl’s rock during difficult times. I really enjoyed this little Victorian romance and appreciated that it is definitely a clean read that handled the subject of depression in a healthy manner, even for the era. I think the author did a fine job of producing a shorter novel and wrapping up the story very well, because normally her novels are pretty long. I would definitely read more of her work.
I received a complimentary ARC Kindle copy of this book from the author and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
“I like things that change into other things…that have the ability to transform into something beautiful.”
A sweet, eloquent romance from Mimi Matthews! I discovered Matthews’ books a few months ago, and I have thoroughly enjoyed them all. Fair as a Star already holds a special place in my heart, as it discusses mental illness, specifically depression, in an era when those illnesses were not understood. There were times where I was angry while reading this story, but I also experienced moments of great hope. Mark is a wonderful, uplifting hero, and Beryl will be a relatable heroine for many readers. Although depression, or “melancholy,” is an important and pervasive element of the novel, Matthews’ sweet and swoony touches of romance are still there. 4.5/5 stars.
Review also posted on: BookBub
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I discovered this author earlier this year and so happy I did. Her writing is absolutely exquisite. I have loved every book I’ve read of hers and still am trying to catch up! This one is a bit shorter than her others, but no less full because of the word count. It deals with a subject that was thought quite odd in Victorian times: clinical depression. Even the ‘treatments’ at that time would render the sufferer even more pain. I was so impressed with Matthews’ handling of this subject. The hero in the story was just completely amazing. I loved this book so much. Highly recommended.
*My thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinion here is my own.
I think Mimi Matthews can write a romance with a wonderful and natural flow to the story. Plus, make the story rich in historical detail while not being cumbersome. I feel as if I can step back in time when I read a Mimi Matthews historical novel. The Victorian times were a hard time to be a woman and this story does address that. However, there is still hope in the story and a hea. We get a glimpse into history with beliefs and attitudes of the day. There is great dialogue. Thought this was a novella I still felt I got a complete story without any part of the storyline being rushed. In the begining the H & h stories were in quite a pickle. I wondered how the author would untangle it all in a satsifying and believable way. I feel she very much so achieved that end. I love this quote and think it a beautful sentiment. “All the beauty you see before you is on account of the flaws. Were it perfect, it would have no color at all. No value, certainly not to me.”
Mimi Matthews’ writing is sublime. This one deals with a heavy subject yet it’s worked into the story with ease, never overwhelming the romance aspect.
Mark is as good as they come; supportive, loving, assertive when needed. He doesn’t “handle” Beryl’s challenges, preferring to help her manage them. Beryl finds courage during her journey in understanding herself.
“All the beauty you see before you is on account of the flaws.”
A woman who has everything and yet finds total happiness elusive. I love that Mimi Matthews is exploring the topic of melancholia in women and how she depicts Beryl’s struggle through this condition. Mark shows what it means to love unconditionally and is dedicated to bringing joy to Beryl when everyone else wants to shut her down. It is a novella, but Mimi masterfully pulls you in from the very beginning and so submerses you in the characters that it packs a deeper punch than expected with a shorter story. A highly recommended Victorian story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own and freely given.
Beryl’s story starts out so sad. And that starts slow. I truly worried where the story was going. Then little by little she gets the help she needs. That help is Mark. His love helps him see beyond her depression, and instinctively what will help. He is magnificent. Beryl can see herself not as a burden, but as an asset. I loved the HEA. The side characters need their own stories – Winifred and Simon, Henry, even messy little Earnest. As always the writing is smooth as silk, the characterization near perfect. I highly recommend this novella.
I received this e-book from the author for a honest review. And so it is.
‘A Secret Burden…
After a mysterious sojourn in Paris, Beryl Burnham has returned home to the village of Shepton Worthy ready to resume the life she left behind. Betrothed to the wealthy Sir Henry Rivenhall, she has no reason to be unhappy—or so people keep reminding her. But Beryl’s life isn’t as perfect as everyone believes.
A Longstanding Love…
As village curate, Mark Rivenhall is known for his compassionate understanding. When his older brother’s intended needs a shoulder to lean on, Mark’s more than willing to provide one. There’s no danger of losing his heart. He already lost that to Beryl a long time ago.
During an idyllic Victorian summer, friends and family gather in anticipation of Beryl and Sir Henry’s wedding. But in her darkest moment, it’s Mark who comes to Beryl’s aid. Can he help her without revealing his feelings—or betraying his brother?’
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Fair as a Star is a beautiful new novella from historical romance author Mimi Matthews and is a clean romance.
As a novella, Fair as a Star is quite short, but so beautifully written. Mimi Matthews’ handling of mental illness in is spot on. As something that is prevelant in a person’s life, that can’t be simply wished away or solved by a moment’s happiness or other such easy fixes. Knowledge and acceptence of mental illness is still evolving today, but during the time of this story mental illness was not readily recognized as a legitimate health concern. Instead people were often subjected to horrific treatment and deemed to be flighty, weak-willed, and needy and Matthews balance of this was perfect.
I adored both Beryl and Mark, they were so sweet and I would have enjoyed reading more about them. Although Beryl’s family was not always the most understanding, they tried and supported her when she needed it. Winnefred was a bit immature and self-centered at times, but I liked her spirit. But oh, Henry. He could be such a pompous ass and quite infuriated me at times.
I’m hoping with the way things ended that perhaps there will be more novellas telling the stories of some of the other characters that we met in this novella. But whether there are more novells to come or not, I look forward to reading Gentleman Jim later this year.
I whole-heartedly recommend Fair as a Star as well as all other Mimi Matthews books and novellas as they are all so beautifully written and filled with lovely characters that you’ll fall in love with.
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I would like to thank the author, Mimi Matthew, who shared a complimentary eARC of Fair as a Star with me. This is my honest review.
This is one of Mimi’s heavier books. It’s also shorter than I expected. When I started reading I was a little worried she was trying to make a statement and her characters were going to get lost to the theme of the book. The more I read the more I loved this story. It was so sweet and the characters became the focus and the story was so much more because of it. Mark was amazing! Goodness if we all had a Mark their would be no depression. :}
I really like the way Mimi writes. I look forward to her books and the sweet love story. I am assuming the other characters in this story will get their own. It set it up so well for many side characters to have theirs! How awesome would that be!
This book deals with depression. Talks about treatment in the day. Nothing detailed. This is very clean. A couple of nice kisses is all.
Thank you NETGALLEY!!
Fair as a Star is a Victorian romance that can be read in one sitting. This author has become a favorite of mine. This is a clean book with a swoon worthy hero and a heroine to love and root for. Both characters are loving, self sacrificing and both knows their flaws. And loves each other in spite of them without trying to change the other. Oh to have a Mark in one’s life!
*I was given a copy of this book by the author and this is my honest opinion.