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sm_almon's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This short historical romance is both quiet and lovely, and in particular the careful, sensitive attention Mimi Matthews paid to Beryl's mental health throughout the course of this book really stood out to me in a genre where there aren't a lot of books with the same sort of focus. Mark and Beryl have richly earned their happily ever after, and rarely have I been so happy for two characters by the end of a book.
barizley's review
3.0
Her main (only?) personality trait was Has Clinical Depression, but this was quick and sweet.
lolovesbooks3's review
3.0
Mimi Matthews is a great writer. I never dislike anything she writes, but this one was a hit lackluster. I appreciated the main character dealing with depression and felt like the topic was handled fairly well, but Mark and Beryl just didn’t have enough time to really establish any relationship outside of it. Their romance was mostly based on past events and guarded feelings, which we really didn’t get much context for. And if I’m being honest, the whole “brother’s betrothed” thing, regardless of the feelings or lack of feeling involved, felt icky to me. I really liked Mark… he’s great and I kinda wish he and Beryl had gotten more page time.
vanita_c's review
5.0
Such an amazing book!
From the very beginning I was captivated by the characters. The story is compelling and it surrounds us with a surprising sweetness.
For anyone who likes a clean Victorian Era romance, I can't recommend it enough!
From the very beginning I was captivated by the characters. The story is compelling and it surrounds us with a surprising sweetness.
For anyone who likes a clean Victorian Era romance, I can't recommend it enough!
amlibera's review
4.0
3.5 stars, I appreciated the take on Victorian approach to depression, this is a fairly slight story but the topic is handled well and the romance is sweet.
thegoodstudy's review
5.0
I feel there should definitely be a sequel to this (maybe even a trilogy) and indeed it seemed like the book was setting us up for exactly that but as far as I can tell this is a stand-alone. Would love to see the series continued.
sarah_moynihan's review
5.0
'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?'
__________________________
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.
_____
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.
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?'
__________________________
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
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.
_____
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.
what_ella_reads's review
4.0
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
I heard good things about Mimi Matthews books, so I decided to check out "Fair As a Star," during my last trip to my local library.
I'm glad I did!
"Fair As a Star," is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Though it is short (187 pages), the story doesn't feel too rushed. How the romance between Beryl and Mark develops makes their relationship feel natural.
As for the characters themselves, I really liked both of them. Beryl is patient and generous. Mark is encouraging and thoughtful. I will say, though, that Mark felt more fully flushed out than Beryl did. I wish their had been a few more scenes that showed more aspects of her personality.
I also kinda wish their had been an prolugu, set the year before this story takes place. I think it would have added a little bit to the mystery surrounding Beryl's sudden departure to Paris.
Another thing I liked, and appreciated, about this book was how it portrayed mental illness. It did so in a sensitive and realistic way. I also I found it to be informative, since it showed the different ways Victorians viewed mental illnesses.
I would recommend this book of you are in the mood for a quick read with a clean romance.
I heard good things about Mimi Matthews books, so I decided to check out "Fair As a Star," during my last trip to my local library.
I'm glad I did!
"Fair As a Star," is a sweet friends-to-lovers romance. Though it is short (187 pages), the story doesn't feel too rushed. How the romance between Beryl and Mark develops makes their relationship feel natural.
As for the characters themselves, I really liked both of them. Beryl is patient and generous. Mark is encouraging and thoughtful. I will say, though, that Mark felt more fully flushed out than Beryl did. I wish their had been a few more scenes that showed more aspects of her personality.
I also kinda wish their had been an prolugu, set the year before this story takes place. I think it would have added a little bit to the mystery surrounding Beryl's sudden departure to Paris.
Another thing I liked, and appreciated, about this book was how it portrayed mental illness. It did so in a sensitive and realistic way. I also I found it to be informative, since it showed the different ways Victorians viewed mental illnesses.
I would recommend this book of you are in the mood for a quick read with a clean romance.
rosannelortz's review
5.0
Gossip swirls around the countryside village of Shepton Worthy when Beryl Burnham finally returns from an extended stay in Paris. Dressed in couture dresses by her generous aunt and engaged to Sir Henry, the lord of the local manor, Beryl has nothing but happiness looming in her future. What then could have made a young woman stay away from home for close to a year? (Or was it nine months?) And why is it that she continues to mope about? What could she possibly be running from? And why is it that the only person who seems to understand is Sir Henry's younger brother, the curate?
Mark Rivenhall never yearned to enter the Church, but his compassionate nature makes him a sympathetic friend and a wonderful counselor. When he sees Beryl back in Shepton Worthy, he can barely hide the beating of his heart under his black cassock. Still, it's impossible to be more than a friend to her--older brother Henry has made clear his claim on her. Concealing his affections, Mark determines to find a way to support Beryl in her melancholy, not to "fix" her as so many others seem determined to do, and the first step on his plan is to give the woman a dog...
This short but perfect novella has an understated hero that is nothing like the alpha males of most romances. Mark Rivenhall is thoughtful, kind, restrained, and yes, romantic. His sincerity and empathy contrast with his brother Henry's callous and calculating nature (and yet Henry is a well-rounded character despite that, as so many of Mimi Matthews' secondary characters are). Mark is the man you rarely meet in the pages of a historical novel, but also the man that you would actually want beside you "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer." In short, Mark Rivenhall, Victorian curate, is the man real romances are made of. Recommended.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Mark Rivenhall never yearned to enter the Church, but his compassionate nature makes him a sympathetic friend and a wonderful counselor. When he sees Beryl back in Shepton Worthy, he can barely hide the beating of his heart under his black cassock. Still, it's impossible to be more than a friend to her--older brother Henry has made clear his claim on her. Concealing his affections, Mark determines to find a way to support Beryl in her melancholy, not to "fix" her as so many others seem determined to do, and the first step on his plan is to give the woman a dog...
This short but perfect novella has an understated hero that is nothing like the alpha males of most romances. Mark Rivenhall is thoughtful, kind, restrained, and yes, romantic. His sincerity and empathy contrast with his brother Henry's callous and calculating nature (and yet Henry is a well-rounded character despite that, as so many of Mimi Matthews' secondary characters are). Mark is the man you rarely meet in the pages of a historical novel, but also the man that you would actually want beside you "for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer." In short, Mark Rivenhall, Victorian curate, is the man real romances are made of. Recommended.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
c4nd1e's review
4.0
Pretty sweet.
This book deals a lot with depression, which is something that I don't usually like to read about. But I think that it was handled pretty well, considering how varied people's personal experiences can be.
This book deals a lot with depression, which is something that I don't usually like to read about. But I think that it was handled pretty well, considering how varied people's personal experiences can be.