Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite authors when I'm looking for a clean romance novel. Fair as a Star is a sweet Victorian romance that was a quick and easy read.

Beryl has been away for a year in Paris, having left her fiancé Henry to go stay with her wealthy aunt. No one in the village knows why she suddenly left for so long but they speculate and gossip, of course. Mark who is a compassionate curate and Henry's brother, has been friends with Beryl since they were younger. Their friendship is important to Beryl and soon she is confiding in Mark.

Compared to her past novels this one was a little more predictable. I liked that it dealt with the topic of depression. I'm quite familiar with this illness, and so I appreciate authors who tackle mental illness, especially in the romance genre. I did think the resolution came quickly and a little too easily though, and I think the stakes could have been higher, the plot a little thicker, the characters a little more developed. It's being marketed as a novella, and I think I would have preferred it as a fuller length novel.

I love the book cover. It perfectly depicts the mood of this book. If you like sweet clean romances, Fair as a Star is a lovely quick read.

Mimi Matthews has continued to impress me with each book she writes.
In this case we have a novella. Novellas are not a favorite if mine. They're usually too short to develop any real connections between characters. Everything happens too fast to be believed. You have no time to connect to the characters before the story is over .
Mimi Matthews has managed to bring all that about in a novella. The character development, the emotion, the conflict in this story had me hooked right from the start. You could feel the connection between Beryl and Mark.
This was even in 2 of the secondary characters of Winnifred and Dr. Black. (Hoping to see their story next).
Miss Matthews also takes the time to address depression, explaining how the illness can affect certain people, how it was viewed and how it was treated.
When I finished I felt like I had read an entire book and was totally satisfied
Great story, highly reccomended.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It has been a year that Beryl Burnham has been away in Paris with her Aunt Hortensia. The real reason for Beryl spending the year Instead of corresponding with Sir Henry Rivenhall, her betrothed, through her year spent in Paris, it is with Mark Rivenhall, the town’s local curate and Henry’s younger brother that she keeps in contact with. As Beryl returns home to Shepton Worthy and upon seeing the Church doors open that she impulsively informs her aunt that she must go see Mark. It is with Mark that she finds compassion, friendship, and kinship.

From the beginning, Fair as a Star is a captivating novella romance between two young friends, whose friendship leads to friendship on fire, and though short in duration, I did not in any way feel that I missed out anything. It was a delight to read, and to journey with them as they realized that wanted to be together.

My gratitude to Perfectly Proper Press and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.

Mimi Mathews never ceases to impress me with her talent. How she manages to be a lawyer, historian, and find time to write books like this I do not know. Fair as a Star is a Victorian era novella full of romance. I am typically not a novella person and tend to read such stories only from authors I trust. I was not disappointed here. This was a beautiful story with well developed characters and a solid conclusion. Mental health was also a topic nicely presented in a realistic manner. 5 stars from me.

f you love heartfelt historical romance and have not yet discovered Mimi Matthews, you are in for a treat! She has quickly become a favorite of mine.

I love the writing style of Mimi Matthews, and I wish I loved Fair as a Star more than I do. Maybe part of my problem is that it is her saddest book yet, and right now I’m looking to lose myself in a story that isn’t quite so sad. Fair as a Star is very slight – definitely more of a novella than a novel. I wish we’d had twice as many pages and more character development.

Fair as a Star might really strike a chord with someone who suffers from depression. Like usual with Matthews, I’m sure the facts about life in the Victorian times are true and meticulously researched. Recommended for fans of historical romance issue books (it reminded me of books by Josi Kilpack) and fans of Mimi Matthews.

I read an advance reader copy of Fair as a Star from Netgalley. The Galesburg Public Library owns a number of novels by Mimi Matthews. Fair as a Star comes out in July 2020.

This was an inspiring tale of love conquers all, despite obstacles. The main obstacle being that the heroine is engaged to marry the brother of the man she truly loves. The care and kindness she receives from Mark over her secret trouble is very endearing and honorable. Other characters in the story were likable and intriguing. I wonder if Winnifred will get her own book? I hope so.
This was my first book by Mimi Matthews and I had heard nothing but good things about her stories. I love books from this era and I love them more if they’re romantic-this one truly is.
The only thing I did not care for were a couple uses of “Good God” or “My God”. I feel that if an exclamatory word was required, the writer could’ve found one without resorting to taking God’s name in vain.
Aside from that, the book was charming and Ms Matthews is a gifted storyteller.
I was given this copy through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinions and review. All ideas expressed here are completely my own.

Mimi Matthews writes nonfiction history books as well as historic romance. I normally don't read historic romance but Matthews is such a great writer that I have read all her books. Her writing style is great and the books address serious issues in a very thoughtful way.

Fair as a Star is about Beryl Burnham, her family and two brothers (Mark and Sir Henry). There is a secret that Beryl struggles with during the book, eventually disclosing the details to Mark. Without spoilers, this book deals with the secret and its impact in a wonderful way that seems consistent but thoughtful for the time period. All the primary and secondary characters are well developed = think its a sign of a great book because I would love to read stories about the rest of the main characters.

Overall, the book is great and the resolution is sweet but realistic in an awesome way.
I give this book highest ratings and strongly recommend! I would recommend any Matthews book for readers!

*Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.*

This is a difficult review to write if there ever was one.
Between the plot being ridiculously out of my comfort zone and the lack of a fair warning the shock was double, so let me tell you that I finished this story because first, its author is one of my favorites and secondly, because it was a romance. I would have not finished it otherwise.

I am not going to lie, I have read it in one sitting, pausing here and there to look up for a review (there were few) that would give me a little hint/hope because the story is intense. Take into account I have given it 5 stars because, really, Ms. Matthews' way with words and especially her way of instilling ideas and feelings is unique, infrequent and exceptional.

The story deals with very hard subjects. And the author treats them with respect and realism, without sugaring them in order they can be digested easily (serve this as a warning) so, on some occasions, it has been difficult for me to continue reading, but well, since it was a romance... I continued.

Up to 60% of the book, the atmosphere is distressing, angsty and hopeless. The very basis of romance is also very telling: brothers and "forbidden" love, not at all among my favorites.
After this mark, the waters calm down and the happy ending is in sight. But the path to it is difficult.

In contrast to the intense plot, the characters are quite neutral, without excesses nor frills nor extremes (yin and yang I guess), I think they are very credible and reasonable for the time. In the end, each character is or ends up in the right place, without big gestures, it´s the natural end. There are no bad or good guys, they are just normal people.
If this author can be accused of something, it is of being realistic.

The romance here was necessary. Something to give hope to so much grief. I'm left with the feeling that this is more a "piece of life" of the times than a romance per se.

It is not the first time that this author touches this topic, but it is the first time that she has done it in a greater depth, making it one more character. In other hands the story would have been a 500 episodes soap opera. In Mrs. Matthews' hands has been another historical pearl.

Please read the "Author's Notes". These pages at the end of her books have become my favorites. Documented and interesting they really brought home the reality of life at the time.


***

Esta una reseña difícil de escribir donde las haya.
La trama se sale de mi zona de confort, y sin aviso, el shock es doble, con lo cual dejadme que os diga que si no llega a ser porque esta autora es una de mis favoritas y porque sabía que esto era un romance no la hubiese terminado.

No voy a mentir, la he leído del tirón, pero haciendo pausas para buscar alguna reseña (había pocas) que me diesen un poco de esperanza porque la historia se las trae. Vaya por delante que le he dado 5 estrellas, porque realmente la forma que tiene la señora Matthews de escribir y sobre todo de transmitir ideas y sentimientos es única, infrecuente y excepcional.

La historia lidia con temas muy duros. Y la autora los trata con respeto y realismo, sin azucararlos para poder digerirlos mejor (sirva de aviso) con lo cual, en algunas ocasiones me ha costado seguir leyendo, pero bueno, como se trataba de un romance... seguí.

Hasta llegado el 60% del libro el ambiente es angustioso, cerrado y desesperanzador. También influye mucho la propia base del romance: hermanos y amores "prohibidos", para nada entre mis favoritos.
Pasada esta marca las aguas se tranquilizan y se vislumbra el final feliz. Pero el camino es difícil.

En contraste con la trama tan intensa, los personajes son bastante neutrales, sin excesos ni florituras ni extremos (el yin y el yang, imagino), creo que muy creíbles y razonables para la época. Al final cada personaje está o acaba en el sitio que le corresponde, sin grandes gestos, es algo "natural". No hay malos ni buenos, simplemente son gente normal.
Si de algo no se puede acusar a esta autora es de no ser realista.

El romance aquí era necesario. Algo para darle esperanza a tanta pesadumbre. Me quedo con la sensación de que esto es más un trocito de vida de la época que un romance per se.

No es la primera vez que esta autora toca este tema, pero sí es la vez que lo ha hecho en mayor profundidad, convirtiéndolo en un protagonista más. En otra manos la historia habría sido un melodrama de 500 capítulos. En las de la señora Matthews ha sido otra perla histórica.

Por favor, lean las "Notas de la Autora". Estas páginas al final de sus libros se han convertido en mis favoritas. Documentadas e interesantes te dan esa idea final de la realidad de la época.

This book was fascinating to me - it was as much about love as it was about mental health. Beryl suffers from severe depression. She left her home and fiance behind for a year in Paris with her aunt after taking too much sleeping powder in an attempt to "get away." She's returned home a few months before her wedding. The first person she wants to see after returning home is her fiance's brother Mark. Mark is the curate and vicar-in-waiting for the local village. The position is supported by his older brother Henry, Beryl's fiance. It becomes immediately clear that Beryl and Mark are deeply in love with each other and are extremely well matched. But the issue of Beryl's depression and engagement are big hurdles to them being together.

Looking at the treatment for depression and the overall feelings of characters in the book towards Beryl - it is clear that not much has changed since 1864 in the overall misunderstanding and disdain that people have towards it as an illness. Mark is the only one who is willing to see past the depression and find ways to help Beryl - not "cure" her or have her "get over it." His overall sensitivity and understanding is lovely - but very unlikely given the time. I think it is mostly borne from his love of Beryl and his calling as a pastor more than anything else.

It seems clear that Winnifred and Henry are both destined for (separate) stories of their own. It will be interesting to see how both of them have characters rehabilitated somewhat. Winnifred is determined and clearly very stubborn - she is pushing to be seen as an equal in a time where that was even less likely than now. Henry is closed off, controlling, and fairly cold - he's got a long way to go before he can find someone to love.

Overall it was a very solid start to the series.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are my own.

Fair as a Star
This was the first book of Mimi Matthew’s I read. I discovered her via Audio books. Fair as a Star is a great read. The books starts with a minor mystery as the author introduces the characters. Mimi is very generous with her descriptions, there is no problem envisioning not only the what the places look, smell and feel like but also a clear picture of the characters. The characters in this book are well developed.

It is a story like many others that have been written about society and the expectations of that era. I do not want to give much away, but if you liked Emma Thompson’s interpretation of Elinor Dashwood, you’ll love Mark Ravenhall and Beryl Burnham. The words that the main characters speak to each other are beautiful and you can feel them as well.  I highly recommend this book. It was a great read. I sure hope the M. Matthews continues stories of the secondary characters in this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this review copy. This review is my own. My favourite romances are the ones that make me cry before the main characters get their HEA and this one did. I absolutely loved it. In any novel/novella I have read that deals with depression, it has always been the male character that experiences It but in this case it is the heroine. I though it dealt with this topic realistically and showed how hard it was for a women at this time in history if they were even perceived to be “hysterical” I fully intend to read more of Mimi Matthew’s now having read this novella.

This book was so lovely. I loved the secret romance along with the growing of the characters and truly finding a way to be happy amidst the struggles that she was faced with.

(6/5/2020) Goodreads review of Fair as a Star: a Victorian Romance. Thank you to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for providing an e-arc!

There are not enough words to describe how beautiful and moving this novel is. It’s something everyone should read no matter your gender. It is, in my humble opinion, a handbook into romance and mental illness without being preachy and overbearing. Every person should look to the main characters interactions to learn how to treat friends, family, life partners or whoever else is important to you. I have never read a novel that handled mental illness in such a way and I was moved to tears. I wish every person was like Mark and Simon Black. I hope every Beryl in the world can look at this novel and realize their imperfections are what make them unique and beautiful.

The story is about Beryl and her internal struggles that drove her away from her home at Shelton Worthy. She’s returned for her wedding to Henry Rivenhall, the master of the Rivenhall estate and brother to Mark, the town curate, her best friend. Little does everyone know that Beryl suffers from “melancholy” or as we would say in modern terms, anxiety and depression. While going through the story, I recognized negative sentiments towards the disorder that are unfortunately still prevalent today. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard from older generations that my generation and younger ones are “snowflakes” that should get over their sadness. That we should just toughen up because we have it so good. I honestly saw a lot of myself in Beryl and I’m sure others who have anxiety would too. The self doubt, the feeling that you’re selfish and only seeking attention. The book is at times heavy, but reality is not always sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes people just can’t help but feel sad and there is no magical cure. There are things to stave off the emotional pain but it’s a lifelong fight that requires others support.

And Matthews makes sure everyone understands these points. And she creates such a beautiful, understanding person in Mark. Mark’s methods for helping Beryl are so so sooooo right. He treats her with respect, offers a listening ear, never judges her, and always keeps an open-mind. He seeks out information about melancholy so he can better understand what Beryl is going through. He lets her know that she’s not broken. And HE NEVER DOES THIS IN ORDER TO WIN HER OVER!!!! He does this as a friend because he knows she is in dire need of one. There is never any malicious intent behind his actions when he should’ve gone full on trying to court Beryl despite her already being betrothed to his brother. He also should’ve smacked his brother upside the head for being such a stubborn, patronizing jerk for treating Beryl how he did. Mark is an incredible friend and everyone deserves a Mark.

The characters are all amazing and fulfill the roles they’re meant to play. Matthews even uplifts a certain character you spend the whole novel hating (I mean when the person is between you and your ship being happy, how can you not hate them?). I really want more with Dr. Black and Winnie though. I love Dr. Black’s forward thinking and I love Winnie’s free-spiritedness. If they do get a novel, it’d be a direct contrast of Beryl and Mark’s friends to lovers relationship (and I always love drama so I’m hoping Matthews delivers!)

I just want to say that reading through the novel is like holding your breath. Every moment Mark and Beryl aren’t together made me feel as though I was dying (in a good way because I love build up!) You wonder how the two will find their way to each other (if they do!) and that’s what makes rooting for them and their journey so entertaining.

There are so many quotes I want to highlight from the novel but I don’t want to spoil any of them. Matthews writing (especially dialogue) is just so whimsical and it made me so incredibly emotional.


This book felt so incredibly real and relevant and I want /everyone/ to read it. It teaches you how to help your friends who suffer from anxiety. If you suffer from mental illness, it hammers home how you’re not broken or in need of fixing (because sometimes, we need to hear that!). It also teaches you how to treat (and not great) your lover. Wow wow wow I wish I could award a million stars but I guess I have to settle for five.

Fair as a Star
Mimi Matthews continues to impress me with each new story that she publishes. This novella completely captivated me! The characters are complex and well developed and the plot is so unique that it kept me invested. The romance was perfection as always! Beryl was so refreshingly different from the usual heroines! I absolutely loved her growth, and her journey to finding happiness. Mark was perfection. This novella reads like a novel! It didn’t feel too short even though I always want more! It’s hard to develop a novella that is well balanced and has really well written characters and Mimi Matthews has expertly crafted this one. I absolutely recommend picking up this novella if you are a historical romance fan! It was fantastic.

This is my first book by this author and it is also the first time I read about a characters who suffered a mental illness in this type of historical romance.

I didn’t expect it, but thought it was very well done. And Mark was a great character for just showing love, kindness and strength and support, because most of the time that is all you can do, but it is so important.

Fair as a Star is a beautifully written friends to lovers Victorian tale. I particularly liked that the common issue of depression was included because it is rarely is in Christian fiction. My overall impression is that it is a sweet book even though it deals with a heavy subject. Both Mark and Beryl are characters that I loved and even Henry became likable before it was over. I am anxious though to know the story of Winnifred and Dr. Black. I enjoyed the book and would definitely recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Is there anything better than a new Mimi Matthews story? Not much in my world. This beautiful story doesn’t feel like a novella because the characters are so rich. In fact, I feel like there should be more stories set in this universe featuring any of the secondary characters - they have much unfinished business.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

A well written romance dealing with a difficult topic. Beryl and her aunt arrive back from Paris to start planning Beryl’s marriage to Henry. Mark is a curate, Henry‘s brother and a long time friend of Beryl’s. Mark is also one of the best heroes that I’ve read recently. He listens, finds solutions, reads Dickens and doesn’t see Beryl as broken. The medical profession’s ideas on treating depression, a mother wanting everything to be perfect and a fiancé who thinks he thinks he knows what’s best for everyone created believable tension and kept me turning the pages.

I received an ARC from NetGalley.

Mimi Matthews is one of my favorite romance authors. Her stories are very heartfelt and emotional and this one was no exception.

The main character, Beryl, struggles with depression, at a time when it was very much misunderstood and shamed in society. I thought the author's tackling of this issue in a historical romance was so compassionately done. Mark, the local curate and Beryl's long time friend, has loved her for years. But she is engaged to his older brother. If you like a good pining story, this has some good longing going on.

But what makes this love triangle work is that Mark genuinely loves Beryl for exactly who she is, without trying to "fix" her. That love truly carries the story.

Like all of Mimi Matthews' stories, I was left with a warm and full heart after reading Fair as a Star. I do hope there's a future story for Winnifred and Dr. Black as well!