Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
I enjoyed this Victorian Christmas novella with its stunning cover. Ms. Matthews creates an engaging story in only 175 pages which includes characters to love and hate, an interesting romance, economic and technological realities of the times, and Christmas traditions of the era. The condensed plot accelerated the romantic relationships to ridiculous speeds, but it's the holidays so I'll forgive that.
Surprisingly this was my first Mimi Matthews book, and I look forward to enjoying more of the author's novels in the future.
Surprisingly this was my first Mimi Matthews book, and I look forward to enjoying more of the author's novels in the future.
This is a different type of story; the couple is breaking up as the story begins. Edward (Ned) Sharpe has been courting Sophia Appersett for the past two months. He is a London merchant, and Sophia is a penniless aristocrat who desperately needs his money to save her family. However, Sophia thinks she and Ned have nothing in common. Unfortunately, Ned follows a manual that tells the reader how he should act.
Ned comes from meager beginnings and wants the polish of an aristocratic wife. He doesn't say much for fear of showing his lack of urbanity. Sophia carries all the conversations, mainly about the weather, because she knows nothing about Ned.
After the terrible row at home for breaking off with Ned, Sophia decides to give Ned another chance by encouraging him to come to their home for the Christmas holidays. Sophia has no dowery because her father spent it adding gaslighting to their Derbyshire estate. Only Sophia is without a dowery; her father prefers Emily, and she can do no wrong.
This is a delightful and quick read. Enjoy.
Ned comes from meager beginnings and wants the polish of an aristocratic wife. He doesn't say much for fear of showing his lack of urbanity. Sophia carries all the conversations, mainly about the weather, because she knows nothing about Ned.
After the terrible row at home for breaking off with Ned, Sophia decides to give Ned another chance by encouraging him to come to their home for the Christmas holidays. Sophia has no dowery because her father spent it adding gaslighting to their Derbyshire estate. Only Sophia is without a dowery; her father prefers Emily, and she can do no wrong.
This is a delightful and quick read. Enjoy.
