Christmas, Courtships, and Crossing Classes
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
TYPE OF NOVEL: Victorian Holiday Novella
THE PREMISE: With her father depleting all his funds on expensive estate projects, Sophie Appersett is charged with the duty of marrying a wealthy man this season – even if he is not of their class. While Mr. Edward Sharpe has amassed a large fortune through trade that meets her family’s requirements, Sophie eventually decides that she cannot sacrifice herself for a match that lacks compatibility, warmth, and any small amount of emotion. But was her decision made too hastily…?
MY THOUGHTS: Stepping into the Victorian Era where many of our Christmas traditions are celebrated, industrialization and improvements are prevalent, and marrying outside your societal class isn’t regarded as a scandalous misstep. While there may not be a lot of Jane Austen connection in this novella, Mr. Sharpe, with his cold formality and private nature, does resemble Mr. Darcy or more accurately, Mr. John Thornton from Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South.
This is the fifth book by Mimi Matthews and I’ve loved each and every one of them! What I loved most about A Holiday by Gaslight, and what I love about any Mimi Matthews novel I read, is her fantastically drawn and developed heroes and heroines. In this novella, I loved the combination of a strong, self-aware heroine and a quiet and conscientious hero. I admire how Sophie – like Elinor Dashwood – manages and assists everyone in her family, but that she also remembers to take care of herself. Unlike Anne Elliot, she does not let everyone walk all over her. She withstands pressure and speaks her truth. In addition, I greatly admired our silent hero, who feels his inferior position so acutely that he adopts manners and an emotionless demeanor that is not entirely his own. I loved how Sophie and the reader grew to learn more and more of what this quiet hero felt and the strong emotions that stirred his heart. *swoon*
Another element I enjoyed about this story was how Mimi Matthews skillfully wove in historical backdrop that added vibrancy to the festivities and grounded themes of embracing change. While I loved seeing the merry Christmas traditions of mistletoe, sleigh-rides, and collecting greenery, I also appreciated witnessing reactions to the new modern technologies – such as gaslights and plumbing, new thinkers – such as Charles Darwin, and new wealth and success made from prosperous investments and trades.
A Holiday by Gaslight is a merry and warm Christmas tale to savor by the fireside. A story complete with admirable characters, holiday festivities that bring good cheer, and a gentle and gratifying romance that will brighten your heart! I highly recommend!
I read the book more out of curiosity as an author myself as to what attracts readers to this genre. I quite liked it. If reviewing it I would give it 4*, because it was eminently readable and quite sweet. On the minus side, I felt that the issue which held back the romance was on the weak side being the couple’s doubts over their suitabililty for one another. They tested this by kisses of increasing strength in quiet places. I just found this rather tiresome and uninteresting and something of a contrivance to avoid actual eroticism. It made the characters rather wooden for me. I would have preferred some festering even if unspoken strong sexual attraction. Also as a reader from England, I was struck by some sentence constructions and words which sounded American, but I often find this in romances set in England written by American authors..
Hi Meredith,
I think this novella would be my cup of tea, thanks for bringing it to your blog! I love the story also includes references to Victorian Era and its costumes and new changes 🙂
And, maybe I look like Lydia Bennet saying that but…I love the red dress of the cover, it’s so gorgeous! I would die for this dress! (This is Lydia speaking through me LOL)
You should put the cover of this book on one of your shelves like a Christmas ornament 😉
wonderful review
From your review I would find this interesting. Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
I love this one 🙂
This was one of if not the first books by Mimi Matthews I read, and it sat in my TBR pile for awhile until I bought another one on sale and then reading that first one I had to have them all! I love this author and I loved this book. It’s moody and uncomfortable in places when you witness how far out of place Edward feels about his acceptance with Sophia and her set. I loved that he worked hard to get where he was but then wanted what money couldn’t buy, then tried his darnedest to educate and present himself to be worthy of Sophia with self-help brochures for gentlemen. Heartbreaking and kind of cringey. So sweet and so worth the read. I routed for both hero and heroine.