Review: A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews

A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews
Publication Date: November 13th 2018 by Perfectly Proper Press
Pages: 175
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Source: Library Lend

About the book:

A Courtship of ConvenienceSophie Appersett is quite willing to marry outside of her class to ensure the survival of her family. But the darkly handsome Mr. Edward Sharpe is no run-of-the-mill London merchant. He’s grim and silent. A man of little emotion—or perhaps no emotion at all. After two months of courtship, she’s ready to put an end to things.
A Last Chance for LoveBut severing ties with her taciturn suitor isn’t as straightforward as Sophie envisioned. Her parents are outraged. And then there’s Charles Darwin, Prince Albert, and that dratted gaslight. What’s a girl to do except invite Mr. Sharpe to Appersett House for Christmas and give him one last chance to win her? Only this time there’ll be no false formality. This time they’ll get to know each other for who they really are.

My Thoughts:

The book opens with Sophie breaking her courtship with Edward, because in the two months they’ve courting he’s show little or no emotion and she can’t be with someone seemingly void of personality. But upon thinking on it (with the careful nudges of her mother) did Sophie perhaps make a hasty decision? What if there is more to Edward than he let her see?

They decide to put the breakup on hold and try to get to know each, being more open and honest.  They’d already planned for Edward to come and stay at the family country house over the Christmas Holiday, so this is a perfect opportunity to see if they’re suited.

Edward was smitten with Sophie the moment he laid eyes on her. Being rich, but in the trade class their match would help him fit into the higher classes, but this has nothing to do with why he wants her. Sophie is under the impression that her position in society is the only reason Edward wants to court her, no doubt Edwards wealth would be a godsend to her family, but she needs to be at least friends with the man she ends up with. 

Sophie’s never dated someone from trade, a lower class, but she’s not a snob, and doesn’t expect all the social niceties.  Something Edward didn’t grasp during the two months they were seeing each other. Unfortunately, because Edward wanted to make sure he got things right, he consulted a “helpful” guide on courting and thus held back in showing any emotions opting for “proper” etiquette to court a lady.

Once it becomes clear that Sophie wants to know the true Edward their relationship blossoms into a lovely, swoony romance! Seeing Sophie and Edward fall for each other was a delight. While this is definitely a smut free romance, their kisses were magical and passionate! Left me with tingles all over!

This wasn’t a very long book, 175 pages, novella territory, but it was oh-so-wonderful!  The setting was described beautifully, a perfect winter wonderland.  I love it when a cover correctly depicts a story, and this one was perfection and gorgeous!  I needed more by Mimi Matthews so I bought: The Matrimonial Advertisement. Can’t wait!

4.5 Suns