Review: A Holiday by Gaslight by Mimi Matthews
“He was a handsome man, if one liked tall, dark males of the serious variety, but he was infuriatingly difficult to read. He never betrayed his feelings with a look or a word. And when it came to conversation, silence, was, by far, his favorite subject.”
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The Basics
Title: A Holiday by Gaslight
Author: Mimi Matthews
Published: 2018
Publisher: Perfectly Proper Press
Pages: 165
Format: Paperback
Genres: Fiction — Historical fiction, Victorian fiction, Holiday, Romance, Historical romance, Victorian romance, Holiday romance, Clean romance
Book Synopsis
Pressured by her parents, Sophie Appersett agrees to a courtship with the wealthy London merchant Edward Sharpe. Although exceedingly well off when it comes to finances, he is rather lacking in the personality department. He is reserved to the point of aloofness and gives Sophie no indication as to his feelings toward her. So, after two months, Sophie decides to end their courtship, as she can no longer stand to be in a relationship with someone who is so withdrawn and whom she does not love. Her decision to end the courtship, however, infuriates her parents, who saw the match as a way for their family to avoid financial ruin. So, in an attempt to smooth things over with her parents, she decides to give Mr. Sharpe one more chance and invites him to Appersett House for Christmas. She only asks one thing of him: candor. She wants to use their time together over the holiday to truly get to know one another and see if there is a future for the two of them.
My Review & Overall Thoughts
TLDR: If you have a hankering for historical fiction featuring a charming love story, look no further.
Having read and been underwhelmed by one of Matthew’s earlier works, I was a bit apprehensive going into A Holiday by Gaslight. Would it be another disappointing read by Matthews, or would it redeem the author? Fortunately for all involved parties, the latter proved true. A Holiday by Gaslight is a delightful read that can be enjoyed not only during but beyond the holiday season.
Set in Victorian England and featuring a plot reminiscent of North and South, A Holiday by Gaslight is a captivating, escapist read. The scenes in Appersett House, the Appersett family’s country estate, transported me back in time. When I read those passages, I felt as though I were walking alongside Sophie through the house’s gaslit hallways.
And then there’s the romance between Ned and Sophie, which in spite of the book’s short length, is well-paced and engrossing. A large part of the romance’s appeal is Ned’s resemblance to John Thornton, the brooding male lead in North and South. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that John Thornton is one of my favorite romantic interests throughout all of literature, so any book with a character who even remotely resembles John Thornton earns a +1 from me. The other part of the romance’s appeal relates to the interactions between Ned and Sophie, particularly when they are at Appersett House. Ned’s playful teasing of Sophie is entertaining, as is how she responds. The two of them have chemistry, and when you see them together, you cannot help but anticipate the moment that they will finally realize their feelings for one another.
The book’s structure, namely the alternation between Ned and Sophie’s points of view, heightens this sense of anticipation, as well as helps to move the story along. It also provides insight into both characters’ states of mind, which has the effect of making you feel more invested in their relationship. After all, once you know how each of them feels about the other, you are certain to begin rooting for them as a couple.
The not so good
I enjoyed A Holiday by Gaslight so much that I wish it could have been longer. I wanted to keep reading about Ned and Sophie.
Overall
A Holiday by Gaslight is a charming story perfect for cozying up with on a dreary day. Its similarity to North and South makes it a perfect choice for fans of Elizabeth Gaskell. Plus, at 165 pages, it can easily be read in one or two sittings.
