Historical Romance Book Club discussion

Discussion thread for the second BOTM for July 2025. Please remember to use the spoiler tags when necessary! (Please see 'some HTML is ok' for instructions.)

Join us in reading this HR that features the theme Paranormal!



The Brightest Star in Paris, by Diana Biller


Synopsis:

In Diana Biller's The Brightest Star in Paris, love is waiting; you only have to let it in.

Amelie St. James, prima ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet and the people's saint, has spent seven years pretending. In the devastating aftermath of the Siege of Paris, she made a decision to protect her sister: she became the bland, sweet, pious “St. Amie” the ballet needed to restore its scandalous reputation. But when her first love reappears, and the ghosts of her past come back to haunt her, all her hard-fought safety is threatened.

Dr. Benedict Moore has never forgotten the girl who helped him embrace life again after he almost lost his. Now, he's back in Paris after twelve years for a conference. His goals are to recruit promising new scientists, and, maybe, to see Amelie again. When he discovers she's in trouble, he's desperate to help her—after all, he owes her.

When she finally agrees to let him help, they disguise their time together with a fake courtship. But reigniting old feelings is dangerous, especially when their lives are an ocean apart. Will they be able to make it out with their hearts intact?

Happy reading!

I have placed a request for this one at my library. Hope it doesn't take too long to come in. I liked The Widow of Rose House and also the novella A Christmas Spark by this author, so want to give this one a try. BTW apparently A Christmas Spark is about the parents of the mmc of Brightest Star. It was cute, so maybe I'll read it again before I read this one.

Jan wrote: "I have placed a request for this one at my library. Hope it doesn't take too long to come in. I liked The Widow of Rose House and also the novella A Christmas Spark ..."

I think I'll give this one a go as well.

My copy finally came in at the library, so I've started it. Up to Chapter 6 so far. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. The paranormal/ghost stuff is pretty up front and centre. Not my usual reading fare, but I will keep going and see where the story goes.

Although this book can easily stand alone, I did reread the short prequel novella yesterday, and enjoyed it again. BTW, the novella has no paranormal elements at all. Interesting.

Hmmm. I'm up to Chapter 9 and not sure whether I really want to continue with this read. I quite like the (view spoiler)[so far slow-burn (hide spoiler)] romance between Ben and Amelie. And although ballet/ ballet dancer isn't my favourite theme and setting, that side of it is OK. It's the paranormal aspect I'm not really liking. Chapter 8 (view spoiler)[ I've just read the scene where Amelie visits her mother's grave, and is suddenly visited by the dancer Lise's ghost (who was previously unable to leave the opera house??) plus 2 new ones who just pop up. One is dressed in ridiculous clothes, and the other has her brains lying on her shoulder (as it was when she died). It just feels a bit ridiculous and silly to me. (hide spoiler)] I will read on further, but the book is rapidly losing interest for me. It needs to pick up soon, or else, goodbye......

Welp, sadly I've abandoned this book at about 1/3 through (part way through Chapter 12). It was just getting too gory and dark for me, and there has been very little romance so far. I decided I just didn't want to read any more. It was well written with an interesting nineteenth century Paris setting, but it just wasn't for me. I'm sure others will enjoy it though. Has anyone else tried it?