A man with a speech disability meets a woman in search of her place in the world. A lovely Victorian tale of love and fulfillment

“The Winter Companion” brings Mimi Mathew’s Parish Orphans of Devon series to a sweet and thought-provoking close. The book is standalone, but the whole series is excellent and I recommend reading them all.

Confined to an orphanage, friends Justin, Tom, Alex and Neville faced a traumatic childhood deprived of almost everything but found in each other strength to cope with life. They often sought adventure and mischief by climbing the treacherous cliffs of Greyfriar’s Abbey. One day, while climbing down, young Neville Cross lost his balance, crashed his head and fell into the ocean down below never to be the same person again.

Now adults, the friends reunite in Greyfriar’s Abbey (currently owned by Justin) to celebrate Christmas. In the meantime, Neville is struck by the realization that, due to the speech issues that followed his accident, he stayed frozen in place with no future or perspectives while his friends lives moved on.

Neville’s character is very complex and utterly adorable. He is vulnerable but at the same time strong. It is hard for him to communicate with words, but his actions speak for themselves, and show the unmistakable goodness of his heart. His mind is sound, and it is painful to see how the speech struggles change the perception other people have of him.

The romance takes place when Clara Hartwright, the companion to one of the guests of the Christmas party, comes to the stables to ask Neville to take care of her old pug dog Bertie. Clara is strong and caring and has to work to maintain herself and also to pay for her brother’s studies. She has academic aspirations and, like Neville, a true love for animals.

It is a slow burn romance, but it is so worth the wait. The reader is invited to witness their first meeting, their friendship, and how they slowly get to know each other and see each other’s true selves.

Once again, Mimi Mathews crafts a beautiful tale of true love and the quest for a fulfilling life.

Disclosure: I have received an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I throughly enjoyed The Winter Companion novel set in the 1860’s in England. The descriptive writing felt as if I was there with the characters at their home celebrating with the evergreen holly and a yulelog during the Christmas holiday. I loved the romance that developed between Clara and Nelville while building a friendship first and bonding with the birth of the special pony!The story line of Clara’s past and the developing story line of her future held my interest throughout the book and I found it hard to put the book down!!
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A lady's companion ought to blend in with her surroundings, but it's impossible for Clara Hartwright to remain invisible. Forced into genteel service in order to support her brother's studies at Cambridge, Clara yearns to be a student of natural philosophy in her own right. When her position takes her to the freezing winterscape of Greyfriar's Abbey in Devon, she forms a connection with Neville Cross, the tongue-tied Nordic giant who is a perplexing mix of gentleman and stablehand. 

Abashed by his speech impediment and difficulty in articulating his thoughts, Neville works up the courage to befriend Miss Hartwright. When she's not catering to her elderly client's whims, Clara seeks out Neville's assistance with her little pug dog, and he invites her to help him with the rare Dartmoor pony whose injured leg he is tending. 

Their shared love of animals sparks a mutual interest, and before long, Clara realizes that Neville has depths that very few people have plumbed. But when Neville discovers that Clara's dream is to travel the world as a naturalist (or, at least, a naturalist's secretary), his own fears of leaving the Abbey go to war with the burgeoning love he has for his winter companion. 

This book was, to put it succinctly, a wonder. The fourth book in the Parish Orphans of Devon series, it explores the story of Neville, the orphan boy who was injured long ago in a fall from the cliffs, giving him a permanent brain injury that makes communication difficult. When involved in active labor in the outdoors, his mind is clear enough, but the sustained effort of dealing with ledgers, administrative tasks, or conversational pleasantries makes his mind drift elsewhere. Clara, never at a loss for words, understands Neville in a way that not even his three friends (Justin, Tom, and Alex) can, lending him just the right amount of support to stand on his own, encouraging him in his own dreams of conserving the endangered Dartmoor ponies.

This story was a simple and poignant one with no major villain to be overcome other than the internal struggles of both protagonists. Clara's unkind betrayal at the hands of those close to her unfolds gradually, with a perfect sense of mystery, and Neville coming to Clara's rescue was one of the sweetest things I have ever read. Tennyson has always been my favorite poet, and if you have a soul, you will weep when Neville shares his favorite poem with Clara in the railway coach. 

After seeing Neville in the previous three books as a minor character, I didn't know how Mimi Matthews was going to make a romantic hero out of him, but once again, she proves that she is the mistress of proper Victorian romance, creating a love story for the ages that uplifts, inspires, and satisfies. 

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

‘ “I never dared dream in all my life that I would get a happy ending of my very own.” He drew her back into his arms. “My dear love…..” His words were slow but sure. “This is only the beginning.” ‘

Picking up a Mimi Matthews book is like holding a decadent dessert. A beautifully exquisite cover that beckons to you. Inside, it’s filled with the most captivating and delicious story. One in which you find yourself closing your eyes and sighing often. Savoring every page. The Winter Companion was definitely sigh worthy. Brimming with endearing characters, flawless pacing, and a wonderfully romantic and hopeful story. No two characters were more deserving of love than Clara and Neville.
As a new lady’s companion to Mrs. Bainbridge, Clara was at Greyfriar Abbey for a brief three week holiday among strangers. Life as a companion was not what she’d planned for herself, but a humiliating past incident and family obligation had led her to her current situation in hopes that someday her life could truly begin. Still, she longed for more.
Neville Cross lived at Greyfriar Abbey. A childhood accident had left him with difficulties with speech. He wasn’t a recluse but kept to the areas surrounding the abbey where people knew him and it was safe. He wanted a life of his own choosing but pride and fear kept him close to home. He avoided people and kept his speech to a minimum. The difficulties that plagued his speech worsened when he was anxious. The more out of sorts he became, the harder it was to form words. And Clara Hartwright made him feel out of sorts. She was beautiful with a soft voice and gentle, competent manner. Clara was rather out of sorts with Neville as well. She saw him as a Galahad. He was quite handsome, intelligent, and genuinely kind. During their brief time together at Greyfriar Abbey, they formed a friendship, each longing for more. When difficulties with Clara’s family arise and Clara must leave, Neville has to face his fears and insecurities if he ever hopes for more.
I fell in love with Neville and Clara immediately. Both were doing what they must in life and not what they longed to do. They’d felt alone in life. Until they met each other. I loved watching their friendship and their romance awaken and slowly build. Mimi Matthews never fails to deliver a story that evokes all my mushy, soppy emotions but leaves me feeling hopeful about the power of love. Her books are sheer perfection.
I have no idea how I missed this Parish Orphans of Devon series, but I will be going back and reading the rest. I want to know more about Neville’s friends with whom such a strong bond developed during their youth in the orphanage. There’s an element of darkness and lingering tragedy to the group and I’m anxious to read Tom, Alex, and Justin’s stories. Any Mimi Matthews book is a reading experience you won’t soon forget. Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review an ARC of this beautiful story.

Fourth in the Parish Orphans of Devon series, The Winter Companion can absolutely be enjoyed as a stand-alone, but your reading experience will be so much more enriched if you read them all in order. The entire series pretty much revolves around Neville's accident when the boys were young, and how the accident affected the trajectory of each of their lives. So here we finally get Neville's story and come to understand not only how the accident affected his life, but how his three friends dealt with their feelings about it directly affected Neville's life. And our heroine Clara comes in with a whole slew of problems of her own, but she finds a kindred spirit in Neville, and both are shocked to finally find a partner in life when they'd both accepted that they would go through life alone.

Once again, Mimi Matthews creates a beautiful world for her characters. She has hands down set the stand in Victorian romance, creating characters that are strong, but struggle, always trying to do right by those around them, and admitting when they need help. No one is perfect, but her heroes and heroines are always perfect for each other.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I love this entire series. Each character is given distinct personalities and has a character arc that grows throughout the series even when they are not the main focus of the book.
Because of reading this series, I have bought all of Mimi Matthews' books and enjoyed them all. Can't wait to see what she writes next.

I'dIn the fourth and final installment of Mimi Matthews' Parish Orphans of Devon series, "The Winter Companion", Neville Cross finds love. Although Nigel considers himself an unlikely candidate for romantic love, Clara Hartright sees beyond his speech impediment to the wonderful person he is. An event in Clara's past has distorted her belief in herself and her judgment of men's motives. Nigel is a swoon-worthy hero, and Clara is a delightful heroine.

The four orphans are celebrating Christmas at Justin Thornhill's estate, the first time the men have been together as a group since they were children. Neville and Clara bond over a shared love of animals. It's sweet to see the two wounded souls become two lovely souls destined to be together.

It was wonderful to visit with all the orphans one last time. Each has managed to overcome a horrific childhood to find love, contentment and fulfillment. In addition, I'd never heard of Dartmoor ponies; this book prompted me to read more about them online. Matthews has a wonderful way of drawing her characters. They are nuanced, not all good, not all bad, but importantly, NOT cookie cutter. Clara's brother Simon surprised me. To better understand the backstories of orphans Justin, Tom, Alex and Neville, I recommend reading the books in order.

Mimi Matthews has an altogether beautiful writing style. While I am sad this marvelous series has come to an end, I look forward to Matthews' future work.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this enjoyable novel.

Until just before this past Christmas I hadn’t ever heard of Mimi Matthews never saw her books but then I came across one and now I’ve read ALL of her books in the last few weeks... so naturally I was excited for this one too...

The story goes... once upon a very unhappy time there were 4 orphaned boys living a hard and difficult life in a terrible place. They were all the family each other had and then circumstance separated them. After nearly losing one of their number the other 3 were sent off to apprenticeships in hopes of them finding giving them a future. 1 went missing, 1 became a solider and the other an infamous solicitor. Years later 3 of them were reunited as adults and through many struggles all carved lives out for themselves and even managed to find love and they located their lost 4th member. This Christmas for the first time they are all together for a family holiday with their new wives and family....

Neville is the only unmarried one if the group left standing not that he’s interested in such. After the accident as a child that nearly cost him his life he has trouble articulating his words so he prefers the company of animals not young ladies. Until of course a young lady somehow grabs his attention. Clara arrives as a companion to one of the members of the party and she has no interest in anything other than her own future. And that of her brother who she is working hard to support. He’s away at school and she must help their mother to pay for his education all the while she seeks to better herself by learning everything that her brother learns. It was working out perfectly well until suddenly things change and she can’t understand why. The last thing she is interested in is getting involved with anyone.

Too bad for both of them that they have an instant connection whether they want it or not. Two people who want more from their lives than they feel they are able to achieve who bond over a love of animals. Clara doesn’t mind that Neville has trouble speaking she knows that doesn’t make him any less intelligent as a woman she’s use to people thinking her less intelligent so she doesn’t seek to underestimate others. All she really wants is to have an education of her own and a life her own not burdened by guilt and regret.

When news that the trouble with her brother isn’t just her paranoid imagination Clara must leave the party early in order to see what’s going on with him. And if she can somehow fix it. For years she’s been working so hard to give him everything because she feels her own misjudgment may have cost him. Neville is of course devastated that she has to leave and that they will likely never see each other again. He hasn’t left traveled far from his home so he feels stuck in his own little world where he’s safe. But he’s no longer satisfied with the safe and familiar after meeting Clara. So he resolves to do something to change everything.

I feel so bad for Clara and can’t understand how her family treats her especially her brother. They are just awful no redeeming qualities to them at all. I never understand how families will just believe the words of others like they did in her situation. From the way she felt about it I had expected that she had actually done something, when really she was suffering for nothing. And maybe I just can’t understand the people of the time period but for her brother to not actually know that she wanted to learn or that she was capable at all was crazy to me. Her family really sucked. I suppose at least it was only 4 years she wasted as opposed to her whole lifetime? Yeah it’s not much better at all but at least in the end she was freed from those awful people.

And of course because this is romance Neville faces his fears so that both he and Clara can have their happily ever after as the last of our four orphans finds his lady love and we arrive at the end of their quite compelling story.

This is a romance novel which is not my genre but I found it very interesting since it portrayed what life was like for women in the 1800’s. Clara, a Ladies Companion, meets a tall, mysterious blonde gentleman who she believes is a groomsman when she drops off her pug dog at the stable only to discover him all dressed up at tea. Clara and Neville have an instant attraction for one another but because of their circumstances it could never lead anywhere. Of course like any romance novel the star crossed lovers manage to overcome all obstacles. They initially bond over her dog and his rare Dorman wild pony. Neville feels he can never leave the estate and is studying to take over the duties of the stewardship of the estate although he really only wants to work outside with the animals. Clara is only working as a Lady’s Companion because she needs to partially support her brother at Cambridge. She has been studying her brother’s class notes with the promise that she will work as his secretary after graduation..
When Clara has to leave the estate early because her brother is in trouble they share one last kiss. However Neville gets up the courage to follow Clara and arrives just as Clara receives upsetting news. Both have to readjust their expectations and dreams. As with any romance novel, love works out in the end.

Neville is one of four friends who grew up together in a harsh orphanage. Due to an accident as a child, Neville has a speech impediment which causes people to assume he is slow witted, which in turn, causes Neville to be anxious around strangers. Even his friends feel he needs protecting. However Neville is the best kind of hero: intelligent, kind, thoughtful (as well as handsome!). Clara is a paid companion to an elderly lady who is visiting, along with her family, the home of Neville’s friend where Neville works and lives. Right from the start, Clara is different. She’s been given an elderly pug to care for. Not only does she care for the old, snoring dog, but she loves him. Clara has dreams of being her brother’s secretary after he finishes his studies at Cambridge. Neville and Clara see each others’ beauty and worth which makes the transition from friendship to love heartwarming and sweet.

The story also shows how society did not believe women capable or worthy of being scholars.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC.

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This is the fourth book in a series of Victorian era romances--each book dealing with one of the orphans of a village. This was a delightful clean read and I was so glad that Neville got his happily ever after!!!! I do hope the author does a book 5 for chsravtsr, Teddy. The writing moved the plot very well and it was nice to see past characters appear again. I love Mimi Mathews as an author and will gratefully read anything else by her. Well done to close this set of characters.

When a lady’s companion with a lot of unspoken things meets a man of few words who reawakens feelings she buried when she was too trusting...

The more I read Mrs Mimi Matthews, the more I love her magic brush with words and her easiness at painting larger than life characters.
I read the previous book in this series, and now I have the two firsts waiting on my shelves.

While reading Alex and Laura, I had a glimpse of the four orphans’ life and how life made them part ways.
And now, they are all reunited under the same roof some decades later.
Except Neville, all have found love along their route. But he has accepted it might not be for him, his disability preventing him to see himself as worthy of love.
In some way, they were at a time lucky as fate intervened and saved them from a worst destiny.
But when they moved in their life, Neville is still struck in the same place where it all started.
Clara’s past gullibility put her in this place, having to leave everything behind and trade her romantic old self for a more pragmatic one, with few dreams and only acceptable expectancies.
While her past is very slowly revealed, the true Clara is also not far away, but she fights her old hopes and tries to find contentment in her new fabricated attentes.
Mrs Mimi Matthews brings together two people life has broken in the inside. Why they are wary of going out of their comfort zone or expecting more for themselves.
She gives them time to reflect on their past and the future awaiting them, so when life catches up with them, while Clara follows the flow, but as a woman she has few other options, It is up to Neville to take his future in his hands, leave the safe road and have faith he will fall upon the right path.

This wondrous tale deserves no less than five stars, Mrs Mimi Matthews offers with this last in a series, a condensate of the power of love and friendship as it makes people alters their life’s course to fight for their bonds.

I was granted an advance copy by the publisher through Netgalley and prior to it I preordered my own.
Here is my true and unbiased opinion.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is the fourth in a series and I would recommend reading the others first, since then the various characters present at this Christmas house party and their back stories will be familiar to you. This instalment concerns the fourth orphan, Neville, who suffered a brain injury as a child which makes it difficult for him to express his thoughts in speech, especially under stress. The "Winter Companion" is Clara, who wants more from life, but is carrying guilt from an episode when she was a teenager.

I enjoyed this very much. Neville and Clara were lovely together, and it is refreshing to read a historical romance about regular (if middle-class) people who need to work for a living. The middle perhaps lost a bit of momentum, but the scenes in Cambridge were excellent and the ending fitting.