The Brightest Star in Paris by Diana Biller was actually the second book involving these characters. 
The first book was The Widow of Rose House which I was not aware of until after I finished the book. I do not feel like I could not follow any of the contexts without reading the first book, although I would love to read the first book after meeting the Moore family. This was not a quick easy-going book to read and had some dark moments of grief, pain, and the aftermaths of war. It was a beautiful story that was intense, inspiring, and emotional. It takes place in Paris during the year 1878 after the devastating Siege of Paris, but the author uses flashbacks to the time when Ben and Amelie first meet, which was twelve years previously.
Amelia St. James did what she needed to stay alive and keep Honorine, her younger sister, safe after all of France’s wars. She became the sweet, pious “St. Amie”, the prima ballerina of the Paris Opera Ballet. Her “St. Amie” image concealed all the outrageous behavior of the powers-to-be at the Palais Garnier. She was glad to see Benedict happy and at peace, but she did not want to let him close again. She does not want to go through the pain of losing him again when he returns home to America. Seeing ghosts from her past threaten her future as well as bringing back the grief and painful memories of those who died. Benedict offers to help her with the ghosts since his brother has had some experiences in the past. To maintain her “St. Amie” image Benedict becomes a suitor and courts her.
Dr. Benedict Moore was a famous American brain scientist and was in Paris to attend a conference and to recruit other scientists to join him at the new United States Institute for Brain Research. Returning to Paris after twelve years brings back many memories of Amelie and himself. He was not sure if Amelie would want to see him after sending him away years before, so he is shocked to see her at the Palais Garnier on his first day back. Finding her in her dressing room with a ghost and a dead man shocks him but he wants to help her just like she had helped him twelve years ago. His feelings for her have not changed over the years however they still face the same problem. They both have goals for their future; hers in Paris and his in America.
This was a book that I probably would not have chosen to read on my own and I had a lot of doubts. Once I got to reading it, I was spellbound by the emotions and the slow-burn second chance romance. It was a heartbreaking and beautiful story that will capture you and move you to tears. I loved the characters and especially the Moore family. Their family was full of love and support for each other. Amelia was so strong, brave, and had lost so much. I loved seeing her grow and realize she did not want to continue covering all the scandals or play the role of St. Amie. She just wanted to be herself.
The Brightest Star in Paris was a wonderful, heart-breaking, and emotion-packed book so have some tissues around while reading it. I am so glad I got a chance to read it and look forward to future books by the author.
Book Info:
Publication: October 12, 2021 | St. Martin’s Griffin |
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?
