REVIEW: Fairest of the Fayre by Sheri Cobb South
Penelope Fayre, nineteen years old and the belle of the Season, knows she must marry money, but she’d hoped to find a man she could love for his personality as well as his purse. Now the Season is drawing to a close, and if such a man exists, he has been keeping himself well-hidden. Painfully aware of having failed her family, Penelope makes a bargain with herself: She will accept the next eligible offer she receives, but first, she’ll make the most of her freedom by stealing away to Bartholomew Fair.
At the fair, she falls prey to a thimblerigger and is rescued by Philippe Valois, an itinerant swordsman who ekes out a living by taking on all comers. Seeing that “Miss Fair” appears to be alone, he appoints himself her escort. But Bartholomew Fair only lasts for three days, after which Penelope and the intriguing Frenchman must part ways forever. Great is her surprise when, two months later, she attends a Leicestershire hunting-party fully expecting to become betrothed to her host, only to discover Philippe posing as one of the footmen.
Philip Markham is a man on a mission to reclaim his stolen heritage. Still, he can’t forget the beautiful and spirited “Miss Fair,” an obviously well-born young lady experiencing the delights of Bartholomew Fair incognito. When he discovers that she is a guest in the house where he’d planned to make his move, he isn’t sure whether her presence will bring his plans to fruition…or ruin.
Dear Ms. Cobb South,
Was I delighted when you emailed me about this new series. You betcha! I had wondered what you were up to after the most recent John Pickett book was released and here is the answer. The heroine is beautiful and brave, the hero is handsome and dashing and I thoroughly enjoyed their story.
Penelope Fayre is the diamond of the Season and getting awfully tired of turning down lovesick proposals from the men of the ton. Her papa might have left them in straitened circumstances after his death but Penelope wants a love match such as her now widowed sister and BIL had. Penelope, however, is getting a reputation for being too high a stickler as she turns down yet another proposal. It’s only when her sister has accepted a governessing job that Penelope’s eyes are opened to the truth of the dire financial situation they’re in. Well, her mama never actually told her … so there.
Penelope makes a vow that after she’s enjoyed one day – okay and an evening, after she meets a dashing swordsman – at the Bartholomew Fair, she’ll accept the first respectable proposal she receives. When she travels to a country hunt party and sees the swordsman again, Penelope hurls herself into helping him prove his true identity and regain the title and estate so cruelly wrested from him. Can Phillipe regain his inheritance and Penny avoid yet another marriage proposal?
I like Penny. She’s gorgeous enough to stop men in their tracks – or in the case of Phillipe, distract him while he’s sword fighting at the fair – but she’s kind, she decides to quit looking for love after she realizes how close the bailiff is to their door (and she means it!), and once she discovers Phillipe’s truth, she’s all in to find what he needs to prove his Uncle’s perfidy. Phillipe is determined to prove his Uncle’s guilt in the death of his father and make him also pay for the years of numbing work his mother did to support them after they escaped from Madame La Guillotine. True he was gobsmacked by love when he first saw Penny but he won’t seek her hand in marriage until he has something to offer her.
I also enjoyed the secondary characters such as Penny’s maid and her young man who accompany Penny to the fair as well as Crumley the butler who is a true keeper and more than worthy of the pension Phillipe makes sure will come that loyal man’s way.
As this is a trilogy, I’m looking forward to stories for Penny’s worthy siblings. May I hope that cousin Freddie finds his someone, too? B
~Jayne
AmazonBNKoboBook DepositoryGoogle
When I saw the author’s name, it was familiar, it gave me a happy feeling, but I couldn’t connect it with any particular book. I started reading your review and -ah!- there’s my answer: John Pickett. One of my all-time favorite mystery series. Thank you for your review, I will enjoy reading this book and it’s sequels.
@LML: In a world where so many books now cost over $10, it’s not too expensive either! Or readers who have KU can read it that way.
Ah, John Pickett, an exemplary man among men.
I adored the Weaver series so I picked this book up. I enjoyed it and if it is a series I will read them. I also liked Penny. I thought that she had gumption. Thanks for calling my attention to this title. Sheri Cobb South is a long time favorite author.
@MEB: Amazon doesn’t show it yet but Sheri Cobb South told me it would be a trilogy and I’m assuming Penny’s brother and sister will be the MCs of those.