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Texas Ever After #1
Fairest of Heart
Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.
After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.
With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.
An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.
After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young woman found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.
With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope's acting troupe. The evidence points to her guilt, but Titus's heart divines a different truth--one that might just get Penelope killed.
An enchanting Western take on the classic Snow White fairy tale, Fairest of Heart will sweep you away from once upon a time to happily ever after.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2023
190 people are currently reading
6217 people want to read
About the author
Karen Witemeyer
51 books4,234 followersFor those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Voted #1 Readers' Favorite Christian Historical Author in 2023 by Family Fiction Magazine, Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and family board game player who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline.
Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.
Karen also loves to reward her readers. Every month she gives away two inspirational historical novels to someone from her newsletter list and offers substantial bonus content on her website. To learn more about Karen and her books, or to join her subscriber list, please visit www.karenwitemeyer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 601 reviews
April 14, 2023
A Western retelling of Snow White in which the girl is a servant in a travelling acting troupe whose star actress is a vain & selfish beauty with devious plans of her own and in which the "prince" figure is a jaded Texas Ranger, and that also has a lovely interpretation of the seven dwarfs: seven retired cowboys in a ranch owned by a retired doctor that made the place hospitable for their kind.
I did like the setting a lot, Westerns are always a delight as settings for fairy tale reworkings. But what made Fairest of Heart difficult to like as I'd have wanted was the two main female characters. The Snow White figure is cartoonishly good and the Evil Queen figure is cartoonishly bad, they don't feel like real people due to this lack of nuance. And on top of that, the writing is quite preachy, Bible verses thrown in like salt & pepper, and everything is solved and wrapped up too neatly for plausibility. I would've liked this more if these women weren't so clichéd, and the preachiness was toned down a bit. After all, Christian fiction is read (almost exclusively) by other Christians, so this preachiness to the choir is grating.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I did like the setting a lot, Westerns are always a delight as settings for fairy tale reworkings. But what made Fairest of Heart difficult to like as I'd have wanted was the two main female characters. The Snow White figure is cartoonishly good and the Evil Queen figure is cartoonishly bad, they don't feel like real people due to this lack of nuance. And on top of that, the writing is quite preachy, Bible verses thrown in like salt & pepper, and everything is solved and wrapped up too neatly for plausibility. I would've liked this more if these women weren't so clichéd, and the preachiness was toned down a bit. After all, Christian fiction is read (almost exclusively) by other Christians, so this preachiness to the choir is grating.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2023
That. Was. Adorable.
I found this Christian fiction Snow White retelling set in Texas to be nothing short of delightful. Yeah, our heroine, the Snow White character, was too perfect, but that's really the only complaint, since this book was just so fun. Titus was such a great hero on an important growth journey of his own. The faith message wasn't something tacked on at the end, but something Titus, Penelope, and their friends (yay for wise mentors) referred to regularly throughout the story.
The shining jewel of this story was without a doubt, our seven "dwarves" - the most adorable collection of retired cowhands I've ever seen. They were all true to themselves throughout, giving us hours of delightful banter and interactions.
As you can see, I really enjoyed this book. I read a copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley so I could write an honest review, and all opinions are my own.
I found this Christian fiction Snow White retelling set in Texas to be nothing short of delightful. Yeah, our heroine, the Snow White character, was too perfect, but that's really the only complaint, since this book was just so fun. Titus was such a great hero on an important growth journey of his own. The faith message wasn't something tacked on at the end, but something Titus, Penelope, and their friends (yay for wise mentors) referred to regularly throughout the story.
The shining jewel of this story was without a doubt, our seven "dwarves" - the most adorable collection of retired cowhands I've ever seen. They were all true to themselves throughout, giving us hours of delightful banter and interactions.
As you can see, I really enjoyed this book. I read a copy provided by the publisher through Netgalley so I could write an honest review, and all opinions are my own.
March 24, 2023
LOVED. All the stars.
Karen Witemeyer is my comfort read author. I know every time I pick up one of her books, I'll walk away smiling. This one is no exception.
Fairest of Heart is a charming Snow White retelling, which I haven't seen done often in Christian fiction. It features the damsel in distress trope, a heroic cowboy Ranger, a unique group of 7 'geriatric' (Titus's description, not mine) dwarves... need I say more? The classical fairytale is spun in wonderfully enchanting faith-based historical romance.
I loved the relationship between Titus and Penelope. There was a lot of depth there, with a foundation built on character.
Content Notes:
As a Snow White retelling, there is a contrast made between physical and inner beauty. One character uses her beauty to entice + seduce men. Much of that aspect is glossed over, with minimal details, but due to the nature of several of those scenes, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers.
Karen Witemeyer is my comfort read author. I know every time I pick up one of her books, I'll walk away smiling. This one is no exception.
Fairest of Heart is a charming Snow White retelling, which I haven't seen done often in Christian fiction. It features the damsel in distress trope, a heroic cowboy Ranger, a unique group of 7 'geriatric' (Titus's description, not mine) dwarves... need I say more? The classical fairytale is spun in wonderfully enchanting faith-based historical romance.
I loved the relationship between Titus and Penelope. There was a lot of depth there, with a foundation built on character.
Content Notes:
As a Snow White retelling, there is a contrast made between physical and inner beauty. One character uses her beauty to entice + seduce men. Much of that aspect is glossed over, with minimal details, but due to the nature of several of those scenes, I wouldn't recommend this book to younger readers.
May 7, 2023
An intriguing historical romance!
I'm not sure I've ever read a Snow White retelling told in a Western setting, but I quite enjoyed it.
Titus and Penelope were both well-developed characters. Penelope was a forgiving, kind-hearted lady, and Titus was a determined Texas Ranger. I did think the emphasis on Penelope's figure was kind of strange (and humorous at times). Apparently, she had quite a big bosom. This bosom of hers was mentioned so much that it almost seemed like a side character.
Plenty of character development, moments of suspense, good themes, and a little humor kept my attention as I read. This is the first book I've read by Karen Witemeyer, and I appreciated that she kept the language clean. I did think some of the scenes where the scheming villainess was seducing her victims could've used a little less detail.
Overall, I found Fairest of Heart to be an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, historical romances, and fairy tale retellings. I'm happy I gave this book a try and am looking forward to seeing what the next book in the series will be.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I'm not sure I've ever read a Snow White retelling told in a Western setting, but I quite enjoyed it.
Titus and Penelope were both well-developed characters. Penelope was a forgiving, kind-hearted lady, and Titus was a determined Texas Ranger. I did think the emphasis on Penelope's figure was kind of strange (and humorous at times). Apparently, she had quite a big bosom. This bosom of hers was mentioned so much that it almost seemed like a side character.
Plenty of character development, moments of suspense, good themes, and a little humor kept my attention as I read. This is the first book I've read by Karen Witemeyer, and I appreciated that she kept the language clean. I did think some of the scenes where the scheming villainess was seducing her victims could've used a little less detail.
Overall, I found Fairest of Heart to be an entertaining read that I'd recommend to those who enjoy Christian fiction, historical romances, and fairy tale retellings. I'm happy I gave this book a try and am looking forward to seeing what the next book in the series will be.
Disclosure: I received this book free from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own, and I was not required to write a positive review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
May 7, 2023
Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is another winner for me. I love a good fairy tale with a happily ever after and this one is just that. This is a western retelling of Snow White. I thoroughly enjoyed Penelope Snow and the Texas Ranger, Titus Kinglsley. As well as the seven old ranchers on the Double D Ranch. They were the steal of the show in my book. I loved each and everyone of them. The evil Narcissa Labelle was definitely a mean, self centered villian. The second half of the book had a lot of action and it kept me turning the pages until the end. Scripture sprinkled throughout the story for wonderful inspiration. I have to say it blessed my heart. I'm like a dry well thirsty for The Word. The author inspires in a beautiful way and the whole of the book was a pleasure to read and escape from reality for a spell. I definitely recommend anyone who loves western romance with scripture for inspiration.
*I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars
*I was given a copy of the book by Bethany House Publishers and this is my honest opinion.
4.5 stars
July 1, 2023
In the wild west of Texas, a fairytale retelling of Snow White unfolds. The love story between the two main characters, Penelope and Titus, is pure and based on trust and faith. Both characters are engaging, and their journey to navigate life is relatable. This book is a fun and charming read, with a joyful heroine and an imperfect Texas Ranger hero in search of justice. The storyline is captivating and evokes strong emotions. A must read! I received a complimentary copy of this book, and all opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
March 20, 2023
This is a lovely book! Such likeable characters, good writing, and a sweet romance.
This is a retelling of Snow White, so the plot was (as I generally expect retellings to be) predictable. But it had a good, unique twist on the story to keep me reading (as a retelling should have).
I really loved the banter and dialogue between the characters, especially the seven old men. They were so funny at times!
Sometimes I find innocent, sweet, and just plain good characters to be annoying. But in the case of Penelope, I was not annoyed. Her character was written in such a way to make her seem genuine, not flat and "perfect". I like how Penelope and Titus's relationship developed throughout the book: The noticing of character and personality had the upper hand over physical attributes for the most part.
Anyways, I highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical Christian romance, or fairytale retellings. :)
Some notable quotes:
"Dusty let out a sneeze loud enough to rival a gunshot."
"Nothing honed a young man's reflexes like chasing chickens."
"I'm the resident pessimist around here. Can't have you stealin' my job."
"A man has no future if he can't let go of the past."
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!
This is a retelling of Snow White, so the plot was (as I generally expect retellings to be) predictable. But it had a good, unique twist on the story to keep me reading (as a retelling should have).
I really loved the banter and dialogue between the characters, especially the seven old men. They were so funny at times!
Sometimes I find innocent, sweet, and just plain good characters to be annoying. But in the case of Penelope, I was not annoyed. Her character was written in such a way to make her seem genuine, not flat and "perfect". I like how Penelope and Titus's relationship developed throughout the book: The noticing of character and personality had the upper hand over physical attributes for the most part.
Anyways, I highly recommend this to anyone who likes historical Christian romance, or fairytale retellings. :)
Some notable quotes:
"Dusty let out a sneeze loud enough to rival a gunshot."
"Nothing honed a young man's reflexes like chasing chickens."
"I'm the resident pessimist around here. Can't have you stealin' my job."
"A man has no future if he can't let go of the past."
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC!
August 15, 2023
Another Witemeyer masterpiece!
Fairest of Heart is an enchanting retelling of Snow White, featuring Penelope Snow, a beautiful damsel-in-distress and Titus Kingsley, a handsome Texas Ranger. (I hope you get the name references, because I love them!;)
I loved this book's cover from the first time I saw it! It gives me Head in the Clouds vibes and I just knew it's a great book!
The characters are strongly build, and I totally loved the Snow White and greek mithology references.
The faith theme is what I usually love in Mrs. Witemeyer's books and in this one I really enjoyed the characters' relationships with God.
Personally, I loved this quote: "God had written this man into her story at just the right moment". It's such a beautiful thought!
After reading this book, I was left with such deep thoughts, which doesn't happen really often to me. That makes it one of my favourite books!
* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*
Fairest of Heart is an enchanting retelling of Snow White, featuring Penelope Snow, a beautiful damsel-in-distress and Titus Kingsley, a handsome Texas Ranger. (I hope you get the name references, because I love them!;)
I loved this book's cover from the first time I saw it! It gives me Head in the Clouds vibes and I just knew it's a great book!
The characters are strongly build, and I totally loved the Snow White and greek mithology references.
The faith theme is what I usually love in Mrs. Witemeyer's books and in this one I really enjoyed the characters' relationships with God.
Personally, I loved this quote: "God had written this man into her story at just the right moment". It's such a beautiful thought!
After reading this book, I was left with such deep thoughts, which doesn't happen really often to me. That makes it one of my favourite books!
* I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion.*
July 29, 2024
Enjoyed a lot!
The romance and the characters carried this story to the end.
Great faith content too!
Totally recommend as a great Christian historical romance!
The romance and the characters carried this story to the end.
Great faith content too!
Totally recommend as a great Christian historical romance!
March 26, 2023
4.5 stars
This was a fun read! I love fairytales and it was so cool to read this western Christian reimagining. Fairest of Heart is the first book in Karen Witemeyer’s new series, Texas Ever After. Snow White is such an interesting fairytale and it was cool to see how Witemeyer changed and modeled the story.
Penelope and Titus were just wonderful characters. They were engaging and I felt for them both as they tried to figure out life. I really liked how Witemeyer created her own version of Snow White. I was drawn into the story and I loved Witemeyer’s version of the seven dwarves. The seven old men were so sweet and I loved how they became like Penelope’s grandpas. Although it took me a little while to get invested in the book, the plot was interesting and I wanted to know how the story was going to end. I also enjoyed how Witemeyer wove faith into her book and how the characters had to learn to trust God more fully.
Fairest of Heart was a fun book. It was a clean Christian historical fiction romance. I would recommend it to those who enjoy Witemeyer’s other books or who just enjoy Christian western romance fiction. I am also excited to see what fairytale Witemeyer will do next!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
This was a fun read! I love fairytales and it was so cool to read this western Christian reimagining. Fairest of Heart is the first book in Karen Witemeyer’s new series, Texas Ever After. Snow White is such an interesting fairytale and it was cool to see how Witemeyer changed and modeled the story.
Penelope and Titus were just wonderful characters. They were engaging and I felt for them both as they tried to figure out life. I really liked how Witemeyer created her own version of Snow White. I was drawn into the story and I loved Witemeyer’s version of the seven dwarves. The seven old men were so sweet and I loved how they became like Penelope’s grandpas. Although it took me a little while to get invested in the book, the plot was interesting and I wanted to know how the story was going to end. I also enjoyed how Witemeyer wove faith into her book and how the characters had to learn to trust God more fully.
Fairest of Heart was a fun book. It was a clean Christian historical fiction romance. I would recommend it to those who enjoy Witemeyer’s other books or who just enjoy Christian western romance fiction. I am also excited to see what fairytale Witemeyer will do next!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher through Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, a positive review was not required.
May 24, 2023
I enjoyed this sweet historical Snow White retelling so much! Karen Witemeyer knows how to write a sweet romance with just the right amount of suspense and intrigue. ☺️
This book was so cozy and sweet. I loved reading Penelope’s journey to finding a home with the elderly Diamond D family. She and Titus were both sweet characters and I loved reading their romance!
The fairytale aspect of this book was woven in well to the story. Penelope was a wonderful Snow White and the Diamond D crew were so lovable and sweet! While Penelope’s character did feel a little too perfect to me, I could easily forgive that since I liked her and it made her a good Snow White character. Also the vibe of the story was just sweet, romantic, and cozy. 💗
The only part of this book that I didn’t really enjoy was Narcissa’s POV which was to be expected since she is the villain. I mostly skimmed her POV.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! If you’re looking for a sweet historical romance with a fairytale vibe, I think you’ll love this one! It’s also perfect to read during spring and summertime.🥰
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This book was so cozy and sweet. I loved reading Penelope’s journey to finding a home with the elderly Diamond D family. She and Titus were both sweet characters and I loved reading their romance!
The fairytale aspect of this book was woven in well to the story. Penelope was a wonderful Snow White and the Diamond D crew were so lovable and sweet! While Penelope’s character did feel a little too perfect to me, I could easily forgive that since I liked her and it made her a good Snow White character. Also the vibe of the story was just sweet, romantic, and cozy. 💗
The only part of this book that I didn’t really enjoy was Narcissa’s POV which was to be expected since she is the villain. I mostly skimmed her POV.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story! If you’re looking for a sweet historical romance with a fairytale vibe, I think you’ll love this one! It’s also perfect to read during spring and summertime.🥰
*Thank you to the publisher for sending me a complimentary copy! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 25, 2023
Fairest of Heart is the first in the Texas Ever After series and the first book by Karen Witemeyer I have read and WOW it did NOT disappoint ya’ll! 5 stars and a new favorite author?! SO HAPPY! This book exudes all things southern with a western atmosphere, a fairytale historical romance retelling and excellent faith content. I loved it so much and can’t wait to read more of Karen’s books! This was SO delightful as we have a Snow-White retelling with a swoon-worthy hero! I was HERE for it!
In this book we follow Penelope Snow, the personal maid for famous actress, Narcissa LaBelle. Penelope is a beautiful woman with a gorgeous figure, but she hides it under loose-fitting dresses, so she doesn’t attract attention to herself. In the beginning of the story, Narcissa appears to be helping Penelope get out of a rough situation, but you soon realize, she is the Snow-White Evil Queen all over again! Narcissa constantly is looking in the mirror and obsessed with her own beauty. When she sees Penelope trying on one of her dresses to help Narcissa’s alterations, she gets so jealous that she sends her away to be left for dead. Little does she know, the swoon-worthy and handsome Titus Kingsley and the 7 “old drovers” (dwarves in Snow-White) at Diamond D Ranch help save her and they grow to love her as one of their own….but can she hide from Narcissa forever?
The characters in this really made the story for me. I LOVED our sweet little 7 drovers at Diamond D Ranch – they were these precious grandfather figures to Penelope. Titus and Penelope’s romance was SO SWEET too! What stood out to me the most was the wonderful faith content. I loved how Titus would look to the bible in God’s word for answers to his hard situation. We had SO many scriptures quoted and the characters truly turned to the Lord for guidance throughout the story as they were learning to trust him in every situation they went through.
This was also my first “western” book and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that atmosphere. Even if I don’t always understand some of the language during that time period, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting. I will be picking up more like this in the future for sure. I also think Karen told the story of Snow-White very well! I could easily see the correlation to the characters from the fairytale and I loved that! Overall, a wonderful start to a new series! Thank you to Bethany House, Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.
In this book we follow Penelope Snow, the personal maid for famous actress, Narcissa LaBelle. Penelope is a beautiful woman with a gorgeous figure, but she hides it under loose-fitting dresses, so she doesn’t attract attention to herself. In the beginning of the story, Narcissa appears to be helping Penelope get out of a rough situation, but you soon realize, she is the Snow-White Evil Queen all over again! Narcissa constantly is looking in the mirror and obsessed with her own beauty. When she sees Penelope trying on one of her dresses to help Narcissa’s alterations, she gets so jealous that she sends her away to be left for dead. Little does she know, the swoon-worthy and handsome Titus Kingsley and the 7 “old drovers” (dwarves in Snow-White) at Diamond D Ranch help save her and they grow to love her as one of their own….but can she hide from Narcissa forever?
The characters in this really made the story for me. I LOVED our sweet little 7 drovers at Diamond D Ranch – they were these precious grandfather figures to Penelope. Titus and Penelope’s romance was SO SWEET too! What stood out to me the most was the wonderful faith content. I loved how Titus would look to the bible in God’s word for answers to his hard situation. We had SO many scriptures quoted and the characters truly turned to the Lord for guidance throughout the story as they were learning to trust him in every situation they went through.
This was also my first “western” book and I was surprised how much I enjoyed that atmosphere. Even if I don’t always understand some of the language during that time period, I thoroughly enjoyed the setting. I will be picking up more like this in the future for sure. I also think Karen told the story of Snow-White very well! I could easily see the correlation to the characters from the fairytale and I loved that! Overall, a wonderful start to a new series! Thank you to Bethany House, Baker Publishing and NetGalley for a copy to honestly read and review.
May 12, 2023
Awwww
Who wouldn’t love this book!
The characters except the not so pleasant ones stole my heart. A very beautiful redemption story that tugged at my heart strings.
Karen Witemeyer has been one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
Who wouldn’t love this book!
The characters except the not so pleasant ones stole my heart. A very beautiful redemption story that tugged at my heart strings.
Karen Witemeyer has been one of my favourite authors and this book did not disappoint.
I received a copy of this book and this is my honest opinion.
May 16, 2023
Karen Witemeyer never disappoints. Her latest story, Fairest of Heart, is a testament of that.
Penelope Snow is an orphan that was taken in by a teacher. When she becomes the assistant to a famous actress, she must hide her assets, wearing shapeless dresses and keeping her head low. Her beauty is unsurpassed. But as an unexpected happenstance, she is revealed and her jealous mistress has Penelope removed, with nothing but her underclothes, to be disposed of.
Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has been wary of beautiful women. His brother lost his life over an infatuation with a beautiful woman and Titus has been hardened ever since.
This was such a great story. I loved the seven grandfathers that take Penelope in as she learns to trust again. The characters were so well written. And the emotions brought you to understand many of the former situations that affected each of the characters. The banter was delightful and the love story well played out.
This is definitely a must read if you enjoy a good story. I love how Witemeyer weaves how God is working in their lives. All in all it's a beautiful well written story. What we have come to expect from Ms. Witemeyer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Penelope Snow is an orphan that was taken in by a teacher. When she becomes the assistant to a famous actress, she must hide her assets, wearing shapeless dresses and keeping her head low. Her beauty is unsurpassed. But as an unexpected happenstance, she is revealed and her jealous mistress has Penelope removed, with nothing but her underclothes, to be disposed of.
Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has been wary of beautiful women. His brother lost his life over an infatuation with a beautiful woman and Titus has been hardened ever since.
This was such a great story. I loved the seven grandfathers that take Penelope in as she learns to trust again. The characters were so well written. And the emotions brought you to understand many of the former situations that affected each of the characters. The banter was delightful and the love story well played out.
This is definitely a must read if you enjoy a good story. I love how Witemeyer weaves how God is working in their lives. All in all it's a beautiful well written story. What we have come to expect from Ms. Witemeyer.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
May 7, 2023
With Fairest of Heart, Karen Witemeyer has skillfully reworked the classic Snow White fairy tale to create a fun, endearing Western read. Set in Texas in the late 1800s, the well-structured plot--combining humor, drama, romance, faith, and history--drew me in from the beginning and kept me captivated to the end! The characterization is perfect! I especially appreciate the strong faith thread that imparts valuable life lessons. This is the best fairy tale retelling I have read with a western setting, and I highly recommend it as an entertaining, satisfying read. I look forward to reading the next book in the Texas Ever After series!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley with no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
May 6, 2023
Those who follow me probably know of my love for Karen Witemeyer’s books, I have collected all of them in both English and Dutch. In fact, my family does, my dad, my 87 year old grandfather and grandmother can’t wait till there is a new one and keep bugging me about it. But I must admit that I was a bit skeptical about a Snow White retelling, as I already know that story (ok ok I know these books are all happy ever after so that’s not a suprise but still). Instead I found myself laughing out loud when finding a clever Snow White reference, and I ended up wanting even more Snow White in the book. Ok, so as always: I loved it.
The book is quite funny, funnier than usual, but with quite a bit of depth in it, especially about God’s justice versus mercy. The kindness of Penelope combined with the strong sense of justice from prince… err.. ranger Titus were perfect. The retirement home run by Titus’ amazing grandfather is a stroke of genius, and I love all the men living in this amazing, loving house.
The “evil queen” for me was a bit too much at times, she really did some dumb things, but that is to be expected of a fairytale retelling, though I would’ve liked for her to be a bit more likeable instead of cartoonishly vain and greedy. Penelope is the sweetest (don’t underestimate her though!), and I loved her character the most. She’s resilient, strong, has been duped by the world many times and hasn’t known real life, yet she remained kind. Love that!
The story is so intruiging, you need to know what happens next, not a dull moment to be found. I absolutely love this newest Karen Witemeyer book and I’m sad it’s over. Can’t wait for the next book though!
I received a free e-arc through Netgalley but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.
The book is quite funny, funnier than usual, but with quite a bit of depth in it, especially about God’s justice versus mercy. The kindness of Penelope combined with the strong sense of justice from prince… err.. ranger Titus were perfect. The retirement home run by Titus’ amazing grandfather is a stroke of genius, and I love all the men living in this amazing, loving house.
The “evil queen” for me was a bit too much at times, she really did some dumb things, but that is to be expected of a fairytale retelling, though I would’ve liked for her to be a bit more likeable instead of cartoonishly vain and greedy. Penelope is the sweetest (don’t underestimate her though!), and I loved her character the most. She’s resilient, strong, has been duped by the world many times and hasn’t known real life, yet she remained kind. Love that!
The story is so intruiging, you need to know what happens next, not a dull moment to be found. I absolutely love this newest Karen Witemeyer book and I’m sad it’s over. Can’t wait for the next book though!
I received a free e-arc through Netgalley but it hasn’t influenced my opinions.
March 21, 2023
Karen Witemeyer is at her absolute best in the charming Fairest of Heart. 5 stars!
Penelope Snow has an indomitable optimistic spirit and chooses to see the best in everyone. Ranger Titus Kinglsey is her complete opposite and pessimistically suspicious of everyone, especially women. Readers will enjoy the give and take when their lives collide, and how Penelope ultimately wins Titus over.
Grampa Doc and the other members of the Diamond D Ranch were adorable as grandfathers totally enchanted and protective of Penelope. Madame LaBelle lives up to her reputation as an evil queen.
This is a splendid grownup Snow White retelling that Witemeyer fans will delight in reading. I hope the author will have a series of similar fairytale books. I appreciate Bethany Publishers making a copy of Fairest of Heart available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
Penelope Snow has an indomitable optimistic spirit and chooses to see the best in everyone. Ranger Titus Kinglsey is her complete opposite and pessimistically suspicious of everyone, especially women. Readers will enjoy the give and take when their lives collide, and how Penelope ultimately wins Titus over.
Grampa Doc and the other members of the Diamond D Ranch were adorable as grandfathers totally enchanted and protective of Penelope. Madame LaBelle lives up to her reputation as an evil queen.
This is a splendid grownup Snow White retelling that Witemeyer fans will delight in reading. I hope the author will have a series of similar fairytale books. I appreciate Bethany Publishers making a copy of Fairest of Heart available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.
May 10, 2023
Oh my word!! I loved this book!! Fairest of Heart, book 1 in the new Texas Ever After series by Karen Witemeyer, was an absolute dreamy fairytale. Snow White in the Old West. If you love romance and mystery and outright adventure with a little fairy dust along the way, you will love this book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 15, 2023
Penelope Snow is travelling with an acting troupe as an assistant to the lead actress, Narcissa. When Penelope starts to catch on to Narcissa's evil ways, she's abruptly taken out to pasture and left to die by Narcissa's right hand henchman.
Titus Kingsley is a Texas Ranger who's reeling from the loss of his brother, Tate. He's officially taken himself off the market after a woman led to Tate's demise. That is, until he sees HER. She's twirling around in a field with not a care in the world.
The seven men of Diamond D become super protective over Titus and Penelope when life brings them together unexpectedly. Can the lot of them keep the Evil Queen (Narcissa) away and let the Prince win his girl?
I LOVED this story!! Karen Witemeyer never disappoints with her stories! There are so many levels in this book and many raw emotions that come out. This is a loose retelling of the fairy tale of Snow White but on a much deeper level. This is a story of true forgiveness, of submission, and of love. I can't wait to read more books in this series!
Titus Kingsley is a Texas Ranger who's reeling from the loss of his brother, Tate. He's officially taken himself off the market after a woman led to Tate's demise. That is, until he sees HER. She's twirling around in a field with not a care in the world.
The seven men of Diamond D become super protective over Titus and Penelope when life brings them together unexpectedly. Can the lot of them keep the Evil Queen (Narcissa) away and let the Prince win his girl?
I LOVED this story!! Karen Witemeyer never disappoints with her stories! There are so many levels in this book and many raw emotions that come out. This is a loose retelling of the fairy tale of Snow White but on a much deeper level. This is a story of true forgiveness, of submission, and of love. I can't wait to read more books in this series!
March 23, 2023
Well this book converted me to a Snow White fan. I didn't think it was possible; she's never been a favorite Princess of mine as she always seems kind of blah, but this retelling was jam packed with the opposite of blah. I loved the added POV from Narcissa (also love that that was her name!) and really enjoyed how the thefts Titus is tasked with solving are so closely related to Penelope. The seven old drovers were also great and I loved all their different personalities and how they immediately took a liking to Penelope - it was so sweet! Mostly, I loved how this retelling was obviously based on Snow White, but had it's own personality and didn't rely too heavily on just rewriting. Overall, it was "fairly" good. No, actually it was better than fairly good but I needed to work that in somehow, so please forgive me ;)
Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for the e-ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for the e-ARC!
April 9, 2023
Wow! Just wow! Fairest of Heart is a classic storyline that captures your attention and emotions. Like a retelling of Snow White one character has beauty without and within, while the other has outer beauty and inner darkness. Penelope’s beautiful nature captivates those both on the page and off. I absolutely loved this book, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.
I received a complimentary copy, but all opinions are expressly my own.
I received a complimentary copy, but all opinions are expressly my own.
July 20, 2023
I adore fairy tale retellings, so when I heard Karen Witemeyer released one of Snow White, I was thrilled. While I did like the book, there were some concerning elements detracting from full enjoyment.
WHAT I LIKED
The Faith
Oh, I loved the faith element. Definitely this book's strongest element. So wonderfully and naturally incorporated, it forces the reader to contemplate how we would respond to hardship--would our faith wither or would we grow? I know Witemeyer was wrongfully dissed for "such preachiness", but I found the faith edifying and absolutely the best part of this book.
Characters pray, read the Bible, and reminisce about attending church.
The Characters
Titus and Penelope were lovely main characters (although Titus' mustache was ad nauseum...but that's personal preference), and I adored this book's version of the seven dwarfs. Doc was a big sweetie, but I must admit Jeb was my favorite. The cantankerous curmudgeon kept me laughing.
The villains were good too. The Good Book warns about the dangers of pride, and we see what happens when pride encroaches upon one's heart and soul.
And I don't know if this will ever come about, but I really would like a story for Penelope's seamstress friend (I just can't recall her name right now).
The Plot
Overall, I liked the plot. This was my first time reading a historical fairy tale retelling. I always laud authors who can write nonmagical retellings, and Witemeyer really did well using natural and historical elements to replace the original's magic.
The Fairy Tale Integrations
Herein is where Witemeyer's cleverness shone. As a fairy tale reteller myself, I deeply appreciate a more unusual approach to incorporating fairy tale elements, and Witemeyer did so well in this. Titus Kingsly and we finally have a SW retelling without the MFC having an S first name. Penelope Snow is a clever name and the appreciated deviation from the usual tactic used for the main female character in Snow White retellings.
I don't know if anyone else caught this, or if it's mere coincidence, but the name Narcissa was perfect for the villainess. In this name, Witemeyer captured the very essence of the villain: pride. The name derives from the Greek mythological character, Narcissus, who was known for his beauty--and who appreciated his own appearance far too much. I found this quite fitting.
WHAT I DISLIKED
There were several fade-to-black scenes and far too many scenes where physical intimacy went too far. Way too far. This crossed the line and was both inappropriate and unnecessary for a book firmly in the Christian fiction category. I almost had to stop reading because it was just too much. One paragraph the villainess is enticing a man into bed, and in the next paragraph, "half an hour later, she sat up in the bed". Lust and physical passion, as well as intimacy outside of marriage, are heavily alluded to on numerous occasions.
Women's physical traits, particularly the ones in the chest area, were focused on far too often. That, too, was inappropriate and uncalled for. You can allude to a woman using her "assets" in a displeasing way without including the displeasing details.
The initial attraction between Penelope and Titus felt too based on appearances at first, and it felt like a bit of insta-love on Penelope's part. On the second time they meet, Titus definitely notices how it feels to have his hand on her slim waist (they were forced to ride the same horse).
CONTENT
Romance
The romance between Penelope and Titus was, mostly, quite cute and sweet.
Characters kiss, it is heavily implied bedroom relations occurred, a woman nibbles on a man's earlobe, a man "makes quick work" of a woman's bodice buttons, a woman is almost physically molested, it is said a man will be lured into thinking the clothing strewn across the floor preceded a "good time" (my words), affairs are hinted at, and readers easily understand a man and woman have been intimate with each other many times.
Violence
Characters are shot, a dog is harmed, there's poison, an attempted physical attack, some horse/cattle-inflicted injuries, and a nasty con woman.
CONCLUSION
Normally I state my opinion on whether or not I recommend a book. This time, I'm merely presenting the facts so you can make your decision. An abundance of faith and humor align with Witemeyer's trademark, engaging stories, but the lust and fade-to-blacks dimmed my enjoyment of this book. I am looking forward to the next tale in the series, so hopefully we won't have the same lusty-romance issue.
If you're searching for some stellar Witemeyer books, I highly recommend Hanger's Horsemen and A Worthy Pursuit.
*I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
WHAT I LIKED
The Faith
Oh, I loved the faith element. Definitely this book's strongest element. So wonderfully and naturally incorporated, it forces the reader to contemplate how we would respond to hardship--would our faith wither or would we grow? I know Witemeyer was wrongfully dissed for "such preachiness", but I found the faith edifying and absolutely the best part of this book.
Characters pray, read the Bible, and reminisce about attending church.
The Characters
Titus and Penelope were lovely main characters (although Titus' mustache was ad nauseum...but that's personal preference), and I adored this book's version of the seven dwarfs. Doc was a big sweetie, but I must admit Jeb was my favorite. The cantankerous curmudgeon kept me laughing.
The villains were good too. The Good Book warns about the dangers of pride, and we see what happens when pride encroaches upon one's heart and soul.
And I don't know if this will ever come about, but I really would like a story for Penelope's seamstress friend (I just can't recall her name right now).
The Plot
Overall, I liked the plot. This was my first time reading a historical fairy tale retelling. I always laud authors who can write nonmagical retellings, and Witemeyer really did well using natural and historical elements to replace the original's magic.
The Fairy Tale Integrations
Herein is where Witemeyer's cleverness shone. As a fairy tale reteller myself, I deeply appreciate a more unusual approach to incorporating fairy tale elements, and Witemeyer did so well in this. Titus Kingsly and we finally have a SW retelling without the MFC having an S first name. Penelope Snow is a clever name and the appreciated deviation from the usual tactic used for the main female character in Snow White retellings.
I don't know if anyone else caught this, or if it's mere coincidence, but the name Narcissa was perfect for the villainess. In this name, Witemeyer captured the very essence of the villain: pride. The name derives from the Greek mythological character, Narcissus, who was known for his beauty--and who appreciated his own appearance far too much. I found this quite fitting.
WHAT I DISLIKED
There were several fade-to-black scenes and far too many scenes where physical intimacy went too far. Way too far. This crossed the line and was both inappropriate and unnecessary for a book firmly in the Christian fiction category. I almost had to stop reading because it was just too much. One paragraph the villainess is enticing a man into bed, and in the next paragraph, "half an hour later, she sat up in the bed". Lust and physical passion, as well as intimacy outside of marriage, are heavily alluded to on numerous occasions.
Women's physical traits, particularly the ones in the chest area, were focused on far too often. That, too, was inappropriate and uncalled for. You can allude to a woman using her "assets" in a displeasing way without including the displeasing details.
The initial attraction between Penelope and Titus felt too based on appearances at first, and it felt like a bit of insta-love on Penelope's part. On the second time they meet, Titus definitely notices how it feels to have his hand on her slim waist (they were forced to ride the same horse).
CONTENT
Romance
The romance between Penelope and Titus was, mostly, quite cute and sweet.
Characters kiss, it is heavily implied bedroom relations occurred, a woman nibbles on a man's earlobe, a man "makes quick work" of a woman's bodice buttons, a woman is almost physically molested, it is said a man will be lured into thinking the clothing strewn across the floor preceded a "good time" (my words), affairs are hinted at, and readers easily understand a man and woman have been intimate with each other many times.
Violence
Characters are shot, a dog is harmed, there's poison, an attempted physical attack, some horse/cattle-inflicted injuries, and a nasty con woman.
CONCLUSION
Normally I state my opinion on whether or not I recommend a book. This time, I'm merely presenting the facts so you can make your decision. An abundance of faith and humor align with Witemeyer's trademark, engaging stories, but the lust and fade-to-blacks dimmed my enjoyment of this book. I am looking forward to the next tale in the series, so hopefully we won't have the same lusty-romance issue.
If you're searching for some stellar Witemeyer books, I highly recommend Hanger's Horsemen and A Worthy Pursuit.
*I was provided a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
June 22, 2023
If you are looking for the perfect Snow White retelling…this is it!
It has all the makings of a perfect Karen Witemeyer story.
Danger. Love. Found family. Romance. Horses. Prayer. Biblical parallels.
This story will hold my heart and I am so looking forward to the next fairytale she takes on!
Titus was the PERFECT prince/knight in shining armor. While he was jaded, and a bit cynical he listened to wise counsel, and turned to the One who was most important!
Penelope was just the brightest ray of sunshine to ever be! She truly displayed God’s love in every word, action, & thought.
She did struggle a bit with being worthy of love from humans, and not having to work for it. But I love that she never doubted God’s unwavering love for her.
The Diamond D crew was just an absolute joy and treasure!! Karen gave them all such wonderful personalities that make a ragtag family, but you could feel the love from all of them!!!
I actually really enjoyed being in Narcissa’s head! While her character/actions are not redeemable in my mind I truly did enjoy seeing WHAT made her tick! It made the pacing of the story more realistic and appropriate.
The scripture & prayers that were used consistently throughout the whole story, from many of the characters, was such an encouragement to my soul! It reminded me that God really is in EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY SINGLE DAY! And we can ALWAYS go to Him, and He WILL protect us.
5/5 stars!
*I received this book from the author**All options are my own*
It has all the makings of a perfect Karen Witemeyer story.
Danger. Love. Found family. Romance. Horses. Prayer. Biblical parallels.
This story will hold my heart and I am so looking forward to the next fairytale she takes on!
Titus was the PERFECT prince/knight in shining armor. While he was jaded, and a bit cynical he listened to wise counsel, and turned to the One who was most important!
Penelope was just the brightest ray of sunshine to ever be! She truly displayed God’s love in every word, action, & thought.
She did struggle a bit with being worthy of love from humans, and not having to work for it. But I love that she never doubted God’s unwavering love for her.
The Diamond D crew was just an absolute joy and treasure!! Karen gave them all such wonderful personalities that make a ragtag family, but you could feel the love from all of them!!!
I actually really enjoyed being in Narcissa’s head! While her character/actions are not redeemable in my mind I truly did enjoy seeing WHAT made her tick! It made the pacing of the story more realistic and appropriate.
The scripture & prayers that were used consistently throughout the whole story, from many of the characters, was such an encouragement to my soul! It reminded me that God really is in EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF EVERY SINGLE DAY! And we can ALWAYS go to Him, and He WILL protect us.
5/5 stars!
*I received this book from the author**All options are my own*
April 21, 2023
This is a totally different take on western historical fiction. Snow White has just been upgraded. I loved everything about this book.
From Penelope with her joyful attitude even in the worst circumstances, to Titus a Texas Ranger with his imperfections and quest for justice, and finally the retired Doc and six retired cowpokes who live on the D & D Ranch. All combined to make this a most enjoyable read.
The story itself is unique. An orphan who works for a theater troop’s diva meets a Texas Ranger who is rescuing a dog. Soon he may be rescuing her. There’s romance, family, faith, and a very unlikable antagonist whose partner in crime has a few redeeming qualities.
Karen has a way with her description of each character that brings them to life painting a clear picture not just physically but also who they are on a deeper level. She pulls on your heartstrings, makes you smile, and immerses you in the story. This book was a quick read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a copy through NetGalley courtesy of Bethany House and this is my honest opinion of the book.
From Penelope with her joyful attitude even in the worst circumstances, to Titus a Texas Ranger with his imperfections and quest for justice, and finally the retired Doc and six retired cowpokes who live on the D & D Ranch. All combined to make this a most enjoyable read.
The story itself is unique. An orphan who works for a theater troop’s diva meets a Texas Ranger who is rescuing a dog. Soon he may be rescuing her. There’s romance, family, faith, and a very unlikable antagonist whose partner in crime has a few redeeming qualities.
Karen has a way with her description of each character that brings them to life painting a clear picture not just physically but also who they are on a deeper level. She pulls on your heartstrings, makes you smile, and immerses you in the story. This book was a quick read and one I highly recommend.
I was given a copy through NetGalley courtesy of Bethany House and this is my honest opinion of the book.
March 11, 2023
This is a story worth reading. A retelling of Snow White, the Fairest of heart, is a fun read with engaging characters and a great twist on the seven dwarves. You can't help but love them! I don't want to spoil the story so I'll say that the way the plot fits in with the traditional story is beautifully done.
I really hope that there are more in this series. This is a faith based historical based story. It is well written, a really relaxing read and I'd even go as far to say comfort food for a rainy day. I've found this to be true of all of Karen's previous books - I've never read one that I didn't like.
I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.
I really hope that there are more in this series. This is a faith based historical based story. It is well written, a really relaxing read and I'd even go as far to say comfort food for a rainy day. I've found this to be true of all of Karen's previous books - I've never read one that I didn't like.
I receive complimentary books for various sources including, Netgalley, Authors, and other such sources. I am not required to write a positive review and have not received compensation.
March 23, 2023
The perfect western fairytale!
Penelope Snow's beauty has gotten her in trouble despite her best efforts. When her mistress turns Penelope finds herself in the care of seven men and one much younger and handsome Ranger. Ranger Titus Kingsley is unsure of beautiful women due to his past. When his grandfather and his friends take in Penny, he is convinced something is not right. When trouble follows Penny, Titus will have to enlist her help to solve the mystery of the stolen gems. Will they find the thief before time runs out?
Karen Witemeyer does it again! I absolutely loved this book! One of my favorite reads so far this year. I read the entire book in two sittings. Penny and Titus are such a beautiful couple with amazing chemistry. I hope this turns into a series of western fairytales! I would absolutely recommend this book to any family or friends.
Penelope Snow's beauty has gotten her in trouble despite her best efforts. When her mistress turns Penelope finds herself in the care of seven men and one much younger and handsome Ranger. Ranger Titus Kingsley is unsure of beautiful women due to his past. When his grandfather and his friends take in Penny, he is convinced something is not right. When trouble follows Penny, Titus will have to enlist her help to solve the mystery of the stolen gems. Will they find the thief before time runs out?
Karen Witemeyer does it again! I absolutely loved this book! One of my favorite reads so far this year. I read the entire book in two sittings. Penny and Titus are such a beautiful couple with amazing chemistry. I hope this turns into a series of western fairytales! I would absolutely recommend this book to any family or friends.
May 4, 2023
Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is an excellent start to her Texas Ever After series. This creative take on the Snow White fairy tale will delight her fans.
Penelope Snow is a different version of Snow White, but one that is infinitely more relatable. Her innocent and generous nature captures the reader's attention from the first page.
I loved all the nods to the original fairytale - the huntsman and his mercy to Snow White (I mean Penelope), the wicked witch (who isn't a witch but acts like one) our handsome prince in the form of Titus. And, of course, the seven dwarves (aka grandfathers) who come to Penelope's rescue.
I loved this story from beginning to end and applaud the author for her ingenuity. I can't wait for the next one!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
Penelope Snow is a different version of Snow White, but one that is infinitely more relatable. Her innocent and generous nature captures the reader's attention from the first page.
I loved all the nods to the original fairytale - the huntsman and his mercy to Snow White (I mean Penelope), the wicked witch (who isn't a witch but acts like one) our handsome prince in the form of Titus. And, of course, the seven dwarves (aka grandfathers) who come to Penelope's rescue.
I loved this story from beginning to end and applaud the author for her ingenuity. I can't wait for the next one!
I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley for my honest review.
did-not-finish
April 15, 2024Thought I had already marked this one as an DNF due to content, but Goodreads isn't showing that I did. Weird. Anyway, I DNF this book because of Narcissa and her seducing men, leading to the bedroom and having about what was happening. It was just too much and unnecessary, in my opinion.
Here's some reviews that mention the content:
Anna's review
Keira's review
Bridget Ann's review
Here's some reviews that mention the content:
Anna's review
Keira's review
Bridget Ann's review
June 6, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed this retelling of Snow White. In Texas. With retired cowhands. Brilliant.
November 1, 2023
Story Enjoyment Rating: 9/10 Christian Faith Rating: 3/3
Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is a historical Western retelling of Snow White set in Texas in 1892. This book is right up there with my favourite fairytale retellings.
It follows Penelope Snow, who takes a job as a maid to a famous actress as she tours the country. One day, Penelope is left for dead in the woods and is taken in by seven older men on their ranch. The other main character is Titus, a Texas Ranger, who is investigating a series of jewel thefts.
I loved this book. It was a really sweet romance. It isn’t my usual setting, time or place that I like to read, but I love fairytale retellings.
The plot follows a similar line to the classic Disney cartoon of Snow White, but it is also its own story.
Penelope is very sweet and almost too perfect. However, I think the author did a good job of giving her internal struggles that made her feel more believable. She wasn’t entirely realistic, but that fits completely with the original fairytale character of Snow White.
Titus on the other hand, is much more flawed and a very interesting character.
The romance was sweet and clean, and there was also some action and suspense.
There was Christian faith content sprinkled throughout the book, which I particularly appreciated.
I am looking forward to the other books in this series. I hope there will be more than the usual three.
Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer is a historical Western retelling of Snow White set in Texas in 1892. This book is right up there with my favourite fairytale retellings.
It follows Penelope Snow, who takes a job as a maid to a famous actress as she tours the country. One day, Penelope is left for dead in the woods and is taken in by seven older men on their ranch. The other main character is Titus, a Texas Ranger, who is investigating a series of jewel thefts.
I loved this book. It was a really sweet romance. It isn’t my usual setting, time or place that I like to read, but I love fairytale retellings.
The plot follows a similar line to the classic Disney cartoon of Snow White, but it is also its own story.
Penelope is very sweet and almost too perfect. However, I think the author did a good job of giving her internal struggles that made her feel more believable. She wasn’t entirely realistic, but that fits completely with the original fairytale character of Snow White.
Titus on the other hand, is much more flawed and a very interesting character.
The romance was sweet and clean, and there was also some action and suspense.
There was Christian faith content sprinkled throughout the book, which I particularly appreciated.
I am looking forward to the other books in this series. I hope there will be more than the usual three.
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