It’s a fun read. Loved the seven gentlemen at the Double D. Narcissa made a good villainess.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Thank you Net Galley!

In all honesty, never thought I'd be reading a Snow White fairy tale set in the wild west. But if anyone can do it, Karen Witemeyer is the one for the job.

This book was very sweet. I loved the "seven dwarves" and the way they loved and cared for Penelope. A ranch full of retired cowboys was the perfect place for a kind orphan girl to find a home. Having a Texas Ranger as the "prince", was also fun. Titus was a strong, faithful man who really tried to love her Penelope honourably.

However, there were a couple things that didn't work for me.

I personally thought this felt like a young adult novel. The main romance between Penelope and Titus basically consists of loving looks and kisses on the forehead. I like books with more emotional depth and stronger physical connection. But then there is this dichotomy with chapters from the villain's perspective (Madame Labelle), where we see her robbing and seducing men (which is not geared towards a young audience).
I understand that a fairy tale re-telling needs a sweet princess and an evil villain, but it still seemed like this book couldn't decide whether it was written for adults or YA.

I appreciated the strong Christian themes. I personally found it got a little too preachy in some parts (which happens when the faith teachings go on for too long and take you out of the story).

All in all, a cute book. If you're a fan of fairy tales, don't miss this one. It's unique and fun and the cover is adorable!!!

Overall: 3.5/5 stars

*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*

I have a love-hate relationship with retellings. Sometimes I love to see how my favorite parts of a story will be retold in the new story. And other times I find I dread knowing what will come next. Stories like Cinderella are retold so many times that I don't really find them as enjoyable as other retellings. (Although, I did enjoy Cinder by Marissa Meyer.) Retellings that aren't done as often, like Gilded also by Marissa Meyer, that retells Rumplestilkskin is more unique. But with Fairest of Heart I found myself not looking forward to the pieces of the story that I knew must come to keep in step with retelling Snow White.

Penelope has had a rough life so far. She was orphaned and left at a girl's school who took her in. She was mostly raised by the cook who loved her and taught her everything she could, but Edith wasn't affectionate. She got a job as a maid for a wealthy family in Chicago, but the son takes a liking to her. And despite her efforts to avoid him, he ends up costing her her job as well as some of her reputation. She hires on to work on Madame LaBelle as a lady's maid, but LaBelle is not pleasant to work for and essentially kicks her out with the intent for her to be left to die. Yet even through all of this, she maintains the sweetest disposition.

Titus is a Texas Ranger who has been assigned to a case of chain theft. He has baggage around beautiful manipulative women, and he isn't sure about Penelope at first. Yet when he meets Madam Labelle, his intuition immediately flares over her manipulations. I had a few issues with how quickly Titus and Penelope develop feelings for each other. Compared to Snow White, they were much better off than a random Prince stumbling upon a sleeping woman in the woods and ta-da. Love at first kiss! I can at least appreciate that Penelope and Titus saw character traits within each other that they found attractive.

I struggled with the slow start to this story, and to be truthful, it took me until about 50% to feel invested in the characters and their story. I do like retellings, but I have found a few originals that I don't love retellings of, and I guess Snow White is one of those I'd rather not relive. The last 30% felt redeeming to me.

Favorite quotes:
-Mercy did not negate correction. In fact, mercy often demanded correction.

Fairest of Heart took me so long to read. I am so relieved to have it finished. Penelope was the sweetest character. Titus was easy to root for. And Labelle was easy to hate. I probably won't seek out Snow White retellings in the future. That being said, Fairest of Heart gets 3 Stars. Have you read Fairest of Heart? What did you think? Let me know!

Although this was not one of my top reads for this year, I did still enjoy the story line and dialog. The main character Penelope was just not that likeable for me. That said, she did grow in the story, and I found myself cheering her on towards the end. I have read all of Karen Witemeyer's books and will continue to read any more that she writes. If you like Christian westerns go ahead and give this one a try!

Fairest of Heart was a delightful read! It is a western retelling of Snow White and featured a fun group of characters. I loved the seven "old men" and their instant caring for Penelope. They treated her like family right away and I loved that for her.

The romance was good and I loved seeing Titus learn to open his heart after what he experienced.

All in all, Fairest of Heart was a fantastic read and I am eager to read Witemeyer's next story, which looks to be a retelling of Cinderella. Curious how that story will go. 😊


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Fairest of Heart
by Karen Witemeyer
Pub Date 06 Jun 2023
Bethany House,Bethany House Publishers
Christian| Historical Fiction| Romance


Bethany House and Netgalley have provided me with a copy of The Fairest of Heart for review:

It all began in Texas once upon a time . . .

Penelope Snow has been cursed by her beauty. She hides her figure under shapeless dresses when she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West. In spite of this, she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters--and her jealous mistress plotting her death.


Due to the death of his brother over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. When a young woman found in suspicious circumstances moves in with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather's ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.



Having a promotion on the line, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery linked to Penelope's acting troupe, and all evidence points to her guilt. Nevertheless, Titus may be convinced that the fairest woman of them all possesses a heart as pure as her last name if he can only prove it.


I give Fairest of Heart five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

I really enjoyed this book.

I both read and listened to this book and found both enjoyable! I enjoyed the banter between the characters. The dynamics of the relationships were interesting and I laughed and cannot wait for more books in this series! Karen Witemeyer is one of my go to authors when I need a good laugh and interesting story!

Audiobook: Narrated by Barbara McCulloh 5 Stars! I did have to speed it up. I don’t like slow voices. I do appreciate when the person who does the reading has a voice that I can speed up without losing the story, the pace or having the voice sound funny.

A whimsical, western retelling of the classic Snow White. Penelope Snow finds herself left in the woods by Mr. Hunt and is rescued by seven retired grandfatherly type former ranch hands. This story was so much fun to read with the budding relationship between Penelope and Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley, whose grandfather just happens to be Doc and run the ranch where she takes refuge, is fun to watch. The seven men have characteristics of the seven dwarfs with one being sleepy, one being grumpy, etc. The story has romance, intrigue, suspense, inspiration, action and danger. It was just an enjoyable story.

Such a fun retelling of a classic fairy tale going on here! It’s Snow White come back to life in a Western setting and you’ll love it! I loved this one. A sweet girl with a hard life. She has to disguise herself so that she looks frumpy and fat. But when she’s found out she’s left for dead.

Only. Maybe she’s got an ace up her sleeve, or rather in her corset.

Sorry, can’t explain that too much. You’ll understand when you read the book. And yes you’re going to want to read the book. It is just the best. It reads quickly. The characters are unique and wonderful. And I could not put it down.

Penny is our Snow White. Titus, a Texas Ranger, is our Prince Charming. And Penny’s old boss who ordered her killed is of course our Wicked Witch. Add in the 7 old codgers that live at the ranch and it’s the makings of the fairy tale but it’s also so much more unique in its own right.

If you’re looking for a wonderful historical fiction novel then this is going to be it for you. I truly could not stop reading it. It was wonderful. The writing was captivating. The characters are so fun and flawed yet you just can’t leave them anyway. Oh, and the plot moved on quickly. I’d definitely read this one again.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Netgalley. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

4.5 stars

As always, Karen Witemeyer writes amazing characters with depth and heart. This was such a fun and unique idea to create western fairytale retelling. I can't wait to read the rest of the series.

I have read a number of fairy tale retellings, but rarely of Snow White. And I understand why - how to realistically place a beautiful young lady in a home with 7 dwarves, with a prince, evil queen obsessed with youth and beauty, etc. But this was so well done. Using a motley crew of grandfather types with a variety of quirks and maladies was clever. I enjoyed the little details in their names (ie. Coy for Bashful), things like the “queen” talking to herself in any mirror she passed, etc.

The characters were charming, the love story sweet, but what I really loved were the scripture verses and application. I loved the way prayer was a constant and scripture was woven into the characters prayers, always so fitting for their situation. It was a great example and so encouraging. I loved the deeper character growth and progression of forgiveness and faith. Just loved it.

This was such a fun and unique book to read. I could easily see the fun parallels to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But it was also very much it’s own. Karen Witemeyer is always a blast to read, and I couldn’t wait to see how she spun the Snow White retelling. Witemeyer kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what could possibly happen next. Historical Romance with the perfect amount of suspense mixed in was just what I needed. I enjoyed every moment I spent reading this book.

Penelope wasn’t handed an easy life, but she made the best of what she was given. She could see beauty where most others wouldn’t and she was good at her job. When her boss decided she was the enemy her life got flipped even more upside down. But Titus and the old men at his grandfather’s ranch just might be what she needed all along. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I can’t wait to see what Witemeyer comes up with next! I received a complimentary copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A fairy-tale retelling from Karen Witemeyer? Yes please! I love that it’s going to be a series, too.

So this was a Snow White retelling set in 1890s Texas. I loved the western setting and felt it was played to its fullest to make this story shine. The homages to the Disney animated version of the story were plentiful, but the creativity on display spun it all into a unique tale that felt original and spot-on and exactly what I wanted to read this month.

It was so much fun to have a butterfly migration included in the story—and that the butterflies made it to the cover of the book! I love little touches like that which perfectly tie the cover to the story beneath it.

I loved that the “dwarfs” in this story were little, old men—this reminded me of Barbara Stanwyck’s Great Balls of Fire movie, which was also a Snow White retelling.

This was a well-crafted story that I will definitely be purchasing a paperback copy of and rereading many times in the future. And I can hardly wait for the sequel to come out!

Content: alcohol, revealing clothing, innuendo, unwed intimacies implied

When Penelope Snow becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose traveling troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West she is relieved to be getting out of town. Although a very lovely lady herself she hides behind a dowdy appearance to keep her job and not attract attention. Eventually she is found out and finds herself cast out. When she finds herself at a ranch with a crew of old men, it gets even more interesting.

What a fun take on snow white with Karen's normal sweet and hilarious Christian romance thrown in! I loved the little mystery and intrigue and the rough but loveable old cowboys!

Like all of Karen Witemeyer's books, Fairest of Heart is a pleasant, easy read with a hero and heroine I can root for and gentle truths about faith.

The Snow White and the Seven Dwarves retelling was fun and creative with just enough nods to the fairy tale to be recognizable but not so much that it took away from the story.

Titus was sufficiently princely, Penelope appropriately sweet, and the villainess just as evil as you'd expect.

This is a sweet story that’s kind of a spin on Snow White. If you like fairy tale retellings you will definitely enjoy this book.

Are you a fan of fairytale retellings? I have read some pretty fun ones in the past and I ended up enjoying this one as well. Think Snow White but with a western, cowboy twist.

This book tells the story of Penelope Snow, a girl who is blessed or cursed with amazing beauty. It has caused her more trouble than good. She’s an orphan whose had a rough upbringing and is now serving as a maid in a theater troupe under a harsh and jealous mistress.

After being left for dead, she is rescued by seven wonderful and quirky old cowboys, and a handsome Texas ranger named Titus. The stern and handsome ranger is determined to keep his distance from her as he is also investigating a robbery that seems to be pointing right at Penelope, but her innocent and sweet demeanor win everyone over at the ranch.

I really enjoyed the connections between the story and Snow White. I felt like it was original enough to keep it fresh, while still having that nostalgic feel reminiscent to a childhood classic I loved.

If you enjoy Christian romance with a fun fairytale twist, then this is a book for you. Thank you Bethany house fiction for the complementary copy, all thoughts are my own.

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 villainous. 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 villainous 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.

I absolutely loved this story! It was just a delightful read!
I kept thinking how much fun it would have been to write it, picking the names for the seven old drovers!

This story really flowed well. The development of the characters and the bits of wisdom helped weave the story together
The way Penelope was written was perfection. And Titus was the ideal match for her.

I appreciated the emphasis on family and how they didn't have to be related to be family.
And the strong faith thread and advice were such an integral part of the story.
Such as, “ Mercy an truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.” Psalm 85:10

The author's note at the end is so interesting and the historical note about the secret of John St. John that she worked into the story.
I loved the cover, it truly represented the story!

I highly recommend this story!
Thank you to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book. The opinions are entirely my own.