Blech. Muy estupido. ( )

4.5 stars.

Fair Play by Deeanne Gist is an incredibly fascinating novel that whisks readers back in time to the Chicago World Fair. This beautifully written story seamlessly incorporates historically accurate details into a timeless romance that is sure to enchant old and new fans of the delightful It Happened at the Fair series.

Dr. Billy Jack Tate and Hunter Scott are older and very career oriented. Billy has worked hard to become a doctor, but establishing her medical practice in a male dominated field is virtually impossible due to the prejudices of the time period. Hunter is very proud of being a member the elite Texas Rangers and he has taken the position as guard at the fair solely to advance his career. They meet under somewhat embarrassing circumstances but despite their awkward introduction, they soon form an unlikely friendship. When love begins to blossom between them, will their differences threaten their future?

Billy and Hunter are both fairly stubborn and neither seems willing to compromise their principles. Billy is a city girl who enjoys the excitement of the hustle and bustle of living in Chicago. But it is also on the cutting edge of medical technology and she does not want to lose this valuable opportunity to hone her skills. She is often a contradiction as she fights to maintain her femininity while trying to downplay her more womanly attributes. Hunter has forged a very successful career as a Ranger and he cannot fathom a life without wide open spaces. His old-fashioned values lead him to unrealistic expectations regarding Billy's role as a physician. Both are guilty of making assumptions about what the other is thinking and this leads to trouble when their relationships enters into romantic territory.

Billy and Hunter's compassion and concern for an abandoned baby take them from the safe, protected world of the fair and into the poverty stricken tenements of Chicago. They witness firsthand the appalling living conditions and hand-to-mouth existence immigrants experience as they attempt to provide for their families. Children are robbed of their innocence as they roam the streets unsupervised and become juvenile delinquents. Most heartbreaking is the young age that many are forced into taking jobs so they can help contribute to their financially strapped households.

All of these elements contribute to the evolution of Billy and Hunter's characters and relationship while providing a captivating backdrop for Fair Play. Deeanne Gist's exceptional research is one of the highlights of her novels and she has again woven pieces of history into an unbelievably captivating romance that enlightens as well entertains. The setting of the Chicago World's Fair is the only common denominator between novels in the It Happened at the Fair series, so each can be read as standalone stories. ( )

I enjoyed this book that took place during the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. Although I had read books about the fair before, this was the first that took me out of the fair and into the seedy parts of Chicago. It was interesting to read all the notes at the end. ( )

I have to say that this wasn't my favorite Deeanne Gist novel. It did, however, have many redeeming qualities!

What I loved:
1) Hunter - my crush on this fictional hero began from his line "Pretty much the whole time" and carried on 'pretty much the whole time' throughout the book :) Gotta love those Texas Ranger cowboys :) :)

2) learning about Chicago's history - even the seedier parts. As an English as a Second Language teacher, reading about the conditions in which immigrants of that day lived makes me appreciate my students even more and the sacrifices immigrants have made (and still make) over the years to live here in America

What I didn't love:
1) Billy's stubborn feminism about her job - it got a bit much. I grew weary of her wanting to take on the man's role while all the time insisting that wasn't what she was doing. (It was.)

2) I was surprised by how close to the "steamy" line the characters got in their PDA at times (even if some of it was in the course of a doctor's examination or their thought life). It was nothing at all close to offensive, just surprising. It's perfectly fine for this old married woman but I would hesitate to recommend a teenager or younger read it. I would like to mention, however, that NO immoral lines were crossed, and Deeanne gave these characters a beautiful gift of a marriage untainted by regret.

3) allllll the Texas slang-isms. A little is fine. A lot is not. To quote one of my favorite movies (the modern version of "Sabrina"), "More isn't always better. Sometimes it's just more." ( )

While reading Fair Play: A Novel by Deeanne Gist I laughed my way through the first chapter. It was hilarious! The story just kept getting better and better. Ms. Gist writes a captivating romance story set to the background of the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Her writing brings it all to life but this story is about so much more!

It explores the topic of the woman's movement as well as children's rights and explores the poverty levels of the inner city poor back in the late 1890's. It shows how the severe poverty of that era affected families, children and sadly, how it shaped the lives of the children caught in those horrific conditions.

It was not what I would expect from a romance novel but in my opinion, it made the story so much more real and inspiring. I enjoyed the authentic period photographs and captions she listed at the start of each chapter as well. Ms. Gist's writing wove it all into an elaborate but down home story of love, life, faith and overcoming life's challenges.

My final thoughts on this book? My favorite Texas saying comes to mind ~ "Ain't that the berries!"
Translated, that means I thoroughly enjoyed Fair Play: A Novel. I look forward to reading more of Deeanne Gists' books including the sequel to this book, It Happened At the Fair.

If you love romance novels, history and a positively good roller coaster ride of emotions, this book is for you!

Many thanks to Kim from Nancy Berland Public relations and Deeanne Gist, author for the opportunity to review this book. My review is an honest reflection of my feelings and thoughts in regard to this book. ( )