***** A Compelling Story to Love —– Review By Rox Burkey
SUMMARY
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.
REVIEW
‘Fairest of the Fayre’ offers an enchanting beginning to Sherri Cobb South’s Bartholomew Fair series. The romantic fiction presents readers with an immersive experience in both world-building and character development. Set against the backdrop of historically rich Regency England, the story beautifully intertwines the lives of the Fayre family—especially Penelope, Oliver, and Caroline. With their mother, these children navigate their financial struggles and personal aspirations in a society bound by strict social norms. Ms. South’s meticulous attention to detail brings this period to life, highlighting its significance and the vibrant atmosphere that characterized it for centuries. The vibrancy of the Bartholomew Fair, including the performing actors, creates excitement. Listeners feel transported into this thrilling, bustling event. Penelope yearns to embrace her freedom before agreeing to the pressure of marriage.
Character development shines through Penelope’s journey as she evolves from a somewhat naive debutante to a more self-aware young woman. When she understands her family’s dire circumstances, her determination to seek a genuine love connection becomes a relatable and realistic quest. Philippe Valois, rich backstory as the son of a man wronged, adds depth to the narrative. His background highlights the themes of bravery, heritage, and the quest for justice. The supporting characters, including Andre, Crumley, and Freddie, further enrich the storyline, providing a variety of perspectives and experiences that enhance the overall narrative. Their interactions with Penelope not only highlight her growth but reflect the broader societal dynamics of the time.
Joel Froomkin breathes additional depth into ‘Fairest of the Fayre’ with a flawless narration. The distinctive character voices enable listeners to appreciate the story while relating to each persona as an individual. The perfectly timed, poignant pauses and intonations bring the story to life.
Overall, ‘Fairest of the Fayr’ offers a delightful blend of romance, action, and mystery, all while building a substantive world filled with intriguing characters whose journeys captivate and resonate. This novel sets a substantial foundation for the series, leaving listeners and readers eager to follow the Fayre siblings in their future adventures. What a fun story to get today.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Amazon bestselling author Sheri Cobb South is the author of more than twenty books, including the Regency-set mystery series featuring Bow Street Runner John Pickett (recently featured on USAToday’s HEA book blog) and the critically acclaimed Regency romance THE WEAVER TAKES A WIFE. Her works have been translated into half a dozen languages, released in audiobook and large-print editions, and recorded by the Library of Congress as part of its Books for the Blind program. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, travel, needlework of all kinds, and singing in her church choir. A native and longtime resident of Alabama, she recently moved with her husband to Colorado. For more information on Sheri and her books, visit her website at www.shericobbsouth.com, “Like” her Facebook author page, and/or follow her on Twitter (X) @shericobbsouth.
ABOUT THE NARRATOR
Joel Froomkin, an Audie-nominated, twelve-time Earphones Award-Winning narrator, is a UK transplant, growing up with American parents in a British commonwealth. He was the recipient of the 2020 Best Male Narrator Award at the Independent Audio Book Awards, and the 2020 Best Humor Narration recipient at the Society of Voice Arts Awards. A classically trained actor with an MFA in theatre from USC, he is often cast for his unique ability to deliver native, authentic combinations of British and American sounds. His great range and ability to bring characters to life with honesty, wit and versatility delights producers and listeners alike. He has won Earphones Awards for 1st person British, American and Australian narrations.
A 2023 Audie nominee for non-fiction, he was the winner of three 2020 Independent Audiobook Awards, including Best Male Narrator. He has nearly 450 full-length audiobooks to his credit and over 55,000 five-star reviews on Audible. He served as Director of Drama at Manchester University and has been a Theatre Professor at Indiana/Purdue University.
He is a dialect specialist and has taught accents and speech at NYU, Tisch School of the Arts as well as coached accents for major regional theaters, Broadway stalwarts and national tours.
He has had the pleasure of working with Audible Studios, Penguin Random House, Dreamscape, Scholastic, Podium, Blackstone, Harper, Bee Audio, Brilliance, Deyan Audio, Tantor, Punch, John Marshall Media, Common Mode, and Hachette.
Joel also records in the romance genre as ‘Joel Leslie’ and has developed a very strong following and garnered many awards including m/m Audiobook Narrator of the Year 2018 from openskyebookreviews and numerous Audiobook of the Year-winning titles.
Joel has consistent access to his home studio for all production needs. A massive Disney-nerd (living 14 miles from DisneyWorld), when not in the booth he spends his time chasing after three loquacious wiener dogs.
