Fairest of Heart

 Fairest of Heart by Karen Witemeyer

⭐⭐⭐⭐ - 4 stars


“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.”

Series: yes, Texas Ever After #1

Let’s start with a little lesson. This book  would be considered a comedy. You see, comedies, romances, and tragedies are each its own shape. The shape of a comedy is like a U because you start at the top, then go down to the lowest place you can go, like almost dying, and then go back up to the top where it either ends in a toast, celebration, or wedding. (That’s me trying to explain cool things to ya. My British Lit. teacher explained it so much better.)

Characters:

Doc, Jeb, Rowdy, Angus, Ike, Dusty, and Coy were a great depiction of the seven dwarves. I really liked how they were all grandfatherly like figures to Penelope. One of my absolute favorite moments was when they all came together, circled around Penny’s bed and prayed. What a sweet moment!

Titus Kingsley: This time the ‘prince’ was played by a Texas Ranger. Not too much of a surprise. He was a sweet gentleman but nothing awe inspiring to write home about.

Penelope Snow: The classic, sweet and tenderhearted ‘princess’. Nothing too fascinating about her either. Her character was to be expected for the role of Snow White. However, I did appreciate how well she knows her scripture.

Madame LaBelle: The villain of the story. If anyone needs an image of what Proverbs depicts as a seductress here she is! Read Proverbs 7 and I believe you will receive a clear picture of Madame LaBelle.

When I previously read The Fairest Beauty by Melanie Dickerson in the Hagenhiem series I absolutely adored that story, making it my favorite book of the series thus far. That being said I was excited to read yet another retelling of Snow White. This did not disappoint.

Isn't it interesting how many times we read fairy tale retellings and never seem to tire of them? I think that I enjoy seeing how other people portray the stories. It will always be the same ending, same major parts but the filler in 

between the beginning and end is what interests me. How they pieced it all together.

Overall it was a clean book. However, in my opinion this book would be better suited towards older teens because of Madame. But of course every family is different.

Quotes:

"He hears the heart, not the voice. So make sure yours is in the right place."

"God told us to make a joyful noise, not a pretty song, Titus."