Barbara’s rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
Series: Bartholomew Fayre #1
Publication Date: 8/1/24
Period: Regency London – 1814
Number of Pages: 243

This is a delightfully entertaining and unique first book in the author’s Bartholomew Fayre series and I am so glad to have read it. The series is centered around the Fayre family and features Penelope, Oliver, and Caroline. The father is deceased and left them rather destitute by ton standards which means no dowery for Penelope and no inheritance for Oliver. Caroline has been married but is now a widow with a small son to care for. I loved meeting all of the siblings and cannot wait to read their books. I also appreciated the author’s inclusion of information about the Bartholomew fair in the Introduction. Bartholomew Fair took place two weeks each year for around 700 years, so it was fun to learn a little about it. Though you don’t have to read the Introduction, I thought it was a nice addition to the book and enhanced my enjoyment of the story when I met the characters that were mentioned. With the Bartholomew Fair being a significant setting in each book, it is nice to learn something about it.

Penelope Fayre is the Diamond of the Season and has received no less than seven proposals – and she has declined all of them. Penelope sees no reason to accept a proposal from a man she isn’t at least a bit attracted to – though her real preference would be to love him. Penelope, however, isn’t aware of how dire their financial situation is and that her mother has counted on her making a very advantageous match to rescue their family. When Penelope learns of their financial straits, she vows she’ll accept the next eligible proposal she receives – no matter who it is from. All Penelope wants is to be able to go to the exciting Bartholomew Fair first. She hatches a plan that will get her to the fair accompanied by her maid and the maid’s beau. There are so many exciting things to see – especially Monsieur Philippe Valois, the Frenchman who does fencing exhibitions.

Philippe Valois and his mother barely escaped the guillotine in France, but his father wasn’t so lucky. Though they made it back to England when Philippe was seven, everyone believed he had perished and his mother did nothing to change that belief. She believed her husband and their family were sold out to the French and she was fearful those enemies would still come after Philippe. However, his mother is gone now and he is free to pursue and punish those who wronged his father – and to reclaim what is rightfully his. Of course, meeting the beautiful woman at the fair makes him want to claim his estates and title even more.

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Philippe and Penelope and seeing their bravery in action. The supporting characters of Andre, Crumley, and Freddie were particularly memorable and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of them.

I have always enjoyed this author’s works, so it is no surprise that I also loved this new release. The characters are interesting and their stories are compelling. It is a delightful and quick read that I hope you enjoy as much as I did. Happy Reading

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.