Book Review: Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

Fair Play
by Deeanne Gist
Copyright 2014
Howard Books
ISBN: 9781451692419

The Story:
Saddled with a man’s name, the captivating Billy Jack Tate makes no apologies for taking on a man’s profession. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until Hunter Scott asks her to give it all up to become his wife.

Hunter is one of the elite. A Texas Ranger and World’s Fair guard specifically chosen for his height, physique, character, and skill. Hailed as the toughest man west of any place east, he has no patience for big cities and women who think they belong anywhere but home…

Despite their difference of opinion on the role of women, Hunter and Billy find a growing attraction between them—until Hunter discovers an abandoned baby in the corner of a White City exhibit. He and Billy team up to make sure this foundling isn’t left in the slums of Chicago with only the flea-riddled, garbage-infested streets for a playground. As they fight for the underprivileged children in the Nineteenth Ward, an entire Playground Movement is birthed. But when the Fair comes to an end, one of them will have to give up their dream.

Will Billy exchange her doctor’s shingle for the domesticated role of a southern wife, or will Hunter abandon the wide open spaces of home for a life in the “gray city,” a woman who insists on being the wage earner, and a group of ragamuffins who need more than a playground for breathing space?

Learn more about the book and where to purchase it from the Simon and Schuster website!


My Thoughts:
Deeanne Gists's books are always a wild ride to say the least. Her characters usually have some cute or distinctive quirks that make them memorable and therefore make her stories stand out from the pack. In Fair Play, the doc with the unique name and the man with the stubborn streak as wide as Texas, Billy Jack Tate and Hunter Scott, clash at every turn to make this one of the most fun books I've read in a while. At times, Billy Jack had a tendency to be a bit childish and silly and Hunter was definitely hard-headed to a point that sometimes made him difficult to like, but in the end both compromise to help the poorest children of the city and learn a lot about love in the process.


I really like the fact that Gist explores the history more in this series. It is interesting to see some of the real places such as Hull House and the fairgrounds. Even though she "fudged" a lot of the details, this story made me want to explore Hull House and Jane Addams and her efforts for the aide of the women and children of the city. Any book that makes a reader want to dig deeper so to speak is a winner! Each chapter further piqued my curiosity with drawings and photographs from the time printed at the start. It adds an authenticity and makes the reader connect more with the characters and the story.

Fair Play is definitely one of Deeanne's more fun and romantic stories. Don't get me wrong, it has some moments that really tug at the heartstrings, but I really enjoyed all that sizzle between Billy and Hunter. It's easy to see why Gist is at the top of the romance genre. I fairly blazed through the pages of this book waiting to see what fiasco Billy would find herself in next. Fair Play is a fun story for romance readers and Dee fans will love it!

~ My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars ~

*I receive complimentary books for review from the publisher. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I express are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*

Happy Reading!