Fair Play by Deeanne Gist

About the Book:

Genre: Historical Romance

Heroine Billy Jack Tate has a man's name and a man's profession in a man's world. As a doctor at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair, she is one step closer to having her very own medical practice—until she treats an imposing man who threatens the fulfillment of her dream.

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 aspire to walk in a man’s shoes.

But the abandoned baby Hunter discovers at the Fair finds him teaming up with the good doctor to give the foundling a better future than the slums of Chicago, where the children play on flea-infested, garbage-strewn streets. As Billy and Hunter fight for the foundling’s welfare, their hearts warm to the precious child—and to each other.

Soon their concern grows to encompass the Nineteenth Ward’s burgeoning population of street children. In the interest of fair play, Billy and Hunter let nothing stand in their way as they labor to build a park for them, birthing Chicago’s first playground and a national movement that will sweep the nation.

Will Hunter and Billy become a footnote in the Fair's history books, or will what they discovered in Chicago be longer lasting than the World's Exhibition?

My Review:

4 Stars

Deeanne Gist brings the 1893 Chicago World Fair and even the streets of Chicago to life in her newest novel, Fair Play. I just loved all the history that was flowing out of this book and at the end of most chapters there was a historical photograph depicting a person or place that was being talked about in the book.

Billy Jack Tate was such a fun character with her manly name and man's profession. She is stubborn and determined to not let anyone discourage her from her passion, being a doctor. But what happens when she meets the handsome guard named Hunter who firmly things a woman has no place being a doctor. Sparks fly while Billy and Hunter try to help the street children with twists and turns that will keep you guessing.

Overall I enjoyed this book. There were a few times I felt like it was too long and the story lagged a bit but then a new twist would occur and it would pull me back in. Fans of Deeanne Gist will not be disappointed at all.

* I received this book from Howard Books for the purpose of this review. Thank You!