Fair Game [Paperback]

 

 

Create your own review

I see most ot the reviews are flattering , but I think as love stories go this is the most insulting I've come across. Here is a man who is supposed to be a GENTLEMAN and all he wants is to take a innocent and turn her into a prostitute for his own carnal lusts. Through the whole story this is the theme , become my mistress because for no other reason, but her mother is one. I would think if you loved or liked someone you would want to help them and offer them something better than that. The ending I felt was kind of put together, she was always telling him she wanted something better for herself in life and I thought that was wonderful how she stood up against him and then at the end she tells him she would rather be his mistress than be married to someone she doesn" love. Give me a break , this is a man that looked at you and said he was offering you a most wretched life and you love him? That when he got tired of you he would just walk away? They want to say it is the time peroid and thats what women had to face. That may be but when I read a love story thats what I want . Your best romance writters are as far as I'm concerened are Stephanie Laurens, Amanda Quick. Julie Garwood Julia Quinn ang Josie Litton. Now those ladies know how to write LOVE stories.

Just finished this extraordinary book and had to write a review. All I can say is Wow. I didn't want it to end. This is romantic fiction at its best. When you close the book you close it with a smile on your face and then turn back and reread your favorite parts. Farr writes with flair and wit which added terrifically to my enjoyment of her characters, but it was the characters that really made this book for me. What's great about these two people is that they are so different from each other, and they are genuinely at odds with each other, but you see immediately that they are perfect for each other, too, and you really root for them to find a way to be together. Clarissa is a pure sweetheart, but she's a sweetheart with brains and courage. Trevor is fascinating. He's a brilliant, complex man and the thing that makes him most interesting is that his view of himself is way off the mark. He thinks he's a ruthless, forceful, cutthroat businessman who is always in charge of every situation he encounters and doesn't care what anybody thinks of him. If you pay attention to his words instead of his actions he's funny but exasperating. His actions, however, give the lie to his own view of his character. He is consistently honorable, almost in spite of himself, which eventually clues us in to the fact that he's a genuine hero at heart. He argues with Clarissa but never uses his power over her, or his brute strength for that matter, to force her to his will, which in those days he might have done. I got a kick out of the fact (in retrospect) that Farr gives a clue in chapter one about this guy: we learn that he had a gorgeous courtesan completely at his mercy for several days and never touched her, precisely because she was at his mercy - so taking advantage of her would have been dishonorable. This is a true historical novel in the sense that the hero and heroine are people of their times with the mindset of their times, and the conflict they struggle with would be no struggle at all today. To them, it is very real and their struggle is riveting. These two strong-willed people are plunged into a situation so poignant that it didn't need any trumped-up conflict, mysteries to solve, or any other kind of extra junk to make it a page-turner. This book honestly surprised me, I think because the cornball cover art does it a disservice. Many readers will pass it by (and that's a shame) because people actually DO judge a book by its cover. If Fair Game had a different cover I believe more people would pick it up and word of mouth would do the rest, and it would turn up on the New York Times list eventually. It's that good.

First, I concede that Farr is one of the top five Regency authors currently writing. But of her four published books (including "The Nobody," "Falling for Chloe," and "Once Upon a Christmas") "Fair Game" is her worst book. The story plot is fine (although I admit I don't like the force-to-be-the-mistress-till-we-fall-in-love plots), but the characters are lacking. The heroine, Clarissa, is sweet and poignant, but it takes awhile to really develop her beyond a passive ninny. However, the "hero," Trevor, is a jerk. He is dishonorable, unlikable, and unattractive. Thus, the attraction between the two was unbelievable: she falls for this guy even though he has so little respect for her that he cannot stop scheming to get her into bed regardless of the number of times she tells him she's not interested. What part of "no" don't you understand, Trevor?

Although I never liked (or respected) Trevor, I did grow fond of Clarissa by the end of the book. That, well-drawn secondary characters, and the very smooth writing moved this book up to 3 stars. However, I recommend any of Farr's other books or short stories over this one.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

4.0 out of 5 stars Softer more serious approach to Romance
What I have always loved in Diane Farr is her ability to write wonderfully humourous stories - in Fair Game I feel she has departed to a more sensitive and almost sensuous story,... Read more

Published on Jun 27 2001 by A. Woodley

4.0 out of 5 stars An extraordinary writer
I was, to use a cliche, blown away by Diane Farr's FAIR GAME. When I picked it up in the bookstore, I had no idea it would prove more than an average Regency novel (and that is... Read more

Published on Nov 16 2000 by Frat Ēng

5.0 out of 5 stars Gentle, warm and angsty love story; a keeper
This is the first Diane Farr book I've read, and it won't be the last. The set-up may seem a little unusual, but I didn't find it beyond the bounds of credibility at all, and once... Read more

Published on Oct 2 2000 by Dr W. Richards

4.0 out of 5 stars An intimate look at two people & their relationship
When Trevor Whitlach calls in an old debt owed to him by the infamous courtesan La Gianetta, she offers as payment a beautiful young woman who she claims is her innocent daughter... Read more

Published on Jan 8 2000 by Kimberly Borrowdale

5.0 out of 5 stars Hero and Heroine Help Each Other Know True Selves..and Love!
VERY well-written Regency. Excellent characterization of both principals. For a novel that is mostly conversation (little action), it didn't bore me once. Read more

Published on Dec 7 1999

4.0 out of 5 stars quite a compelling love story
Well written and plausible. Not, however, flawless. The set up is a bit hard to accept. There are a few little things - like a voyage from India to England that somehow... Read more

Published on Oct 15 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars Regency writing at its finest
What did I enjoy about this book? Everything! I can't believe this is only the author's second book. Read more

Published on Oct 12 1999 by Liz Floyd

5.0 out of 5 stars Regency writing at its best
Diane Farr only gets better with her second Regency effort. Her knowledge of the Regency period is expert and Fair Game's plot and characters immensely compelling. Read more

Published on Sep 20 1999

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 11 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!