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cindysbookcorner's review
3.0
Fancy Pants is my first book by Cathy Marie Hake. The cover is what drew me to the book.
I had a hard time getting into the book. I am not sure if it was a really slow start or if was the narrator. Once I switched to reading it instead of listening, I became more invested. However, the synopsis of the book is wrong. The American is not the one who reneges on the agreement, Sydney does.
There was not as much humor in the book as I expected. The storyline with the American trying to find Sydney, and the scene when he found her, were weak. It felt like a huge letdown.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of the story and will read more books by this author.
I had a hard time getting into the book. I am not sure if it was a really slow start or if was the narrator. Once I switched to reading it instead of listening, I became more invested. However, the synopsis of the book is wrong. The American is not the one who reneges on the agreement, Sydney does.
There was not as much humor in the book as I expected. The storyline with the American trying to find Sydney, and the scene when he found her, were weak. It felt like a huge letdown.
Overall, I enjoyed parts of the story and will read more books by this author.
kllovestoread's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
guylou's review
2.0
I just finished 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗬 𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗸𝗲, and I have mixed feelings about it. The premise is intriguing: Lady Sydney Hathwell, stranded and penniless in America, disguises herself as a boy to stay on her uncle's ranch. However, the execution left much to be desired. The characters felt odd and inconsistent. Sydney’s plan to pose as a boy was neither convincingly serious nor humorously screwball, leaving me unsure of how to feel about her. “Big Tim” Creighton, meant to be a gruff mentor, came across as unrealistic and his interactions with Sydney felt forced and unnatural. There were also some disappointing elements, including homophobic content, which detracted from the story. Overall, while the book had potential, it didn't live up to my expectations.
ksbhorsegal's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jsc55's review against another edition
2.0
2.5... What is up with the second half becoming all preachy? Too much!
sparksofember's review
2.0
Not amazing but cute enough. Different than most historical inspy-romances I've read. Slightly edgier content, with the female lead accidently getting drunk, and taking baths at brothels, etc. The male lead was too angry and bossy most of the time. He cared way too much about Sydney's business. I wanted to smack him. And then their romance at the end happened at the speed of light. And dowsing for water was treated like a normal thing completely accepted by the Christians?
therealjuliabenson's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
farmfreshlisa's review
5.0
Absolutely hysterical! One of the best books I've read in a long time! It's part one in this fabulous series!
rosannelortz's review
4.0
Lady Sydney Hathwell has traveled all the way to America to meet her betrothed–only to to discover that he is a self-important, womanizing cad whom she could never love. Orphaned and alone, she disappears to the only place she can think of, the Texas ranch of her mother’s American brother, an uncle whom she has never met.
Uncle Fuller’s heart is as good as gold, but he’s adamantly opposed to having women on the ranch. Mistaking Sydney’s androgynous name for a boy’s name, he invites his “nephew” out to the ranch. Determined to hide from her overbearing fiance who won’t take no for an answer, Sydney dresses as a boy and resolves to ride out the next six months until she comes of age and can legally make her own decisions.
With Uncle Fuller detained for medical treatments in the big city, it’s “Big Tim” Creighton who welcomes “Syd” to the ranch. Tim is disgusted with the new kid’s effeminate ways and lack of muscle. He determines to do his duty by his boss and make a man out of this British dandy. What follows is a crash course in hard labor for a petite and dainty society miss. But mucking stalls and plowing fields are the least of Sydney’s worries as she scrambles to keep Tim and the other ranch hands from finding out her secret.
As she deals with Tim’s highhanded ways, Sydney begins to discover that although he’s a gruff man, he’s also a good man and a god-fearing one. With grit and perseverance, Sydney finally begins to feel accepted by Tim. But will he ever forgive her for making a fool of him once he discovers that Mr. Fancy Pants is a fine British lady?
This amusing inspirational romance had some laugh out loud moments. The situational comedy was superb, particularly when the ranch hands take Sydney down to the town brothel and a horrified Tim comes to rescue him…or should I say, her. The latter part of the book dealing with Sydney’s conversion did feel a little heavy handed and more redolent of modern evangelicalism than 1800s Christianity, but having Tim’s faith be an essential part of the book added some seriousness to an otherwise fluffy romance. This was an enjoyable read by an author new to me.
Uncle Fuller’s heart is as good as gold, but he’s adamantly opposed to having women on the ranch. Mistaking Sydney’s androgynous name for a boy’s name, he invites his “nephew” out to the ranch. Determined to hide from her overbearing fiance who won’t take no for an answer, Sydney dresses as a boy and resolves to ride out the next six months until she comes of age and can legally make her own decisions.
With Uncle Fuller detained for medical treatments in the big city, it’s “Big Tim” Creighton who welcomes “Syd” to the ranch. Tim is disgusted with the new kid’s effeminate ways and lack of muscle. He determines to do his duty by his boss and make a man out of this British dandy. What follows is a crash course in hard labor for a petite and dainty society miss. But mucking stalls and plowing fields are the least of Sydney’s worries as she scrambles to keep Tim and the other ranch hands from finding out her secret.
As she deals with Tim’s highhanded ways, Sydney begins to discover that although he’s a gruff man, he’s also a good man and a god-fearing one. With grit and perseverance, Sydney finally begins to feel accepted by Tim. But will he ever forgive her for making a fool of him once he discovers that Mr. Fancy Pants is a fine British lady?
This amusing inspirational romance had some laugh out loud moments. The situational comedy was superb, particularly when the ranch hands take Sydney down to the town brothel and a horrified Tim comes to rescue him…or should I say, her. The latter part of the book dealing with Sydney’s conversion did feel a little heavy handed and more redolent of modern evangelicalism than 1800s Christianity, but having Tim’s faith be an essential part of the book added some seriousness to an otherwise fluffy romance. This was an enjoyable read by an author new to me.
caitlin_89's review
4.0
Since I'm owning up to having read nothing but fluff over Christmas Break, I'll go ahead and say this was a fave out of the stack of christian romance I read.
It made me laugh out loud a couple of times, and not just because my brit-lit-snobby self was mocking. I did laugh because some things were ridiculous to me a few times, but I also was really amused by the characters' interactions and reactions.
It was a pretty cute story. Great if you're in the mood for a good chick flick - book style.
It made me laugh out loud a couple of times, and not just because my brit-lit-snobby self was mocking. I did laugh because some things were ridiculous to me a few times, but I also was really amused by the characters' interactions and reactions.
It was a pretty cute story. Great if you're in the mood for a good chick flick - book style.