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Jaima Fixsen
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Fairchild Kindle Edition

by Jaima Fixsen (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 3,211 ratings
Love blooms from a single lie gone wrong in this Amazon bestselling regency romance.Mistaken by a handsome stranger for her legitimate sister, Sophy can’t help playing along…Good English families all have a house in the country with a deer park, a trout stream, and an army of gardeners. They should have a son and if it can be managed, he should be handsome. Cleverness isn’t important. Daughters in limited quantities are fine so long as they are pretty. Bastards are inconvenient and best ignored. It's not a big problem, unless you are one. Unfortunately, Sophy is. Sick of her outcast role, she escapes her father’s house, only to fall from her horse during a spring storm. Injured, soaked, and shivering, she stumbles to a stranger’s door—Tom, a blunt edged merchant from a family of vulgar upstarts. Mistaking Sophy for the genuine article, he takes her in. Sophy can’t resist twisting the truth. Soon she’s caught in her own snare—and it might just be a noose.
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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Fairchild
  2. Print length
    290 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    January 31, 2013
  5. File size
    967 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book's editing is flawless, the story composed delicately and precisely, and the romance is a steady, slow, growing burn. I liken it very much to Austen or Bronte" - ReaderEater.com

About the Author

Jaima Fixsen lives in Alberta, Canada, with her handsome husband and clever children. Mostly, she just tries to keep up.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00B76PGOQ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ; 1st edition (January 31, 2013)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2013
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 967 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 3,211 ratings

About the author

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Jaima Fixsen

Jaima Fixsen

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Jaima Fixsen is a USA Today and International best-selling author living and writing in Alberta, Canada. Her novel, The Girl In His Shadow (co-authored under the pen name Audrey Blake), was selected as Libby’s 2022 Big Library Read, and has been translated into six languages.

Jaima studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Alberta, and her experiences learning anatomy and dissecting cadavers began her fascination with the history of medical science, which often figures in her stories. Her debut crime novel, The Specimen, released this year. Jaima still works in health care, supporting children with disabilities and their families. She loves history, snow, reading, snow, and spending as much time as possible in the Canadian Rockies

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
3,211 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this Regency romance novel well-told and engaging, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps them interested throughout. The book is witty and keeps readers entertained, with one customer noting how it provides glimpses into the interior lives of the characters. While some customers describe it as a quick read, others find it slow-paced.

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215 customers mention "Readability"215 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and engaging, describing it as a well-told Regency tale with a clean story.

"...Sophy about his relationship with her mother are heart-breaking and tender, and we see he did not cast her mother off, but that their situation was..." Read more

"...Other than that, this was a sweet romance and satisfying read." Read more

"...But on the whole, well-plotted, well-researched, good characters. I had a jolly good time...." Read more

"...No one is 100% good or 100% bad and the story lacks the exaggerated villains or villainesses that one can often find in historical romances...." Read more

185 customers mention "Romance"166 positive19 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this historical novel, describing it as a clean and lively story that keeps readers interested throughout.

"...Other than that, this was a sweet romance and satisfying read." Read more

"...summarize the plot, but what impressed me most was the attention to minute period details, which made it feel very authentic, the strong writing and..." Read more

"...I so enjoy that this is a family story and you have so much going on with each character...." Read more

"...This is a good effort to provide a different Regency romance. There is no need to provide a synopsis, as that has already been done...." Read more

133 customers mention "Character development"129 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the well-developed characters in the book, noting they are dimensional with no unrealistic villains, and one customer mentions the hero and heroine have good chemistry.

"...She is a complex character and develops a concern for Sophy while still harboring the emotional pain inflicted by the liaison itself...." Read more

"...In fact, there is no real villain, but subtleties that pile up against our heroine. I liked Sophy...." Read more

"...the strong writing and poignant similes - I'm a sucker for a well-turned simile, especially since I write books as well - and the likeableness of..." Read more

"...No one is 100% good or 100% bad and the story lacks the exaggerated villains or villainesses that one can often find in historical romances...." Read more

121 customers mention "Writing quality"121 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, describing it as well-written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the author expertly transports readers through the narrative.

"...in the family structure this change entails and it is so beautifully written - I had to reread most of it for the heartfelt emotions it conjures...." Read more

"...to minute period details, which made it feel very authentic, the strong writing and poignant similes - I'm a sucker for a well-turned simile,..." Read more

"I couldn't decide if it was a 4 or 5 star but I really like the writing and style of this book and did enjoy it even tho there were things that I..." Read more

"...The most fascinating character is the step-mother. She is so well drawn that I could see and feel her, with all her imperfections, desire for control..." Read more

64 customers mention "Enthralling"56 positive8 negative

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable, with the story holding their attention throughout. One customer mentions it's perfect for uplifting reading, while another describes it as a light entertainment option for rainy afternoons.

"...which made it feel very authentic, the strong writing and poignant similes - I'm a sucker for a well-turned simile, especially since I write books..." Read more

"...It seems like everyone has a story to tell and they are all engaging and well done...." Read more

"...The H was fascinating as a child, but somewhat underdone as a swain, until the scene where he proposes..." Read more

"...very serious and sad most of the time; but this is the perfect story to read to uplift you or to take to the beach, or curl up before the fire with..." Read more

27 customers mention "Humor"27 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it often witty and keeping them chuckling throughout, with one customer noting its lyrical writing style.

"...I read this in a day. I couldn't put it down. It's not overly melodramatic like a lot of regency romance novels...." Read more

"...of the overbearing mother in "Price and Prejudice," and was very amusing...." Read more

"...Not only does the story transport you but the descriptions are so humorously descriptive that I would read along with it, pausing the audio, so I..." Read more

"...of the interior of Chippenstone, the Bagshot's family estate, was very amusing...." Read more

21 customers mention "Depth"17 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the depth of the book, with one review noting its thorough research and knowledge of Regency society, while another mentions how it provides glimpses into the characters' interior lives.

"...The relationships were complicated and really thought-provoking...." Read more

"...of the treatment of those whose birth is less than perfect is insightful and makes the reader cringe at the unfairness...." Read more

"...I found it a gentle love story which also provided some insight into the life that carried on outside the ton...." Read more

"...The setting descriptions are unique and show a side of English life not often depicted in novels like this...." Read more

35 customers mention "Pacing"21 positive14 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it fast after the 5th chapter and an enjoyable quick read, while others describe it as slow.

"...The pacing is steady and drives you home to the end. You'll not want to put it down. Plenty of twists, turns, and of course a Cinderella ending...." Read more

"...Beyond that, the whole thing was slow. The first third of the book spends its time setting up the entirety of the hero's and heroine's childhood...." Read more

"First let me say I bought the book and the audiobook. The reader is wonderful...." Read more

"...He came across as highly unsympathetic, and I was startled to read that his story will be next in the series...." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • CA
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very moving, very refreshing
    Reviewed in the United States on March 17, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Sophy is the result of a liaison between an aristocrat and a governess, and has been raised by her single mother in a small village. When her mother unexpectedly dies, Sophy, at 10 years of age, becomes acknowledged as her father’s daughter and becomes his “natural daughter.” A good portion of the first half of the book is dedicated to the awkward but viable transition in the family structure this change entails and it is so beautifully written - I had to reread most of it for the heartfelt emotions it conjures. Lord Fairchild, Sophy’s father, truly loved her mother but found himself in a no-win situation, and although Sophy’s mother dies in the first part of the book, we come to know a lot about her through his memories. This was stunning and so well written, and resulted in a very emotionally charged start to the story. His later conversations with an adult Sophy about his relationship with her mother are heart-breaking and tender, and we see he did not cast her mother off, but that their situation was not so black and white.

    Sophy turns a marriageable age, and now the family is faced with “what to do about Sophy.” They decide, because she is a truly sweet and obedient girl, they can arrange for an acceptable marriage for her despite her bastard status. Her step-mother, Georgiana, sets out to make this happen in a way that will honor the family’s status, provide for Sophy’s well-being, and be profitable and agreeable for all. We see that Georgiana genuinely does care for Sophy, but also in the context of what her marriage can do for the family – a sign of the times, for Georgiana’s marriage was most likely arranged in the same manner.

    Sophy, however, becomes entangled in a sort of misinterpretation of her social status which eventually results in a mutual attraction between her and a commoner who is also her sometimes neighbor (Tom). This, of course, muddies the water for her step-mother’s plan to ensure Sophy marries “well.” And so the story goes.

    This was a very interesting read for me. I was so moved by the story of Sophy’s life and the family who embraces her with limitations. The author (thankfully) avoids the caricature of a cruel stepmother, and I was probably more interested in Georgiana than I was any of the other characters. She is a complex character and develops a concern for Sophy while still harboring the emotional pain inflicted by the liaison itself. I was also more fascinated by Lord and Lady Fairchild and their relationship with Sophy and with their own 2 children than with the romance itself.

    In fact, I really didn’t feel the attraction between Sophy and Tom. I understood it, but it was more described, not shown, and even seemed a bit contrived. This was a little disappointing to me, but there was so much more to the story than just their romance. The crux of the plot focuses on the problems inflicted by a class structure which prohibits “intermingling.” This could result in a cliché-ridden story, but not so here. There is the requisite HEA, but not everything ends so tidily – so it was a bit more realistic than the endings perpetuated by the typical romance novel. I did like that – for a change.

    Ultimately, this book left me ruminating for quite some time, and I truly appreciate a book that lingers long after the kindle is turned off. This was a welcome respite in a sea of flotsam and jetsam that this genre sometimes seems to perpetuate. I highly recommend it for a reader who appreciates being moved by the nature of human relationships. There is very little physical passion in this book – in fact, only a few quick and awkward kisses – but I hardly noticed the absence. It was a pleasure to read an author who recognizes that a romance affects more than just the tight little circle formed by the H and h. I highly recommend this book, and this author.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Deborah J. Andreasen
    4.0 out of 5 stars Clever and subtle
    Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Sophy is the illegitimate child of Lord Fairchild and his employed governess. After a tragic accident, Sophy must return to live with the father she never knew existed. Taken into home, she is accepted and loved by the family, yet society dictates that she will never be an equal.

    When Sophy is offered a future brighter than anyone in her circumstance should hope for, she is crushed. It's not the future, or the love, she wants for herself.

    I read this in a day. I couldn't put it down. It's not overly melodramatic like a lot of regency romance novels. As another reviewer said it, there is no dastardly villain to overtly hate. In fact, there is no real villain, but subtleties that pile up against our heroine.

    I liked Sophy. I thought she was terribly clever and perceptive as a child, and remained so as a young woman. Jasper was probably my favorite character, and I hope his story gets told. (Hint, hint!)

    This was mostly clean. There were a few innuendos, a few "soft" swear words, and one vulgar term that I didn't like. Other than that, this was a sweet romance and satisfying read.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Anita Valle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Sequel???
    Reviewed in the United States on September 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I've been in a reading slump for a few months, with no book I tried really gripping me or feeling hard to put down. I was starting to think it was me. Not so! Once I started Fairchild I knew I'd found a winner and fell back into my old habit of neglecting everything else in my life to finish the book. It felt so good!

    I found this as a free offer through Freebooksy and was immediately intrigued by the premise, that the main character is illegitimate. I've read books of this era with minor characters being 'natural children', such as Harriet in Jane Austen's "Emma", but never one as the main character and this alone was the reason I downloaded. I wanted to experience her struggles firsthand.

    I won't summarize the plot, but what impressed me most was the attention to minute period details, which made it feel very authentic, the strong writing and poignant similes - I'm a sucker for a well-turned simile, especially since I write books as well - and the likeableness of the characters. I had a particular interest in Lord Fairchild and would like to know much more about him. Which brings me to my main point: is there a sequel?

    It seems like there is much material for a sequel, though this book did not feel unfinished. I pitied Lord Fairchild and the fact that he just can't connect with Sophy, though he wants to very badly. He doesn't achieve it in this book and I would like to see them understand each other. Then there is Jasper. I thought I knew what was going on with him but perhaps I was wrong. Later in the book (BEWARE: SPOILERS) it mentions that his arguments with his father were turning sharper. Then, he is surprisingly amiable about Sophy's marriage, even helping to bring it about. And I thought, 'Aha! Jasper secretly loves a bourgeois woman and that's why he's being so understanding.' I thought it would be a 'surprise' at the end. But nope, Jasper is still single and seemingly unattached. We shall see. (I hope!)

    Then there is Lord Fairchild's affair with Fanny Prescott and I wanted to hear MUCH more about this, and from Lord Fairchild himself. No sordid details, but I wanted to hear him tell the story, and know the exact moment when he and Fanny crossed the line, when they suddenly went from employer & governess to lovers. Was it a word, a look shared, that suddenly made them turn to corner? Did he instigate? Did she? I want to know!

    Then, of course, there is the baby coming, lots to expect there! If the story continues, I think the baby will be what draws the families back together. It would be nice to see the Bagshot family finally acknowledged by their haughty neighbors, and if Lord and Lady Fairchild take the first step, others will follow.

    And it would be nice if Sophy could meet her childhood friend again, the one who said he'd miss her.

    All I could complain about - and it's not enough to take away a star - is that I'd have liked more drama/passion when Sophy and Tom finally declare their love. Whenever I experience a story (via book or screen) where the lovers have such overwhelming obstacles keeping them apart, I like it to be quite dramatic when they finally come together, something that makes me want to jump out of my seat and cheer. I didn't get a cheering moment from Sophy and Tom, though I was happy for them. I guess I wanted more theatrics.

    But on the whole, well-plotted, well-researched, good characters. I had a jolly good time. Thank you, Ms. Fixsen, for reawakening my passion for reading after a season of dormancy. Now write the sequel! Godspeed.
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Swateeee
    5.0 out of 5 stars It’s really well written
    Reviewed in Australia on October 5, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I don’t normally like to read historical romances as they can very very similar in theme, but this one was so well written that I had to finish it once I started! 😍👍
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  • Yun
    5.0 out of 5 stars Schöne Romanze
    Reviewed in Germany on September 30, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    Im Wesentlichen geht es bei diesem Buch um die Einführung eines jungen Mädchens in die Gesellschaft und die damit verbundenen Schwierigkeiten. Das Setting ist gut gewählt und auch die Haltung der Menschen Anfang des 19. Jahrhunderts ist gut dargestellt. Der Hauptcharakter ist sympatisch und liebenswert. Das Buch ist interessant geschrieben, auch wenn das Englisch nicht für Anfänger geeignet ist, weil die Autorin versucht, die Sprechweise der damaligen Zeit nachzuempfinden. Sehr gelungen.
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  • Jane Page
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well crafted and classy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    This is an extremely well written, thoroughly believable book that, unlike the vast majority of period romances, is not based on sex between muscular alpha males and impossibly beautiful heroines. It is what I would call a classy book. The characterisation is excellent; one comes to understand and even to sympathise with minor characters that in less well crafted books would be roughly drawn in as 'baddies'. I won't talk about the plot because it has already been detailed (to my mind at excessive length) by a previous reviewer who was then mean spirited enough to award a mere 3 stars. Rubbish! This is probably the best book of its genre that I have read in ages. I am a writer myself (not under this name, so don't think I am puffing off my own books) and I take my hat off to Jaima Fixsen. Someone mentioned Georgette Heyer. I am a great fan of Heyer, I have all her books and they are enormous fun, but to my mind this is in a different, and slightly higher, class.
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  • Jessie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well done!
    Reviewed in France on May 25, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Historical novels get my attention to begin with, but not all keep it. This story was well plotted, well-told and engaging. I can recommend without hesitation.
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  • Sylvia
    5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful story that I will likely read again. 5 stars!!.
    Reviewed in Canada on January 18, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this story. Sophy is a wonderful character. She is filled with love and mischief at ten years old and is a delight to read about. However her life is about to be changed.
    The characters in this story are so real and believable and I could not stop reading till I had finished it but I wanted it to go on. I am so happy there is another book - Incognita- to continue the story of one of the men in Sophy's story. Reading that next.
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