Beauty has been nothing but a curse to Penelope Snow. When she becomes a personal maid for a famous actress whose troupe is leaving Chicago to tour the West, she hides her figure beneath shapeless dresses and keeps her head down. But she still manages to attract the wrong attention, leaving her prospects in tatters–and her jealous mistress plotting her demise.

After his brother lost his life over a woman, Texas Ranger Titus Kingsley has learned to expect the worst from women and is rarely disappointed. So when a young lady found in suspicious circumstances takes up residence with the seven old drovers living at his grandfather’s ranch, Titus is determined to keep a close eye on her.

With a promotion hanging in the balance, Titus is assigned to investigate a robbery case tied to Penelope’s acting troupe, and all evidence points to Penelope’s guilt. But Titus might just be convinced that the fairest woman of all has a heart as pure as her last name . . . if only he can prove it.

I absolutely loved this sweet, clean romance. There is no language and no spice. 

I believe the author did a fantastic job retelling the classic Snow White fairytale, setting it in 1800s Texas. The connections between the stories were clear, capturing the essence of the original while offering a fresh perspective that I truly enjoyed. The settings were incredibly atmospheric, exuding a strong Western vibe. I also loved the Southern charm of the characters.

As a Christian romance, this book is heavy in faith elements. At times, it felt almost overwhelming, but I became so invested in the story that I adjusted to it. I appreciated how the characters relied on God and the Bible to navigate their challenges, seeking His guidance for strength and courage. The book includes numerous Bible verses, making it ideal for annotation and highlighting.

My favorite characters were the seven older gentlemen, or drovers (aka the seven dwarves), who lived on the Diamond D ranch. Each had a quirky, sweet, and charming personality, making it fun to guess which fairytale dwarf they represented. I loved their dynamics, especially when they met and took in Penelope. They quickly grew fond of her, caring for her as if she were their own. It was heartwarming to see these men rally behind her, becoming like adopted grandfathers who wanted to protect and keep her safe. It was truly sweet!

I also really liked Penelope and Titus. They were easy characters to root for, and their romance was both cute and swoony. I enjoyed watching them fall for each other and seeing their walls come down. Both had dark pasts to overcome and trust issues to work through, learning to trust in God, themselves, and each other.

I loved how easy this book was to read. It was incredibly immersive, drawing me in from the very beginning. I found it hard to put down because I constantly wanted to know what would happen next. As a fan of fairytale retellings, I enjoyed seeing how various aspects were reimagined. This one does not disappoint! It’s quite unique and engaging.

I’m excited to continue in this series. Highly recommend!!