Book Review ~ It Happened at the Fair

Book Title: It Happened at the Fair
Author: Deeanne Gist
Publisher: Howard Books 

Type of Book: Contemporary Inspirational; Chicago World's Fair 1893

I received this book: for free through www.netgalley.com from the publisher for an honest review

My interest in this book: I have read one of her books before, but honestly the Title and cover grabbed my attention.

Ideas expressed/message/plot: Gambling everything, including the family farm, Cullen McNamara travels to the 1893 Chicago World's Fair with his most recent invention. He is also going deaf in one ear. Cullen rescues a young female teacher on the opening day but she has been raised to not trust men. So...when he comes to her asking for help, she's not quite sure that's an appropriate thing to do. 

Not a lot of God-talk in this book, though it is a good, clean. There is one scene when Cullen takes his shirt off that could be too much for young readers in the throws of school romance. ;-) Though I imagine Ms. Gist's audience is not aimed at the YA crowd.

Favorite Characters, quotes/lines: The back and forth between the Lead Characters is good and I enjoyed how they interacted as well as the tension that was built between them. 

When I finished this book I felt: like it was a good, solid ending that wrapped up a well told story. Deeanne has this AMAZING way of crafting memorable scenes that stick with you for a long, long time; very vivid and real. If you are looking for an example of an author who has mastered the craft of memorable storytelling through situations, Deeanne Gist is it.

Overall: Good book. I'm on the fence if it will be on my bookshelf or not but I still give it a solid 4 stars. So, give it a read and let me know if it's bookshelf worthy for you! Personally, it was worth the time to read.