When Bethany is saddled with an unwanted, unrefined, and decidedly common guardian, she must polish him up before he’s fit for good society. As for Willoughby Winter, all that stands between him and his inheritance is to marry Bethany off. Can he succeed in his efforts before his past becomes known or will she manage to distract him from his goal—by hook or by crook?
I enjoyed My Fair Guardian, and once again, Suzanne G. Rogers doesn’t disappoint. I always love a good artist hero, and found Will charming—he’s now one of my new favorite heroes. And Bethany was just the right mix of sweet, talented, and spunky, and Jane… she’s adorable, I thought.
I think you will enjoy My Fair Guardian, especially if you love guardian/charge tropes.
I am a fan of Suzanne G. Rogers Victorian historical romances. My Fair Guardian does not disappoint. Rogers newest release is a sweet romance that is perfect for everyone in the family. Her writing evokes a kinder, gentler era where female characters shine. But in this particular novel the male lead, Willoughby Winter, shines just as brightly as he steps into a role similar to that of Eliza Doolittle from My Fair Lady.
At first glance, a reader may assume that My Fair Guardian is simply a re-telling of My Fair Lady with a gender switch. Willoughby was raised by a drunken “father” who whipped him regularly. He seizes the opportunity for social advancement when a surprise discovery reveals his true heritage. And at the start of his education, the letter “A” holds a prominent role, much like Eliza’s learning to pronounce the letter “A.” But Rogers further develops the narrative and her additions to the story make it a true gem for modern readers.
Although hampered by his inability to read, Willoughby progresses with his education. It’s about his own desire to keep reading and keep discovering the world. His education allows for moments of revelation and it’s easy for a reader to understand the absolute joy of experiencing the world through the written word.
It is a telling departure from My Fair Lady that Rogers does not have Bethany formally educate Willoughby. That task is left to Mr. Pace, a tutor to Bethany’s younger sister, Jane, and a valet. Bethany has her own journey of self-discovery to experience and the fact that she is not Willoughby’s teacher places them on equal footing.
Rogers’s presents the Victorian era with a keen eye toward modern sensibilities. But aspects of both eras are remarkably similar in subtle and overt ways. For instance, the lack of a formal education prevents people from rising. Being able to read and write determines the level of a person’s success to some regard. But other forces are at work the higher one moves in society. Malicious gossip and ill-will can destroy a person (or a family) just as fast in the Victorian age as it can in modern social media (“cancel culture”).
Yet this is a romance, after all, and readers will hope that the two characters come together at the end. What makes this story marvelous is the journey Willoughby and Bethany take to reach their happily ever after. It is one I enjoyed immensely and would recommend to anyone who loves getting lost in sweet romance.
I loved Willoughby and his tragic back story – and also that in the end it he knew that his Father loved him. He and Bethany are very sweet – he comes up to snuff very quickly – perhaps a little too quickly. But that makes the story work. This was a very sweet read.
very nice
This was a fun book to read. The characters were entertaining. I enjoyed it.
I loved how down to earth the male lead was. He was definitely a strong alpha male, but with a sweet side.
Recommended!
It was a good, clean read. I enjoyed it.
My Fair Guardian by Suzanne G, Rogers is a Victorian romance. A retelling of My Fair Lady with a twist, the plot is interesting, and characters amusing. This was a fun read.
A lovely romance
3.5*
Set in Victorian England this is an unusual tale in that it is the hero who has to learn how to function in society, rather than vice versa, which is more normally the case. An enjoyable story though I could have done without the typos and the Americanisms.
Fun Read!
I enjoyed the interaction between Bethany and Will. Imagine someone so prim and polished attempting to transform a man who was decidedly less so. I wish the story had delved more into Will’s transformation into society. I thought it skimmed over the effort it undoubtedly took for him to become presentable. I was intrigued by the undertaking and would have liked to see his progress in more detail. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this book.
A Mixed Review
I have read and enjoyed many of Suzanne G. Roger’s books, That said, My Fair Guardian was not one of my favorites.
As with Ms. Roger’s other books, this one was well written with developed characters. It had an original story with a couple of twists, which I enjoyed.
My problem with this book had to do with the hero. I didn’t like him until near the end. Sadly, I liked the secondary characters more than him. Since this is a character driven book, not liking one of the lead characters was troublesome. Lastly, I found the ending to be sweet, but not very satisfying.
Content 411: This book is very clean. There was no swearing or sexual intimacy. There was some mild kissing that was not described in detail.
In a genre that is flooded with stories this one stands out. Witty banter, interesting characters and a twist
Good story I just would have liked a little more back story and what might happen next.
I tried to work up an interest in this book but from the beginning I didn’t like the H and it didn’t get any better as I continued to read. I won’t finish this one.
Very disappointing. I’ve read a number of her books and enjoyed them. This one, not.
Honestly, I only read a bit before quitting. A man was appointed a guardian, which means of an estate as well as of the two girls. Such things always involve trustees. And yet, he somehow has the authority to name his replacement, as well as bequeath this replacement 1/2 of the girls’ estate? What?
Something this insane required massive explanation. None is given.
Further, the person he appoints is, quite literally, illiterate and uneducated, as well as being illegitimate? And the family lawyer (who should have been the one naming the new guardian, along with other trustees, and who’s job is to protect the estate and the heiresses) just says, Oh, okay. Bye.
No. Absolutely not.