Summer Fancy

by Anne Avery

Suddenly taken with Rocky Ford, Colorado's most eligible bachelor, the normally fiercely independent Miss Sophronia Carter hatches a humdinger of a scheme to take Zeke Jeffries's mind off of his beloved watermelon farm. Original.

Genres: Historical Romance, Historical, Westerns, Romance, Western Historical Romance, Summer

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1997

About the author

Anne Holmberg was born on 1938 in Colorado, USA, where her family resides during four generations. She obtained a degree in Engineering from the University of Colorado.

Anne wrote historical romance novels as Anne Avery, contemporary romance novels as Kate Holmes, and fantasy romance novels as Anne Woodard. She has been a four-time nominee for a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times Book reviews.

Reviews

[Seon Ji (Dawn)]

No Rating

DNF @ 10%

Just not my thing.

I don't care for romances when the heroine is unattractive and the hero is "gorgeous"

Gave it a chance and I do not care for the writing style nor did I care for the negative feelings I was having.

[Darla · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author. I had been wanting to read this book for a long time and it finally became available on the Nook so I snapped it up real quick. It wasn't bad, it wasn't exactly what I'd hoped for either, and I think that is mostly due to the time I felt it took for the story to build and progress. There was definitely something missing for me, but I guess it's because I was thinking it'd be similar to the book, Courting Miss Hattie, which I really enjoyed. It's that whole idea of the handsome man falling for the plain woman when everyone least expects it. This book attempted that, but it left me wanting more. Anyway this story is about Sophie and Zeke. Sophie is the tall, lanky, plain daughter of a pushy social butterfly who was the total opposite of her. It was because of this, that age 26 she was still unwed with no prospects. Zeke was one of the town's more handsome, hardworking, and SINGLE men who was really uncomfortably shy around women. This story follows their journey and budding attraction to one another with all the necessary bumps in the road. Outside influences, her belief that she wasn't pretty enough to catch and hold his attention, his belief that she wanted better than a simple farmer. Like I said, it was a decent read, but there was just something missing. I have to say that after an unfortunate event when Zeke and Sophie were caught in an compromising position (wink), Sophie really started to work on my nerves with her damned pride. While I could understand where she was coming from on one level, she just aggravated me on the other all the same with her foolishness. Really they both drove me crazy with the hidden feelings they plainly had for one another but for, whatever reason, acted too blind to really see it.

[Judy Hannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give this one 4.5 stars. Shucked all responsibilities to race through it in one day.

[Adriana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fancy by Anne Avery

Lots of laughter with this story, I enjoyed it.

The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.

She’s Plain…Unforgettable
Anything but a typical female, Miss Sophronia Carter is as tall as a beanpole, fiercely independent, and the last woman in Rocky Ford, Colorado, to throw herself at a man. Tumbling down the church steps and landing atop Zeke Jeffries was an accident. So was giving the man a bloody nose—and falling in love. Now Sophie hasn’t the least notion how to land the town’s most eligible bachelor, but one thing’s for sure, whatever she comes up with is going to be a humdinger…

He’s Darned…Irresistible
All that quiet, handsome Zeke Jeffries wants to do is own the best watermelon farm in Colorado. All the ladies of the town want to do is get him married off. And Miss Sophie Carter wants him to take in a ten-year-old hellion for the summer, whose hard-drinking mother is the local…well, you know. It’s the start of a long hot season when a small boy’s dreams may finally get a chance to grow, when the matchmaking in Rocky Ford creates a tinderbox of desire, and when an unconventional spinster lights a spark that can set a heart smoldering…

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this sweet couple, both virgins and their blood is hot but the book is not. They are attracted to each other but are so painfully unsure of themselves that they remain friends for some time. It felt right for the times, with some good secondary characters whose stories were well developed. There was a another contender for the H, and she was delightful. A nice person with a pushy mother. I liked this book and the epilogue rounded it out nicely. I wasn't so keen on the pace, but it kept my interest, so 4 stars.

[T. Vang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love love this book. This book reminds me of Pamela Morsi's the Runabout and Courting Miss Hattie. Which are my absolute favorites of all time and this books shall become one of my absolute favorites of all time. It has a few of my fave tropes. Like Plain Jane meets handsome hero. It's sweet, funny and whimsical. It's slow burn and has angst. Love love love this book and it deserves a raving review.

[Rita · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked it better when I first read it back in 97. Now I find that there are so many unlikable side characters that I spend all my time annoyed. Finally it was the lack of communication that killed it for me.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like I am watching a sitcom when I read this story. It is silly funny but you know that people cab be really like that. It can be wordy but rightfully so in order to bring out the essence of the story. The characters are interesting and credible. I like the daily journal entries the author uses instead of the mind chatter. Although the ending is predictable, I could not help myself I had to keep reading and chuckling at the silliness/reality of the situations the characters get themselves into. It is defineltely a must read, different creative approach on the historical romance novel!

[Rodelene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!

[Jacqueline J]

Seems to be told in diary form. I skipped through the first 20 or so pages and it didn't change from that so I was totally unable to get into it since I don't like that format.

[Calliope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! I laughed; I cried. I was transported for a short time to another place. A wonderful historical romance!

[Mcvane]

(Kindle edition.)

[Donnell G Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story,

Enjoyed this book although it is a bit more explicit in the barn scene than I enjoy. I skipped through some of that. I kept reading because it had a good plot and liked the redemption of the towns scandalous lady.