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Fool's Paradise
'Twas no laughing matter...
When fleeing an odious arranged match, the Lady Elizabeth Hayward found herself under the protection of famed court jester Richard Tarleton. But even disguised as the fool's boy apprentice, there was no hiding the fact that she'd fallen hopelessly in love!
Though Tarleton's ready wit had won him royal favor, his tongue was tied in the presence of the sweet-voiced Elizabeth—at least about things that truly mattered. For how could he offer the queen's own goddaughter a gift so lowly as his own foolish heart?
When fleeing an odious arranged match, the Lady Elizabeth Hayward found herself under the protection of famed court jester Richard Tarleton. But even disguised as the fool's boy apprentice, there was no hiding the fact that she'd fallen hopelessly in love!
Though Tarleton's ready wit had won him royal favor, his tongue was tied in the presence of the sweet-voiced Elizabeth—at least about things that truly mattered. For how could he offer the queen's own goddaughter a gift so lowly as his own foolish heart?
347 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
January 8, 2011
Lady Elizabeth is to marry Sir Robert. She does not want to and tells her father. Before her father can remove the betrothal he suddenly dies. Elizabeth is faced with a cruel Sir Robert who wants to marry immediately. He becomes violent and locks her away. She escapes only to have her horse shy and ends up on foot. While going through the woods she meets up with the court Jester, Tarleton.
To get Elizabeth safely to the Queen, her godmother, Tarleton cuts her hair and dresses her like a boy. They go on a merry adventure over the next few weeks as they head for the Queen while avoiding Sir Robert.
Tarleton names her Robin Redbreast and teaches her sing and jest with him. She is known as a young lad not lass and as his apprentice.
In Halloween Knight we find that Elizabeth Hayward is connected to the books in the Cavendish series as a grand daughter to one of the couples.
To get Elizabeth safely to the Queen, her godmother, Tarleton cuts her hair and dresses her like a boy. They go on a merry adventure over the next few weeks as they head for the Queen while avoiding Sir Robert.
Tarleton names her Robin Redbreast and teaches her sing and jest with him. She is known as a young lad not lass and as his apprentice.
In Halloween Knight we find that Elizabeth Hayward is connected to the books in the Cavendish series as a grand daughter to one of the couples.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2026
This book was a little silly but ultimately a fun read. The banter between Tarleton and Elizabeth was great and I really loved Tarleton's sense of humor. Elizabeth was definitely a bit naive but it works in this story. I didn't really know how these two would end up together and I enjoyed the journey to their HEA.
April 1, 2025
I’m just gonna pretend I read the whole thing.
One of the weirdest books I’ve ever read. This is the first trashy romance novel I’ve quit on, and that should tell you something. I read all of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR, even while my heart screamed to stop.
How do I describe the “sexy jester book?” I think the problem for me was the difference between my first impression– “hey, this actually sounds cute!”– and the reality– “oh my god Tori Phillips has a foot fetish.”
I stopped about 1/3 through. I feel like I saw enough. I saw Tarleton (who was a real person, by the way) caress the tiddies of not 1, but TWO women in a public setting (and neither of them were Elizabeth!). I’m just–
Well, I gave it a shot, guys. I’m weirdly fond of it now. But also traumatized beyond description. Does that make sense?
One of the weirdest books I’ve ever read. This is the first trashy romance novel I’ve quit on, and that should tell you something. I read all of Throne of Glass and ACOTAR, even while my heart screamed to stop.
How do I describe the “sexy jester book?” I think the problem for me was the difference between my first impression– “hey, this actually sounds cute!”– and the reality– “oh my god Tori Phillips has a foot fetish.”
I stopped about 1/3 through. I feel like I saw enough. I saw Tarleton (who was a real person, by the way) caress the tiddies of not 1, but TWO women in a public setting (and neither of them were Elizabeth!). I’m just–
Well, I gave it a shot, guys. I’m weirdly fond of it now. But also traumatized beyond description. Does that make sense?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2023
I will forever love this book. Sometimes you just need a sappy romance novel. I wish there was more of it.
January 24, 2026
Potentially offensive items: classism, sexism, nudity, adult situations, premarital sex, pedophilia, sexually explicit, attempted rape, prostitution, offensive language, alcohol, gambling, violence, domestic violence, violence against women, technically inaccurate errors that could cause harm, murder, mature themes, religious viewpoint, lying, sociopathy
It is clear that author Tory Phillips loves the Elizabethan period in England because it was the time of Shakespeare. Fool's Paradise is set in the late 16th century, and there were several period things that were accurate. The main character's name is taken from a real court jester of Queen Elizabeth, but the events in this book are purely fictional.
This steamy romance was difficult for me to like. The language is inconsistent, and there were numerous typos in the digital copy I read. The jester is, of course, bawdy and frequently gropes/attempts to have sex with other women in front of the female lead. I find it hard to believe a man like that would ever settle down, especially in that era. Since the author is such a fan of Shakespeare, I was slightly shocked that there were so many historical inaccuracies. There were also medical inaccuracies, like cauterizing a wound and then sewing it, that disturbed me. The purpose of cauterizing is not only to stop bleeding but also stop infection. Sewing it afterward would introduce bacteria into it again, among other things. These, which always pull me out of historical novels, coupled with the fact that the main character went from innocent to nympho in almost the blink of an eye, made it a struggle.
Then, the ending of this book was over-the-top. I can understand travelling as a jester and apprentice to start. I can understand avoiding a direct route that is patrolled. I can't understand
Perhaps, the biggest problem with this book comes with the dangerous information about the faked hanging. Hopefully, no one would attempt to fake a hanging using information in a romance novel, but it irritates me because I have worked in amateur theater with people I could see doing this. Teachers with minimal theater training get bad ideas about how to do things. (For example, twice in the past two decades at local schools where I live, teachers have gotten very bad ideas about "flying" Peter Pan. Thankfully, I was advising in the one case, and flying did not happen at all because once I explained the only way to safely do it, the cost was prohibitive. In the other case, which happened at a school I was not involved with, a student was seriously injured.) In this book, This is 100% false and dangerous. During this time, The ending of the book was so contrived because of this and other details that really didn't make much sense because, for example, , I almost stopped reading before they even got to Oxford.
It is clear that author Tory Phillips loves the Elizabethan period in England because it was the time of Shakespeare. Fool's Paradise is set in the late 16th century, and there were several period things that were accurate. The main character's name is taken from a real court jester of Queen Elizabeth, but the events in this book are purely fictional.
This steamy romance was difficult for me to like. The language is inconsistent, and there were numerous typos in the digital copy I read. The jester is, of course, bawdy and frequently gropes/attempts to have sex with other women in front of the female lead. I find it hard to believe a man like that would ever settle down, especially in that era. Since the author is such a fan of Shakespeare, I was slightly shocked that there were so many historical inaccuracies. There were also medical inaccuracies, like cauterizing a wound and then sewing it, that disturbed me. The purpose of cauterizing is not only to stop bleeding but also stop infection. Sewing it afterward would introduce bacteria into it again, among other things. These, which always pull me out of historical novels, coupled with the fact that the main character went from innocent to nympho in almost the blink of an eye, made it a struggle.
Then, the ending of this book was over-the-top. I can understand travelling as a jester and apprentice to start. I can understand avoiding a direct route that is patrolled. I can't understand
Perhaps, the biggest problem with this book comes with the dangerous information about the faked hanging. Hopefully, no one would attempt to fake a hanging using information in a romance novel, but it irritates me because I have worked in amateur theater with people I could see doing this. Teachers with minimal theater training get bad ideas about how to do things. (For example, twice in the past two decades at local schools where I live, teachers have gotten very bad ideas about "flying" Peter Pan. Thankfully, I was advising in the one case, and flying did not happen at all because once I explained the only way to safely do it, the cost was prohibitive. In the other case, which happened at a school I was not involved with, a student was seriously injured.) In this book, This is 100% false and dangerous. During this time, The ending of the book was so contrived because of this and other details that really didn't make much sense because, for example, , I almost stopped reading before they even got to Oxford.
May 1, 2022
Outro enorme salto temporal nesse livro, o que parece ter sido uma decisão comum da autora na época.
Aqui temos a história Elizabeth Hayward (neta de Mark ) que para se livrar de um casamento indesejado, se veste de menino e se torna Robin Redbreast - um ajudante de bobo da corte. Toda e qualquer semelhança com Tootsie e Uma Babá Quase Perfeita não são mera coincidência.
A troca gera algumas confusões hilárias, principalmente com o interesse amoroso sendo o bobo da corte, Tarleton.
Com certeza, é bem diferente do clichê Príncipe/Donzela.
Aqui temos a história Elizabeth Hayward (neta de Mark ) que para se livrar de um casamento indesejado, se veste de menino e se torna Robin Redbreast - um ajudante de bobo da corte. Toda e qualquer semelhança com Tootsie e Uma Babá Quase Perfeita não são mera coincidência.
A troca gera algumas confusões hilárias, principalmente com o interesse amoroso sendo o bobo da corte, Tarleton.
Com certeza, é bem diferente do clichê Príncipe/Donzela.
November 13, 2021
I really liked Elizabeth although she was naive and Richard as well, although I found him unnecessarily bawdy in the beginning of the book. But does no one think about the consequences of their actions?
I loved Paul the doctor and Jonathan the lawyer even though their appearance was brief.
The ending's complex plot made no sense to me. I won't say more because that would be a spoiler.
How awful that the Queen and nobility had so much power.
I loved Paul the doctor and Jonathan the lawyer even though their appearance was brief.
The ending's complex plot made no sense to me. I won't say more because that would be a spoiler.
How awful that the Queen and nobility had so much power.
June 14, 2022
I'm 99% sure that I read this back in the 90s when it was released, but it was 100% fun to read it (again). Elizabeth/Robin and Tarleton make for a wonderful pair. The banter as they travel to Hampton Court and the revelations - both his and hers - along the way make for a engaging and enjoyable story.
Excellent.
Excellent.
November 18, 2024
TWAS NO LAUGHING MATTER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
was i dumb or was the whole trickery with her specifically unnecessary at the end? like i get tricking and hiding SOME things but to wait THAT long to reveal all that was just for the sake of drama, why hurt her like that ?? lmaoooo
either way lovelay book 3.5 stars with extra love
was i dumb or was the whole trickery with her specifically unnecessary at the end? like i get tricking and hiding SOME things but to wait THAT long to reveal all that was just for the sake of drama, why hurt her like that ?? lmaoooo
either way lovelay book 3.5 stars with extra love
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 8, 2025
well... this wasn't good... but i also definitely read worse lol.
shows its age unfortunately and it's very insta-lovey. also, i got into it for the jester and he's more of a ministrel, so task failed successfully....
shows its age unfortunately and it's very insta-lovey. also, i got into it for the jester and he's more of a ministrel, so task failed successfully....
June 27, 2021
Historical romance.
July 14, 2021
Great story, with a very likable hero and heroine! Definitely recommend!
Read
May 22, 2024meh
October 4, 2024
Surprisingly not terrible. Interesting, inventive characters. Enjoyed the romance. Have forgotten most details, however. Funny, charming moments.
November 28, 2012
England 1586
Tarleton is 28 and Elizabeth is 19.
When Beth flees a marriage to an evil man, she finds herself alone and the road and hires a kind jester to take her to hr godmother, the Queen. The chemistry between Beth/Robin and Tarleton is great! The antics they go thru are wonderful and full of fun! Great plot. All the while the jilted bride groom hunts for Robin all over, haha. I am glad Sir Robert got his in the end. I loved the characters of Phillip the Dr and Jonathan the lawyer. They were fun, young and a great side addition even though you didn't see them until near the end.
Tarleton is 28 and Elizabeth is 19.
When Beth flees a marriage to an evil man, she finds herself alone and the road and hires a kind jester to take her to hr godmother, the Queen. The chemistry between Beth/Robin and Tarleton is great! The antics they go thru are wonderful and full of fun! Great plot. All the while the jilted bride groom hunts for Robin all over, haha. I am glad Sir Robert got his in the end. I loved the characters of Phillip the Dr and Jonathan the lawyer. They were fun, young and a great side addition even though you didn't see them until near the end.
January 22, 2010
So romantic! Intrigue and escape in a medieval setting. The hero is jester to "Good Queen Bess" and the heroine is goddaughter to the queen. The heroine hires the jester to take her to Hampton Court to the protection of her godmother after her betrothed murders her father to force an immediate wedding and inherit riches. The jester disguises her as his apprentice boy and they encounter many adventures on their way to the queen. Torn apart by their stations in life, how the jester wins his lady and defeats the villain is exciting and original. I highly recommend it.
April 7, 2008
great book to undwind to after finals. generally a good laugh. yay for trashy romance novels!!!
October 22, 2008
I loved this book. I own it and would definitely read it more than once. when i get a chance.
December 19, 2008
This was really good. It was fun and funny. It had interesting characters and I wanted to read it forever.
April 7, 2010
I'm not a big reader of romance novels but this was great! The twist of the male lead being areal historical figure just adds to it. Well worth the read!
August 3, 2010
This is my favorite book
October 9, 2010
Just when I thought I had read the worse book ever, I read this one!
July 3, 2012
very good easy read. Didnt expect the twist at the end not your typical romance novel. very good. I would recommend.
April 30, 2016
Loved this book! I've reread it multiple times and have recommended it to friends. It's funny and sweet and made me cry to. If you're a fan of the genre and time period, you should give it a try! :)
Read
January 16, 2018did not read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews