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aqtbenz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Gun violence, Sexual content, Death, and Kidnapping
tayahmarie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Misogyny, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Alcoholism, and Hate crime
highschoolbookworm's review against another edition
3.75
C~8.5
A~8
W~8
P~6
I~8
L~7.5
E~10
Rating: 8
This was a great American historical romance. I was actually surprised by the amount of historical context included, which made the book more enjoyable since there was a deeper meaning. I loved the incorporation of Native Americans and the action at the end was pretty fun. The relationship between Cara and Chase was adorable, especially seeing how completely gone Chase was for her. However, I didn't really enjoy the plot that much and it barely kept me intrigued. I didn't care about Miles Sutton and the whole thing happening with Chase, and I wish there had been more focus on Cara's plot with her being a teacher and building the school, which was much more intriguing. The romance was so cute and had a good amount of steam as well, while artfully incorporating serious and important elements in regards to African American and Native American history. Loved it!
A~8
W~8
P~6
I~8
L~7.5
E~10
Rating: 8
This was a great American historical romance. I was actually surprised by the amount of historical context included, which made the book more enjoyable since there was a deeper meaning. I loved the incorporation of Native Americans and the action at the end was pretty fun. The relationship between Cara and Chase was adorable, especially seeing how completely gone Chase was for her. However, I didn't really enjoy the plot that much and it barely kept me intrigued. I didn't care about Miles Sutton and the whole thing happening with Chase, and I wish there had been more focus on Cara's plot with her being a teacher and building the school, which was much more intriguing. The romance was so cute and had a good amount of steam as well, while artfully incorporating serious and important elements in regards to African American and Native American history. Loved it!
bookswithangeli's review against another edition
2.0
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RATING: ⭐️⭐️
STEAM:
RATING: ⭐️⭐️
STEAM:
hannahecarey's review against another edition
4.5
Rating: 4.5
Highlights:
🌟 Beverly Jenkins always does such fun twists in her stories, it’s always fun to see how the story develops.
🌟I really enjoyed Cara as a heroine and I especially loved that she was the one who “saved the day”.
🌟I also really liked how Cara and Virginia went from enemies to friends, loved watching their friendship develop.
🌟Beverly Jenkins does such a fantastic job of blending history into her narratives, it’s one of my favorite things about her novels.
🌟And as always, the romance between Cara and Chase was sizzling!
Highlights:
🌟 Beverly Jenkins always does such fun twists in her stories, it’s always fun to see how the story develops.
🌟I really enjoyed Cara as a heroine and I especially loved that she was the one who “saved the day”.
🌟I also really liked how Cara and Virginia went from enemies to friends, loved watching their friendship develop.
🌟Beverly Jenkins does such a fantastic job of blending history into her narratives, it’s one of my favorite things about her novels.
🌟And as always, the romance between Cara and Chase was sizzling!
alyssa_dorene's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Death, Racism, and Slavery
Minor: Miscarriage
readingwithmerb's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to enjoy Beverly Jenkin’s debut novel, but it’s probably my least favorite work from her that I’ve read so far. We follow school teacher Cara, whose grandfather was killed by union soldiers in her childhood, leaving her to harbor the trauma since. When she finds herself attracted to a union soldier Chase, she starts to question herself and what it is she really wants in life.
I actually really loved the start of this, seeing Cara and Chase flirting and learning to trust each other. But once it got to the traumatic scene (TW for miscarriage), I found the story kind of spiraled and became a little distasteful. Whilst both characters had their flaws and did some questionable things, Chase’s behavior was honestly pretty toxic, and for a while there the story was really melancholy, and left me not actually rooting for the couple (but for a historical romance published during this time, it was actually pretty good). I also found the story dragged, and I find most of Jenkin’s works I’ve read have gotten into this funk as well, where the couple are together and the story kind of becomes stagnant, and it feels a little aimless. She does always finish her books with a bang though, and this was no exception. The antagonist in this was bloody horrible, and definitely a memorable one. So yeah, this was a bit scattered and questionable in parts, but overall still entertaining and moving.
~ I read this for Becca’s Bookoplathon 2021 ~
I actually really loved the start of this, seeing Cara and Chase flirting and learning to trust each other. But once it got to the traumatic scene (TW for miscarriage), I found the story kind of spiraled and became a little distasteful. Whilst both characters had their flaws and did some questionable things, Chase’s behavior was honestly pretty toxic, and for a while there the story was really melancholy, and left me not actually rooting for the couple (but for a historical romance published during this time, it was actually pretty good). I also found the story dragged, and I find most of Jenkin’s works I’ve read have gotten into this funk as well, where the couple are together and the story kind of becomes stagnant, and it feels a little aimless. She does always finish her books with a bang though, and this was no exception. The antagonist in this was bloody horrible, and definitely a memorable one. So yeah, this was a bit scattered and questionable in parts, but overall still entertaining and moving.
~ I read this for Becca’s Bookoplathon 2021 ~
kimmilight's review against another edition
4.0
I really really enjoyed this book. I'm so happy I had such a good introduction to Beverly Jenkins.
I just recently watched the movie Harriet, so thankfully I was more familiar with the topic of what was going on. As a foreigner, I'm not terribly familiar with US history so sometimes things go over my head, but this one didn't.
I loved Chase as a hero, he was flirting and I was blushing as if he was taking to me! I really liked the small town setting, and also this was the first romance centered book I've read in this time setting.
Cara, I could take or leave. I didn't fully understand her actions but I guess they were somehow characteristic to her not-experienced reality. Although, I would have expected her to be a bit more cynical or at least less innocent about some life decisions considering she had been fending for herself for most of her life.
But overall I really enjoyed it, and I really liked how it wrapped up. I will also share my favorite quote:
"However, I must ask, is this woman deaf and blind to want and old army dog like you?" - Dreamer
I just recently watched the movie Harriet, so thankfully I was more familiar with the topic of what was going on. As a foreigner, I'm not terribly familiar with US history so sometimes things go over my head, but this one didn't.
I loved Chase as a hero, he was flirting and I was blushing as if he was taking to me! I really liked the small town setting, and also this was the first romance centered book I've read in this time setting.
Cara, I could take or leave. I didn't fully understand her actions but I guess they were somehow characteristic to her not-experienced reality. Although, I would have expected her to be a bit more cynical or at least less innocent about some life decisions considering she had been fending for herself for most of her life.
But overall I really enjoyed it, and I really liked how it wrapped up. I will also share my favorite quote:
"However, I must ask, is this woman deaf and blind to want and old army dog like you?" - Dreamer
Spoiler
For this to have been a 5 star for me, I would have liked a different way to them getting married, I would have appreciated Chase not being so forceful caveman like in his actions. And I also thought the drama with Miles was a bit over the top and dramatic, but what mostly bothered me was Cara's insistence on going back home. I feel like logical thinking human beings don't wish to stay by themselves in a house when a criminal is out on the loose, or is it just me?bribookish's review against another edition
4.0
I have finally read my first book by Beverly Jenkins and I can definitely say not my last. I loved Chase and Cara!
s_books's review against another edition
3.0
This was a good African-American historical romance although the plot felt quite familiar and predictable, not just from Jenkins' other books but from other romance novels as well. About the same level as Jenkins' Jewel, better than Wild Sweet Love.