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reading_historical_romance's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As with every Rebecca Brandywine romance, YMMV.
This is a well-written, compelling romance between an orphaned Spaniard who was raised from age 8 by a Comanche band in the Texas territory. El Lobo (the Wolf) left his adopted family and tribe to avenge his parents' murders at the age of 18. He then evolves into a legendary gunslinger and bounty hunter, and is widely believed to be of mixed race (Mexican and Comanche). Wolf meets New Orleans Southern belle and fellow orphan Storm Lesconflair in a saloon, where she is being held against her will by a bandit who robbed the stagecoach she was traveling in and kidnapped her. Storm had been sent to Texas for an arranged marriage to a rich, powerful rancher.
The saga that follows spans 11 years, across Texas to Mexico to San Francisco and back, and every type of melodrama that Rebecca Brandywine is known for in between.
The romance between Wolf and Storm is dramatic, intense, and at times, very tragic. Their relationship is highly problematic in a number of ways, and would be categorized today as a dark romance. But their story was compelling and I stayed up way too late three nights in a row because I had to know what was going to happen next.
It should be noted here that Storm is 16 years old when her marriage is arranged in 1848, which is also the year she meets Wolf. Wolf is 27. This is an open door romance novel that does contain explicit sexual content between these two characters. Despite the fact that this novel takes place between 1848-1866, and age differences like this were socially acceptable historically, adult-minor relationships were just as problematic (and gross) in the past as they are today, and readers should be warned that this is a disturbing aspect of the story.
In addition to the dynamic between Wolf and Storm, there are multiple other TW/CW including cultural appropriation, racism, bloody violence, rape, sexual violence, toxic relationships, and child death. Although one of the central themes of the novel is the horrors of racism against indigenous American peoples, and their genocide at the hands of white Americans, readers should be aware that this was written by a white woman in 1983. The author has a lengthy note at the end where she discusses her research so that she might accurately and sensitively represent Comanche characters and the history of the Comanche tribe, including a study of the Comanche language, and interviews with experts from this community. However, there is no question that this novel would not be accepted for publication today, and that it does include a number of negative stereotypes.
(There are also enslaved black characters, with mentions of slavery in the pre-Civil War South. Notably, slavery is not condemned by the author in the narrative.)
This is a well-written, compelling romance between an orphaned Spaniard who was raised from age 8 by a Comanche band in the Texas territory. El Lobo (the Wolf) left his adopted family and tribe to avenge his parents' murders at the age of 18. He then evolves into a legendary gunslinger and bounty hunter, and is widely believed to be of mixed race (Mexican and Comanche). Wolf meets New Orleans Southern belle and fellow orphan Storm Lesconflair in a saloon, where she is being held against her will by a bandit who robbed the stagecoach she was traveling in and kidnapped her. Storm had been sent to Texas for an arranged marriage to a rich, powerful rancher.
The saga that follows spans 11 years, across Texas to Mexico to San Francisco and back, and every type of melodrama that Rebecca Brandywine is known for in between.
The romance between Wolf and Storm is dramatic, intense, and at times, very tragic. Their relationship is highly problematic in a number of ways, and would be categorized today as a dark romance. But their story was compelling and I stayed up way too late three nights in a row because I had to know what was going to happen next.
It should be noted here that Storm is 16 years old when her marriage is arranged in 1848, which is also the year she meets Wolf. Wolf is 27. This is an open door romance novel that does contain explicit sexual content between these two characters. Despite the fact that this novel takes place between 1848-1866, and age differences like this were socially acceptable historically, adult-minor relationships were just as problematic (and gross) in the past as they are today, and readers should be warned that this is a disturbing aspect of the story.
In addition to the dynamic between Wolf and Storm, there are multiple other TW/CW including cultural appropriation, racism, bloody violence, rape, sexual violence, toxic relationships, and child death. Although one of the central themes of the novel is the horrors of racism against indigenous American peoples, and their genocide at the hands of white Americans, readers should be aware that this was written by a white woman in 1983. The author has a lengthy note at the end where she discusses her research so that she might accurately and sensitively represent Comanche characters and the history of the Comanche tribe, including a study of the Comanche language, and interviews with experts from this community. However, there is no question that this novel would not be accepted for publication today, and that it does include a number of negative stereotypes.
(There are also enslaved black characters, with mentions of slavery in the pre-Civil War South. Notably, slavery is not condemned by the author in the narrative.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Colonisation, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Cultural appropriation, Sexual content, Blood, Child death, Murder, Racism, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Death, Violence, Death of parent, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Stalking, Grief, Misogyny, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Sexism, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicide
anneinus's review against another edition
4.0
In general, really thrilling book. I couldn't always understand Storm and why she went back to Gabriel North.
One thing is clear: There was done a lot of historical research and you were drawn back in the Wild West.
I didn't like that you knew Storm's oldest son wasn't called Chance, but Luke. You knew something was going to happen to him, but you didn't know when (at least that was the interesting part).
One thing is clear: There was done a lot of historical research and you were drawn back in the Wild West.
I didn't like that you knew Storm's oldest son wasn't called Chance, but Luke. You knew something was going to happen to him, but you didn't know when (at least that was the interesting part).
sammy234's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This book was brilliantly written, so I feel like it deserves more than three stars, but I sometimes felt rather emotionally disconnected from the romance between Wolf and Storm, so I can't justify giving it a higher rating.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if they would have gotten married later in the story and developed their relationship just a bit more. I really loved the first quarter of the novel where Wolf slowly teaches Storm how to be independent and how to defend herself. The bonding scenes between them were so emotional during that portion of the novel.
(Actually, I can't even recall another bodice ripper where the male lead takes the time to teach the heroine self-defense. I really loved this aspect of their relationship and how Storm turns all she learned from Wolf against him whenever he wrongs her. If you want to read a bodice ripper where the female lead is a competent badass, look no further than this book.)
I did enjoy the latter half of their romance, don't get me wrong. But something held me back from absolutely loving it. I wanted more out of their love story, even though I can't put my finger on what was missing from their dynamic. I honestly feel like I should have completely adored it.
Also, maybe another thing that contributed to my emotional disconnect from the story is that the person who owned my copy of Love, Cherish Me before me seriously summarized what was going to happen during each chapter. It was kind of funny to me because I have no idea why someone would do this. I would start a chapter and in big letters at the top of the page it would say something like STORM IS GOING TO GET KIDNAPPED HERE. Kind of killed the suspense a bit.
They also circled every single endearment that Wolf directs toward Storm. This made me realize that he has to have called her baby at least eighty times. It actually started to bug me, and maybe it bugged this unknown person too. I don't know. They circled random places too, and some of the love scenes for some reason lol
So yeah. This was a weird reading experience, but Rebecca Brandewyne is extremely talented, so I definitely want to read more from her. The ending was phenomenal, and the main villain was so memorable. He kind of gave me Patrick Bateman vibes.
Even though I didn't love this romance as much as I wanted to, I'm still glad I read this.
TW: non-consent, torture, racism, graphic murder
This book was brilliantly written, so I feel like it deserves more than three stars, but I sometimes felt rather emotionally disconnected from the romance between Wolf and Storm, so I can't justify giving it a higher rating.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if they would have gotten married later in the story and developed their relationship just a bit more. I really loved the first quarter of the novel where Wolf slowly teaches Storm how to be independent and how to defend herself. The bonding scenes between them were so emotional during that portion of the novel.
(Actually, I can't even recall another bodice ripper where the male lead takes the time to teach the heroine self-defense. I really loved this aspect of their relationship and how Storm turns all she learned from Wolf against him whenever he wrongs her. If you want to read a bodice ripper where the female lead is a competent badass, look no further than this book.)
I did enjoy the latter half of their romance, don't get me wrong. But something held me back from absolutely loving it. I wanted more out of their love story, even though I can't put my finger on what was missing from their dynamic. I honestly feel like I should have completely adored it.
Also, maybe another thing that contributed to my emotional disconnect from the story is that the person who owned my copy of Love, Cherish Me before me seriously summarized what was going to happen during each chapter. It was kind of funny to me because I have no idea why someone would do this. I would start a chapter and in big letters at the top of the page it would say something like STORM IS GOING TO GET KIDNAPPED HERE. Kind of killed the suspense a bit.
They also circled every single endearment that Wolf directs toward Storm. This made me realize that he has to have called her baby at least eighty times. It actually started to bug me, and maybe it bugged this unknown person too. I don't know. They circled random places too, and some of the love scenes for some reason lol
So yeah. This was a weird reading experience, but Rebecca Brandewyne is extremely talented, so I definitely want to read more from her. The ending was phenomenal, and the main villain was so memorable. He kind of gave me Patrick Bateman vibes.
Even though I didn't love this romance as much as I wanted to, I'm still glad I read this.
TW: non-consent, torture, racism, graphic murder
minabear's review
5.0
I read "Love, Cherish Me" many years ago, and it's a favorite. You have to read this book as a lover of the genre, because Rebecca Brandewyne is here at her bodice-rippiest. What I loved about Rebecca Brandewyne's old romances was that she would always pose dressed as the heroine in her picture on the back of the book. There would be a poem at the beginning, and the book would be broken up into several books or parts. The story began with a prologue with the couple together and ended with their epilogue. And let's not forget the Elaine Duillo cover art, which was practically de rigeur for a romance diva. What can I say, I've always preferred intricate, elaborate heavy metal or progressive rock as opposed to streamlined, gritty punk, and my taste in romances is no different.
The heroine is southern belle Storm Aimee Lesconflair and the hero is the dark stranger called "Lobo," or Wolf. The tale is epic, set in the epic state of Texas. Storm is abducted and almost raped by villains, saved by Wolf multiple times, separated from her beloved, accused of murder, and experiences the worst pain a mother can feel and finally is reunited with her soul mate. This is a companion piece to [b:And Gold Was Ours|1339847|And Gold Was Ours (Aguilar's Fate, #2)|Rebecca Brandewyne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1182857046l/1339847._SY75_.jpg|1329419], which was good but not as great as this. The only Brandewyne book I like more is [b:Upon a Moon-Dark Moor|2123410|Upon a Moon-Dark Moor (Chandlers of Highclyffe Hall, #1)|Rebecca Brandewyne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329733851l/2123410._SY75_.jpg|2694508].
The heroine is southern belle Storm Aimee Lesconflair and the hero is the dark stranger called "Lobo," or Wolf. The tale is epic, set in the epic state of Texas. Storm is abducted and almost raped by villains, saved by Wolf multiple times, separated from her beloved, accused of murder, and experiences the worst pain a mother can feel and finally is reunited with her soul mate. This is a companion piece to [b:And Gold Was Ours|1339847|And Gold Was Ours (Aguilar's Fate, #2)|Rebecca Brandewyne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1182857046l/1339847._SY75_.jpg|1329419], which was good but not as great as this. The only Brandewyne book I like more is [b:Upon a Moon-Dark Moor|2123410|Upon a Moon-Dark Moor (Chandlers of Highclyffe Hall, #1)|Rebecca Brandewyne|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1329733851l/2123410._SY75_.jpg|2694508].
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