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max_pink's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5 Stars
How does one debut with a banger like this? Beverly Jenkins, you absolute legend.
This is my second Jenkins, and what I love about her take on the genre is how grounded in history everything is. You can tell how much research she does and puts into her stories, and the result is really emotional stories about people that feel like they could have actually been in history.
Cara and Chase were great together. I loved how smart and driven and honest Cara was, and Chase was the perfect level of charming player to ruffle her feathers. Their relationship hits some wild bumps in the road, but I appreciate them actually deciding to talk things out and act like actual adults.
The overall plot of this gets unhinged. I feel like 90s historical romances aren’t complete without a mustache-twirling villain kidnapping someone. But I love those shenanigans, so this really worked for me. What a delight.
Shoutout to Kim Staunton for excellent audio narration.
How does one debut with a banger like this? Beverly Jenkins, you absolute legend.
This is my second Jenkins, and what I love about her take on the genre is how grounded in history everything is. You can tell how much research she does and puts into her stories, and the result is really emotional stories about people that feel like they could have actually been in history.
Cara and Chase were great together. I loved how smart and driven and honest Cara was, and Chase was the perfect level of charming player to ruffle her feathers. Their relationship hits some wild bumps in the road, but I appreciate them actually deciding to talk things out and act like actual adults.
The overall plot of this gets unhinged. I feel like 90s historical romances aren’t complete without a mustache-twirling villain kidnapping someone. But I love those shenanigans, so this really worked for me. What a delight.
Shoutout to Kim Staunton for excellent audio narration.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, and Violence
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery, Gun violence, Violence, Racial slurs, Racism, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
scoodle42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-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
5.0
Cara Lee Henson is a school teacher who needs to keep her reputation intact, but Chase Jefferson makes that very hard to do. Chase is a soldier who knows he can't offer Cara anything permanent. But even that isn't enough to keep him away from her.
When I tell you my heart melted. Cara and Chase are my favorites! Ms. Bev painted a wonderful picture of the small town lives of Black people migrating westward and the troops assigned to try to rein in some of the Post Civil War lawlessness. Cara and Chase trying to fight what they were feeling tugged at me, and the way they gave in to each other and were so caring when they did it. Cara's fallout with the town was expected, but I hated her plan to try to push through on her own, and what happened to her after. But if Ms. Bev is gonna do one thing, she gonna write a woman who don't have time to wait on a man. Cara's refusal to stay where she wasn't cared for came from a real place. But Chase Jefferson? Chase. Jefferson. He stepped all the way up to the plate, and didn't stop until he was sure Cara was protected. His feelings on their loss almost made me cry, and him being a former slave and the shame other people attached to it felt real as well. The way he was a good husband even when he wasn't sure about it was almost cute, lol. I loved the way they eventually settled into care and happiness, even their migration to finally sleeping in the same bed was nice, lol. I wanted more of them. I honestly would read about them all day.
When I tell you my heart melted. Cara and Chase are my favorites! Ms. Bev painted a wonderful picture of the small town lives of Black people migrating westward and the troops assigned to try to rein in some of the Post Civil War lawlessness. Cara and Chase trying to fight what they were feeling tugged at me, and the way they gave in to each other and were so caring when they did it. Cara's fallout with the town was expected, but I hated her plan to try to push through on her own, and what happened to her after. But if Ms. Bev is gonna do one thing, she gonna write a woman who don't have time to wait on a man. Cara's refusal to stay where she wasn't cared for came from a real place. But Chase Jefferson? Chase. Jefferson. He stepped all the way up to the plate, and didn't stop until he was sure Cara was protected. His feelings on their loss almost made me cry, and him being a former slave and the shame other people attached to it felt real as well. The way he was a good husband even when he wasn't sure about it was almost cute, lol. I loved the way they eventually settled into care and happiness, even their migration to finally sleeping in the same bed was nice, lol. I wanted more of them. I honestly would read about them all day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Miscarriage
allingoodtime's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
After reading my very first Ms. Bev book, Indigo, I couldn’t wait to read more. As is my usual compulsive way to do things, I went back to the beginning. This was Beverly Jenkins’ first published book. While there were some issues with flow and it didn’t quite measure up to Indigo (really, what could?), it’s still a wonderful and engaging story.
This author does such a beautiful job when it comes to banter. Cara Lee is no push over and Chase is used to being in charge. Their first meeting does nothing to endear Chase to Cara, but there is instant chemistry and I couldn’t wait for them to meet again.
There aren’t many things in romance better than the hero not understanding that he’s in love. The proclamations that he “isn’t built for commitment” yet he cannot even think of the FMC being looked at by anyone else. The ache in his chest or weird feeling in his gut that he doesn’t know what to do about. Chase has a lot of bluster, but he cannot stay away. On the other hand, Cara quickly recognizes that Chase can be dangerous to her. She knows he has the power to destroy her emotionally and tries to stay away herself. Spoiler: it doesn’t work!
I am a history buff and love how the author peppers her stories with history. Especially since it’s history dealing with minorities that we don’t get anywhere enough of in school. This writer does her homework and I’m a huge fan.
I keep asking myself why it took me so long to read this author. I will not be slacking on devouring all she has to offer, which is a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Miscarriage and Misogyny
Minor: Slavery
ylime620's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Everyone should read this book. It's absolutely bonkers. Half sex scenes, a quarter western adventure story, and a quarter Black reconstruction history. I need a first edition NOW.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Miscarriage
Moderate: Slavery, War, Rape, and Sexual content
aqtbenz's review
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
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
now_booking's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
I’m in total awe that this was Beverly Jenkins’ first published book. Not only is it 27 years old at the time I’m reading it, it stands up well to modern historical romances written now, and even is better than most in terms of historical accuracy, originality, diverse narratives, an empowered heroine who though not rich has agency, an alpha hero who listens and is respectful. Yes, there are a couple of scenes of dubious consent, but this novel does so much incredibly well.
The premise of this is that independent school teacher Cara, has had a lifetime taking care of herself and standing up for what she believes in, which is why she’s not quite sure what to make off the incredibly hot, incredibly sexy soldier, Chase, who comes to the small town where she’s a teacher. Sparks fly in a way that change both their lives forever, especially when a despicable criminal becomes obsessed with Cara.
This romance will be beloved by anyone who loves an alpha heroine especially one who is competent, independent, will save the day but is also willing to be vulnerable to love. I loved that love for Cara did not make her any less herself or make her give up her pride of her independence which were such significant parts of her identity as a character. I loved that when Cara and Chase fought, they were mature about it, never dirty or resorting to harsh words that couldn’t be taken back. This has a tinge of the secret baby trope to it but I think anyone who has a problem with this trope will love the way it is dealt with here. I think for once the father’s feelings are given space on the page and the emotions of men who are put in that position and the mothers who feel the need to hide paternity, are explored. I enjoyed the second wind of intrigue this story got about two-thirds of the way in with the danger and mystery and equally loved the resolution.
I picked up this book because I committed to reading Beverly Jenkins’ entire backlist in order of publication (skipping the ones I’ve already read) and this makes me excited about what is to come.
The premise of this is that independent school teacher Cara, has had a lifetime taking care of herself and standing up for what she believes in, which is why she’s not quite sure what to make off the incredibly hot, incredibly sexy soldier, Chase, who comes to the small town where she’s a teacher. Sparks fly in a way that change both their lives forever, especially when a despicable criminal becomes obsessed with Cara.
This romance will be beloved by anyone who loves an alpha heroine especially one who is competent, independent, will save the day but is also willing to be vulnerable to love. I loved that love for Cara did not make her any less herself or make her give up her pride of her independence which were such significant parts of her identity as a character. I loved that when Cara and Chase fought, they were mature about it, never dirty or resorting to harsh words that couldn’t be taken back. This has a tinge of the secret baby trope to it but I think anyone who has a problem with this trope will love the way it is dealt with here. I think for once the father’s feelings are given space on the page and the emotions of men who are put in that position and the mothers who feel the need to hide paternity, are explored. I enjoyed the second wind of intrigue this story got about two-thirds of the way in with the danger and mystery and equally loved the resolution.
I picked up this book because I committed to reading Beverly Jenkins’ entire backlist in order of publication (skipping the ones I’ve already read) and this makes me excited about what is to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Gun violence, Hate crime, Domestic abuse, and Racism
Minor: Rape
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