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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
3.5 stars. The historical context was gone into at great lengths and was very interesting, and I liked all the characters a lot. But ultimately, I would have liked a bit more focus on the romance. Will definitely read more of this author - a good, quick read.
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
While the setting and plot were interesting, I really did not enjoy the writing style here. I found the writing a bit too simplistic and clunky. I could have benefited from more descriptors along the way and less repetitious language.
The biggest problem was how slapdash it felt. All the stakes and tension are ripped out from under you because everything is conveniently resolved way too fast. Like oh by the way, it wasn't mentioned before but this is a thing that impacts the plot. Oh just kidding this isn't a problem anymore because this aspect exists and makes this not a problem.
I will definitely give Beverly Jenkins another shot, no doubt, just wish I had enjoyed this one more.
The biggest problem was how slapdash it felt. All the stakes and tension are ripped out from under you because everything is conveniently resolved way too fast. Like oh by the way, it wasn't mentioned before but this is a thing that impacts the plot. Oh just kidding this isn't a problem anymore because this aspect exists and makes this not a problem.
I will definitely give Beverly Jenkins another shot, no doubt, just wish I had enjoyed this one more.
Drake is excellent book boyfriend material. The flirting between him and Valinda, especially when she gave as good as she got, was top notch. My only tiny complaint was that the very end of the book felt a little blah. Like all the big end of book stuff happened and then there was still a few pages of wrap-up that just felt unnecessary and a little bland from what was otherwise a great read. Even so I'll definitely be reading more Beverly Jenkins soon.
I love all the details and historical tidbits in this atmospheric historical romance. I learn something new every time I read a book by Beverly Jenkins as she shines a light on all aspects of American history, while bringing the past to life with vivid details. The post-civil war time period and lush New Orleans setting create a beautiful backdrop for this sizzling romance. I loved the playful banter and the rich cast of characters. Drake was a total charmer, and I can't wait to revisit his family in the next book in the series.
Review originally posted at https://smexybooks.com/2019/05/angela-tuesday-thoughts-may-historical-romance-edition.html
This was such an easy read. I flew through the pages and couldn’t read fast enough.
Rebel is the first book in Beverly Jenkins’ new series and is set in New Orleans in the reconstruction era. Our heroine, Valinda Lacey has travelled from New York to New Orleans to teach and she has both children and adults in her classroom. She is only in town until her fiancée returns from his trip from France, until then she will do whatever she can to help those in need.
When her classroom is ransacked and she is attacked by several villainous men it is Drake LeVeq who comes to her rescue. It doesn’t take long before the LeVeq family offers Valinda a safe place to stay and work as the matriarch Julianna’s assistant. Which means she and Drake are thrown together quite often and it doesn’t take long for their desire for each other to shine through.
You guys, Drake is absolutely swoon worthy. Him and his capable gazebo, tree house building hands and pirate thoughts and helpful, kind heart, and sexy bedroom eyes… * happy sigh* Valinda is a strong woman who is also uncertain of her future and beginning to love both New Orleans and the LeVeq family. Watching them come together and find their HEA was lovely.
I really enjoyed the setting and found myself learning so much about the time period. This author knows her history and managed to convey the injustices of the time while creating a beautiful love story between two likable, strong leads.
I just realized that the LeVeq family features in several of Ms. Bev’s previous works and I can not believe I’ve managed to miss those. I’m so disappointed in myself. Here’s to a weekend of one-clicking.
Final Grade- B+
This was such an easy read. I flew through the pages and couldn’t read fast enough.
Rebel is the first book in Beverly Jenkins’ new series and is set in New Orleans in the reconstruction era. Our heroine, Valinda Lacey has travelled from New York to New Orleans to teach and she has both children and adults in her classroom. She is only in town until her fiancée returns from his trip from France, until then she will do whatever she can to help those in need.
When her classroom is ransacked and she is attacked by several villainous men it is Drake LeVeq who comes to her rescue. It doesn’t take long before the LeVeq family offers Valinda a safe place to stay and work as the matriarch Julianna’s assistant. Which means she and Drake are thrown together quite often and it doesn’t take long for their desire for each other to shine through.
You guys, Drake is absolutely swoon worthy. Him and his capable gazebo, tree house building hands and pirate thoughts and helpful, kind heart, and sexy bedroom eyes… * happy sigh* Valinda is a strong woman who is also uncertain of her future and beginning to love both New Orleans and the LeVeq family. Watching them come together and find their HEA was lovely.
I really enjoyed the setting and found myself learning so much about the time period. This author knows her history and managed to convey the injustices of the time while creating a beautiful love story between two likable, strong leads.
I just realized that the LeVeq family features in several of Ms. Bev’s previous works and I can not believe I’ve managed to miss those. I’m so disappointed in myself. Here’s to a weekend of one-clicking.
Final Grade- B+
Good old fashion romance novel with a historical take and something beautiful descriptions of Black characters
This was my first historical romance in many months, and it was like a breath of fresh air. Ms Jenkins lays down a truly impressive layer of historical groundwork and then sprinkles in the romance with a deft hand. I wouldn't mind reading more of this series.
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rating: 3.5 stars
First of all, can I just say - OMG, that cover! So gorgeous!
I can see why people call Beverly Jenkins one of the queens of romance. While I read a fair amount of historical romance, it's typically set in Regency England. US and Civil War historicals aren't really my thing, but I really enjoyed Rebel and feel like it gave me a viewpoint into that time period in US history that I haven't really thought about since learning about it in middle school/high school. I also feel like I learned more about the Reconstruction period reading this book than I ever did in school - what's up with that?
I tend to go for romances with a light-hearted rom-com tone, and Rebel has a more serious and sedate tone than my usual reads, and has some really heavy subject matter somehow without being very high angst. This book wasn't really my speed because it does deal with such dark themes and I prefer my romances to be more escapism. That being said, I'm definitely going to check out some more of Beverly Jenkins' work to see if part of the serious tone was the personalities of the main characters and the heavy subject matter, and see if she doesn't have something a little more light-hearted, because she is SUCH a good writer. I'm really interested to read Sable and Rai's story in Through the Storm.
Val is really admirable, with a giving heart and a spine of steel. And Drake is just completely swoon-worthy. I love how he just quietly supports Val and her decisions, even when they're not the ones he wants her to make, and doesn't put pressure on her to do what he wants. Even when he has a manchild pity party at one point, he quickly realizes that he's in the wrong and apologizes. That, friends, is a man.
This is the fourth book in The Le Veq Family series, but can be read as a stand alone with some minor spoilers for earlier books in the series. You don't need to read the other books before reading this one.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
First of all, can I just say - OMG, that cover! So gorgeous!
I can see why people call Beverly Jenkins one of the queens of romance. While I read a fair amount of historical romance, it's typically set in Regency England. US and Civil War historicals aren't really my thing, but I really enjoyed Rebel and feel like it gave me a viewpoint into that time period in US history that I haven't really thought about since learning about it in middle school/high school. I also feel like I learned more about the Reconstruction period reading this book than I ever did in school - what's up with that?
I tend to go for romances with a light-hearted rom-com tone, and Rebel has a more serious and sedate tone than my usual reads, and has some really heavy subject matter somehow without being very high angst. This book wasn't really my speed because it does deal with such dark themes and I prefer my romances to be more escapism. That being said, I'm definitely going to check out some more of Beverly Jenkins' work to see if part of the serious tone was the personalities of the main characters and the heavy subject matter, and see if she doesn't have something a little more light-hearted, because she is SUCH a good writer. I'm really interested to read Sable and Rai's story in Through the Storm.
Val is really admirable, with a giving heart and a spine of steel. And Drake is just completely swoon-worthy. I love how he just quietly supports Val and her decisions, even when they're not the ones he wants her to make, and doesn't put pressure on her to do what he wants. Even when he has a manchild pity party at one point, he quickly realizes that he's in the wrong and apologizes. That, friends, is a man.
This is the fourth book in The Le Veq Family series, but can be read as a stand alone with some minor spoilers for earlier books in the series. You don't need to read the other books before reading this one.
An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review. All opinions are unbiased and my own.
Like this review?
Check out more of my reviews on my blog, Elley the Book Otter
Ahhh I LOVED this.
It has been a while since I have enjoyed a historical romance the way I enjoyed this one. Valinda and Drake were both wonderfully written characters. I loved his family - they were all just so genuine, nice and honest. I have a lot of homework to do because I will now HAVE to read the Le Veq series).
It has been a while since I have enjoyed a historical romance the way I enjoyed this one. Valinda and Drake were both wonderfully written characters. I loved his family - they were all just so genuine, nice and honest. I have a lot of homework to do because I will now HAVE to read the Le Veq series).