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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Sometimes you pick up a book thinking you’re going to get just a good romance but then the author presents you with a book that moves beyond genre, to give you a history lesson and a social kick in the pants as well. Ms. Bev’s new book Rebel does just that in a romance set in Reconstruction-era New Orleans between a NYC teacher escaping a suffocating father and a man from a prominent Free Black family working to help those recently freed rebuild their lives. The romance between Val and Drake is sweet and sexy but this doesn’t make the book easy. Nothing was easy for free and freed people of color after the Civil War, from getting a job, to an education, to a fair wage, to even being able to seek justice because the systems were all still rigged in favor of Whites. Jenkins lays that all out on the page and includes names and dates of real (shitty) legislation passed by Congress and states and real activists working in the era. An absolutely outstanding novel to kick off the summer.
For those who have read other historicals from Jenkins, Raimond and Sable make an extended appearance here and you may also recognize a few names mentioned in passing.
For those who have read other historicals from Jenkins, Raimond and Sable make an extended appearance here and you may also recognize a few names mentioned in passing.
This is my fifth romance by Jenkins and I really like her writing and her characters. I know when I read a novel by Jenkins that she has done lots of research. Her historical romances are so fascinating because she teaches me history that I didn't learn in school.
I look forward to reading more of her books.
I look forward to reading more of her books.
If you don’t know anything about post-civil war south or Reconstruction or the so-called Restoration then perhaps a romance would be a good entry point for said history. Innocent yet strong-willed babygirl meets big strapping protective man. They pretend they aren’t going to act on their attraction for half the book, then he pleasures her, and she decides to be with him forever, and they proceed to uplift the race together.
However, I’ve read this book before. A couple times. In a series of other books with similar locations, similar plots, similar racial tensions, and similar characters. I know romance is formulaic. That’s why we like it, but it still has to be interesting. There was very little novel about the novel. And if it isn’t interesting, there should be wild sex on every other page and there wasn’t. There was one penetrative sex experience in the entire romance novel, and it was 70% of the way through the book. I kept swiping pages and thinking what am I reading for? There’s some vigilante justice and a victory for the freedmen, but other than that, I didn’t learn anything. My imagination didn’t get to play. The alleged plot twists were predictable. I wouldn’t read another Jenkins. I’m just gonna wait for Emezi’s next romance novel. Her first romance set a new standard for the entire genre.
However, I’ve read this book before. A couple times. In a series of other books with similar locations, similar plots, similar racial tensions, and similar characters. I know romance is formulaic. That’s why we like it, but it still has to be interesting. There was very little novel about the novel. And if it isn’t interesting, there should be wild sex on every other page and there wasn’t. There was one penetrative sex experience in the entire romance novel, and it was 70% of the way through the book. I kept swiping pages and thinking what am I reading for? There’s some vigilante justice and a victory for the freedmen, but other than that, I didn’t learn anything. My imagination didn’t get to play. The alleged plot twists were predictable. I wouldn’t read another Jenkins. I’m just gonna wait for Emezi’s next romance novel. Her first romance set a new standard for the entire genre.
As someone who primarily writes romance in my spare time (despite pretty much never reading romance novels), I think Rebel was a very good choice for my entrance into romance, particularly by Beverly Jenkins who I have heard is considered a master of the genre!
That tiny blab aside, this book was so sweet, that I gobbled it up in a day, which is a record for me! The historical elements to the story is very informative, and definitely satisfied the history lover within me.
Valinda is a strong character, which I really liked, and the dialogue between Drake and her really made me chuckle.
Towards the latter half of the book, things did begin to become a little rushed, especially with the fact that Cole (Valinda's intended before Drake came into the picture) is actually gay and Valinda was his beard the whole time! I guess there had been some subtle hints, but that sorta threw me for a loop, and I felt it was an easy resolution to a conflict that could've been really spicy. Generally speaking, the major conflicts in this book are quickly solvable (maybe that's just a norm in romance, I'm a romance newbie, and I'm probably being too critical), so this is a very happy read despite the period the book is set in. Black women MCs deserve happy endings, and this book rightfully does that.
Anyways, great story, I'm looking forward to reading her other books and the sequel.
That tiny blab aside, this book was so sweet, that I gobbled it up in a day, which is a record for me! The historical elements to the story is very informative, and definitely satisfied the history lover within me.
Valinda is a strong character, which I really liked, and the dialogue between Drake and her really made me chuckle.
Towards the latter half of the book, things did begin to become a little rushed, especially with the fact that Cole (Valinda's intended before Drake came into the picture) is actually gay and Valinda was his beard the whole time! I guess there had been some subtle hints, but that sorta threw me for a loop, and I felt it was an easy resolution to a conflict that could've been really spicy. Generally speaking, the major conflicts in this book are quickly solvable (maybe that's just a norm in romance, I'm a romance newbie, and I'm probably being too critical), so this is a very happy read despite the period the book is set in. Black women MCs deserve happy endings, and this book rightfully does that.
Anyways, great story, I'm looking forward to reading her other books and the sequel.
I totally shoulda started reading BIPOC romances EARLIERRRRR!!!
Beverly Jenkins' narrative style is easy, smooth, descriptive, lush, intentional, and familiar. It's not a hardship at all to read (u know how sometimes it feels like authors try too hard to be lyrical, but not beverly!), and the pacing is quick and moves well.
Since most romance books (I've been reading lots of monster/supernatural/fantasy romance) are white or feature white characters or are by white authors, I was excited to come across THIS AMAZING COVER - so I IMMEDIATELY WAS LIKE HULLO I WANNA KNOW WHAT THIS IS!!! WHO DIS AUTHOR!!
A review said Jenkins' voice feels familiar even if you've never read her books, and I couldn't! agree! more! It's like in the kdrama 'Run On' where she says 'as an interpreter, the mark of a good translation is when you don't even notice the translation'. Jenkins write in a way that feels so natural that the prose just flows right through, and you have clear, easy access to the story and characters.
SPEAKING OF - characters were lovely! They were honest, direct, and forthcoming with their feelings, desires, dreams, and mistakes. No miscommunication trope here! Val was a wonderfully candid, independent, respectful, and curious FMC. Tbh, they were both very emotional intelligent and in touch with themselves, no angst.
Spicy? Sorta spicy, the general theme was HOT INTENTIONAL GLANCES. There was some spicy but it was a surface level of description, so while the actions were there, things weren't detailed, they were more generally described. And still really tender! LeVeq was so charming, caring, direct, open, and generous.
I also liked how Jenkins inserted moments of social commentary like wanting women to know more about sexual desires and intimacy and bodily autonomy.
And also the way she embodied historical events in plot points and brought to life the setting and time - IMPECCABLE. I feel like I got a better picture of what 1860s was actually like by reading this versus my HS history class all those years ago
Beverly Jenkins' narrative style is easy, smooth, descriptive, lush, intentional, and familiar. It's not a hardship at all to read (u know how sometimes it feels like authors try too hard to be lyrical, but not beverly!), and the pacing is quick and moves well.
Since most romance books (I've been reading lots of monster/supernatural/fantasy romance) are white or feature white characters or are by white authors, I was excited to come across THIS AMAZING COVER - so I IMMEDIATELY WAS LIKE HULLO I WANNA KNOW WHAT THIS IS!!! WHO DIS AUTHOR!!
A review said Jenkins' voice feels familiar even if you've never read her books, and I couldn't! agree! more! It's like in the kdrama 'Run On' where she says 'as an interpreter, the mark of a good translation is when you don't even notice the translation'. Jenkins write in a way that feels so natural that the prose just flows right through, and you have clear, easy access to the story and characters.
SPEAKING OF - characters were lovely! They were honest, direct, and forthcoming with their feelings, desires, dreams, and mistakes. No miscommunication trope here! Val was a wonderfully candid, independent, respectful, and curious FMC. Tbh, they were both very emotional intelligent and in touch with themselves, no angst.
Spicy? Sorta spicy, the general theme was HOT INTENTIONAL GLANCES. There was some spicy but it was a surface level of description, so while the actions were there, things weren't detailed, they were more generally described. And still really tender! LeVeq was so charming, caring, direct, open, and generous.
I also liked how Jenkins inserted moments of social commentary like wanting women to know more about sexual desires and intimacy and bodily autonomy.
And also the way she embodied historical events in plot points and brought to life the setting and time - IMPECCABLE. I feel like I got a better picture of what 1860s was actually like by reading this versus my HS history class all those years ago
3.5/5 stars
Cute, sweet, and fascinating! I loved how the escapism of romance was blended with the constant danger of the Reconstruction Era.
Cute, sweet, and fascinating! I loved how the escapism of romance was blended with the constant danger of the Reconstruction Era.
reading a beverly jenkins historical romance is like that feeling after you shave your legs, put on your favorite lotion and get into clean sheets.
absolutely LOVED drake! he was so chivalrous without being chauvinistic. also, i am NOT a fan of "momma's boys" but drake and juliana had such a lovely relationship.
absolutely LOVED drake! he was so chivalrous without being chauvinistic. also, i am NOT a fan of "momma's boys" but drake and juliana had such a lovely relationship.
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
2024 is my year of Beverly Jenkins and this was a fantastic start! This story moved so fast and had so many great characters, can’t wait to see more of them!
I can’t believe that I have never read a Beverly Jenkins historical romance until now! I really loved this book and I can’t wait to read more.