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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Trigger warnings: murder, racism, homophobia, homophobic slurs, war, discussions of slavery, violence, gun violence, death, assault
I really enjoyed reading this story about a Black woman from New York who comes to New Orleans after the Civil War to educate recently freed men, women and children. And then she's rescued from a dangerous situation by a former soldier from an influential Black family and sparks fly between them.
The discussion of New Orleans after the war was great, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Val and Drake. But. The romance was a little TOO slow burn for my liking - she was still engaged to someone else until about the 60-70% mark. And the third act drama literally happened in the last 20 minutes of the book, which made the final wrap up chapter feel extremely rushed.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it! I just wish the last 10-15% had been another 30 pages or so to make things feel properly complete.
I really enjoyed reading this story about a Black woman from New York who comes to New Orleans after the Civil War to educate recently freed men, women and children. And then she's rescued from a dangerous situation by a former soldier from an influential Black family and sparks fly between them.
The discussion of New Orleans after the war was great, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Val and Drake. But. The romance was a little TOO slow burn for my liking - she was still engaged to someone else until about the 60-70% mark. And the third act drama literally happened in the last 20 minutes of the book, which made the final wrap up chapter feel extremely rushed.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed it! I just wish the last 10-15% had been another 30 pages or so to make things feel properly complete.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love Beverly Jenkins’ historicals. This one takes place in Reconstruction in New Orleans. I loved Val, she was strong and smart and generous. And Drake… was super hot. My fave thing in romance is a dude head over heels for his lady and he’s like please buy all the things you want, please, it would make me so happy.
Beverly once again proves she’s the master of writing black love and black historical fiction. Every book is a a steamy, sexy history lesson and Rebel is no exception. Val is working to make it as a teacher in Reconstruction era Louisiana when a series of incidents and a run in with Drake Le Veq set her on a slightly different path. A bit of suspense, a lot of foreplay, and a very satisfying plot twist at the end. I loved it, as usual.
slow-paced
Longer review will be posted on my blog...
But...
All I gotta say is...
Drake LeVeq
*drops mic*
*walks off stage*
But...
All I gotta say is...
Drake LeVeq
*drops mic*
*walks off stage*
This book...
Y'all...
Drake LeVeq...
I have honestly been sitting on this for several days. I finished the book and was in awe. I seriously considered heading to New Orleans to find this man's ancestors.
Beverly Jenkins did an amazing job on this story. She slayed all the words. ALL OF THEM!
I am embarrassed to say this is the first book by her that I have read.
Trust me, it won't be the last.
The love story was not at all predictable. Drake and Val kept me on my toes the entire ride. The historical content didn't bother me either. I tend not to like too much on the negative side of things that happened to African American's in history (or the present to be honest). This was just the right amount of reality.
If you like sweet and spicy love stories then you should definitely check this one out.
Drake LeVeq most certainly earned the Sexual Chocolate Award.
Y'all...
Drake LeVeq...
I have honestly been sitting on this for several days. I finished the book and was in awe. I seriously considered heading to New Orleans to find this man's ancestors.
Beverly Jenkins did an amazing job on this story. She slayed all the words. ALL OF THEM!
I am embarrassed to say this is the first book by her that I have read.
Trust me, it won't be the last.
The love story was not at all predictable. Drake and Val kept me on my toes the entire ride. The historical content didn't bother me either. I tend not to like too much on the negative side of things that happened to African American's in history (or the present to be honest). This was just the right amount of reality.
If you like sweet and spicy love stories then you should definitely check this one out.
Drake LeVeq most certainly earned the Sexual Chocolate Award.
This is my first book by Ms. Beverly and I was very excited because I'd heard many good things about her work.
Rebel was the perfect beginning for me to start because it had such hearty characters. Drake LeVeq, especially, is a superb hero. He is a cinnamon roll. Sensitive and passionate, he saves our Valinda from a trio of criminal soldiers, and from there on, he offers Val an ear, listening to her dreams, encouraging her when she tells him of her want to build a school, and even goes as far as help her find traincars and modify them into school rooms for her. Everything he did was an act of help and care towards Valinda, proving that a good hero is through his actions.
Valinda is a superb heroine as well. She was allowed so much room to lean of her passion and how she wanted to fall in love and marry for that reason. Although she'd been engaged to her best friend, Valinda follows her instinct and her dreams. I admired her so much and she made an excellent heroine.
The book does deal with social injustices that are true to the time-period. I enjoyed the clean-cut way Ms. Beverly wrote about the events and history of New Orleans. I also adored the family of LeVeq and can't wait to read more of this series.
Rebel was the perfect beginning for me to start because it had such hearty characters. Drake LeVeq, especially, is a superb hero. He is a cinnamon roll. Sensitive and passionate, he saves our Valinda from a trio of criminal soldiers, and from there on, he offers Val an ear, listening to her dreams, encouraging her when she tells him of her want to build a school, and even goes as far as help her find traincars and modify them into school rooms for her. Everything he did was an act of help and care towards Valinda, proving that a good hero is through his actions.
Valinda is a superb heroine as well. She was allowed so much room to lean of her passion and how she wanted to fall in love and marry for that reason. Although she'd been engaged to her best friend, Valinda follows her instinct and her dreams. I admired her so much and she made an excellent heroine.
The book does deal with social injustices that are true to the time-period. I enjoyed the clean-cut way Ms. Beverly wrote about the events and history of New Orleans. I also adored the family of LeVeq and can't wait to read more of this series.