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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This is a good romance, and I'm glad I read it. I found the heroine, Valinda, very appealing, and she definitely fits the title & series title. She's very sweet and tender-hearted, as well as unafraid to fight for what's right. It's a good feminist coming-of-age plot, in my opinion; the story is about Valinda accepting who she is, finding a way to best make her mark on the world, and discovering that love can be real.
Valinda's upbringing in New York City was sheltered, with a controlling father, and she traveled to New Orleans in order to teach the newly freed. In New Orleans, Valinda meets many women of color who manage their own lives, which is somewhat new for her. There's a lot of focus in the book on her friendships with her love interest's sister-in-law and mother, which I really enjoyed. Valinda wants to change the world, and with their guidance, she finds a way to do that.
Valinda's love interest, Drake, is also a wonderful character. I loved their banter, and I laughed out loud more than once. They seemed perfect for each other and I believed completely in their happy ending.
I have read two other books by Beverly Jenkins, [b:Night Hawk|12182154|Night Hawk|Beverly Jenkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347763121l/12182154._SY75_.jpg|17131631] and [b:Indigo|347339|Indigo|Beverly Jenkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539072697l/347339._SY75_.jpg|1360994], and I enjoyed them both. When I read that she had included queer characters in this book, I was curious to check it out. I usually read historical romance with queer main characters, so it was interesting for me to see characters of this type through the lens of hetero main characters instead. I felt the queer couple's story was both realistic and hopeful; they faced challenges, but so did all the other characters.
Racism is a major topic in this book. I learned a lot about how difficult it was for the recently freed, as well as free people of color, to live in the South at this time (1867). There was segregated transportation; it was only lightly touched on in the book, but I was curious enough to read more about it, and learned that there were successful protests of the unfair system around this time. Also, The city feels almost lawless, because people of color can't rely on the authorities to protect them. As a result, there is a strong sense of community, and of people of color and their allies working together to protect and uplift each other. Valinda and Drake are both dedicated to that cause, which is another reason their romance felt so believable to me.
CW:
I look forward to finding out if the rest of the books in this new series focus on characters introduced here. I really liked that the book portrayed Drake's former mistress sympathetically, and I'd be especially interested in reading about her adventures in Mexico. But I'll come along no matter where this series goes next. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kim Staunton, and her performance was excellent.
Valinda's upbringing in New York City was sheltered, with a controlling father, and she traveled to New Orleans in order to teach the newly freed. In New Orleans, Valinda meets many women of color who manage their own lives, which is somewhat new for her. There's a lot of focus in the book on her friendships with her love interest's sister-in-law and mother, which I really enjoyed. Valinda wants to change the world, and with their guidance, she finds a way to do that.
Valinda's love interest, Drake, is also a wonderful character. I loved their banter, and I laughed out loud more than once. They seemed perfect for each other and I believed completely in their happy ending.
Spoiler
I thought the conflict between them late in the book was a little contrived. Valinda already knew who Drake was, and that he wasn't the kind of man who would try to control her. But I guess her hesitation to really marry him was understandable, given her upbringing.I have read two other books by Beverly Jenkins, [b:Night Hawk|12182154|Night Hawk|Beverly Jenkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1347763121l/12182154._SY75_.jpg|17131631] and [b:Indigo|347339|Indigo|Beverly Jenkins|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539072697l/347339._SY75_.jpg|1360994], and I enjoyed them both. When I read that she had included queer characters in this book, I was curious to check it out. I usually read historical romance with queer main characters, so it was interesting for me to see characters of this type through the lens of hetero main characters instead. I felt the queer couple's story was both realistic and hopeful; they faced challenges, but so did all the other characters.
Racism is a major topic in this book. I learned a lot about how difficult it was for the recently freed, as well as free people of color, to live in the South at this time (1867). There was segregated transportation; it was only lightly touched on in the book, but I was curious enough to read more about it, and learned that there were successful protests of the unfair system around this time. Also,
Spoiler
Drake has to fight off a mob of white supremacists at the book's climax, which was very scary to read about.CW:
Spoiler
Valinda is threatened with sexual violence several times in this book, but she is not assaulted.I look forward to finding out if the rest of the books in this new series focus on characters introduced here. I really liked that the book portrayed Drake's former mistress sympathetically, and I'd be especially interested in reading about her adventures in Mexico. But I'll come along no matter where this series goes next. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Kim Staunton, and her performance was excellent.
This takes place right after The Civil War, during Reconstruction. Val travels from New York to New Orleans with the hopes of helping the new freed Black Americans by teaching then to read and write. She finds more than she anticipated when she encounters Drake LaVeq and his family. As usual Beverly Jenkins does an amazing job of blending history and romance and I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this series.
pacing felt really slow to me (and these chapters are thick, which made it feel slower? idk). the warmth of the leveq family was easily a highlight, though not quite enough to keep my attention.
I loved this book. What a brilliantly written story full of everything I love in a novel: romance, love, danger, tension, character growth and family/community.
Beverly Jenkins is one of my favorite authors because she doesn't just tell a story, she educates the reader. It is so apparent that she really researches the era and crafts the story in a way that the reader will leave knowing a few more things about our American History. This story moved a fast pace, had drama and that familial ties that embraced people who don't have loved ones around.
In this new series set in the 1860's, Valinda Lacey moved to New Orleans to work with Nuns to educate newly empanciated slaves. She was met with some resistance from one of the nuns as well as some white supremacists who attacked her carriage. Luckily, Captain Drake LeVeq and his sister in law were on the road and rescued Valinda. It eventually led to Drake's mother to offer Valinda a place to stay and a job. Valinda was compassionate and was clear as to she wanted to spend her life as an educator. Drake was a contractor who also volunteered at the Freedmen's Bureau. Drake and Valinda had qualities that the other admired but there was hinderance.
Even though Drake was attracted to Valinda and vice versa, but she was engaged to be married to a man whom she didn't love. The marriage was important to Valinda because it guaranteed her freedom from her father and the protection of her fiance's name. Drake had his work cut out for him to show Valinda that she could have it all: freedom, family protection as well as passionate love.
I expected a well written story and I wasn't disappointed. I listened to this story and I smiled, laughed, felt sympathy, anger and hope. These characters were resilient in spirit despite the financial or societal circumstances. This author clearly values family because the LeVeq family has been a pillar in the community for several of her books. Another thing that amazed me was the way she wrote passionate sex scenes. They weren't crass and overly descriptive, just enough to make you feel butterflies in your belly but not look over your shoulder in embarrassment for your Pastor. Bravo!!!
I am excited for this new series Women Who Dare and I can't wait for the next installment.
Beverly Jenkins is one of my favorite authors because she doesn't just tell a story, she educates the reader. It is so apparent that she really researches the era and crafts the story in a way that the reader will leave knowing a few more things about our American History. This story moved a fast pace, had drama and that familial ties that embraced people who don't have loved ones around.
In this new series set in the 1860's, Valinda Lacey moved to New Orleans to work with Nuns to educate newly empanciated slaves. She was met with some resistance from one of the nuns as well as some white supremacists who attacked her carriage. Luckily, Captain Drake LeVeq and his sister in law were on the road and rescued Valinda. It eventually led to Drake's mother to offer Valinda a place to stay and a job. Valinda was compassionate and was clear as to she wanted to spend her life as an educator. Drake was a contractor who also volunteered at the Freedmen's Bureau. Drake and Valinda had qualities that the other admired but there was hinderance.
Even though Drake was attracted to Valinda and vice versa, but she was engaged to be married to a man whom she didn't love. The marriage was important to Valinda because it guaranteed her freedom from her father and the protection of her fiance's name. Drake had his work cut out for him to show Valinda that she could have it all: freedom, family protection as well as passionate love.
I expected a well written story and I wasn't disappointed. I listened to this story and I smiled, laughed, felt sympathy, anger and hope. These characters were resilient in spirit despite the financial or societal circumstances. This author clearly values family because the LeVeq family has been a pillar in the community for several of her books. Another thing that amazed me was the way she wrote passionate sex scenes. They weren't crass and overly descriptive, just enough to make you feel butterflies in your belly but not look over your shoulder in embarrassment for your Pastor. Bravo!!!
I am excited for this new series Women Who Dare and I can't wait for the next installment.
This a first for me. I only read it because I saw a post on Instagram that said, "If you loved Bridgeton, check out these..." and since I've always wanted to read Jenkins, I said 'why not'.
RTC
RTC
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content
Moderate: Slavery
3.5/5
CWs: racism, slavery, attempted SA, violence
I learned more about Reconstruction in this book than I ever did in school. The setting and the history - 1860s New Orleans - was so interesting and rich. The romance was low-angst and soft, and Drake was so supportive of Valinda's goals and wanting to nurture her dreams.
Things I loved: white supremacist fed to alligators (!!!!), Drake building her a schoolhouse (we stan a supportive king), Valinda in general (a compassionate rockstar who deserves sunshine forever)
Things I wasn't a huge fan of: at times, the dialogue was a bit stilted and the rapid-fire changes in plot to push our two MCs together was jarring
CWs: racism, slavery, attempted SA, violence
I learned more about Reconstruction in this book than I ever did in school. The setting and the history - 1860s New Orleans - was so interesting and rich. The romance was low-angst and soft, and Drake was so supportive of Valinda's goals and wanting to nurture her dreams.
Things I loved: white supremacist fed to alligators (!!!!), Drake building her a schoolhouse (we stan a supportive king), Valinda in general (a compassionate rockstar who deserves sunshine forever)
Things I wasn't a huge fan of: at times, the dialogue was a bit stilted and the rapid-fire changes in plot to push our two MCs together was jarring
adventurous
hopeful
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:
No
This was a beautiful historical romance.
I love a story where the woman is courageous and daring. More than that, I love a story where a man loves a courageous and daring woman. This story takes place in reconstruction era New Orleans, and while I do not always love the stereotypical depiction of Black people in New Orleans, this found a way of identifying the class and status of Creole people without giving too much away.
Pro's
- The writing in this story was so powerful. Jenkins is truly a master of her craft.
- Medium paced book. The love between them brew's slow and steady.
- character diversity
I very much understand why some people adore this book. For me, I think it was just a matter of not connecting with the writing style. The historical aspect was spot on, though- I do love when I actually get to learn things from historical romance.
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes