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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Rebel is the first book in the Women Who Dare series and is also part of the Le Veq Family series as well. I was super excited to see that this book is set in New Orleans, in the reconstruction era. Beverly Jenkins is pure talent when it comes to writing historical's, especially intensely accurate ones. What I really appreciated about this book is how much you learn in such a short period of time. Ms. Bev surely knows how to write such fantastic books that blends a delightful romance with great authentic historical facts that comes alive on the pages.
Rebel begins with our heroine, who has come down to New Orleans as she waits on her fiancee who is in France for a printing press to start his newspaper shop. Valinda is a teacher and is hoping to help those that are in need of a education both children and adults. But when she finds her school trashed, and she is almost raped and then rescued by a military officer...Captain Drake Le Veq. But now Valinda has seen the kindness from Drake and when she is tossed out of her current living residence, she goes to the only person she knows....Drake and his family's home. Valinda has never known such graciousness or generosity or love that she has seen in the Le Veq home or felt such a strong connection to anyone like Drake. She is about to be married to a friend but has never felt passion like she feels with Drake. Valinda will have to make a decision to marry her friend to protect him so he can be with the man he loves or.....be with the man she loves and live in a place that calls to her.
Rebel is such a well-written story that had me in TEARS especially towards the end. There was so much heartfelt emotion that we see in this book and you know I never expect it but Bev Jenkins surely knows how to work me in a story and boy she worked my emotions so well in this book. I first want to discuss the setting that we have in this book. Its set in New Orleans shortly entering in the Reconstruction Era and boy the things that we see are heartbreaking and it really brings bigotry and racism so close to home for me. The way in how seeing the social injustices and seeing the fight that these people had to gain their independence, freedoms and education and more. To fight for a chance to live their own lives and not to be raped, abused, or murdered for it. It really made me realize that there is so much work today that needs to be done.
So we get to see so many delights from the Le Veq family and now I know I just need to re-read this series because boy I love them all...such a hoot. I love the bantering between the brothers and we finally get DRAKE's book. I have been wanting it ever since I fell in love with Indigo and got my first introduction to this family. I love the way that this family works together and how they defend their own. I honestly had so much love for Drake as the hero of the story, because is the epitome of a hero. If you are looking for an AVENGER of the Reconstruction era, he is that. He does what he can with the people in his life.
Our heroine is such a passionate and full of life character and I just loved her so much and all that she does here. She is so strong willed and a fighter. She is a teacher, and has such a drive for education and helping others. I love what she wants to do with her knowledge and see what she is capable of. She never gives up on what is right, no matter how hard or challenging it is. Valinda (such a gorgeous name) has never really seen love or passion in her life and doesn't believe it exists in a marriage. But her world gets turned upside down when she meets the Le Veq family and I loved seeing this change in her.
The relationship between Drake and Valinda is pretty insta lust, there is a powerful chemistry that sparks between them from the very beginning and I adored the growth from the sexual sparks and which developed into something more vibrant and full of emotion. The adaption of their relationship was so poignant at times, and love seeing how their relationship deepens through their challenges and seeing what they both overcome.
Rebel is powerfully portrayed love story that takes us back to New Orleans, a story of sacrifice, passion and what love can do at the right time, right place and with the right person!! TRULY A TREASURE TO HOLD ONTO!
Rebel is the first book in the Women Who Dare series and is also part of the Le Veq Family series as well. I was super excited to see that this book is set in New Orleans, in the reconstruction era. Beverly Jenkins is pure talent when it comes to writing historical's, especially intensely accurate ones. What I really appreciated about this book is how much you learn in such a short period of time. Ms. Bev surely knows how to write such fantastic books that blends a delightful romance with great authentic historical facts that comes alive on the pages.
Rebel begins with our heroine, who has come down to New Orleans as she waits on her fiancee who is in France for a printing press to start his newspaper shop. Valinda is a teacher and is hoping to help those that are in need of a education both children and adults. But when she finds her school trashed, and she is almost raped and then rescued by a military officer...Captain Drake Le Veq. But now Valinda has seen the kindness from Drake and when she is tossed out of her current living residence, she goes to the only person she knows....Drake and his family's home. Valinda has never known such graciousness or generosity or love that she has seen in the Le Veq home or felt such a strong connection to anyone like Drake. She is about to be married to a friend but has never felt passion like she feels with Drake. Valinda will have to make a decision to marry her friend to protect him so he can be with the man he loves or.....be with the man she loves and live in a place that calls to her.
I blame you and your pirate kin. I was fine until I met your family with all its love and passion.
Rebel is such a well-written story that had me in TEARS especially towards the end. There was so much heartfelt emotion that we see in this book and you know I never expect it but Bev Jenkins surely knows how to work me in a story and boy she worked my emotions so well in this book. I first want to discuss the setting that we have in this book. Its set in New Orleans shortly entering in the Reconstruction Era and boy the things that we see are heartbreaking and it really brings bigotry and racism so close to home for me. The way in how seeing the social injustices and seeing the fight that these people had to gain their independence, freedoms and education and more. To fight for a chance to live their own lives and not to be raped, abused, or murdered for it. It really made me realize that there is so much work today that needs to be done.
So we get to see so many delights from the Le Veq family and now I know I just need to re-read this series because boy I love them all...such a hoot. I love the bantering between the brothers and we finally get DRAKE's book. I have been wanting it ever since I fell in love with Indigo and got my first introduction to this family. I love the way that this family works together and how they defend their own. I honestly had so much love for Drake as the hero of the story, because is the epitome of a hero. If you are looking for an AVENGER of the Reconstruction era, he is that. He does what he can with the people in his life.
Our heroine is such a passionate and full of life character and I just loved her so much and all that she does here. She is so strong willed and a fighter. She is a teacher, and has such a drive for education and helping others. I love what she wants to do with her knowledge and see what she is capable of. She never gives up on what is right, no matter how hard or challenging it is. Valinda (such a gorgeous name) has never really seen love or passion in her life and doesn't believe it exists in a marriage. But her world gets turned upside down when she meets the Le Veq family and I loved seeing this change in her.
“What’s your dream, cheri?”
“To head up a school where girls who, like me, have no interest in embroidery or playing the piano, can learn as much about whatever they want: mathematics, botany, the stars. They can study animals or anatomy. And I’d have the money to provide excellent teachers who don’t believe learning will damage them.”
The relationship between Drake and Valinda is pretty insta lust, there is a powerful chemistry that sparks between them from the very beginning and I adored the growth from the sexual sparks and which developed into something more vibrant and full of emotion. The adaption of their relationship was so poignant at times, and love seeing how their relationship deepens through their challenges and seeing what they both overcome.
If you do leave New Orleans, I’m keeping your smile so I can pull it out and look at it whenever I think of you
Rebel is powerfully portrayed love story that takes us back to New Orleans, a story of sacrifice, passion and what love can do at the right time, right place and with the right person!! TRULY A TREASURE TO HOLD ONTO!
Man, I love Beverly Jenkins' historicals. Valinda, a woman just trying to make it on her own and be out from under her father's thumb, came to New Orleans to help teaching those who were formerly enslaved how to read and write. She wanted to help in any way she could. Something happened to her, though, and she was rescued by the fun-loving and charming Drake LeVeq. I loved him and all his kindness. Seeing the LeVeqs again was awesome. I need to finish that series.
Overall, I liked this story quite a lot. I learned a ton about the politics in New Orleans at this time. The romance was great, although I did have some issues with Drake and Valinda's actions, as Valinda was promised to a childhood friend. It wasn't a love match, but still. It made me uncomfortable. Given what we learn about Cole, Valinda's intended, I feel a bit better, but even so, I didn't like that. Still, this was a very enjoyable historical romance. It was really sad in parts, informative in others, and a romance between two characters I rooted for. If you've never read a book by Beverly Jenkins, you should fix that.
Overall, I liked this story quite a lot. I learned a ton about the politics in New Orleans at this time. The romance was great, although I did have some issues with Drake and Valinda's actions, as Valinda was promised to a childhood friend. It wasn't a love match, but still. It made me uncomfortable. Given what we learn about Cole, Valinda's intended, I feel a bit better, but even so, I didn't like that. Still, this was a very enjoyable historical romance. It was really sad in parts, informative in others, and a romance between two characters I rooted for. If you've never read a book by Beverly Jenkins, you should fix that.
Rebel berlatar pada masa setelah Perang Sipil di Amerika Serikat, ketika para budak kulit hitam dibebaskan dan Amerika tengah berada dalam proses restrukturisasi. Tokoh utama perempuan dalam buku ini, Valinda Lacey, adalah seorang guru dari daerah Utara yang merantau ke Selatan untuk mengajar para bekas budak dari berbagai usia. Pada suatu hari, ia mendapati sekolahnya diacak-acak dan buku-buku ajarnya dibakar para supremasis kulit putih yang tengah menggila setelah dimusnahkannya sistem perbudakan setelah Perang Sipil. Ia hampir dihajar ketiga supremasis yang mengacak-acak sekolahnya, kalau bukan berkat Drake LaVeq dan kakak iparnya yang kebetulan lewat dan menyelamatkannya. Pada hari yang naas itu pula kesialannya semakin bertumpuk setelah ia pulang dan mendapati dirinya diusir pemilik ruangan yang disewanya selama di Selatan. Teringat tawaran bantuan Drake, ia mendatangi hotel milik saudara Drake dan mencari tempat berteduh sementara.
Drake LaVeq adalah seorang arsitek dan sukarelawan yang melayani kantor tempat para bekas budak mencari pertolongan mengenai berbagai hal. Anggota keluarga LaVeq sendiri ternyata sudah beberapa kali menjadi tokoh utama di beberapa karya Jenkins sebelumnya. Keluarga ini menyambut Val dengan hangat dan sedikit berharap dapat menjadikan Val bagian dari mereka. Sang ibu, Juliana, terutama sangat mendukung Val sementara ia perlu tempat berteduh dan menunggu penugasan baru setelah sekolah tempatnya mengajar dihancurkan.
Awalnya aku kuatir bahwa buku ini akan sangat berhawa Cinderella di mana sebagian besar aktivitas tokoh perempuannya akan tenggelam oleh keberuntungannya menemukan laki-laki sempurna serta keluarga besan impian para istri. Namun, arah buku ini justru berjalan sebaliknya, di mana porsi sejarah yang mengaliri kegiatan Val jauh lebih menonjol dibandingkan kisah cintanya dengan Drake.
Drake LaVeq adalah seorang arsitek dan sukarelawan yang melayani kantor tempat para bekas budak mencari pertolongan mengenai berbagai hal. Anggota keluarga LaVeq sendiri ternyata sudah beberapa kali menjadi tokoh utama di beberapa karya Jenkins sebelumnya. Keluarga ini menyambut Val dengan hangat dan sedikit berharap dapat menjadikan Val bagian dari mereka. Sang ibu, Juliana, terutama sangat mendukung Val sementara ia perlu tempat berteduh dan menunggu penugasan baru setelah sekolah tempatnya mengajar dihancurkan.
Awalnya aku kuatir bahwa buku ini akan sangat berhawa Cinderella di mana sebagian besar aktivitas tokoh perempuannya akan tenggelam oleh keberuntungannya menemukan laki-laki sempurna serta keluarga besan impian para istri. Namun, arah buku ini justru berjalan sebaliknya, di mana porsi sejarah yang mengaliri kegiatan Val jauh lebih menonjol dibandingkan kisah cintanya dengan Drake.
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
This romance was an enjoyable way to learn a bit more about post-US Civil War history.
emotional
funny
slow-paced
emotional
informative
inspiring
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
Rebel is a marvelous book. It is so romantic with a strong yet vulnerable FMC and a warm and kind MMC. Make no mistake, neither will hesitate to stand up for each other or against cruelty and oppression. The story takes place in New Orleans during the Reconstruction era. When I read a book by Ms. Jenkins, I always learn as well as enjoy a well-written romance. I highly recommend Rebel.
Miss Beverly has never written a mediocre book and this book is no exception. Beautifully crafted, so rich in its historical context, meaningful relationships all throughout the book and truly exceptional romance - loved this book from start to finish.
My first Beverly Jenkins. Very enjoyable historical romance set in New Orleans in 1867. I highly recommend.
emotional
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
Set in reconstruction New Orleans, Valinda meets Drake, the strong-willed, righteous, Union Army captain. As a schoolteacher for freedmen and their children, Valinda is a strong, spirited woman. The pining from both characters, the love, the tenderness, the kindness and respect is amazing
TW: racism, attempted sexual assault, general misogyny
Rep: Black MCs, gay side characters
Whist I enjoyed the story and the setting (as much as one can enjoy reading about former slaves’ lives being constantly threatened by white suprematists in 1867 New Orleans), I didn’t love the writing, it was a bit flat to me, I didn’t make me wanna know more. The characters were interesting enough but again, I think the writing stopped me from appreciating them more. Let’s just say, for a historical romance, the historical part was well written and a must-read if you don’t know much about that part of American history like myself; the romance part was unfortunately tepid and not memorable in the least.
Rep: Black MCs, gay side characters
Whist I enjoyed the story and the setting (as much as one can enjoy reading about former slaves’ lives being constantly threatened by white suprematists in 1867 New Orleans), I didn’t love the writing, it was a bit flat to me, I didn’t make me wanna know more. The characters were interesting enough but again, I think the writing stopped me from appreciating them more. Let’s just say, for a historical romance, the historical part was well written and a must-read if you don’t know much about that part of American history like myself; the romance part was unfortunately tepid and not memorable in the least.