Reviews

You know…reconstruction era romances aren’t meant for me and if the cover looks like something I could pick up at the grocery store, imma leave it from now on.

dinahsaur's review against another edition

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lighthearted 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

3.25

alyssamakesart's review against another edition

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adventurous funny 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? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

pucksandpaperbacks's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

CW: Mention and description of sexual assault; sexual harassment; racism; racial slur; violence; gun violence; death; mention of slavery and being enslaved; blood; taxidermy; mention of alcoholism; mention of death by child birth, mention of child abuse, sexual harassment, alcoholism, animal still birth.

Wow! I knew I wanted to pick up Beverly Jenkins for the Diverse Baseline Challenge prompt "historical fiction" for February. But that window is over now that it's almost April. Regardless, I'm thankful to the challenge for giving me an opportunity to finally pick up her work!

Wild Rain is a slow burn grumpy x sunshine romance between a female rancher and a reporter who comes into town. If you like the caregiver trope - you must pick this up. Set in the wake of the Civil War, Spring takes in Garrett during a blizzard thinking he will only be with her for a couple of days. However, Garrett is in town to interview her brother and doctor, Colt.

I loved how Jenkins played into the forced proximity trope and it was realistic! Even if it was at the hands of her characters getting injured, haha. What I appreciated and admired most about this romance is how the grumpy x sunshine element unraveled, showing the author's intent for applying it to this story. Spring is bold, fierce, and resilient. She has endured a lot of trauma due to the way men have treated her. Therefore, she wears her heart on her sleeve and doesn't allow men to let her in.

"He was handsome, she supposed, but a pretty face often masked an ugliness inside, so she wasn’t impressed by the strong jaw or the pleasant features it anchored."

But Garrett (our cinnamon roll) shows her what a healthy relationship and a kind man is. By asserting and accepting Spring's boundaries, listening and accepting her. Very early in the book, Spring declares that she doesn't want to marry and later on we learn she is child free by choice. Garrett is okay with that. Whenever I read romance, I always say this: THIS is a healthy romance. I thought this was great and very refreshing to see a historical romance where the female protagonist is child free and the love interest is okay with it.

Content Warnings

thisboricuareader's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh Miss Beverly Jenkins is the queen of historical romance. Oh how I loved this book so much!!! This story was so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!

emimiwriter's review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced

4.0

jphoffman's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Enjoyed, but historical romance westerns aren’t going to be my new favorite. Lacked banter.

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