Reviews tagging 'Racism'

Wild Rain by Beverly Jenkins

26 reviews

mari1532's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I own the paperback copy of this book, but I listened to the audiobook through my library.

Brief Summary: Garrett McCray is a journalist interested in interviewing a doctor in Wyoming for a piece in his family's prominent Black newspaper back East. However, his arrival in Wyoming does not go according to plan. After an accident, Garrett inadvertently meets Spring Lee the intriguing sister of the doctor he has come to interview. At the same time, Garrett explores the small Wyoming town and Dr. Lee's family and medical practice he and Spring keep running into each other. As their feelings for each other begin to grow they wonder how long their relationship can last.

Thoughts: Jenkins is a brilliant writer and she knows how to write swoon-worthy men. The way that Garrett had a discussion with his mother about what love and family mean was beautiful and made me fall in love with both of them as characters. It was so honest and self-reflective in a way that is not always included in discussions of choosing to have children. 

I also loved the relationship between Spring and Regan. They have such a natural beautiful comfort with one another. I love their banter and the deep conversations that they have throughout the book. I also enjoyed how we were able to see how Spring took to being an aunt and how much she loved that role. 

Spring is such a dynamic character. The journey that we go on with her throughout the book is like peeling back the layers of an onion. She starts as such a closed-off character that the way she opens up and becomes more vulnerable throughout the book is so hopeful. I was rooting for her from the very beginning and the fact that she becomes closer to not only Garrett but everyone within her close circle throughout the book was heartwarming and satisfying to read.

Such a good book. Highly recommend for romance lovers.     

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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


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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. 



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onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional 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

4.5


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dreezy's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0


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sailormar's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-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

5.0

Ms. Bev has done it again!

In her authors note she says Garrett Macray is her first cinnamon roll and MY GOD is he ever a delicious cinnamon roll. He’s the perfect counter to the gruff, cantankerous, independent Spring Lee, rancher and solo badass, and it was beautiful to see how his gentleness and kindness healed parts of Spring and helped her open up to love and being cared for. 

I often find I love but can’t relate to Beverly Jenkins heroines - I want to be them but they are so strong and powerful! Something about Spring though, despite her tough exterior, really lets you in to her soft interior, where she realizes she has become a bit lonely, where she struggles with the estranged relationship she has with her father figure, where she fears opening up to this man when the world is so bent on telling her she isn’t what a woman ought to be. 

Loved this tender Beverly Jenkins book, with a lot of heart and even more strength. 

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haley49's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional relaxing 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

4.75

Everything about this book was done right, from the atmosphere to the mcs to the side characters to the way sensitive topics were handled. Basically perfect but didn’t give 5 star vibes if that makes sense😭

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wilybooklover's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.5

I loved this! Garrett is a super soft, sweet hero who would do anything for Spring — and who could blame him, because Spring is amazing. He never wants to change her or cage her in; he simply supports her and trusts her to know what’s best for herself. Spring is tough, independent, and more than a little bit prickly (also a complete bad ass), but Garrett earns himself a place in her heart despite all that. 

I also loved that Spring doesn’t compromise on not wanting to marry or have kids, but at the same time doesn’t close herself off from love. So often heroines end up changing their minds out of love for the hero and I am so glad she didn’t. 

The conflict resolution with the villain at the end felt a bit rushed, and the book ended a bit abruptly. I wish there had been another chapter or two to flesh the last part of the story out a bit more (and maybe an epilogue?). But aside from that, this was excellent!


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arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition

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funny relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I really liked Spring and her demand for others' respect.  I haven't read Regan & Colt's book, but this still worked just fine.



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unsuccessfulbookclub's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful 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

4.25


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