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awishman's review
4.0
This is Beverly Jenkins' debut novel, and it has both the hallmarks of her stories that I love, it also shows how she has developed as a writer. I love all of Jenkis' heroines and Cara is no exception. There were some tropes in this story that read as a product of the time, and there was some character development that was told instead of shown. This book also had a bit more internal angst--that is, angst between the love interests than many Jenkins novels do, but I didn't dislike it and was happy how it was resolved. I liked how the early female antagonist was developed and given a small redemption arc. I also learned a lot about Buffalo Soldiers. I think I've learned more post-civil war history from Beverly Jenkins books than I ever did in school.
anisa_akeya's review
4.0
OMG The Drama. I've officially read not only my first Historical Romance, but my first Beverly Jenkins, and Aunt Bev had me clutching my pearls the whole way through. I was not expecting to fall in love with the story of the innocent school teacher and The Seductive soldier, because how cliche? Right?
Aunt Bev surely proved me wrong. Cara and Chase's story had so many ups and down, and the ride was so wild, by the time I reached the end of the book, their HEA felt so rewarding and well deserved.
Aunt Bev surely proved me wrong. Cara and Chase's story had so many ups and down, and the ride was so wild, by the time I reached the end of the book, their HEA felt so rewarding and well deserved.
scoodle42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Cara Lee Henson is a school teacher who needs to keep her reputation intact, but Chase Jefferson makes that very hard to do. Chase is a soldier who knows he can't offer Cara anything permanent. But even that isn't enough to keep him away from her.
When I tell you my heart melted. Cara and Chase are my favorites! Ms. Bev painted a wonderful picture of the small town lives of Black people migrating westward and the troops assigned to try to rein in some of the Post Civil War lawlessness. Cara and Chase trying to fight what they were feeling tugged at me, and the way they gave in to each other and were so caring when they did it. Cara's fallout with the town was expected, but I hated her plan to try to push through on her own, and what happened to her after. But if Ms. Bev is gonna do one thing, she gonna write a woman who don't have time to wait on a man. Cara's refusal to stay where she wasn't cared for came from a real place. But Chase Jefferson? Chase. Jefferson. He stepped all the way up to the plate, and didn't stop until he was sure Cara was protected. His feelings on their loss almost made me cry, and him being a former slave and the shame other people attached to it felt real as well. The way he was a good husband even when he wasn't sure about it was almost cute, lol. I loved the way they eventually settled into care and happiness, even their migration to finally sleeping in the same bed was nice, lol. I wanted more of them. I honestly would read about them all day.
When I tell you my heart melted. Cara and Chase are my favorites! Ms. Bev painted a wonderful picture of the small town lives of Black people migrating westward and the troops assigned to try to rein in some of the Post Civil War lawlessness. Cara and Chase trying to fight what they were feeling tugged at me, and the way they gave in to each other and were so caring when they did it. Cara's fallout with the town was expected, but I hated her plan to try to push through on her own, and what happened to her after. But if Ms. Bev is gonna do one thing, she gonna write a woman who don't have time to wait on a man. Cara's refusal to stay where she wasn't cared for came from a real place. But Chase Jefferson? Chase. Jefferson. He stepped all the way up to the plate, and didn't stop until he was sure Cara was protected. His feelings on their loss almost made me cry, and him being a former slave and the shame other people attached to it felt real as well. The way he was a good husband even when he wasn't sure about it was almost cute, lol. I loved the way they eventually settled into care and happiness, even their migration to finally sleeping in the same bed was nice, lol. I wanted more of them. I honestly would read about them all day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Miscarriage
jamietherebelliousreader's review
4.0
4 stars. Loved this one. I loved the marriage of convenience and just how much was packed into this novel. The characters were fantastic. I loved Chase and Cara and their relationship so much. Cara is a very caring and fierce character but she’s also vulnerable and wears her heart on her sleeve. Chase is a very charming, protective and likable character. The way he was so protective over Cara was everything. He wasn’t always as open as she was about his feelings but he definitely cared for her just as much as she cared for him.
They go through quite a bit to get to their HEA which was fine because it was so rewarding. The ending was action packed and the last chapter was perfection. I could rave about this book all day, it was wonderful and the romance was seriously so good.
They go through quite a bit to get to their HEA which was fine because it was so rewarding. The ending was action packed and the last chapter was perfection. I could rave about this book all day, it was wonderful and the romance was seriously so good.
greylandreviews's review
3.0
3.25 stars
Trigger Warnings: violence, lynching, death, loss of loved ones, murder, racism, colorism, miscarriage, gun shot, and kidnapping
Trigger Warnings: violence, lynching, death, loss of loved ones, murder, racism, colorism, miscarriage, gun shot, and kidnapping
whatcaroread's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
saltycaroline's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this one more than I did, but I like her later books better :/
CW: Racism, miscarriage, kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual content, slavery
CW: Racism, miscarriage, kidnapping, sexual assault, sexual content, slavery
gennysreadingroom's review
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? Yes
4.5
jessiesworld's review
I do not like the ML at all. She has already told him that if she is basically caught in any scandal she will lose her job or get into trouble ( has a morality Clause in her contract) & the only thing he can think about is fucking her. He will only be in town for 10 days so he will use her & leave because he does not intend to marry anyone.
At chapter 3 in the book chase does not listen nor give af and her.
At chapter 3 in the book chase does not listen nor give af and her.