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parisnoelle's review against another edition
2.0
Great characters, wouldve liked to see more about Belle’s future ambitions rather than just her romance.
llama_lord's review against another edition
4.0
I am continuing my journey into the Avon "True Romance" series, in which this book is Book 2 in their apparently arbitrary number system.
Belle and the Beau is set in 1859, and starts with our heroine, 16-year-old Belle, reaching the end of her grueling journey North to escape slavery. Belle has escaped on foot from Kentucky to Michigan, where she is found by the Best children - 18-year-old Daniel and 12-year-old Josephine - whose family are conductors on the Underground Railroad and take Belle back to their home. With the help of the Best family, Belle begins the difficult task of adjusting to her new life as a free person, but the threat of slave catchers and the worry about her father - whom she was separated from on their escape North- is always in the back of her mind. Belle and Daniel quickly become attracted to each other, but their potential romance is complicated by the fact that Daniel is practically engaged to a glamorous Mean Girl, Francine.
I can see why this book was reissued with just the title "Belle", as "the Beau" is honestly a little superfluous in this story. Belle's emotional journey of self discovery is the real story here, and the fact that she experiences an exciting new romance is just the cherry on top for her. I absolutely loved Belle's character. I loved that she was a seamstress. I loved that although she starts out shy, as she grew in confidence she became bold and not afraid to confront people who were being rude to her. She was a really inspiring character.
I liked Daniel as well, but I just felt that his character was missing something. What Belle sees in him is that he is handsome, intelligent and highly educated, politically active, and brave. Which are all great qualities, but they're the same qualities that Belle admires in every other member of the Best family. I found myself wishing there was something unique just about Daniel that he and Belle could connect over. Plus, Adult Me just kind of saw it as a red flag that Daniel would even be involved with such an over the top, evil character like Francine. That said, I loved the Best family. I found every family member to be genuinely endearing. This is one of those books where you just wish you could be a part of that family while you're reading. Beverly Jenkin's manages to create such a cozy, safe, idyllic atmosphere in the Best household - as well as a close-knit, cheery sense of community among the Best's friends that Belle meets. I was impressed that the author was able to keep such a sanguine tone in this book despite the heavy topic of slavery ever-present and some genuinely heartbreaking scenes.
This book was rich in historical detail and clearly well researched. There were a few times when the story came off sounding like passages from a history book, but I didn't mind as the history is what draws me to historical romance in the first place. Plus, as the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist movement are not areas of history I was very familiar with, I felt like I learned a ton while reading this.
Overall, I really liked this one. I wish I had read this as a teen because I know Teen Me would have have been head over heels for Daniel and would have lived for the scenes when Francine gets her comeuppance. I definitely see myself revisiting this book when I need a "feel-good" read.
Belle and the Beau is set in 1859, and starts with our heroine, 16-year-old Belle, reaching the end of her grueling journey North to escape slavery. Belle has escaped on foot from Kentucky to Michigan, where she is found by the Best children - 18-year-old Daniel and 12-year-old Josephine - whose family are conductors on the Underground Railroad and take Belle back to their home. With the help of the Best family, Belle begins the difficult task of adjusting to her new life as a free person, but the threat of slave catchers and the worry about her father - whom she was separated from on their escape North- is always in the back of her mind. Belle and Daniel quickly become attracted to each other, but their potential romance is complicated by the fact that Daniel is practically engaged to a glamorous Mean Girl, Francine.
I can see why this book was reissued with just the title "Belle", as "the Beau" is honestly a little superfluous in this story. Belle's emotional journey of self discovery is the real story here, and the fact that she experiences an exciting new romance is just the cherry on top for her. I absolutely loved Belle's character. I loved that she was a seamstress. I loved that although she starts out shy, as she grew in confidence she became bold and not afraid to confront people who were being rude to her. She was a really inspiring character.
I liked Daniel as well, but I just felt that his character was missing something. What Belle sees in him is that he is handsome, intelligent and highly educated, politically active, and brave. Which are all great qualities, but they're the same qualities that Belle admires in every other member of the Best family. I found myself wishing there was something unique just about Daniel that he and Belle could connect over. Plus, Adult Me just kind of saw it as a red flag that Daniel would even be involved with such an over the top, evil character like Francine. That said, I loved the Best family. I found every family member to be genuinely endearing. This is one of those books where you just wish you could be a part of that family while you're reading. Beverly Jenkin's manages to create such a cozy, safe, idyllic atmosphere in the Best household - as well as a close-knit, cheery sense of community among the Best's friends that Belle meets. I was impressed that the author was able to keep such a sanguine tone in this book despite the heavy topic of slavery ever-present and some genuinely heartbreaking scenes.
This book was rich in historical detail and clearly well researched. There were a few times when the story came off sounding like passages from a history book, but I didn't mind as the history is what draws me to historical romance in the first place. Plus, as the Underground Railroad and Abolitionist movement are not areas of history I was very familiar with, I felt like I learned a ton while reading this.
Overall, I really liked this one. I wish I had read this as a teen because I know Teen Me would have have been head over heels for Daniel and would have lived for the scenes when Francine gets her comeuppance. I definitely see myself revisiting this book when I need a "feel-good" read.
liz_towery's review against another edition
5.0
I’d like to preface by saying the 12 Avon True Teen Romance books were the first books I ever collected. And I’ve held on to them these last 12 years. Even though I had only read 5 of the 12. So I figured it was time I read them all to decide if they were worth the bookshelf space.
I am honestly mad at myself for not reading this book earlier. Why!!! The love story was sweet, but over shadowed by the things you learn about freed slaves and abolitionists in the north before the civil war. Also Mrs. Best falls into one of my favorite characters I have ever read. I truly enjoyed this story, and the important things and perspectives I learned from it.
I am honestly mad at myself for not reading this book earlier. Why!!! The love story was sweet, but over shadowed by the things you learn about freed slaves and abolitionists in the north before the civil war. Also Mrs. Best falls into one of my favorite characters I have ever read. I truly enjoyed this story, and the important things and perspectives I learned from it.
caylabcba's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book that I ever read that was about slavery and the fight for freedom. I find the freedom of slavery era to be quite fascinating, but I never actually read a story about it (besides those history textbooks in school). It was such an emotional story for me. Not necessarily sadness but happiness for the main characters.
Read the rest of my review at https://caylasbooktopia.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/book-review-belle-and-the-beau/
Read the rest of my review at https://caylasbooktopia.wordpress.com/2017/01/19/book-review-belle-and-the-beau/
jessaluna's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
3.25
ejfj721's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
emilygigs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
3.75
shinysue's review against another edition
5.0
Read the whole thing over Christmas, the book starts in the action and continues as an easy read. A bit if a YA romance.
The setting isn't anything I thought I'd be interested in, but the book came highly recommended and I've been meaning to try one of Beverley Jenkins' books. Really good first choice (my library's copy is just called Belle).
We follow a teenage girl as she settles into life as a free person, and the family that takes her in. It's a very wholesome story, and an amazing amount of history I did not know. Plus, lots of references to cities in Ontario as they were major underground railroad destinations.
The setting isn't anything I thought I'd be interested in, but the book came highly recommended and I've been meaning to try one of Beverley Jenkins' books. Really good first choice (my library's copy is just called Belle).
We follow a teenage girl as she settles into life as a free person, and the family that takes her in. It's a very wholesome story, and an amazing amount of history I did not know. Plus, lots of references to cities in Ontario as they were major underground railroad destinations.
scorpioqueen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0