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guiltlesspleasures's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This is the third book in the LeVeq series, and it takes us back to the 1770s with Dominic LeVeq, a privateer/pirate who relishes sinking slave ships. He kidnaps Clare, an enslaved woman, and proceeds to make her come multiple times through n!pple play alone. He could free her, but her two children, who her enslavers sold, are still in Georgia, so she needs to go back.
This is a horny book with plenty of high-seas adventure and a serious look at the hideousness of slavery both on the mainland and on island plantations. Dominic is a ruthless hero, single-minded in both his anti-slavery missions and his quest to keep Clare free and safe. As always, I learned a lot. Loved this one.
This is a horny book with plenty of high-seas adventure and a serious look at the hideousness of slavery both on the mainland and on island plantations. Dominic is a ruthless hero, single-minded in both his anti-slavery missions and his quest to keep Clare free and safe. As always, I learned a lot. Loved this one.
wandering_seal's review against another edition
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? No
4.0
This should have been a perfect book for me - Beverly Jenkins, PIRATES - but, and this is a weird and totally subjective gripe - Dominic was just too competent and it started to get me down part way through, before the plot to rescue the kids made everything pick up again. How many little deaths can there be? How come our man has the perfect road map to Clare? I would have found it infinity more interesting if he'd had to put some work into finding out what made her tick. Now, I know that's me being nitpicky, but seriously each time they got together it felt sooo repetitive.
Outwith that irritation, I really enjoyed this story. The drama of the pirate ship, the awful tension of Clare coming to a sense of her own worth and how to do best for her children, the community on the island. On the whole, I'm very glad I read it, and will now be on the lookout for more pirates!
Outwith that irritation, I really enjoyed this story. The drama of the pirate ship, the awful tension of Clare coming to a sense of her own worth and how to do best for her children, the community on the island. On the whole, I'm very glad I read it, and will now be on the lookout for more pirates!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death, Genocide, Sexism, Violence, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, and War
megatza's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Classic Beverly Jenkins with an iconic clinch!
Dominic LeVeq is left out of his father's will, which he doesn't care as much about except for his half-brother inheriting the property and re-enslaving the people his father previously freed. He's turned to a life of Robin Hood-esque piracy, looting ships, but particularly Slavers and redistributing the wealth. Claire Sullivan is an enslaved woman on board one of those ships, and he is captivated by her beauty and spirit. Claire is an educated woman who can read and speak several languages, but whose children were sold when they were young and who has never slept in a bed in her life. Her passion for life drives LeVeq to make a pivotal decision: rescue and free her enslaved children.
The best Beverly Jenkins books are ones like this that dig into lesser explored parts of history than we typically see in historical romances, like 1770s Caribbean and the legacy of free Blacks. She's also at her best when the plot goes bonkers, and this one is high on the melodrama and action.
Dominic is a hard man, and like many of Jenkins's heroes, he's caught off guard by how fast he falls for Claire, and will move heaven and earth to make her happy. I find i am more intellectually than emotionally invested in the romance in a Jenkins book, and yet they sit with me. Her heroines are incredible - fierce women held back by the circumstances of their time and fighting for their place in society and in the heroes hearts.
Dominic LeVeq is left out of his father's will, which he doesn't care as much about except for his half-brother inheriting the property and re-enslaving the people his father previously freed. He's turned to a life of Robin Hood-esque piracy, looting ships, but particularly Slavers and redistributing the wealth. Claire Sullivan is an enslaved woman on board one of those ships, and he is captivated by her beauty and spirit. Claire is an educated woman who can read and speak several languages, but whose children were sold when they were young and who has never slept in a bed in her life. Her passion for life drives LeVeq to make a pivotal decision: rescue and free her enslaved children.
The best Beverly Jenkins books are ones like this that dig into lesser explored parts of history than we typically see in historical romances, like 1770s Caribbean and the legacy of free Blacks. She's also at her best when the plot goes bonkers, and this one is high on the melodrama and action.
Dominic is a hard man, and like many of Jenkins's heroes, he's caught off guard by how fast he falls for Claire, and will move heaven and earth to make her happy. I find i am more intellectually than emotionally invested in the romance in a Jenkins book, and yet they sit with me. Her heroines are incredible - fierce women held back by the circumstances of their time and fighting for their place in society and in the heroes hearts.
rhrousu's review
5.0
Satisfying pirate romance with fascinating historical details. Can read as a stand-alone. Highly recommended for romance fans.
prncsspeach_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.0
kellime's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
midnight_august_moon's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Whew! This book had my heart racing and kept me on the edge of my seat. Of all the historical romances I’ve read by Beverly Jenkins, this one made me the most emotional. The love and care that the male main character, Dominic LeVeq, shows to the female main character, Clare Sullivan, is indescribable. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but reading about the experiences Clare encounters for the first time with Dominic is both sweet and painful as she discovers simple freedoms she has never known.
This is also the first story I’ve read by Beverly Jenkins set during the American Revolution. While the book addresses some dark and challenging themes, I appreciate that the author includes them—the events described in the story are a reflection of history. As always, the author provides sources for the historical information that she seamlessly intertwines with the story.
That said, this is very much still a romance! Dominic is a charming and swoon-worthy privateer who sweeps Clare off her feet—literally! I loved their banter, their relationship, and their entire story! They have now become my second favorite couple in this series of historical romances. Additionally, this story serves as an origin tale for the LeVeq brothers, who are just too handsome and sexy for their own good! When I see that the male lead is a LeVeq, I know I’m in for a great read!
Clare, the captivating heroine, was intriguing and brave. I doubt anyone else in her situation would have had the guts or grace to handle things as she did. I completely understand why Dominic was smitten with her.
As for the antagonists in this story, I despised them even more than “Shoe” from Indigo! If you’re a longtime reader of Beverly Jenkins work, you know exactly who I’m talking about! I have never wanted to unalive so many characters in a story! The last few chapters of this book had my heart pounding!
This is also the first story I’ve read by Beverly Jenkins set during the American Revolution. While the book addresses some dark and challenging themes, I appreciate that the author includes them—the events described in the story are a reflection of history. As always, the author provides sources for the historical information that she seamlessly intertwines with the story.
That said, this is very much still a romance! Dominic is a charming and swoon-worthy privateer who sweeps Clare off her feet—literally! I loved their banter, their relationship, and their entire story! They have now become my second favorite couple in this series of historical romances. Additionally, this story serves as an origin tale for the LeVeq brothers, who are just too handsome and sexy for their own good! When I see that the male lead is a LeVeq, I know I’m in for a great read!
Clare, the captivating heroine, was intriguing and brave. I doubt anyone else in her situation would have had the guts or grace to handle things as she did. I completely understand why Dominic was smitten with her.
As for the antagonists in this story, I despised them even more than “Shoe” from Indigo! If you’re a longtime reader of Beverly Jenkins work, you know exactly who I’m talking about! I have never wanted to unalive so many characters in a story! The last few chapters of this book had my heart pounding!
bama_mama2026's review
5.0
I love the mixture of romance and history. I like the intense research Ms. Jenkins uses in her stories. The storyline parallels the historical events ( I like that!!). She even provides references for the reader to use for their own research. I especailly love the "black love" dipicted in her stories. All in all, once again a very enjoyable, easy, and very quick read. Classic Beverly Jenkins!!!
micahelise's review
4.25
4.2/5 - i just wanna say that i really appreciate how this was written. it was very clear that this was during the time of slavery but not a single slur was uttered and there was zero explicit trauma. idk i feel like hollywood need to take some notes and stop feeding us torture p*rn and acting like that’s the only way to depict that time