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jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. This book has my least favorite Beverly Jenkins hero to date but the rest of the book was so damn good that I’m gonna let his sorry ass slide.
Seriously, everything about Ryder was such a turn off personality wise. He jumped to conclusions over literally everything and then he would run off and throw tantrums. That shit is not cute and he never grew on me therefore I didn’t believe in his and Leah’s love story. He was easily the worst thing about this book for me besides the villain. I wanted him to grow up and stop being so childish.
Leah on the other hand was fantastic. She carries this book on her shoulders. I love her character. She’s very determined and smart. She knew how to pick her battles and was very strategic. She deserved a much better hero.
I liked the plot and the ending was really awesome. There was a really intense confrontation that had me on pins and needles and I loved the way it was resolved. While the romance did absolutely nothing for me, Leah, the writing, the plot and some of the side characters (particularly Sam) were so great that I’m giving this four stars. Not a favorite but still a very entertaining read.
{Challenges completed:
✔The Lost Challenges: When I Grow Up Challenge
✔All Challenges All The Time: Gilmore Girls Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Greatest Love Stories Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Ghost Walks Tour Challenge}
Seriously, everything about Ryder was such a turn off personality wise. He jumped to conclusions over literally everything and then he would run off and throw tantrums. That shit is not cute and he never grew on me therefore I didn’t believe in his and Leah’s love story. He was easily the worst thing about this book for me besides the villain. I wanted him to grow up and stop being so childish.
Leah on the other hand was fantastic. She carries this book on her shoulders. I love her character. She’s very determined and smart. She knew how to pick her battles and was very strategic. She deserved a much better hero.
I liked the plot and the ending was really awesome. There was a really intense confrontation that had me on pins and needles and I loved the way it was resolved. While the romance did absolutely nothing for me, Leah, the writing, the plot and some of the side characters (particularly Sam) were so great that I’m giving this four stars. Not a favorite but still a very entertaining read.
{Challenges completed:
✔The Lost Challenges: When I Grow Up Challenge
✔All Challenges All The Time: Gilmore Girls Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Greatest Love Stories Challenge
✔For Love of a Book: Ghost Walks Tour Challenge}
whatbreeread's review
3.0
i almost DNF’d this book. ryder was borderline insufferable and he didn’t deserve leah at all. the two had little chemistry so there was nothing for me to root for there. if anything i was rooting for leah to go back east and leave ryder right there in denver. i also had a bone to pick with the dad because he rly left this lady to try to fix the messes he made because he was too pussy to do it himself. he thrusted her right into the storm and i just don’t think what she got in the end was worth it
the only reasons this gets a 3 star from me is the fmc and the ending because it truly gagged me (maybe if i read mystery i would’ve been able to pick up the clues but i don’t so🤷🏾♀️)
this was just meh to me overall which sucks because i rly wanted to love it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Xenophobia
Minor: Self harm
greylandreviews's review
2.0
2.5 stars
Not a favorite of mine.
Trigger Warnings: loss of parents, cancer, racism, Sand Creek massacre, mention of military violence, graphic & mass murder mentioned, displacement, poisoning, and gun violence
Not a favorite of mine.
Trigger Warnings: loss of parents, cancer, racism, Sand Creek massacre, mention of military violence, graphic & mass murder mentioned, displacement, poisoning, and gun violence
sometimesrobinreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Haven't come across a Beverly Jenkins book I didn't love. Like most of the books I've read by Jenkins, I finished it within 24 hours. The way she weaves romance with a history lesson is unmatched. Leah and Ryder are definitely one of my favorite couples penned by Beverly Jenkins. Their banter was so cute and funny. I can see me re-reading this book in the future.
bibliophile_mama's review
5.0
Good gracious what an unexpected and wild ride. Could not put it down.
ipelengreads's review
4.0
The history. The drama. The mystery. The romance. ⭐️
This was fun. I couldn’t stop reading no matter how hard I tried. More so there were really long chapters with so many pages and yet it all seemed to go by quickly. The plot was super engaging. There was something always going on and the characters were super engaging too.
Leah is a boss. She is relatable but also fiery and just an all round fantastic character. She’s got some amazing common sense. I love it. I loved that she was sensible and knew how to pick her battles wisely. She allowed herself to be both independent and fierce and a damsel in distress. I loved following her as a lead character. She’s amazing and probably one of the best female characters written.
Ryder. Mess. The accusations. The jumping to conclusions. The assumptions. My goodness he really was a slow fool. But I do feel like he honestly learned from his mistakes and held himself accountable. His slow growth was satisfying in the end. His honesty also was a breath of fresh air. He’s at least self aware and honest about himself which I’ll give him points for. He’s not my favourite male lead character but he was still pretty entertaining.
The romance!!!!!! The lovemaking scenes were all fire. Madam Jenkins has a way with words because those were all brilliantly written. The romance was fun, at times annoying but mostly entertaining. These two (mostly Ryder) drove me up the wall but I was still entertained and kept reading. Lol the spark is definitely there even if I wasn’t one hundred percent rooting for them.
The plot was the highlight. Even without the romance this book had everything else going for it. The family history surrounding Louis. Fascinating and conflicting for our main character especially. The mystery of the murders. I was so engaged in that plot until the end. Madam Jenkins gave some really obvious clues to figure it out and by the middle I’d spotted who the murderer was but it was fun watching the pieces connect and waiting for the characters to eventually get there too. The side characters also made the story. Helene was a trip undoubtedly but like all of the other side characters she felt real and engaging.
There was always something going on in the story whether in the foreground or the background. It never seemed to go slow for me and I loved that. Between the drama with the estate. Figuring out the murders. And the romance this book was 100% entertaining. There was never a dull moment and the lead was especially a pleasure to follow around. Along with the other side characters who made this book all the more fun and engaging this book was a solid
This was fun. I couldn’t stop reading no matter how hard I tried. More so there were really long chapters with so many pages and yet it all seemed to go by quickly. The plot was super engaging. There was something always going on and the characters were super engaging too.
Leah is a boss. She is relatable but also fiery and just an all round fantastic character. She’s got some amazing common sense. I love it. I loved that she was sensible and knew how to pick her battles wisely. She allowed herself to be both independent and fierce and a damsel in distress. I loved following her as a lead character. She’s amazing and probably one of the best female characters written.
Ryder. Mess. The accusations. The jumping to conclusions. The assumptions. My goodness he really was a slow fool. But I do feel like he honestly learned from his mistakes and held himself accountable. His slow growth was satisfying in the end. His honesty also was a breath of fresh air. He’s at least self aware and honest about himself which I’ll give him points for. He’s not my favourite male lead character but he was still pretty entertaining.
The romance!!!!!! The lovemaking scenes were all fire. Madam Jenkins has a way with words because those were all brilliantly written. The romance was fun, at times annoying but mostly entertaining. These two (mostly Ryder) drove me up the wall but I was still entertained and kept reading. Lol the spark is definitely there even if I wasn’t one hundred percent rooting for them.
The plot was the highlight. Even without the romance this book had everything else going for it. The family history surrounding Louis. Fascinating and conflicting for our main character especially. The mystery of the murders. I was so engaged in that plot until the end. Madam Jenkins gave some really obvious clues to figure it out and by the middle I’d spotted who the murderer was but it was fun watching the pieces connect and waiting for the characters to eventually get there too. The side characters also made the story. Helene was a trip undoubtedly but like all of the other side characters she felt real and engaging.
There was always something going on in the story whether in the foreground or the background. It never seemed to go slow for me and I loved that. Between the drama with the estate. Figuring out the murders. And the romance this book was 100% entertaining. There was never a dull moment and the lead was especially a pleasure to follow around. Along with the other side characters who made this book all the more fun and engaging this book was a solid
loverofromance's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance
Leah Barnett, has come a long way. With her mother having passed away, a man who has always been like a father to her, Louis Montague leaves her all of wealth upon his death if she agrees to marry him on the day of his death. Leah inherited her mother's business, but she is struggling to make do. Monty sees her as the daughter he never had, and wants to make sure she will be taken care of. So Leah reluctantly agrees, knowing how important it is to him. But there is one last request, to make sure the two sons he had but had never really been a father to, and so she travels to Colorado to fulfill Monty's dying wish for his two sons. Along with her, is Cecil, Monty's best friend. But upon arriving, she meets one of his two sons Ryder, who is full of anger and bitterness against his father. He views her as a money grabbed, and doesn't trust her at all. But when she is put in a difficult position, fork up fifteen thousand due to past debts Monty's never fulfilled or go to prison. Ryder makes her an offer she can't refuse, be his lover and he will give the fifteen thousand to the courts to save her from prison. Soon though, Ryder and Leah feel a connection to each other. However lies and past secrets could tear them apart forever.
Our delicious hero is Ryder Damien. Ryder is one of the most powerful men in the state. Despite his rough upbringing, with no father, his mother murdered, and raised by his Cheyenne grandmother, his life hasn't been an easy one. He is used to many despising him for his mixed roots. But despite that, he has made much wealth for himself. Ryder despises his father, whom he blames for his mother's horrific demise. What I grew to really like about Ryder is seeing how much he learns in this book. You see quite a bit of character growth. He tends to make rash judgements and I love seeing him getting turned upside down with Leah. Ryder was quite a fun hero to get to know though. I loved seeing his fortitude, strength against so much especially when he was young. He is a fighter and a sensual lover.
Leah was a heroine I just wanted more of. She is a character that in the beginning you aren't too sure of. But we see she gets thrown into a horrible position and has to make a difficult choice. But she never gives up on the truth and believing in Ryder. She stands on her own though, and even though she keeps certain things from Ryder, it is very understandable why she does so. Before she travels west, she doesn't have a clue what she is getting herself into. She has always known love with her mother, Monty and Cecil. They are her security blankets. But we see how much she stands on her own when they are taken away from her. She is one tough little cookie, proud and spirited but still has a sweet nature too.
This story takes us from the streets of Chicago to the small workings of a town in Colorado near Denver. This is a period of growth of the State of Colorado. And wow does this author wow me each time that I happen to pick her up. This time we see more of the damage that many American's dealt to the Native American's of the time. We see this because Ryder is half Cheyenne. Some horrors happen to him when he is a boy that is just heartbreaking but in reality is what makes him into the strong capable man that he has become. I did like seeing how Beverly Jenkins brings in the historical relevance without taking anything from the story. Its more set up as a background for the characters. I did enjoy the interactions between Ryder and Leah in the beginning. Some fun bantering, powerful chemistry becomes built up and some hard lessons are learned between these two that are so spirited and have to learn what it takes to make a relationship work. We also have a shocker in the end where we learn the truth behind all the secrets of the past. And the true villain---turned me upside down. I almost passed out, it was such a blow but what a turn of events that happen here. We also see that Ryder and Leah have to climb through some mountains of mistrust before they get their happy ending. Ryder is the type of man that LEAPS to conclusions, but in the end he always makes up for it in other ways. I loved the way that Leah handles him though. She is firm yet understanding too. I liked that balance and there are some good side characters to fall in love with. What a powerful love story this turned out to be and I am only eager for more from this author.
I really love the purple background, it definitely fits the cover so well!!! And braided hair on the hero----different but so COOL!!
Before The Dawn is a romance that takes the reader on a ride of adventure through the Colorado Rockies----through secrets, misunderstandings, truths that are revealed and above all a happy end to make you sigh in happiness. TRULY A GEM!!!
Summary
Leah Barnett, has come a long way. With her mother having passed away, a man who has always been like a father to her, Louis Montague leaves her all of wealth upon his death if she agrees to marry him on the day of his death. Leah inherited her mother's business, but she is struggling to make do. Monty sees her as the daughter he never had, and wants to make sure she will be taken care of. So Leah reluctantly agrees, knowing how important it is to him. But there is one last request, to make sure the two sons he had but had never really been a father to, and so she travels to Colorado to fulfill Monty's dying wish for his two sons. Along with her, is Cecil, Monty's best friend. But upon arriving, she meets one of his two sons Ryder, who is full of anger and bitterness against his father. He views her as a money grabbed, and doesn't trust her at all. But when she is put in a difficult position, fork up fifteen thousand due to past debts Monty's never fulfilled or go to prison. Ryder makes her an offer she can't refuse, be his lover and he will give the fifteen thousand to the courts to save her from prison. Soon though, Ryder and Leah feel a connection to each other. However lies and past secrets could tear them apart forever.
The Hero
Our delicious hero is Ryder Damien. Ryder is one of the most powerful men in the state. Despite his rough upbringing, with no father, his mother murdered, and raised by his Cheyenne grandmother, his life hasn't been an easy one. He is used to many despising him for his mixed roots. But despite that, he has made much wealth for himself. Ryder despises his father, whom he blames for his mother's horrific demise. What I grew to really like about Ryder is seeing how much he learns in this book. You see quite a bit of character growth. He tends to make rash judgements and I love seeing him getting turned upside down with Leah. Ryder was quite a fun hero to get to know though. I loved seeing his fortitude, strength against so much especially when he was young. He is a fighter and a sensual lover.
The Heroine
Leah was a heroine I just wanted more of. She is a character that in the beginning you aren't too sure of. But we see she gets thrown into a horrible position and has to make a difficult choice. But she never gives up on the truth and believing in Ryder. She stands on her own though, and even though she keeps certain things from Ryder, it is very understandable why she does so. Before she travels west, she doesn't have a clue what she is getting herself into. She has always known love with her mother, Monty and Cecil. They are her security blankets. But we see how much she stands on her own when they are taken away from her. She is one tough little cookie, proud and spirited but still has a sweet nature too.
Plot and Story Line
This story takes us from the streets of Chicago to the small workings of a town in Colorado near Denver. This is a period of growth of the State of Colorado. And wow does this author wow me each time that I happen to pick her up. This time we see more of the damage that many American's dealt to the Native American's of the time. We see this because Ryder is half Cheyenne. Some horrors happen to him when he is a boy that is just heartbreaking but in reality is what makes him into the strong capable man that he has become. I did like seeing how Beverly Jenkins brings in the historical relevance without taking anything from the story. Its more set up as a background for the characters. I did enjoy the interactions between Ryder and Leah in the beginning. Some fun bantering, powerful chemistry becomes built up and some hard lessons are learned between these two that are so spirited and have to learn what it takes to make a relationship work. We also have a shocker in the end where we learn the truth behind all the secrets of the past. And the true villain---turned me upside down. I almost passed out, it was such a blow but what a turn of events that happen here. We also see that Ryder and Leah have to climb through some mountains of mistrust before they get their happy ending. Ryder is the type of man that LEAPS to conclusions, but in the end he always makes up for it in other ways. I loved the way that Leah handles him though. She is firm yet understanding too. I liked that balance and there are some good side characters to fall in love with. What a powerful love story this turned out to be and I am only eager for more from this author.
The Cover
I really love the purple background, it definitely fits the cover so well!!! And braided hair on the hero----different but so COOL!!
Overall View
Before The Dawn is a romance that takes the reader on a ride of adventure through the Colorado Rockies----through secrets, misunderstandings, truths that are revealed and above all a happy end to make you sigh in happiness. TRULY A GEM!!!
ashthebookdragon's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
lraven13's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to love this one but it was so centered in the men, how they related to each other and what Leah meant to them that was a real struggle. Even bearing in mind the time period it was a bit much. Ryder repeatedly questions her on everything but her beauty and that felt like bs.
By the time we actually find out who the murderer is the book is nearly over so the whole scene almost feels like an afterthought. It's also more disturbing than I'm used to from this author. All in all, not my fave.
By the time we actually find out who the murderer is the book is nearly over so the whole scene almost feels like an afterthought. It's also more disturbing than I'm used to from this author. All in all, not my fave.