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esquiredtoread's review against another edition
5.0
This was short, for sure but SO cute. I would recommend this to anyone that like historical romance and YA. Not a lot out there that I know of so this was precious. A good mix of history as we learn with the heroine, coming of age, and romance.
I've read all of Beverly Jenkins' romantic sub-genre and even her general fiction. This was my first YA by her and I loved it.
I've read all of Beverly Jenkins' romantic sub-genre and even her general fiction. This was my first YA by her and I loved it.
toffishay's review
emotional
lighthearted
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? Yes
2.5
Generally okay. A little too born sexy yesterday for me, but I love the Morgan brothers though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Slavery
towardinfinitybooks's review against another edition
2.0
Read Harder 2018 task: Read a one-sitting book.
2.5 stars.
Yesterday evening, I came down with an apparent lung virus. We think it might be pneumonia. So obviously, I feel awful. This morning, I opened my phone's Overdrive app to find a book that I could read or listen to for a little distraction. I downloaded this book and finished it off in about three hours.
I don't read much romance, apart from what I was pushed to read for a few other Read Harder tasks. I read books by Alyssa Cole for those tasks and really liked her writing. Unfortunately, Jenkins' writing here is not as strong. Many of the characters are two-dimensional. I also feel like conflicts were resolved really easily and in a way that just wasn't believable. However, the book was good enough for what it was and I'd consider picking up the companion novel if I need another distraction.
2.5 stars.
Yesterday evening, I came down with an apparent lung virus. We think it might be pneumonia. So obviously, I feel awful. This morning, I opened my phone's Overdrive app to find a book that I could read or listen to for a little distraction. I downloaded this book and finished it off in about three hours.
I don't read much romance, apart from what I was pushed to read for a few other Read Harder tasks. I read books by Alyssa Cole for those tasks and really liked her writing. Unfortunately, Jenkins' writing here is not as strong. Many of the characters are two-dimensional. I also feel like conflicts were resolved really easily and in a way that just wasn't believable. However, the book was good enough for what it was and I'd consider picking up the companion novel if I need another distraction.
no2camels's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Am always a fan of Beverly Jenkins; her historical romances are always steeped in black American history. For longest time, she was the only Black Romance author forging this path--imagining love and hope within America for Black individuals. (I really could write an essay on her work and its importance, but . . . won't here).
I listened to the audio book (which is not an option under editions), and the narrator, Adenrele Ojo, does a good job. However, there is an awkwardness to this book that is hard to reconcile: the heroine is 16 and the hero is 18, and the villain of the piece is another woman of color (the slave catcher is also present but is not much of a threat to Belle as the book is written). I think because of the ages (?) the dialogue remains very simple and complex feelings do not get fully explored. The voice performance tries to capture things like guilt or worry, but doesn't fully succeed.
I listened to the audio book (which is not an option under editions), and the narrator, Adenrele Ojo, does a good job. However, there is an awkwardness to this book that is hard to reconcile: the heroine is 16 and the hero is 18, and the villain of the piece is another woman of color (the slave catcher is also present but is not much of a threat to Belle as the book is written). I think because of the ages (?) the dialogue remains very simple and complex feelings do not get fully explored. The voice performance tries to capture things like guilt or worry, but doesn't fully succeed.
marieketron's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
No Frederick Douglas in the end but oh well. The romance was sweet and I loved pretty much all of the side characters, but Francine was too one note Evil for my taste. I just didn’t find the love interest actually interesting.
The history of the period plays a big role in the background and there were lots of references to moments or traditions I wasn’t aware of but am now interested to learn more about.
The history of the period plays a big role in the background and there were lots of references to moments or traditions I wasn’t aware of but am now interested to learn more about.
gillianc695a's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
naika's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was such a charming read. Despite having enjoyed nearly every book I have picked up from Beverly Jenkins, I was a bit reluctant to pick "Belle and the Beau" up. It is marketed as a YA book and I have been noticing lately that YA is not as entertaining to me. But I am so glad I pushed through my reservations.
16-year-old Belle is rescued by 18-year-old Daniel and 12-year-old Josephine "Jojo" Best in Michigan after escaping enslavement in Kentucky on foot. Initially, Belle is guarded and cautious, as she is not sure she can trust the Best family. The possibility of returning to a life of enslavement due to trusting the wrong people is something the causes her great stress. She also has a bunch of insecurities, as the Best family is far more educated than she is and live a life that is more comfortable than she has ever experienced. But she soon realizes that the Best family are part of the cause and treat her as if she is one of their own.
As much as she tries to ignore it, she begins to fall for Daniel - who just so happens to be betrothed to a childhood friend, Francine. Francine, nicknamed "Francine the Queen", is quite the insufferable character and is a source of a lot of contention. Daniel too, is fighting his feelings, as he prides himself in being honorable and does not want to find himself in a "love triangle" situation.
Yes, this is a romance and yes, there is a HEA. But true to Ms. Bev's fashion, the story was about self-love, history, community, and so much more. This was a quick, sweet read and I definitely suggest that you pick it up.
16-year-old Belle is rescued by 18-year-old Daniel and 12-year-old Josephine "Jojo" Best in Michigan after escaping enslavement in Kentucky on foot. Initially, Belle is guarded and cautious, as she is not sure she can trust the Best family. The possibility of returning to a life of enslavement due to trusting the wrong people is something the causes her great stress. She also has a bunch of insecurities, as the Best family is far more educated than she is and live a life that is more comfortable than she has ever experienced. But she soon realizes that the Best family are part of the cause and treat her as if she is one of their own.
As much as she tries to ignore it, she begins to fall for Daniel - who just so happens to be betrothed to a childhood friend, Francine. Francine, nicknamed "Francine the Queen", is quite the insufferable character and is a source of a lot of contention. Daniel too, is fighting his feelings, as he prides himself in being honorable and does not want to find himself in a "love triangle" situation.
Yes, this is a romance and yes, there is a HEA. But true to Ms. Bev's fashion, the story was about self-love, history, community, and so much more. This was a quick, sweet read and I definitely suggest that you pick it up.
jambery's review against another edition
3.0
Cute little love story. While the story and writing were pretty simple, I liked it because of all the history she packed in. Lots of things I didn't know about the era!
prationality's review against another edition
3.0
I freely admit to knowing next to nothing about Pre-Civil War America. I learned enough in school to skate by on history tests, but it wasn't a topic covered in great depth until High School when you could take the specific history class for it. So a lot of the 'topical' discussions that went on throughout the story, specifically people and laws, I later went on to look up (when I first read the book I mean, not this re-read). Within the context of the story since Belle is from the South and obviously wouldn't be hearing about famous African-Americans (let alone famous female African-Americans), she had to learn all about them too so the reader is given a good overview of the people's importance.
I liked this book for its simplicity. There wasn't anything very complex about the relationships or people. The shrew acted like a shrew, the oily newcomer acted like the oily newcomer and the good folk acted like good folk. There's no gray area in other words.
The romance between Belle and Daniel starts slowly and you can see how their friendship slowly progressed. Even though Belle begins in something akin to hero worship of Daniel (well of his entire family for that matter), she quickly overcomes that and realizes that it was more important to be his friend then to have aspirations to being his ladylove. She sought his approval, but she basked equally in his praise as his parents' praise.
There is a certain just consequences to the actions of nearly everyone. Without spoiling it, Daniel's fiancee learns a hard lesson about toying with people.
Comparatively speaking this book was a little more daring then Samantha and the Cowboy, but still within tame boundaries of a young adult novel (considering Belle begins the story at 16 and ends it around 17 or so).
I liked this book for its simplicity. There wasn't anything very complex about the relationships or people. The shrew acted like a shrew, the oily newcomer acted like the oily newcomer and the good folk acted like good folk. There's no gray area in other words.
The romance between Belle and Daniel starts slowly and you can see how their friendship slowly progressed. Even though Belle begins in something akin to hero worship of Daniel (well of his entire family for that matter), she quickly overcomes that and realizes that it was more important to be his friend then to have aspirations to being his ladylove. She sought his approval, but she basked equally in his praise as his parents' praise.
There is a certain just consequences to the actions of nearly everyone. Without spoiling it, Daniel's fiancee learns a hard lesson about toying with people.
Comparatively speaking this book was a little more daring then Samantha and the Cowboy, but still within tame boundaries of a young adult novel (considering Belle begins the story at 16 and ends it around 17 or so).
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