Reviews

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins

beasleysbooks's review

adventurous lighthearted tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

chaleyah's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

mapoirier8's review

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

4.0

book_concierge's review

3.0

This bodice ripper is set in New Orleans during the reconstruction period after the Civil War. Valinda Lacy has come south to teach the newly emancipated freedmen and their children. But just as she is making headway her school is destroyed by thugs. As she runs for her life, she meets Captain Drake LeVeq, one of the sons of a wealthy Black family who made their money some generations back by piracy. Drake, however, is an architect and builder, intent on helping the freedmen survive and thrive.

It's a typical romance with heaving bosoms, knees made weak by kisses, demure women and strong men who are talented and generous lovers. Valinda and Drake make a nice couple, and his family (mother and three brothers) fills out the cast of characters quite well. Jenkins added some interesting tidbits of information regarding this period in American history.

The action is fast, even if the plot is fairly predictable. This novel even includes a minor subplot involving two gay men.

kelswid's review

3.75

I ALWAYS love reading Ms. Beverly Jenkins, even if the romance itself felt a bit underbaked

saltycaramel's review

adventurous emotional inspiring fast-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

4.5

marieintheraw's review against another edition

4.0

This was a good choice for my first Beverly Jenkins

courtofsmutandstuff's review

4.0

I love that Beverly Jenkins writes historical romances about Americans AND I always learn cool new historical facts from her. I love the characters (and definitely want to read the other LeVeq books) and the feistiness of her FMC. The pacing of the book was a little off for me (it kept building towards the inevitable arrival of her father and that was resolved so late in the book and so quickly), it lacked the same build as other books. However, I *loved* that there wasn't a third act breakup!! 
Definitely a solid choice for historical romance readers or anyone looking for a book set in New Orleans or during Reconstruction. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Racism

kmaddy's review

hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

rickireadss's review against another edition

4.25

if there's one thing beverly jenkins is gonna do, it's have me completely hooked with a story. this one had a slightly different vibe than her previous books i've read due to it being set in an earlier time period, and i really liked it. valinda was such a badass FMC, much like all of her other FMCs, and i loved seeing the love between her and drake blossom.

representation: Black MCs

content warnings:

racism, violence, slavery, death, gun violence, racial slurs, murder, hate crime, kidnapping, grief, homophobia, sexual violence, rape, sexual harassment, police brutality, suicidal thoughts, fire/fire injury, colonization