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aqtbenz's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
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? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Slavery, Death, and Sexual content
dinipandareads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
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
4.5
4.5 stars rounded up!
Before I get into my review I just want to say: can we get the clinch cover back for this romance, please!? It's stunning and I want and need it in my life, please and thank you. 🥹
TL;DR: I've found another new favourite Jenkins romance! Even set against the tension-filled backdrop of a time of slavery, fugitive slaves and the dangers of being a conductor in the Underground Railroad, Jenkins manages to write a heartfelt and sensual romance full of yearning and I loved it. I was pulled in from their caustic first meeting to the tender blooming of their feelings to their intense chemistry and hot-as-hell sexual tension. I loved Hester and Galen so much!
I appreciate how much I learn about history with each Bev Jenkins book I read. Reading about slavery, slave catchers, and fugitive slaves was at once eye-opening, angering and heartbreaking. I loved the inserts of prominent historical figures, such as abolitionist John Brown and I admit that after reading, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading up more about a few of these people. I admire how reading her historicals never feels like lessons but I still walk away with so much knowledge. Plus, she writes everything so well that it's hard to not be reeled in by her stories!
I adored Hester! She's a very sensible good egg and though she's all about logic and being practical, she also doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She has no issue standing her ground against persistent rakes like Galen and evil scum like Shoe. I love how Galen brings out the saucier and more playful side of her. I enjoyed reading about her role as a conductor for the underground and I do wish that we'd seen more of that part as the story went on, but it made for a very unique first meeting between her and Galen. And as much as I adored Hester, I was smitten with Galen! Having always been a free man and coming from one of the wealthiest families, he couldn't have been more different from Hester. He had an interesting backstory and I enjoyed learning how he became the notorious slave rescuer, Black Daniel. Although his arrogance was astounding at times, I didn't find his actions irritating because he was genuine, had a big heart and cared a great deal.
Ngl, the man had me swooning all over the place with his persistent charm, devotion, respect and all-consuming love for Hester. He was a complete simp for her and I mean, I get it! He wouldn't give her up without a fight and it was such a fun time watching him try to continuously woo her in his arrogant rakish way and see her rebuff him time and again. 😍 Their banter only got better as the story continued and the intensity of their burning sexual tension pretty much set my Kindle aflame! Although they catch feelings rather quickly, their romance (more or less) takes place over a year and I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance. I loved that Hester makes Galen work to prove himself to her! But although it's a slower burn, there were some delightfully steamy moments throughout. 🔥 Their chemistry was something!
I have to admit that the baddies got off way too easy and I did find the ending a bit too cheesy. It tracked with Galen's character though! Overall, this was another successful romance for me and I'm so excited to learn that the Le Veq brothers have a series cos I want their HEAs, especially Raymond's.
Before I get into my review I just want to say: can we get the clinch cover back for this romance, please!? It's stunning and I want and need it in my life, please and thank you. 🥹
TL;DR: I've found another new favourite Jenkins romance! Even set against the tension-filled backdrop of a time of slavery, fugitive slaves and the dangers of being a conductor in the Underground Railroad, Jenkins manages to write a heartfelt and sensual romance full of yearning and I loved it. I was pulled in from their caustic first meeting to the tender blooming of their feelings to their intense chemistry and hot-as-hell sexual tension. I loved Hester and Galen so much!
I appreciate how much I learn about history with each Bev Jenkins book I read. Reading about slavery, slave catchers, and fugitive slaves was at once eye-opening, angering and heartbreaking. I loved the inserts of prominent historical figures, such as abolitionist John Brown and I admit that after reading, I went down a bit of a rabbit hole reading up more about a few of these people. I admire how reading her historicals never feels like lessons but I still walk away with so much knowledge. Plus, she writes everything so well that it's hard to not be reeled in by her stories!
I adored Hester! She's a very sensible good egg and though she's all about logic and being practical, she also doesn't hesitate to speak her mind. She has no issue standing her ground against persistent rakes like Galen and evil scum like Shoe. I love how Galen brings out the saucier and more playful side of her. I enjoyed reading about her role as a conductor for the underground and I do wish that we'd seen more of that part as the story went on, but it made for a very unique first meeting between her and Galen. And as much as I adored Hester, I was smitten with Galen! Having always been a free man and coming from one of the wealthiest families, he couldn't have been more different from Hester. He had an interesting backstory and I enjoyed learning how he became the notorious slave rescuer, Black Daniel. Although his arrogance was astounding at times, I didn't find his actions irritating because he was genuine, had a big heart and cared a great deal.
Ngl, the man had me swooning all over the place with his persistent charm, devotion, respect and all-consuming love for Hester. He was a complete simp for her and I mean, I get it! He wouldn't give her up without a fight and it was such a fun time watching him try to continuously woo her in his arrogant rakish way and see her rebuff him time and again. 😍 Their banter only got better as the story continued and the intensity of their burning sexual tension pretty much set my Kindle aflame! Although they catch feelings rather quickly, their romance (more or less) takes place over a year and I enjoyed the slow burn of their romance. I loved that Hester makes Galen work to prove himself to her! But although it's a slower burn, there were some delightfully steamy moments throughout. 🔥 Their chemistry was something!
I have to admit that the baddies got off way too easy and I did find the ending a bit too cheesy. It tracked with Galen's character though! Overall, this was another successful romance for me and I'm so excited to learn that the Le Veq brothers have a series cos I want their HEAs, especially Raymond's.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Slavery, Kidnapping, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Violence and Gun violence
arthur_pendrgn's review against another edition
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
There really are logic errors in this book.
1. How is Hester, educated and land rich, so poor? No chickens or garden? How is she feeding all of these passengers on the underground railroad? Is she buying that much food and no one is suspicious?
2. Why is Galen, who helps slaves escape, insistent on going outside knowing slave catchers are in the area hunting him?
3. Why would Hester leave her papers in an empty house?
4. What is the purpose of meeting Ginette or the entire ball scene in terms of the plot?
5. Nothing happens to Bea, who betrayed all of the townspeople, but Lem is killed?
6. Why would Hester trust Jenine / Foster in that climactic scene?
7. Why does Gerrold, who knows someone is trying to kidnap Hester, leave her?
8. What information could Gerrold get at the house that he couldn't get by going with Hester to the jail?
9. Hester believes that love makes you lose your mind, yet has no problem with a man who humiliates her into marriage / ruins her reputation if she doesn't say yes and keeps sneaking into her house at night?
Then the suspension of disbelief is strained to the point of breaking that Hester, at 9, did not realize the evils of slavery or what enslavement meant as well as Galen's "Christmas surprise."
1. How is Hester, educated and land rich, so poor? No chickens or garden? How is she feeding all of these passengers on the underground railroad? Is she buying that much food and no one is suspicious?
2. Why is Galen, who helps slaves escape, insistent on going outside knowing slave catchers are in the area hunting him?
3. Why would Hester leave her papers in an empty house?
4. What is the purpose of meeting Ginette or the entire ball scene in terms of the plot?
5. Nothing happens to Bea, who betrayed all of the townspeople, but Lem is killed?
6. Why would Hester trust Jenine / Foster in that climactic scene?
7. Why does Gerrold, who knows someone is trying to kidnap Hester, leave her?
8. What information could Gerrold get at the house that he couldn't get by going with Hester to the jail?
9. Hester believes that love makes you lose your mind, yet has no problem with a man who humiliates her into marriage / ruins her reputation if she doesn't say yes and keeps sneaking into her house at night?
Then the suspension of disbelief is strained to the point of breaking that Hester, at 9, did not realize the evils of slavery or what enslavement meant as well as Galen's "Christmas surprise."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery and Racism
Minor: Racial slurs, Death, Gun violence, and Kidnapping
onlyonebookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery, Racial slurs, Gun violence, and Violence
readwritemads's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence and Slavery
Minor: Rape
toffishay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
3.75
I really loved this romance, I mean I read it all in a day! Hester, or as Galen calls her Indigo, is an amazing main character. She is strong and funny and kind! I love the relationship that she develops with Galen. Even though Galen is arrogant, I found him very lovable. It is certainly a romance of its time, and Galen can be a little hard to connect to at times because he can steamroll others at times. But overall, I really enjoyed this story. As a Black woman from Michigan, I also really appreciate the real history about Black life in the mid-late 1800s, the role that Michigan played in the Underground Railroad, and a slice of the political and social landscape at that time. I believe that fiction can be a great way to learn and Beverly Jenkins always does an awesome job balancing education with romance. It was all a piece of life at that time and books like this are an important part of telling that history and keeping it alive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Racism
Moderate: Kidnapping, Hate crime, Sexism, Infidelity, Classism, Misogyny, Bullying, Grief, Violence, Trafficking, Gun violence, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Fatphobia, War, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Colonisation, Alcohol, Sexual assault, Murder, and Cursing
caitlinemccann's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, and Racism
Moderate: Classism, Hate crime, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
bee94's review
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Racism
Moderate: Gun violence, Hate crime, Kidnapping, Racial slurs, and Violence
Minor: Infidelity
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