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mayann's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
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? No
3.75
saraleighanne's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story. Definitely not what I was expecting.
lanidacey's review
4.0
Some of the tropes are a little dated, but I still enjoyed the romance between Hester and Galen. This was a true knight-in-shining-armor, rags-to-riches, all-sex-is-good-sex fantasy and I needed it considering how terrifying reality has been. I'm hoping Galen's friend Raymond has a story of his own.
virgo_reader's review
2.0
I'm bummed I didn't enjoy this one more since it's so beloved - but to me it felt SO. LONG.
This was the first Beverly Jenkins book that made me feel anxious/nervous. That wasn't why I didn't find myself gelling with this book... I think because of the pace and length it just didn't work for me.
This was the first Beverly Jenkins book that made me feel anxious/nervous. That wasn't why I didn't find myself gelling with this book... I think because of the pace and length it just didn't work for me.
willa's review against another edition
3.0
Starts strong, but is derailed by the hero being magically rich and spending several chapters draping the heroine in silks and jewels. Hester is a very strong character until she’s suborned into living a life of wealth and leisure. She is characterized as very proud, especially of her house and land, until she moves out into a fancier house without a second thought. The opening of the book promises a high-stakes romance between two people living outside the law for the cause of freedom, then just dribbles down into Cinderella. The historical detail becomes the most interesting part (and it is very interesting!)
jazzreads32's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
tense
slow-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
5.0
This is my favorite book by Beverly Jenkins.This book took over the top stop by storm with a slow burn. I usually do not like slow burns but Hester and Galen was worth the slow burn. Beverly Jenkins has the ability to put a beautiful love story in her books while addressing the major issues during that time period. This book was not only powerful but beautiful at the same time. I love being in my Beverly Jenkins era ❤️ The loved fact that Galen wanted Hester to be his everything. I loved the way he spoiled her throughout the book .
nic55's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I see why this is so loved, it is the definition of a sweeping, well-crafted romance.
Beverly Jenkins nails the headstrong FMC & fondly exasperated/determined MMC dynamic every single time, and this is a prime example. Galen was delightfully aggravating at the start and becomes increasingly down bad for Hester and doesn't know what to do when she won't agree to marry him. Hester stands her ground, remains keenly aware of their class differences/power dynamic and fights her attraction to him until he earns it. My favorite thing about their relationship was how beautiful Galen made Hester feel, especially considering her trauma and self-esteem from being enslaved. I LIVE for a character who feels beautiful for the first time...not in a shallow 1D "you don't know you're beautiful" way but in a "societal structures did not include me in their definition of beauty" way. There was a general undercurrent of danger with both Galen & Hester being conductors on the Underground Railroad and the villains lurking around that was engaging. Also, this had more intra-community conversations in this about colorism, classism, and gender dynamics than previous books by Ms Bev and they were just so well handled.
The pacing was a little bit uneven for me, with lots of Hester ruminating over her feelings for Galen or external plot elements that were dragged out or slightly repetitive "sexual tension" scenes. I usually enjoy breathing room in my romances, so I don't mind slower paced moments. I just tend to like when that allows for some character/relationship development, rather than feeling kinda stuck like I did here.
Starting my journey with Queen Bev has been one of the highlights of this year, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her.
Beverly Jenkins nails the headstrong FMC & fondly exasperated/determined MMC dynamic every single time, and this is a prime example. Galen was delightfully aggravating at the start and becomes increasingly down bad for Hester and doesn't know what to do when she won't agree to marry him. Hester stands her ground, remains keenly aware of their class differences/power dynamic and fights her attraction to him until he earns it. My favorite thing about their relationship was how beautiful Galen made Hester feel, especially considering her trauma and self-esteem from being enslaved. I LIVE for a character who feels beautiful for the first time...not in a shallow 1D "you don't know you're beautiful" way but in a "societal structures did not include me in their definition of beauty" way. There was a general undercurrent of danger with both Galen & Hester being conductors on the Underground Railroad and the villains lurking around that was engaging. Also, this had more intra-community conversations in this about colorism, classism, and gender dynamics than previous books by Ms Bev and they were just so well handled.
The pacing was a little bit uneven for me, with lots of Hester ruminating over her feelings for Galen or external plot elements that were dragged out or slightly repetitive "sexual tension" scenes. I usually enjoy breathing room in my romances, so I don't mind slower paced moments. I just tend to like when that allows for some character/relationship development, rather than feeling kinda stuck like I did here.
Starting my journey with Queen Bev has been one of the highlights of this year, and I can't wait to keep reading more from her.
vale991's review
4.0
Davvero interessante dal punto di vista storico. Questo libro è abbastanza fuori dalla mia comfort zone ma mi ha presa più di quanto mi aspettassi. Ho trovato i personaggi ben caratterizzati.
miraya's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
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