Reviews

Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

wandering_seal's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative 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

4.0

My overall vibe while listening to the audiobook of this was that I really enjoyed this story. I was engaged throughout, wasn't quite sure where it was going to go. There were bits I did not like - the romance is a bit dated, some scenes between the FMC and MMC felt a bit dubious in the concent and I hated the way the FMCs virginity was emphasised, but broadly speaking I was having a good time listening. The scene with the Song of Solomon? Or the room with the clothes? I was delighted.

Looking back having finished the story, I've growing issues with aspects of the plot. Hester's finances makes zero sense at all. She becomes more passive once Galen is on the scene. I didn't appreciate the wife / mistress comparisons. But on the whole I enjoyed this a lot more than I was expecting to. 

lievemealone's review against another edition

3.0

I really respect the role this book has played in the history of the romance genre, but damn if Galen isn't the worst love interest ever. He's arrogant, never accepts "no", and breaks into Hester's house to watch her sleep. That's not hot.

deirareadsagain's review against another edition

medium-paced

5.0

My first ever Beverly Jenkins book and I absolutely loved it! I don’t know why it’s taken me so long to read anything by her, but now I think I’m going to stumble into a Beverly Jenkins rabbit hole.

I’m a sucker for historical fiction… add some romance and I’m all in… add black love and I’m definitely 100% into it.

I loved the way Galen was all about Hester and would literally go to war about her. I especially love how they fell in love. They were so infatuated with each other. Galen’s charisma is so untouchable. Don’t even get me started on the love making scenes **chefs kiss** It’s not smutty like books now but it definitely had me thinking damnnnn.

I did listen to this on Audible and the narrator’s voice for Galen took some getting used to. Lol I think I now need a physical copy of this book.

5 out of 5 stars ✨ Definitely Recommend.

ellei's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

5.0

THIS book is amazing. My first 5 ⭐️ read. This book has my heart. I looovvee Galen Vachon🥰🥰🥰 He’s everything I need in a man. He’s officially my book bf. I need to know what’s next for Hester and Galen. I enjoyed this book thoroughly and did not want it to end 🩷

adventuresinmytbr's review

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective 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

5.0

librarybrooke's review

adventurous dark informative tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

2.0

carolynlovesbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring reflective sad 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? Yes

4.0

zlibrarian's review

adventurous funny informative inspiring mysterious reflective 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

5.0

_ellisnoble_'s review against another edition

3.0

Ah, le alte aspettative per libri che vengono elevati a capolavori e che poi si rivelano mediocri...
Questo romanzo è considerato il migliore di Beverly Jenkins, la regina del black romance e non vedevo l'ora di recuperarlo. L'inizio era perfetto col racconto della convivenza forzata tra Hester, un'ex schiava che prima della guerra di Secessione lavora per salvare altr@ schiav@ fuggitiv@ e il fuorilegge Black Daniel, costretto a letto dopo essere stato ferito in un'operazione di salvataggio per colpa di una soffiata, con loro che inizialmente non si sopportano e iniziano a conoscersi meglio fino a innamorarsi... Purtroppo peró lui è costretto a scappare e qualche tempo dopo ritorna e si scopre essere un proprietario terriero ricchissimo intenzionato a sposare Hester a tutti i costi, nonostante abbia un motivo valido per temere di seguire il suo cuore, anche se cede relativamente con facilità al suo corteggiamento e questo porta a romanticizzare alcune delle azioni del protagonista maschile quando non lo sono (comprensibile perché in fondo il romanzo è stato scritto a metà degli anni '90). Tuttavia, anche se il corteggiamento fosse stato diverso, ciò non elimina il grande difetto del romanzo, ovvero lo spostamento di focus da 'chi ha tradito il Black Daniel?' a 'riuscirà a convincere Hester a sposarlo?': come tutti gli altri romanzi della Jenkins, la storia racconta la situazione pre guerra civile, in particolare concentrandosi sugli effetti della legge contro @ schiav@ fuggitiv@ e le modalità attraverso cui @ abolizionist@ lavoravano per impedire che persone nate libere venissero ridotte in schiavitù o per salvare @ famigliar@ ancora schiav@ di chi era già liber@, ma questo va tutto in secondo piano per essere recuperato solo nel finale, perdendo il valore che avrebbe avuto se fosse sempre stato sullo stesso livello della storia d'amore. Ma la nota positiva è che in compenso viene sviluppato il tema del colorismo e di come molte persone nere nate libere stessero alla larga da chi era stato in schiavitù, causando ulteriore discriminazione all'interno della stessa comunità nera e trascinandosi fino ai giorni nostri.
Questo non significa che smetterò di leggere Beverly Jenkins, anzi, ma sicuramente cercherò di lasciarmi meno influenzare da chi decanta un libro prima di leggerlo!

queen_thesophia's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring slow-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

0.5

Romance novel
set within early americas foundation of human enslavement