Reviews

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

Only show reviews with written explanations

jazzreads32's review

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

4.0

I really enjoyed reading this book because Kent was not playing about Portia. The passion in this book made me love black historical romance. Portia did not want to marry because of her childhood with her mother. I was so happy she got the love she deserved.

theeuphoriczat's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

15 years after the events of book one, where the family hotel and business were raided and burnt by racist assholes in Virginia city. We follow Portia one of Eddy's nieces who was sent to live with her and Rhine after their mother found the guy she wanted to be with but he didn't want the burden of being with children that are not his. Rhine and Eddy take in Portia and her sister Regan.
Here we see Portia as grown into a beautiful woman who is the manager of one of the best hotels in Arizona Territory, she manages the books and she cannot cook. Then she meets Kent Randolph who she knew when she was younger and lived in Virginia City, he is in town seeking employment with Rhine. Seeing her again sparks his interest and he is known to always go for what he wants.
With Portia not interested in marriage or any other man, her interest in the newly arrived stud takes her by surprise.

Not my favorite book in the series but I really enjoyed their relationship

moreadsabook's review against another edition

Go to review page

Old West is Beverly Jenkins' best series and Breathless is an instant classic for me! Portia is probably my favorite character from Miss Jenkin. also, i haven't yearned for a fictional man like this in a minute!!!

thebookdivareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

ashp's review

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

5.0

A Black woman gaining love and independence. The men are wonderful, except for the antagonists. Kent is a beautiful man with a loving heart.

rickireadss's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.5

when i found out that the next two books in the trilogy followed the nieces of edie from book 1, i was SO freaking excited!! this was everything and more. i loved that it gave the trilogy a second generation feel. i was eating up the interactions between portia and kent -- THAT MAN *swoon* i really loved the romance between the two and the outside conflicts going on. i cannot wait for regan's book!

representation: Black MCs

content warnings: violence, death, sexism, racism, abandonment, kidnapping, child abuse, infidelity, adult/minor relationship, gun violence, fire/fire injury, hate crime, colonization, slavery, pedophilia, confinement, imprisonment

blckrorygilmore's review

Go to review page

adventurous 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

5.0

Beverly Jenkins the mother that you are!!

sarahanne8382's review

Go to review page

4.0

In the second entry in Jenkins' Old West series, we are reacquainted with the Fontaines and Carmichaels 15 years later, after they've established themselves in the Arizona territory as proprietors of a successful resort hotel. Portia and Regan are now grown women preparing to start their own lives.

When Portia hears herself called "Duchess" one day, she realizes that Kent Randolph has come back into her life, but instead of the cocky young bartender, he's now an older and wiser cowboy, ready to put down some roots and settle down with a good woman, hopefully Portia. Can she overcome the demons of her past to accept Kent as the good man he appears to have grown into?

What good things haven't I said about Beverly Jenkins historical novels? If you liked the first in this series, you won't be disappointed.

ashleyreadsanything's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted relaxing 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

5.0

unsuccessfulbookclub's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional informative lighthearted 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? No

4.5

Portia is an accountant who has NO interest in getting married, mainly because her mom (who was a seggs worker) was awful but also because she just hasn’t liked any of the men she’s ever met and she wants to be independent. Kent, the MMC, is a real-live cowboy, who worked for Rhine back in Virginia City and eventually found his way to the family at their Arizona hotel.

Like most Bevvie Jenks, this book is FULL OF PLOTS. If starts with Rhine, Eddy, Portia and Regan escaping mob violence and ends with a huge plot happening. I loved the exploration of Portia’s relationship with her mom and how that informed her relationship with Kent. I loved how sweet patient and h0rny Kent was. I also loved all of the foreshadowing with Regan, who is the FMC in Tempest.

Content Warnings

More...