A review by bookishrealm
Delaney's Desert Sheikh by Brenda Jackson

lighthearted relaxing medium-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

2.5

 
2.5 stars. Man oh man I wanted to rate this one higher, but there was one particular scene that I wasn't okay with. I'm going to continue the series because I'm really interested in where Brenda Jackson is going to take these characters.

Delaney's Desert Sheikh is the first in Brenda Jackson's Westmorelands series which is a series that I've been meaning to start for a while. It's an extremely short book so I was expecting the characters to fall in love quickly. The insta love trope didn't necessarily bother me; however, I wish that we would have gotten a little more interaction between the two characters. It would have made the connection just a tad more realistic. There is also a specific scene that technically isn't consensual and I wasn't a big fan of it especially since it wasn't addressed at all in the later parts of the book. There's a lot to take into consideration with this scene including expectations and standards of romance novels at the time that this was written. It doesn't excuse the scene, but it helps readers understand how and why the scene was included. There was clearly an attraction between the two and I rather enjoyed their banter, but I couldn't stop myself from thinking about that specific scene.

Quite frankly, I love what Jackson was able to do with character development in this book. Jamal had a certain perspective of the role a woman should play in the life of a man and Delaney challenged him every single step of the way. She refused to be subservient or agree that the role of a woman in a relationship should be simplified to catering to every need of her partner while being okay if he makes the decision to take on mistresses. Delaney makes Jamal reconsider a lot of things that he would have traditionally done. They had a lot of strong moments as characters, but also some weaker moments. If this book would have been just a little longer, I think that the chemistry between the two characters could have gone better and more smooth.

Ironically, there isn't really much to discuss about this book without giving away too many spoilers. Everything happens rather quickly. There are appearances from Delany's older brothers so I'm anticipating that readers will have the opportunity to see them in later books. To be completely clear and transparent, this book is a little on the dated side. There are still books coming out in The Westmoreland series so naturally I'm 100% positive that Jackson has done a great job with those. If you read this book, don't let it turn you away from exploring the rest of the books in the series.