Rebel | 
pickI pre-ordered this in 2019 and read it in 2025, just to give you an idea of how my reading backlog is going 😅
Anyway, I absolutely loved this. It is filled with rich historical details, and the protagonists are adorable together. The story is full of passion and adventure. This was everything I wanted. Highly recommend this one!
pickAll the emotions with this book. I loved Drake and his family. The brothers cracked me up. Valinda was fantastic with her fiery independence and need to help others.
The setting of post civil war New Orleans had me scared for them all and Jenkins had scenes that got me teary. It‘s a wonderful book.
pickFinished this in one day. I always love the blend of romance and history. Val and Drake were great main characters and I love the LeVeq family. It always nice to get updates on this family. I feel like this must be set before Archers story since they don‘t mention his wife.
pickBeach read #3
My favorite book of the week. I devour Beverly Jenkins writing...as trope-y as they are.
I tagged along with my husband on his work trip to St.Pete's Beach. So while he is in meetings all day I am enjoying some time alone. A tropical storm is blowing through, but I am still enjoying the warm air. Patio doors wide open and reading in bed! 🌴
pickThis was my first Beverly Jenkins And so thoroughly enjoyed it. The historical fiction aspect t is the best thing about this. 2880s New Orleans is such a rich period to be brought to life on the pages through Val and Drake. I highly recommend it.
pickMy first Beverly Jenkins book but it totally won‘t be my last. I enjoyed her attention to the history, both of New Orleans as well as the time period of reconstruction. I admit, I don‘t know a whole lot about it from either side but this felt very real to me. I also really liked that it was Valinda who didn‘t know what Love was and didn‘t want to marry, and although Drake was in love from the start, he gave her time. 👇
pickSo enjoyable. For #rippedbodicebingo will work for sassy grandparent, and with some loose definitions
(small spoiler, avert your eyes)
eloping.
pickSometimes you pick up a book thinking you‘re going to get just a good romance but then you‘re presented with a book that transcends genre. Ms. Bev‘s new book does just that in a romance set in Reconstruction-era New Orleans between a NYC teacher and a man from a prominent Free Black family working to help those recently freed rebuild their lives. The romance between Val and Drake is sweet and sexy but this doesn‘t make the book easy.
Back to my ARCs. Also fixing the fact that I've never read a book by Beverly Jenkins. #romantsy
pickIt is crazy that this was my first Beverly Jenkins. She is romance star for a reason. Set in New Orleans during reconstruction it is about a woman who heads south with the dream of teaching anyone who desires an education and the son of a prominent family who helps her navigate the dangers of the city she is making her home. The romance is sweet but I loved the historical details that really elevated this story. And that cover!! Out in May.
