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excel_spreadsheet_book_nerd's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
mylastromancenovel's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
General Thoughts I have been working my way through Beverly's catolog. I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but Beverly has made me want to read more. Let's start with what I liked: swoony cowboy, bad-a strong FMC, a rich supporting cast, and I enjoy how she weaves in unknown/ little known history into her books. I enjoy her writing style (I listen on audio). It's paced well and the writing is intriguing. I also liked the dynamics between the FMC/MMC.
What I didn't love: I didn't love how certain things were built up, but then I felt they kind of fizzled out/ended suddenly. I thought certain things were built up to have a lot of drama, but didn't pan out to much. Certain elements of the MMC also bugged me, but overall I liked him.
Beverly always writes such interesting FMCs with interesting backgrounds. I haven't loved most of her westerns, but this one I did enjoy. Curious to see what happens in the third. I've already read a spin-off from that one, so I'm curious what happens in this one. That's one thing to know about Beverly--all her series seem to connect and be spin-offs, which I enjoy. But it does mean all the stories are pretty entangled.
Spice Meter: ❤️🔥.5 Spicy but not the most graphic. It's there though.
Romantic Tropes
-historical fiction
-romance
-slow burn
-Western romance/cowboy romance
-interconnected standalone
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
General Thoughts I have been working my way through Beverly's catolog. I don't read a ton of historical fiction, but Beverly has made me want to read more. Let's start with what I liked: swoony cowboy, bad-a strong FMC, a rich supporting cast, and I enjoy how she weaves in unknown/ little known history into her books. I enjoy her writing style (I listen on audio). It's paced well and the writing is intriguing. I also liked the dynamics between the FMC/MMC.
What I didn't love: I didn't love how certain things were built up, but then I felt they kind of fizzled out/ended suddenly. I thought certain things were built up to have a lot of drama, but didn't pan out to much. Certain elements of the MMC also bugged me, but overall I liked him.
Beverly always writes such interesting FMCs with interesting backgrounds. I haven't loved most of her westerns, but this one I did enjoy. Curious to see what happens in the third. I've already read a spin-off from that one, so I'm curious what happens in this one. That's one thing to know about Beverly--all her series seem to connect and be spin-offs, which I enjoy. But it does mean all the stories are pretty entangled.
Spice Meter: ❤️🔥.5 Spicy but not the most graphic. It's there though.
Romantic Tropes
-historical fiction
-romance
-slow burn
-Western romance/cowboy romance
-interconnected standalone
You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
rr_scott_reads's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ihateprozac's review against another edition
4.0
I was in the mood for something sweet and low angst, and Miss Bev delivered! This western historical was on the slow side, but I enjoyed Kent and Portia’s childhood-friends-to-lovers romance.
Portia is a kickass businesswoman and suffrage activist, and I was living for how she took no shit and was never afraid to tell rude people to piss off. She firmly does not believe that “the customer is always right” and it was HILARIOUS. Kent was a sweet hero and and I loved the dichotomy of him being so caring, but also ready to shoot people in the face if they deserve it. The accountant and the cowboy were so dang sweet.
While the romance was low angst, this book did make me cry - twice. One of our leads deals with losing a parent, while another is working through trauma from a neglectful would-be sex trafficker parent. These crop up toward the final act, so proceed with caution if these themes are likely to be triggering for you.
I love how Beverly Jenkins writes historical romances that lay bare racism and social issues of the period, but in a way that is streaked with hope and makes the reader feel like they’re in good hands. While the leads deal with tough family and social issues that made me cry, Beverly Jenkins nonetheless made me feel as a reader that I was being taken care of.
Portia is a kickass businesswoman and suffrage activist, and I was living for how she took no shit and was never afraid to tell rude people to piss off. She firmly does not believe that “the customer is always right” and it was HILARIOUS. Kent was a sweet hero and and I loved the dichotomy of him being so caring, but also ready to shoot people in the face if they deserve it. The accountant and the cowboy were so dang sweet.
While the romance was low angst, this book did make me cry - twice. One of our leads deals with losing a parent, while another is working through trauma from a neglectful would-be sex trafficker parent. These crop up toward the final act, so proceed with caution if these themes are likely to be triggering for you.
I love how Beverly Jenkins writes historical romances that lay bare racism and social issues of the period, but in a way that is streaked with hope and makes the reader feel like they’re in good hands. While the leads deal with tough family and social issues that made me cry, Beverly Jenkins nonetheless made me feel as a reader that I was being taken care of.
mrvm's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
readingoften1's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
apieceofjaaay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was my first Beverly Jenkins read and it was A LOT happening. I actually enjoyed the first 75% of the book but then a lot started to happen to close out the book. Most of it was interesting but it seemed a bit random.
I’m usually not a big fan of age gaps but I didn’t mind this one. Kent didn’t seem too old or out of touch. It did seem to odd to me that he wasn’t explicitly aged. Portia’s head was too deep in the books and not on men so it was funny to see her fall for Kent. I did appreciate that it was a man she kinda already knew. Kent was honest, charming and great to look at it. Although their connection seemed to be instant, I didn’t mind.
Overall, a pretty good story and I really enjoyed the historical elements. I didn’t realize this was a series so I’ll probably read book 3 (I’m super interested in Regan’s story) then potentially go back to book 1.
I’m usually not a big fan of age gaps but I didn’t mind this one. Kent didn’t seem too old or out of touch. It did seem to odd to me that he wasn’t explicitly aged. Portia’s head was too deep in the books and not on men so it was funny to see her fall for Kent. I did appreciate that it was a man she kinda already knew. Kent was honest, charming and great to look at it. Although their connection seemed to be instant, I didn’t mind.
Overall, a pretty good story and I really enjoyed the historical elements. I didn’t realize this was a series so I’ll probably read book 3 (I’m super interested in Regan’s story) then potentially go back to book 1.
scoodle42's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
Portia Carmichael is happy running her aunt and uncle's hotel, ad dreaming of her own bookkeeping business. A man is not part of the plan. But Kent Randolph, her uncles former bartender, appears after fifteen years and Portia finds herself drawn to him, in a way she'd never been drawn to anyone.
Okay so I really loved this. It was such an easy story. The journey to love was so steady for Kent and Portia. He always respected her mind and her abilities. He sought her opinion and protected her when needed, but recognized her strengths. And the man could cook! I love that he had a special horse, and so did Portia. Rhine and Eddy were adorable and Reagan was such an adventurer. The intrigue surrounding the neighboring ranch wasn't too overdone and I liked the way the community rallied when it was time. Kent and Portia's HEA was so sweet and sexy and loving. I'm already planning to reread this.
Okay so I really loved this. It was such an easy story. The journey to love was so steady for Kent and Portia. He always respected her mind and her abilities. He sought her opinion and protected her when needed, but recognized her strengths. And the man could cook! I love that he had a special horse, and so did Portia. Rhine and Eddy were adorable and Reagan was such an adventurer. The intrigue surrounding the neighboring ranch wasn't too overdone and I liked the way the community rallied when it was time. Kent and Portia's HEA was so sweet and sexy and loving. I'm already planning to reread this.
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping and Murder
barmatron's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
littlepepperguy's review against another edition
4.0
One thing about me is I fuck with Beverly Jenkins. These romances always hit.
I like how they both know pretty quickly they love each other, and I love the trope of I like them too much I have to avoid them oh no we are forced to be around each other because we're both just so competent.
I also love a love hater being converted by a man just being so DOWN BAD for her. She basically walks him like a dog lol.
There's a good balance in the plot; it's mostly focused on the romance but has just enough historical connections and cowboy antics to keep it interesting.
I like how they both know pretty quickly they love each other, and I love the trope of I like them too much I have to avoid them oh no we are forced to be around each other because we're both just so competent.
I also love a love hater being converted by a man just being so DOWN BAD for her. She basically walks him like a dog lol.
There's a good balance in the plot; it's mostly focused on the romance but has just enough historical connections and cowboy antics to keep it interesting.