Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

9 reviews

scoodle42's review against another edition

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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.
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unsuccessfulbookclub's review against another edition

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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.
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jess_justmaybeperfect's review

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adventurous emotional funny reflective tense 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

The eldest niece of the Forbidden MCs* reunites with a childhood friend at her family’s hotel and ranch in the Arizona Territory. He’s a playboy immediately bowled over by the very serious, very anti marriage, Portia. There is some over explaining that gets distracting at moments but doesn’t take away from the story. 

The romance, treatment of the trauma of Portia’s young life, and study of grief are gentle and moving. I cried.

Willllllllld ending.

Excellent Jenkins style history: Black women’s suffrage; racist violence; class differences; and the appalling treatment of Black Americans and Apaches by the US.

*Eddy and Rhine are doing exceptionally well.
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zombiezami's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

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onlyonebookshelf's review

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adventurous emotional 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

3.5

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amphipodgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Another interesting Western historical romance from Beverly Jenkins. I really appreciated the feminist themes, both in terms of formal activism in the Black women's suffrage movement and in smaller things like Portia wanting to own her own business and Kent supporting and encouraging her in that. It was interesting seeing the seeds planted for the plot of Tempest, which I've already read (I've been doing this interconnected set of books all out of order!)

There were some instances of unnecessary genedr essentialism -- "the hard length that made him a a man", "her wedding night after which she would be truly a woman", that kind of thing -- but overall an enjoyable story.
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thefatpaperback's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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aqtbenz's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional slow-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

3.0

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pickledradish's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

An extremely charming and fun read, and I learned things about the historical context I hadn't known! If you're in the mood for a light but interesting romance novel, this one fits the bill. 
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