I must say, Mrs. Jenkins I loved , loved this novel as well as the characters. I admired the strength of Valinda Lacy and strong determination to teach those who didn’t know how to read or write or even knew what the alphabet was. Kudos to you on such a beautiful story that zi hated it to end. But as they say all good things must come to an end. Thank you also for the historical story line of those times.

Every time I pick up one of Ms. B’s historical romance books I am taken back in time. When I am reading it is as I am a part of the story. I get emotional, I laugh, and have even wanted to fight a battle a time or two. You will not be disappointed!!!

Beverly Jenkins is my favorite romance novelist. I love how she incorporates true historical events in the story. I often keep Google and a dictionary nearby to look up more information or find the true punctuation of words that are new to me! It was great seeing what the Leveq family was up to but I surprised that Archer's wife was not mentioned at all.

I fell in love with this family after the first book. Love we are getting more of the brothers stories.

I often enjoy Mrs. Jenkins’ books, but this book was not what I had expected. I didn’t like how Archer and Zara weren’t mentioned in this novel. I felt as if the ending of this book was rushed. I thought it progressed fairly well just for it to end so badly. In the first “House of LeVeq” novel, she had mentioned that the great-grandfather Julianna often mentioned was NOT Dominic, but in this novel he was her grandfather. It kind of confused me because it didn’t flow with the previous novels that she had written. Overall, it was enjoyable for the most part, but it definitely did not live up to the expectations I have from her previous novels.

I was sad to know that Archer and Zara weren’t mentioned, but had so much fun with Drake and Val. Wonderful read, and so excited for a new series!

It was such a pleasure returning to the House of LeVeq and my favorite characters. Julianna reminds me of my Mama, Sable, Raimond, Archer & the other Brats. I’m a New Orleans Native so each time I read one of their books set in my city it makes the history nerd in me so excited! I love that Beverley Jenkins always drops knowledge in her books about Black History and that her female protagonists are always so vivid and fierce in their own way! I have almost every single Historical Romance written by Beverly Jenkins and each time a new book is released, I jump on it! Valinda was so brave traveling to an unknown city especially New Orleans and making her own path in life despite the times and her father. I’ve always wanted to hear more from the other Brats so it was a pleasure to get to know Drake more in depth and see the tenderness of such a Big Bear of a man. I look forward to the next book in the series! And Beverly if you read this maybe one day you could name one of the heroines, Amara!

This book was so hard to get through, the first one ever by this author I’ve had this problem with. Viviana and Drake’s chemistry was non existent. They had a thought about each other and then it morphed into this relationship. It didn’t materialize onto the pages. It also felt like an unfinished outline, not a pulled together book. There were so many times I wanted to put it down, but I kept going hoping the story would pick up, but it did not.. I don’t recommend this installment even though it’s the first book in the series.