I wasn’t going to write a review, but I keep thinking about this book. I’m not a big fan of American-set historicals and that opinion still stands. But this is a very good story and romance.
Belle. She was great. She’s easy to like and connect with. Belle also has a very positive outlook on life. Lof course she struggles with the trauma of being raised in slavery, but it hasn’t broken her. She learns from those around her and teaches them things, too. I also absolutely loved how passionate she was about sewing. And she allows this skill she learned as a slave to empower her.
Daniel was a good hero, but his family often stole the show. His mom and sister, Jojo, were often funny but also were so supportive of Belle. A lot of the side characters were well done. I believe the other book by Ms. Bev is about Jojo and one of those side characters. I am 100% on board for that.
The romance worked and is definitely very tame. There’s an attraction between Belle and Daniel, but it’s a slow romance. Normally, this would bother me, but here I liked it. Daniel is already in a relationship so he has to deal with that. But Belle has to deal with so much more. She’s free for the first time in her life and I would be put off if she just jumped into a relationship with the first guy she met.
The historical facts and elements could’ve been clunky, but I think they were incorporated well. Ms. Bev shows the realities of slavery and American history. She talks about laws and how they actually impacted people. It doesn’t overwhelm the story, but adds to it.
Thanks for reading!
Holly