Not only did he support her dreams and her independent hardworking nature, he admired them. Rhine never wanted to change Eddy or rein her in. His storyline had to do with realizing what kind of life he wanted to live and if the changes were worth making. Rhine is a hero who accepts Eddy for exactly who she is. A hero who doesn’t want to change the heroine It was detailed, possibly for future books in this series, but the story never felt like it dragged to me. Jenkins takes time to build the town and the cast of local characters. Jenkins has a talent for weaving in historical information without taking away from the romance story.

I found I loved the historical elements in Forbidden. The Old West is a time period and setting I didn’t expect to enjoy reading about.

Wonderful historical information seamlessly woven in Her vocal rhythm was perfect for this story and made the listening experience so enjoyable! Also this cover is gorgeous! I listened to Forbidden on audio, something I’ve been getting back into this year. Rhine teaches Eddy what pleasures her body is capable of. There actually was no sex on page but there are some rather descriptive scenes of all that can come before. Is a life with Eddy is worth giving up the life he’s built? Rating and ReviewĪ note on the steam level of this book. Rhine must decide if he should tell Eddy the truth. Once she saves up enough money, she’ll continue to California to open her own restaurant. Captivated by Eddy’s beauty, spirit, and directness, Rhine finds himself rethinking that choice for the first time in years.Īlthough the attraction and passion is mutual, Eddy knows they can never be together. Rhine has built a successful business for himself after the Civil War that depends on him passing as white. She’s rescued by the handsome Rhine Fontaine and taken to Virginia City, Nevada to recover. On her way to the new life she dreams of in California, her kind nature is taken advantage of and she winds up near death abandoned in the desert.

Set during the Old West, Eddy Carmichael is a black woman who was born free. I haven’t read historical romance for quite awhile and it was wonderful to get back into that subgenre with Forbidden. Beverly Jenkins is a new to me author as well as an author of color. I want to branch out into new subgenres of romance, read more diversely, and try at least one new author each month. This book fits so many of my reading goals for 2021.

Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins