Cover Image: Wild Rain

Wild Rain

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Like many others, I’ve been having a hard time reading anything right now. I decided to try to read this book and couldn’t put it down. We’ve been hoping for this heroine’s story and the author does not disappoint.

The heroine is strong and self-reliant and the reason why just broke my heart. But the heroine is a survivor and has carved out a full life for herself. Then she comes across the hero in a snowstorm. The hero has these preconceived notions of how a woman is supposed to act and the heroine just blows all that out of the window. I loved that the heroine learns to let someone in, but doesn’t have to completely change her life or herself to suit the hero.

Another great read from this author. Looking forward to the final book in this series!

Was this review helpful?

I started reading Beverly Jenkins this summer. I adore her books. She has a way of combining a wonderful love story with amazing history. Awesome book and I can't wait to see what comes next.

Was this review helpful?

This is another great book by Beverly Jenkins if you have enjoyed the other books in the series . You will enjoy this book.

Was this review helpful?

I sent my review in to Booklist for Wild Rain but I absolutely loved it. Would love to see this one on a screen in some form! So happy she wrote Spring's story. Thank you for sending this to me. BJ is a treasure and I hope she has many writing years ahead.

Was this review helpful?

I loved Wild Rain, a new historical romance by the unbeatable Beverly Jenkins. As always, her characters are refreshingly no-nonsense, and her depiction of the Old West during Reconstruction is nuanced and fun. Jenkins is a pragmatic author who chooses each of her words with intention. If you enjoy her Spartan style and focus on external conflict, Wild Rain won't disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

I am not sure I know enough adjectives to adequately describe how much I loved this book. From the first page I was enthralled. Spring is a fiercely strong and independent heroine. I adored her instantly and when I learned of her past and how people still judged her I hurt for her. She clearly needed a special hero who understood her specialness and she found it with Garrett. Smart and capable on his own, he did not feel threatened by Sky’s strength, and instead appreciated every part of her. The two of them meeting each other and having everything they thought they knew about how their future were going to unfold thrown into question as a villain from Spring’s past returns loaded down with bad intentions made for the type of read that might as well have been superglued to my hands- I couldn’t put in down. Now I need to go back and read Tempest as soon as possible.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved delving more into Spring's story. She is so unusual a historical heroine, and such a badass. I loved that this story deepened her badassery, and didn't end with a wedding and a change of mind about having babies. It felt so true to the character. I love how gentle and kind and loving and curious Garrett is, and I loved his lack of judgement of her. Lovely lovely lovely, thank you.

Was this review helpful?

If you are looking for a heroine, add Spring Rain Lee to the top of your list. “She’s bold and fierce.” Proud and capable, Spring shines in Author Beverly Jenkin’s Women Who Dare series. This is the second book in the series, and totally lovely as a stand-alone read.

Spring is daring in many ways. She is a rancher in the Wyoming Territory, after the Civil War. She is self-sufficient on her land and also wrangles wild horses for another rancher. She may have made some mistakes in her past, but when we first meet her, she is thriving. You can tell by the swoon-worthy cover that she is gorgeous, and African American.

So, who should fall in love with her but a newcomer to town, an African American man who would seem to be her exact opposite. Garret McCray is an Easterner. He is sweet, kind, scholarly and more comfortable with a book than a gun or a horse. But the puzzling Spring awakens something in him. She is honest, straightforward, brave and knows her own mind. He pictures them being partners for life. But can he tame this passionate woman?

In addition to Spring and Rain, there are many other memorable characters and plenty of exciting moments in the book. The Wyoming territory is beautiful and is the heart and soul of this book and the author brings the old west to life. And yes, this is a romance and the intimate scenes with Spring and Garrett are so true and evocative.

From the author’s notes in the book, we learn more about the history of the times. During the Civil War, there were 179,000 United States colored Troops and 19,000 Black Sailors of the Union Navy. Garrett is a reporter, so it was also fascinating to learn more about the history of Black newspapers.

I highly recommend this compelling romance and Spring Rain Lee is a character I will also remember. Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a digital advance review copy. This is my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was a really enjoyable read. Being a reconstruction era, western-ish romance featuring BIPOC protagonists, it was my first in this genre and was a delightful contrast to my usual regency-style historicals. The characters were well written and developed, with solid backstories. While the plot was complete with some mystery, thrills and hot romance, my only critique is the seemingly sudden change of heart for Spring. While romances depend on a certain amount of love-at-first-sight that overcomes all, the transition felt very rushed as compared to the careful development of the rest of the book. However, all together it was a great book that delivers on all of the elements romance readers enjoy. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series.

Was this review helpful?

I received a complimentary copy pf Wild Rain in exchange for an honest review. This was an on and off again novel.

The underlying plot, and the way Garrett and Spring met really captured my attention, These two characters couldn't be more different, and the dialogue was fantastic as they got to know one another. Spring was very forward thinking, and often said whatever she wanted regardless of how others would perceive her, This was definitely entertaining at times.

What I found difficult was Spring's commitment to being alone, and never wanting to depend on a man. My disconnect came when Spring decided her core values and wanting to be alone no longer mattered. I feel like the author, Beverly Jenkins, could have done a better job with this change of thought. With little to no transition, Spring no longer seemed to care about that, but there was no reason ti=u support the change of heart.

Overall, this was a good read, and I would recommend this book to others.

Was this review helpful?

This was so good! I loved how strong of a character Spring was. Garrett of course was a cinnamon roll and just his overall love for Spring made my heart flutter. Did wish the ending wasn't as rushed because, it felt like the story didn't finish completely.

Was this review helpful?

Reconstruction era romance featuring PoC as the protagonists with strong female characters.

Spring, a rancher in Wyoming takes care of herself and the land she runs. No matter how some people in town feel about her, she has made a home for herself. One day she comes to the rescue of an out of town reporter who was thrown off his horse. She gets him to safety before a winter storm hits.

The two develop a deep connection from the start. Although Spring remains detached, he slowly breaks down her barriers.

While I enjoyed the world and characters, the heat between the two characters fell flat for me. I didn't get the tension between them that makes a romance truly shine. There was a nice amount of heat in the romance but I could never connect with either hero enough for the book to make a huge impact.

I think this has more to do with my reading tastes and believe that many readers will enjoy the pacing and world Jenkin's has built. I did start with the second book in the series, so I wonder if that is what threw me off. I am interested enough to pick up more in the Women Who Dare series. I am truly appreciative to see this book published and hope there are more historical romances with PoC as protagonists.

Worth a read, especially if you love strong women who do the saving.

Was this review helpful?

A truly delightful offering from Jenkins -- I loved the trousers-wearing, horse-breaking, steak-eating, take-no-BS-or-bigotry heroine, Spring, and her cinnamon roll swain, Garrett. Place these two against a backdrop of gorgeous Wyoming mountains, surround them with a cast of vivid supporting characters, and you have a pretty-much-perfect Western romance.

Was this review helpful?

I love Beverly Jenkins's writing. She's truly one of the preeminent writers of historical romance and the best writer of U.S. based historicals, bar none. 'Wild Rain' is the fourth (and final?) book in her Old West series but also the second book in her Women Who Dare series. Rain is precisely the type of heroine Jenkins is known for: brilliant, irreverent, and stunning. Garrett was sexy, sweet and patient. I loved their chemistry and think they worked well as a couple. The backstory here was less compelling than I'm used to from Jenkins, but it still worked/kept me engaged. Definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

Great read! I loved this book, and was sorry when i finished, i wanted more! Ms. Jenkins, please consider continuing with Spring and Garrett's story. Would love to read more and see if they get married and if she changes her mind about having children.

Was this review helpful?

ARC provided for honest review.

Spring Lee does not suffer fools. She is tough and runs a ranch on her own. She has known hard times and her heart is calloused.

Garrett is a classic cinnamon roll hero. He is bookish and kind. He seems to be the opposite of Spring.

Spring’s past tormentor comes to town and tries to wreck havoc. Spring is not the girl she used to be. She and Garrett confront the past and build a dazzling future together.

Was this review helpful?

This book is fantastic and my favorite by Beverly Jenkins to date!

Spring Rain Lee is the younger sister of Colton Lee from Tempest, and while younger she was a bit wild but nowadays she runs her ranch, helps break horses, and takes part in her community. She is confident in who she is and is unafraid to do what has to be done, even if people will gossip about her.

Garret McCray is from back East and helps his father with his sundown newspaper. He comes out to Wyoming to interview Dr Colton Lee, but after getting thrown off his horse in a blizzard he’s rescued by Spring and taken back to her place until the snow melts enough to visit Colt. He’s a very steady man, though he’s also got pressures from his freed father to “marry up” and pressure to work as a lawyer when he’s rather work as a carpenter. He’s intrigued by Spring and her fire, but in a way where he’s awestruck and not feeling like he needs to challenge her.

I absolutely adored this romance and especially the way Spring is so tough but with Garret she’s able soften and he gives her a safe space. I also adore seeing prophylactics used! Spring has zero desire to ever have children and uses a sponge as a preventative method, and not wanting to be a mother doesn’t change when she falls in love with Garrett. In a lot of (wonderful) ways this challenges so many ideas of historical HEA because not only are there no children, but Spring also has no desire to get married.

I just loved everything about this book and I cannot wait for others to be able to read it and fall in love with Spring and Garrett!

Was this review helpful?

The romance between the two was cute though I felt like it went from 0 to 60 especially condidering how hesitant Spring seemed at the beginning. Loved learning more about the historical context.

Was this review helpful?

I have only recently fallen in love with Beverly Jenkins and I am officially all in. I had not read the previous books in the series when I started Wild Rain, but you better believe that I am going to now! Wild Rain is the story of Spring, a rancher in Wyoming, and Garrett, a reporter and carpenter from the east coast. She is fiercely independent in a time when she shouldn't be and after some adjusting to his environment and her capabilities, Garrett loves it and her. This is a true wild west story with bad guys and shooting and horse breaking. It is a fast paced romp and I am here for it. Thank you, Avon, for letting me read and review!

Was this review helpful?

Beverly Jenkins writes another excellent book in her Women Who Dare series. The first book was Rebel. I was very excited to get Spring's story. Spring Lee is a woman rancher in the period after the Civil War. She doesn't wear gowns and gussy herself up. Instead, she wears pants, and her love and dedication to the horses on her ranch mean the world to her.

A newspaper reporter, Garrett McCray heads to Wyoming to interview Spring's brother Colton, who is a doctor. That is something quite newsworthy, because for a black man to have become a doctor at that time was something rare indeed. McCray finds himself more than distracted with Spring, bold, beautiful and a complete breath of fresh air. The pair soon realize that they have a strong attraction to one another, but recognize that they are on different paths in life.

Meanwhile, the fact that Spring is a woman ranch owner in times that were not always safe, she has her share of problems. However, the problems - and even danger - never slow her down.

Wild Rain is not only the second book in a new series, but it is also connected to Jenkins' Old West series, where Spring appeared in the book called Tempest. Although I hadn't read that series, I had no trouble seeing who Spring is, why she is so strong, and developed a strong sense of compassion for her due to her past. McCray was rather remarkable as well. He came from an influential family, but he was a modest and kind individual. It was very easy to root for them to find something everlasting.

This engaging read by Jenkins is followed by an Author's Note which fills readers in regarding the research that she puts into her writing. Even more, her research regarding African Americans during post-Civil War times is something worth noting. I love reading about this time in history and seeing the progress that was made regarding education and the careers that some chose despite the oppression they faced on a daily basis.

Many thanks to Avon and to NetGalley for this ARC to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?