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136th out of 404 books
—
465 voters
Belle and the Beau
BelleAfter a grueling escape north, Belle Palmer is free, yet lost and alone. Separated from her father on the harrowing journey, Belle has nowhere to turn until she finds shelter with the Bests, the first free family she's ever known. For the first time in her sixteen years, Belle is able to express herself freely-except where her feelings for a certain dark-eyed young ma...more
Paperback, 304 pages
Published
April 30th 2002
by HarperTeen
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Avon True Romance presents Harlequin-style fare: beautiful people fall in love at first sight and then must overcome some conflict to be together, the conflict usually being that one of them already has a significant other. In this series, the beautiful people happen to be young adults.
In Belle and the Beau, a prominent black family takes in a fugitive slave girl who falls for their oldest son, who is already practically engaged to fast Francine. Details about the abolition movement in the Unite...more
In Belle and the Beau, a prominent black family takes in a fugitive slave girl who falls for their oldest son, who is already practically engaged to fast Francine. Details about the abolition movement in the Unite...more
I freely admit to knowing next to nothing about Pre-Civil War America. I learned enough in school to skate by on history tests, but it wasn't a topic covered in great depth until High School when you could take the specific history class for it. So a lot of the 'topical' discussions that went on throughout the story, specifically people and laws, I later went on to look up (when I first read the book I mean, not this re-read). Within the context of the story since Belle is from the South and ob...more
Republished under the name Belle, Belle and the Beau tells the story of Belle Palmer, an escaped slave who is taken in by a family of free blacks -- the Bests -- in Michigan. Belle must learn to adjust to free life and the idea that she can make her own choices and pursue her own goals. Belle and the Beau is part of a series of books (Avon True Romance) written by multiple authors, and reads as the hack job it most likely is.
Basically, there is only one circumstance that would make this book wor...more
Basically, there is only one circumstance that would make this book wor...more
Belle has lived all her sixteen years in slavery. As a young girl she lost her mother, who was sold away. Her father has decided that he wants a better life for himself and his daughter, so they flee Kentucky, hoping to reach freedom in Canada. But the two are separated, and Belle finds herself lost and alone in Michigan. She is found by the side of the road by Daniel and Josephine Best, the children of free black parents who operate a station on the Underground Railroad. Belle finds herself tak...more
Horrifyingly bad. Not that it's badness was surprising, but I'm still a tad resentful that I was subjected to this book. The writing was bad, the characters were sickening, and the plot was pretty much beyond words. I'm not exaggerating or anything when I say that I actually experienced a mild wave of nausea about halfway through. I think it was in response to one of the descriptions of their little rendezvous. I'm kind of trying to block it all out, so I can't be sure.
Now to the main business o...more
Now to the main business o...more
Reading this book reminded me once again why I love Beverly Jenkins' writing so much. Not only is she a great story-teller, but with each of her historical novels, you actually get a full-fledged history lesson. By the time I was finished with this sweet love story, it was 1:00 a.m., and despite the fact that knew I had to be up in 5 hours to get ready for church, I went to bed with a smile thinking about the very satisfying climax to Belle Palmer's and Daniel Best's romance.
Cute story about Belle Palmer, a 16-year-old who has just escaped slavery in the US South, but who was separated from her father during her journey and is now completely alone.... until she's taken in by the Bests, a free black family in Michigan. Through the course of the book, she's adjusting to life being free—learning things she never could have imagined before and realizing the vast array of possibilities she now has for her future... Oh, and falling in love with Daniel Best, her benefactor...more
The romance in the book was very predicta
I like that information that she put in about the time. Before the Civil War were from the viewpoint I've freed slaves
Altogether a quick easy read also fun The
I like that information that she put in about the time. Before the Civil War were from the viewpoint I've freed slaves
Altogether a quick easy read also fun The
Cute, not as good as some but it was kind of fun to mix in the historical fiction of the time. I wish Goodreads had half stars. I would have given it a 3 1/2. :)
This was a young adult romance so it lacked a little spice that is in her other books written for adults, but I still liked it.
This was an okay Young Adult romance with an African American slant. The writing was pretty good, but the plot seemed formulaic.
predictable, just a different setting. very sweet and innocent characters.
I actually didn't like this one as much, but it was still really good.
So this book was recommended by the librarian and I loved it. i am so happy to be branching out in my authors.I am a happy camper so Ms. Jenkins here I come
Beverly Jenkins manages to make America's history from a African American's point of view romantic at all times. She should be commended for that alone! lol! Howevr I've learned so much about history while being thoroughly beguiled and entertained by the characters. I found this after I had read many of the others. I was surprised to find it had more of a YA flavor. Not only were the hero and heroine much younger than her usual, but there was no sex. Still I loved the characters and was caught u...more
Very interesting perspective on slavery--underground railroad conductor family of free African Americans, helping other African Americans get their freedom.
And how some free African Americans could even be kidnapped and taken back south. Just never heard this perspective in history classes.
Very good, a quick, easy read.
And how some free African Americans could even be kidnapped and taken back south. Just never heard this perspective in history classes.
Very good, a quick, easy read.
This is the first of 2 books with 'Josephine and the Soldier' being the second book. Well written with good character development. The background story of the plight of runaway slaves is excellent and heartwrenching. Another good love story without the smut.
Oct 26, 2007
Bea
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who likes historical teen romances.
This book was fantastic. A great deal of it was factual, which taught me a lot about slavery beofre the Civil War and what it was like to live in that period. The romance was very cute, and it had moments of drama and humor.
Defintily a worthwile read!
Defintily a worthwile read!
great avon true romance story, one of my favs! you can get this book as an ebook under the title of BELLE. same book, different title.
Pure unadulterated chick lit. Perfect.
Sweet, romantic.
May 18, 2013
Renee Ferguson
marked it as to-read
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Maisha
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is currently reading it
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Beverly Jenkins is an African-American historical romance writer. She and her family live in southeastern Michigan. Born in Detroit, she graduated from Cass Technical High School and attended Michigan State University where she majored in Journalism and English Literature.
Ms. Jenkins has written sixteen books to date and has received numerous awards for her works, including: the Detroit Free Pres...more
More about Beverly Jenkins...
Ms. Jenkins has written sixteen books to date and has received numerous awards for her works, including: the Detroit Free Pres...more
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She is a wonderful writer
Jan 13, 2011 06:36am