Forbidden

Forbidden follows Rhine Fontaine, a light-skinned Black man passing as white in post-Civil War Nevada, and Eddy Carmichael, a Black woman chef pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant in California. Their paths intersect when Rhine rescues Eddy after she is robbed and left stranded in the desert. In 1870s Virginia City, Rhine has built success and status among white society, but meeting Eddy forces him to confront the cost of living behind this facade. Eddy works to establish herself in the bustling frontier town while navigating the complex social dynamics and racial realities of the era. The novel explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the weight of choices in a society defined by racial barriers. Through its romance narrative, it examines how love can challenge societal constraints and the personal toll of living between two worlds.

Readers highlight the strong chemistry between Rhine and Eddy, with many appreciating how their relationship develops through mutual respect rather than instant attraction. The historical details about Black life in the post-Civil War American West receive frequent mentions in reviews. Liked: - Complex, multifaceted characters - Historical accuracy and research - Balance of romance and serious themes - Representation of successful Black businesses and communities Disliked: - Pacing in the middle section drags for some readers - Some found the ending rushed - A few readers wanted more development of secondary characters Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (450+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The historical elements feel authentic without overwhelming the romance" - Goodreads reviewer "Rhine and Eddy's relationship shows how trust builds over time" - Amazon reviewer "Needed more scenes with the side characters who seemed interesting but disappeared" - Goodreads reviewer

Destiny's Embrace by Beverly Jenkins Historical romance follows a seamstress who flees west to California and finds love with a rancher while navigating racial tensions in 1880s America.

An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole A Civil War romance chronicles a Union spy who infiltrates a Confederate household and falls for another undercover agent.

The Preacher's Promise by Piper Huguley A Black female teacher and a preacher form an alliance in post-Civil War Georgia while building a school for their community.

Rebel by Beverly Jenkins A woman trained in medicine confronts prejudice and finds romance while helping escaped slaves in the American South during the Civil War.

The Bittersweet Bride by Vanessa Riley A Black widow in Regency London must prove her first marriage existed while falling for the lawyer who could destroy her case.

🌟 Author Beverly Jenkins is widely considered a pioneer of African-American historical romance, beginning her career in 1994 when few publishers were releasing Black historical fiction. 📚 The book is set in Virginia City, Nevada during 1870, a time when the city was experiencing a silver mining boom that made it one of the most important industrial cities in the American West. 💕 "Forbidden" features Rhine Fontaine, a recurring character from Jenkins' earlier novel "Through the Storm," who passes for white despite being born enslaved. 🏆 The novel earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and was named one of the best romance novels of 2016 by Library Journal. 🗺️ Beverly Jenkins conducts extensive historical research for her novels, often incorporating real historical figures and events into her narratives, including details about the Black communities that flourished in the post-Civil War American West.