Wild Sweet Love

by Beverly Jenkins

Teresa July has led a hard life, but now she has a chance to put her train robbing past behind her. Armed with a new job as a cook to one of Philadelphia's elite families, Teresa is determined to start her life anew, and nothing––not even her boss's stuck–up (and far too handsome) son––is going to stand in her way.

Madison Nance is sick of his mother taking in women from the wrong side of the tracks, just to see them turn on her generosity. That's why it's up to him to keep a close eye on Teresa's every move. At least, that's the only logical explanation for why he can't get the young woman out of his mind.

But when a woman from Madison's past threatens Teresa's future, the two reluctant lovers must join forces is they're ever going to have a chance at happiness.

Genres: Romance, Historical Romance, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, African American

370 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 24, 2007

About the author

Beverly Jenkins is the recipient of the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as the 2016 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for historical romance.

She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers” and on CBS Sunday Morning.

Since the publication of Night Song in 1994, she has been leading the charge for inclusive romance, and has been a constant darling of reviewers, fans, and her peers alike, garnering accolades for her work from the likes of The Wall Street Journal, People Magazine, and NPR. Her critically acclaimed Blessings series has been optioned for film by John Legend’s and Mike Jackson’s production company Get Lifted, and Hollywood and Broadway powerhouse Deborah Martin Chase. 

To read more about Beverly and sign up for her newsletter, visit her at www.BeverlyJenkins.net. 

Reviews

[K.J. Charles]

I think this may be my favourite Jenkins yet. Pure joy from beginning to end. The heroine is Teresa July, outlaw bank robber fresh out of jail on parole, and forced to live with a do-gooding lady up north. She must learn manners and ladylike ways to avoid going back to prison. This could so easily be a "find her hidden femininity" routine, or in other hands an "ew femininity is a gross imposition and being like men is better", but it is neither. Teresa learns some stuff to add to her body of knowledge, quite enjoys dressing up, but she has no need to remake her own identity because she was and is fine with herself. She remains 100% hard-drinking leather-wearing gun-toting, just with more wardrobe options and sexual experience. A Pygmalion story where the heroine doesn't actually change. Bliss.

The joy here is her smooth city banker lover having to rediscover his own recklessness from his gambler past in order to keep up with her. He makes all the compromises, as well he might, and it works wonderfully. Plus we get the other July brothers as backup. An absolute delight and the cover! Short haired heroine!

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

My introduction to Auntie Bev and my. I understand why she is so loved. This was a treats. I love Teresa and Madison. Their Banter was so refreshing. And them Julys were indeed something. This was a beautiful love story.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 stars. I adored this book so, so much. There really was nothing about this that I disliked.

I loved the writing. This was my second Beverly Jenkins book and at this rate I can see her becoming one of my favorites. She does romance so well and it's always so realistic. This book is a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance and it's so freaking good! I loved the characters so much. Teresa is bad ass. She's absolutely amazing and fearless and strong and independent and wise and witty. Ugh! I could go on and on about how much I loved her character. I mean, she robbed trains for fun! Yes, Queen. She was such a fascinating character and to see her development throughout the book and opening herself up slowly and letting her guard down was awesome to see.

Madison was a great character as well and I feel like he was the perfect balance to Teresa's character. He was so swoon worthy and intelligent. I really enjoyed his inner thoughts and struggles in the beginning about his feelings about her. Their banter was so funny and quick witted and I loved it.

I can definitely see myself re-reading this book again. The romance is top notch and the characters are so lovable. I am definitely a fan of Ms. Jenkins now and I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Ira · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very unusual heroine, loves her!
The story is funny too:)

Btw, did you see the cover?
A short hair heroine in a historical romance, isn’t she gorgeous 😘

[Lacey (laceybooklovers) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars!

[guiltless pleasures · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teresa July: The Woman, The Myth, The Legend. Your honor, I love her. She’s served time for bank robbery and is paroled to lovely Molly Nance, who sets out to make her a lady… but never fear, Teresa remains her leather-wearing, drinking-contest-participating, ballsy-as-hell self.

Also: Molly has a hot son, Madison. Will he and Teresa be able to keep their hands off each other until she serves her year in Pennsylvania and goes back home to the West? (No.)

As always, Beverly Jenkins weaves fascinating history into this love story, including the conflict between Booker T Washington’s conservatives and Ida B Wells’ radicals, the importance of Black-owned banks, and the existence of all-Black prairie towns. The historical aspect is what keeps bringing me back to Jenkins’ books even if her prose is not always to my taste.

Unlike many of the Jenkins books I’ve read, Wild Sweet Love stays pretty light and funny (and sexy; Madison is a leather man for sure) throughout. There are three serious threats to the characters’ wellbeing, but they are resolved with minimum angst. I wish there had been a little more drama there, but I’ll only dock it half a star for that.

Also: this is one of the most stunning clinch covers I’ve ever seen.

Right, I’m off to search for a Teresa July Fan Club sticker for my Kindle.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Sweet Love starts off strong and is such an underrated historical romance from Beverly Jenkins. Teresa July is an outlaw ready to put train robbing behind her when the story starts when she ends up getting arrested.

The story jumps forward 3 years and Teresa has been released from prison and comes to live with Mrs. Nance (she is a charitable woman who takes in those needing help after being released from prison). Mrs. Nance takes on Teresa as her ward and wants to teach her manners, “ladylike ways”, and all the skills needed to be independent and take care of herself. Teresa ends up meeting Mrs. Nance’s son, Madison, a former gambler turned banker who is way of Teresa living with his mother at first. But over time realizes he can’t stay away from Teresa.

I loved Teresa, she is the classic strong and independent heroine that Beverly Jenkins writes so well. Teresa’s brother also has a book, he is the hero of Something like Love. It was fun to see Teresa and Madison spend time together and him being so taken with Teresa. While Teresa learns some new skills, she stays true to who she is which I loved to see! Madison and his mother both embrace Teresa for who she is.

[Krishana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idk which family I love more, the LeVeqs or the Julys. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was great. I'd definitely read the historical novels on the order they were released because there is a lot of character cross over.

[Shira · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ this might be my new fav Beverly Jenkins book!

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Sheronda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. And it had some comical moments. Loved it.

[Stacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ "Girl Crush" Stars!

This was a really good story. I loved all the little Black History tidbits along the way, but by no means was it overwhelming. And there was a sweet kind of (not so) opposites attract/enemies to lovers romance. What really made me love this book was Teresa July! She was a fiesty, smart, sensitive, and sensual woman. She was waaay ahead of her time. I really have a girl crush. Madison was an interesting character as well. I loved reading about prosperous black people in the 1800s. This was my very first Beverly Jenkins book, but it absolutely will not be the last! Happy reading.

[thosemeddlingkids · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved that the younger sister got her romance! Formerly incarcerated, working to become a "lady" and cooking for a fancy family, butting heads with the MMC who's the son in the family.

This has so much attention to her nipples and I loved that for her.

Two stubborn leads, small town drama and shenanigans, an awesome mom, cameo of past characters in the July family, and Jenkins continuing to weave in actual historical plot and elements throughout the story. Continuing to really enjoy these!

[Bajen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing about Ms Beverly Jenkins, you will get some history lessons and you will get some spice and you will get some sweet loving. Bandit woman and reformed gambler combo, add in lots of love, grace, patience and gratefulness, and you get a very wholesome romance read.

This book was so funny, the banter was IT for me, top tier. I truly enjoyed it and recommend it.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knocked off a star for all the talk about nipples (I COULD NOT DEAL) and another half-star for the very swift sexual tension.

The characters are a lot of fun in this one. I really enjoyed Beverly Jenkins take on the female outlaw. Teresa is easy to cheer for, even if she is a bit stubborn at times. Madison was interesting; he was a good foil for her, but his gambler past didn't make him too unfamiliar with her wild upbringing.

As always, there's great history in this one. I loved learning about the great, forgotten performers who were famous at the time, such as Matilda Sissieretta Joyner Jones and R. Henri Strange.

I'm really liking Ms. Bev's Westerns and plan to start another soon.

[Michelle Gilmore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Teresa is one of the better, if not the best historical romance heroines to ever be written. I mean, with the difficulty in finding historical romances featuring couples of color, Teresa July being an African American female outlaw- it just doesn't get any better! I wish that I'd come across Beverly Jenkins' historical romances sooner. I'm making it my business to collect and read every historical romance novel that Beverly Jenkins has ever written.

[A. Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

A sweet romance with nice historical tidbits and passionate love scenes, but the storyline was a little boring.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings

Infertility & miscarriage mentioned
Death of a parent
Gun violence
Incarceration
Kidnapping

[Nyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Except for a single scene that set my teeth on edge, I absolutely loved this novel!

The characters were dynamic and realistic!
The historical tidbits were educational, interesting, important, and honest.
The passion was slow-burning yet explosive!
No insta-love, no unnecessary drama -- believable concerns and considerations (with a healthy dose of stubbornness).
And my favorite part of all, a(n) happy ever after ending that didn't feel saccharine, forced, or rushed.

[Wind · Rating 3.5 out of 5]

Teresa and Madison are complete opposites but are exactly what each other needed. Another good read by Beverly Jenkins.

[Musings on Living · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐

[⌞giselle⌝ · Rating 5 out of 5]

nothing like a good Beverly Jenkins romance to get me out of a reading slump! Wild Sweet Love is a beautiful western romance set after Reconstruction. Teresa July has been added to my list “Badass Women Who I Love.” she’s EVERYTHING! heartwarming, funny, steamy with a bit of action. muah, *chef’s kiss*

[cam]

why is she eating this hard??????? i'm scared i'll have a new fave
edit -- i'm going to marinate before crowning a new fave but i was so delighted by this. really liked the dynamic between teresa & madison and this twist on pygmalion. charmed!!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part of the Women Who Dare series. I knew I was going to find joy in reading this book when I realized the main character was Teresa Angel July, the baby sister of the twins Neil and Two Shaft. Teresa July, an outlaw bank and train robber, leather-wearing, and hardcore gun slayer was caught and sentenced to prison in Pennsylvania.

After prison, Teresa was granted parole, where she had to spend one year in the home of Molly Nance. She discovered a different side to herself and she learn things she never wanted or desired to do; e.g. sewing, dressing, arranging flowers, discovering her grace, femininity, and passion.
After meeting Molly’s son, Madison Nance, ex-gambler; now banker, they were like water and oil. He was skeptical of Teresa based on her prior conviction and the safety of his mother. But, after getting to know Teresa, his feelings start to change and the attraction they had for each other becomes steamy. When Teresa's mother passed away, she was allowed by the parole board to go to her mother’s funeral, based on the exception that Molly escorts her, and in turn, Molly request that Madison accompanies them as well on the trip, giving her the chance to play matchmaker. Molly felt Teresa and Madison would be a perfect match, bearing in mind she saw the desire that Madison had for Teresa. Although Teresa was falling for him, she knew they came from two different worlds and the only thing that could come out of their relationship was passion and intimacy. Once her year was up, they would go their separate ways, because Teresa had no plans in staying in Pennsylvania.

I like Teresa, she was strong-minded, rough, and ready. She did not need a hero; she was the hero and Molly was also. To tell you the truth, Madison was not the strong one in this story, he was the mama’s boy and the boy toy (nothing wrong with that). Although he taught Teresa about passion and intimacy. There were points in the story, where he could not protect her, instead, he watches her protect herself. Yet, I understood, he was a dignified banker and ex-gambler, not a gun slayer, so the expectation you would normally look for in the hero wasn’t there in this story. Teresa was the hero and the heroine.

I like how the story ended and how things came together. I enjoyed reading about an outlaw female that was rough and ready. This book had a strong emphasis on the power of speech and women empowerment. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

CAST:
 Melanie Fiona as Teresa Angel July
 Chrystian Lehr as Madison Nance

[lili · Rating 1 out of 5]

Counting all the sand in the Kalahari would have been a better use of my time than reading this. I started off likling it, but after the weird fat phobia, not-like-other-girls (Jim Crow edition) and revolting smut, I decided to force myself ot finish this because I had to leave some kind of review. In the end, I got to the 84% mark when I finally decided to start loving myself.

The more I read this book, the more i hated it. If I'd dnf'd it at the 60% mark the way I initially wanted to, this would've been a 3 stars bit herd we are.

The smut is weird and the characters are annoying and as flavourful as a stale piece of white bread. Here's something written in the book that *supposed* to be sexy:

"By the time he slid his sheathed man root into the place she most wanted it to be, Teresa was so scandalously hot, he could have been stroking her in the center of the stage at the Academy of Music and she wouldn’t have cared."

Hello?? Yintoni???

The worst part of this book is that it was so painstakingly boring and also just so so so formulaic. I know what I'm signing up for when I read a fuckinh romance, but everything in this book was so predictable and uninspired.

The only upside of this book was that I learnt a bunch of new words. The trade-off is a loss of a bit of my sanity. Do not recommend.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

TERESA JULY MY GIRL MY OUTLAW MY BELOVED.

This is my favorite installment in the Henry Adams, Kansas universe (even though it’s mostly set in Philly) and it’s 100% because we’ve got a badass convicted outlaw out on parole trying to walk the straight and narrow and falling in love with her sponsor’s fancy pants son along the way. Gimme gimme gimme.

Teresa and Madison butt heads from the start. He’s a well respected banker and Teresa literally spent her teens and early adulthood robbing banks and walking trains. They do not get along on their first few meetings. But there’s a thin line between hate and banging each other’s brains out. And like…falling in love. But that comes later much to both of these dum dums chagrin.

What I loved the most (besides the typical BJenkins next level research) is that no one is trying to change Teresa completely. She’s still a strong, independent outlaw. She’s just staying out of prison and learning that it’s okay to get into a pretty dress every now and again. And of course Madison falls like a brick from a 7th story window. And he’s mad about it. Which always slaps.

Neily July has been ousted as my favorite July sibling. Teresa takes the top spot. My girl.

[Ahshante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, I have to say I truly adored this love story. Filled with romance and extreme passion I could not help but to continue reading this amazing book hating the expected end. I loved this book so much I really would like to see a movie just the same. Madison, wow I would love to have been able to be Teresa! I loved everything about her being the outlaw and him the true definition of a GENTLEMAN. I would openly recommend this book TO ALL ROMANCE NOVEL LOVERS! I'm sitting here still mad I'm done reading, lol. LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK! I'm going to read this to my husband ;P .

[Bookswithshana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I'm so bad at updating my progress* Ahhhhhhhh! I think it's safe to say that Teresa is my favorite heroine. I was already in love with her in Olivia and Neil’s book and was so excited to read about her. She gave me nothing less than what I expected of the lady outlaw! It had totally slipped my mind that Madison is the same Madison from Loreli’s book (whom of which lives in my mind rent-free). I had no real idea what to expect from Madison since I'm used to BJ other heroes but I was not disappointed. I love how the July men knew he’d be good for Teri.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is official! I have found another romance author that I love. While I wouldn't put her quite on par with Nora Roberts, I really love her historical romances and once I start one of her books I can't put it down. This book, for instance, was read on a lazy Sunday morning into the afternoon and only took about 3 hours to read! I recommend her books to romance lovers and will be trying to read her canon, which looks extensive. Yeah!!