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UNLOVED: The Love of Benedicte
“She loathes him…
He buys flesh and she despises him for it. A man of color, who enslaves his own kind, is someone Yearie Hart can’t abide. Yet, there is something about Benedicte Larieux that she finds intriguing. He is a wealthy businessman, a patriarch of one of the most influential families in all of New Orleans. She is a poor, free woman desperate to secure her family’s freedom. They have nothing in common. Or so she thought, until a chance meeting thrusts her into his privileged and controlled world. Faced with his blatant pursuit of her charms, she is caught in a tug of war between what her soul wants, and what her mind believes. Can she trust this man with her heart?”
“He wants her…
She is a laundress, a hired servant. Benedicte has no time to deal with the servant class. That is someone else’s responsibility. Nor has he ever dallied with the help, it just isn’t done. Yet her deep hazel eyes and the sway of her hips have him tempted to break his own rule. He has no business desiring her. They are from two different worlds. Bedding her would assuage his physical needs, but her feisty attitude and tenacious spirit could ensnare his heart. Will his overwhelming passion and his deep family secret destroy their tenuous bond? Or could his honesty allow her to open her heart to a union with a man who is unloved…”
He buys flesh and she despises him for it. A man of color, who enslaves his own kind, is someone Yearie Hart can’t abide. Yet, there is something about Benedicte Larieux that she finds intriguing. He is a wealthy businessman, a patriarch of one of the most influential families in all of New Orleans. She is a poor, free woman desperate to secure her family’s freedom. They have nothing in common. Or so she thought, until a chance meeting thrusts her into his privileged and controlled world. Faced with his blatant pursuit of her charms, she is caught in a tug of war between what her soul wants, and what her mind believes. Can she trust this man with her heart?”
“He wants her…
She is a laundress, a hired servant. Benedicte has no time to deal with the servant class. That is someone else’s responsibility. Nor has he ever dallied with the help, it just isn’t done. Yet her deep hazel eyes and the sway of her hips have him tempted to break his own rule. He has no business desiring her. They are from two different worlds. Bedding her would assuage his physical needs, but her feisty attitude and tenacious spirit could ensnare his heart. Will his overwhelming passion and his deep family secret destroy their tenuous bond? Or could his honesty allow her to open her heart to a union with a man who is unloved…”
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2018
48 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 8, 2021
Yearie and Benedicte...black slave owners need love too?!?
Yearie Hart is a free woman, working as a laundress, with only one goal - to buy the freedom of her enslaved mother and brother. Benedicte Larieux is of mixed race, born free, and (along with his brothers), inherited a plantation and a number of slaves.
Benedicte is a complex man, living a complex life. He walks through life doing what is required of him without any true joy. Some see him as a stoic and heartless man - only his family knows the truth behind the cold facade. Then Yearie walks into his life turning his life upside down.
Overall I liked the book. I don't enjoy reading about human brutality, which is the reason that I'm very selective when it comes to historical romance. I don't enjoy what I consider 'slave porn.' I rated this a four, instead of a five, because there are elements of that in this novel. Every scene in this book with Micah Hart was for shock value, imo. His overuse of the N word was unnecessary. He used every foul and derogatory term for a black person possible. Again, the point was made without all of that. The fact that Hart could be so truly evil, without any redeeming qualities, and NOT get his comeuppance, was wholly unsatisfying. I kept waiting, especially after he left the Kitch's store, and there was nothing. The novel ended with me scratching my head in relation to Micah Hart.
The brothers was interesting. I really liked Prosper. Dr. Prosper Larieux is my favorite of the brothers and I look forward to getting his book. Tomas Larieux was my least favorite of the brothers, so hopefully his book (book 2) will change my mind about him.
The romance between Yearie and Benedicte is one that I enjoyed. The novel was well written, though there was A LOT of exposition. I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this book, because of the 'slave porn,' but I did enjoy the romance.
Yearie Hart is a free woman, working as a laundress, with only one goal - to buy the freedom of her enslaved mother and brother. Benedicte Larieux is of mixed race, born free, and (along with his brothers), inherited a plantation and a number of slaves.
Benedicte is a complex man, living a complex life. He walks through life doing what is required of him without any true joy. Some see him as a stoic and heartless man - only his family knows the truth behind the cold facade. Then Yearie walks into his life turning his life upside down.
Overall I liked the book. I don't enjoy reading about human brutality, which is the reason that I'm very selective when it comes to historical romance. I don't enjoy what I consider 'slave porn.' I rated this a four, instead of a five, because there are elements of that in this novel. Every scene in this book with Micah Hart was for shock value, imo. His overuse of the N word was unnecessary. He used every foul and derogatory term for a black person possible. Again, the point was made without all of that. The fact that Hart could be so truly evil, without any redeeming qualities, and NOT get his comeuppance, was wholly unsatisfying. I kept waiting, especially after he left the Kitch's store, and there was nothing. The novel ended with me scratching my head in relation to Micah Hart.
The brothers was interesting. I really liked Prosper. Dr. Prosper Larieux is my favorite of the brothers and I look forward to getting his book. Tomas Larieux was my least favorite of the brothers, so hopefully his book (book 2) will change my mind about him.
The romance between Yearie and Benedicte is one that I enjoyed. The novel was well written, though there was A LOT of exposition. I can't honestly say that I'd recommend this book, because of the 'slave porn,' but I did enjoy the romance.
August 11, 2018
Very nice read. I like both lead characters who were well fleshed out. I liked how indepedant and headstronf Yearie was, and Benedicte started out a bit of a snob but ended up being a very likable love interest. The resolution of some of the class differences and tensions went a little bit too smoothly and unrealsitic for my liking, but all in all it was a pleasant read.
August 29, 2021
Excellent historical romance
Great read! I was really transported to a place and time unlike our impatient society we currently live in. The characters concerns and personalities felt real, like I need to know how they fared throughout their journey beyond the book…so yeah, great read indeed!
Great read! I was really transported to a place and time unlike our impatient society we currently live in. The characters concerns and personalities felt real, like I need to know how they fared throughout their journey beyond the book…so yeah, great read indeed!
February 24, 2018
Great Book
Looks like this is a new author because the first thing I did after reading this book was look for a new book - but there was none. I look female to the next book.
Looks like this is a new author because the first thing I did after reading this book was look for a new book - but there was none. I look female to the next book.
August 19, 2018
Very good book.
I gave the book a five star because I liked everything about it. The settings and characters were awesome. Good relaxing reading.
I gave the book a five star because I liked everything about it. The settings and characters were awesome. Good relaxing reading.
September 12, 2018
Great read
I really enjoyed the characters and how deeply emotionally everyone was. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
I really enjoyed the characters and how deeply emotionally everyone was. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 15, 2019
Goodreads
An excellent read. I ordered the book months ago, I am sorry it took me so long to finally read it. Definitely looking forward to the sequel.
An excellent read. I ordered the book months ago, I am sorry it took me so long to finally read it. Definitely looking forward to the sequel.
May 9, 2019
Wrong assumptions
Yearie took.Benedict to be arrogant slave owner .Despite public opinion he was fair and loyal .A extremely clever business owners
Yearie took.Benedict to be arrogant slave owner .Despite public opinion he was fair and loyal .A extremely clever business owners
November 4, 2021
Absolutely loved this romance novel based in New Orleans about a freed Black family of wealth and their compassion for others.
April 17, 2018
I really loved the book! Historically correct and was looking for the next book immediately upon finishing. Can’t wait for the next book!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews