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It's 1876 and Dr. Viveca Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed upon female physicians of color. When she is offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all Black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan she leaves her California home and heads east. The very determined Viveca is one of the few nineteenth century Black women to graduate from the prestigious Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania, so she knows all about fighting for her rights. But she may need more than determination to face down the distractingly handsome Nate Grayson, the Grove's bull-headed mayor.
Nate Grayson goes to the train station expecting Dr. V. Lancaster to be a man. Of course he does. But when the lovely dark-skinned Viveca introduces herself, he is at first speechless...then full of some very loud and very choice words, ordering her back on the train and out of his town! It's 1876 and women aren't supposed to be doctors, men are. Nate Grayson is prepared to fight for that belief.
However, he isn't prepared for this extraordinary beauty's stubbornness and fire, nor for the vivid way she heals, then steals his heart.
Nate Grayson goes to the train station expecting Dr. V. Lancaster to be a man. Of course he does. But when the lovely dark-skinned Viveca introduces herself, he is at first speechless...then full of some very loud and very choice words, ordering her back on the train and out of his town! It's 1876 and women aren't supposed to be doctors, men are. Nate Grayson is prepared to fight for that belief.
However, he isn't prepared for this extraordinary beauty's stubbornness and fire, nor for the vivid way she heals, then steals his heart.
356 pages, Hardcover
First published January 15, 1995
223 people are currently reading
1831 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
71 books4,839 followersBeverly 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 346 reviews
January 28, 2022
It’s 1876 and the DILF who keeps doubting your skills as a lady doctor falls madly in love with. And then he goes down on you in a gazebo and on your front porch and then in his office and a few times in the woods. Perfect book, no notes.
February 28, 2021
Vivid is one of my new favorite Beverly Jenkins heroines!
April 8, 2022
Just the historical romance I needed!! A Black female doctor set in 1876?! You already know what Dr. Viveca Lancaster is going to be facing. She meets Nate, the mayor and the sheriff in town that thinks he wants to get rid of her only to fall head over feet for her. He is a single dad too. Umph…Viv is a virgin and let’s just say..he teaches her ALOT of things. I just love a story when someone hires a male and a female shows up unexpectedly. This story had everything, plus the passion!! Loved this one x10!!!
March 4, 2023
2nd Read, March 2023: reread for a book club and still feel exactly the same about this one! 4.5 stars but rounded up, did the audio this read!
1st Read, December 2021:
Dr. Viveca “Vivid” Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed on female physicians of color, so when she’s offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all Black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan, Vivid leaves her California home and heads East. It’s only upon her arrival that she realizes Nate Grayson was expecting a man to show up for the job.
Vivid: “I don’t need a husband”
Nate: “Every woman needs a man”
Vivid: “Only a man would say that”
Nate Grayson’s grandfather settled Grayson Grove and now Nate owns the land, general store, and bank in town as well as being the sheriff and mayor. His aunt hired Vivid without telling him specifics (like the fact that she’s a woman) and now Nate’s idea of what a proper doctor should be (obviously a man only) is thrown for a loop. Nate’s horrible marriage ended and left him with a bad taste for city women, he is convinced Vivid won’t stay long…a city girl won’t be able to handle the harsh weather they get or a man will propose and she’ll be gone. But of course Vivid is about to prove him wrong in every way possible when she shows up with her medical supplies, a gun, her billiard stick, and a whole lot of opinions.
I loved this romance and story! Vivid is a fantastic heroine (Beverly Jenkins always delivers) and I loved seeing her make it work in this new town. I loved the slice of life details and all her medical adventures with the local townspeople. Nate agrees to give her a trial run and she moves into the previous doctor’s house that is right behind Nate and his daughter’s home. I love all the close proximity a small town romance gives and especially with them being neighbors. Nate’s 9-year-old daughter Majestic “Magic” was a fun addition to the story, I liked the relationship they had with the local Indigenous people and how they learned to track how far storms were based on the thunderclaps. We also meet Jewel and her family, who the next book in the series follows. Nate has nightmares from the war and I liked the realness this brought to his character’s story. Ohh we also get a little visit with Galen and Hester, from Indigo, who have been married now for over 20 years. Always love seeing other Beverly Jenkins characters in her books! The only minor thing I could say about this book is it did feel longer than some of Bev’s other books, but it was so good so I didn’t care too much!
4.5 stars/rounded up
1st Read, December 2021:
Dr. Viveca “Vivid” Lancaster is frustrated by the limits placed on female physicians of color, so when she’s offered the chance to set up a practice in the small all Black community of Grayson Grove, Michigan, Vivid leaves her California home and heads East. It’s only upon her arrival that she realizes Nate Grayson was expecting a man to show up for the job.
Vivid: “I don’t need a husband”
Nate: “Every woman needs a man”
Vivid: “Only a man would say that”
Nate Grayson’s grandfather settled Grayson Grove and now Nate owns the land, general store, and bank in town as well as being the sheriff and mayor. His aunt hired Vivid without telling him specifics (like the fact that she’s a woman) and now Nate’s idea of what a proper doctor should be (obviously a man only) is thrown for a loop. Nate’s horrible marriage ended and left him with a bad taste for city women, he is convinced Vivid won’t stay long…a city girl won’t be able to handle the harsh weather they get or a man will propose and she’ll be gone. But of course Vivid is about to prove him wrong in every way possible when she shows up with her medical supplies, a gun, her billiard stick, and a whole lot of opinions.
I loved this romance and story! Vivid is a fantastic heroine (Beverly Jenkins always delivers) and I loved seeing her make it work in this new town. I loved the slice of life details and all her medical adventures with the local townspeople. Nate agrees to give her a trial run and she moves into the previous doctor’s house that is right behind Nate and his daughter’s home. I love all the close proximity a small town romance gives and especially with them being neighbors. Nate’s 9-year-old daughter Majestic “Magic” was a fun addition to the story, I liked the relationship they had with the local Indigenous people and how they learned to track how far storms were based on the thunderclaps. We also meet Jewel and her family, who the next book in the series follows. Nate has nightmares from the war and I liked the realness this brought to his character’s story. Ohh we also get a little visit with Galen and Hester, from Indigo, who have been married now for over 20 years. Always love seeing other Beverly Jenkins characters in her books! The only minor thing I could say about this book is it did feel longer than some of Bev’s other books, but it was so good so I didn’t care too much!
4.5 stars/rounded up
August 9, 2019
Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
A historical romanc but more.
Includes lots of historical facts in detailed story form. An example is the establishment of the first black church. And the selling of slave brothers and sisters.
Not something I expected in a romance novel. I felt like I was attending a lecture at times and it distracted s bit from the story itself.
Doctor Viveca Lancaster travels to Grayson Grove, Michigan to become the town’s doctor. Nate Grayson wasn’t aware he was hiring a female doctor and isn’t pleased when Vivid arrives. But she sure is pretty and seems to know how to help folks he sees quickly.
The romance of Vivid and Nate is inevitable as they both are attracted to each other. That Nate has a child already make Vivid’s heart melt.
After the half way mark, the couple is intimate as often as they can be. The scenes are detailed once Vivid learns of La Petit Morte. The little death is managed often considering the couple is only engaged.
Complications arise through a hawk, a sister, another doctor and a threat to the children.
I’d say it’s a sweeping saga because it does seem to cover years but in reality no more than a couple of years.
Excerpt:
“Vivid’s partner in crime had been her late Grandmother Maria, founder of the Female Plotting Rebelling Society. Grandmother Maria believed that all females regardless of age, race or circumstances should always be plotting rebellion to better the state of women. Vivid had been raised as a practicing co-conspirator.”
Excerpt from Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
A historical romanc but more.
Includes lots of historical facts in detailed story form. An example is the establishment of the first black church. And the selling of slave brothers and sisters.
Not something I expected in a romance novel. I felt like I was attending a lecture at times and it distracted s bit from the story itself.
Doctor Viveca Lancaster travels to Grayson Grove, Michigan to become the town’s doctor. Nate Grayson wasn’t aware he was hiring a female doctor and isn’t pleased when Vivid arrives. But she sure is pretty and seems to know how to help folks he sees quickly.
The romance of Vivid and Nate is inevitable as they both are attracted to each other. That Nate has a child already make Vivid’s heart melt.
After the half way mark, the couple is intimate as often as they can be. The scenes are detailed once Vivid learns of La Petit Morte. The little death is managed often considering the couple is only engaged.
Complications arise through a hawk, a sister, another doctor and a threat to the children.
I’d say it’s a sweeping saga because it does seem to cover years but in reality no more than a couple of years.
Excerpt:
“Vivid’s partner in crime had been her late Grandmother Maria, founder of the Female Plotting Rebelling Society. Grandmother Maria believed that all females regardless of age, race or circumstances should always be plotting rebellion to better the state of women. Vivid had been raised as a practicing co-conspirator.”
Excerpt from Vivid by Beverly Jenkins
September 5, 2015
I'm so glad that I read this book I thoroughly enjoyed it I haven't read it historical Romance in donkey years!! (A very long time) lol. But I'm glad I did I was pleasantly surprised and I learned a few things. Regarding potato chips that they were called Saratoga chips and they were invented by an African-American also I learned that Frederick Douglass had a messy personal life and not too many African-Americans trusted him. But I digressed this is the love journey Vivid and Nate. Vivid is bit of an oddity. She is an African-American woman doctor in the 1870s. This accomplishment did happen but it was very very rare for either a man or woman to be a doctor during this time but they were a few. And she traveled on a train from California to Michigan by herself. Also very rare for any woman to travel by herself during that time. Nate is the mayor and sheriff of a town that was settled by Nate's grandfather and was in need of a doctor. Vivid applied and accepted the position however Nate did not know that The new doctor was female. But Nate was soon to find out that she had a lot of moxie and she could hold her own and then some. The story definitely had its grown and sexy parts I thoroughly enjoyed the story. This was a very pleasantly told HEA story.
Read
August 31, 2020A very early Jenkins, the prior book to Jewel. I really liked Viveca, an early Black woman doctor from a wealthy and sophisticated background adapting to a small town. It took me a while to warm up to Nate because of his (entirely period-appropriate) resistance to a woman doctor, but he definitely improved on acquaintance. The plot's a bit less tight than her later books, perhaps, but Ms Bev is the queen of the small town and the setting is a thoroughly enjoyable character in itself. Plus, the suspense plot ending is *wild*, in the best possible way.
January 1, 2018
Jenkins has a knack for being able to gain and maintain my interest in her stories....One of the Best
October 19, 2021
I really loved the historical significance in this particular book it was beautifully crafted. Magic was such a cutie and the overall romance was a delight!
November 4, 2010
This is a MUST read! I found pleasingly nice..sexy too..
My educational love story...my keeper..sigh.. Ms. Jenkins makes learning about history fun. I adore how see places historic findings so effortless entwine within in her Romance..it's like magic. It keeps me happy & coming back for more. ((You rock)) Ms. Jenkins UR the best!
My educational love story...my keeper..sigh.. Ms. Jenkins makes learning about history fun. I adore how see places historic findings so effortless entwine within in her Romance..it's like magic. It keeps me happy & coming back for more. ((You rock)) Ms. Jenkins UR the best!
July 20, 2018
I'ma say this from the door. I do not like Robin Eller's narration and I miss Kim Staunton's rendition. For me this can make me not finish an audiobook preferring to read a copy instead. Ugh.
18% Done: She is the worst.
The story was juicy and fun just like all Beverly Jenkins stories are. I'm on a mission to read all her work.
18% Done: She is the worst.
The story was juicy and fun just like all Beverly Jenkins stories are. I'm on a mission to read all her work.
June 20, 2013
Great historical fiction!
Set in the period following the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era, Viveca Lancaster is an educated Black woman trained as a physician and raised in the state of California. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for her to practice medicine where she lives, she takes up the post of a Doctor in a small Black community in Michigan.
At first and with few supporters she finds herself either ignored by most who feel that 'Doctoring' is not a job for a woman or seen just as a potential wife by most of the men. But once she demonstrates her medical skills and through her stubbornness and determination, she wins over the community. At the same time she grows ever closer to the handsome community leader, Nate Grayson.
Vivid (the nickname by which Viveca is known) is not just a love story. The author, Beverly Jenkins, sprinkles snippets of actual US history throughout the novel. There is even a helpful list for further reading on historical figures from about the time story is set.
I found Vivid a very enjoyable read which gives the reader an insight into the lives of the African Americans in the years immediately following the end of slavery. This book would be one of my recommendations and I hope to read other novels by Beverly Jenkins.
Set in the period following the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era, Viveca Lancaster is an educated Black woman trained as a physician and raised in the state of California. Frustrated by the lack of opportunities for her to practice medicine where she lives, she takes up the post of a Doctor in a small Black community in Michigan.
At first and with few supporters she finds herself either ignored by most who feel that 'Doctoring' is not a job for a woman or seen just as a potential wife by most of the men. But once she demonstrates her medical skills and through her stubbornness and determination, she wins over the community. At the same time she grows ever closer to the handsome community leader, Nate Grayson.
Vivid (the nickname by which Viveca is known) is not just a love story. The author, Beverly Jenkins, sprinkles snippets of actual US history throughout the novel. There is even a helpful list for further reading on historical figures from about the time story is set.
I found Vivid a very enjoyable read which gives the reader an insight into the lives of the African Americans in the years immediately following the end of slavery. This book would be one of my recommendations and I hope to read other novels by Beverly Jenkins.
November 16, 2015
I enjoyed this well written and researched fact based novel of a fictional female African-American doctor (Vivid) in 1876 trying to settle into the all black community town of Grayson Cove in a time when female black doctors was a rarity.
I love the characters of Grayson Cove who were essentially good and had a good community spirit - I can see myself living there. I loved the Nate and Vivid love story.
I enjoyed the inclusion of a sentence of fact into the storyline like how black skin was thought to be a form of leprosy. I did find paragraphs of facts included into the storyline somewhat jarring and would have prefered to read them once the story had ended.
The author must have a wealth of knowledge of black history which I am enjoying learning about through her novels. I am looking forward to book 2 of the series 'Jewel'.
I love the characters of Grayson Cove who were essentially good and had a good community spirit - I can see myself living there. I loved the Nate and Vivid love story.
I enjoyed the inclusion of a sentence of fact into the storyline like how black skin was thought to be a form of leprosy. I did find paragraphs of facts included into the storyline somewhat jarring and would have prefered to read them once the story had ended.
The author must have a wealth of knowledge of black history which I am enjoying learning about through her novels. I am looking forward to book 2 of the series 'Jewel'.
October 4, 2011
I loved the Community aspect of this book. blacks coming together and being protective over one another, definitely not like today. The relationship between Nate and Dr Viveca was enchanting and smoldering hot! I liked the family dynamics of the Graysons and Abigails defiance of Mr. Crowley. She taunted that man for years. The rich history lessons told throughout the book were fantastic, native people, scholars, politicians, and the game,lacrosse. All very wonderful. I would recommend this book to people who don't mind a little history mixed in with their historical romance.
April 3, 2014
Really, really enjoyed the banter between the hero and the heroine even though the set-up was something that usually drives me mad. I feel like the last third of the book flagged, but is carried through by the momentum of the first portion. Truly enjoyed it!
February 15, 2021
Like all Beverly Jennings books this one had a good balance between seriousness and fluff. Liked that the heroine was a doctor and the romance was super adorable
July 19, 2025
This is a fantastic story with a Dr. Quinn premise - Dr. Vivica “Vivid” Lancaster travels from San Francisco to a remove part of Michigan for a job, but the leader of the town assumed she was a man and is immediately dismissive. She sticks it out and wins everyone over and marries him.
The subplot deals with his adopted daughter and it’s a great storyline. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of this (the news of the day is conveyed throughout) and the use of lacrosse as a bond between the Black population and indigenous people there.
The writing has some wobbles and the pace is uneven, but this is Beverly Jenkins’ second book and that doesn’t detract much from the insertion story.
The subplot deals with his adopted daughter and it’s a great storyline. I also enjoyed the historical aspects of this (the news of the day is conveyed throughout) and the use of lacrosse as a bond between the Black population and indigenous people there.
The writing has some wobbles and the pace is uneven, but this is Beverly Jenkins’ second book and that doesn’t detract much from the insertion story.
June 19, 2014
I was really disappointed by Vivid. I've been trying to read more romance and more African American writers, and when I saw Vivid recommended on a blog, it sounded really fascinating. A black woman doctor in the 1870s? Sign me up.
Unfortunately, though it seems like I'm oddly the only one, I thought the writing was *terrible*. It's choppy and badly paced. There's a ton of infodumping and exposition about Black history, things that might be interesting on their own but don't weave very organically into the book. And as it goes on, the random coincidences and DANGER and DRAMA get to ridiculous heights. There's some annoying children in some convoluted kidnapping plot, an out-of-left-field fire, and even a dude getting eaten by dogs. It was all really unnecessary; the characters and plot should have been interesting enough on their own without dipping in the crazy soap opera well.
Anyway, won't be reading anymore by the author.
Unfortunately, though it seems like I'm oddly the only one, I thought the writing was *terrible*. It's choppy and badly paced. There's a ton of infodumping and exposition about Black history, things that might be interesting on their own but don't weave very organically into the book. And as it goes on, the random coincidences and DANGER and DRAMA get to ridiculous heights. There's some annoying children in some convoluted kidnapping plot, an out-of-left-field fire, and even a dude getting eaten by dogs. It was all really unnecessary; the characters and plot should have been interesting enough on their own without dipping in the crazy soap opera well.
Anyway, won't be reading anymore by the author.
January 16, 2016
A Very Vivid Historical/Romance Novel
This is the second novel I read by Beverly Jenkins, 'Night Song' being the first. I just have to say I thoroughly enjoy her writing style. I could not put either book down! You can't help but fall in love with the main characters and it feels like your watching a movie with the descriptive storytelling. She made the characters and the story jump off the page for me. And you not only get a great history lesson, you get some very HOT and steamy romance...WHEW...I will be reading Indigo, next and I will not stop until I have read all of her historical/romance novel. A Definite MUST Read!
This is the second novel I read by Beverly Jenkins, 'Night Song' being the first. I just have to say I thoroughly enjoy her writing style. I could not put either book down! You can't help but fall in love with the main characters and it feels like your watching a movie with the descriptive storytelling. She made the characters and the story jump off the page for me. And you not only get a great history lesson, you get some very HOT and steamy romance...WHEW...I will be reading Indigo, next and I will not stop until I have read all of her historical/romance novel. A Definite MUST Read!
June 6, 2019
It’s Beverly Jenkins. Nothing else really needs to be said. She does an amazing job of mixing the perfect amount of romance with historical fiction.
February 1, 2025
Beverly Jenkins has yet to write an FMC that I do not immediately love. As someone who's currently in medical school, I was poised to love a Black female doctor as a protagonist. I was not disappointed. Vivid was smart, determined, and stubborn. In a situation where she could've been written as a woman desperate to prove herself to close-minded townspeople, Ms Bev took the route of having her work speak for itself. This was especially true when it came to Nate, which brought me so much joy. Seeing Nate work through his biases while being consistently challenged by Vivid?? Excellent. Him having to deal with his unexpected feelings towards her?? Glorious. Also, the small town setting of this book was so good; I love how much I felt a real sense of place and community.
I will say, the inclusion of historical elements was particularly clunky in this one. Interesting as always but clunky nonetheless. Having read some of Beverly Jenkins more recent work, I can definitely see how she's evolved in that regard. Additionally, the suspense plot felt a bit more tacked on at the end rather than weaved throughout the book. I found myself less invested in that aspect, and I felt as if it affected the pacing towards the end.
Overall, another solid Beverly Jenkins book. Glad one of her books was my first read of the new year!
I will say, the inclusion of historical elements was particularly clunky in this one. Interesting as always but clunky nonetheless. Having read some of Beverly Jenkins more recent work, I can definitely see how she's evolved in that regard. Additionally, the suspense plot felt a bit more tacked on at the end rather than weaved throughout the book. I found myself less invested in that aspect, and I felt as if it affected the pacing towards the end.
Overall, another solid Beverly Jenkins book. Glad one of her books was my first read of the new year!
May 30, 2021
This book was interesting, and as always with Beverly Jenkins, I learned a lot. I enjoyed the story overall. But I did have an issue with the main character being described as virginal repeatedly throughout the majority of the book. And not just as a fact but as an adjective to describe her and various facets of her. Little dated. Worth reading! 4 stars
February 10, 2019
This was a nice quick read. Beverly has a nice formula and I love the black history peppered through the novel. I always walk away learning something new.
May 18, 2021
ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!! Nate & Vivid are so sweet, this book had many laugh out loud moments too!
August 21, 2015
When Viveca (referred to as Vivid by her family) arrives in Grayson Grove after a long train ride from San Francisco, she meets up with mayor Nate Grayson. Their first meeting is challenging, to say the least.
Nate has sworn off love after a failed marriage and he immediately notices Vivid's beauty. He mistakes her for an "undecent woman" but is proven wrong when she produces documents stating that she is the doctor hired to practice medicine in his town.
As the story unfolds, Nate is unsure if Vivid is a good fit for the town and lets her stay on trial basis. Vivid is offered the chance to change his mind about a female physician. Eventually, Nate realizes that Vivid is a wonderful doctor and that he can't run from love.
Vivid is a wonderful heroine. She's a smart ass (in a good way), poker playing, rifle carrying, intelligent, hard working doctor. She came from a home where her parents taught her to be independent and make her own choices. Reading about her experience traveling from California in 1976 was awesome. As always, Ms. Jenkins transports me right into her character's world.
And then there's Nate Grayson. First, let me start by saying I didn't think I could love a man more than Galen Vachon, the hero in Ms. Jenkins' novel, Indigo. BUT let me tell you about Mr. Grayson—steely gray eyes, tall, strong, dark skinned, and a pair of sexy specs. HOT! He's mysterious, but intriguing. And I can't forget the fact that he is a loving father to his daughter, Magic. After a while in Grayson Grove, Vivid can't resist him and who could blame her?
This book is another all-time favorite of mine. The scenery, the budding romance between two opposites, the colorful people of Grayson Grove, and even the danger lurking around the corner are all reasons to love Vivid. Ms. Jenkins weaves a tale of acceptance and unconditional love while giving us important history lessons about Black physicians, politics, and the Western part of Michigan among other things. By the end, I had bitten off my nails in anticipation of my 'happily ever after.' Vivid was a great ride, from beginning to end.
Nate has sworn off love after a failed marriage and he immediately notices Vivid's beauty. He mistakes her for an "undecent woman" but is proven wrong when she produces documents stating that she is the doctor hired to practice medicine in his town.
As the story unfolds, Nate is unsure if Vivid is a good fit for the town and lets her stay on trial basis. Vivid is offered the chance to change his mind about a female physician. Eventually, Nate realizes that Vivid is a wonderful doctor and that he can't run from love.
Vivid is a wonderful heroine. She's a smart ass (in a good way), poker playing, rifle carrying, intelligent, hard working doctor. She came from a home where her parents taught her to be independent and make her own choices. Reading about her experience traveling from California in 1976 was awesome. As always, Ms. Jenkins transports me right into her character's world.
And then there's Nate Grayson. First, let me start by saying I didn't think I could love a man more than Galen Vachon, the hero in Ms. Jenkins' novel, Indigo. BUT let me tell you about Mr. Grayson—steely gray eyes, tall, strong, dark skinned, and a pair of sexy specs. HOT! He's mysterious, but intriguing. And I can't forget the fact that he is a loving father to his daughter, Magic. After a while in Grayson Grove, Vivid can't resist him and who could blame her?
This book is another all-time favorite of mine. The scenery, the budding romance between two opposites, the colorful people of Grayson Grove, and even the danger lurking around the corner are all reasons to love Vivid. Ms. Jenkins weaves a tale of acceptance and unconditional love while giving us important history lessons about Black physicians, politics, and the Western part of Michigan among other things. By the end, I had bitten off my nails in anticipation of my 'happily ever after.' Vivid was a great ride, from beginning to end.
June 25, 2014
This was another great by Beverly Jenkins! I enjoyed this story of Dr. Viveca Lancaster and Nate Grayson. Two characters that bumped heads from the first they met, but who grew to share a great connection later. She was headstrong, independent, and danced to her own beat, which was out of character for females during this time period. He was headstrong, caring, and a damned good man. What a great combination they made together, especially once they stopped aggravating one another. I loved Viveca's dedication to her career and how hard she worked to be the best she could as doctor. I loved Nate's dedication to his town and his family and how these two interacted, and how passionate they were about one another. The other character's were great too, Aunt Gail, Mr. Crowley, Eli, Maddie, and Magic. Beverly Jenkins' books are always full of great historical leads that shines a light on all the accomplishments of not only Black people, but Native American and Hispanic people too. Her female characters are always strong and doing things that were uncommon for the time periods of the books. The male characters are also strong, but they appreciate and are supportive of their women being independent and just as strong-willed as they are. Makes a woman wish she could pluck one of the fellas off the pages of a Beverly Jenkins book and keep him for her very own! I suggest this book to anyone who is a fan, or to whoever likes historical romance with female characters who live outside the box and the men who eventually fall for them!
January 3, 2025
This is my third reading and Vivid is still exceptional. History and romance, drama and comedy come together in an endlessly entertaining story of a pioneering Black woman doctor who meets her match in the love shy divorced mayor of a Michigan frontier town.
The love story is phenomenal— Nate and Vivid have real friction, brilliant banter and scorching chemistry. This book also plants the seeds for many of the Jenkins books that follow including Indigo. And the history is fascinating. From the author’s note:
Dr. Viveca Lancaster is a fictional character created to highlight the remarkable achievements of nineteenth-century Black women like Maria W. Stewart and Mary Shadd who uplifted not only the race but the nation as well. Many of the Black women practicing medicine were not only the first Black women to practice medicine in some states but the first female physicians as well, especially in the South.
The love story is phenomenal— Nate and Vivid have real friction, brilliant banter and scorching chemistry. This book also plants the seeds for many of the Jenkins books that follow including Indigo. And the history is fascinating. From the author’s note:
Dr. Viveca Lancaster is a fictional character created to highlight the remarkable achievements of nineteenth-century Black women like Maria W. Stewart and Mary Shadd who uplifted not only the race but the nation as well. Many of the Black women practicing medicine were not only the first Black women to practice medicine in some states but the first female physicians as well, especially in the South.
June 25, 2020
I feel bad giving this two stars because Vivid is such a great character. I want to be Vivid’s best friend. I just hate the hero so much I was actively rooting for her to dump him. He is a misogynist, never apologizes for his ignorant views, never really acknowledges that she is a real doctor. Also the power relationships are so bad. He is her boss, owns her house and pops into her house without her consent. So this is a relationship with no power balance whatsoever. It made me think less of Vivid that she fell for his act. I liked Vivid’s journey to becoming a doctor but I hope Nate jumped off a cliff.
April 13, 2024
Listen. It’s Beverly Jenkins so of course it’s incredible.
Set in 1876, Vivid is a Black female doctor, and Nate is the mayor and sheriff in town. He wants to get rid of her, but instead he falls HARD for her and ✨teaches her✨ some things. All in all a fun time lmao. Oh and he goes down on her in a gazebo 😮💨
Admittedly, I think I should’ve read the physical or ebook version of this. The audio narration was not my fave and may have affected my reading experience. I struggled to stay invested during that last half. But again, I think it was the narration style. So I definitely want to reread this in a different format!
Vivid is a top fav Beverly heroine for me tbh, she’s such a badass.
Set in 1876, Vivid is a Black female doctor, and Nate is the mayor and sheriff in town. He wants to get rid of her, but instead he falls HARD for her and ✨teaches her✨ some things. All in all a fun time lmao. Oh and he goes down on her in a gazebo 😮💨
Admittedly, I think I should’ve read the physical or ebook version of this. The audio narration was not my fave and may have affected my reading experience. I struggled to stay invested during that last half. But again, I think it was the narration style. So I definitely want to reread this in a different format!
Vivid is a top fav Beverly heroine for me tbh, she’s such a badass.
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November 11, 2019Not sure how to rate this one because the audio narration was ROUGH, stilted and choppy with odd intonations that didn’t match the mood of the text. The story was good but whereas the bits of history are usually added in seamlessly, this time it felt just thrown in, and so much so that it took away from the story, which overall, just didn’t flow as well as usual
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