Smexy Books

Romance and Urban Fantasy Reviews

  • Review Request
  • Contact
    • Smexy Reviewers Profiles
    • New Reviewer Application
    • Contact
  • Advertising
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • By Genre
      • BDSM
      • Contemporary
      • Erotic
      • Fantasy
      • F/F
      • Historical Romance
      • Historical PNR
      • LGBTQ+
      • M/M Romance
      • New Adult
      • Urban Fantasy
      • Paranormal Romance
      • Sci-Fi
      • Romantic Suspense
      • Young Adult
    • By Letter Grade Rating
      • A Reviews
      • B Reviews
      • C Reviews
      • D Reviews
      • DNF Reviews
  • Features
    • New Releases
    • Smexy Deals!
    • Retro Review
    • Weekly Wrap-Up
    • Blog Tour
    • Scenic Sunday
    • To Be Read
    • Guest Post
    • Top Ten/Happy Friday
    • Smex Scene Sunday
  • The Psy/Changeling Channel
You are here: Home / B Review / Review: Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

Review: Breathless by Beverly Jenkins

February 3, 2017 by Mandi Leave a Comment

Breathless by Beverly Jenkins (Old West #2)
Released: January 31, 2017
Western Historical
Avon

Reviewed by Mandi

Last year I read the first book in this series, Forbidden, and I enjoyed it but I definitely like Breathless better. Our heroine in Breathless is the niece of the hero and heroine in Forbidden – Eddy and Rhine – who play a prominent part in this book. It’s fun to see them fully enjoying their HEA. Portia and her sister Regan came to live with Rhine and Eddy when their mother, a prostitute, could no longer care for them. Rhine and Eddy have given them a good life, and now living in the Arizona Territory, Portia does the books and helps run the fancy hotel and uncle and aunt own. They also start exploring offering a “dude ranch” to clients which is a fun venture. Portia is twenty-seven and a serious woman. No need for passion or love in her life – she is just fine keeping busy at the hotel, no matter how much prodding her more crazy sister pokes at her.

Kent Randolph has had a busy adult life – first he found himself in a Mexican prison, and then he headed west to Montana and worked on various ranches breaking in horses. He is now ready to settle down a bit and finds his way to Rhine. A former bartender to Rhine, he knew Portia when she was just twelve years old (he is six years older). He hasn’t seen her in many years but when he runs into her at Rhine’s hotel, he is stunned. She is beautiful, but still the serious, rigid girl he remembered from all those years ago, earning the nickname “Duchess” from him. Portia gets a little hot and bothered by Kent, something she didn’t expect. When he decides to stay on and help run a neighboring ranch, things start to heat up between them.

I really like Kent and Portia together. Since they knew each other from childhood, while they have to take some time to be reunited, Kent knows her enough to fondly tease her. He knows Portia is turned on by him, but of course refuses to admit it or show him any sign of it. Portia runs her romance life like she runs the hotel – with efficiency and no-nonsense. Even when she finally admits that she may want to kiss him, it’s serious stuff:

“I want you to kiss me.”

Caught off guard, he froze. “I’m sorry. I must’ve misheard you. Say that again.”

She looked irritated. “I want you to kiss me.”

“May I ask why?”

“I need to cure myself of whatever these feelings are I’m starting to have for you, and don’t ask me what feelings. You know what I mean.”

“I do,” he said as he studied her gorgeous ebony face. She looked so put out he wanted to smile but kept his features bland. “Have you ever been kissed before?”

“No.”

“Then I should warn you that this probably won’t cure you, Duchess. In fact, it might make matters worse.”

Not so fast Portia. Kent is more than willing to oblige but he wants to court her and be romantic. He shows her what an actual kiss can be like – and then there is no turning back for her.

“So,” he said softly. “Let’s give you this kiss…”

He released her hand and when he slowly traced a finger down her cheek, the resulting spark was so startling, she jumped.

Amusement shone in his eyes. “I can see you’re going to manage this real well, Duchess.”

She came to her own defense. “You – you surprised me. I thought you were going to kiss me not touch me.”

“Touching’s important sometimes. You don’t want a man to just grab you and plant his lips on yours. There’s no passion in that.”

“I don’t want pass…” The word died as his finger boldly traced her bottom lip. All thought fled.

Although she lets Kent in, she still holds strong in her more serious demeanor which made me smile.

Along the way, other suitors try to woo Portia which keeps her busy. There is also some drama at the ranch that Rhine takes over that everyone has to deal with.

There is big drama at the very end which seemed kind of rushed and I could have lived without it. But I really enjoyed Kent and Portia’s romance. Looking forward to Regan’s story.

Grade: B

Goodreads l Kindle l Nook

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit
  • Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon
  • More
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Filed Under: B Review, Beverly Jenkins, Historical Romance

Leave a ReplyCancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Welcome to Smexy! If you are reader feel free to use our search feature to find a specific book or browse through our features to find Smexy Deals, New Releases, and book news!

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords,  Booksamillion, and Bookshop,org.

 

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

Angela

Melanie

Jen

Kate

Iby

Kate H.

Sign Up for Daily Emails


Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.

.

Follow Us!

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on Instagram

Top Posts & Pages

  • Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
    Smexy’s Top Ten Favorite Sex Scenes of 2012
  • Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
    Review: Manacled by SenLinYu
  • Steamy Excerpt from Everything's Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden
    Steamy Excerpt from Everything's Better With Lisa by Lucy Eden
  • New Releases- Week of May 5-9, 2025
    New Releases- Week of May 5-9, 2025
  • Smex Scene Sunday
    Smex Scene Sunday
  • Review: Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
    Review: Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger
  • Retro Review: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
    Retro Review: The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
  • Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
    Review: The Last Letter by Rebecca Yarros
  • Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
    Review: The Finish Line by Kate Stewart
  • Review: Reverse by Kate Stewart
    Review: Reverse by Kate Stewart

Disclosure

The majority of the books reviewed at this site have been provided for free by publishers, authors, or other third parties like NetGalley or Edelweiss. Acceptance of a free copy does not guarantee a review or a positive review.

As an Amazon Associate, we do earn from qualifying purchases. We also earn a small commission on affiliate links to Apple, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and Booksamillion.

Shop our Affiliates!

Amazon

B&N

Apple

Smashwords

Booksamillion

 

Find Our Reviewers

Angela @fv-angela.bsky.social l Goodreads

Melanie @melonreads.bsky.social l  Goodreads

Jen .@thebooknista l Goodreads

Kate  @kateminasian l Goodreads

Iby Instagram l Goodreads

Kate H. @Naranjadia l Goodreads

Copyright © 2025 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d