Indigo

This book is very different from what I usually read, so I don't know that my opinion should hold a lot of weight, since m/f romance isn't a genre I know a lot about. But I enjoyed this book.

Both main characters are involved in the abolitionist movement and the Underground Railroad, and a lot of historical details are woven into the story. Slavery and racism have shaped the lives of all the major characters, and the book brings those topics to the forefront in a myriad of ways. For example, one of the villainous characters, Jeanine, is written with a lot of sensitivity, and Hester muses that if her own life had been different and she had not been freed from slavery at an early age, with a family to rely on, she might have done the same things Jeanine does.

Hester is easy to like and sympathize with, without ever feeling too perfect. She's not a modern woman and isn't written like one, but she's very determined and firm in her convictions. This is a fairly minor detail but I really like the portrayal of Jeanette, Galen's former fiancee who has lived a life of privilege. Hester sees that Jeanette's priorities in life are very different from hers, but she sees Jeanette's lack of interest in political issues as a difference in their backgrounds, not as a flaw in Jeanette's character, and they become friends.

The romance really was not my kind of thing, but that's my own personal taste and not a comment on the book's quality. Galen decides what's best for Hester and spends most of the book showing her. Of course he wants to make her happy, and when we first meet her, she's clearly lonely. So, it is appealing to read about her falling in love, but I wasn't totally on board with everything that happened in their relationship. I do really like that it was completely Hester's choice to officially (in the view of this book and of society at that time) have sex with Galen, but some of the sex scenes before that one are more along the lines of Galen convincing Hester into surrendering to him. But mainly, I dislike that he basically shamed her into marriage, even though I don't think Hester ever has a good reason not to marry him. He took away her choice. .

I love the ending - it's one of the happiest endings I've ever read in a romance novel. Overall, I recommend this book highly, if immersing yourself in an important era of American history through the eyes of interesting characters sounds like something you would enjoy.

Early Beverly Jenkins - pre-Civil War, main characters meet because of their work on the Underground Railroad in Michigan. I love the story and Hester, the female lead, is so great. I always learn something from a Beverly Jenkins book, but this one is a little bit clunkier at integrating the actual history into the story than her later books. Still excellent and one I enjoyed a lot!

Where do I begin?

Well, I suppose I should begin with the man himself; the Black Daniel. Or maybe I should start with the strong-willed (read: contrariest) Hester? These two make the most stubborn couple. But what are we to do? When they fall in love, it's hard to not fall in love with them.

Indigo had a good mix of light and serious moments.

In the light moments, we got to see Hester and Galen unabashedly in love. We see bits and pieces of Galen's life, before and after he became the Black Daniel. The strength and mutual respect behind their community. The bond Hester and Galen gained and shared. The slow build towards their love for each other. No matter how much they denied it, it was inevitable.

Although the core of Indigo is about love, it also delved into racism and slavery. I don't know much as I wasn't taught American history but I knew enough going in to know that it wasn't going to be an easy topic. Keep that in mind and I'll be sure to tread lightly as I continue to write this.

One of the more jarring moments to me was when Hester recounts her time as a slave. Her and her friend, Ella, were standing over a vat of indigo ink. Ella said something to mean that she looked forward for her hands to be as dark with ink as her mother's were. The reason this struck out to me was that the children didn't know how the world was then. The lives they lived was all they knew and that was the life of a slave. Children are innocent with only love and joy in their hearts. They have to taught hate or to hate. My heart was full of anger and eyes tears.

Another thing I'd like to note is the white passing mentioned throughout the book. Galen was not only white passing, he was also unimaginably wealthy. Therefore, for most of his life, he was able to get away (almost) unscathed. Until he realised the brutality black people had to endure that is. But instead of turning a blind eye, he chose to aid those who didn't have the privileges he had.

Segue approaching!

Here's a few more things I loved:
Hester's vanilla scent
The name Black Daniel
The fact that Foster came back married?!? (i gasped and proceeded to rant at no one)
The Sheriff
The parts set at Galen's grandmother's home after they were married.
Raymond's constant teasing

All in all, I loved it. I loved Hester's sharp wit, Galen's incorrigibleness. I loved their acceptance for each other. Loved the family they made for themselves. And finally, I loved how much they loved each other.

“Indigo is what you are, Indigo is who you will be to be. At least to me, you will be Indigo.”