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Destiny #2
Destiny's Surrender
The child he didn't know he had . . .
Andrew Yates has come to a decision: it's time to stop sowing those oats and start a family. But searching for a bride isn't as simple as he'd hoped, and many of the respectable women of his acquaintance feel . . . lacking. Then beautiful, feisty Wilhelmina "Billie" Wells arrives at the family ranch with a toddler in her arms, claiming Drew is the father!
The woman he didn't know he loved . . .
Billie had no choice but to show up at Destiny in search of Drew. For the sake of their child, she's willing to leave him with his father so the boy can have a better life, but then, before she can blink, she's saying "I do" in front of a preacher in a marriage of convenience. All Billie and Drew have in common is the heat that brought them together, but can their sizzling passion lead to an everlasting love?
Andrew Yates has come to a decision: it's time to stop sowing those oats and start a family. But searching for a bride isn't as simple as he'd hoped, and many of the respectable women of his acquaintance feel . . . lacking. Then beautiful, feisty Wilhelmina "Billie" Wells arrives at the family ranch with a toddler in her arms, claiming Drew is the father!
The woman he didn't know he loved . . .
Billie had no choice but to show up at Destiny in search of Drew. For the sake of their child, she's willing to leave him with his father so the boy can have a better life, but then, before she can blink, she's saying "I do" in front of a preacher in a marriage of convenience. All Billie and Drew have in common is the heat that brought them together, but can their sizzling passion lead to an everlasting love?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2013
265 people are currently reading
2,539 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
77books4,605followersBeverly Jenkinsis 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 CBSSundayMorning.
Since the publication ofNight Songin 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 .
She has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award in Literature, was featured both in the documentary “Love Between the Covers� and on CBSSundayMorning.
Since the publication ofNight Songin 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 .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 492 reviews
January 30, 2021
4.5 🌟
You can’t go wrong with a Beverly Jenkins story. I couldn’t stop reading this once I started. The story completely took over my mind. As a story should.
There’s something about her love stories that feel timeless and classic and so wholesome. I can’t get enough of her work.
Her women are fierce and display strength in every way there is. Her men are stubborn, alpha but are always such gentlemen. Her stories do follow a formula, which does make it predictable, but it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story in any way. It makes them comforting.
You can’t go wrong with a Beverly Jenkins story. I couldn’t stop reading this once I started. The story completely took over my mind. As a story should.
There’s something about her love stories that feel timeless and classic and so wholesome. I can’t get enough of her work.
Her women are fierce and display strength in every way there is. Her men are stubborn, alpha but are always such gentlemen. Her stories do follow a formula, which does make it predictable, but it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of the story in any way. It makes them comforting.
May 12, 2021
3.5 stars
This is my fourth Beverly Jenkins book and I can say that even tho they all follow a certain formula, they’re still so enjoyable. Her heroines are always strong and fierce and her heroes are so stubborn and caring. And her side characters are the best! This one has an extra element tho, a baby! i loved the character development of both Billie and Drew! Drew wasn’t my favourite love interest, it took me some time to like him, Billie was the star of the book tho. Another issue I had with this one is that the beginning was so slow, I wanted things to just start happening. I think I liked the romance of the first book more, but this one has more action to the plot.
#1 Destiny’s embrace ~ 4 stars
”Carful, young woman. Smart-mouthed females are prized here.�
This is my fourth Beverly Jenkins book and I can say that even tho they all follow a certain formula, they’re still so enjoyable. Her heroines are always strong and fierce and her heroes are so stubborn and caring. And her side characters are the best! This one has an extra element tho, a baby! i loved the character development of both Billie and Drew! Drew wasn’t my favourite love interest, it took me some time to like him, Billie was the star of the book tho. Another issue I had with this one is that the beginning was so slow, I wanted things to just start happening. I think I liked the romance of the first book more, but this one has more action to the plot.
#1 Destiny’s embrace ~ 4 stars
August 7, 2020
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I have mixed feelings about this book and while looking at the other reviews on ŷ, I came across Christina's, who basically articulated every issue I had with this book. Normally, Beverly Jenkins is one of my favorite romance authors, and to date, I've loved every single one of her books I've read... except this one.
DESTINY'S SURRENDER is somewhat edgier than some of her other books, and I appreciate experimentation when it works out well. Here, the heroine, Billie, is a "lady of the evening" and Drew, the hero, is the man who pays for her favors. She's his favorite, and he pays extra so she'll be exclusive to him when he wants her, and reads to her, and takes her out to the opera, and buys her expensive chocolates, and Billie is more than a little in love with him, even though she knows that things can never work out between them.
When she ends up with child, she doesn't initially know whose it is due to the nature of her profession (something the summary is a little unclear about), and she ends up cutting a deal with her madam that will result in her being able to give birth and keep the child for a year, but after that, she'll have to sell it. Well, the child is born and she realizes 1) it's Andrew's and 2) there's no way she's giving up the baby she loves, so she ends up running away...
To Andrew Yates's ranch in Destiny, seeking shelter from her madam's evil son, Prince.
So here are a few of the things I didn't like about this book. I didn't think Drew was so great as a love interest. In the beginning, he and Billie had a lot of chemistry, but he is SO MEAN TO HER when she shows up on the ranch and so is his brother, Logan. The only one who really goes out of her way to be nice is their mother, Alanza, although she's become totally grandchild obsessed, kind of like the cabbages guy in ATLA, except instead of "MY CABBAGES!" it's "MY GRANDCHILDREN!" He's even gotten engaged to another woman he doesn't love (although things never fully work out between them), which I know a lot of my friends won't like, since they prefer steadfast heroes.
A lot of the scenes on the ranch moved SO SLOWLY. I ended up skimming a lot of them, which made me sad, because every other book I've read by Jenkins has been fast-paced and full of action. There were some excellent scenes in here, like the one when Billie FINALLY got her revenge (and I was glad she was the one to get it, and her man didn't do it for her), or the getaway scenes, but they were few and far between, which brings me to my last issue.
The tone. It felt so inconsistent. At first, I thought this would be an angsty romance, but then Drew became a jerk. And normally, Jenkins's romances do have an edge to them, but Prince's presence in this book really made this book a lot darker and more vicious than Jenkins's books are typically known for. He was seriously one of the nastiest villains I've encountered in a romance in a while, and his squirm-inducing acts of villainy were a lot when juxtaposed against pastoral scenes of domestic bliss that dragged on and on forever.
Like my friend said, the best thing about this book is Billie: an unconventional heroine, a sharp-shooter, and determined to protect herself and her loved ones at any cost. She deserved better.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which is apparently a romance between Noah, Andrew's younger brother, and a female pirate. It's supposed to be a lot better than this one.
2.5 stars
December 24, 2021
this series turned out to be amazing!!
4,5�
4,5�
Read
May 11, 2018A vastly enjoyable tropetastic romance with all the Ms Bev goodness plus an unusual-for-her heroine who I loved. Billie is a prostitute, and not the romance kind that never has sex with anyone but the hero either. She doesn't hate her life, she's a highly successful sex worker, and when she gets pregnant her intention is to hand over the baby for adoption for a fee and get back to work. Obv things don't work out this way because the baby has an identical birthmark to his father and *romance things*. But it's marvellous to see Billie proud of having played the lousy hand she was dealt in life as best she could, not tortured by repentance or hatred of her life, unapologetic about her former profession when she encounters the hero's family, and not even particularly touchy when her past is exposed, except inasfar as it causes problems for her husband. Some people look down on her and won't socialise? Meh, basically: she didn't need them before and doesn't need them now. Also Billie will walk through fire for her baby but doesn't get pushed around because of him and, best of all,
I love Billie.
TBH this book is so strongly about the women that the heroes are only just hanging on for the ride. Billie is amazing, her mother in law is stellar, there's a wise woman and a kind sister in law and a slew of female friends who stand together and it's great. Drew is suitably sexy, kind when he gets his head out of his arse, and stunned by Billie, as he should be. A galloping tale.
I love Billie.
TBH this book is so strongly about the women that the heroes are only just hanging on for the ride. Billie is amazing, her mother in law is stellar, there's a wise woman and a kind sister in law and a slew of female friends who stand together and it's great. Drew is suitably sexy, kind when he gets his head out of his arse, and stunned by Billie, as he should be. A galloping tale.
May 30, 2018
Another awesome read from the great Beverly Jenkins. I love stories where the characters grow and develop into more mature and thoughtful people. This novel featured two slightly self indulgent individuals, Andrew Yates and Wilhelmina "Billie" Wells. They came from opposite sides of the tracks but mutual attraction as well as a common enemies threats forced them together. The support of family allowed them to meet their obstacles and overcome them.
One thing that I love about Beverly Jenkins work is that I feel she does research and presents facts that educate me as a reader. She has diverse characters and there is a strong sense of community in all of her novels. I appreciate her feisty heroines because they give as good as they get.
One thing that I love about Beverly Jenkins work is that I feel she does research and presents facts that educate me as a reader. She has diverse characters and there is a strong sense of community in all of her novels. I appreciate her feisty heroines because they give as good as they get.
June 22, 2020
Wow. Not much to say except this and the third book in the "Destiny" historical romance series are so good. You can tell Beverly Jenkins did research in the time and place this book takes place (California in the 1800s). I thought that Jenkins did a wonderful job of not sugar coating what Billie did for a living (she's a prostitute) and the realities of her life. Billie and Drew worked for me as a romance couple and I loved that it took them some time to open up to each other. I have to say that Billie was probably one of the best romance heroines I have read in some time.
"Destiny's Surrender" follows Billie Wells and Andrew (Drew) Yates. The two have a monetary relationship when Drew is in town and he buys time with Billie. Over time the two of them have settled into a routine of sorts with Drew teaching Billie about opera and reading. Billie though she likes Drew, doesn't think of him in a romantic way since of course the two of them could never have a future together. When Billie finds out she is pregnant, she refuses to take a drink that can cause a miscarriage. Billie decides to have the child and give it up for adoption. However, as time goes on, the first birthday of her son is approaching and she knows she can't give him up. She realizes upon birth that her son Antonio is also Drew's son due to an identical birthmark. Seeking him out to deliver their son to him so she can disappear, things change when Drew's mother finds out about the boy and then Billie and Drew are thrown together in a marriage that neither one wants.
I have to say that Billie is hands down awesome. She's a prostitute and makes no excuses for it. She enjoyed sleeping with Drew, but we know she also sees other men until she gets too big to continue to provide her services to other men. Her seeking out Drew is what she has to do when she realizes the man she made the deal with is a murderer who is intent on paying Billie back for past actions.
I thought that the character of Drew was good too and of course he is left wondering if Antonio is his son due to him knowing about Billie's profession. When he is forced to marry her he is of course angry and wants nothing to do with her or their son. It was nice to see things slowly wearing down his resistance though.
I thought that Jenkins also did a nice job of including a lot of the mess that was going on in California at that time. Since Drew is of mixed race, he is being prevented from practicing law. Due to that he is left angry about the current laws of the day and how that is going to affect a lot of his clients. Billie of course knows that polite society won't admit her into their company, but I liked how she held her head up and how her in-laws would not put up with anyone saying anything against her.
The ending was really good I thought and I loved that we have a heroine that saves herself time and time again.
"Destiny's Surrender" follows Billie Wells and Andrew (Drew) Yates. The two have a monetary relationship when Drew is in town and he buys time with Billie. Over time the two of them have settled into a routine of sorts with Drew teaching Billie about opera and reading. Billie though she likes Drew, doesn't think of him in a romantic way since of course the two of them could never have a future together. When Billie finds out she is pregnant, she refuses to take a drink that can cause a miscarriage. Billie decides to have the child and give it up for adoption. However, as time goes on, the first birthday of her son is approaching and she knows she can't give him up. She realizes upon birth that her son Antonio is also Drew's son due to an identical birthmark. Seeking him out to deliver their son to him so she can disappear, things change when Drew's mother finds out about the boy and then Billie and Drew are thrown together in a marriage that neither one wants.
I have to say that Billie is hands down awesome. She's a prostitute and makes no excuses for it. She enjoyed sleeping with Drew, but we know she also sees other men until she gets too big to continue to provide her services to other men. Her seeking out Drew is what she has to do when she realizes the man she made the deal with is a murderer who is intent on paying Billie back for past actions.
I thought that the character of Drew was good too and of course he is left wondering if Antonio is his son due to him knowing about Billie's profession. When he is forced to marry her he is of course angry and wants nothing to do with her or their son. It was nice to see things slowly wearing down his resistance though.
I thought that Jenkins also did a nice job of including a lot of the mess that was going on in California at that time. Since Drew is of mixed race, he is being prevented from practicing law. Due to that he is left angry about the current laws of the day and how that is going to affect a lot of his clients. Billie of course knows that polite society won't admit her into their company, but I liked how she held her head up and how her in-laws would not put up with anyone saying anything against her.
The ending was really good I thought and I loved that we have a heroine that saves herself time and time again.
February 24, 2014
Secret baby + marriage of convenience = trope-y, soapy awesomeness.
I put some of this in a blog post on Friday, but to recap, I found this book refreshing, primarily because our heroine Billie has been working as a prostitute for quite some time, and the author does not a) do some twisty retconning to make her a virgin despite her occupation, like giving her a regular client who never actually has sex with her, and b) give Billie any shame about her life. In fact, it's pretty early in the book when Billie gives a fantastic speech to her future mother-in-law in which she says essentially that she feels no shame for having done sex work and is actually quite proud of how she has handled her life to this point given the hand she was dealt. I was like, wait, what? A woman who has in the past enjoyed sex greatly and in fact done it for money and has no shame? In a romance novel? It's so great! Bravo, Ms. Jenkins.
And yet. Billie constantly refers to herself as a whore, and I found the use of that word extremely jarring. I balked every time. I think there are two things at play. First, a lot of the dialogue in the novel struck me as not quite historically accurate, and I kept wondering if the characters in the novel might not have a softer or more euphemistic way of referring to her. But, no, "whore" every time. It's also such a loaded term, something women in our current time call each other as an insult—when was the last time you called someone a whore and actually meant "person who has sex for money"?—and, I don't know, this is me bringing my own baggage to a book, but the use of the word hit the feminist in me in a bad way. That could have been the point. It's not like there are not an abundance of alternate terms people in the nineteenth century would have used to describe a woman like Billie. But that bothered me every time I read it.
So, basically, the book isn't flawless, but it's a fun take on some old romance tropes and it twists them just enough to feel like nothing I've read before. And the book is a pretty wild ride, especially the second half when the danger plot kicks up. It's kind of crazy, but in the best way.
I put some of this in a blog post on Friday, but to recap, I found this book refreshing, primarily because our heroine Billie has been working as a prostitute for quite some time, and the author does not a) do some twisty retconning to make her a virgin despite her occupation, like giving her a regular client who never actually has sex with her, and b) give Billie any shame about her life. In fact, it's pretty early in the book when Billie gives a fantastic speech to her future mother-in-law in which she says essentially that she feels no shame for having done sex work and is actually quite proud of how she has handled her life to this point given the hand she was dealt. I was like, wait, what? A woman who has in the past enjoyed sex greatly and in fact done it for money and has no shame? In a romance novel? It's so great! Bravo, Ms. Jenkins.
And yet. Billie constantly refers to herself as a whore, and I found the use of that word extremely jarring. I balked every time. I think there are two things at play. First, a lot of the dialogue in the novel struck me as not quite historically accurate, and I kept wondering if the characters in the novel might not have a softer or more euphemistic way of referring to her. But, no, "whore" every time. It's also such a loaded term, something women in our current time call each other as an insult—when was the last time you called someone a whore and actually meant "person who has sex for money"?—and, I don't know, this is me bringing my own baggage to a book, but the use of the word hit the feminist in me in a bad way. That could have been the point. It's not like there are not an abundance of alternate terms people in the nineteenth century would have used to describe a woman like Billie. But that bothered me every time I read it.
So, basically, the book isn't flawless, but it's a fun take on some old romance tropes and it twists them just enough to feel like nothing I've read before. And the book is a pretty wild ride, especially the second half when the danger plot kicks up. It's kind of crazy, but in the best way.
December 11, 2022
Second in the Destiny series this is Drew and Billie's story. There's plenty of angst, passion and hope. As always with the author's books, I appreciate the historical accuracy and lack of cliched language found in many historical romances.
February 18, 2025
***3.5 Stars***
Another enjoyable and addicting read from Beverly Jenkins!
Billie is a prostitute, and Drew is her regular client. The two share a passionate connection that extends beyond the bedroom, though Drew doesn't realize it and Bille doesn't dare voice it out loud.
While Drew is away on a months long business trip, Billie discovers she's pregnant. She doesn't know who the father is, and believing a woman in her position can't give a child a good life, she makes a deal with the devil. However, once the baby is born, she falls instantly in love and can't imagine giving her son up. Also, a very distinguishing birthmark reveals the identity of her son's father...the man who's stolen her heart, Drew.
When the devil comes knocking for payment, Billie flees with her son. She'll leave him with Drew where she believes he'll be safe, and she'll hide out as far away from the west coast as possible. However when she arrives at Drew's home, she realizes she's interrupting a celebration...his engagement party.
I loved Billie's strength and her no nonsense attitude. She was a great heroine. She wasn't ashamed of the life she's had or the decisions she's had to make. She understood that life wasn't fair. All she could do was try to better herself in any way she could and try to raise her son with as much love as possible.
Drew was a little bit of a tougher nut to crack (and he made some mistakes in the beginning), but once he realized that Billie was the woman for him, I loved that he didn't fuss around. He told her how he felt and set about securing their future.
As usual, all of the secendary characters here were wonderful. And Mama Alanza, now Abuela Alanza, was a scene stealer yet again. I've been loving the secondary love story between her and Max. And her conversation with Billie about what it means for a woman to "scream in bed" was the highlight of this book.
My one disappointment is that for me the book lost steam as I kept reading. The first half had me hooked, but after that things began to lag for me and I lost momentum and got a bit bored. Also, the resolution of the suspense element felt a little easy and anticlimactic.
The last book in the series is about the youngest Yates son, Noah. We don't know much about him except that he's a man of the seas. Admittedly, I don't have much of a desire to read his book...but I also want more Alanza and Max. I want a wedding....and for Alanza to discover all the screaming that can be had with the right man!
May 18, 2024
This book definitively answers the bear vs man question: Billie shot the bear and killed the man 🫡
February 15, 2023
3.5 stars.
Quick review: the beginning of this read like a more diverse Catherine Cookson. I liked Billie's strength of character and her ability to thrive in difficult situations but I really wanted to see more of her time with Addie and the first year of her son's life. The middle section definitely dropped off the pace and became a bit more predictable but overall this was a little bit more entertaining than the average historical fiction I've read.
Quick review: the beginning of this read like a more diverse Catherine Cookson. I liked Billie's strength of character and her ability to thrive in difficult situations but I really wanted to see more of her time with Addie and the first year of her son's life. The middle section definitely dropped off the pace and became a bit more predictable but overall this was a little bit more entertaining than the average historical fiction I've read.
September 7, 2015
The good story by Ms. Jenkins headstrong heroines are the best! and you're learning something about history perfect!
May 1, 2022
3.5?
Billie is a sex worker at a boarding house, and Andrew Yates is her favorite client. When we begin the story they have an easy intimacy that left me all *heart eyes*, and Billie thinks the best she can hope for is that Andrew, or Drew for short, will ask her to be his mistress. She's exposed to enough violence at the boardinghouse that this itself would be life-changing, but even though he's smitten with her, Drew doesn't bother extending the offer.
Billie accidentally gets pregnant around the same time that Drew decides to take a wife. Not Billie of course, but a respectable woman that he has to court for a year. When he's about to announce his engagement, Billie shows up, baby in tow. It's clear that it's Andrews.
Andrew... does not handle this well. He and Logan (his brother and the hero from the first book), are outright hostile, even though it's clear that Billie isn't gaining much from this situation as it stands. She wants her child, Antonio, to be safe. Andrew's mother insists that he marry Billie, and their relationship takes a nosedive.
They're stiff with each other in marriage, but they find they can return to that easy intimacy in bed, which is a bit jarring for them both. Is this love? Billie, who remembers the Andrew who used to read to her and take her to the opera, thinks so. But she doesn't think he'll ever love her back, and it looks as though Andrew is trying to prove her right.
Andrew obviously comes up to scratch, and it did seem that happened rather quickly. (What changed?) The violence from Billie's old life follows her and Antonio, and an alarming amount of people in authority seem to chalk it up as the inevitable result of Billie's sex work.
There was a lot I liked here, and a few weird things that made me scrunch my nose (Why is Billie giving her mother-in-law sex position tips?) All of the Beverly Jenkins books I've read so far have had virgin heroines, and this one infamously does not. (The first sentence of this book! Burned in my brain.) I'd love to see more characters like this from her!
Billie is a sex worker at a boarding house, and Andrew Yates is her favorite client. When we begin the story they have an easy intimacy that left me all *heart eyes*, and Billie thinks the best she can hope for is that Andrew, or Drew for short, will ask her to be his mistress. She's exposed to enough violence at the boardinghouse that this itself would be life-changing, but even though he's smitten with her, Drew doesn't bother extending the offer.
Billie accidentally gets pregnant around the same time that Drew decides to take a wife. Not Billie of course, but a respectable woman that he has to court for a year. When he's about to announce his engagement, Billie shows up, baby in tow. It's clear that it's Andrews.
Andrew... does not handle this well. He and Logan (his brother and the hero from the first book), are outright hostile, even though it's clear that Billie isn't gaining much from this situation as it stands. She wants her child, Antonio, to be safe. Andrew's mother insists that he marry Billie, and their relationship takes a nosedive.
They're stiff with each other in marriage, but they find they can return to that easy intimacy in bed, which is a bit jarring for them both. Is this love? Billie, who remembers the Andrew who used to read to her and take her to the opera, thinks so. But she doesn't think he'll ever love her back, and it looks as though Andrew is trying to prove her right.
Andrew obviously comes up to scratch, and it did seem that happened rather quickly. (What changed?) The violence from Billie's old life follows her and Antonio, and an alarming amount of people in authority seem to chalk it up as the inevitable result of Billie's sex work.
There was a lot I liked here, and a few weird things that made me scrunch my nose (Why is Billie giving her mother-in-law sex position tips?) All of the Beverly Jenkins books I've read so far have had virgin heroines, and this one infamously does not. (The first sentence of this book! Burned in my brain.) I'd love to see more characters like this from her!
December 25, 2021
And I fucking adored this🤷🏾♀�
Definitely in a bad mood first time I read this.
Original Review:
I liked this slightly less conventional bride. Lots of sex workers married during this time period.
Definitely in a bad mood first time I read this.
Original Review:
I liked this slightly less conventional bride. Lots of sex workers married during this time period.
November 18, 2024
4.5/5.
When your book BEGINS with the hero giving the heroine an orgasm (first line) I can only stan.
When your book BEGINS with the hero giving the heroine an orgasm (first line) I can only stan.
September 4, 2019
Rating: 4 1/2 stars
Wow.
I've always wanted to read a novel by Beverly Jenkins, any novel, and hey, it was worth it. Her historical research and character development is superb. The details of the history at this time for people of color was insightful, not preachy, just a reality for the times. This author places specifics directly into the plot and how it affects the characters. The hero is of Mexican-American descent but he is battling laws and discrimination to practice as an attorney and the stone-walling tactics to prevent him from legally claiming his land. It gives you insight that various groups of people in this country struggled against oppression and had to overcome injustice in the face of their civil and constitution rights being trampled on.
Wilhelmina/Billie and Drew are an amazing couple who complement one another in the bedroom and out of it. They are from different worlds. He is a respectable lawyer; she is a prostitute. Yet there is feeling and loads of chemistry between them. What starts off as a marriage-of-convenience becomes a true partnership founded on love. Billie is a tough street girl who rose to become a high-class whore, and Drew is one of her top clients , though he never installs her as his mistress officially. Her resilience and strength is why she is able to confront him on every level and ensure the safety of their son, little Tonio.
This novel has it all. A despicable villain, close-knit family, and community surrounded by a plot that kept me reading to the end. Chapter to chapter, I had to find out what happened next, and this author did not disappoint. I'm glad I finally got the chance to try this author and will be reading more of her work in the future.
Wow.
I've always wanted to read a novel by Beverly Jenkins, any novel, and hey, it was worth it. Her historical research and character development is superb. The details of the history at this time for people of color was insightful, not preachy, just a reality for the times. This author places specifics directly into the plot and how it affects the characters. The hero is of Mexican-American descent but he is battling laws and discrimination to practice as an attorney and the stone-walling tactics to prevent him from legally claiming his land. It gives you insight that various groups of people in this country struggled against oppression and had to overcome injustice in the face of their civil and constitution rights being trampled on.
Wilhelmina/Billie and Drew are an amazing couple who complement one another in the bedroom and out of it. They are from different worlds. He is a respectable lawyer; she is a prostitute. Yet there is feeling and loads of chemistry between them. What starts off as a marriage-of-convenience becomes a true partnership founded on love. Billie is a tough street girl who rose to become a high-class whore, and Drew is one of her top clients , though he never installs her as his mistress officially. Her resilience and strength is why she is able to confront him on every level and ensure the safety of their son, little Tonio.
This novel has it all. A despicable villain, close-knit family, and community surrounded by a plot that kept me reading to the end. Chapter to chapter, I had to find out what happened next, and this author did not disappoint. I'm glad I finally got the chance to try this author and will be reading more of her work in the future.
February 21, 2025
Mad respect to Beverly Jenkins for making Billie a fighter and also keeping nasty predators where they belong: 6 feet under.
The vibe of the relationships: She's everything. He's just a man.
The vibe of the relationships: She's everything. He's just a man.
June 14, 2022
I feel like Cat Sebastian and Alexis Hall have spoilt me for historical romance and I was really disappointed at how many straight people were in this.
October 9, 2013
The first thing to know � is when you pick up a Beverly Jenkins book, make sure your calendar is clear as you will not want to put the book down until you have read the last page. And then you have to hope you do not start to re-read the book from the beginning as master storyteller Jenkins enchants with captivating characters and fresh storylines.
Billy Wells is spirited and unapologetic about who she. Surviving on her own since a young girl, Billy has learned to survive by her wits and good advice from unlikely sources. Her one weakness is the gentlemanly handsome Andrew Yates. While Billie and Andrew share a lustful business relationship, Andrew is well aware of his social obligations and his promises to his mother means that he will have to end this relationship and marry a “proper� lady with the appropriate family pedigree. But with only one viable option left to save her life and that of her child, Andrew will have to make a decision that will change the destinies of all involved.
Known for writing powerful historical romances that touch readers� hearts, once Ms. Jenkins has once again taken intriguing historical facts and creates a spellbinding world of fascinating characters this time set in 1880s California. Billie is an unconventional heroine, I so loved her strong, sassy, spirited, independent personality making her one of my all-time favorites. While the hero and heroine stand their own and can carry the storyline, the strong cast of secondary characters adds richness and intrigue that elevates this story beyond reader expectations.
A masterly written story about destinies, passionate love, strong family love, with a dollop of mystery and intrigue lingers long after the last page is read.
Billy Wells is spirited and unapologetic about who she. Surviving on her own since a young girl, Billy has learned to survive by her wits and good advice from unlikely sources. Her one weakness is the gentlemanly handsome Andrew Yates. While Billie and Andrew share a lustful business relationship, Andrew is well aware of his social obligations and his promises to his mother means that he will have to end this relationship and marry a “proper� lady with the appropriate family pedigree. But with only one viable option left to save her life and that of her child, Andrew will have to make a decision that will change the destinies of all involved.
Known for writing powerful historical romances that touch readers� hearts, once Ms. Jenkins has once again taken intriguing historical facts and creates a spellbinding world of fascinating characters this time set in 1880s California. Billie is an unconventional heroine, I so loved her strong, sassy, spirited, independent personality making her one of my all-time favorites. While the hero and heroine stand their own and can carry the storyline, the strong cast of secondary characters adds richness and intrigue that elevates this story beyond reader expectations.
A masterly written story about destinies, passionate love, strong family love, with a dollop of mystery and intrigue lingers long after the last page is read.
August 20, 2013
The heroine of this book was the best part. Billie truly owned herself. She didn't claim to be anything other than what she was: a whore. Even better, Drew and his family didn't attempt to hide her past. They took her on her own merits and showed how courageous and compassionate she truly was.
I couldn't get a good feel for what made Drew tick. I wanted to know more of his thoughts about the broken engagement, Billie as a mother, how he came to develop such tender feelings for Billie and his son. However, I realize this was more like reality since we never know what a spouse/partner is thinking. On the other hand, it was a little disappointing considering most romances show you both of the characters paths to love.
*review copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for honest review
I couldn't get a good feel for what made Drew tick. I wanted to know more of his thoughts about the broken engagement, Billie as a mother, how he came to develop such tender feelings for Billie and his son. However, I realize this was more like reality since we never know what a spouse/partner is thinking. On the other hand, it was a little disappointing considering most romances show you both of the characters paths to love.
*review copy provided by publisher via Edelweiss for honest review
January 7, 2017
Billie is easily my favorite of Beverly's heroines. I cant wait to read Noah's story.
February 9, 2021
I adored this so much omg
August 2, 2015
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Summary
Andrew Yates is a learned and intelligent man. He has worked hard to build up his reputation as a reliable lawyer. With recent laws that have changed Drew is determined to fight to keep their land and keep his career. Drew is a man that is a connoisseur of women, and there is one woman he has cared about more than any other, but he knows there is no future for them until she shows up on his doorstep. Drew has always felt responsible for his family and his career, but when he chooses to be with Billie, his priorities change. He soon learns that he must be firm and stand his ground. What was most fun about Drew is that even though at first he seems to be a bit of a "playboy" there is something more to him that we don't see at first. He loves reading, is intelligent, a talented lawyer and loves his family. He can stubborn and pig-headed at times, but once his temper cools, he sees the logic of a situation.
The Heroine
This is the second book in this trilogy, and the last book I had to read to finish and what a fun ride it has been reading these Yates brothers. This book just might be my favorite of the three or its a tie with the third book!! I honestly can't say which one I enjoyed more. What was most fascinating about this book was the characters. At the beginning of the book, we see these two living their lives separately. Andrew taking his time courting a woman he is attracted to but knows he will never love. Billie finding herself pregnant and having to deal with a new set of circumstances. We see both sides of their lives, and the way that their lives change once they come together. I admired both of these characters because they are equaled in temperament (and oh boy the arguments...so funny if there wasn't a toddler between them hehe) but they also have passion and even though they don't admit it at first...they desperately love each other just don't fully realize it at the beginning. Probably why they fight so much. Then we have the supportive characters and boy were they fun. We have Logan and Maisey and their little girl which is close to Billie and Drew son's age. Then we have the mother, the feisty Mrs. Yates and boy is she one firecracker. From the first moment we meet her you love her. And there is a side love story for her as well. What I found most admirable about her character is how accepting she is of Billie.
Even though Billie is a prostitute, she sees that Billie is a woman that is need of love and acceptance. One of my favorite scenes was seeing Billie teach the mother in law about desire and passion--quite entertaining. Because Mrs. Yates is in love she doesn't trust it yet because her first husband deceived her but we see how she begins to soften. I loved that, because in the first book we see how resistant she is to Max, but in this book we see her soften with the arrival of Billie. Then we have the villain that comes into play here, and boy he is one bad dude. It is quite sad what happens (which I refuse to reveal so you will read it) but you see how at this moment when his plan goes into the works...how strong Drew and Billie are and they are one force of nature and I loved seeing them fight not only to survive but to stay together and keep their family strong and united.
This was quite a memorable story for me and I love the way Jenkins writes her stories...truly magical.
The Cover
I adore this cover...so romantic yet sensual at the same time. I love the pose, and her dress--you don't always see purple in covers. And I love the background there in the mountains.
Overall View
Destiny's Surrender is a truly powerful tale of what it takes to fight for what you love, to sacrifice and to never give up on your dreams!! A wondrous romance that kept me fascinated and enthralled. Jenkins is an author not to be missed out on!!
Summary
Andrew Yates know that the time has come for him to be married soon. His mother keeps pressing the issue, and he has been searching for the right woman but has yet to locate her. He finally meets a young woman that meets the desired requirement and would be a companion, but he knows he will never love her. On the eve of his engagement, a passionate Billie arrives with a toddler in her arms, claiming it is his son. Billie has only loved one man, she has had to make difficult choices to survive. But when she and her son are at risk, she plans on giving her son over to Drew and going back east so that he son remains safe. But Drew's family have different plans for her. Before she realizes it, she is getting married to Drew, even though she knows she is the last woman that they would ever pair the esteemed Andrew Yates with. At first Drew and Billie have a bit of tension to resolve, but soon they put their anger aside and focus on building a relationship. But soon Drew and Billie will be faced with an enemy that is determined to tear their family apart.
Andrew Yates is a learned and intelligent man. He has worked hard to build up his reputation as a reliable lawyer. With recent laws that have changed Drew is determined to fight to keep their land and keep his career. Drew is a man that is a connoisseur of women, and there is one woman he has cared about more than any other, but he knows there is no future for them until she shows up on his doorstep. Drew has always felt responsible for his family and his career, but when he chooses to be with Billie, his priorities change. He soon learns that he must be firm and stand his ground. What was most fun about Drew is that even though at first he seems to be a bit of a "playboy" there is something more to him that we don't see at first. He loves reading, is intelligent, a talented lawyer and loves his family. He can stubborn and pig-headed at times, but once his temper cools, he sees the logic of a situation.
The Heroine
Billie is not one that is afraid of anything except the threat to her son. Billie was an orphan at a very young age and had to learn to survive by eating scrappings on the street, but eventually she became a prostitute at the age of 12 to survive. She is known as one of the most beautiful and talented. She knows what it takes to please a man in bed...its all she has ever known. But when she meets Drew and they have a two-year long affair, she knows that he is so different. Unlike her other customers, buys her clothing, takes her to shows and picnics. And she fell in love with him even knowing she could never have him. When he leaves on a trip for eight months she finds herself pregnant and leaves her career and stays with an older woman that takes her in and she does chores for her. But she never realized how much she would love her son, or what she would do to protect it at any cost. Billie is strong, courageous and quite fierce at times. I loved her character. She has had to learn to be tough at a young age, to survive, but still retains goodness in her. We see how she adapts to a new life among the Yates, and she has such a giving heart.
This is the second book in this trilogy, and the last book I had to read to finish and what a fun ride it has been reading these Yates brothers. This book just might be my favorite of the three or its a tie with the third book!! I honestly can't say which one I enjoyed more. What was most fascinating about this book was the characters. At the beginning of the book, we see these two living their lives separately. Andrew taking his time courting a woman he is attracted to but knows he will never love. Billie finding herself pregnant and having to deal with a new set of circumstances. We see both sides of their lives, and the way that their lives change once they come together. I admired both of these characters because they are equaled in temperament (and oh boy the arguments...so funny if there wasn't a toddler between them hehe) but they also have passion and even though they don't admit it at first...they desperately love each other just don't fully realize it at the beginning. Probably why they fight so much. Then we have the supportive characters and boy were they fun. We have Logan and Maisey and their little girl which is close to Billie and Drew son's age. Then we have the mother, the feisty Mrs. Yates and boy is she one firecracker. From the first moment we meet her you love her. And there is a side love story for her as well. What I found most admirable about her character is how accepting she is of Billie.
“Careful, young woman. Smart-mouthed females are prized here.�
Even though Billie is a prostitute, she sees that Billie is a woman that is need of love and acceptance. One of my favorite scenes was seeing Billie teach the mother in law about desire and passion--quite entertaining. Because Mrs. Yates is in love she doesn't trust it yet because her first husband deceived her but we see how she begins to soften. I loved that, because in the first book we see how resistant she is to Max, but in this book we see her soften with the arrival of Billie. Then we have the villain that comes into play here, and boy he is one bad dude. It is quite sad what happens (which I refuse to reveal so you will read it) but you see how at this moment when his plan goes into the works...how strong Drew and Billie are and they are one force of nature and I loved seeing them fight not only to survive but to stay together and keep their family strong and united.
She was being kissed with an intesity that touched her soul. The past didn't matter and neither did the future, only the present where he tasted her tears with soft brushed of his lips and she held him close enough to breath into her heart. Later, when they made love, it wasn't their usual spirited, bordering on acrobatic coming together. Instead they figted each other with an interlude that was slow and sweet as a Spanish guitar. He worshipped her as if she were the most precious thing in his world. His kisses enchanted. His touch enthralled. The feel of him inside her--magnificent. It was a night Billie would remember for the rest of her life.
This was quite a memorable story for me and I love the way Jenkins writes her stories...truly magical.
The Cover
I adore this cover...so romantic yet sensual at the same time. I love the pose, and her dress--you don't always see purple in covers. And I love the background there in the mountains.
Overall View
Destiny's Surrender is a truly powerful tale of what it takes to fight for what you love, to sacrifice and to never give up on your dreams!! A wondrous romance that kept me fascinated and enthralled. Jenkins is an author not to be missed out on!!
Destiny's Embrace (1)
Destiny's Surrender (2)
Destiny's Captive (3)
April 18, 2023
4.5 stars
This was a pleasant surprise! I never read romances with accidental pregnancy, so I held off on trying this. But I took a chance and Beverly's characters just won me over. Billie was definitely the highlight of the book for me, she was everything!! The other books in this series have had virgin heroines, so Billie being experienced and comfortable with her past as a sex worker was really refreshing. Loved how resilient she was, how she didn't take anyone's shit, how she ultimately saved herself. Drew was fine, I liked him and looking into his work as a lawyer but Billie definitely outshined him. Their banter was maybe my fave in this series, partially because they were on equal footing with their sexual history so they could be more forward with each other. Their son Antonio was also super cute and I adored the scenes between him and Drew🥺
Alanza and Max getting their shit together was so sweet too. It was interesting to read about an older woman who had children still being so uninformed about sex, and I liked Billie being the one to teach her mother-in-law about it. The side characters in general are so well realized in this series!
I will say, there's something about Beverly's writing that's somewhat...stilted to me? Or cold? Idk it just doesn't flow as well as I'd like. So while I love her characters and everything, the writing itself has kept me from giving her books 5 stars so far.
I'm so glad this series was my starting point for Beverly Jenkins' historicals. Excited to keep going through her backlist this year!
This was a pleasant surprise! I never read romances with accidental pregnancy, so I held off on trying this. But I took a chance and Beverly's characters just won me over. Billie was definitely the highlight of the book for me, she was everything!! The other books in this series have had virgin heroines, so Billie being experienced and comfortable with her past as a sex worker was really refreshing. Loved how resilient she was, how she didn't take anyone's shit, how she ultimately saved herself. Drew was fine, I liked him and looking into his work as a lawyer but Billie definitely outshined him. Their banter was maybe my fave in this series, partially because they were on equal footing with their sexual history so they could be more forward with each other. Their son Antonio was also super cute and I adored the scenes between him and Drew🥺
Alanza and Max getting their shit together was so sweet too. It was interesting to read about an older woman who had children still being so uninformed about sex, and I liked Billie being the one to teach her mother-in-law about it. The side characters in general are so well realized in this series!
I will say, there's something about Beverly's writing that's somewhat...stilted to me? Or cold? Idk it just doesn't flow as well as I'd like. So while I love her characters and everything, the writing itself has kept me from giving her books 5 stars so far.
I'm so glad this series was my starting point for Beverly Jenkins' historicals. Excited to keep going through her backlist this year!
March 2, 2022
4 Stars
This is one of few surprise baby romances that I enjoyed. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and wished we could see more connection between the characters.
This is one of few surprise baby romances that I enjoyed. I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and wished we could see more connection between the characters.
August 6, 2020
4.5 Stars!!!! This is a fabulous romance with the most unconventional and almost fantastic (as in the stuff of imagination) premise. This is book 2 in the Destiny series and features Andrew Yates, brother to the hero (Logan) of Book 1 (Destiny’s Embrace) and is secret baby (admittedly one of my favourites but even if this is a trope you don’t enjoy, it’s VERY well done and VERY inoffensive) and marriage of convenience styled in terms of trope.
The premise is that Billy is high society Andrew’s favourite prostitute when he’s in town and so when she disappears, he’s not to happy but as he’s looking for a society bride to settle down with anyway, he moves on. Till she shows up on the night of his engagement, with a toddler in tow, claiming he’s the father and demanding his help.
I beyond love this book. At first, it took some mental reorientation when it was apparent that Billy and Andrew weren’t initially exclusive- I typically like exclusivity between the main couple in a romance but it would not have been realistic because Billy was not Andrew’s mistress but a working girl working in a mid-range brothel and publicly known to be a prostitute, a fact she herself freely acknowledges. And this is what I loved most about this book, the heroine. Billy is just an amazing character. She’s strong, she accepts herself for who she is, she’s pragmatic, she’s competent, she’s brave, she never tries to be who or what she’s not, she owns her own truth and is not shy to share it, she’s funny and above all this, she’s flawed as well- rather than being a paragon of perfection. I didn’t have strong feelings about Andrew either way but Billy is MY heroine!!! I feel like the set up of the romance is a little unrealistic, though. I mean, would Consuela (Andrew’s mother) really have championed the solution she did? I don’t know but what I do know is that this was a fabulously entertaining read.
The premise is that Billy is high society Andrew’s favourite prostitute when he’s in town and so when she disappears, he’s not to happy but as he’s looking for a society bride to settle down with anyway, he moves on. Till she shows up on the night of his engagement, with a toddler in tow, claiming he’s the father and demanding his help.
I beyond love this book. At first, it took some mental reorientation when it was apparent that Billy and Andrew weren’t initially exclusive- I typically like exclusivity between the main couple in a romance but it would not have been realistic because Billy was not Andrew’s mistress but a working girl working in a mid-range brothel and publicly known to be a prostitute, a fact she herself freely acknowledges. And this is what I loved most about this book, the heroine. Billy is just an amazing character. She’s strong, she accepts herself for who she is, she’s pragmatic, she’s competent, she’s brave, she never tries to be who or what she’s not, she owns her own truth and is not shy to share it, she’s funny and above all this, she’s flawed as well- rather than being a paragon of perfection. I didn’t have strong feelings about Andrew either way but Billy is MY heroine!!! I feel like the set up of the romance is a little unrealistic, though. I mean, would Consuela (Andrew’s mother) really have championed the solution she did? I don’t know but what I do know is that this was a fabulously entertaining read.
December 3, 2020
Ms Bev writing my favorite secret baby/accidental pregnancy with arrange marriage romance. This book made my weeeek! Couldn’t stop reading it and it’s just so gooood. Billie is my new favorite character and she deserves the world. I’m so happy and glad for her that now she has found people to be with, people who make her feel safe, who worry about her.
This series is amazing and I’ve only read one book but ugh I will go to hell for this family, for these characters. Alanza our queen is the best ever! I’m so happy she also found someone that makes her feel alive. You really get invested about every single person in this series even though they aren’t the main couple? Ms Bev did THAT.
I cannot wait to read the next book because Noah and Pilar are definitely going to k*ll me. They sound amazing and intense and just how I love my main couple in books! SHE STOLE HIS SHIP!!!
This series is amazing and I’ve only read one book but ugh I will go to hell for this family, for these characters. Alanza our queen is the best ever! I’m so happy she also found someone that makes her feel alive. You really get invested about every single person in this series even though they aren’t the main couple? Ms Bev did THAT.
I cannot wait to read the next book because Noah and Pilar are definitely going to k*ll me. They sound amazing and intense and just how I love my main couple in books! SHE STOLE HIS SHIP!!!
February 10, 2019
Billie has become a new favorite heroine of mine for sure. He strength and toughness felt truly authentic and believable. I understood Drew’s hesitation but he was also written so well that he frustrated me at times.
This romance was intense from the very beginning. Had a very dark twist to it. Loved the magic element. Strong familial element. A really good ride.
This romance was intense from the very beginning. Had a very dark twist to it. Loved the magic element. Strong familial element. A really good ride.
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