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Always and Forever
A desperate need
Sassy Grace Atwood never expected to find her proper self accidentally tumbling into a stranger's bed. If she weren't desperate for a man to lead a wagon train of brides to a woman-starved town out West, she never would have gone near Jackson Blake-former lawman or not. She should send the ruggedly charming Texan packing...only he's perfect for the job. Now if her mind would just stop going blank every time she looked at him, they might get this train to Kansas yet.
A comsuming passion
What's a man to do when a beautiful woman leans over his bed in the middle of the night? Come to think of it, that was the only time Blake's ever seen the straitlaced Miss Atwood the least bit ruffled. He's certain that beneath her buttoned-up appearance lies a passionate woman aching to break free. But though Blake longs to take her in his arms, all he can offer Grace is a life on the run. And when the demons from his past catch up with them, Blake is caught between the ties that bind and a love that could last...always and forever.
Sassy Grace Atwood never expected to find her proper self accidentally tumbling into a stranger's bed. If she weren't desperate for a man to lead a wagon train of brides to a woman-starved town out West, she never would have gone near Jackson Blake-former lawman or not. She should send the ruggedly charming Texan packing...only he's perfect for the job. Now if her mind would just stop going blank every time she looked at him, they might get this train to Kansas yet.
A comsuming passion
What's a man to do when a beautiful woman leans over his bed in the middle of the night? Come to think of it, that was the only time Blake's ever seen the straitlaced Miss Atwood the least bit ruffled. He's certain that beneath her buttoned-up appearance lies a passionate woman aching to break free. But though Blake longs to take her in his arms, all he can offer Grace is a life on the run. And when the demons from his past catch up with them, Blake is caught between the ties that bind and a love that could last...always and forever.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 5, 2000
100 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Beverly Jenkins
80books4,640followersBeverly 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 132 reviews
July 3, 2021
4.5 stars
Ummm this was so good and this is one of Beverly Jenkins' books that I rarely hear people talking about! Grace works at a bank and her cousin asks her to bring a bunch of mail order brides from Chicago to Kansas for the men to marry. Grace decides to help her cousin and rounds up a group of women who want a husband in Kansas. The only thing Grace needs is a man to escort the women on the long trip. When Grace meets Jackson, her last hope of getting someone to escort them, I loved how fun their meet-cute was and how they immediately butt heads with one another. They are both very strong-headed and do not like to stand down. Grace and Jackson have undeniable chemistry, but they don't want to give in to their attraction. As they take this journey, though, it's harder and harder to ignore. I loved the journey to Kansas and really loved the growth of the attraction between our two characters. I didn't love the direction the book took at the end as much, but I still loved how much they had to fight to be together. I wasn't the biggest fan of a trope the was used and how stubborn Jackson was being, but I knew that we had two stubborn main characters who were bound to sabotage themselves. But this was just so fun and unique and I would definitely recommend picking this up!
Ummm this was so good and this is one of Beverly Jenkins' books that I rarely hear people talking about! Grace works at a bank and her cousin asks her to bring a bunch of mail order brides from Chicago to Kansas for the men to marry. Grace decides to help her cousin and rounds up a group of women who want a husband in Kansas. The only thing Grace needs is a man to escort the women on the long trip. When Grace meets Jackson, her last hope of getting someone to escort them, I loved how fun their meet-cute was and how they immediately butt heads with one another. They are both very strong-headed and do not like to stand down. Grace and Jackson have undeniable chemistry, but they don't want to give in to their attraction. As they take this journey, though, it's harder and harder to ignore. I loved the journey to Kansas and really loved the growth of the attraction between our two characters. I didn't love the direction the book took at the end as much, but I still loved how much they had to fight to be together. I wasn't the biggest fan of a trope the was used and how stubborn Jackson was being, but I knew that we had two stubborn main characters who were bound to sabotage themselves. But this was just so fun and unique and I would definitely recommend picking this up!
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October 6, 2019A classic Ms Bev with a really lovely premise (heroine escorting black mail order brides to Kansas on a wagon train to avoid Jim Crow, aided by ex lawman hero). Really fantastic historical background even for this author, with all the conflict and danger arising naturally, and some really glorious female friendships among the supporting cast, plus a terrific heroine who does the rescuing and a super-spooky Bad End for the villain. A pleasure from start to finish.
April 24, 2020
A story of olden times when Jim Crow was running loose.
There are parts of the story that hit hard because you know life back then was unfair to people who had any tint of color to their skin. Then there were parts that were funny and moving.
Beverly Jenkins does a great job of capturing the determination amidst the struggle and fear. The building love between Grace and Blake is beautiful. I really enjoyed this story. I wanted the other woman who was a gambler (can't remember her name) to have a happy ending as well, but once they reach their destination, her story ends.
There are parts of the story that hit hard because you know life back then was unfair to people who had any tint of color to their skin. Then there were parts that were funny and moving.
Beverly Jenkins does a great job of capturing the determination amidst the struggle and fear. The building love between Grace and Blake is beautiful. I really enjoyed this story. I wanted the other woman who was a gambler (can't remember her name) to have a happy ending as well, but once they reach their destination, her story ends.
November 17, 2019
Yes!!
A really good book, but Jackson Blake was a truly infuriating character. Brave, honest and a good man, without a doubt, but some of his decisions were so shortsighted and just plain stupid. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do my azz!!!
Buy it, read it and enjoys!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
A really good book, but Jackson Blake was a truly infuriating character. Brave, honest and a good man, without a doubt, but some of his decisions were so shortsighted and just plain stupid. A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do my azz!!!
Buy it, read it and enjoys!!👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
July 31, 2021
This was such a fun read! I giggled more than a few times at Jackson and Grace's journey. I don't think I've ever read the mail order bride trope. Grace organized a wagon train of women seeking husbands, and joined them up with men seeking brides. It was charming, and funny in ways I hadn't expected. And Jackson was the perfect stubborn Hero for an equally stubborn Grace.
September 3, 2020
Adorable
September 28, 2022
It’s Grace and Jackson’s story!! Loved it! I truly appreciate that the author bases her stories in history, but she never writes cookie-cutter characters. Each character is as unique as a real person, with issues, biases, and wonderful traits, which makes her books such a delight. I loved the characters in this book! And the plot was riveting. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars
January 22, 2025
This maybe my favorite Ms. Bev book to date!! Perfect in every way and I loved the heroine so much! Ughhhhh
February 5, 2018
4 stars. Very good and romantic read. I'm coming to like historical fiction romance a lot more than I was expecting to. Just something about the setting and everything that just make them a joy to get through.
Not only is this historical fiction romance but its main characters are BLACK! God. Bless. It damn near brought a tear to my eye not gonna lie. Anywho, this was my first experience with Beverly Jenkins and I definitely get the hype. This was so well written and the characters were great. I love the romance and the chemistry between Grace and Jackson was intense and it was fun to watch them fall for each other because they got off on the wrong foot when they first met.
Grace was freaking fierce as hell! I loved her character from the start. She's very headstrong, take charge, and she puts up with nobodies mess. When her and Jackson first meet he's steady telling her how women should behave and live and she shut him down every single time. It was amazing. She's my hero. She was also very caring and I loved watching her with the other girls in the group. Her character development was without a doubt the strongest out of her and Jackson. To see her really wear her heart on her sleeve and let her guard down and become more vulnerable was great. I really enjoyed her character.
Jackson Blake, *fans self*, he was incredibly hot. Goodness gracious. Just Jenkins' description of him alone makes him book boyfriend material for me. Then we get to his personality and I was sold! He also goes through wonderful character development because he's such an know-it-all jackass but when he starts to fall for Grace he changes in very subtle ways that I loved. I will say that I was nervous about him at the end there because he's just so damn stubborn but he got it together.
Only reason I'm giving this 4 and not 5 stars is because I feel like that once they drop the wives off, the story feels a bit disjointed. Like the end of the book feels different from the other half of it and it was just off to me. If the transition had been just a bit smoother than this would've been perfect.
Overall, this was lovely and I'm super excited to read more of Jenkins' work.
Not only is this historical fiction romance but its main characters are BLACK! God. Bless. It damn near brought a tear to my eye not gonna lie. Anywho, this was my first experience with Beverly Jenkins and I definitely get the hype. This was so well written and the characters were great. I love the romance and the chemistry between Grace and Jackson was intense and it was fun to watch them fall for each other because they got off on the wrong foot when they first met.
Grace was freaking fierce as hell! I loved her character from the start. She's very headstrong, take charge, and she puts up with nobodies mess. When her and Jackson first meet he's steady telling her how women should behave and live and she shut him down every single time. It was amazing. She's my hero. She was also very caring and I loved watching her with the other girls in the group. Her character development was without a doubt the strongest out of her and Jackson. To see her really wear her heart on her sleeve and let her guard down and become more vulnerable was great. I really enjoyed her character.
Jackson Blake, *fans self*, he was incredibly hot. Goodness gracious. Just Jenkins' description of him alone makes him book boyfriend material for me. Then we get to his personality and I was sold! He also goes through wonderful character development because he's such an know-it-all jackass but when he starts to fall for Grace he changes in very subtle ways that I loved. I will say that I was nervous about him at the end there because he's just so damn stubborn but he got it together.
Only reason I'm giving this 4 and not 5 stars is because I feel like that once they drop the wives off, the story feels a bit disjointed. Like the end of the book feels different from the other half of it and it was just off to me. If the transition had been just a bit smoother than this would've been perfect.
Overall, this was lovely and I'm super excited to read more of Jenkins' work.
March 15, 2022
I adored this Beverly Jenkins read so much. All of her books are such comforting, feel good romances with the best female friendships, steeped in history, the most amazing heroines, heroes who fall for them, and those slice-of-life details. This story follows a mail-order bride wagon train.
The story starts out in 1884 in Chicago. Grace Atwood has been running her late father’s bank while living with her two aunts. After recently being jilted at the altar, Grace is done with men and their nonsense. Her cousin writes her from Kansas saying their new town is in desperate need of 30-35 women who want to become wives to the men there. She requests Grace’s help in leading the mail-order bride wagon train and Grace accepts. The only thing she needs is a man to accompany her on the journey…enter Jackson, the most stubborn of heroes and a perfect match to Grace’s own stubborn-ness. These two drove one another crazy, mostly in the best way and had so much chemistry!
I loved the adventure and journey to Kansas. Other books by Beverly Jenkins follow this journey as well and I liked seeing those characters here too. Loreli from A Chance at Love (one of my favorite Bev books) makes appearances in this read. I loved Grace’s aunts and their responses over Jackson. Seeing Jackson fall for Grace was so good and I love the arc that his character has in this read! The ending of the book after they arrive in Kansas did feel different than the beginning of the read and I wasn’t as big of a fan of where the story went, which is the reason this wasn’t 5 stars for me.
The story starts out in 1884 in Chicago. Grace Atwood has been running her late father’s bank while living with her two aunts. After recently being jilted at the altar, Grace is done with men and their nonsense. Her cousin writes her from Kansas saying their new town is in desperate need of 30-35 women who want to become wives to the men there. She requests Grace’s help in leading the mail-order bride wagon train and Grace accepts. The only thing she needs is a man to accompany her on the journey…enter Jackson, the most stubborn of heroes and a perfect match to Grace’s own stubborn-ness. These two drove one another crazy, mostly in the best way and had so much chemistry!
I loved the adventure and journey to Kansas. Other books by Beverly Jenkins follow this journey as well and I liked seeing those characters here too. Loreli from A Chance at Love (one of my favorite Bev books) makes appearances in this read. I loved Grace’s aunts and their responses over Jackson. Seeing Jackson fall for Grace was so good and I love the arc that his character has in this read! The ending of the book after they arrive in Kansas did feel different than the beginning of the read and I wasn’t as big of a fan of where the story went, which is the reason this wasn’t 5 stars for me.
September 15, 2023
To me, you are perfect
February 17, 2025
I can’t believe I forgot how much I adore Beverly Jenkins� books. They’re always so sweet and wholesome even within serious settings. I don’t want to finish her catalogue so I’m going to savor them and read them slowly🥹
January 29, 2020
3.5 Stars. This is an odd review to write because I realize this book was good. It’s Beverly Jenkins after all and her romances blend really great storytelling with uncommon American history that focuses on minorities in America in the peri Civil War era. You’re always going to be touched, entertained and educated by her romances. However, I just didn’t enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed some of her other romances. I struggled to get into it and I felt it dragged a little in parts. Like I was entertained, but I kept waiting for the story to progress and for a long-time, especially in the preparation for the wagon trail, it stagnated a lot especially since none of that plot and story ended up really being germane to the main plot and so it felt like why spend so much time and effort on something that isn’t really relevant or useful to the plot in the end, but rather slows the story down unnecessarily.
The premise is that Grace, a bank owner in Chicago, has recently been unceremoniously dumped and invited by her cousin, takes the opportunity to lead a wagon train of mail order brides West. Recognizing her ineptitude to fulfill this task, she hires an experienced traveler, Texan and former lawman now on the run for a murder he didn’t commit, Jackson, to guide their wagon train.
In trope land, this is sort of forced proximity, briefly enemies to lovers romance. There’s certain elements that I think absolutely beggared belief (a pregnancy diagnosis is involved) even for the most willing suspender of disbelief, but it didn’t stop me from continuing with this. I still love this author and plan to continue binging her backlist. Even when she’s not at her best like in this book, it’s still very good and I still recommend it.
The premise is that Grace, a bank owner in Chicago, has recently been unceremoniously dumped and invited by her cousin, takes the opportunity to lead a wagon train of mail order brides West. Recognizing her ineptitude to fulfill this task, she hires an experienced traveler, Texan and former lawman now on the run for a murder he didn’t commit, Jackson, to guide their wagon train.
In trope land, this is sort of forced proximity, briefly enemies to lovers romance. There’s certain elements that I think absolutely beggared belief (a pregnancy diagnosis is involved) even for the most willing suspender of disbelief, but it didn’t stop me from continuing with this. I still love this author and plan to continue binging her backlist. Even when she’s not at her best like in this book, it’s still very good and I still recommend it.
May 11, 2016
This review was originally posted on
Summary
Grace Atwood, is requested by her cousin who lives in Kansas the need of women in the area. He requests the offer of mail order brides. Grace is a woman never wanting to refuse a challenge, and bringing 30 women to Kansas to marry men that they have never met is a serious undertaking. But Grace is a city woman, having taking over her father's bank in Chicago. She finds herself desperate to find a leader and guide for the wagon train. She eventually finds herself seeking a particular man, where she accidentally stumbles into his bed in a brothel. Not Grace's typical place of excursions. Jackson Blake, is a ladies man and a man of mystery and surprises. When he agrees to be the director of this women's only wagon train, Jackson and Grace come to an understanding. But as they help train these thirty women, and move out west to Kansas, a love blossoms between Jackson and Grace. But Jackson is a man who can't afford to tie himself down to Grace no matter how much he cares for her. He is a ex law man when his father was murdered and the man responsible unlawfullyhad a warrant out for Jackson's arrest in Texas. Will Jackson be able to find justice for his father and live a full life with the woman he loves?
Plot and Story Line
What was most intriguing about this story was the way it progresses because boy does it leave you with some twists and turns you don't expect. I had a blast with reading Jackson's story. Jackson is a character we saw briefly in Something Like Love and I was very intrigued. This story takes place a short while following the Reconstruction. Many things for the blacks have been good changes but in many ways especially the more south you go, the worse it gets for these people. I loved the idea of these women going on a wagon train together to marry men that are strangers to them. Grace Atwood is a wonderful heroine and she really is the center of the story but I liked that about this one. We see how passionate and driven she is, and willing to face any obstacle with courage. I did enjoy the way that she is with Jackson. She respects his expertise and knowledge on certain matters, but when it counts she stands up to him almost like a mama bear protecting her young. I just wanted to shout "bravo" so many times. It was quite interesting to see the formation of the plot in this story and the turn it takes toward the later half of it. The writing is simply spectacular and I love the rich history that is placed in the story. It really balanced it out in ways that benefited the romance. The love story that develops between these two starts with powerful chemistryand grows into something with more depth, Love a couple willing to fight for each other and get their HEA.
The Narration
Now this narrator was a bit of a surprise for me. I haven't listened to many male narrators, so it always sets me back in some ways. But eventually I grew to like his tones and inflections. I don't think he necessarily made the book better just by the narration, but he did have a good voice that was easy to become accustomed to.
The Cover
LOVE this cover!!! There is something so passionate about this pose....and boy I have a weakness for these styles of covers! It just sweeps you away.
Overall View
Always and Forever is a fascinating romantic tale of adventure, passion, danger, and defeating a great evil!!! A Jewel Of The Frontier!!
Summary
Grace Atwood, is requested by her cousin who lives in Kansas the need of women in the area. He requests the offer of mail order brides. Grace is a woman never wanting to refuse a challenge, and bringing 30 women to Kansas to marry men that they have never met is a serious undertaking. But Grace is a city woman, having taking over her father's bank in Chicago. She finds herself desperate to find a leader and guide for the wagon train. She eventually finds herself seeking a particular man, where she accidentally stumbles into his bed in a brothel. Not Grace's typical place of excursions. Jackson Blake, is a ladies man and a man of mystery and surprises. When he agrees to be the director of this women's only wagon train, Jackson and Grace come to an understanding. But as they help train these thirty women, and move out west to Kansas, a love blossoms between Jackson and Grace. But Jackson is a man who can't afford to tie himself down to Grace no matter how much he cares for her. He is a ex law man when his father was murdered and the man responsible unlawfullyhad a warrant out for Jackson's arrest in Texas. Will Jackson be able to find justice for his father and live a full life with the woman he loves?
Plot and Story Line
What was most intriguing about this story was the way it progresses because boy does it leave you with some twists and turns you don't expect. I had a blast with reading Jackson's story. Jackson is a character we saw briefly in Something Like Love and I was very intrigued. This story takes place a short while following the Reconstruction. Many things for the blacks have been good changes but in many ways especially the more south you go, the worse it gets for these people. I loved the idea of these women going on a wagon train together to marry men that are strangers to them. Grace Atwood is a wonderful heroine and she really is the center of the story but I liked that about this one. We see how passionate and driven she is, and willing to face any obstacle with courage. I did enjoy the way that she is with Jackson. She respects his expertise and knowledge on certain matters, but when it counts she stands up to him almost like a mama bear protecting her young. I just wanted to shout "bravo" so many times. It was quite interesting to see the formation of the plot in this story and the turn it takes toward the later half of it. The writing is simply spectacular and I love the rich history that is placed in the story. It really balanced it out in ways that benefited the romance. The love story that develops between these two starts with powerful chemistryand grows into something with more depth, Love a couple willing to fight for each other and get their HEA.
The Narration
Now this narrator was a bit of a surprise for me. I haven't listened to many male narrators, so it always sets me back in some ways. But eventually I grew to like his tones and inflections. I don't think he necessarily made the book better just by the narration, but he did have a good voice that was easy to become accustomed to.
The Cover
LOVE this cover!!! There is something so passionate about this pose....and boy I have a weakness for these styles of covers! It just sweeps you away.
Overall View
Always and Forever is a fascinating romantic tale of adventure, passion, danger, and defeating a great evil!!! A Jewel Of The Frontier!!
December 21, 2017
This is a cool read
February 10, 2022
The MCs hands down had the funniest meet cute ever! Highly entertaining, super angsty and hilarious all around. I do tend to enjoy Beverlys more softer/sweeter hero’s but Jackson is an exception; he really did stole the show :)
January 24, 2025
I loved it! But Jackson made me big mad. Nobody has time to be worried about him like that! I always walk away from a Beverly Jenkins book with so much more historical knowledge. Happy reading!
February 20, 2018
Every other Beverly Jenkins book I’ve read I liked except maybe Destiny’s Captive that wasn’t one of my favorites but this one? I kind of hated Grace and Jackson but especially Jackson who’s whole quest to fix his past was ridiculous and it was crazy that it took someone else telling him the same thing that Grace did to get him to see sense. It started out good but by the time they reached Kansas City I pretty much skimmed it in an effort to finish it. Maybe I might have liked it more without the two of them. For the life of me I can’t see how they ever fell in love at all and if I was Grace I wouldn’t have forgiven him but that’s just me.
August 15, 2024
I hate to give this book a mid rating, but it's very 2000s. The purple prose, the overbearing men with sexist ideas, basically taking liberties with her but it's cool because she's turned on 😬, the once we have sex u have to marry me. Also i hate enemies-to-lovers to lovers when it's the we just met can't stand him/her because they're bullheaded and so am I.
I do love the forced proximity scenario that this story provided. Wagon train for months plus pre wagon train planning and training was an a1 idea. I would have ate this book up 24 yrs ago 🤣🤣
I do love the forced proximity scenario that this story provided. Wagon train for months plus pre wagon train planning and training was an a1 idea. I would have ate this book up 24 yrs ago 🤣🤣
April 9, 2024
Ms Bev doing it again.
I'm loving my Beverly Jenkins journey a lot.
I'm loving my Beverly Jenkins journey a lot.
May 14, 2024
3.75 stars rounded up
April 3, 2020
The best thing about this book is the amazing cover.
When Grace Atwood's cousin enlists her to lead a wagon train of mail-order brides from Chicago to Kansas, she doesn't think twice. She channels the energy and mind for organization that has served her well as a female bank owner into the task, but she still needs the expertise and knowledge of the plains. That's where Jackson Blake comes in. The former lawman is in need of a job and cannot refuse the beautiful redhead. As they work together to teach and lead 35 brides how to drive teams of horse and survive on the prairie, sparks start to fly. But with both committed to remaining single, can they find a future together?
Jenkins excels at finding and illuminating aspects of Black American history in her books, and Always and Forever is no exception. Her description of Black Chicago in the 1800s was a revelation and the book is peppered with little interjections of history.
Unfortunately the romance and plot of the book seem secondary. The book consisted of three disjointed sections - first in Chicago organizing the wagon train, then training and on the trail, then a seeming non sequitur end in Texas. I couldn't believe the romance, especially because Jackson was heavy handed, patronizing, and lust-blind.
My main issue with the book was how old-fashioned it felt. I'm reading it 20 years after it was published, but I couldn't get over the use of the pure-virgin trope, the purple prose, or the unquestioned acceptance of being a mail-order bride.
Always and Forever is a book for Jenkins enthusiasts. Jenkins-agnostics like myself would be better served by sticking to her more recent novels.
When Grace Atwood's cousin enlists her to lead a wagon train of mail-order brides from Chicago to Kansas, she doesn't think twice. She channels the energy and mind for organization that has served her well as a female bank owner into the task, but she still needs the expertise and knowledge of the plains. That's where Jackson Blake comes in. The former lawman is in need of a job and cannot refuse the beautiful redhead. As they work together to teach and lead 35 brides how to drive teams of horse and survive on the prairie, sparks start to fly. But with both committed to remaining single, can they find a future together?
Jenkins excels at finding and illuminating aspects of Black American history in her books, and Always and Forever is no exception. Her description of Black Chicago in the 1800s was a revelation and the book is peppered with little interjections of history.
Unfortunately the romance and plot of the book seem secondary. The book consisted of three disjointed sections - first in Chicago organizing the wagon train, then training and on the trail, then a seeming non sequitur end in Texas. I couldn't believe the romance, especially because Jackson was heavy handed, patronizing, and lust-blind.
My main issue with the book was how old-fashioned it felt. I'm reading it 20 years after it was published, but I couldn't get over the use of the pure-virgin trope, the purple prose, or the unquestioned acceptance of being a mail-order bride.
Always and Forever is a book for Jenkins enthusiasts. Jenkins-agnostics like myself would be better served by sticking to her more recent novels.
February 13, 2022
2/5 stars!
The first half of this book was great and fun to read. We are able to get to know Grace more and see her admirable personality and qualities, as well as the other mail-order brides. The meet-cute of Grace and Jackson were also funny and cute, and definitely one of the most memorable ones. However, the second half of this book was so annoying and irritating to me. Grace and Jackson suddenly had a shift in personalities and had this big miscommunication issue that a sit down conversation could solve if only they were adult enough to just ask each other their feelings for one another.
Another reason why I hated this second half so much is because of Jackson Blake. He's so fucking annoying and stupid in this one that I find it really hard to come into terms that he is our hero in this book. He puts a lot of lives in danger without even having a proper plan as to how is he going to clear his name and his father's death. I hated him for endangering so many lives and he's not even there when the bad guy was put down, like WTF? He also forces Grace to marry him and then got angry when she followed him to Texas and he knows that she's so stubborn she will not backdown from anything especially now that she's his wife. He also didn't listen to Grace's explanation early on as to why his idea is dumb, but when his guy friend said the same exact sentiments, he immediately accepted it and came to his senses. I hated this one. It's so disappointing since this is a five star prediction for me and one of my anticipated books to read this year.
� I talk about it more on my reading vlog: �
The first half of this book was great and fun to read. We are able to get to know Grace more and see her admirable personality and qualities, as well as the other mail-order brides. The meet-cute of Grace and Jackson were also funny and cute, and definitely one of the most memorable ones. However, the second half of this book was so annoying and irritating to me. Grace and Jackson suddenly had a shift in personalities and had this big miscommunication issue that a sit down conversation could solve if only they were adult enough to just ask each other their feelings for one another.
Another reason why I hated this second half so much is because of Jackson Blake. He's so fucking annoying and stupid in this one that I find it really hard to come into terms that he is our hero in this book. He puts a lot of lives in danger without even having a proper plan as to how is he going to clear his name and his father's death. I hated him for endangering so many lives and he's not even there when the bad guy was put down, like WTF? He also forces Grace to marry him and then got angry when she followed him to Texas and he knows that she's so stubborn she will not backdown from anything especially now that she's his wife. He also didn't listen to Grace's explanation early on as to why his idea is dumb, but when his guy friend said the same exact sentiments, he immediately accepted it and came to his senses. I hated this one. It's so disappointing since this is a five star prediction for me and one of my anticipated books to read this year.
� I talk about it more on my reading vlog: �
July 15, 2023
Even when a Ms. Bev. book isn’t my favorite, it’s still so enthralling and engrossing and impossible to put down. I loved Grace - she was smart and strong and independent and had a mind of her own and was not afraid to express her opinions. So, basically on brand for a Ms. Bev heroine. I will say I didn’t love Jackson just assuming the first time they had sex that she was pregnant and they needed to get married. Like…what? (Never mind the fact that she did, in fact, get pregnant). Like is he a human early pregnancy test?! So he basically insists they need to marry because he just KNOWS his super sperm knocked her up and then when she refuses, he enlists her own family to help him essentially browbeat her into marriage. And then says he gonna leave her to go back to TX where he is a (wrongfully) wanted man to seek vengeance on the man who killed his father. Um�.okayyyy�.? Meanwhile, Grace is like “um you forced me to marry you because of a baby we don’t even know actually exists because you want to be an involved father in your child’s life and now you’re going off to TX where there is an actual literal bounty on your head so you could more than likely die!� Basically Grace was the voice of reason for the vast majority of the book and Jackson just kept making really bad decisions and forcing his will in a way that was not great.
Regardless of Jackson, I still loved Grace and the book was hard to put down.
Reread via audio and my opinions haven’t changed, Jackson was very high handed and stubborn and Grace was awesome.
Regardless of Jackson, I still loved Grace and the book was hard to put down.
Reread via audio and my opinions haven’t changed, Jackson was very high handed and stubborn and Grace was awesome.
July 16, 2019
I listened to the audio book and Thomas Penny is an average narrator. He is tolerable, but I have heard much better.
Grace and Jackson are my least favorite romantic pair to date from Beverly Jenkins. I adore Grace individually, however, I did not like Jackson at all. Jackson never should have slept with Grace knowing he was a wanted man with a thirst for vengeance. Other than lust, Jenkins never convinced me there was chemistry on any level.
I was disappointed that Jackson moved Grace to Colorado instead of trying to adapt to a life in Chicago for a few years. He forced her to leave behind the legacy her father built by founding a bank. I don’t like when a woman always has to make sacrifices. Jackson was selfish and didn’t sacrifice a darn thing in their relationship!
Lastly, I always enjoy the history lessons Jenkins provides.
Grace and Jackson are my least favorite romantic pair to date from Beverly Jenkins. I adore Grace individually, however, I did not like Jackson at all. Jackson never should have slept with Grace knowing he was a wanted man with a thirst for vengeance. Other than lust, Jenkins never convinced me there was chemistry on any level.
I was disappointed that Jackson moved Grace to Colorado instead of trying to adapt to a life in Chicago for a few years. He forced her to leave behind the legacy her father built by founding a bank. I don’t like when a woman always has to make sacrifices. Jackson was selfish and didn’t sacrifice a darn thing in their relationship!
Lastly, I always enjoy the history lessons Jenkins provides.
October 23, 2020
I loved how sassy Grace was in this one. No one was going to tell her she couldn't do something. Her idea of the bride wagon train was great, even if it was a bit rocky in the execution. I don't think she anticpated how all of the women would need to learn most things from scratch, nor how boring the actual riding to where they were going was to be.
Jackson was the wild card. Their first meeing had me laughing, but his hot and cold ways drove me nuts. As did his drive for justice for his father. I get that, but once they were in Texas and he saw how bad things were he should have adjusted his thinking. His life and to be there for Grace and the family they were building was more important.
I liked how this one ended, glad that Jackson let things go and how he and Grace were building their new life.
Jackson was the wild card. Their first meeing had me laughing, but his hot and cold ways drove me nuts. As did his drive for justice for his father. I get that, but once they were in Texas and he saw how bad things were he should have adjusted his thinking. His life and to be there for Grace and the family they were building was more important.
I liked how this one ended, glad that Jackson let things go and how he and Grace were building their new life.
February 17, 2025
Beverly Jenkins' books are always a delight to read, a lesson in history and sparks fly when she put two people together!
Chicago, 1884
Grace Atwood is living with her aunts and running her late father's bank and swore off men after being left at the altar. When her cousin ask for her help, she accept to lead willing mail-order brides to Kansas but she need someone to guide them and teach them how to drive the wagon trains.
An unconventional first meeting for Grace and Jackson Blake, a former sheriff, who will help her into her journey to leading the women safely to a new life.
Chicago, 1884
Grace Atwood is living with her aunts and running her late father's bank and swore off men after being left at the altar. When her cousin ask for her help, she accept to lead willing mail-order brides to Kansas but she need someone to guide them and teach them how to drive the wagon trains.
An unconventional first meeting for Grace and Jackson Blake, a former sheriff, who will help her into her journey to leading the women safely to a new life.
August 2, 2022
Out of all of BJ’s novels this was the hardest to read. I couldn’t grasp the storyline. It started out on other potential and then I lost interest. Once the wagon team made it to their destination, the story bee lined for an in-depth look at the relationship of Grace and Jackson.
I still love BJ! But this won’t it for me.
I still love BJ! But this won’t it for me.
March 20, 2011
I love reading about this period in American history and I absolutely loved these characters. I'm officially a Jenkins lover.
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