Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

 

Summary (from the publisher): As a child Hester Wyatt escaped slavery, but now the dark-skinned beauty is a dedicated member of Michigan's Underground railroad, offering other runaways a chance at the freedom she has learned to love. When one of her fellow conductors brings her an injured man to hide, Hester doesn't hesitate even after she is told about the price on his head. The man in question is the great conductor known as the "Black Daniel" a vital member of the north's Underground railroad network, but Hester finds him so rude and arrogant, she begins to question her vow to hide him.

When the injured and beaten Galen Vachon, aka, the Black Daniel awakens in Hester's cellar, he is unprepared for the feisty young conductor providing his care. As a member of one of the wealthiest free Black families in New Orleans, Galen has turned his back on the lavish living he is accustomed to in order to provide freedom to those enslaved in the south. However, as he heals, he cannot turn his back on Hester Wyatt. Her innocence fills him like a breath of fresh air, and he is determined to make her his, but traitors have to be found, slave catchers have to be routed and Hester's refusal to trust her own heart have to be overcome before she and Galen can find the freedom only love can bring.

Review: Born a slave, Hester Wyatt is now a free woman who helps assist on the Underground railroad from her home in Michigan. When she is asked to help hide an injured man who is a critical conductor in the north's underground route, she finds him incredibly rude and arrogant. Little does Hester know, but the man is Galen Vachon, and he is a member of one of the wealthiest free Black families in New Orleans. Despite their rocky start, Galen is deeply enamored with Hester and determined to pursue her. But in addition to Hester's objections, the pair must overcome malicious rumors, slave catchers, and traitors among the Black community before they can hope to be together. 

This was a great romance! The first hundred pages were the best as the reader gets to see the slow buildup of attraction and interest between the main characters as she nurses him back to health. I also loved that they were joined by a common interest of helping slaves to freedom. This truly gave the book more substance and meaning than the typical romance. I also liked that Galen was attracted to Hester very much despite the things she regards as drawbacks, namely the indigo stains on her hands from her time as a former slave and her lack of wealth. 

After the beginning, the book wasn't as quite as interesting. It did feel like Hester protested too much when she was clearly interested in and attracted to Galen. And just from a historical perspective, it was hard to suspend my disbelief at some of the plot points, which just felt truly unbelievable given the time period. While this has such a happy ending for both Galen, Hester, and her family, that was just simply not the case for the vast majority of enslaved people at the time. It was not to imagine but just not realistic. But I was of course happy to see these characters have a happy ending. 

Stars: 3