​I’m going to start off with the truth: I’m not a huge fan of historical romances. I’ve read a ton (ha ha pun not intended) of them and just got sick of the “ton.” So when I saw Christi Caldwell’s newest book, THE VIXEN, didn’t have a hero that was a duke, or earl, or viscount, I was thrilled. Even more so when I found out her heroine was basically a “street rat.”
 
I loved, loved, loved this story.
 
Great characters in Ophelia Killoranand Connor Steele. Strong, driven, flawed, independent humans who have had to live on the wrong side of the “moral line” to survive, but still had more morals than those who should have been leading the charge. It’s been awhile since a story has made me cry, and the black moment (no spoilers) really got to me. 
 
I’m just going to say, read the book. You won’t be disappointed. Oh, and I’ll be reading more by this author…a lot more.

​A wonderful, satisfying and emotional story of family dynamics, drama, and growth. 
 
Gentry Cabot is one of those characters that start out as a secondary and steal your heart. She’s the baby of the family, but is more a mix between the “the only,” and the “forgotten middle.” She’s fierce, independent, and more than a bit on the wild side, which is how she got into her current situation of being a single mom. 
 
Getting to this point wasn’t easy for Gentry and she’s far from reaching the finish line of her arc. Her relationships with her family are complicated at best, and completely believable. If that part of her journey doesn’t tug at your heart, watching her fall in love with her colicky son surely will. 
 
Ian Crawford was perfect for Gentry (and vise versa). While these two appeared to be a different as night and day, they had more in common deep down, where it matters the most. I really liked that neither characters were afraid to call the other on their attitudes, but also brought out the best in each other. They did that one thing that makes them so right for each other: they saw past the surface, to the heart and soul of each other; they saw the good qualities and the bad and not only accepted each other, but loved with all their heart.
 
While this is a romance, it’s so much more. It’s life with: family dynamics, parenthood, growing up, following your passions, facing your past, trying to do what’s right, and yes, falling in love. And Jamie Beck did a fabulous job of blending that all into one story.