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ekateclark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
cheeches's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
turtleberry's review against another edition
5.0
A great visit to Henry Adams. I got to check in with all my favorite characters from the first book. Also got introduced to a few new characters I have grown to love. Really enjoying this series.
storytimeshon's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
readincolour's review against another edition
4.0
The second in what I hope becomes a series, A Second Helping is the follow up to 2009's Bring on the Blessings. The residents of the historically black town of Hays Adam, KS are back for more.
Readers of the first book will remember that newly divorced millionaire Bernadine Brown bought the struggling town while looking for a project to immerse herself in after she found her husband of twenty-plus years cheating. A woman with a big heart, Bernadine began a project in the first book to unite the families of Hays Adam with hard to place foster children. In her latest sequel, we find the kids and their families thriving and readying for adoption.
Eleven year old former car thief, Amari, has found a home with the mayor of the small town and has made the decision to become a part of the July family. In order to do so, he must complete a spiritual quest guided by the matriarch of the July family, Tamar, and complete an unselfish task that brings joy to someone else. Paging through old photo albums, Amari stumbles upon pictures of the August 1st parade and decides to organize one for his new family and new town.
Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of an August 1st parade. Most of us are familiar with Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Texas, the last state to free their slaves in 1865. August 1st celebrates the abolishment of slavery in the British empire in 1834 and was celebrated throughout towns in the United States up until 1927. To this day it is also celebrated in Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the British Virgin Isles.
Along with the adventures that come with planning a parade, readers are introduced to a few new characters and will be delighted to reacquaint themselves with old, familiar characters.
What did you like about this book?
I loved the introduction of August 1st. The author is known for writing historical romances. Though this is not a romance in the true sense of the word, I'm glad that she introduced the historical aspects of this fictional town.
What did you dislike about this book?
It ended too quickly. Yes, even with 386 pages, I wanted more.
How can the author improve this book?
No improvements needed. It's my hope that this becomes a series and that it doesn't take another year for the next edition to be released.
Readers of the first book will remember that newly divorced millionaire Bernadine Brown bought the struggling town while looking for a project to immerse herself in after she found her husband of twenty-plus years cheating. A woman with a big heart, Bernadine began a project in the first book to unite the families of Hays Adam with hard to place foster children. In her latest sequel, we find the kids and their families thriving and readying for adoption.
Eleven year old former car thief, Amari, has found a home with the mayor of the small town and has made the decision to become a part of the July family. In order to do so, he must complete a spiritual quest guided by the matriarch of the July family, Tamar, and complete an unselfish task that brings joy to someone else. Paging through old photo albums, Amari stumbles upon pictures of the August 1st parade and decides to organize one for his new family and new town.
Prior to reading this book, I had never heard of an August 1st parade. Most of us are familiar with Juneteenth, which is celebrated on June 19 to commemorate the abolition of slavery in Texas, the last state to free their slaves in 1865. August 1st celebrates the abolishment of slavery in the British empire in 1834 and was celebrated throughout towns in the United States up until 1927. To this day it is also celebrated in Barbados, Bermuda, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Anguilla, The Bahamas, Turks & Caicos and the British Virgin Isles.
During the 1830s these annual events were small affairs largely organized in schoolhouses, debating halls, and black churches. Over subsequent decades, however, these annual meetings became much larger, more public, and communal affairs. Thousands of people of African descent would congregate in villages, towns, and city squares during the opening days of August to celebrate the ending of slavery elsewhere and organize for its overthrow in the United States. During the 1850s, these public meetings became breeding grounds for more militant opposition toward American slavery: through the attraction and participation of fugitive slaves; the parade of armed black militias; and, fiery speeches demanding the violent overthrow of American slavery. In British Canada, an older generation of black people, along with fugitives and more recent emigrants, also adapted August First as an important expression of their antislavery actions and political identities. In short, August First Day was to become the most important public commemorative event and popular form of mobilization among people of African descent in the English-speaking Atlantic world between the 1830s and the 1860s. - excerpt from Whatever Happened to August First by J.R. Kerr-Ritchie
Along with the adventures that come with planning a parade, readers are introduced to a few new characters and will be delighted to reacquaint themselves with old, familiar characters.
What did you like about this book?
I loved the introduction of August 1st. The author is known for writing historical romances. Though this is not a romance in the true sense of the word, I'm glad that she introduced the historical aspects of this fictional town.
What did you dislike about this book?
It ended too quickly. Yes, even with 386 pages, I wanted more.
How can the author improve this book?
No improvements needed. It's my hope that this becomes a series and that it doesn't take another year for the next edition to be released.
sistahgirl's review against another edition
inspiring
5.0
A story to savor! From the personal growth to the forgiveness and acceptance to new experiences and people ……Beverly has done it once again with her unique storytelling.
readerpants's review against another edition
4.0
#rippedbodicebingo
square: elaborate proposal scene (or maybe hero has a pet other than a dog or cat, though it turns out he was not the hero since it was such an ensemble cast story -- somebody's love interest, though!)
This was my first non-historical by the illustrious Ms. Bev and it was light and sweet... the best kind of escapist read, honestly, a soap opera but where characters do their best to be good to each other and the villains are ridiculous or get their comeuppances without causing any real pain or harm. I sometimes have a hard time with readers' advisory for readers who like small-town, non-angsty, squeaky-clean, inspirational-but-not-inspie-subgenre romance, and I'm glad to have this one to recommend.
There were a few moments that made me unhappy - especially a throwaway joke that came up several times where one character has come back to town after a marriage that failed because "she found her husband wearing her panties in the bedroom (har har)." Besides being unnecessarily, hateful/phobic, I honestly had a hard time believing that if that happened to one of their number, the flawed-but-deeply-loving members of this town would react with jeers or to make that person the butt of a joke. I think the whole reason it's so satisfying to read something about this idyllic setting and cast is that there's space and unconditional love for every member of the town family who's genuinely trying their best, and to have a nasty, dehumanizing reaction moment like that (even for an offstage ancillary character) shakes the setting apart and makes it hard to trust and enjoy again.
square: elaborate proposal scene (or maybe hero has a pet other than a dog or cat, though it turns out he was not the hero since it was such an ensemble cast story -- somebody's love interest, though!)
This was my first non-historical by the illustrious Ms. Bev and it was light and sweet... the best kind of escapist read, honestly, a soap opera but where characters do their best to be good to each other and the villains are ridiculous or get their comeuppances without causing any real pain or harm. I sometimes have a hard time with readers' advisory for readers who like small-town, non-angsty, squeaky-clean, inspirational-but-not-inspie-subgenre romance, and I'm glad to have this one to recommend.
There were a few moments that made me unhappy - especially a throwaway joke that came up several times where one character has come back to town after a marriage that failed because "she found her husband wearing her panties in the bedroom (har har)." Besides being unnecessarily, hateful/phobic, I honestly had a hard time believing that if that happened to one of their number, the flawed-but-deeply-loving members of this town would react with jeers or to make that person the butt of a joke. I think the whole reason it's so satisfying to read something about this idyllic setting and cast is that there's space and unconditional love for every member of the town family who's genuinely trying their best, and to have a nasty, dehumanizing reaction moment like that (even for an offstage ancillary character) shakes the setting apart and makes it hard to trust and enjoy again.
laileanah's review
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
See, I knew this series would grow on me despite the parts I don't like quite so much.
Ms. Jenkins has a way creating compelling characters that I wish to check up on and spend time with.
I can see the appeal given this series has so many installments.
Ms. Jenkins has a way creating compelling characters that I wish to check up on and spend time with.
I can see the appeal given this series has so many installments.
queendbw's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book#40 of 2023. A Second Helping by Beverly Jenkins.
In the second installment, Bernadine has to implement her plans to make improvements around the town, including enhancements to the Dog and Cow - the town diner. She also has to contend with her ex-husband breezing into town with plans to reconnect.
I really enjoyed the chance to revisit the town of Henry Adams and it’s colorful inhabitants.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental
In the second installment, Bernadine has to implement her plans to make improvements around the town, including enhancements to the Dog and Cow - the town diner. She also has to contend with her ex-husband breezing into town with plans to reconnect.
I really enjoyed the chance to revisit the town of Henry Adams and it’s colorful inhabitants.
4/5
#readsof2023 #audiobookreader #literacy #readingisfundamental