Reviews

“To each person there is a season. They come and they go. But you can't get to the new season if you're not willin' to leave the old one.” #ConfessionsInBFlat

I without question enjoy stories like this. I enjoy love. I love the rich history of Black people and my culture. I have always been shy at historical fiction thinking to myself… am I going to like this or will I be able to truly connect? Hill does a wonderful job of bringing in historical moments while also giving us this truly beautiful love story. Written very poetically all I could think while reading was damn I want to see this either in stage or on screen. WELL recently found out that it will be in Hollywood very soon. (swipe to see that image)

I honestly don’t have negative things to say. I received the physical copy of this book and it is beautiful. I picked it cause I flew through the synopsis but was drawn to the cover.

A love story of poems just warms my heart. In the end we all just want beauty in each of our life’s story.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 💫

Check out my 15 thoughts while reading this book @DALitMamas on instagram

andthatsonliterature's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful 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

5.0

I read quite a bit of romance and it’s been a minute since a romance has moved me this novel has moved me. I get in my feelings a lot when I read, whether it’s love being expressed or a sympathy for a character BUT rarely do I get in my feelings to the point that I cry. And when I tell you that the last few chapters of the book had me bawling, like tears flowing and nose wiping type bawling, believe me.

Everything about this story was amazing.I thoroughly enjoyed the background aspect of things happening with the Civil Rights movement and hearing about the opposing methods of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. While I’ve learned a lot about the movement for some reason I never really took a second to think about the reactions and emotions that my people felt when witnessing pivotal moments during this era in real time. Reading about events such as the bombing of the church that killed those four girls was just a reminder that we’re not that far removed from this fight. Of course there’s been progress, but the fight is still ongoing.

Now back to the main event! The love story of Jason and Anita was so beautifully written. A hapchance meeting on a bus of all places that transpired into the most beautiful love story every told. I loved the qualities of the main characters. There’s Anita who is strong headed and has a great sense of who she is as a woman. Then we have Jason who is an upstanding gentleman, a comfort as he’s soft yet a protector. Together these two balanced each other out nicely. Jason was definitely the calm to Anita’s storm and Anita was the cup of coffee Jason needed to get him going in the morning. I rooted for them the entire way even when things looked bleak.

If historical fiction is your jam, this one is for you!

shannanh's review against another edition

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5.0

A masterfully written story set during 1963 during the civil right's movement that will take your breath away. On his way to New York to try to convince people that Dr. King's method of non violence resistance is the way to go, meets activist Anita Hopkins, who feels Malcom X's by any means necessary is the way to go. Although they try to resist it, sparks fly. They both have to decide if they can make it work despite their varied and opposing views.

Ms. Hill proves with this book that she is a master at her craft. This story took me on a roller coaster that I wasn't expecting. With life like characters, shocking moments and a history lesson thrown in, this book is definitely on my top list for the year. The story line was extremely well developed. Although I rarely re read books, I plan to read this one again in the near future. Kudos and great job.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

adrenabereading's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Content Warnings

lesfleursmonet's review against another edition

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emotional informative

4.0

annarella's review against another edition

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5.0

What an excellent story that mixes historical fiction and romance.
It's gripping, poignant, enjoyable and full of food for thought.
I loved the fleshed out and interesting characters, the well researched historical background and the tightly knitted plot that kept me hooked.
It's an excellent story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

richardwriteson's review against another edition

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5.0

Being from Atlanta, and seeing actual life Civil Rights Heros come to live on a page, wrapped up in a moving romance, was just so beautiful to me. Donna Hill is amazing! The way she somehow made such a timely novel set in the Civil Rights Movement, a true journey of love during an important time of American history.

Jason and Anita have conflicting feelings about what it takes to have true liberation for black people. But their real liberation is the love that they have for each other. The American dream for them also includes a love that is revolutionary. The Poetry that Hill used for Anita was also beautiful- like a reverse "Love Jones" scenario in a way. The letters from Jason from Vietnam broke me down completely.y

SN: bravo for also including contraception in a novel during a time when that about. I could classify this as a historical romance (crazy to think the 1960s is now historical), but I really appreciated it.

My only negative: I truly didn't want the book to end but so grateful for the HEA ending.

knick_nat's review against another edition

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2.0

Hoped so much more for this book. Anita, supposedly a wildly independent woman, succumbed to so many of Jason’s ways. She was almost always doing and going with what he wanted. She felt very weak, in a ‘my man is always right’ kind of way. The idea was there but in the end I just finished it because I had already made it so far.

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