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joywilcox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
5.0
I am upset that it took me this long to read this book. This was a wonderfully rich and vibrant book of historical fiction and nonfiction. I thought that the character development was great, the language and vocabulary that was used was thoughtful, captivating, and at a high level. Sometimes when authors write books that have black characters they tend to make the language plain and simple but that was not the case in this book and maybe that's the reason why I loved it so much. The diversity of vocabulary and how astute the characters were is something that was probably my favorite aspect of the book. Not only was the author able to give us a lovable female main character, but she gave us a character that went through something and that character developed into such a strong woman with good sense and a bright future. The character never wavered from who she was and never changed herself for the male Main character. And so often in books we see that and it's always upsetting to me. There should never be a reason why a strong female has to change herself. There were so many aspects of this book that I loved and that I felt I could relate to, especially in terms of the main characters drive and ambition. I can only hope that this author has a plethora of books for me to read Because I will buy every single thing that is written.
mhprince21's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
jashanac's review
slow-paced
3.0
Josephine Leary was a fascinating woman who bucked against the traditional expectations of women in her day. She made no secret of her ambitions to never be beholden to anyone ever again, after being born into slavery and being a slave until she was 9 years old.
I found this book to be enjoyable enough, though admittedly a fair amount of it was more slice-of-life than I guess I expected. Lots of details about mundane daily tasks or errands. There wasn't much Big Drama in her life as an adult, and of course that isn't necessary to have for a story to be an enjoyable story, but I think I for some reason was expecting a bigger splash, so that altered my reading experience a bit, for sure.
In my personal opinion, the book could have been shorter. I hate to say that the story of someone's life was "boring", and Josephine certainly did not have a boring life, but it was simply a bit drawn out in parts and for me it didn't benefit the story. It made it feel a bit too tedious for my taste, but if I had gone into it knowing it was going to be slower and more "slice of life" I may have felt differently!
I found this book to be enjoyable enough, though admittedly a fair amount of it was more slice-of-life than I guess I expected. Lots of details about mundane daily tasks or errands. There wasn't much Big Drama in her life as an adult, and of course that isn't necessary to have for a story to be an enjoyable story, but I think I for some reason was expecting a bigger splash, so that altered my reading experience a bit, for sure.
In my personal opinion, the book could have been shorter. I hate to say that the story of someone's life was "boring", and Josephine certainly did not have a boring life, but it was simply a bit drawn out in parts and for me it didn't benefit the story. It made it feel a bit too tedious for my taste, but if I had gone into it knowing it was going to be slower and more "slice of life" I may have felt differently!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Slavery
Minor: Sexual assault and Domestic abuse
dureader's review against another edition
medium-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
2.25
growing_tbr's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
3.5
deidrelj's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Their relationship dynamic is so relatable to current times that the story didn’t feel like historical fiction!
thebashfulbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Carolina Built by Kianna Alexander is a fictionalized story of the real-life story of Josephine N. Leary an inspirational woman who was far ahead of her time. This fast-paced, sweeping historical drama is packed with historical details and a strong, independent heroine.
The book starts with Josephine, as she moves to a new town from a plantation where she was raised as a slave and is now freed. She meets and marries Archer, who she calls Sweety and they start their lives together. Both Josephine and Archer are ambitious and want to improve their lives, but it’s Josephine who starts to buy property as Archer runs his barbershop. This story follows Josephine and Archer as they become parents to two daughters, and experience the ups and downs of their lives.
The book is told from various points of view, mostly from Josephine’s point of view. The book is dialogue-heavy and is written in a very matter-of-fact way. The trials and tribulations of Josephine and her family were interspersed with historical details of the time period. The book was fast-paced and easy to read, however, I would have liked a bit more character development for these characters. I found the prologue and author notes are extremely interesting, as are the photos of the storefront, that still stands today.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The book starts with Josephine, as she moves to a new town from a plantation where she was raised as a slave and is now freed. She meets and marries Archer, who she calls Sweety and they start their lives together. Both Josephine and Archer are ambitious and want to improve their lives, but it’s Josephine who starts to buy property as Archer runs his barbershop. This story follows Josephine and Archer as they become parents to two daughters, and experience the ups and downs of their lives.
The book is told from various points of view, mostly from Josephine’s point of view. The book is dialogue-heavy and is written in a very matter-of-fact way. The trials and tribulations of Josephine and her family were interspersed with historical details of the time period. The book was fast-paced and easy to read, however, I would have liked a bit more character development for these characters. I found the prologue and author notes are extremely interesting, as are the photos of the storefront, that still stands today.
I recommend this book to anyone who loves historical fiction. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
booksbythecup's review against another edition
I hadn't heard of Josephine Leary before reading the blurb fire this book. Contemplating what life was like for her and her family after emancipation was definitely something I wanted to imagine. But overall, the book was OK. Josephine's determination to create a legacy and inheritance for her family was something I admired. But I also felt that she didn't view her husband as a real partner in all areas of life. Neither one of them did a good job of communicating their feelings and insecurities. Josephine made decisions without her husband and he reacted to that poorly. But both of them were flawed as we all are. But Josephine always justified why she did what she did…because it’s what she wanted. She could have done more as a single woman because that’s how she acted.
While I could see what was going to happen because of that, and I would never condone abuse, both husband and wife got on my nerves from time to time. Communication is the lifeblood in a good and healthy relationship.
While I could see what was going to happen because of that, and I would never condone abuse, both husband and wife got on my nerves from time to time. Communication is the lifeblood in a good and healthy relationship.
courtthebookgirl's review against another edition
4.0
This book, a historical fiction novel surrounding real estate magnate Josephine Leary, was engaging and an interesting foray for me as I was not previously familiar with Josephine or her life.
Josephine, a Black woman who rose to great acclaim after emancipation in North Carolina, was portrayed as a “suffer no fools” sort of woman. She persevered through challenging times in the history of our nation and yet is often portrayed here as blowing through these challenges without incident. I certainly admired her tenacity and the author’s reverence and care in telling her story.
Sometimes, if felt to me that we were mired in the minutia of the story, when I really wanted to hear more about Josephine herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I learned a great deal! 3.5 stars.
Josephine, a Black woman who rose to great acclaim after emancipation in North Carolina, was portrayed as a “suffer no fools” sort of woman. She persevered through challenging times in the history of our nation and yet is often portrayed here as blowing through these challenges without incident. I certainly admired her tenacity and the author’s reverence and care in telling her story.
Sometimes, if felt to me that we were mired in the minutia of the story, when I really wanted to hear more about Josephine herself.
Overall, I enjoyed this and I learned a great deal! 3.5 stars.