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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.
taylorretter's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.5
paulapam64's review against another edition
3.0
Josephine N. Leary, the granddaughter of a freed slave, is determined to make the best of her life. Loosely based on her real life story as a Black real estate mogul in North Carolina. Josephine and her husband owned a successful barbershop, but she carried the dream and independent spirit to acquire so much more. Purchasing her first piece of land when a deal her husband was interested in did not go through opened up her spirit as a entrepreneur. Josephine went on to purchase more real estate in the area, which still exist as the Edenton State Historic site.
I enjoyed the book from the historic perspective. The fictional tale Alexander created albeit interesting, it was lacking. Josephine's actions sometimes came off as selfish and deceptive as she didn't involve or disclose her plans to her husband. Although she acquired a lot of land, there was not much portrayed about her businesses. This book did speak to the resilience and strength of a seemingly impossible dream obtained.
I enjoyed the book from the historic perspective. The fictional tale Alexander created albeit interesting, it was lacking. Josephine's actions sometimes came off as selfish and deceptive as she didn't involve or disclose her plans to her husband. Although she acquired a lot of land, there was not much portrayed about her businesses. This book did speak to the resilience and strength of a seemingly impossible dream obtained.
rachfinke's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading the reimagining of Josephine Leary’s life. Her story is truly inspiring and I’m impressed with the research that went into the writing of this novel. The writer does an excellent job capturing the specific challenges of being a black woman during a time where very few women owned property or had their own source of income separate from their spouse’s.
lilyellyn's review against another edition
2.0
This was a 2 star book with a 3 star story. There's no doubt that Josephine Leary was a fascinating historical figure whose story deserves to be told and I am glad I read this book simply because it introduced me to her. Unfortunately, this book took a character who was courageous and progressive far beyond her time and made her boring.
There is no character development in this novel. Jo doesn't develop into a strong woman, she just somehow always is. She also seems to have no flaws which simply isn't realistic. There is surprisingly little conflict in the story in general. The central tenet of this book is how unusual it was for a black woman to own a lot of property at that time, yet there is very little discussion of race and Jo only experiences minimal pushback from white people in the town.
Her husband, Sweetie, is a completely flat character and he and Jo basically just repeat the same conversation 12 times throughout the book.
I could go on, but I'll just say that this read like a middle school student had been told to write a story about this woman's life. It stuck very close to the facts and took so little creative license that it stripped the characters of any and all personality.
There is no character development in this novel. Jo doesn't develop into a strong woman, she just somehow always is. She also seems to have no flaws which simply isn't realistic. There is surprisingly little conflict in the story in general. The central tenet of this book is how unusual it was for a black woman to own a lot of property at that time, yet there is very little discussion of race and Jo only experiences minimal pushback from white people in the town.
Her husband, Sweetie, is a completely flat character and he and Jo basically just repeat the same conversation 12 times throughout the book.
I could go on, but I'll just say that this read like a middle school student had been told to write a story about this woman's life. It stuck very close to the facts and took so little creative license that it stripped the characters of any and all personality.
beka_ray's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
breezerm's review against another edition
3.0
As soon as I read the synopsis for this book, I knew it would be a must read. I was able to receive a digital ARC copy through Netgalley and read it immediately! I have to stress how much I wanted to give this book 5 stars, but I didn't feel that it would have been honest feedback.
The fictionalized story told that is based on real-life Josephine (Jo) N. Leary who was born into slavery and after emancipation became an incredibly successful businesswoman and real estate mogul is a powerful and important one shining a light on an amazing Black woman in a time when neither being Black nor being a woman was looked at as being worthy or equal to men. Jo's story is one that most of us have never heard (including myself), and absolutely learned from and are better for having read it.
That being said - I did not love the writing in this book, nor the execution of the delivery. The dialogue felt flat, and although I am glad we covered so much of Jo's life, it was almost too much for this short book. The book opens and we meet her in the year 1870 and we leave her in 1894 - and nearly every year is covered in between. While I understand there was something important happening seemingly each year - it created a book full if tiny snippets without real substance. We would come upon an issue or an event, be introduced to it in short order, and left without much depth in explanation or story.
In the end, I can appreciate what the author Kianna Alexander was trying to do, and to a degree it was effective because I did learn and I was moved - but I almost feel like the fictionalization of this story did not serve Josephine Leary in the way a straight up biography may well have. I wish I could give this 3.5 stars but I wouldn't feel right giving it 4. I enjoyed it overall, I am so glad that I read it, and I would recommend it, but with the caveats mentioned above. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this free copy in exchange for my honest review!
The fictionalized story told that is based on real-life Josephine (Jo) N. Leary who was born into slavery and after emancipation became an incredibly successful businesswoman and real estate mogul is a powerful and important one shining a light on an amazing Black woman in a time when neither being Black nor being a woman was looked at as being worthy or equal to men. Jo's story is one that most of us have never heard (including myself), and absolutely learned from and are better for having read it.
That being said - I did not love the writing in this book, nor the execution of the delivery. The dialogue felt flat, and although I am glad we covered so much of Jo's life, it was almost too much for this short book. The book opens and we meet her in the year 1870 and we leave her in 1894 - and nearly every year is covered in between. While I understand there was something important happening seemingly each year - it created a book full if tiny snippets without real substance. We would come upon an issue or an event, be introduced to it in short order, and left without much depth in explanation or story.
In the end, I can appreciate what the author Kianna Alexander was trying to do, and to a degree it was effective because I did learn and I was moved - but I almost feel like the fictionalization of this story did not serve Josephine Leary in the way a straight up biography may well have. I wish I could give this 3.5 stars but I wouldn't feel right giving it 4. I enjoyed it overall, I am so glad that I read it, and I would recommend it, but with the caveats mentioned above. Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with this free copy in exchange for my honest review!
christina_billhartz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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