Reviews

A Delicate Affair by Lindsay Evans

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yourbookishbff's review against another edition

emotional hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I enjoyed this, but I needed more page time and more character development (particularly for the female main character). This premise is so interesting - Washington DC in the first decade of the 20th century (exact year not given), Southern "country boy" escapes racial violence in Georgia and tries to launch his musical career in DC, falls in lust with a "diamond" of DC's Black upper-class. This takes on classism, colorism, racism, and music. But the female main character's behavior is challenging throughout, and I needed more proof of her maturing through the storyline and more evidence of her sincere regret for her and her family's treatment of the male main character to really feel comfortable with the happily ever after.

Content Warnings

shannanh's review against another edition

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4.0

This was the first book in a 12 book series of african american romances, one set in each decade. The series started off amazing with this first book. Golden, originally from the south, comes to Washington as a musician and meets socialite Leoinne Harper, and they have to make a decision if they can overcome their differences and make a relationship work.

These two were just so right for each other. They had a great banter that made you fall more in love with them and root for them all the way to the end of the story. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read the other books in the series. (Series, but each book is a stand alone, since each one covers a different decade)

prgchrqltma's review against another edition

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Interesting depiction of a culture that is unfamiliar to me - Black Washington DC in the early 1900s. Sadly, the heroine was too young and entitled for me, so I didn't stick with it.

bookishrealm's review against another edition

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informative lighthearted medium-paced

Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Read for HRR (Historial Romance Readathon 2021). A first in a historical romance series that features Black love, I ended up enjoying it for the most part and I'm excited to continue on with the rest of the series. 3.5 stars. CW: racism

A Delicate Affair is a short book that takes place in the early 1900s and focuses on the relationship between Leonie and Golden who meet at a night club. Leonie comes from a background of wealth and fortune while Golden does not. I found this element to be really interesting because we don't often tallk about the social classes that existed amongst the Black community during this time. The amount of work that went into the world building and the character development was good. I enjoyed the "feeling" of the setting. It's one that's hard to describe, but Evans had a gift for making me feel transported into this 20th century setting. The characters, on their own, were intriguing. Leonie is attempting to carve out her own path away from the grasp of her parents while Golden fought to make a space for himself in the music community. They each had issues, but they had this power about them that allowed them to persevere.

I had a little hick up with their romance. I don't think I was as invested in their relationship as I should have been as a reader. I'm not against instant love; I know that comes with shorter novels; however, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two characters. Their steamy scenes were hot, but I think I wanted just a tad bit more connection that I could feel off the page. The relationship does force Leonie to grow up a bit which I thought was perfect for her character development. To be quite honest, I would love to see an additional novel with these two characters. I think with time their romance could develop a little more. Overall, it was a good read and I'll be checking out more from this author and this series.

Content Warnings

kjcharles's review

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1900s cross-class African-American romance. Wealthy privileged girl meets struggling musician freshly fled from the South. Wonderful atmosphere and the history is well deployed, plus complex interactions of privilege and class, prejudice, racism and colourism, aspiration and obligation vs the right to independence. That's a lot to pack into a novella but it is handled deftly amid a sexy romance. A quality start to a very good idea for a series. Sex scenes a bit over the top for my taste,, but each to their own.

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