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gracescanlon's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? N/A
4.0
I liked this, so much. I would’ve loved it, but the “ending” left me frustrated and dissatisfied. Still, it was so lovely to read historical fiction depicting young, rich Black protagonists, who are beautiful and passionate and supportive of one another. There should be more books like this - or if there are, more should be in my TBR!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Classism, and Slavery
Minor: Colonisation and Violence
phua_jieying's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
filmnoirz's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.75
loved this so so so much. i love stories of Black resilience and success, especially when it goes beyond (albeit not as much as i would’ve liked) the capitalist view of what that is. the romance was so compelling and I loved almost all of the characters. there was no one I rooted for more than olivia and amy-rose (my girls!!!). I didn’t love the ending but I respect it, and like how the author left it kind of open ended.
Content Warnings
Minor: Racial slurs, Slavery, Violence, Death of parent, Police brutality, and Racism
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Discovering that this is the first in a duology instantly made me 82% more satisfied with the parts of the story we're given here. I definitely would've liked the last scene so much better if I had known — having all of the Davenport siblings together at one table is something I was hoping for throughout the entire book and when it finally happened I couldn't properly enjoy it because I kept thinking "wait, there's not nearly enough book left to resolve any of this!" So... keep in mind that this is only the first half of the story and you'll be much more likely to enjoy this fascinating historical about a wealthy Black family in Chicago in the early 1900s and the lives, moments, and movements that intersect with them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Classism, and Sexism
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Alcohol, and Violence
Minor: Slavery
shewhoturnsallpages7834's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism
norah_'s review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
⭐️=3.75 | 😘=2.75 | 🤬=2 | ⚔️=2 | 14+
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Classism
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.5
Quite honestly, we need more historical fiction published that features Black characters that doesn't necessarily have to do directly with slavery and the Civil Rights Movement. Is that going to make it into a lot of those stories? Absolutely, especially when it's set in the United States. This book is focused on a well-off Black famiy in the early 20th century, and it centers the romance in the plot. In the YA realm, I honestly can't really think of many (if any) other books that focus on that.
If you like historical romance dramas, then this is absolutely going to be your jam. It is loosely based on an actual family in Chicago in the early 1900s, but it really focuses on the romance of the four girls. Even though there are four narrators, the characters mostly felt like they had distinct voices and for the most part, the different threads of the relationships were pretty easy to follow.
The writing itself is easy to get into, and it doesn't get too bogged down by historical facts or world building. The historical romance drama isn't always my jam, but if you like that kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
If you like historical romance dramas, then this is absolutely going to be your jam. It is loosely based on an actual family in Chicago in the early 1900s, but it really focuses on the romance of the four girls. Even though there are four narrators, the characters mostly felt like they had distinct voices and for the most part, the different threads of the relationships were pretty easy to follow.
The writing itself is easy to get into, and it doesn't get too bogged down by historical facts or world building. The historical romance drama isn't always my jam, but if you like that kind of thing, I'd definitely recommend checking this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Misogyny, Emotional abuse, and Slavery
Minor: Death, Violence, and Police brutality
ririreadss's review against another edition
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There is 0 romantic tension when all 4 characters are in love with other people who are also in love with people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
lindsayerin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism and Racism
Minor: Slavery
courtofsmutandstuff's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I adored this book! I heard about it (it seems like) years ago on NetGalley, and have been excited to read it ever since, and I am not disappointed!
Olivia is the "perfect" older daughter who discovers activism and feels compelled to help others (and herself).
Helen is a mechanic - I cannot say how much I love her.
Amy Rose is a budding entrepreneur in the vein of Madame CJ Walker.
Ruby is torn between her parents' wishes and realizing her life is her own.
I loved that all four of them are POV characters, and I adored being in each of their heads. I also loved that it was set in 1910 Chicago! Seriously, I cannot gush about this book enough (though words are failing me now), and highly recommend anyone to pick this up, but especially who loves multiple POV stories, historical fiction, and young women making their lives their own.
The audiobook narrator, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, is also the same narrator for the Legendborn series!
Olivia is the "perfect" older daughter who discovers activism and feels compelled to help others (and herself).
Helen is a mechanic - I cannot say how much I love her.
Amy Rose is a budding entrepreneur in the vein of Madame CJ Walker.
Ruby is torn between her parents' wishes and realizing her life is her own.
I loved that all four of them are POV characters, and I adored being in each of their heads. I also loved that it was set in 1910 Chicago! Seriously, I cannot gush about this book enough (though words are failing me now), and highly recommend anyone to pick this up, but especially who loves multiple POV stories, historical fiction, and young women making their lives their own.
The audiobook narrator, Joniece Abbott-Pratt, is also the same narrator for the Legendborn series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism