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bookswithca's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Racism, Infidelity, and Slavery
what_heather_loves's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
"The Davenport children had known only what history had been taught by their governess, leaving them to imagine the worst. Olivia remembered the moment she'd realized that every Black person she knew was touched by the horror of slavery. Sometimes Olivia felt it like a wound hidden deep under smooth skin - one that she didn't remember receiving but that ached nonetheless."
It's 1910 and the wealthy and influential Davenport family, known for their luxurious carriages, have made their way to the top of Chicago's Black society. The loves and lives of those in their early twenties are told through the eyes of four, female protagonists - sisters, well-behaved Olivia & automobile-mad Helen Davenport, their childhood friend, impetuous Ruby Tremaine and their ladies maid and old friend, mixed race, determined Amy-Rose Shepherd. Each woman is bound by society's and their family's expectations of them.
Marketed for fans of Bridgerton, this also reminded me of Downton Abbey and of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin. I loved the focus on the joy and pain of these spirited African-American women, very different from one another. Each is trying to find their way in the world in a new century, fearing Jim Crow, working out what to fight for and what to let go through trial and error. Encountering prejudice, misogyny and racism (some of their parents born into and escaped slavery), this is a warm, romantic and entertaining read that explores difficult but vital subjects with aplomb.
Inspired by the true story of the Patterson family (which got me reading up on them), it's refreshing, for me anyway, to read about wealthy and successful Black people in historical fiction (in UK it would be the Edwardian era). My only criticism is that it took some time to get my head around the multiple protagonists and their potential beaus and perhaps the story could have been told more concisely, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Romantic, historical, YA fiction about inspiring and resilient, Black women finding their own way in a challenging world, which I think many will enjoy.
Inspired by the true story of the Patterson family (which got me reading up on them), it's refreshing, for me anyway, to read about wealthy and successful Black people in historical fiction (in UK it would be the Edwardian era). My only criticism is that it took some time to get my head around the multiple protagonists and their potential beaus and perhaps the story could have been told more concisely, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Romantic, historical, YA fiction about inspiring and resilient, Black women finding their own way in a challenging world, which I think many will enjoy.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism
bbbeth's review
emotional
informative
lighthearted
relaxing
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin's Random House Children's UK for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review.
3 ⭐️
A big ol' bag of mixed feelings for me on this one!
There were times when I really enjoyed the book, enjoyed the characters, got invested in the relationships. It was interesting to read about Black characters in the turn of the century, an area I've not read into much before - so I've no idea how historically accurate it was, but definitely enjoyed it at times.
However... I do think in this case the four different POVs, all with largely separate plot lines, was too many. Most of the characters felt a little underdeveloped to me, as did the relationships. I found the pacing a little fickle in some places too - going a bit too quick sometimes, a bit too slow in others. I found some of the ~drama~ in the relationships both a little bit pointless and far too drawn out at points. I also thoroughly disliked John as a love interest, lol.Between Amy-Rose and Ruby's POVs, I thought he was a jerk for stringing them both along like that. It seems like they're being set up to mend their relationship in a next book, but I'm certain I want that to happen.
Overall, I didn't dislike this book - I generally enjoyed it and I certainly think others would too - but it was lacking in lots of areas as well, for me. I wasn't aware that this book is intended to be the first in a series, and it does finish with loose ends, which I don't love because I'm not sure yet whether I'd be interested in reading the next one. Only time will tell!
3 ⭐️
A big ol' bag of mixed feelings for me on this one!
There were times when I really enjoyed the book, enjoyed the characters, got invested in the relationships. It was interesting to read about Black characters in the turn of the century, an area I've not read into much before - so I've no idea how historically accurate it was, but definitely enjoyed it at times.
However... I do think in this case the four different POVs, all with largely separate plot lines, was too many. Most of the characters felt a little underdeveloped to me, as did the relationships. I found the pacing a little fickle in some places too - going a bit too quick sometimes, a bit too slow in others. I found some of the ~drama~ in the relationships both a little bit pointless and far too drawn out at points. I also thoroughly disliked John as a love interest, lol.
Overall, I didn't dislike this book - I generally enjoyed it and I certainly think others would too - but it was lacking in lots of areas as well, for me. I wasn't aware that this book is intended to be the first in a series, and it does finish with loose ends, which I don't love because I'm not sure yet whether I'd be interested in reading the next one. Only time will tell!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Slavery, Racism, Misogyny, and Police brutality
Minor: Classism and Violence
bookwormbullet's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Racism
heather_freshparchment's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.0
I was really excited to receive a copy of this book. It felt so fresh and energizing to see not only new YA historical fiction, but historical fiction centered around a time period and a family that we don't often hear about in America. It highlights some really key moments in black culture and civil rights in the Reconstruction and turn-of-the-century eras that are so important for everyone to know about, but especially young adults. I think the way the romances were handled were beautiful, too; Marquis keeps you rooting for the couples to work out, but she also lets her heroines keep their independence and stick up for themselves, too. My only quibble (apart from some missing words that I'm sure will be sorted out before the final edition) is that it ended on a cliffhanger. I hope there are more Davenport adventures in the future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Classism, and Police brutality
Minor: Slavery
emhromp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
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
This book was handed to me as "The Black Bridgerton" and that is sort of true. It has all the drama, all the romance and all the ball gowns. This book was a lot more serious though. For a big part, it is about equality and the scars of slavery, set in 1910. I am very impressed with this book and hope it will find a great audience.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
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