You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, and Classism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Slavery
Minor: Death, Violence, and Police brutality
lindsayerin's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Racism and Classism
Minor: Slavery
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Hate crime, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Murder
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The romance of this book drew me in, and the historical events and tension kept me enraptured till the very last page. While it does end on a bit of a cliffhanger for some of the characters, and their love interests, I know their strong family ties that bind them to each other will help them get through anything. In the meantime I will eagerly anticipate the sequel!
The Cover
I adore this bold and bright cover. In the first chapter of the book Olivia is treated horribly at a shop, the store employee assumes she can't afford any of the items. In response she goes on a little spending spree (as she should) and purchases several items including bright yellow fabric. The symbolism of using that same yellow hue on the cover that Oliva purchased in response to the racist worker is just *chefs kiss*. I love how Olivia is directly looking at the viewer, a small smile on her face that reads almost as smirk. Her male suitor next to her can't take her eyes off of her, and is more focused on her face then anything else. The other three female leads are in the background huddled together, a tight knit group that looks to be gossiping. The title font works perfectly with the cover and the theme of the book, and I love how there is a little blurb on the front that reads "Fortune favors the bold". The Chicago skyline looms in the background adding depth to the overall composition.
Cover Illustration: Deanna Halsall
Cover Design: Theresa Evangelista
Graphic: Hate crime and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Slavery, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Death
aprescriptiontoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Minor: Racism and Slavery
grubrednuf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Violence, Police brutality, and Fire/Fire injury
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
It follows the the lives of four young black women (two of whom hail from the titular Davenports, a wealthy Black family) navigating love, life and America’s social elite in 1910s Chicago.
This was such an incredibly enjoyable read, which sees each of our young and determined heroines bravely pursue their own paths to happiness and success, whilst simultaneously navigating the complex (and often unfair) societal expectations that dictate their lives.
I loved how well written and vibrant all our protagonists were, but I must admit Helen and Amy-Rose (both aspiring, entrepreneurs and business owners) did steal my heart. Helen for her spirited ingenuity and goal orientated drive that disregards what her parents (and society) expect of her and Amy-Rose, for her determination to turn her skills into a viable business (in the hopes of giving up her job as a maid to become a salon owner.)
Though the arcs of Olivia and Ruby’s emotional journey were also really good—particularly Olivia who felt goes through the biggest transformation when she
The romance was definitely intense at times and the chemistry between some of the girls and their love interests was certainly swoon-worthy at times but, the pacing was a little inconsistent. The first half felt a little slow and the last hundred or so pages felt a little rushed.
But nonetheless,amidst the drama, luncheons and glitzy soirées the incredible emotion that’s conveyed through the lives of these young women was incredible. And getting to explore the differing socioeconomic backgrounds of each girl, who despite their differences, all yearn for the same things (to be given the opportunity to decide their own fates) was definitely an eye opener.
Particularly when realising, though these girls are fictional, their experiences are (somewhat) based on real emotions and historical events (such as the Jim Crow laws and the treatment of African Americans) that did impact soo many real people.
If you love historical romances then I definitely recommend checking this out but do be aware this is the first book in a a series and does end on a bit of a cliff hanger for each character.
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Slavery
bookswithca's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Infidelity, Racism, Slavery, and Classism
bbbeth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
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!
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Slavery, Police brutality, and Death of parent
Minor: Violence and Classism
heather_freshparchment's review
- 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
Moderate: Racism, Police brutality, and Classism
Minor: Slavery