This was absolutely delightful! I hope next up is Devana's love story with her mysterious suitor! I LOVE this series. It's what I hoped The Bridgerton boThis was absolutely delightful! I hope next up is Devana's love story with her mysterious suitor! I LOVE this series. It's what I hoped The Bridgerton book series would be. This is easily my favorite book in this series. I love a good enemies to lovers storyline!...more
This ebook was made available for me to read and review by Krystal Marquis, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley.
I read and adoredThis ebook was made available for me to read and review by Krystal Marquis, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley.
I read and adored the first novel in this series. I've been eagerly awaiting this second novel. This starts mere weeks after the action at the end of the first novel. So the engaged couple from book 1 is involved in engagement activities. Of course further complications arise. The other love interests are off on other quests. Adding to feeling of frustration is typical romance tropes of which the exact same trope impacts 2 of the remaining couples at the same time. This trope then lasts too long. The story seems to go in a different direction and then circle back around in truly frustrating ways. Instead of escalating tension, as a reader I was left with escalating frustration. The pacing of this novel feels slower than necessary.
I will definitely read another novel by this author but for me this was a bit of a stumble.
Thank you to Krystal Marquis, Penguin Group Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own. ...more
This was my least favorite of the trilogy. It was just silly on many levels and upheld silly sexist tropes that are harmful and annoying.
I'll be stickiThis was my least favorite of the trilogy. It was just silly on many levels and upheld silly sexist tropes that are harmful and annoying.
I'll be sticking to short stories by thus author going forward....more
This is almost a 2nd chance love story set in Reconstruction Era Alabama, 1867.
For the most part I liked this. It was simple and not as good as her moThis is almost a 2nd chance love story set in Reconstruction Era Alabama, 1867.
For the most part I liked this. It was simple and not as good as her more recent stories but certainly worth reading.
My main gripe with this book is that the author did so little research.
The Black Codes don't come into effect until after the end of Reconstruction, 1877.
Reconstruction itself is a Golden Age in American history in which Black folks, voted, held office, owned property and during which interracial marriage was legal.
Anti-miscegenation Laws in Alabama are placed in the state constitution in 1901. During the time this story is set those laws did not apply.
Reconstruction is not taught in schools and very few Americans truly understand its importance and significance.
I highly recommend checking out Reconstruction on PBS hosted by historian Henry Louis Gates Jr.
For nonfiction history books I'd suggest: Black Reconstruction by W.E.B. Du Bois
Stony the Road by Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Reconstruction & The Second Founding by Eric Foner
I Saw Death Coming by Kidada E. Williams covers the fall of Reconstruction which brings about the well known Black Codes that usher in Jim & Jane Crow.
To offer a slight education to anyone interested I included just simple Google Search results.
This was absolutely delightful. This is in a weird way, more like the TV show Bridgerton than the books the show is based on. This has an interracial caThis was absolutely delightful. This is in a weird way, more like the TV show Bridgerton than the books the show is based on. This has an interracial cast of characters, and no explanation is given for Black Aristocracy in the UK, and it flows perfectly. There's also an Edwina Sharma in the novel as a side character, and it's a cute nod to the show. These books are sweet, and the men aren't giant assholes. It's a win for me, and I look forward to the next book in this series, which will be released this coming Tuesday. I've pre-ordered an audiobook copy from Libro, and I'm all ready to get started. I'm so excited!...more
This was very good. However, the actual formal 'romance' is about 70% into the bookThis was very good. However, the actual formal 'romance' is about 70% into the book...more
This reminded me of Downton Abbey in the best ways. The story is historically relevant and the characters feel well established in4.5 Stars Rounded Up
This reminded me of Downton Abbey in the best ways. The story is historically relevant and the characters feel well established in their time periods. This is a slower romance featuring the 3 Davenport siblings as well as a close friend, Ruby and the Davenport ladies maid, Amy-Rose. This has grand homes, ballrooms, balls, political rallies, horse drawn carriages as well as early automobiles.
My only critique would the complete absence of colorism which was an important aspect of these upper class Black social circles.
All in all well done. I look forward to the next installment.
Warning: only 1 of the potential romances is resolved by the end of the book....more
2.5 rounded up This was a good story but had some uncomfortable romance tropes with the man love interest that make ne uncomfortable. I recognize this i2.5 rounded up This was a good story but had some uncomfortable romance tropes with the man love interest that make ne uncomfortable. I recognize this is standard in this genres and is one of the reasons I don't read a lot of romance books...more
This ties pretty heavily into the first novel in this series. I definitely think a reread of the first book would help understand what's happening in This ties pretty heavily into the first novel in this series. I definitely think a reread of the first book would help understand what's happening in this book. I think the 1st & 2nd installment in this series are more stand alone readable.
I'm personally glad I went back and reread the earlier books.
I mostly enjoyed this but some of the conflict felt overly manufactured....more
2023 Reread: I reread this for the 2nd installment. I enjoyed it even more upon the 2nd installment. What a delight! I'm excited to start Manu's story an2023 Reread: I reread this for the 2nd installment. I enjoyed it even more upon the 2nd installment. What a delight! I'm excited to start Manu's story and I look forward to Aurora & Apollo's story ...more
I read this as an independent story but it was part of the 'Daughters of a Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance AnthExceptionally well done.
I read this as an independent story but it was part of the 'Daughters of a Nation: A Black Suffragette Historical Romance Anthology'. I was unable to get a copy of the book so I purchased and read the stories separately....more
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