*Feature Friday ARC Review is a meme hosted by The Tattered Page to review books not yet released.
*Warning: This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
Publisher: Dial Books
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Pages: 384
Pages: 384
THE STORY:
The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.
The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now it's 1910, and the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love—even where they’re not supposed to.
There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married . . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love—unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business—and marryinxg the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John. But Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.
Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, The Davenports is the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life—and love.
LINK: Goodreads
ONE-WORD REVIEW: Swoon-worthy
TAG LINE: Fortune favors the bold.
OPENING LINE: "Olivia Elise Davenport pulled a bolt of vibrant yellow silk from the display and held it to her dark complexion."
REVIEW:
Huge thank you to James over at Penguin Teen for sending me an Advanced Reader Copy of THE DAVENPORTS in exchange for a review!
THE DAVENPORTS is a dynamic story that follows four young Black women—three sisters and their good friend, Olivia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby—as they navigate following their hearts in high society. Think Pride & Prejudice but with color *see what I did there*. This was the story I didn’t know I needed. It was very refreshing to read a YA book about wealthy Black families during the 20th century. We get a wonderful peek into a period of African American history often overlooked. Refreshing and innovative.
The pacing of THE DAVENPORTS was perfect for the story. The prose was lyrical as the plot was everything I could have hoped for. The characters were real, the romance was swoon, and the banter was delightful. The angst! I was fully engaged throughout the entire read.
All in all, I highly recommend this read to anyone who is interested in a swoon-worthy era piece starring African American protagonists. THE DAVENPORTS is like Bridgerton with all Black main characters. Superb job with your debut novel, Krystal!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Krystal Marquis happily spends most of her time in libraries and used bookstores. She studied biology at Boston College and University of Connecticut and now works as an environmental, health, and safety manager for an online retailer. A lifelong reader, Krystal began researching and writing on a dare to complete the NaNoWriMo Challenge, resulting in the first partial draft of The Davenports. When not writing or planning trips to the Book Barn to discover her next favorite romance, Krystal enjoys hiking, expanding her shoe collection, and plotting ways to create her own Jurassic Park.
Happy Reading!
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