ARC, 384 pages
Release Date: January 31, 2023
Published by: Dial Books
Read from: December 1, 2022- January 8, 2023
The Davenports, #1
Source: Publisher (I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
TW: Racial discrimination, Violence due to racial discrimination, mention of being formerly enslaved (enslavement never seen on page, but it is mentioned throughout the story)
For Readers Interested In: Historical fiction, Bridgerton -the show, Balls and masquerades, romance, scandals, YAThe 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 marrying 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.
*MY THOUGHTS*
If you know me, you KNOW I have NEVER been a fan of historical fiction. It’s just always filled with too much trauma for people of color. And of course with me being Black, seeing my people constantly seen as only slaves is always harmful. So imagine my surprise when I saw that this book was coming out. Black people who weren’t slaves and it was based off a real family? Sign me tf up!
So like I said, this was inspired by a real life family. So naturally, I had to find out more about the original family. And let me tell you, THIS is the kind of history I’m interested in. Yes, there were elements of slavery and some instances where there was racial discrimination (in fact, the book opens with that smh) but at the same time, it doesn’t overpower the book. Yes it is important to know about slavery and Jim Crow, etc. but it’s also important to show the ways we overcame the hate and violence and did the best we could to be or get better. And C.R. Patterson was a great example of that. I was so glad to learn about him and his family, because I hadn’t heard of him before. Always makes me wonder why we don’t study people like him in schools. But from looking at that website, I am hoping that the rest of the series continues to follow his life because he had such an interesting one. (I guess I can add another reason I don’t like historical fiction is because I spend too much time trying to fact check or I guess find out the source lol)
Ok, so starting with the biggest complaint I had, that turned out to not even be a complaint. I usually HATE books with more than 3 POVs, but this one had 4 and I thoroughly enjoyed every single one. And each one is distinct and has completely different lives, so there’s no chance in you getting them mixed up. They all surround this one, wealthy, Black family, the Davenports. Olivia is the second oldest of the Davenports. Helen is the youngest of the Davenports. Ruby is the best friend of Olivia. And Amy-Rose is former childhood friend and now maid to the Davenports. ALL of them have secrets. And they ALL have their way of coming out. And trust me, THE TEA IS SPILLED EVERYWHERE lol I found myself clutching my invisible pearls as the scandals came out. I don’t want to say more about that because it would be spoilery! But you will like it. The only thing I didn’t care for about it thou, was I called all of them. This book is extremely predictable, but I was weirdly ok with that. Maybe it was the mix of everything else? Idk, but I didn’t care in the least bit.
Even through all the sparkle and glamour, this is still set in 1910, so this book isn’t without some talk on slavery, Jim Crow laws, and the suffrage movement as well. (Not that I didn’t know it was already a thing, but I just thought this already had Jim Crow and slavery to look at, it just seems like a lot to take on. I fear something won’t get the attention it deserves.) There is a scene with some violence done to them because of racial discrimination, but it’s not a long scene if that’s not something you can handle. It can absolutely be skipped if need be.
In the end, if there are more books out there like this, please send them to me. I need them. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this book since I finished it. I talked it up so much my mom stole my ARC. This book isn’t without it’s flaws, but it’s still hella good and I really hope everyone picks it up. Especially if you say you liked Bridgeton. This should hold you until the next season drops!
Overall, I give this
