e-ALC, 09:03:37
Narrated by: Joniece Abbott-Pratt, Kaci Hamilton
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Published by: Kensington
Read from: February 22-24, 2026
Stand-alone
Source: Netgalley (I received this ALC free from the publisher and their app. I also received a physical ARC from the publishers that I read in tandem with the audio. This did nothing to influence my review!)
Content Warning: Death, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Domestic Abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury Detail, Slavery, Suicide, Police Bruta
For Readers Interested In: ARC, Audio, Historical Fiction, Sparkly Covers, Most Anticipated, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Realistic FictionInspired by real-life legendary choreographer Katherine Dunham’s groundbreaking expedition into the heart of Caribbean dance culture, this uniquely captivating novel imagines the experiences of three very different women who accompany her, hoping to find their destinies—yet find themselves forced to survive a historic event . . .
Chicago, 1935. Othella is an orphaned con artist who needs to escape the city’s brutal underworld… or else. Vivian Jean is a wealthy wife, student, and anthropologist eager to prove herself professionally and personally. Zinzi is a Jamaican labor union activist determined to bring change to her homeland’s plantation system. Thanks to a series of fortunate mishaps and coincidences, all three join Dunham’s voyage to the Maroon village of Accompong in Jamaica’s Cockpit Country—and perhaps discover what they desperately want most . . .
Through skill and curiosity, Othella becomes a valued member of the expedition, even as she struggles to conceal her past. Zinzi’s knowledge of the Cockpit allows the expedition to explore uncharted territory, even as a forbidden love and fierce resistance threaten everything she seeks to protect. As Vivian Jean’s observations help Dunham make unprecedented discoveries, she grapples with her second husband’s guilt and accusations. Yet, amidst their private battles, nature presents an even greater challenge . . .
As deadly Hurricane Jérémie bears down on the island, imperiling the women’s mission—and their lives—they must form a difficult sisterhood. As the storm rages outside the small parish that is their shelter, they will need each other more than anyone or anything they’ve ever needed.
*MY THOUGHTS*
This wasn’t at all what I thought it would be, but it was still good nonetheless. I enjoyed it, but it just wasn’t what I had in mind for the story. I wanted to learn more about Katherine Dunham, but I appreciated this story for what it actually was tho.
Ok so the historical fiction context was what gave me some issues with this. As y’all know I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I’ve realized that I like those that teach me about someone I didn’t know before or those that I heard of, but the book gives them so much more depth. And I thought this was about Katherine Dunham so I jumped at the chance to read it. However, while we DO see Dunham, for the most part the story is about the people she brings with her. She’s more of a background character. Basically I didn’t learn anything new about her. I would have preferred if she had a bigger role in the story. (This is confirmed in the Author’s Note at the end. She talks about what the actual facts were.)
I think I wanted more of the historical facts in this as well. Like there were some things that were mentioned, but it was like in passing. And there weren’t that many real other people unless they were mentioned in passing, like they knew them or about them. I would have preferred if it was a little more in-depth. As someone who doesn’t usually like historical fiction, if I’m going to read it, I want to read it if that makes sense lol It’s not that it was bad. I really enjoyed the story. I just wanted more historical.
With that being said, I enjoyed the rest of the story anyways. Othella is hell! lol When the story opened up with her POV I was shook lol I was not expecting that. She was my favorite POV because of how much she had to lose. She was the one who actually had sacrifices and reasons to be going on this trip. Zinzi was my next favorite POV. She was an activist and I loved seeing things through her eyes. I DID look up the Jamacian labor unions in 1935 after her POV. She might have been fictional, but Allan Coombs was not and I learned more about him through further research. Vivian was my least favorite only because she had a boring, cushy life. And yes things started getting wild toward the end, but it was because people had lied to her. She still was rich and she still had a cushy life, just with more answers lol
The ending was what got me. I had to get up and start pacing. I was listening to the audio and had to stop doing stuff with my hands. I could only listen and pace. I paused it at one point and said “OMG” real loud. My family even came in to ask if I was alright. (I was in the kitchen cooking and had stopped to listen lol) I was a mess and had to rewind it. It was crazy.
This wasn’t what I expected, but I still enjoyed it. I will be reading Bryce’s backlist now, because maybe all her books are like this and I just didn’t know to expect it. Whatever the case may be, this is my first experience with her writing in this one and it won’t be my last. I already put Can’t We Be Friends and The Trial of Mrs. Rhinelander on hold. I’ll let you know when I get it in!
Overall, I give this
