A YA Bridgerton with a social conscience.
It's 1910 in Chicago, and the Davenports have built a fortune through a carriage business. This gives them entry into wealthy society, a place usually closed to Black families. Though some treat them like they still don't deserve their fortune, for the most part, the Davenport children live sheltered, privileged lives.
Olivia attends the society's balls, seeking an approved husband, until a chance meeting with activists leads to sparks flying between her and Washington DeWight, a lawyer and civil rights leader. Sister Helen is content to sneak out to the garage to work as a mechanic on the new-fangled automobiles, until a man catches her attention. Unfortunately, he's already courting someone else in her circle. Olivia's best friend Ruby longs for Olivia's brother John to notice her, but John spends more time staring at the maid, Amy-Rose.
The course of true love never runs smooth, and this book provides dishy entanglements and crossed wires as the young, wealthy Black children seek their love matches. Each couple sparkles and delights, but as in real life, some matches turn out better than others.
This book also shows its characters grappling with the real-life issues of the day. Olivia struggles with her parents' choice to give money to the cause, but not march themselves. Entranced by the young activist DeWight, she reads everything she can get her hands on about civil rights and attends protests, venturing out of her wealthy circle to learn what life is like for those who work for a living. Ruby struggles with her father's decision to run to try to become the first Black mayor, believing that he can make a difference, but feeling resentful as it almost bankrupts the family.
This book provides a unique perspective, as it was inspired by the true story of the C.R. Patterson dynasty. It made me want to find some nonfiction about the same topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It's 1910 in Chicago, and the Davenports have built a fortune through a carriage business. This gives them entry into wealthy society, a place usually closed to Black families. Though some treat them like they still don't deserve their fortune, for the most part, the Davenport children live sheltered, privileged lives.
Olivia attends the society's balls, seeking an approved husband, until a chance meeting with activists leads to sparks flying between her and Washington DeWight, a lawyer and civil rights leader. Sister Helen is content to sneak out to the garage to work as a mechanic on the new-fangled automobiles, until a man catches her attention. Unfortunately, he's already courting someone else in her circle. Olivia's best friend Ruby longs for Olivia's brother John to notice her, but John spends more time staring at the maid, Amy-Rose.
The course of true love never runs smooth, and this book provides dishy entanglements and crossed wires as the young, wealthy Black children seek their love matches. Each couple sparkles and delights, but as in real life, some matches turn out better than others.
This book also shows its characters grappling with the real-life issues of the day. Olivia struggles with her parents' choice to give money to the cause, but not march themselves. Entranced by the young activist DeWight, she reads everything she can get her hands on about civil rights and attends protests, venturing out of her wealthy circle to learn what life is like for those who work for a living. Ruby struggles with her father's decision to run to try to become the first Black mayor, believing that he can make a difference, but feeling resentful as it almost bankrupts the family.
This book provides a unique perspective, as it was inspired by the true story of the C.R. Patterson dynasty. It made me want to find some nonfiction about the same topic.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.