If you're looking for a short synopsis, just know everyone is in love with someone they shouldn't be and everyone's lives are tangled up with each others.
The Davenports features prominent, wealthy Black families in early 20th century Chicago. Unfortunately, regardless of the protection wealth can offer, they still face discrimination.
We get the perspective of two Davenport Daughters, Olivia and Helen, their maid and sort of friend, Amy Rose, and a family friend - Ruby.
Olivia, especially, as the oldest daughter, is expected to marry well, meaning find a nice rich man and settle into a life of parties, charity events and children, but instead a man looking to shake things up and make major changes catches her eye and later her heart.
Helen chafes against the expectations to be a lady her mother has of her and wants to be active in the family business and move it along to focus on leading the trends instead of struggling to follow them.
Amy Rose straddles the line between being the help and being part of the family. Especially with the brother of the family who is struggling with his desire to make her more than just an employee.
And poor Ruby. Her father has major political aspirations that are bankrupting the family. She's supposed to be pursuing a beneficial marriage with the Davenport son, but the man she's partnered with to catch his attention is turning in to something more real.
The concept of the unique struggles of a rich Black family with the background of the racial aspects was a big draw for me to want to read this book, but overall it was so focused on the romantic relationships it just got a bit trite and boring.
The Davenports features prominent, wealthy Black families in early 20th century Chicago. Unfortunately, regardless of the protection wealth can offer, they still face discrimination.
We get the perspective of two Davenport Daughters, Olivia and Helen, their maid and sort of friend, Amy Rose, and a family friend - Ruby.
Olivia, especially, as the oldest daughter, is expected to marry well, meaning find a nice rich man and settle into a life of parties, charity events and children, but instead a man looking to shake things up and make major changes catches her eye and later her heart.
Helen chafes against the expectations to be a lady her mother has of her and wants to be active in the family business and move it along to focus on leading the trends instead of struggling to follow them.
Amy Rose straddles the line between being the help and being part of the family. Especially with the brother of the family who is struggling with his desire to make her more than just an employee.
And poor Ruby. Her father has major political aspirations that are bankrupting the family. She's supposed to be pursuing a beneficial marriage with the Davenport son, but the man she's partnered with to catch his attention is turning in to something more real.
The concept of the unique struggles of a rich Black family with the background of the racial aspects was a big draw for me to want to read this book, but overall it was so focused on the romantic relationships it just got a bit trite and boring.