I really enjoyed reading The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson! I personally love reading historical fiction novels and the premise of this one was very unique and interesting. The story follows a fifteen year old girl named Ruby Pearsall who is growing up in Philadelphia in the 1950s and who ends up engaging in a forbidden love affair that threatens her future as a college student. The story also follows a young woman named Eleanor Quarles who lives in Washington D.C. and who is having a child with the son of a prominent and wealthy African American couple. The stories of Eleanor and Ruby end up intersecting in an interesting manner and both of them are forced to make important choices that will have a huge impact on their futures. I really loved how the author wrote the characters featured in this novel as I found them to be very relatable and realistic. This was definitely a heartrending story that I believe a lot of readers will truly enjoy and find to be emotional and page turning. The cover is also one of the things about this book that immediately caught my attention. I think a lot of people will enjoy this historical fiction read as much as I did!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Heard so much about this book from my Bookstagram friends and I was not disappointed. I also checked out Yellow Wife. MsJohnson is now an auto buy author.

This happens to be one of my favorite historical authors. I really enjoyed this book it did what it's supposed to do. The characters, the flow of the story as well as the way the characters grew and were determined to not let circumstances hold them down.

Very strong and beautful writing. Never read this author before but I def will moving forward. great writing.

This was one of the best by this author. I loved the way she brought the stories together although both main characters were going through extremely different circumstances. I believe everyone should read this book because of the way she weaves this timeline together making it one of the best historical fiction pieces of our time.

I could not put this book down, Ruby the main character was witty and raw! I could feel her emotions with every turning page. The storyline predictable but cozy. Its an easy read that will have you hoping for a part two!

OH MY! Ms Johnson has done it again with another 5 star read! I am late to the party here, but, better late than never.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced readers copy. This book released in February 2023.

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson was an incredible book and inside look at race, family relationships, and struggle in the 1950s. The book follows the lives of Ruby and Eleanor, whose lives at first appear to be the complete opposite, as they persevere and do their best with the lives they've been given. In the end, I truly appreciated how realistic the two storylines were and the complex relationships both endure in their lives and the strength they have to continue to build the lives they want. I have not read Johnson's other book, The Yellow Wife, but after reading this one, I absolutely will soon.

Pregnancy is life changing for two young women - one is faced with the choice between motherhood and a college education and another dealing with the difficulty of carrying to term. This is a moving story about what young black women were facing at this time in history.

👜 The House of Eve - Sadeqa Johnson

4.25 ⭐️ - I might need to apologize to my book club! I really enjoyed this one! I think I’m late to the game here too. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming; It was hard but also easy to read.

I love a story with multiple view points! This one has 2 beautiful stories, from different black women and their experiences with society, familial relationships, and personal relationships. The way these stories collide and end is so heartwarming and beautiful. If you haven’t read this one and you’re late to the party like me, definitely check it out. It is so worth the hardship for a lovely ending.

I loved reading the two stories and trying to figure out where they would collide!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

How could anyone not love this? The Yellow Wife was fantastic so I was very excited for this and it did not disappoint! Wonderful writing and such a great story.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Sadeqa Johnson is a force. Her writing makes you feel as if you are in the story right along with the characters. She shared her inspiration behind this book and it was also moving. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!

This is an excellent historical fiction book that considers really important themes of identity and success among African Americans during the 1950s. It would make a great addition to high school or college-level course because it allows the reader to explore how we make the decisions and how that leads us to different lives.

I was nervous to dive into this one because I had heard such amazing things that its always a little nerve-wrackign to go into a book with such high expectations. I should not have been nervous because, as she did with Yellow Wife, Sadeqa Johnson wrote a beautiful, powerful story.
Ms. Johnson is such an amazing writer and she does a great job of bringing hard topics to the fore-front and tackling them head on while keeping the reader immersed in the world she is sharing.
I highly recommend this to Historical Fiction lovers.

I really wanted to love this book because I loved The Yellow Wife. However, I could not get into this one. The story was very predictable, and I could not connect with the characters. Also, the story moved at a slow-pace. However, the writing has gorgeous prose and is meticulously researched. I recommend this for fans of Unforgivable Love!

I loved The Yellow Wife, but it took me a minute to get into this one. Fascinating tale of two African American female protagonists living trying to build the lives they desire during the 1960s. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced eARC.

I loved this book! I will definitely recommend it. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

1950s Philadelphia and DC. Two young black women, both ambitious and eager to work hard for better lives than their parents had. Examines the issues around interracial relationships, unwed pregnancies, and colorism and classism within the black community. Fascinating and heartbreaking. Thanks to publisher, author and NetGalley for preview copy. (Read ages ago, forgot to review!)

Thee Sadequa Johnson is a masterful historical fiction writer. She has improved upon her craft in this book. I look forward to reading whatever she drops next.