The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson is both powerful and timely. Set in the late 1940’s the story alternates between the perspectives and voices of two intelligent black women who are looking toward their futures. The two women are Eleanor and Ruby. Their futures are derailed when each have unplanned pregnancies. Both women are forced to make hard choices that could possibly impede their future and their dreams.

These two women are memorable characters. The chapters of the book alternate between Eleanor and Ruby’s stories. While each are at different stages of their lives, one in high school and one in college many of their experiences are quite similar. There are some very tiny webs that grow throughout the story. As the story grows Eleanor and Ruby’s lives collide in the most unbelievable way. Ms. Johnson explores issues of race, prejudice, shame, class distinctions, rumors, illicit love, familial love and internal guilt.

The House of Eve took place in the 1940’s prior to the passage Roe vs Wade. Knowing that fact it is obvious to see that there were not many choices available for unwed women that found themselves pregnant. The House of Eve explored some horrible options that were available to both women.

Ruby and Eleanor become stronger than they ever dreamed they could be. I enjoyed The House of Eve very much. I would highly recommend it and look forward to seeing what Ms. Johnson has in store for us next. Well done.

I would like to thank Sadequ Johnson, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For starters, this book was phenomenal.

Set in the 1950s. this book intertwines the story of two young minority women in the 1950s, one in college and one in high school hoping to be the first in her family to go to college. Both women have the lives upended by pregnancy and how the author resolves it and brings the two women together at the end is a fascinating story (and enveloping read) as well as an education in a lesser-known bit of American history.

Having enjoyed both this novel and the author's previous work of historical fiction, Yellow Wife, I am looking forward to her next work.

Ruby is a 14 year old negro girl hoping to be the first girl in her family to attend college and become a doctor. She then meets Shimmy, a white Jewish boy who works in a local shop... Eleanor is attending Howard university, working two jobs and still figuring out how to pay the rest of her tuition. She then meets William, a medical student from an upper class negro family in DC. (Negro is used as that was the preferred word indicated in the book in the 1950's.)

Sadeqa has officially become an auto-buy author for me. I loved Yellow Wife and now The House of Eve. I love that her stories transport you back in time while bringing all the emotions and awareness of social injustices.

Miss Sadeqa you played with our hearts once more! I read this and I held every single word so close to my heart. You brought this book and characters to life. I feel in love with the entire story. You showed us what heartbreak and love feels like.
The characters were so relatable and the plot was addicting. I couldn’t put this book down. I am excited to purchase this book and add it to my library.

A story told from multiple perspectives about life - and the experiences that deal with multiple family hardships all revolving around the idea that life so often comes full circle. What happens when someone gets pregnant far too young? Do you give that child up? Will someone take care of it? What of the idea of those struggling with infertility? What happens with those just struggling to fit in? Does everyone find their place? What happens when you don’t? It’s a bit of a heavy topic but very well done. Thanks to NetGalley for the read.

I have not read Yellow Wife, the previous Sadeqa Johnson novel, and so The House of Eve is my first opportunity to read a Johnson novel. The House of Eve is a novel about women--mothers and daughters and the goals and future they hope they will achieve. Some of these characters, especially the mothers, tend to be solidly cliche, but the daughters, Ruby and Eleanor, are better defined and developed, although even they became predictive in some ways. For instance, Ruby makes the kind of mistake with men that readers will see forthcoming very early in the novel.

However, there is much to appreciate in The House of Eve. For instance, Eleanor's experience in college and her struggle to pay her tuition definitely rings true. The effort it takes Ruby just to get across town to her high school and her struggle to earn a college scholarship, which results in the need to make a painful life choice, is heartbreaking. The secrecy and shame involved in adoption are very accurate and will remind readers how important it has become to remove the secrecy and mystery involved in adoption. The conclusion of this novel really did not work well. The House of Eve is not a fairy tale, but the conclusion tries to create this happy ever after world for everyone. As a result, the ending fails.

I do want to thank the author and publisher for providing this ARC for me to read and review. As my comments suggest, The House of Eve has much to offer to readers, especially those who know so little about the life of women in 1950. However, the problems that Ruby and Eleanor face are not unique. These were the same problems that many women faced, not just women of color. A desire for college but the struggle to pay for it was a common struggle for many young women. Thank you also to NetGalley for suggesting this novel.

The House of Eve examines infertility, forced adoption, poverty, race, and class differences during the 1950's making it one triggering, yet eye-opening historical fiction book.

The author doesn't shy away from the emotion that these themes entail and does so with a gentleness that is needed for such tough subjects.

I did like how it ended with the crossing of paths from both parties. It gave a sense of closure when you didn't think it could be possible.

This book does feature many miscarriages and a stillbirth which can be a very delicate subject matter for those in the throws of infertility and pregnancy loss.

Special thanks to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for a review copy to read! Sadeqa Johnson’s newest novel, THE HOUSE OF EVE, published on February 7, 2023. Spoiler: all the yes to this one!

Ruby is part of the special We Rise program hoping for a scholarship to be the first in her family to attend college. Eleanor is studying at Howard University where she falls in love with one of DC’s elite, William. Both women are searching for a place to belong, and their stories collide in a way that will forever forge them together.

Let me name the things I loved about this book. 1) Sadeqa’s writing immediately draws you in and makes you connect with her characters. 2) The story has significant historical implications, but it may also be one you’re unfamiliar with currently. 3) You will be so satisfied with the ending, and the epilogue will take it to the next level. This is historical fiction. Read it, and then let’s chat.

Now I have to go read YELLOW WIFE. Have you read either of Sadeqa’s books? Are they on your TBR?

CW: sexual abuse, infertility, infant loss, pregnancy, labor, racism

I thought this was well written, thought provoking, and page turning. I don’t know that it was the best historical fiction I’ve read, but it was good, and I think my customers will love it. Ruby and Eleanor were both smart, well developed women who, as usual (and this is such a pet peeve) had to be smarter, stronger and just better than any man in the novel. I loved the insight into both of their different and yet all too similar worlds, and I did love the eventual surprise connection.

"𝘞𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦: 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺."

Eleanor and Ruby are two young Black women in the 1950s who came from humble beginnings but are working toward a brighter future. But when they both fall in love with men whose families disapprove of them, the sacrifices they make to ensure their futures entwines them in ways they never would have expected.

𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗩𝗘 is eye-opening and heartbreaking but also full of hope. Sadeqa Johnson writes so many layers into the women's stories, and it's no wonder it was a @reesesbookclub pick - there is so much to discuss and dissect! And don't miss the author's note at the end...

4.5 stars

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy to review.

This historical fiction in the vein of The Patron Saint of Liars and Take My Hand had me turning the pages to see what happens next. A good story, well told, and be sure not to miss the author's note!

Well written story that kept my interest. It takes a while to get to the heart of the story, I wasn't thrilled with the ending, a bit too convenient, but overall, a good story.

House of Eve examines the impact of poverty, race, class and color have on unwed mothers in the 1950s. I particularly liked the mother/daughter dynamics. Brilliant characters in a well told story. Historical Fiction fans will love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the copy. All opinions are my own.

The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson is a gripping historical fiction that shows The challenges and triumphs of two black women in the 1940s. The story is full of history and relevant events but also has a ton of heart and soul that makes it feel personal. Both of the main characters are beautifully written with rich personalities and show an amazing amount of growth throughout the tale. Ruby was my favorite character because she was so persistent in chasing her dreams and I loved her motivation for becoming an ophthalmologist. Her artistic nature made her way of working at the world beautiful, even when it was heartbreaking. I was utterly appalled at her treatment in the middle of the story and it's even worse to realize that that was a common occurrence in the 1940s. Eleanor was an amazing character as well and it was great to see her friendships and personality mature throughout her life. The House of Eve was easy to get drawn into and reading it felt like catching up with an old friend. Sadeqa Johnson Is a talented storyteller who makes you really think about the characters of the world that they live in. The way that she wove personal history, US history, and fiction together to create a tale that is challenging and inspiring is nothing short of magic. I loved the way the two women's stories intersected towards the end and the last little surprise twist was Perfect. I'm excited to read Yellow Wife and more by this author.

4.5 stars! I was very excited to read The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson after having read her previous novel, The Yellow Wife. It was every bit as moving and compelling as I had hoped it would be. Sadeqa Johnson has proven to be a brilliant storyteller, in my opinion. The topics she covered and included in The House of Eve were both powerful and timely. The characters in The House of Eve were memorable and so likable. Her research for this book was impeccable and allowed me to learn so much about this time period. I was drawn into the story immediately and could not turn the pages fast enough to find out what was going to happen next. The House of Eve was told through the voices of two distinctly unrelated black women at completely different times in their lives. However, there are several tiny threads that materialized throughout The House of Eve that knotted their lives together.

Ruby was a fifteen year old girl that lived in Philadelphia during the 1950’s. Her mother was Ruby’s age when she became pregnant with Ruby. Ruby’s mother, Inez, was still a child herself when she gave birth to Ruby. Inez was incapable of earning enough money to take care of Ruby properly so Ruby was brought up by her grandmother. Ruby remained with her grandmother until her grandmother developed glaucoma and couldn’t see anymore. At that point, Ruby went to live with Inez but between Inez’s many boyfriends and her lack of parenting skills, Ruby remained with her mother for only a short time. After an incident that Inez blamed Ruby for, she kicked Ruby out of her apartment. Ruby went to live with her aunt. All of the women in Ruby’s life had little education or skills. They all made money by cleaning other people’s homes. Ruby had dreams. She was smart, had made goals for herself and had aspired to become an optometrist ever since her grandmother developed glaucoma. Ruby had been accepted in the program, “We Rise” which granted full scholarships for all four years of college to the brightest and most deserving students in the program. There was no other option for Ruby. She wanted desperately to go to college and the only way to make it happen was by winning one of the scholarships. Ruby would be the first person in her family to have ever attended college. Then one day, Ruby met Shimmy. He was the landlord’s son. Shimmy was white and Jewish. In the 1950’s, it was not considered proper for whites to be friends with Blacks. There was extreme racism. Shimmy was so kind, thoughtful and attentive to Ruby. He only wanted to spend time with her. As much as Ruby knew it was wrong and that she should have known better, Ruby and Shimmy allowed themselves to fall in love with each other. Then, Ruby discovered she was pregnant with Shimmy’s child. What was she going to do? Abortions were illegal and dangerous in those days. What would happen to her dreams of attending college?

Alternating with Ruby’s story, Eleanor Quarles had arrived at Howard University, an all black college in Washington, D.C. Eleanor had grown up in a small town in Ohio. Her parents were hardworking and had to save and skimp to pay for Eleanor’s education. Eleanor was smart, hardworking and ambitious. One of Eleanor’s dreams was to join one of the most prestigious sororities on Howard’s campus. Unfortunately, Eleanor was passed over. Supposedly, Eleanor did not meet the necessary requirements. Eleanor possessed the grades and extracurricular activities that were warranted but not the social standards that were required. Her family was not a well known and established family with a great amount of influence and money. Eleanor worked at the University’s library. She was very interested in becoming an archivist after she graduated. Lately, Eleanor noticed the back of a certain male student who was always at the library when she was working. One day, that student approached the desk when she was working there. He approached Eleanor with the pretense of needing to sharpen his pencil. Eleanor could not believe how handsome he was. She had only seen his back and now he was standing right in front of her. Eleanor learned that his name was William Pride and that he was a medical student. She could not stop thinking about him. Eleanor spent most of her nights in the dorm studying. She needed to keep her grades up. Her parents had sacrificed so much for Eleanor to attend college that that was the least she could do. Eleanor’s roommate had other ideas for Eleanor, though. She convinced Eleanor to go to a dance with her that night. A little while after she arrived, Eleanor spotted William across the room at the same time he spotted her. Over the next couple of months Eleanor’s and William’s relationship became more and more serious. Eventually, William invited Eleanor to meet his parents. When William drove up to his parent’s house, Eleanor was taken aback by how massive and impressive their home was. William’s parents we’re hosting a brunch for their closest friends. When Eleanor first saw William’s parent’s friends, she thought that they were all white. After careful observation, Eleanor realized that all his parent’s friends were black but they all had the fairest complexions she had ever seen. William’s parents and their friends were members of the “elite” and wealthy black families of Washington D.C. William’s mother was not very welcoming to Eleanor. Despite William’s mother’s misgivings, Eleanor and William continued to see each other and they fell in love. One day, a few weeks after going on a romantic trip together, Eleanor became nervous. She could not remember the last time she had her period. Could she be pregnant? How would William react to her news? William was not expecting this but he loved Eleanor very much so he asked her to marry him. Of course William’s mother was not happy and guessed that Eleanor was pregnant. William’s mother took charge and advised having the wedding as soon as possible so no one would suspect that Eleanor was pregnant. William and Eleanor got married and William’s parents bought them a house. Then Eleanor miscarried. Both Eleanor and William were devastated. Several months later, Eleanor was pregnant again. This time, she had already entered her second trimester. She took a deep breath. This time she would carry the baby to full term and have a healthy baby. That was not in the cards for Eleanor and William. Eleanor lost that baby, too. She was so hopeful that a baby would somehow bridge the gap between Eleanor and William and his parents. Eleanor had also been harboring a secret that she had kept from William. How would William react when it was finally revealed? Would Eleanor and William ever be able to grow their family? Could Eleanor ever have a relationship with William’s mother?

The chapters in The House of Eve alternated between Ruby’s life and that of Eleanor’s. Although they were at different stages in their lives, some of their experiences were similar. Sadeqa Johnson did such a good job incorporating issues like racism, prejudice, class distinctions, shame, sacrifices and life altering decisions into The House of Eve. Since The House of Eve took place prior to Roe vs Wade, there were not many choices available for unwed mothers that found themselves pregnant. The House of Eve explored one heartbreaking option that was available. Both Ruby and Eleanor proved to be stronger than they thought they could be. Each woman was shaped by the difficult decisions and choices they were forced to make throughout their lives. I really enjoyed reading The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for allowing me to read the book The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson through Netgalley in exchange for a voluntary and unbiased review.

"I turned my fork over on my plate wondering why it was always my responsibility to worry over what grown men might be thinking."

BRAVO! The House of Eve is such a terrific book, loved every word. I have no idea what it must feel like to be afraid in the way that Ruby and Eleanor are. Although they come from very different places, their challenges and fears are much the same. The inequities are staggering, not only b/c of their race, but their gender. I suppose that seems obvious, but Ms. Johnson brings it to light in a lovely yet heartbreaking way. I ached for these women, and the ending brought me much joy.

P.S. Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC. Highly, highly recommend!

P.S.S. And that cover, SO much yes!

Pub date: 2/7/23
Genre; historical fiction
Quick summary: Eleanor and Ruby are Black women trying to defy the odds in the 1950s - but their experiences with motherhood will bring their stories together.

I love multiple perspective historical fiction, and YELLOW WIFE was a great read, so I was really excited to read THE HOUSE OF EVE. Both Eleanor and Ruby were well-drawn and wonderful to get to know, and I felt completely immersed in the story. Johnson did a great job exploring the effects of discrimination, prejudice, and poverty on her characters, showing the reader how hard these forces worked to keep Black women down. I also appreciated the attention to reproductive justice - a right threatened in our society today.

If you enjoyed TAKE MY HAND, YELLOW WIFE, or OLGA DIES DREAMING, I bet you'll also enjoy this book. 4+ stars.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I lived for almost 30 years in the Washington DC area so I was intrigued by this story and the perspective of Washing ton DC from the viewpoint of African Americans. I have to say that this book hurt my heart in a number of ways. The fact that the living conditions were what they were but also that it was just accepted as normal to live that way. I also was not aware that there was discrimination within the African American community itself. I gave this book 5 stars because it was a very interesting read and it really opened my eyes to what some of my fellow Americans faced and continue to face every day.

I loved this book! It's just a tiny step below another book club pick I read this month, but there was so many historical bits about 1950s northeast US that I did not know. Growing up there, there were some hard pills to swallow from the book, but I loved the storyline and I loved how the history became a part of the story.