Although a work of fiction, Acts of Forgiveness, tackles timely issues that have appeared in headlines and debates across America whenever the topic of Reparations or compensation to descendants of enslaved Africans surfaces in articles, blogs, talk shows, etc. The author creates tangible scenarios and when combined with a colorful cast representing differing political and socio-economic backgrounds, the reader can examine the many facets, schools of thought, and controversial aspects surrounding financial and other social benefits – including who exactly is entitled and to how much, how is heritage “proven,” and what about compensation/interest for lost assets due to intimidation, arson, theft, etc.

Each character represents aspects of (African) American experiences and the complications, pain, and challenges that each grapples with in this imagined world when the government attempts to right wrongs with financial payouts. This novel is layered and well-crafted – however, it only scratches the surface on the emotional and psychological impacts that a hypothetical Congressional Act of Forgiveness would bring forth. There is a lot to unpack and the topics therein would be excellent fodder for book club book discussions.

Thanks to the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

Thought provoking and the story will stay with you long after you finish reading it.
Many thanks to Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

It is difficult to fathom what Black Americans have gone through since being enslaved here in the USA. This book addresses what Black Americans continue to face today while trying to live their lives. The thought of reparations for what their ancestors faced is being addressed today, but with difficulty. I admired the author's work in writing about this subject.

Lovely writing and an intriguing premise. Acts of Forgiveness has a slow build up, then it really picks up the pace around the half-way point before heading to a moving conclusion. It took me a while to settle into the story and figure out all of the characters and who they are in relation to one another and I’m so glad I did. This is a thought-provoking and compelling read, and an impressive debut.

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

Took me a little bit to get the feel of the book, everyone had a first name & at first were not referenced as "mom" or "dad" or "grandfather" but once I figured it out things got easier.

Story is set in current times, but no year or noticeable references to current events.

Most of the story revolves around 1 family, a husband & wife, their grown daughter & son, the husband's dad, & a few others.

The bulk of the story has to do with The Forgiveness Act, which is reparations for black family members who can show their lineage back to slavery. The author brings up many different views- will the money be enough, will be help, should there not be any money given- there are many scenarios.

I was most interested in how family members had to reach way back into all types of documents, archives, slave trade orders, plantation lists, it was very interesting & at times frustrating for people searching for important information.

A very good debut novel.

Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks was an excellent story that consumed my every thought.
A well written and thought provoking story. With a cast of characters who were intriguing and very interesting. Her descriptions were so vivid that I felt as though I were in the scenes with her characters. She does a very good job of showing the conflicting emotions and feelings of each character.
I really enjoyed reading this debut.

Thank You NetGalley and Random House & Ballantine Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Acts of Forgiveness is a unique and powerful work of fiction. While I enjoyed the premise and the message of the story, the execution wasn’t quite on the same level. To start, the first 60-70% of the book, nothing happens. It’s mainly backstory and setup for what’s to come. I love a character driven novel, but I do wish the pace had picked up just a tad earlier. On the other end of the spectrum, the ending felt rushed to me. There is so much buildup to whether or not the Revel family will get the Forgiveness money, and then as soon as we find out, the book ends. I would have liked to have more details about the time immediately after. I also did not care for the romance subplot. I liked Jared as a character, but on the whole felt he was unnecessary to the story.

All that said, the idea for this book is incredibly novel and thought provoking, along with being beautifully written. While I wouldn’t recommend this to everyone, I think anyone who enjoys slow paced, character focused books should add this to their TBR!

There was a lot of inner thoughts from the characters, so much so that it got a bit boring at times. It was an interesting premise behind the story, and I wish we would have seen more of that in person. A good read, but not fantastic. Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for the ARC.

Acts of Forgiveness

4.25 ⭐️

I’m so glad I picked this one up from @netgalley!

This was such a thought provoking story about a speculative Forgiveness Act in the United States, which would afford descendants of slaves $175,000 in reparations. The book focuses in on one family and their search through family history, but also their lives with and without the Act being passed.

This book had so many of the events that would in all likelihood happen if an Act like the Forgiveness Act was passed. The protests and the violence that were shown, I could absolutely see happening. I really liked the ending. The beauty of their family finally making it out the other side of the struggle was heartwarming.

This was a very interesting story to read. I liked that there was a vagueness about the timeframe of the current events in the book. The topics in this book are very much a hot button issue. I grew up thinking that civil rights issues were pretty much over, however, I am very much aware as I get older how much race is still a sensitive issue in the US. The idea of this book a Forgiveness Act to apologize for slavery is a very noble idea. I can only imagine that protests, outrage, and celebrations that would take place.

I really liked the Revel family. I enjoyed seeing a thread through the generations of women that wanted to write. I felt so bad for Willie having to give up her journalist career to help with the family business. I enjoyed her finding out that a long lost relative had her own story with delivering news. The research that Willie found why trying to show relation to slaves was heartbreaking but not surprising. I think I would have liked a little more depth into the Revel family.

I like that concept of a Forgiveness Act but am not sure that we will ever get there. I liked the ways all the sides of this issue were handled in the book. The author was well informed from all angles (in my opinion). I do thing that the government owes African Americans an apology from the way they were treated. The horrors and tragedies that slaves endured are horrific.

This is an interesting read and I highly recommend it to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The novel adopts a third-person point of view with a brisk pacing, in my opinion. I was so captivated by the characters that I found myself reading it whenever I had some free time. The book became a heavily highlighted and annotated treasure for me, prompting contemplation of my own experiences as a Black woman in America through Maura Cheeks' narrative.

Willie, portrayed as insightful and realistic, was effortlessly relatable. Observing her exploration of sacrifice, self-discovery, forgiveness, and power was both refreshing and beautiful. The depth of the themes—forgiveness, Black identity in America, selflessness, self-deprivation, Black womanhood, and lineage—left me yearning for a book club discussion. The communal exploration of these topics would have been truly Beautiful.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

#ActsofForgiveness #Netgalley

An unusual little book based on the idea of the Redemption Act given to the USA from a female president (who else?) and the impact it has on one family and their circle of friends and neighbors. It's quite clever and easily held my attention to the end. It also tells the story of family obligation and family secrets. I hope it gets wide readership and that it is pondered by reading groups.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. It resonates!!

Sadly, this book is definitely fiction as I can’t imagine the US Congress passing an “Act of Forgiveness” as restitution for Black Americans with an enslaved ancestor. While a monetary payment of $175,000 by the government may try to help to heal the past, it’s going to take a lot more than that.

It's engaging, thought provoking and disturbing to think about the brutal treatment that happened in our country by slave owners. However, leaders haven’t addressed the prejudice, hatred and anger resulting in violence to Blacks and it’s not going away. This story profiles one of 40 million Black families in the US with an ancestor from the past that was taken from their African home and used as a slave by force.

It's well written with a good storyline that proposes the possibility of a better future – one which could bring the country together. However, can this “Act of Forgiveness” address generations of heated disputes with a payment of money? The author shares her vision that approaches this subject with a predictable aftermath.

But there’s more in the book with family and friend relationships. A father owns a successful business and needs help from of one of his adult children. A single mother struggles to do what’s right for her young daughter. And then there’s a romance that gets mixed into the pages. This would be an excellent book discussion.

My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of February 13, 2024.

A great question is at the heart of this book: What would happen if Black people were given reparations for slavery? How much money would be doled out? How would the process work? The author tackles these through Willie and her family. The telling is a bit haphazard and I'm left with a key plot question, but it's an enjoyable, thought provoking read.

Acts of Forgiveness is a hypothetical story about a Forgiveness Act that will pass Congress and give every African American person who can show their bloodline to that of a slave a one time payment of $175,000. It is definitely an interesting concept. While I enjoyed the story I felt it got a little bogged down and very slow in the middle. It was a unique novel and easy to read and follow. The main character is a very strong woman.

"Acts of Forgiveness" by Maura Cheeks is a poignant exploration of ambition, inheritance, and the complex nature of familial ties in the face of the nation's first federal reparations program. The narrative unfolds with a gripping tension as the Revel family navigates the potential redemption offered by the Forgiveness Act, which could alleviate financial burdens and unearth forgotten roots.

Cheeks crafts a thought-provoking story, skillfully intertwining personal struggles with broader societal issues. The narrative unfolds with powerful insight, urging readers to reflect on the interplay between personal legacies and societal narratives. Willie Revel's journey, torn between a promising journalism career and the duty to salvage her father's construction business, is a compelling reflection on sacrifice and the pursuit of identity.

This novel was exceptionally thought-provoking and well written. Highly reccomend!

Thank you to Random House Publishing for the ARC.

4.5. It was excellent, it showed the institutionalized racism present in society and even in people. Thanks for the ARC

In this book, The Forgiveness Act is looking into giving reparations to African American families for the atrocities suffered during slavery.

The Revel family is one of the many families looking to qualify for this benefit. And what follows is a look into past and present generations and how the steps you take in life can deeply affect those around you, how your family's history can find you and shape you where you least expect it.

I loved this book, especially the strong female characters: Willie, Lourdes and Paloma.

The book comes out in February, and luckily I got an early copy. I'd definitely add this to your list to read when it comes out! It's a novel based in a world in which the president passes a law that awards every Black American $175,000 in reparations if they have slave ancestry. The story follows one family, grandmother Lourdes, mother Willie, and granddaughter Paloma and how they deal with the bill before and after it passes. It was really interesting how there were unintended impacts from the bill and how all the characters deal with this news in their own worlds. Reading this book got be interested in learning more about the history of slavery and the concept of reparations, and I watched the 1619 Project on Hulu, highly recommend!

This is a book that will make you think long and hard about how to put things right.

Maura Cheeks has the unique ability to take a very serious and tragic situation, embed it into a fictional story that is bright, and filled with hope and the space that is needed.

In Acts Of Forgiveness, The Forgiveness Act is about to pass. The Bill will allot $175,000 to each African American that can proved to be descended from Slaves. While sounding very straightforward, the reality is anything but. The Revel family could surely use the money as they are slowly circling the financial drain but proving the history proves quite difficult. You see, documents on slavery are a bit harder to come by then you would guess. And there are plenty of entities and people that would like to make it even harder.

Follow Willie as she travels to the South to track down documents that her family sorely needs. Cheeks provides plenty of background so that the Revel family seems to be your own family by the end. I loved this story - a mental exercise in what would happen if America paid reparations.
#randomhouse #Actsofforgiveness #mauraCheeks