This was a great first read for 2025. I felt that Diamond was a complex character and I felt that she had a unique voice. She lives in an area where she is the unicorn and really struggles to make sense of who she is. I felt the letters and back story were compelling and provided such a rich tapestry of the family and who Diamond's father was. There was really a lot to unpack in this book and I enjoyed the ride. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

I am beginning to think that Jenna and I are one when it comes to selecting books. There's not a celebrity book club out there that better aligns to my personal literary tastes, which might be best described as upmarket book club chic.

Swift River by Essie Chambers is a thoughtful exploration of identity, race, and belonging - set against the backdrop of a mother-daughter relationship. It's a story about what we inherit and what we find on our own.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

Beautifully written - I felt so immersed in the characters’ story. I was drawn to the strong imagery and the heartbreak embedded throughout the dialogue. While some parts were predictable I found the writing style so beautiful to read. Absolutely loved it.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing this book in exchange for my honest review. Diamond was an interesting character, and I wanted to learn more about Swift River. Unfortunately, the plot didn't come together for me. There were some plot holes that just didn't get resolved by the end of the book.

"Swift Rivers" by Essie Chambers is a captivating tale filled with rich descriptions and strong character development. The narrative flows smoothly, drawing readers into its vivid world. While the plot is engaging, some parts feel a bit predictable. Overall, it’s a beautifully written and immersive story that will resonate with fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Swift River by Essie Chambers!

This is a story of real friendship and the courage of one girl outside of a family unit who with a lot of trial and error finds her way to a new reality,, Beautifully written, I still remember Diamond and her trials. Her mother, her missing father, and her friends and adventures. At times very sad, at other times hopeful, this book will leave you with a new understanding of family relations and trials.

Swift River is a beautifully written exploration of family, identity, and belonging. Diamond Newberry’s journey in 1987 Swift River reveals intergenerational secrets that illuminate her place in the world as a biracial Black girl in a predominantly white town. Essie Chambers’ narrative alternates between Diamond’s present and her relatives’ past, offering a poignant look at trauma, resilience, and the bonds of family. This is a very compelling debut!

This was my first time reading Essie Chambers, and I received Swift River as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents a beautifully written and emotionally resonant narrative that explores themes of identity, family, and resilience. Swift River by Essie Chambers is a coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1987 in the small town of Swift River, New England. The novel follows Diamond Newberry, a sixteen-year-old girl who is the only Black person in her town. Diamond's life has been marked by the mysterious disappearance of her father, Pop, seven years earlier. Her mother, Anna, is determined to have Pop declared legally dead to claim his life insurance and move on with their lives. As Diamond learns to drive and navigates the challenges of adolescence, she receives a letter from a relative she has never met, uncovering key elements of her father's life and introducing her to two generations of African American Newberry women. This journey reveals a larger picture of prejudice, abandonment, love, and devotion. The character development is one of the book's strongest aspects. Diamond is a well-crafted protagonist whose struggles with her weight, racial identity, and the loss of her father are portrayed with sensitivity and depth. Her journey of self-discovery and the relationships she forms along the way, particularly with her newfound relatives, add richness to the story. The secondary characters, including her mother Anna and her friend Shelley, are also well-developed and contribute significantly to the narrative. The plot is engaging, with several twists and turns that keep the reader invested. The mystery surrounding Pop's disappearance and the secrets of the Newberry family are gradually revealed, adding layers of intrigue and emotional complexity. The historical and cultural context of the story enhances its depth, making it both thought-provoking and immersive. Overall, Swift River is a compelling debut that showcases Essie Chambers's talent for creating multifaceted characters and a richly detailed setting. Despite a few pacing issues, the novel delivers a powerful and moving reading experience. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #swiftriver

This is a beautiful coming of age story that explores important timely topics, with an emphasis on familial bonds and how they shape us for a lifetime. While the story is moving, I felt there were lapses in the pacing that at times took me out of the story, but overall, I appreciated the book, the perspectives I encountered, and the overall reading experience.

It’s the summer of 1987 in Swift River, and Diamond Newberry is learning how to drive. Ever since her Pop disappeared seven years ago, she and her mother hitchhike everywhere they go. But that’s not the only reason Diamond stands out: she’s teased relentlessly about her weight, and since Pop’s been gone, she is the only Black person in all of Swift River. This summer, Ma is determined to declare Pop legally dead so that they can collect his life insurance money, get their house back from the bank, and finally move on.

But when Diamond receives a letter from a relative she’s never met, key elements of Pop’s life are uncovered, and she is introduced to two generations of African American Newberry women, whose lives span the 20th century and reveal a much larger picture of prejudice and abandonment, of love and devotion. As pieces of their shared past become clearer, Diamond gains a sense of her place in the world and in her family. But how will what she’s learned of the past change her future?

A story of first friendships, family secrets, and finding the courage to let go, Swift River is a sensational debut about how history shapes us and heralds the arrival of a major new literary talent. - description from Amazon


Loved this book! Beautifully written and I would put it under coming of age/family issues/rising above category. It made me laugh out loud, cringe and say no!, and get teary. It has multiple story lines that tell the family history. The only thing I wish is that it had, had closure as far as the main character's, Diamond, father's story. What a debut it was and I will look for other books by Essie Chambers. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A touching story. If I didn't know that this is fiction, I would have guessed it is a memoir. It certainly pulled at my heart strings. Swift River is the name of a decaying New England mill town where Diamond, a biracial and extremely overweight teen, lives with her white mother. She longs to get away from the ridicule and bullying, not only because of her weight but also her socioeconomic status. The rest of the story is an emotional roller coaster. I fell in love with Diamond and her mom and pop. The love between them was evident. Seeing how Diamond's mother was changed due to circumstances beyond her control broke my heart. I cheered for Diamond when she received a letter from an unknown aunt, and she is told of her family's secret past. Chambers does a wonderful job showing the impact of prejudice and racism on one family through generations, and no matter where they may go, it follows. This will be one of my top reads in 2024.

What a unique and moving coming-of-age story. Chamber's writing is raw and propulsive and the characters are complex. At times, the different timelines were a little confusing but I did appreciate how the perspectives we got through the letters added depth and context. can see why Read With Jenna picked this book - there's a lot to discuss about identity and community.

3.5 stars

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for the copy to review.

Swift River by Essie J. Chambers focuses on the character of Diamond and we follow her as she begins to understand the impact that family history can have on our lives. I enjoyed this coming-of-age story and enjoyed the character of Diamond.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of Swift River in exchange for an honest review. Swift River is available now.

I enjoyed Swift River, but it did feel a bit disjointed. I mostly enjoyed the letters from her estranged Aunt, the history of her father's family, and about Diamond growing up biracial in a mostly white town. I don't really understand how all of the story was supposed to come together - the parts with Shelley and the driver's Ed teacher just didn't feel necessary to me I guess. I put this book down for long periods of time without feeling the need to go back to it, but I also flew through the parts about Diamond's family history. So overall, I did enjoy the book and I look forward to seeing what Essie Chambers writes next. Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

Not exactly what I thought this book was going to be about. I thought it was going to be about a biracial girl living in an all white town and her coming of age story growing up without her father. What I got instead was a history lesson on sun-down towns, a possible murder mystery and gossip ramblings that spanned several generations. We still don't know what really happened to her father! There were some gross detailed observations on poor white people that I could have lived without. The story started to drag and overall felt more like collected side stories rather than being connected to Diamond. It was a fantastic feat, just not my cup of tea.

This is a coming-of-age story for a young biracial girl, who is suddenly growing up without her father in a small town where she is now the only person of color. She is struggling with her weight, self-esteem, and becoming the adult she wants to be, all the while trying to please a needy mother.

I liked the book, but it was very slow moving and not much happens. I did enjoy the writing.
The sexual storyline in the book seemed unnecessary and out of place. Not a book with many uplifting moments.

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC for review.

Swift River by Essie Chambers

Swift River is a multi time line, multi generational story about the choices they make and the way they fit into the community. The story was interesting. When I read the blurb, I was extremely excited about the story. The execution fell very flat however. The story focused on Diamond, her father and her Mother and their life before her father disappeared and then the difficulties after. The book shines light on the injustice and discrimination that African Americans suffered, even during the 1980s, as well as before. Had the book concentrated on one part of the family, I think the book would have been much better. It was a nice story but nothing grabbed me and held me. The teacher driver instructor storyline was creepy and didn’t really develop the story other than a girl rebelling.

Overall the book was just ok. The book had some beautiful memorable elements, which left you wanting to learn more, like what happens to Diamond. The ending left me flat feeling like I had too many questions that were unanswered. If you are looking for a story that has minimal drama, more of a coming of age story, than this is definitely a good read. I enjoyed it but was left wanting more.

A multigenerational family story. Very sad. A coming of age story while learning of the family history. Just a little slow moving and depressing for me.

Wonderful writing, was a bit slow for me throughout but the ending!!! Will absolutely read more from Essie Chambers.