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.

I had high hopes for this book, but it fell flat for me. I didn’t really understand the purpose of the dual timelines. It felt like two stories in one but unrelated. The storyline with the driving instructor also was just uncomfortable and didn’t feel necessary. 2.5 stars for me.

This was a very moving book. Though it was sad, it was relatable and touching. I rooted for the main character the whole book through. Thank you for the arc.To Essie Chambers, Thank You for this coming of age story that makes you believe and hope and pray for the main character throughout the whole book. I am waiting for your next book.

NetGalley ARC

I was interested in this book because of the focus on black women living in rural New England. I haven't read much on this topic. Diamond is a fat biracial girl has been the only black person living in Swift River since her father disappeared 7 years ago. She lives an isolated existence with her flighty, co-dependent mother.

This summer things are changing for Diamond, she learns to drive, she makes a new friend and she begins corresponding with her estranged aunt. The story goes back to Diamond's childhood and also follows her great aunt Clara, who stayed in Swift River when the rest of the black population were forced to leave.

This book is beautifully written and Diamond is an engaging and vulnerable protagonist. Her relationship with her mother is very complicated and this is depicted very well. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely read more from this author.

There was a lot to enjoy about Swift River, first and foremost, Essie Chambers' narrative voice. I enjoyed the writing style, and I would definitely be interested in reading more from the author. The book alternates between perspectives: the protagonist, Diamond, and the epistolary narratives of her older relatives. I enjoyed Diamond's voice the most, although I understand why the author included the stories of her elders. What didn't quite work for me was the overall pacing of the story. It sort of felt like nothing really ever happened, and while I *love* a slice-of-life narrative, I also wanted to see either a little more character development or a little more plot (or both).

Thank you to NetGalley for my advanced reader copy.

Swift River tries to do a lot of things. I think it's mostly successful but I think it didn't hit all of the marks. Diamond's father disappeared 7 years ago and she and her family have been struggling to get by. Determined to finally get him declared dead so she claim his life insurance money, Diamond's mother sets off a chain of events she could never have imagined.

In touch with her father's family, Diamond learns there's more to their family's story than she previously knew. Swift River introduces us to generations of Diamond's female relatives, the only black family in their town. There was a lot to unpack here and I think Chambers does it fairly well. The ending left something to be desired but Chamber's prose is beautiful and I look forward to seeing what she comes out with next.

A nuanced and well-written novel about family. The part of the novel I think about the most and the part that made me feel the most is her dad's disappearance—my stomach felt like it bottomed out when I got to the end of the novel, even though the truth was always there. An impressive feat of writing. “This isn’t mystery or a legend. It’s a story about leaving.”

A heart wrenching and impactful story of multigenerational family lore, legacies, and secrets. A character driven story with deeply engaging characters, deals with themes of trauma, mixed race, and other area of intersectionality. Great read for a book club or anyone seeking a thought provoking experience

This is a multigenerational character driven historical novel. It was a Read with Jenna Book. The timelines of the book were a bit confusing and I felt like there were some unanswered questions.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced digital copy of the book.

Loved this debut novel about secrets and families, legacies and friendship, and the cast of characters in this story are unforgettable.