The Jewels of Blues is a vibrant historical novel set in the lively 1920s, capturing the essence of the vaudeville era. The story follows Lucille, renowned for her exceptional voice at a young age. She transitions from being a gospel singer in a traveling family band to becoming an alluring blues queen. Accompanied by her manager, Marcus, Lucille sets off to forge her own musical path with the Troubadours amidst the trials and tribulations that come their way. Lucille goes through many ups and downs and meets some interesting people, but the past does catch up to her. As she grows from a "young girl with the big voice" to a beautifully talented and strong woman, she discovers love and many challenges throughout the novel.

Monica Chenault-Kilgore's writing is brilliant and vivid, immersing the reader in the era. While I thoroughly enjoyed the book and could envision it being adapted into a film, I must admit that I found the beginning of the story a bit challenging. However, after the first chapter, I was hooked. I believe that the initial incident could have been portrayed differently and given more attention throughout the novel. Despite this, the book overall was captivating, and I truly loved it. I also learned a lot about the vaudeville era. I love reading about strong characters and how they overcome tough situations and pursue their dream when obstacles get in the way.

I want to thank #NetGalley and Harlequin Publishing for providing me with an advanced reader copy. It was a delight to read this book and discover a new author. I am excited to read another book by Monica Chenault-Kilgore.

I was really excited to read this book based on the description and also, the cover art is beautiful! While the book initially drew me in with a little thrill and family on the go, I just struggled to keep my interest. The story felt disjointed and I sometimes felt like I had to backtrack but was still often confused in my reading experience.

I had the pleasure of receiving an advanced reader copy of The Jewel of the Blues by Monica Chenault Kilgore. This coming-of-age story of a Black woman in the vaudeville era beautifully captures her journey from a young girl singing gospel to navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry. Alongside this, she contends with a family secret that leads to ominous instances throughout the book.

The writing vividly brings the music and performances to life—you can see the costumes and hear the chords. The book shines when it focuses on her growth, from a child to a teenager learning life’s harsh realities, against the backdrop of early 1920s entertainment. There are also bits of humor and romance that take readers on a whimsical journey through the 1920s jazz era.

However, the plot becomes convoluted as it tries to tie the family secret to the protagonist’s journey. Not enough happens at the beginning or throughout the book for this secret to carry the weight it is given, and making it a central plot point is a disappointment. The narrative feels dense, with unnecessary exposition that could benefit from tightening before its November release.

Despite this, the core of the story is strong, and with some refinement, it has great potential.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. The cover and the title and the story started fantastically but
unfortunately I was unable to connect with the story and chose not to finish reading it at the 30% mark.

I enjoy a good 1920s book. I seriously couldn't put the book down. What did I do this weekend? Nothing but read lol

First, thank Monica Chenault-Kilgore, the publisher, and NetGalley for this advanced copy to read for my unbiased opinion. Now let's get into it. I wanted to like this book more. I feel like it started strong and dissolved a bit. The story starts with the Love family and the father falling into unintended trouble. The family heads out of town, once again encountering further trouble. They move around, surviving on a kind of pieced-together life, that is, until they discover their daughter Lucille can sing. At this point, they move around singing at churches, etc. Lucille's star rises, though, and eventually, she parts from her family on her adventure. Things start to get wonky here for me. Many of the relationships are disjointed and lack depth and, in some cases, follow-through or explanation. And really, much of this starts to happen more towards the book's last quarter. There are characters mentioned in major scenes in passing and then not mentioned again as if they weren't there. And it seems like everything falls apart quickly and somewhat unexpectedly. I'm not sure how to explain it. I was just disappointed as I got closer and closer to the end. I liked a lot of the historical portions and explanations of the situation. I loved the time frame and growth of Lucille as a character.

The Jewel of the Blues by Monica Chenault-Kilgore is an historical fiction novel based in the roaring 20's during the jazz era. The story of Lucille begins with her parents and their hardships during a rough time in history. Finding themselves in a dire situation, the family decides to tour as an entertainment act. Lucille is referred to as the little girl with a big voice. It is her life and career ambition and struggles during segregation, prohibition and at a time when promoters took advantage of the talent. A coming-of-age tale as well as overcoming odds.
I enjoyed it for the most part. Some of the details of the story took it in different directions but it ultimately stayed on track.

Set in the early 1900s, Lucille and her family live on the run in search of safety after her father is inadvertently pulled into a bank robbery by one of the fleeing robbers. More than a decade later, Lucille’s big voice brings fame to the family, but they can’t escape the secrets surrounding that robbery.

Unfortunately I was unable to connect with the story and chose not to finish reading it at the 20% mark. The story has potential and I was very excited to read it, but it was a little slow to start and I was unable to get past the first 100 pages.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book piqued my interest right away because of the cover instantly caught my attention! However, it was the story itself that truly hooked me from the very beginning. While the ending wasn't particularly surprising, I felt it tied up the narrative neatly. The characters were likable and had certain aspects that made them relatable. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book, especially to friends who enjoy historical fiction.

Thank you so much for this arc. Historical fiction is one of my most favorite genres so I was very excited for this one. This story was so enjoyable. I loved reading about Lucille and her world, I felt like I was there in the roaring 20’s. I can’t wait to read more from Monica Chenault- Kilgore

‘The Jewel of the Blues’ shares the story of Lucille Love, a young girl who goes from traveling family gospel singer to sultry blues queen. Through the years, she endures many trials and tribulations as a woman of color trying to sing her way to the top during the vaudeville era. This never deters her from trying to achieve her hopes and dreams, until a secret from the past begins to catch up with her. I think author, Monica Chenault-Kilgore, is a talented writer who was able to truly capture what life would have been like for a woman, especially a POC who was trying to make her way up the entertainment ladder during this era in America. I found Lucille Love to be a strong main character with a wonderful array of supporting characters found in her manager (Marcus), troubadours (Bobby, Lincoln, & Mitchell), and “sister” Del. This story had grit, determination, and strength! Would recommend to anyone who enjoys the jazz age, historical fiction, or a novel with a strong female POC main character.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is quite the ride. A jazz era "follow your dreams" story with a Black woman driving the action? I'm totally in.

Chenault-Kilgore has a talent for writing rich imagery. The setup is wonderfully descriptive, building a believable world for the period, in spite of challenging circumstances.

Additionally, I enjoyed learning about what drove Lucille to her focused, singular purpose. She is gifted, and often that kind of talent spurs an almost compulsory urge to express itself. My problem was with some of her decisions - they run counter to what we, as an audience, might think would be fitting. In order to keep the review spoiler-free, I won't go into detail.

Despite this, Jewel is certainly still a worthy read. The grit of our main character, Lucille, and the rich tapestry of this 1920s world see to that. It's a "would recommend" for any fan of the Jazz Age, historical fiction, or a multifaceted leading lady. 3.5 stars.

This was a great read. It kept me engaged and I finished it easily. The characters were developed and the story line was great.

Roaring 20’s Jazz in the south from a poc character pursuing her dreams and fighting tooth and nail for them.
Lucille Love and her troubadours had me hooked from the beginning of their journey. I have always had a love of historical fiction, and the roaring 20s. this book brought to life the struggles of young poc entertainers of the time.
From her gospel days as the “little girl with the big voice” to her days traveling the south on a rickety old bus with her band of men who are quite the mixed bunch of silly antics, blazing talent and mischief. Lucille learns to come into her own as a woman “alone” on the road, honing her craft, earning barely enough to survive day to day, being delt blow after blow she knows she has the talent, takes every chance she can to get what she wants.
The only thing that I had a hard time with was the robbery, I understand it got the family up and traveling to begin with, and a chance to dive into the story from a deeper perspective, but once Lucille set out on her own there wasn’t much else in the way of what was going on behind the scenes that led to her being suspected enough that she was being trailed until the gold coins were used, however there seems to have been a lot that was going on that we as the reader are not privy to until Lincoln is beaten and shot within an inch of his life. I just we had gotten more on that perspective or that it hadn’t been included as the way it stands I feel it cheapens and weakens the impactfulness of Lucille’s story.

May 12, 2024
I was honestly intrigued by this book because I have a love of all things peacock, and the cover caught my eye immediately! However, I was captivated by the story from the beginning. I certainly wouldn't say I was surprised by the ending, but I did feel the story wrapped itself up pretty nicely. The characters were likeable and even relatable in certain aspects. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to my historical fiction fan friends!

Reviewed on Goodreads as Kate Bee and on Instagram

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I’m conflicted about this novel. In one hand it’s such a thoroughly researched and written novel. The imagery created really brings you into the early 1900s in the south. Being an Okie, I love any time Greenwood is given its proper place in history. The cast of characters is great. Lucille is so relatable and you really see her grow and break out of the strict church upbringing she grew up in.
My family is from the south and very religious so the parts about traveling around to revivals and churches… nailed it!

Where I struggle is the side plot/robbery. I understand it was the catalyst to get the Love’s moving around and for Lucille to get noticed, but beyond that it was just felt like something that stuck around but didn’t really provide a lot more to the story. Crazy white dude stalking a family over 20 years? Could have done without.

But that said, overall the novel was very enjoyable and a well written snap shot of life on the road for the entertainers trying to make their mark.

The book opens in 1906, with the Love family - Hank, who scrambled to eke out a living growing vegetables on a tiny patch of rented land, his wife Evelyn, who was a preacher’s daughter who sang gospel and opera, and their tiny, musically inclined daughter Lucille. Early in the book, Hank was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and made a momentary bad decision that set the family on the run. They made a living singing as The Traveling Loves and went from one church to another, singing at revivals, and showcasing little Lucille, known as The Little Girl with the Big Voice. Tired of life on the road, and wanting to find a place to settle, the Loves trusted their teen daughter’s future to an energetic promoter, Marcus Williams, who promised to take care of Lucille, and make her a star, not an easy task in the era of segregation.
As Lucille got older, she craved independence, fame and fortune, and added musicians to her act, becoming Miss Lucille and the Black Troubadours. Marcus assured them they were one only step from stardom as they traveled through Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, playing bars, clubs, theaters and speakeasies. Life on the road was tough, performing for just enough money to get by, and always with alcohol, gambling, and discrimination in the background.
Most of the book is dedicated to describing life on the road, and the struggles of performers in the roaring 20’s. The author ‘s character development was well crafted and memorable, I could easily visualize Hank and Evelyn and their struggles during segregation, Miss Opal who ran a boarding house and school, the talented but hard living musicians and dancers, Marcus, the talent promoter, and of course Lucille Arnetta Love who chased her dream relentlessly.
In the last few chapters, many of the past mysteries, conflicts and issues were resolved, some happily, some not. As a reader, I felt satisfied with the way the book played out, and enjoyed the colorful, difficult, but rewarding journey with Lucille.
After I finished the book, I found bonus material at the end. There were discussion questions, making it a good choice for book clubs. There was a playlist of many of the famous songs referenced in the book, and a tour map and theater descriptions - fascinating after having read about the shows held in each one.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction, who enjoy soaking in the glitzy, naughty era of prohibition. It’s also a disturbing story of struggles during the years of segregation, but ultimately it’s a glimpse at the triumph of the human spirit.

Thank you to Harlequin, and to Netgalley for the ARC, in return for which I’m happy to give my honest opinion.

This was a @netgalley free ARC for a fair review. This book is what I would call a slow burn. Set during the jazz era in America, we follow Lucille Love, “the little girl with the big voice.” There was a lot of amazing historical content in this novel and I can see it being a big success. And all that jazz!

This was the first book I’ve read from the 1920’s in a POC perspective and it was a mixture of fascinating, heartbreaking, empowering, and tense. Lucille goes through a multitude of struggles throughout her life from her overbearing mother, her struggles as a POC singer, to her romantic relationships. I personally enjoyed the author’s writing style; she writes in a way where I can clearly hear their 1920’s southern accents in my head & picture Lucille’s dresses. I also really liked the perspective of being raised in the church and feeling like you have to live a certain way because of religious expectations and the temptation to want more than what you’re told is allowed and going for it & making mistakes along the way like we humans do.

Linked reviews under name: Manda Bartlett

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book!

I will admit, right off the bat, I requested this book because of the cover. I love peacocks and flappers!

On to the story, though. I wish that I had enjoyed the ending as much as I had the beginning. I understand that lure of musical fame, having grown up in the church choir and wanting to be just like my idol (Sandi Patty). I got how driven Lucille is by her gift and wanting to be recognized for it. However, as Lucille continued to make bad choice after bad choice, I found it harder and harder to engage with her, and to like her. I was SO angered for her and her Troubadours when they were forced to lean into racist stereotypes at one of their final shows together, but it still didn’t get me to like her any more as a character.

I am thankful that I got to read about this very underrepresented part of American history, and I hope Chenault-Kilgore goes on to write more of these stories because they are so important to the tapestry of our nation. (And I am SO glad that she referenced the amazing Kathleen Battle as inspiration for one of Lucille’s performance!)