I have been impatiently awaiting this sequel since the first book left me on a cliffhanger, and this certainly did not disappoint from that front. The drama is still there but with all the character growth from the first book, and more developing throughout this one. In all honesty, I had forgotten a decent amount of the first book but I still felt like I was able to catch myself up to speed pretty quickly while reading this with very little confusion, and all the more love for the characters. I feel like this series does a good job of grounding the story in its historical setting while still centering human relationships and emotions that could be in any contemporary romance. Overall, I had a good time reading this and I think it’s a great sequel that both develops the characters but also the historical elements of being Black women in 1910s Chicago. I don’t know if there will be another book in this series since this book technically wraps everything up, I’m just enjoying being along for the ride!

I loved this book! Being able to see the girls again especially my girl Helen. I am hoping for at least a novella. This sequel was slower than book 2, but at the same time, it didn't lose marks for me. It was more that drama that sometimes was a bit much. Overall would read again!

More like 3.65 lol. I just wanna say that Helen’s POV was the one I looked forward to the most. In the beginning everyone else’s was a little slow and uninteresting. I was investing in seeing if she would become a mechanic and work in her father’s business. I was even more intrigued by Ransom Swift. I’m so disappointed with how that relationship went. But I get it because I’m guessing there won’t be a next book so there’s no time to develop him. I now want to read a book about a racecar driver lol. Overall, it was a cute story and I liked the little drama that was added into it. I felt it could have been a little shorter because it felt like some relationships were already established but were prolonged with drama just so everyone was resolved at the same time. Fun read, I’d recommend this book duology if you like historical romance, books about bettering the black community and relationship drama. Ps…if the author ever wants to write an alternative story with Helen and Ransom…I’m DOWNNNNN!! SIGN ME UPPPPPP LOL!

this novel is very very slow and boring. we focused a lot on the davenports but the stories that were the most memorable or interesting were Ruby and Helen’s. a lot of these problems were actually quite dumb a little and there was a way to up the tension that was danced around a lot. i know this isn’t a novel about black people as slaves or segregation but it’s hinted on throughout the novel. it would have been a lot more interesting to have tension filled plots rather than surface level boring romance/miscommunication tropes

It was fun to return to the world and characters of the Davenports. For me, this sequel did not have the same spark as book one. It’s starts out a bit slow, but still enjoyable and nice to see each character develop and get their happy ending!

This book was a solid read, but it didn't quite live up to the expectations I had after the first one. I really enjoyed the continuation of the characters’ journeys, particularly in seeing Amy Rose and John work through their relationship, and Ruby deal with the challenges and drama surrounding her upcoming wedding.

There’s a lot of focus on the characters’ personal and professional growth, which is great, but the pacing felt a bit slow at times, especially with all the different storylines happening simultaneously. I don’t mind the characters from previous books being featured in this, it’s just it came at the expense of learning more about the main characters.

Some of the romance tropes, especially the ones affecting two couples at once, dragged on longer than I would have liked, and the plot occasionally felt like it was circling back to the same issues instead of building into the main couple and their dynamic.

While I liked the setting, I found myself wanting more focus on fewer characters to allow for deeper development. The multiple povs made it hard to fully connect with each one, and I felt there was missed potential in diving deeper into their individual stories. Whenever there’s more than two povs in a story, I struggle to connect to it.


That said, I’ll still check out future books by this author because I think there's a lot of promise here, but this one was a bit of a letdown compared to the first. Overall, a 3.5/5 stars for me.

ARC received by Net Galley.

The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis was very well done. This historical fiction read was well written and perfectly plotted. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

I loved that this book was a light read for adults yet included complex themes for young adults. The Davenports transports the reader back into time and leans into historical elements. I’m hoping that a third novel is on the horizon!

The anticipated sequel to the instant New York Times bestseller featuring escapist romance and a wealthy Black family in 1910s Chicago

Like the blazing Chicago sun, the drama is heating up for the Davenports and their social set. Before the summer of 1910 drops its last petal, the lives—and loves—of these four young women will change in ways they never could have imagined:

Newly engaged Ruby Tremaine is eagerly planning her wedding to the love of her life when a nasty rumor threatens her reputation and her marriage. Olivia Davenport has committed to the social justice cause and secretly hopes she’ll be reunited with dashing lawyer Washington DeWight—until her parents decide she’s to marry someone else. Amy-Rose Shepherd is making her lifelong wish of owning a salon come true, but when an incident forces her to return to Freeport Manor, she’s back in the path of John Davenport, who still holds her heart. Helen Davenport is determined to get over her own heartbreak and bring the Davenport Carriage Company into the new century, even if it means teaming up with a thrill-seeking racecar driver who just loves to get under her skin.

Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, More Than This is the second book in critically adored Davenports series, following four empowered and passionate young Black women as they navigate a rapidly changing society and discover the courage to steer their own paths in life—and love.

My Take:
I viewed this sequel as season two of a juicy soap opera, with each chapter representing an episode. I enjoyed revisiting Reconstruction-era Chicago and reveled in the events and consequences of book (season) 1. I appreciated the nods to not only the Patterson family, but also the great Ida B. Wells and others, and very much look forward to additional seasons. I would recommend this book for multi-generational book clubs, those interested in Reconstruction era America, African American history, American history, Chicago history, the development of the NAACP, women's suffrage, and more.

The Davenports is an amazingly special series. We follow four Black female protagonists who are friends and live in Chicago in the 1910s. All four of the FMCs feel distinct from one another and their voices are really clear. I enjoyed reading from all four of their perspectives and the POV changes kept the story moving.

The plot progression from book 1 to book 2 was natural and I was very intrigued by what was going on with each character. I LOVED how each FMC had multiple love interests. Like yesssss figure out your options! But I also loved that the romance wasn't my focus because each character had an engaging plot on her own that I was very invested in.

This book tied up loose ends nicely, but I wouldn't be mad at a book 3!

For fans of Queen Bee by Amalie Howard, and the Bridgerton series-but make it YA!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a delightful sequel. Where the original story left off with cliffhangers this story answers all of the questions the reader would’ve had. A pleasant ending for these characters that you grow to care about.

2 ☆
Yea, I struggled with this book. It just a bunch of nothing happening! I enjoyed the first book because it's gave me the Bridgeton Vibes, but this book is dragging! I wasn't the targeted audiences.

Thank you Netgellay, and Penguin Group for the e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books and Netgalley for this ARC. I really enjoyed this book and read it in one day! I would definitely recommend this book!

I fell in love with the Helen, Amy-Rose, Ruby, and Olivia when I read the first novel last year. This was a great way to finish my adventure with them. While there were some small disappointments( the tale starts with Ruby's father failing at his election bid) it was overall a great time.

All the girl were able to build and grow through this story.

I loved watching Amy-Rose establish her salon and disprove all the nay-sayers she had encountered, while her love interest had to earn his way back to her heart. It was lovely revisiting her.

Returning to Helen's fight to be treated the same as her brother was great, I love watching her work, and it was nice as she discovered that getting older and debuting didn't have to change her life goals.

Olivia has come into her own as an activist, even being published! She was great, though I found that by the end I quite disliked Washington, her love interest. He turned so pretentious, I didn't like it.

And finally, Ruby, free of her father's mayoral bid and also the expectation to marry her old friend, plans her wedding while fending off cruel rumors that had been spread about her. She also dives into the world of fashion and it was so nice watching her go.

Overall I really enjoyed the return to these characters, and the culmination of their story. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll love the second.

Diving back into the Davenports was like coming home. Catching up with this bunch was such a ride. Picking up a little bit after the end of book 1 felt like I was catching up with my favorite people after sunday brunch. There was so much jammed packed into this book. During book 1 I really thought I had a favorite out of our 4 main characters (Helen) however in this installment I really fell in love with all of them. These women are doing their best to navigate their world while being black and a woman. It's hard for me to talk about the book without giving major spoiler's. I will say that I loved the way the different relationships were handled with the love interests. Everything felt authentic and not forced. I always tell my family I was born in the wrong generation and love being able to dive into a different decade in a way that feels real. I truly hope there are many more books to come for the davenports because I am not ready to say good bye.

This was such a great sequel! Do give it a read, you will not regret it, I promise. The ending was something else but I will not give any spoilers. I wonder is there will be a 3rd book to help us make sense of it all!

The beginning o this book was slow but based on the first book I knew I wanted to keep reading and see what happened to the characters. As the enggagemmennt gets un derway we see the young womenn spread their wings and assert themselves as they find their way in this new role. There were alot of POV's and at times it felt like they didn't get the attenntion they nneeded because the author was tryign to cover so much.

I was so excited to revisit this series. It's a wonderful way to showcase positive black history for any age, but particularly for young adults. While I still enjoyed that aspect of this sequel, I found that I had forgotten an awful lot from the first book, which made the first few chapters rough going. Once I got my bearings, the plot was much more engaging, but I found it a bit rushed. Other than that, it was an enjoyable sequel.

Before we get started, I’d like to give a big thank you to NetGalley and Krystal Marquis for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This series is SO good, you guys! Top to bottom, everything is top-notch. First of all, the cast of characters is so wonderful, diverse, and sympathetic! Marquis does a great job of writing extremely unique female characters, which is so refreshing to see. Each character is likeable, written realistically, and genuinely has a compelling storyline! Although I preferred Amy-Rose’s and Olivia’s storylines out of all of them, both in the first and second book, I never found myself bored when Ruby or Helen got the spotlight, which is something that I very rarely experience from a multi-POV book.
The cover is also GORGEOUS. The artwork, the use of the colors? It was enthralling!
I think this book (this series in general) achieved everything that the Bridgerton TV series said it was delivering, but ultimately fell flat on. It keeps social and political issues at the heart of the book as a constant undercurrent, but never skimps out on the heart, joy, and relationships between the characters. Overall, this was such a good book. I can’t wait to see what Marquis comes out with in the future!

I really couldn’t wait to dive into book two of The Davenports. While the pacing was a bit slow it was great to see more of where the characters are in the story. I’ll definitely recommend to my followers