Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Books for Young Readers for permission to read this work prior to its publication date.

Ruby Tremaine is planning her wedding when some rumors thwart her plans and her father's political endeavors. Helen Davenport is trying to gain control of her father's company when everyone just wants her to be a debutante. Her sister Olivia is still writing political pieces in secret and pining for the love that got away. Amy-Rose Shepard is finally achieving her own dream of owning a beauty salon, but not without some tribulations. I love how varied these young women are- and I soooo love a story about bougie Black women! As much as I enjoyed the plot, I felt there was a continuity issue from the first to the second novel and it changed the experience for me. That said, this is a lovely read!

Great follow up to the first Davenports novel and a wonderful, compelling continuation of the story. Love that it is rooted in history. I can imagine this doing well in both teenage and new adult audiences.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Krystal Marquis for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Davenports: More Than This coming out November 12, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own..

I enjoyed the first book, so I was excited to check this book out. I love this book even more! I thought the characters were more fleshed out and it was fun seeing where they were in their journey. I couldn’t remember a few things from the first book, but I loved the story. The women forged their paths and were on their way to get what they wanted from life. I enjoyed that they were strong and smart characters. I would’ve liked a little more from the men. It felt like a couple of them were just secondary characters. I just wanted more. I think with four main female characters, it left less time for the men. I would’ve liked it if there was a book featuring each of the women individually. I would check out more books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys diverse historical fiction!

This series gives Bridgerton and American Royals vibes (because it's YA). I enjoyed book #2 more than the first one. Like the first book, I think it could have been shorter, but I liked all four main characters and the storyline in this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Great follow up. I'm really enjoying this series and hope they will continue.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy.

I was so excited for this book. I devoured the first book, so I thought this was going to be the same way. I must admit it did take me a bit to get into but I still had a blast reading it. I love finding out about each of the ladies as we see where their story goes. The thing that appears to shake up some of their lives, that really added to the story and caused me to see how it was going to play out. I have to say, I think my favorite character is Amy-Rose. I love seeing them grow from the first book to this. Such a great series.

I loved this one just as much as the first one. You can tell the author knows her history and I connected with the characters and their love stories right away. Good conclusion to an entertaining read.

Lovely book that everyone should read. The cover pulls you in immediately. I had heard about this author from tiktok. So glad to have received an ARC of this.

I read this book through an advanced reader copy on NetGalley. It has the feel of Bridgerton with its romance, history and charm. It is set in 1910 in Black aristocratic Chicago. It is a coming of age story of four Black women, who are making a way for themselves in a rapidly changing society.

This series gives off all the Bridgerton vibes! The perfect sequel, filled with romance, betrayal, secrets, and lots of pretty dresses!

This book, as well as the first in the series, gives insight into what the lives of African Americans was like in the early 20th century. A wonderful portrayal of both those who lived in elite society, and those who did not, this book has substance in addition to its romantic fluff.

If you need any more convincing to read this book, take my word for it, you won't regret reading it. And the cover is gorgeous ;)

--Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.--

i enjoyed this more than the first one even though the first one was just introducing the characters

*4.5
I like this boom more than the first (and I liked the first very much). I really enjoyed how the story continue and I loved how the characters are growing and changing. I’m really intrigued, can wait to have more!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Brief Summary

Olivia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby are back. Ruby is engaged, but will her parents accept her relationship? Olivia has found her passion in fighting for the rights of her fellow Black brothers and sisters. But who will fight and win her heart? Helen's passion for her father's company hasn't wavered. But who will reignite the love in her broken heart? Amy-Rose is determined to make her dreams come true. How long can she ignore her broken heart? This story follows four young black women fighting for love and purpose.

My Review

I would like to formally thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to join the ARC team.

I highly anticipated his sequel. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The author did an outstanding job organizing the story plot and creating a movie-like experience in my mind as I read. I wasn't a fan of the length of the book. I felt the story was dragged out longer than it had to be. The consistent miscommunication among the characters was tiresome towards the middle to end of the book. The slow-building tension wasn't executed well. The story picked up a better pace towards the last ten chapters. I liked the ending of the book. I was hoping for an epilogue. Overall, the sequel is excellent if the author decides to continue the series or stop at book two.

The Davenports: More than This by Krystal Marquis receives a 3.5 out of 5 stars from me. Rounded up to 4 out of 5 stars.

The Davenports: More Than This picks up where the first book left off, and it does not disappoint! Set in the opulence of 1910s Chicago, this sequel takes the high-stakes drama, romance, and social challenges of the Davenport family to a new level, keeping readers hooked until the very last page.
Ruby Tremaine’s storyline is particularly gripping. Watching her navigate the heartbreak of a vicious rumor as she plans her wedding adds a level of tension and vulnerability that makes her journey so relatable. Olivia’s commitment to social justice is inspiring, but her romantic struggles—torn between her love for Washington and her parents’ expectations—kept me on edge, rooting for her to defy societal norms.
The real surprise, though, comes with Amy-Rose’s return to Freeport Manor. Her chemistry with John Davenport is electric, and the tension between them is one of the book’s most emotionally charged subplots. Helen, the bold and determined sister, also shines as she steps into a more assertive role, taking the reins of the family business and navigating her feelings for the thrilling, enigmatic racecar driver.
The author's writing continues to captivate with its rich descriptions, historical context, and heartfelt exploration of love, family, and self-determination. The sequel not only delves deeper into each character's personal growth but also beautifully reflects the social dynamics of the time—race, class, and gender.
Though a few plot points felt slightly rushed, the emotional arcs of each character are satisfying, and the drama feels fresh and invigorating. This is an ideal read for those who love historical fiction with a romantic twist and characters that truly come alive on the page. Can’t wait to see where the author takes the Davenports next!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoy this book so much! I love the character developments and the romance. I would highly recommend this book.

Genre: Historical YA Romance
Avail: Nov 12
Rating: 🌕🌕🌕🌕
Spice: 🔥

Synopsis: Sequel to 2023’s The Davenports—inspired by the true story of Black families among 1910 Chicago’s elite—continues the story of Olivia, Helen, Ruby, & Amy-Rose, 4 empowered & passionate young women navigating a rapidly changing society.

Thoughts: I eagerly returned to the story of these young women, to see how they built on their triumphs & heartaches. I 💖 to see characters succeed through entrepreneurial spirit, & all 4 leads experience exciting vocational arcs. I found that of Amy-Rose, maid-turned-salon-owner, especially engaging as she specializes in products for Black woman, a traditionally under-served market. Book 1 evocatively captures the young ladies’ struggles—products of time period, gender, race, & class—& I wish book 2 had played more with this tension. The HEAs would have more oomph if the outcomes felt imperiled. Book 2 also leans heavily into the love-triangle trope, making the individual stories—while lovely—feel redundant. 2 stand-out qualities the original are its lush language & the author’s skill in setting a coming-of-age story within a broader historical context. Book 2 doubles down on these attributes, juxtaposing vivid images of 1910’s Chicago & NY (& swoon-worthy dresses) with the violence sparked by increasing rights for Blacks in the early days of the NAACP. As with book 1, I closed The Davenports: More Than This with a sense of having read an important book that left me thoroughly entertained.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced digital copy!!
I love these characters so much! The Davenports was one of the books I read almost 2 years ago that really got me back into reading. I fell in love with this story and I feel so lucky that I got to read the 2nd one early!
The pining, the drama, the glam, it's all still there and just as fun. Definitely read this series if you're into those things!

Krystal Marquis has done it again! I felt in love with the Davenports and friends a year ago. That beautiful yellow color drew me in and this second one did not disappoint. Excellent read, highly recommend for teens and adults!

This book continues the stories of Olivia, Amy-Rose, Ruby, and Helen. It was nice to get back to the girls journey's in life and love after the first book. I enjoyed reading this, but I do feel like there was a lot left to be desired. I assume this will be address in the next book though so I will definitely reac the follow up. I enjoy this series and don't mind there 4 POVs but I wonder it this would have been better and less overwhelming if split up into 4 books for each girls story? It just felt overwhelming at times and I feel as though I cared about certain characters stories more than others. This is a personal preference though. Overall the story is still solid. I still enjoyed it. I would like to see this adapted.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the e-ARC.

4.0 Stars

After finishing The Davenports, I was concerned about where Marquis would take More Than This. Out of the romance novels I've read, I'd place The Davenports directly in the middle of the rankings. There was a lot of potential in some areas, but I wasn't fond of how she used one trope across four storylines. This issue was fixed in More Than This and I am very pleased with how Marquis concluded the duology.

Plot: A common complaint for The Davenports was that there were four different storylines. While each protagonist still maintained a plotline in More Than This, I felt as if this second installment did a much better job at weaving the plots together. Therefore, I felt as if I was reading one cohesive story with many complex characters rather than reading four different stories with characters that interacted.

Romance: I loved Helen's romantic journey the most in The Davenports, but I will say that my favortism shifted during More Than Us. I felt as if The Davenports allowed there to be a greater depth to Ruby, Olivia and Helen's romantic endeavors while More Than This allowed for John and Amy Rose's love lives to to shine. This was a nice contrast to how in the first book John and Amy Rose were focused on their respective work duties/passions and in the second book, Ruby and Olivia had that same chance. I left out Helen because throughout the duology, she displayed a consistent level of dedication to her passion as she did to her suitors. Maybe I still do admire Helen the most... Along with Amy Rose, but for other reasons you'll have to discover by reading the book! She has come a long way and I'm glad we had a greater focus on her in this book.

I do wonder if Marquis will continue to write about these characters. There was a lot left to the imagination and there were so many interesting characters. I do know that in theory, you want to leave people wanting more, but I do see some potential in further books (not a series, but maybe one offs). Although, on the other hand, I think Marquis did an excellent job at resolving the duology and somethings you need to leave well enough alone.

I look forward to reading future books by this author and watching how she develops her craft even further.

Thank you to Krystal Marquis, PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.