Need this book to inspire more diverse reads of this nature! All four of these stories made me feel as if I was watching everything unfold on a T.V screen! Historical fiction about women of color, specifically Black women, need to be more plentiful! Saturate the market, please!

3.5 stars

The Davenports is a story of 4 black women living in elite society in the early 1900s. I found it fascinating that this story was loosely based on the Patterson’s who were inspiring in creating wealth through their carriage business during a time where their skin color made them second class citizens. This was like Bridgerton, but with civil rights. At first I thought it would just be about women trying to find husbands, but it was about women finding themselves. Although it has some heavy concepts, it still feels light and I breezed through it in a few days. I definitely will check out book 2 to see what happens to these smart women.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

Chicago, the gilded age, family, romance, secrets, love, intrigue-all the things that make a great story!
The Davenports are a very wealthy family with three young adult children, John, Olivia and Helen. As the story progresses, each of them struggle to find their place in their family, and in the world. They encounter civil rights protests and social class issues, all while trying to please their parents as well as themselves. John struggles with wanting to expand the family business from carriages to cars, which his father isn’t interested in. Olivia wants to make a difference in the world, while at the same time, she helps her mother plan elaborate dinners and parties, in preparation of being the perfect wife. Helen would rather work in the garage , fixing cars and carriages than be the proper lady that she is expected to be. I figured out part of the ending as I got closer, but it was still worthwhile.
3 1/2 rounded up to 4. The Davenport family is very loosely based on the Patterson family of the same time period, and they are both in the car business. But, from what I’ve researched, that’s about where it ends.
With that in mind, this is still a great story with lots of historical perspectives and details. I’m looking forward to reading the sequel to see what the future holds for the family. Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Publishers for this digital copy in return for my honest review.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis was a well written historical fiction read. I enjoyed reading about these characters and plot points. Looking forward to book 2.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great work of historical fiction centering around marginalized individuals who never get the attention they deserved in the history books. I loved all of the women’s individual story lines and how they all wove together throughout the book. I am excited to see where the story goes in the next installment.

I thought the premise of this book was interesting, and I thought that focuses on a prominent black family in the early 1900's Chicago would be unique as I haven't seen this premise before. I think Marquis's writing is well done, but as far as plot goes it was a bit repetitive. All 4 women want someone unobtainable in some way shape or form, and they are all trying to figure out if it's possible to be with that man. They were all essentially 4 sides of the same coin. Now this isn't to say that I didn't enjoy reading this book, but there wasn't enough to make me want to continue the series. However, since I did like Marquis's writing style, I would definitely give another book a chance outside of this series.

I also wish we got more on father Davenport! He was a freed slave who went from nothing to building a whole automobile empire - I think getting more history from him, and interactions between him and the Davenport women, would've done wonders in rounding out the story. Instead, he only shows up a handful of times, and is cemented in his horse and buggy ways and refuses to change with the times. It felt very counterintuitive for his character. Granted, I know nothing about C.R. Patterson who this story is loosely based on, so maybe he was the same way? But for someone to work so hard to get to where he's at, it felt almost like he was giving up on his empire for the sake of being a hinderance for Helen and her brother.

Outside of boy problems, I did like the glimpses of racism, coloroism, and the mixed-race experience of the early 1900's upper class, but we didn't delve too deeply into them which I think was a hinderance. This was mostly a historical romance - which in it of itself isn't a problem, but since the protagonists are all black women in high society in a time where black people weren't high society, I think we missed the mark since these topics were introduced but only at a very surface level.

All in all I enjoyed the writing and the romance was definitely written well and was enjoyable. But there was just a little something lacking and I wish we explored a little more of what I mentioned above.

Thank you to Krystal Marquis, Penguin Group, & NetGalley for the eARC!

I do really wish there had been more drama involved. I felt for the most part, everyone got what they wanted and for the ones who didn't, it didn't really feel like any big loss to them. I also felt that there were too many characters to keep track of and I actually had to write down who was who and who was connected to who to even keep up. Some of the characters were more likable than others, which is fine, but Olivia and Helen, the two sisters, were written so similarly that they could have just been merged into one person. I also don't like that the book was left off so unceremoniously like they KNEW they were going to write a sequel and it was like "ah well, all this happened but who cares". It made me feel like there was really no point in reading the book at all. I know I'm being negative but I DID enjoy a good majority of it, I just felt that some parts were dragged out for no reason and anything interesting was rushed.

I love historical fiction that centers black characters and their experiences so I loved this book so much and can’t wait to read the sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for a copy of this book!

For reference, I dabble in historical romances and inhaled Bridgerton. I've heard nothing but good things about this book, and all of it stands correct! I loved following the journeys of each of the four female characters and deeply appreciated how the author gave us a lens into the real life challenges each of them experienced. I really loved being able to understand more about the ways that Black community built Chicago too.

I would recommend this for sure!

This story has elements of Renaissance with a bit of Downton Abbey. Vey enjoyable read for anyone that enjoys those eras. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

"I think the hardest thing we can do is to decide what we want, and stride toward it.”

Four young women in similar times in their lives, but different circumstances, must find a way to live up to their families expectations but hope to find love and happiness. Two are sisters - each needing to find a husband for different reasons and needs of the family. I loved meeting and learning about each sister. I like that we also go the perspective of the friend who is now a maid and how her struggle and life has changed. And finally the girl who must marry well. It was a great perspective, each one providing a different view of life, struggle, and how other's views changed their world.

But this is definitely a romance. It was light and sweet and I enjoyed the drama and scandal of courting and what was allowed and not. I did appreciate the romance layered with awareness around racism and the fight for equality.

Book 2 just released November 12th, 2024 - I can't wait to read it!!

A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. Then I purchased a copy of the audiobook.

This was not quite what I expected but I enjoyed it a lot.

Olivia is supposed to be working towards getting engaged but instead she is falling for an activist lawyer and a life of activism. Helen would rather fix cars than learn how to be a proper young lady. She finds herself falling for her sister’s suitor. Ruby is supposed to be working towards getting engaged with John. She uses the attention of another man to try and make him jealous and ends up falling for that young man. Amy-Rose wants to open her own shop. She also has feelings for John but her station in life makes a happily ever after almost impossible between them.

I really enjoyed this book. I was sad that only one couple had a happy resolution at the end. I know there is a second book and can’t wait to read it to find out what happened with everyone.

This book was well written and held my attention. Definitely a five star read.

I loved The Davenports. I may be a tiny bit obsessed with this world and its characters. It was lighthearted yet had an intensity to it. It had me wholly invested and emotionally engaged practically from the very beginning. This book was truly a joy to read packed with the ups and downs of relationships, cute, sweet and funny moments, heartache, coming into one's own, discovering self, carving your own path and so much more. It was awesome. I highly recommend and can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Giving me a little bit of Bridgerton meets Downton Abbey meets Pride and Prejudice. A lot of POVs makes following the story less smooth, but the concept was good and the writing was engaging. I love the idea that this is based on a real family and real history, and want to know more about that. I really liked all of the characters and have preordered the second in the series cuz the book really ended with so much unresolved (I’m not the biggest fan of that…I prefer standalones to series, or books that don’t end abruptly if there is a series). Anyway, definitely cute, interesting and worth a read.

I had high hopes for this, anticipating it to be something along the lines of a YA downton in 1910 (a la the gilded age) with some bridgerton-esque drama and a little American Royals with the multiple POV. The story follows Olivia, Helen, Ruby, and Amy-Rose as they come of age and shortly into the book they all find themselves involved in love triangles. I expected more to the friendship part of the plot rather than 4 seemingly individual plotlines, more depth overall, and instead found four storylines with voices that were so similar it was hard to disseminate who was who. With a slight cliffhanger ending, I'm looking forward to jumping immediately into book 2 and seeing what comes next for each of the four young ladies and if there's any resolution to the messiness that is their love lives!



Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Dial Books for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Love this book. It's a great romance book. This is my first book by this author, but I would read more from her.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley & Penguin Young Readers Group for the ARC.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. I powered through it to see if the end would change my mind, but it didn’t. I felt that the storyline was repetitive and didn’t really see any true progress outside of Olivia’s story. There was age gap mentioned and for a YA book, I found that to be off putting. The ending was also super lackluster. Overall, I felt that this story was unnecessarily long and didn’t get across the point it was intending to make based on the synopsis.

3 ⭐️

The Davenports follows four young ladies as they navigate love and society. Olivia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby.

It was interesting to watch each of them realise that the lives set out for them are not what they dream of. I especially enjoyed Helen's storyline around trying to be included in the family business against her fathers wishes.

As far as the romances go, Ruby and Mr Barton are my favourite pairing. Their connection felt natural, and they had the best development of the four.

The issue with having so many relationships happening at once is that you sacrifice some development time trying to fit them all in. All the first kisses happen in rather quick succession, as do their arguments. It makes it feel a little like the relationships are all following the same script.

I am intrigued to see how our couples will fair in book 2 given how this one ended. Also, to see how the election went given how vital it was for the people.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

While this book painted a beautiful picture of black entrepreneurs and what life would have been like for them it also showed the struggles they face. More books should be written to highlight the struggles and triumphs of all people of color. I appreciate the authors research into the past in order to write a beautiful fiction story based on history. That being said, this story didn't pull me in as much as I had hoped and I fully believe that to be a me problem! I would still give this book a solid ⭐⭐⭐!

This was a bit slow for me... I was hoping it would be more fast paced and catch my attention more. The romance was good, and I liked the idea of this book!