Great historical fiction about an area and subject matter that I hadn't really thought about. The rights of property of newly freed slaves and the ways that white people took advantage of black people to "steal" the property back. Also the way that people organized their civilizations was interesting. I learned a lot.

4.75 ⭐️

Wow! What a book! This is more than just about a generation of women who lost their way. It’s about their ancestors who paved a way for their families in the future. While I struggled with keeping up with the generation names, I understood the plot perfectly and thought the story flowed well.


I can’t wait to dive more into the real story behind this African American Kingdom.



Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity of reading this as an E-arc <3

Happy Land is a beautifully layered story that weaves together past and present, legacy and self-discovery, family and forgiveness. What struck me most was how the story unfolds in two timelines—following Nikki as she uncovers her family's history while we’re also transported into the lives of her ancestors, the king and queen of a powerful and symbolic kingdom.

The split narrative was done so well. As Nikki learns more about the kingdom of Happy Land, we, as readers, experience the journey alongside her. Watching her fight for her family’s legacy while also trying to mend the fractured bond between her mother and grandmother felt incredibly personal and resonant. This story didn’t just focus on the land or history—it reminded us of the importance of connection, healing, and the urgency of not waiting too long to share your truth with the people you love.

I was deeply moved by the message that our stories matter—both the ones we inherit and the ones we choose to tell. The back-and-forth between timelines gave so much richness and emotional depth, especially as questions were answered from unexpected perspectives.

This was a powerful, heartfelt, and deeply intentional read. A true five-star story that reminds us that honoring the past can be the key to creating a new future. Absolutely beautiful.

Thanks to @berkleypub for the gifted e-ARC and to @prhaudio for the ALC!

I live about 40 minutes south of the town of Flat Rock, NC, where this book is set. I’ve spent a lot of time hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains. So it was fun to read a book set in a location I am familiar with.

I was completely unfamiliar, however, with the history behind this book. Following the Civil War, a Black community, newly freed from slavery, made their way north from Spartanburg, SC (neighboring city to where I live) to the Blue Ridge Mountains where they worked and saved to buy 205 acres of land in North and South Carolina. There they established The Kingdom of the Happy Land, where they could be safe from the KKK and the racism that came about when reconstruction was lifted. This book tells their story. As well as a modern timeline of their descendants.

The writing in this book is gorgeous with beautiful descriptions of the natural world and the mountains of the Blue Ridge. I loved the characters too. Both the historical and modern women were strong and courageous. They fought for their families and their land.

I loved both audio narrators and how they brought the different characters to life. I’m glad it was a dual narration as that set apart the historical time and the modern one. I was easily able to tell which time period I was in.

I highly recommend this book. And I am excited to attend an author event next month!

Rightfully named a Most Anticipated Book of 2025; Happy Land is finally here! A young black woman learns the story of her family's ties to an American Kingdom in this multi-generational novel inspired by true events.

When Grandma calls, granddaughter comes running. After years of silence due to a mysterious estrangement between her mother and grandmother, Nikki does not hesitate to drop everything when her grandmother calls out of the blue asking for a visit. Upon arrival, Mother Rita tells Nikki about a kingdom on this very mountain and its Queen Luella.

The Kingdom of Happy Land sounds like a fairy tale—royalty, community, freed people, acres and acres of owned land. Nikki soon learns this land is their legacy so she must do whatever possible to protect it while trying to heal a broken relationship.

Dolen Perkins-Valdez took her time with this one, Bookhearts. The prep, the history, the facts, the setting details, the character development and the story itself was so well written and thorough. I had no prior knowledge of kingdoms on U.S. soil or the rich origins of bordering land. I was as caught up in the logistics of land ownership as I was the character's relationships and emotions.

Happy Land just may have sparked a leisure research project. It truly is a fascinating 5-star story.

Happy Early Pub Day, Dolen Perkins-Valdez! Happy Land will be available Tuesday, April 8.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Y’all… I closed this book and just sat there. Like, had to process. Dolen Perkins-Valdez didn’t write a book—she laid down a whole lineage, a love letter to Black land, legacy, and loss. And when I tell you that author’s note had me tight?! $326 BILLION lost?? I was up at 2 AM Googling and mad all over again.

Happy Land is one of those reads where you feel the weight of every generation on your chest. It’s a beautifully layered dual-timeline story that follows Nikki in the present and her ancestor Luella, the Queen of Happy Land (yes, that was a real Black town with royalty—RUN that back if you need to). You get land ownership, family secrets, complicated Black women, love, grief, tradition. And yes, I was in my feelings the whole time.

Nikki felt like my cousin—the one who got out but still got ties to home. Her story was about returning, reconnecting, and realizing you can’t outrun legacy. Mother Rita? Stubborn, wise, sharp with the tongue… reminded me of every matriarch I know. And Luella? Whew. That girl carried a whole community on her back before she was grown, and never stopped believing in something better. Her resilience had me emotional.

The pacing? Intentional. If you want fast, this ain’t that. This is a slow burn rooted in character and emotion. I loved it for that. It gave me time to feel—really feel—what these women were carrying. It’s like… as you read, you start reflecting on your own people, your own place in this bigger story.

By the end, I was thinking about land in a whole new way. I’m a born-and-raised city girl, but this book had me wondering where my people once called home. Got me wanting to plant something, dig into my roots, ask more questions at the next family function.

If you love character-driven historical fiction that hits your soul and teaches you something along the way, this one’s for you. Don’t play. Get this book and let it shift something in you.

5⭐️ “Happy Land” ARC review

African kingdoms. Slavery. Fleeing. Freedom. Community. Tainted Mother-daughter relationships. Confusing romantic relationships. ✨“Frustratingly beautiful” ✨ is how I would describe Happy Land. This book was everything🌸🩷

We as Black people always hear we were Queens and Kings in Africa and the people of Happy Land were determined to have that happiness and royalty here on their own terms. And they did.
I learned so much about my home state of North Carolina and the people of Henderson County. It’s amazing the rich history we have as Black people that we are still learning about today.

This story centers around Luella and the kingdom of Happy Land in the late 1800s. Freed slaves traveled from South Carolina to the mountains of North Carolina fleeing from the klan in SC. And in present day, Veronica “Nikki,” a descendant of Luella’s is asked by her estranged grandmother to visit her in North Carolina, not sharing the reason why. At times I was screaming at Nikki to ask questions and screaming at Mother Rita to just stop talking in riddles! But that is the reality of communication between certain generations. There were so many conversations that didn’t happen between all four of these women.

The exploration of familial relationships and secrets are heavy in this story. The importance of passing down our stories, our culture, and history, teaches Luella and Nikki valuable lessons. Nikki and her estranged grandmother connect over these stories while on the land their family kingdom once thrived on. But as always, there’s a sinister threat to have what is ours, taken away from us as if we as Black people never existed or owned it. “Take up residence in the Kingdom.”

Happy Land has definitely made my Top 3 of 2025. Frustratingly beautiful and all. 🩷

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

This was such a beautiful, multi-generational story that showcased a part of history that I knew very little about. I found myself deeply captivated by the story, especially whenever we were brought to Luella’s timeline/ POV. As the story progressed, the family history and secrets were slowly revealed and brought forward themes of incredible resilience, courage, and strength. I am so glad I was able to read this historical fiction novel, and grateful that the story brought me to do more research on the history of the Kingdom of Happy Land.

Happy Land
By Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Thank you to @berkleyromance for free book #berkleypartner #berkley All opinions are my own.

“I thought books was magical, that they cast spells. To read was to have the language to ask for things you wanted, so I became determined to teach myself.”

I am so grateful to Berkley for putting together such a beautiful panel of women in February to celebrate black authors. At that event Dolen Perkins-Valdez stole my heart and afterwards I couldn’t wait to read her inspiring story about the kingdom that once existed in the hills of Appalachia.

In Happy Land, Nikki is called to North Carolina by her estranged grandmother and told the story of Queen Luella, her great-great-great-grandmother, who came to own land and rule the kingdom of Happy Land, a community of formerly enslaved black men and women. As Niki learns about the kingdom she begins to understand how deeply connected she and her daughter are to her family’s land and how great the loss would be should it be taken from them.

I highly recommend this amazing book and am so grateful for the opportunity to have read it. It is immersive and magical and just so beautifully written. Five stars, for me.

Read if you like:

Historical fiction
Multi-generational stories
Strong female leads
Family Legacy
Dual Timelines
Multiple POV

Imagine diving into a rich tapestry of history, woven with threads of identity, struggle, and the unbreakable bonds of family. That's exactly what you'll experience with Dolen Perkins-Valdez's "Happy Land," a sweeping saga that will leave you contemplating your own roots long after you've finish the book.

At its heart, "Happy Land" is a symphony of women's voices echoing through generations. From the great-great-grandmother fighting against the brutal tides of slavery and discrimination to the modern-day granddaughter yearning to understand her heritage, each character adds a unique timbre to this powerful chorus of resilience and love.

What truly captivated me was the delicate balance Perkins-Valdez strikes between past and present. As we witness the grandmother's struggle to hold onto her identity in the face of overwhelming odds, we simultaneously follow the granddaughter's quest to bridge the gaps in her family history. It's a poignant reminder of how the echoes of the past continue to shape our present.

The author's exploration of broken family ties and the journey towards reconciliation is both heart-wrenching and hopeful. Through the characters' efforts to reconnect with their roots, we're invited to reflect on our own family legacies and the importance of preserving our histories.

I must confess, there were moments when the relationship dynamics of the first matriarch felt a bit jarring to my modern sensibilities. However, this discomfort served as a stark reminder of the vastly different world our ancestors navigated.

"Happy Land" should be at the top of your list. It's a beautiful testament to the power of knowing where we come from and the strength we find in our shared histories.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the free copy for review.

I just love this author and everything she writes and stands for. This is a tale based on real events that unsurprisingly we know nothing of - so much of what I read would have been so great to see in an American history book. These are the stories that matter. Take the time to read this one - and any of her others - and learn about the things that we missed in our youth. I loved everything about this book. <3

I will read anything Dolen Perkins-Valdez writes. I always end her books filled with new knowledge and new insights on humanity. This was a beautiful story.

Absolutely loved it. Such a great story that needs to be told! I felt so many emotions while reading this amazing story. So happy to be learning while reading an enthralling novel.

✪✪✪✪: the vibes are hopeful

This is a beautiful story about hope and resilience and family and legacy. there is so much history that is lost or forgotten over time or straight up buried and i loved getting the smallest peek into one of these stories.

Like many of the characters, its hard to, at first, embrace the idea of a kingdom in the united states. but once you start to understand what the kingdom-folk were after and why they styled themselves a kingdom, it really does make sense and i wish we knew more about it.

the legacy of land for freed african americans is clearly a very deep subject that this book only scratches the surface of. the founders of the kingdom went from slaves to being free but no less hated or persecuted. that they would want to form a place just for themselves and their families is not surprising.

nor is it surprising how they would eventually end up losing much of the land they fought for, and legally paid for. this story, while narratively slow in some parts, makes up for that "short coming" with how much heart and soul is in the story, and how the characters, torn apart by the law or by distance or sheer stubbornness, can find their ways back to one another.

its a story that celebrates knowing where you come from and that legacy being worth more than money can buy. its a story about what makes a person rich, and how that's not always the number in a bank. i loved the two sides of this story because they give so much insight into the past, into why mother rita is fighting her fight, and who she is fighting it for.

there is a revelation, very late in the book, that took my breath away. and that revelation is the soul of this book, and it doesnt matter that it comes at the end of the tale. it makes every word that comes before it that much more meaninginful.

ARC Review Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Although Happy Land is a work of fiction, the Kingdom of Happy Land was a real place, and the author conducted extensive research into the history of this freed Black community in writing this novel. At times, I felt like I was reading a non-fiction work because of the accuracy and depth of the historical details. After finishing the book, I dove into the resources cited at the end, and I’d hazard a guess that many other readers will do the same.

This is a brilliant novel that takes you into the past, following emancipation and immerses you in the lives of a successful family and community forced to flee South Carolina due to racial terrorism. Successful Black people are viewed as threats. Undeterred by the threats, they move to North Carolina to start over. With dreams of recreating what was stolen from them, they establish a free black community, the Kingdom of Happy Land, modelled after the kingdoms in Africa from which their ancestors were taken. They elect a King and Queen, along with a council to establish their own rules and order. It is inspiring to read about this egalitarian community which thrived on hard work, communal values and entrepreneurial spirit.

Luella as Queen, was an amazing character - bold, determined, brilliant and resilient. She faces both personal and community adversity with incredible strength. She is the driving force for securing equal rights and a voice for women, and establishing a school to educate the children. Her vision for the community, as well as her belief in the contributions women could make, were key to the success of the Kingdom. Luella is a truly inspiring character. The novel is a testament to the power of women and their business acumen, showcasing how, when their wisdom is respected, women can establish thriving communal spaces. The intrigue of her relationship with the Montgomery brothers, William and Robert, adds interesting twists to the story and showing her personal growth, maturation and her commitment to putting the community first.

“In my imagining of the kingdom, it is both a literal and metaphorical manifestation of a peoples desire to rise into their full humanity.”

This novel highlights the importance of a safe community where one can be free, independent, self sufficient, and dream of better future - something that remains crucial today. The ability to hope, imagine, and envision a better life is what sustains us. The people of Happy Land dreamed of building a successful community, and they achieved it. Nikki and her daughter’s struggles to envision a future for themselves are tied to their inability to dream and see that a bigger life is possible.

The present Lovejoy women serve to demonstrate the disempowerment that comes from being disconnected from your history, and family. Their estrangement and resultant isolation, detachment and lack of purpose were profoundly connected to their lack of community and relationships. Nikki’s rediscovery of her family’s history, as well as her rekindled relationship with her grandmother, empower her and provide her with a sense of identity and belonging.

The book powerfully addresses the historical and current predatory practices that have led to the loss of land for Black families. From racial terror, lynching, to intentionally increased taxes, outright theft, red lining, predatory loans, mortgages and heir’s property, the novel outlines these practices with chilling clarity. The census data, which conservatively estimates that African American’s have lost $326 Billion in land wealth between 1910-1997 is mind boggling. This loss has vastly contributed to the economic disparity that exists today. Something that I was unaware of prior to reading this book.

Happy Land is an eye opening exploration of crucial historical events that continue to impact communities today.

Every once in a while a writer comes along that impresses you that you want to tell everyone to read it. A heartwarming story based on actual events . This would make a great book club read .

Dolen Perkins-Valdez did it, AGAIN, folks. She has officially become my favorite historical fiction author! 👏🏻 (Take My Hand is a MUST READ and my favorite book from 2022). Perkins-Valdez does such a beautiful job of sharing history that should be known. And she shares it so well that it makes me want to do more research on it myself!

Happy Land provided insight into a group of freedpeople who established their own community. The deep ties between African Americans and their land is a common theme in this book. Did y'all know that they lost more than $326 BILLION in land and wealth between 1910 and 1997? Absolutely maddening, RIGHT?

I really loved the weaving of this duo-POV, multigenerational story. I loved the hope amid the hardships. I wasn't expecting the forbidden romance, but I loved that, too!

If you're a fan of duo-POV, multigenerational historical fiction with themes of family, tradition, forgiveness, community, and land ownership - this book is for you!

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
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Nikki has been asked to come visit her estranged grandma at her home in North Carolina. She doesn’t know why her mother cut off contact with her grandma and is ready to get some answers. Instead her grandma tells her the story about the land and how it was once a Kingdom, and their ancestor was the Queen.
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This book had an excellent hook with the injustice of how land ownership was going on. It’s outrageous how greed makes monsters out of people. I was so upset for both Mother Rita and Luella.
I really enjoyed Luella’s story of her people finding a place where they could start their own community.
The way Nikki’s story ending was sweet and had enough justice to it to leave me content.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I enjoyed this story. It wasn’t as great as Take my Hand, but it is a good historical fiction story about a subject I had never heard of.

Historical fiction readers, if you aren’t reading Dolen Perkins Valdez - RUN! She quickly became one of my favorite historical fiction authors last year after reading and falling in love with Take my Hand. I immediately added her upcoming novel, Happy Land, to my TBR, and scouted Netgalley for an e-arc. Huge huge thank you to Netgalley, Berkley, and the author for my free copy!

Dolen’s books are about less known historical events but my goodness are they meaningful. In Happy Land, Nikki reconnects with her estranged grandmother who teaches her about her ancestry and surprises her by revealing her great-great-great grandmother was a Queen. Inspired by true events, 205 acres became the home of over two hundred freed-people who built their own kingdom with a named queen and king. Now, Nikki must play a part in reclaiming that land to secure her family’s legacy.

This book bounces between a present and past timeline. While the storylines were very different, multi-generational family themes were the stand out in both. Dolen has such a talent in storytelling and connecting dual timelines! I would highly recommend this as a Women’s History month read - she writes some of my favorite strong female leads. 4.5 stars because the present timeline got a little slow at times, but overall, I fell in love with the characters and how the Kingdom of Happy Land came to be.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Dual Time-lines in this book were incredible. Never once did I feel confused as I normally do when a book starts without warning of Dual Timelines. When Veronica (Nikki) is called by her grandmother, Mother Rita, to come to North Carolina with the ruse of learning more about family history and where she came from. Nikki was amazing and I loved her character. I also loved Luella and her POV. In the end, Happy Land made me happy and sad at the same time in so many ways. I love Historical Fiction and I love what the author did with this book!