Interesting but Incomplete 3.5*
This book took some time to hold my attention because each chapter focuses on one of four women. And then despite covering 47 chapters, there is no conclusion, a very disappointing end to my hours of reading. I am unsure whether there is going to be a follow on book, I could find no mention of one. I am left feeling cheated.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was such a great read! I loved the historical setting of 1910 Chicago and the backdrop of wealthy Black Americans contrasted with the battles for equality which were happening at the time. This isn’t a setting I’ve read about in a historical fiction novel before and really enjoyed it. I thought our four main female characters were all so interesting and well developed and loved how their stories overlapped and the relationships they had themselves.

My personal favourite was Helen, as I how she was unapologetically herself throughout. However, each of our four main characters has her own romance story and I loved how they all were willing to push to be with the person they loved. There was plenty of drama in the book, with lots of heartfelt moments too. The ending was a cliffhanger so I’ll definitely be waiting for the sequel to come out!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House UK for this E-arc in exchange for an honest review.

it’s very well written and the concept maybe great but honestly afterthought first few chapters I didn’t want to read it any further. And that Ofcourse says it all. Maybe I was just not in the right head frame but honestly I just didn’t want to read it. Every chapter was a change in whose perspective were reading it from and every chapter I got less and less interested.

Again it was well written maybe I’m just not the target audience.

Historical romance

My first foray into historical romance did not disappoint. This book is a great mix of escapism and reality, making it a perfect read for anyone looking to escape into a world of opulence and love. The Davenports is a page-turner of a novel guaranteed to leave you swooning and laughing at the same time.

Set in 1910, the novel follows the lives of the Davenport sisters (Olivia and Helen) and their friends Amy-Rose and Ruby as they navigate their way through the world of high society and find love.

Honestly, Krystal Marquis has done an excellent job of bringing the era to life. The writing is descriptive and evocative, making it easy to imagine the grandeur of the Davenports' mansion and the opulence of their parties. I felt like I was watching Bridgerton!

One of the things I loved about this book is the way that it manages to be both escapist and thought-provoking at the same time. The romance is swoon-worthy, but it's also a reminder of the struggles that people of color faced during this time period. The author does a great job of depicting the racism and discrimination that the Davenports face, while also showing how they were able to rise above it and make a life for themselves.

The characters in the book are all well-developed. The alternating POVs of Olivia, Ruby, Amy-Rose, and Helen enriched the story. I equally liked all of them, which is unusual for me. They each have a unique voice, and the novel's portrayal of their struggles is both relatable and inspiring.

I’m a little disappointed by the ending. I wish I’d waited for the series to be complete. It’s not a HEA for everyone unfortunately. :(

All in all, this book is a breath of fresh air that will surely appeal to fans of historical fiction and romance. The author does a great job of bringing the story to life and creating relatable and likable characters. The themes of family pressure, societal expectations, class, and race are handled with sensitivity and insight, making this a thought-provoking and enjoyable read.

This is a book that I feel every middle grader should read as it will give them a different look at history of America. One where of colour did have what white people had but where still fighting to be seen as equal to them. A true must read so they see that their dreams are not impossible.

A beautiful story set in Chicago 1910 focusing on four young woman of different classes who navigate the coming of age and the expectations of finding a partner. It also explores important themes of the Slave Trade, Jim Crows Legislation, racism and the demand place on young women to fit into a certain criteria. I really enjoyed this book and it gave the same tensions and feels of watching Bridgerton. I loved the romance slow building between the characters.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this in advance.

Although marketed as a Young Adult novel, I think this can be read by all ages, especially as the history is so interesting. Set in Chicago in 1910, we follow the story of 4 young black women at a time when wealth is starting to be made and there is a sense of class depending on this. There are still obligations to fulfil in terms of marriage and status and we follow the girls towards womanhood and the trials and tribulations it brings.
Romance, civil rights and equal rights are all discussed to make it a great read.

Absolutely adored this one. It had just the right amount of romance for me whilst giving you an insight to how the author believes things were done back in the day. Such an easy read. It reminded me so much of bridgerton

Refreshing take on romance that doesn't shy away from politically uncomfortable stances and ignore the wider issues happening around the characters. The strong women showcased are characters we grow to love and cheer for through their trials, tribulations and growth. Highly enjoyable!

I hadn’t realised, when I requested this, that it is a YA novel. I am far from being a Young Adult! However, It has plenty of appeal for us rather more aged - mean mature! - readers.

We are transported to 1910 Chicago to follow the intertwined stories of four young black women: sisters Olivia and Helen from the wealthy Davenport family of the title, their friend Ruby and their childhood friend and now maid, Amy-Rose. They are of an age when, for the richer girls, bagging a suitable husband is at the forefront of their families’ minds: things hadn’t moved on very far, in such social circles, from Jane Austen’s day, a century earlier. There are tones of Jane Austen, especially Pride and Prejudice, and I was also reminded of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, with everyone falling in love with people they’re not supposed to fall in love with.

Although romance is a major theme, civil rights and opportunities for women (and lack thereof) are addressed in ways which, I found, feed the four women’s stories admirably, rather than standing up shouting, “look at me I’m a worthy issue”.

An enjoyable read.

What begins as a story about a successful business family of colour in Chicago, 1910, quickly turns into a debate on the Jim Crow laws in the southern states and the injustices, inequality and mistrust encountered even by free people.
This is an early part of the 20th century I have rarely encountered in fiction, and I found it interesting, well written and researched. The role of women was highlighted very well as their lack of choices and obligations to follow their families wishes.
I really hope we can read more about the family and the conditions of the time in a further book by this author.

An interesting insight into early 20th century American black history from the novel stand point of a well to do and wealthy black family. The story is told from the perspective of four women - The Davenport sisters Olivia and Helen, their beautiful maid Amy Rose and their friend Ruby and their entanglement with various men. Although wealthy and generally well treated due to their family name, the characters experience issues of racism, snobbery and the expectations of young women at that time.
A sweet and predictable story, pleasant and romantic with enough interesting characters to entertain. However, I found the writing slow paced and rather dull and I really struggled to finish it, speed reading from about 60% onwards to get the book finished.
With thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the arc.

This was such an interesting read and truly perfect for fans of historical romance, particularly Bridgerton. Set in Chicago in 1910, this book explores the differences in the Black community at this time. Aspects of slavery, the Jim Crow laws, the Civil Rights movement and the growing opportunities for Black owned businesses in some areas of America are all sensitively dealt with amongst the backdrop of high society where wealthy Blacks are able to hold their own.
Whilst Bridgerton has strove to cast Black actors in lead roles, this book centres its story around a Black family and as such absolutely deserves its own TV show!
In terms of storyline, I thought all the love stories would be tied up by the end of the book, yet as the end neared, they unravelled ... leading to a wonderful opportunity for a sequel, or perhaps (hopefully) an entire series. I really enjoyed the changing perspectives between the four girls as they navigated their changing lives and cannot wait to see how their stories continue in the next book - I'll definitely be buying it!

**Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read an advanced e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own **

I really enjoyed this book! It was well written and engaging. I wouldn't personally call it a romance as that isn't the central point of the story. To me, it was more of about coming-of-age, figuring out how to step away from the shadow of our parents and what we want from life. Though the romances were part of the plot, they felt like a side character in a much larger story. I enjoyed the different point of views and saw myself rooting for all of them at different point in times.
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I need a spin off with Amy Rose please and thank you

I enjoy reading this book by a new author. The characters are all very real and their life experiences as young women of colour in Chicago in 1910 are well described. Olivia, her sister Helen, friend Ruby and maid Amy-Rose are all in their mid to late teens with expectations of narriage in the near future. Parental pressure and societies expectations are intense.
Once I started I could not.put the book down. and was disappointed to finish it. I wanted to know what happened in the next stage of their lives..
Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I can recommend it to lovers of historical fiction and romance.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Chicago 1910 - four young women finding their way in the world. Olivia Davenport now in her second season is expected to make a good match. Helen Davenport would rather fix cars in the family business than dress up, attend functions and marry. Olivia’s best friend Ruby is expected to marry John Davenport and secure her family’s financial future. And maid Amy-Rose is saving hard to open her own hair and beauty salon. But the best laid plans…

I really enjoyed this book, both historical and romantic aspects. I was rooting for the characters and was really frustrated when it ended - can’t wait for the next one! Very highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book.

This charming YA romance book is set in Chicago in the early 20th century and explores the Black community at the time.
There are Four POVs, each following a separate romance, making it a little slow at times but each of the characters are well defined and each romance focuses on a different social barrier like family expectations, race, or class. In general, I always prefer more streamlined and focused romances instead of flitting between multiple different ones, but in this book it works. Whilst I definitely enjoyed learning about a time which I knew very little about, the main strengths of this book are in the complex characters, relationships, and romances.
This is strong debut and I hope to read more books from this author in the future.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review - thank you Penguin and NetGalley.

Set in 1910 the influential and wealthy family of the Davenports are known for their luxurious carriages. They’ve quite literally worked their way up in society from the bottom to the top in Chicago.

The story is that of 4 protagonists - Olivia Davenport, Helen Davenport, their childhood friend Ruby Tremaine and the ladies made and good friend Amy-Rose Shepherd.

Think Bridgerton with more classes, racism and slavery. This book is set in a time of progression, civil rights movements and class expectations.

Olivia, John and Helen Davenport navigate love, family expectations and their own desires all while trying to sustain a family future. I must admit the ending left me with more questions than answers so I’m really hoping for a continuation into a sequel to see how things tie up and whether they all get their happy endings.

🏷️ Thank you to Krystal Marquis, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you're looking for a read that's like The Bold Type meets Bridgerton, you'll love THE DAVENPORTS.

💛 What I loved about this debut is the heartfelt way it captures young adult love. The tribulations, humiliations and triumphs.

We first meet Olivia, the older sister with a desire to find a husband and start the 'proper' life she'd been dreaming of since childhood. Only to learn that her passions lie elsewhere.

Her sister, Helen, who's more interested in wrenches than relationships and falls for someone she really shouldn't.

Their friend, Ruby, from a family who're using the last of their wealth to fund a mayoral campaign and expect her marriage plans to match their lofty expectations.

And finally the ambitious Amy-Rose, the Daveport sisters long serving maid with hopes of starting her own hair salon after spending years saving every penny. She's not looking for love, but she fails to resist its pull anyway.

It was great to read a story where each of the four protagonists grew in such unexpected ways, I had no idea how the book was going to end and I was not disappointed!!! My mouth has only just shut from all those last revelations.

As wonderful as the love stories are, my favourite scenes were the ones of choice, defiance and activism. The ones where we shed a light on America's unvoiced Black history. So often, we only see tales of hardships. We need more stories that celebrate our success.

I cannot wait for book 2.

I enjoyed this for the glimpse at history it gave the reader. It focuses on a bit of history I didn't know much about and challenges misconceptions about black history in America in the early 1900s. I also enjoyed the romance elements of the book albeit being left fairly frustrated by the ending. Hopefully the wait for book two won't be too long