Book Review: The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

Format: Paperback

Pages: 400 pages

Published: January 2, 2024

Publisher: Dial Books

Genre: Young Adult, Romance, Historical Ficiton, African-American

Synopsis:

The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in a changing United States, their fortune made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now it’s 1910, and the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties, finding their way and finding love–even where they’re not supposed to.

There is Olivia, the beautiful elder Davenport daughter, ready to do her duty by getting married . . . until she meets the charismatic civil rights leader Washington DeWight and sparks fly. The younger daughter, Helen, is more interested in fixing cars than falling in love–unless it’s with her sister’s suitor. Amy-Rose, the childhood friend turned maid to the Davenport sisters, dreams of opening her own business–and marrying the one man she could never be with, Olivia and Helen’s brother, John. But Olivia’s best friend, Ruby, also has her sights set on John Davenport, though she can’t seem to keep his interest . . . until family pressure has her scheming to win his heart, just as someone else wins hers.

Inspired by the real-life story of the Patterson family, The Davenports is the tale of four determined and passionate young Black women discovering the courage to steer their own path in life–and love.

Today is my tour stop on the Hear Our Voices Blog Tour for The Davenports by Krystal Marquis , a delightful and diverse historical romance that is an excellent read for fans of Bridgerton and Downton Abbey. ⁠

The Davenports was a delightful historical romance to read. It is always refreshing to read diverse books, but reading a story inspired by the true story of an elite African American family in the 1900s was truly enlightening. Readers will enjoy this engaging and romantic tale that gives them a chance to escape into a world they rarely get to read about and encounter. It was a great form of escapism literature, perfect to read during the long winter nights. ⁠ ⁠

Readers who decide to pick this up will not only be enamored by the story but also charmed and inspired by the four female characters who are strong and courageous, qualities that readers will quickly identify and engage with. The adventures of Olvia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby are enchanting to read, and you will find it hard not to want to read more about these characters. And it is exciting to find out that a second book of this series will come out in November!⁠ ⁠