It’s hard to believe this is a debut novel - a masterpiece of writing based on a true story. It has all the sparkling ingredients of a cohesive, engaging story about a wealthy black family living in the vibrant and tumultuous Chicago of 1910. Although not entirely accepted, the family earns respect. The plot includes prejudice, civil rights, vivid description, love, unrequited love, lovers’ tiffs, ambition, and humour wrapped up in an immersive way. Four love stories for the price of one when parents pressure their daughters to marry well, and their defiance. Dare I hope there is a sequel?

I'm truly grateful for the chance to delve into this captivating novel. It's a story that resonated with me on many levels,

This was a really strong debut that had me completely enthralled. The premise was charming and so empowering and the characters were strong led. Just wonderful.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

The Davenports was a fun read - definitely recommended for fans of Regency romance such as Bridgerton, but set in America and dealing with perhaps more serious issues such as racism and civil rights. The characters are well-drawn and realistic, and it's interesting to note that they are based on a real Black family from Chicago. I'll look forward to reading future books in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set in 1910 and following the lives of 4 black women (Ruby, Olivia, Amy-Rose and Helen) and set in Chicago, the story includes topics covering racism, civil rights, societal infrastructure surrounding people of colour and how they are placed in society despite of the amount of wealth they poses impacted by the effects of slavery (which sadly is still paramount if not more subtle in society today).

This was a very impressive book, I enjoyed the budding romances and all the drama and the beautiful descriptions that took my imagination to 1910.

I think this is a strong debut and I look forward to seeing more like this from Marquis in the future.

The writing in this novel was easy to follow, but I think I struggled a little with the pacing. There were moments where I was really invested in the characters and their positions/places in society and how they were trying to change that; however, sometimes the romances would slow the pacing down and it threw me off. It too me over a month to read this book and that's very unlike me to take that long to read a book.

Quick easy read. Sometimes a little disappointing in places but then it is a young adult book, so really it’s just right.

Told from 4 different characters points of view which I enjoyed. High expectations from parents and rebellious girls, as well as being excepted in society despite being coloured

Thank you for the chance to read this book

A very charming romance with sparky characters and great dialogue. I loved the setting amongst the few wealthy Black families in early 1900s America, and really hope Marquis builds this out into a series.

Lovely, charming, would love a sequel - perfect for any fan of Bridgerton! Historical YA with a diverse cast that is based on a real family!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Dave ports and would highly recommend it to everyone. It tells an important story and holds an important message. Although this is a YA book, it appeals to a wider audience. I am throughly looking forward to continuing this series.

I really had difficulty getting into the book, confused with all the different characters, so sadly didn't finish it.

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.

A Northern Gone With The Wind! And it reminds us how recently slavery was outlawed, just a few generations ago.
A love story, but not a straightforward one, in any way. A realistic, but rather disappointing ending!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for review

A very enjoyable read and I particularly enjoyed the fact the story is loosely based on a real family. I enjoyed each of the characters viewpoints and will definitely recommend this book to my daughter to read

I thoroughly enjoyed this YA historical romance. The different POVs took me a while to get used to but once I did I couldn't put this book down. I'm looking forward to seeing where this series could go.

This was such a fantastic, glamour and beautiful story! I fell in love with the characters and the setting! Would definitely recommend!

A dazzling debut novel inspired by the real life story of the Patterson family, the Davenports is a compelling, fulfilling and distinctly satisfying story that delivers total escapism, worthy romance and a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked. The family fortune is made through the entrepreneurship of William Davenport - a former enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company. The novel starts in 1910, the Davenports are surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, endless parties, finding their way, confronting challenges about the future and looking for love, sometimes in unexpected place. Four passionate, determined take charge Black women connect with their courage and steer their own path. Olivia is Davenport's eldest daughter determined to do her duty by getting married. That is until she meets civil rights leader, Washington De Wright. Helen the youngest daughter is more interested in fixing cars. Amy Rose is a childhood friend, she has lost her mother and is maid to the Davenport sisters. She dreams of opening her own hair business. Ruby, Olivia's best friend has her own scheme. She has set her sights on John Davenport, Olivia's and Helen's brother. Author Krystal Marquis certainly delivers intrigue.

I was approved an ARC of this from Netgalley and Penguin group and was extremely excited to begin reading it as I had not read a historical romance from a Black perspective character driven by a wealthy black family.

Unfortunately, I was left disappointed because much of the historical fiction was glazed over and could have been developed much more.

The characters were interesting to a point but also could have been developed further.

It was easy to read and enjoyable in parts, however this was not enough to pique my interest.

I wish to thanks Netgalley and Penguin for the ARC. I shall just have to wait for another historical fictional romance to come along with more of a sustained plot including more well developed elements from history.

An interesting take on a historical Romance - the black Bridgerton apparently.

I did enjoy elements of this book - believable characters in parts, the setting, the historical context against the Jim Crow laws and the challenges of being a free or formerly enslaved Black.

However I felt the historical elements needed more explanation, particularly as this is aimed at a YA audience who may not have all the context … and because it would have added depth to the book.

An enjoyable read although at times the characters were self-indulgent and at others superficial… a bit more balance was required.

An interesting read that taught me more about the struggles in American society - but I was left wanting so much more from a historical perspective

3*

When I started to read this novel, I had managed to overlook the fact that is was aimed at the Young Adult market, but it was an enjoyable read all the same.

It has multiple narrators as we follow the fortune of 4 young girls in Chicago set in the early 1900s. It feels a little shallow to start with though the themes soon reveal themselves to be darker and more relevant than is immediately apparent. I was unconvinced as the way Ruby and Oliva (particularly) become involved with men which they know their parents will disapprove of. The families have clear expectations and the girls are quite rebellious. Helen and Amy-Rose felt a little stereotyped - tom boy and maid who is about to take control of her own faith.

The book is very overt about its characters being black - to the point of overemphasis at times. I recognise that the history books need to be rebalanced, but one book alone cannot do this and I did feel that this was trying too hard with that regard.

The 'frothy' social climbing has a feel of 'Bridgerton' relocated, though I can see that 'The Davenports' is trying to draw attention to social injustices which were too apparent at this time and has a more serious aim to it.

I hope this is a book which gets teenagers talking - about past injustices and how to prevent them in the future. It is entertaining but very neatly wrapped up in the end, with all girls promised to the 'right' man.

Dare I say it... Better than another well know same era TV series.
If that's your thing... This is better.
A must read!