I don’t read nearly enough about the Black-British experience in fiction, and so I was really excited to be accepted for an ARC of Jamaica Road. This book is a literary fiction novel that features a love story against the backdrop of a tumultuous decade in the tight-knit British-Jamaican community in London. It’s 1981 and Daphne is the only Black girl in her class. To survive London in the 80s, Daphne’s aim is to go unnoticed. Yet this is all upended when a boy, Connie Small, arrives undocumented from Jamaica. Despite Daphne’s most earnest attempts to keep her distance, Connie is a magnetic, charismatic forcer and they soon develop a close bond, navigating racial tensions in a volatile city and their families growing close, too.

Emotional and quick-witted and laden with humanity, Jamaica Road is a beautiful historical fiction and I am surely impressed that it’s Smith’s debut. The relationship and friendship between Daphne and Connie is realistic and haunting. You can really feel the pressure on Daphne as she navigates the fact that her best friend is here illegally, especially a dramatic, violence and tension-filled backdrop of 80s London and all the racism and cultural changes it is going through. The slow burn romance is perfectly plotted against this bigger plot. I also really enjoyed Smith’s inclusion and use of Jamaican patois throughout. While this slowed down my read as I worked to understand it, this really immersed me in the story and helped play up the themes of identity and heritage. The slower pace of this book won’t work for everybody, but I really recommend sticking with it. A gorgeous read.

A character led plot that will only leave you aching for more. I was obsessed with Daphne and Connie from the beginning- so much so that I couldn’t put this book down. I loved how Jamaican this was, from the accent to the food. It explores a large part of Black British history that is often over looked - Black people’s relationships with the police during the late 1900s. Whilst also, touching on various other subjects surrounding racism, microaggression and more.

This is through the eyes of Daphne, and this book is multilayered through this coming of age tale. Daphne is exploring what it means to be Black British in a country that tells her she doesn’t belong - despite living there. Her identity is called into question and leaves her confused for quite a bit of the novel. It’s through her blossoming friendship and relationship with Connie, that Daphne realises who she is when it comes to her race.

But beautifully, we see Daphne realise who she is through her relationship with the women around her. Through her grandmother, her mum, Connie’s mum, cousins and more, Daphne forms her own opinions on what it means to be a Black woman. She has a troubled relationship with her father, that often makes her question herself, but she manages to pulll herself back up - which is the main thing.

I really did enjoy reading this book. It’s so beautifully told that I inexplicably ached for more by the end. The chapters began to feel abrupt towards the end but it doesn’t take anything away from the story being told.

An enjoyable read about a history that is ours, despite what this country tells you.

🇯🇲 REVIEW 🇯🇲

Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith
Release Date: 12th June 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Thank you @netgalley and @dialoguepublishing for the e-ARC!

📝 - South London, 1981: Daphne is the only Black girl in her class. All she wants is to keep her head down, preferably in a book. The easiest way to survive is to go unnoticed.  Daphne’s attempts at invisibility are upended when a boy named Connie Small arrives from Jamaica. Connie is the opposite of small in every way: lanky, outgoing, and unapologetically himself. Daphne tries to keep her distance, but Connie is magnetic, and they form an intense bond. As they navigate growing up in a volatile, rapidly changing city, their families become close, and their friendship begins to shift into something more complicated. When Connie reveals that he and his mother “nuh land”—meaning they’re in England illegally—Daphne realizes that she is dangerously entangled in Connie’s fragile home life. Soon, long-buried secrets in both families threaten to tear them apart permanently.

💭 - I really enjoyed the first half of this one, set in the early-mid 80s, with lots of discussion about racist and far-right attacks at the time. Coincidentally, I watched The Walk-In on Netflix at the same time, which covers the rise of far-right attacks and also mentions some of the historical events that came up here (I highly recommend the show, Stephen Graham is brilliant as per). However, I found myself a bit less invested as time moved on; while impossible to give every moment/time period the same amount of detail without this book becoming 600+ pages, I felt that I didn’t know how either character had grown and changed as well as I wanted to by the end. And, although this is an ARC, the number of typos really started to grate on me. Overall, a good read that unfortunately tapered towards the end, but worth the read for the first half in my opinion.

#jamaicaroad #bookreview #netgalley #netgalleyreview #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #advancereaderscopy #readblackauthors #readdiversebooks

"A house is just bricks and mortar. A home is where yuh heart is."

Daphne is the only Black students in her class. Her mission is simple: Keep her head in her books & don't do anything to draw the attention of the whites peers to her. This all changes once a new student, Connie, from Jamaica joins her class. Connie is full of confidence & is unaware of the prejudice & racism he will face because of the colour of his skin. Whilst Daphne is reluctant to be tied to Connie due to the unwanted attention his presence will undoubtedly cause, Connie's charm is the spark that ignites a longterm friendship, but will it burn out?

Set against the backdrop of racial tensions within London, namely the aftermath of the New Cross Fire & the proceeding Brixton riots. Jamaica Road is a YA story that tells a tale of friendship, first loves, illegal immigration, racism, family, violence & of course Jamaican culture.

I really enjoyed Jamaica Road & there were so many elements of this story that I loved.

1. The inclusion of pivotal moments within the Black community: The New Cross Fire, the Brixton Riots & the case of Stephen Lawrence.
2. The inclusion of immigration & illegal immigration. Unfortunately, Connie & his mother are illegal immigrants during the majority of the story. The tension during the story due to this was palpable & I think it was so well done.
3. The exploration & impact of race on relationships. Especially in regards to Interracial dating.
3: Connie was my favourite character in this story. He was so authentically himself. Despite everything that he was going through at home with his awful step-father, Connie remained a light & is probably one of favourite bookish characters to date.
4: Toxic/absent fathers - Daphnes father was so shoddy, he reminded me of Cyril from People Person, but worse. However, it did make me think that we tend to idolise the absent parent because of their absence.

I do think a fuller ending may have served Jamaica Road better.

Nevertheless, this is a book that I would recommend time & time again. If it's not on your TBR, add it now!

For lovers of Small Axe, The Day I Fell Off My Island

⭐️⭐️⭐⭐️

At times this book was so deeply moving as it is set against a backdrop of racial prejudice and injustice. Daphne is a first generation British Jamaican brought up in a one parent family which is also a stigma she must overcome. Tending to keep a low profile her school days are quite friendless until Connie arrives at her school and surprises her by his totally different outlook on life. The difference between them though is that Connie and his mother’s application to stay in the country relies on his abusive step father. If that application is not granted he and his mother will be in the country illegally. Daphne is fortunate to have the support of a close knit family as both her grandmother, aunt and cousins are close by. When she discovers that her natural father is also in South London this will test her strained relationship with her mother.
The story is told against the background of social unrest, particularly the racial riots of the 1980’s in Brixton, Toxteth, Handsworth and Chapeltown. The Jamaican Patois added to the authenticity of the book but for me was difficult to understand at times. It did perhaps slow down my reading pace which may have been a good thing.
I really enjoyed that the story transported me from South London to Jamaica and in both places there were some unforgettable characters. This debut novel has a sweeping timespan and the story telling is totally absorbing. Thanks to NetGalley and Dialogue Books for an advanced reading copy in return for an honest review.

Jamaica Road

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance copy in return for an impartial review.

I was drawn to this book because of its south London setting, having been based here since the turn of the millennium myself. The author’s love for and knowledge of the area really shines through the book too, which I loved.

I also just loved the story. The author wasn’t afraid to tackle really big issues such as racism and domestic violence and did so through the medium of a story that really drew you in and gave you connection to the characters.

I won’t give away any spoilers here, just say if you are looking for a locally based romance that is also hard hitting, then look no further!

An interesting coming of age book. It was well written but the sections in patois a little hard going. The book really reminds us of where we have come from with bias and racism and the struggles and hurdles that other groups need to deal with and feel part of society. A great read

WHAT. A. BOOK.

This is seriously one of the best books I've read in a while. It made me feel ALL the feels. It's the story of Daphne, who's black British- of Jamaican heritage but born in the UK and Connie, a Jamaican who moves to South London as a child to be with his mum and her new husband and child.

We follow them on their journey from best friends to lovers through different stages of life and with a backdrop of so much racial tension, family tension, loss, visa issues and the general immigrant struggle.

This book was well written and the story was well told. My heart was moved by the struggle of each character and I came close to shedding rears a few times. I was utterly heartbroken about how it ended too.

The author did a marvellous job of capturing joy and pain. Community, hope and love. It all felt very very real. She did an excellent job with the subplots and nothing felt unresolved.

Definitely pick this one up and I'm looking forward to seeing it on bestseller lists!

Thanks to net galley and the publishers for an advanced ecopy in exchange for a review.
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the writing and characters, especially the relationship Daphne has with Connie. I really enjoyed the patois throughout the book and made it more authentic. The book is a work of fiction but real events are included throughout such as the house fire that killed 13 black people and also the Brixton riots. The book covered topics of family, racism, relationships and police corruption. Based in London with a Jamaican background I loved following Daphne grow up and navigate life as a young black girl in a relatively white world. I will be recommending to others , 5 stars

Loved this book. A rich, coming of age story that weaves in the racial tensions of that era. Would definitely recommend.

Daphne and Connie have been friends since he came to the UK to live with his birth mother. He does not get on with his step father and spends a lot of time with Daphne and her family while growing up.
This story was made more real by the reference to events that were happening at the time in the 80s and 90s. There was nothing I did not like about this book. It will stay with me for a long time.

Jamaica Road is an immersive historical novel that beautifully captures the deep and enduring friendship between Daphne, a Black Jamaican British girl, and Connie, an undocumented first-generation Jamaican boy.

Lisa Smith skillfully portrays their relationship as it evolves from a profound platonic bond into something more romantic, highlighting the respect and tenderness they maintain through life’s challenges.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its emotional depth.

The stages of Daphne and Connie’s friendship feel authentic and poignant, making their journey both moving and believable.

The depiction of Jamaican immigrant culture - particularly food, traditions, and the tight-knit community - is vivid and engaging.

The book also shines in its portrayal of the racism that immigrants faced in 1980s London, from casual prejudice to institutional oppression, including police harassment.

Sadly racial tensions are heightening once again so it feels important that we keep the conversation and education ongoing.

The historical context feels well-researched and relevant, drawing clear parallels to ongoing struggles for racial justice today.

However, certain aspects of the novel felt less compelling.

Connie’s stepfather is depicted in a way that leans into familiar stereotypes of abuse and control, which felt somewhat predictable.

The novel's structure could also be jarring at times, with abrupt transitions between key moments in Daphne’s life, I found myself rereading some pages as I was confused about the timeline.

At points, it read more like a memoir than a novel, which made it difficult to fully immerse in the story’s flow.

Jamaica Road offers a refreshing and much-needed perspective on a time and place rarely explored in fiction.

The setting of 1980s Southeast London’s Jamaican community is richly drawn, and the novel provides an insightful look at the resilience of immigrants in the face of systemic racism.

There's also a twist at the end, the book as a whole was an eye-opening and valuable read.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Touching and poignant told with heart and wit o adored this book. The setting and periods of time really set the book apart for me, having grown up during the time frame and loving the city od London. Highlights what people went through and are still dealing with today by capturing a friendship that spans times. There was tears, laughter and all that's in between. I suspect there could be prizes for this. Would also make a great TV adaption.

A great choice for book clubs as Jamaica Road has a plethora of interesting strands and issues to discuss. It's the story of an enduring friendship between Daphne and Connie (Cornelius) in 1980s South London. As the only black girl in the school, Daphne tries to keep her head down. Connie, arriving from Jamaica, is the opposite. The story moves from London to Jamaica. On the way story lines include racism, prejudice and lives of illegal immigrants. But it strikes an optimistic tone and the superb characters and plotting make it a memorable read.

A moving coming-of-age story that traces an unexpected friendship as they navigate their lives in London during the 1980/90s. The story explores racial tensions, domestic struggles, and the complexities of identity as well as showcasing Jamaican culture.

Jamaica Road is a beautifully rich story about two friends, Connie and Daphne. We follow these two unlikely friends from childhood to adulthood as they grow up against the backdrop of London in the 80s and 90s, amidst racial tension, family intrigue, and domestic abuse, all mixed with a delicious flavour of Jamaican culture.

Miss Gladys was the absolute show-stealer of this book and reminded me of the elderly grandmas of my friends. I think book clubs are going to love this book; there's so much to discuss.

I almost feel a bit sad that I've been able to read it in advance and not introduce it to my own book club buddies as my choice when it's my turn to pick a book.

Thanks to NetGalley, Dialogue Books, and the author, Lisa Smith, for letting me have the chance to review and read this book in advance.

A pretty solid coming-of-age story that captures what it's like being an ethnic minority at school. I related to the struggles of the MC.

Being the only black girl in her class, Daphne is paired with Connie (short for Cornelius), who has come to Britain from Jamaica. This is the start of a friendship and a coming of age for both kids.

I don't usually enjoy books such as this, I like my reading to step away from the politics of real life but this is an exceptional read.

It has all the style, attitudes and vibes of the 80's, the time in which this book is set.

It is a well told tale and I think a lot of readers will enjoy it as much as I did..

This is a coming of age story about Daphne, a British girl of Jamaican heritage, and set against a backdrop of 1980s/90s social unrest and racism. Daphne is forced by her teacher to buddy up at school with Connie, a new boy who’s just arrived from Jamaica. Over the course of the next few years, Daphne navigates friendship, romance, personal ambition, achievement and a visit to Jamaica. She observes, at close quarters, racist violence and domestic violence. Although the story highlights prejudice and powerlessness, it also shows the protagonists’ resilience and reaches a satisfying conclusion.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post my review on my blog and GoodReads.

South London, 1970s.

Daphne, born in Lewisham hospital, but the only black girl in her class.

Connie (short for Cornelius), newly arrived from Jamaica.

She's put in charge of showing him the ropes.

It's the start of a friendship.

A friendship which weathers the myriad storms and flashpoints of the deeply prejudiced society and attitudes of the time