I read this book as an electronic ARC and my god, it is one of the most profound, captivating, and truthful accounts we have of American slavery. It is likely going to be one of my favorite books of this year if not all time. The storyline weaves together the lives of no less than four different families, from white indentured servants to slave owners to African slaves sold into slavery at the beginning of the North American slave trade.

This book by its description and nature is a heavy topic and features the realities of slavery that are horrific. However, I applaud the author for handling these horrors and suffering in a manner that only
the suffering inflicted. I think this work deserves to be read to completion and needs to so that more people truly understand the physical and psychological horrors of slavery.

The writing style itself is deep, rich, evocative, and captivating. Truly some of the best prose I have read, and all the more laudable considering this is a debut work. It helps create a rich tapestry of stories that effectively weave so many different characters and people and worldviews into one cohesive unit.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, W. W. Norton and Company, and the author for a copy of this electronic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Tender, Soulful Celebration of Love**

Reading *This Here Is Love* felt like sitting on a front porch with someone who knows the truth about life and isn’t afraid to speak it—with heart, humor, and so much grace. Princess Joy L. Perry has crafted something rare: a book that feels deeply personal, yet universally resonant.

Her words reach into those quiet, vulnerable places we often protect, and gently pull them into the light. Whether she's talking about family, grief, healing, or joy, there’s an honesty and warmth that wraps around you like a familiar song. The writing is poetic but grounded, and full of moments that made me pause, smile, and even tear up a little.

This isn't just a book to read—it’s a book to *feel*. To revisit. To gift to someone you love. Perry reminds us that love—real love—is layered, complex, and always worth it.

If you need a reminder of the beauty in everyday moments or a little spark to keep going, *This Here Is Love* will meet you right where you are.

A raw and soulful debut that stayed with me

I had the opportunity to read This Here is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry before its official release, and I’m so glad I did. The story is beautifully layered, honest, intimate, and full of heart. The characters felt real, their emotions tangible, and the way love in all its complicated forms was explored made me pause more than once to take it in. It’s not just about romantic love, it’s about self-worth, community, grief, and healing, all woven together in a voice that feels both poetic and grounded.

I will say the format it came in for Kindle made it a little hard to follow at times. Some of the spacing and layout threw me off, but that didn’t take away from the overall experience. I actually think I’ll re-read it once the official version is out just to see it the way it was meant to be presented.

Princess Joy is definitely an author to watch. This story made me feel seen in ways I wasn’t expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hey, hey, my favorites 😀💚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Set in 1690s Tidewater, Virginia, This Here Is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry is a profound exploration of love, resilience, and survival amidst the harsh realities of slavery and indentured servitude. The narrative follows Bless, an enslaved woman; David, a freeborn boy fighting to claim that freedom; and Jack, a Scots-Irish indentured servant struggling with his dreams of liberty in a brutal new world.

Perry’s writing is lyrical and immersive, painting both pain and tenderness with care. The characters feel real and fully formed, their choices heartbreaking yet deeply human. This debut novel bravely asks: how do people maintain their humanity in a system designed to erase it?

A powerful, emotionally stirring read that left a lasting impact.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I think how this came formatted to my kindle made this story hard to follow. I was just confused on what was going on because the format was so choppy. From what I did gather, this is an emotional story and I truly enjoyed following the FMC go through the journey that is womanhood. I definitely want to re-read this when the physical copy comes out.

This Here Is Love is an emotional story that follows many characters in the late 1600's, early 1700's in the time of Black American slavery. The novel is set in three parts, the first being when most of the characters are disconnected from each other, both in location and time. We learn who they are and their origin's (in terms of the novel), but the second part brings them all together and connects all their storylines together.

The heart of the novel is a girl named Bless; we watch her grow from a child into a woman, and all the ups and downs of her life as a slave. Other characters include a young white boy who becomes a slave owner, a free man and his enslaved son, and more.

This was incredibly moving, and well written. If you like the novel The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr., then I highly recommend you pick up this book. In the couple days that I've had between finishing this story and writing this review, I've not stopped thinking about it. I originally was going to rate this book a 4.5, but I'm now bumping it up to a full 5 stars.