The Davenports
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4.1 • 55 Ratings
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- $8.99
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- $8.99
Publisher Description
*Instant New York Times Bestseller*
The Davenports delivers a totally escapist, swoon-worthy romance while offering a glimpse into a period of African American history often overlooked.
"The perfect read for fans of escapist historical fiction.” —NBC’s TODAY
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.
"The Davenports has it all: romance, heartbreak, courage." —Ebony
"A fresh, utterly enchanting read.” —Ayana Gray, New York Times bestselling author of the Beasts of Prey trilogy
"Deftly written . . . A dazzling debut." —Kirkus (starred review)
"Stunningly wrought . . . Presents a cast of take-charge women." —PW (starred review)
"It has the compulsive readability of Gossip Girl." —Booklist (starred review)
"Compelling . . . distinct and satisfying." —BCCB
"Skilled . . . Well-written . . . Sure to please." —SLJ
"If this whole series existed right now, I’d tear through it to the exclusion of everything else in my life." —Teen Librarian Toolbox
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
This stunningly wrought historical fiction debut follows a group of Black teens navigating classism, familial expectations, gender norms, and racism in 1910 Chicago. William Davenport is the formerly enslaved head of one of the city's few wealthy Black families. As such, his children—Olivia, John, and Helen—and their associates are constantly in the public eye. While Olivia is courted by a proper Black Englishman, she meets a civil rights activist who makes her question her privileged upbringing and encourages her to face ongoing postslavery horrors. Olivia's best friend, Ruby, is in love with John, though his interest has always been fleeting. But when it becomes clear that marrying John would benefit her family, Ruby starts plotting a scheme to win his heart. Meanwhile, Helen would rather work on vehicles than conform to traditional gender roles, and the siblings' childhood friend turned maid, Amy Rose, has ambitions to start her own business. Marquis perceptively explores the history and momentous impact of Black achievements and wealth during an underreported period in U.S. history. Employing expert characterization and complex dynamics, the author presents a cast of take-charge women, undeterred by their struggles and pursuing their passions regardless of expectations. Ages 12–up.
Customer Reviews
Wish there was a sequel
Love to find out what happens to everyone.
Highly recommend!
So good! I love descriptive writing that brings me into the story, and the Davenports’ world of opulence, glamour and power had me entranced. I so enjoyed the courting and romance reminiscent of Austen and the plot twists had me riveted (the omg moments 😂). I hope this series makes it to film, I would love to see it on the screen. I’m so excited that the story continues this May, and I can’t wait to go back.
Wow (spoilers ahead)
I usually don’t read this kind of book, but this one really drew me in. I feel like the characters are really well defined and you can actually root for each one, even if they go against each other. While this book may not be so historically accurate I feel like the storytelling was superb. I love that at one point Olivia feels jealous of John and Helen’s sibling love, and wants to be a part of it. It really shows how much she had to grow up and how much she had to leave behind to fit the standards of wealthy women. While Ruby isn’t my favorite, quite the contrary, her ark of loving John and scheming to get his love back, only to fall in love with someone else is really interesting. It’s really cute to see how caring she is towards her decoy turned love interest, and she defiantly deserves her happily ever after. Helen is one of my favs, she just has a really fun story and Amy-Rose is definitely a headstrong hero and I loved watching her love blossom with John and her completely baffled thoughts when he said he loved her back. One of my favorite parts about the book is the end. I like that not everyone gets their happily ever after with their love interest. It definitely differs from other romances where the love interests are destined to be together. I know that in the next book that the characters will run into each other again, giving them a second chance at love, but would there really be a sequel that wasn’t that? I will defiantly read the sequel and I really hope that it lives up to its counter part!