The Davenports: More Than This

Publication Date: November 2024 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Worth the read if you enjoyed the first novel, but know going in you’re going to have to get to know the characters all over again. This novel shares impactful stories of an important historical group.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Sequel to The Davenports. Four Black young women from wealthy families living in the 1910’s share their stories. Ruby is newly engaged, but battling rumors that could ruin her reputation and her father’s campaign for mayor. Olivia is committed to change and social justice. She hopes to reunite with the traveling activist Washington DeWitt, until her parents suggestion of a suitor catches her interest. Amy-Rose is finally fulfilling her lifelong dream of owning a hair salon, but this puts her back in proximity of the dashing John Davenport. Helen is determined to bring the family carriage company forward by introducing a motorcar. Teaming up with the rake racer Swift, she puts a plan in motion.

My Analysis:I absolutely LOVED the first Davenports book, so as soon as I saw this was available I jumped at the chance to read it. Unfortunately I was a bit disappointed in it overall. The writing was good, as it was in the first novel, but the characters actually bothered me. Without giving too much away, there are not one but several characters that simply choose not to read letters they had and make very large assumptions which lead to some significant miscommunications. If you aren’t into miscommunication tropes, steer clear of this one. In the first novel there was a lot of character development and build up (particularly with love interests) and it almost seemed like I was getting to know new characters (with new love interests) instead. In the sequel I also felt as if the character development wasn’t as well done. I think it may have been the multiple POV’s this time around, even though that didn’t seem to interfere with the first. It was hard to really get to know any of the POV’s in a deeper level. I did however like the new character additions and the push for these Black female characters to strive for their goals and show that they are More Than This. That message is an important one, and you can tell this author did her historical research of this time period. There aren’t many novels out there (particularly YA) that share this specific viewpoint in this time in history, so it is definitely worth reading.