Tag: Historical Fiction

Book Review

The Grove

TheShelfLife

The Grove by Brooks Whitney Phillips

Publication Date: June 2025

Overall Verdict: An intricate yet slow paced look at the socioeconomic status of a family in the 1960’s.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Set in the 1960s, The Grove shares the story of Pip living with her sister and parents on the brink of poverty. Selling oranges and taking care of the grove are a priority in which the girls are pulled into, and the only life they have ever known. Each year when the carnival comes to town, the sisters finally feel a glimpse of the possibility of wonder and something more. This year however, after the carnival leaves, the sisters begin to grow apart. When Pip feels so pushed away, she finds solace in a boy named Silas, who lives and works in the orange grove. Secrets come to light and the people of Pip’s world find themselves in some precarious situations.

My Analysis: I was expecting a slightly different story than the one I got in reading this book, but it didn’t sway my opinion on it overall. This story shares a deep look into a family who is living in poverty, and all of the things that they have to do and consider because of it. It’s interesting to see this through Pip’s eyes, growing up in the grove and not really knowing much different. I thought the insights to the socioeconomic status of the family were researched and well done. I liked Pip’s relationship with Silas and how the author included a strength in him that one may lot have anticipated for someone living as he is. When the sisters begin their separation from one another, I thought Sissy was a bit more harsh to Pip than she needed to be, which made me dislike her a bit. I know there were reasons behind her pushing Pip away, but I didn’t think she needed to be as cruel as she ended up being towards her. I think the author also did a nice job developing the characters overall, even the mother and father were well thought out and you could really see into their actions and motivations. If you like historical fiction, don’t mind a book that is interesting but slow paced, and want something a bit different, give this one a read.

Book Review

The Davenports: More Than This

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The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis

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.

Book Review

Witty In Pink

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Witty In Pink by Erica George

Publication Date: August 2024 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Fans of regency era romance will fall for these characters.

4/5 Stars

Book Summary: After an embarrassing incident that occurred when they were children, Blythe has actively avoided Briggs Goswick. When she spends the summer at her Uncles home next door to the Goswick estate, they encounter each other once more. Each needing to do something to save their family, they end up reluctantly striking a bargain. Briggs will introduce her to potential investors for her budding bee business, and in return Blythe will help Briggs win the heart of a cold woman with a large dowry. While working together, they realize there may be more to their witty banter than resentment.

My Analysis: If you are a fan of regency era settings, I recommend you pick this one up. It focuses more on those individuals that live outside the ton and gives a slightly different perspective than binging Bridgerton. You should know going into this that it is a romance novel, and that the plot very much revolves around that and the experiences of those characters. That being said, the characters are highly intriguing and even the secondary characters are well-developed. I liked Blythe’s independent and business natured mindset, even if she could also be insufferable at times. The romance was nicely done as characters skirted around one another. Historically speaking, I’m not exactly sure how accurate this is as a representation of the time period. It felt like there were several times where things didn’t historically make sense. If that’s not something that you would get bothered by though, it is worth the read for the entertaining story.

Book Review

A Family of Killers

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A Family of Killers by Bryce Moore

Publication Date: August 2024 |Thanks Edelweiss for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Sometimes tedious, this is an interesting take on a combination of historical fiction and horror. May be better suited for older YA audiences.

2/5 Stars

Book Summary: Warren has been growing increasingly concerned about the voice in his head that is urging him to be violent. At the same time, a number of people have gone missing in Kansas. When Warren’s father goes to investigate but doesn’t return, Warren sets out to prove to himself and his family that he is stronger than his impulses. As he makes his way through Kansas, he stumbles upon the Bender family. Warren becomes suspicious of them and believes they may be responsible for the missing people. Torn between becoming the person he wants to be and avenging those he holds dear, Warren must choose whether or not to give into the voice in his head.

My Analysis: This book was…odd. I’m honestly not even quite sure how to describe it. It was nothing like I was anticipating, but after finishing it and going back to the summary, it all matches up. I liked that this is based on the true story of the Bender family. Included at the start of each chapter is a real quote. It is important to note that this all takes place within the 1800s, which I had not realized going in. It does make for a very intriguing setting however. It took me a lot to get through the first half, the super slow build up took far too long. Halfway through though things pick up and I was interested in Warrens interactions with the Benders and others he encountered on his journey. I wish that there had been a focus on another character in addition to Warren. Although it was interesting to get his perspective, it got tedious after awhile. Also, I feel like the whole violent voices in his head thing was totally contradictory to his actions. He has a voice telling him to commit these heinous acts, yet when faced with even the smallest incidents of violence he gets nauseous at the thought. That didn’t really make sense to me. It’s one thing to want to fight the urges, but to have such opposing thoughts and actions was weird. In the beginning it also seemed like Warren may have OCD, but that was never really touched on again. I think I would have appreciated seeing more of the Benders perspective to break up Warren’s story. This may be better suited for older YA audiences, and not just because of the inter dispersed gore. I’m not sure some YA readers would be pulled in enough to make it through. Overall it was an interesting combination of historical fiction and horror. Readers just need to be aware that it may be a little harder to get through at some points.

Book Review

The Brightwood Code

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The Brightwood Code by Monica Hesse

Publication Date: May 2024 |Thanks Netgalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: Solid YA historical fiction that shares a unique female experience during WWI. A quick read!

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Edda was on the front lines of WWI as a “Hello Girl,” one of the female switchboard operators recruited by the US Army. Spending her time in France memorizing code to connect calls of life or death matters, she worked tirelessly. Then one day everything went wrong. Now, the war is over and she is back in Washington D.C. working for the Bell Telephone company. Right as her shift is about to end, she receives a mysterious call with the code word ‘Brightwood’ from the war. As Edda begins to investigate this unknown caller, she uncovers truths about the past.

My Analysis: This is an engaging read for YA historical fiction fans. I enjoyed the perspective of the “Hello Girls” angle of WWI and a little bit into the scope of their experiences. I actually wish it dived into the day to day just a little bit more than it did, but can understand the author not wanting to get too bogged down beyond the main plot. I did find the main character Edda to be a little annoying, but overall I enjoyed her story. This shares newly post-WWI Edda and her story in France from months earlier through flashbacks. Readers may find themselves slightly more interested in one view than the other, but it does pull together nicely in the end. I read through this one super fast, which may appeal to YA audiences who like historical fiction but don’t want something that will take a long time to get through.

Book Review

Medici Heist

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Medici Heist by Caitlin Schneiderhan

Publication Date: August 2024 |Thanks NetGalleyfor an ARC

Overall Verdict: Historical (heavy on the fiction) story set in Florence. Multiple POV’s share their expertise in attempting to rob the Medici Family.

3/5 Stars

Book Summary: Set in 1517 in Florence, when the Medici Family reins supreme, people recall the freedoms of being a Republic. Rosa Cellini has her own plans for the Medici’s and The Pope. Recruiting a team of the best, they plan a heist like no one has ever seen. Working through all of the pieces of their robbery, each character grapples with their motivations in going against the Medici Family.

My Analysis: I have mixed feelings about this book. I LOVE that is was set during this time period, there needs to be more historical YA that share Renaissance stories. It was definitely more heavy on the fiction than the historical, but that didn’t really detract from the overall plot. In terms of the heist part of the novel, I think it was very well thought out by the author. There were a lot of moments of “how are they going to pull this off?” I did however feel that it was WAY too reminiscent of Oceans Eleven. Like, there were too many plot points that matched up that it actually annoyed me a little bit that it was not more original in that sense. The characters were interesting, even if all of their stories dragged a bit in the middle. I particularly appreciated the relationships among the characters that were involved in the heist. Overall, if you like historical fiction and don’t mind it taking some liberties while also sharing a bit of a thriller plot, give this one a go.

Book Review

An Unlikely Proposition

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An Unlikely Proposition by Rosalyn Eves

Publication Date: March 2024 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A satisfying sequel full of regency romance and drama.

3.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Seventeen year old Eleanor was widowed, and after a year of mourning is ready to assert her independence in society. I’m order to keep her nephew from inheriting her fortune if she were to remarry, Eleanor concocts a fake engagement to a friend. Thalia wants to escape her county life and go to London. When Eleanor hires her on as a companion, their lives intertwine.

My Analysis: This was a nicely done companion novel to An Improbable Season. It could be read as a stand-alone, however I don’t think the reader would get as much out of it without having read the first. It doesn’t go too much more in depth beyond a regency romance plot line, but if you’re looking for a cute and fun read- it’s worth it! The author does a nice job incorporating the historical aspects of society during the time period in which it is set. The relationships between the characters, whether friendship or romantic definitely drive the overall story. If you like a straightforward romance and are a Bridgerton fan, you’ll like this one!

Book Review

Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh

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Pride and Prejudice in Pittsburgh by Rachael Lippincott

Publication Date: August 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A solid romance and coming of age story, so long as you can look past the lack of explanation of time travel and historical aspects.

2.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Audrey feels the future she dreamed of falling apart. When a family friend visits the convenient store she works at, things get even more strange when she finds herself transported back to the year 1812. There she meets Lucy, who is currently being courted despite her own hesitations about her future. The two become instantly close and begin to realize they bring out the best in one another.

My Analysis: As far as romance goes, this was solid. I enjoyed the building relationship between Lucy and Audrey and the challenges that both of their lives present. The historical aspects of the book though were underwhelming. They were not nearly as detailed as they could have been, and I don’t really see historical fiction fans enjoying this one. Like I said though, if you’re looking for some romance, this would work for you! Another thing that I really couldn’t get past in this book was the time travel. Really cool in concept and I was very interested in reading this, but again it just didn’t deliver. Everyone was just so accepting of the idea of time travel and it is extremely fanciful. It is however very neatly wrapped up at the end, which I appreciated.

Book Review

Artifice

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Artifice by Sharon Cameron

Publication Date: November 2023 | Thanks NetGalley for an ARC

Overall Verdict: A must-read for fans of historical fiction! Cameron flawlessly combines past events together to provide well developed characters and a suspenseful plot.

4.5/5 Stars

Book Summary: Growing up in a gallery, Isa has always been surrounded by the art world. When the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands takes hold, she must confront ways to resist and survive. When Isa realizes just how much money can be made selling art forgeries, she risks everything to help the resistance and the rescue of Jewish children.

My Analysis: This book was fantastic. Anyone who enjoys historical fiction will thoroughly enjoy this story. In the authors note Cameron discusses how she pondered the ‘what-if’ possibility of two historical events that were occurring simultaneously colliding, and she does this flawlessly. I appreciate that this author takes on a time period that is frequently written about, but always looks at new perspectives. At some points I almost felt like I was reading a thriller with how suspenseful the plot was. It was a little slow to start, but once you get past that is it pretty fast paced. The only part that I didn’t care for as much was some of Isa’s character traits. They annoyed me, but that also may have been the point. Otherwise, a very solid and well thought out read!