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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
3 for the first 3 stories, 5 for the last one (by Alyssa Day)
See full review at
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2017/01/politics-and-intersectional-feminism.html
See full review at
http://romancenovelsforfeminists.blogspot.com/2017/01/politics-and-intersectional-feminism.html
beccafee's review against another edition
4.0
This was a real hodgepodge for me but ended with a great story by Alyssa Cole
picaresquity's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
barefootsong's review
4.0
I liked two of the stories, really liked one, and didn't like one as much, so I'd probably average it to 3.5 for the anthology. I'm rounding up because these are all important and interesting stories, although this anthology could really have used another round of editing. Lots of typos and a few instances of unclear writing. TBH, these errors kept me from being able to fall as deeply into some of the stories as I wanted to, but the last story didn't have as many and was also my favorite story, so the 4 stars is mostly for that one.
The last story in here is Alyssa Cole's "Let Us Dream" which is painfully relevant to today's politics. Set in 1917, this story takes place on the eve of women winning suffrage in New York state and also a few months after the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1917, which, in addition to imposing literacy tests on immigrants over 16 and creating a slew of "undesirable" categories largely having to do with sickness and mental health, also barred immigration from south Asian countries. The hero, Amir, is an undocumented Muslim Indian who is trying to find a place for himself in a country that doesn't want "his kind." The heroine, Bertha, owns a night club/brothel in New York and, after being rejected by the formal women's suffrage groups for not being "respectable," she uses her power and influence to get out the vote among the "seedy underbelly" of the city. Cole does a great job of bringing to life the characters, the setting, and the story in a short space, which I felt the other three stories struggled with.
The first story takes place in 1868 Nebraska (just after it became a state) and the middle two both take place in 1881, one in Atlanta and one in North Carolina, and both deal at least partially with the assassination of President Garfield and what effect that had on Black Americans. As I said, these are all interesting settings and provide important historical context for how much work it took to win all women the right to vote, and the extra effort that Black women put in. None of these historical backdrops are things you learn about in general history classes, so I learned a lot and I really appreciated that, even if I didn't like all of the stories as much and really wish they had been better edited.
The last story in here is Alyssa Cole's "Let Us Dream" which is painfully relevant to today's politics. Set in 1917, this story takes place on the eve of women winning suffrage in New York state and also a few months after the enactment of the Immigration Act of 1917, which, in addition to imposing literacy tests on immigrants over 16 and creating a slew of "undesirable" categories largely having to do with sickness and mental health, also barred immigration from south Asian countries. The hero, Amir, is an undocumented Muslim Indian who is trying to find a place for himself in a country that doesn't want "his kind." The heroine, Bertha, owns a night club/brothel in New York and, after being rejected by the formal women's suffrage groups for not being "respectable," she uses her power and influence to get out the vote among the "seedy underbelly" of the city. Cole does a great job of bringing to life the characters, the setting, and the story in a short space, which I felt the other three stories struggled with.
The first story takes place in 1868 Nebraska (just after it became a state) and the middle two both take place in 1881, one in Atlanta and one in North Carolina, and both deal at least partially with the assassination of President Garfield and what effect that had on Black Americans. As I said, these are all interesting settings and provide important historical context for how much work it took to win all women the right to vote, and the extra effort that Black women put in. None of these historical backdrops are things you learn about in general history classes, so I learned a lot and I really appreciated that, even if I didn't like all of the stories as much and really wish they had been better edited.
stegan's review
4.0
An excellent set of historical romances, with relevance (like it or not) to some of today's struggles. Alyssa Cole's piece is the real standout here, but they're all excellent. In a time when we all need to take breaks for entertainment, this anthology provides the right mix of escapism and re-invigoration.
melodybahar's review
4.0
IN THE MORNING SUN
By Lena Hart
Rating: ★★★☆☆
THE WASHERWOMAN'S WAR
by Piper Huguley
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A RADIANT SOUL
by Kianna Alexander
Rating:★★☆☆☆
LET US DREAM
by Alyssa Cole
Rating: ★★★★★
The final grade is perhaps more generous than I usually give anthologies with this mean average in ratings, but I'm giving this one an extra star for the simple fact that these four wonderful authors actually took the initiative to make this a reality. It inspires the hope that more stories and anthologies in the same vein will come. ♥
By Lena Hart
Rating: ★★★☆☆
THE WASHERWOMAN'S WAR
by Piper Huguley
Rating: ★★★☆☆
A RADIANT SOUL
by Kianna Alexander
Rating:★★☆☆☆
LET US DREAM
by Alyssa Cole
Rating: ★★★★★
The final grade is perhaps more generous than I usually give anthologies with this mean average in ratings, but I'm giving this one an extra star for the simple fact that these four wonderful authors actually took the initiative to make this a reality. It inspires the hope that more stories and anthologies in the same vein will come. ♥
arisbookcorner's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
"Many people would be glad if none of us in this room existed, and if we never got the right to vote. That would work out real nice for them, wouldn't it? If we never had the chance to take them to task for treating us like shit" (Bertha 291)
I decided to read this because I loved the concept (a Black suffragette romance anthology?! Sign me up) and I'd heard of Piper Hughuley and read quite a few Alyssa Cole romances (plus the thriller) so I was eager to read this. Unfortunately, with the exception of Cole's story, I found these romances lacking. Two of the stories had male love interests who didn't believe in women's right to vote and that issue is never resolved. I can somewhat understand wanting to be realistic and starting the story with skeptical male love interests but I needed them to redeem themselves and that doesn't happen. More frustratingly the Black suffragettes initially are upset over it and then never bring it up again. If that's an effort to be historically accurate than I need a little more fantasy in my romance. I also thought the characters were two dimensional and the stories were somewhat boring. I also wanted more historical detail especially about the washerwoman's strike. That story was particularly confusing as well because the main character had a famous mother,Frances Ellen Harper, but alternatively made references to her that gave off the impression that she was dead. I was very confused to read the author's note and realize she was alive during the time of the story and her somewhat absent maternal presence was far more interesting than her daughter's story (and problematic love interest). I didn't understand the point of including a non fictional Black woman suffragist but then choosing not make the story about them. I was the most frustrated with the first story though, I don't usually read trigger warnings but there's a lot of trauma in the first few chapters and it's never properly worked through (I know therapy wasn't a thing back then but I wanted the couple to open up more to each other or friends). I was also both amused and unamused that it never occured to this interracial couple that their marriage was going to be an issue. Why wouldn't they have known about miscegenation laws?? It was silly and made me side eye both of them.
Fortunately the final story is Alyssa Cole's and it is the bright spot of the anthology. I didn't think she could suck me in with a romance starring a woman named Bertha BUT SHE DID. I loved that Bertha was an unconventional romance heroine (businesswoman and former prositute), took on respectability politics in the Black suffragist movement and engaged in sharp banter with Amir. We know Cole can write banter and sufficiently infuse historical detail without the narrative becoming dry or overly academic and that is once again the case in her story. I was fully immersed in 1917 night club Harlem, Cole's writing is always so rich and picturesque, able to aptly convey a particular sense of time and place. I did appreciate all the historical details in each of the stories, they all left me wanting to read and learn more. This was especially the case for "A Radiant Soul" because I didn't know President Garfield's assassination was so momentous to the burgeoning civil rights movement/post Reconstruction period. I found that story boring overall (and it also had a problematic anti suffrage love interest who CAN JUST TELL SARAH IS A VIRGIN *insert massive eye roll*) but really appreciated the author bringing to the forefront this lesser known historical moment and its impact.
DAUGHTERS OF A NATION was a miss for me, I think stronger character development and more swoon worthy love interests would have made this a lot better. The characters and even the settings likely won't be memorable to me in a few weeks (aside from wanting to know more about real people and events such as Frances Harper and the ATL washerwoman's strike). I think it deserves a lot of praise for talking about an issue and group of women not often taught about in schools (Black suffragettes) but the execution of this memorable idea falls flat. Also this is not a critique but these romances are all very chaste (Cole's story the exception lol), so if you prefer your romance novels on the steamier side be warned. I wouldn't recommend anyone read this anthology but I wouldn't dissuade anyone either unless you're new to romance, in that case I think there are better historical and contemporary romances that feature Black women as love interests.
I decided to read this because I loved the concept (a Black suffragette romance anthology?! Sign me up) and I'd heard of Piper Hughuley and read quite a few Alyssa Cole romances (plus the thriller) so I was eager to read this. Unfortunately, with the exception of Cole's story, I found these romances lacking. Two of the stories had male love interests who didn't believe in women's right to vote and that issue is never resolved. I can somewhat understand wanting to be realistic and starting the story with skeptical male love interests but I needed them to redeem themselves and that doesn't happen. More frustratingly the Black suffragettes initially are upset over it and then never bring it up again. If that's an effort to be historically accurate than I need a little more fantasy in my romance. I also thought the characters were two dimensional and the stories were somewhat boring. I also wanted more historical detail especially about the washerwoman's strike. That story was particularly confusing as well because the main character had a famous mother,Frances Ellen Harper, but alternatively made references to her that gave off the impression that she was dead. I was very confused to read the author's note and realize she was alive during the time of the story and her somewhat absent maternal presence was far more interesting than her daughter's story (and problematic love interest). I didn't understand the point of including a non fictional Black woman suffragist but then choosing not make the story about them. I was the most frustrated with the first story though, I don't usually read trigger warnings but there's a lot of trauma in the first few chapters and it's never properly worked through (I know therapy wasn't a thing back then but I wanted the couple to open up more to each other or friends). I was also both amused and unamused that it never occured to this interracial couple that their marriage was going to be an issue. Why wouldn't they have known about miscegenation laws?? It was silly and made me side eye both of them.
Fortunately the final story is Alyssa Cole's and it is the bright spot of the anthology. I didn't think she could suck me in with a romance starring a woman named Bertha BUT SHE DID. I loved that Bertha was an unconventional romance heroine (businesswoman and former prositute), took on respectability politics in the Black suffragist movement and engaged in sharp banter with Amir. We know Cole can write banter and sufficiently infuse historical detail without the narrative becoming dry or overly academic and that is once again the case in her story. I was fully immersed in 1917 night club Harlem, Cole's writing is always so rich and picturesque, able to aptly convey a particular sense of time and place. I did appreciate all the historical details in each of the stories, they all left me wanting to read and learn more. This was especially the case for "A Radiant Soul" because I didn't know President Garfield's assassination was so momentous to the burgeoning civil rights movement/post Reconstruction period. I found that story boring overall (and it also had a problematic anti suffrage love interest who CAN JUST TELL SARAH IS A VIRGIN *insert massive eye roll*) but really appreciated the author bringing to the forefront this lesser known historical moment and its impact.
DAUGHTERS OF A NATION was a miss for me, I think stronger character development and more swoon worthy love interests would have made this a lot better. The characters and even the settings likely won't be memorable to me in a few weeks (aside from wanting to know more about real people and events such as Frances Harper and the ATL washerwoman's strike). I think it deserves a lot of praise for talking about an issue and group of women not often taught about in schools (Black suffragettes) but the execution of this memorable idea falls flat. Also this is not a critique but these romances are all very chaste (Cole's story the exception lol), so if you prefer your romance novels on the steamier side be warned. I wouldn't recommend anyone read this anthology but I wouldn't dissuade anyone either unless you're new to romance, in that case I think there are better historical and contemporary romances that feature Black women as love interests.
cakt1991's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
reviewsmayvary's review
3.0
Short stories are the worst. Unless you don't really like one, and then you know you're going to get through it quickly... A couple of these could have used an editor. Alyssa Cole's was the best.
firewhiskeyreader's review
4.0
In the Morning Sun by Lena Hart begins with Maddie being raped so serious TW for that (it’s not graphic though). She’s still carrying that trauma with her two years later when she moves to Nebraska to teach Black people to read and write. She thinks her fiancé died in the Civil War but, uh, he didn’t! The two of them coming together is sweet, but they have to overcome so much. All things considered I didn't LOVE this one, but I learned a lot.
The Washerwomen's War by Piper Huguley also taught me about a thing I had no idea about, aka the Black Washerwoman's Strike, so that was super cool. I really liked the romance between Mamie and Gabriel. Mamie starts out so against dating a minister, but Gabriel winning her over by playing on her desire to have good food and advocate for her students was A+ romancing.
A Radiant Soul by Kianna Alexander was probably my least favorite story.For one thing it felt incomplete and for another, there was one glaring editing mistake that really bothered me. In addition, I REALLY didn't like Owen. Like... At all. Their romance felt like at the end of a season of The Bachelor where you're like, "Cool, you're in love, but what now?" I think this would have worked better as a novel.
Let Us Dream by Alyssa Cole is such an incredible story about a former sex worker and widow who basically forged her way into owning the club she now runs and I love her. The hero is Indian and he doesn't really have status because our immigration laws then were more overtly racist then than they are now. Anyway, she hires him as a dishwasher at the club but soon he wows everyone with his chef abilities and basically, this one is fantastic! Also, this is available by itself in the Audible romance package.
The Washerwomen's War by Piper Huguley also taught me about a thing I had no idea about, aka the Black Washerwoman's Strike, so that was super cool. I really liked the romance between Mamie and Gabriel. Mamie starts out so against dating a minister, but Gabriel winning her over by playing on her desire to have good food and advocate for her students was A+ romancing.
A Radiant Soul by Kianna Alexander was probably my least favorite story.For one thing it felt incomplete and for another, there was one glaring editing mistake that really bothered me. In addition, I REALLY didn't like Owen. Like... At all. Their romance felt like at the end of a season of The Bachelor where you're like, "Cool, you're in love, but what now?" I think this would have worked better as a novel.
Let Us Dream by Alyssa Cole is such an incredible story about a former sex worker and widow who basically forged her way into owning the club she now runs and I love her. The hero is Indian and he doesn't really have status because our immigration laws then were more overtly racist then than they are now. Anyway, she hires him as a dishwasher at the club but soon he wows everyone with his chef abilities and basically, this one is fantastic! Also, this is available by itself in the Audible romance package.