The Davenports - by Krystal Marquis

Book Synopsis

A frothy and wise Bridgerton-esque YA romance with an all-Black cast--the first book in a debut duology, set in turn-of-the-last-century Chicago.

The year is 1910. The Davenports are one of the few Black families of immense wealth and status in the United States, their fortune made through the hard work and entrepreneurship of William Davenport, a formerly enslaved man who founded the Davenport Carriage Company years ago. Now, the Davenports live surrounded by servants, crystal chandeliers, and endless parties. This is the story of the Davenport daughters, their maid, and their best friend--Olivia, Helen, Amy-Rose, and Ruby--as the four find their way, and unexpectedly find love, in a rapidly changing country. Inspired by the real-life story of the C.R. Patterson dynasty, The Davenports offers a glimpse into a period of African-American history often overlooked in classrooms, while delivering a totally escapist, swoon-worthy read.

About the Author

Krystal Marquis happily spends most of her time in libraries. She studied biology at Boston College and University of Connecticut and now works as an Environmental, Health and Safety Specialist for the world's biggest bookseller. A lifelong reader, Krystal began researching and writing on a dare to complete the NaNoWriMo Challenge, resulting in the first partial draft of The Davenports. When not reading or writing or hunkered down in the library stacks, Krystal enjoys hiking, expanding her shoe collection, and plotting ways to create her own Jurassic Park.