The Davenports

All around them, pale faces watched the exchange with increasing curiosity. Someone behind her chuckled.
She remembered her mother s words: to always rise above. Because her family was rare. Wealthy. Beautiful. Black. Ruby wore her wealth like armor, usually in the form of jewels and furs. Olivia preferred the understated air she observed in her mother.
Today, those perfect manners didn t matter. Her beauty was no shield. All the young girl before her could see was the color of Olivia s skin. She stiffened her spine, pulling herself to her full height. Olivia pointed to the largest jeweled broach in the display in front of her. I d like this boxed, please. And I d like that hat as well. For my sister. She always gets cross when I come home without something for her, she said conspiratorially to the other patrons though she knew full well Helen would prefer a pair of pliers to a hat. Olivia walked slowly around the room. Those gloves. She tapped her chin thoughtfully. Five yards of that yellow silk
Excuse me
Miss, Olivia provided.
The shop girl s cheeks reddened.
Good, Olivia thought, she s realized her mistake.
Miss, the shop girl huffed, clearly frazzled. Your choices are quite expensive.
Yes, well, Olivia said, the playfulness vanishing from her tone, I have expensive taste. You can charge it to my family s account. Her eyes cut back to the shop girl. The name is Davenport.
There weren t many Black shoppers ordering white attendants around department stores. But Davenport, a name cultivated by her father s hard work and her mother s determination, wa

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." Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Though it has the compulsive readability of Gossip Girl, this debut was inspired by the true, little-known history of the C.R. Patterson & Sons carriage company. As a forgotten history, as a celebration of Black entrepreneurship, and as a tale of ambitious young women forging their own paths, it should be widely shared. Booklist (starred review)

"Marquis weaves the characters stories in such a way that leaves readers anticipating the next chapter each time [and] the author s skilled descriptions give readers a real connection to the characters. This is a well-written novel, sure to please fans of historical fiction, romance, and Chicago history. Young adults and adults alike will learn from and enjoy this. Recommended." SLJ

"Each girl brings a compelling arc to this series opener, and debut author Marquis crafts the rich setting with intriguing historical details and explorations of lesser-known Black history in the grand tradition of romance novelist Beverly Jenkins. . . . The distinct and satisfying emotional journeys of the four protagonists are wonderful [and] the book ends on a cliffhanger for the Davenport siblings, giving fans of historical fiction, and particularly those looking for Black representation without trauma, something to look forward to." BCCB

"I loved this book . . . It s all SO GOOD. And yes, it s a lot about romance, which is great, but it s also about so much more. [It's about] wealthy Black families in the early 1900s and seeing their stories, as they navigate spaces not necessarily welcoming to them, while building their own businesses, communities, and networks . . . The characters are all well-developed, leading rich, complicated lives . . . If this whole series existed right now, I d tear through it to the exclusion of everything else in my life. An excellent debut about challenging expectations and finding your own path." Teen Librarian Toolbox