When I think of women's fiction, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

Confessions in B-Flat is a brilliantly written novel surrounding Black lives struggling to find their place in the world. Not only was it well written, but it was also extensively well researched and insightful as well.

Wow I'm just stunned with how good this title was. I just had so much fun reading this title and getting to along for the ride with these amazing characters. I'm so excited to see what's next from this author.

There was a lot of potential in this book. It has two protagonists who support different forms of protest in the US. On the one hand, we have Martin Luther King's peaceful marches, and on the other end, Malcolm X and his views. Just to make it even more interesting, it is the woman who is on the agitators' side with the man wanting to protest peacefully and believe in God and everything that entails.
Unfortunately, something seemed to be missing in the way things evolved. We have three major features of focus, and I think it would have worked better as a duology or trilogy to give time for the progression of either their beliefs in the context of the larger picture or of the relationship, which has some significant moments that seemed to only be taken into consideration fleetingly before moving to the next big thing.
Some interesting conversations occur in this historical fiction, which is primarily placed in New York City. The writing was good and conveyed the appropriate emotion of the leads but got lost in the overall picture. I liked the random photos interspersed in the book. It gave me more information since I was unaware of many of the incidents discussed here.
I must say the cover is quite eye-catching, but it is not just the story on Anita but also Jason, and it could count as mildly misleading (only mildly since Anita does take up most of the narrative voice)
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley, the review is entirely based on my own reading experience of this book.

Entertaining, sweet love story. I enjoyed the interplay of the nonviolent and self-defense ideologies. I was distracted by the clear historical mistakes (like spelling Bayard Rustin's name wrong in the first few pages) but hopefully that was fixed in the final copy. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have to admit that I picked thisbook becauseof the author and the cover. But I was very pleased with this book. It caught me from the very beginning. This story taught me things abou the civil rights movement that I had never heard of. I talked to my family about them and they confirmed some things. The history and research were a wonderful help in bringing the story to life. I enjoyed watching Anita and Jason figure out what was important to them.
I've read other books by Donna Hill and again she did not let me down. Definitely will recommend this book to friends and family.

This book was received in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully intertwined story of the past and present for the main characters while framing their lives during a historical event - the civil rights movement! This was an awesome love story with depth, I.... I really enjoyed this book.

I enjoyed the importance of culture that can be felt throughout the story. The characters and storyline were good too. This book felt relevant to in many ways.

The first few chapters were a little slow but once that past, the story picked up and overall it was a good read.

Being the first book of Donna Hill that I have read, I have already started looking at others she has written. I have become a huge fan.

This beautifully written novel was about two people who meet on a bus heading to New York in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. Anita and Jason had an instant spark of undiscovered feelings, yet they had to find their way into each others' hearts. Jason was opening an office to help spread Martin Luther King Jr.'s nonviolent message, and Anita was passionate about Malcolm X's practice for change. They both wanted change, but had different philosophies on how to accomplish it.

Confessions in B-Flat gave the characters depth, challenges to overcome, and the spark to make anything happen. Incorporating the powerful poetry, love of music, and the strong will that Anita possessed with the old-fashion goodness and determination of Jason created a compelling, romantic love story. I watched their personalities and leadership abilities flourish and evolve throughout the story.

The added pictures of the actual places, people, and videos of speeches were an added bonus. Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for allowing to read the book for an honest review. I will be recommending this to my friends!

I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.
A fascinating and informative read with some really well thought out story themes. The MC's were complex and interesting alone as well as together. I particularly liked the additions of photographs etc which I felt enhanced the depiction of time and place. The story is so important to be told, particularly now in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.
A moving and emotional story.

This one wasn’t for me and I ended up not finishing it. I really wanted to like it, but I had a hard time getting into the story despite the compelling premise. It actually felt didactic at times. I appreciated the inclusion of photos and video about NYC and the Civil Rights movement, but was irked by how often Anita called Jason a country boy. He’s from Atlanta! Plus he was a good Baptist boy but didn’t have qualms about sleeping with Anita. That seemed odd...

What an excellent story that mixes historical fiction and romance.
It's gripping, poignant, enjoyable and full of food for thought.
I loved the fleshed out and interesting characters, the well researched historical background and the tightly knitted plot that kept me hooked.
It's an excellent story that I strongly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Set in 60’s during the civil rights movement two Civil Rights activists, Anita and Jason find love.
Now, Anita, is a waitress and poet who moves to the beat of her own drum and is a follower of Malcolm X. Jason, on the other hand is a shy boy from Georgia, who relocates to Harlem, New York to expansion the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., I must say I loved how Hill developed the characters and the storyline while also incorporating two iconic Black figures of that time. When you look at Anita & Jason’s backgrounds and beliefs you could easily say these two are like oil and vinegar because they just don’t mix. Well, as you continue the story you find out you are so wrong.

When Anita and Jason first cross paths there were on a bus disembarking at a Philadelphia rest stop. Jason strikes up a conversation with Anita and needless to say it doesn’t end well. A few days later, these two meet again and well….you will need to read the book to find out how and why these two were meant for each other.

If I could compare Anita and Jason love story to another couple it would be Tish and Fonny from James Baldwin’s novel, If Beale Street Could Talk. Their love was so pure, genuine and realistic. Hill, did such a fantastic job with her descriptions, the history was on point and the pictures she incorporated in this book were amazing. If you are looking for a laid back Black love story, then I highly recommend this book.

I featured Confessions of B-Flat as book of the day on all my social media platforms, included it in a monthly roundup of new releases and interviewed Donna Hill for my blog.

This week I read #ConfessionsInBFlat by #DonnaHill . This book is a love letter to the civil rights era of the 60's. We begin with a young man named Jason from Atlanta. He is in a meeting with MLK, John Lewis, and Bayard Rustin, and he volunteers to move to Harlem to teach non-violence as a protest philosophy. On the way he meets Anita. She is a beat poet who believes that Malcolm X's teachings of "by any means necessary" is that correct path towards true freedom. Together they wrestle with their ideologies, and become each other's refuge in a world marked by unrest. At first I had a hard time getting into this book because there was so much history and context being provided. But once I understood what the author was doing, I enjoyed it very much. This is a historical romance where she has included photos and historical markers to push the story forward. And it really resonated with me because in this brief snapshot of their love affair there was the Birmingham Church Bombing, the Kennedy Assassination, the beginning of the Vietnam War, other attacks on Black people in the south. And seeing these characters repeatedly choose each other while it felt like the world was spinning out of control was incredibly moving. This book was clearly a labor of love, and really expanded the genre for me.

“There are words for every occasion - of inspiration, admonishment, hope, love, fear. They're one of the most powerful weapons"

Name: Confessions in B Flat
Author: Donna Hill
Type: Standalone
Genre: Romance, Historical Fiction, Adult

The story is described as a civil rights love story and I cannot think of a more accurate way to describe this poignant tale. Told in between snippets of real events and civil rights speeches, mixed with a love / war story, the book is unique. I don't think I have ever read a book that has tried to captivate your attention with a love story while trying to mix in historical events PLUS links and photos of the real spokesperson and characters of the book. We had snippets of speeches given by Malcolm X and Dr. Luther King as they were trying to improve civil rights for all POC. It was wonderfully built because it was able to depict a really good back story, to the romance that was going on between the two characters.

Our love story takes place in Harlem, New York in the year 1963. Anita and Jason are opposites in every sense. While Jason is in New York to spread the words of Martin Luther king, Anita follows the actions of Malcolm X. One is filled with rage at the situation that follows Black people everywhere, the other uses his rage as a way to create peace and decides to attack the issue with words rather than weapons. The point is, they shouldn't like each other. But like each other they do. Soon they start a whirlwind romance that goes beyond anything they have ever experienced.

I enjoyed the romance a lot, I felt that their conversation were important and touched base on many events of today's world (even if the year difference is completely different). It made me really sad that the issues that Anita and Jason face, although maybe not as extreme (in some cases) are things we are still seeing today in the year 2020.

Another thing I really enjoyed was all the dynamic pictures and links that helped make the story feel current and alive. The romance might have been fake but everything else from the events they were going to, to what they were hearing was all based on facts.

Now, I didn't enjoy the fact that the author might have wanted to write too much and at times the transitions felt off. This what honestly my main and basically only issue of the story but it affected it a lot because it made all the events going on between Jason and Anita feel a little unimportant. They fought for their ideals but in the next chapter we had skipped to Christmas when everything had been settled. It felt at times as if the story was going too fast and while they were already having a baby I was still stuck in that fight they had 3 christmases ago.

Not great transitions and all, I thourougly enjoyed the story. I felt I was right in the middle of Harlem and felt the whole revolution vibrate next to me. I felt everything the characters felt and wish that any one that has a chance and an interest on this topic to pick up this book. It is a perfect mix of romance with the reality of life.

"To each person there is a season. They come and they go. But you can't get to the new season if you're not willin' to leave the old one"


-- 3 stars --

Now this is the kind of story where to people who have different beliefs I want to read going forward.

Anita and Jason are different but the same, they both want better lives for Black people. However, Anita
believes in Malcom X and Jason believes in Martin Luther King Jr.

This story was amazing. Wrapping the romance around the civil rights between two people who believed in the teachings of different icons during the movement was serendipitous. Adding the pictures and the events only makes readers more invested in Anita and Jason as they move through this story.

The way Ms. Hill writes these characters and this story is nothing short of breathtaking. The way her writing
flows made it real easy to get to know every character in this book. Again, you're invested in their lives
and the history of a people that has bought them all to this point.

This is a beautiful read and I highly recommend it.

first time reader for this author and gained a lot of insightful information about our country. Was an easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

A thought provoking and moving romance set during the intense Civil Rights movement.

If you've followed me for a while, then you know I don't read much in the historical fiction/historical romance genre. But this book immediately caught my eye with its gorgeous cover. Then when I read the synopsis, it seemed like it would appeal to me, despite being something I rarely read. And I'm glad I took a chance on it.

Jason Tanner and Anita Hopkins are very different people.
He's used to a slower paced life in the South.
She relishes the fast pace of the North.
He is cautious.
She is a risk taker.
He supports peaceful protest, specifically the teachings of Martin Luther King.
She supports a more radically viewed approach under Malcolm X.
However, they share a common ground, seeking equal rights for their community.
And they share an attraction that almost makes them overlook their differences.

As a romance, this story was a bit of a slow burn. If it wasn't for Anita's bold pursuit, they still may not have had their first date. But I thought her actions toward Jason perfectly captured her overall spirit and approach to life. Not sitting back but going after what she wanted/what was right.

As historical fiction, the author did a great job of weaving in true events with fictional ones. I particularly enjoyed the inclusion of photos from that time period. In addition, I thought the author handedly detailed the different views of these Civil Rights icons and how each main character struggled to understand the other's approach to the mission.

While this book takes place during the sixties, there were a lot of relatable moments that tie to the Black Lives Matter movement. It reminded me how far we've come since the Civil Rights area, yet how we still have a lot of work to do as a country toward establishing equality.

Overall, this was a gratifying read, allowing me to learn more about a critical time in US history and reflect on our current state. Add to that two main characters who I equally supported, and you have a winning story with a strong message.

God I loved everything about this book. As a first generation Canadian, popular culture, only tells me that the approaches of MLK Jr, and Malcolm X are different but fail to dig into the deeper narrative and how it affected people on different sides of the same sides. I'm obviously naive about how deep the divisions run in America, but wow, does Donna Hill do amazing job crafting a multifaceted, emotional, and inspirational narrative. As soon as finished it, I needed to read it again. And for me, the second read was better than the first.

Thank you Entangled Teen and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in advance of release.