My first read by this new to me author and it certainly will not be my last.
A very fitting story considering the social climate of 2020!
Powerful, heartfelt and thought provoking, this unique story has me captivated from beginning to end.
This author masterfully wove a unique and powerful romance in the midst of political turmoil of the early 1960’s in NYC.
Well written with accurate historical references this compelling story is a must read!

This book has many elements that I really enjoy and made the story and the book so much more enjoyable.

Confessions in B flat is a story that talks a lot about those years of Malcolm x and martin Luther king, the story some home intertwines with the story of these magnificent men the stories, the causes they support, and what they were fighting for..

Jason tanner is not ready to fall in love but life has a very strange manner of bringing things that maybe we aren't looking for but it is the right time for us to embrace it this is the case for Jason when he met Anita, he didn't know anything else just that he had to meet her and see what else she has hidden behind that beautiful smile.

Anita knows how to write and she expresses her self in a way that has many men including Jason drilling for her talents and her intelligence, she writes beautiful poetry that expresses her thoughts, emotions, and things she is living and going through, she also writes a lot about their constant struggle with life and white people who don't see them as equal and are constantly fighting with them.

in Confessions In B Flat we get to read about what Black people have been suffering from for decades still in 2020 they still suffering racism and separation many leaders and white people are so eager to promote this evilness. I really like how this book talks about the subject in a way that makes us aware but also makes us fall in love with the characters Jason and Anita.

There is love, there is passion, there is faith and strength everything combined with the love Anita And Jason keep professing until the end. life and circumstances separated Anita and Jason but true love can never be extinguished not even with time.

Many great things to talk about in this book, but I don't want to give anything away, Donna Hill did a great job putting everything together to make this story brilliant and pretty well balanced and articulated

Confessions in B-Flat is a beautifully written story that allows the reader to not only enjoy a love story, but to see a small part of a history that is important to us all. This book reminds the reader of the struggles, and the hard fought/won victories of those that came before and the road that lays ahead. Amazing depiction of the early 60's, civil rights, differing ideologies or approaches to the ultimate goal. The use of actual historical events, snippets from the speeches of Martin Luther King, and Malcom X as well as newspaper clippings give this story so much depth. I loved this book.

I wasn’t sure if Confessions in B-Flat was going to be my kind of read because I’ve never read a historical romance novel. However, the title & cover caught my eye. And, I’m always interested in trying a new-to-me genre. So, I dove head in and I absolutely loovveeed this story!

Confessions in B-Flat is a powerful, heartfelt, inspirationl story of love between Anita and Jason set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Anita is a fiery, outspoken activist and supporter of Malcolm X. Jason is a very calm, laid-back southerner and supporter of Dr. Martin Luther King. The two are complete opposites in every way; different personalities & beliefs. However, their love for each other is remarkable and they learn to ”agree to disagree.”

Hill takes you on an amazing journey through social activism and love. I love that she included pictures, historical facts & links for reference. It made me feel like I was right there with the characters in real-time.

I appreciated how she allowed us to get to know the characters, as well as their family history. The story flowed really well and I enjoyed the poetry too. This novel really pulled at my heartstrings; a very emotional, can’t put down read. I really didn’t want this book to end and I’m definitely going to read more of Hill’s work. Amazing job!

Thank you to Entangled Publishing (Sideways Books) and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

A masterfully written story set during 1963 during the civil right's movement that will take your breath away. On his way to New York to try to convince people that Dr. King's method of non violence resistance is the way to go, meets activist Anita Hopkins, who feels Malcom X's by any means necessary is the way to go. Although they try to resist it, sparks fly. They both have to decide if they can make it work despite their varied and opposing views.

Ms. Hill proves with this book that she is a master at her craft. This story took me on a roller coaster that I wasn't expecting. With life like characters, shocking moments and a history lesson thrown in, this book is definitely on my top list for the year. The story line was extremely well developed. Although I rarely re read books, I plan to read this one again in the near future. Kudos and great job.

Confessions in B-Flat by Donna Hill is a heartfelt,inspirational story that is full of love, drama, and social activism set against the tumultuous backdrop of the 1960s.

An endearing historical romance set during the early sixties revolving around the Civil Rights Movement. A thought-provoking and relevant love story that blends historical fact with a fictional love affair. The perfect eye-opener for someone like me who doesn’t read non-fiction very often.

Blurb: Jason has decided to leave Atlanta and move to New York to help move a long the Civil Rights Movement with Dr. King’s organization. When Jason sets up shop, he runs into Anita, the girl from his bus trip up North.

The two are opposites in every way. Jason is a small town gentleman that believes in peaceful protesting, while Anita is vivacious and forward, fully supporting Malcolm X.

Even though their personalities and beliefs are different, the two can’t help but be drawn to each other.

I really love the verifiable pictures and historical facts woven throughout this romance. It added another level of understanding and depth to a time period I haven’t studied much.

Their love story is very sweet and because I’m such a romance lover, Anita and Jason helped draw me into a time period I’ve been wanting to explore. A charming and timely romance with the perfect mix of fact and fiction.

Confessions in B-flat released at what I like to call "such a time as this" as we see the things happening in our world today. It was a memorable tribute to those who stood in the gap back then, and its nuggets will stay with you even after you've read the last words.

The author did a great job of developing the main characters, Jason Tanner and Anita Hopkins. I enjoyed their journey. The reader can visualize how strong their convictions, much like the American icons they followed. We travel back to 1960, during the time of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing; assignations of then-President John F. Kennedy and Malcolm X, riots, the many deaths of black people due to social injustices and prejudice. Jason and Anita offered an experience of the sacrifice endured and their political and religious difference, and the messages from the perspective of Dr. Martin Luther King (non-violence) and Malcolm X (by any means necessary).

This one had many takeaways; what I liked most was how the author took us back to a time of unrest, seeing how far we've come, but reminded of work still needed; the variety of contributions made by Black Americans, the landmarks, and the pictures provided throughout the story. I think Anita and Jason were perfect for this journey, and their worlds have the potential to collide, but, despite the differences, it was the love for each other carried them through it all.

If you love elements of Historial Romance, American History, or just a great story you can sink into, I encourage you to get a copy of this one.

5 stars- As someone who has lived through all that was described, this was a wonder. Donna Hill takes all of the conflicts of the times...and still of our times and makes them real. The heart and intelligence shined through.

I have read a few of Donna Hill’s earlier works and can say that I am a fan, but for whatever reason it has been awhile since I’ve read any of her more recent books. So I was pleased and excited to see the cover and synopsis for Confessions in B-Flat. Drawn in especially by the cover image and title, Hill does what I consider to be a thoughtful rendering of melding together a love story and historical fiction piece in one.

In Confessions of B-Flat we meet two MC’s, Anita and Jason, who converge during a critical time period (1963) at the height of Civil Rights Movement and the origins of the Black Power Movement. They meet on a fateful bus ride, both en route to New York to do the necessary work they believe in. Jason a native of Atlanta and a supporter of MLK’s message of non-violence and Anita a New Yorker and poet who supports Malcolm X’s messaging of self defense by any means necessary, seem to have more distance between their ideals than not. And yet, there is this romantic gravitational pull between them that gives rise incredible possibilities.

I really enjoyed the historical point of view and cultural references to areas and locales in Harlem and Brooklyn especially that really created vibrant imagery that carried throughout the book. As well, the budding love story took me on a rollercoaster ride as I rooted for Anita and Jason to find a way together.

Thanks to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Love thy neighbor. Jason is new to the city of New York; he arrived to help spread the message of his mentor, Dr. MLK, Jr. Meanwhile, Anita Hopkins believes the teachings of Malcolm X, that freedom is "by any means necessary." Opposites attract. Even more-so when Jason sees Anita perform poetry at the iconic B-Flat lounge, he is mesmerized. Can love be enough or will their differences get in the way?

A love story set in the civil rights movement. The makings of a wonderful novel. But the setting took center stage and drowned out the characters. I was more interested in the references to Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., Harlem and the fight for equality. That is what kept me reading.

Happy Pub Day, Donna Hill! Confessions in B-Flat is now available.

LiteraryMarie

I love how Ms. Hill took us back in history with this book into the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. Even though the timeframe is current past it can still be considered Historical.

The story of Jason and Anita is so spellbinding because it shows that even when we see the world differently we can still mesh. As all Ms. Hill storylines pulls you in but this amazing read warms my heart in a special way because I am marginally obsessed with Historical Fiction. This book grabs you from the beginning and immense sadness appear when it ends amazingly too soon.

Bravo Ms. Hill if you read this masterpiece you will not be disappointed. I give it 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟❣❣ Thanks Netgally, Entangled Publishing, and Sideway Books for giving me the opportunity to preview this amazing book. This is my honest and humble review.

Title: Confessions in B-Flat
Author: Donna Hill
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Confessions in B-Flat" by Donna Hill

My Speculation:

Wow, now this is one read that will keep your attention till the end that was not only a good read but very timely due to what is going on in our world 2020 even though this event happened during the 1960s. And believe it or not, this civil unrest is still happening in some fashion now in our world of 2020.

It was quite an interesting read for Jason Tanner and Anita Hopkins, who meet on a bus going to New York City. We find Jason was being 'sent by Dr. King to help get the message of passive resistance to the people up north, which showed clashing with how Anita's had her support going for the support of Malcolm X's ideology.' As the story continues, it was good seeing if these two will clash due to their separate political differences that deal with civil rights, but what will happen when there is a beautiful love story connection between these two? What was it about Anita's special way she could put out the poetry at the B Flat that will keep you wanting more? The other characters in this story were well-developed and well-defined, giving the story that special punch in this emotional, educational, and gratifying read. This read reminds me of how far we've come since the Civil Rights area and how relatable now we are in the Black Lives Matter movement 2020.

Would I recommend this read? YES, that would be my answer.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The storyline takes place back in the early 1960’s during the civil rights movement in Harlem New York. Jason Tanner has decided to move from Atlanta Georgia to Manhattans Harlem New York to start an expansion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Non-violent movement While traveling on the bus to New York news breaks that four young girls are killed after a church was fire bomb. Jason sees Anita Hopkins who is from Brooklyn New York and now lives in Harlem New York is upset upon hearing the news and he goes over to comfort her. Anita is a activist volunteer for Malcolm X and believes in his theory that freedom for Black people is by any means necessary and not continue to back down and walk away from the injustices that are done to them by the white man, KKK and police especially in the South.
After running into each other again weeks later in Harlem Jason and Anita finally gets to learn more about each other and become more acquainted with each other. Even though Jason and Anita have different views about the civil rights movement there is a mutual spark of interest between them. So can they be in a relationship with both of them having opposite views on racial inequality or is it better to not get involved with each other at all? You will have to read the book to find out because I don’t want to give any spoilers.
I love how well the author developed the characters and the storyline. You can feel the emotions of love, anger, hurt, pain, suffering, joy and happiness within family. Also in the storyline even though it is fictional, there are events and people that really took place during that time, the assignations of President John F Kennedy and Malcom X, the bombing of the church in Alabama where 4 little black girls were killed, rioting in Brooklyn and Harlem because of a young teenage black boy being killed by the police.
This book was a page-turner for me and reminded me of how it was back then living during that time in which I was a young child and now even today some of the same injustices are still being made to people of color. Also I love reading Jason and Anita’s story. Anita’s poetry and spoken word was excellent to read.
I highly recommend this book to read, you will not be disappointed.
Cassandra H.

I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Netgalley and this review is of my own honest opinion and thoughts.

Such a fantastic book! I enjoyed reading this book so much. I love the history and learning about the movement. I also enjoyed the storyline and how it flowed so seamlessly. I love the love story.

This book drew me in at the beginning and kept my attention until the end. I learned a lot while reading this book about the civil rights movement. I loved the history and research and pictures and news articles that were included, they really helped bring the story to life for me. Jason and Anita were two wonderful characters, and I enjoyed watching them develop and figure out what really mattered to them in life. This was my first book by Donna Hill, but it won’t be my last!

This book follows Anita Hopkins as she navigates the ups and downs of falling for someone who has opposing ideologies. Anita is an aspiring poet and believes in Malcolm X’s “by any means necessary” approach. It also follows the journey of Jason Tanner an avid follower of Dr Martin Luther King, Jr., who moves to New York in order to help spread his mentors teachings.

My favourite part of this book is that there is real history woven throughout the story. I also love the pictures and articles that depict real events that happened in the past. I liked watching Anita and Jason’s relationship change and evolve over time. At times I didn’t like Anita because she was a bit judgmental and closed minded when it came to the beliefs of others.

I found this book to have a very interesting storyline that featured cute moments, insight into history and the idea that opposites really do attract.

I recieved an advanced copy for free, and this is my honest opinion.

In the 1960s, two men were at the forefront of the civil rights movement and the fight for social justice. Malcolm X and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wanted the same thing, but they approached that vision from very different backgrounds and means. Confession in B-Flat places the reader in the midst of this dynamic time with a multimedia retelling of Romeo and Juliet -- Jason, the "do-gooder" mentee of Martin Luther King Jr., falls for Anita, the fiery devotee of Malcolm X.

I loved the way history is weaved into Jason and Anita's journey. The incorporation of music, poetry, speeches, news articles, and photographs brings this time period to life and helps you feel the tumultuous times in which they are living.

Jason and Anita are two sides of the same coin, much in the same way that you can't look at the civil rights movement without considering the work of both Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. This engaging, emotional love story is a must-read!

Thanks to Donna Hill, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for the digital ARC to read and enjoy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

At its heart, Confessions in B Flat is a romance, but what a romance! It is set against the backdrop of the civil unrest of the 1960s. The female main character, Anita, is a follower of Malcolm X and the male main character, Jason, is a follower of Dr. Martin Luther King. They spar verbally but they have an innate attraction that allows them to “agree to disagree”, realizing that they have the same goals, just different approaches. I loved the family dynamics of both families. I didn’t fully understand the motivation for a big decision by Jason toward the end of the book, but that might be my 20-20 hindsight looking back at the long-term impact of the Vietnam War. The writer beautifully brought to life two New York City neighborhoods: Harlem and Bedford-Stuyvesant. There are some lovely extras, including historical photos and links to speeches by Malcolm X and others. The book features cameo appearances by many heroes of the civil rights movement: MLK, Malcolm X, John Lewis, Bayard Ruskin, Andrew Young and others. The book is dedicated to John Lewis, who we lost so recently.

Recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing / Sideways Books for the opportunity to read an advanced readers copy. All opinions are my own.

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><em>Confessions in B Flat </em>was a particular treat for me. I am, admittedly, not a huge fan of historical fiction. But the lure of its description was too much for me to walk away. Two young Civil Rights activists from differing ideologies find themselves struggling to figure out if a relationship can withstand their polarized views. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Anita and Jason are, in many ways, like oil and water. Despite coming from a "bougie" background, Anita, a part-time waitress and poet, moves to the beat of her own drum and is often compelled by a sense of doing what fulfills her. She finds herself a follower of Malcolm X and is deeply committed to all Harlem has to give. Jason, a Georgia native who comes north to spread the teaching of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is more bound by duty and expectation. He wants to do what is right, even if it comes with a sacrifice. Their initial interactions are fraught with conflict about how they approach the fight for civil rights, but their chemistry is undeniable.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Hill masterfully captured the culture wars that existed in the '60s. Jason's Southern roots came with lofty expectations around gender roles and respectability that he was loathe to depart from. Anita had that same upbringing, but the Northern environment meant she engaged with them in a more fluid way. The tension, literally and figuratively, represented the shifting from traditional to more modern ways of thinking among the Black community around this era. So for all of the courtship dances with their families, the two move to their own pace in a way that feels right, social expectations be damned.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The characters in this book featured depth and complexity and sometimes a bit of hypocrisy. Anita was intent on living life on her own terms, whether that be her faith, her activism, her relationships. She wasn't so much stubborn as she was fighting to make sure her voice was heard. Jason's fight to do what he believed was right took him away from all that felt safe, even if it meant putting himself in harm's way. Hill's portrayal of them both showed that neither character was wholly inflexible, but their choices were deeply rooted in their own life experiences and the world they knew could come to fruition. They were at times endearing, infuriating, but always authentic and relatable.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>My favorite feature of <em>Confessions in B-Flat</em> is its embedding of actual landmarks into the story to the point where they as as much a character in the story as Anita and Jason. More than just neighborhood names and well-known streets, the settings include staple restaurants and Black-owned businesses. The author goes a step further to include photos of the settings. While the images themselves aren't necessary, they do add a touch of palpability and context. The resulting vibe is a book that feels part historical fiction, part scrapbook. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>For readers who are particularly interested in history, this book will be a treat for how it highlights major figures and seminal events in the world broadly and the Civil Rights Movement nationally. Beyond Martin and Malcolm, there are references to well-known figures including John Lewis, Angela Davis, and Bayard Rustin. But there were also lesser known (to me) events such as the Cambridge, Maryland riots. As someone who considers myself well-versed, I found that I learned new things and was eagerly bouncing between looking up unfamiliar names and places as Hill introduced them. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->

<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><em>Confessions in B Flat</em> is more than a romance and it's more than another fictionalized account of the Civil Rights era. It's an honest look at two regular people doing their best to find their place in the movement. It is an examination of how the Black community as a whole worked to reconcile their warring ideals as they sought a more just world. It's also an opportunity to reconsider assumptions about people on the other side of the "fence." I think that what takes <em>Confessions in B Flat</em> from being another historical romance to a book that has lessons that can still be applied today.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->