Confessions in b Flat


Set in the 60s we follow a a Romeo and Juliet type couple. Anita and Jason, one from the north, one from the south, one supports of Martin Luther King Jr and one supporter of Malcom X. The country boy and the city girl, on paper they don’t seem like they would be a match. And yet they are. They have a spark, a passion that just doesn’t make sense to either of them. We get to navigate their story, their differences and the things that bond them forever. Mixed with some very important American history, you’ll get lost in every moment. You’ll feel the anger and pain of the black communities in the country and the hope for change.
I very much enjoyed this story, although a tad more of the history would have really pushed it over the top for me. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. These opinions are my own.

Donna Hill’s ‘Confessions in B-Flat’ is a poignant, timely, and beautiful story about two people finding their way during the tumultuous 1960s.

When Jason Tanner meets Anita Hopkins on a bus bound for New York City, he knows he’s encountered someone special. He’s been sent by Dr. King to expand the message of passive resistance to people up north, which seems to directly clash with Anita’s support of Malcolm X’s ideology. But neither Jason nor Anita can seem to shake their connection. Will it be enough to keep them together during one of the most politically charged time periods in America’s history?

As mentioned in the blurb, this novel is as timeless as it is timely. At its core, it’s a story about two people whose connection and love for each other strengthens with time, despite some seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Hill is masterful at weaving the history of the Civil Rights Movement into her narrative; you feel dropped straight into that time period and all of its vigor and tumultuousness. Yet, the personal connection and bond between Anita and Jason is what really shines. Though they’re shaped by their time, their love is universal.

I felt a gamut of emotions reading the arc of their story, and feel that it’s not only important for its message about civil rights (and how much more work there is to do) but for its beautiful love story and tremendous character growth. I also greatly enjoy reading stories about characters whose life experiences are different from mine, as it widens my worldview and enriches my life in ways that are valuable and important. We need more stories like these.

This is one of my favorite novels of 2020. A definite must-read.

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