Thank you Balzar + Bray for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I LOVED this book. It was such a surprise! It didn’t read as stereotypical YA (which I love) and i think that people of all ages will enjoy this multigenerational story of a legendary Hollywood family. If you are a fan of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I think you’ll enjoy this book. It is not the same at all, but it explores similar themes of fame and what you’re willing to do for success, while also adding in the difficulties of being a Black person in entertainment in the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Synopsis:

“The Blackwoods. Everyone knows their name.

Blossom Blackwood burst onto the silver screen in 1962, and in the decades that followed, she would become one of the most celebrated actors of our time—and the matriarch of the most famous Black family in Hollywood. To her great-granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, she has always just been Bebe. And when she passes away, it changes everything.

Hollis Blackwood was never interested in fame. Still, she’s surrounded by it, whether at home with her family or at the prestigious Dupree Academy among Los Angeles’ elite. When private photos of Hollis are leaked in the wake of Blossom’s death, she is thrust into the spotlight she’s long avoided—and finds that trust may be a luxury even she can’t afford.

Ardith Blackwood has always lived in the public eye. A television star since childhood, she was perhaps closer with Blossom than anyone—especially after Ardith’s mother died in a drug overdose. Ever since, she has worked to be everything her family, her church, and the public want her to be. But as a family secret comes to light and the pressures from all sides begin to mount, she wonders what is left beneath the face she shows the world.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Now and Then Timelines—I thought the timelines worked so well and truly enjoyed this book so much. I loved Hollis and Ardith so much. I loved their relationship as cousins but also their individual stories as well.

The Hollywood History—I love the golden age of Hollywood and Broadway so I LOVED that I got to have the perspective of a Black actress and then later, her family. It was so good.

The Writing—Honestly, I totally forgot this book was YA while reading it. It has the Hollywood glamour of books like The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and celebrity memoirs. I found it so juicy and delicious and didn’t feel dry like historical fiction at all.

What Didn’t Work:

Wanted a Bit More From the “Now” Timelines—I almost wish this was a series and that we could move through history with this family. I felt like we spent more time in the past with Blossom, but as the matriarch, that did make sense. But I wanted more from Hollis and Ardith too!

Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: 0/5 Overall Rating: 5/5

Content Warnings:

loss of a parent, death of a family member, revenge porn

THE BLACKWOODS by Brandy Colbert is epic. The story of one black family's history in (black) Hollywood is irresistible and absolutely fascinating. The characters, especially Blossom, make it hard to put this book down. The reason for 4 stars is that it was a bit tough to get into the book because of the rapid introduction of so many characters, so many relationships. The family tree/chart helped, but I had to refer to it so frequently I couldn't get into a good reading flow. Still, I recommend this book!

Enjoyed the exploration of Black Hollywood and family through the Blackwoods. I really love Blossom and her resiliency even when the odds were attacked against her. I thought the dual timeline and multiple POV kept things interesting but I must say Blossoms sorry kept me reading more than anything else.

I absolutely adored this book; I couldn't put it down!! I deeply appreciate its homage to Black Hollywood, particularly the stars who rose to prominence in the 50s and 60s. The narrative skillfully weaves the trials and triumphs of the Blackwood women, guiding us through their journey from aspiring artists to the pinnacle of Hollywood's elite, all while navigating the complex workings of life.

I was especially impressed by the author's seamless transitions between the two younger Blackwood women and the historical context of the family matriarch. This interplay added an engaging dimension to the story, ensuring consistent intrigue throughout. In summary, this book is a masterpiece that vividly depicts the highs and lows of stardom. This was my first novel by Brandy Colbert, but I can promise you it won't be my last!

this was FASCINATING. and a definite must-read for those interested in the history of hollywood - especially black hollywood.

thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books and netgalley for the eARC!

Really liked reading this story about a black Hollywood dynasty of a family! The trials and tribulations and how chasing your dreams can get you far, but also what it can cost you. I loved how it spanned generations. I would definitely read more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Who doesn’t know the Blackwood name? This family name has been solidified in Hollywood for 5 generations. After Blossom Blackwood’s passing her secret has come to out leaving her grandchildren Ardith and Hollis to deal with it. Not to mention the drama they have going on with their own lives. From grief of losing family members to pictures being leaked, the Blackwoods have a lot on their plate. I enjoyed both Ardith and Hollis’s stories. This was my first read from this author and I enjoyed it.

Thank you HarperCollins Children's Books, Balzer + Bray and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

The Blackwoods, by Brandy Colbert follows a cast of strong female leads from multiple generations of a prominent Black family in Hollywood. I love a Hollywood storyline and I greatly appreciate the historical details of what it was like for Black actors in the business throughout the 1900's and even still into present time. The book delves into racism along with challenges actors face now with social media blowing up any and every detail of celebrity lives. I found the book's pace was a little slower at times, but overall really enjoyed it. It's a YA with Hollywood secrets and family drama!

This story truly sweep me off my feet and transported me into the world of the Blackwoods. How the author approached telling their story (through various points of view of the Blackwood family) had me so engrossed in what was going to unfold. I think what struck me the most was how human these characters were. Being in the spotlight only puts more of a magnifying glass on your life, and the author doesn’t shy away from letting you see the mistakes these characters make and how they approach going not only through them, but the lessons they take from them as well.

BC never misses. Love how this book is a saga that explores black Hollywood and an influential black family and genreational cycles and curses. Covers a lot of topics but makes it very accessible and never feels heavy-handed. Only reason for fur stars is I think two of the POV could've been a bit more fleshed out compared to Blossom's but overall I was engaged the whole time and would def ut in my class library,

I found myself bored while reading this book. I did not really care for all the drama and secrets. This book also was a little all over the place for me. I really wanted to like this one but it just missed the mark for me.

What a great new read from Brandy Colbert, combining her talents in contemporary and historical fiction. This will find happy readers from both the YA and adult fans; perfect for fans of Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?

A novel about a prominent Black Hollywood family that spans generations. Blossom, or Bebe, the matriarch who made a name for herself in Hollywood just died. Did the secret of who her son's father was die with her? Her son also made a name for himself in Hollywood and one of her granddaughters is currently starring in a popular show. Switching between characters and time periods, this is an engaging, interesting read that shows the obstacles that Blossom faced to make it as a Black woman in Hollywood. It should appeal to both teens and adults.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
The Blackwoods is a great example of the dysfunction that exists with YA publishing at the moment. The premise of this book is awesome, and I did like it. But it absolutely suffers from the identity crisis plaguing the wider YA age category, where appealing to adult readers and buyers has become more important than catering to teens. This premise would have worked so much better if it had been allowed to be explored within an adult novel, as some of the major characters, including Blossom herself are adults for at least part of the book, and there’s a big reveal related to the backstory of another character who is an adult for the bulk of the story.
The two teen characters, Hollis and Ardith, also felt like they were much less interesting than Blossom. Ardith’s storyline is perhaps the slightly more interesting of the two, as she’s also a young star, and dealing with the pitfalls of that, and she has a family history of baggage with drug addiction, having lost her mother to it, and it’s something that plays a role in her arc in the present.
Blossom is very much the star of the book, however. I loved following her journey, with her rise to fame, first love, and making difficult choices. And I liked the point that she really did shape the family legacy, for better and for worse, with each member of this large family owing everything to her.
And as it’s an homage to Black Hollywood, I loved the little details, from the way the family is impacted by gossip in different ways, to the challenges a Black woman like Blossom faced throughout the ‘50s and ‘60s trying to make her big break as an actress.
While I found some of the marketing and execution choices for this book perplexing, it is a good book. I’d recommend it to readers who enjoy multigenerational family saga narratives and/or stories about Black Hollywood stars.

I loved this book for so many reasons , I honestly didn’t realize it was a YA book until I was about 40% into the book. I feel it was multiple stories being told and sometimes had a lot of characters mentioned at once, but the family tree in the beginning is helpful. I loved Blossoms POV to see what she had to face in order to become successful and the message her story ultimately told. Hollis & Ardith have great POVs as well dealing with having a famous family legacy and their own “new-age” problems. I loved the LGBTQ+ representation, the family dynamic and all of the messages found within the book. Some of the chapters did feel rather lengthy but regardless I enjoyed the book and will highly recommend especially for high school level kids.

The Blackwoods by Brandy Colbert is the story of the most famous Black family in Hollywood. The story is told through the point of view of the matriarch of the family Blossom Blackwood and her two great-granddaughters named Ardith and Hollis. A secret comes to light after Blossom passes away and her family is tasked with protecting and upholding the family legacy (while grieving).

The plot was interesting and Brandy Colbert did a great job of showing the reality of Hollywood including rampant prejudice. However, this book really had three stories at once which made it difficult to really connect with the characters. I would've like more of a focus on Blossom and less so from Ardith and Hollis. Blossom was a strong, independent Black woman striving for her dreams in the 60's. I really could've read a book that was just her life story. Although it was nice to have the modern Hollywood perspective from Ardith and Hollis (social media leaks, paparazzi etc.), I found the plot to be rushed and I wanted more Blossom. I almost would have rather this book been a series where the first book introduces us fully to Blossom and we could get the other family member's stories in subsequent books.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this the book. Brandy Colbert touches on grief, trust (both trusting others and yourself) and the benefits and consequences of fame. If you like stories about Old Hollywood, pop culture and family, you will really love The Blackwoods.

Thank you to Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book!

**3.5 STARS**

Content Warning: racism

I was drawn to the synopsis of this book because I love the idea of a rich Black Hollywood family who has made it in the industry. This story follows three of the Blackwoods, Blossom – the woman who started it all, and Hollis and Ardith her great grand-daughters.

I felt like this book was like a soap opera or very much like a Danielle Steel novel where we follow a woman through the generations. The Blackwoods starts in present day and then there are flashbacks to Blossom Blackwoods life. I loved her backstory and her drive to be an actress no matter how long it took her to achieve success. She was a hard working, independent woman who relied on her mom and sister instead of the father of her child. It’s wonderful to see her drive to make her dreams come true.

I also thought Hollis’ and Ardith’s perspectives gave the reader a glimpse into how things have changed and the current issues they deal with today like dealing with the paparazzi and press hounding them. How everything in their lives can be exposed in the blink of an eye. But I loved the story about persevering and the bonds of family.

I don’t know if young adults will be drawn to this book. I felt like Blossoms story was more compelling than those of her granddaughters and I wanted more of her life story and even more about Ardith’s mother. I think this would have made an amazing adult fiction book. I also didn’t feel like the family secret was a big bombshell at all but I loved how the family came together to navigate it.

My Thoughts:

My favorite thing about this book is Blossom Blackwoods story from a girl in high school with dreams to being the matriarch of her family. She really didn’t give up even when she had a child out of wedlock, she had to travel from one coast to the other to work, she had to face racism in the industry, but she did it, with the support of her mom and sister – no matter how long it took. I feel like this could have been made into an epic family saga type of story because there are other stories here I want to know about like Ardith’s mom and her battle with addiction. Unfortunately, I didn’t really connect with the young adult aspect of the story but I think Blossom’s story makes up for all of that.

Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Brandy Colbert for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!

A family saga of generations of Blackwoods in Hollywood told in 3 perspectives: Blossom Blackwood (the matriarch), Hollis Blackwood (great grand-daughter), and Ardith Blackwood (great grand-daughter).

Personally, I picked this book up in a tough season of life and the amount of characters and slow pace of the book made it difficult to get through. Coupled with the 3 story lines to keep up with and long chapters, it was a challenging read.

“You know how Bebe always used to say that if we gave people what we thought they wanted, it would still never be enough? That they would just make up something to fit their narrative?”
Blackwood is a household name, all thanks to Blossom Blackwood, who rose to legendary fame as a movie star in the 60s. But along the way, she hides what is to be her life’s greatest secret, a mystery that the press still buzzes about today. When her secret comes to light after she passes, her grandchildren, Ardith and Hollis, have to grapple with the explosive aftermath, not to mention their own problems. Ardith’s meticulously curated public persona begins to crack from the grief of losing both her mother and grandmother, and Hollis’ private photos—photos only her best friend had—have been leaked. In the dangerously alluring world of Hollywood, who can the Blackwoods trust?

Usually I’m not one to pick up a family saga, but the thrill of spending time in the gilded world of Hollywood, where the real monsters are all too human and how the cost of fame is always too much, will never fail to entice me. Brandy Colbert delivers, peeling back the glamor of the film industry to reveal the cruelty and prejudice that lurks underneath. Beyond that, this story is also one of persistence: how the Blackwoods find love—familial, platonic, and romantic—despite it all. I particularly loved Ardith and Hollis’ storylines! Fame has taught Ardith not to trust anyone, to bear her grief alone, but her coworker, Matty, makes it hard for her to keep those rigid boundaries in place. It’s heartwarming to see their working relationship bloom into a deep friendship and watch her make peace with her long-held grief. Hollis struggles with trusting her (more than) best friend after her nudes are leaked from his phone, and Colbert tackles this issue with a deft and graceful hand. Blossom’s story is an ode to single motherhood, tenacity, and living with the decisions you make. I saw the potential with her story to be a whole separate book, something a little more eviscerating of Hollywood and its injustices, so I wish we spent more time with her! With such a plotline—a Black woman aspiring to be a movie star in the 60s—I wanted to see the full picture, not just snippets of her life. Additionally, at times the plot felt rushed; perhaps fitting three entire stories in one book was an ambitious undertaking. The Blackwoods is by no means a lackluster read, however. If anything, my desire for more just demonstrates how engrossing the novel is! Don’t miss this moving family saga about dealing with grief, learning how to trust yourself, and finding love against the backdrop of Hollywood fame.

I am a huge BC fan, as well as a long-time consumer of celebrity gossip, and i love sprawling family dramas enough that i have a whole goodreads tag for them. So i am TARGET MADE for this book. I really enjoyed it--it's not my absolute favorite of her work (please read The Only Black Girls in Town for that!), but i found it compelling and engaging. The characters were worth caring about (especially the main ones--two of the cousins and the grandmother), and i really wanted things to go well for everyone. The reflection on the celebrity gossip industrial complex was not new but was well-done. I think this book would be a good fit in school libraries.

NetGalley ARC unbiased review etc