Y’all know this is a Brandy Colbert stan account, so no matter what it is she’s written, I’m going to give it a try. And this one was no different. I HATE reality tv, but I knew I was going to have to at least try it. So naturally, I pre-ordered it at the same time I bought it for my library system lol

The most confusing part about this was the different timelines. I just didn’t understand why Colbert decided to do it this way instead of like them reading some of her letters or journal and letting that take us back in time. Instead in the story we get just chapters with her POV back in history. Now it does tell her life story, but it didn’t like correlate with what was happening in the story, so it was just like it was just some weird flashbacks.

The characters of this were all good tho. Since we get a POV from the cousins and the grandma, they are all fully fleshed out and they were all important parts of the story. Usually I feel like it’s super hard to do this when there’s so many POV’s, but it actually wasn’t. They were all actually done really well.

The only thing I didn’t like was the ending. Likeeeeeee where was the conflict? I kept waiting for something big to happen, but nothing ever did. It seemed like a real reality show and we break for a commercial, and then find out that that was all for the week. Idk how to explain it. I just wanted more conflict. I get it, she went through a lot of shit, but it felt so easy. Idk I’m not usually one for flowery language, but I was expecting this to give me a gut punch. And normally, seeing someone choose her career, or any of the other things that happened would give me that. But this just didn’t.

But even if I didn’t like the ending, I did still like it as I was reading it. It really feels like you’re watching a reality show. I was so engrossed in this book. I couldn’t listen fast enough. I wanted to know why all of these things were so important and why BB had all these secrets. And even though all of those things weren’t answered, it was still so much fun to read it as I went along.

The narration was pretty cool too. I’ve listened to all of Alaska Jackson’s backlist and I loved those too. I don’t know of any problems and the inflections and emotions were all on point. Definitely someone I’d listen to read a grocery list. I’m excited to see what other books they will narrate. ESPECIALLY since they’re an Own Voices narrator.

This wasn’t everything I expected, but it was almost everything I wanted. Drama filled and full of family and high emotions. The family drama and all that they go through is definitely worth the read. I just hope you don’t change your mind when you finally get to the end.

This was a layered, multigenerational YA family story about the Blackwoods, a wealthy African American family of actresses. Alternating POVs and timelines from their recently deceased matriarch Blossom (aka 'Bebe"), and her two granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, who have followed in her groundbreaking footsteps.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of Blossom's life as a young Black woman trying to break into early Hollywood and the contrasting challenges she had versus what her grandaughters faced coming from a much more privileged background in modern America with the price of fame and love living in the spotlight.

This was good on audio and perfect for fans of books like The Black kids by Christina Hammonds Reed or Reel by Kennedy Ryan. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Also it can't go without saying that the cover for this book is just sooo striking and fierce!

Thank you to Brandy Colbert and the publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book!

Wow! Wow! Wow! I really don’t know what to say except, I wish there were a part two. I, too, grew up admiring Black Hollywood and hearing stories of how there was no representation because there were no opportunities. This book brought back some of the nostalgia for me.

I loved how the story was told from both past and present. I enjoyed reading about Blossom from Blossom’s perspective instead of just what others thought of her. I would’ve enjoyed knowing more about Prentiss and Taffy, however.

One of my favorite books of 2023!

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.