Colbert presents a refreshing look at the legacy traditions in Hollywood. This particular book resonates in today’s society due to all the discussion about the nepo babies in Hollywood. Colbert deftly delivers the layered story through the perspective of the matriarch of the clan, Blossom Blackwood, and her two great granddaughters, who both have benefited from the privilege that Blossom was able to secure for her family. Colbert creates engaging characters as they try to navigate a world that is trying to write a narrative for a life they perceive that the characters are living.

The Blackwoods have been in Hollywood for decades, and acting even before that. Success has always come with a price, but there's no denying that they've made it. But when Blossom, the matriarch of the family, passes away, the family comes up against answers to long-asked questions—and some new questions as well.

Colbert couldn't write a bad book if she tried, and I don't think I even read the description before I shelved this as to-read. She describes the book as her "ode to Black Hollywood", and the book fills a niche that I hadn't given enough thought to before now—I've read my fair share of YA Hollywood books featuring (thin, rich) white heroines, but far, *far* fewer featuring BIPOC heroines or paying tribute to the ones who paved the way.

"The Blackwoods" slips back and forth between generations of women, from Blossom's mother, Flossie, to Hollis and Ardith, two of the younger generation. What I love most is that many of the climactic moments come relatively early in the book, leaving the characters to handle the fallout throughout the rest of the book. Also, because the book follows multiple characters, the big moments they each have are allowed to be parts of their story (and the family story) rather than taking over the narrative completely. I won't go into detail, but a number of things go down throughout the book that could be a book's main conflict, and I loved the sense that the book wasn't willing to limit the story to any one of those things. Readers may also like Martha Southgate's "Third Girl from the Left", which (if I remember correctly; it's been a while) takes a grittier look at Black Hollywood, especially blaxploitation films.

If you struggle with the intro, I'd suggest carrying on to see if the next chapters fit better. I don't love either the intro chapter or the final chapter, neither of which feels as present and natural as the rest of the book.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Had to DNF after the very first chapters. The introduction was incredibly clunky and once the flashback plot started, I knew I (a grown woman lol) wouldn't be able to keep up among the large amount of family members. If the intro is able to be a little more fine tuned (I think multiple pov hurts this story) I think young adult readers could enjoy this.

I really enjoyed this but when I went to review it I wanted to double-check that it was marketed as YA because I think this could have worked better as an adult novel. I think the intergenerational aspects would be more compelling to older readers. But still, the characters are compelling and the history (thinly fictionalized) of Black Hollywood is interesting, so I do think teens with an interest in film/TV would still get a lot out of this.

Wow! I loved this! The Blackwoods follows three different viewpoints: Blossom Blackwood's rise to stardom during the 1940s and onward, and her two great-granddaughters' lives in the present day as they deal with the aftermath of the family matriarch's death. Hollis Blackwood is trying to keep a low-profile at her private school, despite her family's longline of Hollywood players while Ardith Blackwood is a television star, anxiously straddling the line between her public persona and who she really is as a person. Hollis and Ardith are grappling with the repercussions when a long held secret comes to live. The alternating perspectives were so well done and it was such a fun glimpse into a famous Black Hollywood family. I loved this so much.

4.5 stars

Brandy Colbert has done it AGAIN. I really can't get enough of this author, and she just keeps reminding of why that's the case with every new read: this one included!

In this most recent novel, Colbert focuses on five generations of the Blackwood family, who build a Hollywood dynasty from their humble roots. Readers are treated to information about all of the Blackwoods, but there are several who get extra special focus here: Blossom, whose death brings her family together at the start of the novel, and two of her great-grandchildren, Ardith and Hollis. Between their chapters, readers also learn about specific incidents, relationships, locations, and career moves in other sections. This is not a linearly organized novel, and for me, this really added to the appeal. Like any good family-centered work, readers learn quite a bit about each character not only in the chapters that focus on them specifically but also from other family members' insights and interactions. Especially for a YA audience, the structural and organizational elements really add to the quick pacing and ample opportunities to synthesize.

I connected with many of these characters, regardless of their ages or time periods, which is another testament to Colbert's skill. Admittedly, there is a lot going on in this novel: individual struggles and triumphs, some modern issues with technology and celebrity, racism, questions about what it means to be family, choices/challenges particular to women...the list goes on. Because there is so much happening, the plot doesn't reveal the same strong unification that folks used to reading YA might be more accustomed to, but these themes and motifs do carry the novel forward to a satisfying conclusion.

I started this novel a huge fan of Colbert, and I am an even bigger fan upon conclusion. Of course, I'll be recommending this enthusiastically to students and pals alike.

anything Brandy Colbert writes, I am going to read. And once again she does not disappoint!! I cannot wait for this book to be available on the shelves for everyone to have a chance to read. The voice Colbert has and gives to young adult characters is impeccable.

The blackwoods was just wanted I needed this book was so good. The story was cute and i loved every minute of it.

This one will be a hard sell as a YA fiction story for a few reasons-- the generational story needs to have a fast-enough plot to keep a teens interest, and this one starts slow and doesn't necessarily pick up a pace enough to stay afloat. Second, there needs to be some sensationalism to draw a reader in, the death, yes, tried, but I wasn't connected to the Blackwood family and/or the history that Colbert wanted to share to fully engage.

Colbert's love of TV and the shows that she shares is apparent and conceptually the idea works, but there are plenty of YA that has a more niche, more mature audience and this on that spectrum, and that's why it works. Teens who have a focus on either acting, theater, Hollywood appreciation, celebritydom.

Colbert has a unique way of writing books for teens that don’t shy away from important issues (in this case racism and sexism, to name a few) without writing “issues” books. The three different points of view in this novel allow the reader access to different sides of the legendary Hollywood family, The Blackwoods—including how they came to be famous.

While I enjoyed all of the storylines, I was particularly drawn to Hollis, because she has personal photos of herself leaked at her school, resulting in bullying from her classmates and the media. And although Hollis is devastated these photos got out, she is not at all ashamed or apologetic for taking them in the first place. This is the type of social media story we need to be telling teens, and it was wonderful to see it handled this way by one of my favorite authors.

Readers will love this mix of historical and modern-day stories with a dose of drama and Hollywood glamour.

I really enjoyed this. An look into the silver screen from a Black Hollywood perspective and through the eyes of a newer generation of kids.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review

The Blackwoods tells the story about the most famous Black family in Hollywood through the POV of matriarch, Blossom Blackwood and her two great granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith Blackwood. This story takes you on a journey from past to present with the Blackwood women as they navigate from creating a legacy to living up to the legacy that was created for them.

For the most part I did enjoy this story of the Blackwood family. I really connected and enjoyed Blossom’s story the character development within her personal story. I felt like even though these were past accounts if felt like we grew with Blossom to the point where she leaves this legacy for her family. I did enjoy both Hollis and Ardith POV as the granddaughters but something was missing in order for me to really be engaged with their storylines. Like it just didn’t click for me. I think maybe it could’ve been more beneficial for Just Ardith’s POV and Blossom and Flossie to give insight how with each generation things had changed as far as more options and doors opening.

The overall plot of the Blackwood was interesting although I was confused at some things but glad that everything worked out in the end.

Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC of this book.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from this book, as I knew that it had multiple POVs and time jumps in it (sometimes those can be confusing). But Brandy Colbert managed it beautifully. I found myself invested in each person's POV, Blossom's was especially captivating. I found that I was drawn into the story no matter which timeframe we were in and was rooting for all of the characters. If you like stories about Old Hollywood, family, and/or strong characters, I think you will enjoy this book.

Also, this book would make a gorgeous tv/film adaptation :)

The author describes this as an “Ode to Black Hollywood” and she is right but it is so much more. It is a love story of women who have struggled and persevered, the families who have loved and honored their sometimes flawed matriarchs, and Los Angeles's whole difficult history. The Blackwoods are Hollywood royalty and when the matriarch passes and new information comes out they are all forced to deal with the fallout and the narrative the public creates. I think, especially today, we forget celebrities are people who deserve kindness, compassion, and understanding when they behave like “real” people. This book examines how, especially for black women in Hollywood, those standards are higher and the fall much more damaging because of the institutional racism in the world. This book pays tribute to the women who came before and over the way for the phenomenal actresses we see on our screens today, and serves as a reminder of how much further we need to go. I devoured this book in a day-it was phenomenal and educational and brought a tear to my eye more than once!

I was looking forward to reading due to the synopsis. It started off interesting. There was a secret from the past and drama in the present. I was interested to see it unfold. My issues with the book was lack of direction and too many characters. I wish it would have focused more on the past.. The present storyline was more YA and I just couldn’t connect with the characters.

****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

Old money and old Hollywood told from a black woman’s perspective. The best book I’ve read in a while. Would recommend to anyone.

The author describes this as an “Ode to Black Hollywood” and she is right but it is so much more. It is a love story to women who have struggled and persevered, the the families who have loved and honored their some times flawed matriarchs, and to Los Angeles whole difficult history. The Blackwoods are Hollywood royalty and when the matriarch passes and new information comes out they are all forced to deal with the fallout and the narrative the public creates. I think, especially today, we forget celebrities are people who deserve kindness, compassion and understanding when they behave like “real” people. This books examines how, especially for black women in Hollywood, those standards are higher and the fall much more damaging because of the institutional racism in the world. This books pays tribute to the women who came before and over the way for the phenomenal actresses we see on our screens today, and serves as a reminder of how much further we need to go. I devoured this book in a day-it was phenomenal and educational and brought a tear to my eye more than once!

The most beloved actress in the world Blossom Blackwood had died. Her great-granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, she has always just been Bebe . Hollis Blackwood never cared about being famous, everything changes when private photos are leaked . Hollis world is turned upside down and she struggles to find a person she can trust. Ardith is a television child star and loves the spotlight on her. She has created a perfect persona in the eye of the public and her family. But as a family secret comes to light , everything comes crashing down. This is a tale of ambition, fame, struggle, loss, and love in America.