May 12, 2024
I was honestly intrigued by this book because I have a love of all things peacock, and the cover caught my eye immediately! However, I was captivated by the story from the beginning. I certainly wouldn't say I was surprised by the ending, but I did feel the story wrapped itself up pretty nicely. The characters were likeable and even relatable in certain aspects. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to my historical fiction fan friends!

Reviewed on Goodreads as Kate Bee and on Instagram

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I’m conflicted about this novel. In one hand it’s such a thoroughly researched and written novel. The imagery created really brings you into the early 1900s in the south. Being an Okie, I love any time Greenwood is given its proper place in history. The cast of characters is great. Lucille is so relatable and you really see her grow and break out of the strict church upbringing she grew up in.
My family is from the south and very religious so the parts about traveling around to revivals and churches… nailed it!

Where I struggle is the side plot/robbery. I understand it was the catalyst to get the Love’s moving around and for Lucille to get noticed, but beyond that it was just felt like something that stuck around but didn’t really provide a lot more to the story. Crazy white dude stalking a family over 20 years? Could have done without.

But that said, overall the novel was very enjoyable and a well written snap shot of life on the road for the entertainers trying to make their mark.

The book opens in 1906, with the Love family - Hank, who scrambled to eke out a living growing vegetables on a tiny patch of rented land, his wife Evelyn, who was a preacher’s daughter who sang gospel and opera, and their tiny, musically inclined daughter Lucille. Early in the book, Hank was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and made a momentary bad decision that set the family on the run. They made a living singing as The Traveling Loves and went from one church to another, singing at revivals, and showcasing little Lucille, known as The Little Girl with the Big Voice. Tired of life on the road, and wanting to find a place to settle, the Loves trusted their teen daughter’s future to an energetic promoter, Marcus Williams, who promised to take care of Lucille, and make her a star, not an easy task in the era of segregation.
As Lucille got older, she craved independence, fame and fortune, and added musicians to her act, becoming Miss Lucille and the Black Troubadours. Marcus assured them they were one only step from stardom as they traveled through Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, playing bars, clubs, theaters and speakeasies. Life on the road was tough, performing for just enough money to get by, and always with alcohol, gambling, and discrimination in the background.
Most of the book is dedicated to describing life on the road, and the struggles of performers in the roaring 20’s. The author ‘s character development was well crafted and memorable, I could easily visualize Hank and Evelyn and their struggles during segregation, Miss Opal who ran a boarding house and school, the talented but hard living musicians and dancers, Marcus, the talent promoter, and of course Lucille Arnetta Love who chased her dream relentlessly.
In the last few chapters, many of the past mysteries, conflicts and issues were resolved, some happily, some not. As a reader, I felt satisfied with the way the book played out, and enjoyed the colorful, difficult, but rewarding journey with Lucille.
After I finished the book, I found bonus material at the end. There were discussion questions, making it a good choice for book clubs. There was a playlist of many of the famous songs referenced in the book, and a tour map and theater descriptions - fascinating after having read about the shows held in each one.
I would recommend this book for those who enjoy historical fiction, who enjoy soaking in the glitzy, naughty era of prohibition. It’s also a disturbing story of struggles during the years of segregation, but ultimately it’s a glimpse at the triumph of the human spirit.

Thank you to Harlequin, and to Netgalley for the ARC, in return for which I’m happy to give my honest opinion.

This was a @netgalley free ARC for a fair review. This book is what I would call a slow burn. Set during the jazz era in America, we follow Lucille Love, “the little girl with the big voice.” There was a lot of amazing historical content in this novel and I can see it being a big success. And all that jazz!

This was the first book I’ve read from the 1920’s in a POC perspective and it was a mixture of fascinating, heartbreaking, empowering, and tense. Lucille goes through a multitude of struggles throughout her life from her overbearing mother, her struggles as a POC singer, to her romantic relationships. I personally enjoyed the author’s writing style; she writes in a way where I can clearly hear their 1920’s southern accents in my head & picture Lucille’s dresses. I also really liked the perspective of being raised in the church and feeling like you have to live a certain way because of religious expectations and the temptation to want more than what you’re told is allowed and going for it & making mistakes along the way like we humans do.

Linked reviews under name: Manda Bartlett

Thank you to Net Galley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book!

I will admit, right off the bat, I requested this book because of the cover. I love peacocks and flappers!

On to the story, though. I wish that I had enjoyed the ending as much as I had the beginning. I understand that lure of musical fame, having grown up in the church choir and wanting to be just like my idol (Sandi Patty). I got how driven Lucille is by her gift and wanting to be recognized for it. However, as Lucille continued to make bad choice after bad choice, I found it harder and harder to engage with her, and to like her. I was SO angered for her and her Troubadours when they were forced to lean into racist stereotypes at one of their final shows together, but it still didn’t get me to like her any more as a character.

I am thankful that I got to read about this very underrepresented part of American history, and I hope Chenault-Kilgore goes on to write more of these stories because they are so important to the tapestry of our nation. (And I am SO glad that she referenced the amazing Kathleen Battle as inspiration for one of Lucille’s performance!)

First off, thank you to harlequin, the hive, and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this incredible story. Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres for so many reasons, this book is a great example of why. This story shares the life of blues singers and even more, a black blues singer. The characters were well thought out and overall the story was captivating. I definitely recommend this read.

I did like learning about the racial challenges during the Prohibition era and the characters. However, I felt that 70 or so could’ve been eliminated as it was slower in the middle.

This was not my average "historical fiction" era of choice, but I was excited to dive into this. With that being said, I was left feeling unfulfilled, bored and a little lost in the storyline.

Overall, this was hard for me to continue reading at times. The entire book felt very "one note" to me and included a plethora of details I found unnecessary. From the beginning of the story where we learn about Hank's theft, to the tie-in at the end took way too much time for me to stay interested. I didn't feel like there was enough to keep me engaged to want to see how the characters would fair, assuming that the book started with this scene because it would come back to haunt Lucille later in life.

At times, details and certain happenings in this book felt very odd and almost like a last minute decision to add. Overall, it personally felt very disjointed and almost as if there were multiple unfinished ideas that came to the author's mind while writing that, rather than editing back, decided to include everything.

I also didn't personally relate to any of the characters, which may have been a larger reason why I had an issue connecting to them or the storyline. Some of the dialogue was very hard to understand and I felt there were a few grammatical errors that may have been intentional, but didn't lend any additional need to the story, so it felt unnecessary and like a mistake.

I will say I enjoyed the last 1/4 of this book much more than the first 3/4, but all in all, it didn't leave a memorable stamp on my brain nor would it be something I recommend to many.

I didn't like the writing style and it was really hard for me to get into. However I thought that the poetry was an interesting touch that I did appreciate.

Monica Chenault-Kilgore's "The Jewel of the Blues" is a captivating historical novel.. Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing/Graydon House for granting me early access to this gem!

I was transported to the Roaring Twenties, completely lost in glittering theaters and smoky clubs where Lucille and her troupe, the Black Troubadours, defy the odds with every note they sing. While the journey involved plenty of hardships and heartaches, this book is ultimately hopeful, and touches on themes of resilience and the enduring power of music.

A recommended read for those who enjoy historical fiction!

I want to thank Netgalley and Harlequin Publishing/Graydon House for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of Monica Chenualt-Kilgore's new historical-fiction The Jewel of the Blues.

Lucille Love's story starts as a young black girl who travels with her parents entertaining at church functions. When she is discovered by Marcus, a young promoter, she becomes known as the little girl with the big voice. Marcus starts booking the Love's at venues other than churches and Lucille begins to realize that fame could some day be hers. Lucille's parents eventually start to trust Marcus with her care and quit touring with her. Marcus hires Bobby, Lincoln and Mitchell as musicians and they become known as Lucille and the Black Troubadours.

Only 55 years following the end of slavery in the United States, Chenault-Kilgore brings to life the Roaring Twenties and the difficulties of black entertainers during that time period. Lucille and her troupe face much discrimination in their efforts to make it big; being treated as second-hand citizens wherever they go.

I enjoyed reading The Jewel of the Blues and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical-fiction and would like to learn more about the Roaring Twenties and the struggles of black entertainers.

I was unable to read this title. The format wasn’t compatible with my device. In order to read it, I had to zoom in on every page and move the page around., which made the task very tedious instead of enjoyable. My son wrest apologies. I rated this book 3 stars. I didn’t want to just leave a 1 star review and make the title look bad. I really wish I had something to say about it.

Thank you @netgalley and @htpbooks for the eARC of The Jewel of the Blues by @monicackilgore in exchange for an honest review!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 I have noticed a growing trend of boos throwing it back to the 1920’s and I absolutely love it! The Jewel of the Blues was another wild trip back to the Roaring 20’s that delighted and dazzled. I am so grateful for the perspective of black people in a time where the literal scars from slavery were still visible. Through the difficulty and often dark times, music prevails Nd this books shows a wonderful appreciation for the roots of gospel music. Lucille’s journey from childhood to a young woman going after her dreams is a beautiful and moving tale. And while some parts are so heartbreaking to read, underneath it all is a story of hope, resilience, and enduring love that lifts us up.

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be on Instagram ahead of the publication date!

This was a Great book. I enjoyed the storyline and the characters. As I was reading, I didn’t expect The book to veer off into a different characters storyline but as I continue to read, it made sense. Overall, a great book that I would definitely recommend.

The Jewel of the Blues is a decent read with a solid plot and interesting characters. The story unfolds in a vibrant setting, capturing the essence of the blues music scene beautifully. However, the pacing at times feels a bit uneven, with certain parts dragging while others rush by too quickly. Additionally, some character motivations could have been explored more deeply to add depth to the narrative. Overall, a good book for fans of music-themed fiction, but not without its flaws.

I enjoyed learning about Lucille’s story and I loved how this book was different from those I usually read set in this time period. The descriptions of costumes and theaters were pretty good and really filled out the settings of the novel. The characters all had distinct personalities and rounded out the crew. I usually saw what the writer was trying to do and say, but often found the implementation heavy handed and the dialogue stilted. Overall I did not feel like the writing was engaging and it seemed like the author just gave everything away at the beginning.

I was hooked from the cover, it had that 1920s feel that I was looking for and enjoyed about the genre. It does a great job of bringing the roaring 20s to life. I enjoyed going on this journey with Lucille and thought she was a realistic take on the time-period. Monica Chenault-Kilgore does a great job in writing this type of book and left me wanting to read more from her.