Thank you for the ARC. I was excited to read this novel about the jazz era. There is racism, money problems and love. Lucille, a young singer, has big dreams; being on the big stage. After years of traveling to small church events with her family, she is discovered by a young talent manager. Along with talented musicians Lucille travels to bigger events, but the big money remains out of touch.

As if the band travels and challenges are not enough to keep the storyline going, there is a murder and missing money. Lucille's father was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but benefitted from murder. He grabbed the money and took the family out of town. Years later he thinks they are safe, but family members of the murdered thief have Lucille in their sights and plans to retrieve the missing money.

This is well written and the characters experience real obstacles and challenges.

Thank you for this ARC of this book. I completed this book in April, and I thought that I had have a review on Goodreads. So with that said, my apologies for a late review. I enjoyed reading this book regarding the 1920’s, and I believe this is my first book reading about the Jazz era during that time period. It felt good to read about familiar topics for me like the importance of family whether blood related or. My, the importance of love, survival, friendship, loss, and determination. This book had me crying in some parts of the book , as well as elated of the victories and joys that were in it. Lots of things happen when a person is traveling. This was a book that had Lucille on tour, but we travel every day in our lives, with each day being truly a new journey and a new adventure, and that’s what I enjoyed reading about through ch this book. I enjoyed reading it, and I look forward to reading more work from you. Thank you again for the ARC.

I love reading historical fiction and reading their pov and what they encountered during those times. I also was pleased to see the author did not stray away from the racism that black people encountered during those times. It was a good read for me.

This is an excellent book that takes place in the 1920s jazz era. The story is exciting right from the beginning. This story takes us through Lucille's struggles with her career and life. I liked almost all the characters. I like stories about strong women, and Lucille is definitely courageous and determined. In spite of all the racial tension, drinking and failed love affairs she never gives up. I highly recommend this book!

I was so sad that I did not enjoy this one. The cover was the best thing about it. The writing, development and plot were all lacking.

I really enjoyed this book, it was a good surprise. I love historical fiction and love reading about the 20s and 30s.. I can really tell the author did their research from the way the story was told, I was able to picture everything so vividly. I am looking forward to the next book.

The story told around Lucille (main character) and her circle of people was the best part about this read. The era, and all that happen in the Jazzy days, and the out-there-characters that marched it through time was well-written by the author. I truly loved the supporting cast.

Lucille? Not so much. Nuf said.

*A sincere thank you to Monica Chenault-Kilgore, Harlequin Trade Publishing | Graydon House, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #TheJeweloftheBlues #NetGalley

DNF- I tried to get into this but I couldn't connect enough with the main characters and I didn't like how she was trying to pressure one of the older characters into having an affair. Especially when she was underage. The premise sounded interesting but the execution threw me off.

This book insooo cute incredibly boring. And playing on racism isn’t cool. There wasn’t that much racism and hunting down black ppl in the 1920s she acts like the civil war hasn’t ended 70 years ago at this point.

A father’s choice haunts his daughter throughout life as she works to make a name for herself as a singer. I feel like this book falls short with truly developing Lucille as the main character. As the book progressed I struggled to stay interested in where it was headed.

The Jewel of the Blues was an okay read for me. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. It actually started off really strong. The early part of the story really drew me in, but the second half of the book (when Lucille goes solo with Marcus) just didn’t work for me. It’s like she suddenly became this wild child. It felt like there was too much happening, but at the same time, not enough meaningful development. I also kept expecting a reunion with the Loves, but that never happened, which was disappointing. I would rate it 3 stars — a decent, but ultimately underwhelming read.

While I was eager to embrace this historical fiction, particularly given its Roaring Twenties setting and a perspective from a person of color, I found it challenging to connect with the protagonist, Lucille.

The novel's commitment to portraying the 1910s and 1920s was commendable. I really loved that it didn't shy away from the harsh realities of the South, including the deeply ingrained racism and violence of the era. The uncomfortable language, though difficult, served as a stark and authentic representation of the time. I also appreciated the narrative's central question: would Lucille achieve her dreams?

The narrative finally captured my full attention in the final quarte and it picked up. I was ultimately satisfied with the characters' eventual happiness."

A richly immersive historical novel that captures the energy and passion of the Jazz Age. With lyrical prose and well-developed characters, the story brings the era to life, blending ambition, music, and personal discovery. Chenault-Kilgore’s writing is evocative, making for a captivating read. While some aspects of the plot may feel understated, the novel’s atmosphere and emotional depth make it a compelling choice for historical fiction fans.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Monica Chenault-Kilgore for giving me this ARC of The Jewel of the Blues.

This is a story of a young woman growing up in the 1920's. It had a really strong start and told an interesting story. I love historical fiction so I loved reading this one.

In this tense and beautiful new historical fiction novel about a young jazz performer as her career grows and takes off in the 1920s, where romance, danger, and drama are all part of daily life. Lucille Arnetta Love is ready to move away from being the Little Girl with the Big Voice and take charge of her career, moving from a family gospel band to the lead of a vaudeville troupe and setting herself up for success. However, a botched robbery from years ago and the suspicious death that it ended in point to Lucille’s father, and it keeps coming back to haunt the family, who is desperately trying to bury this secret. As she explores the dangerous underbelly of 1920s America and the entertainment scene with Miss Lucille’s Black Troubadours, Lucille and the readers will get the chance to make it big. With brilliant characters, underlying tension, and dramatic and exciting detail, readers will love the music and magic built into this novel and the fascinating cast of characters Monica Chenault-Kilgore brings to life. With its immersive and intricately detailed plot, this is a unique and fascinating novel about the Jazz Age that readers will absolutely love for the detail, tension, and character development.

I love a book set in the “roaring 20s” and everything from the cover to the wonderful story screams this era!!!

First read by this author but definitely not my last.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book.

I loved the time period and descriptions but it was a little lengthy and at times paced too slow. If you're looking for something historical and Black though this is worth checking out.

This was a well researched story of a singer’s life journey in the 1920’s . Lucille was known as the little girl with the big voice when she traveled with her parents as a family musical act. But Lucille knows she’s meant for more than singing church songs and family friendly music. She belongs among the stars of the Jazz era and she intends to make it to the big stage and leave the Chitlin’ Circuit behind. But will the decision her father made when she was a child come back to haunt her and derail her dreams?

Although this was a slow read for me, I enjoyed the writer’s detailed imagery of the plight of Black musicians trying to make it big in show business. This story sheds light on what life might have been for people like Bessie Smith and Ma Rainey. With themes of racism, family, camaraderie and perseverance, this story is a good read. I only wished the subplot didn’t fall flat for me.

I’ve also read this author’s other historical fiction work and I look forward to reading more.

Thank you @netgalley for a chance to read and review.

I really did want to love this more but it was really hard to care for the main character, Lucille.

This takes place in the 1910s and the 1920s. I love historical fiction so this called to me because the Roaring 20s are my jam and I was excited to read something from a POC’s point of view.

I liked that it stayed true to those times. While the language made me uncomfortable, it showed a good portrayal of the South and the racism plus violent acts of those times. I also did enjoy trying to find out of Lucille would ever have her dream come true.

Now what annoyed me was how the whole plot came to be. I feel like Lucille’s dad got off so easily since she had to deal with his mistake years later. Plus the writing was not fluid and I wasn’t sure when scenes were changing and also there was zero character development for Lucille. She was not like able to me and came off as spoiled.

The last 25% is where really where my attention didn’t waver and I’m glad at the end they all found their happiness.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange of an honest review!

Fantastic read that left me feeling emotional charged and ready to read something else by the author. I loved every minute of this book.