When 40-year old Nikki was summoned by her grandmother Rita, she was expecting to find out what caused the rift between her mother and grandmother. But what Nikki actually received was a history lesson, wrapped into finding herself, and creating a new sense of respect for her ancestors. Happy Land was a phenomenal book - a story of pride, excellence, strength, and love. Happy Land was a kingdom of refuge, for us, by us. The author flawlessly intertwined the two storylines and made it easy to understand the difference in times. I felt like the two worlds were running parallel, like history was repeating itself. Grandmother Rita had been maintaining the land for years, and was now being forced to leave the only home she had- possibly leaving behind all the memories that could not be replaced, similar to what Queen Luella faced during her time. I was captivated by both stories but I must say Queen Luella’s story had me tickled, but I understand where the women got their strength.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this gem. I highlighted so many passages and can see myself reading this story again. The richness, culture, education, historical significance, and depth of the characters were one of a kind. What a wonderful story, how far would you go to ensure your family’s legacy would continue to live.. amazing job on this story.

I think of all the new releases this year and "Happy Land" by Dolen Perkins-Valdez was one I'm most excited to read. It's my favorite tropes tied into one book: Family drama. Secrets. Generational trauma. Historical fiction. And mother/daughter relationships. As a reader who was born and raised in the Carolinas, the setting of most of this story, I've never felt more connected to a story. This story was everything I expected it to be plus more. This story is told from two perspectives: Luella, great-great, great, great grandmother and Veronica, great-great, great, great granddaughter. I would have loved to hear the view points of other women in this family but I realize that may have made the story much too long. Overall I rated this book 4.5/5 stars.

**Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for the free ARC**
Absolutely loved it. This book highlighted resilience, pride and legacy. The dual timelines were perfectly done and I felt so engulfed in each woman’s journey. I am not a huge historical fiction reader but this book has inspired be to read more of it!

Inspiring and engrossing story with some really unique aspects and situations. The book alternates between the past and present and I definitely enjoyed the past story more as it was much more detailed and well-drawn.

4.5 - “Together, the women of this family have saved this land and legacy, used our smarts to keep us here on this mountain that has given us refuge.”

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is a master storyteller. I loved Take My Hand when I read it, even thought the subject matter is pretty heavy. This book is also heavy, but in a completely different way. It's clear Perkins-Valdez takes the real historical information seriously and presents it in a way that takes care of it. The writing is truly beautiful and is gripping in the way the heightened emotions come through.

This story is told in dual timelines that are so effective. Through Nikki’s perspective we see her travel to North Carolina to help her grandmother, while using this opportunity to uncover what causes a rift between her family. We also get the perspective from Luella, Nikki’s great-great-great grandmother who was the Queen of Happy Land.

Everything about book is fascinating and compelling, as Perkins-Valdez uses these characters to tell the real story about a group of freepeople who established a community they called a kingdom in 1873. It’s incredibly informative through Luella’s perspective, seeing how landownership was handled and how much was lost due to business laws of the time. It also reminds us how important it is to study accurate history to learn. At the same time, it teaches this history through such an engrossing story,

Nikki is such a fantastic character who really propels the whole narrative. She has her own struggles and throughout the story you can see her growth and evolution. Learning about her heritage and finding a way to bond with her grandmother ties the story together perfectly. The timelines are woven together so brilliantly that they keep you engaged to the point of needing to know what happens next.

The author’s note about the real community that inspired this note is beautiful and reminds us how much history isn’t taught. I'm so glad that Dolen Perkins-Valdez wrote such another incredible historical fiction book that is as amazing to read as it is informative,

Thanks to Berkley for the gifted copy of this book!

Dolen's 2022 release TAKE MY HAND lives rent-free in my head, so I *knew* I needed to read HAPPY LAND. Dolen is absolutely brilliant at taking true events and breathing life into them to create a story that's compelling, impactful, and educational. HAPPY LAND delves into the Kingdom of the Happy Land, in the Appalachian hills, where a community of emancipated slaves settles to protect themselves from violence and build a free community. This is a multigenerational story that gave me pause a few times with the gravity of the reality for so many Black people who try to search back in their family history or have unfairly lost land. I appreciate that I learned a lot from this story, that the emotions of the characters really popped out of the pages, and that this was such a comprehensive story. I'll definitely be back for more stories by Dolen!

"Maybe this is why a lot of Black people don't know our history. Just the search requires fortitude."
"Some estimate that Aftrican Americans lost nearly 90 percent of thier land over the course of the twentieth centry."

Happy Land is a compelling multi-generational story that was inspired by a real Kingdom created by Black people who were formerly enslaved to create freedom on their own terms, the kingdom was known as the Kingdom of Happy Land. In the story we are following Nikki as she travels to North Carolina to visit her estranged grandfather while on the trip she hopes to get answers as to why their relationship is estranged. But instead she learns some very shocking news about her great-great-great grandmother Luella and the Kingdom of Happy Land.


Right from the beginning, this was an evocative read, drawing you into the story with its richness and compelling writing. Dolen Perkins-Valdez excels at crafting character-driven stories with multi-layered characters, all while being transportive, placing you directly in their shoes. What I loved was how dynamic each women in the story were; Nikki in the beginning of the story she felt lost, stuck, but throughout the story we see her as she begins to reimagine
what she wants out of life and I was so moved by her character growth. Luella was the true epitome of a queen she was determined, outspoken, bold, not afraid to fight for what she believed in. Mother Rita was such a spicy, quick witted woman and I loved her and the bond she and Nikki built within such a small timeframe. The dual POVs and timelines added such layers to this story and I was excited everytime we got to read Luella’s POV.

This book was also very insightful and maybe we want to learn about owning land as a Black person especially because my own family once owned their own land in South Carolina.

This was such a great book and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to receive an ARC from Berkeley

Happy Land was an engaging novel that tells the story of the Kingdom of the Happy Land, located on the border of North Carolina and South Carolina. This novel is told from the dual POV of Queen of the Happy Land, Luella Montgomery, and one of her descendants, Veronica "Nikki" Lovejoy-Berry. I found myself more drawn to the historical storyline following Luella than the present-day storyline centered on Nikki. I did feel that parts of the story could have been fleshed out more. Perhaps because of the dual timelines, we didn't get to spend quite as much time with either Luella or Nikki as I would have liked. I still appreciated how the two timelines mirrored each other in subtle ways. Certain events and themes reflected across the storylines which I thought was really cool. I also valued learning more about this community, its history, and the intricacies of estate law. The author's note did a great job explaining the loss of land wealth for Black people and detailing how heirs' property loss continues today. But I would have loved to know more about the research that informed certain parts of Luella's story. I enjoyed the romance elements of this novel, and thought they were beautifully written, but I also felt like certain things needed to be unpacked a little bit more than they were. Overall, Happy Land was both educational and engrossing, which for me is the hallmark of great historical fiction. Thank you to Berkley Publishing for the free book!

This book is stunning. The way Dolen-Perkins Valdez weaves both the past and present of American history is unique, suspenseful, heartbreaking and inspiring. I honestly look forward to reading this again.

First of all thank you to Berkeley and NetGalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars

Synopsis: Nikki is summoned to her grandmother’s place in the mountains after a long time. She is shocked to learn the family history and that she is descended from royalty. She spends time learning the rich history and is needs to protect it.

What I loved: I am a huge fan of take my hand and do happy that she delivers once again. I love how she connects you to the characters with their vulnerability and honest statements. I’m not going to spoil anything but Nikki’s arc is so special. I was excited, happy, angry, scared and worried throughout it. Mother Rita is an absolute legend. First for being a super user and advocate for the library and how she lived. She patiently taught Nikki her history. We need more mother Rita’s in our life.
Like take my hand, her author note provides so much insight and knowledge.

Once again I learned a lot from Dolen Perkins-Valdez. She does an amazing job with her research and makes history come to life in ways that are exciting and interesting.

Happy Land is an amazing exploration of family, legacy, and resilience. Told through dual timelines, following current day Niki as she uncovers her family’s past with Luella’s struggle to preserve the Kingdom of the Happy Land. The storytelling flawlessly balances historical depth and present-day urgency, with themes like stolen land, systemic injustice, and the strength of Black communities.

I usually like one timeline over the other, but I think DPV did a great job in keeping me invested in both-intermingling them so very well! There were chapters that ended with me on edge and wanting to hurry to get back to other timeline, Nikki or Luella.

I loved reading the women’s strength while fighting for a voice in their community and the heartbreaking dynamics between characters of the past, keep the narrative gripping. Standout moments include the emotional unraveling of family secrets and the touching sacrifices made to protect their heritage.

An absolute favorite narrates this one, Bahni Turpin along side Ashley J Hobbs. Both narrators delivered compelling performances that bring the characters and their emotions to life. I like to blend both physical and audio together and I would recommend both to you. If one format is chosen over the other, you can’t go wrong with either preference.

I am definitely a fan of Dolen Perkins-Valdez after not reading this book as well as Take My Hand. I will be anxiously awaiting what she delivers to us next!

Synopsis: After the Civil War, a group of former slaves travel to a North Carolina mountainside to establish their own kingdom. This story follows Luella Montgomery, queen of the Happy Land, as she and her family establish their life as free people. The other timeline follows her present day ancestors, Nikki and her grandmother, as they fight to reclaim their family’s land.

Thoughts: This is such a powerful story of the importance of family and heritage and legacy. I was fully captivated by both timelines and the strong women featured in each. One thing I love about historical fiction is learning about historical events not covered in a typical history class, and this one is fascinating and clearly well researched. Highly recommend! A note on the audio: Narrated by Bahni Turpin, who I love, and Ashley J. Hobbs, a new-to-me narrator who is also excellent.

Read this if you like:
🌸 dual timeline/pov
🌸 historical fiction
🌸 multi-generational family
🌸 strong women
🌸 based on a true story

I loved Take My Hand but didn’t find this as compelling. I often have a hard time with rotating timelines in historical fiction and sadly the different plots didn’t hold my attention.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this early!! This was a beautiful written story. The author did an amazing job drawing you in with dual POVs and vivid descriptions . I also enjoyed the romantic aspects of the story.
As someone born and raised in the rural area of North Carolina this story touched me in so many ways and provoked so many emotions. The atmosphere described in the store was point on and written beautifully. I couldn’t help but think about my great-grandma anytime Mother Rita was on the page. It brought happy memories of her cozy home, her garden, her cornbread, and her sassy attitude🥰

While Mother Rita was a joy, Luella and the building of the kingdom was the star of the show. The past POV of the story drew me in and gave me a sense of pride in just being a black woman. Her resilience, her strength, her mistakes, and her determination to build something and be heard was inspiring.

I also enjoyed the historical aspects of Black people and the importance and value in owning things. This is truly a story that will provoke thought and emotion.

Read this if you like:
•family history
•generations of strong women
•found family

I loved how this was told in past & present timelines watching the story unfold. I had never heard of Kingdom of the Happy Land but what a cool part of history to learn about. A community where emancipated slaves built a community on freedom & self sufficiency. Multigenerational stories always tug at my heart strings and this was no different. Thank you Berkley for eARC

Thank you Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!
I'll always be here for a story about the Kingdom of Happy Land! This was a great depiction of this Black historical setting that we don't hear about. I love that the author wove in modern settings to help tell the story of these courageous people.
I found myself wanting to learn about what happened between Nikki's mother and grandmother-I did think it took too long to uncover those family secrets. I loved Queen Luella, she was kind but forceful in her determination to secure a legacy for her family.
If you love multi-pov and dual timelines style of historical fiction, then definitely read this book. I want everyone to learn about Happy Land and the only American queen.

I was captivated by this historical fiction tale of the Happy Land, a kingdom built and owned by former slaves.

The story is told in a dual timeline: in one, we get the background story as Luella and her people set up their kingdom and find a way to purchase the land for themselves, and in the other we see her great-great-great granddaughter Nikki learn about her ancestors' hold on the land.

The story is fascinating, particularly in the fact that it is rooted in history. Perkins-Valdez clearly did her research, and I was sent down the rabbit hole trying to learn more about this tale once I finished reading.

The characters are well-developed and filled with determination, resilience, and spirit. The audiobook narrators truly became these characters, and their soothing tones and inflection fit the material perfectly.

Thank you to Berkley for the gifted ARC.

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez is was exactly what I needed, in the exact moment I needed it! It is a breathtaking novel that masterfully intertwines past and present, revealing the deep emotional ties between land, memory, and identity. Through beautifully drawn characters and evocative prose, Perkins-Valdez explores how history lingers in the soil, shaping the lives of those who come after. I resonated with this story so much as an African American women who grew up on acres on land, that were later lost as the elders in my family passed away. I understand the deeper meaning of the land and the emotional connection between the land and those who have lived on it.

What makes this novel so powerful is its ability to convey the weight of generational trauma and resilience. The land itself feels like a character—holding secrets, pain, and hope—forcing the present to reckon with its past. The emotional depth is striking, as modern-day perspectives are shaped by histories that refuse to be forgotten. The novel’s rich storytelling and poignant revelations make it impossible to put down.

Perkins-Valdez crafts a story that is both heart-wrenching and hopeful, reminding us that history is never truly in the past. A must-read.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group so much for this ARC. I will 100% recommend this novel. Cannot wait to purchase a physical copy.

A compelling read.
I had heard snippets of communities like described in the book but didn’t know much about them.
The story is also about family, history, and place.
Often fights can tear irreparable rents in families but are they worth the sacrifice and loss?
Th book will make readers pause and contemplate many things but also consider it’s not too late to change be things.