cw: extreme violence of people forced into enslavement, animal cruelty

thank you to partners @bibliolifestyle & @w.w.norton for a physical review copy of this book, and for an ebook via @netgalley!

“to give up meant to die and, even among the most wretched, that kind of daring is rare.”

this is an intensely difficult examination of the limits of love, the impossible choices parents were left to make amidst the backdrop of slavery, and the reality of what it means to decide who you are when you are faced with excruciatingly limited choices. the prose is lyrical and moving, the content haunting, and the characters living and breathing human beings

This is one of the most painfully beautiful reads I’ve ever had the honour of reading (and is currently my favourite book of 2025). The story, whilst using fictional characters, tells the historical truth of lived experiences and traumas of many 17th Century negro slaves and also touches on indentured servants whom travelled vast oceans to come in search of a new life in America, which was better than the poor and hungry lives they left behind. It’s an incredibly emotional and gruelling read at times, but boy - such an important read, which I highly recommend.

The writing is moving and I felt so many of the character’s repressed emotions, their horror, anguish, torment, the love, the pain. We know through history that this period of 17th Century American slavery is one which cannot be remembered (by most) without utmost shame, but it still does not fail to shock us when reading how cruelly human beings treated other humans, with such disdain, as commodities and business transactions like cattle, or much worse.

The richly developed characters are brought to life, rising off the page, often as if they were in the room with me, along with palpable painful realities of so many hardships, horrors and their utterly despicable treatment. Goodness there’s so much learning to be done from how we have treat other humans historically, but even today, sadly those lessons are not always learnt. One of the characters in particular (I’m avoiding spoilers!), learns a great life lesson from his own mistakes, and it is through him that the book twists, turns and teaches both him and us so much.

‘This here is love’, despite the dark subject matter is also, surprisingly very much about family, loyalty, bonds and love, and this shines through despite itself. My only criticism would be that I wish the book was even longer, as I didn’t want it to end; I would have loved to hear more from many of the characters - Bless’ future, David’s new life and what happened to many of the others whom we became invested in. Does this leave the book open for a second instalment? I sure hope so.

I highly recommend this book to anyone whom enjoys historical fiction which is strongly character driven. Big thanks to NetGalley for this tremendous read. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Perry’s debut is a remarkable tale of three individuals whose descendants’ lives intersect in 17th century Virginia. When the tale opens, we learn that Odofoley had been stolen by flesh-traders and sold into the life of a slave named Cassie. After the Master sold away her only son, two daughters, and their fathers, Cassie had been told that she would be allowed to “keep the last one,” her daughter Bless. But Bless is called to the big house to become a playmate for the Master’s daughter, Rebecca, until she grows up and her adolescent body attracts the attention of the Master and his son. When Bless confuses the kindness of Rebecca’s fiancé as love, she is “put to the ground,” sent to work the fields, whipped for being a “strumpet” and a “temptress,” and sold out of the district and away from Cassie.

Rowan Dane was a landless peasant in Ulster who agreed to be indentured for eight years (his children were bound until they were of age) to gain passage to a “place where things will be better.” Rowan had heard the British colonies promised good wages and a small holding of his own and careers for his children “beyond that of beggar, pickpocket and prostitute.” Rowan and his pregnant wife and eight-year-old son, Jack, voyage in a cargo hold previously occupied by cattle. Rowan’s wife dies during childbirth and Rowan sells the surviving infant to a merchant couple on the ship, causing Jack’s “frustrated fury to lengthen and harden along with his bones.” When Rowan dies unexpectedly, Thomas Crewe, their master, positions himself as Jack’s new father, teaching him the slavery trade.

Andrew Cabarrus was a former slave who bought his freedom by hiring himself out on Sundays. Andrew wished to buy freedom for his wife, Phoebe, and their five children, but their owner, Scarborough, would only sell Andrew his family in return for prime acres of land. Andrew owned one of the few ways of shipping tobacco directly from the pier to the mainland. On the word of Scarborough, Cabarrus was arrested and, despite the lack of proof to convict him of a crime, he was expelled from the colony. He sold everything at a loss. He tried to purchase his wife and children who were put on the block, but he was repeatedly outbid. He traveled peddling goods and reciting the whereabouts of his family, causing his customers to deem him mad.

Andrew’s eldest son was purchased by Edwin Hawley, but he finds some respite in Celeste. Celeste devoted herself to David, so she was sent away to be sold with other “surplus goods.” Eventually, David is sold to a “solitary man-of-all-work” Jack Crewe, who also purchases Bless, with the notion that David would serve as “rootstock” and their children would be “commodities, movable goods, animated tools that could take instruction and punishment.”

Perry has crafted a breathtaking epic debut that is haunting, human and compelling. All of Perry’s characters have been robbed of their pasts and seemingly their futures, but the horrors she discloses are grounded in the historical record and are leavened by stirring emotional connections. This is an acccomplished novel which has garnered comparisons to the work of Richard Wright and Zora Neale Hurston. Thank you WW Norton & Co. and Net Galley for an advance copy of this heartbreaking epic with its cast of unforgettable characters.

Wow. This slow paced novel took for a very emotional and unexpected ride!!

This is a book to take your time with. You may need to take breaks due to the heavier content. I would recommended reading something lighthearted before & after this.

The authors writing style was my favorite.
It felt poetic & made the story flow effortlessly.

I would recommend this to my historical fiction readers who prefer the sub genre centering race.
This is a book that I would reread and buy for myself and others.

Gosh, I loved this one. Absolutely beautiful work and definitely an important read. The story follows the lives of multiple characters and everything is interwoven beautifully. As a mother, this tore my heart to pieces and I still can't even comprehend the horrors that mothers (and all slaves, really) went through.

Princess Joy L. Perry writes in a beautiful style. Lyrical without being overdone? Absolutely essential reading. Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! Will be keeping an eye out for this one once published to purchase and have on our shelves permanently.

Thanks to W W Norton & Co for providing a free eARC through NetGalley.

This Here is Love is an incredible exploration of how human love and connection can exist and even thrive in the midst of the extreme suffering experienced by enslaved and indentured people.

Set between 1690 and 1710 in the growing mid-Atlantic colonies of Virginia’s Tidewater and the Eastern Shore, the story follows the coming of age of three children caught in the oppressive systems of servitude of the time: Jack, a Scottish immigrant sold into indentured servitude along with his father at the age of 9, Bless, born into slavery as the youngest child of an enslaved woman and the only one her mother was allowed to keep, and David, the son of a free black man who is sold into slavery and later separated from his mother and siblings.

Perry masterfully places the reader in each character’s experience, weaving their stories together in a slow build that is devastating and yet beautiful. In the process, the story makes us reckon with hard questions about the cost of loving and even the cost of surviving in a world designed to take everything at every turn.

This Here is Love is a difficult read that relentlessly displays the way slavery strips humanity from all involved. However, through the lens of these three characters, as we see the trauma and violence they suffer (and also perpetuate) Perry reveals how human love, compassion and selflessness endures even so. Though it may look differently than we imagine, or may be insufficient in atoning for our own complicity and failures, it endures nonetheless, and provides hope for us all.

This Here is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry
Publication Date: August 5/25

This is a powerful intergenerational story of slavery and indentured servitude. It doesn’t shy away from the cruelty and inhumanity of ownership, yet also captures the enduring love, resilience and selflessness of those stripped of almost everything - except the small graces they hold onto with hope.

This compelling story explores the deep lasting trauma of parenthood under slavery: the unending grief and fear of raising your children as property, the agony of losing them with no hope of reunion, and the constant inability to protect them while still holding onto the small hope for change. At its core, the book wrestles with impossible choices - whether to harden your heart to avoid being broken, terminate a pregnancy or cling to fleeting moments of joy, love and happiness, treasuring these memories alongside unbearable pain.

Perry’s writing is devastatingly beautiful. Her prose shatters your heart again and again, immersing you in the experiences of the characters. Told through multiple POV, the story examines the very limited options available to enslaved parents. Each decision feels understandable and heartbreaking, leaving you to consider what path you would take. Through Jack, the child of an indentured servant and Ethan, the son of a slave trader, Perry offers a nuanced look at the white perspective on slavery. She unflinchingly dissects the lies and justifications people use to excuse themselves their own inhumanity, showing how deep denial, greed, and moral distortion were woven into the system of oppression.

This book will undoubtedly be one of my favourite reads of the year. With powerful prose and the deeply nuanced explorations of slavery it reminded me of another favourite Homegoing. This novel is equally unflinching, unforgettable and a must read.

'The first thing slavery severed was love'.

As the 17th Century closes in America, vast tracks of land are being served and toiled over by slaves stolen from across the world, as well as indentured servants who believed that payment for this promised dream might be better than the bereft life they lived in Ireland or elsewhere. A slave who remembers their homeland, a slave who has bought his freedom but his family remains enslaved, an indentured servant who by a twist of fate becomes a master and slaves who were born into servitude, we read all their POVs. We read of their trauma, their fears, their bitterness but also their love for their children and the hope that somehow they might help them towards a better future, 'What if it ain't always gon' be like this? What if you live long enough to get back one thing they took from you? One thing. Ain't that worth holding out for'? As their stories collide together, it becomes clear that although you may try and immunise yourself from the pain of loss, opening yourself to love and connection with others, is the only real way to survive, 'The enslaved were to their love for one another...For the sake of that love, they would do anything - run or stay, fight or surrender - withstand anything'.


This is one of those difficult, confrontational reads that is so worthwhile. Slavery is such an abhorrent word, and enslavement an unutterable verb, but this book examines its reality with lyrical, visceral stories that will break your heart while shining a mirror on our sense of humanity and what it means to love and be loved. Well worth a read.

'Don't seem real there's a world where men lay claim to other men's children'.

Rating: 4 stars

I received a digital copy of this book through the publisher on NetGalley for an honest review.

This Here is Love was a challenging book to read, as it dealt with the difficult topic of slavery during the 1690s. The premise of the book centered on three different perspectives and their struggles with slavery: one struggling with slavery, one a free man looking to buy his family into freedom, and the last a man born into servitude, only for unexpected circumstances to occur that changed his lot in life. All three perspectives are unique in how they discuss what’s going on in their lives and deal with their lot in slavery, making this book an interesting read to me, despite how difficult it is to read about people not having a say in how they live their lives.

What I also enjoyed about reading this book was seeing the relationships between the different characters in the story, mostly about seeing Andrew’s relationship with his family and Bless’s relationship with her mother, Cassie. I was also happy to see Bless and David end up finding love in their lives with others than again with each other. I wish the circumstances of Bless and David being together were different, but I am glad they had each other for a little bit, as I felt like they truly needed each other.

As hard as this book is to read, I enjoyed how real the story is. It might not be pleasant to read about slavery in This Here is Love, but I felt like I learned a lot about that time. It makes me realize that no matter how difficult things are in my life, I’ll never have to deal with being seen as less than because of the color of my skin.

If there’s anything about this book, I didn’t enjoy, it would have to be the chapters from Jack’s perspective and the ending of this book for all of the characters. When Jack’s character was first introduced, I didn’t mind his character all too much. But as This Here is Love continues, I found myself disliking his character more and more. It’s not like I don’t understand why he makes the choices he makes, doesn’t mean I have to like them though either. I just got to a point where I didn’t have any sympathy for his character, even when he realizes in the end that his flesh and blood aren’t immune to being sold as a commodity. Yes, he makes the right choice in the end, but it’s not enough to redeem him for me. I also didn’t like the ending of this book with these characters because I felt like it left too much to interpret. I’d love to think that Andrew was not only reunited with his wife and son but also the rest of his family, too. But considering this time, it’s hard to imagine him getting his whole family back. I also want to believe that Bless gets reunited with her love, but I have a hard time imagining it.

As a whole, though while This Here is Love is a challenging read because of how it tackles slavery, I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed reading the different perspectives, how real the story truly feels, and the relationships between the characters. Just didn’t enjoy reading Jack’s perspective, and wish the ending didn’t leave too much open-ended. I highly recommend though to anyone interested in reading historical fiction that talks about slavery. This Here is Love is set to be released on August 5, 2025, for those interested in giving this book a read.

This Here Is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry is a sweeping historical novel set in 17th-century Tidewater, Virginia. The lives of three unforgettable young people intertwine in powerful and unexpected ways: Bless, an enslaved girl with fierce determination; David, the son of a freed Black man holding tight to his family’s dream of liberty; and Jack, an indentured Scots-Irish boy learning the true cost of freedom. As their paths converge on the same piece of land, each must face what love, identity, and belonging mean in a world shaped by race, power, and survival.

This was a deeply emotional and challenging read. There were moments that cut straight to the heart, and the heavy subject matter offered few bright spots, which reflects the harsh realities of the time. The writing is lyrical and evocative, with language shaped by the voices of the period, which at times made it harder for me to stay fully engaged. It is also a quiet novel, one that unfolds slowly and demands patience. I occasionally struggled to connect with the shifting perspectives, but Bless’s story especially stayed with me.

While it was a difficult book to sit with, I admire the author’s dedication to historical accuracy, the textured details of the setting, and the emotional weight carried by every page. This Here Is Love is an important and meaningful story that highlights injustice and resilience. I’m giving it four stars for the depth of its message and the thoughtful care that clearly went into its creation.

Thank you to NetGalley and W. W. Norton and Company for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

it feels wrong to call this book hard. because its people reality. and something we should never shy away from. because its not hard for US is it? not really. and this novel is no doubt brilliant. and important. and i feel lucky to get to read the brilliance of it as a novel but also lucky to get to read this history sitting on the side of it that i am.
i cant imagine some of the lives our characters endured. your children sold off? no!
we come across a spread of characters within this novel and they too are all living in the time in different experiences. and we are taken to different times and places alongside them.
the violence is brutal at times, across many ways this forms itself throughout the novel.
the nuance of human nature was here for all to see. the clear good and bad. but then the grey. the people wanted to do good or protect so might do bad not meaning to or have to because of fear or force? and how do you get out of the worst situation in life? is there ever away to us through darkness without becoming dark or doing dark?
Slavery in this book had me aching for our history.
the author handled every part of this book with a skilled hand. i dont know how you manage that with subjects such as these but Princess pulled it off beautifully and also made the book somehow beautifully too simply by her writing it.
i am so glad and grateful i got to read this book. it felt important to me. and this novel should feel and be told by so many people as possible.

This Here is Love is a beautifully written story that pulls you in with its heartfelt characters and poetic language. Princess Joy L. Perry does a wonderful job capturing the complexities of love, healing, and identity. It's emotional, raw, and deeply human. I finished it in one sitting and felt every word. Highly recommend for anyone who loves lyrical storytelling and soul-deep romance.

This Here Is Love is an unflinching and devastating exploration of American slavery in the late 1600s with multiple intertwined and layered perspectives.

This book will undoubtedly be one of my favourites this year — the writing was beautiful, poetic and intimate while the characters were raw and complex.

Heartbreaking and horrific, This Here Is Love will completely shatter you and tenderly piece you back together. It is a quietly defiant book about love and hope, in all its beautiful and destructive forms, as well as sacrifice, resilience and survival.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and W. W. Norton & Company for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I never get tired of slave/freedom narratives. This was a thoughtfully written book that follows a diverse range of characters who navigated their inner most feelings of love, deception and triumph within the context of the brutal slavery system. I believe it will do well once it is officially published.

I read this book as an electronic ARC and my god, it is one of the most profound, captivating, and truthful accounts we have of American slavery. It is likely going to be one of my favorite books of this year if not all time. The storyline weaves together the lives of no less than four different families, from white indentured servants to slave owners to African slaves sold into slavery at the beginning of the North American slave trade.

This book by its description and nature is a heavy topic and features the realities of slavery that are horrific. However, I applaud the author for handling these horrors and suffering in a manner that only
the suffering inflicted. I think this work deserves to be read to completion and needs to so that more people truly understand the physical and psychological horrors of slavery.

The writing style itself is deep, rich, evocative, and captivating. Truly some of the best prose I have read, and all the more laudable considering this is a debut work. It helps create a rich tapestry of stories that effectively weave so many different characters and people and worldviews into one cohesive unit.

My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, W. W. Norton and Company, and the author for a copy of this electronic ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Tender, Soulful Celebration of Love**

Reading *This Here Is Love* felt like sitting on a front porch with someone who knows the truth about life and isn’t afraid to speak it—with heart, humor, and so much grace. Princess Joy L. Perry has crafted something rare: a book that feels deeply personal, yet universally resonant.

Her words reach into those quiet, vulnerable places we often protect, and gently pull them into the light. Whether she's talking about family, grief, healing, or joy, there’s an honesty and warmth that wraps around you like a familiar song. The writing is poetic but grounded, and full of moments that made me pause, smile, and even tear up a little.

This isn't just a book to read—it’s a book to *feel*. To revisit. To gift to someone you love. Perry reminds us that love—real love—is layered, complex, and always worth it.

If you need a reminder of the beauty in everyday moments or a little spark to keep going, *This Here Is Love* will meet you right where you are.

A raw and soulful debut that stayed with me

I had the opportunity to read This Here is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry before its official release, and I’m so glad I did. The story is beautifully layered, honest, intimate, and full of heart. The characters felt real, their emotions tangible, and the way love in all its complicated forms was explored made me pause more than once to take it in. It’s not just about romantic love, it’s about self-worth, community, grief, and healing, all woven together in a voice that feels both poetic and grounded.

I will say the format it came in for Kindle made it a little hard to follow at times. Some of the spacing and layout threw me off, but that didn’t take away from the overall experience. I actually think I’ll re-read it once the official version is out just to see it the way it was meant to be presented.

Princess Joy is definitely an author to watch. This story made me feel seen in ways I wasn’t expecting.

Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hey, hey, my favorites 😀💚

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Set in 1690s Tidewater, Virginia, This Here Is Love by Princess Joy L. Perry is a profound exploration of love, resilience, and survival amidst the harsh realities of slavery and indentured servitude. The narrative follows Bless, an enslaved woman; David, a freeborn boy fighting to claim that freedom; and Jack, a Scots-Irish indentured servant struggling with his dreams of liberty in a brutal new world.

Perry’s writing is lyrical and immersive, painting both pain and tenderness with care. The characters feel real and fully formed, their choices heartbreaking yet deeply human. This debut novel bravely asks: how do people maintain their humanity in a system designed to erase it?

A powerful, emotionally stirring read that left a lasting impact.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy.

I think how this came formatted to my kindle made this story hard to follow. I was just confused on what was going on because the format was so choppy. From what I did gather, this is an emotional story and I truly enjoyed following the FMC go through the journey that is womanhood. I definitely want to re-read this when the physical copy comes out.

This Here Is Love is an emotional story that follows many characters in the late 1600's, early 1700's in the time of Black American slavery. The novel is set in three parts, the first being when most of the characters are disconnected from each other, both in location and time. We learn who they are and their origin's (in terms of the novel), but the second part brings them all together and connects all their storylines together.

The heart of the novel is a girl named Bless; we watch her grow from a child into a woman, and all the ups and downs of her life as a slave. Other characters include a young white boy who becomes a slave owner, a free man and his enslaved son, and more.

This was incredibly moving, and well written. If you like the novel The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr., then I highly recommend you pick up this book. In the couple days that I've had between finishing this story and writing this review, I've not stopped thinking about it. I originally was going to rate this book a 4.5, but I'm now bumping it up to a full 5 stars.