ARC Review 📖

Just finished With Love From Harlem by ReShonda Tate — a stunning novel about Hazel Scott, the jazz icon and activist who refused to be silenced. So powerful, so necessary. 🎹✨

This book is a celebration of a forgotten figure who helped shape American culture and politics. Readers will be inspired by Hazel Scott’s courage, captivated by her story, and grateful for Tate’s beautiful tribute.

“Give me historical fiction that’s well-researched and I’m sold. The way this author layered fact with story had me hooked from page one—I wasn’t just reading, I was living it.”

Thank you so much @williammorrowbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. I absolutely enjoyed every minute of it.

This book will be released 1/27/26….. Pre-Order NOW

#HistoricalFiction #HazelScott #BookReview #netgalley #williammorrowpublishing #reshondatate

Starting with the superficial, I absolutely love the cover. It’s beautiful and draws you in, definitely the first thing that attracted me to the book. I’m a historical fan, and especially this era in Black American history. I really enjoyed the story itself, it was very in-depth and immersive when it comes to filling in the numerous little gaps you need to complete a picture of someone’s life. It really makes you feel like you’re transported back to Harlem to follow Hazel, tagging along on her roller coaster of a life. Obviously we know how her story goes, but it was ReShonda’s journey that we were taken on. Her descriptive detail was great, it really helps with the movie you have in your mind as a reader. The pacing was slow at times, but not enough to break the immersion, and I liked the monthly formatting to keep it clear. I would definitely recommend it and read more historical fiction from this author.

ReShonda Tate’s With Love From Harlem is a sensational triumph of historical fiction, and as someone who’s read several of her books, I can confidently say this is one of her most emotionally resonant and ambitious works yet. Set in Harlem in 1943, the novel follows the extraordinary life of Hazel Scott, a jazz prodigy, glamorous film star, and fierce civil rights advocate whose brilliance and boldness defy the limitations imposed on Black women of her time. When she crosses paths with Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Harlem’s electrifying preacher-turned-politician, their connection ignites a decades long relationship that propels them into the heart of a cultural and political revolution.

The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable. Hazel is portrayed with depth and nuance as her talent, ambition, and vulnerability all pulse through the pages. Adam is equally compelling, charismatic yet complicated, and their dynamic is as intoxicating as it is volatile. The author doesn’t shy away from the complexities of their love: the passion, the power struggles, and the sacrifices. Supporting characters like Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin add texture and authenticity, grounding the story in a vibrant historical moment while amplifying its emotional stakes.

The twist lies not in a single revelation but in the slow unraveling of Hazel’s internal conflict which is her struggle to balance love, legacy, and personal freedom. As her star rises and Adam ascends to Congress, the glamorous façade of their marriage begins to crack, revealing a battlefield of ego and ambition. Hazel is forced to confront what she’s willing to lose and what she refuses to give up. The author's storytelling is masterful here, weaving historical detail with emotional truth in a way that feels both epic and intimate.

The conclusion is powerful and poignant, offering no easy answers but a deeply satisfying emotional arc. Hazel’s journey is one of self-definition, and by the end, she emerges not just as a cultural icon but as a woman who dared to live on her own terms. The author's prose is lyrical and evocative, her narrative voice confident and compassionate. With Love From Harlem is a celebration of Black artistry, resilience, and love and for longtime fans like me, it’s a reminder of why ReShonda Tate remains one of the most vital voices in contemporary fiction. Periodt!!!!

I just finished this wonderful story at 3am.
I loved the historical details that were in this book. Wow!! I never knew about the events that took place in this book.
I loved that Billie Holiday is mentioned too.
Me and a friend got to discussing about a certain song in this book I went to you tube and looked it up.
A very sad song indeed. One that will keep you spellbound and thinking about it long after it's over.
I listened to it again and she sings it so well. It near broke my heart.
Hazel is an amazing woman. I loved her grit, stubbornness, determination whatever you want to call it I admired her very much.
I was sad and angry that she had to fight for everything that she had . She went through so much!
I really didn't like Adam very much. Turned out he only thought about himself only to get what he wanted.
I don't care much for politics but I found this interesting. I liked how the author weaved it in.
I do like jazz. It also tells a story like any other music does. Makes you want to dance.
I loved the footnotes from the author at the end of the story.
Which will Hazel choose? Family or music?
Im glad I chose this book! I highly recommend!
Y'all just have to read this fabulous story to find out!!
5 stars from me for a job well done
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. A opinions expressed are mine.

ReShonda Tate has done it again! She is a masterful storyteller and has encapsulated the life and times of star jazz pianist Hazel Scott beautifully. Tate's research is thorough but it's her writing that makes the story come alive. From her strict upbringing under the tutelage of her West Indian mother to her marriage to Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. to every barrier she broke down when she stood up to racism, Hazel Scott was a force to be reckoned with. While I enjoyed learning about Hazel Scott's life, the most invaluable aspects of this novel are the recollections of the relationships Scott had with the likes of Billie Holiday and James Baldwin and Scott's determination, resilience, and tenacity. I especially enjoyed the political storyline and how Scott emerged as a Civil Rights icon willing to put her career on the line for equality and justice. This was a wonderful read and I am enjoying the explosion of historical fiction, especially from Ms. Tate.

What an amazing story about the life of Hazel Scott, an.almost forgotten jazz pianist whose fame started in the late 1940s. Much of the story revolves around life in Harlem, famous people of the time including Billy Holiday who was one of Hazels best friends. Hazel also marries Adam Clayton Powell and lives with the intensity of his ministry and political ambitions. Many familiar people, both in music and politics are included in the story of Hazels life. I found the book educational. Well written, great character development and an important story.

With Love from Harlem is a beautifully written novel about jazz legend Hazel Scott, not just her rise to fame (because when we meet her, she’s already the Hazel Scott), but how she managed that fame while navigating love, legacy, motherhood, and public expectation. It’s about the balance( or lack of it) that comes with being a star, a wife, a mother, and a woman with a deep commitment to her community. Hazel’s relationship with Adam Clayton Powell Jr., a powerful and complex figure in Harlem’s political scene, is central to the story. The way they moved together, against each other, and sometimes in spite of one another, was fascinating to watch unfold. It was messy, real, and deeply human.

This book pulled me in. I didn’t know much about Hazel going in, and I had never even heard of Adam before this, but now I’ve gone down the research rabbit hole because their lives were just that intriguing. Themes like ambition vs. love, personal freedom vs. public image, and the expectations placed on Black women hit hard. I especially loved Hazel’s bold moments of resistance and the unfiltered wisdom of her mother. The line “stand in your dirt” stayed with me.

The pacing started a little slow, but once it picked up, I couldn’t stop reading. My only wish is that the later years of her marriage and her motherhood journey were explored a bit more. Still, this is a powerful read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves historical fiction, Black history, or stories about our unsung heroes.

Thank you to NetGallery and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book before its release.

"With Love from Harlem" by ReShonda Tate presents Hazel Scott to us-an artist, civil rights activist and overall icon. Beginning in Harlem, 1943, we meet Hazel just as she is meeting several people that will impact her forever-Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Langston Hughes just to name a few. I typically do not gravitate towards historical fiction, but Tate’s writing hooked me. We get to witness Hazel’s rises and falls with fame; her romance with Adam; and how she chooses herself at the end. Hazel broke so many barriers in her artistry. She also used her platform to advocate for accurate portrayals of Black people in film and television. Again, an icon.

Besides Hazel’s story, Billie’s intertwining story broke me. It was so heart breaking and made me cry several times. Tate has a way of telling a story that hits you right in the feels. I also appreciate how Tate highlighted the good in Adam while also reminding us that men ain’t shit. Again, I was so happy that Hazel chooses herself at the end of the day. Do yourself a favor and give Hazel Scott a search, you won’t be disappointed.

I loved how With Love from Harlem masterfully wove historical facts into fiction—it made the story feel all the more vivid and powerful. Meeting icons like Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, and James Baldwin through Hazel’s eyes was such a highlight.

Hazel Scott completely stole my heart. Her brilliance, passion, and refusal to back down made her a character I couldn’t stop rooting for. And Adam? Let’s just say I spent most of the book giving him the side-eye. Their relationship was complicated, intense, and filled with ambition and conflict, but it was also deeply human.

This book swept me up in the rhythm of 1940s Harlem and didn’t let go. It’s an emotional, richly detailed story about art, identity, sacrifice, and what it truly means to live on your own terms. Highly recommend for fans of historical fiction centered around strong Black women and cultural icons.

Thanks Netgalley and William Morrow | William Morrow Paperbacks for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Bravo so good I never heard of the main character but did some research so I could get to know more about her !! 1943 when Hazel is at the beginning of her career. Along with her career she is active in the civil rights movement. One day she meets Adam Clayton Powell Jr a promising politician and falls head over heels despite the fact that he is a married man. However, the two manage to stay together and take on the world together.. this book was great can not wait till others are able to read thank you so much this is a really good slow burn love story straight out of Harlem and my first from this anther but won’t be my last

ReShonda Tate’s With Love from Harlem is a stunning tribute to Hazel Scott—a jazz and classical pianist, civil rights activist, and all-around powerhouse whose legacy has too long been overlooked. Set primarily in 1940s Harlem, the novel follows Hazel’s meteoric rise to fame, her whirlwind romance with pastor-turned-Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr., and the personal sacrifices she endured in the spotlight.

From her early days performing at Café Society to her historical performance at Carnegie Hall, Hazel broke barriers not only in music but also in representation, using her platform to advocate for accurate portrayals of Black people in film and television. Her marriage to Powell was passionate, complicated, and ultimately strained by ambition and infidelity. Still, Hazel’s strength, talent, and determination shine through every chapter.

Tate’s storytelling is rich, heartfelt, and full of reverence for Hazel’s legacy. The writing makes you feel like you're right there in the room with Billie Holiday, Langston Hughes, and other icons of the era. As a lover of history and stories about complex, groundbreaking women, this novel hit all the right notes for me.

This is an emotional and inspiring read—and one that I hope sparks a deeper recognition of Hazel Scott's impact. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and forgotten Black excellence.

Thank you publisher William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this phenomenal book. I was not aware of Hazel Scott prior to reading this story. The author did an awesome job of bringing Hazel roll to the forefront and creating a new fan of Hazel’s life and music. I recommend this book to readers that enjoy historical fiction as well as women’s fiction.

This interesting historical fiction novel ended up being a very good read! I will admit I had to do some research on Hazel Scott as I had never heard of her before and discovered she was a Jazz singer. I also discovered she played an important role in the civil rights movement giving African Americans more equal opportunities in show business. I will say i loved how the author was able to weave in the historical information with the story.
The plot starts in 1943 when Hazel is at the beginning of her career. Along with her career she is active in the civil rights movement. One day she meets Adam Clayton Powell Jr a promising politician and falls head over heels despite the fact that he is a married man. However, the two manage to stay together and take on the world together. However, behind the glamorous life is a battle of wills that could cost them their love.
Overall this was a very exciting book to read. I for one am looking forward to the release to everyone can have the opportunity to read it. It truly is a wonderful book.
I received an arc copy from Netgalley and all opinions are of my own

A very charming little book that makes a great beach read for a long afternoon. It was a bit predictable in so many ways but still enjoyed it. Good luck with the book and thanks for the early read.