Tag: black romance

Podcast 7 Show Notes

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The 7th book is Charming as a Verb by Ben Phillipe

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Sam and Felicia discuss how this book cover is bright and creative just as the main character Lenore. It showcases her vibrant art and readiness to go on vacation. We also love another natural hair style being showcased with Lenore’s beautiful locs.

Bookmark

  • “But maybe caring for ourselves is the ultimate celebration of how they’ve raised us. Having options you know? Not just surviving in this world..but living.” p. 134

POV

This time around Felicia and Sam had the same favorite character Etta. Etta was the youngest child but her personality shined bright. As a child genius, Etta had some funny lines and was a great advocate for her older sister Lenore. On the other hand, Lenore’s parents in the novel were two characters who ended up putting too much pressure on their kids. Even though the parents embodied Black excellence we got to see the consequences of taking the demands of Black excellence too far.

Deep Dive


There were many topics discussed in this week’s deep dive from Black excellence, heartbreak, to college decisions. Sam and Felica both agreed that they could relate to Lenore’s struggle to meet the Black Excellence expectations from parental influence and society. They further discuss how heartbreak impacts a young girl and the difficulty with moving forward. Lenore’s journey is quick but Sam and Felicia still understand how hard it is to decide what to do with your future. Overall, Sam and Felicia  are looking forward to the next novel by Elise Bryant.

Podcast 6 Show Notes

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The 6th book is One True Loves by Elise Bryant

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Sam and Felicia discuss how this book cover is bright and creative just as the main character Lenore. It showcases her vibrant art and readiness to go on vacation. We also love another natural hair style being showcased with Lenore’s beautiful locs.

Bookmark

  • “But maybe caring for ourselves is the ultimate celebration of how they’ve raised us. Having options you know? Not just surviving in this world..but living.” p. 134

POV

This time around Felicia and Sam had the same favorite character Etta. Etta was the youngest child but her personality shined bright. As a child genius, Etta had some funny lines and was a great advocate for her older sister Lenore. On the other hand, Lenore’s parents in the novel were two characters who ended up putting too much pressure on their kids. Even though the parents embodied Black excellence we got to see the consequences of taking the demands of Black excellence too far.

Deep Dive


There were many topics discussed in this week’s deep dive from Black excellence, heartbreak, to college decisions. Sam and Felica both agreed that they could relate to Lenore’s struggle to meet the Black Excellence expectations from parental influence and society. They further discuss how heartbreak impacts a young girl and the difficulty with moving forward. Lenore’s journey is quick but Sam and Felicia still understand how hard it is to decide what to do with your future. Overall, Sam and Felicia  are looking forward to the next novel by Elise Bryant.

Podcast 5 Show Notes

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The 5th book is Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

About the Author

Elise Bryant was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from California State with a B.A. in Africana studies. She also has a Masters in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her writing career, she was a special education teacher. Happily Ever Afters is her debut novel and her follow up One True Loves has also been published (our next read!).

Book Look

Felicia and Sam talk about how the cover of Happily Ever Afters captivated them right away. They wanted to know what the girl with the cute mini afro was thinking and loved all the stickers on her laptop. The sisters love beautiful black hair on display and the foreshadowing that all the designs provided for. 

Bookmark

Most of their favorite quotes came at the end of the book, but Sam did share a sweet moment between the main character Tessa and her new friend as he tried to help make sure the cream from her wash and go was properly worked in. 

  • “Don’t worry, I won’t touch your hair, I know that’s not kosher” pg. 50 
  • “You need to get out of this mindset that you don’t deserve to be here. You’re here for a reason. As a writer, an artist, you belong here. And nothing, not some mean girl, or even your own inner critic, can take that away from you.” pg. 303
  • “I thought I needed a real-life love story of my own to start writing again… but what I really needed, to find my own words and my voice again was to love myself. And I do” pg. 373 

POV

Sam’s favorite character was – Sam (the character). How fitting! She loved how he made an effort to be an ally without overstepping. He was a great listener and a great friend – Felicia completely agreed. They both also really liked Lenore who was a helpful friend to Tessa starting on day 1 at the art school. 

Their least favorite characters were Nico and Poppy. Poppy was clearly set up to be the mean girl and easy to dislike. Poppy’s distaste for Tessa was understandable, but Poppy just took it too far in Sam’s opinion. Nico just wasn’t the one and was never the one (Felicia’s words!). He was your typical bad boy and was clearly self absorbed. 

Deep Dive


Sam and Felicia absolutely adored Elise Bryant’s debut novel. The story was charming, funny, and took them back to their own high school days in some ways. The novel touches on young romance, friendship, and family. The book reminds the main character and you that your creativity has always been inside you and you are right where you belong – you just have to believe and be open to it! Happily Ever Afters is about self-love as much as it is about falling in love for the first time. This book is for every romance lover and should be on your TBR if you haven’t read it already.  Watch the full video to get more details on their thoughts or read Felicia’s book review. The sisters can’t wait to read One True Loves!

Happily Ever Afters | Book Review by Felicia

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Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant is a fresh, funny, and fantastic read.  I’m giving this novel a 3.5 because I wasn’t locked in and loving it all the way through. But, I still highly suggest you get a copy and read it for yourself. 

About:

Happily Ever Afters is  a novel about Tessa, a young high school girl with a passion and gift to write. She attends a new school where she can learn in an environment dedicated to the arts. But, at this new school she struggles with writing new material and starts to doubt her place at school.  In order to regain her writing spirit Tessa and her best friend create a plan for Tessa to experience her own love story in hopes that real life experiences will help Tessa to write again. 

Review:

Elise Bryant is a very talented writer. I enjoyed her style of writing and the voice she gave Tessa. I wasn’t super into the actual storyline but I did find delight in the character development and the care/ detail descriptions in certain scenes. 

I think that the energy Tessa gave certain people in the book who did not deserve her attention was frustrating. Tessa is such an amazing, chill, and artistic young girl who becomes enamored by the popular crowd despite having a solid friend group of her own. At the end of the day she acted like a typical young girl who needs to build up her confidence. Elise definitely succeeded in capturing the tone and struggles of the young Black girl experience. 

There is no doubt in my mind that Sam, Tessa’s new friend, was my favorite character. I am team Sam everyday, allday and I wish I could read more scenes with him and Tessa. His ability to be such a wholesome person was so refreshing.  He was just a young boy working on his cooking craft. There were other great characters but I really like the way Elise placed Sam as such a good friend and ally for Tessa to have in her life. 

Again, I wasn’t too into the storyline because it didn’t excite me or make me want to keep on turning the page. I did appreciate that Elise touches on themes related to  disability, friendship, mental health, and anxiety. This book did remind me of what it was like to be in high school. I was just like Tessa, an antsy girl who had talent but doubted her own skills and was up to crazy antics. Elise also touches on themes related to  disability, friendship, mental health, and anxiety.  

I would suggest reading this book and I am planning to read the next book in the series.

Legendborn | Book Review by Felicia

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This is a wonderful 4.5 star rating kind of book. I don’t know why it took me so long to read Legendborn but I completely understand the hype it has been given. I was truly locked in and loving this novel all the way through. 

Felicia Reading Legendborn

About: 

Legendborn is a fantasy novel about Bree Mathews, a young Black girl who needs to work through her mothers death. While attending an early college program Bree learns that there might be more to her mothers death than meets the eye. This launches Bree on a quest to discover the truth about her mom’s death and along the way she uncovers a world of magic.

Review:

This novel is loosely based on Arthurian legend. But, don’t expect it to follow the typical storyline. Tracey Deonn writes a new and fresh perspective to the traditional King Arthur tale. Lgenedborn eloquently incorporates a diverse tone to the writing that acknowledges aspects of race, class, and gender. I really appreciated the way Deonn recognized diversity in her writing in such a seamless way. The importance of race, class, and gender truly elevated the story. 

Set in four parts this novel perfectly introduces readers to a new and fantastical world. In part one, Order, you realize that nothing in Bree’s, the main characters, life is in order.  After her mothers death, Bree is understandably struggling to move on. In an attempt to regain order in her life Bree joins an early college program that allows her to attend classes at her moms alma mater. As Bree starts the early college  program she is thrust into a magical secret society,The Order of the Round Table.

 Part two, Discord, Bree learns  not to take things at face value. The secret society claims that they are about protecting humans from demons but Bree witnesses how there might be more to the Order of the Round Table that isn’t too great. The Order of the Round Table has a long history of excluding people who don’t fit their mold or idea of what it takes to protect humanty. 

Part three ,Root, Bree really gets the chance to connect with her ancestors. Bree discovers new information about her own family history when she starts therapy. Her therapist shares information about Bree’s mom and shares how Black people have practiced root magic for centuries.  Tracey Deonn uses the history of American slavery to introduce root magic, a form of magic that was passed down to the descendents of enslaved people. They learned a completely different type of magic that is deeply connected to honoring ancestors. 

 Part four, Splinter, so much has been introduced to the reader between different types of magic, history, and monsters to keep up with. In addition, Bree continues to surprise everyone around her by channeling great power instead of being a damsel in distress. In the end, we are left with a cliffhanger but it’s a cliffhanger that I am content with. 

This was such a great read! I can’t stop thinking about this novel and the world Tracey has created. It has elements of Arthurian legend but it included so much more. This goes beyond a young adult novel; it encompasses so many creative pieces mixed with  rich history.  In addition Deonn writes about the power within family, community, and oneself . I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this series and hope you read it too. 

Podcast Episode 2 Show Notes

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In honor of Black History month  The Bootleg Book Club read You Don’t Know Us Negroes by Zora Neal Hurston. 

About the Author

This book revitalized the well deserved attention and recognition towards Zora Neale Hustron. Zora was born in Alabama, but grew up in Eatonville, FL, an all black community. Evident in her writing that she grew up around Black excellence and believed that there was no need to cater to the white gaze. She was a novelist, filmmaker, and anthropologist. She was a student at Howard and then Barnard. She was married several times over, but did not stay married. While a decorated and well known writer, unfortunately, she was never properly compensated and buried without a headstone until Alice Walker (another great novelist) found the grave and gave her a headstone in 1973. 

Book Look

  The book is a collection of Zora Neale Hurston’s writing that expresses the essence of the Black community. Curated in five different sections the reader is given an in depth view on how Hurston believes the Black  community is portrayed in society.  

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This collection of work has many moments to highlight. Here are a few of the noteworthy factors we mention:

  • “First off he was a whisper, a will to hope, a wish to find something worthy or laughter and song.” p 28
  • “Contrary to popular belief their creation is not confined to the slavery period.” p 76
  • “But, I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all. I do not belong to the sobbing school of Negrohood who hold that nature somehow has given them a lowdown dirty deal and whose feelings are all hurt about it. Even in the helter-skelter skirmish that is my life, I have see that the world is to the strong regardless of a little pigmentation more or less. No, I do not weep at the world – I am too busy sharpening my oyster knife.” p 187 

POV

We discussed a few of our favorite pieces from the book but overall we found that the writing style itself was quite vibrant, poignant, and spectacular to read. On the other hand it was quite difficult to read certain parts because it was challenging to determine when Zora was writing fiction or nonfiction. 

Deep Dive

 Hurston tackles subjects such as Black excellence, exceptionalism, colorism, integration/segregation, equality/justice, family, love, Black womanhood, singleness, faith, and mental health. We review and analyze each section on  the folk, on race & gender, on politics, and on the trial of Ruby McCollum. 

Podcast 2: You Don’t Know Us Negroes
Podcast 2

Podcast Episode 1 Show Notes

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For the first episode of The Bootleg Book Club, Sam and Felicia discuss Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s debut novel Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? The sisters introduce themselves and why they decided to join the online reading community including #Booktube and #Bookstagram. 

About the Author

The background on Mrs. Blackburn and the influence of her British Nigerian culture in her book. 

Book Look

  The main character Yinka is feeling a lot of pressure to get married by her mom and aunt. Especially considering her younger sister and cousins have already found love. 

Bookmark

Some of the most poignant moments are discussed through the girls favorite quotes they found highlight worthy such as 

  • “The midnight sky is just as beautiful as the sunrise” p. 73
  • “I am who  I say I am” p. 132 
  • “Don’t be suffering in silence” p. 264
  • “You see, I’m responsible for my happiness” p. 174 
  • “Well, that’s the way God made you. That explains things. As long as you’re happy.” p. 214  

POV

Sam and Felicia discuss their favorite characters, Nola and Aunty Blessing as well as their least favorite character Ola. 

Deep Dive

Felicia and Sam share a few spoilers and talk in depth about the book’s themes such as family, love, Black womanhood, singleness, faith, and mental health. 

Podcast 1 Youtube: Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?
Podcast 1 Spotify: Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? | Book Review by Felicia

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Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a  heartwarming and hilarious novel about learning to love yourself. I definitely give this book a 4 star rating and suggest you read it. 

About:

This is a romance book about Yinka, a 31 year old British Nigerian woman who pushes to find a date to her cousin’s wedding. At a glance it seems as if Yinka has a great life. But, according to her mom and aunties she needs a man.  After feeling a lot of pressure to find a man, Yinka strategically, sets out a plan to meet and be with the best guy. Date after date Yinka starts to change herself for all of the wrong reasons. With help from friends Yinka learns how to love her true self. 

Review:

Lizzie Damilola Blackburn writes with such an authentic and creative voice. Every page of this book was a worthwhile read. I absolutely recommend this book to anyone who needs a bit of love, especially self love in their life. It’s a great laugh and lively book. 

The story begins at Yinka’s little sister’s baby shower and we are introduced to all the women in the  family. We quickly learn that there are many  issues brewing within Yinka’s family and life. In just six months Yinka’s cousin will be getting married and Yinka really wants a date for the occasion. Blackburn, intensely expresses the desperation Yinka feels to find a date for the wedding. From there everything in Yinka’s life starts to go downhill because Yinka begins to transform herself for the wrong reasons.

In addition to looking for a date it is clear that Yinka is in search of purpose in her life. As things start to unravel Yinka continues to slip down a dark path and quickly loses the best pieces of her character. She starts hiding behind lies and schemes that generate tension between the real relationships she has with friends and family. Eventually, Yinka must face the hard truths in her life in order to accept the love, comfort, and kindness she deserves to thrive rather than just survive. 

Lizzie’s writing captures the authentic emotion and mindset a person faces when challenged with learning how to be comfortable in their own skin. I felt deeply connected to the position Yinka was in life as she dealt with family dynamics, career choices, mental health, and so much  more. Yinka was seeking love in all the wrong places. It took time but in the end she is able to look inward and fight for herself. 

Essentially, Yinka is going through it but I found a lot of myself in her and admired many other characters. I truly enjoyed reading this novel and I can’t wait to read more from Lizzie Damilola Blackburn.