Her debut novel is a poignant multigenerational saga that explores the lasting effects of racism on American families. BookBrowse seeks out and recommends the best in contemporary fiction and nonfiction—books that not only engage and entertain but also deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

I did wind up enjoying the flashbacks more, but the last few chapters of the present day story were truly incredible. When white silver screen actress Kitty Karr Tate dies and unexpectedly leaves her multimillion-dollar estate to the Black St. A multigenerational saga that traverses the glamour of old Hollywood and the seductive draw of modern-day showbiz. The book is primed to open up a lot of really nuanced conversations, not only publicly but within Black and white families. I hope to see more modern fiction novels written with this type of honesty about the experiences of growing up “passing” in history.Even so, I still think it is a fascinating story and would be a good selection for a book club or buddy read because of the potential discussions. It was interesting all that Kitty had to go through in her life and to find out how her life intertwined with the other women in this book. One lucky book club will receive a copy for each of its members and a virtual visit from Crystal Smith Paul herself! But what she discovers in one of Kitty’s journals rocks her world harder than any other brewing scandal could—and between a cheating fiancé and fallout from a controversial social media post, there are plenty. This multigenerational saga explores celebrity, the burdens of being Black, and the power that family secrets hold.

For twelve-year-old Martha “Sonny” Creech, there is no place more beautiful than her family’s cotton farm. The truth behind Kitty’s ascent to stardom from her beginnings in the segregated South threatens to expose a web of unexpected family ties, debts owed, and debatable crimes that could, with one pull, unravel the all-American fabric of the St.John is one of three sisters who have been rich and famous since birth because of their parents’ talents. My apologies to Reese, but I’m not a fan of the author’s narrative structure and storytelling techniques.