Review by Booklist Review
Readers are often hungry for stories about the Hollywood elite, those families that seem to grace the limelight for decades. But Black families are rarely given the space in the industry, both in and out of fiction. Colbert fills that gap with this novel about the titular family after the passing of their matriarch, Blossom "Bebe" Blackwood, an acclaimed Black actress who got her start during the Golden Era of Hollywood. From Bebe's success, future generations are able to break into Hollywood and strike names for themselves. Told in two time periods and following the perspectives of a young Blossom Blackwood and her two great-granddaughters, Colbert's novel explores the difficult choices each has to make to stay true to themselves. Colbert's fictional Hollywood family is handled with care and conveys her deep interest in Black actors in the industry. While Blossom's great-grandchildren Hollis and Ardith have different struggles, they share the experience of not being entirely in control of the narratives of their lives. Blossom's perspective steals the show, but the entire Blackwood clan feels like a real family that will appeal to Hollywood enthusiasts.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Via three alternating perspectives, Colbert weaves an absorbing intergenerational tale about a famous Black Hollywood family, their relationship with notoriety, and the ramifications that come with it. In present-day Los Angeles, after the death of film star Blossom Blackwood, tabloids chronicle the family's grieving process and Hollywood searches for its next big star. Despite having grown up benefiting from her great-grandmother Blossom's influence, Hollis has never wanted to be in the public eye. Hollis's cousin Ardith, meanwhile, reveled in the limelight; as a child actor, Ardith yearns to follow in her great-grandmother's footsteps. But when the teens' personal secrets and private pasts begin leaking to the press, they must each reckon with the consequences of being in the spotlight. Periodic chapters beginning in 1942 follow 15-year-old Blossom's rise to fame. Colbert expertly juggles each protagonist's POV, rendering them with distinct tones and rhythmic prose that complements the characters' individual situations. In tackling serious themes surrounding sexual harassment, sexism, and addiction, the author presents a textured look into the highs and lows of fame and the ways in which it impacts a family and its legacy. Ages 14--up. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--The Blackwoods are Hollywood royalty. Award-winning Black actress Blossom Blackwood broke barriers and blazed a path to success, and her recent death has left a hole in the collective heart of the Blackwood family. Her great-granddaughters, Hollis and Ardith, are particularly affected. Ardith, a successful actress herself, has worked to ensure her image is flawless, especially after her mother died of an overdose. But an unfortunate encounter with a blogger who disparages her mom threatens everything Ardith has worked to achieve. Hollis is content to be a normal high school student out of the spotlight. When a memento of a personal moment is leaked to the press, Hollis is thrust into the public eye for all the wrong reasons. At the same time, Blossom's death brings with it the revelation of a long-held secret, one that will forever alter the lives of the Blackwoods. Chapters alternate between Ardith and Hollis in the present day, as well as Blossom, whose story begins in 1942, and covers several decades. Each young woman has a distinctive voice and point of view, and Blossom's history is seamlessly interwoven with contemporary events. Family relationships are where this story shines, but serious topics such as sexism, mental health issues, and socioeconomic disparities are included in a way that feels natural for the story. VERDICT Colbert's latest novel deserves a spot in teen and high school collections; hand to readers who enjoy family sagas and the ups and downs of fame.--Alison Glass
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Two young women from a Black Hollywood dynasty navigate the choppy waters of 21st-century celebrity while grieving the death of their famous great-grandmother. Through decades of commitment to her craft and resilience in the face of discrimination, Blossom "Bebe" Blackwood cemented her legacy as an award-winning Black actor and trailblazer. When Blossom passes away at the age of 96, her family celebrates their beloved matriarch and feels adrift without her guidance. This is especially true for 17-year-old cousins Ardith and Hollis Blackwood, who sometimes struggle with the challenges of being born into a highly visible family. Bebe was best friend to Ardith, a devout churchgoer and rising actor. For Hollis, a grounded high schooler content to remain on the outskirts of the Hollywood elite, Bebe represented the beauty of triumph over adversity. As the teens adjust to their new normal, a long-buried secret comes to light, forever changing their perceptions of the great-grandmother they all thought they knew. Colbert's sprawling novel is a deeply felt love letter to Black Hollywood's groundbreaking forebears and a tribute to the transformative power of maternal love. Chapters alternate between the voices of the teens in the present day and Blossom's heartbreaking journey to stardom, providing rich emotional insights layered with thoughtful explorations of the intersectionalities around race, class, and gender. A striking testament to the bonds of family and a perceptive study in how events can echo throughout generations. (family tree, author's note) (Fiction. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
