A Page Before Bedtime

With Love From Harlem by ReShonda Tate

2026-10-18T18:16:00.000-05:00

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

Duration: 13:48:00
Published: January 2026

Sometimes the best books come from trusted reader recommendations. A fellow reading buddy suggested I read With Love From Harlem by Reshonda Tate because she knew how much I enjoyed Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray and my overall love of historical fiction. I listened to this expertly produced audiobook (thanks Fort Worth Public Library!) and was completely engrossed for the nearly 14 hours.

With Love From Harlem is a fictionalized account inspired by the life of Hazel Scott, a groundbreaking pianist, entertainer, and one of the most successful Black performers of her era. As a member of Harlem’s creative elite, Hazel brushed shoulders and knew the likes of James Baldwin, Billie Holliday, and Quincy Jones, just to name a few. She built an impressive career at a time when opportunities for Black women were severely limited. Through Hazel’s journey, ReShonda Tate brings readers into the vibrant world of Harlem’s cultural renaissance while also exposing racism, sexism, and societal expectations that threatened to diminish even the brightest stars.

Early in the novel, Hazel meets the charismatic Adam Clayton Powell, Jr., the influential minister, politician, and civil rights leader. Despite the fact that he is married when their relationship begins, Powell quickly sweeps Hazel off her feet. Their courtship eventually leads to marriage, but it soon becomes clear that their ambitions are not equally valued. As was often expected during that time, Hazel is encouraged to make herself smaller to support her husband’s career and public image. Much of the novel’s tension stems from Hazel’s refusal to do so. She believes she is destined for greatness, while her husband, threatened by her success, continually tries to quiet her. Their relationship frustrated me to no end. And to top it off, Adam continued to be unfaithful to the women he pledged himself to.

One of the aspects I truly appreciated in this novel was the glimpse into the lives of Black artists who found refuge in Europe, particularly Paris. Tate explores why so many talented Black creatives left the United States in search of opportunities and freedoms unavailable to them back home. These sections added valuable historical context and reminded me of the painful realities of segregation and discrimination in the U.S. My favorite part of the novel was the friendship between Hazel and Billie “Lady Day” Holiday. Both women faced extraordinary pressures and personal struggles. Their relationship added depth, and their scenes together were very touching and memorable.

While Tate takes some creative liberties with the historical record, she does address them in her ending author’s note, which I appreciated. Even knowing that, this creativity helped bring Hazel Scott’s life much light. Shamefully, I didn’t know very much about her until my reading of this book, which appropriately sent me down a research rabbit hole to learn more. To me, that’s indicative of a great historical fiction novel – its ability to inspire reader to discover the real people behind the fiction. I am thankful for this novel that made Hazel Scott a hidden figure to me no more!

Recommendation: I highly recommend this novel, especially as an audiobook. The narration was excellent and made an already compelling story even more engaging. Historical fiction has the power to illuminate our shared history, and this novel fits the bill perfectly. I couldn’t put it down, and I think you’ll be hard-pressed to as well.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.

Mazywood by Tananarive Due

2026-10-17T17:13:00.000-05:00

Rating: 3 of 5 stars

Pages: 512 pages
Published: September 2026

After loving The Reformatory, I was excited to pick up Mazywood, my second novel by Tananarive Due. The Reformatory was one of those books that completely immersed me with its blending of historical fiction, supernatural elements, and emotional depth. So, when my online book club chose Due’s latest novel for a spooky October discussion, I eagerly snagged a copy and dove in.

I will start by saying, I don’t enjoy horror. Whether in books or movies, it rarely appeals to me. However, what worked so well for me in The Reformatory was the horror didn’t really feel like traditional horror. Additionally the supernatural elements seemed to be secondary to the historical ones. Because Mazywood opens in the 1920s in Gracetown, Florida – the same fictional setting as The Reformatory – I expected a similar reading experience.

At the center of this novel is Mazelle, who is, in the 1920s, a young Black child actor with her precarious dog, Scout. With this special furry friend, Scout helps launch Mazelle into fame and Mazy and her Wonder Dog. Through her story, Due explores the darker side of celebrity. Beneath the glamour is a child who is envied, endangered, and exploited, and these experiences follow Mazelle throughout her life as she struggled with trauma, type-casting, and difficult family dynamics that result in her repeating some of the very same behaviors with her offspring. In her latter years, Mazelle isolated herself to her own remote mountain retreat known as Mazywood.

The story alternates between the 1920s and present-day where we meet Mazelle’s grandson, who is also in show business, but behind the scenes. Reluctantly, he takes his wife and teenage daughters to Mazywood for the holidays. While there, old demons resurface and the whole family is put in danger.

For me, the novel’s greatest strength was Mazelle’s younger storyline. The historical sections were engaging and emotionally compelling. I found myself wanting to spend more time in her world and learn more about her rise to fame and the personal cost that accompanied it. Honestly, this is probably because I enjoy historical fiction over horror.

Where the book lost me was in the present-day narrative. The two timelines often felt like separate novels competing for space rather than one seamless story. While I was deeply invested in Mazelle’s past, I struggled to connect the contemporary horror elements. They felt far-fetched, drawn out, and rather boring. While The Reformatory was a hefty book, it didn’t feel that way. Unfortunately, Mazywood dragged on for me, and I simply persisted to discuss with my book club.

Don’t get me wrong, I find Due to be an immensely gifted writer. Her prose is captivating, and she excels at creating memorable characters. My disappointment with this novel wasn’t the writing, but that the plot just didn’t resonate with me the way her previous work did. Looking back, I think I might have enjoyed the book more had I approached it expecting a traditional horror novel rather than something closer to The Reformatory.

Recommendation: Sometimes a book isn’t the right fit, even when it’s written by an author you admire. And, simply put, Mazywood wasn’t my cup of tea, but that doesn’t lessen my appreciation for Due’s talent. I’ll happily continue exploring both her backlist and whatever she writes next. While this one didn’t work for me, I suspect readers who enjoy horror more than I do may have a very different experience..

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

2026-09-26T19:54:00.000-05:00

Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Pages: 326 pages
Published: June 2026

My last read of September was a first read by author Tia Williams. The Missed Connection is a playful, fast-paced romcom with heart, humor, and a dash of chaos. In it, we follow protagonist Sasha Cruz who meets an engaging, handsome stranger during a transatlantic flight to Europe. After talking for several hours and forming what feels like an instant connection, the passengers are quickly deplaned, leaving Sasha and her mystery man with no chance to exchange contact information or even names! In a haze of anti-anxiety medication and wine, Sasha emails a coworker hoping for help tracking him down, but she accidentally copies the entire company. It’s hilarious and exactly the kind of inciting incident you’d expect in a romcom.

Upon her return to the United States, Sasha reconnects with Wes Dane, a detective who previously helped her through a difficult situation. Together, they embark on a quest to find her elusive travel mate from Seat F. However, the rekindling of this professional relationship also stirs up personal complications and unresolved feelings that make Sasha’s search for her supposed soulmate far more complicated than she anticipated.

The Missed Connection is a fast-paced and funny novel that also intertwines heavier themes of anxiety, mental health, and personal safety. I found the story intriguing, and I was deeply committed to Sasha’s mission to find Seat F. However, it was clear though, there were unresolved issues between Sasha and Wes. I found their dynamic predictable, and it felt appropriate for a romcom of this nature. I also appreciated how Williams handled some of the more serious elements with care, balancing emotional depth with well-timed humor. Her chapter titles were accurately descriptive and definitely added an extra layer of charm.

The main shortcoming for me was the suspension of belief required for the plot to work. It took a little more than a stretch to imagine Sasha sharing intimate details with Seat F for hours without either person offering their name or contact information. As a reader, you have to accept this premise from the outset for the rest of the story to land. Additionally, the ending of the book felt a little underdeveloped. It seemed as though the author felt a little rushed to resolve the Seat F storyline, resulting in a conclusion that felt slightly far-fetched.

In summary, if the reader approaches this novel as a lighthearted escape from reality, it delivers entertaining value. And for me, it was a nice story to end the summer reading season.

Recommendation: This book is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, but I’ll offer a warning: There are several open-door sex scenes that didn’t necessarily add value to the story. If that’s not your preference, just keep it in mind.