Ingenue (The Flappers)

Okay, so I enjoyed Ingenue a smidge more than the first book, mostly because the plot was faster-paced and more exciting. Other than that, though, I found the book mediocre for all the same reasons as I thought that about Vixen. Clara had more personality, but I thought Lorraine was a very poorly-written villainess: easily distracted, still needlessly caught up in the whole jealousy/hatred thing, and not really terribly intelligent despite how her character is supposed to be smart. The plot was, again, choppy and at times inconsistent. I was utterly baffled by some of the characters' decisions that seemed to not take into account the immediacy of acting to stop problems or how they would affect relationships. But of course, the book ends with another lead into a sequel that makes readers want to continue with the series. ( )

We read the first in this series, Vixen, last year for book club. I loved it but never got around to reading book 2. I am sorry I waited so long, because I just finished Ingenue, Book 2, and I loved it too!

The flappers this books revolves around are three very different girls - Gloria, Lorraine, and Clara. We got to know them in Vixen, but Ingenue shows the girls in the midst of growing up and becoming women rather than girls. Gloria and Jerome have a new set of problems, and have not yet solved their first set. Lorraine is the manager of high end club, but needs to get out from under the thumb of Carlito and have some confidence. And Clara must confront her demons - can she really do it? We also meet new characters such as Hank, who I desperately hope is in book 3 because he has some 'splaining to do, and also we learn more about Jerome's sister Vera, and Evan a trumpet player.

They are starting to become actualized and independent, but have not left their problems behind, only escaped them momentarily. In Ingenue, these problems come to a head for all of them, and you will have to read to see how it all turns out.

These are fun books and if you have ever daydreamed about being a flapper, these books are for you. ( )

This was a different read for me. At first it started out a wee bit too small with petty drama akin to what I suspect gossip girls and similar teen dramas targeting the pop culture crowd dish out. Hesistantly, I forged on and it did get better. The plot was still slightly wimpy and the characterization was so so but I did enjoy the climax, although the ending sort of flopped for me. I must admit, I did not read the first book in the series, so I probably do not need to now.

The second book in “The Flappers” series.
Sequel to Vixen. Review contains spoilers for the first book in the series.

Gloria and Jerome have escaped together to New York City, but life in the Big Apple isn't the beautiful adventure she imagined. The two of them must live separately, since mixed race couples are still taboo, and they're struggling to make ends meet. Worse still, someone from Chicago is still hunting for them, and Gloria fears that the Mafia will kill Jerome because they blame him for a murder she committed. She's right to worry; her old best-friend-turned-nemesis Lorraine has teamed up with the gangster Carlito to track Gloria down. The situation goes from bad to worse as Jerome's sister Vera comes to town looking for her brother. Gloria's cousin, Clara, has also arrived in New York City...but unlike her last stay in the city, she plans to keep to the straight and narrow. She's planning to go to college with her beau Marcus, but her old flapper life won't stop calling to her. When a reporter offers Clara a chance to write for his magazine – giving her chance to live out her dream as a writer – Clara must decide between her new, safe life and the wild flapper ways she once loved.

The action may have moved to an exciting new location, but much of the drama remains the same as the first book, Vixen. Gloria's still struggling to find her voice as a singer and juggling relationship woes. Lorraine's as much of an emotional mess as ever, torn between her desire for vengeance and the love she still feels for her best friend. And, as before, Clara's still trying to decide whether she really wants to “reform” from the dazzling parties and celebrity of her flapper life. There's a sense of déjà vu throughout the entire book, since the characters' struggles are so similar to the previous story.

Despite this, the book is highly entertaining. The ritzy world of Chicago's debutantes has nothing on the glitter and glamour of New York City's flappers. There's far more at stake, with greater dangers and thrills in every chapter. Ingenue pulses with energy and passion, creating a story that truly seems imbibed with the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. ( )

I really love the 1920s and the Flappers so this book was right up my alley. Of course, I loved the first book, Vixen, so I wasn't too worried about this one.

Ingenue picks up where Vixen ended. Jerome and Gloria are now in New York trying to survive. Between running from the mob, trying to get gigs and trying to keep their relationship and living together a secret, that hasn't been easy. They have had to resort to stealing food just to eat and they have to use false names at gigs so the mob won't find them. This puts so much strain on their relationship, especially after Gloria finds a gig and is going to be supporting Jerome. They are both wondering how their relationship can possibly stand up to all this.

Lorraine Dyer has graduated high school and is in New York, waiting to go to college. Her parents think that she is taking early classes but she's really the manager at a new speakeasy that is run by the mobster that is after Jerome and Gloria. Carlito has promised Lorraine revenge on Gloria if she can find the couple and bring them to his club. He promises Lorraine he won't hurt them but what good is a mobster's promise? Lorraine thinks she has a great relationship with her new neighbor and is trying to keep her mob boss happy.

Clara is also in New York. She has come to New York to be with Marcus. When she meets up with some of her old friends and is recognized by the editor of an elite magazine she is surprised when he asks her to write some articles for him. However, the articles require her to head back into the wild and crazy parties that she has sworn off. So, which is more important...her promise to Marcus or her independence and becoming a journalist?

I love how this book is divided into chapters from different characters POVs. It starts out with Vera, Jerome's sister and then goes between her, Clara, Gloria and Lorraine. For me, this keeps the book interesting. Gloria is so strong and independent yet she is still vulnerable and has her doubts over what she has done. It makes her very real to me. Jerome is madly in love with Gloria but he also has his insecurities. How is a black man going to marry a white woman? And how is he going to let her be the breadwinner? With all this going on, you could still feel the passion between the two and the heartache that the insecurities and doubt cause.

Lorraine is as mean as ever...at least, at first. She is set on revenge since she feels that Gloria ruined her life. She comes across as very cold and unfeeling but then you get to see her doubts as well and her fear for her life. After all, if she doesn't do everything to Carlito's liking, she's dead. Toward the end, I almost liked her again.

Clara is my favorite character. She really wants to be a journalist but is held back at first by her promise to Marcus to end her partying ways. When she gets the chance to write about all the crazy antics of the party goers, she is hesitant but eventually gets back into it for the sake of her job...or is it? Does Clara get pulled back in to the party all night, sleep all day ways of before or can she handle it? Of course, she lies to Marcus and deceives him but you can feel her guilt in the book.

I love the descriptions of New York in the 1920s! They are so real that you feel like you are watching it on TV. The speakeasies were well-described and it is obvious that the author has done her research into this world and time.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved the history in it and the characters are very well developed and everyone is very different from the other. I highly recommend that you pick up this series and give it a try ( )