The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson -> Starting August 22nd, 2023

[Aly]

1950s Philadelphia: fifteen-year-old Ruby Pearsall is on track to becoming the first in her family to attend college, in spite of having a mother more interested in keeping a man than raising a daughter. But a taboo love affair threatens to pull her back down into the poverty and desperation that has been passed on to her like a birthright.

Eleanor Quarles arrives in Washington, DC, with ambition and secrets. When she meets the handsome William Pride at Howard University, they fall madly in love. But William hails from one of DC’s elite wealthy Black families, and his par­ents don’t let just anyone into their fold. Eleanor hopes that a baby will make her finally feel at home in William’s family and grant her the life she’s been searching for. But having a baby—and fitting in—is easier said than done.

With their stories colliding in the most unexpected of ways, Ruby and Eleanor will both make decisions that shape the trajectory of their lives.

[Vicki]

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! I'll post comments either tomorrow or Friday. I had to get up today at 4:15 and again tomorrow and by time I get home around 6:00 I am just too wiped out, but I was able to finish it since I needed it for Turf Wars. I hope you ladies also like it.

[Vicki]

I'll be adding my comments today but on and off since Scott is home and we're doing house "activities" and errands together. He doesn't go back to work until Tuesday so it'll be hit and miss.

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 8/25%

Ruby (view spoiler)[She's not even 15 years old yet and she's had to deal with a perv and a mother who would blame her for Leap's actions? I feel for her and I hope she gets to go to college! (hide spoiler)]

Inez (view spoiler)[I can't stand her as of this point. A mother who would send her own daughter out of her house after her own boyfriend touched her daughter? Ugh...even IF Ruby came on to him like he said, her mother should've backed her up! (hide spoiler)]

Leap (view spoiler)[A perverted PIG is all I need to say! (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[The ABC's are a bit too important to her, but after the way Greta treated her I think she should forget about them. If not, then she needs to find out if they're all stuck up and rude like Greta. I get wanting to belong but there has to be a point when a person says it's not worth it. (hide spoiler)]

William (aka Mr. Back) (view spoiler)[I like him. I hope that he's truly in to Eleanor and that nothing bad comes from the people in his life. I worry about racism and his family not wanting him to mix with blacks and "her kind." I know that racism occurs even among the same race, and the Prides come from money and light skin, so I hope they remain friends or more. (hide spoiler)]

Shimmy (view spoiler)[I do worry about Ruby and Shimmy being friends and possibly becoming romantically involved. He's a Jewish white boy and she's black, so back in their day it was definitely what I would call dangerous for her especially. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 20/54%

Ruby (view spoiler)[I felt so bad for her when she went for her abortion and knowing that she didn't want the baby. When they turned her away it made me scared for her. Back then, the scene was bad enough where she was going but I was afraid she'd end up at a butcher's, if you know what I mean. I'm glad that Shimmy really loves her, but what a difficult path for them. I remember people trying to do all kinds of things to cause a miscarriage, but I don't remember anyone whose means caused one. (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[Oh my gosh. That poor woman. First, I am disgusted by the way Rose treats her, especially now that she's her daughter-in-law and William loves her so much. Now she's lost another baby...ugh. I totally was wondering if Rose had paid off the doctor to cause Elly to think she had a miscarriage, do a "D & C," and then actually do a miscarriage. I think Rose is that full of hate. (hide spoiler)]

Inez & Leap (view spoiler)[I was pretty disgusted to find out they're expecting a baby and to see how Inez hasn't changed toward Ruby. I feel TERRIBLE for Ruby and how painful it must be for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

Through Ch. 30/74%

Ruby (view spoiler)[I can't believe the audacity of Mrs. Shapiro. I totally cannot stand her! But on the other hand, she wants so badly to go to college and a baby definitely would make it a lot more difficult. (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[My heart just breaks for her! And she feels like she's damaged material, less than William. So sad. I was surprised to find out that she had a 3rd miscarriage that she never told him about. And what a time for him to find out. She was going through enough! After the nun visited her, I assumed that they'd be getting Ruby's baby which would've tied in why the two different stories. I hate that she has to try to fake her pregnancy for fear of judgment. Poor thing. And Greta is awful! I wondered if William might be playing around with her since he and Eleanor hadn't been intimate in a long time, but also assume that's maybe because he or she (or both) is somewhat emotionally detached. (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

The End

Ruby (view spoiler)[I hope that she and her mother can build a relationship from here. I was happy to see that she got her scholarship and is now an optometrist. I love that she now is in Eleanor's world. (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[ I am so glad that William didn''t cheat on her! I'm glad that her mother-in-law finally apologized and is more accepting of Eleanor now. That will be better for the baby, well, Willa is now 13 or so. Better for her, too! (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

10 chapters

Ruby (view spoiler)[ yeah, she's already been through so much and she's so young. that mom's boyfriend was so gross! her mom isn't very nice either - she sounds like she never grew up.
I like her aunt but I agree, I worry about her and Shimmy.
I like Shimmy. he's sweet but I hope he knows what he's doing. . .he's going to get them both in trouble (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[I really like Eleanor too. I like how driven she is. she's really juggled a lot - 2 jobs plus school. and I'm worried about William. He's a little too used to luxury and his way of life. he's with Ruby for a minute but I don't think he'd give up his life to be with her and I bet his mom/dad would threaten that (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

20 chapters

Ruby(view spoiler)[ ugh, I feel so bad for her. I hope she isn't booted from her dreams. What is she going to do? I hate that Shimmy convinced her to be with him
I'm not sure how they are going to do this (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor(view spoiler)[ wow, I'm glad William stepped up and married her. now I'm worried she'll have to give up her dreams again
and live with horrible in-laws. I wonder if they will ever accept her (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

It's fun reading your comments and see your thoughts since I've read all of it and already know!

Ruby (view spoiler)[definitely had it rough with her mom being the way she was and that AWFUL boyfriend! (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor (view spoiler)[I was worried the whole time whether she or Ruby would make their dreams come true. (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

30 chapters

Ruby (view spoiler)[ I know this is a tough decision for her but she did want a solution that had her still striving for her dreams
I hate that she's put in that position but at least this is a not-as-life threatening option and at least it was with Shimmy (and the awful mom boyfriend didn't rape her or anything) (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor(view spoiler)[ how tough. I was surprised she hadn't told her husband about the first miscarriage but did tell the doctor. Hold from one, hold from both. I wouldn't have told the doctor. . .
and Ugh, his mom is meddling (hide spoiler)]

[Trisha]

and I'm done too!

Ruby (view spoiler)[ i'm so glad we got that glimpse at the end and that she just might see her own daughter around (and not know it) when she visits her dad. good on her for going for her dreams! (hide spoiler)]

Eleanor(view spoiler)[ I was so glad the mom visited her and finally came clean about why she was being so meddling and awful. So glad she and William worked it out too!

I loved that little drama at the end! lol Loved her daughter being so over-the-top but that they still loved her just like their own (hide spoiler)]

[Vicki]

YAY! I'm so glad that we both liked this one a lot!

[Kira]

Will be reading this one tomorrow

[Kira]

Loved this one!

Chapter 1-6: (view spoiler)[This one is interesting so far. I am wondering if and when Ruby and Eleanor's lives would intersect. Leap is a pervert and I hate her mother for blaming Ruby for his actions. Both Ruby and Eleanor have high hopes and dreams and I am curious to see how they achieve those. I hope that involvement of romance with William and Shimmy respectively doesn't hinder their prospects. It's definitely dangerous for the time period this is set in (hide spoiler)]

Part 1: (view spoiler)[UGH William's mom treats Eleanor so horribly but I am glad that William atleast respects and loves her for who she is. Them losing the baby was awful, I am wondering if William would still go through with the wedding and if he does, is he brave enough to stand up for Eleanor in front of his mom. Ruby and Shimmy on the other hand are so good together but their race is a wall between them. I hated that Ruby was feeling so lost, she ended things with Shimmy upon realising the differences between them are too vast (hide spoiler)]

Part 2: (view spoiler)[Poor Eleanor, I can't even imagine how traumatised she would be losing her second baby like that. I was glad that they got married but now that he knows she had another miscarriage before meeting him, I am scared if he'd accept her again or not. Her in laws are already so awful, I hope they don't treat her worse now. Ruby falling pregnant too was unexpected. Shimmy wants to marry her but I do understand why she accepted his mother's offer. She is much too young to get married and be a mom. I am guessing Eleanor would end up adopting Ruby's baby (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 24 - 35: (view spoiler)[The miscarriage and all the hiding for adoption has caused a rift between Eleanor and William like I suspected. Him getting so jealous of Bernie was quite unreasonable imo but Eleanor suspecting him of being with Greta wasn't justified as well. The situation is taking a toll on them. I am afraid that Ruby won't be able to escape the house for unwed women once she delivers, Mother Margaret seems cruel, selfish and greedy to me. Well atleast Bubbles escaped with her baby. georgia Mae's story was so sad and painful (hide spoiler)]

Finished: (view spoiler)[Mother Margaret was an awful person but I am glad that both Eleanor and Ruby got what they dreamed for. It's good that Ruby wasn't forced to give up her baby but made a conscious decision in lieu of her future. William's mom coming up to Ohio and coming clean about everything was a good gesture as well and I was glad that Eleanor and William resolved their differences. The epilogue warmed my heart. Ruby and Eleanor's life intersected but they don't even realise what they have in common - their daughter! (hide spoiler)]