{Book Review} Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review.

This book cover is absolutely stunning. The vibrant flower crown and the model’s lovely brown complexion beautifully capture the essence of the story within, which centers around Black women and the integral role of flowers and herbs. The model’s serene expression is so tranquil, it’s as if I can almost hear her gentle exhale. The cover provides a nice introduction to the stories of Queen Luella, Mother Rita, and Nikki.

BOOK DETAILS

Title: Happy Land

Author: Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Publisher: Berkley

Publication Date: 8 April 2025

Genre: Historical Fiction, Popular Fiction

Format: Paperback

Pages: 368

ABOUT THE BOOK (from the book)

Nikki hasn’t seen her grandmother in years. So when the elder calls out of the blue with an urgent request for Nikki to visit her in the hills of western North Carolina, Nikki hesitates only for a moment. After years of silence in her family, due to a mysterious estrangement between her mother and grandmother, she’s determined to learn the truth while she still can.

But instead of answers about the recent past, Mother Rita tells Nikki an incredible story of a kingdom on this very mountain, and of her great-great-great grandmother, Luella, who would become its queen.

It sounds like the makings of a fairy tale—royalty among a community of freed people. But the more Nikki learns about the Kingdom of the Happy Land, and the lives of those who dwelled in the ruins she discovers in the woods, the more she realizes how much of her identity and her family’s secrets are wrapped up in these hills. Because this land is their legacy, and it will be up to her to protect it before it, like so much else, is stolen away.

Inspired by true events, Happy Land is a transporting multi-generational novel about the stories that shape us and the dazzling courage it takes to dream.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR (from her website)

Dolen Perkins-Valdez is the New York Times bestselling author of Take My Hand(2022), which was awarded an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work, a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association, and a Fiction award from the Black Caucus American Library Association, and was long-listed for the Mark Twain American Voice in Literature Award. A three-time nominee for a United States Artists Fellowship, Dolen is widely considered a preeminent chronicler of American historical life.

Learn more about her on her website, or follow on Facebook and Instagram.

BOOK REVIEW

Star Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Need an explanation of my book rating system? Click here.

My Thoughts

Having read and reviewed Vanessa Miller’s The American Queen, I requested the ARC of this book to see how Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Happy Land would complement that novel. Additionally, as a big fan of Dolen Perkins-Valdez’s Take My Hand, I was confident this new work would not disappoint. And I was correct. This book did not disappoint.

From the moment I started reading, I related to Nikki in a way that I haven’t related to a character in a long time. Her vulnerability, the desire to connect with family, and the need to find out where she belongs is so very real. Over the course of the novel, Nikki transforms from an insecure decision-maker into a self-assured woman, confident in her ability to handle life’s challenges. This newfound confidence stems from Nikki’s realization that she stands upon the legacy of generations of strong, capable women.

The book’s narrative alternates between the perspectives of Nikki {modern day} and Queen Luella {post-emancipation}. While the two women’s voices share a similar strength and tone, they are distinct enough to vividly portray the contrasting eras in which the characters live. Queen Luella’s leadership develops as a result of circumstances, while Nikki learns her leadership skills through the tough love and compassion and of her grandmother, Mother Rita, and her friend, Maddie Mae.

This is a wonderfully written story that details the physical, emotional, and financial strain that comes from the stealing of Black-owned lands and the loss of generational wealth. While this book is inspired by the true-events of one family, it’s the legacy of many Black families throughout America; a legacy that continues to devastate Black families to this day.

I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction and family dramas with strong female characters. Additionally, this would make a wonderful read for those who are interested in Black history.

Favorite Quote(s)

To read was to have the language to ask for things you wanted, so I became determined to teach myself.

Page 24

Final Note

Although this is a standalone novel, I recommend reading this novel after reading The American Queen by Vanessa Miller. The American Queen tells the story of Happy Land from the perspective of Queen Luella, while Happy Land fills in a lot of the details. Reading them as a set would make for an interesting book club discussion because there is so much to compare and contrast {whispers: there’s a scandalous relationship between Queen Louella, her husband, and his brother that really needs to be explored}.

Trigger Warnings

Racism, Domestic Violence, Cancer

IT’S YOUR TURN

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts? Let’s discuss in the comments below. If you haven’t, feel free to purchase the book using the link below.

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BOOKISH THINGS

Bookshop.org – Shop for books selected by me, for you!

NetGalley Professional Reader – I receive free ARCs from NetGalley to review on my blog and share on Instagram.

The StoryGraph – A reading app that shares all the nerdy details of my bookish life.

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