A Second Helping

A Second Helping continues the story of Kansas restaurateur Bertha Muzzy and railroad chef TC Livingston, picking up where Beverly Jenkins' previous novel Something Old, Something New left off. Set in 1881 in the town of Henry Adams, Kansas, the narrative follows Bertha as she runs her café while navigating her relationship with TC. The historical backdrop features the post-Civil War migration of African Americans to Kansas, known as the Exoduster movement. Through Bertha's experiences, the book depicts the social structures, challenges, and triumphs of Black frontier communities during the Reconstruction era. The story incorporates romance, community dynamics, and historical events as Bertha faces decisions about her future and the evolution of Henry Adams. Jenkins blends period details with interpersonal relationships to create a portrait of Black life in the American West. This historical romance explores themes of independence, community bonds, and the pursuit of opportunity during a transformative period in American history. The narrative stands as a testament to the resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of African American pioneers in the post-Civil War frontier.

Readers consistently mention the strong sense of community and historical details in this romance novel. Reviews highlight the authentic portrayal of an all-Black town in Kansas during the 1800s and praise Jenkins' research into post-Civil War life. Readers appreciated: - The relationship development between the main characters - Historical facts woven into the story - Depiction of strong female friendships - Continuation of characters from the first book Common criticisms: - Pacing felt slow in the middle sections - Some historical details slowed the romance plot - A few readers found the ending predictable Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (300+ ratings) BookBub: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) One reader noted: "Jenkins shows how Black communities thrived and supported each other during Reconstruction without focusing solely on trauma." Another mentioned: "The romance takes a backseat to the history sometimes, but the facts are fascinating."

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🍽️ The book is part of the Blessings series, set in the fictional small town of Henry Adams, Kansas - a town originally founded by freed slaves after the Civil War. 📚 Beverly Jenkins is known as "The Queen of Black Historical Romance" and has written over 30 novels, earning numerous awards including the 2017 Romance Writers of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award. 🏫 Henry Adams is based on real historical settlements called "Exoduster" towns, established by African Americans who migrated from the South to Kansas after the Civil War. 💝 The novel explores themes of adoption and found family, reflecting Jenkins' own experience as an adoptive parent and her dedication to writing about strong, supportive communities. 🌟 This second book in the series was so popular that what was originally planned as a trilogy expanded into nine books, with readers particularly drawn to the town's vibrant characters and heartwarming storylines.