Sadeqa Johnson's riveting historical fiction novel "The House of Eve" follows the trajectories of two 1950s Black women living in Philadelphia and Washington DC. Clawing her way out of Philadelphia poverty, 15-year-old Ruby Pearsall is the first in her family to go to college and won't let anything stop her from making a name for herself. Eleanor Quarles is a Howard University student struggling to adjust to the social hierarchies of her school. When both girls become pregnant, upending their plans for their lives, it presents a new wave of troubles between themselves, their lovers, and their families. Johnson's portrait of young women with sharp wit and big dreams is powerful and honest.
Release date: Feb. 7
