Review of Deceptive Calm

[mytkreadingreview]

Sometimes good thing's goes to those who have passion for them, like Sister Rosslyn she decided to loose her career opportunities and help poor orphanage children like Vanessa and other black children.Vanessa grew up like other kids and went to school and archive some life archivements.

[Janet Kimetto]

This story is set in a time when racism was very prevalent. It follows the life of Vanessa, a Black woman in 20th-century America, who, after a series of racial traumas, obtains a fake identity. Everything is good until her husband finds out that she and, by extension, their toddler son are Black. Congrats on BOTD!

[Nimurungi Blessing]

This is a lovely review. I haven't read the book before but I am definitely interested.

[Limpho Mojakisane]

Thanks for this detailed review. I like how the book explores important issues like racism, gender bias, and abusive relationships through Vanessa’s life. I think it’s interesting that it also shows how childhood friendships and strong role models like Sister Rosalie can make a big difference. Definitely sounds like a powerful and emotional story, though, for mature readers.

[Onyemuwa-dave]

The premise of the book instantly hooks me! The layers of racial identity, deception, and high-stakes secrets leading to such a dramatic downfall in San Francisco society sound absolutely captivating. This will be a good read.

[Gideon Adigun]

Based on your review, I am curious about how Vanessa’s physical appearance impacted her adult life, and whether she was able to disguise her identity.
Patricia Skipper’s Deceptive Calm is suitable for those who love romance fiction mixed with history. Nice review, well done.

[Ye Mark]

This is a wonderful review. Such an interesting plot. I’m looking forward to reading this!

[Elise Hudson]

Having personally read this book, the reviewer did a great job of summarizing the novel. It was perfectly written too! And I also agree with the reviewer, the author did a great job!

[MacKenzie Blanchard]

I read this for my own review! I really like how your own was written and I'm glad you liked it so much more than I did.

[pigeon]

I read this book, but haven’t reviewed it yet. Your review mentions the character development and that is important in a book like this! Knowing why someone does what they do helps the reader to have more emotions when reading the book. My emotions were all over the place when reading this book!

[Marinttoe Baeza]

From the preview I noticed this book portraits how someone can have many difficulties only because of predispositions of society, but even worst during 1950s. It is situated in the US, but this is a problem not only of a particular country but many of them.

[greeneyedgirl27]

Patricia Skipper's "Deceptive Calm" follows many subjects facing a black woman in the time. She touches on racial problems and gender bias and the unfairness of it all. This historical story is a eye opening BOTD.

[Ana Vah]

Deceptive Calm

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper is a thought-provoking and emotionally charged novel that explores themes of race, identity, and survival. The story follows Vanessa, a light-skinned Black girl raised in a Catholic orphanage in the Deep South during the 1960s. Subjected to discrimination, cruelty, and racial trauma, Vanessa makes a bold decision: she assumes the identity of a deceased white baby and escapes to California. There, she creates a new life, attends UC Berkeley, and eventually marries a wealthy white man—who happens to be a vocal racist.

For years, Vanessa hides her true heritage, but everything changes when their son is born with sickle cell trait, a condition most commonly associated with African ancestry. As suspicions arise and a persistent detective starts asking questions, Vanessa's carefully constructed world begins to fall apart. The novel intensifies as secrets unravel and truths come to light, threatening to destroy both her marriage and her son’s future.

This book is best suited for mature readers who enjoy socially relevant fiction, especially stories dealing with racial identity, moral conflict, and psychological tension. It would also appeal to fans of historical and literary fiction that addresses the legacy of racism in America.

What I liked most about this book was its fearless exploration of complex and timely issues. Patricia Skipper presents a realistic and raw portrayal of what it means to pass as white in a deeply segregated society. Vanessa is a deeply flawed but sympathetic character, and her internal struggles—between safety and truth, between love and shame—are heartbreakingly authentic. The writing style is accessible, and the plot maintains a steady level of suspense that kept me invested until the very end.

I also appreciated the way the author developed the emotional stakes. Vanessa’s fear of being exposed is palpable, and her relationship with her son adds depth to the narrative. The story is more than a personal drama; it’s a powerful reflection on how society forces people to make impossible choices in order to survive.

However, there are a few things that prevented me from giving this book a full 5-star rating. First, the pacing felt uneven. The beginning was somewhat slow, and the ending felt rushed. Some plot twists happened too quickly, leaving me wanting more detail and buildup. Second, several secondary characters lacked depth. For example, Trisha and the detective could have been more fleshed out to enhance the emotional impact of their roles.

Despite these minor flaws, Deceptive Calm delivers a powerful message with honesty and courage. It forces readers to reflect on how race, privilege, and deception intersect in personal and systemic ways. Vanessa’s story is tragic but necessary, and it sheds light on the emotional toll of hiding one's true self in a world that refuses to accept it.

Deceptive Calm The book is well-written, emotionally compelling, and socially relevant. While it could have benefited from smoother pacing and more character development, it remains a valuable and moving read. I highly recommend it to readers looking for a story that blends suspense with social commentary and heartfelt emotion.

[Rocky Ellery James Tumbelaka]

This book sounds intriguing. I always enjoys a good historical fiction book, and the story of Vanessa could be one them. The mentioned of the Civil War really piqued my interest, also I'm curious how Vanessa's love life will plays out. Thanks for the review!

[mdmayfield]

I always appreciate a review where one provides a bit of a readers guide so we know what to expect with content that may have graphic tendencies. Almost like a parent review to those of us trying to be a little more conservative in what we expose ourselves to. Thank you for including that!