Review of Deceptive Calm

Rose Angela · Post by **Rose Angela** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:02

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper is a provocative historical drama that explores race, identity, and survival in the American South during the late 1960s.

Post by **Emmanuel Maduabuchi Eze** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:06

Patricia Skipper has done a great job with her book, "Deceptive Calm," bringing to mind a time in the American history when people were judged by their race and gender instead of their individual attributes. Unfortunately, we still grapple with racial discrimination, gender inequality, and domestic abuse. We surely have a long way to go. These aside, I hope the explicit scenes the reviewer mentioned won't be too disturbing.

Post by **Seetha E** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:15

A historical background and several parallel themes related to discrimination... the strong characters and their dynamics around these themes create an engaging drama. I am adding it to my reading list for now. Thank you for your detailed review.

Daniella Steinmetz · Post by **Daniella Steinmetz** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:17

I had the pleasure of reading this book earlier this year. It was very powerful and emotional, not just telling you a story but truly bringing you in to see, feel and experience every emotion throughout the book. The racial, prejudicial, sexiest challenges throughout the story bring you heartache! Vanessa's determination to overcome them are inspiring. Absolutely loved this book.

Post by **Stephen Christopher 1** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:22

I wasn't a huge fan of this book. While I appreciated the story of a white-skinned black girl making her way in the world, I found the historical inaccuracies really off-putting, and the final chapter felt very rushed and like all the action was saved for that final part of the book.

Post by **Rebecca De Figueiredo** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:54

Any book that opens with such inviting warmth and freshness is worth reading. The plot is good, prose personable and we really get to know our girl well. Like the reviewer I think this book is worth a full five stars.

Post by **Anu Anand** » 17 Jul 2025, 20:55

Vanessa’s journey sounds powerful and emotional, touching on race, love, and identity. I like how the book blends historical themes with personal struggles. Sounds like a deeply meaningful read. Congrats on BOTD!

Devesh Patel · Post by **Devesh Patel** » 17 Jul 2025, 21:06

Deceptive Calm by Patricia Skipper masterfully blends romance with a powerful exploration of race, gender, and identity in 20th-century America. Vivid storytelling, emotional depth, and historical insight make it a compelling read.

17 Jul 2025, 21:31

I've read this book and I really like it. Patricia Skipper did an amazing job creating the characters, and describing Vanessa's life. This is a must read.

Shreya Mathur · Post by **Shreya Mathur** » 17 Jul 2025, 22:56

Honestly I’ve seen this book several times but never considered reading it. But the reviews make the book seem interesting I’d love to try it thank you

Keith Sciulli · Post by **Keith Sciulli** » 17 Jul 2025, 23:17

Deceptive Calm sounds like a very good read. In the times of really intense discrimination things were really bad. The nation was divided and things that should have never happened happened. And from the reviews it sounds like the author of Deceptive Calm Patricia Skipper thoroughly describes how bad them difficult times were throughout the whole entire book. Thank you for the reviews. Deceptive Calm definitely is going to be a book I read. Maybe the next book I read.

Dr Shaheda Tabassum · Post by **Dr Shaheda Tabassum** » 17 Jul 2025, 23:45

Thank you for the detailed review. I read the sample pages of this book. The plot revolves around the themes of societal discrimination, the challenges faced by the protagonist, love, redemption, and resilience. It is indeed brave of the writer to come up with such an engaging plot and creating a vividly emotional story.

Chaitanya Godbole · Post by **Chaitanya Godbole** » 17 Jul 2025, 23:47

Racism has been and will continue to be a sensitive topic. Much gets buried in the annals of history so a peek into it and help educate readers.

Post by **Sanju Lali** » 17 Jul 2025, 23:51

Quite heart touching picture of a black girl in twentieth century America is vividly painted in the book "Deceptive Calm" by Patricia Skipper. The book illustrates the odds against a Black girl in those times.

Black Indigo · Post by **Black Indigo** » 17 Jul 2025, 23:54

Another review of this book did not mention a romance storyline. I am now more intrigued to learn more about Vanessa and Barry's relationship and how Vanessa navigates her identity as a mulatto in America during that period. Hopefully, the sensitive content mentioned won't distract me from reading this book. Thank you for the review.