J.J. McAvoy

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J.J. McAvoy (born Judy Onyegbado) is a writer of romance fiction. [1]

Contents

Early life and education

McAvoy was born in Montreal, Quebec to Nigerian-born parents. McAvoy is of Igbo descent. [1] She was raised in the United States. [2]

She graduated from Carleton University with a degree in humanities in 2016. [1] [3]

Writing career

McAvoy began writing poetry when she was 12 or 13. She wrote her first novel while in her teens. [4] She stated that she wrote 10 novels in two years. [2] She published her first books when she was a university student. [1]

Her Du Bells series has been noted for its similarities to Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series. [5] [6] About the first novel in the series, Aphrodite and the Duke (2022), Publishers Weekly said, "the melodramatic appeal of their romance is marred slightly by inconsistent pacing and some awkward language, but readers will easily fall in love with the protagonists". [5] Christie Ridgway in a review for Bookpage wrote, "The characters' somewhat formal voices lend a verisimilitude that balances the enjoyable escape of McAvoy's Regency world of balls, gowns and romance". [7] Booklist also reviewed Aphrodite and the Duke. [8]

Verity and the Forbidden Suitor, the second novel in the Du Bells series, was published in 2023. Publishers Weekly wrote, "The leads are well suited and the series conceit—which diversifies the upper echelons of Regency society sans historical comment or justification—continues to make for memorable, Black-centered love stories". [9] Library Journal gave it a starred review, writing that the book "avoids easy answers to the mental and societal problems her protagonists face from within and without. Supporting characters frequently steal scenes and imbue humor into the couple’s emotional journey". [6]

Selected works

Du Bells series

Ruthless People series

Children of Vice series

The Prince's Bride series

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Joses, Joy (23 August 2022). "J.J. McAvoy: I love when Black women "get their happily ever after"". Melan Magazine. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. 1 2 "23 Years Old, 10 Books and Counting! Meet Africa's Young Best Selling Author JJ McAvoy". www.tantvstudios.com. 12 April 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  3. ↑ "About". J.J. McAvoy. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  4. ↑ Blacklanderz (16 October 2020). "The Prince's Bride | Blacklanderz Interview with J. J. McAvoy". Blacklanderz. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  5. 1 2 "Aphrodite and the Duke by J J McAvoy". Publishers Weekly. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  6. 1 2 Williams, Nicole (1 March 2023). "Verity and the Forbidden Suitor". Library Journal. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  7. ↑ Ridgway, Christie. "Aphrodite and the Duke." BookPage. Sept. 2022, p. 9. Via Gale Literature Resource Center. Accessed 13 April 2023. (subscription required)
  8. ↑ "Aphrodite and the Duke by J.J. McAvoy" . Booklist . July 2022. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  9. ↑ "Verity and the Forbidden Suitor by J J McAvoy". Publishers Weekly. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
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