This book took me through it! A tale of 4 black women, who are different in their own ways. But each goes through its own tribulations that are somewhat similar. It started off good and kept me engrossed to see what happens with Ivy, Deja, Nikki, and Coco.. A very good read! I read this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Held my interest and read all in one sitting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Just okay. Not awful, not amazing either. I could go into why but I don’t think I have anything different to say than any other reviewer. I listens to this in audio and it was well performed.

This book right here!!! So good. An outstanding read. 4 friends and the journey choices have taken them on. One thing for sure, they may not know what is ahead of them, but they know their sister girls are with them every step of the way. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest opinion. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown was a great read. I spotlighted it as book of the day on my social media platforms, and I will include it in a monthly roundup of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction blog.

This book had me angry about 20 pages in because the author wrote some of her characters to truly piss readers off. The fact that I was so ticked off while reading the opening conversation between Ivy and Michael made me happy (although my blood pressure was not) because it meant I felt something. Whether it’s anger, joy, sexual tension or sadness, if a book doesn’t have my emotions in disarray, then I don’t want to read it.

I like that each character was written very vividly. From Ivy, a ride-or-die woman who’s tired of being the reliable one, to ratchet but smarter than most Nikki, who gets what she wants any way she can, the characters jump off the page with ease.

The book touches on a subject I’ve always found fascinating: women who stay loyal to men in prison. I can say with all honesty that I am not built that way. And I can say with shame that I used to judge women who stayed married to (or married) men serving long prison sentences. But growing up and also talking to women who’ve done it gave me more perspective on why they do it. Reading Ivy’s and Deja’s very different outcomes on that subject was enlightening but also very real.

I would recommend this book to my readers.

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I love a book about friendship and how it changes and grows. I just wasnt able to like and connect with the characters. I’m sure this will resonate with a crowd, I am just not part of that crowd.

Tracy Brown is a newly discovered author, her book a selection I chose courtesy of NetGalley. This story resonated with me on many levels.. The author wrote a story that is an ode to family, kinship and love. She created characters that embody the beauty, complexity, joy, sorrow, frailties and strengths that Black women experience every day. Their stories and situations are different than my own, but in Ivy, Deja, Coco and Nikki I saw the solidarity of the sister circle. I loved how these women where there for each other, providing safe harbour to express themselves. Their tragedies and triumphs universal (for Black women of the diaspora) as they seek to be seen, heard, respected and love and be loved in the skin they inhabit.
I will definitely be reading more of this author's work. She touched on many issues that affect WOC with a deft touch and sensitivity.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is the story of four women who must face life’s struggles as women, mothers, wives, and what it means to be Black in America. Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is a must-read book. The story writing and character building are spectacular. The way Tracy Brown touches upon serious issues and topics in the book, really makes the read much better. This was a fast-paced read with real-life issues that we all face every day. Each character was layered well, which added depth to the story. This book doesn't sugarcoat the truth more like shines a light on it, many times the injustice of what's happening to African American's is overlooked. I think that this book did a great job teaching me about some of the wrongdoings as well as emphasizing the problems and enlightening the possible solution. Once you start reading this book you won't realize how caught up you're and it'll make you look at the world in a different way. The ending was intense, wish this happy outcome was more frequent in our world. I would recommend checking the TW before reading this book. At times there were moments when I felt myself loving and hating them. Thanks, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Author for this awesome ebook copy!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing my ARC! I have been trying to diversify my reading, so I was glad to see this book centered on four very different Black women.

I had a little trouble getting into the book - it took awhile to get a sense of all the characters and how they were related to each other. But I'm so glad I didn't DNF, because once I got into it, the pages flew. The second half of this book is so emotional and heart-wringing. Brown shows us how each of the women has struggled with various issues: the men in their lives, societal expectations, systemic racism, motherhood, etc. Each woman finds the strength to confront her problems and make a better future for herself - I loved how these women supported each other as sisters.

The tragedy that befalls Kingston is incredibly powerful and moving. I recently read We Are Not Like Them, which also explores the question of police violence and racism - I think this book did it much better. Brown doesn't mince words, doesn't accept excuses - she shows the brutality and danger that Black men are forced to live with. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novel that include deeper themes like social justice and systemic racism.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is the story of four women who must face life’s struggles as women, mothers, wives and what it means to be Black in America. Ivy Donovan is a successful stylist and entrepreneur who has raised her two sons after their father, Michael, was sentenced to prison. After years of loneliness, her loyalty to Michael has wavered and she is desperate to have more to her life than what she has. Cara “Coco” Norris is successful and single but something is lacking. Deja Maddox is a successful real estate agent, married to Bobby, a sergeant with the NYPD. It seems that they have made it. But everything isn’t what it seems in their high polished life. Nikki Diamond is an intelligent, self-made businesswoman and social media influencer with millions of adoring fans. She lives loud and large with no regrets and feels the ladies around her need to let loose. She is certainly willing to help them. However, they soon must face the ultimate test as one of their own gets caught up in a situation that polarizes a neighborhood and a community. Where will they stand? Who will they fight for?
From the opening chapter, Tracy Brown’s story promises to be an edgy, no holds bar, hard hitting, and a reality gut check.. And wow, does she deliver! Yes, it is about four friends who struggle with “the dramatic twists and turns of life, love and what it means to “make it” in America”. However, she offers an in depth, brutally honest look into a life and a reality that I have never experienced and will never truly understand. These women find themselves in the Catch-22 of trying to better yourself and staying true to your roots and your neighborhood. Single Black Female holds nothing back as it highlights the nuances in the Black community as they live, love and face the joy and pain of being a Black woman. Ms. Brown writes a story that smolders with a hidden fire you know is there but you pretend it’s not. You wait as the flames get higher and higher until you can’t ignore it any longer. It is not light reading but I thoroughly enjoyed it as I hung on every word, turning each page as I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I highly recommend Single Black Female.

Single Black Female is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

This book has a lot going on and many people might find that the drama helped boost the story. It started off slow for me but wrapped up pretty well. The women were definitely privileged and at times their actions seem to be predictable.

I really loved this book!! It had so many twists and turns. It kept me on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next!! This was my first book by this Author, and it won’t be the last!! Quick read!! Highly recommended!! You won’t be disappointed!!

This is a trope-y and dishy novel about four women elevated by the addition of social issues. Regular readers of the genre of successful women with man trouble likely will recognize Ivy, Coco, Deja, and Nikki (or at least one of them) but that's that a bad thing because Brown has expanded the field into women of color. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling and I have to admit it- sympathetic characters = made this a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This was a fast-paced read that covered a lot of relevant issues. Brown does an excellent job of writing believable characters that are easy for the reader to relate to and care about. The one criticism may be that there are just too many characters? At times, I wanted more of a narrow focus and got distracted by some of the secondary storylines.

I’ve been a Tracy Brown fan for years. I love all her books. I was excited to see she was coming out with a new book. Once I started reading Single Black Female, I knew this book would be a different kind of read from the usual Tracy Brown books. It started off slow and I honestly was struggling to complete the book. By the end of the book I was satisfied with this book, even though it wasn’t what I expected. Tracy touched on very important topics that black women go through on a daily basis. Every last one of the main characters was going through something that we as black women can relate to. Book starts off slow but had my attention by the end. Important topics and good storyline.

If you are a Tracey Brown fan this new book DOES NOT disappoint. The characters are so well developed that I felt myself loving and hating them. I almost called in work because I stayed up so late trying to finish. I couldn’t put it down!

Thanks to Publisher and Net Galley for ARC copy. Truly love this book the Sisterhood that Ivy, Coco, Nikki, Deja shared. I have so much love for Ivy loyal she show Michael don't know many Women who would stick with Michael like Ivy. In the being I didn't care for Deja she wasn't real, and was she did with Bree and Rashid. Now Nikki was a trip but real living her life to the fullest. Coco I was on the fence with her Derek she just let him play and than came Ziggy when they went to the Hospital and she told Ziggy to leave I didn't like that all I want to say about Coco and Ziggy situation love is love. That Pasty was trifling she didn't have a life so she all put her nose in everybody else business. When Kingston was taken Bree and the car broke down and the events that had my Blood boiling had put book down, that Bobby is something else I couldn't stand him. Author Tracy Brown is one of those Author who can take some time off and come write a book like she never left. This was a Phenomenal Novel love it.

Single Black Female is powerful. It’s timely, touches on topics other authors might shy away from, and it’s not afraid to shift your thinking.

The characters are very well written and thought out. They grow as women to really love themselves. They fight for justice, for their happiness, and for their own peace.

This book will sit with me for a long time, and for that I’m grateful.

Thank you to Tracey Brown. St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Single Black Female follows a group of black women living in New York City. This book does not shy away from heavy topics! In addition to relationships and parenting, it discusses racism, drug culture, prison life, and police brutality, and it does so in an easily accessible way. Even if you can't relate to the lifestyle choices of the characters, I believe you will gain greater understanding and empathy from reading this book. I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone if this isn't a book you would typically gravitate towards. It is worth the read and is a great path to bigger conversations. I think this would be a great selection for a book group and the dialogue it would inspire.
4.5 Stars