Hold You Down by Tracy Brown was an emotional ride. This tale tells the story of two sisters, who are a single mothers, raising their sons during the 1980s Crack Epidemic. Mercy and Lennox are total opposites; one is a rule follower while the other one is a risk taker. Their sons, Judah and Deon, inevitably inherit the behaviors of their mothers. However once they both hit the teenaged stage, they find themselves envying one another for various reasons. When one of the boys is jumped by a group of neighborhood miscreants, roles are reversed and the consequences are downright catastrophic. In short, this title is a cautionary tale about the dangers of codependent roles and relationships.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's for providing a review copy of this book and audiobook. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Sisterhood, Drama, Family Ties and Harlem in the 80s/90s. Hold You Down by Tracy Brown will take you for a ride that will have you in your feels by the end of it. I picked Hold You Down up based on the cover featuring two Black women who looked like two stylish sisters – one flashy and one practical– because I was curious about the story behind the contrast. It was one of my best book decisions this year.

The audiobook is awesome and I definitely recommend it! Loved the narrator’s voice! Her characterization of various characters – male and female – meant that I had no trouble following along with any shifts in the novel. I will definitely be on the lookout for this narrator in the future.

Harlem In The Late Eighties
I’m not going to pout about the fact that the late eighties and early nineties is now considered historical fiction. I promise. Okay, maybe I pouted a little bit. Anyways, Hold You Down is set in Harlem in the late eighties and begins with two sisters who are also single moms. This book had me from the beginning as in Lenox and her crazy self had me both shocked and cracking up during the opening scene. Sis told the preacher to get a move on with her own mama’s funeral because it was cold and if they hadn’t made their peace with her absentee self yet, then it wasn’t gonna happen.

Wild Sis And Sensible Sis
Since I mentioned Lenox first, I will definitely admit to both liking her for her spunk and simultaneously appalled at her dangerous choices. I don’t know what you would call her character — morally grey? I think villain is too strong of a word. She is young, street smart and has a wild streak that supports her lifestyle choices. She definitely overshadows her sister Mercy and too me Lenox is the bright flame of the family. Mercy is the sister you can depend on for anything. Lenox knows this and definitely takes advantage. But Mercy has Lenox’s back because they are both best friends and sisters.

Intergenerational Story
This is an intergenerational story that smoothly transitions from telling the story of the sisters to telling that of their sons. I thought I was going to fall off of finishing the book when it transitioned to the boys, because my usual preference is for female main characters. But I was pleasantly surprised when the point of view change switched to the boys so seamlessly that I was able to stick with the plot without interruption or distraction.

The heartbreak that this family goes through as a result of multiple bad decisions, fear and outside influences will have you in tears. But you will never stop hoping for them and rooting for them all the way to the last page.

Overall Thoughts
This story hooked me from start to end. I was crying, laughing, gasping and pulling my hair through reading this book. I was rooting for EVERY member in this whole family the entire time! It is one of my top reads for the year. I have never read a novel focused on this particular topic during this time period – New York City at the beginning and in the aftermath of the Crack epidemic. I also don’t usually read urban fiction. But this one is Chef’s Kiss!!!

Trigger Warnings: Sexual Assault, Drugs, Violence

There were so many emotions running through me as I read this. The story follows two sisters, who were brought up the same, but chose very different paths in life. One interfused in the crack cocaine epidemic and the other strait laced and sturdy. Even with their different paths and lives, the two sisters and then their sons’ lives constantly intersect as they continually fall back upon each other. Hold You Down deals with drugs, loss, sexual assault, gun violence, and love. My heart ached for these complex characters the trauma that all of them went through. The fast-paced writing was fantastic and the whole heartbreaking story could have been someone’s true life.

A heartbreaking novel set in New York City from the late 1980's to the early 1990's, this story is one that will hit you hard and deep. Sisters growing up stronger together through everything they went through. Hitting the top and rock bottom. This rollercoaster of a story will have you gripping it until the last page.

Just when you think it can't get any worse… Well you see, that's when Brown catches you off guard and tears those walls you've built down. Brown sure does know how to tell a story that packs a punch.

4.5 Stars but rounding up for the ratings!

Very emotional read. I cried a lot. The characters were real. The writing was specific. The crack era and it’s effects were throughly shown throughout this book. TRIGGER WARNINGS include rape, death, physical violence and drugs.

I listened to this book on audio and enjoyed the narration. My only critique of this book is the language used to describe time. It sometimes felt that more time had past but it would only be two days which created some confusion for me.

Overall a great read! I’d recommend this story to anyone who likes drama, books about reconciling trauma, and lovers of Last Summer on State Street.

Brown has rendered a moving family story of two sisters and mothers who have chosen different ways of moving through the world in providing for their families. This is a story of single motherhood, of an absent father, a taken father, and the drug epidemic as it gets underway in the neighbourhoods of Black and POC families. It is a stark and honest look at how our decisions can affect us and ripple out with detrimental effects on those who mean the most to us. It is also an indictment of the justice system in how it fails our Black boys and men. I was rooting for our main characters as I read, even knowing that tragedy and loss was imminent. I was rooting for Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy.

The bonds of family are the main theme that runs through this story, the rallying strength that can come from love and support, from pushing us to be the best we can be, even when the odds re stacked against us. I appreciated how Brown did not allow blame and resentment to fester and destroy this family, instead focusing on being aware of how we fall and how we can get back up with help and encouragement to move past mistakes and work on becoming the best version of ourselves. The love shone through with this family and I enjoyed the time spent with Mercy and Judah, Lenox and Deon.

Thank you to #netgalley, #stmartinspress and #macmillanaudio for the advanced reader's copy of #holdyoudown by #tracybrown. The cover is what attracted me to the book, it's absolutely stunning. This book did not really have a central plot, so you're just kind of along for the ride. I would say it is a coming of age story. The story follows two sisters in the late 80's in Harlem who both each have a son and relocate to Staten Island. The sisters are very close making the cousins more like brothers. The late 80's and early 90's was a tumultuous time due to the crack era. The author accurately portrayed devastation of crack of the time period. 

Gritty and poignant. Tracy Brown's story telling is also heartfelt. I think it could have been edited a bit more. There were parts that were a bit fluffy and not needed. If you are a fan of Ashley Antionette you might enjoy this book. I rate this book 3.5 stars. I look forward to Tracy Brown's next book.

This book gives a chilling account of being a young mom iin the 90's at the rise of the crack/cocain epidemic. the story follows two sisters one who ends up murdered so the sister has to raise her boy. The two cousins are raised like brothers. This book has many twists and turns to keep you wanting to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this book

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this audiobook

Thanks to netgalley, who provided an ARC copy of this audiobook.


Tracy Brown deals in realism with a touch of worst case scenario.

This book has a great opening, Lennox's personality grabs you immediately as she yells at the preacher during her mother's funeral service. The scene foreshadows Lennox's bubbly and fierce personality that I found endearing.

We soon after meet her sister Mercy, whose name is befitting and the exploration of dichotomy begins. We see this further play out within the son's of the characters, who mirror the demeanor of their mother's.

The first half of the book follows Lennox as she begins to deal with consequences of the drug game which leads to her demise and the remaining traumatized family deals with the aftermath.

The second half we see the impact as it ravishes Deon and how his behavior eats away at the peace and quality of life his aunt Mercy and cousin Judah formerly had.

Judah is an ambitious, success bound teen, who's decision to protect Deon costs him his life. His sacrifice sets Deon straight and he develops into a mature man. Judah has to redesign himself via hardening his exterior and personality, so he is able to survive his new environment.

Mercy's quality of life continues to decline as Judah adapts. Her lack of transparency with Judah results them never being able to physically reunite.

Deon and Judah are the last of their family and Deon seeks to make amends with Judah. Resentment proves to be too much when a call from Judah's childhood sweetheart is for Deon. This leads to turmoil between the cousins which has the potential to lead Judah back down a hardened path. Ultimately, a rarely mentioned Xavier comes and mediates the tension between the cousins leading to the beginning of their relationship repair.

Overall, I liked the book. However, I do feel like there was a lot of directions being covered. The first half is about the sister's and their relationship as they raise their sons. I think there was an opportunity for more character development within Lennox and Mercy. Also the opportunity to explore their childhoods and relationship with their mom.

We also see a shared love interest between the cousins, Chanel. Judah wins her heart in their and his love for her ultimately requires him to push her away so she is able to have a full life. A reconnection between Chanel and Deon at Mercy's funeral begins their rushed adult love story. The betrayal puts Judah down a path of making decisions that could further ruin his life. The first time we see him act rashly for his own behalf. I did feel like at 85% the book was resolved and felt the love story was bit unnecessary.

There was a lot of material covered that was rushed. I think this could have been two books. I always appreciate Tracy's storytelling as she acknowledges that there is not always a "happy" ending and some people are just dealt bad hands. She acknowledges the flaws of the US juvenile criminal justice system. This is not your typical redemption story.

Not the happily ever after book that I expected, but an interesting read and definitely made me think. It made me cry, laugh, frustrated, angry and all of the emotions. It follows two young mothers and their young sons as they grow up in New York in the projects and how they encounter drugs, and the stress of street life in a tough environment.
I have to admit to being a little sad about the ending, but enjoyed the book overall.
The narrator did a great job as well.

Hold You Down follows a Staten Island family during the crack epidemic.
It’s very well written and very compelling—a definite page turner—but it’s an overall dark and depressing read that may not be for everyone.

This was my first time reading Tracy Brown. I have seen her works but hadn’t gotten around to reading anything. I was contacted by the publisher about her latest book, Hold You Down. After reading the synopsis, I was excited to read it.

The novel revolves around two sisters Mercy and Lenox, their relationship and the relationship of their sons who are raised as brothers. Each sister takes a different path in life and the consequences of those decisions affect their relationship and their sons’ relationship.

The way Brown writes quickly pulls the reader into the streets of New York and the family. There are parts of the book where I laughed at the characters’ dialogue and actions. Other scenes were extremely emotional. I enjoyed the full range of the book. I read the book in two formats: e-book and audio. The audio is wonderful narrated by Patryce Williams.

This book is ideal for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction, family drama, and fiction set in urban settings.

I was sent an electronic copy of this book by the publisher via Netgalley.

✨HOLD YOU DOWN — TRACY BROWN ✨

Thank you to @netgalley for this ARC! This book/audiobook will be published on November 1, 2022.

Overall 📚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Urban fiction
Medium: Audiobook
TW: Violence, Abuse, R*pe
💕This book is for you if you enjoyed: We Are Not Like Them

📖💭 My summary - #HoldYouDown @tracybrownwrites was an absolutely STUNNING novel about the hardships of growing up and raising children in 1980s and 1990s Harlem. The story follows two sisters, Marcy and Lenox, and their children Deon and Judah, who are cousins with a brotherly bond. Lenox wants to give her son Dion the world, but engages in some dangerous activity in order to do so. This initiates the two small families into a lifelong journey of peril, violence, heartbreak, recovery, illness, loss, poverty… and resilience.

The part that made this a TRUE 5 star, blowing my expectations out of the water, was the narrator. This story was beautifully and passionately told by @patrycewillbel, who made every word, every emotion come out of each character as if I was listening to a movie— I’ve never loved a narrator more.

Without question, the book itself would be beautiful on its own, but the audiobook is extra special.

💭Did you enjoy this book?

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This was a very heart wrenching story. I loved the sisterly relationship and learning about these characters. I didn’t love the narrator but overall still enjoyed the story.

Thank you MacMillan audio for the opportunity to preview this amazing story. Tracy Brown did NOT disappoint with this relatable tale of family love, loss, and dreams deferred. The four main characters were so well developed I did not have to guess or create my version of a backstory. As an 80's baby I can remember how hard the crack crisis hit urban neighborhoods and how many never fully bounced back(pre-gentrification). The story of Mercy and Lenox gives the audience a look behind the curtain into the mindsets of families dealing with the effects of the drug game during that era. I like how the author portrayed the psychological battles single mothers face and the emotional restrictions society places on black men from adolescence into adulthood from contrasting perspectives. As the story unfolded one word that kept popping in my head, CHOICES, some well thought out choices and some split second choices each resulting in painful long term consequences or missed opportunities. There were some devastating moments throughout the book that really rocked me and I found myself shedding a few tears. The way I related to some of these events was almost like reliving memories from my younger days. My takeaways from this well crafted narrative, we're all one decision away from living our wildest dreams or our worst nightmare and follow the dreams that seem impossible so you don't look back on life wondering what could have been.

It was hard for me to get into this book. I’m so interested in the premise but the narrator was challenging for me to listen to. I may try to read a print copy.

This book made me cry, which is unusual. Few books move me to that extent, but this book had me weeping several times -- and holding my throat in anticipatory horror as I watched bad events coming like a slow freight train inexorably bearing down. So if you like to feel all the feels, I recommend this novel.

The story focuses on two sisters and then later on their two sons, who grow up close as brothers. I'm white and most of the books I read all my life were by white women, so I love when I read books by non-white authors that give me a glimpse into the homes and hearts of people from another culture. These two Black sisters and their two Black sons live in Black communities, mostly go to Black schools and date Black people, so I felt I was getting a good look at lower-middle-class Black culture. And the best part is that none of that mattered, because I simply felt the authentic richness of each character and their individual motivations. Patrice Williams did the excellent narration in a variety of voices on the advanced reader copy audio book I was gifted by Netgalley and Macmillan Audio.

I can't say much more about the story without giving anything away, but I will say that I could hardly breathe for the sense of terrible dread that hung over me as I read through this novel, which really hammered home how horribly hard it is to raise young black men in this society. My heart ached. I would highly recommend this book.

I wasn’t sure I would like this book. The description seems interesting enough. I started listening and I have to admit, I didn’t love the narrator. I am, however, so glad I didn’t stop listening. I ended up enjoying this book so much. The parallels between the relationships. The multiple layers of the story. The sadness when you can’t save someone you love. This is a riveting story about what can happen when one mistake costs so much.

The audio was fantastic and I couldn't stop listening. This story left me angsty the entire time and gave me a real sense that something bad was coming for these characters but I kept holding out hope. These characters were so layered and so well-written. It's interesting the things we do for family and how that same family can be detrimental to us in a way that we aren't aware of until it is too late. This story really pulled at my heart strings but I really enjoyed it! I will definitely post a review closer to pub day.

A sharp and poignant story about sisters Lenox and Mercy: beginning in 1984, it follows the rise of the crack cocaine epidemic. Lenox gets involved in the drug game for the money. Mercy is the responsible one, worried about her son and now her nephew too. The story follows the sisters and their sons and the hard fallout from their choices. This is not only a complex family drama, but it is emotional and historical as well.
Thank you to @stmartinspress for the gifted copy and𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 @𝘮𝘢𝘤𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯.𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘶𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬.