I just could not get into this book.
I am going to try to read it but every time I picked it up I sat it back down. However, I am someone who doesn't gravitate towards self-help books.

Sisterhood Heals is the soothing balm that every black woman needs to cover her scars and restore her energy! This book truly is a gem that is by us and for us. No matter what crossroad you are in currently, there is something for you.
Dr. Joy Harden Bradford fuses testimonies of women from ages 24-56 with scholarly research to create a landscape of relatability and purpose. She covers everything from friendship breakups to establishing a community of sisterhood with strangers. Sisterhood heals shares applicable tips and poses relevant questions to the reader to help them along their journey of discovery. It is nearly impossible not to reflect on how you show up for fellow sisters and realign yourself with the purpose of moving the collective forward.

Personally I couldn't have come into this at a better time in life but truthfully this is a book that can be revisited time and time again. Consider checking out Sisterhood Heals and passing it to a sister friend. Because as a strong women.... May we be them, may we know them, may we raise them.

I'll be honest and say that I think it's out of my lane to review this book. When I accepted the invitation from the publisher to read it, I thought it was about friendship in general. And while I certainly got so much from this book about friendship, and will refer to it again in the future, it's not for me to remark in more detail about the real focus on the book - which is on friendship between Black women. I am grateful for the opportunity to have read and learned from this book and will take away lessons for my own friendships.

This was an eye opening read that was needed for me, it hit home as I just experienced a friendship break up, it helped

Another book for the win!!! I loved, loved, loved everything about this book from the message to all the empowering information within it. The author thoroughly explores sisterhood amongst black women, how we can save space and show up for one another, building new friendships, how we can be supportive friends and create long-lasting bonds.

For those who aren’t aware Dr. Bradford is behind the amazing podcast and IG page @therapyforblackgirls where she offers great resources and advice for black women. Her book empowers black sisterhood and how sacred our sister circles are to us. You may or may not be struggling within your friend groups but this book offers so much insight that it’ll have you looking at things from a different perspective.

We don’t realize how much we actually need our friends or how much it means for us to show up for one another. “The best way for Black women to thrive is through our healthy relationships with other Black women.”
I love how she discusses the life stages our friendships go through and how to navigate them when things change up.

In the book she used the tv show “Girlfriends” as a reference for the friend circle and had me watching old episodes all yesterday lol. She mentioned that Black women in groups, sisters tend to fall into one of four roles: the Leader, the Wallflower, the Firecracker, and the Peacemaker. These roles are not at all static or absolute. I think “Girlfriends” was a perfect example of these roles.

Overall, this was amazing a must read for sure. She spoke on so much and a lot of the stuff mentioned are things many of us can relate too. Her writing was captivating, insightful, and again very relatable. Most definitely a book I recommend we should all read. Special thanks to the author & @penguinrandomhouse #ballantine for my gifted copy!!!

A wonderful book and a great resource. It gave me so much food for thought and so many wonderful conversations to be had. I truly believe the sisterhood is essential for Black Women as a whole to navigate through life. They are so important to our development and our journey. It was an excellent read. Definitely get this for yourself and gift it to your loved ones especially your sisters.

great book and loved the mystery through out the book. I loved the characters and how they grew through all of their adventures. I enjoyed this book and this author and will check them out again add them to my reading pile.

I loved this book. It’s the conversation more Black women need to be having and leaning into. I love how it feels like having a great conversation with a wise girlfriend rather than an academic book but is also supported by studies. Everyone should read this.

Say Yes To Sisterhood!

Sisterhood Heals has become quite the resource for me and anyone who is looking to grow individually and also deepen their relationship with friends. The author argues that this integral work towards improving the current conditions surrounding our friendships lends to a more fulfilling and joyful life. Thanks to Random House Publishing House -- Ballantine and NetGalley for the gifted copy.

With a framework modeled after psychology and group therapy this resource is bound to have you considering your own role on building and maintaining healthy relationships. This book is a call to action, but also a step by step guide on how to get it done.

Here are a few of my favorite takeaways from Sisterhood Heals:

* Healing, especially as it relates to the experience of Black women, is operating from a place of joy rather than from the pain we may have experienced.

* Sisterhood allows us to soften.

* Author, professor, and feminist bell hooks often described sisterhood as resistance in her work. She wrote that when we find ourselves in situations where our humanity and dignity are constantly questioned, it is imperative that we create spaces where they are not.

* The three skills needed to hold space for someone are active listening, freedom from distraction, and a spirit of curiosity.

4.5 stars!

Sisterhood Heals, by creator of #TherapyforBlackGirls Joy Harden Bradford, Ph.D, is a beautiful testament to the power of sisterhood and what it means to Black Women.

There is beauty, power, love, joy, and safety in the kinship we share. This book explores the various ways in which this community acts as a safe space and healing balm for us. It also illustrates how sisterhood is a means of survival for us all, as well. Covering topics such as cultivating friendships, finding our "place" & "holding space" in groups, seeking community, and navigating the life stages of our friendship circles, reading Sisterhood Heals feels like listening to a good girlfriend. It is insightful, relatable, and lists reflections at the end of each chapter that readers can apply to their own lives.

It would be love if all my sisters and those who love + support us check out Sisterhood Heals. Buy a copy for someone, even. This book is a celebration & poignant reminder that we are out here supporting each other, loving on each other, and making the world go round in the process. It also serves as a toolkit for optimum community within our own respective groups. Sisterhood Heals is an absolute must-read for me!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Special thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for the eBook! 📚🎉

If you struggle in your female friendships, you need to pick this up. And if you think you're doing okay in that department, pick this book up because there are probably several ways you can learn to improve. Dr. Joy describes how friendship is so layered and the ways in which sisterhood is necessary. Many times black women can put themselves into silos to heal and this book describes how they can be counterproductive. But Dr. Joy also touches on how not to over extend yourself in friendships. Every chapter ends with questions for journaling and/or discussion. If you have a black woman themed book club, definitely make this a pick soon!

I love Dr. Joy and Therapy for Black Girls has been a favorite podcast and community of mine that I'm so thankful that she built. Sisterhood Heals was an absolute delight to read and at a time when I really needed it in my life. Black Female Friendships/Sisterhoods are so vital in our development. I enjoyed how much it covered and even touching on how to repair friendships.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the Advance Reader's copy of this book. I'm so thankful to have been thought of to get to read it.

This book is a MUST read! I’ve always found Dr. Joy’s work to be so impactful to the African American community but this book is the cherry on top🍒. Dr. Joy speaks volumes about the importance that sisterhood plays in the lives of black women. Especially how these connections and relationships are vital to our mental health and overall survival. We learn and grow from these connections but most importantly we are seen and understood.

Whew, this book was so therapeutic!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine as well as the author for this informative ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
#NetGalley #RandomHouseBallantine #DrJoyHardenBradford #SisterhoodHeals

Title: Sisterhood Heals
Author: Joy Harden Bradford PhD
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine
Publishing Date: June 27, 2023

This book was not only not my typical choice but it was also outside my comfort zone. I don’t usually gravitate towards self help but this one came highly recommended. I was pleasantly surprised. This was a joyful read full of positive messages on how to make and be a friend. This book comes just in time to provide a fresh perspective and a message like a warm blanket. Dr. Joy writes to Black women using her own experiences and expertise as a psychologist, but anyone will benefit from her thoughtful and insightful advice on effective communication. She shows us how to grieve our lost friendships and move on. She shows us how to recover struggling friendships as well as improve existing relationships.
The words on these pages are a gift to anyone. It’s full of great advice. It’s very well written and full of positivity. I would recommend it to anyone, despite her background.

This book will lift your spirit in so many ways and provide you with validations to last a lifetime. This book will educate you and give you a warm hug all at the same time. This will teach you about attachment and how to go about forging supportive relationships. Highly recommend.

Sisterhood Heals by Dr. Joy Harden Bradford is a compelling and empowering book that delves into the intricate world of sisterhood and its role in the healing process. Dr. Bradford's expertise and passion shine through in her writing, offering a profound and transformative journey for readers seeking healing and growth.

One of the standout aspects of this book is Dr. Bradford's ability to create a safe and nurturing space through her words. As readers, we are invited to explore our vulnerabilities and connect with the experiences of other women, realizing that we are not alone in our struggles. This sisterhood camaraderie is truly heartwarming and comforting.

The book addresses various aspects of healing, from overcoming past traumas to nurturing self-love and building healthier relationships. Dr. Bradford's insights are refreshingly practical and relatable, making it easy for readers to apply these lessons to their own lives. Her advice is grounded in psychological expertise, yet it never feels overwhelming or clinical.

Moreover, Sisterhood Heals is beautifully written with a narrative that flows effortlessly. Dr. Bradford's writing style is engaging and full of empathy, making it a joy to read from start to finish. The personal anecdotes and real-life examples further add depth and authenticity to the book, solidifying its impact on readers.

This book is so important and I recommend that everyone reads it no matter what race or ethnicity that you are. While it is written for women of color, specifically African-American or Black women, the lessons that can be learned from the book transcend that.

There are so many tidbits of of information that can help you relate to your friends or even make new ones in a time when it seems hard to do. I learned a lot about myself and where I fit in to my close friendships just by reading this.

This book should be a book club or just a book that you read with friends so you can discuss it more.

I knew that Dr. Joy Harden Bradford's book would be good because if you've listened to her podcast, you know that her words and advice have never missed. But it exceeded my expectations.

Dr. Joy's book is one that is absolutely needed, especially in the times we're living in now. The pandemic, racial and political divisions, gun violence and record homelessness have created a bubble of despair that many Black women are having a hard time bursting through. But having a supportive sister circle not only helps us break through, but also gives us the tools we need to be better friends, partners, mothers and whatever else we're tasked with doing. Dr. Joy breaks down the ways in which we can be there for our sisters, how we can create new friendships and what we can do when the friendships come to an end.

I have been listening to Dr. Joy's podcast, "Therapy for Black Girls," for awhile now and the knowledge she drops every week has been incredibly helpful for so many Black women, myself included. Her book just adds to it without delving into "therapy speak" or being condescending. She speaks to Black women using her own experiences, which makes her advice incredibly relatable. I truly loved the section of the book that talks about friendships when a sister has a life event that changes the dynamic of the circle, like an engagement or pregnancy, and what we can do to make sure the friendships remain intact while acknowledging (and being happy for) said change.

I've had so many friends get married and have children, which changed our friendships. I am one of those friends who is extremely supportive of my friends and their goals, but I'm also a realist. Many of those friends became distant because they have families who are now their priority, something I support and acknowledge. I don't have any ill feelings towards them because being married is not something I will ever want, but the majority of my friends did. Those friends found more common ground with other wives and mothers, and I'm okay with that. I miss them, but I understand. In Dr. Joy's book, she talks about grieving the loss of a friend and how other friends in the sister circle can help, which I wish I had read years ago. That advice would have been so helpful whenever I needed to grieve the loss of a friend.

Having a supportive group of Black women is a blessing not just for the friends in the circle but for Black women and society in general. We look to each in so many different spaces and having that support is crucial when dealing with the world. Dr. Joy's advice is also a blessing because she could have easily used her time and expertise to just get the bag. But her words are intentional, non-judgmental and soothing without being preachy.

I absolutely recommend this book to my readers.

Sisterhood Heals is a treasure that I hope all Black women find. Dr. Joy has truly given the Black community a gift. Soooo many goodies and written in a way that felt like listening to the advice of a friend or family member who happens to be a very intelligent and experienced therapist.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

Book Summary:

We've all grown up hearing about the magic of sisterhood. But for most of us, this magic has never been scientifically explored – or explained. That's where Dr. Joy Harden Bradford comes into play. She delves into what makes sisterhood so impactful and powerful, breaking it down, explaining it – and providing tips on how to nurture these relationships.

My Review:

Sisterhood Heals is an informative and interesting read. I'll be the first to say that I don't read enough fiction, but Dr. Joy Harden Bradford's book instantly caught my attention. I think this is a book that we should all read, as it breaks down so much about the healing process.

This book is broken into four parts: exploring how relationships are shaped by childhood experiences, exploring role vulnerability, exploring/understanding barriers and conflicts, and finally, strategies for finding/developing/creating sister friendships.