This is excellent! I loved how much there is going on. It's definitely general fiction as much as it's a romance with a perceptive rumination on women and race in America.

The throughline is about being a Black woman and how casual racism can stall a career (a life?) so easily and effortlessly. There's more - it's also about whiteness, alcoholism, responsibility, honesty, and forgiveness.

It's definitely about love - Jude and Genevieve are together from high school, then break up in college. Four years later they are thrown together when journalist Gen has the chance to do a profile piece on young billionaire CEO Jude. Their story is a slow burn (and clean), we see Gen learning to forgive Jude and recognise her love for him. Both Gen and Jude are affectionately drawn, Jude in particular was so flawed, and so lovely. From his loafers to his veneers, he wasn't a typical billionaire romantic hero, but I adored him. He is trying so very very hard to be a better man. There's a friendship group centred around Gen, she has some wonderful mentors but also a toxic boss, and devious workmates.

I would have liked to see some more nuance in the characterisation of Jude's mother, perhaps even some atonement for her, but otherwise this works really well. I even loved the cover! Thank you NetGalley, Alex Travis and the publisher for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

This is a great and well written read. I enjoyed the story, pov, and narrative featured in the book. The quality of the writing is good and the story sucks you in. I think this is an important story to be told and I hope other readers enjoy it as much as I did!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. I was intrigued by the premise of this book, but it ultimately fell flat for me. This book has been done before and better over the last couple of years.

I don't think the characters were particularly well-developed and I didn't feel any chemistry between Gen and Jude. I think the reader needs more than a one chapter prologue to understand the depth of their initial relationship. It felt like a typical high school/college romance that didn't last, which didn't make it believable that they were still so hung up on each other four years later. I do think the author nailed the scenes with the repeated microaggressions and racism at the newspaper, but those moments couldn't quite make up for the faults in the rest of the book.

I loved this book so much, I found myself putting it down during the last few chapters to extend my time in Gen’s world.

A wonderful plot, realistic characters to absolutely adore or hate with a vengeance, and some workplace/romance without being cheesy all added up to an amazing book. Unfortunately there were so many times I was frustrated for Gen not speaking up for herself, but as a white woman, I can only have a tiny peek into what her reality was. The racism in the book is both micro aggressive and flat out aggressive and it was infuriating to read, but that is what so many people must deal with on a daily basis. The depth was enlightening and sad.

An incredible book!

More a look at life in the workplace than a romcom. Gen is a reporter who experiences microaggressions and racism daily and her journey will no doubt be familiar to many readers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Interesting read.

The Only Black Girl in the Room-a standalone

By Alex Travis- debut author

Rating: 4/5   ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📃Page Count: 349 kindle

🌎Setting: Sykeswood, NY

Publication 5-7-24,  Read 4-17-24

🙏🏾 Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Alcove Press for this ARC💚! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

🤷🏾‍♀️ What to Expect:   
✅Adult and Women's Fic/Romance/AA interests
✅workplace romance
✅childhood sweethearts
✅2nd chance romance
✅interracial romance


Summary: Gene and Jude were in love through high school and college until Jude reverted to drugs and drinking. He didn't tell Gene about the accident and proposed at his father's funeral. Gene broke up with him, but four years later she gets the chance to revisit their past. As CEO of Landon Energy Jude becomes the subject of her latest profile. Will it ruin their 2nd chance together?


🎭The characters:

✅Genevieve "Gen" Francis-25, only black woman reporter @ the Tribune newspaper for four years
✅Jude Landon-25, white CEO of father's company Landon Energy. Ex alcoholic, rehabbed after father's funeral
✅Adam-Gen's editor boss, racist-calls Gen the wrong name, ignores her ideas
✅Jackie and Julian(deceased) Landon-Jude's parents.
✅The Fates-3 white women @ Gen's job- Clara, Heather, Lucy all gossip girls
✅Mickey-Gen's BFF
✅Oliver-Jude and Gen's BFF friend. He was in a car accident when Jude was drunk driving. Jude made him sign an NDA and paid him off.
✅Kaitlyn Franklin-a socialite, working w/ Jude. His mother sees her as his potential wife
✅Regina-Gen's coworker

⚠️ racism, sexism, alcoholism ,drug use, car accident w/ H

My Thoughts: I have been in this situation in college. I went to a predominately white school where black students were five percent of the student body. I was an English major and remember being in an English Lit class as the only black girl in the room. We were reading Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison and I was offended and forced to explain "nappy" hair to the room, including my old, white, and male professor who looked like Colonel Sanders. It was a struggle having to stand up for myself and my work in classes, but I got through it. Gen was brave and driven even though frustrated and depressed about her workplace environment. I'm glad Jude changed and was honest with Gen about wanting her back, but she had a choice to make -career or love?

The Only Black Girl in the Room follows the professional and personal life of Genevieve Francis, a 25 year old Black reporter. After a promising start her career seems to have stalled and she spends most of her working day copy editing and sensitivity reading the work of her white colleagues. A last minute opportunity to cover the gala of a prominent CEO seems like a great opportunity. Except that CEO just happens to be her ex whose proposal she rejected four years earlier.

This sounds like the setup for a romcom and this novel does have a significant romance storyline. However, at its core it’s a workplace story, documenting the racial prejudice and discrimination, along with a side of sexism, which Gen faces daily in her incredibly toxic workplace. At times some of the treatment from her boss and her colleagues made my jaw drop and it felt a little too on the nose. I’m guessing there were two main reasons for this. One, some workplaces really are that bad; some people that blatant. Certainly I’m aware of several real life instances mirroring the sexism that she experienced. I imagine for readers who live Gen’s experience, this will be a delightfully cathartic read. Two, some readers, particularly white readers, by virtue of their privilege, will still be unaware of the extent and variety of workplace (and other) discrimination, and the author really wanted to make sure they couldn’t miss the truth of what was happening.

This was an engaging, entertaining read that went down easily. It’s contemporary rather than literary. As a reader it was impossible not to root for Gen and her obvious abilities, to rage at her mistreatment and cheer her triumphs. The romantic storyline was well paced, their “re”connection and Jude’s remorse felt genuine - despite his missteps, and I respected Gen for insisting that they take things slowly.

This promising debut releases on 7 May, perfect for summer read. Thanks to @netgalley and @alcovepress for the eARC.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It definitely portrayed what it feels like to be the black girl in the room, whether that be at work, relationships, etc. How the MC gathered her strength and worked through racist and micro aggressions, was commendable. The elements of overcoming grief and addiction were woven in as well. Overall, I’d highly recommend the this story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my opinion.

The premise and the overall theme of this book was really promising, but I was so disappointed in this book.
The main character spend more time complaining about her situation, instead of actually trying to fight for her rights. Not only that, but I felt like she relied too much on the love interest to accomplish anything herself. In the start I really rooted for her, because I expected that she would grow stronger throughout the book and do something about the problem, but she rarely did anything. It was the people around her that fought for her rights and not herself.

With such an important theme as mistreatment of woman and especially black woman in workplaces, I really hope for a lot more feminism and girlpower in this book, but I didn’t get that from this book.

However it wasn’t exactly a bad read and there was a lot of entertaining moments as well, so I would still recommend it if you are here for the romance only and not here for the justice of black women being treated right in workplaces.

The best thing about this book was definitely the romance. It was really cute and even though they came from two very different backgrounds, they still seemed like they fit very well together.

I really recommend this book - Travis does such a good job portraying a Black woman's lived experience and her path to advancement in her career. I've read a lot of books starring journalists, and I felt like this one was the most interesting and accurate.

Meh. There were good parts, but this one fell short for me.

Gen, I would loved to see her take action about her situation more. She complained and complained about the racist things that were happening to her, but never did anything about it. That was frustrating. She, as a character, frustrated me very much. To know that you’re being mistreated, almost everyday, and just accept it? Why?

I thought that there was a ton of redundant memories and info in the book. I find myself skipping over quite Few parts.

I appreciated how the author highlighted how women and black women are misrepresented in workplaces.

Jude was cool. His character development was probably the best in the story.

The Only Black Girl in the Room by Alex Travis is a compelling young adult novel that delves into important themes of identity, race, and resilience. The story follows Genevieve Francis, a black reporter navigating the challenges of a predominantly white newsroom. As one of the only black women in her workplace, Gen faces micro-aggressions and racism on a daily basis, making her journey a relatable and impactful read.

Travis crafts a narrative that feels both real and relevant, touching on issues of privilege, bias, and the struggle for recognition and respect. Through Gen's eyes, readers are given a glimpse into the complexities of being a person of color in a predominantly white environment.

The novel also explores a second-chance romance between Gen and her ex-boyfriend Jude, adding a layer of personal growth and introspection to the story. While their relationship is not without its challenges, it ultimately serves as a testament to the power of love and understanding.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s a slow burn, second chance romance, two tropes which I love. The book touches on quite a few different topics, like interracial dating, micro-aggressions, racism and being a black woman in the workplace. The characters felt very real, I loved some and hated others.

I loved seeing Gen develop as a character throughout the whole book and I found myself rooting for her from the start. She’s a great example of showing strength in the face of adversity. I’d definitely recommend this book to others, it’s a very easy read and I found myself flying through it.

The Only Black Girl in the Room: A Novel by Alex Travis is a complex delve into love, race relations, microaggression and the often “invisibility” of minorities in the workplace. At the start of the book, Ms. Travis immediately captures our attention as readers witness both a burial and a proposal. Genevieve Francis and Jude Landon have been high school and college sweethearts for six years; even though their circumstances and social status are completely different they can see themselves together for the long haul. Their relationship implodes and they spend four years avoiding each other. The story is told solely from Genevieve’s perspective, so we get her reaction to the breakup and subsequent reconnection. Genevieve is working at her dream job as a journalist; however, she is underutilized, marginalized, and unappreciated! When Jude contacts her editor with the request that Genevieve write an authorized profile on him, will this be an opportunity to bring some closure to their past or will it be the gateway to a new beginning? Ms. Travis has crafted a tastefully rendered second-chance love story while giving authentic social commentary on race relations in the workplace. Jude was not the narrator of this story, but he is a finely drawn character and his sweetness and growth were evident. Genevieve is likable, and readers will root for her success in both her professional and personal life! I would like to thank NetGalley and Alcove Press for this digital arc; all opinions and impressions are my own.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This is black girl magic at its best. It's for all of us who have been overlooked. The book follows Genevieve who is an overlooked journalist at her newspaper job. She is tasked with menial tasks while her colleagues are thriving. She
Is then tasked with covering a prominent CEO who happens to be her ex. It's a story of second chances, thriving as a black girl and community.

Rating:3.8

Oh to be the only black girl in the room 🥹 I enjoyed reading this book so much. It definitely is a realistic representation of the struggles black women have in the first place. It’s real while still being entertaining. I was rooting for Genevieve the whole time.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this pre-publication.

Wow, what a fantastic book!
I loved (most) characters and really appreciated the character development.
I adored the writing style, felt really immersed in the story and it was difficult to put down (read 70% in one day)!
The ending was really wholesome and realistic <3

One thing that I found a bit annoying at moments was the amount of repetition of Jude’s past behaviour compared to now Gen kept focussing on, other than that - I will highly recommend this book and will definitely want a physical copy once available.

I realllllyyyyy wanted to love this book, and there are themes that I loved, but it fell flat for me.

Genevieve is working as a journalist for a local newspaper and battling racism daily within the publication. She’s constantly being called wrong name, is never given an opportunity for a story, and is routinely asked to copy edit and sensitivity read the stories her white peers have written. Her big break comes when she’s told she is to write a high profile article for a CEO, who specifically requested Gen. When she learns who it is, she must face a past decision she thought she left behind.

The best thing, for me, about this story is definitely its relatability, especially for black journalists and black women in general.
I also appreciated how the romance was an underlying part of Gen’s story and her self love was the main character.
Unfortunately I couldn’t get into the story. There were numerous parts where I was beyond bored and didn’t really know or care where the story was going. It also felt hard to follow a lot of the time.

Overall, this was still a great piece of fiction and one that I think will go far for many people!

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for an eARC of this story! All opinions are my own!

Alex Travis’s debut novel, “The Only Black Girl in the Room,” is a compelling exploration of workplace challenges, microaggressions, and the complexities of interracial relationships. Genevieve Francis, a 25-year-old Black reporter, finds herself relegated to diversity checks for her white colleagues, a stark portrayal of the racial disparities within the workplace. Travis skillfully weaves a narrative that delves into the nuanced experiences of being the only Black woman in a predominantly white environment.

When Genevieve gets the chance to cover a prominent CEO’s gala, she discovers that the CEO is her ex, Jude Landon, setting the stage for a journey filled with personal and professional challenges. Travis addresses issues such as racism and microaggressions, offering a timely and thought-provoking examination of the struggles faced by Black women striving to advance in their careers. The character development is a highlight, with Genevieve’s relatable complexities and flaws anchoring the narrative. The novel expertly navigates the intricacies of workplace dynamics, portraying the racial backlash Genevieve encounters and her conflicted feelings towards her ex. The second-chance romance between Genevieve and Jude adds authenticity to the story, capturing the messiness of real relationships.

Travis’s debut confronts themes of interracial dating and racism, providing readers with a glimpse into the challenges Black women encounter in predominantly white workplaces. The book underscores the importance of diversity, representation, and the need for change in corporate settings. While the pacing may feel slow in certain parts, the overall impact of “The Only Black Girl in the Room” is substantial. Alex Travis introduces a fresh voice in contemporary fiction, offering a compelling blend of women’s fiction and romance that resonates with authenticity. This thought-provoking novel is a must-read for those seeking a nuanced exploration of race, relationships, and workplace dynamics.

This book dealt with both interracial dating, the difference in wealth, racism in a prominent white working environment and the importance of friendships.
High school lovers relationship came to uni abrupt end. In the four years that had passed, Jude has become a young CEO, whilst journalist Gen is struggling to get the opportunity to write a heading line piece for the local paper, due to the undercurrent racism that flows through the office.
After finally meeting again, can these ex friends iron out their issues and reignite their friendship?
I enjoyed how this book dealt with the racism in work, the interracial relationship, the blinkered beliefs of people when it comes to unbelievable wealth in a relationship.