**I listened to the audiobook because I (unfortunately) missed the deadline. Lest we proceed!**

I started this audiobook about four days after my grandfather transitioned. Needless to say, I ran from this story at first because I wasn't ready in any way. The desire to read had all but left my body at the time; however, listening to Isaac's song in this early grieving period has felt like what my heart needed to hear. Please excuse my "grief brain" if any parts of this review don't make sense.

Isaac's Song is THEE perfect follow-up to Don't Cry for Me by Daniel Black. Don't Cry for Me left me wondering about the life Jacob and Isaac truly lived together. This book delivers a bird's-eye view of what he experienced as Jacob's son. Behind the hurt and constant misunderstanding, I recognized the longing in Isaac's defiance. I admired his consistent curiosity for the truth behind his identity, sexuality, ancestry, etc. Considering the eras Isaac grew up in, I found his mentality to be revolutionary. He is a mix of brazen, while maintaining sensitivity, to the harsh realities of his world. His therapy sessions were TEA! It can be extremely frustrating to know that healing your trauma, healing your inherited trauma, is your responsibility. As we transition into adulthood, perspective tends to shift about the memories that have left us broken throughout our lives. This novel demanded grace be first in the room of thought at all times, especially for our parents (to an extent). Right after grace, it's our job to do our best to provide understanding (again, to an extent). It's not always about "what" happened to us; it's more about the "why" things happen to us, and actively choosing to heal from old scars. Black did a phenomenal job at painting the mental push and pull grief feels like. I resonated deeply with this lesson.

I deeply appreciated the AIDS epidemic and the Rodney King brutality being a catalyst for Isaac's inspiration. I also loved the depictions of his struggles with education and corporate Amerikkka. Our systems have always been corrupt, especially for members of the Black community who intersect identities such as Isaac. The core of this tale was identity, and how it shapes us into corners we fight to be kept in or out of. My grief overlapped with Isaac's, especially at the end (woooo ancestral shenanigans will always get me). If you enjoyed My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson and Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez, you would love this listen or read. Ase and amen to Isaac's Song.

If you've read Black's Don't Cry for Me, about Jacob, a dying man atoning for his treatment of his estranged son through letters, you need to read this follow-up in which his son reflects on their contentious relationship.

Throughout his life, Isaac felt like he couldn't live up to Jacob's expectations, no matter how much he achieved. Months after Jacob's death, Isaac struggles to forgive him for not accepting him for who he is. Isaac's therapist suggests he confront his relationship with his father by writing about his life.

It's so funny, because Isaac expects the therapist to cosign his blaming not being able to be a free gay man on Jacob, but her exercise challenges him to face some truths about the role he played in the breakdown of his and Jacob's relationship.

Yes, Jacob wished Isaac wasn't effeminate. Yes, he wished Isaac was more interested in sports than the arts. But his homophobia didn't define him the way Isaac thought it did. Isaac put Jacob in a box and looked at him as a simpleton, which he wasn't. Like all parents, he was a person first. He had a past that defined him. He wasn't this villain Isaac remembers him as. He worked hard for Isaac to succeed. He placed his hopes and dreams into Isaac.

Isaac was able to carve out a life of his own in 80s Chicago where he feels freer to be himself than in his hometown of Kansas City, but his father's voice haunts him. He struggles to accept himself and is still trying to fit into a heternormative mold while being romantically involved with men. There were some instances where he comes off as a hypocrite to me, especially when he has the nerve to ask one of his close friends why he's still in the closet.

Like, sir 🤣

It takes Isaac experiencing life outside of mostly Black communities to see that his father's opinions on race relations and smarter than Isaac was willing to give him credit for. I enjoyed Isaac's commentary on racism, religious trauma, gay culture and the AIDS epidemic, but he still has work to do on his internalized homophobia.

I enjoyed this beautiful read about forgiveness, family, race and self-love

This book emotionally wrecked me. I don’t know if it was ready for the story of pain, trauma, and forgiveness. I appreciated the careful recounting of his experiences and soul searching as he seeks out the true of his family. Highly recommended!

Isaac's Song by Daniel Black is a poignant exploration of a young queer Black man's quest for self-acceptance and understanding. Set in 1980s Chicago, the novel follows Isaac as he navigates the complexities of his identity, grappling with his father's legacy and his own desires. Through therapy and introspection, Isaac embarks on a journey of self-discovery, confronting past traumas and seeking reconciliation. Black's lyrical prose and deep character development make this a compelling read for those interested in stories of personal growth and familial bonds.

Richly written and emotionally resonant, Isaac’s Song is a soulful exploration of identity, love, and generational pain within a Southern Black family. The lyrical prose and raw vulnerability make this a deeply human story, even when the pacing occasionally slows. It’s thought-provoking, spiritual, and layered with cultural depth that lingers long after the final page.

“Isaac’s Song” is a gorgeous, heart wrenching and beautiful follow up to “Don’t Cry For Me.” Being able to read the generational trauma, growth and complexities of being queer in America is truly something I am grateful to witness. Something tangible for the world to learn and not be erased (cough, cough Trump).

I’ve been waiting for this book since I read Don’t Cry For Me in 2021. I wanted to know Isaac's POV in with his upbringing and how he viewed his estrangement from his father. And now I’m 2025 I have it and I must say that it was worth the wait.

Isaac's Song is the follow up to Don’t Cry For Me. In Don’t Cry for me Jacob writes letters to his estranged son Isaac in hopes of clearing his conscience before he passes away. In Isaac's Song Isaac begins journaling as a therapeutic approach to handling the grief of his father’s death. Isaac writes about his life and the challenges that he faced as a gay black man in America.

This was a poignant read. It devolves into so many deep themes such as generational trauma, sexuality, and racism. Black does a good job of illustrating the benefits of journaling. In which he shows Isaac's views evolve through the process. One theme that I enjoyed reading through was the one of humanizing your parents. We grow up thinking that our parents have a S on their chest, when in reality they are only human. They raised us with the tools that they have. It’s important to extend grace to them. Isaac comes to this realization throughout the book and it’s rewarding to see his growth as he does so. Although this book did not pull at my heartstrings like Don't Cry For Me Did, it was heartfelt and introspective.

Thanks to Harlequin Trading Publishing for the complementary e-copy of this book!

#IsaacsSong surprised me in the best possible way. I wasn’t familiar with Daniel Black before picking this up, but now I’m all-in. Isaac’s Song is beautifully written—lyrical without being overwrought—and the journey it takes you on is filled with realistic conflict, emotional resonance, and an organic unraveling of self-reflection that lands with deep, internal weight.

I experienced this story in both print and audio, and I highly recommend the audiobook. The narration is warm, deliberate, and emotive—bringing a layer of intimacy to Isaac’s reflections that enhances the impact of the story overall. It’s one of those performances where the voice matches the emotional pacing perfectly, making the journey feel even more personal.

The story’s premise is simple enough: Isaac, mourning the death of his father, begins journaling as part of a therapeutic assignment meant to help him reexamine his father’s words and actions—many of which he had previously interpreted through the haze of internal conflict, misunderstanding, and assumption. But what unfolds as he fills those pages is anything but simple. His journey through memory and self-discovery creates a space where the reader is drawn to do the same—comparing, reflecting, reevaluating not just alongside Isaac, but within their own relationships. Whether you’ve faced similar revelations or not, Black offers just enough emotional clarity—an adumbration of understanding, if you will—to bring those realizations into reach. It’s not just Isaac who begins to see his parents in a new light; the reader is also gently coaxed into confronting their own assumptions about love, sacrifice, and emotional distance within family.

At least one pivotal moment in Isaac’s (and my) journey had my eyes welling with liquid emotion—not out of sadness or pain, but tethered-to and trailing-behind that magnificent limousine of deep, melancholic joy that arrives with a hard-won shift in understanding. It’s the ache that sets in when you realize something you believed to be true was tinted by absence, shaped by hurt, colored by emotional distance—and that maybe, just maybe, closeness could have changed everything. Black doesn’t just help Isaac make peace with his father—he helps the reader do the same, in their own way. His storytelling nudges you into seeing things from a perspective you may have resisted, and somehow, it doesn’t feel like a push. It feels like a quiet truth settling in.

The emotional realism here is rich with nuance. Nothing feels overdone or conveniently resolved. The tension in Isaac’s discoveries—both about himself and his family—builds with subtlety, honesty, and grace. This book knows how to sit with discomfort, and it invites you to do the same. Easily a solid 5 stars. I’ve already tossed the companion novel ("Don't Cry For Me", for those wondering) into my cart—along with a paperback copy of Isaac’s Song. This is absolutely a story I want on my shelf.

Thank you so much to #NetGalley, #HarlequinAudio and #DanielBlack for providing me with an ARC copy of this beautiful book. I only wish I'd not waited so long to read it.

Therapy reading and I love that about the book. The first book was absolutely amazing! Hearing Isaac’s story and remembering what his dad was saying about some of the times he mentioned. I love he really got his story out because he needed that. Needed to hear outloud on his past. Phenomenal writing definitely chefs kiss!

This book wrecked me in the best way. It’s raw, reflective, and healing all at once. Isaac’s story is a deeply emotional journey of identity, generational trauma, and hard-earned self-love. It doesn’t shy away from pain, but it gives you hope, too. If you like character-driven novels that feel like therapy on the page, this one's a must.

Obsessed! Read this with my bookclub and we couldn't stop talking about it. Black has a way of pulling you in and creating characters that have so much soul and are so memorable!

Thank you @hanoversquarepress for the e-arc!

Phenomenal - that’s all I honestly can say. What a beautiful and therapeutic take on a complicated father-son relationship. My favorite part were the letters at the end when Isaac finally gets to hear his father’s POV. Familial roots and devastating experiences all have shaped the relationship Isaac and his father have and it’s only after his father’s death that Isaac is able to have his reckoning, well the both of them.

Highly recommend!

saac’s Song tells the powerful story of a young Black man growing up in the South, struggling to be himself in a world that expects him to be someone else. Isaac is the son of a strict preacher and feels pressure to follow in his father's footsteps. But deep down, Isaac knows he’s different. As he gets older, he tries to understand who he really is and what it means to live honestly. The book goes back and forth between Isaac’s childhood and his adult life, showing how his past shaped him. Daniel Black tells this story in a beautiful and emotional way, touching on love, identity, religion, and family.

General thoughts:
This was such a well-written book. Daniel Black really knows how to make you feel connected to his characters. You can tell that he put a lot of time and care into writing this story. I liked how the book made me stop and think—some parts were so deep and emotional that I had to take a break just to reflect. The writing felt like poetry, and even though it was heavy at times, it was also very healing. The story felt real and personal, and I appreciate how honest it was.

Plot:
The plot was slow at times, but in a good way. It didn’t rush through anything. Instead, it gave you time to really understand Isaac and everything he was going through. Sometimes the timeline jumped around, which was a little confusing at first, but I got used to it. The story was more about Isaac’s emotions and growth than big events, and I liked that. The relationship between Isaac and his father was painful but very real. I think a lot of people will relate to that feeling of not being accepted for who they are.

Characters:
Isaac was an amazing main character. You could really feel his pain, confusion, and strength. His father, Reverend Freeman, was strict and hard to like, but I could see he was also hurting in his own way. The mom didn’t say much, but her quiet strength stood out. Every character felt real, even the ones I didn’t like. Isaac’s relationships with friends and partners helped show how hard it can be to find love and acceptance when you’re hiding part of yourself.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes emotional, character-driven stories. If you enjoy books about family, identity, and healing, this one is for you. It’s especially powerful if you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong or had to hide who you really are. This story stays with you and makes you think about your own life, too.

As a HUGE fan of Daniel Black's Don't Cry For Me, I was waiting for this book. The good news is that it did not disappoint.

In Don't Cry For Me, we meet a dying father. The novel consists of the letters he is writing to his estranged son, intending for that son to receive the letters after the father's death. In them, he explains why he grew up to be the type of man he is and why he could not accept his son as gay.

Isaac is that son, and this book is about his side of that story. Beginning with the father's death, we have flashbacks that recontextualize what we learned from the father. And Isaac gropes for closure--even though he thinks he will be unable to get it no matter how he examines his life and his relationship with his parents.

It was a great joy to return to this world.

This was the 1st book by this author and it was amazing. I will definitely get into this author’s catalog to read.

ISSAC’S SONG, the companion book to DON’T CRY FOR ME by Daniel Black, is told from Jacob’s son, Isaac’s point of view. Isaac is coming into his own as a gay black man but feels the need to understand how his past has shaped him into the man he has become. Having had a lackluster relationship with his dad, Isaac is encouraged to journal his past and revisit his childhood home. That’s when Isaac discovers love and self-worth was there all the time.

This book feels like therapy.

I appreciated that this was more than just Isaac reading and responding to Jacob's letters. Isaac deserved to tell his story without Jacob's letters being the focus. I realized that with Jacob's letters being the central point, Isaac's story wouldn't be his own because it would still be about his father.

Hearing Isaac's truth was such an emotional journey. His story gave a lot of context and answered many questions from Don't Cry For Me. Most significantly, it shifted my perspective and understanding of Jacob. While I still didn't view him as the world's greatest dad, I was more understanding. I also realized that others played a part in the dysfunction, and Jacob wasn't the only culprit. Isaac's story illustrated and emphasized the effects of generational trauma.

The therapy aspect was my favorite part of this story. Not only hearing Isaac's side, but seeing him break generational curses in the present by working through his trauma with a professional. Black gives such a realistic and raw depiction of therapy, from Isaac being defensive to finally surrendering to his healing. This story included many great takeaways and things to reflect on in my own healing journey.

Isaac's self-awareness is one of the most powerful pieces of this story. I loved reading his revelations while he told his side. His growth was profound and inspirational. However, I feel Isaac sometimes gave his father too much credit and grace during these revelations. Sometimes, it seemed like he was making excuses for him and trying to rationalize his behavior.

This story addresses many important topics and societal issues. There were so many points for reflection and topics for discussion.

Overall:
I enjoyed this. It was a great follow-up to Don't Cry for Me. Daniel Black never fails to hit you right in the gut with his stories.

This was my first book by this author and will not be my last. The way the characters tugged at my soul was so fulfilling.

This will be one of my top reads for 2025. PERIOD. Read this book you will not be disappointed.

Our parents are not perfect but to admit faults to a love one goes a long way. My heart will always remember the lessons this book taught me.

This was an absolutely beautiful story. I don’t think I’ve been this touched and immersed in a novel in such a long time. Isaac and his story really touched me so deeply because it is something that is still happening today and it’s absolutely unacceptable.

The way this story is told is so creative and different and I think that’s what made me so immersed in its world. Isaac is recounting events and relationships as he goes to therapy. The problem with this is that our memory is not reliable. Every event or idea that we have has been melting into the way we saw it.

Throughout this story you see that Isaac learns that maybe things weren’t exactly how he thought they were and he walks through that and heals from that.

I cried at this book. I wanted to throw this book at a wall and i mourned for every black queer boy that has had to deal with the things that Isaac had to deal with and I hope they find solace in seeing a version of their story being told and heard.

This is absolutely beautiful and I would absolutely ADORE listening to an audiobook of this as well. I will definitely reread via audiobook if that becomes an option.

If you’re considering reading this book, do it. If you haven’t and you see this review - read it.

& Thank you Daniel Black for giving us this story, it’s one that NEEDS to be told and so many need to learn what their actions and words can do to others.

This is such a beautiful story, of discovery and forgiveness, coming-of-age novel. A queer black man growing up in the 80's on how he deals with the lost of his father. Isaac therapist request to write about his upbringings, there we discover his up complicated upbringing about his father and how he is dealing with it. He also reflects on his life experiences. This novel was heart breaking and it did feel like I was the one in therapy.


Thank you NetGalley for the Ebook!