I will preface this review by saying that while I did read some of the book, the majority of this review is based on the audiobook version which I listened to fully and more recently.

This is a really interesting book that dives deep into the unique experience of Black women and the challenges and grief that come along with many of their stories. Written as if speaking directly to the readers, the author offers support, strategies and empathy to her readers for the experiences they are going through and have been through in the past. In her note at the beginning of the book she explains that the book can (and should) be read by those who do not identify as Black or female, as it can give insight and understanding into their experiences. That being said, as a White woman, I would say that I didn't get as much out of the book as I would imagine other readers might. I also found that the many references to the bible and other texts were a bit too in depth for me, perhaps a quote here and there or a reference that is particularly insightful and easily connected to the content of the story is fine, but I felt that there was a lot of references to religious stories and quotes, some of which could possibly have been condensed. I think this could be a really great resource for Black women who want to be seen and represented in a text. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book!

I can’t give this book more than 5 stars, but I wish I could. Natasha Smith’s Black Woman Grief left me cracked wide open and somehow stitched back together. This book made me feel seen—truly seen—in a way I didn’t even know I needed.

Smith’ hits every note of pain, healing, frustration, and resilience. It’s irreverent and raw, yet somehow soothing. She dives into stereotypes, child-rearing, corporate America, and how grief threads itself into how we, as Black women, show up to the world and how the world sees us.

We’re expected to be the “strong Black woman”—resilient, unbreakable—while silently carrying grief and burdens most people can’t even fathom. And Natasha gives a name to that weight. She reframed so much of what I’d dismissed as avoidance or frustration, showing me it was really grief.

What I love most is how she provides a perfect guide on how to heal, nurture our souls, and take care of ourselves while pouring into our community. Natasha Smith’s words aren’t just an acknowledgment of our pain; they’re a roadmap to the healing and wholeness we deserve. She weaves in biblical references as affirmations and reminders that God fights for us, even when we feel too worn down to fight for ourselves.

Through her words, she invites us to start a journey of healing, wholeness, and all the good God has for us. It made me realize the weight of what we carry and the importance of caring for ourselves unapologetically.

I was emotional reading this book. Angry. Relieved. Validated. Empowered. It’s rare to find something that acknowledges our grief and shows us a way to transform it into something beautiful and life-affirming. This book is so underhyped, and it deserves all the praise. Natasha Smith created something special here, something that will stay with me for a long time.

If you’re a Black woman, you need to read Black Woman Grief. Period. And if you have a Black friend or want to understand the Black woman’s plight, read this book then check on your “strong Black friends.” Trust me, it’ll open your eyes.

“Black woman, what made you so afraid of rest?”

this book isn’t just about grief—it’s about the grief we don’t even realize we’re carrying because we’ve been told to push through, to endure, to always be strong. it’s about the collective weight of history, family, faith, and survival, and how all of that shapes the way Black women experience loss, pain, and healing. natasha smith doesn’t just talk about the grief; she holds space for it. and then, gently, she shows a way through.

tropes to expect:
• Black women carrying the weight of the world (but shouldn’t have to)
• faith as a lifeline
• naming pain, facing grief, finding healing
• “strong Black woman” myth? we’re unpacking that.
• a love letter & a call to rest

as a Christian Black woman, i felt seen in these pages. smith weaves biblical truths with personal stories, offering something that’s both deeply spiritual and deeply practical. she doesn’t sugarcoat the pain, but she also doesn’t leave you there. she reminds us that healing isn’t just possible—it’s promised.

and let’s be clear: this book is for everyone. if you are a Black woman, love a Black woman, or want to support a Black woman, read this. full stop. it speaks to our struggles, our resilience, and the rest we deserve. because what doesn’t kill us doesn’t always make us stronger. sometimes, it just gives us trauma. and this book? it’s a step toward healing.

*thank you netgalley, the author, and the publishing team for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and InterVarsity Press for providing me with an advanced e-book reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. “Black Woman Grief” by Natasha Smith is an exquisite ode to the Black Woman Experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, regardless of gender, race, or background. It’s incredibly challenging to process experiences deeply ingrained in our personalities and behaviors, whether they stem from our immediate environment or our generational upbringing. Natasha Smith does an exceptional job of prompting readers to introspect and acknowledge that grief exists even if it may not be immediately apparent.

I enjoyed reading Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith.

I admit that the introduction and first chapter of Black Woman Grief were challenging to read. It reminded me of the collective grief that Black women and men have encountered over the years – especially recently with the increase in police brutality and systemic injustices in our country.

After reading the book, I'm so glad that the introduction opened the way that it did. Black women endure so much grief, often without realizing it.

This book offers a necessary encouragement to sit with grief, process it, and allow God to bring healing through it. I deeply appreciated how Natasha Smith artfully handles the biblical text while also beautifully incorporating research from psychology and other disciplines.

For example, she explains how Tamar's story in Genesis 38 can help Black women feel seen, heard, and understood. Her story demonstrates God's care for the marginalized and overlooked. Similarly, the book addresses important topics such as spiritual bypassing (a very real issue in Christian communities) and how trauma and grief can affect our behavior, cognitive state, emotions, and even biochemistry.

What makes the book stand out is that it doesn't only highlight the grief Black women experience, it offers a path forward. Each chapter includes actionable steps to help Black women process their grief as well as a heartfelt, encouraging message to help Black women on their journey through grief.

I believe this is an essential read for Black women, whether or not you think you have grief to work through. It’s also an important resource for women of other ethnicities who want to learn how to sit with and share in the grief of their Black sisters in the faith.

Black woman grief by Natasha Smith is a Christian non fiction book that is for black women trying to embrace the complex ideals of mental health and wellness tied to our belief in God and how we navigate grief. This book almost felt like I was reading the pages of my own story that my voice was finally being heard. I loved the personal anecdotes and the relatability between the audience and the author as she pens this guide for black women to heal the broken areas of our hearts and spirit.
This book is definitely unique in expressing the challenges and struggles that oftentimes black women face in this world not only historically but also spiritually. I thank the author for creating this safe space for black women to get to the depths of our grief and giving us instructions and inspiration on how to navigate these spaces of new and old.
Five stars and I do recommend this book to all readers.
Thank you to Intervarsity Press via Netgalley for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This book truly spoke to me. Natasha Smith creates a space where Black women can feel seen and validated in their grief, while also offering hope and reassurance through faith. I appreciated how she acknowledged the weight we carry without minimizing it, and the way she tied in biblical truths felt thoughtful and intentional.

Many thanks to InterVarsity Press for the honor of reviewing this book. I found this book to be a beautiful love letter to Black women speaking to the collective experience of pain and suffering while ushering them toward hope and healing. I plan to purchase a physical copy to reread and annotate for future reference.

This book was just what I needed in today’s current social climate and in my time of stress. It’s so hard to mourn the dead but no one really talks about how to mourn the living. How to mourn situations, people, personal belongings, faith, etc. the way that black wimen experience grief daily amongst many different parts of their life goes frequently unnoticed and this book was somewhat validation for me that I was not alone in this grief and I was given a multitude of ideas and suggestions on how to handle and process that grief. I want to purchase this book once it comes out for a few of my best friends in my circle because it’s not only an incredibly read but I think a necessary read. I’m really impressed and this was an 5 star read for me.

A compact yet timely and powerful read. I found this book to be informative and inspiring. The author provides insight to for Black women to manage during these dark times. There are also actionable steps to implement a regime that addresses and processes grief in order to heal. I think Black Woman Grief is a beneficial read and will recommend it once it's published.

This was an amazing read as it was easy for me to read and relate. The author hit so many points throughout the book. As a black woman my grief shows up in many forms and during many situations. Grief is not solely defined as mourning the loss of a loved one but it can refer to the grief of enduring trials and tribulations. The phrase mentioned at the beginning of the book check on your strong friends resonates so loud. I am definitely recommending this book to my loved ones.

WOWWWWWW! This book was something I didn't know I needed. I've lost a lot of family members in recent years and this put into words so many thoughts and validated them. I plan to recommend this to my therapist so she can recommend it to her other clients. Thank you so much for this Natasha!

Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith is a stunning and deeply moving work that explores loss, resilience, and identity with unflinching honesty. The writing is raw, poetic, and utterly captivating, drawing you into the complexities of grief and the unique experiences of Black womanhood. Every page resonates with emotion and truth, making it a transformative and unforgettable read. This is a must-read for anyone seeking a story that is both deeply personal and universally impactful.

Natasha Smith’s The Black Woman’s Guide to Grieving is more than just a book—it’s a safe haven for Black women navigating the complex, deeply personal, and often misunderstood terrain of grief. Smith writes with a voice that feels like a trusted confidant, blending personal anecdotes, cultural critique, and practical wisdom to create a guide that is as much about healing as it is about honoring the multifaceted experience of Black womanhood.

What makes this book so impactful is its unapologetic acknowledgment of the unique challenges Black women face when it comes to grieving. Smith weaves in the historical and societal layers of strength that Black women are often expected to embody, creating space for the vulnerability that is too often denied. Her words are affirming and empathetic, meeting readers where they are, whether in the early stages of loss or well into their journey of healing.

The book is a poignant reminder that grief is not linear, nor is it something to be rushed through. Smith gently dismantles myths about “strong Black woman” resilience, offering instead a liberating perspective that allows grief to coexist with hope, joy, and renewal. Her inclusion of mindfulness exercises, journaling prompts, and affirmations makes the book feel interactive, turning it into a tool that readers can return to time and time again.

One of the book’s greatest strengths lies in its cultural specificity. Smith speaks directly to Black women’s experiences, but her insights are universally valuable. The reflections on generational trauma, community care, and spiritual practices resonate deeply, grounding the book in a shared cultural reality while still leaving room for individuality.

Reading The Black Woman’s Guide to Grieving feels like a cathartic release. It encourages readers to embrace grief as a process that can deepen their connection to themselves and others. Smith’s writing is both poetic and practical, striking a balance that is rare and deeply appreciated.

If you are a Black woman seeking solace, understanding, or simply permission to grieve on your own terms, this book is a must-read. And even if you’re not, The Black Woman’s Guide to Grieving is an eye-opening resource that challenges assumptions about grief and sheds light on the power of collective healing. Natasha Smith has given us a gift—a testament to the strength found in softness, the power in vulnerability, and the beauty of finding oneself in the midst of sorrow.

Ｅｂｏｏｋ Ｒｅｖｉｅｗ
4.5 ☆
This book was everything a black women needed and more. Simply, put i highly recommend this book to every black women.
Thank you, Netgellay, and InterVarsity for the Ebook in exchange for my honest review.

As a Black woman navigating the heavy grief of losing my children's father and becoming a single mother, I found Smith's candid reflections deeply relatable and resonant. She articulates the intersectionality of grief and identity, highlighting how systemic issues compound the experience of loss for Black women. Her lyrical yet accessible prose offers solace and encourages readers to embrace their grief, honor their feelings, and seek support. This beautifully written book is essential for anyone grappling with loss, serving as a testament to the strength and resilience of Black women and a reminder that we are not alone in our struggles.

The author hit a good amount of points and not just grief from a loved one but, all part of life that you could be going through as a woman of color. Racial grief is a thing and the personal experiences helped see that those things can be spoke on and looking to God may be the best thing to stay on the right track to pull us up of those times that it decides to come around Very informative on the what to do and coping. I would recommend someone to read and use the Bible along side if you’re looking for something to help along side with finding a way to deplete your seasonal grief.