Isaac, a young black gay man looks back at his relationship with his unsupportive and acerbic father. Through his therapeutic writing, the reader learns about Isaac, his parents and how he has been living since their death. His writing and discovery has him go back to his father's home where more of his past is learned.

I started this one at the beach and realized quickly it was the wrong vibe for me at that time, I also thought that the audio mixed with reading would be ideal for this novel so I waiting for the audio accompaniment. I was right, being in the right headspace and having the audio made the book a fantastic read. Experiencing the ways in which Isaac's father shut him out because of who Isaac is was painful to read but ultimately worth it. This is a really important story to read.

Thank you to Harper Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Isaac’s Song is a beautifully written literary fiction book about a LGBTQ boy growing up in the 80s. It details personel struggles related to finding yourself and struggles related to how the outside world pereives you. There was also family dynamics that come into play in the main characters life. I went into this book blind without knowing what it was about and I enjoyed the audiobook and narrator. The story was heartfelt and tugs at all the feelings. Thank you to the publisher for the free ALC. All opinions are my own.

Instagram post will be live by 31Jan25.

I am thoroughly convinced that Dr Daniel Black is connected to the Divine, similar to our main character, Issac. His ability to craft stories like this showcases that power. Isaac’s story invites readers on a journey, encouraging them to open their hearts and minds to profound, lasting truths. The experiences he weaves resonate with us emotionally and leave a significant spiritual impact that changes us forever.

Narrator JD Jackson did an excellent job brining Issac to life. I would listen to anything he narrates.

Absolutely incredible book and story beautifully narrated by the author. The therapy moments are even better in the audio and I love this story SO much!

A LGBTQIAP+ story that I truly loved!!! I’ve had this galley for a minute and I am ashamed to admit it took me this long.

Isaac has learned his father has passed away. Struggling with his feelings, he starts his journey with his therapist. He claims he is happy he died but also struggles with conflicted feelings all around.

We take a dive into his childhood and what his life was like being raised by a tough black father. At an early age he shows signs of his identity that his father couldn’t accept.

This is a very powerful coming-of-age story that felt so real. I absolutely loved Isaac’s therapist and JD Jackson did a phenomenal job with narration!
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved it. If you haven’t read dont cry for me i woul read this first before this one. The audio was a great addition. Narration was exceptional.

I flew through the first half. The therapy session setting was my favorite part. I highlighted so much from the early sessions. As that tapered off, I felt myself wanting to pick the book up less, but once I did I was still compelled to read. I think it’s because I didn’t expect his writing experience to become such an integral part of the book. The second half turns from him writing about his life to a fictional story influenced by family history and there were several moments where we’re in a book within a book. I like that setup when I know it’s happening, but when I don’t know ahead of time it can take me out of it. Generally speaking it was done really well and I appreciated how short that portion was so that it didn’t take away from Isaac’s overall story.

This is my second book that I have experienced of Dr. Daniel Black. I loved Don't Cry For Me so as soon as I heard about this book being told from Isaac's point of view, I was in! I tend to gravitate to books with complicated parental relationships. I appreciated that this one involved him dealing with his issues with his father in the setting of therapy. And his therapist? Chiiile, she got me together too at times! I felt like Isaac and I were working through this together. I found myself thinking maybe I've misrepresented some memories of my mother just like he did with his father. I loved seeing Jacob from this POV. The last book had me screaming at him but this one showed him in a more positive light with his wife having a more realistic representation. It made me long for the origins of why my elders are the way they are. Perhaps what I adored most was seeing Isaac finally embrace who he was as a queer, black man in spite of it all. Beautiful!

I was so excited to hear JD Jackson's voice as soon as I pressed play! I know he knew he wouldn't let me down with the narration and he never has! He doesn't miss... EVER!

Rounded up from 4.5 stars

JC Jackson brings Isaac's story to life in Isaac's Song. His depth of emotion while narrating masterfully added to the already beautifully written story. I would highly recommend the audiobook!

Thank you Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.

This was an ok read . I was rather confused with the fact he said that he dressed like a girl to get his dad’s love and attention which I found weird .
It also read like a memoir more than a novel.
Overall, it was a good book.

This book was touching. I’ve heard that this book is connected to another book but I had not read it and I don’t feel like I was confused or lacking context for this story.

This story recounts a young man trying to man peace with the past as her reflects upon the strained relationship he had with his father. His sexuality or rather a lack of machismo seemed to be point of contention with his father and watching him audit his relationship with his parents via therapy sessions was very interesting.

The narration was clear but I somehow imagined Isaac’s voice to be different. It is mentioned many times that Isaac is effeminate and I think the narration of the story would’ve been a good chance to present that.

Thank you to Harper Audio for the alc!

4.5 ⭐️
Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC and HTP and Hanover Square Press for the gifted eARC.

Isaac’s Song
Daniel Black
Publishing Date: January 14, 2025

🎧 Narrator: JD Jackson 🎧

This book was a powerful companion to Daniel Black’s novel Don’t Cry For Me. Told from Isaac’s perspective, this reads very much like a memoir and I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t.

Once again the heart and empathy shine through in this novel. Isaac is coping with the death of his estranged father, and through therapy sessions and journaling he takes a look back at his childhood, his relationship with his parents, and his experience of navigating childhood and young adulthood as a gay black man. I loved seeing the therapy and mental health rep, let’s continue to normalize this and break down the stigma. This book is very much about healing, forgiveness, how our perceptions guide our thoughts and emotions, and how this can change over time.

With a stunning writing style, Daniel Black pulls at all the heartstrings as Isaac goes through this journey. I would highly recommend also reading the companion novel, Don’t Cry For Me, in order to get the full experience. A really stunning and impactful duet.

🎧 JD Jackson’s narration was nice! I will say, having listened to the two books back to back, I did prefer Daniel Black’s narration. However, seeing as though the books were written from two different perspectives, it was nice to have the differentiation.

BOOK REVIEW 📖

Thank you #partners @htp_hive @hanoversquarepress & @harlequin_audio for my #gifted copies of what was one of my most anticipated books of the year! I'm so grateful! 💕

Isaac's Song
Daniel Black
Available January 14th

"Generations of wounded, black hearts are waiting for my boldness. This is why I was born. This is why I was sitting there in the dark. Because our American story began in the dark, in the bottom of slave ships."

"...I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers won't sing. But I will."

I LOVED THIS!!!

Is it too early in the year to say I have a 2025 favorite?

Isaac's Song is a captivating, soul-stirring exploration of the complicated relationship between a gay Black son and his domineering father. It's a story of love and legacy, of understanding and acceptance, and ultimately, healing. It's a gorgeous follow-up to Dr. Black's 2022 release, Don't Cry for Me. While Isaac's Song is not a sequel, it is a companion novel that can be read before or after its predecessor.

I read this one by alternating between print, ebook, and audiobook. I enjoyed each format immensely. The audiobook is narrated by the talented JD Jackson, who breathes so much life into Isaac and his story. A wonderful performance from Mr. Jackson, as always.

📌 A January @bookofthemonth pick!

📌 Available one week from today!

Isaac’s Song is one of the most beautiful and moving books I’ve ever read. It follows Isaac, a gay Black man, as he revisits his complicated relationship with his late father through therapy. Told in short vignettes written as part of Isaac’s “homework,” the story dives into his 1970s and 1980s upbringing, where societal pressures and his father’s rigid ideas of masculinity clashed with Isaac’s identity. Yet, amid the tension, there are moments of connection—like his father’s quiet appreciation for a painting Isaac created of his hometown in Arkansas. This exploration of love, pain, and reconciliation is heartbreakingly real and ultimately hopeful.

Isaac’s therapist is another highlight of the story—empathetic, wise, and full of memorable insights. One that stayed with me is: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” It made me think about the Jewish tradition of seeking forgiveness before Yom Kippur, a process that often feels more about the apologizer than the recipient. The audiobook, narrated by JD Jackson, is exceptional, and his performance brought Isaac to life so vividly that I still hear his voice when I think about the story. Whether you read it or listen, Isaac’s Song will leave a lasting impression. Mark your calendars for January 14—I can’t recommend it enough!

Wow, absolutely loved experiencing this on audio! The narrator does a fantastic job and the story is quite engaging in its frank, reflective, and healing story. Only reason this isn't a five star is because there were just a few, brief segments where our MC describes women's bodies in an uncomfortable way...

This book was perfect! The audiobook narrator was average. I feel like someone better could’ve been chosen. His tone was kid of flat when could’ve been more lively. The content, storyline, messages, and characters were all fantastic. I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I anticipated. I really enjoy diverse books and this one was so very well done. Take my opinion as you will being I’m the complete opposite of the target audience for this book— straight, white, and female. I can’t speak to the validity of the experiences detailed on this book, but if I had to imagine I’d say it’s spot on. This book tackles so many important topics and it’s done in a raw and blunt way that makes it so important. If this isn’t an instant classic or banned book, I will be surprised and that’s a huge compliment.

Thank you HTP and Harlequin Audio for the gifted copies. I originally planned to listen to the audio but grabbed the ebook so I could annotate the crap out of it!

I think this might be the best book I’ve ever read. It’s absolutely beautiful—heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful. It offers a poignant and profound exploration of the complex dynamics between a father and son, each a product of their generation and unique passions. Though I didn’t personally relate to their specific lived experiences as Black men and as a father navigating his relationship with a gay son, the writing is so beautiful and universal that I could easily empathize and connect with the characters.

The story itself is stunning, but I also really loved the unique narrative structure.. The protagonist, Isaac, is in therapy, and the story of his life unfolds through a series of short vignettes, written as part of his therapy “homework.” The therapist is such a standout — compassionate, empathetic, and overflowing with wisdom. We should all be so lucky to have a therapist like her!!

Narration Notes: The story is narrated by JD Jackson. While he’s not usually my favorite narrator (just personal preference), his performance here is phenomenal. He embodies Isaac so fully that I can still hear his voice in my head when I think back on the story.

Make sure to check this one out when it releases on January 14.

(4.25 stars)
Isaac’s Song reads like a memoir, but is fiction. We follow along as a gay Black man delves into his youth at the prompting of his therapist, not long after his semi-estranged father has died. Along the way, he confronts his identity and his fraught relationship with his father.

Isaac’s therapist has a lot of good thoughts. One that stuck with me is this one: “Apologies don’t heal the wounded. They’re for the perpetrator.” As a Jewish person, I’m familiar with the tradition of personally apologizing to people you have hurt, specifically every year before Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). I agree that it’s definitely for the apologizer.

Isaac grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, in a world where people still referred to young men with effeminate aspects as “sissies.” His mother was his defender but his father tried very hard to mold Isaac into what he thought a man should be: made him play baseball, when Isaac hated it, and so forth. Eventually, though, his father saw Isaac’s creative gifts and appreciated them. (There’s a lovely recollection about a painting Isaac did, of his father’s home area in Arkansas.) But it was a hard road for the two of them to travel.

Apparently, this is a companion book (not a sequel) to Don’t Cry For Me, which was written from the POV of the father, Jacob. (I haven’t read it and wasn’t aware of it before reading/listening to Isaac’s Song). This could be a very interesting read, either before or after reading Isaac’s Song.

Thank you to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. (The print book will be published by Hanover Square Press.) JD Jackson did a great job with the narration. All opinions are my own.

Isaac’s Song is a stunning work of literary fiction that masterfully weaves together themes of love, loss, identity, and resilience. The prose is lyrical and evocative, immersing the reader in a story that’s as poignant as it is thought-provoking. Every page feels imbued with meaning, and every scene carries emotional weight.

The audiobook format brings Isaac’s Song to life in an extraordinary way. The narrator’s performance is nothing short of brilliant, capturing the depth and complexity of the characters while delivering the story with the perfect blend of emotion and nuance. The pacing is impeccable, and the narration enhances the rich, layered storytelling, making it an immersive experience.

What makes this book stand out is its ability to balance profound introspection with a deeply human narrative. It’s a story that lingers long after the final chapter, leaving you reflecting on its themes and the beauty of its execution.

If you’re a fan of literary fiction that challenges and moves you, Isaac’s Song is a must-listen. The audiobook transforms an already extraordinary story into an unforgettable journey.

This follow-up to Don't Cry for Me is a powerful story of healing. Anyone who has struggled with loving a flawed person should read this book. I was drawn in from the first chapter and found so many nuggets of wisdom in the protagonist's journey to reconcile his feelings with his strained relationship with his father. Reading Don't Cry for Me is not necessary to enjoy this story, but it give the reader more insight into the history of the main character's parents. I loved this story and highly recommend it.

My only criticism is for the narration. The narrator needed to use more inflections and emotion. The flat, monotone voice took me out of the story.