As a Black therapist, I’ve had the privilege of walking alongside many women who bear the weight of grief—grief that is complex, layered, and often compounded by societal expectations, cultural nuances, and historical trauma. In my years of practice, very few books have resonated with the depth and authenticity that Black Woman Grief does. This is one of those rare texts that feels like it was written just for us, for our experiences, for the grief that is sometimes so hard to name or even articulate.
The audio version of the book was a great read by the author made me feel as though I was sitting in a sacred space, listening to stories that mirror my own journey especially how it intersects with my faith. The author doesn’t shy away from the intersectionality of our grief—the way race, gender, and culture collide in ways that shape our mourning. What really stood out was how the book honored the strength and resilience of Black women through their faith. While I don't think you have to be a believer to read this book it will resonate with many who are.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to have an advanced copy of the audiobook.

This book hit home. It’s honest, heartfelt, and full of truth. I really appreciated that Natasha Smith narrated it herself—her voice brought so much weight and care to the words. You can tell she’s lived what she’s writing about.

Whether you’re grieving now, have grieved before, or know grief will come—as it does—this book is for you. It creates space for Black women to feel seen, understood, and reminded that God is near in the pain. I loved that the foundation of the book is God’s love—it doesn’t shy away from hard things but meets them with faith.

I definitely want a physical copy so I can go back through it, highlight, and sit with it more.
Highly recommend.

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!

Beautifully written!

The authors brings light on discrimination, BLM, christianity and support topics.
I know this might be a sensitive topic for some given the religion is highly involved but it gives a sense of hope and strength.

You are stronger than what you think, grief can be very dark but I encourage you to never loose hope!

A subject that the author touched on that a white individual signaled her out because she was being to “exclusive to the black community” is eye opening to some. People do not comprehend the circumstances and obstacles that people of color go through. Ans it’s not to minimize anybody. But it’s bringing to light situations that people tend to give very little importance.

I read this book—requested by the @griefygirlbookclub on NetGalley—because of its powerful exploration of grief. Natasha is a remarkable author: compassionate, patient, and deeply attuned to the complexities of loss. As a white woman, I found this book incredibly eye-opening in the way it highlights how grief manifests differently across genders, races, and cultures—particularly through Natasha’s lens as a Black woman.

She weaves together the intersectionality of religion, culture, history, motherhood, community, trauma, violence, and civil unrest, layering them onto the already heavy and isolating experience of grief. At the end of each chapter, she offers thought exercises grounded in biblical scripture, yet she doesn’t shy away from exploring the nuanced role that religion plays in grief, history, and the lived experience of Black women. I deeply appreciated her honesty and vulnerability.

This book is raw and tender in its portrayal of loss, yet it remains uplifting and hopeful. Whether reading (I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Natasha herself), it felt like sitting with a comforting friend who truly understands. At its heart, this book sees and honors the grief carried by Black women.

For me, it was not only a touching companion in my own grieving process but also a valuable resource for understanding how grief looks different across communities. I finished it feeling both comforted and more equipped to be a better neighbor, ally, and friend. - @kendelr4

Black Woman, Grief felt like Bible study with a big sister; honest, heartfelt, and deeply needed. As someone currently navigating grief, this audiobook came at just the right time. Natasha Smith creates a safe, sacred space for Black women.

The audiobook experience made it even more powerful. The narration felt like a comforting conversation; soothing, reflective, and full of grace. I appreciated how faith, emotional honesty, and sisterhood were seamlessly woven throughout.

This isn’t just a book about grief it’s a companion through it. One I’ll return to when the days feel heavy. I’m so grateful for it.

Loved this book as I’m experiencing grief. This book provides tips and realistic approaches to handling the most difficult moments of a crisis.

Very relatable and informative. The narrator's tone and cadence werent my favorite but it didnt take away from the message and my enjoyment of the book.

Black women often carry a mountain of grief, sometimes without even realizing they're hauling it around. This book is like a warm hug, encouraging you to embrace that grief, tackle it head-on, and let God work some healing magic. Each chapter is sprinkled with practical tips to help process that grief, paired with heartwarming messages to cheer you on in your journey. Trust me, this book is a must-read for all Black women, whether you think you’ve got grief to unpack or not! This book helped me through a really difficult time, and I hope by sharing this it will help someone else too. ❤️❤️❤️

Thank you to Natasha Smith for writing this book and sharing it with the world! Thank you Netgalley for the audio book!

Listening to this book felt like being seen, heard, and gently guided through the emotional storm so many of us know too well—but don’t always have the words for. The author didn’t just touch on grief from losing a loved one; she opened the door to a broader, deeper understanding of what it means to carry grief as a woman of color.

She spoke on racial grief—something we often keep buried, unsure if it’s “okay” to name it. But here, it’s named. It’s honored. And through her personal stories, you begin to feel like maybe… just maybe… it’s safe for you to start unpacking your own.

What made this journey even more powerful was the way she pointed back to God—not in a preachy way, but in a real, raw, and relatable way. Sometimes, when the weight of it all creeps back in, looking up and leaning into faith might just be the thing that steadies you.

This audiobook is not just informative—it’s soul work. It's a companion for those moments when grief feels like too much, especially in the quiet, seasonal waves that sneak in. I’d absolutely recommend listening with a Bible nearby. Let it be a part of your healing rhythm, your coping toolkit, your sacred space to feel and be held.

Hey, hey my favorites 😀 💚 #annieethebookiee |Book Review: Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith
Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

As a Black woman, Black Woman Grief was a necessary and deeply affirming read. Natasha Smith doesn’t just write about grief—she speaks to the very soul of what it means to carry pain, history, and healing in a world that often tells us to stay strong without ever offering space to break.

This book made me feel seen. It was honest, raw, and beautifully written, offering a language for the emotions we often suppress. Smith doesn’t shy away from the hard truths, and yet there’s a soft grace in her storytelling that makes room for both tears and hope.

I appreciated how she intertwined personal narrative with collective experience. This book is not just about loss; it’s about reclaiming power in vulnerability and understanding that our grief deserves attention, not shame.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

I requested this audiobook because I am very interested in the ways that people navigate their grief.
The book is narrated by the author, which is enjoyable because you are getting the inflections in the way they intended them to be heard. Listening to this has also encouraged me to incorporate more audiobooks into my reading rotation.

I enjoyed how parts of the book were conversational, as if you were talking with the author versus being instructed.

This book is very focused on Christian principles and while I agree with the author that anyone can benefit from the content, there is ALOT of specifically Christian content included.

However, if you are looking for a book with with coping skills and religious guidance, this might be a good fit to help you move through your grief process.

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 listeners 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. The narration was good and it was easy to listen to. I appreciated the author's perspective and 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 listen to this audiobook!

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 narrating her own work? Phenomenal. Her voice 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.

I was blessed with an ARC copy of Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith. I felt as if my story was being told; This was a reflectiom of my life.
ard and seen in this book. I had to stop and think about the times I never took, or had the time to grieve; the times I had to keep going because if I didn't make things happen, who would.
A Must Read!!

This book was only ok. It felt like a pep talk of sorts but I’m not sure I got that much out of it. Maybe it was too short? There were a few practical tips given and scripture sprinkled with life examples. Overall it didn’t give me much in the way of application. I wouldn’t read it again.

Review of Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith

Black Woman Grief is a deeply moving and insightful exploration of grief, resilience, and healing. Natasha Smith takes a compassionate and honest approach, acknowledging the unique burdens that Black women carry when facing loss. Her writing is both personal and universal, making space for readers to see themselves and their experiences reflected on the page.
What stands out most is how Smith challenges the expectation of constant strength, instead encouraging vulnerability and self-compassion. She weaves together faith, history, and psychology to provide not just understanding but also tangible steps toward healing. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a trusted friend—one who understands the weight of grief and offers a guiding hand through it.
This book is more than just a discussion of sorrow; it’s a testament to the power of honoring grief while still moving forward. Smith’s words provide validation, hope, and a path toward wholeness. It’s a must-read for anyone navigating loss, especially Black women who may feel unseen in their pain.

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

If you’re a Black woman, know a Black woman, love a Black woman, or want to support a Black woman—this book is for you. It speaks to the heart of our struggles, our resilience, and the grief we’ve been conditioned to carry without question.

Through the lens of Christian faith, this book gives language to the grief we’ve normalized, the wounds we’ve ignored, and the healing we deserve. It doesn’t just name the pain—it offers a way through it.

Black woman, what made you so afraid of rest?

This question lingers, demanding reflection. We’ve been taught to push through, to endure, to be strong at all costs. But what if rest isn’t weakness? What if it’s a form of resistance?

Because let’s be real—what doesn’t kill us doesn’t always make us stronger. Sometimes, it just gives us trauma. And overcoming isn’t just something we do; it’s in our bones, our bloodline, our birthright.

This book is a must-read. It’s a love letter, a challenge, and a call to healing all in one.

Black Woman Grief a book I didn’t realise I needed but so glad I came upon.

Beautifully written , felt like a love letter to black woman. I love that faith in God was evidenced throughout. The bible scriptures used were excellent and the ideas given are straight forward to achieve if we make time to do the work on ourselves.

I will get a copy for myself and a copy to share with other when going through grief.

Would make a great Bible study or Christian women's book club pick!

Beautiful cover.

Given the tough topic, this is not the type of book that one "enjoys" per se, but the target demographic should appreciate this, and other ethnicities can learn a lot from the stories and general and poignant information included.

My main challenge with this book is that I think the author could have prioritized the grief and self-help pieces (hope, self-care, etc.) more, which is the main pull of the title. Instead, it felt like a recap of the causes of black grief in society and the author's personal grief with the self-help parts sprinkled in. The Bible scriptures were aptly placed and timely.

I don't think the majority of this book was "A Guide to Hope and Wellness," maybe about ~50%? Grief and its forms don't get defined until ~30% in. Nonetheless, the ending had activities that could make this a good reference book. 👌