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Bend, Don't Break

A novel

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Pub Date Feb 04 2025 | Archive Date May 31 2025

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Description

Timely and unforgettable, Bend, Don’t Break spans two centuries of American history and is a captivating testament to women’s ambition and the unbreakable bond between Black mothers and their daughters.

Drawing strength from their ancestor, Aisha, a slave born free on the west coast of Africa, four Black women will do whatever is necessary to succeed—and will do even more to protect their daughters. Aisha’s granddaughter, Dinah, a plantation slave, fends off the advances of the master’s son and vows to prevent the same mistreatment of her daughter, Sarah. During the Harlem Renaissance, Augusta, an aspiring teacher, falls in love for the first time. Her mother, Julia, is determined to prevent her from getting hurt. Attorney Olivia and her news producer daughter, Nicole, both seek success and equality in the white man’s world of 1980s corporate life. And in the present day, Sha, a tech company chief information officer, turns amateur detective after her daughter’s assault.

Throughout the generations, these women encounter similar challenges but face them in different ways and survive and thrive through all of it, because they bend but do not break. They demonstrate that although generational trauma can be passed down like an inheritance, so, too, can healing and resilience.

Timely and unforgettable, Bend, Don’t Break spans two centuries of American history and is a captivating testament to women’s ambition and the unbreakable bond between Black mothers and their...


Advance Praise

“An inspiring, historically based novel with a charismatic cast of strong, black, female characters. …Written by the talented Julie L. Brown…There were a number of elements to this story I particularly enjoyed. Firstly, the author works confidently with speech, using it to not only develop her plot but also her characters. Secondly, I loved the protagonists…And thirdly, the pacing is strong…most readers will enjoy getting to know the female characters and rooting for all of them to be safe–and successful.” — The Wishing Shelf

“An inspiring, historically based novel with a charismatic cast of strong, black, female characters. …Written by the talented Julie L. Brown…There were a number of elements to this story I...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781735475066
PRICE
PAGES 440

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Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

I thought this was a strong story and worked with the two centuries going on this journey. The plot was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed how everything worked together. I enjoyed the feel of this and had that overall character development with this book. I enjoyed how good this was and look forward to more from Julie L. Brown.

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