"Black Girls Must Die Exhausted" is a raw and relatable exploration of the pressures faced by Black women in contemporary society. Jayne Allen crafts a vibrant narrative that centers on the life of Tabitha Walker, a 30-something woman navigating love, career, and the weight of generational expectations.

The writing is both lyrical and accessible, making it a page-turner that leaves you reflecting long after you’ve closed the book.

This book threw so many experiences and traumas into one book that I wasn’t sure I would make it. But the saving grace was the relationship between Tabitha One and Two. Their interactions made me laugh, think and cry. I’m not sure I will read the rest of the series but I think I will try.

Tabitha Walker is a 33-year-old local news reporter that is navigating through life. She plans to make a down payment on her dream home and has a steady boyfriend. But when a medical diagnosis threatens her ability to have children, Tabitha doesn’t know what her future will look like.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted is a good debut novel from Jayne Allen. Tabitha is a very relatable character. Allen paints a very accurate picture of the difficulties of balancing a career, love life, and fertility. Tabitha’s relationships with her friends and grandmother are nurturing and rewarding. Good character development and dialogue makes Black Girls Must Die Exhausted a good start to this three book series.

A powerful read! I am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

Tabitha Walker is a black woman with a plan to “have it all.” At 33 years old, the checklist for the life of her dreams is well underway. Education? Check. Good job? Check. Down payment for a nice house? Check. Dating marriage material? Check, check, and check. With a coveted position as a local news reporter, a "paper-perfect" boyfriend, and even a standing Saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, everything seems to be falling into place.

Then Tabby receives an unexpected diagnosis that brings her picture-perfect life crashing down, jeopardizing the keystone she took for granted: having children. With her dreams at risk of falling through the cracks of her checklist, suddenly she is faced with an impossible choice between her career, her dream home, and a family of her own.

With the help of her best friends, the irreverent and headstrong Laila and Alexis, the mom jeans-wearing former "Sexy Lexi," and the generational wisdom of her grandmother and the nonagenarian firebrand Ms. Gretchen, Tabby explores the reaches of modern medicine and tests the limits of her relationships, hoping to salvage the future she always dreamed of. But the fight is all consuming, demanding a steep price that forces an honest reckoning for nearly everyone in her life. As Tabby soon learns, her grandmother's age-old adage just might still be true: Black girls must die exhausted.

I read through Black Girls Must Die Exhausted in a couple of days, and I loved it. I enjoyed reading about a powerful woman trying to figure out how to achieve all of her goals without compromising her relationships. The plot is complicated, keeping me hooked until the last page.

Have you heard that quote: "Be kind to everyone because you never know the battles they face every day"? I feel "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted" encompasses this quote. We are introduced to the main protagonist, who has a problem list that is a mile long. It is no wonder that there is consistent tension throughout the novel. Tabby has so much stress in her life, which translates really well in writing. It was shocking to read her story page after page, and it left me completely stunned that she had not had a complete breakdown on the first page.

It was a great book that highlighted some real-life problems for women and shed light on real-life issues for black women. I commend Jayne Allen for tackling such a heavy book with such grace.

Tabitha Walker is just a lady trying to have it all. She’s juggling a demanding career that’s hopefully on the rise with a boyfriend who’s serious but not yet serious enough for marriage. When she finds out that, at 33, she has fewer eggs than she should, and if she doesn’t act fast, she’ll lose her opportunity at biological children, she’s faced with some tough decisions. Freezing her eggs will cost her the precious downpayment on a house she’s been saving for years. Plus, her boyfriend isn’t ready for marriage, let alone kids, and he doesn’t know if/when he might ever be. Having it all just became an impossibility.

This has been on my TBR for a while, so long in fact, that book 2 is out now, which works out well for me, because my hold at the library should be ready in a day or two, woot! I tore through it in just over two days. Started it at the market on Sunday, and it was such a good choice for sitting in the sun on an easygoing, weekend day.

It’s got a little bit of everything. Lady friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, job pressures, and the ever ticking biological clock, all while having the ultimate stressor of being a black woman in America. I laughed and even cried bittersweet tears no fewer than three times. I got angry and happy, felt the roller coaster dips right along with the characters. 10/10 do recommend.

Let me tell y’all something. I started this book last night and finished it this morning. The CHOKEHOLD!!!!!!!! I usually never read women’s fiction and like to stick to my usual thrillers to pass the time but sheesh this book brought out EVERY SINGLE GROWN WOMAN EMOTION. I laughed, almost cried, had a stank look on my face and everything. And listen, the scene where Tabby was in the car cursing out Marc brought back some flashbacks to my early 20s. I was able to relate on a personal level. Lol

You guys, if you haven’t noticed by now, I loved this one. I LOVED it. I’m so proud of Jayne Allen for putting this relatable story on paper ( @jayneallenwrites ) and I’m so ready to read her next one. I’m kicking myself for reading BGMDE so late. I received a digital ARC (thanks @harperperennial and @netgalley ) awhile ago and really should have cracked this one open sooner.

This is such a good book to pass the time. Trust me!

A woman trying to have it all gets thrown a curve ball that disrupts her plans and future and decisions have to be made. Following Tabitha’s journey is an interesting possibility far too realistic look at like for a young black woman trying to make it in this modern world. I liked the relationships between the female characters a lot. It was an emotional ride and very well written.

BLACK GIRLS MUST DIE EXHAUSTED tells the story of Tabitha Walker, a career-focused Black woman in her 30s. It was interesting to read about Tabitha's career as a news reporter in Los Angeles, and I especially loved the interactions between Tabitha, Grandma Tabby, and Ms. Gretchen, which sparked joy and passed on wisdom.

The book's main focus seems to be modern-day relationships, prompting the question, "What is love anyway?" While I appreciated the author's take on love and how complicated it is, I felt that the characters in the book were rather surface level (and this may be because of the rather large number of issues the book tried to cover). The part where Tabitha intentionally chose not to take her birth control pill and Plan B threw me off a bit too.

While BLACK GIRLS MUST DIE EXHAUSTED didn't quite work for me, I'm interested in seeing where Tabitha ends up and would be open to read the sequel, BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC.

BLACK GIRLS MUST DIE EXHAUSTED chronicles the experiences of most African American women living in America. While the experiences are very real, I found myself having a hard time connecting with Tabitha the main character. While all novels don't have a strong main character, her anxiety is sometimes unwarranted in my opinion. The dysfunctional and back and forth relationship between Marc and Tabby is missing chemistry and substance which had me thinking why she put so much effort in trying to maintain it. Her friendship with Lexi and Laila also seemed felt disconnected.

The book was well-written but failed to drawn me in. I will give the sequel a chance to see if there is better chance to determine if that one engages me.

So I finished reading this book Friday night, after Rittenhouse was acquitted of all charges. I couldn’t help but think of it as I read about all the small and huge exhaustions that Black women have to fight through every day.

Tabitha Walker is seriously killing it in life. She’s up for a promotion in her job as a news reporter on TV, she has amazing friends, she’s saved up for a down payment on a house, and has a handsome boyfriend. Not bad for 33! But then she receives bad news that she may not be able to have children one day without significant fertility treatments and now her entire life plan is up in the air.

This book was so beautifully written. I loved all the characters, especially Tabitha. The dialogue in this book, whether it’s with her friends or her BF always seems so natural and genuine which is a testament to Allen’s writing! I was hanging on every word especially as Tabitha had a powerful heart to heart with her white grandmother about race.

One part of this book that absolutely sucker punched me was the scene in which Tabitha gets pulled over by a cop. From there being so many incidents with law enforcement officers and BIPOC, I know that this has to be a terrifying experience. But reading those several pages through her eyes, I almost forgot to breathe. It’s scenes like these that I think we could ALL benefit from reading and putting ourselves in others’ shoes.

No spoilers here, but the last page or so threw me for a loop there at the end, which I’m still trying to figure out how I felt about.

I’m already looking forward to reading the next two books in this series as they come out. Allen is deeefinitely going to be an auto-read for me now!

while I liked the main character Tabitha, I found that the story seemed to center too much around infertility. There seemed to be a disconnect between characters, sometimes they felt very one dimensional. I wasn't very invested in whether Tabitha got through her diagnosis

While the storyline is a bit predictable, I really enjoyed this story about Tabby, a woman trying to balance career and family, all while struggling with her fertility. The writing is wonderful, as is the character development, especially Tabby. For fans of Queenie and Jasmine Guillory.

Note: There was some negative body talk that bugged me, so watch out for that if it's a trigger for you.

This book was amazing and it was just the right book at the right time that I didn't know I needed

I feel this book soul deep. It had relatable characters with real life situations that felt authentic. The emotions it evoked in me was a whirlwind experience.

As we walk with Tabitha through the chaotic landscape of her journey we see why she has an exhausting trip ahead. Along the way she gets sage advice from her wise grandmother to help navigate the road ahead.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted was brilliant poignant story with insight and depth into the life and soul of Black women and their struggles. I can't wait to read the next book in the series .

The story rotates around three companions who need to comfort their difficulties however consistently appear and stand up for one another. Tabitha stands by restlessly for her sweetheart to take their relationship to a higher level, however, this was a problematic relationship and people can question its existence. Alexis, who wedded her secondary school darling and is presently at crossroads, and Laila who breaks down easily but has consistently kept a dreamer of extraordinary strength. The story moves on at a fast pace and by halfway through the story, the account takes an exceptionally sharp turn. The author starts to investigate the issues that make a difference to individuals of color, like reproductive rights and infertility treatments, which are unseen and overlooked amongst many others.

The first part of the book requires tolerance because the description turns out to be exceptionally sharp, pointed, and grills the multifaceted of race, sex, class, sexuality after the initial hundred pages. The possibility that the two ladies and individuals of color need to work a lot harder to get the acknowledgment that they have merit for, this is the reason that the title of this book announces that Black Girls Must Die Exhausted. For the lead character in this book, Tabitha Walker, that is unquestionably evident. She needs to continually battle to excel, without aiming to be viewed as excessively pushy or excessively forceful. Everything is a battle and surprisingly her body is betraying her in her endeavors to prevail in her profession, her own life, and the fantasy of one day being a spouse and mother.

This book isn’t just about race, it is additionally about connections. Tabitha has a few resilient ladies in her day-to-day existence, from her closest companions Leila and Lexi to her grandma, who is called Tabatha. Added to this is her unpredictable relationship with her dad, not exactly ideal relationship with her sweetheart Marc, and a significant relationship with her mom. It is these connections that add to the rich and complex blend that makes this story. Even though some individuals are not all that great are aiming in life, there are likewise clarifications and reasons given for the way they act.

The author has amazingly caught significant components for the intricacy of being a fruitful, single person of color in this day and age. There were countless minutes I needed to pause and absorb what was going on in the book. This book is so unique and an encouraging sign that one day, more writing will mirror the real-life factors of women of color.

“A lot of times it does feel exhausting. Because everything bad in society is about you, but when it comes to the good, nothing is for you. I feel like I’m not enough and too much, all at the same time. And then, other times, being Black feels exhilarating—because every good thing that happens feels like a victory, even the small things. Because you’re constantly reminded that you’re an other, so you know whatever good happened in spite of. So there’s celebration, there’s joy.”

BLACK GIRLS MUST DIE EXHAUSTED is the first in a trilogy from @jayneallenwrites that explores both the pressures and joys facing contemporary women: namely, a Black woman named Tabitha Walker who thinks she’s got her dream life mapped out until an unexpected diagnosis throws a wrench in her plans. This book doesn’t shy away from the heavy and difficult things in the lives of Tabitha, her friends, and her family, but there’s a joyful current throughout the book that really celebrates the relationships that carry us from difficulty to difficulty, whether it’s family or friends or the friends who become like family. I loved this debut and am SO happy it’s just the first in a series! I love getting to spend extended time with characters and am eagerly anticipating the next book, BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC releasing February 2022!

I featured this book as a Book of the Day spotlight and included it in my weekly roundup and monthly post of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction platforms.

Not what I expected.

Whilst I DO enjoy women's fiction SO much, this wasn't anything that kept me interested. I didn't finish at 10%.

Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by @jayneallemwrites / You can totally judge this book by its gorgeous cover that released on September 28, 2021

The book started off as a light chick lit but as the story progressed it tackled much heavier deeper subject matter, more of literary fiction genre!

All the female characters from Tabitha to her friends Lila and Alexis to her grandmother are portrayed as strong and bold woman who have their own struggles and victories .

This book will for sure not disappoint you as all the characters are very well developed with simple writing style and amazing storyline.

Thank you @harperperennial and NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange of my honest opinion

Tabitha is 33 years old and has a plan to have it all - perfect job, perfect boyfriend, and she’s ready to buy the perfect house. But when she finds out she may not be able to have children, all of that comes crashing down and she has to make some tough choices.

This book is not just about Tabitha’s journey, but also about an incredible friendship. These are strong female characters who empower each other and support each other no matter what, and seeing that friendship was beautiful. This book had so many layers and so much depth to it, it’s difficult to put into words. There were so many complex issues addressed (accessibility of fertility treatments, attempted suicide, death of a family member) yet it was written in a way that didn’t feel heavy at all. I LOVED this one and cannot wait to read the rest of this trilogy.

Thanks to Harper Perennial for the gifted copy!