Single Black Female is a story about American life and how the color of your skin impacts what that’s like.

Ivy Donovan has been completely loyal to her man, Michael, during the many years he has been in prison. She has been putting his needs and wants before her own, working hard to make a success of her salon so that she can provide Michael with what he needs to be as comfortable as possible where he is, and to make sure their sons Kingston and Noah can choose a better path through life than Michael did. She wants more for her boys than hustling, burning bright but short like all the men in their father’s family have done. Ivy’s moved them from Brooklyn to Statten Island to make sure that happens. But the move has left her exhausted and the tale starts with a fight between her and Michael. She tells him she no longer wants to make the long trek up to visit him, that she needs a break from rearranging her life every couple of weeks just so she can come see him. He’s not pleased and threatens retribution.

Coco (Cara) Norris knows that everything she has built comes from the foundation laid by her brother Michael.

Coco had been in the fifth grade when their father-a hustler also- had been killed. Mikey was in high school, and he picked up the baton he felt their father had passed to him. Mikey hit the streets and ran headlong into the crack game, as if he felt that the responsibility to provide for the family fell squarely on his shoulders.

She feels obligated to visit, to call, to send letters – but like Ivy she feels she’s done a lot with the little Michael left her. Coco’s not sure anyone appreciates just how hard she’s worked for her prime position at a marketing firm. She knows for sure the men she’s dated don’t. When the latest loser spends a night getting down and dirty with her and then advises her in the morning he won’t be back because he’s marrying another girl he knocked up, she knows she needs to make changes. She lets her friend Nicky set her up with a guy named Ziggy. He’s not like anyone else she’s ever been with – but maybe that’s a good thing.

Deja Maddox’s boyfriend Rashid got sent to prison for a crime he didn’t commit – but he also didn’t snitch on the guy who did. Deja testified for him at the trial and did all she could to get him set free, but the minute he was found guilty she bounced. Deja didn’t want to spend the next decade taking herself and her baby daughter Bree back and forth to visit her man in prison like Ivy has done with her kids. Deja got a degree, worked her way up the ladder as a high-end real estate agent and married Bobby, a police sergeant with the NYPD. He may bore her to tears and she may have to get her sexual satisfaction from her guy on the side but she’s built a great life for herself and Bree.

Then Rashid gets out of prison and decides he wants to develop a relationship with Bree. His presence is a catalyst, bringing unexpected changes to the womens’ lives and forcing them to examine if Black women can ever really Have It All.

This is a general fiction novel which takes a look at complicated family relationships and how they impact our lives. Ivy has spent more time being in a relationship with the incarcerated Michael than she ever spent with him while he was on the outside. That relationship has tied her to his problematic sister Patsy and Patsy’s sons, who are all in the same business Michael was. It has tied her to Coco, his sister, who also wants to be far away from the hustling lifestyle but is in turn tied to it by her love for her brother and sister. Rashid had gotten taken up with Michael as a known associate because he had been in the same gang. His return means Deja and Bree are now pulled back into the shadow of that life.

Easily the best part of this book is that the author shows the complex emotional aspect of this situation, which explains why the women couldn’t just build better lives by walking away from their old ones. Michael’s hustling enabled Ivy to have seed money to start her business, and allowed Coco to pursue her degree, so both women feel a sense of gratitude. Michael’s two sons may have spent little time with him, but they know how he provided for his family by what he did, appreciating that his actions weren’t selfish but necessary, and driven by concern for his kin. Rashid had paid off Deja’s mama’s mortgage and made sure they had cars to go to work with and food on the table. His generosity had kept them from being homeless. The men may bring danger and violence into their lives but have provided love, care and protection as well.

An important plot point is that the danger Rashid and Michael bring with them isn’t just because they are drug dealers, but has instead a great deal to do with being Black in America. Racism plays an important role not just in limiting the men’s choices for how they provide for their families, but how they are treated both in and out of the system. Ms. Brown does a really nice job of capturing the tension Black families live with and surprising us with how ordinary events can turn extraordinarily dangerous for them.

The book’s only flaw is that while presenting the rich emotional ties that keep Black families connected, it glosses over the very real costs of doing so, as well as the wealth of problems connected to the hustling lifestyle. Reading this novel, you receive the impression that the worst that can happen is imprisonment and the highest price paid by the families is sacrificing a day every couple of weeks to visit them. Everything bad – such as Michael’s father’s murder and Deja’s mom’s financial struggles – is in the past. People deal drugs but no one is addicted. Folks get roughed up but no one gets killed. Hood life is also glamorized – the excitement, the Instagram fame, the ready money are discussed, but no conversations take place about what it takes to get any of that.

The characterization really suffers as a result of this veneer. The ladies are presented as so fierce, so successful, so beautiful and so together that trouble practically bounces off of them. This makes them hard to relate to or feel empathy for. It also makes them difficult to distinguish – aside from their jobs and the names of their kids, the three leads are interchangeable.

That might have worked in a women’s fiction or romance novel which tackled lighter subjects, but in Single Black Female, dealing with some of the biggest issues affecting our culture today, it lessens the impact of the story, leaving it well written and interesting but not DIK material.

This book took me through it! A tale of 4 black women, who are different in their own ways. But each goes through its own tribulations that are somewhat similar. It started off good and kept me engrossed to see what happens with Ivy, Deja, Nikki, and Coco.. A very good read! I read this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Held my interest and read all in one sitting. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review

Just okay. Not awful, not amazing either. I could go into why but I don’t think I have anything different to say than any other reviewer. I listens to this in audio and it was well performed.

This book right here!!! So good. An outstanding read. 4 friends and the journey choices have taken them on. One thing for sure, they may not know what is ahead of them, but they know their sister girls are with them every step of the way. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the arc of this book in return for my honest opinion. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on this review.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown was a great read. I spotlighted it as book of the day on my social media platforms, and I will include it in a monthly roundup of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction blog.

I really wanted to like this one more than I did. I love a book about friendship and how it changes and grows. I just wasnt able to like and connect with the characters. I’m sure this will resonate with a crowd, I am just not part of that crowd.

Tracy Brown is a newly discovered author, her book a selection I chose courtesy of NetGalley. This story resonated with me on many levels.. The author wrote a story that is an ode to family, kinship and love. She created characters that embody the beauty, complexity, joy, sorrow, frailties and strengths that Black women experience every day. Their stories and situations are different than my own, but in Ivy, Deja, Coco and Nikki I saw the solidarity of the sister circle. I loved how these women where there for each other, providing safe harbour to express themselves. Their tragedies and triumphs universal (for Black women of the diaspora) as they seek to be seen, heard, respected and love and be loved in the skin they inhabit.
I will definitely be reading more of this author's work. She touched on many issues that affect WOC with a deft touch and sensitivity.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is the story of four women who must face life’s struggles as women, mothers, wives, and what it means to be Black in America. Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is a must-read book. The story writing and character building are spectacular. The way Tracy Brown touches upon serious issues and topics in the book, really makes the read much better. This was a fast-paced read with real-life issues that we all face every day. Each character was layered well, which added depth to the story. This book doesn't sugarcoat the truth more like shines a light on it, many times the injustice of what's happening to African American's is overlooked. I think that this book did a great job teaching me about some of the wrongdoings as well as emphasizing the problems and enlightening the possible solution. Once you start reading this book you won't realize how caught up you're and it'll make you look at the world in a different way. The ending was intense, wish this happy outcome was more frequent in our world. I would recommend checking the TW before reading this book. At times there were moments when I felt myself loving and hating them. Thanks, NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Author for this awesome ebook copy!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing my ARC! I have been trying to diversify my reading, so I was glad to see this book centered on four very different Black women.

I had a little trouble getting into the book - it took awhile to get a sense of all the characters and how they were related to each other. But I'm so glad I didn't DNF, because once I got into it, the pages flew. The second half of this book is so emotional and heart-wringing. Brown shows us how each of the women has struggled with various issues: the men in their lives, societal expectations, systemic racism, motherhood, etc. Each woman finds the strength to confront her problems and make a better future for herself - I loved how these women supported each other as sisters.

The tragedy that befalls Kingston is incredibly powerful and moving. I recently read We Are Not Like Them, which also explores the question of police violence and racism - I think this book did it much better. Brown doesn't mince words, doesn't accept excuses - she shows the brutality and danger that Black men are forced to live with. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy novel that include deeper themes like social justice and systemic racism.

Single Black Female by Tracy Brown is the story of four women who must face life’s struggles as women, mothers, wives and what it means to be Black in America. Ivy Donovan is a successful stylist and entrepreneur who has raised her two sons after their father, Michael, was sentenced to prison. After years of loneliness, her loyalty to Michael has wavered and she is desperate to have more to her life than what she has. Cara “Coco” Norris is successful and single but something is lacking. Deja Maddox is a successful real estate agent, married to Bobby, a sergeant with the NYPD. It seems that they have made it. But everything isn’t what it seems in their high polished life. Nikki Diamond is an intelligent, self-made businesswoman and social media influencer with millions of adoring fans. She lives loud and large with no regrets and feels the ladies around her need to let loose. She is certainly willing to help them. However, they soon must face the ultimate test as one of their own gets caught up in a situation that polarizes a neighborhood and a community. Where will they stand? Who will they fight for?
From the opening chapter, Tracy Brown’s story promises to be an edgy, no holds bar, hard hitting, and a reality gut check.. And wow, does she deliver! Yes, it is about four friends who struggle with “the dramatic twists and turns of life, love and what it means to “make it” in America”. However, she offers an in depth, brutally honest look into a life and a reality that I have never experienced and will never truly understand. These women find themselves in the Catch-22 of trying to better yourself and staying true to your roots and your neighborhood. Single Black Female holds nothing back as it highlights the nuances in the Black community as they live, love and face the joy and pain of being a Black woman. Ms. Brown writes a story that smolders with a hidden fire you know is there but you pretend it’s not. You wait as the flames get higher and higher until you can’t ignore it any longer. It is not light reading but I thoroughly enjoyed it as I hung on every word, turning each page as I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I highly recommend Single Black Female.

Single Black Female is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

This book has a lot going on and many people might find that the drama helped boost the story. It started off slow for me but wrapped up pretty well. The women were definitely privileged and at times their actions seem to be predictable.

This is a trope-y and dishy novel about four women elevated by the addition of social issues. Regular readers of the genre of successful women with man trouble likely will recognize Ivy, Coco, Deja, and Nikki (or at least one of them) but that's that a bad thing because Brown has expanded the field into women of color. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Good storytelling and I have to admit it- sympathetic characters = made this a good read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This was a fast-paced read that covered a lot of relevant issues. Brown does an excellent job of writing believable characters that are easy for the reader to relate to and care about. The one criticism may be that there are just too many characters? At times, I wanted more of a narrow focus and got distracted by some of the secondary storylines.

I’ve been a Tracy Brown fan for years. I love all her books. I was excited to see she was coming out with a new book. Once I started reading Single Black Female, I knew this book would be a different kind of read from the usual Tracy Brown books. It started off slow and I honestly was struggling to complete the book. By the end of the book I was satisfied with this book, even though it wasn’t what I expected. Tracy touched on very important topics that black women go through on a daily basis. Every last one of the main characters was going through something that we as black women can relate to. Book starts off slow but had my attention by the end. Important topics and good storyline.

If you are a Tracey Brown fan this new book DOES NOT disappoint. The characters are so well developed that I felt myself loving and hating them. I almost called in work because I stayed up so late trying to finish. I couldn’t put it down!

Thanks to Publisher and Net Galley for ARC copy. Truly love this book the Sisterhood that Ivy, Coco, Nikki, Deja shared. I have so much love for Ivy loyal she show Michael don't know many Women who would stick with Michael like Ivy. In the being I didn't care for Deja she wasn't real, and was she did with Bree and Rashid. Now Nikki was a trip but real living her life to the fullest. Coco I was on the fence with her Derek she just let him play and than came Ziggy when they went to the Hospital and she told Ziggy to leave I didn't like that all I want to say about Coco and Ziggy situation love is love. That Pasty was trifling she didn't have a life so she all put her nose in everybody else business. When Kingston was taken Bree and the car broke down and the events that had my Blood boiling had put book down, that Bobby is something else I couldn't stand him. Author Tracy Brown is one of those Author who can take some time off and come write a book like she never left. This was a Phenomenal Novel love it.

Single Black Female is powerful. It’s timely, touches on topics other authors might shy away from, and it’s not afraid to shift your thinking.

The characters are very well written and thought out. They grow as women to really love themselves. They fight for justice, for their happiness, and for their own peace.

This book will sit with me for a long time, and for that I’m grateful.

Thank you to Tracey Brown. St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Single Black Female follows a group of black women living in New York City. This book does not shy away from heavy topics! In addition to relationships and parenting, it discusses racism, drug culture, prison life, and police brutality, and it does so in an easily accessible way. Even if you can't relate to the lifestyle choices of the characters, I believe you will gain greater understanding and empathy from reading this book. I challenge you to step outside your comfort zone if this isn't a book you would typically gravitate towards. It is worth the read and is a great path to bigger conversations. I think this would be a great selection for a book group and the dialogue it would inspire.
4.5 Stars

3.75 really interesting book about 4 female friends, with all but Nikki seeming like they could be real people. Who knows, she may be too. At times funny, other sad, a good quick read.