Hold You Down by Tracy Brown had me hooked from the first chapter. I flew threw this book. Finished it in one day. I had to know what was going to happen to these sisters and their boys.

Lennox and Mercy lived two different lives but stuck together since they were sisters. Their boys almost like brothers.

It’s unfortunate the paths people take and how fast life can change. My heart aches for Mercy’s son.

The narrator Patryce Williams did an amazing job. I’ll def be looking for others books she has narrated.

I’ll be adding Tracy Browns other books to my TBR!

4.5 Stars. Wow, wow wow. This story ripped my heart out of my chest and just made me hurt. There is no romanticizing to be found within these chapters. This story was raw and real, shows how the decisions that one family member makes can have a rippling affect to their loved ones around them. Sisters Mercy and Lenox tried the best they could to raise their two children Juda and Deon the only way they could manage. the sister made decisions after their mom's passing that changed the course of their lives, and their children's lives, forever.

I absolutely loved this authors writing and how she didn't hold back on keeping things real. This is not the story that will give you warm furry feeling inside. I felt the emptions of these characters like I knew them personally. This story was captivating and I just had to see how things would end for this family. I can see this bein a movie. Definitely suggest picking this one up if you are looking for a change from your normal drama.

I give this 4.5 stars rounded to 5 because I did think that the pacing was a little slow at times but overall very enjoyable. I did not like the narrator of this story but I chalk that up to listening to it through the NetGalley app. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

CHECK TW. CHECK TW. CHECK TW. ‼️

Honestly I am so blown away by this novel. I go into novels blind, and had no idea what was coming to me.

The emotions that will flood you through every page are overwhelming at times. This is my first read by this author and it absolutely did not disappoint.

Hold You Down follows 2 sisters and their sons. One sister on a mission to give herself and her family what she didn’t when growing up, no matter what it takes and the means to get it. One sister grounded in working and making it by as long as it didn’t cause danger or harm to the ones she loved.

From the drug world, murder, juvie, another murder, jail, death and parole. You follow Mercy, Lennox, Juda, and Deon trying to find a way out of the poverty, grief and the crack game that they each find themselves in.

Hold You down is an equal measure of hope and unbelievable heartbreak. It’s a rollercoaster and a ACCURATE depiction for so many families going through these same things.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the audio ARC in return for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this book.

Tracy Brown developed these characters well. They seemed so realistic and their struggles were believable . I loved the relationship, Mercy and Lenox, the two sisters have. Mercy was a hard worker and Lenox wanted to get rich quick. Throughout their lives they were always there for each and that trickled down to their children
I loved their two boys so much. As a mother of two boys, I hoped that they would grow up to be self sufficient men. Deon and Judah end up in a role reversal due to a situation that changes their relationship forever.
I enjoyed this as a book and enjoyed the audiobook even more. Patryce Williams keeps you engaged with the story. Definitely would recommend this as either an audiobook or the regular book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hold You Down takes us on epic journey of two sisters, Lenox and Mercy, navigating life in New York City from the late 1980s through the early 1990s. We meet the sisters as they bury their estranged mother. Lenox is struggling to raise her son Deon alone just like Mercy raising her son Judah. They raise their boys side by side like brothers. Lenox is drawn to the fast life of the drug game. Mercy prefers a much safer lifestyle of working a 9-5 job while following her dream of becoming a restaurateur.

While the two sister choose very different paths, they constantly intersect because of their close bond. The same happens for their sons. Through heartbreaks, failures, and loss they try to remain close. The cold, cruel world that they live in constantly chips away at their connection. The book takes you on an emotional roller coaster as you witness it all unfold.

I found this to be such an entertaining read. The characters were well developed and had lots of depth. Their struggles felt realistic and authentic. The closeness between the two sisters was touching. I felt myself become emotionally invested in their ups and downs. The two boys were so lovable. I was rooting for them to become strong, productive men. When they faltered, I felt their pain.

This was a powerful testimony of love and loss. I gave it four stars. I would highly recommend reading this upon its release. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan, and Tracy Brown for this advanced copy to review.

4.5 stars rounded up

I hope this book gets all the love and attention it deserves.


Part 1 is n emotional look at 2 women coming of age with 2 young sons during the rise of the Crack cocaine epidemic in Staten Island. It starts in 1984 and looks at the two sisters Mercy, the straight laced one, and Lenox, the one with her eyes on the good life. Lenox gets into the Crack game for the money and lifestyle it can provide her. Mercy loves her sister and her nephew, but wants nothing to do with that life.

We work our way up through time as the sisters sons grow up in the projects and the changing landscape around them. We continue through until the young men also come of age through the winding and different path life takes each of them on.

The characters were complex (which is my favorite). The story was raw and emotional and felt like it could have just as easily been classified a historical fiction as a contemporary fiction.

The story had me wanting to find excuses to keep listening and not wanting to get out of my car because I didn't want to stop. I recommend picking this one up!

My only complaint on the audio is that the narrators voices used for the young boys was a bit cringey. I still recommend the audio as it's a small percentage of the time, but if something like that will ruin a book for you just be aware.

It was pretty good. The narrator sort of bored me in spots but the story itself was enjoyable. I like Tracy Brown so I def enjoyed the pacing and plot. The audio just needed another narrator

I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn't get into it. I tried both the e-book version and the audiobook version, and neither one could capture my interest and keep it. I gave up after 100 pages.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the audio version of this book. Thank you to Goodreads for the paperback version of this book. Everything I write is of my own personal feeling and opinions.

This book gives a chilling account of being a young mom iin the 90's at the rise of the crack/cocain epidemic. the story follows two sisters one who ends up murdered so the sister has to raise her boy. The two cousins are raised like brothers. This book has many twists and turns to keep you wanting to see what will happen next. I highly recommend this book.

Great audiobook. I was totally riveted by this gritty drama of two sisters who choose different paths that end up having consequences that ripple through their lives for generations. I loved each character and their development. The women were complex and the author weaves in issues of the time from the 80s/90s including the crack epidemic. The second part of the book that follows the womens sons is equally heartbreaking in new ways. The peak into these lives was important and I’m glad to have read this book. Between 4 and 5 stars and likely to be a favorite of the month (sept) for me.

4 stars

This was my first Tracy Brown read (listen, in this case, because I was fortunate to have access to the audio version), and it will not be my last.

Readers jump right into the relationship between two sisters, Lenox and Mercy. Each sister has a son, Deon and Judah, respectively, and while the sisters' relationship is complicated mostly by Lenox's life choices and the stress they create for everyone, it's also rooted in a deep love for each other and for each other's children. The novel takes place over the course of the boys' young lives and features all of the characters as they encounter breathtaking losses, challenge each other, and try with only occasional success to avoid the worst possible outcomes.

There's not much sugarcoating happening here. While this isn't the grittiest backdrop, it's also not a space where the characters get much justice or reprieve from heartache. In that sense, these characters and situations feel very real, and the narrator of the audio version really brings them to life.

I wished that I'd gotten to spend even more time with really all four of the central characters independently, and I'd have loved, especially, to see more into the boys' futures. The desire to know more, of course, reflects on its own that this is both a subtle and engaging read. Readers looking for an emotional depiction of the relationship between two sisters, their children, and the possible pairings within will find a lot to like here.

I couldn't get into this story. It was too slow moving. I realize now that I'd mistaken this for a book by another author with a similar name and similar book covers. The reviews on goodreads are warm and say this is an emotional tear-jerker, which is also something I am not interested in. I was drawn to the description about 80/90s NYC but couldn't get into the story--it seemed to drag and ramble and not have a plot or purpose. Sorry! I did not finish.