Tracy Brown’s Brooklyn is all about a woman who doesn’t play by the rules, she makes them. From hustling her way through life to tearing down anyone who stands in her way, Brooklyn is a force to be reckoned with. The main character Brooklyn is absolutely a chaotic queen and I am HERE for it. Fast paced read that helped me out of a reading slump.

Rest in peace to Tracy Brown, you truly shared your visions with the world.

Brooklyn is a captivating thriller about a Pastor's daughter trying her best to survive in a stifling household. Although it starts out slowly, the plot really hits the ground running and doesn't leave room to process some of the events that happen. The characters feel very real, and it's easy to empathize with everything they experience.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book just wasn’t for me. I felt like the pacing was a little too slow and I never found myself eager to pick the book back up. It wasn’t the writing that I didn’t care for but the development of the story.

Tracy Brown’s Brooklyn is a gripping tale of love, loyalty, and survival in the face of betrayal and hardship. Set in the heart of Brooklyn, the story follows two sisters, Crystal and India, whose lives are torn apart by family secrets and devastating choices.

With raw emotion and authentic dialogue, Brown delivers a powerful narrative about resilience and the bonds that hold us together. Perfect for fans of urban fiction, Brooklyn is both heart-wrenching and unputdownable.

For a new generation of bad girls or for those that grew up with SIsta Soulja and the characters that came of age in a challenging time.

An intense, gripping tale of ambition, betrayal, and survival. Brooklyn’s journey from a hustler’s daughter to a ruthless queenpin is captivating, filled with twists and dark decisions that keep you hooked. Tracy Brown’s portrayal of Brooklyn is both chilling and fascinating, as she manipulates her way through life while leaving destruction in her wake. The tension builds to a powerful climax, where the question of who would murder Brooklyn leaves readers pondering the cost of her ruthless pursuit of power. A thrilling and emotionally charged read.

Another good story by Tracy Brown. Brooklyn wanted to grow up to fast. She always thought the grass was greener on the other side. She was tired of living by her family’s rules so she decided to do things her way. Her way always ended up being the hard way because she was very selfish. Just when I thought she might have learned a valuable lesson from her experience she did something else that proved she didn’t. She thought she could hustle everyone and didn’t care who she hurt.

Brooklyn by Tracy Brown draws you in through its rich character development, as Brown crafts people who feel real—flawed, relatable, and deeply human. The relationships between family members, lovers, and friends are portrayed with emotional depth, as the characters grapple with issues of loyalty, betrayal, and self-discovery.

I received an advanced copy of Brooklyn by Tracy Brown through NetGalley. This was my first time reading this author, and I found the book to be a compelling and gritty tale that kept me hooked from start to finish. Brooklyn follows the tumultuous life of Brooklyn Melody James, a master manipulator and survivor who leaves a trail of lies, heartache, and betrayal in her wake. Raised by parents who used the church to hustle money, Brooklyn idolizes her father and despises her mother. Determined to make her own rules, she sacrifices her family and runs away to New York City. There, she charms her way into the inner circle of hustlers and catches the eye of Hassan, a major player in the drug game. As she integrates into his operation, her ambition and ruthless desire to survive lead her to betray those closest to her. The story spans from Brooklyn to Washington, D.C., and Maryland, as Brooklyn's actions catch up with her, culminating in a shocking and unexpected conclusion. Brooklyn is a complex and deeply flawed character. Her upbringing in a dysfunctional family shapes her into a cold, calculating individual. Despite her many negative traits, her resilience and determination make her a fascinating protagonist. Her journey from a young girl learning to hustle to a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants is both tragic and compelling. As Brooklyn's love interest and a significant figure in the drug game, Hassan's character adds depth to the story. His relationship with Brooklyn is intense and passionate, but ultimately, he becomes another victim of her ambition. The supporting cast, including Brooklyn's parents and various hustlers she encounters, are well-developed and add richness to the narrative. Each character plays a crucial role in Brooklyn's story, highlighting different aspects of her personality and the consequences of her actions. Overall, Brooklyn is a gripping read that offers a raw and unflinching look at the life of a woman driven by ambition and survival. Tracy Brown's storytelling is engaging, and her characters are vividly portrayed, making this book a memorable experience. While some plot points felt a bit predictable, the strong character development and fast-paced narrative more than make up for it. I highly recommend this book to fans of urban fiction and thrillers. #netgalley #brooklyn

I don’t think a character in a book has gotten on my nerves more. However I enjoyed this book as Tracey had a way of giving insight into the experiences of Black Women. I’m so going to miss her works. Overall a must read.

This was my first story by Tracy Brown and I doubt it will be the last. I'm excited to through her back log but I am so sad we lost her so soon.

Brooklyn was interesting and not necessarily what I was expecting but still an entertaining read. Brooklyn frustrated me often, but I love characters like this because even though they are fiction I am able to really see them as human. I empathized with her a lot.

Brooklyn oh Brooklyn

This was your classic coming of age tale of a girl in NY. Brooklyn was raised by her parents who ran a church but who she also saw as fake because she recognized they did it for the money. Brooklyn adorned her father and hated her mother. I honestly believe if Brooklyns mom would of taken up for her and protected her from the first situation then she would not have turned out the way she did.

I gave Brooklyn A LOT of grace because of the way she grew up so I was not suprised with how she turned out. She really wanted someone to stand up for her and she never got that therefore she was in survival mode until the day she died.

Another great book by the late great Tracy Brown.

Brooklyn has been murdered. In this book, we follow her tumultuous journey leading up to her ultimate demise. As the reader is taken from her days as a sheltered teenager desperate for independence to a self-sabotaging young adult, the question 'Who would want to kill her?' soon morphs into 'Who wouldn't want to kill her?!'

Brooklyn Melody James is insufferable. She made one poor decision after another yet you just can't help but to root for her redemption. Initially, I sympathized with her. She experienced a traumatic event at a very young age and didn't receive the support she anticipated from her family. Her parents failed her, especially her mother, in this instance which caused Brooklyn to shift her mindset. From that point on she no longer respected them and craved the day she would escape their household indefinitely.

As Brooklyn grew older, however, she developed a victim mentality and became selfish, conniving and entitled. She made no attempts to heal from her past and burned bridges with every person that genuinely cared for or looked out for her. Even in adulthood it felt like she was a lost little girl trying to prove herself. It was incredibly frustrating to watch life chew her up and spit her out due to her repeatedly poor choices by a certain point.

Brooklyn is a cautionary tale of how unresolved trauma can truly shape the trajectory of your life. Tracy Brown has a phenomenal way of keeping you captivated by characters that will have you figuratively flipping a table and wanting to throw the book across the room as a result of their unfavorable actions. It took me so long to read this because I was in denial about it being her last literary gift to the world.🥺

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

In this last gift to the literary world, we are introduced to a young lady named Brooklyn. This one innocent pastor's daughter is lured to the streets by a man, the shopping and sex. Her naivety resulted in people taken advantage of her, which only hardened her heart.

When it was all said and done, Brooklyn's selfishness caused utter and complete chaos, which led to the loss of the ones who truly mattered…friends and family.

Can we talk about her dysfunctional family for a minute? While her father, Elias was out laying Haaaaa hands (and other appendages) on his parishioners, her mother focused on the lifestyle and benefits of being a First Lady. She pissed me off so bad when she took the word of someone else, instead of her child. THEN, to practically turn her back on that child was disgusting! Then, there's poor Amir. My heart went out to him, because everyone failed him, except his younger sister, Hope.

Did I agree with Brooklyn's outcome? I can't say that I did, but I definitely understand.

I have been reading books by @tracybrownwrites for years, and this by far, is her best work. The was drama in every page and the more I read, is the more the plot thickened. My favorite character will always be Hassan. He was such a good guy, evident by his relationship with his mother and sister. All he wanted to do was love Brooklyn, but she was too dumb to see it. Now, my least favorite character would definitely be Brooklyn's mother Sabrina. Somehow, I believe she her hatred do for her daughter stemmed from the fact that Brooklyn was a daddy's girl, and channelled that energy on her.

Please go get this book and read it!

All I have to say is, I cried! I have to say, my heart is broken for Brooklyn. Yes, she did the things that she did, but there was something that happened to her that caused her to be the way that she is. I saw myself in Brooklyn, which made me ball my eyes out. I too, grew up in a church going household, my parents were NOT like her parents though. I just thought it was something out there better than what was going on in church, Throughout it all, God was covering me. Whew! Thankfully, I am still alive. Tracy Brown did her BIG ONE with this one! The writing was paced perfectly, all of the characters were developed well, I expected nothing less from TB! RIP Tracy Brown! I cried really bad...like really bad!

This book was a work of art. I was pleasantly surprised by this story as I judged the book just by its cover. I was already expecting it to be phenomenal but I was not prepared for the story it told. I am so upset to discover the author has past away and that way may not get any more works by her. What she has written will live on forever.

Survival and Resilience in Brooklyn

Brooklyn by Tracy Brown is a riveting and emotionally charged tale that follows the tumultuous journey of Brooklyn Melody James. The story begins with Brooklyn's struggle against an attacker in Clove Lake Park and unravels her life from a sheltered upbringing to her descent into the hustling streets of New York City. Brooklyn, a pastor's daughter, is desperate to escape her repressed life. She turns to the streets, learning the art of survival and manipulation to achieve her goals.

Brooklyn stands out as a compelling urban fiction novel that delves deep into the life of its titular character. Tracy Brown's storytelling is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. The book's strengths lie in its strong character development, gripping plot, and raw depiction of life's harsh realities. While some may find Brooklyn's relentless ambition overwhelming, it is precisely this complexity that makes the book a fascinating read.

Overall, Brooklyn by Tracy Brown is a powerful narrative of survival and resilience, and it is a fitting final opus for the late author.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Review originally withheld in solidarity with the St. Martin’s Press reviewer boycott. All opinions are my own. 

While I read a prior book from Tracy Brown a couple years ago, I’m not an avid fan of hers, so I did not realize she passed away last year. But I found out around the time I picked up Brooklyn, as I was looking for some information related to the book and author. It’s deeply sad that this is (presumably) her final book, but on the plus side, it definitely made a strong impression. 

Brooklyn is a messy protagonist, and I both felt sympathy for her and felt that she ultimately got what was coming to her. From a young age, all she really wants is to be unconditionally loved, but she doesn’t understand that she also needs to work to preserve these relationships. While I understood her, especially at first, given how messy her family relationships were, and her mother especially was a piece of work, but others loved her, or tried to. And when she left home, she tried to find another family unit who would accept her, and while she’d find companions for a while, she would unfortunately make the same mistakes and burn bridges. I really appreciate how Brown walks the balance throughout by showing the corruption in different sectors, like the church community, but also pivoting back to the fact that Brooklyn is also in the wrong, and for every wrong done to her, it’s also partially a situation of her own making, until the very end. 

I appreciate how the story opened with the scene of the discovery of Brooklyn’s corpse, posing the questions of what happened to her and why, and then proceeding into the backstory from there. The narrative proceeds at a gradual, yet steady pace, before culminating where the story opened. While it’s not a mystery/thriller in the traditional sense, I did feel an intense feeling of anticipation and dread with each wrong decision Brooklyn made, knowing what fate awaited her. 

This was a deeply moving read, and with the caveat that it’s rather intense, I’d recommend it to readers interested in contemporary-ish fiction with suspense elements with a messy Black lead.

Tracy Brown's "Brooklyn" is a captivating tale of a master manipulator and relentless survivor, whose ruthless ambition and unyielding drive make for an enthralling read. Brown's engaging writing style, which kept me hooked just like in her previous novel, shines through again, drawing readers into the chaotic world of Brooklyn Melody James.

The plot unfolds with a gripping intensity, chronicling Brooklyn's journey from a cunning young hustler to a formidable figure in the New York City underworld. The twists and turns of her life, filled with betrayal and calculated moves, make it hard to put the book down. Brooklyn is an unlikable character, her actions often leaving a trail of heartache and devastation. Yet, there's something compelling about her story that makes you root for her, hoping she'll find a way to change her ways. Despite her manipulative nature and the chaos she creates, I found myself drawn to her, wanting to see if she could escape the vicious cycle she perpetuates.

The plot, rich with drama and suspense, kept me engaged, even though Brooklyn's character didn't show much growth from her initial self. Instead, it was the relentless pace and the unexpected twists that kept the story dynamic and intriguing. While Brooklyn's lack of character development might leave some wanting more, the strength of the novel lies in its plot and Tracy Brown's ability to weave a tale that is both compelling and unpredictable.

"Brooklyn" is a testament to Brown's skill in creating stories that are as engaging as they are intense, and it solidifies her place as a must-read author for fans of gritty, urban fiction. Overall, this novel is a gripping journey through the life of a woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants, making for a riveting and memorable read.

This book was really good. I have read Tracy Brown books before, and this one did not disappoint.
What I really liked about this storyline is that I wasn't expecting the way things went. I started the book cheering for Brooklyn. I found myself feeling for her and thing she was misunderstood. Then as the story went on I started seeing that what I thought about Brooklyn was wrong, that she isn't the wonderful person I thought she was and that she had no intentions of changing.

I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be telling my friends and boo clubs about this book.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book