I thought it was good and different. Didn't realize the author has passed away before the release of this publication that she actually passed away last year. The book starts out with Brooklyn being murdered and how she is shocked by the reveal of her killer. The book then backtracks to Brooklyn's earlier life in Staten Island. The mystery is not who killed Brooklyn, but who didn't want to kill her. Brooklyn, a preacher's kid and eldest of two daughters has always been a rebel. Finding the church life boring and hypocritical especially watching her parents perform, she learned about hustling from them. A life altering event with her step Uncle, which her mother refused to believe even though her aunt believed her and her father went to kill him, but his lovely church wife asked him to pray and remember the funding they are about to receive and how the church and community would love some gossip as well as Brooklyn being under scrutiny, it is brushed under the rug. Brooklyn realizes at that point that she is on her own. Cutting class and finding out secrets about her brother, Amir the two agree to cover for each other until Brooklyn is busted. She betrays her brother and her life continues to spiral out of control living the fast cash life on the streets. Men like her looks and women can't stand her. She lives her life selfishly and blames everyone who doesn't fall in line with her plans.

Brooklyn is set in NYC in the early 90's and spans through the 2000's, depicting the story of a teenage girl, Brooklyn, who faces a traumatic event at a young age and is unsupported by her mother. This has a domino effect on how she interacts in subsequent relationships throughout her life and we get to bear witness to it. Tracy Brown did an excellent job of weaving traumatic response into Brooklyn's interactions with others, as sad as it was to read. By the last half of the novel, I both loved and loathed Brooklyn, hoping she would get out of her own way. It was a page turner and I was consumed towards the end of the novel but I do wish it was a bit more fleshed out for us. All in all, it was a captivating story and an emotional journey!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC of this novel. RIP to Tracy Brown, an author that I wish I had discovered prior to her passing but will be reading in the years to come.

When I selected this novel from NetGalley I was unaware that the author passed away just a few days after submitting this manuscript. There is no way that knowledge can’t affect the perception of this book. I feel remiss that I haven’t read more of this late author’s work. Her voice is distinctive and Brooklyn is a memorable character for better or worse.

I can see how people may not like this story. Brooklyn is far from likable. Her life is filled with decisive actions. But what’s important to remember is actions have motivations. It is up to the reader to determine throughout the journey as self-sabotage, self-survival or just plain selfish.

Upon looking into the late author’s catalogue, I noticed she set her novels in Staten Island. This one reaches to other parts of the Eastern US, including DC, Virginia and Maryland in addition to New York. The parts I was personally familiar with do ring true.

The other strength of the novel is characterization. The supporting players in Brooklyn’s life could have been one dimensional. This is, at its core, the story of a young woman leaving her religious strict upbringing for a faced-paced life of drug hustling. But in my opinion Brooklyn keeps looking for unconditional acceptance and love, but doesn’t quite understand that even being in a family can be work.

What she wants she cannot have. For no other reason that it doesn’t exist. But the last part is where I got completely shocked. There is a last second twist which makes more sense the more you marinate on it. Could the story really ended any other way?

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC of this novel. I won’t be forgetting The novel or the MC anytime soon.

**Spoilers** I received this has an ARC . I really wanted to love Brooklyn, the main character, but I hated her. I am wondering if that was the point of the story. Brooklyn tells the story of a young , overly ambitious, black teenager. Brooklyn is also a preachers kid. In the beginning of the story I felt sorry for Brooklyn because of an incident with a a male close to the family . Her mother Sabrina did not believe her so I felt that this set her on the long road to distraction.

Brooklyn then sets her eyes on the fast life of drugs, sex, and money. The story is familiar to The coldest Winter Ever and Flyy girl. I wanted to love it so much but the time jumps made the story seem rushed. There is no point in the story where Brooklyn actually learns a lesson and changes her life for the better. Her actions lead to her untimely death.

Brooklyn is a confident, upbeat young girl, who’s entranced by the high life and the harming city of New York. Having grown up under the intensely close and scrutinizing eyes of her religious parents, she vowed to leave and make something of herself.

This novel walks with Brooklyn from the ripe age of 17 and so on. It is about familial drama and the weight of the choices that we make that ultimately make or break the life we’re building. Haunted by the choices that she makes early on, Brooklyn discover that survival comes at the highest price of sacrifice.

Ugh, I cried at some parts of this book because I resonate with Brooklyn and also I was sad for her. Sad for the deep pain and reality of not knowing love and how loved you are and what it looks like to fight for reconciliation. To fight for space because you know that you deserve love. This book is heavy and real and raw. It's about survival and differentiating between self preservation and redemption. A powerful story about influence and what a little compassion could do, if we only made the choice to care.

I think I gave it 3 stars, because I really struggled with the explicitly of the sexual relationships showcased in this book. I am not one to glorify underaged sexual encounters regardless of consent and I recognize the time period and how real that presentation is, I just think there’s a fine line between awareness and glorification and it comes with the language that we choose to describe such things. I think it's important for there to be a development of understanding how that choice was coerced or influenced.

Brooklyn by Tracy Brown is a gripping tale of manipulation, survival, and the high-stakes world of hustling, where the lines between right and wrong blur into shades of gray. The story centers around Brooklyn, a master manipulator and serial survivor who is both ruthless and captivating in her pursuit of power.

The narrative unfolds as Brooklyn faces the consequences of her actions, with her life slipping away. The novel skillfully weaves together the past and present, allowing readers to understand the events that shaped Brooklyn into the calculating force she became. Raised in a family that used the church as a means of financial gain, Brooklyn rebels against her parents and embarks on a journey to become a woman who sets her own rules.

The author skillfully portrays Brooklyn's journey from a vulnerable young woman to a ruthless force, burning bridges and breaking hearts in her wake. The character development is nuanced, revealing the layers of Brooklyn's personality and the motivations driving her actions.

I did have a few issues with the book including the pacing, overall character arc, and relationship building between the character. I wish there was a large overarching plot thread throughout the book instead of just scene after scene.

This was such an amazing read! I read this in less than 24 hours. Brooklyn’s character development was great, I felt like I knew. I could really understand and relate to her need for survival. To make so many enemies in such a short amount of time but too late to make it right is a plot that some people know all too well. Brooklyn was going through it in this book! I felt so bad for her, everyone failed her and ultimately led to her demise.

This was such a great read, and this was my first book I read of Tracy Brown’s and won’t be the last! I haven’t read an urban fiction book in years and this has definitely brought my love for it back to life! The sinister sneaky and crazy ways of Brooklyn is wild! Reading her story and how she ended up the way she did and why she was so manipulative and guarded, and selfish it was just to protect herself cause if she didn’t who will?? Great read and definitely recommend!

Brooklyn is a riveting tale that grabs a hold of every last emotion and pulls them all to the forefront!

“I wake up every day here and I know exactly what to expect. I know I don’t belong here. I want to leave all this behind and be in charge of my own thing.”

~Brooklyn Melody James

Love, friendship, family, heartbreak, betrayal, selfishness, the fast life, and what’s left at the end of it all. It's heartbreaking realizing this is the final masterpiece from a brilliant story teller.

"I can’t believe this is how it ends. I’ve been slick and slippery my whole life. One step ahead of everyone else. I pride myself on that. But I f*cked up this time. And I’m about to pay for it with my life."

~Brooklyn James (inner monologue

This ARC from NetGalley was sent for review consideration. All opinions are that of Bourbon Street Bookers.

So thankful to have been chosen to give a review of this book. I’ve been a fan of Tracy Brown and knowing this was her last piece of work made it extra special. Very “Coldest Winter Ever” - esque, I both loved and loathed Brooklyn. Life dealt her a bad time but she has a special knack for turning a bad hand into the worst possible scenario. The book had moments of intense momentum and other times it felt like it dragged - something I find consistent with Tracy Brown’s works. Thankfully, she endears you so strongly to the characters that you ride the wave with no objections. 5 stars…

Thanks @netgalley for the ARC. This book tells the story of Brooklyn, a restless girl raised in the church who knows she doesn’t belong from an early age and she sets about a life of exploring the wrong side of the tracks. Told over years of her life it’s a story that sucks you in and leaves you cheering for her demise. I would recommend this book.

Gone Too Soon Tracy Brown… Rest In Peace

“I played a deadly game and I lost.”
“Who would be mad enough to kill her? I don’t know where to begin”

This book is a true example of The Prodigal Daughter, who returns but never changes…In this book we meet the main character Brooklyn, whose desire to grow up too fast and partake in situations below the greatness she was born with costs her everything. I am a fan of the Author and was happy to receive this ARC from @Netgalley.

Let’s first get into this cover. The cover of this book is absolutely gorgeous and must be added to my bookshelf just because of how pretty it is.

Now let’s get into this review... The way Tracy Brown can tell a story makes all of her books hard to put down, even this one, no matter how frustrated I was with the main character.
Brooklyn James experienced an event in her young life that changed her entire perspective on life, family, and trust. After a season of rebellion and risky behaviors Brooklyn finds herself engaged in a lifestyle no one could have ever imagined for the daughter of a Pastor. While life for Brooklyn was not easy after her traumatic experience, it became even more tragic as we witness the toxic manner in which her mother continues to traumatize her throughout her young life due to a lack of care. This toxic mother-daughter relationship coupled with Brooklyn’s disdain with being phony and continually putting on a show for church folks knowing full well her family was a mess sent her into a life that spiraled out of control.

The Brooklyn character frustrated me to no end. Her level of selfishness, self-centeredness, and the ability to play the consummate victim role really bothered me. She was a master manipulator and though I wanted to like this character I just couldn’t. There were times I felt her character would see the light and come around, but every time she was backed into any corner or had to be held accountable for her own decisions and choices, she became the evil victim. It’s unfortunate that the character didn’t learn one lesson throughout the book no matter how much destruction was in her path.

I feel the ending of the book was very rushed but considering the untimely death of the author I really believe this book may have been set to become a sequel. Even an epilogue would have made the ending come together a little more.

Thank you to Netgalley for the eARC of this novel. The author does a great job at creating a character, Brooklyn, who keeps you shaking your head, asking why is she like this, completely selfish, naive, destructive, and immature. She is irredeemable from beginning to end. There are a lot of people who will like this storyline. A young girl, leaves (or is thrown out by her religious parents) home while still in high school and turns to the street to support herself, seemingly with great success (really?). The timeline is from the late '80s/ early '90s through 2000s. Some events are predictable, some are not realistic. It's an interesting story.

Be careful what you wish for...

The opening of this story set the tone for all the emotionally charged events that unfolded throughout. The late Tracy Brown was a master storyteller who had an uncanny ability to portray the grit and hustle of urban New York City through the eyes of each character she introduced. The life of Brooklyn James was yet another polarizing example of the highs and lows of a fast money lifestyle, where selfishness and karma can lead to your downfall. This was a page-turner that kept me guessing the entire journey. And I couldn't put it down until I got the answers to all my questions. Bravo to the author for stringing me along in such a spectacular fashion that before I knew it, I'd reached the end! With a supporting cast of troubled family members rooted in the church, envious friends and nefarious associates as intriguing and mysterious as the city itself, if you're a fan of Tracy's previous work, you will not be disappointed in what I sadly expect will be the final addition to an impressive catalog that I've had the privilege of consuming after discovering White Lines a few years ago.
And I've been a fan ever since! RIH Tracy Brown, your contributions to the literary community will truly be missed!

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Brooklyn left home because she felt misunderstood by her family because of events that took place. We follow her on her journey of hustling, scheming, and running from her past. She’s looking for love and acceptance in all the wrong places. I just wanted so much for Brooklyn but she just couldn’t get it right. I enjoyed this book and I didn’t see the ending coming at all.

Talk about a rollercoaster ride of a story! I was drawn in from the beginning by the premise although it was heartbreaking at the same time to know the ending before truly understanding Brooklyn’s character. She’s a piece of work, putting it nicely, but I also struggled at times to understand the extent of her angst and rebellion (as her sister, Hope, calls it). The narrative brought everything full circle and ensured all the dots were connected, so I appreciated Brown’s storytelling and attention to detail. Brooklyn’s just not my cup of tea and I couldn’t commiserate with her. I’d rank this more like a 3.5 and appreciate having an opportunity to read it in advance. I also enjoyed Brown’s conceptualization of character enough to want to read her earlier works. She will be missed.

Thoughts

Y'all the way I cried while reading this one.

Brooklyn is not that likeable, in the sense that she doesn't go with the flow. She will cause trouble to benefit herself everytime. However, she also has people in her life who refuse to stand up for her and it broke my heart.

I think Brooklyn is going to stick with me for a while. And I would to have done a buddy read with someone so we could discuss this one because there is SOOOOO much to discuss.

I am heartbroken for Brown's family and friends that she passed away so young. But she has left a legacy with her books.

I just want to say that I didnt want this book to end. I wanted the crazy ride to continue. Brooklyn is probably the most unlikeable character in any book that Ive read. I disliked her so much! You know a book is well written when you dislike someone that aint even real. This is my second book by this author and tbh, im not surprised at how good this book was! Shes very talented. Coming to the end of this book made me really sad because I know this will be the last book by her. 🥺

In the beginning of this book until midway, i was feeling sorry for Brooklyn but then I started to see all the selfish stuff she did. The only person she cared about was herself. I do think her mom is alot to blame though because in the beginning of the book her mom went about things in the worst way. Brooklyn needed her mom and she didnt come through. But ultimately Brooklyn made her bed, so she had to lie in it.

She did so many people dirty in this book. I wanted to jump through the pages and knock some sense into her. How can one person be so selfish? Stacey and Hassan were two of my favorite characters in the book. True definition of ride or die friends! But that didnt last long. I didnt like the way the book ended but I think it ended this way due to the authors sudden death. I have so many questions that i need answered! Whew! Yall have to read this book when it comes out. I cant wait to buy this. It needs to be framed. These characters and the events that happened in this book will forever be embedded in my head 😩This was a masterpiece fr! RIP TRACY!!!

Brown is a skilled storyteller with an uncanny eye for detail. Her depiction of Brooklyn captivated me and reading this story was an emotional journey.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Selfish. Self-centered. Manipulator. Theif. Greed. Outspoken. Ambitious. All these attributes is what Brooklyn was.

I was sympathizing with Brooklyn at first. Her upbringing and childhood would have you thinking that she’s just a misunderstood teen but she continues repeating the same mistakes. Every action have a consequence and Brooklyn found out the hard way burning bridges with family and losing friends.

What she did to Amir left a bad taste in my mouth. His situation is very much different from hers and the way she went about it was so unpleasant.

What I liked about Brooklyn is her hustle. She was ambitious wasn’t scared to make money. I loved how outspoken and blunt she was. Her decision making not so much.

One thing about Brooklyn is if you not siding with her or she don’t get her way she directs her anger towards you. Whether she’s right or wrong. She lacked accountability. She can’t accept constructive criticism. She had to be right.

The characters are so memorable that some will have rolling your eyes or talking out loud to yourself.

This book was emotional and fast paced that it will suck you right in. I don’t want say too much and spoil it for others so just read the dang book.

May Ms. Tracy Brown rest in peace. Thank you @netgalley for this eARC.