A wonderful surprise that I loved a book without a HEA. In fact this book challenged my ideas of justice, retribution, and forgiveness. Brooklyn is a main character that I started out routing for and ended up a bit ambivalent about. That ambivalence is a challenge to who I aspire to be and books who can challenge you to your core are necessary in such a time as this. RIP to the author Tracy Brown. What a wonderful legacy to have given us all.

Brooklyn is a character who was wronged and often felt justified in her destruction. Going through her story I often felt sympathy for her and the situations she created for herself. Key words, Created for Herself.” In her life, she often felt slighted, let down, and rejected. Unfortunately she lacked self awareness to realize that she often made others feel the same. This lack of self awareness ultimately led her to dangerous and self inflicted, rather self initiated, relationships with other people who truly tried to help her.

This book was paced well and gripped the reader from the start. Shocking and unexpected with its array of characters who flitted throughout the main characters life. They were well thought out but did not distract from the central themes of the stories.

Tracy Brown crafts a tale about a master manipulator and serial survivor, who will scorch earth to get what she wants. The question isn’t who murdered her; the question is who wouldn’t?

The main character is very hard to root for but in the best way. Excellently written and highly entertaining.

Despite this being dense with family drama and trauma, I could not put this one down. The main character was brilliantly written- the perfect antihero. I felt like I should love her but some part of me was always triggered by her victim mentality and her manipulative nature and lack of empathy- bordering on psychopathy. The omniscient narrator allows the reader to see and understand everything each character thinks and feels. The story explores what happened when a child grew up with certain traumas, and some possible effects as that child became older and attempted to create relationships. This book needs a few trigger warnings: Statutory sexual assault, gaslighting, homophobia (violent), child abuse, abortion.

Merci à NetGalley de m'avoir donné ce livre en échange d'une critique honnête du livre!

Ce livre était absolument fabuleux. On eut l'histoire de Brooklyn qui est une jeune fille tourmentée. Elle ne s'est jamais sentie à sa place dans sa famille. Elle avait l'impression que sa famille l'étouffait, qu'ils n'étaient pas honnêtes et qu'ils l'empêchait d'être elle-même. On suit donc le parcours d'une jeune femme avec de multiples défauts qui navigue dans son parcours.

J'ai beaucoup aimé le personnage de Brooklyn. J'ai beaucoup aimé que ce personnage ne soit pas écrit pour être aimé et apprécié par les lectures. C'est un personnage compliqué et tourmenté qui prend de mauvaises décisions. C'était très rafraîchissant de lire un personnage écrit de cette manière.

J'ai beaucoup aimé les personnages secondaires. Les personnages étaient complexes, avaient tous une histoire complexe et avaient des personnalités distinctes et réalistes. Les personnages avaient des défauts et des qualités qui les distinguaient fortement les uns des autres. Je sais que c'est très flou comme analyse mais je ne peux pas en dire plus sans spoiler!

Le livre était très bien écrit. Le vocabulaire était soutenu pour les descriptions mais étaient familier lors des dialogues. Le champ lexical était diversifié ce que j'apprécie!

Bref je recommande à 100% ce livre. Il était très bon!

This book was heartbreaking and interesting at the same time. I'm glad that I read it but the main character, Brooklyn, is a cautionary tell of how to not live your life and selfishness.

Listen!. I got approved for this book and read and finished it within 24 hours!

I always love(d) her books....may she Rest In Peace.

In what I'm guessing is Tracy's final book, it tells the story of Brooklyn and her family, Her father is a pastor and from the outside they look like they have the perfect family. Little does everyone know, but her dad cheats on her mom and they are on the take from the church offerings.

If you love Tracy's books, her story telling is just as good as the others. You won't be disappointed!!

Caught a few spelling errors here and there and a few words skipped in some sentences but overall was in decent shape. I really enjoyed reading this. I identified with Brooklyn, when I was younger I just wanted to do my own thing and not worry about what my family thought. Her character had to go through a lot at a young age like I did so I felt for her as if I really knew her. The story has all the good, bad, ugly and drama I love in a book to keep my attention. It is a page turner and one that I couldn't wait to see what happened next. I don't do spoilers, I don't like when anyone spoils a story for me so I will not say all the ends and outs of what happened. If you read it you won't be disappointed, I know I wasn't. The author did a great job with this so I'm interested to see what she does next.

This was my second time reading a book by Tracy Brown, and she certainly didn't disappoint. Her writing took me on an emotional roller coaster with Brooklyn as the central character. I went from feeling sorry for her to harboring moments of dislike, then finding myself empathizing with her once more, and ultimately, feeling deep pity for her. I was rooting for her wholeheartedly, hoping she would make the right choices, but it seemed she simply couldn't find it within herself to do so, especially considering she had other options available to her. It was clear she didn't have to endure the life she was living.

Once I started reading this book, I simply couldn't put it down. I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more of Tracy Brown's work. She's rapidly becoming one of my favorite authors!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review***

This was phenomenal!! It really gave me Coldest Winter Ever vibes, but dare I say it was better in some regards. You start the book rooting for Brooklyn, even though you learn from the beginning what her end is gonna be. You empathize with her, sympathize with her, and truly believe she's misunderstood. But as the book goes on, you, as the reader, slowly start seeing Brooklyn for what and who she really is. You realize that she is a terrible person and is never going to change. Felt like a really good exploration of what it means to come through for others and be loyal.

Tracy Brown does it again y’all! I loved Hold You Down and her newest title was just as great!
Brooklyn by Tracy Brown was a captivating read.
This book was well written with good character development.
The story is realistic in the way that it is told. Brown does an excellent job with developing multi-layered characters that readers will care about.
It was an emotional, insightful and entertaining story with such raw and real characters and storyline that was incredibly relatable. It was easy to visualize the entire story as if watching it happen on screen
I loved following Brooklyn’s journey of self discovery and seeing how her story would unfold. I think and actually hope readers might connect with her. I know I could literally feel every single emotion. I that’s why I loved this book so much.
I zoomed through this book. Started yesterday evening and just put it down!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I am a fan of Tracy Brown and I was so glad I was able to get an advanced copy of Brooklyn. All I can say is I truly disliked Brooklyn. She was selfish and did not care who she had to step on to get what she wanted and to feel needed. Brooklyn blamed everyone but herself for the decisions she made and took no accountability for her actions. It’s sad she truly never learned her lesson and did not grasp how much collateral damage was created from her selfishness.

This novel took me on the ride of my life! I absolutely loved it! It was a page turner from the beginning! For me, it was reminiscent of " Coldest Winter Ever" by Sistah Souljah with a church family twist! I loved that about it because it was a storyline I wasn't expecting! I've been a Tracy Brown fan from the beginning, so I knew this book would be fire as expected! If I had to give the book a rating, I would give it 4.5 stars, only because I felt like some parts were rushed and a little predictable! Would I recommend this book to a friend? Yes I would! In a heartbeat! I look forward to more of Tracy Brown's future projects!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opinions expressed are my own. "Brooklyn" by Tracy Brown is a story about how family dysfunction can tear a family apart and lead to disastrous results. Looks can be very deceiving and all that glitters isn't gold. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

4.5 stars for now because i don’t have all the pages. Anywho, talk about an emotional roller coaster. One event can change your life forever. This book was a page turner that kept you engaged from the very beginning. First book by Tracy Brown (R. I. P.) but definitely not my last. Ma’am you writing writing. You hear me!

This book deals with:
-family drama/trauma
-church
-drugs
-suicide
-gay
-age gap
-revenge
-murder and so much more.

-I was rooting for Brooklyn because what happened to her was not her fault. However, some actions we have to take responsibility for as we get older.
-Imagine telling the people that are meant to love and protect what one did to you & them doing the complete opposite. So if they don’t then why would the world love and protect them?
-Some mothers really be jealous & hate their daughters.
-Parents need to be mindful that your kids don’t have to be your mini me. They’re their own human being.
-I wondered if everyone knew what happened to young Brooklyn would they understand her better. Clearly the mom is no better.
-When that screen came about (iykyk) i would have never guessed.

My first read from Tracey Brown and boy was this a read! My eyes were glued to each page in wonder of what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed following Brooklyn on her journey of self exploration through life. Through the highs and lows. She is a definitely a survivor and the drama made this book worth the read. A page turner for sure. Can't wait to read more from Tracey Brown.

Felt like I was watching a movie. I didn’t get until their author until after her passing but I’m glad to say that I’m in love with her work and can’t wait to read more. RIP.

Oh. My. God. What a book!

Tracy Brown depicts the most haunting, emotionally distraught character I have read in years! Brooklyn (as the character) is someone I know, it’s someone I’ve been, and it’s someone you may meet in your lifetime. The book, Brooklyn, follows our FMC Brooklyn through the woes and heartbreak of life.

Brooklyn has it all growing up; stability, family, and friends, until one day, when her “uncle” touches her inappropriately. That one night set her on a course she didn’t come back from.

Brooklyn (the book) discusses family drama, neglect, church issues, dating drug dealers, the hustler lifestyle, abortion, being gay in a religious environment, suīcidē, narcissistic behavior, hopelessness, homelessness, murdèr, and more.

It was an emotionally devastating book. Not a romance read. Not a HEA. Strictly emotional, urban fiction.

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin Griffin Press for the ARC of this book. Also, may you RIP, Tracy Brown who passed earlier this year.

my first tracy brown book. the book had highs and lows. brooklyn you want to cheer for her but as it continues you realize she is her own worst enemy.

Brooklyn by Tracy Brown is a gripping and intense exploration of one woman's journey from a tumultuous upbringing as the daughter of a pastor, to becoming a master manipulator and serial survivor. The heart of the story lies in the protagonist, Brooklyn Melody James, whose life becomes a mosaic of lies, heartache, and deception once her father kicks her out of the home. Raised in a family that skillfully manipulated their community for personal gain, Brooklyn absorbs these tactics like a sponge, vowing to forge her own path with no rules but her own. As she navigates through a world of hustlers and criminals in New York City, she quickly learns the power of manipulation and charm.

Brooklyn's character is an intricate portrayal of ambition and survival. Her instinct to survive at any cost drives her to make choices that lead to a trail of destruction and broken relationships. Brown does an exceptional job of showcasing how Brooklyn's determination to rise above her circumstances blinds her to the consequences of her actions. With every betrayal and bridge burned, Brooklyn's reign of terror intensifies, and her ultimate undoing becomes an inevitability. The reader is constantly reminded of the adage "you reap what you sow," as Brooklyn's actions come full circle, leading her to face a reckoning she could never have predicted.

While Brooklyn's actions and decisions might be morally questionable, the underlying vulnerability of her character invites readers to empathize with her struggles and desires. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with each character contributing to the intricate tapestry of Brooklyn's life. The resolution of the story is a testament to the theme of retribution.

Tracy Brown masterfully explores the complexity of human nature when faced with adversity and ambition. This cautionary tale is another testament to Brown's contributions to urban fiction. Her work often portrays the struggles, ambitions, and complexities of characters dealing with difficult circumstances.