* Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange of an honest review. *

Meet Genevieve Francis, a 25-year-old black reporter, who’s got her sights set on covering headline-worthy stories; the real deal, none of that sensational fluff. But nope, life throws her a curveball. Instead of chasing paramount scoops, she’s stuck doing copy edits and sensitivity reads for her vanilla-flavoured (not in a good way) white colleagues.

Now, hold on to your hats, because Gen’s big break finally comes when she’s tasked with covering a fancy CEO’s gala. Exciting, right? Well, plot twist! The CEO is none other than her ex, Jude, the swoon-worthy guy she shot down four years ago when he dropped a knee at his dad’s funeral. Awkward much?

Yes, Travis crafts a tale that’s as spicy as a hot salsa dance and as relatable as accidentally sending a text to the wrong person. Get ready for a wild ride through the world of workplace woes, ex-lover encounters, and the not-so-subtle art of saying, “F**** you too.”

The drama unfolds predominantly within the newsroom, Genevieve’s battleground. As one of only two black women in the workplace, she’s no stranger to the daily grind of micro-aggressions and racism. Picture this: a group of Mean Girls, aptly named the Fates, make it their mission to turn Gen’s work life into a real-life episode of high school drama.

So, of course, our FMC faces the uphill battle of being constantly asked for sensitivity readings and being treated as if she’s just an assistant, not the powerhouse journalist she aspires to be. These workplace dynamics aren’t just plot points; they serve as a powerful commentary on resilience and the unapologetic pursuit of dreams amid adversity. The struggle is real, and despite Gen’s ability to crack jokes*, you can feel the weight of the difficulties she navigates.

The newsroom becomes a microcosm of societal issues, encapsulating Gen’s struggles—related to both her identity and the way she’s perceived—and seamlessly weaving them into the narrative. The thoughts that run through Gen’s mind? Real. The scenarios she finds herself in? Real. But Gen’s ambitions extend beyond personal success; they’re rooted in a genuine desire to make the world a better place. It’s not just about making headlines; it's about making a statement, kicking down doors for everyone coming after her.

As a white reader, Gen’s story is like a reality check, asking me to face those uncomfortable truths and rethink my own biases and privileges. There’s no glossing over, no sugarcoating–just an unfiltered look at the everyday struggles many Black individuals deal with. And you know what makes it hit home even harder? That first-person POV magic. It’s not like you’re observing from a distance; oh no, you’re right there with Gen, feeling the weight of those moments. It’s not distant or detached; you're strolling in her shoes, facing the unexpected, and navigating a world that’s not always as warm and welcoming as it should be.

As the newsroom drama unfolds, so does the second-chance romance. Initially conflicted about Jude’s role as a ‘White Knight’, my reservations melted away in the face of the genuine efforts put in by both Jude and Gen. This is not some fairytale with rainbows and butterflies; it’s messy, even heart-breaking, and about as real as it gets. But as the story keeps trucking along, we get a front-row seat to their personal glow-ups, laying the groundwork for a relationship that not only survived the hurdles but turned them into relationship MVPs, thriving against the odds.

Travis eschews the typical romantic clichés and steamy scenes, opting for an authentic portrayal of love that mirrors the complexities of real-life relationships. Although I have to confess, Jude and Gen’s chemistry is a bit of a head-scratcher. Like, are they the perfect duo or not? It’s one of those things you find yourself pondering long after you’ve closed the book. But hey, you can’t deny you were secretly cheering for them, right?
Now, let’s talk personalities. Gen shines, and you get to know her quirks, dreams, and all those real, relatable bits. But Jude? Well, he’s a bit like that mysterious neighbour you see but never really get to know. It’s not a bad thing, just an observation. Gen takes the spotlight, and rightly so – she's the main character, after all. The thing that got under my skin a bit was her having to school Jude. Look, I get it; the author’s trying to drop some knowledge, and I’m here for it. But, it left me with this nagging feeling that, even in fiction, the weight of educating others about race* falls on the shoulders of those who’ve been forced to do it for centuries.

Okay, so, the newsroom shenanigans and dealing with Jude’s white saviour vibes… It’s disheartening to witness her busting her chops, going the extra mile just to snag the basic opportunities and respect that roll in way too easily for her white counterparts. The disparities in treatment based on race are stark, and it’s a reflection of the messed-up systemic hurdles that Black individuals face. But, anyway it was good to see Gen victorious. Sure, maybe Jude played a part (that whole white saviour complex thing), but hey, sometimes you need a helping hand; and Gen did take all the crap and turned it into her own victory dance. You go, Gen!

In a nutshell, The Only Black Girl in the Room is your ticket to a journey that’s eye-opening and surprisingly heartwarming. Get ready for a ton of much-needed social commentary, some romance and enough tension to make your morning coffee seem weak.

I Absolutely ingulfed and loved this book! It's so well-written, insightful and witty! It was the perfect combination of an intellectual and joyous read. The author did an amazing job at writing the best dialogue - it was so fun and I was left obsessing over a lot of Genevieve and Jude's communication.

It was a cute story but I didn’t find myself wanting to pick it up and read. I’m not always a fan of the “white savior” storyline.

This was a really good debut women's fiction/romance read. I thought the writing was good and liked how the main characters relationship and the racism in the workplace plot wove together. As a black woman I related to this book so much because it showed the realities of what bipoc women have to face in the workplace and in life. The characters were complex and flawed and the second chance romance was messy but real. The friendships were portrayed very well and the characters backstories and past was very important to the plot. I would say that this leans more towards women's fiction with a romance in it. I wish the romance had been more, I loved what we got but wanted more of the Genevieve and Jude spending time with each other and their relationship. Overall I liked this and want to read more books by this author. Thank you Alcove Press for this arc for an honest review.

I was interested in this book because it seemed to contain two things I enjoy: romance and walking in someone else's shoes to gain understanding then grow from there. It hit both marks.

Entertaining, infuriating, funny, swoony, relatable and real, I bet this book gets personally recommended from friend to friend once it hits the shelves.

The main character was interesting and imperfect. She had feelings, insecurities and (snort-inducing) thoughts like the rest of us. She was an overthinker, but her overthinking absolutely made sense. She was in a position where there were decisions to be made that would affect her personally and professionally. And in both cases, there could be a public aspect to it (hello, social media click-bait headlines).

The second-chance romance was messy and realistic.

(For those who want to know: there's no steamy scenes.)

The friends who supported her as she navigated it were a gift.

As a white woman reading this, I was able to see the many ways racism, bias, ignorance and privilege could strike the "only Black girl in the room" while she went about her business. Sometimes it came from sources she expected. Other times it came from someone she had thought knew better. All of it was explored, bringing the reader along for the ride.

I'm glad I read this and hope it gets into the hands of both people who can see themselves in Genevieve Francis, and those who never before had to think about what she waded through just to get through her workdays.

Looking forward to what the author comes up with next.

A+ This book is so much more than a romance. It's a love story for young women. Claiming what we deserve in life is not often a goal we are taught to go after. I hope every young woman can learn her worth. Getting the guy is not the goal. If that happens and he is worthy of you is great. Knowing who you are and speaking up for yourself is even better. I love this book. True, I love to read. I seldom find a book that I don't like, but this book was different. I routed for Gen as though I actually knew her. I wanted her to succeed. I felt a sense of kinship, almost like if she was okay, then I was okay. This book will stay with me for some time. It deserves a place on your to-be-read list.

NetGalley and Alcove Press provided an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

I added this book to my Amazon book girl wish list right away! I really wanted to pace myself with this once so that I can fully process this.

I found myself analyzing my workplace with Gens workplace . watching all the tiny micro aggressions just build up. Being just as capable if not better, but not being able to fully express or spread my wings. And then, when opportunity does come your way, you can’t fully express your join happiness.

A compelling second-chance romance about a Black journalist fighting to be taken seriously in her racist workplace, and her millionaire CEO ex. I didn't want this book to end, it was so engaging. Also Gen and Jude's rekindled romance was lovely. Strongly recommend.

4/5 stars,

I liked this book more than I thought I would! It explores racism in the workplace and racism in media. I’d love to know where I can find a millionaire like Jude though.

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the advance reader copy, this is my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was a great look inside what black people, specifically black women, experience in the workplace (and the world at large). This story was heartbreaking as much as it was infuriating. We were brought along with Gen as she tried to deal with an ex coming back into her life as well as trying to make a mark in an organisation that was severely letting her down (at best).

If you’re the type of person that often finds yourself thinking something like “why do they always have to make it about race” then this probably isn’t for you. If you want to read a book that shows strength in the face of adversity or just want to get a bit of perspective on situations that happen everyday around us (probably without you noticing) then it’s definitely worth the read. Maybe it’ll make you pay attention and stand up when you see it happening in your own life.

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance/general fiction
Format: Digital
POV: Single
Spice: 0 /5
Age suggestion: 16+

The running theme is obvious here. The one black girl who has worked twice as hard to get the job done. Is overlooked and undervalued. The twist here is that the publication she works for needs a huge profile and the subject of said profile is an old love. Not just any love but one that proposed at his father’s funeral. I will admit that when Genevieve finally realizes not only her worth, but that worth will only be determined by her, the story becomes more than an anthem for the overlooked. It’s a great road map to surviving without compromising dignity.

Genevieve Francis, a 25-year-old Black reporter, assumed she’d go into her fourth year at her newspaper job with a bigger story than the latest seasonal ice cream flavor. Instead, she’s relegated to doing copy edits and sensitivity reads on the articles her white colleagues write. So when Gen finally gets the opportunity to cover a prominent CEO’s gala, she leaps at the chance—this will be her biggest assignment to date. The only problem: The CEO is her ex, Jude, whose marriage proposal she publicly rejected four years prior.

Following their awkward run-in, Jude personally requests Gen to write the first ever authorized profile of him. The potential for scandal, if anyone digs into their past, is high, but Gen decides to risk it—if she proves herself with this profile, it could jumpstart her dream of writing articles centered on Black voices. But between the racist backlash from her colleagues and her conflicting feelings toward her ex, Gen soon realizes she’s in way over her head. And it may be more than just her career on the line.

This was a beautifully written emotional book. As a white middle-aged woman, I try to read widely about different people's experiences. Of course, this is fiction, but most fiction is based on someone's reality. It was frustrating to see how much crap that Gen put up with, the big and small ways people discriminate, even if they don't mean to.

While this was, at its heart, a romance, it was more about Gen finding her voice and her way in the world. I really enjoyed the romance part, but I wish Gen would have learned to stand on her own faster. Overall, excellent read!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I thought this book was well written and I found the characters interesting. I felt it was a good mix and didn’t focus too much on the romance. I look forward to reading more by this author.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down. The writing is excellent, filled with wit and insight, making it an engaging and informative read. The author skillfully crafts dialogue that draws you in, and the chemistry and growth of Genevieve and Jude, both as individuals and a couple, are heartwarming. The portrayal of Jude's journey through grief and substance abuse, and the importance of therapy in acknowledging his past behavior, added depth to the story. Genevieve's struggles with self-doubt and workplace microaggressions as one of the few black women in her field were portrayed with care and precision. Her career progression was inspiring, making her a true girlboss. I was invested in Jude and Genevieve's relationship, though I wished for more insight into their in-between years and Jude's friendship with Oliver. Despite this, the conclusion was realistic and left me feeling joyful and attached to the characters. This debut novel exceeded my expectations, and I’m excited to see what we get next from Alex Travis.

I got my book through ARC from Alcove Press (via NetGalley).

In my honest opinion, this book hits all the right marks. 352 pages, and yet, it is well written and the dialogue flowed so well and easy the time flew by. The protagonist is sympathetic, embattled, feisty. The romantic lead is worthy to be called as such. Finally. And the romance is also very good.
It’s a heartfelt story, one of which for many is a reality. The book is strong and well made and really makes you question everything by the end of it.

I really wanted to like this book because the plot and synopsis sounded very interesting to me. I think it could have been great. Unfortunately the book wasn't able to keep me motivated and invested. I really tried and tried but in the end it just wasn't for me. The book focused too much on the romance, while I thought and hoped it was something else.

This book hits all the right marks.
A) Sympathetic, embattled, feisty protagonist: check.
B) Swoon-worthy romantic lead, willing to examine his past mistakes: check.
C) Romance: check.
D) Professional pitfalls caused by C): check.
E) Clueless antagonists you don’t actually ever have to sympathize with, at all: check.
F) An unapologetic and hopefully conscience-sparking look at what Blacks mean by “microaggressions”: check.

Alex Travis weaves all these pieces into a fast-paced narrative. Nobody’s life is being threatened here, no empires are rising or falling based on what transpires on the pages—yet Gen’s voice, her ambition, her thirst to prove herself and to make the world a better place, are so personal that the story feels like it carries all the urgency of those other scenarios and more. As a white woman reading this book, the descriptions of what Black women face seemed impossibly heavy-handed. But then again, the sheer volume causes me to think more carefully about my own words and actions, and to be more cognizant of how they can come across. I hope I am better, more aware, because I read this book.

Add in a deeply satisfying ending and you have the makings of a great gift for Christmas, birthdays, or simply self-pampering.

🌟🌟🌟🌟
Throughout “The Only Black Girl in the Room” we see Genevieve writer many roles: writer, friend, partner, daughter. We also see how she faces multiple obstacles in these spheres of her life, as well as the resilience that gets her through them.

This is a frustrating book at times, as Genevieve has to do so much to have the minimum opportunities and respect that seem to be granted to her white counterparts. I thought that Alex Travis did an excellent job with integrating those experiences into the narrative structure of the book.

What kept this from being a 5 star read for me would be the supporting characters; there were so many throughout the various parts of her life, and I had trouble keeping track of some of them (especially when they have names that start with the same letter). Gen and Jude—her former boyfriend—were the strongest characters and relationship for me, and I wish there would have been a bit more time spent depicting their relationship toward the end.

This book publishes on May 7, 2024–and I’d definitely recommend keeping your eyes peeled for a copy! Huge thanks to Alcove Press for sending me an ARC in exchange for this review.

This book started strong, and then I started to lose interest. I fell into some romance/chicklit cliches and I think I was expecting something more like "The Other Black Girl" which I really enjoyed. Titles aside, these are not similar books and while I do like some chicklit, it just felt predictable to me, unfortunately. More ardent fans of chicklit/romance may have a better "read".

This piece of art was unimaginably beautiful beyond words. It had such a grip on me from the very first page to the last, and l couldn't put it down no matter what. The characters were so interesting and exciting adding on to the great flow of words that just made this book perfect. Genevieve is my kind of girl, beauty and brains in one and l truly loved her and enjoyed seeing her resilience and passion when it came to the things she wanted. The author does a tremendously great job in her writing because she not only talked on self-believe but on racism and l felt like that just tied this book up into one perfect treat. This book has self believe, self-love and determination wrapped up in it, and after reading a book never have l felt like l can do anything l put my mind to until l read this beautifully written work. It's definitely a must read that will leave you feeling all sorts of high, it sure did for me. After this amazing book, l truly can't wait for what more Alex has in store for us because this is one author with such a great talent and this book speaks loudly on it.