wow this was stunning!

daniel black wove multiple timelines together through journal entries, allowing isaac's song to explore our protagonist's memories and experiences through a series of vignettes.

we follow our titular character as he, with a therapist, sifts through the constructed realities that make up his memories of the past. he reflects on his turbulent childhood as a queer Black kid in Missouri, unwinding his perceptions of his parents from the reality of their complex dynamic. he revisits how his artistic pursuits clashed with his father's rigid pragmatism, and is pushed to reassess their relationship. we continue to follow Isaac through his academic career to young adulthood, navigating his role in Chicago 80s society as a Black gay man during Rodney King's attack and the AIDS crisis.

this was such a beautiful love letter to self-discovery, art, and the intricacies of family. absolutely beautiful!
thank you to hanover square press and net galley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book!

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing this book for review via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

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This was a beautiful story with such a strong voice I had to repeatedly remind myself that this is fiction and not Daniel Black’s memoir - it truly felt like Isaac was speaking directly to me. Daniel Black is such a talented writer and I found myself highlighting so many powerful and inspiring lines.

This book was the perfect representation of intersectionality as we explored the different lived experiences of a Black gay man in the 1980s. There were so many heartbreaking scenes, but just as many moments of hope. I think there’s something for everyone in this book but I would recommend checking the content warnings beforehand to make sure you’re in the right headspace to appreciate the story.

I will note that I did realize too late that this is a companion novel so I’m not sure how my thoughts on Isaac’s Song would’ve been different had I read it second, but considering I didn’t feel confused throughout the book, I don’t think it’s a requirement to read Don’t Cry for Me first.

Overall, I highly recommend this book!

Since finishing I had to sit with this review. Daniel black really out done go self. We get even more insight into the life of Isaac. His daddy really didn’t love home sadly how it was shown tracks with the way things went in that time. I do recommmed don’t cry for me before you read this one.

Wow what a book. This book is the continuation to Daniel’s Black Don’t Cry For Me which told a story about a Dad writing letters to his Queer son Isaac before his death. Isaac’s Song follows Isaac years later and how he came to be an adult. He reflects on his childhood and how his Dad played a role in his life. In learning about himself. It goes back and forth to his therapy sessions & childhood memories and just reflecting on life in general. This was everything and more. Both books show how Father & Son relationships are important.

The story took many twists and turns. There were times when I felt interested and others where I could not figure out where the train was going. The ending was a beautiful masterpiece and what I’d hoped for after reading “Don’t Cry For Me”. There were many quotes that helped to shape my view of the world - including the fact that no two words are the same. Such a simple idea but full of so much meaning.

Due to the parts that bumped me out and the fact that his book did not read as smoothly as its predecessor, my true rating is 3.5 stars.

Thank you to @htp_hive @htpbooks for a digital copy of this book for review!

A poignant, emotionally exuberant novel about a young queer Black man finding his voice in 1980s Chicago.

^from the publisher!

This book was an absolute STUNNER of a novel. I actually only few a few chapters at a time until tonight because I was savoring it. I loved reading about Isaac and his family. The interludes with his therapist were so enlightening, smart, and intriguing. I felt just as shocked by some of the personal revelations as Isaac did.

I highlighted so many passages, especially when it came to the therapy sessions. But I also related to Isaac’s loneliness and longing for companionship. I feel that longing in my heart and soul and I just wanted to hug him. He tried so hard to be what everyone else wanted him to be, and it exhausted him. Seeing him in that relationship in his twenties - oof. Far too close to home.

I was incredibly bought in to his desire to be a storyteller and as he was working on his novel I was cheering for him (and I’d totally read the book he was writing, wow!).

I loved how deep we dove into the relationships with his parents and how our memories can be tangled up in how we feel about someone or something. Really made me think. I also really admired how Isaac wasn’t afraid to push buttons after while - and that he ultimately found a love with friendships and himself.

I devoured this book in what felt like one sitting; it read less like a novel and more like the deeply moving biography of a man finding himself amidst the wreckage of generational pain. Isaac’s Song is nothing short of a five-star masterpiece, following Isaac’s transformative journey after the sudden, gut-wrenching news of his father’s death. This revelation sends Isaac spiraling into a storm of anxiety, grief, and introspection, pushing him to seek solace in therapy—a decision that ultimately reshapes his life.

Isaac’s therapist (a true unsung hero in this story) employs brilliant clinical insight, urging him to write daily about his memories and emotions. Through this journaling practice, Isaac revisits the layers of his childhood, his strained relationship with his father, and the complexities of his upbringing. Each entry unravels a story that pulls readers into the heart of the Black household, offering an unflinching look at Black parenting, the church, and the ways Black families process social injustices and navigate familial dynamics.

One of the most profound lessons Isaac learns in therapy is the idea that “we don’t create our baggage, but we can unpack it.” This truth becomes the cornerstone of his healing. As he digs through his past, Isaac begins to see his memories not as fixed, but as malleable—colored by his emotions and shaped by his understanding at the time. With each revelation, he gains clarity, forgiveness(through reading his father’s letter—these will truly move you) and a renewed sense of identity. His exploration of his father’s life and intentions—flawed as they may have been—allows Isaac to understand the depth of his parents’ humanity, ultimately making him a more grounded and empathetic man.

What struck me most about Isaac’s Song was its raw emotional power. Daniel Black does not shy away from difficult conversations. The novel forces readers to confront how the values and fears within Black households can unintentionally perpetuate intergenerational trauma. As someone who has experienced the weight of these dynamics, I found myself pausing, reflecting, and even grieving as I read. This book challenged my perspectives on how upbringing shapes our worldview, as well as my responsibility to break cycles of fear and trauma for the next generation.

Isaac’s Song isn’t just a novel; it’s a mirror that reflects back the beauty, pain, and resilience of navigating identity within the Black experience. It’s a life-changing book, one that I know I will carry with me for years to come. Daniel Black has created something truly extraordinary—a narrative that feels personal, universal, and utterly unforgettable.

I wholeheartedly encourage everyone to read this novel. Whether you’re seeking healing, understanding, or simply a powerful story, Isaac’s Song will resonate deeply. Thank you to Daniel Black, NetGalley, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC.

I have read multiple books by this author so I am not surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. From my note: I started and finished this book on New Year’s Day and I will say that it totally is setting up my reading tone for this year 👌🏽 this book felt like a memoir but it is a work of fiction.
It covers subjects of grief, forgiveness,love, survival, and healing.
Told through perspective of therapy sessions and memories we see Isaac face his past and his future. The therapy sessions were beautifully written out and are a character in themselves. Researched well to perfection.(we all need this therapist) throughout this story many gems of wisdom are dropped showcasing the authors brilliance. It challenges us to think and look at our parental relationships in a different way. If you are a person who feels like their parents don’t understand you or you felt like you were unloved i think there’s some understanding of this in this book. One of the sayings I hear a lot from other adults looking back on their childhood is that they did the best with what they had. This really resonated with me in the book when the question is asked: “what did pain teach you?” The answer is not a critique of someone else’s behavior. I really had to ponder on this one because my great response was to blame someone else. This book made me laugh and then had me bawling my eyes out. But mostly this book will have you examine your own self in a beautiful way. I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you to The Hive and Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC and HTP and Hanover Square Press for the gifted eARC.

Isaac’s Song
Daniel Black
Publishing Date: January 14, 2025

🎧 Narrator: JD Jackson 🎧

This book was a powerful companion to Daniel Black’s novel Don’t Cry For Me. Told from Isaac’s perspective, this reads very much like a memoir and I had to keep reminding myself that it wasn’t.

Once again the heart and empathy shine through in this novel. Isaac is coping with the death of his estranged father, and through therapy sessions and journaling he takes a look back at his childhood, his relationship with his parents, and his experience of navigating childhood and young adulthood as a gay black man. I loved seeing the therapy and mental health rep, let’s continue to normalize this and break down the stigma. This book is very much about healing, forgiveness, how our perceptions guide our thoughts and emotions, and how this can change over time.

With a stunning writing style, Daniel Black pulls at all the heartstrings as Isaac goes through this journey. I would highly recommend also reading the companion novel, Don’t Cry For Me, in order to get the full experience. A really stunning and impactful duet.

🎧 JD Jackson’s narration was nice! I will say, having listened to the two books back to back, I did prefer Daniel Black’s narration. However, seeing as though the books were written from two different perspectives, it was nice to have the differentiation.

When I requested this book I didn’t realize it was a follow up to Don’t Cry for Me. I read Don’t Cry for Me days before I read Isaac’s Song, and I am so glad I read them back to back like that.

Isaac’s Song is a book tackles identity, forgiveness, love, and grief from losing loved ones/not living up to your parent’s dreams/things left unsaid. In this book, Isaac not only begins to understand himself more clearly but also his father and his actions. I enjoyed the fact that his therapist wouldn’t just let him blame his father for how his life had turned out or continue to have his mother on a pedestal. He had to see, like most of us when we reach adulthood, that his parents were human too. And not only that, they were Black people doing the best that they could and what they thought was right when he came to raising a Black son in America.

This book was beautifully written, and like its counterpart, had me looking at my relationship with my own father through a different lens.

Daniel Black’s Isaac’s Song is more than a story; it’s a mirror for those who have ever wrestled with identity, love, and forgiveness. A poignant and poetic follow-up to Don’t Cry for Me, this novel ensnares the senses and delves deep into the complexities of family, loss, and self-discovery. As a Black queer man, this book spoke directly to my soul. I cried when Isaac cried. It took me six months to finish—not because it wasn’t gripping, but because, like Isaac, I’m also unpacking the layered trauma of being Black, gay, and raised in a fatherless home.

The story begins with Isaac seeking therapy to confront the loss of his father and to discover himself in the world. Daniel Black dives fearlessly into the complexities of love—what we feel, what we think happened, and how our perceptions of others are often shaped by pain. Through therapy, Isaac begins to reevaluate his tumultuous relationship with his father. As he reflects on the past, he discovers that he may have judged his father too harshly and placed his mother on a pedestal she didn’t always deserve.

One of the most moving moments in the book is the revelation of Isaac’s father’s letter. When I read those words, I felt an overwhelming sense of love. Every young Black gay man longs for that kind of affirmation—a love that radiates through sentences, offering connection and understanding. Black captures that yearning so authentically that it’s impossible not to feel it.

Isaac’s journey of self-reflection, healing, and forgiveness is beautifully told. Through the therapist’s observations and Isaac’s own introspection, we witness a profound transformation. The themes of intergenerational trauma, the weight of societal expectations, and the search for acceptance are universal, even as they are rooted in the specific experiences of Black queer identity.

Black’s prose is both lyrical and raw, painting vivid emotional landscapes that linger long after the final page. One line that particularly resonated with me was: “Healing isn’t about forgetting; it’s about making peace with the remembering.” It encapsulates Isaac’s journey and serves as a reminder for all of us navigating our own paths to forgiveness and self-discovery.

Isaac’s Song is my first five-star read of the year, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone—especially those exploring their own paths to healing, understanding, or simply seeking a beautifully told story. This book isn’t just a read; it’s an experience that challenges you to reflect on your own relationships, past and present. I’ll be urging all my friends to pick it up, knowing it has the power to touch hearts and change perspectives.

This book had all the feels. As a single mom raising a Black son I had the same questions of -Am I doing this right? And how much damage am I causing? I am so glad Isaac was finally able to get closure after his Dad died. I am so happy he decide early on to go to therapy. I needed to read this. Thank you Dr Black! I read this back to back after Don't Cry For Me so all the relevant characters were still fresh in my mind.

Daniel Black skillfully weaves together themes of identity, trauma, and resilience, highlighting the struggle to find one's place in the world while dealing with family and societal challenges. Isaac's emotional journey will connect with readers, encouraging them to reflect on their own paths to self-acceptance. This novel is a touching exploration of the human spirit, showing the power of writing, family, and the courage to face the past in order to create a better future. Well done, Mr. Black!

BOOK REVIEW 📖

Thank you #partners @htp_hive @hanoversquarepress for my #gifted copies of what was one of my most anticipated books of the year! I'm so grateful! 💕

Isaac's Song
Daniel Black
Available January 14th

"Generations of wounded, black hearts are waiting for my boldness. This is why I was born. This is why I was sitting there in the dark. Because our American story began in the dark, in the bottom of slave ships."

"...I have to tell this story. Because it's a love song, a black male ballad, a lullaby most brothers won't sing. But I will."

I LOVED THIS!!!

Is it too early in the year to say I have a 2025 favorite?

Isaac's Song is a captivating, soul-stirring exploration of the complicated relationship between a gay Black son and his domineering father. It's a story of love and legacy, of understanding and acceptance, and ultimately, healing. It's a gorgeous follow-up to Dr. Black's 2022 release, Don't Cry for Me. While Isaac's Song is not a sequel, it is a companion novel that can be read before or after its predecessor.

📌 A January @bookofthemonth pick!

📌 Available one week from today!

This sequel to Don't Cry For Me is brilliant and poignant. It's beautiful to read from the prospective of the son.
Once again, Dr. Daniel Black has managed to pull on my heart strings.

Daniel Black does it again. This book is an emotional roller coaster and it gave exactly what I knew it would. I read Dont Cry For Me by this author and was super excited when I got approved for this book. I knew it was gonna be a really good read based on what I had read in the first book. This book had a lot of ups and downs, and I want to explore black male writers more often and thus far this author is one of my favorites.

Before reading this novel, I told myself I am not going to cry but I did. Dr. Daniel Black writes this emotional tale that pulls on the reader’s heartstrings. It is a follow up to his previous novel, Don’t Cry for Me which was told from the perspective of Jacob, Isaac’s father. This novel gives readers Isaac’s perspective on his relationship with his father.

Isaac unveils his story through work he does with a therapist after the death of his father. What comes to light is surprising and leads Isaac to new experiences in his life. Based on the ending, I wonder if there will be a third book.

This book is so beautifully written. The story follows a queer black man in the 1980’s and a relationship between father and son as he is finding himself. It covers blackness in America, generational trauma and so much more. I highly recommend this book. The writing and storytelling is so powerful. Just WOW!

Read “Don’t Cry for Me” first; although it’s labeled as a companion book - I think it brings the story together beautifully.

Let’s just start with, I really wanted to see a happy ending with Matthew and Jessie Lee, I know it wasn’t about that, but I needed it 😂.

I have recommended Don’t Cry for Me to so many people, mostly men but everyone. It’s such a great novel. So when I found out Daniel was writing Isaac’s Song, I had to request it.

Without spoiling anything, this book goes through Isaac’s life from his POV. His relationship with his father wasn’t the best. Isaac was a gay man who had trouble identifying as such due to societal standards and his own inner challenges. He goes through this book from childhood to adulthood and eventually begins therapy (and my oh my do I want Isaac’s therapist). He is challenged to write to himself and he starts to uncover things he didn’t know how to acknowledge as a child, or even things that he thought he knew was true (we do that a lot as humans). As he dive into his roots, and after Jacob’s death, he uncovers letters and we get to see the letters from Isaac’s POV and that is where so much of Don’t Cry for Me brings this full circle. I want to read it again honestly.

All in all, Isaac discovers not only himself, but he’s able to forgive the man he thought his father was, he was able to understand his father’s childhood and what he had to sacrifice to allow for Isaac and his mom to live without working. He was harsh, hard, cruel at times - but now Isaac knew more behind the why. I would absolutely recommend this novel to anyone and Daniel has been an auto buy author for

Earlier this year I read Don't Cry for Me and was completely moved by Daniel Black's writing and the authenticity he captured within his story. When I saw that there would be a companion novel, I was thrilled.
This was such an insightful and meaningful follow up and I absolutely loved it. I loved the therapy aspect of the story and seeing Isaac confront his issues with his father, the reality of his mother, and the complexities of these relationships--all while doing so much self discovery and healing and coming to terms with his own desires and realities as a queer black man in America (especially coming up through the 80s and 90s). There is so much heart that is pouring through this story. I loved the complexity of the characters and seeing Isaac confront the differences between his feelings and his memories as he seeks to come to terms with his trauma and his past. Isaac is such a fully fleshed out and dimensional character that I felt so invested in throughout all of his storytelling and life. He is written in a way that really creates an urgency to his character as well as a realness to him that makes the story that much more compelling to read. There is a genuine honesty in this story that makes it so compelling; seeing Isaac brave his own past and start to see his parents (especially his father) for who they are and the intentions behind their actions was so heart wrenching and I loved the sort of visceral honesty that comes with it. I also really appreciated the willingness to confront the complexities of his relationship with God and religion and actually allowing Isaac to challenge and confront his struggles.
This was a beautiful and well done follow up to Don't Cry for Me that perfectly stands on its own and breathes so much life into Isaac and allows for the reader to see a more complete picture of the story. I loved getting to meet Isaac in his own POV and, in contrast, getting to see Jacob through Isaac's eyes.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Hanover Square Press for providing me with a digital review copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.