Candice Y. Johnson’s Every Black Girl Dances is a thoughtful exploration of identity, career disillusionment, and the pressures of success. The novel brings readers into the world of JC Burke, a filmmaker who has become a household name for her work on "Black trauma" films. However, her rise to fame has left her grappling with burnout, strained relationships, and the question of whether her work is truly meaningful. This story blends romance, self-discovery, and social commentary, making it a compelling—if slightly uneven—read.

JC Burke is a well-drawn character who carries the weight of her Hollywood success alongside a deep dissatisfaction with the kind of stories she’s been telling. The pressure to continue creating films that center on Black pain has taken its toll, and her sudden decision to abandon her latest production signals a breaking point. Johnson captures JC’s inner turmoil well, especially her frustration with the industry’s tendency to profit from trauma. The novel’s exploration of JC’s conflict between her creative ambitions and Hollywood’s expectations adds a rich, introspective layer to the story.

The shift from the glitz of Hollywood to the quiet of Parable, Texas, provides a much-needed contrast and gives JC space to breathe, reflect, and consider what she truly wants. It’s in Parable that she reconnects with her past and meets Luke Favors, the "Hottie Professor" whose viral fame brings a lighthearted element to the novel. The romance between JC and Luke adds a welcome dose of warmth and charm, offering JC a glimpse of what life could be like if she stepped away from the pressures of Hollywood.

Luke is a solid romantic lead—kind, grounded, and supportive of JC’s journey. Their connection feels natural, with a slow-burn quality that gives their relationship depth. However, while their romance is enjoyable, it sometimes feels overshadowed by JC’s career struggles. The tension between JC’s desire for a simpler life in Parable and her unresolved issues with her career and producing partner Hudson Pyke creates a push-and-pull dynamic that leaves the romantic arc feeling secondary at times.

One of the novel’s strengths lies in its commentary on the responsibility of Black creatives in Hollywood. JC’s internal debate about her role in perpetuating narratives of Black suffering is timely and resonates with ongoing discussions in the entertainment industry. However, the novel could have gone even further in exploring this theme, as some of the insights feel underdeveloped or brushed over in favor of the romance and JC’s personal journey.

Hudson Pyke, JC’s producing partner, represents another source of tension in her life. Their deteriorating professional relationship is a key plot point, and while the novel hints at a deeper history between them, Hudson’s character remains somewhat enigmatic. His role in JC’s life—and the choices she must make regarding her future—is important, but more development of their backstory would have added complexity to JC’s decisions.

The pacing of the novel is generally solid, though the resolution feels somewhat rushed. JC’s journey toward self-discovery and figuring out her place in the world is engaging, but the ending could have used a bit more room to breathe, especially as she grapples with whether to return to Hollywood or leave it behind for good. The balance between her career choices and her budding romance with Luke feels slightly uneven, with the novel leaning more heavily on her professional struggles.

Final Thoughts:
Every Black Girl Dances is a reflective and insightful novel that delves into the complexities of success, creative responsibility, and self-discovery. While the romance with Luke adds warmth and charm, the novel’s strength lies in JC’s internal conflict about her career in Hollywood and the narratives she’s been telling. Though the story could have dug deeper into some of its themes, it remains an engaging read with relatable characters and timely social commentary. A solid 3.5-star read for those who enjoy stories about personal growth and the search for meaning in both career and love.

Every Black Girl Dances by Candice Y. Johnson has a solid and meaningful message that resonates, especially with its focus on identity and empowerment. The writing is solid, and the themes are important, but I felt the story could have been developed more. Some parts felt rushed, and I wanted to connect more deeply with the characters. It’s a good book with a lot of potential, but I was left wanting a bit more from the overall experience. Still, it’s worth reading for its unique perspective and powerful message.

3 ☆
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The premise of this story sounded highly interesting: "A searing exploration of femininity and womanhood, Every Black Girl Dances is for women of color who shrink to be heard and sacrifice to be seen." Unfortunately, I wasn't getting those vibes at all. At the 40% mark of the book took a turn that I didn't like. This is a trauma bond book, and I just can't do it.
𝙽𝚘𝚠 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎!
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Thank you, Netgalley, and Black Odyssey Media for the eBook in exchange for my honest review.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


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

This book for me was a long journey of the main character figuring out who she was.

There was a beautiful quote I loved early in the book “Kids should be free to simply create without feeling the pressure of someone giving them an identity instead of cultivating the one they have..” I find this to be a powerful statement that should be a requirement for everyone’s life.

Thank you NetGalley and Black Odyssey Medis for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Every Black Girl Dances takes us through JC’s journey to shed old habits in pursuit of what she truly deserves. After years in a career and relationship that take more from her than they give, we witness her quest to create a more gentle and meaningful life.

As a reader, it’s both frustrating and extremely realistic watching JC hobble between making the choice you know is best for her and falling into old habits. You root for her, and want to shake her, the entire time. Candice Johnson’s writing throughout is full of powerful statements and metaphors capturing the experience of being a Black woman at work, in a doctors office, as a daughter, and in romantic relationships.

The strengths listed above, as well as some stylistic writing choices, made this book difficult to read. JC seems wholly unable to catch a break; a new difficulty is presented or revealed in nearly every chapter and her response is often to just continue rolling with the punches without taking steps toward meaningful change or giving herself time to process and heal until the last 30% of the book. There is also a lot of abrupt movement between timelines to throw in anecdotes to add depth to the characters, but this ends up interrupting the flow of the narrative.

Overall, I’m glad I gave this book a chance, but I’d be hesitant to recommend it to others. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, with more trauma and less character development (both of JC and the rest of the cast). I did love that this story focused more on JC’s journey as a woman, with romance in the background rather than the foreground. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I wanted to love this book and it had potential. It failed. The over use of similes is pretentious. I felt like the book was over descriptive and full of run on sentences. There was so much word vomit that it was difficult to stay focused on the actual story and impossible to connect to the characters. The MC was so infuriatingly stupid that she didn’t deserve a HEA. I actually found all of the characters annoying. So many words but still felt no connection to the 1 dimensional characters that lacked depth.

JC Burke goes on a fantastic journey of discovery in this fantastic book. She learns how to love herself, acknowledge her trauma and stop indulging in bad patterns. Eventually. It's richly written, and very enjoyable.

I loved this book. I find that many times when I read I get attached to the characters and the journeys that they go through and all of the people who influence their lives along the way. For those that come out stronger and wiser in the end, I smile. Highly recommended.