This book was only ok. It felt like a pep talk of sorts but I’m not sure I got that much out of it. Maybe it was too short? There were a few practical tips given and scripture sprinkled with life examples. Overall it didn’t give me much in the way of application. I wouldn’t read it again.

Review of Black Woman Grief by Natasha Smith

Black Woman Grief is a deeply moving and insightful exploration of grief, resilience, and healing. Natasha Smith takes a compassionate and honest approach, acknowledging the unique burdens that Black women carry when facing loss. Her writing is both personal and universal, making space for readers to see themselves and their experiences reflected on the page.
What stands out most is how Smith challenges the expectation of constant strength, instead encouraging vulnerability and self-compassion. She weaves together faith, history, and psychology to provide not just understanding but also tangible steps toward healing. Each chapter feels like a conversation with a trusted friend—one who understands the weight of grief and offers a guiding hand through it.
This book is more than just a discussion of sorrow; it’s a testament to the power of honoring grief while still moving forward. Smith’s words provide validation, hope, and a path toward wholeness. It’s a must-read for anyone navigating loss, especially Black women who may feel unseen in their pain.

I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK.

If you’re a Black woman, know a Black woman, love a Black woman, or want to support a Black woman—this book is for you. It speaks to the heart of our struggles, our resilience, and the grief we’ve been conditioned to carry without question.

Through the lens of Christian faith, this book gives language to the grief we’ve normalized, the wounds we’ve ignored, and the healing we deserve. It doesn’t just name the pain—it offers a way through it.

Black woman, what made you so afraid of rest?

This question lingers, demanding reflection. We’ve been taught to push through, to endure, to be strong at all costs. But what if rest isn’t weakness? What if it’s a form of resistance?

Because let’s be real—what doesn’t kill us doesn’t always make us stronger. Sometimes, it just gives us trauma. And overcoming isn’t just something we do; it’s in our bones, our bloodline, our birthright.

This book is a must-read. It’s a love letter, a challenge, and a call to healing all in one.

Black Woman Grief a book I didn’t realise I needed but so glad I came upon.

Beautifully written , felt like a love letter to black woman. I love that faith in God was evidenced throughout. The bible scriptures used were excellent and the ideas given are straight forward to achieve if we make time to do the work on ourselves.

I will get a copy for myself and a copy to share with other when going through grief.

Would make a great Bible study or Christian women's book club pick!

Beautiful cover.

Given the tough topic, this is not the type of book that one "enjoys" per se, but the target demographic should appreciate this, and other ethnicities can learn a lot from the stories and general and poignant information included.

My main challenge with this book is that I think the author could have prioritized the grief and self-help pieces (hope, self-care, etc.) more, which is the main pull of the title. Instead, it felt like a recap of the causes of black grief in society and the author's personal grief with the self-help parts sprinkled in. The Bible scriptures were aptly placed and timely.

I don't think the majority of this book was "A Guide to Hope and Wellness," maybe about ~50%? Grief and its forms don't get defined until ~30% in. Nonetheless, the ending had activities that could make this a good reference book. 👌

I will be honest and say that I picked up this book thinking that it would just be beneficial to my grieving process in regards to the loss of loved ones. This book touches on that and so much more! There is so much pain and strife that comes with being a black woman that others simply cannot understand. Out stress and complaints are often dismissed and written off as “not that bad.”

Our being strong often is not the result of a positive character trait. Most times it is a defense mechanism. We have to be strong so that we are not taken advantage of, used or mistreated. We have to be strong because experience has showed us that we cannot depend on others to help, or keep our confidence. We are strong because we have to be to survive.

This is a must read!!

Although I am not a black woman (mixed fil-am), the author invites all readers to partake in this exploration of deep, faithful admissions of grief and managing what is passed down generation over generation. I found God’s word throughout so deeply meaningful relative to her perspective and I feel I’ve gain a great deal of knowledge of how others may feel and how my own mother must feel at times due to her own background and experiences.

A deeply insightful novel for anyone struggling.

This is a great guide on grief that addresses issues specific to Black women while incorporating Christian values. The author is informative without being preachy.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It discusses various events in the world that have caused grief for many people, particularly for Black women, including the incidents involving Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. The book explores the different ways grief affects Black women as a whole, even in the workplace.

I especially appreciated the scriptures shared throughout the book, which reference moments in the Bible when others faced grief and hardship. The narrator was easy to listen to, and I would definitely recommend this book. Overall, what I took away from it was a sense of connection; I no longer felt alone in my experiences with grief as described in the book. Often, we simply power through our struggles because we have to.

This is the book I didn’t know I needed. Normally, I’m the first to say I’m not reading self-help, but this book was different. It felt like a refreshing reminder of life’s lessons—both past and present—without being preachy or overly philosophical. While it weaves biblical teachings into everyday living, it does so in a way that feels natural and applicable rather than overwhelming. This book offered wisdom, encouragement, and a bit of perspective.

This book truly spoke to me. Natasha Smith creates a space where Black women can feel seen and validated in their grief, while also offering hope and reassurance through faith. I appreciated how she acknowledged the weight we carry without minimizing it, and the way she tied in biblical truths felt thoughtful and intentional.

Black Woman Grief: A Guide to Hope and Wholeness would be ideal for Christian women on a similar spiritual journey as the author. If would be difficult for non-Black women or perhaps non-African American womento appreciate this messages shares in the book. If it is not your lived or shared experience than it will be hard for you to relate.
Part memoir, part self-help guide Black Woman Grief explores the different stages and types of grief Black women experience throughout their lives whether it is loss or trauma. I see this guide evolving into a workbook or devotional and being used either in Black women's bible study or religious based [grief] counseling.

A beautiful self-help book aimed at black women in order to help them with their personal struggles. Author's advise is consistently supported by their personal experiences and the relationship with God.

First, the cover of the book is beautiful!

This book is centered about Christianity which teaches the biblical principle of Jesus The Christ.
I love how she narrated the book and lined it up with scripture, it is an important key factor when teaching or sharing the word of God that you back up your knowledge and believe with scripture. The book touched on political and cultural and personal beliefs that shed light on the experiences of black women. God sees me and He loves me!

Natasha showed empathy and love as she shared some hard truths about the gospel and what all God's love entails. I really enjoyed this book, as a believer she reaffirmed several things for me, scriptures were aligned with the author's notes. The book brought some insight and touched on many subjects for me. The book was very encouraging and inspiring. We are seen by God and that is the most important element in our lives.

This book was more than just talking about the death of a loved one, but grief growing and being an unapologetically black women int today's society where we as black women, are treated unfairly in relationships, the workplace, and in community.

This is a book for all season of life, whether you're going through a loss of a loved one, feeling stuck in a mental place, needing solace, or reassurance, this book is highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley, Natasha Smith, and InterVarsity Press for such a lovely book full of truths in exchange for my honest review!

Many thanks to InterVarsity Press for the honor of reviewing this audiobook. I found this book to be a beautiful love letter to Black women speaking to the collective experience of pain and suffering while ushering them toward hope and healing. I love that the author narrates the book. It shows points within the text she desires to emphasize or prompt the listener to reflect. I found her voice to be very soothing which further illuminates the text.

I was initially drawn to Black Woman Grief by its beautiful cover and the compelling concept of exploring grief and healing. Though this book was not specifically written for me, I approached it with the hope of deepening my compassion and understanding.

One of the aspects I appreciated most was the structure that encouraged self-reflection. The check-ins and moments for self-exploration were meaningful and gave me space to process emotions in a thoughtful way. These elements made the book feel interactive and personal, adding depth to the reading experience.

The overall tone of the book was uplifting and hopeful. Ultimately, Black Woman Grief expanded my awareness and sensitivity toward the grief experiences of those in my community. I appreciate the author’s heartfelt guidance and believe this book will be a source of comfort and encouragement to those who connect with its message.

This is extremely Christian focused with multiple Bible quotes used to enhance or explain advice, suggestions, or exercises offered by the author. As a non-Christian, I did not find the focus abrasive. I'd label this as Black Christian and Feminist-light. I found the type of Christianity presented to be kind, loving, and inclusive. If only all Christians practiced this way!

This is timely given our current political climate. I'm sure at least half of all Americans are dealing with grief as we watch our nation being dismantled before our very eyes. Definitely, Black Women are dealing with a disproportionate amount of that shared grief at this time. I hoped this would have healthy suggestions and coping methods. In fact, this offers multiple studied methods for dealing with and managing grief. This also delves into trauma, which was really handled in a delicate and well-balanced manner.

Of course, much of this advice and associated activities involve praying, reading the Bible, and church fellowship. As a non-Christian I still found plenty that was useful for me, and with slight modifications, I created a plan for myself. I meditate instead of praying or light candles on my Ancestor altar. I read history, which allows me to understand what has happened before so I can deal with my present situation with knowledge and forethought. I fellowship with my loved ones who form my community. With a tiny bit of ingenuity, I was able to make this very Christian centered viewpoint work for me as a practicing pagan.

This references well-known psychology texts on grief such as The Grieving Brain by Mary Frances O'Connor and The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, amongst others. The author has done lots of research and offers tried and true methods for managing grief with a focus on the impact on Black Woman.

The author is from a family that sounds a bit like it was steeped in Respeactability Politics, which leaches into the work slightly. I reject the Christian doctrine around 'forgiveness' and found some of the authors' statements on forgiveness to not be in line with my views on forgiveness. Aside from that, this was surprisingly relatable for me. I will be using multiple techniques highlighted in this narrative myself.

This audiobook is read by the author Natasha Smith. It was a treat to have this read by the author herself because hearing the words voiced by the author always helps to understand their frame of mind. The listener hears which word the author, as the narrator, draws out or pauses after. It can illuminate the entire paragraph. The authors voice is smooth, cultured, soft, and firm.

Thank you to Natasha Smith, IVP Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to and review this audiobook. All opinions and viewpoints expressed in this review are my own.

The cover design and title are what caught my eye and I'm so grateful. This book is for everyone who has struggled with grief, and unresolved trauma, and holds a desire to reconnect or maintain a relationship with God.

It offers insight into the black woman's experience that is relatable across the range of skin colors but candidly sheds light on the demographic of women who have been silenced and repressed time and time again. Natasha Smith has such a way with words that only enhanced the message coming out clearer to the reader.

I love when authors narrate their memoir and/or non-fiction. It makes the reading more personal and effective. Natasha's narration felt as if I were sitting on a therapist's couch or in a group therapy session. I especially appreciate her perspective as a Black woman because she understands the additional layers Black women endure in our interactions with colleagues, society and religion.

This book was wonderful at detailing how society, the bible, and science sees grief within Black woman. It definitely feels like a tool and I loved the personal anecdotes. I would recommend to anyone who wants to know about (and possible overcome) different types of grief from Black women.