Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship

by Tiffany Cross

From a former MSNBC host and NAACP award-winning podcaster, a deeply personal narrative for Black women about their well-being and place in a failing democracy.

Not only are Black women not being centered, we’re being silenced. There are fewer conscious Black women on TV and in leadership roles across all industries because a MAGA invented culture war has made Black women the face of the enemy. As a result, our history is being whitewashed and our contribution downplayed. Efforts persist to erase our experiences entirely. We are fighting for love, our lives, and livelihoods while a burning America continues to stand on our shoulders as it has throughout time.

In Love Me Black , journalist Tiffany D. Cross brings to life the souls of Black women today. This is the story of how we, women of accomplishment and endurance, in the face of a failing Republic, dwindling opportunity, and elusive love relentlessly use our humanity to preserve ourselves, our culture, and civilization.

In a hard-hitting cultural analysis and penetrating prose, Cross takes you on an intimate journey of the internal and external battles we are all collectively facing. With a pithy blend of humor and pathos, she illuminates the personhood and critiques the politics of being a Black woman. From a break-up where she cried the entire flight from Miami to New York, to her tumultuous exit from MSNBC, and a call from her hospital sickbed that put her health and career on the line, Cross narrates not just her story, but our story.

Bold and provocative, Cross invites Black women to go from hopeless to hopeful as we fight to achieve our dreams, secure the love we deserve, and preserve the home we built. We must repair our personhood and society, and that starts with giving ourselves something to believe in.

Genres: African American

384 pages, Hardcover

Published May 5, 2026

Reviews

[Imina · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a black woman, strong is just a part of who I am. It’s almost expected of me. But this book highlights all the way this country, our history, and even our own thought have shaped us. It showed me that being strong doesn’t also mean I can’t be loved, protected, and provided for. Thank you Tiffany for sharing your ups and downs as I process my own!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Me: A Letter to Black Women in a Toxic Country, Career, and Relationship by Tiffany D. Cross is phenomenal. Every page of this incredibly powerful book is highlight-worthy!
Love, Me is a testament to the strength and resilience of Black women. This book resonated so deeply and evoked every single emotion within me. A huge thank you to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC of the book.

A fiercely evocative, timely, and necessary read for all Black women. But also for anyone who wants an accurate version of how Black women have long been underappreciated, unrecognized, and undervalued in America since its inception. In Love, Me Tiffany D. Cross champions every Black woman. She sees, hears, feels, and understands us because she is us. More times than not, Black women face injustices, inequities, betrayal, abuse, and heartbreak in our careers, relationships, politics, healthcare, and throughout society at large on a daily basis. Cross puts a spotlight on all of these challenges and brings them completely to the forefront. But she also offers up validation, empowerment, self-love, hope, and a path toward healing.

Love, Me is a brilliantly written, well-researched, highly affirming book. I absolutely loved reading it. Honestly, this book will stay with me for a long time. Black women have always had to fight for everything that we have wanted to accomplish and achieve. Not only have we learned to navigate and survive for centuries, but we have endured and thrived. Tiffany D. Cross honors that, she uplifts it, and gives all of us the confidence to keep moving forward. A book that should be on every reading list.

[Robin LaShanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4✨ I always say that I struggle with writing reviews for memories as people are brave for sharing their own stories. This book so no different. Journalist, Tiffany Cross was fired from MSNBC in a horrible and unjust way. The first half of the book covers her experience in the media as a Black woman and the second half examines a relationship she is in after her firing. Intertwined in her stories are statistics and facts related to the disparities that Black women face due to the impact of racism and white supremacy in America. She also insets beautiful little letters of encouragement to Black women.

This book was written not just by but also FOR Black women. It reminds us to stay strong and yet still keep our softness. It’s precious when we remember that strongest among us also needs encouragement. Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Audio for this advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own.

Version: 🎧

[Pamela B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this today and babyyyy… thank you, Tiffany! Hearing these letters read in her voice was truly an experience. The stories she shared, the truths she uncovered, and the love woven into every word it all hit deep.

As Black women, we carry so much, often without pause, so to feel seen, understood, and embraced like this meant everything. Tiffany opened the door to both her personal and professional life, allowing us to see the world through her lens a perspective that reflects so many of our own.

This was more than just an audiobook; it was a moment. The production was flawless, the delivery was powerful, and honestly… no notes.

[Kami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! I was able to download an early release audio from NetGalley. I really enjoyed listening. As an African American woman I found so much familiarity in what Tiffany had to say. I didn't know who Tiffany Cross was before reading this book, but I was impressed by her stream of conscious thoughts around work, family, belonging, and so much more. This reminded me alot of Austin Channing Brown's Full of Myself.

[Ronnica Fatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful memoir. As a white woman, I’m not the target audience, but these stories are so important to listen to, take in, understand, and use this information to advocate for the Black women around us.

Thank you Netgalley and Hatchette Audio for the review ALC.