Black Girls Don't Cry

by Alex Travis

When a Black teen decides to run for prom queen at her predominantly white high school, the competition takes a deadly turn when the candidates start going missing and the fight for the crown becomes a matter of life or death. A gripping YA thriller for readers of Jumata Emill's The Black Queen and Tiffany D. Jackson's The Weight of Blood.

Ida and JJ were the ultimate power couple of Banneker High. As the VP and President of their Black Student Union, the two seemed destined to be yearbook legends. But that was before an ugly break up. JJ is already deep in a new relationship, which infuriates Ida—almost as much as when a sexist "hot list' starts circulating the school. It's bad enough anyone rated the girls on their looks, but the list has only white students. Seriously?

There has never been any racial diversity among the prom queen candidates at Banneker, so the BSU decides to make their own statement on beauty and run a candidate—and Ida and JJ's new girlfriend will each compete for the crown. Except the candidates start getting picked off one by one, and Ida is sure she's being stalked. Forget winning a tiara, who will live to see prom?

Genres: Thriller, Young Adult, Mystery, Queer, Mystery Thriller, Suspense, Lesbian

368 pages, Paperback

Published July 28, 2026

About the author

Alex Travis was born in New York and made her way to Northern Virginia to begin her daytime career as a full-time school psychologist. She has a BA in psychology from University of Pennsylvania, and a Ph.D. in school psychology from the University of Maryland. Alex wrote her first book at the age of 11, and has been losing herself in fictional worlds of her own creation since then. Alex makes her home in Virginia with her husband, an outrageous collection of Funkos, and too many books to count.

Reviews

[Norma (reading slump, life slump)]

⋆·˚ ༘ * 𝒫𝓇𝑒-𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹

➷ I started reading this last week, on Friday, and so far I'm engaged. It definitely gives off Dear White People vibes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈

[Raaven💖]

I think this is gonna be my first rant for 2026. This book didn’t really grip me and I almost DNFed but I wanted to stay because the mystery was interesting but then IT NEVER GETS SOLVED!!! NOBODY IS PUNISHED!!! All the boys making AI photos just go about their days. This was so frustrating. I actually screamed at the end. What was the point?? They find out who was hurting everyone…and it just goes nowhere. Who killed Cassidy?? Guess it doesn’t matter anymore after you thought you put your life on the line for it. I also barely liked anyone here. I give a bit of grace for high schoolers, but it was very dramatic. JJ was such a stereotype I was rolling my eyes. Ashley as well. I just couldn’t take them seriously. I hate that I didn’t like this because the premise was so interesting.

[hailey ౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a review. I greatly appreciate it!

I'll be honest, as messy as this book got especially towards the end, it wasn't the most interesting. I felt like the was a build-up with the girls Bridget, Lauren, Cassidy, and Sally, but since I read thrillers and mystery novels A LOT I could see the clues and point out who was responsible for what a mile away. This definitely was more of a YA drama, it didn't really quite feel like a thriller to me. I did pick up on certain things throughout the book that could've incriminated certain characters, so I wasn't totally shocked by the end. I implicitly never trust anyone in mystery/thriller novels, sorry not sorry LMAO. It's always who you least expect, and almost exactly who you'd expect lol. I felt like the ending was a little rushed. Like a lot of the middle was really dragged out and since running for prom queen was the whole point of the book, I was really disappointed that the prom scene was only one short chapter. I also felt like the ending wasn't redeeming whatsoever. So nobody wins? Nobody gets caught and nobody gets justice for everything we spent the whole book uncovering?? Damn okay I guess..... I liked the bisexual rep with Ida and the lesbian rep with Amaya, I just wish that in the end the investigators did their job and not leave it to high schoolers to solve crimes because wdym not a SINGLE ADULT BESIDES THE PTA DID ANYTHING?! WELL SHIT!

[RaeReads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy From NetGalley. All Opinions are my own

Okay so listen… this was messy YA drama and I was locked in.

We’re following a bisexual Black teen just trying to exist, figure herself out, and survive friendships that may or may not be fake, a shady ex, a “is she my girlfriend or my enemy?” situation, and a whole town full of side-eyes. Everybody felt suspicious. I’m talking every single character had me like 🤨 because the mystery element really had me trying to piece it together.

What I loved? The characters felt like actual teenagers. Emotional. Reactive. Dramatic. The supportive parents? Chef’s kiss. We don’t get that enough. And the way racism, homophobia, beauty standards, and misogyny were woven into the story felt real (not preachy, just real) The back and forth between Amayah and Ida had me stressed, and don’t even get me started on Simone because whew.

Now let’s talk about the ending. I’m not mad… but I am side-eyeing it a little. It felt unfinished. The mystery doesn’t fully wrap up, consequences feel light, and I wanted just a little more depth. BUT — it honestly reads like it’s setting up for a sequel. And if that’s the case? Okay then. I see you. I’ll be back.

Overall, it was engaging, dramatic, and definitely kept me turning pages.
3.5 stars!!!

[S. L. Hemmings-Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great read!
This story was so intriguing and I was gripped early on. It tackles so many important topics like racism, homophobia, and misogyny, and I felt the commentary on these issues were incredibly relevant to the time we’re living in and also well explored.
The ending was somewhat anticlimactic to me at first but upon reflection, I do understand why Travis made such a choice and it did make sense with the overall message of the story, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free arc.

[Corinne’s Chapter Chatter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a bit of a rollercoaster experience with this one because I’m not entirely sure who the target audience was meant to be. As a white reader who makes a conscious effort to read diverse books and who is aware of the privileges that come with that, this felt at times like the YA fiction equivalent of Dear White People. The messaging occasionally felt heavy-handed, which distracted from what was otherwise an engaging story.

At times, the book seemed unsure of what it wanted to be. I would have preferred it to focus more on the story itself and less on delivering a lesson or making a particular point. That said, the message is an important one, and perhaps that was the author’s primary goal.

The book is somewhat repetitive, but I did enjoy the core story. For the most part, I found it fun and engaging—until the ending. The final conflict felt frustrating because it seemed to lack any real accountability, and the resolution didn’t quite make sense to me. I’ll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.

I am grateful to Sourcebooks Fire and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Lay Tonic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would have been a five if the ending wasn’t so vague on the problem in the story. Loved the characters, they started to grow on you but the boys in this are jerks and I do not miss high school based on the things they endured. Being a girl is hard enough but, going through this while trying to do prom is another thing. Crushed that no one got in serious trouble or was outed really before the ending of the book. I need a further explanation on what happened to the ones that did it.

Thanks to NetGalley

[blissful.brii · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Black Girls Don’t Cry” is a thriller young adult novel that explores the complexities of high school life. The protagonist, Ida, is a minority who faces various intersectional challenges, including racial discrimination. As she campaigns for prom queen, she uncovers a more sinister issue occurring at her high school. Despite these challenges, Ida remains determined to stay in the running for prom queen while solving the mystery of the darkness lurking within the school.

The novel successfully intertwines themes of young adulthood, self-identity, self-discovery, and murder mystery. However, the pacing could be improved, and there is a noticeable lack of smooth transitions between thoughts and plot lines.

While the story remains entertaining, I would rate it around 2.75 to 3 stars on average due to these issues.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for an Advanced Review Copy of this book!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5 STARS

this was such a gripping read from the start. you follow the FMC, Ida Carter, as she navigates relationships, friendships, and high school. in the midst of all that is her not-really-boyfriend, JJ, who never really allowed her to be herself and had his masculinity offended when she confided in him about being bi. so, rightfully she's hurt and angry. being in high school is tough enough when you're trying to figure yourself out, but having someone you cared about almost shun you for being queer is even harder. even worse, her school, Banneker High is notoriously "traditional"—meaning racist, misogynist, & homophobic.

after a list comes out about the 10 "hottest" girls in the school, which conspicuously comprises of pale skinned girls with blonde hair, Ida's friends (Simone & Amayah) decide that maybe it's time to challenge that. when Ida finds herself nominated by her BSU members to represent them, she's thrust in a position where she finally feels like she's no longer a shadow. but then JJ vocally rejects Ida's bid for prom queen and suggests someone else, someone who he'd vilified for not representing anything that BSU stands for. Ida thinks that at least she has her friends, Simone & Amayah, and BSU's support. but when Amayah is practically the only person standing in her corner, Ida now has to decide if standing on her beliefs and morals is enough to run for prom queen.

things get really messy, chaotic, and dangerous really fast. not only are the girls on that list being targeted, one of them is dead. private pictures and text conversations are also popping up online. both trust and privacy are compromised. Ida also realizes she's being targeted, and everything spirals out of control.

i loved Ida, and i loved her parents more. the way they became a pillar of support and confidence for her highlights all the ways a parent should be for their child. they love her and support her queerness, never making her feel less than or making her question her identity. they also stand ten toes down for her as everything unfolds, which made me a little jealous. her mom does not play about her! i enjoyed reading through Ida's character growth as she learns to stand on her own, choosing not to make herself smaller for anyone else.

the reason i knocked one star is simply the ending. while i get it, i really do... i just felt it didn't scratch the itch for a decent ending. it felt like the entire book was a buildup and it just... stops. then i remember that this is very real in our current political climate. nobody gets held responsible, and, even if they do, the fingers point anywhere but at the real problem. instead, they'll find a scapegoat... someone who "looks" the part, rather than address the real problems and the real culprits. the harsh reality is, as long as you're a cis yt man... accountability is not expected on your part. there's always an excuse, a reason, or even a woman to blame. it took me some time after finishing this read to remind myself of that and how this deserves nothing less than 4 stars. you might not like the ending, but the ending is as real as it gets.

do i recommend? YES. if not for the crazy plot twists, but the reality & awareness this could bring to the surface. again, the ending isn't clean cut and dry, but for POC... it never really is. we just make do with the hand we're dealt and let the cards fall where they may, praying it doesn't hurt one of our own. i hope others will come to the same conclusions i did. you can do everything right and still choose to be happy, even if others are wrong. there are other ways to convey the message from this book, and they're all pretty powerful ones. so, let's give this author a round of applause!

disclaimer: this book was read as an ARC via NetGalley, thanks to the author and publisher. i leave this review of my own volition. all thoughts and opinions are mine.

[Nicole Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“Black Girls Don't Cry” by Alex Travis is a drama-heavy YA story that is centered around a unique mystery that is complicated by social commentary and messy teenage emotions, which creates a very engaging (if sometimes overwhelming) read.

The story follows Iva, a Black bisexual teen navigating life in a small, not-so-diverse town where she’s constantly dealing with racism, beauty standards, homophobia, and complicated friendships. Between a shady ex-boyfriend, shifting relationships, and a school environment full of tension, she already has a lot on her plate; and things get even more intense when girls connected to a problematic “hottest girls” list start getting attacked, kicking off the book’s thriller element.

One of the strongest parts of this book is how real the characters feel. The teens are emotional, dramatic, messy, and still figuring themselves out in ways that feel authentic. Iva is easy to root for, and her journey of identity and self-discovery is compelling. Her developing relationship with Amayah is especially sweet, and the supportive parents were a refreshing highlight. The friendships and romantic dynamics are complicated, sometimes frustrating, but believable.

The book also tackles a lot of serious topics. It explores racism in schools and small communities, misogyny, homophobia, and harmful beauty standards. There’s also a strong focus on issues like AI being used to generate degrading images of girls, which adds a timely and unsettling layer to the story. These themes feel grounded and realistic, and the book raises important conversations about how girls, especially Black girls, are treated and perceived.

That said, the story sometimes struggles under the weight of everything it tries to address. It takes on so many heavy topics that some don’t get fully explored, and the balance between teen drama, social commentary, and mystery can feel uneven. The first half reads more like a high school drama than a thriller, and while the mystery becomes more central later, it can feel overshadowed by everything else happening. I think if the main focus had been on the misogyny (especially with the AI pictures), the story would have been more developed.

The suspense itself is entertaining, though; there are plenty of suspects, lots of tension, and a constant sense that anyone could be involved. The story keeps you guessing and turning pages, even if the resolution doesn’t fully deliver. The ending feels subtle and somewhat anticlimactic, with loose threads and limited consequences, which was a bit frustrating as I was expecting more of a dramatic reveal, which would have fit the drama throughout the entire book.

Overall, “Black Girls Don’t Cry” is an engaging and thought-provoking YA novel that shines most as a character-driven teen drama exploring identity, race, and social pressures. While the mystery and resolution may not completely satisfy, the compelling characters, emotional intensity, and relevant themes make it a fast-paced and discussion-worthy read.

[Aries.Pisces · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of Black Girls Don't Cry arrives with genuine promise. When Ida, a Black teen and BSU vice president at a predominantly white high school, decides to run for prom queen as an act of protest against a culture that has systematically excluded girls of color, the setup is sharp, timely, and full of potential. Layer in a murder mystery, serious questions about digital exploitation and safety, a budding romance, and a cast of activist teens who supposedly operate on principle, and you have the bones of something that could have been genuinely important YA fiction — the kind that takes its audience seriously and trusts them with real moral complexity.

What follows is one of the more disappointing gaps between promise and execution in recent YA memory.

Ida, our supposed moral compass, is a deeply inconsistent protagonist. The righteous indignation that should drive her — the whole reason she's running, the whole reason we should be rooting for her — is consistently upstaged by romantic entanglements and social dynamics that absorb far more of her energy than the injustices she claims to stand against. When the stakes escalate to their most serious, her choices feel less like those of a principled activist and more like those of a teenager who simply cannot see past her own immediate emotional landscape. That might be honest, but the book never examines it as a flaw.

The adults in the story are largely ineffective or indifferent, which is a legitimate and often true reflection of how institutions fail young people. But the teens themselves — particularly those in the BSU, who open the book full of stated principle — are tested by events and found consistently wanting, without the book ever holding them meaningfully accountable for that. There is a significant difference between depicting how young people fail under pressure and quietly endorsing that failure by letting everyone walk away without consequence. This book too often does the latter.

The most serious issue is the ending, which resolves — or rather declines to resolve — its central tensions in a way that feels less like a deliberate artistic choice and more like an avoidance of the hard work the story required. Serious wrongs are committed in this book. Real harm is done. And the conclusion essentially allows everyone to move on, eyes fixed on college and the future, without genuine reckoning. In a story that positioned itself as being about justice, visibility, and the courage to stand for something, that is a profound letdown.

Alex Travis is a writer with real instincts and a clear understanding of the social terrain her characters inhabit. The premise alone demonstrates that. But a book that raises stakes this high and then sidesteps accountability does a disservice both to its subject matter and to the young readers it is meant to serve. They deserve fiction that tells them the truth about what principle actually costs — and what it means when we fail to honor it.

[Roslyn Bell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Girls Don’t Cry is my first read by Alex Travis, and it absolutely will not be my last. I picked it up as an advanced copy from NetGalley, expecting a sharp YA thriller with social commentary and this author delivered exactly that, with a cast of characters whose messy, heartfelt interactions kept me turning pages into the wee hours of the morning. Ida is the kind of protagonist you root for immediately, she's stubborn, principled, and determined to make noise in a school that would prefer she stay quiet. Her decision to run for prom queen at a predominantly white high school isn’t about the crown, it’s about visibility, about pushing back when a sexist, all‑white “hot list” makes it painfully clear who gets valued and who doesn’t. That spark of activism sets everything in motion, and watching Ida navigate the fallout, personal, political, and increasingly dangerous was truly one of my favorite parts of the book. The character dynamics are where the author really shines in this tale. Ida and JJ’s fractured friendship has layers which are old affection, new resentment, and the sting of JJ’s reaction to Ida’s sexuality. Add JJ’s new girlfriend into the mix who’s also running for prom queen and the tension is complicated. And then there’s Amayah, Ida’s campaign manager, who brings competence, warmth, and a slowburn chemistry that feels both sweet and earned. Their interactions were some of the most grounded and emotionally resonant moments in the story for me. The thriller elements escalate quickly once the prom queen candidates start dropping, first out of the race, then out of life! The author balances the social commentary with genuine suspense, and while I guessed a few twists, others caught me off guard in the best way. The pacing gets tight toward the end, and the final reveal lands with a satisfying mix of shock and inevitability (WHEW!). The ending doesn’t tie everything up neatly and honestly, I appreciated that very much. It felt true to the story’s themes being survival, resistance, and the cost of being visible in spaces that weren’t built for you. Overall, Black Girls Don’t Cry is a captivating, socially conscious YA thriller with memorable characters and a plot that refuses to let you look away from it. This book will make a really good miniseries! #blackgirlsdon'tcry #netgalley

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a huge fan of the prom queen and thriller/horror combo, I couldn’t put Black Girls Don’t Cry down!! The experience truly felt like getting so lost in a show that you end up binge-watching it in a day or two because you need to know what will happen next.

I really liked the mystery surrounding the prom queens, and much like Ida and her friends, every time I thought I had figured something out, a new revelation threw me off and led me to a new theory.

While I do agree with the consensus that the ending was rushed and a bit frustrating due to some unanswered questions, I still think it was an enjoyable read that sits at about 3.5 stars!

I really loved the complexity of the characters and how the author, Alex Travis, never shied away from pointing out when something was wrong, including things like misogyny, racism, and biphobia. Although there were issues within the BSU, I really appreciated how this was something Ida and her friends could turn to at times, given everything that was happening.

As someone who identifies as bisexual, I especially loved the representation and how the biphobia was handled. There were so many moments in the book where biphobic comments could have been dismissed, but some of the characters were vocal when they needed to be, which I really appreciated.

If I could change just one thing, it would be the lack of consequences. The story does a great job of highlighting what is right and wrong, yet it doesn’t fully explore what can come from making terrible decisions or being an overall terrible person. And I’m not just talking about the children, but some of the adults as well. I know Ida seemed to come to terms with this within the last few chapters, but from a reader’s perspective, it’s both frustrating and disappointing.

Overall, though, I really enjoyed my time reading this book and will definitely be recommending it, especially in the fall when I start making thriller edits! 👀🍂

Thank you to NetGalley, Alex Travis, and the wonderful people working at Sourcebooks Fire for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! 🗳️👑💖

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for sending me an earc of this story!

3.5 ⭐

I really enjoyed this thriller, being pulled in right from the start. We follow Ida, a high school student, who decides to run for prom queen in protest to the boys at the school releasing a list of the hottest girls in the year. The list is misogynistic and vile, and also centres the white, blonde students perpetuating racist beauty standards. Ida must convince the BSU that her running for prom queen is a good idea, but her ex JJ and her best friend Simone don’t seem to agree. As more is unravelled about the list, and girls start to go missing, the schools deep rotted racism, misogyny and homophobia are further exposed, and maybe friends aren’t who they seem to be. Ida teams up with Amayah to make a real change.

I really really liked the concept for this story. It felt painfully real, knowing how often situations like those within the story occur at high school and throughout school experiences. It is a book that focuses on racism, misogyny and homophobia and how people perpetuate stereotypes both in day to day life and within activism. The story is extremely important and the writing was brilliant!

I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story and was really intrigued by what was going to happen. Unfortunately I was disappointed by the ending, I felt like the whole story was building to a big ending that didn’t seem to come. There were a few plot points that were mentioned that seemed to be brushed over and I would have liked further exploration.

On the whole I really enjoyed the story and thought Alex Travis writing was brilliant so look forward to reading more of their work!!

[Jodie Rose Reads ✨️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had so much potential! We’ve got lots of messy teen characters, a mystery to unravel, suspicious people left, right and centre… but I felt like the execution wasn’t what I was expecting for the book.

There are a lot of big and topical issues explored here, including racism, homophobia (biphobia, in particular), sexism, slut-shaming, toxic masculinity and using AI to create pornographic images of unconsenting minors. These all felt very relevant and I liked how Travis confronted them in the book, but I felt like some of them weren’t explored as much as I would have liked them to be.

I also enjoyed the mystery of it all and trying to work out who was behind all the attacks on the girls and why.

However, I felt really let-down by the ending! It felt like it was leading to a big reveal, but then it just doesn't go anywhere? Nobody is held accountable for their actions by the authorities or even the other schoolkids - and bearing in mind there's been a murder, several violent attacks and revenge porn, to name a few of the crimes. I enjoyed the rest of the book, but this had me wondering what it was all for. I know it might feel more true to real life, but it was really unsatisfying for a book to end this way.

💫 What to expect 💫

🏫 Contemporary YA thriller
🏳️‍🌈 Sapphic romance
☠️ Toxic friendships and relationships
💬 Social commentary
🔍 Mysteries to unravel
👸 Prom queen campaigns

💖 Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for providing an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

💌 Follow me on Instagram and TikTok at @jodierosereads

[Diah · Rating 4 out of 5]

digital ARC was provided by publisher and NetGalley

Wew, this one was... frustrating lol.

Synopsis
Ida and the Black Student Union decided to challenge Banneker High's tradition of having only white prom queen candidates by running one of their own. But what started as making a statement quickly turns deadly as prom queen candidates begin dropping out... and dropping dead. Who will even make it to prom?

Commentary
I actually liked it at first. Like, the first 20% (yes, I counted lol). I was so angry on behalf of Ida and I thought the story was building up to something really good.

Then it just... fell flat.
For a thriller, I didn't really feel the urgency? Even after someone died?? It felt weird because the stakes should've been so much higher, but somehow it never really got there.
The book also grapples with a lot of things, which I appreciate. It's just that somewhere along the way, the thriller kinda got shoved into the backseat and I kept waiting for it to come back.

Then the ending happened.

Or... did it?

I genuinely thought there'd be another chapter because it didn't feel like it was over yet. Without going into spoilers, I kept waiting for the consequences of, well... everything. But they just... weren't there? After finishing, I checked other reviews and apparently lots of people felt the same way, so at least I'm not alone lol.

Overall, I think the premise is stronger than the execution. The first 20% got me hooked, but after that it never really reached the same level again, which is a shame because this could've been such a tense YA thriller.

[Paulina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was honestly such a fun ride? I adore our main character, the writing is snappy and engaging and it had me laughing out loud.

Ida is a VP of Black Student Union at her school and she's still dealing with her breakup from the Union's president after he didn't take her coming out as bi that well. On top of that she has to deal with the Union's response to a sexist "hot list" circulating the school and runing a prom queen campaign to bring attention to the school's lack of diversity. But all her worries are put on the back burner when the girls in the runing for a prom queen start being attacked.

Ida is such a great character to follow, she deals with the pains of every teenager while trying to also solve what's happening to the girls at school. I think the author strikes the right balance in making Ida come off as a teenager without pushing it into feeling childish. And I was charmed both by her parents and their support of Ida, and her burgeoning romance with her "campaign manager".

I know the ending won't be for everyone but I actually really enjoyed it. It didn't wrap everything in a neat bow but it felt realistic. I know that Nancy Drew and every other teen sleuth led us to believe that solving a crime for a teen and having cops actually believe them is easy but the ending of this story felt much more in line with how the kids have been treated by majority of the adults around them throughout the story.

If you don't mind a thriller with an ending that doesn't give you all the answers this is certainly a great read.

Thank you to Alex Travis and Sourcebooks fire for providing me with this ARC.

[Eros Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Girls are reporting being followed, and now one of the girls running for prom queen is dead.”

If you’re looking for a young adult thriller:

-Black, queer characters
-slow burn mystery
-predominantly white school
-high school drama
-“who did it?” narrative
-“Black Student Union” versus everybody
-blackmail, murder & violence
-complex friendship dynamics
-prom queens & slander
-AI & deep fakes
-soft romance
-under 400 pages

This read like a Black teen horror tv show, almost similar to Scream Queens. There were memorable characters, unpredictable twists and turns & a never ending pull towards a slow burning end.

At first, there were way too many characters. It was a bit difficult to remember them after back to back. I liked the brief descriptions of each person. It felt like a quick rundown similar to the “Mean Girls” movies describing “The Plastics” and the different groups in the cafeteria.

My rating quickly went from 4 stars to 3 when I was creeping up on 99% finished and there was no answer to the million dollar question. I feel bamboozled. I can picture another book to get the answers that we deserve but there would really be no point. If there were another 20-30 pages, we could’ve wrapped this up with a strong ending. But, the lackluster “leave it up to the imagination” conclusion was not what I read all of those pages anticipating.

I like Alex Travis’ writing style. I have a few favorite Black & queer young adult authors and they would easily be another author I’d read future books from.

If you enjoyed “Ace of Spades”, “Where Sleeping Girls Lie” by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé or “The Black Queen” by Jumata Emill then you would love this!

[Kaisbooknook · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigger warnings: Racism, violence against girls, misogyny, murder

I really enjoyed the overarching commentary on violence against girls, misogyny, racism, and toxic masculinity. While I understand that the frustrating lack of justice and accountability is a huge part of said commentary and its reflection on real societal issues, it made the ending feel very underwhelming. While the perpetrators can be inferred to through the text, the ending provides no real solution or justice. It feels like I kept reading and reading, looking forward to a satisfying conclusion, and it never came unfortunately. I would have loved for there to at least have been a concrete and explicit reveal of all the perpetrators in the story, even if there was no legal justice involved in that ending. The pacing was also very uneven. The introduction to the story only picks up around the 35% mark, the middle of the story is drawn out because of the prom queen competition plot point, and the ending, including a reveal, and the whole event of prom were very rushed sadly. I would have loved to see more of prom, since that was a conclusion to a major plot point.

Overall, this story lacked satisfying reveals, more thrilling aspects, and concrete answers. Everything is left up in the air, and I was left wondering what I read the whole book for, if nothing is explicitly revealed anyways. A frustrating lack of answers ruined so much impact the story could have had. A huge thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Fire and Netgalley for this ARC!

[Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Sourcebooks Fire and Netgalley for this eARC, these opinions are my own. A fast-paced thriller! Ida and a good relationship going with JJ, they could be a power black couple and their predominately white high school, that is until JJ finds out that Ida also likes girls. And he moves on so quickly too. Then a hot list starts circulating and surprise surprise no black girls are on it. There’s also never been any racial diversity among the Prom candidates either and since it’s Prom season the Black Student Union decides to run a candidate. Now Ida is competing along with JJ’s new girlfriend. Ida wants to win the crown but even more she wants to make a point to her racist school. It doesn’t hurt that her campaign manager, Amayah, is also winning her heart! Then suddenly the competition turns deadly, with the prom queen candidates being picked off one by one. Some dead others dropping out. Now Ida now only has to win but figure out who’s hunting prom queens before she’s next. Who will survive? I love a good mystery that adds in other aspects and in this one you’ve got some romance but also commentary on racism and homophobia in high school. Alex Travis characters are wonderfully developed that it was impossible not to be cheering them on! I really enjoyed Ida and Amayah’s relationship and how supportive her parents were. A suspenseful story that had me guessing and kept me hooked!

[Alisa Saiko · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story. It tackles a lot of important topics - racism, homophobia, misogyny, and the growing issue of AI being used to create inappropriate, non-consensual material. That aspect felt particularly relevant, especially given it's something that has recently happened at my own daughter's school.

The sapphic romance was sweet. And one of my favourite parts of the book was Ida's family. Her parents were incredibly supportive, and I was completely obsessed with Ida's mum. The characters felt authentic, with messy friendships and complicated relationships that reflected real teenage experiences.

I went into this knowing the ending was ambiguous. And while I understand why it might frustrate some readers, I thought it it the tone of the story well and made sense for what the book was trying to do.

My main criticism is that the novel takes on so many big issues that some of them don't get explored as deeply as I would have liked. That said, this is YA fiction and keeping the story fast paced and accessible for younger readers is important, so it's something I can mostly forgive.

Overall, this is a fun YA slasher thriller the delivers an important message alongside the suspense, with plenty of heart, strong characters and timely themes.

Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the ARC in exchange for my review.

[Dorkst3r · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received Black Girls Don't Cry through a Goodreads giveaway sponsored by the author and publisher.

This was a fast-paced YA thriller that had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. The mystery pulled me in early, but what really kept me reading were the characters and the real-life issues woven into the story.

Ida was an easy character to root for. Watching her navigate friendships, relationships, and the pressure of standing up for herself in a school where she often felt overlooked made her journey feel believable. I also appreciated that the story touched on topics like racism, homophobia, beauty standards, and the way social media and technology can be used to hurt people. It added depth without taking away from the suspense.

There were plenty of moments where I questioned who could be trusted, and I liked that the tension kept building as the story went on. The book balanced the mystery with the personal struggles of the characters, which made everything feel more meaningful.

The ending wasn't exactly what I expected, and I would have liked a little more closure, but it still left me thinking about the bigger message long after I finished reading.

Final thought: If you enjoy YA thrillers that mix mystery with important social themes and relatable characters, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐒: ʏᴏᴜɴɢ ᴀᴅᴜʟᴛ. ʙɪꜱᴇxᴜᴀʟ ʀᴇᴘ. ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ʙᴀʙɪᴇꜱ. ᴅʀᴀᴍᴀ/ᴀɴɢꜱᴛ. ᴍʏꜱᴛᴇʀʏ/ᴛʜʀɪʟʟᴇʀ. ɴᴀꜱᴛʏ ʙᴏʏ/ᴍᴀɴ-ᴀᴛᴛɪᴛᴜᴅᴇ.

- 📖𝘼𝙍𝘾📚


𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬:
Bisexual black teen with very beautiful and supportive parents (wow). She also has good friends, best friend- oops, does she though? Ex-boyfriend, he was something shady. And then a girlfriend, but is she a girl-friend or girl-foe. And another Black teen Queen (crown) but also there were rednecks and Karen-teachers everywhere, Jesus. But we made it, HEA, yes.


𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:
I love stories like this one. The intensity of trying to find out who the bad guy is, was rather thrilling. And here, there were many options because everyone seemed shady. The back and forth between Amayah and Ida was got a little bit saddening but don't even start on me with Simone. Girl was crazy. I loved Ida's parents, they had very many good moments and them rooting for Amayah, just sweet. The plot, the pace, the emotions, I loved all that. The ending though, I am not judging but someone did die. That was someone's daughter.

𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙 𝙫𝙞𝙖 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙜𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙨𝙤 𝙄 𝙖𝙢 𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬.⁠

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was ultimately a mixed read for me. The novel tackles a variety of important topics, including race, identity, sexuality, and the pressures placed on young women. I appreciated the conversations the author was trying to have and can see this resonating strongly with many readers.

Unfortunately, I struggled to connect with the story on a personal level. At times, I felt the book was trying to explore so many different themes and conflicts that I never became fully invested in the characters themselves. Some of the dialogue and character interactions also felt less authentic to me than I had hoped, which made it difficult to stay immersed in the story.

While the book held my attention enough to finish, I found myself wanting a stronger emotional connection to the characters and a more focused narrative. That said, I suspect this may be a case of the book simply not being the right fit for me rather than a reflection of its intended audience.

Overall, this was an okay read, and I can see other readers connecting with it more than I did.

[Nicole Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Black Girls Don't Cry absolutely delivered! This YA thriller had me hooked from the very first chapter and kept me guessing until the very end. The mix of social commentary, high school politics, romance, and murder was so well done, and the tension just kept building with every page.
I loved how the story tackled race, beauty standards, and representation while never losing sight of the mystery. Ida was such a compelling protagonist, and I found myself fully invested in her journey, whether she was fighting for change, navigating complicated relationships, or trying to stay alive. The romance was a great addition and added just the right amount of heart amid all the suspense.
The twists genuinely caught me off guard, and once the bodies started dropping, I couldn't put it down. Alex Travis balanced important conversations with an addictive, fast-paced plot that made this such an entertaining read.
If you're looking for a YA thriller with sharp social commentary, unforgettable characters, and plenty of twists, this is one I highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

ＹＥＳ 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘰:
• Want an eye-opening look at Black teen advocacy in white-dominated spaces.
• Value character-driven social commentary and fierce parent representation.

​ＮＯ 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘺 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘪𝘧:
• You are expecting a fast-paced YA slasher like The Weight of Blood.
• You hate when the actual murder mystery is rushed into the final pages.

​ＴＨＥ ＰＬＯＴ:
In a white-dominated, Christian patriarchal high school, Black teens fighting for prom representation are targeted by a predator intent on keeping the crown white.

​ＴＨＲＩＬＬ－Ｏ－ＭＥＴＥＲ: 🩵🩵🩵🤍🤍
Expectation management is everything here - this is a heavy piece on Black advocacy and social survival first, and a murder mystery second.

It lays bare the raw realities of navigating a white nationalist, Christian patriarchal sphere, exposing the irony of male ego and machismo even within Black student spaces.

While I went in craving a blood-soaked YA slasher akin to Tiffany D. Jackson's work, the actual murder mystery gets shoved to the very end and feels super rushed.

Still, the character dynamics are remarkably transparent, and Ida's mom is a total force - bold, sharp, and entirely unshakeable. If you want a unfiltered window into modern high school race politics, it hits hard, but pure horror hounds will find the bite lacking.

Ultimately, this story lands best for readers who prioritize authentic social friction, systemic commentary, and strong family pillars over traditional slasher thrills.

[Kortney Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy.

I really was intrigued by this book's concept. The story follows a high school BSU (Black Student Union) that is called to action and reflection when the top list of hot girls in the school to be nominated for prom queen doesn't include any of the girls of color. In an attempt to rectify this situation, Ida stands out and away from her ex, JJ, who is the BSU president, by putting out a new list that focuses on the girls from BSU. Eventually, girls on the list become the targets for stalking, violence, a group text, and maybe even......death?

I enjoyed the beginning of this book and thought it was well written, and then it started to feel very sluggish. This is the type of book that should have sped through so easily. However, the best way to describe it is that there wasn't enough tension between the pages and words. I wanted to feel suspense, and it didn't feel like that. I generally liked the concept and felt like the stakes could have been higher. Still worth the read.

[Tanny reads 📖 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Black Girls Don’t Cry by Alexis Travis was an emotional and impactful read that felt very raw and honest from start to finish. What stood out to me most was how real the characters and their struggles felt. The story explored pain, vulnerability, identity, and the pressure to always appear strong in a way that felt authentic and emotionally grounded.

I really appreciated that the characters were allowed to be flawed and messy instead of perfectly put together. It made their journeys feel more relatable and human. Alexis Travis’ writing style also made it easy to stay emotionally connected to the story, and there were several moments that stayed on my mind even after I finished reading.

Overall, this was a powerful and character-driven read about healing, resilience, and self-worth. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy emotional contemporary stories with depth. 3.5 stars ⭐️ for me . Would recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kat Burg · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Fire for the eARC

I was really really loving this book until about 95% of the way in, when I realized that we weren't going to get any satisfaction or consequences, and then I was just plain MAD

to start - I loved the writing. characters felt real and grounded, they talked like actual teenagers, had real teenager problems and had messy dramatic friendships and relationships. I couldn't put the book down - the prom queen plan was a surefire way to shine light on the systematic racism and sexism at school that were going blatantly unchecked

and then things got worse. leaked texts. revenge porn. nasty ai-generated pictures of multiple girls. Ida gets outed like 3 times!!! oh and somebody DIES.

and NOBODY faces consequences. this pissed me off because it was way too realistic in a frustrating way. I'm here for the revenge fantasy, for the belief that the bad guy always gets what's coming to him

if I wanted to read about mediocre white guys getting away with crimes, I'd just read the news

[Joyreadsbuku · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

3.5 stars - A good light thriller with great discussion topics (sexism, racism, homophobia) but not in a traumatic sense. Other topics that highlight today's concerns were also mentioned, especially around recent developments around technology. The characters are okay, it felt like a good true YA, the plot is good, but I would have loved for the focus to be equal on both the main plot and other developments in the book. It felt stuck on the big plot while the subplots felt like they needed to be fleshed out as well. The thriller aspect comes more down the line & the ending was not what I expected, more so in a way that I was left wondering why it ended that way and why there wasn't a more satisfying end. Overall good.


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"They get even" on the cover is a bit misleading since there isn't much the girls do to get even... I thought there would be a good vengeance bit but we didn't get that imo.