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The Revelation of Dionne Daphne
Mara Brock Akil, the award-winning creator of Girlfriends, Being Mary Jane, Love Is, and Forever, pens an emotionally enthralling debut novel about enduring love, world-shattering secrets, and self-awakening.
What happens when one knock at your door sends your entire world into chaos? When a stranger becomes a lifeline? When the reality you’ve meticulously curated seems to be a mirage?
From the outside looking in, one might say that Dionne Daphne had it being the beauty editor at a prestigious New York magazine, a boyfriend who could have been plucked out of its model pages, the social life of the upper echelon, and a girlhood steeped in debutant balls.
But that is from the outside. When the now ex-boyfriend arrives at her Brooklyn doorstep Dionne imagines reconciliation, going back to the good life brimming with the possibility of marriage; the life her mother always wanted for her. Instead, he delivers life-threatening news that creates a crack in her picture-perfect world. A crack that grows legs and runs her right into her past, unearthing a secret that she has hidden since childhood.
In an effort to run toward the truth and away from a lie, Dionne sets out on a spur-of-the-moment road trip with an unlikely stranger to confront the long-buried darkness of her past and the family who made it so. As Dionne comes to a final reckoning, she begins to unravel new layers of herself and fresh possibilities for her life, her family, and even her love.
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is at once a deeply moving and provocatively gripping novel that shows when you dig deep enough into the shadows of your life, light can be revealed. It’s a novel of broken lovers, a fractured family, and distant friendships all making their way back to one another.
What happens when one knock at your door sends your entire world into chaos? When a stranger becomes a lifeline? When the reality you’ve meticulously curated seems to be a mirage?
From the outside looking in, one might say that Dionne Daphne had it being the beauty editor at a prestigious New York magazine, a boyfriend who could have been plucked out of its model pages, the social life of the upper echelon, and a girlhood steeped in debutant balls.
But that is from the outside. When the now ex-boyfriend arrives at her Brooklyn doorstep Dionne imagines reconciliation, going back to the good life brimming with the possibility of marriage; the life her mother always wanted for her. Instead, he delivers life-threatening news that creates a crack in her picture-perfect world. A crack that grows legs and runs her right into her past, unearthing a secret that she has hidden since childhood.
In an effort to run toward the truth and away from a lie, Dionne sets out on a spur-of-the-moment road trip with an unlikely stranger to confront the long-buried darkness of her past and the family who made it so. As Dionne comes to a final reckoning, she begins to unravel new layers of herself and fresh possibilities for her life, her family, and even her love.
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is at once a deeply moving and provocatively gripping novel that shows when you dig deep enough into the shadows of your life, light can be revealed. It’s a novel of broken lovers, a fractured family, and distant friendships all making their way back to one another.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 30, 2026
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May 6, 2026"Who am I trying to protect by keeping up appearances? And why does it make me feel so good, even today, to pretend like I'm not going through hell?"From the outside, everyone thinks Dionne Daphne has made it - editor for the illustrious Essence magazine, an independent woman making her way in New York City, and someone free enough to be with who she wants, when she wants.
But inside? That's a different story.
When her ex-boyfriend of six years turns up on her doorstep, Dionne sees her life screeching to a halt.
"I am unable to turn away, although all I want to do is hide. I'm afraid that if any of these women hold my gaze, they'll know."
But the world doesn't stop turning just because she's received the shock of a lifetime - a promotion hangs in the balance and the more she reflects upon the news, the more she realizes she needs to confront her past - one way or another.
"You must commit to getting in touch with past partners if you receive a positive result. ... reality is that the result of this test could change the entire trajectory of your life."
I've sat down to write this review a few times but each time that I felt myself poised over the keyboard, nothing quite right was coming out.
"You're not broken," I whisper to myself...
Essentially, this was a rough read for me - made even moreso considering I'm a new mother - but it also was very well-written.
The pacing was spot on, the worldbuilding conveyed the urgency that the characters felt, and the story itself was gripping.
Dionne was in a precarious position, and the tipping point of the testing pushed her all the way over - allowing her the strength to question, to probe, and ultimately, to confront people in ways she never thought possible. I loved watching her character go through all of life's hurdles.
It's important that stories like this one are told but it also had a very heavy subject matter that I didn't realize was going to be in this book.
The dark secret of her past was much darker than I imagined, and I found my eyes skittering over whole paragraphs and pages because my brain simply refused to take in those scenes.
Ultimately, this was a powerful book to read, even if I needed to sit with myself afterwords to process.
With thanks to Penguin Randomhouse and Mara Brock Akil for sending me a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All quotes come from an uncorrected proof and are subject to change upon publication.
July 7, 2026
I’m undone. On top of being a huge fan of Mara Brock Akil’s work, I truly believe I read this book at the right time. In life you can experience trauma or receive news that has the potential to change the trajectory of your life. Dionne feeling her emotions, reckoning with her past, and standing firm in her boundaries was devastatingly beautiful to read. The safety she finds in Winnie, Farrah, and Dominic was so special.
Exceptionally written. This felt like a conversation with a girlfriend at times. Round of applause for Dewanda Wise on the narration.
“It’s possible to go to hell and come back better for the journey.” - Dionne Daphne
Triggers/Themes: Sexual Assault, Sexual Health, Infidelity, Religion, Prison Prejudice, Classism, Abandonment
Exceptionally written. This felt like a conversation with a girlfriend at times. Round of applause for Dewanda Wise on the narration.
“It’s possible to go to hell and come back better for the journey.” - Dionne Daphne
Triggers/Themes: Sexual Assault, Sexual Health, Infidelity, Religion, Prison Prejudice, Classism, Abandonment
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April 2, 2026a devastating story, yet a healing journey wrapped all into one that explores how one life-changing news can send you spiraling into the past to find answers for where you are now.
I knew when I saw Mara Brock Akil announce that she had written a book, I had to tap in.
This book does lean into heavy topics because our main character, Dionne, has to explore her sexual past after finding out she might have HIV. With 14 days until she gets the results, she confronts her past relationships and the hardships she’s endured that she still carries with her today.
Definitely check the trigger warnings <3
I knew when I saw Mara Brock Akil announce that she had written a book, I had to tap in.
This book does lean into heavy topics because our main character, Dionne, has to explore her sexual past after finding out she might have HIV. With 14 days until she gets the results, she confronts her past relationships and the hardships she’s endured that she still carries with her today.
Definitely check the trigger warnings <3
July 8, 2026
I’ve been anticipating this book ever since Mara Brock Akil announced she was writing her first novel. As someone who has long admired her work on the screen, from Girlfriends and Being Mary Jane to Love Is, I couldn’t wait to see how her storytelling would translate to the page.
I had the opportunity to hear Mara discuss the book during her Atlanta book tour, where she shared the inspiration behind the story. That conversation made me even more excited to read it. I started the book that same night, but once I truly settled into it a few days later, I couldn’t put it down.
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is beautifully written. It’s raw, unapologetic, heartbreaking, healing, and deeply human. This story took me through every emotion. I laughed, my heart ached, I felt angry, and I found myself rooting for these characters every step of the way. The emotional depth and vulnerability woven throughout the novel made it impossible not to become invested.
This is one of those stories that will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page. It’s the kind of book that makes you reflect, feel, and appreciate the power of storytelling.
I sincerely hope this is the first of many novels from Mara Brock Akil. While reading, I could vividly picture every scene unfolding. It felt incredibly cinematic, and I would love to see it adapted into a limited series one day.
Bravo, Mara. What an incredible debut novel.
I had the opportunity to hear Mara discuss the book during her Atlanta book tour, where she shared the inspiration behind the story. That conversation made me even more excited to read it. I started the book that same night, but once I truly settled into it a few days later, I couldn’t put it down.
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is beautifully written. It’s raw, unapologetic, heartbreaking, healing, and deeply human. This story took me through every emotion. I laughed, my heart ached, I felt angry, and I found myself rooting for these characters every step of the way. The emotional depth and vulnerability woven throughout the novel made it impossible not to become invested.
This is one of those stories that will stay with me long after I’ve turned the last page. It’s the kind of book that makes you reflect, feel, and appreciate the power of storytelling.
I sincerely hope this is the first of many novels from Mara Brock Akil. While reading, I could vividly picture every scene unfolding. It felt incredibly cinematic, and I would love to see it adapted into a limited series one day.
Bravo, Mara. What an incredible debut novel.
July 8, 2026
It’s obvious from her body of work in television, that Mara Brok Akil is gifted in the art of storytelling, but her debut novel has catapulted her to yet another level. While incredibly tension-wrought and at times almost anxiety producing (because the characters are so well developed they feel like friends), I could not believe how quickly I was pulled into this story. From page one, I was completely absorbed and unable to put it down.
Told over the course of fourteen days, the beauty of this novel is in its layers. It’s very much a coming-of-age story, told in reverse, while our main character explores the gritty and gruesome parts of her upbringing and formative years. It is a journey of self-discovery— through the deepest, darkest recesses of pain, to the healing that can be found on the other end. And a multitude of love stories, both platonic and romantic. I must admit that when I got to where this journey is taking us, as the reader, my heart was pounding in my chest as though I myself was in that room waiting for the life-changing news…the mark, my friends, of an incredibly well-told story.
🎧 The audiobook was one of the most engrossing I’ve listened to lately. DeWanda Wise gives a masterclass on emotionally evocative narration with her portrayal of Dionne and those in and around her orbit. It’s another reason this book felt entirely too real (in the best way).
One final note— this book deals with incredibly difficult topics. Please research or DM me prior to reading if you are sensitive to triggers.
Told over the course of fourteen days, the beauty of this novel is in its layers. It’s very much a coming-of-age story, told in reverse, while our main character explores the gritty and gruesome parts of her upbringing and formative years. It is a journey of self-discovery— through the deepest, darkest recesses of pain, to the healing that can be found on the other end. And a multitude of love stories, both platonic and romantic. I must admit that when I got to where this journey is taking us, as the reader, my heart was pounding in my chest as though I myself was in that room waiting for the life-changing news…the mark, my friends, of an incredibly well-told story.
🎧 The audiobook was one of the most engrossing I’ve listened to lately. DeWanda Wise gives a masterclass on emotionally evocative narration with her portrayal of Dionne and those in and around her orbit. It’s another reason this book felt entirely too real (in the best way).
One final note— this book deals with incredibly difficult topics. Please research or DM me prior to reading if you are sensitive to triggers.
June 30, 2026
THE REVELATION OF DIONNE DAPHNE is a heartbreaking and profoundly moving novel.
Dionne Daphne is given news that threatens to turn her world upside down. What follows is a journey of self-discovery and confronting the past in order to truly heal.
I was completely captivated by this novel. It was at times challenging to read, but the writing was so beautiful. Dionne’s road trip with an unlikely stranger revealed so much about both characters. I loved the conversations she had with Dominic and how he challenged her along the way.
I felt so many different emotions while reading and felt true empathy for the characters, especially Dionne. Mara Brock Akil wrote both a character and novel that will stay with me.
I went into this story not knowing much about it, and I truly think that’s the best way.
🎧 DeWanda Wise flawlessly brought Dionne’s voice and complex feelings to life. I highly recommend the audiobook!
I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!
Dionne Daphne is given news that threatens to turn her world upside down. What follows is a journey of self-discovery and confronting the past in order to truly heal.
I was completely captivated by this novel. It was at times challenging to read, but the writing was so beautiful. Dionne’s road trip with an unlikely stranger revealed so much about both characters. I loved the conversations she had with Dominic and how he challenged her along the way.
I felt so many different emotions while reading and felt true empathy for the characters, especially Dionne. Mara Brock Akil wrote both a character and novel that will stay with me.
I went into this story not knowing much about it, and I truly think that’s the best way.
🎧 DeWanda Wise flawlessly brought Dionne’s voice and complex feelings to life. I highly recommend the audiobook!
I can’t wait to see what the author writes next!
July 7, 2026
TRIGGER WARNING
Sexual child abuse is heavily mentioned.
Dionne Daphne is going through A LOT.
So much that Mara Brock Akil could have written a longer book. There are moments of deep reflection, as Dionne, is dealing with a sordid childhood, a bad breakup, a career change, an unlikely romance, and the list goes on...and on.
With ALL of the introspection, there are serious pacing issues - moments where conversations and storylines happen, but isn't even described, not enough showing perhaps? Instead of two pages of Dionne putting makeup on, we could have used those two pages to describe why her and Dominic, the apartment newspaper delivery man she grows a fast relationship with, gets into a brief, albeit important argument?
Regardless, this is a book that Akil wrote that seems like a dream for her, outside of her successful TV shows including Being Mary Jane. This dream of writing a book, could have used some serious editing, or perhaps have been 50 pages longer.
Regardless, I didn't dislike it, but it definitely is disjointed in many areas.
Sexual child abuse is heavily mentioned.
Dionne Daphne is going through A LOT.
So much that Mara Brock Akil could have written a longer book. There are moments of deep reflection, as Dionne, is dealing with a sordid childhood, a bad breakup, a career change, an unlikely romance, and the list goes on...and on.
With ALL of the introspection, there are serious pacing issues - moments where conversations and storylines happen, but isn't even described, not enough showing perhaps? Instead of two pages of Dionne putting makeup on, we could have used those two pages to describe why her and Dominic, the apartment newspaper delivery man she grows a fast relationship with, gets into a brief, albeit important argument?
Regardless, this is a book that Akil wrote that seems like a dream for her, outside of her successful TV shows including Being Mary Jane. This dream of writing a book, could have used some serious editing, or perhaps have been 50 pages longer.
Regardless, I didn't dislike it, but it definitely is disjointed in many areas.
July 6, 2026
An exquisite debut
I was not expecting this story to be what it was, but it was so beautifully written and the topic handled with such care, I found that I was feeling whatever emotion Dionne was feeling in the moment. I’m excited to read more from the icon that is Mara Brock Akil.
I was not expecting this story to be what it was, but it was so beautifully written and the topic handled with such care, I found that I was feeling whatever emotion Dionne was feeling in the moment. I’m excited to read more from the icon that is Mara Brock Akil.
July 4, 2026
This felt like a full on therapy session
May 23, 2026
I read this advanced copy through a Goodreads giveaway!
I think this book was a wonderful story with so much potential, but it fell *just* short for me. Dionne is a woman with a lot at stake: she's up for a promotion, she's waiting for her HIV test results, and she's confronting her parents about her stepfather's abuse.
The novel takes us through the 14 days of Dionne waiting for her HIV test as she's navigating the other ongoing changes in her life. She's accompanied by Dominic, a stranger whom she relied on in her time of need who turns out to need her, too. The two are completing a kind of "Humans of New York" but for black people living their lives in "everyday beauty."
Where I think the story falls short is in a few places: the writer does a lot of "telling" instead of "showing" to guide the reader and once I noticed it, it took me out of the story. In the first 15 pages, I read:
-"How did I get here?"
-"Turning us both into a tired cliche"
-"An omen?"
Two more that stuck with me:
-"I look up to find a cloud hiding the moon and it feels like a metaphor"
-"My clock says it's 4:44am, which feels like it means something"
The other area is the ending. Everything kind of reaches a really speedy resolution within a chapter or two, and we don't get to be there through the messes of reconciliation or the potential roadblocks and messiness of how Dionne experienced it all. It felt really whiplashy to go from things teetering so much to suddenly being at the end of it all.
A teeny tiny thing that threw me off as a potentially pretentious nitpick is that Dionne & I both went to Columbia, but she graduated in Pope Auditorium, which is at Fordham. Maybe I'm missing something there, though.
Overall, I think I do appreciate the story and how much your life can change in two weeks, and how scary life news can lead you to take big leaps in other ways. It's a great book about letting yourself accept help (and letting yourself show that you need support), and I think just a few extra writing changes would've made it land for me!
I think this book was a wonderful story with so much potential, but it fell *just* short for me. Dionne is a woman with a lot at stake: she's up for a promotion, she's waiting for her HIV test results, and she's confronting her parents about her stepfather's abuse.
The novel takes us through the 14 days of Dionne waiting for her HIV test as she's navigating the other ongoing changes in her life. She's accompanied by Dominic, a stranger whom she relied on in her time of need who turns out to need her, too. The two are completing a kind of "Humans of New York" but for black people living their lives in "everyday beauty."
Where I think the story falls short is in a few places: the writer does a lot of "telling" instead of "showing" to guide the reader and once I noticed it, it took me out of the story. In the first 15 pages, I read:
-"How did I get here?"
-"Turning us both into a tired cliche"
-"An omen?"
Two more that stuck with me:
-"I look up to find a cloud hiding the moon and it feels like a metaphor"
-"My clock says it's 4:44am, which feels like it means something"
The other area is the ending. Everything kind of reaches a really speedy resolution within a chapter or two, and we don't get to be there through the messes of reconciliation or the potential roadblocks and messiness of how Dionne experienced it all. It felt really whiplashy to go from things teetering so much to suddenly being at the end of it all.
A teeny tiny thing that threw me off as a potentially pretentious nitpick is that Dionne & I both went to Columbia, but she graduated in Pope Auditorium, which is at Fordham. Maybe I'm missing something there, though.
Overall, I think I do appreciate the story and how much your life can change in two weeks, and how scary life news can lead you to take big leaps in other ways. It's a great book about letting yourself accept help (and letting yourself show that you need support), and I think just a few extra writing changes would've made it land for me!
July 8, 2026
this is BY FAR one of the best books I’ve read in 2026. I have never remembered a story in such detail after finishing it, the way I did with this.
this follows dionne, a beauty editor at a magazine, who’s ex boyfriend tells her he has HIV and that she might have it too. this sends her into a spiral where she goes on a road trip with a stranger to confront her past. throughout this 14 day journey before getting her HIV test results back, she photographs women in their element, while also making a list of all of the men she’s previously slept with.
this book shed light on so many important topics, while also making me not want to put it down. thank you so much to penguin random house for providing me with a copy of this book, I adored it
this follows dionne, a beauty editor at a magazine, who’s ex boyfriend tells her he has HIV and that she might have it too. this sends her into a spiral where she goes on a road trip with a stranger to confront her past. throughout this 14 day journey before getting her HIV test results back, she photographs women in their element, while also making a list of all of the men she’s previously slept with.
this book shed light on so many important topics, while also making me not want to put it down. thank you so much to penguin random house for providing me with a copy of this book, I adored it
June 28, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I’m giving this 3.5 stars. It was pretty good - wasn’t great but not terrible either. A solid debut. The life-threatening news was not what I expected. Mara Brock Akil did just enough to make you want to keep reading Dionne’s journey. The ending was wrapped up too quickly. Overall I would read another book from Akil, even though her stories are better materialized through TV and movies
June 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ only bc I felt the ending was a tad bit rushed
Thank you Storehouse Voices for the gifted copy!
Whew! I finished this a couple days ago but I had to sit with this and process my feelings before I wrote this review. By no means, is this an easy, carefree or happy read. The Revelation of Dionne Daphne had a very somber mood through the entire book.
Dionne is an ambitious, beautiful and intelligent woman who is in the running for a promotion at Essence Magazine. Unfortunately, her ex shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night and delivers devastating news that turns her world upside down. She realizes she must go on a journey to confront her deep seated trauma that began during her childhood and follows her throughout her adult life. She is forced to face some difficult topics, conversations and memories that she intentionally attempted to bury.
The story is told over the course of 14 days and the author did a great job having the readers on the edge of our seat while we waited for the outcome of the news she is waiting on
Tackles many topics- wealth, justice system. Sexuality, family secrets, friendship, health, stigma, Religion and more. I noticed how both of the father figures in her life how found religion and became “changed men”.
This will be a top read, and while most of my top reads are based on feels- how did it make me feel? While this did not make me feel “good”, it made me feel “deeply” I know this is something I won’t forget months from now.
I think the way it was written, also could lead to other story development from this. I would love to dive more into Dom, their developing relationship, the relationship with her mother moving forward, father, etc. However, it could certainly be left at this, as the Revelations were had and Dionne got her closure to move on.
I did this as an immersive read and Dawana Wise audio narration really set this off and I highly recommend! This is a must read
Thank you Storehouse Voices for the gifted copy!
Whew! I finished this a couple days ago but I had to sit with this and process my feelings before I wrote this review. By no means, is this an easy, carefree or happy read. The Revelation of Dionne Daphne had a very somber mood through the entire book.
Dionne is an ambitious, beautiful and intelligent woman who is in the running for a promotion at Essence Magazine. Unfortunately, her ex shows up on her doorstep in the middle of the night and delivers devastating news that turns her world upside down. She realizes she must go on a journey to confront her deep seated trauma that began during her childhood and follows her throughout her adult life. She is forced to face some difficult topics, conversations and memories that she intentionally attempted to bury.
The story is told over the course of 14 days and the author did a great job having the readers on the edge of our seat while we waited for the outcome of the news she is waiting on
Tackles many topics- wealth, justice system. Sexuality, family secrets, friendship, health, stigma, Religion and more. I noticed how both of the father figures in her life how found religion and became “changed men”.
This will be a top read, and while most of my top reads are based on feels- how did it make me feel? While this did not make me feel “good”, it made me feel “deeply” I know this is something I won’t forget months from now.
I think the way it was written, also could lead to other story development from this. I would love to dive more into Dom, their developing relationship, the relationship with her mother moving forward, father, etc. However, it could certainly be left at this, as the Revelations were had and Dionne got her closure to move on.
I did this as an immersive read and Dawana Wise audio narration really set this off and I highly recommend! This is a must read
May 16, 2026
Have you ever gone into a book completely blind just because the cover was beautiful?
That’s exactly how I ended up with this masterpiece. I entered a Goodreads giveaway based on the cover alone, forgot about it, and found the ARC waiting on my front porch. I didn't even read the synopsis before opening it during a quick hour of downtime at work and from that moment on, I was completely hooked. I absolutely devoured it.
Dionne has an enviable life, an affluent family, and an incredible job. The best part of her life is just beginning when a sudden, terrifying scare threatens everything. The entire story takes place over two weeks, which is the exact window of time it will take to find out if her world is changing forever.
We all carry trauma, often locking it away like a secret diary. This book is the breathtaking journey of Dionne shedding light on those hidden places. Mara Brock Akil’s writing is so profoundly beautiful that I know these characters will stay with me for a long time. I laughed, I cried, and I was completely moved by this story of resilience, beauty, and truth.
Drop this on your TBR immediately!
Thank you to the publisher & author for the advanced copy. I feel lucky beyond measure to have had this one drop in my lap!!
That’s exactly how I ended up with this masterpiece. I entered a Goodreads giveaway based on the cover alone, forgot about it, and found the ARC waiting on my front porch. I didn't even read the synopsis before opening it during a quick hour of downtime at work and from that moment on, I was completely hooked. I absolutely devoured it.
Dionne has an enviable life, an affluent family, and an incredible job. The best part of her life is just beginning when a sudden, terrifying scare threatens everything. The entire story takes place over two weeks, which is the exact window of time it will take to find out if her world is changing forever.
We all carry trauma, often locking it away like a secret diary. This book is the breathtaking journey of Dionne shedding light on those hidden places. Mara Brock Akil’s writing is so profoundly beautiful that I know these characters will stay with me for a long time. I laughed, I cried, and I was completely moved by this story of resilience, beauty, and truth.
Drop this on your TBR immediately!
Thank you to the publisher & author for the advanced copy. I feel lucky beyond measure to have had this one drop in my lap!!
July 6, 2026
3.5 stars.
This is a tough one to review. There should be a MAJOR trigger warning for sexual abuse of a child. Some scenes were incredibly hard to read.
Overall, this was a pretty solid debut novel and I will definitely read (or watch) whatever Brock Akil works on in the future. She created a messy, complicated main character who went through way too much. I also generally liked the structure that followed the 14 days Dionne had to wait for her HIV test results. However, I do wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed. The novel is less than 300 pages long, so she definitely could have given us more of how the reconciliation between Dionne and her mother happened. I also had some issues with the writing. There were a lot of sentences that seemed overly flowery and didn’t make a whole lot of sense. There was also so much telling instead of showing. Maybe it’s a TV writer thing? 🤔
This is a tough one to review. There should be a MAJOR trigger warning for sexual abuse of a child. Some scenes were incredibly hard to read.
Overall, this was a pretty solid debut novel and I will definitely read (or watch) whatever Brock Akil works on in the future. She created a messy, complicated main character who went through way too much. I also generally liked the structure that followed the 14 days Dionne had to wait for her HIV test results. However, I do wish the ending hadn’t been so rushed. The novel is less than 300 pages long, so she definitely could have given us more of how the reconciliation between Dionne and her mother happened. I also had some issues with the writing. There were a lot of sentences that seemed overly flowery and didn’t make a whole lot of sense. There was also so much telling instead of showing. Maybe it’s a TV writer thing? 🤔
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2026
Mara Brock Akil has a strong ear for dialogue, and it’s easy to see how her background in television shines through in the way her characters speak to one another. However, the novel often tells readers exactly what to think and feel instead of allowing us to discover our own meaning through the characters and their stories.
I also found the ending rushed, arriving well before storylines had enough time to fully develop. While there are moments of insight and compelling conversations can be had regarding themes presented in the novel, the storytelling relies too heavily on explanation rather than dramatization.
Overall, it’s a promising novel with flashes of brilliance, but I think Brock Akil would benefit from embracing more showing than telling if she plans to write another piece of fiction.
I also found the ending rushed, arriving well before storylines had enough time to fully develop. While there are moments of insight and compelling conversations can be had regarding themes presented in the novel, the storytelling relies too heavily on explanation rather than dramatization.
Overall, it’s a promising novel with flashes of brilliance, but I think Brock Akil would benefit from embracing more showing than telling if she plans to write another piece of fiction.
July 6, 2026
Dionne Daphne
Have you ever felt like something comes just at the right time in life? I’m an ARC reviewer and have a few books to read but this release came out and I dropped them all. It kept pulling at me and once I finished I knew why. It was meant to read this story immediately! Dionne was brave and the waiting period back then was torture. However it allowed her to become free and get all the old weight out! I loved the support from Dominic and Farrah! Mara, PLEASE write more book! Please?!? I loved this one!
Have you ever felt like something comes just at the right time in life? I’m an ARC reviewer and have a few books to read but this release came out and I dropped them all. It kept pulling at me and once I finished I knew why. It was meant to read this story immediately! Dionne was brave and the waiting period back then was torture. However it allowed her to become free and get all the old weight out! I loved the support from Dominic and Farrah! Mara, PLEASE write more book! Please?!? I loved this one!
July 8, 2026
3.5⭐️
July 4, 2026
Dewanda Wise narrating is superb!!! This is a beautiful yet heartbreaking story.
June 1, 2026
Historical Fiction 1991
Gripping story of a young successful black woman who discovers that her former boyfriend has developed AIDS. We follow Dionne from the day she gets tested for AIDS through the 14 way waiting period for her test results. With a future uncertain, Dionne must make a list of former partners and confront an evil demon from her past.
The author has done this book so well. You feel all the emotions and turmoil that Dionne goes through. Riveting realistic story of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Could not put this down.
Gripping story of a young successful black woman who discovers that her former boyfriend has developed AIDS. We follow Dionne from the day she gets tested for AIDS through the 14 way waiting period for her test results. With a future uncertain, Dionne must make a list of former partners and confront an evil demon from her past.
The author has done this book so well. You feel all the emotions and turmoil that Dionne goes through. Riveting realistic story of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. Could not put this down.
July 6, 2026
Pay attention to trigger warnings: heavy topics of rape, sexual assault, and molestation.
A good story the author did a great job of keeping the reader interested the story has a nice flow however there are part that felt skipped over or not fully explained. The author set the story up for most of the book and then rushed through the ending. It’s a good story not quite there / great.
A good story the author did a great job of keeping the reader interested the story has a nice flow however there are part that felt skipped over or not fully explained. The author set the story up for most of the book and then rushed through the ending. It’s a good story not quite there / great.
June 6, 2026
I absolutely loved this book.
From the first page, I couldn’t put it down. Mara Brock Akil’s writing is so vivid that the entire story played like a movie in my head. I laughed, I cried, and there were moments that completely broke my heart.
What stayed with me most were the profound messages woven throughout the story. This book tackles difficult subjects with honesty, compassion, and incredible depth. I found myself reflecting on so many of its themes long after I finished reading.
I genuinely wish Dionne were a real person because I would love to sit down and talk with her. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.
From the first page, I couldn’t put it down. Mara Brock Akil’s writing is so vivid that the entire story played like a movie in my head. I laughed, I cried, and there were moments that completely broke my heart.
What stayed with me most were the profound messages woven throughout the story. This book tackles difficult subjects with honesty, compassion, and incredible depth. I found myself reflecting on so many of its themes long after I finished reading.
I genuinely wish Dionne were a real person because I would love to sit down and talk with her. Definitely one of the best books I’ve read this year.
July 5, 2026
Dear Readers,
Every now and then, I pick up a novel expecting to escape into someone else’s story, only to find myself face-to-face with my own.
Reading The Revelation of Dionne Daphne by Mara Brock Akil felt like that.
When I closed the last page, the feeling that settled over me was relief. From the age of 10 to the age of 10, but for what this book holds as fourteen days, Dionne carried the weight of a truth that had shaped every part of her life. As that truth finally came into the light, I found myself releasing a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
The ending left me satisfied, but it also left me heartbroken. Not because the story was unfinished, but because parts of Dionne’s journey echoed my own. Her reluctance to confront old trauma. Her instinct to protect the people who had hurt her. Her need to succeed, to please, and to keep moving instead of looking back. I understood those parts of her because I’ve known those parts of myself.
If I had to describe this book in three words, they would be: heavy, triggering, and healing.
Chapter 16 completely unraveled me. Dionne’s visit with her father brought tears that had nothing to do with fiction and everything to do with memory. As I read, I wasn’t only witnessing her story...I was remembering pieces of mine.
The character that challenged me the most was Deborah. Her response to Dionne’s truth felt painfully familiar. It reflected parts of my own experience after revealing my abuse to my mother. That familiarity made those chapters difficult to read, but it also made them honest. Healing isn’t only about remembering what happened to us. Sometimes it’s about finally admitting how the people we loved responded when we needed them most.
One thing I deeply appreciated was that Mara Brock Akil never reduced these characters to heroes or villains. They were complicated. Wounded. Human. This novel explores identity, self-love, womanhood, faith, family expectations, mother hunger, healing, and even the ways religion can become distorted when it protects appearances instead of people. Those conversations aren’t easy, but they are necessary.
I also loved Dominic. His story reminded me that redemption rarely follows a straight line. The mistakes that shaped his life didn’t have the final word, and I appreciated the wisdom he carried because of what he’d survived.
As I read, I cried, laughed, reflected, and recognized pieces of myself I hadn’t visited in a long time.
What surprised me most wasn’t that this book triggered me.
It was realizing that I could recognize the trigger without becoming trapped inside it.
This book revealed the healed version of me.
Watching Dionne finally stop carrying everyone else’s burden and allow the people around her to wrestle with the truth for themselves was one of the most beautiful parts of her journey. Healing didn’t erase what happened. It simply reminded her that she no longer had to carry it alone.
And maybe that’s what I’ll carry with me after finishing this novel.
Some truths don’t set us free the moment we speak them.
But they do remind us that freedom was never meant to be carried alone.
From Love,
The Letters
Every now and then, I pick up a novel expecting to escape into someone else’s story, only to find myself face-to-face with my own.
Reading The Revelation of Dionne Daphne by Mara Brock Akil felt like that.
When I closed the last page, the feeling that settled over me was relief. From the age of 10 to the age of 10, but for what this book holds as fourteen days, Dionne carried the weight of a truth that had shaped every part of her life. As that truth finally came into the light, I found myself releasing a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.
The ending left me satisfied, but it also left me heartbroken. Not because the story was unfinished, but because parts of Dionne’s journey echoed my own. Her reluctance to confront old trauma. Her instinct to protect the people who had hurt her. Her need to succeed, to please, and to keep moving instead of looking back. I understood those parts of her because I’ve known those parts of myself.
If I had to describe this book in three words, they would be: heavy, triggering, and healing.
Chapter 16 completely unraveled me. Dionne’s visit with her father brought tears that had nothing to do with fiction and everything to do with memory. As I read, I wasn’t only witnessing her story...I was remembering pieces of mine.
The character that challenged me the most was Deborah. Her response to Dionne’s truth felt painfully familiar. It reflected parts of my own experience after revealing my abuse to my mother. That familiarity made those chapters difficult to read, but it also made them honest. Healing isn’t only about remembering what happened to us. Sometimes it’s about finally admitting how the people we loved responded when we needed them most.
One thing I deeply appreciated was that Mara Brock Akil never reduced these characters to heroes or villains. They were complicated. Wounded. Human. This novel explores identity, self-love, womanhood, faith, family expectations, mother hunger, healing, and even the ways religion can become distorted when it protects appearances instead of people. Those conversations aren’t easy, but they are necessary.
I also loved Dominic. His story reminded me that redemption rarely follows a straight line. The mistakes that shaped his life didn’t have the final word, and I appreciated the wisdom he carried because of what he’d survived.
As I read, I cried, laughed, reflected, and recognized pieces of myself I hadn’t visited in a long time.
What surprised me most wasn’t that this book triggered me.
It was realizing that I could recognize the trigger without becoming trapped inside it.
This book revealed the healed version of me.
Watching Dionne finally stop carrying everyone else’s burden and allow the people around her to wrestle with the truth for themselves was one of the most beautiful parts of her journey. Healing didn’t erase what happened. It simply reminded her that she no longer had to carry it alone.
And maybe that’s what I’ll carry with me after finishing this novel.
Some truths don’t set us free the moment we speak them.
But they do remind us that freedom was never meant to be carried alone.
From Love,
The Letters
July 7, 2026
I knew this book would be amazing. How could it not be? Mara Brock Akil wrote the soundtrack to my college years (The Game) and my 20s (Being Mary Jane). Yet and still, I was truly blown away by how amazing this book is.
There is just so much depth of emotion. We're waiting with Dionne as she waits her 14 days to find out if she's been dealt a death sentence. In 2026, it's hard to believe that if takes 14 days to get results or that people die (rather quickly) of HIV/AIDS. Thanks to science and medicine, that's no longer our reality. Still, we sit with her and feel all of those emotions as she impatiently waits.
We empathize with her and the relationship with Derrick. I don't think for a moment that she knew he was gay and ignored it. When he said that, I wanted to punch him! What I do think is that she clung so tightly to the ideal of what the "perfect Black life" looks like that she ignored some red flags. But we've all been there! And the way that the author writes those emotions are so very relatable. I truly believe her past abuse led her to the one man she thought wouldn't hurt her, which is why exposing her to HIV was the greatest betrayal--she didn't see him as a potential source of harm.
We rage with her when she speaks of her past. Three adults failed this little girl. And, unfortunately, they failed her twice. Once with the abuse and again with the reactions. I wept for little girl Dionne and grown woman Dionne who never really felt protected by a parent. Also, you'll never convince me that her mom didn't suspect. There were signs (Ma'am where is your husband going? The dirty sheets?) that she chose to ignore. Her life and her lifestyle were bought and paid for by her daughter's abuse, and she has to live with the reality of that. It's heavily implied that she left Richard. Too little, too late in my estimation.
Farrah is the single best friend I've read in a while. She allows Dionne to just exist. She does all of her executive functioning (I know a fellow Virgo when I see one!) so that Dionne can just rest and heal. She is a damn good friend and much more motherly than Dionne's own mother. May we all have a friend like Farrah.
Lastly, I want to touch on Dominic specifically. He is the first man I think she's met who genuinely wants nothing from or of her. It's clear they're attracted to each other. But I like how the author didn't really explore that. This was not a love story. This wasn't about him. I love that it ended unfinished and unsaid.
We know Mara Brock Akil can write the hell out of a TV show. We know that. This book reads like a movie. She delivered in all the ways I was looking for in this book. This one will sit with me. For a long while.
There is just so much depth of emotion. We're waiting with Dionne as she waits her 14 days to find out if she's been dealt a death sentence. In 2026, it's hard to believe that if takes 14 days to get results or that people die (rather quickly) of HIV/AIDS. Thanks to science and medicine, that's no longer our reality. Still, we sit with her and feel all of those emotions as she impatiently waits.
We empathize with her and the relationship with Derrick. I don't think for a moment that she knew he was gay and ignored it. When he said that, I wanted to punch him! What I do think is that she clung so tightly to the ideal of what the "perfect Black life" looks like that she ignored some red flags. But we've all been there! And the way that the author writes those emotions are so very relatable. I truly believe her past abuse led her to the one man she thought wouldn't hurt her, which is why exposing her to HIV was the greatest betrayal--she didn't see him as a potential source of harm.
We rage with her when she speaks of her past. Three adults failed this little girl. And, unfortunately, they failed her twice. Once with the abuse and again with the reactions. I wept for little girl Dionne and grown woman Dionne who never really felt protected by a parent. Also, you'll never convince me that her mom didn't suspect. There were signs (Ma'am where is your husband going? The dirty sheets?) that she chose to ignore. Her life and her lifestyle were bought and paid for by her daughter's abuse, and she has to live with the reality of that. It's heavily implied that she left Richard. Too little, too late in my estimation.
Farrah is the single best friend I've read in a while. She allows Dionne to just exist. She does all of her executive functioning (I know a fellow Virgo when I see one!) so that Dionne can just rest and heal. She is a damn good friend and much more motherly than Dionne's own mother. May we all have a friend like Farrah.
Lastly, I want to touch on Dominic specifically. He is the first man I think she's met who genuinely wants nothing from or of her. It's clear they're attracted to each other. But I like how the author didn't really explore that. This was not a love story. This wasn't about him. I love that it ended unfinished and unsaid.
We know Mara Brock Akil can write the hell out of a TV show. We know that. This book reads like a movie. She delivered in all the ways I was looking for in this book. This one will sit with me. For a long while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 took me back to the early 90s when Susan L. Taylor was Editor-in-Chief of 𝐸𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 magazine and I eagerly anticipated the arrival of my copy in the mail each month.
It took me back to a time when Salt-N-Pepa told the ladies to “Push It“, while author E. Lynn Harris warned us about the 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒.
This book travels back to the days when selling drugs was the career of choice of many of the young men I grew up with, and prison was merely an occupational hazard on their road to riches.
It brought me back to Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” and the painful violations many young girls faced at the hands of men they were told to trust.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 also pressed rewind to a time when I received one of the most devastating phone calls of my life. The day my mother and I answered our ringing house phone at the same time only to hear my oldest sister crying uncontrollably as she yelled, “Mommy! My husband tested positive for HIV!”.
Simply put, this is a novel that resonated with me on so many levels!
In true Mara Brock Akil fashion, this story is grounded in realism. The characters feel authentic. The novel captures the emotional state of Dionne Daphne with an honesty that we rarely see in today’s fiction. In this novel we see a woman trying to hold it all together, while her life appears to be simultaneously falling apart.
I found Dionne’s internal battles and dialogue to be the most compelling part of the book. Witnessing her decision making process in real time is what made it so compelling. I understood Dionne. I understood what motivated her decisions even when I didn’t agree with her.
I believe 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 could easily be described as a period piece. This book perfectly captures the climate and social realities of the 90s, an era I remember all too well.
Pulling back the layers of Dionne’s character is sure to make for some amazing book club discussions!
Thanks so much to the publisher Storehouse Voices for gifting me this ARC! I enjoyed the journey from beginning to end.
Publication Date: June 30, 2026
It took me back to a time when Salt-N-Pepa told the ladies to “Push It“, while author E. Lynn Harris warned us about the 𝐼𝑛𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑓𝑒.
This book travels back to the days when selling drugs was the career of choice of many of the young men I grew up with, and prison was merely an occupational hazard on their road to riches.
It brought me back to Tupac’s “Brenda’s Got a Baby,” and the painful violations many young girls faced at the hands of men they were told to trust.
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 also pressed rewind to a time when I received one of the most devastating phone calls of my life. The day my mother and I answered our ringing house phone at the same time only to hear my oldest sister crying uncontrollably as she yelled, “Mommy! My husband tested positive for HIV!”.
Simply put, this is a novel that resonated with me on so many levels!
In true Mara Brock Akil fashion, this story is grounded in realism. The characters feel authentic. The novel captures the emotional state of Dionne Daphne with an honesty that we rarely see in today’s fiction. In this novel we see a woman trying to hold it all together, while her life appears to be simultaneously falling apart.
I found Dionne’s internal battles and dialogue to be the most compelling part of the book. Witnessing her decision making process in real time is what made it so compelling. I understood Dionne. I understood what motivated her decisions even when I didn’t agree with her.
I believe 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝐷𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒 𝐷𝑎𝑝ℎ𝑛𝑒 could easily be described as a period piece. This book perfectly captures the climate and social realities of the 90s, an era I remember all too well.
Pulling back the layers of Dionne’s character is sure to make for some amazing book club discussions!
Thanks so much to the publisher Storehouse Voices for gifting me this ARC! I enjoyed the journey from beginning to end.
Publication Date: June 30, 2026
July 3, 2026
4.5 stars
This book is an example of why books are magic. It is always a wonder what is going to resonate personally for the reader. It often differs based on stylistic choices, characters, setting, and or connection. What might be true for one book might not elicit the same response in another book. I am not sure what the author did to create this book or make it resonate the way it did, but I am thankful for her hard work because this was special.
From the opening chapter, I was taken back in time that felt like yesterday and made me melancholy, especially in today's fast-paced world. A time where things were simpler, where the hustle and bustle was the motivation, and yet now the world wishes for that slower pace. I felt like I could close my eyes and picture the sounds, the smells, and the people as if it were truly taking place. I loved that the author had that ability to do that.
I went into this story blind, not expecting anything other than the fact that this cover was spectacular and feeling honored that I was given a chance to read it. My reaction to this story was much like when I see a picture or a post that is heartbreaking, and put in the quandary of whether to like it or hate it because of what it stands for. What I mean by that, in this case, is that the issues tackled in this book, all in a matter of 14 days, are gutwrenching. This is layers of trauma and how they shaped Dionne Daphne, and what it means to unpack that kind of baggage. It covers so many things that, unfortunately, are way too common for the majority of people. Moreover, it showed that healing must happen from within and the power of forgiveness with grace.
I admire the stylistic choices that this author made in order to make me feel. I felt all the ups and downs that this character felt. Even though this process was linear regarding the time it took to get the results, the ride and or resilience to get to that point was anything but smooth sailing. This book will stay with me for a long time. I look forward to seeing what comes next for this author.
This book is an example of why books are magic. It is always a wonder what is going to resonate personally for the reader. It often differs based on stylistic choices, characters, setting, and or connection. What might be true for one book might not elicit the same response in another book. I am not sure what the author did to create this book or make it resonate the way it did, but I am thankful for her hard work because this was special.
From the opening chapter, I was taken back in time that felt like yesterday and made me melancholy, especially in today's fast-paced world. A time where things were simpler, where the hustle and bustle was the motivation, and yet now the world wishes for that slower pace. I felt like I could close my eyes and picture the sounds, the smells, and the people as if it were truly taking place. I loved that the author had that ability to do that.
I went into this story blind, not expecting anything other than the fact that this cover was spectacular and feeling honored that I was given a chance to read it. My reaction to this story was much like when I see a picture or a post that is heartbreaking, and put in the quandary of whether to like it or hate it because of what it stands for. What I mean by that, in this case, is that the issues tackled in this book, all in a matter of 14 days, are gutwrenching. This is layers of trauma and how they shaped Dionne Daphne, and what it means to unpack that kind of baggage. It covers so many things that, unfortunately, are way too common for the majority of people. Moreover, it showed that healing must happen from within and the power of forgiveness with grace.
I admire the stylistic choices that this author made in order to make me feel. I felt all the ups and downs that this character felt. Even though this process was linear regarding the time it took to get the results, the ride and or resilience to get to that point was anything but smooth sailing. This book will stay with me for a long time. I look forward to seeing what comes next for this author.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
SYNOPSIS
From the outside looking in, one might say that Dionne Daphne had it being the beauty editor at a prestigious New York magazine, a boyfriend who could have been plucked out of its model pages, the social life of the upper echelon, and a girlhood steeped in debutant balls. But that is from the outside. When the now ex-boyfriend arrives at her Brooklyn doorstep Dionne imagines reconciliation, going back to the good life brimming with the possibility of marriage; the life her mother always wanted for her. Instead, he delivers life-threatening news that creates a crack in her picture-perfect world. A crack that grows legs and runs her right into her past, unearthing a secret that she has hidden since childhood. In an effort to run toward the truth and away from a lie, Dionne sets out on a spur-of-the-moment road trip with an unlikely stranger to confront the long-buried darkness of her past and the family who made it so. As Dionne comes to a final reckoning, she begins to unravel new layers of herself and fresh possibilities for her life, her family, and even her love.
Welcome to what will surely be one of the most talked about and honored books this year. The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is truly a master class in healing from generational trauma and finding your strength within. This book packs an emotional punch, and discusses difficult topics, but does it in a way that readers will empathize with Dionne over. Author Mara Brock Akil brilliantly sets this story over the two week time frame it takes for Dionne to find out her HIV results, building the tension and pressure within the story. You feel every second of worry, hurt, confusion and pain right alongside Dionne as she discovers the power she needed was within her the entire time. Beautifully written, Akil’s exploration of forgiveness (of self and others), along with second chances will stay with readers long after their time with this book comes to an end.
From the outside looking in, one might say that Dionne Daphne had it being the beauty editor at a prestigious New York magazine, a boyfriend who could have been plucked out of its model pages, the social life of the upper echelon, and a girlhood steeped in debutant balls. But that is from the outside. When the now ex-boyfriend arrives at her Brooklyn doorstep Dionne imagines reconciliation, going back to the good life brimming with the possibility of marriage; the life her mother always wanted for her. Instead, he delivers life-threatening news that creates a crack in her picture-perfect world. A crack that grows legs and runs her right into her past, unearthing a secret that she has hidden since childhood. In an effort to run toward the truth and away from a lie, Dionne sets out on a spur-of-the-moment road trip with an unlikely stranger to confront the long-buried darkness of her past and the family who made it so. As Dionne comes to a final reckoning, she begins to unravel new layers of herself and fresh possibilities for her life, her family, and even her love.
Welcome to what will surely be one of the most talked about and honored books this year. The Revelation of Dionne Daphne is truly a master class in healing from generational trauma and finding your strength within. This book packs an emotional punch, and discusses difficult topics, but does it in a way that readers will empathize with Dionne over. Author Mara Brock Akil brilliantly sets this story over the two week time frame it takes for Dionne to find out her HIV results, building the tension and pressure within the story. You feel every second of worry, hurt, confusion and pain right alongside Dionne as she discovers the power she needed was within her the entire time. Beautifully written, Akil’s exploration of forgiveness (of self and others), along with second chances will stay with readers long after their time with this book comes to an end.
July 6, 2026
Phenomenal book!
I finished The Revelation of Dionne Daphne wishing it was another 100 pages long! Not because the ending wasn’t good, but because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters!
This book isn’t about big plot twists. It’s about people, family, trauma, and how our childhood shapes so many of the choices we make as adults. It really made me stop and think about my own life and how much of who we become is influenced by what we’ve been through.
What I loved most is that the author didn’t make healing seem easy. The characters weren’t magically “fixed.” Instead, she showed how childhood experiences can affect the relationships we choose, the stories we tell ourselves, and the lives we build without even realizing it.
There were so many moments where I had to pause, not because the book was hard to read, but because it felt so real. The emotions were raw, honest, and beautifully written. I found myself thinking, “Wow… I’ve felt that before.”
I also appreciated that the book didn’t give easy answers about forgiveness. It reminded me that understanding why someone hurt you isn’t the same as excusing what they did, and I thought that was handled really well.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I could have stayed with these characters for another hundred pages.
This is one of those books that stays with you after you finish it. It makes you reflect on your childhood, your relationships, and the person you’ve become. If a book can make you look inward long after you’ve closed it, I think that’s a sign of great writing.
I finished The Revelation of Dionne Daphne wishing it was another 100 pages long! Not because the ending wasn’t good, but because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to these characters!
This book isn’t about big plot twists. It’s about people, family, trauma, and how our childhood shapes so many of the choices we make as adults. It really made me stop and think about my own life and how much of who we become is influenced by what we’ve been through.
What I loved most is that the author didn’t make healing seem easy. The characters weren’t magically “fixed.” Instead, she showed how childhood experiences can affect the relationships we choose, the stories we tell ourselves, and the lives we build without even realizing it.
There were so many moments where I had to pause, not because the book was hard to read, but because it felt so real. The emotions were raw, honest, and beautifully written. I found myself thinking, “Wow… I’ve felt that before.”
I also appreciated that the book didn’t give easy answers about forgiveness. It reminded me that understanding why someone hurt you isn’t the same as excusing what they did, and I thought that was handled really well.
My only complaint is that I wanted more. I could have stayed with these characters for another hundred pages.
This is one of those books that stays with you after you finish it. It makes you reflect on your childhood, your relationships, and the person you’ve become. If a book can make you look inward long after you’ve closed it, I think that’s a sign of great writing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(4.5) As a longtime fan of Mara Brock Akil's work from Girlfriends to Being Mary Jane to Forever —I had high expectations for her debut novel and The Revelation of Dionne Daphne did not disappoint.
I do want to caution readers that this story is heavy. We meet Dionne at a turning point in her life. On the surface, she appears to have it all together as the associate beauty director of a prestigious magazine but when an ex reappears with some life-altering news, the carefully constructed walls she's built around a traumatic past begin to crumble. What follows is a deeply emotional journey as Dionne is forced to confront the pain, silence, and family history she has spent years trying to outrun.
Mara Brock Akil honors the lived experiences of Black women carrying generational trauma that has been hidden, minimized, or left unspoken for far too long. Dionne's story reminds us that success does not heal our wounds for us. At some point, we have to gather the broken pieces of ourselves and choose healing intentionally. This is a powerful debut about truth-telling, self-reclamation, and the courage it takes to face what we've been taught to keep silent. It would have been a 5 star read had the ending not felt rushed. I loved the story and felt the subject matter was handled with care but the ending didn't feel earned enough - especially from Dionne's mother.
⚠️ Trigger warning: sexual abuse.
I do want to caution readers that this story is heavy. We meet Dionne at a turning point in her life. On the surface, she appears to have it all together as the associate beauty director of a prestigious magazine but when an ex reappears with some life-altering news, the carefully constructed walls she's built around a traumatic past begin to crumble. What follows is a deeply emotional journey as Dionne is forced to confront the pain, silence, and family history she has spent years trying to outrun.
Mara Brock Akil honors the lived experiences of Black women carrying generational trauma that has been hidden, minimized, or left unspoken for far too long. Dionne's story reminds us that success does not heal our wounds for us. At some point, we have to gather the broken pieces of ourselves and choose healing intentionally. This is a powerful debut about truth-telling, self-reclamation, and the courage it takes to face what we've been taught to keep silent. It would have been a 5 star read had the ending not felt rushed. I loved the story and felt the subject matter was handled with care but the ending didn't feel earned enough - especially from Dionne's mother.
⚠️ Trigger warning: sexual abuse.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne by Mara Brock Akil. Thanks to storehousevoices for the gifted copies ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
From the outside, Dionne looks like she has it all but it all falls apart with a knock at her door. As Dionne deals with some terrifying news, she decides to confront her past trauma and reveal a secret she’s held on to since childhood.
This is the first book I’ve read from Storehouse Voices, a new imprint from Crown Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House, and it did NOT disappoint. Storehouse is committed to elevating Black voices and this was the perfect read to do so. There were several topics of the time, still valid today, including the school-to-prison pipeline, HIV/Aids epidemic, women in careers, and black woman cultural identity through appearance and style. This story really had a lot to it but at the heart of it we have Dionne as she is going through an unstable time and making some serious life decisions. It’s hard for me to say more without giving anything away, so I will just tell you to read this book!
“This is the betrayal of memory, and the casualty of hiding your pain so well you can’t find evidence when you need to prove you paid for it many times.”
Read if you like:
-Stories about healing from trauma
-Career women
-African American fiction and family dramas
-Redemption and forgiveness tropes
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne comes out 6/30.
From the outside, Dionne looks like she has it all but it all falls apart with a knock at her door. As Dionne deals with some terrifying news, she decides to confront her past trauma and reveal a secret she’s held on to since childhood.
This is the first book I’ve read from Storehouse Voices, a new imprint from Crown Publishing, a division of Penguin Random House, and it did NOT disappoint. Storehouse is committed to elevating Black voices and this was the perfect read to do so. There were several topics of the time, still valid today, including the school-to-prison pipeline, HIV/Aids epidemic, women in careers, and black woman cultural identity through appearance and style. This story really had a lot to it but at the heart of it we have Dionne as she is going through an unstable time and making some serious life decisions. It’s hard for me to say more without giving anything away, so I will just tell you to read this book!
“This is the betrayal of memory, and the casualty of hiding your pain so well you can’t find evidence when you need to prove you paid for it many times.”
Read if you like:
-Stories about healing from trauma
-Career women
-African American fiction and family dramas
-Redemption and forgiveness tropes
The Revelation of Dionne Daphne comes out 6/30.
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