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Single Mom
Three men grappling with fatherhood and one single mother of striking character and independence face off in this compelling new novel from the bestselling author of Flyy Girl and A Do Right Man.
After more than ten years of successfully raising two sons on her own, Denise Stewart finds herself involved with both of her sons' fathers as well as in a relationship with a new man. Jimmie, the father of her eldest child, who, after learning that his son is a top basketball prospect, suddenly wants a major role in the teenager's life. Walter, the father of Denise's second son, is trying to gain custody of his twelve-year-old. After attending the Million Man March in Washington, Walter believes he should assume full responsibility for his son instead of for just two weekends out of each month. And there's Brock, the truck driver who is falling in love with Denise but is uncertain whether he wants the burden of a ready-made family.
After more than ten years of successfully raising two sons on her own, Denise Stewart finds herself involved with both of her sons' fathers as well as in a relationship with a new man. Jimmie, the father of her eldest child, who, after learning that his son is a top basketball prospect, suddenly wants a major role in the teenager's life. Walter, the father of Denise's second son, is trying to gain custody of his twelve-year-old. After attending the Million Man March in Washington, Walter believes he should assume full responsibility for his son instead of for just two weekends out of each month. And there's Brock, the truck driver who is falling in love with Denise but is uncertain whether he wants the burden of a ready-made family.
- GenresAfrican AmericanDrama
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 19, 1998
30 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Omar Tyree
106 books927 followersOmar Tyree, a New York Times best-selling author, a 2001 NAACP Image Award recipient for Outstanding Literature in Fiction, and a 2006 Phillis Wheatley Literary Award winner for Body of Work in Urban Fiction, has published 16 books and has sold nearly 2 million copies worldwide that has generated more than $30 million.
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications
With a degree in Print Journalism from Howard University in 1991, Tyree has been recognized as one of the most renowned contemporary writers in the literary community. He is also an informed and passionate speaker on various community-related and intellectual topics. Now entering the world of feature films, business lectures, and children’s books, Tyree is a tireless creator and visionary of few limitations.
Tyree is a popular speaker on the university and corporate circuits. In his “Equation for Life” lecture, Tyree weaves together a full-proof formula for attaining lifelong success in business, as well as everyday living. Ideal for innovation, corporate sales and marketing teams, one attendee who heard the lecture commented, “Omar Tyree’s Equation for Life speech made me rethink my whole life - it has given me the focus I need.” The success of the speeches over the last 11 years landed Tyree his first nonfiction book deal with John Wiley, the number 1 business publisher in the world. The Equation: Applying the 4 Indisputable Components of Business Success, is being released in early January 2009.
As an author, journalist, performance poet, songwriter, screenwriter,entrepreneur, innovator of various creations, and an energetic and fiery speaker, Tyree is no stranger to the world of contemporary urban influence. Tyree became one of the dominant literary promoters of the 1990s, leading to offers of publishing deals by a number of influential mainstream book publishers. In 1995, he signed a lucrative two-book arrangement with publishing powerhouse Simon & S chuster. A few years later, Tyree signed an undisclosed long-term contract that established him amongst Simon & Schuster’s top authors.
His journey as an entrepreneur began in his early 20s when he started the book publishing company Mar Productions, to release his earliest works of fiction. Tyree’s entrepreneurial ventures have evolved to include the Urban Literacy Project as a nonprofit organization to inspire reading, writing, thinking,visualization, application and financial literacy skills among disadvantaged youth and adults. He has also formed Renaissance Entertainment Group, a partnership with self-made multimillionaire Arthur Wylie, to produce Tyree’s body of fiction novels into feature films.
Tyree’s articles have been published in the Washington Post, Essence, Upscale, Ebony, TheDailyVoice.com and several other publications
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 20, 2025
Whew! I felt like this took me forever to finish 😆 I wouldn’t say it’s a page turner BUT in the same breath I would say I was looking forward to how everyone’s story would end. It’s tells the hardships of single mothers and takes you through the family dynamics of multiple households (baby daddy, birth mother, step mother, etc). Overall I enjoyed it and along the way it drops nuggets and different perspectives of life as a single mom. I would recommend! I was able to read other books in between this one and still stay on track with the story.
July 28, 2019
Single Mom was a very realistic, in-depth take on the challenges that arise from not only being a single mom, but a single dad as well. I appreciate the author's dual views on both. This was a moderate to lengthy read for me. Each chapter gave a lot of complex points to further think about.
J.D., Jimmie Daniels was my second favorite out of all of the male characters. I didn't feel his motives were ill placed for reconnecting with his son, I just looked at it as a major bond for them to connect on after so much time had passed. I wanted nothing but the best for him and Kim and was pleased that he stepped up to the challenge of being a father figure to Jamal, Kim's son. That was his major breakthrough. Though he had major flaws, in my opinion he was a stand up guy.
Walter got on my last nerves at first but after a while, I've come to understand his personality and his selfish ways. Omar Tyree did a great job communicating his childhood and upbringing. In my opinion, his reason for reconnecting w/his son was very selfish just like every other decision he made. Nevertheless quality time with his son, and unfortunately a traumatic experience causes his major breakthrough. He had the biggest transformation in my opinion.
I just loved Dennis. 😍 He seemed flawless in character, or at least just possessed the traits that every woman would desire. He was patient with Denise. She deserved him. She just didn't know how much.
DENISE had a lot to her interior she wouldn't dare bring to the exterior not even for Dennis at first. I loved her strength, admired her for it. She was one hell of a mother. This book gave you more than just the main issue at hand, divided families, it also spoke about classism as well. 5 stars for me.
J.D., Jimmie Daniels was my second favorite out of all of the male characters. I didn't feel his motives were ill placed for reconnecting with his son, I just looked at it as a major bond for them to connect on after so much time had passed. I wanted nothing but the best for him and Kim and was pleased that he stepped up to the challenge of being a father figure to Jamal, Kim's son. That was his major breakthrough. Though he had major flaws, in my opinion he was a stand up guy.
Walter got on my last nerves at first but after a while, I've come to understand his personality and his selfish ways. Omar Tyree did a great job communicating his childhood and upbringing. In my opinion, his reason for reconnecting w/his son was very selfish just like every other decision he made. Nevertheless quality time with his son, and unfortunately a traumatic experience causes his major breakthrough. He had the biggest transformation in my opinion.
I just loved Dennis. 😍 He seemed flawless in character, or at least just possessed the traits that every woman would desire. He was patient with Denise. She deserved him. She just didn't know how much.
DENISE had a lot to her interior she wouldn't dare bring to the exterior not even for Dennis at first. I loved her strength, admired her for it. She was one hell of a mother. This book gave you more than just the main issue at hand, divided families, it also spoke about classism as well. 5 stars for me.
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March 4, 2019I enjoyed reading this book because Omar Tyree focused on the male and female side of a Single parent situation. I liked seeing what the dads perspective was while still understanding Denise (the mother) position. As a single mom myself it was great to read the men's mindset of coming back into their son's lives (she has 2 sons with 2 different type of men). Also it was great reading Brocks side as the man currently dating the single mother. I like how the author portrayed the single mom and not like the way that society portrays us. It was a great men more men should read it and this book is old but the conversation it starts is priceless.
October 22, 2021
It's an important book with a message that needs to be heard about love, family and trust from both sides (women and men), especially in the waning black family structure in the United States. I have to take into consideration that I've read a lot of these types of books already and being already familiar with the message, it didn't impact me as much as it would have when I was fresh in the game. It was also written in the 90s and accounts/messages often are more poignant when delivered hot off the press.
December 20, 2021
This book gave a much need insight into both perspectives of parents who share a child but there in no longer romance between the them. I like that it acknowledges the different biases that people of colour experience on a day to day basis with actually shoving the concept down our throats. Good of Omar Tyree to create such an amazing atmosphere for single mothers globally which shows us that we can have it all. 10/10
April 10, 2019
The book was okay I it took me a while to understand why if she struggled to raise her kids would you allow yourself be with two men again who showed you the way they were the first time why be so torn and confused idk I dont remember that much but what I do I would listen to audio to get through if I did decide to read again
August 1, 2021
Great read! The story is better than you think it's going to be. She is a hardworking single mom, but resilient! You don't potty her, and she seems destined for her own greatness. And it has just enough drama to be entertaining.
September 11, 2024
I believe this story went long, but still a recommendation. Denise Stewart's growth was such a beautiful thing to see. All parties involved need to do better at rasying a child
May 25, 2025
This was a reread from my teenage years. Heavily dialog driven with dated tropes about Black women and men.
December 5, 2024
43e 📚
Une histoire qui se veut ordinaire, les tribulations de Neecy ( Denise ) qui doit combiner son rôle de mère monoparentale de 2 jeunes garçons dont respectivement de père différent qui semble vouloir s’intégrer dans la vie de chacun.
Une carriériste, qui veut aussi se donner une chance à l’amour!
Une histoire qui se passe dans les années 90’ qui prouve encore que la vie est une roue qui tourne avec les même enjeux mais des acteurs différents.
Auteur // Omar Tyree
Genre // drame
Pages // 468p.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Une histoire qui se veut ordinaire, les tribulations de Neecy ( Denise ) qui doit combiner son rôle de mère monoparentale de 2 jeunes garçons dont respectivement de père différent qui semble vouloir s’intégrer dans la vie de chacun.
Une carriériste, qui veut aussi se donner une chance à l’amour!
Une histoire qui se passe dans les années 90’ qui prouve encore que la vie est une roue qui tourne avec les même enjeux mais des acteurs différents.
Auteur // Omar Tyree
Genre // drame
Pages // 468p.
⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
April 21, 2014
I had been hoping to find this book for years before I finally came across it at a bookstore this past January. Did it live up to my expectations? In some ways, yes. It was not what I was expecting at all. I liked the fact that all the main characters were able to give their perspectives on the roles in their children's and their significant others' lives. I think that helped the reader to better understand the circumstances that befell each person, why they are who they are and whom they eventually hope to become.
This was a fresh take on single parenting and love and relationships in a community where too often the stereotype is a baby-mama and baby-daddy mentality. Although the novel was published sixteen years ago, I think the message still resonates with the times which we now live in; very relevant. This is an issue which I believe will never get old and the public will never tire of hearing.
This was a fresh take on single parenting and love and relationships in a community where too often the stereotype is a baby-mama and baby-daddy mentality. Although the novel was published sixteen years ago, I think the message still resonates with the times which we now live in; very relevant. This is an issue which I believe will never get old and the public will never tire of hearing.
July 7, 2010
While it took me forever to complete this book, I did enjoy the story. My favorite part of Single Mom was how Tyree wrote in nearly each character's point-of-view. The way the story was told was quite refreshing. I would recommend this book to anyone that might find themselves in a single-parent situation; be it the child, or one of the respective parents. It was an eye-opening piece because it tells the story of many single mothers who might have shielded their children from the strains of raising a kid with an absentee father.
December 3, 2010
This book is not bad but not good because it get boring after a while.I didnt finish this book.Till the page i read this book been about a guy who left his girl because he got this girl pregnant and couldnt handel the baby after the first month. I think that this happend alot now in the present because many teens are having sexual relationships with out protection. After 15 year the father wanted to get to spend some time with his son. He feels weird because he hasnt spend time with his son for a very long time.Read it you may think diffrent about this book den me.
October 9, 2016
I thought that this book looked at the lifestyles of single mothers in a great way. I love how Mr. Tyree looked at the point of views of the fathers of these children as well because men are mostly given such a poor rep as it relates to how they feel about the children they help create. The fact that the mom was successful and not focused on immature things but on being better for her and her boys are indicative of how most moms including me think as it relates to ensuring that we rise from poverty for our seeds sake.
January 8, 2009
Provocative
This was the first book I read by Omar, and I found it to be exciting, inspirational, and very surreal. This book is so very personal and the story line is so concrete. It's a process in which an African American woman rises far an above in order to succeed as a woman, mother, student, mentor, lover, and a friend while raising two sons, and dealing with two different men with their own issues as well as not fully involving themselves in their son's lives.
This was the first book I read by Omar, and I found it to be exciting, inspirational, and very surreal. This book is so very personal and the story line is so concrete. It's a process in which an African American woman rises far an above in order to succeed as a woman, mother, student, mentor, lover, and a friend while raising two sons, and dealing with two different men with their own issues as well as not fully involving themselves in their son's lives.
July 28, 2009
It took me awhile to get into this book, I actually put it down and completed another book before finally finishing it. The main character Denise was too judgmental for my taste but overall the book was good. I will admit this was not one of my favorites by Omar Tyree.
October 21, 2007
Good read.
April 3, 2020
It was alright.
October 3, 2008
This book was very boring and moved slow. Might try reading it another time but then again...maybe not.
December 30, 2008
This was a really good book, I do remember it and would read it again. It was definitely different from what I read in the past.
August 14, 2009
I used to LOVE most of Omar Tyree's books....I tried to read this many years ago, and boy this book was boring! Pass on this one!
Currently reading
January 15, 2010I only read the first page.
November 16, 2013
Excellent!!
January 22, 2014
Read this book when it first came out. Loved it. I think that I will get it from my book collection and read it again.
February 9, 2014
Its been so long ago that I do not remember what it was about
March 12, 2014
Just needed a 'fluff' read....predictable and eerily similar to other books by the same author....but...served its purpose.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews