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Black Girls Must Die Exhausted #2
Black Girls Must Be Magic
"Black girls must die exhausted" is a phrase that Tabitha Walker knows all too well. After diving headfirst into the world of 'single mothers by choice'--Tabitha is exhausted. And that's before her boss at the local news station starts getting complaints about Tabitha wearing her natural hair on-air. When an unexpected turn of events draws Marc--her on and off-again ex-boyfriend--back into her world with surprising demands and the situation at work begins to threaten both her livelihood and her identity, she must make some tough decisions about her future. It takes a village to raise a child, and Tabitha knows she is going to need the support. With the fierce encouragement of Ms. Gretchen, her grandmother's best friend, the counsel of her closest friends Laila and Alexis, and the calming presence of Andouele, her doula, she must find the strength to navigate the path to motherhood on her own terms. Can Tabitha harness the bravery and self-love she'll need to keep "the village" intact, find her voice at work, and handle Marc once and for all before it's time for the baby to arrive?
259 pages, Paperback
First published December 20, 2019
777 people are currently reading
16131 people want to read
About the author
Jayne Allen
10 books1,711 followersInstagram: @JayneAllenWrites
Publisher Instagram: @HarperPerennial
Publisher Twitter: @HarperPerennial
Jayne Allen is a black girl from Detroit who smiles widely, laughs loudly and loves to tell stories that stick to your bones. Her debut novel, "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted," which Kirkus Reviews called "both timely and enjoyable," touches upon contemporary women's issues such as workplace womanhood, race, fertility, modern relationships and mental health awareness, echoing her desire to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to contemporary women's fiction with dynamic female protagonists who also happen to be black. When she's not writing "chocolate chick lit with a conscience," she's spending time with her girlfriends, keeping one ear open for her next saucy tale.
Publisher Instagram: @HarperPerennial
Publisher Twitter: @HarperPerennial
Jayne Allen is a black girl from Detroit who smiles widely, laughs loudly and loves to tell stories that stick to your bones. Her debut novel, "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted," which Kirkus Reviews called "both timely and enjoyable," touches upon contemporary women's issues such as workplace womanhood, race, fertility, modern relationships and mental health awareness, echoing her desire to bring both multiculturalism and multidimensionality to contemporary women's fiction with dynamic female protagonists who also happen to be black. When she's not writing "chocolate chick lit with a conscience," she's spending time with her girlfriends, keeping one ear open for her next saucy tale.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 911 reviews
April 11, 2022
I won’t say that I don’t like this book…I’ll just say that I’m disappointed. The characters feel like just that, not representations of people I could place in the real world. They all lack depth or substance.
Tab & her self deprecation is odd. Why did she care so much about the coffee shop lady’s opinion about her drink order!? Just like her worry about her racist boss and his comments about her hair. After learning more about her mama I understand why the voice in her head is so demeaning, but that connection is never made. There’s actually very little depth added to the storyline about The Crown Act & it’s impact. There’s are SO many missed opportunities to unpack some of the complexities around Black women and our hair in the workplace (or in general). & the white lady swooping in to save the day by interviewing Tab to report about her experience is ANNOYING! It’s the stereotype that white people save the day. Why couldn’t Jayne shift that narrative and make Tab save herself!?
I HATE how much she talks about “the baby”, her expanding body and being pregnant and unwed. I think it’s a great perspective to address, but let’s REALLY talk about it. Dig into that, unpack it & move through the story. Instead Tab just says every few pages that someone looks at her belly and her left hand almost simultaneously or how her belly is so big. Girl. We get it. & I think it’s coooooorrrrrrrnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
I’ve wondered since book 1 if Miss Gretchen was Black or not, since I don’t remember that being called out. Tim asking if she’s her aunt during the labor scene makes me believe she’s Black. Also…that’s kinda annoying. White grandma Tab has a Black childhood best friend that she lost and later in life befriends another Black friend that sticks with her till death. I love me some Miss Gretchen, just not the “Black friend to the white lead” troupe she’s written in as.
This story reads like a story of Black experiences written by a nonBlack person. Do not recommend.
Tab & her self deprecation is odd. Why did she care so much about the coffee shop lady’s opinion about her drink order!? Just like her worry about her racist boss and his comments about her hair. After learning more about her mama I understand why the voice in her head is so demeaning, but that connection is never made. There’s actually very little depth added to the storyline about The Crown Act & it’s impact. There’s are SO many missed opportunities to unpack some of the complexities around Black women and our hair in the workplace (or in general). & the white lady swooping in to save the day by interviewing Tab to report about her experience is ANNOYING! It’s the stereotype that white people save the day. Why couldn’t Jayne shift that narrative and make Tab save herself!?
I HATE how much she talks about “the baby”, her expanding body and being pregnant and unwed. I think it’s a great perspective to address, but let’s REALLY talk about it. Dig into that, unpack it & move through the story. Instead Tab just says every few pages that someone looks at her belly and her left hand almost simultaneously or how her belly is so big. Girl. We get it. & I think it’s coooooorrrrrrrnnnnnnnyyyyyyyyyyyyy!
I’ve wondered since book 1 if Miss Gretchen was Black or not, since I don’t remember that being called out. Tim asking if she’s her aunt during the labor scene makes me believe she’s Black. Also…that’s kinda annoying. White grandma Tab has a Black childhood best friend that she lost and later in life befriends another Black friend that sticks with her till death. I love me some Miss Gretchen, just not the “Black friend to the white lead” troupe she’s written in as.
This story reads like a story of Black experiences written by a nonBlack person. Do not recommend.
March 24, 2022
I really enjoyed both books in the Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series. It was fun to see Tabitha grow and change and really come into her own in the second novel. I’m excited for the next one!
In the sequel to Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Tabitha Walker is dealing with new challenges including an unexpected pregnancy.
After being told she would be unable to have children, Tabatha embraces being a single mother. Between doctors appointments, stress at her job over her appearance, and the return of her ex boyfriend Marc, her life is turned upside down. Exhausted beyond belief Tabitha turns to the people she loves most for support and guidance regarding her baby’s future. She must find her own voice in this sea of chaos.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
In the sequel to Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Tabitha Walker is dealing with new challenges including an unexpected pregnancy.
After being told she would be unable to have children, Tabatha embraces being a single mother. Between doctors appointments, stress at her job over her appearance, and the return of her ex boyfriend Marc, her life is turned upside down. Exhausted beyond belief Tabitha turns to the people she loves most for support and guidance regarding her baby’s future. She must find her own voice in this sea of chaos.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
February 15, 2022
I read Black Girls Must Die Exhausted last year and loved it so I was super excited for book 2. I still liked book 1 better, but I think that often happens when you meet characters you like. It’s the fun of discovering who they are and what makes them tick. Where book 1 centered on Tabitha and her friends, book 2 felt more about Tabitha and her relationship with Marc. I wanted more of her friends in this one.
One of my favorite aspects of Black Girls Must Be Magic is Tabitha’s journey of self-discovery. Is she happy being who everyone else wants/expects her to be? Or can she find the courage to be her true self and find peace in that? Although her Granny Tab is gone, luckily she has Granny Tab’s good friend Ms. Gretchen to remind her who she is and what she deserves. The struggle in being able to simply wear her hair the way she wants was eye-opening for me. The effort and time that she had to spend to present this persona that was expected of her was exhausting.
I also loved the look at her internal struggle between sharing her life with Marc versus her original plan of being a single mom by choice. Her recognition of his feelings of duty and expectations was a revelation. I was amazed at her strength in the end (even though in the middle of the book I did want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her). I felt like her arc of growth throughout this book was really high. I can’t wait to see what growth she has in store in book 3!
I recommend starting with book 1 in this series before jumping to this one. Definitely recommend.
Thank you Partners @bibliolifestyle and @harperperennial for an ARC to read and review! Pub date: 2.01.22
One of my favorite aspects of Black Girls Must Be Magic is Tabitha’s journey of self-discovery. Is she happy being who everyone else wants/expects her to be? Or can she find the courage to be her true self and find peace in that? Although her Granny Tab is gone, luckily she has Granny Tab’s good friend Ms. Gretchen to remind her who she is and what she deserves. The struggle in being able to simply wear her hair the way she wants was eye-opening for me. The effort and time that she had to spend to present this persona that was expected of her was exhausting.
I also loved the look at her internal struggle between sharing her life with Marc versus her original plan of being a single mom by choice. Her recognition of his feelings of duty and expectations was a revelation. I was amazed at her strength in the end (even though in the middle of the book I did want to grab her by the shoulders and shake her). I felt like her arc of growth throughout this book was really high. I can’t wait to see what growth she has in store in book 3!
I recommend starting with book 1 in this series before jumping to this one. Definitely recommend.
Thank you Partners @bibliolifestyle and @harperperennial for an ARC to read and review! Pub date: 2.01.22
May 30, 2024
Tabitha Walker faces pregnancy and workplace discrimination. Despite initial doubts, she embraces single motherhood. Conflicts arise over her natural hair at work, compounded by her ex-boyfriend Marc's return. Supported by friends and her grandmother's friend, Ms. Gretchen, Tabitha navigates motherhood and asserts herself at work. With her doula's help, she confronts obstacles with resilience. Tabitha prepares for her baby's arrival while addressing her past with Marc and standing up for herself. With her village's support, she learns to embrace motherhood on her terms, discovering self-love and community along the way.
☆☆☆ (3 stars)
This book was way better than the first, in my opinion. It felt real and honest. But still, it kinda falls into the same old story of stereotypical Black women. I wish the author would get tired of seeing 'single Black women' always pregnant and stuck with the baby daddies on TV and in movies.
Tabitha deserved better than what the author gave her. I wish we could dive into some other stuff too: Laila's recovery after her suicide attempt, mental health in our community, IVF and Black women, and the complicated relationships we have with our mothers.
The complicated relationship with our mothers would have also allowed me to have more empathy for Marc. Since he is clearly like that because of his mom. The author hinted at it a bit with Tabitha and her mom - and the argument about it at the table with Marc's parents -- but she should have dived DEEPER into it. Instead of the repetitive bullshit between Marc and Tabitha.
The author could've tackled these topics with the characters in the book, but instead, it's just more pain all over again. I appreciate that the author brought up The CROWN Act. People don't realize how much Black women suffer because of our hair.
I also like that the characters are growing. There are so many series out there where throughout the books, the characters all just remain the same. I love all the characters are realizing who they are and growing within the book.
Tabitha even is growing herself. I love that she didn't force herself to marry Marc and I love that she stood up for herself about her hair, even though it took some time. I do believe this book should be read to show women that they should put their wants first.
In the next book, I hope Tabitha sticks to her word and isn't with Marc. He's no good for her, and she deserves a happy ending. As a Black woman, I wanna see us winning. It feels like the author is against that, just like Tyler Perry, showing the same old stereotype BS about Black women when ut comes to relationships.
I know it's real life, but we've seen enough. How about something where Tabitha gets her baby and the man of her dreams who treats her like a queen? Cinderella got it, so why can't we? It's fiction. Let us be happy in our books and fantasies.
So many missed topics that could have been made deeper in this segment of the book, but one thing it did was show Black women to love themselves.
NOW, just give my Tabby her amazing husband and everything will be great.
☆☆☆ (3 stars)
This book was way better than the first, in my opinion. It felt real and honest. But still, it kinda falls into the same old story of stereotypical Black women. I wish the author would get tired of seeing 'single Black women' always pregnant and stuck with the baby daddies on TV and in movies.
Tabitha deserved better than what the author gave her. I wish we could dive into some other stuff too: Laila's recovery after her suicide attempt, mental health in our community, IVF and Black women, and the complicated relationships we have with our mothers.
The complicated relationship with our mothers would have also allowed me to have more empathy for Marc. Since he is clearly like that because of his mom. The author hinted at it a bit with Tabitha and her mom - and the argument about it at the table with Marc's parents -- but she should have dived DEEPER into it. Instead of the repetitive bullshit between Marc and Tabitha.
The author could've tackled these topics with the characters in the book, but instead, it's just more pain all over again. I appreciate that the author brought up The CROWN Act. People don't realize how much Black women suffer because of our hair.
I also like that the characters are growing. There are so many series out there where throughout the books, the characters all just remain the same. I love all the characters are realizing who they are and growing within the book.
Tabitha even is growing herself. I love that she didn't force herself to marry Marc and I love that she stood up for herself about her hair, even though it took some time. I do believe this book should be read to show women that they should put their wants first.
In the next book, I hope Tabitha sticks to her word and isn't with Marc. He's no good for her, and she deserves a happy ending. As a Black woman, I wanna see us winning. It feels like the author is against that, just like Tyler Perry, showing the same old stereotype BS about Black women when ut comes to relationships.
I know it's real life, but we've seen enough. How about something where Tabitha gets her baby and the man of her dreams who treats her like a queen? Cinderella got it, so why can't we? It's fiction. Let us be happy in our books and fantasies.
So many missed topics that could have been made deeper in this segment of the book, but one thing it did was show Black women to love themselves.
NOW, just give my Tabby her amazing husband and everything will be great.
December 5, 2021
I just couldn't get into this book, I didn't know this was book two, the book was about a a young woman who becomes pregnant after being told she couldn't have biological children a big life challenges begin for her. I received this book from Goodreads giveaways for a honest review
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 7, 2020
Jayne Allen has a way of making you feel as if you personally know the characters and are involved in their day to day lives! Book 2 of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted takes you on the journey of how Tabitha is experiencing life as a pregnant woman. Tabitha is balancing life, career, relationship, and friendship as she attempts to figure out who she truly is. The familiar faces of Alexis, Laila, and Ms. Gretchen add for exciting conversation and allows us to experience some of their character development. My only two issue with this book is Tabby's off and on again relationship with Marc. He's so inconsistent and it becomes annoying at times to see Tabby falling back into old habits with him. Also, the ending was very underwhelming. I was for sure expecting much more. Overall, it was a fun and exciting read. I look forward to reading book 3!
January 24, 2020
I will say that this book was good, but not as good the first one. I felt this story lacked the depth and connection to the characters that I felt in the first book. Tab went from being a three dimensional character to very 2 dimensional. The baby twist was ok...I guess, but if you are going to do that there needed to be more to that plot. I wish the had talked about Laila and how she was doing post suicide attempt. They could've kept Alexis out all together that was just fluff to be. I did love Ms. Gretchen in this book, that old lady makes me smile and laugh. I hope there is a book three that brings everything full circle and is as good as the first one. This was just ok, felt like any other urban fiction and that makes me so sad.
March 25, 2020
Okay. So, I feel like the book is unfinished. It literally just stopped. Maybe I need to read it again? I feel like I missed something. I'm a little disappointed.
April 14, 2024
Def understood the title in this one because we really are magic.. everyday struggles for black women - workplace discrimination, contraceptives and pregnancies, etc. I think this was my favorite of the trilogy .. sooooo much growth and self love.
June 19, 2022
I jumped right into this book after finishing Black Girls Must Die Ehxausted. My review of that book was not necessarily flattering but I couldn't just move on with my life without knowing how the baby drama unfolded.
So Book Two was a little better, probably because I significantly lowered my expectations and didn't expect it to be a literary work of art. I still found Tabitha to be annoying and this love tango with Mark to be a bit of a snooze fest butttt I will probably read the third book.
So Book Two was a little better, probably because I significantly lowered my expectations and didn't expect it to be a literary work of art. I still found Tabitha to be annoying and this love tango with Mark to be a bit of a snooze fest butttt I will probably read the third book.
December 27, 2019
That cannot be the end!
I'm still sitting here with my mouth gaped open with several unanswered questions:
Where is Todd?
Is Lailah ok?
What's up with Marc?
Was Ms. Gretchen at the birth?
The anti-climactic ending left me frustrated but eager to read the next book.
I'm still sitting here with my mouth gaped open with several unanswered questions:
Where is Todd?
Is Lailah ok?
What's up with Marc?
Was Ms. Gretchen at the birth?
The anti-climactic ending left me frustrated but eager to read the next book.
February 7, 2022
3.5 stars
I had high hopes for this book and at times it exceeded expectations, while at other times it felt a bit underdeveloped.
This story continues to follow Tabitha who is now pregnant. We watch as she continues to find her identity through all the new hurdles in her life. We also get a twist at the beginning of the story, which is important to the story moving forward.
Let’s start with what I loved:
- I loved how relatable the characters felt. I felt like I was apart of the friend group and got invested in tabby’s story.
- As a Black woman I found myself relating to many of Tabitha struggles. Especially those related to her appearance
- I like how easy of a read this was. It’s very digestible with some light and fluffy moments
Here’s what I didn’t particularly enjoy:
- the ending seemed to happen out of nowhere
- The ending was very predictable and typical
- There was a comment made about Tabitha thinking the love interest didn’t think she was “strong enough” for natural birth. Anyone who has children is strong no matter how the baby is born and that was never addressed. There were other things surrounding birthing that I didn’t particularly like.
Overall I still would like to read book 3 as I’m just hoping this book just has second book syndrome and it can only get better from here. I still enjoyed this book and would recommend for others for the positive elements listed earlier.
I had high hopes for this book and at times it exceeded expectations, while at other times it felt a bit underdeveloped.
This story continues to follow Tabitha who is now pregnant. We watch as she continues to find her identity through all the new hurdles in her life. We also get a twist at the beginning of the story, which is important to the story moving forward.
Let’s start with what I loved:
- I loved how relatable the characters felt. I felt like I was apart of the friend group and got invested in tabby’s story.
- As a Black woman I found myself relating to many of Tabitha struggles. Especially those related to her appearance
- I like how easy of a read this was. It’s very digestible with some light and fluffy moments
Here’s what I didn’t particularly enjoy:
- the ending seemed to happen out of nowhere
- The ending was very predictable and typical
- There was a comment made about Tabitha thinking the love interest didn’t think she was “strong enough” for natural birth. Anyone who has children is strong no matter how the baby is born and that was never addressed. There were other things surrounding birthing that I didn’t particularly like.
Overall I still would like to read book 3 as I’m just hoping this book just has second book syndrome and it can only get better from here. I still enjoyed this book and would recommend for others for the positive elements listed earlier.
March 31, 2022
I enjoyed this follow up much more than the prequel. The storyline was more cohesive, the characters definitely showed growth. I’m very much looking forward to the final installment in this trilogy.
July 26, 2022
I didn't love it quite as much as the first in the series, but I still love hearing Tabby's story and watching her character development. I'll be eagerly awaiting book 3!
May 10, 2023
2/5 ⭐️
- I really love the community aspect of this book, but I really wish that I was able to hear more about the Tabitha’s friends and their lives instead of continuing Tabitha’s story. I do think that the unexpected twist in the story completely surprised me and made me so much more interested in the story!
- I feel like this book is trying really hard to touch on tough topics, but it almost seems like they’re just thrown in for the shock factor. It seems that there is rarely anything good that happens to Tabitha and I have a tough time relating with how she views the world.
- I love love love seeing how she navigates the working world and the balance between the working world vs her personal life is so relatable!
- I really love the community aspect of this book, but I really wish that I was able to hear more about the Tabitha’s friends and their lives instead of continuing Tabitha’s story. I do think that the unexpected twist in the story completely surprised me and made me so much more interested in the story!
- I feel like this book is trying really hard to touch on tough topics, but it almost seems like they’re just thrown in for the shock factor. It seems that there is rarely anything good that happens to Tabitha and I have a tough time relating with how she views the world.
- I love love love seeing how she navigates the working world and the balance between the working world vs her personal life is so relatable!
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April 24, 2020I don’t know how to feel about this book I was excited to continue Tabby’s story. I read the whole book in less than 5 hours. I want to vent but I also don’t want to give anything away. 5 stars for keeping me hella entertained, 5 stars for it being relatable and believable and 5 stars for some of the topics covered but just negative stars for the male lead and the toss in at the end.
October 20, 2020
Not impressed by the authors writing style and lack of character development. I read this book as a part of a book club and honestly wish I could get my time back.
February 1, 2022
Picking up where the first book ended, Tabitha is now newly inseminated, waiting to see if her embryo implantation and pregnancy are viable. She is also having to deal with critiques over her appearance and the renewal of her relationship with Marc. The author does a great job showing the unique challenges women of color experience having to deal with expectations over their appearances and the exhaustion associated with trying to live up to societal ideals of beauty and deciding to be single mothers by choice. I really enjoyed this second book and can't wait to see what happens in the finale after the cliff-hanger ending. Great on audio narrated by Marcella Cox. Much thanks to Libro.fm for my complimentary ALC.
February 14, 2022
Book 12: #ReadingBlackout for Feb.
⭐ Rating: 5 stars
📖 Format: Audiobook 🎧
💭 Thoughts: Ahhh I loved this book as much as the first -- maybe even more. Tabby is such an inspiration and I loved watching her navigate life, love and pregnancy. Can't wait for the next one! ☺️
⭐ Rating: 5 stars
📖 Format: Audiobook 🎧
💭 Thoughts: Ahhh I loved this book as much as the first -- maybe even more. Tabby is such an inspiration and I loved watching her navigate life, love and pregnancy. Can't wait for the next one! ☺️
March 29, 2022
Loved (way more than the first book). I was so excited to see Tab grow past lots of challenges from the first book and for her friends to also grow up and get more clarity in life.
April 29, 2022
I dont know about this one. Again, just like the first book, I'm left slightly disappointed. There was alot of great topics here but there was also some low spots that didn't make this book fully come together for me. As expected, I love the bonding with Laila and Lexi. They are great examples of genuine frienships through the Highs and Lows. I appreciated the way natural hair issues was higighted in this story. Tabitha's experience there felt very real. But, I felt like too much was going on that made the issues under developed. The baby, the job, the hair, Marc,Lexi, marriage, it was tackling too much for such a short book and what could have been amazing themes fell flat for me. Tabitha at some points also felt immature. Did I enjoy the book, I absolutely did but there was nothing that stood out that made it memorable for me.
March 16, 2022
First I must say that these fictional characters lived in my head throughout the reading of the first book and I’m glad I got to stay in Tab’s world a little longer when I read the second book. The second book was as good to me as the first. The author took time to develop the characters and construct a thought provoking and realistic storyline that I related to in more ways than one. I got a whole year to wait for the third book and I looking forward to the next release. This book tackles so many challenges that aren’t talked about enough or seen in this way in fictional books. Friendship dynamics, sisterhood, people pleasing, hair expectations in the workplace, separation, infidelity, mental health, and advocating for your self to name a few. I give this book five stars.
April 5, 2024
I listened to the audiobook Black Girls Must Die Exhausted in November and fell in love with the narrator. I ordered the rest of the books in the series soon after.
Back Girls Must Die Exhausted is centered on Tabitha and her friends. Whereas, Black Girls Must Be Magic was more about Tabitha and her relationship with Marc.
One of my favorite aspects of Black Girls Must Be Magic is Tabitha’s journey of self-discovery. Is she happy being who everyone else wants/expects her to be? Or can she find the courage to be her true self and find peace in that? Although her Granny Tab is gone, thankfully she has Granny Tab’s good friend Ms. Gretchen to remind her who she is and what she deserves.
I also loved how we read her internal struggle between sharing her life with Marc versus her original plan of being a single mom by choice. I did want to strangle her at one point with her being indecisive about her future with Marc and how she didn't want to "end up" like her mom and Granny Tab.
I highly recommend you read this series in order!
Back Girls Must Die Exhausted is centered on Tabitha and her friends. Whereas, Black Girls Must Be Magic was more about Tabitha and her relationship with Marc.
One of my favorite aspects of Black Girls Must Be Magic is Tabitha’s journey of self-discovery. Is she happy being who everyone else wants/expects her to be? Or can she find the courage to be her true self and find peace in that? Although her Granny Tab is gone, thankfully she has Granny Tab’s good friend Ms. Gretchen to remind her who she is and what she deserves.
I also loved how we read her internal struggle between sharing her life with Marc versus her original plan of being a single mom by choice. I did want to strangle her at one point with her being indecisive about her future with Marc and how she didn't want to "end up" like her mom and Granny Tab.
I highly recommend you read this series in order!
September 24, 2025
I'm contemplating if I'm rocking with Marc & if Marc is still rocking with us. His logic was giving me anxiety. I did enjoy the 2nd book but now I'm curious about Tabitha's daddy. I hope that story continues in the 3rd book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen (3.5 stars) In the previous book, smartly titled "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted", Tabitha Walker struggles with keeping everything in her life together despite her hectic news reporter job. Black Girls Must Be Magic picks up right where it's predecessor ended with us seeing Tabitha dive headfirst into the world of becoming a single mother, by choice. But, through an unexpected chain of events, her ex-boyfriend Marc is back in Tabitha's life which causes her to make some tough decisions about her future.
Though it's a solid sequel, I thought it lacked the depth and I didn't feel as connected to Tabitha throughout the book. I can never understand the struggles Tabby feels with her appearance as a black woman, I have to commend Allen for sharing these experiences with me through these two books. In Black Girls Must Be Magic, there were a couple of quite comical situations and sweet moments especially scenes featuring Ms. Gretchen.
Okay, I had a couple of other grievances too. I didn't like the comments about being 'strong enough' for natural birth. Though I'm not a mother, I am an obstetrics nurse and I felt like it was unnecessary to include comments like that. It doesn't matter how you get pregnant, how you pregnancy goes, how the baby is born or hell, even how you become a parent (shout-out to adoptive parents, etc). Anyone who has children is strong. Next, the ending felt a little too predictable and I wish there was a couple more scenes before the epilogue.
Allen's writing was really digestible and I sped through this sequel. Now to patiently await the third book in the series, as I feel it will bring everything back together!
Though it's a solid sequel, I thought it lacked the depth and I didn't feel as connected to Tabitha throughout the book. I can never understand the struggles Tabby feels with her appearance as a black woman, I have to commend Allen for sharing these experiences with me through these two books. In Black Girls Must Be Magic, there were a couple of quite comical situations and sweet moments especially scenes featuring Ms. Gretchen.
Okay, I had a couple of other grievances too. I didn't like the comments about being 'strong enough' for natural birth. Though I'm not a mother, I am an obstetrics nurse and I felt like it was unnecessary to include comments like that. It doesn't matter how you get pregnant, how you pregnancy goes, how the baby is born or hell, even how you become a parent (shout-out to adoptive parents, etc). Anyone who has children is strong. Next, the ending felt a little too predictable and I wish there was a couple more scenes before the epilogue.
Allen's writing was really digestible and I sped through this sequel. Now to patiently await the third book in the series, as I feel it will bring everything back together!
February 8, 2022
𝙄𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝘽𝙡𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙂𝙞𝙧𝙡𝙨 𝙈𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝘿𝙞𝙚 𝙀𝙭𝙝𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨, 𝙏𝙖𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙖 𝙒𝙖𝙡𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚’𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚—𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙗𝙮—𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙡𝙥 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙨 𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙬.
🌺 This was a solid read with such a great writing style - that’s what had me reading page after page. These characters were also great and very touching. However, I’m not sure if it was a personal thing but I just couldn’t connect with the story itself as much. It was one of those books I read and forget about right after. Surely it’s a me thing… others might enjoy this so much more than I did.
💫 This story lacked depth - at least from my perspective. I didn’t read the first one in the series, which would’ve made me enjoy this book so much more. That was a mistake for me and I probably should go back and read book one. The whole “baby” side of this story just felt meh to me - if definitely would’ve made so much more sense if I read the first one. A three star is still great though!
🌺 There were some funny moments and great situations that occurred. Hopefully 🤞 I’m able to read the first one and reconsider my review - I’m sure I’ll end up enjoying and bumping this up after reading that. I also feel like there would be a bigger connection with the characters. This was a super quick read though! If you read the first one then I highly suggest you continue the series and give this one a go.
September 9, 2020
An emotional ride to giving birth and now we are setup for part three of this series, what will the future be for Tabby and baby and Marc of course......... Jayne Allen is great at infusing emotion into her characters and that makes it easy for readers to invest fully into the story, resulting in an experience that always feels authentic. Tabby is back and going full speed ahead with pregnancy. She is still juggling work, friends, on again, off again relations with Marc and a journey to embrace her natural hair. Although the wisdom of Tabitha’s grandmother is greatly missed, Gretchen steps into that role nicely and supplies some life advice at crucial points throughout this fast-paced quick read. And the addition of the doula, Andouele, Though she doesn't say much, you can actually feel her presence and when she speaks, it’s poetic power that emanates from her being. A clever insert to guide the reader through the anxiety and worry of any pregnancy, but especially a first one. “For any woman who wants children,” she said, as softly as if reciting a love poem, “she has to be ready to face her greatest fears and the uprooting of any lies and delusions she holds about herself. She must be ready to fail... and hurt. It’s life’s way of making you face necessary resolutions. That beautiful baby growing inside of you will demand that of you. And the purpose and blessing, at least in part, is to become more aware of who you are and the strength you have access to as a woman.”
So, as we experience Tabby’s pregnancy with a little dramatic twist, that IMHO, puts a little prick in the authenticity bubble but I can understand the necessity of it and it doesn't completely deflate the story, it acts as an “oh wow” moment and Tabby marches on and Marc, wants to do the right thing but sometimes for the wrong reasons. I salute Jayne Allen for eschewing the trifling Black man trope that is too often displayed in fiction and giving us a man grappling with real life confusion and emotions apparently difficult to process. But that’s life! Jayne Allen has said that a book review is a tip to the Author. So here is my contribution to the tip jar. And I’m excited for book three, to see how Tabby will grow into motherhood and if a career change is in order. Well done, Ms Allen. By book three you will be a household name and may your tip jar runneth over. Thanks to Ms. Jayne Allen and Quality Black Books for an advanced DRC.
February 4, 2022
“Stories aren’t written about women who follow the rules, Tabby. Stories are written about women who break them and show us all what’s on the other side. The world runs on that magic. Don’t let anybody limit you with what they can’t handle.”
Real, impactful, and fully entertaining. Allen has crafted these characters and their experiences with pure magic, and I hung on every word.
Tabatha’s life has become even more complex. She’s trying to balance pregnancy, career, love life woes, and everyone’s opinion on her hair. It’s overwhelming and exhausting. Especially the part about everyone’s opinions.
Just like the first book in this series, I devoured Black Girls Must Be Magic in one sitting and am left eager for the next book. Allen has a way of writing real life that fully drew me in and kept me engaged. My investment in Tabatha’s journey only deepened as she learned who she was. As she pushed past societal barriers to make space for who her authentic self, I was her biggest cheerleader.
It’s important to note that Tabby may be the headliner, but it’s Ms. Gretchen that’s the real star. Sage wisdom and a perfect manicure! Gosh I’d love to spend an afternoon with her. I have big hopes for seeing her as a Glam-ma in the next book.
I did wish this short book (only 254 pages) was a bit longer to include necessary follow ups from the last book (how is Lailah after her suicide attempt?), to showcase the friendship between the threesome more intricately (like in the previous book), and to go into greater detail about the dynamics with her and Marc (which is constantly in flux).
That aside, Allen continues to be a strong Black Girl voice tackling hard hitting issues in a fun and easy to digest way, and I look forward to the third installment of this series.
Many thanks to Jayne Allen, Haper Perennial, Harper Collins, and Storygram Tours for this #gifted advanced copy.
Real, impactful, and fully entertaining. Allen has crafted these characters and their experiences with pure magic, and I hung on every word.
Tabatha’s life has become even more complex. She’s trying to balance pregnancy, career, love life woes, and everyone’s opinion on her hair. It’s overwhelming and exhausting. Especially the part about everyone’s opinions.
Just like the first book in this series, I devoured Black Girls Must Be Magic in one sitting and am left eager for the next book. Allen has a way of writing real life that fully drew me in and kept me engaged. My investment in Tabatha’s journey only deepened as she learned who she was. As she pushed past societal barriers to make space for who her authentic self, I was her biggest cheerleader.
It’s important to note that Tabby may be the headliner, but it’s Ms. Gretchen that’s the real star. Sage wisdom and a perfect manicure! Gosh I’d love to spend an afternoon with her. I have big hopes for seeing her as a Glam-ma in the next book.
I did wish this short book (only 254 pages) was a bit longer to include necessary follow ups from the last book (how is Lailah after her suicide attempt?), to showcase the friendship between the threesome more intricately (like in the previous book), and to go into greater detail about the dynamics with her and Marc (which is constantly in flux).
That aside, Allen continues to be a strong Black Girl voice tackling hard hitting issues in a fun and easy to digest way, and I look forward to the third installment of this series.
Many thanks to Jayne Allen, Haper Perennial, Harper Collins, and Storygram Tours for this #gifted advanced copy.
February 22, 2022
21 • “For any woman who wants children, she has to be ready to face her greatest fears and the uprooting of any lies and delusions she holds about herself. She must be ready to fail…and hurt. It’s life’s way of making you face necessary resolutions. That beautiful baby growing inside of you will demand that of you. And the purpose and blessing, at least in part, is to become more aware of who you are and the strength you have access to as a woman.”
BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC is the second book of the Tabitha Walker trilogy by @jayneallenwrites. Although she was told she may never have biological children, Tabby discovers she is pregnant and must navigate pregnancy and her decision to be a “single mother by choice” in the midst of complications in both her workplace and romantic relationships. I enjoyed the unexpected twists in this story and really loved the wisdom and calm the doula Andouele brings to Tabby’s world. If the first book celebrates the importance of Tabby’s female friendships, this book celebrates Tabby’s deeper sense of self as she really comes into her own and refuses to lose herself in a man or in the burdens and expectations placed on her as a woman, a Black woman, and a mother-to-be. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
#BGMBM #jayneallen @harperonebooks #bookstagram #blackgirlsmustbemagic #bookstagrammer #amreading #newrelease
BLACK GIRLS MUST BE MAGIC is the second book of the Tabitha Walker trilogy by @jayneallenwrites. Although she was told she may never have biological children, Tabby discovers she is pregnant and must navigate pregnancy and her decision to be a “single mother by choice” in the midst of complications in both her workplace and romantic relationships. I enjoyed the unexpected twists in this story and really loved the wisdom and calm the doula Andouele brings to Tabby’s world. If the first book celebrates the importance of Tabby’s female friendships, this book celebrates Tabby’s deeper sense of self as she really comes into her own and refuses to lose herself in a man or in the burdens and expectations placed on her as a woman, a Black woman, and a mother-to-be. Can’t wait to read the next one in this series!
#BGMBM #jayneallen @harperonebooks #bookstagram #blackgirlsmustbemagic #bookstagrammer #amreading #newrelease
February 1, 2022
The great thing about Jayne Allen’s books is that they have relatable characters, strong and accurate representation, and plot points that are easy to invest in. And while I did enjoy Black Girls Must Be Magic, some parts felt underdeveloped or too slow to make it an exciting read.
The friendship between Tabitha, Laila, and Alexis is what pushed me to give the second title in the series a read. I had hopes that it would be a little more exciting than the first, but sadly it earned a lower rating. My biggest issue is with the ending, it felt way too anti-climactic. Sure, they’ll be another book in this series. But the reader deserved some satisfaction in the conclusion and that never arrived for me.
Nevertheless, this book has strong areas. As with the first in the trilogy, it covers issues many Black women may face. I really like the way the author approached the topic of Tabitha’s natural hair and the microaggressions surrounding this. Along with gems of wisdom from Ms. Gretchen, the book has some comforting marks as the reader follows Tabitha on her journey to motherhood.
By the third book, I’d like to see some development in Tabitha’s character and her work and personal relationships. She’s a likeable personality, and she deserves a win!
The friendship between Tabitha, Laila, and Alexis is what pushed me to give the second title in the series a read. I had hopes that it would be a little more exciting than the first, but sadly it earned a lower rating. My biggest issue is with the ending, it felt way too anti-climactic. Sure, they’ll be another book in this series. But the reader deserved some satisfaction in the conclusion and that never arrived for me.
Nevertheless, this book has strong areas. As with the first in the trilogy, it covers issues many Black women may face. I really like the way the author approached the topic of Tabitha’s natural hair and the microaggressions surrounding this. Along with gems of wisdom from Ms. Gretchen, the book has some comforting marks as the reader follows Tabitha on her journey to motherhood.
By the third book, I’d like to see some development in Tabitha’s character and her work and personal relationships. She’s a likeable personality, and she deserves a win!
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