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Single Black Female
Tracy Brown's Single Black Female is a taut, edgy, deftly spun novel about four friends grappling with the dramatic twists and turns of life, love and what it means to “make it” in America.
Ivy Donovan is a successful stylist, entrepreneur, and single mom who has been loyal to her sons’ father, Michael, who’s serving a lengthy prison sentence. But life has gotten lonely over the years, and Ivy wants more for herself. Michael, however, isn’t about to lose his family.
Coco Norris is well-off, single, childless, and struggling with her allegiance to emotionally unavailable men. When she finds a man who seems like he can give her everything she has ever wanted, Coco soon discovers that she has taken on more than she can possibly handle.
Deja Maddox is a real estate agent who is married to Bobby, a police sergeant with the NYPD. They have assimilated, looking down on anything that doesn’t fit their buttoned-up, polished life. But Deja isn’t as satisfied as she would like everyone to believe. When Deja’s past returns with a vengeance, she’s forced to face herself as her “perfect” life begins to crumble.
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Nikki Diamond is a savvy, self-made businesswoman and social media darling who lives large and with no regrets. She’s also Deja’s little sister and thinks her sister can have so much more than her ho-hum marriage. And Nikki is all too happy to lend a “helping” hand to make that happen.
Things come to a head when Ivy’s youngest son, Kingston, is caught up in a polarizing encounter with the NYPD. Everyone must figure out where they stand, including Bobby, who suddenly has to decide if his “blue life” matters more to him than his Black life and the Black lives of those he loves.
Single Black Female highlights the nuances of Black love, the often tested bonds of Black families, what it means to face the world as a Black man and the joy and pain of being a Black woman.
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Ivy Donovan is a successful stylist, entrepreneur, and single mom who has been loyal to her sons’ father, Michael, who’s serving a lengthy prison sentence. But life has gotten lonely over the years, and Ivy wants more for herself. Michael, however, isn’t about to lose his family.
Coco Norris is well-off, single, childless, and struggling with her allegiance to emotionally unavailable men. When she finds a man who seems like he can give her everything she has ever wanted, Coco soon discovers that she has taken on more than she can possibly handle.
Deja Maddox is a real estate agent who is married to Bobby, a police sergeant with the NYPD. They have assimilated, looking down on anything that doesn’t fit their buttoned-up, polished life. But Deja isn’t as satisfied as she would like everyone to believe. When Deja’s past returns with a vengeance, she’s forced to face herself as her “perfect” life begins to crumble.
2350 KB
Nikki Diamond is a savvy, self-made businesswoman and social media darling who lives large and with no regrets. She’s also Deja’s little sister and thinks her sister can have so much more than her ho-hum marriage. And Nikki is all too happy to lend a “helping” hand to make that happen.
Things come to a head when Ivy’s youngest son, Kingston, is caught up in a polarizing encounter with the NYPD. Everyone must figure out where they stand, including Bobby, who suddenly has to decide if his “blue life” matters more to him than his Black life and the Black lives of those he loves.
Single Black Female highlights the nuances of Black love, the often tested bonds of Black families, what it means to face the world as a Black man and the joy and pain of being a Black woman.
Read less
Kindle Edition
First published November 2, 2021
237 people are currently reading
6756 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Brown
89 books1,611 followersI am a storyteller, a painter of words, a writer who genuinely loves my craft.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 422 reviews
March 26, 2022
I went into the story thinking it was a retelling of Single White Female and thus a thriller. It’s not.
Single Black Female is a woman’s fiction novel which looks at complex family relationships and how they impact the lives of a group of girlfriends.
It deals with important topics affecting modern African American culture, including racism, racial profiling, police brutality, interracial dating, and personal growth.
The writing is cinematic, in the sense that I could visualise the characters in my mind. And I imagine this book could easily be adapted into a tv show.
For the most part, I found this novel compelling, and enjoyed the characterizations of the cast, especially the secondary characters. But I have a few issues I grappled with. One being the celebration of street culture and the other is a more technical issue. Let me explain.
The culture:
The story glamorizes street culture the only negative consequence of drug dealing and the thug lifestyle is imprisonment. It rather highlights the positives, viz. how profits from dealing can jumpstart businesses, buy property and set your loved ones up for a better life.
“Thug” type characters get more respect than “corny” educated, socially responsible ones. I really didn’t understand what was corny about Bobby, or why he didn’t get appreciation for helping to raise a child that wasn’t his own. Deja cheated on him repeatedly because he was “boring” and he’s in the police force. We’re never shown how he’s boring, all I saw was how he was trying.
Nikki is ghetto, but gets nothing but praise for it, because “we know her”… ok…🤔 . Ivy is praised for standing by her unfaithful baby daddy who is doing time for murder that he did, in fact, commit. But Deja is condemned for trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter.
I appreciated how the author highlighted how AA families escape the projects only to face racial profiling and discrimination in the suburbs. How the American dream seems to be for certain people and not others.
The dialogue:
The entire story relies on dialogue, and gives little in terms of internal conflict. Because the dialogue does the heavy lifting it was expositional and info dumpy.Typical of “urban” fiction, the dialogue tends to be on the nose, lacking in subtext and the nuances that make human conversations interesting. Human beings don’t 1) always say how we really feel; 2) have a cheat sheet to our own flaws and misbeliefs. So, to hear a character say “The reason I’ve been arguing with my sister for so long is because I’m jealous of her” just doesn’t ring true. It feels like the narrator doesn’t trust the reader to pick up on the dynamics between the characters. And in turn makes the reader mistrust the narrator, because it feels like they’re taking shortcuts. This makes even great writers look amateurish.
I’m no prude, and I’ve been known to swear on occasion, but at some point the onslaughts of F bombs and n words felt like an assault. Cursing doesn’t make dialogue authentic or edgy if it’s being done three times on the same page. It becomes annoying and unimaginative after the first twenty F bombs.
I struggled to connect with the characters and with the story even though I thought it was interesting because these issues would keep coming up and eject me from it.
Don’t remind me that there’s an author behind the pages.
Overall I think it’s a good story with a great plot and lively characters. I’d love to see it as a miniseries (with a different title).
Rating 3,5 ⭐️
Single Black Female is a woman’s fiction novel which looks at complex family relationships and how they impact the lives of a group of girlfriends.
It deals with important topics affecting modern African American culture, including racism, racial profiling, police brutality, interracial dating, and personal growth.
The writing is cinematic, in the sense that I could visualise the characters in my mind. And I imagine this book could easily be adapted into a tv show.
For the most part, I found this novel compelling, and enjoyed the characterizations of the cast, especially the secondary characters. But I have a few issues I grappled with. One being the celebration of street culture and the other is a more technical issue. Let me explain.
The culture:
The story glamorizes street culture the only negative consequence of drug dealing and the thug lifestyle is imprisonment. It rather highlights the positives, viz. how profits from dealing can jumpstart businesses, buy property and set your loved ones up for a better life.
“Thug” type characters get more respect than “corny” educated, socially responsible ones. I really didn’t understand what was corny about Bobby, or why he didn’t get appreciation for helping to raise a child that wasn’t his own. Deja cheated on him repeatedly because he was “boring” and he’s in the police force. We’re never shown how he’s boring, all I saw was how he was trying.
Nikki is ghetto, but gets nothing but praise for it, because “we know her”… ok…🤔 . Ivy is praised for standing by her unfaithful baby daddy who is doing time for murder that he did, in fact, commit. But Deja is condemned for trying to make a better life for herself and her daughter.
I appreciated how the author highlighted how AA families escape the projects only to face racial profiling and discrimination in the suburbs. How the American dream seems to be for certain people and not others.
The dialogue:
The entire story relies on dialogue, and gives little in terms of internal conflict. Because the dialogue does the heavy lifting it was expositional and info dumpy.Typical of “urban” fiction, the dialogue tends to be on the nose, lacking in subtext and the nuances that make human conversations interesting. Human beings don’t 1) always say how we really feel; 2) have a cheat sheet to our own flaws and misbeliefs. So, to hear a character say “The reason I’ve been arguing with my sister for so long is because I’m jealous of her” just doesn’t ring true. It feels like the narrator doesn’t trust the reader to pick up on the dynamics between the characters. And in turn makes the reader mistrust the narrator, because it feels like they’re taking shortcuts. This makes even great writers look amateurish.
I’m no prude, and I’ve been known to swear on occasion, but at some point the onslaughts of F bombs and n words felt like an assault. Cursing doesn’t make dialogue authentic or edgy if it’s being done three times on the same page. It becomes annoying and unimaginative after the first twenty F bombs.
I struggled to connect with the characters and with the story even though I thought it was interesting because these issues would keep coming up and eject me from it.
Don’t remind me that there’s an author behind the pages.
Overall I think it’s a good story with a great plot and lively characters. I’d love to see it as a miniseries (with a different title).
Rating 3,5 ⭐️
August 18, 2021
I'm not sure why I didn't like this more. It seemed a little flat and stereotypical. Nothing wowed me or excited me or even interested me to the point where I'd be like, "You need to read this!" Maybe my expectations were too high.
March 26, 2022
Waiting to Exhale meets Soul Food meets Love & Hip-Hop: New York meets The Hate U Give *unexpectedly*.
It was an engaging story, rapt in the way that striving/gotta-do-better fiction keeps a sister rapt.
I could have severely done without the Kid Got Shot plot-point. It was too much for my heart when I just wanted to know if the 4 sisters would find love and happiness in their lives. I almost DNF’d at that point. I get it tho: into each life some rain must fall. Personally, I just wanted it to be some different kind of rain. A sunshower maybe? Something a smidge less traumatic than reality… I mean, I was looking to this book for an escape! I learned my lesson.
I listened to the audio of this book on Scribd and narrator Eboni Flowers did an excellent job! One of these stars is just for her.
It was an engaging story, rapt in the way that striving/gotta-do-better fiction keeps a sister rapt.
I could have severely done without the Kid Got Shot plot-point. It was too much for my heart when I just wanted to know if the 4 sisters would find love and happiness in their lives. I almost DNF’d at that point. I get it tho: into each life some rain must fall. Personally, I just wanted it to be some different kind of rain. A sunshower maybe? Something a smidge less traumatic than reality… I mean, I was looking to this book for an escape! I learned my lesson.
I listened to the audio of this book on Scribd and narrator Eboni Flowers did an excellent job! One of these stars is just for her.
November 11, 2021
In June of 2021, Tracy Brown, was our featured newsletter author. We interviewed Tracy and when asked about her upcoming release, Single Black Female, she cited that she started out trying to write a black Sex in the City, but quickly realized that there is no such thing for us. After concluding her latest work, I realized that no truer words could have been said. Single Black Female revolves around three black women, Ivy, Deja and Coco, their families, and them simply living their lives as black women. It touches on topics that may be considered taboo to some and may hit home for others. Issues that you may read about in other novels, but no author can transform a fictional read into a unimaginable reality like Tracy did with this novel. It's layered. From generational curses to the harsh reality of black people trying to create better lives for themselves. It's all mentioned in this book. The good, the bad and the ugly. "I used to sit in that big-ass house I bought and read the local newspaper. The Staten Island Advance. And I noticed the difference in how they report the stories. The white boys who crash their cars into a pole while they're high out of their minds on opioids-that's on page sixteen. And they don't release his name because he's a minor. But a black kid the same age from the projects who got caught with an ounce of weed-he's on page one. His full name, picture, and everything." The uncomfortable topics and the recurring themes in this story do not take away the enjoyability of this book. It may make you cry, it may make you angry, but you will also find joy. You'll also laugh, and hopefully when you close this book, after reading the final page, you'll add Tracy Brown somewhere near the top of your list of favorite authors.
Ivy was a former trap queen. Her "husband" Michael had once reigned supreme over the streets of Brooklyn. Ivy and Michael had lived good and loved hard, producing two sons, Noah and Kingston, while trying to create their happily ever after. That was until the other shoe dropped. "She'd told Michael she didn't need a ring to be his wife, but the truth was she'd always suspected Michael's incarceration right before their wedding was some type of omen. She had never given voice to it-not even to herself-but Ivy had been second-guessing the life she'd chosen for a long time now." Michael was incarcerated, had been for the majority of his sons' lives and wasn't coming home anytime soon. "The streets is all I know. My father was a hustler till he got killed. My uncle died in jail. I did what I was taught to do. Maybe you saw a future where I wasn't hustling. But I never saw that shit. The grind is in me. The streets is who I am." And even though the streets were in Mikey, Ivy didn't want that to be the future of her two sons. She wanted more for them. But that's usually what mothers want for their kids right? Ivy wanted more out of life than being a former trap queen, she wanted her kids to be more than statistics, which sometimes makes the people around you uncomfortable. "Ivy was a stuck-up former trap queen who was starting to forget where she came from." But one night changed everything for Ivy and her kids. Helping her realize that the American dream isn't as attainable for everyone. "I fooled myself into believing that I could have it all. As a Black woman in this country! That I could have success in my career, commas in my bank account, a nice house and car, maybe even find love. Be happy. But that shit is never really possible for us. That American Dream shit is an illusion that I allowed myself to believe in."
Coco, who is Michael's younger sister, also doubles as one of Ivy's best friends. Bred as street royalty, she wasn't easily impressed when it came to men. "Coco had been in the fifth grade when their father-a hustler also- had been killed. Mikey was in high school, and he picked up the baton he felt their father had passed to him. It happened almost immediately after their father died. Mikey hit the streets and ran headlong into the crack game, as if he felt that the responsibility to provide for the family fell squarely on his shoulders." Outside of a few hook-ups here and there, Coco had never found love. "Aunt Coco got high standards. She ain't like them hos on Instagram." When she finally decides it's time for her to settle down, her current prospect drops a bomb on her, almost making her lose hope. That is until her friend, Nikki, hooks her up with Ziggy. Ziggy isn't Coco's type, mainly because he's white. Dating outside of your race in the black community is taboo for most. "You a fool, little sister! Them cracker want to fuck around with us and all that. But they'll gun your sons and brother down without question." But Coco throws caution to the wind, stepping outside of the box in search of true love. That is until her nephew, King, has a racist encounter that leaves him fighting for his life, literally and figuratively. "What if we get serious and end up having kids together? Would you tell our son that he needed to humble himself and answer any white stranger who approaches him and asks where he's going and what he's doing?" Leaving her and readers trying to wrap their minds around a successful interracial relationship in this day and age.
Deja has been friends with Ivy for as long as she can remember. Their boyfriends were best friends, ultimately connecting them for life. When Ivy's man went to jail, so did Deja's, for the same crime. Deja knew Rashid was innocent, testified to it and all, but when it came time for Rashid to do his bid, she left. With her and her daughter's best interest in mind, Deja moved on from Rashid, in pursuit of a better life. One that didn't include locked up baby daddies. "You ran. With no warning. Stopped writing to me, stopped taking my calls, stopped coming to see me. Even though you knew I wasn't guilty. After all the shit we talked about. Six months after Bree was born, you packed up and moved out of your mother's house. Left her to tell me that you changed your mind. And you never looked back." Deja's current life resembles a Stepford wife. She's a high-profile real estate agent, married to a cop, and her daughter goes to one of the best school's money can buy. Her life is safe, but there's something missing. When her former flame, Rashid, is released from prison. She finds herself reevaluating her life. "You know what, Bobby? I'm calling Rashid and sneaking around and shit because I'm bored! With you, with my life, with all of this. And it has nothing to do with Rashid. Or maybe it does. Maybe I'm starting to feel like the fraud he keeps saying I am." With a new perspective on things, Deja is wondering if she made the best decisions in her past.
When I was preparing myself to read this book, I imagined me eating popcorn, drinking wine and laughing with my friends about how great this book was. Usually, my reading choices are an escape from the real world. Single Black Female was still technically an escape, but it was attached to very harsh realities. Forcing me and my friends to hold conversations I usually would avoid. I cried multiple times reading this book (I'm getting soft). Tears of sadness and tears of joy. Tracy gave us something that the real world often can't, a rainbow after the storm. "Finally someone Black had fought back and won. At last, there was no grieving Black mother." And even though this book filled me with sadness, it was thought provoking, it was well written, and it was good. If I had the time, I would read it over and over again. I loved the characters I was supposed to love and hated the characters I was supposed to hate. By the end of the book, you can kind of see the Sex in the City comparison. After these characters have fought the good fight, lived the best way they knew how, Tracy conveyed the most beautiful message she could ever convey. "Ever since then, I've been realizing how strong we are. How resilient. How fuckin' fabulous we are! And I know this much. We can survive anything. As long as we have each other." If you're a black woman, I highly encourage you to pick up this book. Great job Tracy, you're still one of the best to ever do it with a pen.
Ivy was a former trap queen. Her "husband" Michael had once reigned supreme over the streets of Brooklyn. Ivy and Michael had lived good and loved hard, producing two sons, Noah and Kingston, while trying to create their happily ever after. That was until the other shoe dropped. "She'd told Michael she didn't need a ring to be his wife, but the truth was she'd always suspected Michael's incarceration right before their wedding was some type of omen. She had never given voice to it-not even to herself-but Ivy had been second-guessing the life she'd chosen for a long time now." Michael was incarcerated, had been for the majority of his sons' lives and wasn't coming home anytime soon. "The streets is all I know. My father was a hustler till he got killed. My uncle died in jail. I did what I was taught to do. Maybe you saw a future where I wasn't hustling. But I never saw that shit. The grind is in me. The streets is who I am." And even though the streets were in Mikey, Ivy didn't want that to be the future of her two sons. She wanted more for them. But that's usually what mothers want for their kids right? Ivy wanted more out of life than being a former trap queen, she wanted her kids to be more than statistics, which sometimes makes the people around you uncomfortable. "Ivy was a stuck-up former trap queen who was starting to forget where she came from." But one night changed everything for Ivy and her kids. Helping her realize that the American dream isn't as attainable for everyone. "I fooled myself into believing that I could have it all. As a Black woman in this country! That I could have success in my career, commas in my bank account, a nice house and car, maybe even find love. Be happy. But that shit is never really possible for us. That American Dream shit is an illusion that I allowed myself to believe in."
Coco, who is Michael's younger sister, also doubles as one of Ivy's best friends. Bred as street royalty, she wasn't easily impressed when it came to men. "Coco had been in the fifth grade when their father-a hustler also- had been killed. Mikey was in high school, and he picked up the baton he felt their father had passed to him. It happened almost immediately after their father died. Mikey hit the streets and ran headlong into the crack game, as if he felt that the responsibility to provide for the family fell squarely on his shoulders." Outside of a few hook-ups here and there, Coco had never found love. "Aunt Coco got high standards. She ain't like them hos on Instagram." When she finally decides it's time for her to settle down, her current prospect drops a bomb on her, almost making her lose hope. That is until her friend, Nikki, hooks her up with Ziggy. Ziggy isn't Coco's type, mainly because he's white. Dating outside of your race in the black community is taboo for most. "You a fool, little sister! Them cracker want to fuck around with us and all that. But they'll gun your sons and brother down without question." But Coco throws caution to the wind, stepping outside of the box in search of true love. That is until her nephew, King, has a racist encounter that leaves him fighting for his life, literally and figuratively. "What if we get serious and end up having kids together? Would you tell our son that he needed to humble himself and answer any white stranger who approaches him and asks where he's going and what he's doing?" Leaving her and readers trying to wrap their minds around a successful interracial relationship in this day and age.
Deja has been friends with Ivy for as long as she can remember. Their boyfriends were best friends, ultimately connecting them for life. When Ivy's man went to jail, so did Deja's, for the same crime. Deja knew Rashid was innocent, testified to it and all, but when it came time for Rashid to do his bid, she left. With her and her daughter's best interest in mind, Deja moved on from Rashid, in pursuit of a better life. One that didn't include locked up baby daddies. "You ran. With no warning. Stopped writing to me, stopped taking my calls, stopped coming to see me. Even though you knew I wasn't guilty. After all the shit we talked about. Six months after Bree was born, you packed up and moved out of your mother's house. Left her to tell me that you changed your mind. And you never looked back." Deja's current life resembles a Stepford wife. She's a high-profile real estate agent, married to a cop, and her daughter goes to one of the best school's money can buy. Her life is safe, but there's something missing. When her former flame, Rashid, is released from prison. She finds herself reevaluating her life. "You know what, Bobby? I'm calling Rashid and sneaking around and shit because I'm bored! With you, with my life, with all of this. And it has nothing to do with Rashid. Or maybe it does. Maybe I'm starting to feel like the fraud he keeps saying I am." With a new perspective on things, Deja is wondering if she made the best decisions in her past.
When I was preparing myself to read this book, I imagined me eating popcorn, drinking wine and laughing with my friends about how great this book was. Usually, my reading choices are an escape from the real world. Single Black Female was still technically an escape, but it was attached to very harsh realities. Forcing me and my friends to hold conversations I usually would avoid. I cried multiple times reading this book (I'm getting soft). Tears of sadness and tears of joy. Tracy gave us something that the real world often can't, a rainbow after the storm. "Finally someone Black had fought back and won. At last, there was no grieving Black mother." And even though this book filled me with sadness, it was thought provoking, it was well written, and it was good. If I had the time, I would read it over and over again. I loved the characters I was supposed to love and hated the characters I was supposed to hate. By the end of the book, you can kind of see the Sex in the City comparison. After these characters have fought the good fight, lived the best way they knew how, Tracy conveyed the most beautiful message she could ever convey. "Ever since then, I've been realizing how strong we are. How resilient. How fuckin' fabulous we are! And I know this much. We can survive anything. As long as we have each other." If you're a black woman, I highly encourage you to pick up this book. Great job Tracy, you're still one of the best to ever do it with a pen.
April 8, 2022
Tracy Brown is a new-to-me author but after reading Single Black Female you can bet that she is going to stay on my to-read list. This book was completely riveting, super emotional, and highly informative. I really loved that the story follows the different female friends (Nikki and Deja being sisters as well), and their various struggles as well as the tribulations they go through with their families. Looking at the cover and title I expected this to be a thriller, but it is definitely not, and it is more in the women's fiction genre. I actually don't think the title fits the content of the book and I never got that aha moment where you realize how the title ties into the story. I am really curious to know how Brown decided on it, but even so, I was still thoroughly invested in both the story and all of the characters.
I just so happened to see the book at the library and grab it, but I actually listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Eboni Flowers. I think the audio is really the way to go, and I can't even begin to explain how amazing Flowers made this book for me. Single Black Female was a total cover grab for me and I'm not sure I would have picked it up otherwise, so I'm glad I did. The majority of the beginning focuses on the women and their families and the part about Kingston doesn't actually happen until towards the end of the book. Once that hit, it really ratcheted up the emotion and pacing of the story, and I felt like I was in the same room with the characters thanks to Flowers's narration and Brown's writing. I enjoyed the way the chapters were titled and didn't even mind the way the viewpoints were constantly switching. It was rather nice to know what everyone was thinking, and the way Brown handled it really worked for me. Definitely recommend Single Black Female if you are a fan of women's fiction with a strong dose of current issues and what it means to be Black.
I just so happened to see the book at the library and grab it, but I actually listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Eboni Flowers. I think the audio is really the way to go, and I can't even begin to explain how amazing Flowers made this book for me. Single Black Female was a total cover grab for me and I'm not sure I would have picked it up otherwise, so I'm glad I did. The majority of the beginning focuses on the women and their families and the part about Kingston doesn't actually happen until towards the end of the book. Once that hit, it really ratcheted up the emotion and pacing of the story, and I felt like I was in the same room with the characters thanks to Flowers's narration and Brown's writing. I enjoyed the way the chapters were titled and didn't even mind the way the viewpoints were constantly switching. It was rather nice to know what everyone was thinking, and the way Brown handled it really worked for me. Definitely recommend Single Black Female if you are a fan of women's fiction with a strong dose of current issues and what it means to be Black.
February 2, 2022
I don't think this was a good title as another reviewer stated. I don't see how the title connected to the story.
I used to read a lot of urban fiction in my 20's and it initially was giving me street lit vibes. I almost dnf it but I pushed through. My friend said it was good and she has excellent book judgment.
Overall we have the story of black women trying to adapt to motherhood, relationships and careers in a cruel world.
Ivy is just trying to keep her two sons safe by moving them out of Brooklyn to Staten Island while staying loyal to their father who is locked up for life. That's the part that pissed me off. Ivy was extremely successful but allowing a man in PRISON the audacity to dictate her movements was a no for me.
There is so much to unpack in this novel and I do not want to give any spoilers. Read it for yourself.
I used to read a lot of urban fiction in my 20's and it initially was giving me street lit vibes. I almost dnf it but I pushed through. My friend said it was good and she has excellent book judgment.
Overall we have the story of black women trying to adapt to motherhood, relationships and careers in a cruel world.
Ivy is just trying to keep her two sons safe by moving them out of Brooklyn to Staten Island while staying loyal to their father who is locked up for life. That's the part that pissed me off. Ivy was extremely successful but allowing a man in PRISON the audacity to dictate her movements was a no for me.
There is so much to unpack in this novel and I do not want to give any spoilers. Read it for yourself.
August 29, 2025
I am glad I read this book, even though it took me years to get through 😅 My gripe with it was the switching point of views within paragraphs. I’m used to POV being separated by chapters so it was an adjustment.
RIP to Tracy Brown!
RIP to Tracy Brown!
December 9, 2021
I should have read what this book was about before I downloaded it. I was thinking it was going to be about being single and the challenges black women face. Yes, that was covered but I wasn't expecting the social injustices that have and will continue to rule this country. Reading is a form of escape for me so taking in a story that reads from the headlines was meh for me.
January 16, 2024
Single Black Female follows the lives of Ivy, Coco, Deja, and Nikki as they navigate through the ups and downs of life as they play the cards they were dealt. While they all had their own stuff going on, they made sure to be by each other's side as their past become somewhat of their future. At first, it was hard for me to keep up with the characters, but it flowed a lot better once I got to know them.
This was a fast-paced read with real-life issues that we all face every day. Each character was layered well, which added depth to the story. Tracy Brown came with it, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I would have loved to read more about the blossoming relationships between Coco and her love interest and Ivy and her newfound freedom, plus Deja and her old flame. All in all, this was a great read, and I can't wait to see what's next for this Author.
This was a fast-paced read with real-life issues that we all face every day. Each character was layered well, which added depth to the story. Tracy Brown came with it, and I'm looking forward to reading more. I would have loved to read more about the blossoming relationships between Coco and her love interest and Ivy and her newfound freedom, plus Deja and her old flame. All in all, this was a great read, and I can't wait to see what's next for this Author.
September 13, 2021
I really wanted to like this, but it felt thoroughly mediocre. Nothing was terrible, but the writing, the plot, and the tension were just less than 100%. There was very little urgency until the last 50 pages - it felt like watching the season finale of a soap opera you've never seen before. It was a quick, easy read, but I wouldn't recommend it or read it again. If you're looking for something with some plot similarities but much better writing, I think An American Marriage does a great job.
September 29, 2024
One thing that is constant in life is change, and if I could wrap this book up in one word, that's what it would be.
✨
Ivy Donovan decided tomake a change in her address, her business and her stifled relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Mikey. The events that follow, can either break her or make her stronger.
Her friend Deja Maddox did the opposite. Once trouble hit, she traded in her daughter's father for a very insecure officer of the NYPD. Those around her keep telling her that she has become a shell of herself, and change comes when she realizes it, as well. This includes the relationship with her sister, Nikki.
Sisters Coco and Patsy are as different as night and day, but their love for their brother Mikey and his sons (Noah and Kingston), is as solid as it comes. When an incident occurs, Coco questions the change that she has made in her relationship. I'm going to be honest, I was nervous about this one.
Kingston is your teenage young man, living his typical life…basketball, hanging with his friends and dating. One fateful night, he is racially profiled, which brings change to those around him.
This thought provoking book brought out several different emotions in me. I'm so proud of @tracybrownwrites, for tackling the issues that many of us have known for years, and some have chosen to ignore. If you haven't already, please go get this 💎💎💎💎💎 book.
✨
Ivy Donovan decided tomake a change in her address, her business and her stifled relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Mikey. The events that follow, can either break her or make her stronger.
Her friend Deja Maddox did the opposite. Once trouble hit, she traded in her daughter's father for a very insecure officer of the NYPD. Those around her keep telling her that she has become a shell of herself, and change comes when she realizes it, as well. This includes the relationship with her sister, Nikki.
Sisters Coco and Patsy are as different as night and day, but their love for their brother Mikey and his sons (Noah and Kingston), is as solid as it comes. When an incident occurs, Coco questions the change that she has made in her relationship. I'm going to be honest, I was nervous about this one.
Kingston is your teenage young man, living his typical life…basketball, hanging with his friends and dating. One fateful night, he is racially profiled, which brings change to those around him.
This thought provoking book brought out several different emotions in me. I'm so proud of @tracybrownwrites, for tackling the issues that many of us have known for years, and some have chosen to ignore. If you haven't already, please go get this 💎💎💎💎💎 book.
July 18, 2024
This story really hit home with different perspectives & family dynamics of black women in New York. I felt like I could relate truly relate to Ivy, CoCo, Deja, & Nikki bc I have girlfriends just like every single one of them. Knowing the brutality that some black boys are faced with in America is heartbreaking being racially profiled. You would think as far as we came in the year of 2024 we wouldn’t have to deal with things like this & this book brought me back to the reality in America. Bobby was a real ughhhh, let power get to his head smh. Michael was stuck in the mindset of his environment not knowing that it takes more than money to have a happy healthy life. James was a real one, standing on business. Ziggy was getting in where he fit in.
January 2, 2022
Not bad, but not my typical type of read for reasons I won’t fully delve into. If you enjoy social injustice examinations and urban romance, check it out. 3 stars.
January 4, 2025
Yet another ‘hard book’ to read.. took me 2months to finish this book. Tracey Brown has been through some hard stuff in life and it shows through her books, great author, just REALLY HEAVY books. I need a palate cleanser after this one! Whew 😅
October 25, 2023
Cliche’. It didn’t add to my black experience at all. I wished it was something different,but we all know these people and these experiences. It was entertaining,but I want more from literature. Insert any black book or tv show/movie. Give me a plot twist please or just leave it.
May 17, 2021
An interesting read about four Black women who are succeeding in life in very different ways. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and their lives and thoughts. It's a fun read in some ways because it has some glamorous aspects that will appeal to readers who have chick lit expectations. Although the book deals with some very heavy issues, it doesn't feel as if it is as deep as it could be, but it is a good introduction to Black life and the issues single Black females deal with. There are also teen issues and prison issues in this book. It is very readable and should attract a wide readership.
The ending was the kind of just outcome that should always exist, but it left me wondering how many times we really get a so-called "happy" ending in these cases.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
The ending was the kind of just outcome that should always exist, but it left me wondering how many times we really get a so-called "happy" ending in these cases.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
June 27, 2024
This is going to be one of my favorites for 2022. There are some extremely hard issues being faced in this book and the four main black females in this very complicated story face their love lives, jobs, families and friends with humor, determination, sometimes with class and sometimes with no class at all. The narrator did a fantastic job of giving everyone their own separate voice. They go full circle and so do the men in their lives. Whew! They are honest and raw, spoiled and dejected. This book can make you wonder if America will ever live up to the Black Lives Matter movement or will it continue to remain only about protests, signs and lip service. Will we always have to prove that our Black lives really do matter?
November 8, 2022
I thought this was a very moving tale about doing more than just surviving, but looking for love and where each of us fit in this world. I liked the character, Ivy, and I felt her struggles and her fears like she was a friend. I was so hopeful for her when she made some big life changes, so scared for when she stood her ground and terrified when she her phone buzzed after a night out. I felt the outrage at the twist and frustration when there were lies.
This one was eye-opening and tugged on my heartstrings.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This one was eye-opening and tugged on my heartstrings.
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
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December 25, 2021DNF.
One more book about people making poor life choices and blaming others for the consequences.
Why does everyone in fiction want so much?
I know this is a popular theme. I try to avoid signing up for ARC's of books like this, but I messed up again.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for the free copy.
No rating. It was well written. Tracy Brown is a good author. Books about high flyers living on the edge are just not for me.
One more book about people making poor life choices and blaming others for the consequences.
Why does everyone in fiction want so much?
I know this is a popular theme. I try to avoid signing up for ARC's of books like this, but I messed up again.
Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for the free copy.
No rating. It was well written. Tracy Brown is a good author. Books about high flyers living on the edge are just not for me.
December 15, 2021
I've always been a fan of Tracy Brown. Sista knows how to write. I saw myself in each character and I loved to see how the characters developed as the story progressed. This book presented the lessons of putting yourself first, forgiveness and that it's never too late to go after what you want. I definitely recommend!
December 23, 2021
I honestly chose this book based on the title. But once I had it in my hands and saw that Ashley Antionette gave her blessing—I knew I would love it. This book surpassed my expectations. There were so many great themes to reflect on and discuss! Do yourself a favor and read this book!
February 25, 2022
This book I good from beginning to the end. I love that it had 3 different women and their perspectives on life. The successful cosmetologist with an incarcerated husband, the pretender that built a new life that was safer than the one she ran from and the young overachiever who didn’t realize her worth. These women rediscovered their identities with each page I understood their struggles completely. Towards the end was difficult for me to read with having 2 beautiful sons it was tough to read King go through that. The ending felt rushed to me. But I enjoyed this book.
October 11, 2022
Tracy Brown NEVER disappoints. This book started off with a bang and never let up. I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. Sleep was not an option until I finished LOL
The book consists of three main characters Ivy, Deja, and Coco. All three of them in their own ways have lost themselves. Through many trials and tribulations they come out as completely different women at the end.
From the very beginning Ivy was one of my favorite characters. She was just doing the best she could with the cards she was dealt. Slowly but surely she began to realize that her entire life was built around the happiness of her incarcerated fiancé and the bond he shared with their two sons that he wasn’t around to raise. The thing that made me sad for Ivy was that as soon as she decided for once in her life that she wanted to finally choose herself first, those she spent her life catering to judged her for it. The way Mikey handled that entire situation was absolutely disgusting in my eyes. I know his sons had a complicated relationship with their dad but the way they did their fathers bidding and withheld support for their mothers decisions was very disappointing. I also didn’t like how every time Mikey acted poorly those around Ivy were quick to remind her how much he “loves” her. It felt more like a power struggle for control over her life and decisions.
I wasn’t feeling Deja at all at first. I hated the way she treated her sister and what she did to Rashid was just unforgivable. By the end of the book, I can’t lie I had really grown to love her character. I was rooting for her. I honestly would love a spin-off book just based off of her and Rashid alone 😩
As far as Coco, I was just happy to see her get out of her own way. She deserved love and happiness. Something Derek was never going to be able to give her.
I am in love with this book and NOT ready to let go of these characters😩
The book consists of three main characters Ivy, Deja, and Coco. All three of them in their own ways have lost themselves. Through many trials and tribulations they come out as completely different women at the end.
From the very beginning Ivy was one of my favorite characters. She was just doing the best she could with the cards she was dealt. Slowly but surely she began to realize that her entire life was built around the happiness of her incarcerated fiancé and the bond he shared with their two sons that he wasn’t around to raise. The thing that made me sad for Ivy was that as soon as she decided for once in her life that she wanted to finally choose herself first, those she spent her life catering to judged her for it. The way Mikey handled that entire situation was absolutely disgusting in my eyes. I know his sons had a complicated relationship with their dad but the way they did their fathers bidding and withheld support for their mothers decisions was very disappointing. I also didn’t like how every time Mikey acted poorly those around Ivy were quick to remind her how much he “loves” her. It felt more like a power struggle for control over her life and decisions.
I wasn’t feeling Deja at all at first. I hated the way she treated her sister and what she did to Rashid was just unforgivable. By the end of the book, I can’t lie I had really grown to love her character. I was rooting for her. I honestly would love a spin-off book just based off of her and Rashid alone 😩
As far as Coco, I was just happy to see her get out of her own way. She deserved love and happiness. Something Derek was never going to be able to give her.
I am in love with this book and NOT ready to let go of these characters😩
February 5, 2022
3.5 stars
This book was a bit different from what I thought it would be based on the blurb, but overall it was still ok. All of the men in this book, with the exception of James and Ziggy, are terrible. In my opinion there is some promotion of gang and street culture and some pushing of the idea that those involved in that lifestyle don't have a choice and are simply making the best of the hands they are dealt. I don't agree with this message. While I don't minimize how hard it is to escape that life, especially when you are born into a family that is deep in its trenches, you can escape and choose better just like Ivy and Coco did. They were not wrong for making better and different choices. The worst mistake some black women make is continuing to excuse behavior from men and tying themselves to someone who simply refuses to want and do better. Black women can want more and we deserve more and we aren't traitors for choosing better. That's the message that the author ultimately gave in the end and I was happy to see these women finally prioritize their own happiness and well-being after sacrificing it for years.
This book was a bit different from what I thought it would be based on the blurb, but overall it was still ok. All of the men in this book, with the exception of James and Ziggy, are terrible. In my opinion there is some promotion of gang and street culture and some pushing of the idea that those involved in that lifestyle don't have a choice and are simply making the best of the hands they are dealt. I don't agree with this message. While I don't minimize how hard it is to escape that life, especially when you are born into a family that is deep in its trenches, you can escape and choose better just like Ivy and Coco did. They were not wrong for making better and different choices. The worst mistake some black women make is continuing to excuse behavior from men and tying themselves to someone who simply refuses to want and do better. Black women can want more and we deserve more and we aren't traitors for choosing better. That's the message that the author ultimately gave in the end and I was happy to see these women finally prioritize their own happiness and well-being after sacrificing it for years.
July 13, 2022
Such a pleasant read
I loved this book. This was probably the quickest read our book club has done, which is saying something.
The black woman’s experience is a nuanced one, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t have friend groups, family drama and the nines. It’s just unique to us. I love how Single Black Female captured four very different women’s intertwined relationships with each other and family, the beauty of said relationships, along with the very real trials and tribulations of life itself especially for black families in America. Without giving too much away the story is triumphant, sobering and a beautiful homage to an experience I consider super close to home. I loved being able to relate to characters or recognize my own friends or loved ones in this book. It was a fun yet emotional read.
I loved this book. This was probably the quickest read our book club has done, which is saying something.
The black woman’s experience is a nuanced one, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t have friend groups, family drama and the nines. It’s just unique to us. I love how Single Black Female captured four very different women’s intertwined relationships with each other and family, the beauty of said relationships, along with the very real trials and tribulations of life itself especially for black families in America. Without giving too much away the story is triumphant, sobering and a beautiful homage to an experience I consider super close to home. I loved being able to relate to characters or recognize my own friends or loved ones in this book. It was a fun yet emotional read.
July 20, 2022
There is an emphasis throughout the book on strong female characters, social justice, and self-acceptance. However, it serves as a reminder of the unfair manner in which Americans of color are treated by the criminal justice system. There is no doubt that black women's experiences are nuanced. However, it does not imply that we do not have friends, family drama, and a variety of other aspects of life. This is a unique characteristic of ours. Single Black Female not only depicts the beauty of its subject matter and the interwoven relationships between four different women. It also illustrates the real trials and tribulations of life, particularly for black families. There were several characters in this book that I could identify with or saw myself in. I found this to be an emotional read.
December 21, 2021
This Book gave me "Girlfriends/Sex In The City Vibes" with an urban twist. Four girlfriends with their own lives, situations, conflicts, and romance. From being single mothers, to being insatgram/publicly known, to trying to hold it down to save face for not only themselves but as well as in public. Overall an easy read.
January 12, 2022
Firstly, I can’t stand the title of this book. Single Black Female? Lacks thought and originality. However, that is the only bad thing I have to say about this book. It was so good. On the level of The Hate U Give in my opinion. It had that vibe.
April 26, 2022
Funny. Emotional. Though provoking
This was way more enjoyable than I anticipated. The parallels between each of the women’s choices and the varying outcomes. Having to look at everything from everyone’s perspectives and see that everyone has a right to their feelings and choices no matter if you agreed or not. The power of the messages and themes. When Deja ask “Why the hell do Black women have to make choices like that?” It pulls so much of the story into focus. This is a story about choices. Why we make them, how we make them. The rationales we come up with. And the way our race, sex, tax bracket,etc effect the choice we end up being faced with.
Outside of the story I really enjoyed the writing style. Having multiple POVs and switching between them so you always knew how the other person in the conversation was feeling and processing the information and getting the story from the most beneficial perspective. Not only was it highly enjoyable and made the reading experience amazing it’s freaking impressive.
This was way more enjoyable than I anticipated. The parallels between each of the women’s choices and the varying outcomes. Having to look at everything from everyone’s perspectives and see that everyone has a right to their feelings and choices no matter if you agreed or not. The power of the messages and themes. When Deja ask “Why the hell do Black women have to make choices like that?” It pulls so much of the story into focus. This is a story about choices. Why we make them, how we make them. The rationales we come up with. And the way our race, sex, tax bracket,etc effect the choice we end up being faced with.
Outside of the story I really enjoyed the writing style. Having multiple POVs and switching between them so you always knew how the other person in the conversation was feeling and processing the information and getting the story from the most beneficial perspective. Not only was it highly enjoyable and made the reading experience amazing it’s freaking impressive.
December 15, 2025
Not exactly what I was expecting but still a very entertaining story. I feel like Tracy wrote real life. I feel like I know someone that lived this story… and that’s why I enjoy her writing.
Another sisterhood of women going through trials TOGETHER! This story had a different spin than Snapped & Aftermath but it was still good and entertaining. I could have used a bigger climax or more action but it was still good. Felt like an episode of New York Undercover with some romance sprinkled in.
Def going to read more by her.
Another sisterhood of women going through trials TOGETHER! This story had a different spin than Snapped & Aftermath but it was still good and entertaining. I could have used a bigger climax or more action but it was still good. Felt like an episode of New York Undercover with some romance sprinkled in.
Def going to read more by her.
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