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wherethewildreadsare's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Hold You Down was a deeply emotional book about the injustices that plague the Black community. This is centered around 1980/1990's, during the rise of Crack in black communities. Two sisters, Mercy and Lennox, live in one of the NYC burroughs each with their young sons. Lennox's choices of entering the Crack business set the family on a path of loss, violence, and pain. But there is deep love within the family. Hold You Down is an example of many stories of Black families impacted by drugs. Brown does a great job describing the elements of racism that Black individuals receive from police as well as the justice system.
I can honestly say that I didn't expect this to be as gripping or brutally honest as it was. So much tragedy. I wish I had looked into some TW to prepare for some of the heavy content.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for the honest review.
I can honestly say that I didn't expect this to be as gripping or brutally honest as it was. So much tragedy. I wish I had looked into some TW to prepare for some of the heavy content.
Thank you St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for the honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Gun violence, Rape, and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Violence, and Murder
mrsnwankwo57's review
emotional
fast-paced
5.0
Love the book. Definitely a page Turner. I love the family dynamic. Also there is a great lesson in the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Violence
torrie_reads's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
Review
When I say this book made me cry, I mean it made me bawl. I had to stop reading because I couldn't see. Books make me tear up or feel sad. But very few books make me this emotional. And I think that speaks to Brown's ability to make us create a connection with her characters.
This family feels like it could be your family, so when bad things start happening to them it makes it even worse.
There were a couple of things I didn't like but they were completely personal things and it might not bother others. And I wouldn't want that to take away from the book as a whole. There was a specific story to tell here and Brown told it perfectly.
This is a book with a lot of parts but at its heart it is the story of generational trauma and the possible consequences of one person's actions. This is book heavy and graphic so please check warnings before reading if there are things that are hard for you to read.
But I am really looking forward to more discussions about this one.
When I say this book made me cry, I mean it made me bawl. I had to stop reading because I couldn't see. Books make me tear up or feel sad. But very few books make me this emotional. And I think that speaks to Brown's ability to make us create a connection with her characters.
This family feels like it could be your family, so when bad things start happening to them it makes it even worse.
There were a couple of things I didn't like but they were completely personal things and it might not bother others. And I wouldn't want that to take away from the book as a whole. There was a specific story to tell here and Brown told it perfectly.
This is a book with a lot of parts but at its heart it is the story of generational trauma and the possible consequences of one person's actions. This is book heavy and graphic so please check warnings before reading if there are things that are hard for you to read.
But I am really looking forward to more discussions about this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction
apieceofjaaay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Super traumatic, limited relief. good writing and story telling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Violence, and Death of parent
duckyreads's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
In Hold You Down, Tracy Brown focuses on the story of Lenox and Mercy Howard, two sisters that depended on each other because of their absentee mother. The story opens with them as young mothers focusing on how they are going to survive and raise their two sons in New York City in the 1980s. Mercy is the more reserved sister of the two and mother to Judah, a sweet and smart young boy. Lenox is the fiery sister and mother to Deon, a boy that constantly looks for adventure. When an opportunity for Lenox to make more money and provide for their family, she chooses a path that will transform all of their lives. Hold You Down is a complex and well crafted story that focuses on family dynamics and how small choices have significant consequences. The characters felt very real, and there were many moments when I had to put the book down to catch myself. The characters make some decisions that seem horrible to the reader, but when placing yourself in their situations, it is easy to sympathize with them.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Rape, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Toxic relationship, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Blood
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