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, Violence, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Addiction
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: Violence, Death, Rape, Death of parent, Drug use, and Murder
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Blood and Suicidal thoughts
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