Black Girls Must Die Exhausted: A Novel

Written by Jayne Allen

Narrated by Marcella Cox

“It’s a good thing that this is only the first book of a trilogy, because after getting to know Tabitha, you won’t want to leave her at the end. . . . Written intimately as if you’re peering into the mind of a close friend, this book is a true testament to the stresses on women today and how great girlfriends (and grandmothers) are often the key to our sanity.”  — Good Morning America

The first novel in a captivating three-book series about modern womanhood, in which a young Black woman must rely on courage, laughter, and love—and the support of her two longtime friends—to overcome an unexpected setback that threatens the most precious thing she’s ever wanted.

Tabitha Walker is a black woman with a plan to “have it all.” At 33 years old, the checklist for the life of her dreams is well underway. Education? Check. Good job? Check. Down payment for a nice house? Check. Dating marriage material? Check, check, and check. With a coveted position as a local news reporter, a ""paper-perfect"" boyfriend, and even a standing Saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, everything seems to be falling into place.

Then Tabby receives an unexpected diagnosis that brings her picture-perfect life crashing down, jeopardizing the keystone she took for granted: having children. With her dreams at risk of falling through the cracks of her checklist, suddenly she is faced with an impossible choice between her career, her dream home, and a family of her own.

 With the help of her best friends, the irreverent and headstrong Laila and Alexis, the mom jeans-wearing former ""Sexy Lexi,"" and the generational wisdom of her grandmother and the nonagenarian firebrand Ms. Gretchen, Tabby explores the reaches of modern medicine and tests the limits of her relationships, hoping to salvage the future she always dreamed of. But the fight is all consuming, demanding a steep price that forces an honest reckoning for nearly everyone in her life. As Tabby soon learns, her grandmother's age-old adage just might still be true: Black girls must die exhausted.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperAudio
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780063143531

Jayne Allen

Jayne Allen is a writer, producer, entrepreneur, and forever recovering lawyer. She is a proud native of Detroit and graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School. Purposeful in centering and celebrating black women's societal contributions, Allen crafts transcultural stories exploring contemporary issues such as modern relationships, workplace and career dynamics, and the complexities of race. Her common themes include mental and physical health and highlight the importance of self-love and self-care—all with a healthy dose of warmth and humor. Allen is also the author of the bestselling Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy, currently being adapted for television. She lives in Los Angeles.

Reviews for Black Girls Must Die Exhausted

[Aneesha · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's honestly difficult to find a story about a regular African-American woman in the US...I say that as an AA woman living in the states who searches for books that have characters similar to me. This book was relatable, down to earth and heartfelt and it was nice for a change. I've felt a lot of the same emotions that the main character mentioned and the author was able to put it into words.

[whitney4franklin · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Ok.! Where do I begin? Let's start with the title. I loveddd this title. It's actually what drew me in and made me want to read this book. The title was so loaded that it hyped up my expectations for what this book would be about. I've been reading a lot of Nigerian novels lately and nigerian-american novels as well (Shout out to Americanah) so I was really intrigued by this one and hoped that it would be as scintillating as my more recent reads.

However, personally, the content of the book did not really live up to the expectations created by the title. I thought the substance of the book to be a bit shallow, but probably because the title made me think it was going to be something really deep. Jumping into Tabby's experience as a mixed woman living in LA, I found her interaction with the police officer at the beginning to be so overly dramatic that I just could not buy into it. (Bear in mind, I am not Afro-American so I appreciate that their reality is different from mine). Because of that, I read the entire book with the notion that Tabitha is just an insanely dramatic woman with a one-sided view of things. I also had a hard time getting caught up in this love story between her and Mark. I just kept thinking, "Girl BYE! Dump him and move on". I also felt a little cheated because I had no idea what happened to Dr Todd.

Nevertheless, false hopes set aside, it wasn't a bad story. It dealt with some big issues and it seemed like the kind of story I could see myself watching a Netlfix series about. I just didn't love reading it. On the flip side, the ending left me wanting more just like the end of a telenovela, so I immediately ran to find the sequel and began making my way through that one. Review on that one "Black Girls Must Be Magic" coming soon.

[Marita Anderson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was phenomenal. It's like I was every character in this book at times. One of my best reads this year. Marcella Cox does a magnificent job with the narration.

[Takisha Watson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderfully written story; expressing many of the thoughts that I have but never find the words to say. The narrator was great as well.

[Tamara · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

That was good easy read,,, can't wait to finish the series.

[Chantelle Gordon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A brilliant, dynamic, nuanced look into an experience of living in a female body cloaked, melatonated skin.

[Jo'Van Prater · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was amazing! The real life events that tied fiction to reality were great! Plus I was able to relate to almost each of these characters in different ways. THIS was a GREAT read! I’m now a fan of this author!

[Kayla Pratt · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

And just like that I devoured this book!

It was so good. So relatable. I mean everything relatable. I felt Tabitha's pain for this entire book. I understood her. And I enjoyed this so much.

4.5 stars

[Emily Preun · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

3.5 stars for me. I loved the subject matter and perspective but wish it would have been fleshed out more in some areas.

[Kaelie Storm · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The treatment of issues middle aged women face was well done. Beautiful written

[Ms Jae Hicks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great listen. I can't wait to read the next book.

[Nadine Cunningham · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the 2nd one!

[Angela Williams-Tourreau · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a must read for all black women, for all women. The advice from Ms. Gretchen, the mentors, the overall story is just beautiful. I love it, it made me cry, it made me smile, and I would even talk back when I didn't agree with Tabby's decisions. I was in a trance, and I loved it. Beautifully written

[Talique Phillips · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing!!! Love love loved this book. Highly recommended twas a great listen

[Mishanna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I didn't know what to expect but this was truly a story of relationships. Friendships, family, professional, personal, self... the topics hit are real life issues. I appreciated every turn of this book.

[danila · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautify performed. Excellent writing. The plot flowed effortlessly. The characters were extremely relatable and this was an easy read. 5 stars. I look forward to reading more of her work

[C'LitaMarieTaitano · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I love the authenticity of Tabitha and the balance that she had to deal with as a black woman struggling with family, relationship, and fertility.

[Brenda Shealey Steele · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The emotions were real. I could relate to every character! A must read. Great author

[Adriaunna Fisher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This tearjerker has been one of the best novels I’ve read. Jayne does such a great job telling the stories of different women from many different backgrounds while tapping into the reality of todays climate. I loved it.

[maureen mario · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing read.... Love! love! love! The narrator understood the assignment!

[NJERI GITHONGO · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really enjoyed this read the story was very well written and kept me hooked and interested to know what would happen next

[Jerae Hargrave · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It started a little slow for me but was worth every second !! I laughed, cried, “WTF’d!?” Lol Very well written