Hold You Down: A Novel

Written by Tracy Brown

Narrated by Patryce Williams

Hold You Down is an edgy novel from rising star Tracy Brown about the perils of love and the ties that bind…

New York City. Late 1980s to early 1990s.

Mercy and Lenox Howard have always only had each other. Growing up on the mean streets of Harlem with an absentee mother meant that they had to have each other's backs. Now young, smart mothers they are determined to survive in New York City while raising their two sons, who have bright futures ahead of them.

Mercy is the quiet, straight laced hospital administrator, struggling to make ends meet. At night and on weekends, she pours her heart into her cooking and her dream of owning her own restaurant. Lenox is the diva, the wild child, looking for excitement and her big come up in life and love. Their boys, Deon and Judah, have been raised more like brothers than cousins, forging a bond that is unbreakable.

When Lenox heads down a path that she believes will bring success and power, it changes the entire course of her life and her family’s life forever. As a result of their mother’s choices, cousins Deon and Judah soon find themselves in uncharted territory.

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio
• Release date: Nov 1, 2022
• ISBN: 9781250868800

Tracy Brown

Tracy Brown is the Essence bestselling author of Boss; White Lines, White Lines II: Sunny, White Lines III: All Falls Down, Aftermath, Snapped, Twisted, Criminal Minded, Black and Dime Piece. She passed away two days after turning in Brooklyn—her final, and arguably best, book. The African Americans on the Move Book Club bestowed their Urban Classic Honor Award on Tracy's White Lines series in celebration of her legacy and impact on the literary world.

Reviews for Hold You Down

[Tamara Lyons · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book left me feeling sad and empty. A tragic hood tale!

[Brittney Perry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a great book! I hated the narrator, but the storyline was amazing.

[kinkynaturalsaved · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love it.. So many emotions I felt but it was really good

[Bianca Calloway · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was so true for so many black boys and men. It touches on the everyday struggle and the hopes and deeams of doing better, getting out, and the crabs in the barrel concept.

[Bianca Gaither · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The reader made this book very difficult to finish. She sounded as though she was stuffy or had a cold and the voices for the characters were not great at all. The book was ok. There was just one bad thing after the next and after a while it just got to be over the top. I had a hard time pressing toward the end. I hope they can find another reader for any other books she writes.

[Jessica Jackson · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The narrator was horrible and I felt like a child being read a children’s book. Only kept listening because of all the twists happening in the book but then the end sucked.

[Ozzy Pooh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Literally had me at work, ugly crying ??‍♀️.. Great book

[Cassandra Colbert Ceasar · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

It’s not the book that’s the problem… it’s the narrator on the audio version. She made it VERY hard to get into the book. After the first few minutes, I knew I was going to regret getting the audio version. Good story. Good lessons. Horrible narration.

[Queen Audiobook · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This book took me through the emotional trenches!! BUT it is brilliantly written and makes you invested in every character!! I loved the narrator!!

[ashlee · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book was wild! Nothing how I excited. It reminded me of The Coldest Winter ever and Moth to Flame. Def a hood/urban book with some great writing. The narrator voice was funny at times, but it did not bother me. Great job, Tracy Brown!

[Mama BearDee · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved it! Wasn’t expecting the ending, but still a good read

[Rita Flowers · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great story…sad but true as to family dynamics. Recommend

[Elle Lauture · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story was out of the norm for me. But I'm glad I stuck with it. I agree with another reviewer about the narration. The reader's style was a bit distracting for me but the story line kept my interest. Bravo to the author for a well written story.

[Stephanie Hines · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read but tough! They couldn’t catch a break. After the first big thing I had to take a break for a few.. I… was… Sobbing throughout!

[Linda Smith · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful story! I couldn’t put the book down omgoodness great!!!

[Mimi Jenkins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Whew!! This book was like real life unfolding…I almost stopped reading sooo many times. Like in the movies when you’re telling the characters not to open the basement door ?. Can’t say if I’d read it again. Too close to my own life/family stories and drama but overall pretty good read.

[Rose Chevallier · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book had my emotions up down and sideways. All parties in this book seem just one decision shy of living the life they wanted to live vs. how they were actually living. Excellent book, a definite page turner!