Black Girls Must Have It All: A Novel (Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, 3)

In this final installment in the acclaimed Black Girls Must Die Exhausted trilogy, Tabitha is juggling work, relationships, and a newborn baby—but will she find the happy ending she’s always wanted?

After a whirlwind year, Tabitha Walker’s carefully organized plan to achieve the life she wanted—perfect job, dream husband, and stylish home—has gone off the rails. Her checklist now consists of diapers changed (infinite), showers taken (zero), tears cried (buckets), and hours of sleep (what’s that?).

Don't get her wrong, Tabby loves her new bundle of joy and motherhood is perhaps the only thing that's consistent for her these days. When the news station announces that they will be hiring outside competitors for the new anchor position, Tabby throws herself into her work. But it’s not just maintaining her position as the station’s weekend anchor that has her worried. All of her relationships seem to be shifting out of their regular orbits. Best friend Alexis can’t manage to strike the right balance in her “refurbished” marriage with Rob, and Laila’s gone from being a consistent ride-or-die to a newly minted entrepreneur trying to raise capital for her growing business. And when Marc presents her with an ultimatum about their relationship, coupled with an extended “visit” from his mother, Tabby is forced to take stock of her life and make a new plan for the future.

Consumed by work, motherhood, and love, Tabby finds herself isolated from her friends and family just when she needs them most. But help is always there when you ask for it, and Tabby’s village will once again rally around her as she comes to terms with her new life and faces her biggest challenge yet—choosing herself.

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Published Apr 11, 2023

288 pages

Average rating: 7.69

52 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Sunraes
Nov 18, 2025
3/10 stars
This was the final book in the installment, and while I wasn’t a big fan of the first book, my biblo-FOMO pushed me to finish the trilogy. I connected with this last book more than the others (though it’s still not a favorite). I appreciated the author’s message: choose yourself, embrace that there isn’t a conventional path to success, and remember we’re all works in progress—even within communities. It’s okay to prioritize yourself, and doing so isn’t selfish. With so much to carry daily and all the hats we wear, it can feel like everyone else is getting the best version of us—except us. This book gently reminds readers that what is meant for you will always find its way, and that showing up authentically matters—your unique gifts will always create space for you. I especially appreciated the grace woven throughout the story, not only for Tabby, the main character, but also for the friendships and connections she maintains along the way. In the end, Black Girls Must Have It All is a gentle nudge to show up for yourself fully, embrace your journey unapologetically, and trust that the life and opportunities meant for you will always find you.
LiterallyREaD
Aug 16, 2025
7/10 stars
This was the best of the series for me. It felt like an ending, tho I want to hear Laelah’s story. There’s something brewing there. Something interesting there.
sunnyysash
Jul 11, 2025
#3 to the series

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