POV: You pick up a book called Juneteenth by Toni Larue, and within the first few chapters, you’re holding your breath, side-eyeing the justice system, and wondering how one man is supposed to survive this level of pain.

I had the honor (yes, honor) of reading Juneteenth by Toni Larue, which drops TODAY June 16th. And let me just say… whew. Buckle up, because this one will have your heart in a headlock.

The story centers around Marcus a grieving father, a widower, and a man who’s just lost his 12-year-old son, Jamal Cooper, to a senseless act of violence. Brent Waller, a white man, accuses Jamal of stealing his wallet at a park and fatally shoots him. Despite Jamal being unarmed and twelve years old, Brent is found not guilty under the Stand Your Ground Law. Sound familiar? Yeah. This book hits way too close to home.

What follows is Marcus’s journey through the depths of grief, rage, and the unbearable weight of injustice. With his wife and child gone, Marcus is a man unraveling and eventually, he decides that if justice won’t be served by the system, he’ll serve it himself. And all of this is unfolding while a white supremacist group is secretly plotting a terrorist attack at the upcoming Juneteenth event where Jamal’s memorial is set to be revealed.

Let me just say this-Toni Larue did not come to play. The storytelling? Sharp. The pacing? Wild. The emotion? Heavy but necessary. I felt every ounce of Marcus’s pain, every drop of his rage. And honestly? I don’t blame him for what he did. Matter of fact…I would’ve turned the other way and acted like I didn’t see a damn thing.

I loved how Larue’ gave us multiple perspectives—judges, detectives, journalists, even Brent Waller. (And yes, I wanted to throw my book across the room during his chapter.) But it was the betrayal for me. The way some of these characters switched up so quick? My jaw was open. The brotherhood between Marcus and Eric gave this story depth. And Theo, the journalist? A whole fave. Also, I just know Eric is fine.

This book reads like a movie—raw, heartbreaking, and all too real. A courtroom drama meets emotional thriller meets modern-day social commentary. It’s bold, unapologetic, and powerful. Juneteenth isn’t just a story it’s a reflection of the pain, injustice, and rage that too many Black families still endure.

Please take care of yourself while reading this one. It’s intense, but it’s also necessary. And when you’re done, sit with it. Let it marinate.

Happy Reading. And Happy Juneteenth.

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Favorite Quotes:

🖤 “Jamal hadn’t been a part of the fight at all, he was just a kid, standing at an ice cream booth, waiting for his turn at the counter.”

🖤 “Brent Waller was dead, and it should have felt like justice, but it didn’t.”

🖤 “Let me find out you out here in these mothafuckin’ streets, playing superhero.”