The Boy in the Black Suit received mixed reviews from critics, who often found the plot to be lacking, despite strongly-written characters.

Publishers Weekly referred to The Boy in the Black Suit as "an affecting story,"[1] while Kirkus Reviews called it "a vivid, satisfying and ultimately upbeat tale of grief, redemption and grace.

"[3] Booklist's Michael Cart called the protagonist "a wonderfully sympathetic, multidimensional character whose voice is a perfect match for the material and whose relationships [...] are beautifully realized.

They pointed to "coincidences and plot twists" that "detract from the impact of the story as it develops", as well as the fact that the "romantic interest [...] doesn’t come on the scene until halfway through the book, and the wait feels long.

Endings wrapped up like presents are not the right thing for every book, but some of these subplots [...] are tied to characters whose lives were so integral to the main story.