Trapline Reads Book Reviews

  “Messy, Real, and Addictive—Urban Drama at Its Juiciest”.  Lady Lissa ’s My Baby Daddy’s Crazy New Bitch is a fast-paced, drama-filled ride that delivers exactly what the title promises—messy relationships, heated emotions, and the kind of back-and-forth that keeps readers turning pages. The story of Malayka and Zion feels relatable, especially for anyone who’s dealt with complicated “ baby mama/baby daddy ” situations. Malayka’s struggle to create a family and Zion’s hesitation to commit reflect real-life issues, and Krystal adds that explosive “crazy girlfriend” energy that fuels the drama. Lady Lissa knows how to keep readers hooked with tension, conflict, and raw emotion. That said, this isn’t a perfect read. The plot moves quickly, sometimes too quickly, leaving less room for deeper character development. Some parts feel repetitive, circling around the same arguments and emotions. Readers who want polished prose or layered storytelling might find it a little rough arou...

Keisha J. delivers another raw, emotionally gripping installment in Surrogate To a Corporate Savage . This sequel takes the tension, heartbreak, and passion of book one and turns it up a notch, forcing Kyomi and Yasiah into battles that test not only their relationship but their very sense of self. Kyomi’s journey is devastating yet powerful—her struggles with old wounds and fresh grief are written with such realism that you can feel her unraveling in real time. It’s the kind of emotional honesty that makes her easy to root for, even when the world around her is relentless. Yasiah, on the other hand, is the perfect counterweight: strong, calculating, used to control. Watching him wrestle between his empire and his heart adds depth to his character and makes his softer moments with Kyomi land even harder. What stands out most is Keisha J.’s ability to balance high-stakes drama with authentic love. The novel never loses its corporate-savage edge—deals, power moves, and dominance—but it a...

David Moore ’s The Players Ball is a high-octane ride through Statesboro ’s wildest weekend, capturing the grit, glamour, and chaos of a Southern spring break blowout where the stakes are as high as the hemlines. Set against the backdrop of Georgia Southern University ’s most notorious annual party, this urban fiction drama blends fast cars, dangerous men, and bad decisions into an addictive cocktail of lust, betrayal, and ambition. What I especially liked: The pacing is relentless in the best way—there’s barely a moment to breathe between yacht parties, strip club fights, and tense street corner standoffs. Moore’s dialogue pops with authenticity, from the sweet talk of hustlers to the cutting shade between rivals. Brielle and Naima stand out as layered female leads—one chasing clout, the other clawing her way to freedom—both with stakes that feel personal and urgent. The Statesboro setting is a character in itself: humid, pulsing, and alive with the sound of bass, engines, and whisp...

Del Sandeen’s This Cursed House is a lush, unsettling Southern gothic debut that masterfully blends supernatural horror with razor-sharp social commentary. Set in 1962 New Orleans , the novel follows Jemma Barker , a young Black woman seeking escape from her haunted life in Chicago , only to find herself entangled in the strange and cursed Duchon family . What I especially liked: Sandeen’s prose is rich and immersive, steeped in the sensory weight of the Louisiana setting—the oppressive heat, the scent of magnolia, the claustrophobic creak of an old house steeped in secrets. The portrayal of colorism within the Duchon family adds layers of tension beyond the supernatural, making the human conflicts just as chilling as the curse itself. Jemma is a compelling protagonist—flawed, intuitive, and deeply human—and the way she slowly unravels the family’s history feels both authentic and haunting. The pacing mirrors the genre’s best traditions, starting slow but steadily tightening the no...

A. Roy Milligan ’s Women Lie Men Lie is a bold, high-octane entry into the urban fiction scene, blending street grit, steamy romance, and a razor-edged crime plot that pulls no punches. Set in Pontiac and Detroit , this debut takes readers deep into the hustle of JC —a freshly released ex-con determined never to go back inside. But instead of corner hustles and dope runs, JC finds a new game: seducing lonely, wealthy women on Facebook and turning charm into cold cash, cars, and luxury living. Milligan doesn’t waste time dressing up JC as a hero—he’s a deeply flawed protagonist whose charisma, six-pack swagger, and ruthless streak make him equal parts magnetic and dangerous. The book balances the thrill of JC’s scams with the tension of his entanglement with Kelly , the one woman who just might have his heart. Kelly’s suspicion about JC’s past, combined with the looming threat of drug cartel enemies, cranks the suspense higher with each chapter. The pacing is fast and addictive, with...

Tiece’s I Need Love is a raw and emotional hood romance that doesn’t shy away from the darker corners of life, while still delivering the hope and passion that fans of the genre crave. Scarlett Harper is a character you can’t help but root for—a small-town country girl with beauty, humility, and a quiet strength buried under layers of insecurity. Tiece crafts her backstory with heartbreaking realism, from the emotional and physical abuse of her unfit mother to the ultimate betrayal of a so-called best friend. The novel’s pacing is tight, and the stakes rise quickly. Just when Scarlett begins to taste the sweetness of love and stability, thanks to the kindness of an older woman who sees her worth, her past comes crashing back with a vengeance. The tension between her desire to move forward and the ghosts determined to pull her back is gripping. Tiece’s strength lies in writing flawed, authentic characters and weaving in the messy realities of love, trust, and redemption. The romance ...

Tiece’s The First Wife delivers a heartfelt and emotionally charged blend of urban fiction and romance that grips you from the very first chapter. What begins as the innocent world of four-year-old Myanna Capone —showered with love and security—quickly shatters when tragedy strikes close to home. That pivotal moment sets the tone for a story that is as much about loss and survival as it is about love and second chances. The novel’s emotional depth comes not only from Myanna’s journey but also from Dr. Elise Harris , a woman who knows heartbreak intimately and has built walls around her heart because of it. Fate intertwines their paths, and the way Tiece navigates their shared pain—while also exploring themes of resilience, healing , and the redefining of love—is both touching and authentic. What makes The First Wife stand out is Tiece’s ability to balance raw, real-life struggles with moments of warmth and hope. The supporting cast of family and friends adds layers to the narrative...

In Street Rhythms , Denise Smith and David Moore drop readers into the high-stakes collision of music, money, and street survival in the heart of Los Angeles . The beats are hot, the drama is hotter, and the betrayals cut deep. Dante is a gifted rapper with the kind of raw talent that could take him from open mics to sold-out arenas — if the streets don’t claim him first. LA’s music scene offers him opportunity, but it comes tangled with dangerous temptations: women looking for their way out, producers with shadowy motives, and a city that eats ambition alive. When the ultimate betrayal hits from someone close, Dante learns fast that in this game, loyalty is the rarest currency. Smith and Moore keep the tension tight, balancing gritty realism with an insider’s ear for dialogue. The characters feel lived-in, their motives messy but believable. Dante’s arc is as much about self-preservation as it is about chasing his dream, making every win feel hard-earned. What I Loved The ...

Wahida Clark ’s Thugs and the Women Who Love Them isn’t just a novel — it’s an initiation into the raw, dangerous, and addictive world of urban street life. As the first book in her now-legendary Thug Series , this story lays the groundwork for a saga built on love, betrayal, and survival in the hood. We meet Angel, Jaz, and Kyra — three women standing at a crossroads between escaping the ghetto and being pulled deeper into it by the men they can’t seem to let go of. Clark doesn’t sugarcoat their choices: the men are lying, pimping, drug-dealing, and violent, yet magnetic enough to keep these women coming back. From jealous rampages to bloody turf wars, every chapter brims with tension. The women’s double lives — working hard to build better futures while being tied to dangerous lovers — create a constant push and pull between hope and destruction. The result is a gritty page-turner that captures both the thrill and the high cost of life on the edge. What I Loved The authentic...

Taniece McDaniel closes her trilogy with a finale that hits every emotional nerve — love, grief, betrayal, and the fight to hold it all together when the past refuses to stay buried. Four years into their marriage, Pre and Luciano seem to have the life they fought for — a home filled with love, stability, and family. Luciano is everything Pre never thought she’d have: a man who protects, provides, and makes her feel safe. But tragedy has a way of changing the rules, and the loss they face threatens to crack the foundation they built together. Luciano has been savoring his peace, thinking old enemies were gone for good. But secrets buried deep have a way of clawing their way back, and when the past resurfaces, it threatens to take everything — and everyone — he loves. Meanwhile, Olympic gold medalist Melody has conquered her career but still longs for something deeper. When an old flame returns, she sees her chance at the one thing money and fame couldn’t give her — a family. McD...

Lory Wallace comes back swinging in This Moment in Time 3 , delivering the most intense and emotionally charged installment of the series yet. The stakes are higher, the relationships are more complicated, and the consequences hit harder than ever before. By book three, these characters are fully lived-in — layered, flawed, and painfully human. The love stories at the heart of the series have always been messy, but here the mess is explosive. Secrets that have been simmering finally boil over, and every choice feels like it could change the trajectory of a life forever. Wallace ’s pacing is tight, her dialogue sharp, and the emotional beats land with impact. Whether it’s a quiet, vulnerable confession or a blowout fight, every scene feels charged with the history of what’s come before. What I Loved The evolution of the characters – Growth, setbacks, and all the complicated in-betweens. The payoff – Storylines from earlier books come full circle in ways that feel earned. ...

Darren “Dice” Bleeker isn’t your average king of the court. A star college basketball player, BBW lover, and heir to pure, clean generational wealth , he’s living a life most men only dream about — without a drop of street hustle in the mix. But in Toxic II , author [Name] reminds us that money doesn’t erase pain, and privilege can’t bury a legacy of secrets. Dice ’s world is all high ceilings and glass walls, but beneath the shine are cracks big enough to swallow him whole. Generational curses , buried betrayals, and forbidden entanglements weave through his story, pulling him into situations where charm and talent can’t protect him. And when murder enters the picture, Dice has to decide whether he’s ready to face the darkness in his bloodline — or keep pretending it doesn’t exist. This sequel isn’t just about romance; it’s about legacy, identity, and how even the golden boy can get pulled into the shadows. What I Loved Dice’s complexity – A mix of swagger , vulnerability, an...

In Secrets of a Side Chick , love isn’t pure, loyalty isn’t guaranteed, and truth is just another weapon. David Moore and Denise Smith pull readers into a tangled web of romance, betrayal , and power plays where every character has something to hide — and something to lose. The story centers on a woman who finds herself entangled with a man who is as dangerous as he is irresistible. What starts as passion quickly spirals into a high-stakes game of manipulation, where being the “other woman” means walking a fine line between fantasy and disaster. But the deeper she goes, the more she realizes she’s not the only one with secrets — and that some truths can destroy more than just relationships. It’s a fast-paced, emotionally charged ride that lays bare the messy reality behind infidelity , ambition , and survival in a world where everyone’s playing for keeps. What I Loved The layered drama – Every chapter peels back another lie, keeping the tension high. The moral complexity ...

  Shaniquah had the life people envy—her own thriving business, loyal friends, and a man she believed had her back. But Malik , her smooth-talking fiancé, was playing a whole different game. When the truth comes out—lies, betrayal, and a side chick named Sasha —Shaniquah’s world doesn’t just crack, it explodes. Instead of falling apart, Shaniquah links up with the one woman she should hate most—Sasha. What starts as an uneasy alliance turns into a dangerous partnership, both of them laser-focused on dismantling Malik’s life piece by piece. But in the world of love and lies, revenge isn’t a straight line—it’s a maze. Malik isn’t going down without a fight, and every move Shaniquah makes forces her to face not just her enemies, but her own scars. This isn’t just a story about payback—it’s about power, resilience, and what happens when a woman decides she’s done playing nice. What I Loved The Shaniquah–Sasha dynamic – Two women caught in the same betrayal flipping the script t...

  Nova has never had it easy. Raised by parents lost to addiction, she’s had to hustle her way through life, making choices that blur the line between survival and self-destruction. Her loyalty belongs to Sensation , her boyfriend doing time for stolen goods—a man she swears to stand by no matter what. But everything changes when Master , Sensation’s older brother, steps in. At 38, he’s the man Sensation wishes he could be: respected, feared, and running H-town with an iron grip. Master’s power is intoxicating, and Nova can’t resist. What starts as temptation becomes full-blown passion, leaving Sensation’s memory in the dust. The fallout is inevitable. When Sensation comes home to find his girl in his brother’s arms, the streets are primed for betrayal, vengeance, and heartbreak. Jade Jones delivers a raw, addictive ride through love triangles, loyalty tests, and the kind of messy romance that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. What I Loved Nova’s complexity – ...

In this gritty ATL love story, loyalty and truth crash headfirst into dishonesty and deceit, and the fallout is as messy as the streets themselves. Quia and Method Santone are far from your average husband-and-wife duo. Method’s a reformed hustla, trying hard to shed his past and walk the straight-and-narrow for his family’s sake. But swapping the block for a security job at his father-in-law’s mega church —a man who despises him—comes with its own landmines. What starts as a shot at redemption quickly turns into a reminder that even when you leave the hustle behind, the hustle doesn’t leave you. Meanwhile, Quia has lived her life wrapped in silk and gold, the daughter of a kingpin turned pastor. Spoiled doesn’t begin to cover it, but her perfect-on-paper life hides cracks deep enough to swallow her whole. Behind closed doors, it’s less fairy tale and more slow-burn nightmare. Tameka Harris crafts a relationship drama layered with class divides , family tension, and the question ...

Nothing but Lust To Give dives straight into the heat of desire, deception, and the blurred lines between passion and destruction. From page one, this is not your standard love story — it’s a raw, unapologetic ride through lust -fueled decisions that leave no one untouched. The central relationship is magnetic but dangerous , built on instant chemistry and shaky trust . Every encounter burns hot, but the fire threatens to consume more than just the sheets — reputations, friendships, and futures hang in the balance. As secrets surface and tempers flare, the question becomes whether this connection is worth saving… or whether it was always doomed from the start. This is urban romance at its boldest — high heat, high stakes, and no guarantees. What I Loved The intensity – Every scene hums with tension, whether it’s physical or emotional. The honesty – No sugar-coating; characters make messy, human choices. The pacing – Quick chapters keep the momentum and drama high. ...