Welfare Wifeys

Hood Rat #4

by K'wan

After the deaths and arrests of his entire crew and an informant-fueled investigation into his past, the man known on the streets as Animal relocates to Texas and finds fame and stardom as the newest act signed to the notorious Big Dawg Entertainment. His girlfriend, Gucci, is thrilled when she gets the news that he's coming back to New York on a promotional tour, but when she discovers the hidden agenda behind his homecoming nothing can prepare her for the life-altering consequences that will come of it.

There goes the neighborhood . . . again.

Genres: Urban, Audiobook, African American

352 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2010

About the author

In 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.

http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan

Reviews

[Demetrius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let's fast forward. Animal is now signed to Don B’s record label, Big Dawg Entertainment, and he is making more money than he could ever imagine. With all this new fame and the love of his life by his side, life seems to be going well, but like they always say, with more money comes more problems. With all of Animal’s mentors dead, Animal is now the big homie! Let’s follow along as we see how Animal juggles his newfound fame and the streets. Also, we learn about Gucci’s family history and discover that she’s more than just a pretty face.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Diana Townsend · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well... this book is mainly about a guy named Animal and his urge to kill everyone to avenge the death of someone close to him. Then you have the "Welfare Wifeys" who are broke but sleep around with ballers. I don't quite understand this logic, because even one of their Grandma's is like, how in the hell are you giving it away but always broke. Once again, the females are always played stupid while the men have all the cash. Lame. Also, I really didn't like how K'Wan felt the need to give himself a shout out in the book, that is so thirsty to me. Overall, the book is decent and long, not long like too many pages but long like not enough action. It's a slow read but picks up near the end.

[K2 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a GoodRead!!! I So Love The BoogeyMan....lol

[dianne b. · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have no idea how to rate this book. it was suggested to me as a good example of hip-hop, street-lit, urban fiction. Absolutely urban.
It is well written but so full of violence, self-hate and misogyny that it was often painful to read. Despite characters that commit heinous, totally unconscionable acts, somehow K'wan makes them human; quite the gift. When they cross lines that would normally define (for me) a limit of my (disbelief-suspended) compassion - i still want to know what happens to them.
In my "real life" i have spent decades working in "containment areas" - the worst neighborhoods around, and although i've seen a lot, i've never seen cruelty, so deep and so wide.

[Keeping.Volumes.Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, that was a lot to take in! 😲 There were so many characters that it had my head spinning for a bit. But I really enjoyed the story because there was always something happening with each character. Plus, there were some real gems sprinkled throughout, which made me smile!

[Carol Hornsby-mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? Simply awesome! I don't know how you keep coming up with all these ghetto names, but amazing enough I'm managing to keep up. I fill in love with animal when he was a child and I can't seem too let him go. Even his connection with Gucci is so surreal. There would be no Hood Rat without the two of them.

[Nay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the read but I was 75% done with the book before I could figure out who was who and what was what. There were too many side characters and seperate stories. It would have been better if the story had just focused on Animal and Malika.

[Danita Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

K'wan has not disappoint me when reading his books. Welfare wife's is no different. I'm sorry they got Animal but some1 saved his ass, I hope. And I hope him and Gucci hang in there. On 2 part 5.

[S. Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ONLY GOT THIS BOOK & ITS AUDIO BOOK BECAUSE OF MY LOVE FOR THE CHARACTERS ANIMAL & GUCCI! I WAS GLAD TO SEE THEM TOGETHER & PLANNING A LIFE AWAY FROM NY!
I STILL DON'T LIKE FEMALES IN THE HOOD FIGHTING OVER THE GOOFIEST STUFF ON THE PLANET NOR DO I SUPPORT ANY CHARACTERS DRUGGING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING WOMEN & VIDEO RECORDING IT TO DISPLAY FOR OTHERS TO SEE AS A FORM OF REVENGE!
AS IT PERTAINS TO GUCCI & ANIMAL'S RELATIONSHIP ALMOST COMING TO AN END & ANIMAL BEING HAULED OFF HEADING TO JAIL ONLY TO BE RESCUED BY HIS BROTHER JUSTICE AND THAT GREEN-EYED DEVIL I LIKED THE CLIFFHANGER, BUT HATED THAT GUCCI IS LEFT TO BELIEVE THAT OUR MAN ANIMAL IS DEAD!
FOR ME IT'S STILL ANIMAL, GUCCI, ZO-POUND, ASHANTI, & NOW PORSCHE!

[Starsz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find that I like this author's work in "audio version." As long as his work comes in audio version, that's what I will select!! **

; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ; ;



The correct order to read the Hood Rat Novel series is: Hood Rat, Still Hood, Section 8, Welfare Wifeys, Eviction Notice, & Animal. FYI readers: "The Leak" is a prequel of "Welfare Wifeys"; "The First & Fifteenth" is intro to "No Shade"; "No Shade" is a prequel to "Eviction Notice"; "Ghetto Bastard is the beginning of the Animal series. This is why the books are listed in such order.

In the 3rd installment of the Hood Rat Novel Series: Section 8, Animal is mentioned on page 48, but he's fully introduced on page 80; however, his first-time wrecking havoc is on page 91 as a frail, little, wild-haired boy who introduced himself as Animal on page 92.

In my opinion, The Leak should be a prequel to Section 8.

[Shakeisha Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

K'Wan has showed his skills with this one! Very good plot and stories of the hood, but it seemed more of the stories were focused on the men instead of the "welfare wifeys". My biggest dislike was the introduction so many characters I had to remember who was who and how they were connected. The ending was great, I have to know what happens to Animal. I love his menacing character, and that sweet side of him when it came to his woman. He was definitely a beast in the streets, but knew how to love... well her at least. This is a must read in my eye; will be reading the next book "Animal" to get the scope on this guy.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was GOOD!!! I can't really go into details but I will say this Don B escapes the grim reaper once again ( every time you think he's going to die he just misses that bullet) smh!
Animal is Always in a pinch but manages to escape ( we should call him the Illusionist because he always disappears at the last minute) Will the Animal finally be caged? Will Don B ever catch that fateful bullet? In the Hood Rat series it always drama with a twist that keeps us coming back for more. Read the series for a great escape and an inside look into the lives of some unforgettable and interesting characters.

[Jessica French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is Don B so important in these series? I am sick of him, he gets away again with his rapist escapades. Ugh. The books was okay, some of the characters and their stories are random and don’t seem to fit in the book’s series, it’s a bunch of stories that don’t connect. I want to read more about Animal and Gucci, he is the break out star in these books. The other random characters we can read less of. The ending of the books in this series have you wanting to read more to see what happened to the characters in the next book. But the next book doesn't give you closure.

[Porsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

My review in 6 words: a reunion of sorts
This is the first Hood Rat book that does not have a GANG of Hood Rats (in my opinion). It is only 2 newbies: Malika and Jada. Now, as my mini review suggests, there are a lot of returning characters that resurface, some are a surprise and others are not. But the surprises are intense in this book, I literally had moments when I was like damn so thats what happened to ???. And then at the end, I was like naw mane it can't be? That's not possible. In true Hood Rat fashion, this book has a drama filled plot and you will enjoy it from start to finish.

[Quan · Rating 5 out of 5]

K'wan is a talented dude. Everything that he writes is a banger! Animal is the dude. Them two detectives got on my nerve so I am glad that they are gone. I love Ms. Pat, she was funny as hell. I can't wait to read Eviction Notice because I want to see what's going to happen with Jada and Cutty and Animal and Gucci.

[Marquita George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read!! After reading this, I had to read Animal because I wanted to know what happened after this was written. I really wish Animal had made it in the music industry though, giving him and Gucci a life to look forward to. From reading this book, I could really tell growing up in the hood is a true struggle.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really good writing style. Book had a bit too much going on though. I wasn't even sure of the point of the book until I was about 2/3 in, which made for a very long read considering I couldn't really get into it until then.

[Jazzmyn Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another installment in this series that i loved! It can be hard to keep up with all of his characters but Kwan is great at making it seem effortless with a great storyline! Love me some Gucci and Animal and cant wait to read the next one...

[Lacie smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm currently reading backwards but I still love all the books the have animal in them

Love all of Kwan books but fell in love with the character animal. Can't wait till his next debut I'm ready

[Briana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know what to say. Excellent writing as normal. There could be ten storylines within the book and by the end K’wan flawlessly ties them all together. I couldn’t put this book down. I keep reading the series to find out what going to happen next.

[Carrie Campbell-jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Much Suspense!! What a great follow up to the Hood Rat series and characters! It was so good hearing the different story lines and making the connections from the previous books. Can’t wait to hear the continuation… Now on to EVICTION NOTICE!!

[Shonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read

[Philly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can't wait to read the continuation.

[Leona Romich · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Rashondra Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from start to finish, can''t wait to see what happens to Animail, Cutty, Jada, Gucci and Ashanti!

[SlimmGoodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book! His writing is so real!!!

[Evin Ellington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly gritty and real

[Vanessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

blAh

I liked the end that's all. Too much characters where is yoshi and everybody else from the first book blAh

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was cool , I just wish their was more of Gucci & Animal together !!! the ending made no sense but I still enjoyed it a little bit

[La · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like how everyone has their own story and we still get to observe them together.