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A Hustler's Wife #3
Heartbreak of a Hustler's Wife
Long live the Queen of Hip Hop Lit!
Nikki Turner is back with another explosive, page-turning sequel to her #1 bestselling novels A Hustler’s Wife and Forever a Hustler’s Wife.
Yarni Taylor is a successful corporate attorney who wants nothing more than for her husband, Des, to renounce his hustlin’ ways and commit to his life as a pastor—especially after someone tries to kill him. But Des isn’t ready to abandon his old habits just yet. He has to find out who is behind the murder attempt, and he wonders if the brazen robbery that took place during one of his church services is related in any way. But before he or Yarni can regain their footing, a young woman shows up on their doorstep—Desember Day, the eighteen-year-old daughter Des never knew he had. And, unfortunately, she takes after her father, so trouble isn’t far behind.
With their lives on the line, Yarni must sacrifice everything and take it out of the office and back to the streets to save her husband and her family from their checkered but intricately connected pasts.
Nikki Turner is back with another explosive, page-turning sequel to her #1 bestselling novels A Hustler’s Wife and Forever a Hustler’s Wife.
Yarni Taylor is a successful corporate attorney who wants nothing more than for her husband, Des, to renounce his hustlin’ ways and commit to his life as a pastor—especially after someone tries to kill him. But Des isn’t ready to abandon his old habits just yet. He has to find out who is behind the murder attempt, and he wonders if the brazen robbery that took place during one of his church services is related in any way. But before he or Yarni can regain their footing, a young woman shows up on their doorstep—Desember Day, the eighteen-year-old daughter Des never knew he had. And, unfortunately, she takes after her father, so trouble isn’t far behind.
With their lives on the line, Yarni must sacrifice everything and take it out of the office and back to the streets to save her husband and her family from their checkered but intricately connected pasts.
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
55 people are currently reading
1204 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Turner
60 books885 followersAfter Nikki Turner read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah she was dismayed that there weren't other books like it. "I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read," said the bestselling author, whose 2002 debut novel, A Hustler's Wife, would go on to sell more than a few 100,000 copies.
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."
(Taken from author's website)
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."
(Taken from author's website)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
November 21, 2017
Wooty series! entertaining,unanswered questions left us the readers twisting in the wind for 'the whys',nice plotline and not too disappointing of a storyline (paperback!)
January 17, 2012
It was ok, certainly passed the time at a job i HATED! lol
June 29, 2023
Really it's just going to end like that .I have to many question.
Read
July 1, 2014A quick disclaimer before I jump into the actual review: In preparation for an urban fiction genre study at work, I am reading several popular titles/authors. Because urban fiction is geared primarily towards an African American audience, it's not my place to judge the quality of these novels. Therefore, I will only try to highlight the characteristics of each story & leave the personal reactions out of the reviews.
For readers who have read the other books in the Hustler's Wife series, this book picks up the story of Yarni and Des. Des is the leader of an immensely successful mega-church and Yarni is a powerful corporate attorney who wants Des to give up his street life for good. But when Des's church is robbed and his life threatened, Yarni steps outside of her role as an attorney to help figure out who has it out for her husband.
For someone who had never read urban fiction before, this was a good introduction. The focus was primarily on the characters, especially Yarni, who is portrayed as a capable, smart, take-charge woman with a strong connection to her husband. I loved that.
The plot loosely centers around the robbery and the attempted murder, but there are a lot of side stories going on as well that paint a larger picture of Yarni & Des's life. From my understanding, these story lines tie in with previous novels, but I was able to figure out what was going on even though I hadn't read the rest of the series.
The entire novel (dialogue, exposition, etc.) is written in a very direct fashion and incorporates a lot of street slang, which took awhile for me to get used to. But as any urban fiction reader will tell you, that's extremely common for the genre, and I've had an easier time reading it with the other urban fiction novels I've selected.
I don't think this will ever become a preferred genre for me, but it's a good way to step outside of my reading comfort zone, and it'll give me a better understanding of how to help our patrons who come in looking for urban fiction.
For readers who have read the other books in the Hustler's Wife series, this book picks up the story of Yarni and Des. Des is the leader of an immensely successful mega-church and Yarni is a powerful corporate attorney who wants Des to give up his street life for good. But when Des's church is robbed and his life threatened, Yarni steps outside of her role as an attorney to help figure out who has it out for her husband.
For someone who had never read urban fiction before, this was a good introduction. The focus was primarily on the characters, especially Yarni, who is portrayed as a capable, smart, take-charge woman with a strong connection to her husband. I loved that.
The plot loosely centers around the robbery and the attempted murder, but there are a lot of side stories going on as well that paint a larger picture of Yarni & Des's life. From my understanding, these story lines tie in with previous novels, but I was able to figure out what was going on even though I hadn't read the rest of the series.
The entire novel (dialogue, exposition, etc.) is written in a very direct fashion and incorporates a lot of street slang, which took awhile for me to get used to. But as any urban fiction reader will tell you, that's extremely common for the genre, and I've had an easier time reading it with the other urban fiction novels I've selected.
I don't think this will ever become a preferred genre for me, but it's a good way to step outside of my reading comfort zone, and it'll give me a better understanding of how to help our patrons who come in looking for urban fiction.
June 12, 2013
The last book I read of Nikki Turner's was 10 years ago---as an easily impressionable young girl, the allure of the “drug lifestyle”, glamor, and spontaneity of Des and Yarni’s life is what kept my reading. Though Turner has been consistent in her writing style, I found the plot and instances in this “novel” to be extremely elementary and un-developed. She relied too heavily on her readers’ knowledge of each of her character’s history and the newly introduced characters were shallow in description. The cliché metaphors and hood-maxims were laughable. While focusing too heavily on depicting the every aspect of Des’ church, architecture, and interior design of the cars and homes, it seemed grandiose, unnecessary, and a superficial extension of the author’s intent on bolstering Yarni and Des’ fictitious wealth. I hated the book to say the least and won’t be looking forward to the sequel that is sure to be filled with paternity conflict, drug battles, and the internal warring Yarni faces while remaining loyal to her family and maneuvering her career as a lawyer.
May 22, 2013
I really liked this book, but I was heartbroken on how it all ended. The story was great, but it left you wanting to much more. It was to the point where the readers were left hanging. I enjoyed reading about Desember. She was a definitely a Hustler's Daughter, just as much as Yarni was a Hustler's wife. I wanted to see how Des responded to Yani's ultimatum. I also wanted to see how Des and Fame's relationship would play out. If there is going to be a Part 4 to this series, then I can understand Nikki leaving us in suspense, but to just cut the book off like that was not cool! Waiting patiently for Part 4!
August 11, 2011
When it comes to urban lit, Nikki Turner is definitely the Queen. This is the 3rd installment for the hustlers wife and Yarni is not the lawyer, first wife or hood chick to be messed with...she can slay you from the courtroom, church house and the dirty streets. Des, her gangsta husband turned preacher, doesn't know who is out to get'em but he isn't worried because Yarni always has his back. Just when things go from bad to worse, the family devises a plan that is crazy enough to work. We are left with a open ending so I can't wait to see what Yarni is up to next.
October 24, 2011
I listened to this book last night on audio it continued to tell the story of des and yarni. In this book 3 des finds out that he has a daughter he never knew he had, I now understand why the reviews on this novel was so mix. Even though it was a good book I found this book to be very short and found the ending to be be rushed. I wonder if there is going to be a book four?
May 10, 2023
Ms. Turner. Thank you so much for sharing this baby you birthed. I truly enjoyed this series. I had tears but plenty of laughter. Ms. Joyce was hilarious when she kicked Michael’s butt and called his grandmother. The betrayal by those close to you was heartbreaking but so real. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work.
December 6, 2024
I was a little disappointed with the ending. For this to be the last book in the series, we were definitely left with a cliff hanger. Overall still was a good read as I’m a huge fan of the Yarni and Des’s story.
October 24, 2017
All good!
I loved des and yarnie love story I enjoyed the gangsta trip I’m glad things turned out good and yarnie stood by her man and family
I loved des and yarnie love story I enjoyed the gangsta trip I’m glad things turned out good and yarnie stood by her man and family
January 28, 2018
What a twisting plot with a cliff hanger....I picked up the book in the middle of the series but I did not feel lost in the story. I was drawn in and love the strong female character....you go girl!!
February 2, 2018
I enjoyed this series. I feel like the ending was such a cliff hanger. I want to know, what happened with Des!!!
November 5, 2018
"A girl's gotta do what a girl's got to do!"
April 12, 2022
Book Three was just ok for me. I wasn’t as engaged in this followup story as I was in books One and Two.
March 1, 2024
I do not like the way it ended hopefully there will be another book to back this one up… but for the most part it was a good read.
November 19, 2024
Just enough urban for me .
December 8, 2024
Girl Nikki could’ve kept this one. I thought the whole storyline was corny.
May 23, 2011
I give this book 2.5 stars although I enjoyed it, I wish it had been longer. Des playing with God as a preacher and still living the life as a gangster worked my nerves — I know this is fiction, but I still don't like mixing the too . Yarni in this book almost seemed like she was going to give up her being a lawyer to defend her street hood husband. Even Des mother Joyce had some thug actions in this novel. Joyce held a secret from Des for eighteen years that he had a daughter (Desember). Desember like father lived the life of crime and drama. She and her boyfriend Fame robbed a big time hustler and Fame was shot, so to protect Desember her mother calls the grandmother Joyce to ask if she can move in with Des, now Des after eighteen years mets his daughter. Right out the gate she brings drama that lead to a threat on her boyfriends life. I was surprised at the end to learn that Cook-em up was responsible for the hit on Des, but they got him I wouldn't want to be on there bad side. Real gangster revenge.
Good storyline Nikki just wasn't long enough and you kinda left your reader's hanging at the end. Yarni is sick of her life as a hustler's wife and wants Des to get out of the game or else?
Good storyline Nikki just wasn't long enough and you kinda left your reader's hanging at the end. Yarni is sick of her life as a hustler's wife and wants Des to get out of the game or else?
June 2, 2011
I don't know why I didn't review this when I read it. Now I don't remember enough to get in depth. I'll go with what I remember but be forewarned - it won't be much.
The editing was about what you'd expect. It's far from the worst I've seen and also not up to par with the average edited books out there.
I feel that Turner would have been better off keeping this to a 1 or 2 book minumum instead of the 3 or 4 books it actually is. While I do love the characters and enjoyed reading about them the story just wasn't there to merit 4 books. I can't wait for authors to get off of the series kick. Leave it to only writing a series when it's called for.
The editing was about what you'd expect. It's far from the worst I've seen and also not up to par with the average edited books out there.
I feel that Turner would have been better off keeping this to a 1 or 2 book minumum instead of the 3 or 4 books it actually is. While I do love the characters and enjoyed reading about them the story just wasn't there to merit 4 books. I can't wait for authors to get off of the series kick. Leave it to only writing a series when it's called for.
May 11, 2011
I have enjoyed this series. I did, however, have a minor struggle with Des seeing the ministry as a hustle. I got over that hump, because at least he had the heart to admit it, instead of faking it. However, due to the things that happened to he and Yarni, I do believe that in the next installment, we see Des truly making the transformation from the streets to the pulpit. I absolutely love these characters and enjoyed the twist of Desember, Des' daughter. She's something else, just like her daddy.
February 6, 2014
I loved this whole serious by Nikki Turner. As always with her books it was a very descriptive and easy read. I enjoyed the book. The writer made this story so detailed I actually could imagine myself being the characters. The drama in this series of books was awesome. The ending however left much to the imagination. GREAT SERIES of books. Often times when the book is a series the author runs out of things to write about and the final book gets to be very boring but not this writer it was good up until the last book of the series!!!
June 19, 2015
Great read! Page turner from beginning to end. Yarni & Des are back, picking up right where they left off. Des, hell bent on finding out who shot him while Yarni just wants him to be greatful and stop playing with God. In this installment the church is robbed, Des' 18 year old daughter Desember is introduced along with her drama and more drama unfolds. Will Yarni still be that ride or die Hustler's Wife or has she reached her breaking point?
July 19, 2015
Although it's been a while since I've read A Hustler's Wife, & missed Fovever, Heartbreak Of A Hustler's Wife was written with enough pertinent information that I was able to continue the series without difficulty. Des & Yarni continue to be quite the couple. Yarni's strength was shown as she appropriately handled situations that bombarded their lives. I thought Desember was a good addition as she brought more drama to the story. Good read
August 10, 2016
The third book edition was just as crazy as the second book. The series should have never started. Gangster life is not even close to what the hustler wife is like. Yes every women is going to go through some trials with her street man and the jurisdictional system. The hater's not are jealous . But the real streets hustlers and players are totally different from the book. And not every hustler is a murderer nor are there family's associate with the street life.
Want to read
June 6, 2011I have to read the 2 before this book read them years ago but foe the life of me can't remember the story! So trying to read this was hard! I'll put it on pause for now and read the previous 2. See that's the damn problem the sequel to most books come out years later so it's hard to remember the story ESP. If you read alot of books in between...
Read
June 17, 2011I love the fact how one is willing to do anything for love & family. Also one is willing to accept another man's child & put her under your wing.Everyone in this family is gangster & hustlers. I also like the strength of a women when she has her man's back. I can't wait to see how the rest of this story will turn out when I read the other book.
July 20, 2011
I think the book filled in a few of the blanks from her previous books but I really feel that it wasn't the best of her work. It's a lot left to wonder not necessary anticipation for next book. I hope the next will answer more of questions or leave a better twist in characters. It really didn't have me wanting more.
June 19, 2013
Ok. I was really enjoyed this series until this book. What happened to the girl who came to spy on the family? In the last book she had just told Bambi that the guy who sent her was looking for her....The book also ended very abruptly. I mean although they got Cook Em up...what about Chip and Columbo? IDK wasn't feeling this one as much as her others.
April 25, 2024
READ EVERYTHING NIKKI TURNER! You will not be disappointed! She poured her whole heart into this series and it’s one of my all time favorites! This series is so real, so raw, so street, yet so eloquently written! This book was a GEM! Grown up no nonsense Yarni and Des story continues and shows you the hustler life as a full blown grown up!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews