Cheaper to Keep Her

Cheaper to Keep Her #1

by Kiki Swinson

Lynise Carter was a bartender at local strip club that ended up falling for a heavy hitter named Duke Carrington. He is known to have a lot of money and he's known for having a lot of women. Lynise falls for this guy in a matter of months. While she's getting used to the red carpet treatment, Duke is looking to trade her in for someone new. But when Lynise realizes this, she will make Duke realize that if would've been Cheaper to Keep Her.

Genres: Urban

236 pages, Nook

First published November 27, 2010

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sigh* Okay, the story line of Duke (what he does illegally for a living) was original, never read a book about that kind of illegal operations before and I agree that it was a nice break from the usual main guy being a big time drug dealer. Anyway, I thought the opening kind of ruined the story because it literally was a excerpt of what was already in the book. To me, it didn't rally help the story at all. On the back of the book the main character's name says Lynise Carter but in the actually story it refers to her as Lynise Washington ( -_- ) I know, small annoying detail, but it just bugged me. Moving on ! lol. I also agree too with most reviewers that Lynise was just too naive and was a major hypocrite for saying one thing and acting likr that same girl she trashed and talked down to about. Honestly the book did nothing for me, and I was struggling to finish the book, but it was the ending that has me wanting to read the next book, and sadly is the reason why I'm giving this book 3 stars. I knew Diamond wasn't my favorite character from start because she seemed so idk, not dumb but typical that she shocked me the most at the end, therefore now, I find her character more interesting than Lynise! Smh, we shall see where part 2 goes, hopefully it's good

[Latonya Mcpherson]

I think "Cheaper to Keep Her" is the best book I EVER READ. It's a perfect example on how you should be careful on the people you so-called your friends and lovers, you never how much jealous a person has towards you until a situation dealing with a man comes between a friendship. Honestly this book taught me the value lesson of enemies and friends.

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Classic urban read as Lynise's beginning with Duke introduced. Storyline well written as I could imagine scenes taking place. So glad I finally decided to start this series.

[Christiana · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very entertaining to me...Definitely a KiKi Swinson book...I can't really say I had a favorite character in this book...because all of them made me mad at some point lol...but definitely kept the pages turning...Lynise was just so stuck on stupid....there were so many things she could of done while she was living in her already made apartment....Diamond i did not expect those turn of events from her...and Duke....wow he was just straight trifling...I look forward to reading the next book...I'm hoping there is a little more chemistry in this book tho...I'm hoping Lynise can find some love...because she needs it...I felt really bad for her... I do look forward to seeing what Mr. Buckley Bishop is going to be about....

[Nay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a lot of these street lit books over the past year and I have to say it's refreshing not to have the lead guy be a drug dealer. Dont get me wrong Duke is still all types of shady but from a different angle. I couldn't bring myself to have any sympathy for Lynise, she is what old polite women call "simple". A man tells you he lives in several homes and you can stay in his condo but he will only be there when he can, and yet your shocked and hurt when you find out he has other women? She goes out on ONE date with Duke and stops showing up for work expecting him to pay for everything, and let's not forget enlisting a crack head to help her in a blackmailing scheme. Overall entertaining and I loved the way Duke flipped the script on lynise in the end.

[Loren]

This book was very good! A real page turner! I loved the whole plot and ending was very surprising and twisted. Cant wait to read the sequel.

[Lectus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Damn! Finally something worth my time. A few days ago I was depressed wondering whether something was wrong with me or just bad books were being published because most of the books I'd been reading lately sucked!

But, Alas! It looks like I just found a new genre! As a librarian, I've been asked for Kiki Swinson's books a couple of times and, bored out of my mind two days ago, I was like "let me see what's up with this author," although that type of books are not my type. Well, they are now! They are way more realistic than the crap I had been reading lately.

Okay, back to Cheaper to Keep Her, no, the book was not perfect because at one point I was like "bitch, how can you be so stupid?" But thank God Lynise realized her stupidity too and is going to make up for it.

Urban fiction seems to be, well, actual urban language and actions. So refreshing from the "literary" staff I am used to read. Yes, descriptive sex is involved too, so I just killed two birds with one stone.

I just ordered the next book in the series and can't wait!

[Tesha L.McKinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A definite page-turner! Lynise always had me wondering what she was going to do next. Unfortunately, she had to learn the hard way of what happens when you try to gain vengeance with the wrong person. I was disappointed in the type of friend Diamond ended up being. There! I've said enough!

[Demetrias · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful

[ConSonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh My

Yes yes this book just gave me life. I enjoyed it from being to end.. Revenge is best served cold..

[Jessica Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

J

I love her book🙂. I don’t have anything bad to said about this book ready to reading part two. 🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[Lisa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

[margaret polcyn]

Good book

[Shyretta]

i like it

[K.augustine]

Lynise Washington/Carter works at the hottest strip club in town, Magic City, as a bartender. Her best friend Diamond is the top stripper, but together they are barely make enough in tips to keep the bills paid. Lynise swore off dating the men that come on to her in the club, but broke her own rules and quickly dropped her defenses when wealthy Duke came along more than willing to wine and dine her. She dove in head first with the urging of best friend Diamond and before she knows it Duke tells her to quit her job and she is sitting pretty in his high rise condo in love and alone. The honeymoon stage of their relationship ends as quickly as it began, and Lynise is in for several rude awakenings.



When we are first getting acquainted with Lynise she is everything readers need to fall in love with a character. She comes off secure, strong, and confident. She seemed to know her worth, seemed to have a back bone and street smarts. Sadly, the more she was around her new beau, the more those qualities of her character diminished, and the more she accepted the abuse she preached to Diamond about not standing for. Lynise and Diamond both changed as the novel progressed; Lynise's actions were surprising, but once Diamond started to use drugs her behavior became predictable which was a bit of a drag, but then the author would mix it up and kept us guessing.



My biggest complaints about this novel is how silly and blind Lynise turned out to be (although she is still my favorite character), I just hope she grows throughout this series. Also, the innumerable errors in the text. Not so much spelling, but I constantly had to reread parts where a paragraph would completely contradict itself, or where names would be mixed up. I figured out what most of the mistakes were meant to say, but one or two left me confused. Lastly, I love how the author introduced us to a story line that has been previously untouched in the urban fiction market, (as far as I know), an illegal adoption ring. It was refreshing to read about a different type of crisis, and the author totally got us with the several big twists towards the end. This leaves readers on the edge of their seats waiting for part two, I just hope Lynise reverts back to her old ways and is much smarter and slicker this go round.

[Mikeisa Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

When my older cousin met her boyfriend she would constantly brag about his money and how much he gave her. The family started to think she was only with him for his money and nothing else but no one said anything. A few years later they got married but for all the wrong reasons. This reminds me of this book because the main character in this story did the exact same thing.

Cheaper to Keep Her is a book part of a series by Kiki Swinson. This is not the author I usually read but I read the writing styles where very similar. In this book Lynise Washington is a bartender at a club barely paying her bills until one day a name names Dukes come to the club and shows he doesnt mind spending money on her and giving her the finer things in life. She instantly got use to getting what she wanted from him abnd started to live a different life style. All her friends knew she was with him for all the wrong reasons even she knew it but that didnt bother her she just knew she wanted more. Their relationship quickly turned into marriage and she felt like she was on topof he world.

Duke started to notice that she was spending more money then he was bringing in. That eventually became a problem and he starrted to address it but it was already too late the damage was done. She was too use to getting what she wanted. Duke thought the money issue was bigger then she thought it was so it hada major affect on how he was feeeling toward her. The money slowly started to separate them but Lynise wasnt going for that.

Duke wanted to leave Lynise but she wasnt ready to go back to the strip club and go back to the life she once had.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book and, am looking forward to reading part 2. My only problem was how dumb the main character Lynise was. I can understand being blinded by anger and jealousy. But, sometimes plots are a lot more feasible when the characters show more signs of intelligence.She was dealing with someone (an ex lover who dropped her, ruined her life but, was successful illegally) who was way more cunning than her. While the character was way out of her league, she still could have maybe been written with a little more common sense. Especially, for someone who was street smart.

[Aisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique came with it in this book Lynise your average hardworking bartender is swept off her feet by the charismatic Duke Carrington. Duke is a sexy smooth talker that has Lynise so far gone that she was determined to over look his dark side, her best friend & stripper co-worker Diamond is her only family or so she thinks this book kept me hanging on from the start. I'm looking forward to reading more books from Unique.

[Rhonda C. Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book kept and a fast read. There was so such much DRAMA and even though it was a little predictable it still kept me on the edge of my seat. The author just needs to remember what is written because there was a big type error. On the back cover of the book it says the main characters name is Lynise Carter but she was addressed as Ms. Washington in the book. That is something that can be avoided.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very much enjoyed and looking forward to reading the sequels (4) to be exact. Lots of drama. Lynise was back stabbed by her BFF, Diamond. Duke was a pure lowlife and used women like they were nothing. He was into some of everything illegal. Had the cops in his pocket. I believe Bishop's got his number for killing his bro. Neeko. Lynise almost spent her life in prison for several crimes she never committed. Good read!!

[Shanaya · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book really got interesting after Lynise got locked up so I'm giving it five stars. i can't believe that diamond was behind this all along but it makes since who else would know every detail besides her own bff who she told everything too and no-one else. even though it was fucked up what they did i gotta admit Duke set her ass up good. everything he did was down to a t. ill definitely will be purchasing part two i wanna know more about the bishop ;)

[Mia L. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am floored, in complete awe. Finding out what Duke actually did for a living was really something out of a movie! Never expected that, but what I figured early on was her "bestie" was doing some shady sh* behind her back. I have Cheaper to Keep her 1-3 already available and I'm about to dive in to book 2 HEAD ON! I Hope she beats the dog sh* outta Diamond and DUKE HAS TO GET HIS UPCOMINGS...all of that was just EVIL. Great read!

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was certainly an entertaining read. Lynise was just all over the place though. At first she seemed like she had it all together, but that just totally fell apart. There were a ton of twists and turns, and Duke and Diamond...wow! I wouldn't say that this is a must read, but it will certainly keep you interested, and intrigued to read part 2.

[Erica L · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing and storyline of this book was worth 5 stars! I only gave it 4 because I forgot to sneak a peek at the last page before i got it to see if it had a part 2,3,4,5,6 and so on. I usually sneak a peek because i can't stand for a book to leave me hanging like that and I always feel like i just got hustled. This one was pretty good though and i will get part 2, THEN IM DONE!

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mixed emotions about this book. At some points it was slow then it picked up. I really didn't like how Lynnise started getting jealous and doing dumb things...but the ending is what got me! I have to read part 2!

[Diamond Jones-Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Lynise Carter went from being a broke bartender, to a woman with a man with eliminated income, then back to being broke but with no job in a matter of months. This book is filled with lies, betrayal and drama from beginning to end.

[Angelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was not a must read but entertaining none-the-less.......Lynise really was stuck on stupid .......Diamond did not surprise me although I kept hoping she would......and all I can say about Duke is I can't wait to see what will happen with him next......On to book 2!!!!!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Cheaper to Keep Her and thought it was great. The story line was excellent and it kept me enthralled. The book is a series. I would highly recommend this book.

[jennifer martin]

I can't wait to read Part 2. I want to know what happens to duke so bad now.

[Stephanie V.wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book ,a page turner . starting book 2 so excited