Grindin': A Novel Paperback February 6, 2007

by Danielle Santiago

Danielle Santiago's Little Ghetto A Harlem Story was an Essence magazine #1 bestseller, a compelling portrayal of the challenges young women face in ghettos across America. Now Santiago's putting it down again, better than ever, moving on from the little girl to the grown woman in Grindin ', the second in her trilogy of Harlem Stories.Holding the story down in Grindin ' is Kennedy Sanchez, a twenty-two-year-old beautiful, talented, street-smart single mom with a heart of gold. After partying and "grindin'" in Las Vegas, and clearing more than $100,000 and a bag of diamonds by robbing rich, white gamblers, Kennedy and her cousin Nina fly back home to New York. Later that night, Kennedy gets a call informing her that Nina is being beaten up by her boyfriend -- and it's worse than any time before. Kennedy rushes over to help, but it's too Nina dies in Kennedy's arms after making her promise to take care of her children.Kennedy steps up to the plate, now becoming the mother of three more kids and moving them into a brownstone in Harlem. She knows she needs to refocus. Her opportunity to do so comes in the form of Chaz, a successful hip-hop artist who sees star quality written all over her.She's offered a chance to become a rapper and leaves the streets behind -- or at least shifts to another kind of grind. Once she's in the music world, she realizes that the setting may have changed, but the hustle remains the same.

Genres: Urban

Paperback

First published April 11, 2006

Reviews

[Kiley Douyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main character of this book is Kennedy Sanchez. Her and her cousin, Nina, are really close. they are very beautiful girls, but let the street life control them. Nina is involved in a bad relationship and she ends up getting killed. Kennedy goes through many life changes becoming irregularly irregular.

The theme of this book is drugs, manipulation, and money.

Once again I can relate to this book because my life has been influenced by drugs and the people around me. I can also relate with the fame and stature Kennedy receives because I have a few family members is the entertainment business.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I was really taken aback by the events of this book. I could imagine those things really happening.

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This pulled me in from page one! I read the back of the book and thought it seemed way too far fetched and wasn't sure if I'd like it or not but I'm so glad I tried it. I'm totally into it and am going to hunt down the others by Danielle Santiago. Definitely recommended and in my opinion she's up there with the best just from reading this one book!

[Ericka cannon-mosley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it was an awesome follow up to Little Ghetton girl, and I can't wiat until I read Allure of the Game

[Lashaun Steele-hinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Purchased this for $1 at the flea market. First I read by this author, loved this book!

[Leonna K · Rating 3 out of 5]

You know what? I'm happy I read this book. I'm even happier that it's over though. It wasn't terrible, it wasn't the best, it was right in the middle, hence my 3-star rating.
The book itself needs a REALLY good edit, I found at least 10 grammatical errors which was annoying to say the least.
The story was entertaining. Like I previously said, it felt like I was sitting across my homegirl getting the latest tea & that was funny. It was a little all over the place, so many character names & back stories that I forced myself to remember, only to then realize they served little to no purpose to the actual nitty gritty of the book. I felt that there was unnecessary dialogue at some points, and the dialogue that was necessary was just so.. how do I put it... unbelievable for a lack of a better word.
Kennedy was straight up crazy. Her sister Yatta, mom, other sister seemed like paper-thin characters. Nina was probably the realest character in the book... only for her to get killed off. *facepalm*
All in all, I don't regret reading this book. It did its job by presenting an entertaining read. Not sure if I'd read another Danielle Santiago book, though.

[Wilma Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love finds a way

This book pulled me in from page one. I like the book because it tells about the life as two cousins who in the beginning have to struggle to provide for their children so they go around seducing men and then robbing them blind leaving them with nothing. The girls were Kennedy and Nina. Nina an abusive boyfriend who eventually kills Nina because of an argument they had. Kennedy and Chez were made for each other. They both had people who wanted to hurt them. Chaz was ambushed at a club, but survived. Kennedy became pregnant and was attacked and she miscarried her twins. It caused problems for her and Chaz. Will love bring them back together or not

[regina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page Turner

When I began this boom I was not sure about it but the more I kept reading it. This book is a true page turner. I love the story line and how I could relate to all the different things happening. The plots in this book were the kind that kept me on the edge of my seat. I laughed, got mad, and cried all in the one book. I highly recommend this read.

[Sylvia Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book started off slow to me, it didn't really grab my attention until about half way through. It's not my normal read. Too much going on.

[Tihira · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I am reading now is called Grindin’. There are many reasons as to why I like the book but I am only going to give you the main reasons.

To begin, I like the book because it tells about the life as two cousins who in the beginning have to struggle to provide for their children so they go around seducing men and then robbing them blind leaving them with nothing. One of the girls has a very abusive boyfriend and is eventually killed by hand after being beaten to death by him because of an argument they had, but before she dies she makes her cousin promise her that she would take care of her three children.

Secondly, I like the book because it tells about real life things in the world today, such as what most women and men go through in a relationship things like arguing, cheating, and other things. It also is a great book because these things really do happen in real life and that it what the narrator tries to express in her writing because many people have been in a situation where the man or the woman has cheated or have been abusive, or has done things they should not have done before.

Lastly, I like the book because it is an example of what types of books to read, not the once upon a time old books, books that have meaning to the real world and things that go on in it for example books that keep you wondering what will happen next.

Inconclusion, These are my reasons why I like the book Grindin’.

[Kitani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read from start to finish. Kennedy and her cousin were as thick as thieves until tragedy struck. All I could say was Cream was a sorry excuse for a man and should've owned up to his mistakes and moved on. Kennedy stepped up in a major way when it came to Nina's kids. Chaz was a straight up thorough dude and I thought him and Kennedy deserved each other. It was good that Kennedy was grindin' a legal way considering what she was once involved in. Ria's miserable ass took things too far and I was wondering what more would have to occur before Chaz nipped the unnecessary beef in the bud. It was clear Rob was jealous and couldn't be trusted so the role he played wasn't shocking. Macon knew he was wrong and should've charged the mishap to the game. Chaz and Kennedy were both stuck in their ways and kept things hidden. I think Kennedy handled the watcher situation all wrong and so much could've been avoided if she took the threats into consideration. Finding out who was responsible was crazy and he received the right outcome. Kennedy shut down and I hated how things unfolded in her relationship. It took a minute but with time things began to change for the better. Once everything was all said and done, no matter how many curveballs were thrown at Kennedy she continued grindin'.

[Venessia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm about 10 years late reading this Urban Classic but better late than never. Kennedy and her cousin Nina were as street smart as they were beautiful. Initially they were grinding for paper by using their beauty to lure unsuspecting ballers in and robbing them blind. Nina's only problem was her boyfriend Cream.........he was mentally and physically abusive. Kennedy warned her to leave him along but the warning came a little too late and Kennedy tried but just didn't make it in time to save Nina. She did get a second chance at life tho to raise Nina's kids and she stepped up to the plate. Kennedy meets Chaz....a hip hop artist that captures her heart. She is so scarred from losing everyone in her past that she is reluctant to let him in but Chaz refuses to give up.This story was a beautiful and well written Hood love story. 5 star read for sure.

[Junisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was better than the last book I read. I really like the fact that promises are kept after one moves on. Not everyone will take on the responsibility of raising someone else child. This is a great story line and I think you should read this book if you are a person who does not live with you biological parents and are being taken care of by another family member, family friend, or just people that are generous enough to help you live a life.

[Diana Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book this morning, it's a quick read but I will say this: Danielle can write. This was such a change from the usual Noire where the ghetto girl has no power and no strength and has to be sexually abused/mutilated/humiliated before she can be empowered. I love Kennedy, she has all the spunk I would imagine a real hood girl should have. I enjoyed reading this, it was fun and it was a little tragic but not overdone. I plan on reading more of her books.

[Nicole Hunter-salgado · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Could not and would not put it down. Had some slower moments but picks up nicely. I have given it to many readers to show them Danielle Santiago's writing stile. I certainly plan to indulge in another of her books.

[Keyona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good.I do have some unanswered questions about some things that happened. I'm sensing a Part 2 (I hope) because these main character leaves me wanting to get to know more of her.

[Racquel · Rating 1 out of 5]

The only good thing about this book was that it was funny at some parts. But that was it. The writing was terrible. Not much substance.

[JazzyRacquel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Book Was A Definite Page Turner !

Action From Beginning To End !

I ♥ Kennedy & Chad !

I Def. Recommend Reading This Book ! ♥

[Keniisha]

i love her books she is a great author

[Malayshia · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was the best book i ever read i guess it full of action danger family music and trust this is a must read book :)

[R.Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book...Kennedy and Chaz....

[Alysia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't the worst book but expected it to be a little better. Many valuable lessons in the book and thats why I rated it a four.

[Jennifer S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book...

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't keep my attention.

[Alicia Mckenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you read Little Ghetto Girl you would like Grindin. It is an amazing book... Grindin by Danielle Santiago is a must read book...

[Lola · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was very poorly written. The story has the same edge as most urban tales but still the poor grammar and lack of broad vocabulary makes it hard to enjoy! Wouldn't recommend.

[Annabell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deff a page turner !!

[Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kennedy was my girl! I love Chaz :).

[Mrs Tupac · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS WAS BOOK WAS GOOD '&' FAST PACED NEARING THE END IT JUST GOT TOO DAMN DRAMATIC ~~~~!!!!!!!

[Matysha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this urban fiction tale

[Shà · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was very good. I enjoyed Kennedy very much and Danielle put her whole leg up in this one. I've been addicted to her writing style for years. She's hella dope and she'll always be my favorite