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Unique #1-3
Always Unique
With only two hundred dollars, Unique packed her suitcase and headed to New York City for a brand new start. It's there that Unique meets big time boxing promoter, Kennard, and it is love at first sight. After nine months of living in the lap of luxury with Kennard, skeletons from Unique's past show up and it will cost her a cool million dollars to not only keep her relationship but her life. Unique isn't about to lose it all. With the help of her best friend, she devises a major heist, to pull it off all she has to do is stay alive.
Living the life she has always dreamed of, Unique isn't about to let her past ruin her future with her fiancé, Kennard. But the tables are turned on her and Unique is fighting for her very life. As for Kennard, he is stunned to learn about her past, but more importantly he is not about to let anyone get away with hurting his woman. As Unique and her best friend, Teeydah, set out on a path of revenge, a new menace and a new betrayal rises.
The blade of revenge cuts both ways. However, that is not going to stop Unique from getting those who are out to get her. And she is determined to be the last woman standing . . .
Always Unique gathers together three popular Unique novellas from the New York Times bestselling, African-American powerhouse author Nikki Turner.
Living the life she has always dreamed of, Unique isn't about to let her past ruin her future with her fiancé, Kennard. But the tables are turned on her and Unique is fighting for her very life. As for Kennard, he is stunned to learn about her past, but more importantly he is not about to let anyone get away with hurting his woman. As Unique and her best friend, Teeydah, set out on a path of revenge, a new menace and a new betrayal rises.
The blade of revenge cuts both ways. However, that is not going to stop Unique from getting those who are out to get her. And she is determined to be the last woman standing . . .
Always Unique gathers together three popular Unique novellas from the New York Times bestselling, African-American powerhouse author Nikki Turner.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2014
13 people are currently reading
448 people want to read
About the author
Nikki Turner
60 books882 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 3, 2017
I read about half of the book in a reading. However, I see why I do not generally read Urban Street Lit because the woman is always the hottest thing to the debonair man that has money, and she came from the street-life now living the glamorous life but trouble seems to find her. Some of the so-called gangsta stuff, she doesn't get caught or no leads her way but still finds tragedy regardless. I plan to finish it since this is the first time reading this author and requested in our state library/ies.
I have not read urban lit in quite some time, but this book has quite unrealistic factors and unbelievable, driven-out parts that made me chuckle aloud or shake my head. Yet, I will continue to the ending to give it a fair rating. I am quite sure there are better read(s) by this author and may give it a shot. We have the same last name (which is my birth surname), and may fall into my hands with a bit more of a spunk-of-a-read.
Side note: Some of our patrons want to read more Urban Lit; however, I focus more on the Urban Christian, mystery, or positive literature than these patrons trying to relive their gangster-fantasy lifestyle that brought most of them to prison with long sentences.
I have not read urban lit in quite some time, but this book has quite unrealistic factors and unbelievable, driven-out parts that made me chuckle aloud or shake my head. Yet, I will continue to the ending to give it a fair rating. I am quite sure there are better read(s) by this author and may give it a shot. We have the same last name (which is my birth surname), and may fall into my hands with a bit more of a spunk-of-a-read.
Side note: Some of our patrons want to read more Urban Lit; however, I focus more on the Urban Christian, mystery, or positive literature than these patrons trying to relive their gangster-fantasy lifestyle that brought most of them to prison with long sentences.
January 17, 2016
Title: Always Unique
Author: Nikki Turner
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:
"Always Unique" by Nikki Turner
Book Description....
"I: With only two hundred dollars, Unique packed her suitcase and headed to New York City for a brand new start. It’s there that Unique meets big time boxing promoter, Kennard, and it is love at first sight. After nine months of living in the lap of luxury with Kennard, skeletons from Unique’s past show up and it will cost her a cool million dollars to not only keep her relationship but her life. Unique isn’t about to lose it all. With the help of her best friend, she devises a major heist, to pull it off all she has to do is stay alive. II: Living the life she has always dreamed of, Unique isn't about to let her past ruin her future with her fiancé, Kennard. But the tables are turned on her and Unique is fighting for her very life. As for Kennard, he is stunned to learn about her past, but more importantly he is not about to let anyone get away with hurting his woman. As Unique and her best friend, Teeydah, set out on a path of revenge, a new menace and a new betrayal rises.III: The blade of revenge cuts both ways. However, that is not going to stop Unique from getting those who are out to get her. And she is determined to be the last woman standing . . . Always Unique gathers together three popular Unique novellas from the New York Times bestselling, African-American powerhouse author Nikki Turner."
What I understood about this novel...
First of all this is a urban read that I thought this author has written very well for her readers. Unique has really had a hard life however she makes it through be sold to a cartel in Mexico and being put in prison after she makes her way back to the U.S. This author really knows how to get and keep your attention as you will be found turning the pages quickly to see what is happening next in this read. Unique best friend for life Teeydah and her new boyfriend Kennard who was a boxer promoter seemed to be all she needed until Unique's life is turned around again. Are their old enemies trying to get back at Unique again? The author really gives the reader some read that seems to pop off the script with there being so much action going on. There is so much drama going on, hospital visits and yes a little bit of it all. This was indeed a different kind of read for me. A lots of this read I didn't understand just what all was going on but toward the end I think it all comes together for me. No, I am not from the streets but being the avid reader that I am I try to read a little bit of it all and this is one that I did have to re read many parts of it over to try to truly understand this author's reasoning to that particular situation. The boyfriend/fiancé Kennard did seem very concerned with not knowing of Unique's past but he still seemed to show her love. All I can say is that I would not want to be one that messed with Unique, Teeydah, their prison buddies or Kennard. The characters in the novel are all off the chart...being well portrayed, some are strong and definitely believable in a weird sort of way. I did find a few of the characters very dark and down right scary. Will revenge be enough for Unique or does she have something else planned for her old enemies? I am only left thinking that maybe this could happen in a real world, yes our world! Oh well, I guess we will have to wait for this author's next series to see what she has planned for Unique.
Author: Nikki Turner
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 4
Review:
"Always Unique" by Nikki Turner
Book Description....
"I: With only two hundred dollars, Unique packed her suitcase and headed to New York City for a brand new start. It’s there that Unique meets big time boxing promoter, Kennard, and it is love at first sight. After nine months of living in the lap of luxury with Kennard, skeletons from Unique’s past show up and it will cost her a cool million dollars to not only keep her relationship but her life. Unique isn’t about to lose it all. With the help of her best friend, she devises a major heist, to pull it off all she has to do is stay alive. II: Living the life she has always dreamed of, Unique isn't about to let her past ruin her future with her fiancé, Kennard. But the tables are turned on her and Unique is fighting for her very life. As for Kennard, he is stunned to learn about her past, but more importantly he is not about to let anyone get away with hurting his woman. As Unique and her best friend, Teeydah, set out on a path of revenge, a new menace and a new betrayal rises.III: The blade of revenge cuts both ways. However, that is not going to stop Unique from getting those who are out to get her. And she is determined to be the last woman standing . . . Always Unique gathers together three popular Unique novellas from the New York Times bestselling, African-American powerhouse author Nikki Turner."
What I understood about this novel...
First of all this is a urban read that I thought this author has written very well for her readers. Unique has really had a hard life however she makes it through be sold to a cartel in Mexico and being put in prison after she makes her way back to the U.S. This author really knows how to get and keep your attention as you will be found turning the pages quickly to see what is happening next in this read. Unique best friend for life Teeydah and her new boyfriend Kennard who was a boxer promoter seemed to be all she needed until Unique's life is turned around again. Are their old enemies trying to get back at Unique again? The author really gives the reader some read that seems to pop off the script with there being so much action going on. There is so much drama going on, hospital visits and yes a little bit of it all. This was indeed a different kind of read for me. A lots of this read I didn't understand just what all was going on but toward the end I think it all comes together for me. No, I am not from the streets but being the avid reader that I am I try to read a little bit of it all and this is one that I did have to re read many parts of it over to try to truly understand this author's reasoning to that particular situation. The boyfriend/fiancé Kennard did seem very concerned with not knowing of Unique's past but he still seemed to show her love. All I can say is that I would not want to be one that messed with Unique, Teeydah, their prison buddies or Kennard. The characters in the novel are all off the chart...being well portrayed, some are strong and definitely believable in a weird sort of way. I did find a few of the characters very dark and down right scary. Will revenge be enough for Unique or does she have something else planned for her old enemies? I am only left thinking that maybe this could happen in a real world, yes our world! Oh well, I guess we will have to wait for this author's next series to see what she has planned for Unique.
March 21, 2015
I liked the overall book idea and the characters. I felt that the writing was a bit choppy and primitive. The other thing that bothered me was the description of Unique versus how she acted. Unique was described as a strong female character who didn't take crap from no one and had street smarts. She acted the opposite, she was all talk and no action. I will admit though, it would be nice to have a Kennard in my life, everyone should have one!
April 9, 2014
Was not that good at all. It really needed something more. It just seemed like been there done that. A copy of other books I have read before.
March 30, 2015
It was just okay, not a real page turner
September 22, 2017
I thought this was a very good book. The author immediately caught my attention. There's honestly not to many things I don't like about the book. I like how the book is detailed & the author used imagery a lot which comes in handy when reading a big chapter book. Each chapter is good , no chapter is better than the other they all have me wanting to read more.
The author made me feel as if i were the character (unique). The author used a lot of literary devices which help me tremendously when I'm reading. she used simolilies, imagery , character , plot, irony & more. This book is a little inappropriate, from the beginning it catches your attention , so I wouldn't recommend this book to a kid under 16 but anyone interested in urban drama this is defiantly the book for you.
One of The universal ideas were "love is not always happiness". unique goes through a lot just for love. She gets threaten, robed, and more. If your interested in books about love , drama , excitement etc this book is for you. I give this book 5 starts , there's no doubt about it. I even read the book a 2nd time. I myself personally love this book. The author did a great job when writing this , I look forward to reading more of her stories.
The author made me feel as if i were the character (unique). The author used a lot of literary devices which help me tremendously when I'm reading. she used simolilies, imagery , character , plot, irony & more. This book is a little inappropriate, from the beginning it catches your attention , so I wouldn't recommend this book to a kid under 16 but anyone interested in urban drama this is defiantly the book for you.
One of The universal ideas were "love is not always happiness". unique goes through a lot just for love. She gets threaten, robed, and more. If your interested in books about love , drama , excitement etc this book is for you. I give this book 5 starts , there's no doubt about it. I even read the book a 2nd time. I myself personally love this book. The author did a great job when writing this , I look forward to reading more of her stories.
July 3, 2022
All I have to say is Unique can’t seem to get a break. I mean she took too many hits in this book.
The ending was kind of hilarious to me.
This book was “okay”. It appeared to be rushed. I liked The Banks Sisters series is better.
The ending was kind of hilarious to me.
This book was “okay”. It appeared to be rushed. I liked The Banks Sisters series is better.
June 4, 2017
This was like reading one of her earlier throwback books. This read like The Hustler's Wife series and Riding I-95, making me remember why I rock her. She came through
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December 29, 2016I really enjoyed Always Unique. Then again I enjoy anything by Nikki Turner.
May 8, 2014
This story is about a woman named Unique, who grew up rough having to fight for everything that she got only to be sold by her boyfriend at the time to a cartel in Mexico. When she makes it back to the U.S. she is arrested and put in prison for a few years. While in prison she makes one friend her name is Teeydah, she is her friend for life. When she is released she makes her way to New York, and after a short time there she is at a party where she meets Kennard, a big time boxer promoter. He falls for her at first sight and brings her home and says she can live there. When a TV show is aired that shows Unique and where she now lives. Old enemies come into New York to make her pay for past sins. Never having telling Kennard, she and Teeydah are the ones that take care of business, until she ends up in the hospital. I am sure there will be some people that will think this story is not possible, but it is. Especially the friend from prison. Having worked in prisons for over 25 years some people make one friend and they have each other’s back and it is not just words. This book will make sense if you are from the streets and worked your way out, the struggle and fight. If not from the streets you will probably not get this book. The characters are all very strong and each one has depth to them. I liked this book. I got this book from net galley.
August 23, 2014
Good read. The book of Unique was intriguing as well as entertaining. Although Unique's problems were caused in the past, they became a major dilemma for her present. Fortunately, she had the love & support of Kennard & Tyeedah to help her along the way. Despite her malacious actions, she was able to claim victory & beat the odds & have a happy successful life.
October 9, 2014
This is a very predictable, uninspired story. Usually Nikki Turner writes urban fiction that while it may be unbelievable is at least entertaining. This one not so much. None of the characters really stood out, and you got no true sense of what their motivations were. I felt like this was more of a draft for a novel than a final product.
August 16, 2015
This was a good read with pretty strong characters. The book was filled with lies, deception, and thievery but overall it was a book about forgiveness, moving on and starting a new and love. I enjoyed it!
March 13, 2014
not impressed at all. nikki turner is really falling off on her book writing skills.
August 13, 2016
3.5 stars
Full review can be found here: http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artm...
Full review can be found here: http://romancejunkiesreviews.com/artm...
August 14, 2015
It's wasn't what I expect. I like pt.1
March 18, 2015
A must read.
April 17, 2015
I liked this book, enjoyed it. I loved the ending where took and tyeedah got together I saw it coming though. Unique and kennard got through a lot of drama
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 1, 2015
Not one of my favs. This book was a slow read for me and that interesting.
May 3, 2024
Nobody write an urban novel like Nikki Turner to me, I love how she writes her female characters. They’re familiar and different all at the same time, they enjoyed this series
April 29, 2017
Always Unique by Nikki Turner it was a good read. Unique had a lot of skeletons in her closest from her past mistakes and misdeeds. She was trying to change her bad way and change from her former self to a better woman. She fell in love with Kennard high-roller boxing promoter and finding someone to love her back. As fate would have it her past came back and bit her in the tail. Big Tee beat her and raped her and demanded a million dollars cash. He wanted payback for the robbery and stealing of his money and drugs her former boyfriend Took from him he wanted her to pay. She ended up digging a bigger hold and making it worse. Unique ended up pregnant with Kennard baby beaten to death was in a coma lost her baby. She had to tell Kennard about her checkered past and how she blamed herself for her misfortune. Big Tee wrote Took a letter about his former girl friend living the high life he was stabbed to death thanks Kennard. He came to New York to ruin Unique and Kennard life he didn't want her happy. That backfired when he meets and falls in love with Unique best friend Tuesday he didn't want revenge any longer. Then out of nowhere another blast from the past Big Time another mark her and Took robbed and swindled out his loot she had a brief affair with his girlfriend Kitty to survive in prison. Big Time want to kill Unique for playing him. Kennard and Unique got married she has her restaurant as a wedding gift when did they get married. Took and Tuesday ended up together. Kennard right-hand man Drop-top shot Took in the leg for selling Unique to Mexico Whitehouse without a passport. What happened to Lootchee he brought her from the Whitehouse.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews