What do you think?
Rate this book
Flirting with Disaster: A Novella
Chloe Webster is an around-the-way girl pursuing her journalism degree at Hunter College. Then she meets Trey, a handsome and well dressed cat with hood swagger. When Trey tells Chloe that he is pursuing a degree in psychology, Chloe thinks she has finally met someone who has his head screwed on right. But as Chloe’s flirtation with Trey intensifies, secrets are revealed and she finds that she’s playing with fire, in Tracy Brown's Flirting with Disaster.
*First published in the 2009 anthology Flirt.
*First published in the 2009 anthology Flirt.
104 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 5, 2013
19 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Brown
90 books1,630 followersI am a storyteller, a painter of words, a writer who genuinely loves my craft.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
August 30, 2024
Playing with Fire❤️🔥
A perfect cautionary tale of being weary of the devil in disguise. You never know who’s actually genuine and who’s just trying to keep their crazy at bay. 🥴 My only gripe is that this wasn’t a few pages longer or even a whole novel.
A perfect cautionary tale of being weary of the devil in disguise. You never know who’s actually genuine and who’s just trying to keep their crazy at bay. 🥴 My only gripe is that this wasn’t a few pages longer or even a whole novel.
November 14, 2013
A pretty decent short story. Tracy Brown is a great urban lit writer, if more urban lit authors wrote like her, there wouldn't be such a negative stigma surrounding the genre. I'm glad she wrote Flirting with Disaster to hold us over until she publishes something else raw and intriguing. I recommend this short story.
December 18, 2015
Lessons to be learned
Well, it's safe to say that there's no romance here, just a young lady who was "Flirting with Disaster." This was a well done short story that could easily be extended to a good novel. I'm hoping for a continuation of the madness and survival story that could be....
Well, it's safe to say that there's no romance here, just a young lady who was "Flirting with Disaster." This was a well done short story that could easily be extended to a good novel. I'm hoping for a continuation of the madness and survival story that could be....
December 1, 2013
I love Tracy Brown's style. This book was very different from the typical urban novel and I can't wait to see what happens next. This book is proof that if something seems too good to be true -- it usually is.
October 1, 2019
Wow
This is a never judge a book by its cover type of story. It also shows the consequences of being too bull headed to listen to people that love you. Money and material things shouldn’t determine a person’s worth
This is a never judge a book by its cover type of story. It also shows the consequences of being too bull headed to listen to people that love you. Money and material things shouldn’t determine a person’s worth
July 30, 2017
Cool
It was a pretty goods except I knew what was going to happen before it even happened. It was cute though.
It was a pretty goods except I knew what was going to happen before it even happened. It was cute though.
January 20, 2026
Chloe may be considered an around-the-way type of girl, but she's got her head on her shoulders. Living at home and grounded in her studies as a journalism student at Hunter College, Chloe is on the path to becoming a writer for The Daily Post someday. That is, until she meets Trey, a psychology student who's handsome and well-dressed with deep pockets and big ambitions. But as their flirtation deepens, Trey’s secrets surface, and Chloe learns she may have been blinded by lust at first sight.
Okay, let's discuss Chloe because I'm sorry, but ... I couldn't stand her at times. I understand that she was a 20-year-old college student enjoying her life, breaking necks left and right, and not taking no for an answer. However, to be that smart yet so naive at the same time was frustrating to read. I mean, for God's sake, you mean to tell me that you didn't think that it would be important to ask a man you just started to date about his personal life? I guess that isn't important when that same man is spending hella dough on you and makes sure his world revolves around you. But that definitely comes with a cost, and it will certainly cost Chloe a few things.
Trey ... uh, two words: mother/father wound. He was for sure a devil in sheep's clothing, BUT DAMN!
I loved Ms. Rachel and Chloe's sister, Willow. Willow was spot on with her character analysis of Trey, and I wished Chloe had listened. I also found the parallels between how Ms. Rachel dated men and how Chloe dated Trey interesting. Both had no problem with entertaining men for their personal and financial gain.
Don't let the summary of Flirting with Disaster by Tracy Brown fool you. This is a short novella by Tracy Brown that moves fast with each page, but it definitely packs a punch. This is one of Tracy's older works, and though it is not as "polished" as her later work, it is still so good. Each page keeps you entertained, questioning who Trey really is, and wanting to slap Chloe for being so hard-headed.
Okay, let's discuss Chloe because I'm sorry, but ... I couldn't stand her at times. I understand that she was a 20-year-old college student enjoying her life, breaking necks left and right, and not taking no for an answer. However, to be that smart yet so naive at the same time was frustrating to read. I mean, for God's sake, you mean to tell me that you didn't think that it would be important to ask a man you just started to date about his personal life? I guess that isn't important when that same man is spending hella dough on you and makes sure his world revolves around you. But that definitely comes with a cost, and it will certainly cost Chloe a few things.
Trey ... uh, two words: mother/father wound. He was for sure a devil in sheep's clothing, BUT DAMN!
I loved Ms. Rachel and Chloe's sister, Willow. Willow was spot on with her character analysis of Trey, and I wished Chloe had listened. I also found the parallels between how Ms. Rachel dated men and how Chloe dated Trey interesting. Both had no problem with entertaining men for their personal and financial gain.
Don't let the summary of Flirting with Disaster by Tracy Brown fool you. This is a short novella by Tracy Brown that moves fast with each page, but it definitely packs a punch. This is one of Tracy's older works, and though it is not as "polished" as her later work, it is still so good. Each page keeps you entertained, questioning who Trey really is, and wanting to slap Chloe for being so hard-headed.
February 21, 2025
Men with mommy issues are the worst type.......
Being young, beautiful, and thinking she knew it all when it came to dealing with men is what landed Chloe is the arms of a sick man. Trey seemed too good to be true, and he was. The lengths he went to to prove how much be liked Chloe masked the danger that lied beneath, and Chloe failed to take heed to the warnings from her family and friends. Trey's money had those red flags looking green until they were glaring in her face.....until it was too late.
Being young, beautiful, and thinking she knew it all when it came to dealing with men is what landed Chloe is the arms of a sick man. Trey seemed too good to be true, and he was. The lengths he went to to prove how much be liked Chloe masked the danger that lied beneath, and Chloe failed to take heed to the warnings from her family and friends. Trey's money had those red flags looking green until they were glaring in her face.....until it was too late.
April 29, 2024
The story ended in the middle...It left too many questions that needed to be answered..very weird
Very weird hoe it ended..it felt unfinished.The author took you on a ride then dropped you off in the middle of the street
Very weird hoe it ended..it felt unfinished.The author took you on a ride then dropped you off in the middle of the street
March 22, 2025
Speechless.. This was really good. For it to be so short it packed a punch. I just really wish it was a little longer. It was a bit predictable because of the title but it doesn’t take away how the story just sucks you in. Definietly recommend.
March 23, 2017
Very quick read. I enjoyed it. It was predictable.
November 16, 2020
A Page Turner
This is Tracy Brown’s style and it hits close to home. The Black culture is alive and the characters are familiar. Love most of Tracy Brown’s work!
This is Tracy Brown’s style and it hits close to home. The Black culture is alive and the characters are familiar. Love most of Tracy Brown’s work!
February 1, 2025
Excellent really enjoyed this book my first time reading this author. Will definitely checkout more off her work. Just wish it wasn't a short story ..
February 1, 2026
A true lesson learned novel. I didn’t care for the ending, I thought it would be a little more to what happened next. But overall a good read.
March 17, 2016
Flirting With Disaster is a novella about a young black woman named Chloe Webster and her relationship habits. Chloe and her family are not rich, but sisters Chloe and Willow have everything they need from their single mother Rachel Webster. Chloe is a young twenty year old pursuing a degree in Journalism at Hunter College and enjoying the freedom living at home is affording her. She does not have to pay bills or get a job and be held down by adult responsibilities. Chloe’s mother, Rachel, is a hard working bank clerk at Midtown Manhattan and can afford her daughters this luxury. Though the author does not reveal Rachel’s age, I imagine her as someone who had her daughters young but who is hip to the workings of the streets and works hard to give her daughters everything they need. Rachel doesn’t want them dating drug dealer boyfriends who shower them with designer clothes and expensive gifts. Rachel teaches her girls that just because they live in the hood does not mean they have to act like hood rats. For this reason, Rachel showers them herself. While watching their grades like a hawk, she gives them monthly shopping sprees and bi-weekly hair appointments. As a result, while Chloe is a beautiful young woman pursuing a career, she is also conceited and naive.
The story opens with Chloe leaving the St. George bus terminal and hurrying to catch The Staten Island Ferry to Lower Manhattan. Finally finding a seat and catching her breath she catches the eye of Trey, a handsome young man dressed just enticing enough for someone like Chloe to notice. Fresh black Nikes, blue jeans, and a Coogi polo shirt. Trey has that laid back, neatly groomed low hair cut, T.I. style that Chloe likes. After all, what a man has on his feet is all too important to her. After exchanging some flattering words, Chloe decides to let Trey wine, dine, and spend on her. Without giving up the goodies, Chloe keeps Jason on the side for her physical needs while Trey showers her with everything she thinks is worthy of a man: expensive gifts, dinners and everything else physically attractive to a twenty-year old who is used to getting what she wants. But all that glitters ain’t gold and all that looks good is far from it.
Trey has lots of secrets and housed between his good looks and expensive gifts is a very troubled man. In fact, Trey noticed Chloe because of something much more disturbing than her good looks. Growing up in a troubled home, Chloe reminds Trey of his mother who walked out on him years ago and left him with his abusive father. Distracted by the physical attractions of what makes for a good man, Chloe is blinded to other attributes that should come into question. What is Trey’s last name? What’s Trey’s family like? What kind of people has he dated in the past and why have those relationships ended? Where is his family? Where do they live? What kind of people are they? These are questions women should ask themselves when dating any man. These are also questions Chloe does not have the answers to. Warned by both her mother and sister that something is not right about this man, Chloe ignores their concerns and continues to spend Trey’s money and play with his mind. Chloe is having fun flirting with disaster. She will learn the hard way that there is much more to a man than his shoe size, his wallet, and his physical appearance.
One of the criticisms of this book is that it was too short. I do not think so. In fact, I think it was just as long as it needed to be. The message does not, in my opinion, require lots of Chapters to get across and is not difficult to understand. Lots of young people look for and are attracted to men like Trey. They are sucked in by the name brand designer clothing, the job that pays well, and the expensive gifts. But it is not just young people, it is society itself. We teach our daughters that a man with no money is not worth their time. We also encourage our daughters to be with men who could financially provide for them and to ignore everything else. Forget that he must be mentally stable, genuinely kind, and spiritually insightful. Forget that he must be loving and compassionate. While a man has a responsibility to provide for his family, there is also so much more that men provide. They provide protection, spiritual guidance, and discipline for our children just to name a few.
Flirting With Disaster is a must read for young women.
The story opens with Chloe leaving the St. George bus terminal and hurrying to catch The Staten Island Ferry to Lower Manhattan. Finally finding a seat and catching her breath she catches the eye of Trey, a handsome young man dressed just enticing enough for someone like Chloe to notice. Fresh black Nikes, blue jeans, and a Coogi polo shirt. Trey has that laid back, neatly groomed low hair cut, T.I. style that Chloe likes. After all, what a man has on his feet is all too important to her. After exchanging some flattering words, Chloe decides to let Trey wine, dine, and spend on her. Without giving up the goodies, Chloe keeps Jason on the side for her physical needs while Trey showers her with everything she thinks is worthy of a man: expensive gifts, dinners and everything else physically attractive to a twenty-year old who is used to getting what she wants. But all that glitters ain’t gold and all that looks good is far from it.
Trey has lots of secrets and housed between his good looks and expensive gifts is a very troubled man. In fact, Trey noticed Chloe because of something much more disturbing than her good looks. Growing up in a troubled home, Chloe reminds Trey of his mother who walked out on him years ago and left him with his abusive father. Distracted by the physical attractions of what makes for a good man, Chloe is blinded to other attributes that should come into question. What is Trey’s last name? What’s Trey’s family like? What kind of people has he dated in the past and why have those relationships ended? Where is his family? Where do they live? What kind of people are they? These are questions women should ask themselves when dating any man. These are also questions Chloe does not have the answers to. Warned by both her mother and sister that something is not right about this man, Chloe ignores their concerns and continues to spend Trey’s money and play with his mind. Chloe is having fun flirting with disaster. She will learn the hard way that there is much more to a man than his shoe size, his wallet, and his physical appearance.
One of the criticisms of this book is that it was too short. I do not think so. In fact, I think it was just as long as it needed to be. The message does not, in my opinion, require lots of Chapters to get across and is not difficult to understand. Lots of young people look for and are attracted to men like Trey. They are sucked in by the name brand designer clothing, the job that pays well, and the expensive gifts. But it is not just young people, it is society itself. We teach our daughters that a man with no money is not worth their time. We also encourage our daughters to be with men who could financially provide for them and to ignore everything else. Forget that he must be mentally stable, genuinely kind, and spiritually insightful. Forget that he must be loving and compassionate. While a man has a responsibility to provide for his family, there is also so much more that men provide. They provide protection, spiritual guidance, and discipline for our children just to name a few.
Flirting With Disaster is a must read for young women.
Read
August 5, 20253.5 it was really good but it triggered me so bad, the description didn’t give too much of what to expect and it wasn’t until i got to the 60ish mark where i was contemplating dnf’ing. the tropes in this isn’t something i would go for and thats on me. but it was a good novella and honestly if you like a soft thriller this is it. i seen a lot of ppl ask for a sequel but sometimes an open ending book is all you need.
March 29, 2014
Only two stars because it was too short. Could've and should've been longer. Overall, it was a good story. But it could've had more character development. The author could have also tied up the other story lines within the story. Purchased it for only $2. Any more than that and I wouldn't have bought it.
April 12, 2014
To short!!
I love this author, but this book was almost like a short story and really left you hanging at the end. I'm sure they'll be a part 2, but she usually finishes a book and leaves you wanting another one. I'm torn about this one.
I love this author, but this book was almost like a short story and really left you hanging at the end. I'm sure they'll be a part 2, but she usually finishes a book and leaves you wanting another one. I'm torn about this one.
April 7, 2016
Nice, short and sweet.... I wonder if Tracy Brown will write a sequel to this book?!.. I am waiting impatiently
Nice, short and sweet... I wonder if Tracy Brown will write a sequel... I am waiting impatiently for it... love it!
Nice, short and sweet... I wonder if Tracy Brown will write a sequel... I am waiting impatiently for it... love it!
November 14, 2013
This was a really good story for a short story. Tracy is an excellent writer and always delivers.
November 18, 2013
Loved, Loved. An enjoyable read from start to finish. Fingers and toes crossed for the sequel release in 2014.
January 26, 2014
Wish There Was More!!
Good read...can't wait to read more of what happens with Chloe!! Also would like to know what happens with Trey!!
Good read...can't wait to read more of what happens with Chloe!! Also would like to know what happens with Trey!!
January 30, 2014
ths waz good;) everythng tht seems good isnt always good waz the lesson taught in ths book. a must-read.
March 17, 2016
Pretty Good!
Fast read, very good, would like to know more but I guess that's coming soon!! Not bad for the price
Fast read, very good, would like to know more but I guess that's coming soon!! Not bad for the price
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews