What do you think?
Rate this book
Celeste Styles #1
Dime Piece
Celeste Styles is a woman torn. On one hand, she has found happiness with the love of her life, Raheem "Rah-Lo" Henderson. He is unhappily married with children, and Celeste is his well-kept secret.
He loves Celeste without question, proving his affection for her by financing her dream- a beauty salon called Dime Piece.
But when Rah-Lo is incarcerated for his part in a brutal crime, his right hand man Ishmael Wright is left to hold down the fort. This causes him to come face to face with the feelings he has secretly harbored for Celeste for far too long.
While Rah-Lo's away, will Celeste and Ishmael give into their passion for each other, or will their loyalty to Rah-Lo stand in their way?
Meanwhile, Dime Piece is the setting for tons of drama between hairstylists Charly, Nina and Robin. The ladies vie for one man's attention and the fireworks begin.
He loves Celeste without question, proving his affection for her by financing her dream- a beauty salon called Dime Piece.
But when Rah-Lo is incarcerated for his part in a brutal crime, his right hand man Ishmael Wright is left to hold down the fort. This causes him to come face to face with the feelings he has secretly harbored for Celeste for far too long.
While Rah-Lo's away, will Celeste and Ishmael give into their passion for each other, or will their loyalty to Rah-Lo stand in their way?
Meanwhile, Dime Piece is the setting for tons of drama between hairstylists Charly, Nina and Robin. The ladies vie for one man's attention and the fireworks begin.
202 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2004
22 people are currently reading
1282 people want to read
About the author
Tracy Brown
89 books1,615 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 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 2, 2023
3.75 ⭐️
Dime Piece is a quick dose of drama, love triangles and hood action. I wish I could meet Ishmael in real life cause the way he had the girls wildin’ over him was just WOW lmao. I’m excited to see how things play out in the sequel, after that ending!
Although I found the book to be incredibly entertaining, it still doesn’t compare to Miss Brown’s later work. She definitely matured as a writer after her earlier novels. No shade to the author, she’s one of my favorites! May she rest in peace 🙏🏾
Dime Piece is a quick dose of drama, love triangles and hood action. I wish I could meet Ishmael in real life cause the way he had the girls wildin’ over him was just WOW lmao. I’m excited to see how things play out in the sequel, after that ending!
Although I found the book to be incredibly entertaining, it still doesn’t compare to Miss Brown’s later work. She definitely matured as a writer after her earlier novels. No shade to the author, she’s one of my favorites! May she rest in peace 🙏🏾
January 5, 2025
I hated everyone in this book. All these women are crash out dummies !! 😂 let me gather my patience for Twisted.
April 19, 2025
this was messyyyyy!!!
December 27, 2010
A very fast, very drama filled read from Tracy Brown! This could easily be read in one day or even less- it took me about two because of the snow storm and a toddler who loves playing in snow but I enjoyed the entire book from page 1. I can't wait to read Twisted although I have to put that one off a little longer. :(
This is the prequel to Twisted as I recently found out and the main characters are Celeste, Rah-lo and Ishmeal. The secondary players are Charly, Nina, and Robin- every single character was well formed and added something to the story line.
I also liked how the book was a little more realistic than I expected. There was a situation where a ransom was needed and while that isn't something that exactly happens every day in my life, I suppose it does happen. What I liked was that Rah-lo didn't just reach in his pocket and pull out money that no one would be holding on- he had to "come up" with the money. That struck me as being slightly more realistic than your average urban fiction book.
The ending was awesome and that's becoming more and more rare these days also. I'm really, really looking forward to Twisted and more Tracy Brown books!
This is the prequel to Twisted as I recently found out and the main characters are Celeste, Rah-lo and Ishmeal. The secondary players are Charly, Nina, and Robin- every single character was well formed and added something to the story line.
I also liked how the book was a little more realistic than I expected. There was a situation where a ransom was needed and while that isn't something that exactly happens every day in my life, I suppose it does happen. What I liked was that Rah-lo didn't just reach in his pocket and pull out money that no one would be holding on- he had to "come up" with the money. That struck me as being slightly more realistic than your average urban fiction book.
The ending was awesome and that's becoming more and more rare these days also. I'm really, really looking forward to Twisted and more Tracy Brown books!
June 19, 2024
Tracy Brown never disappoints!! So many twist and turns to this book. So glad.Celeste learned her worth!!
January 2, 2018
I accidentally read the sequel to this book then I read the first book.Even though I don't condone with women messing with married men no matter what the circumstance is - I really couldn't put this down.THIS BOOK WAS GOOD.IT TELLS ABOUT CELESTE STYLES WHO OWNS A SHOP CALLED DIME PIECE THAT WAS GIVEN TO HER BY HER DRUG KINGPIN BOYFRIEND RAH-LO.CELESTE STYLES HAS IT ALL,BUT SHE ISN'T VERY HAPPY BECAUSE RAH-LO IS MARRIED.WHEN RAH-LO IS ARRESTED AND TAKEN TO JAIL,CELESTE FINDS HERSELF FALLING FOR RAH-LO'S RIGHT HAND MAN ISHMAEL.ISHMAEL IS A MANWHORE,HE HAS BEEN THROUGH MOST OF THE GIRLS WHO WORK IN DIME PIECE AND WANTS A PIECE OF THEM ALL.THIS BOOKS BRINGS DRAMA UPON EVERYONE,BUT WHO WILL BE THE REAL DIME PIECE?.EVEN THOUGH RAH-LO IS MARRIED WILL CELESTE DOESN'T KNOW IF SHE WANTS TO STILL KEEP PLAYING SECONDS TO HIS WIFE,BUT HE IS IN LOVE WITH CELESTE MORE THAN HIS WIFRE.AND WILL THE FIGHT KEEP GOING ON WITH THE THREE DIME PIECES CHARLY,NINA,AND ROBIN?WHO CAN'T STOP NAGGING EACHOTHER.THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT.GOOD JOB TCP YALL DID IT AGAIN
February 25, 2009
This book was really good and I normally don't care for books written in third-person. Tracy Brown is excellent with her choices of words and how she able to explain each characters view's and emotions, so that your able to identify with each of them. But make sure you read Dime Piece first and then read the sequel Twisted by Tracy Brown.
October 19, 2024
I like Tracy Brown and I like the raw grittiness of her writing. This particular book didn't have that and seemed a lot softer than what I am used to. That being said I still enjoyed this book and will be looking for the 2nd book to find out what will happen to the characters because you know the story isn't finished.
So the basic premise is that Celeste is a side piece to Rah-lo and he has her living in his house that his wife doesn't know about and has bought her a hair salon that is successful. However, Rah-lo's right hand man, Ishmael has a secret love for Celeste that he keeps under wraps knowing Celeste will never leave Rah-lo. Over time Ishmael hooks up with 2 of the women who work in the salon and Nina, the 3rd woman in the salon, also is feeling him after they go home and have a night long conversation after a party.
Rah-lo is sent to jail after someone calls the FBI on him and his drug business and goes to jail. While he is in there life falls apart slowly for Celeste and quickly for Charly and Robin. This leads to lots of drama and the need for a 2nd book.
So the basic premise is that Celeste is a side piece to Rah-lo and he has her living in his house that his wife doesn't know about and has bought her a hair salon that is successful. However, Rah-lo's right hand man, Ishmael has a secret love for Celeste that he keeps under wraps knowing Celeste will never leave Rah-lo. Over time Ishmael hooks up with 2 of the women who work in the salon and Nina, the 3rd woman in the salon, also is feeling him after they go home and have a night long conversation after a party.
Rah-lo is sent to jail after someone calls the FBI on him and his drug business and goes to jail. While he is in there life falls apart slowly for Celeste and quickly for Charly and Robin. This leads to lots of drama and the need for a 2nd book.
March 3, 2018
Dime Piece is a beauty salon that was gifted to Celeste by her married boyfriend Rah-Lo. She has three stylists…all of whom are about their money and unfortunately, fall for the same man. When Rah-Lo gets locked up…in steps his right-hand man Ishmael…the true definition of a player. There's only one problem…he has a secret crush on Celeste. Jealousy and envy begin to surface and things begin to take a turn in Dime Piece.
I truly enjoyed this book by veteran @authortracybrown, and don't know what took me so long to read it. Recently, I've been needing something drama-filled and Dime Piece certainly provided that. I also found a new book boyfriend in Ishmael, although I kept rooting for him to get his ish together. Lol I highly recommend this book, and give it 💎💎💎💎, because I found a few errors. Other than that, it was definitely on point. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel (which I recently found out about) entitled Twisted.
I truly enjoyed this book by veteran @authortracybrown, and don't know what took me so long to read it. Recently, I've been needing something drama-filled and Dime Piece certainly provided that. I also found a new book boyfriend in Ishmael, although I kept rooting for him to get his ish together. Lol I highly recommend this book, and give it 💎💎💎💎, because I found a few errors. Other than that, it was definitely on point. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel (which I recently found out about) entitled Twisted.
December 9, 2025
Purchased this book after realizing I wanted to start Twisted by Tracy Brown and needed to be caught up 100% with Dime piece before indulging in the second book.
I want to start off by saying there are many errors in this book however I was able to overlook them. It seems like Dime Piece is one of Tracy’s earlier works and it’s nice to see how she improved her amazing, impeccable writing skills over the years. With her being one of my favorite authors I didn’t mind the few errors.
Dime Piece has a slow start. But once I was locked in I was INTRIGUED! The imagery is spot on. I felt the energy in the beauty salon as if I were there myself. Even though Ishmael is a no good man and a player is it wrong I was secretly wanting Celeste to pick him rather than being a side chick to Rah-Lo! Hoping the next book will answer my thoughts!
Quick read definitely enjoyed! Missing the author and her work always! 🤎
I want to start off by saying there are many errors in this book however I was able to overlook them. It seems like Dime Piece is one of Tracy’s earlier works and it’s nice to see how she improved her amazing, impeccable writing skills over the years. With her being one of my favorite authors I didn’t mind the few errors.
Dime Piece has a slow start. But once I was locked in I was INTRIGUED! The imagery is spot on. I felt the energy in the beauty salon as if I were there myself. Even though Ishmael is a no good man and a player is it wrong I was secretly wanting Celeste to pick him rather than being a side chick to Rah-Lo! Hoping the next book will answer my thoughts!
Quick read definitely enjoyed! Missing the author and her work always! 🤎
January 7, 2018
This was a great read. Very interesting from start to finish
June 5, 2023
Sheesh I read this book in 2 days it was a really good read never a dull moment and well written I enjoy Tracy Brown's work may she rest in peace.
January 18, 2024
Love the book I love the drama and how it relate to some women’s lifestyle.
Read
August 7, 2024This was entertaining but idk what to rate it. I also don’t know what to say, It literally went by fast as hell.
April 4, 2025
Wow
Ishmael was so wrong. Those women worked together. Robin was too quick, but I think she needed that the most
Ishmael was so wrong. Those women worked together. Robin was too quick, but I think she needed that the most
April 27, 2018
i loved this book it was good and shows that sometimes friends are not ur friends
July 9, 2015
Ratchet Inside & Out (3.5 stars)
Had this been my first Tracy Brown read, I PROBABLY wouldn't have given her another shot without confirmation that her writing has gotten better.
There's a lot of telling instead of showing, grammar issues dealing with typos and not separating dialogue, and I could live without the street aspect of it. Outside of that, it's an interesting read. The only character I tend to have liked was Nina, but I felt like I hardly knew her. I enjoyed the ending and all, and I will definitely read the next installment, "Twisted," since I know Tracy's writing only gets better from here.
The ratchet cover definitely fits the ratchetness of the story.
Had this been my first Tracy Brown read, I PROBABLY wouldn't have given her another shot without confirmation that her writing has gotten better.
There's a lot of telling instead of showing, grammar issues dealing with typos and not separating dialogue, and I could live without the street aspect of it. Outside of that, it's an interesting read. The only character I tend to have liked was Nina, but I felt like I hardly knew her. I enjoyed the ending and all, and I will definitely read the next installment, "Twisted," since I know Tracy's writing only gets better from here.
The ratchet cover definitely fits the ratchetness of the story.
February 11, 2011
I'm reading this book called Dime Piece and its about this girl who is in love with a hustler but the thing is that he has a wife and two daughters. but this girl doesn't care because he is in love with her as well. Then one day they made love the police raided the house and the wife find out that Celeste was her husband's mistress. And Rah-Lo is in custody and Rah-Lo Celeste to be out while this are going down. But this book is real good!
August 2, 2012
even though the cover is pretty trashy and it got me some funny looks, the book was actually pretty good. i know females can be foul, but them chicks was off the chain. all in all it was a good read and very believable story.
Read
January 19, 2013The main character owned a hair salon called Dime Piece. She had two of her friends working as hairdressers in her shop. One of the friends was jealous of her and was sleeping with her boyfriend. Tracy Brown is an exceptionally good author. I read this book in 2010.
November 22, 2014
Great novel!
I really liked the storyline. A man will make you do some foolish things and a woman in love will stand by their man. In this case walking away was the best answer in a lot of the relationships. Also a gangsters life is never easy and in the end you will pay!
I really liked the storyline. A man will make you do some foolish things and a woman in love will stand by their man. In this case walking away was the best answer in a lot of the relationships. Also a gangsters life is never easy and in the end you will pay!
Read
May 2, 2008A lil bit of everything
September 25, 2008
the book is very good a mixture or betrayal, romance,and drama
March 27, 2009
*IT WAZ OOK*
Read
May 20, 2010it was good
August 10, 2010
It was ok, alot of drama but no real real action!
August 20, 2012
Decent enough to read part 2. overall still good.
December 10, 2012
Excellent!!!
May 21, 2015
This was a pretty good read, however there were a lot of misspelled words and the author mixed up the characters a few times.
August 31, 2011
When I first read this book I knew her writing career would take off!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews