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Passion for the Heist
A crime would bring them together, grief would bind them and love would make them famous.
Parish “Pain” Wells is a man freshly reintroduced to society, after serving time in state prison. Prior to his fall, Pain had been a heist man who showed the promise of someone who could go on to be a legend. His trajectory changed on the night he had made the mistake of accepting a ride from a friend, and found himself behind bars for the one crime he hadn’t committed. Several years later, Pain returns home to a world that wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire. The only one who still remains in his corner is his ailing grandmother. It’s for her sake that Pain tries to stay on the straight and narrow. He’s tired of breaking her heart and vows to be a good grandson, but when her medical bills start mounting he finds himself backed into a corner. He needs money, fast, and there’s only one way he knows how to get it.
Since her parents died and Passion Adams found herself a ward of her estranged uncle, a gangster who everyone calls Uncle Joe, her life has been on a constant downward spiral. She moves like a ghost from one day to the next, numbing her pain with drugs and alcohol, while seeking thrills in unsavory places. One morning Passion finds herself the victim of a robbery and the thieves snatch from her the only thing of value that she has left in the world, a locket containing the ashes of her deceased parents. Passion is devastated, fearing she would never see the locket again until it shows up later in the hands of a handsome stranger, who brings something into Passion’s life that has eluded her since the death of her parents… hope.
The two broken souls find themselves inescapably drawn into each other’s orbits, and begin their journey of finding lives outside the ones of poverty and sorrow that their worlds had condemned them to. But when shadows from both their pasts threaten their happiness, Passion and Pain set out on an adventure that would make them hunted by law enforcement and celebrated by the underworld. What initially starts out as a mission of vindication quickly turns into a fight for survival.
"K'wan delivered another classic." -Mark Anthony, Essence bestselling author of Paper Chasers
"Make way for the Donald Goines/Iceberg Slim of our era." -Tracy Brown, author of Black, Dime Piece and Criminal Minded
“Wait until you read this! K'wan is raising the stakes." - Kashamba Williams, author of Blinded and Grimey
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Parish “Pain” Wells is a man freshly reintroduced to society, after serving time in state prison. Prior to his fall, Pain had been a heist man who showed the promise of someone who could go on to be a legend. His trajectory changed on the night he had made the mistake of accepting a ride from a friend, and found himself behind bars for the one crime he hadn’t committed. Several years later, Pain returns home to a world that wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire. The only one who still remains in his corner is his ailing grandmother. It’s for her sake that Pain tries to stay on the straight and narrow. He’s tired of breaking her heart and vows to be a good grandson, but when her medical bills start mounting he finds himself backed into a corner. He needs money, fast, and there’s only one way he knows how to get it.
Since her parents died and Passion Adams found herself a ward of her estranged uncle, a gangster who everyone calls Uncle Joe, her life has been on a constant downward spiral. She moves like a ghost from one day to the next, numbing her pain with drugs and alcohol, while seeking thrills in unsavory places. One morning Passion finds herself the victim of a robbery and the thieves snatch from her the only thing of value that she has left in the world, a locket containing the ashes of her deceased parents. Passion is devastated, fearing she would never see the locket again until it shows up later in the hands of a handsome stranger, who brings something into Passion’s life that has eluded her since the death of her parents… hope.
The two broken souls find themselves inescapably drawn into each other’s orbits, and begin their journey of finding lives outside the ones of poverty and sorrow that their worlds had condemned them to. But when shadows from both their pasts threaten their happiness, Passion and Pain set out on an adventure that would make them hunted by law enforcement and celebrated by the underworld. What initially starts out as a mission of vindication quickly turns into a fight for survival.
"K'wan delivered another classic." -Mark Anthony, Essence bestselling author of Paper Chasers
"Make way for the Donald Goines/Iceberg Slim of our era." -Tracy Brown, author of Black, Dime Piece and Criminal Minded
“Wait until you read this! K'wan is raising the stakes." - Kashamba Williams, author of Blinded and Grimey
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
323 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2024
47 people are currently reading
4561 people want to read
About the author
K'wan
84 books1,520 followersIn 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
August 27, 2024
Special thanks to the author, @forgereads for my gifted copy, & @macmillan.audio for my advanced listening copy‼️
This book was definitely a wild experience. K’wan is a master at creating elaborate characters and putting them through the most intense situations. There was soooooo much going on imagine a movie with no set plot just a bunch of dramatic effects that was Passion for the Heist to me.
Every time I read one of his books you can tell he allows his imagination to flow freely. Although it didn’t really have any clear direction or plot the book is entertaining nonetheless and the last 25% was the best part of it. My main issue as always was the hundred million side characters I had to keep up with like 4 is cool but 10 is a stretch.
But this one follows two separate MC’s Pain who was recently released from prison and is trying to get his life together without returning to the streets. But of course that only lasts for so long. Then we have Passion a young teen under the care of her uncle Joe who just so happens to be a pimp. Her whole situation was crazy especially when Uncle Joe switched up‼️ When Passion and Pain cross paths that’s when the book took a turn and all these crazy secrets and acts of betrayal happened. I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio and the narrator sounds like the guy from First 48 and oddly I couldn’t unhear it 😂.
Overall, the book was okay it’s urban fiction so you already know what you’re in store for. We get a couple robberies, murder, domestic abuse, underage prostitution, and fake love/relationships. In many aspects K’Wan delivered enough to keep you entertained and with that cliffhanger ending I see a book 2 in our future.
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️
This book was definitely a wild experience. K’wan is a master at creating elaborate characters and putting them through the most intense situations. There was soooooo much going on imagine a movie with no set plot just a bunch of dramatic effects that was Passion for the Heist to me.
Every time I read one of his books you can tell he allows his imagination to flow freely. Although it didn’t really have any clear direction or plot the book is entertaining nonetheless and the last 25% was the best part of it. My main issue as always was the hundred million side characters I had to keep up with like 4 is cool but 10 is a stretch.
But this one follows two separate MC’s Pain who was recently released from prison and is trying to get his life together without returning to the streets. But of course that only lasts for so long. Then we have Passion a young teen under the care of her uncle Joe who just so happens to be a pimp. Her whole situation was crazy especially when Uncle Joe switched up‼️ When Passion and Pain cross paths that’s when the book took a turn and all these crazy secrets and acts of betrayal happened. I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio and the narrator sounds like the guy from First 48 and oddly I couldn’t unhear it 😂.
Overall, the book was okay it’s urban fiction so you already know what you’re in store for. We get a couple robberies, murder, domestic abuse, underage prostitution, and fake love/relationships. In many aspects K’Wan delivered enough to keep you entertained and with that cliffhanger ending I see a book 2 in our future.
Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️
March 9, 2025
My Final Thoughts:
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and that is definitely the road Percy “Pain” Wells is on after being released from prison. He didn’t last one day without getting into a scuffle. I was hoping for a redemption story...boy was I disappointed.
The way women were treated in this book was sad and it seemed like all of the men were predators of teenage girls. Almost no one in this book could be trusted, and the criminals were not the brightest crayons in the pack. While the ending was good, it was too much, too late.
They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and that is definitely the road Percy “Pain” Wells is on after being released from prison. He didn’t last one day without getting into a scuffle. I was hoping for a redemption story...boy was I disappointed.
The way women were treated in this book was sad and it seemed like all of the men were predators of teenage girls. Almost no one in this book could be trusted, and the criminals were not the brightest crayons in the pack. While the ending was good, it was too much, too late.
September 1, 2024
K’wan doesn’t miss!!!!!
K’wan included so many Easter eggs in this book, you have to be a true fan to know what was up!
K’wan included so many Easter eggs in this book, you have to be a true fan to know what was up!
August 11, 2024
I absolutely loved ❤️this book. I listened to the audiobook and I found myself laughing 🤣 and people around me giving me strange looks 👀. There has to be a part 2 and I can’t wait to read it. K’wan never disappoints me.
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review
Thank you to the author and NetGalley for gifting me this book in exchange for my honest review
August 13, 2024
First, if you’re looking for any type of love within this book, this isn’t the book for you. This book is straight Urban Fiction through and through! Now let’s get into the book.
Passion - A bright young girl who was sent to live with her estranged Uncle, Joe after her parents die after a terrible accident. Now, living with Uncle Joe, a pimp and the most disgusting man ever, Passion is forced to navigate her new life living with a man who causes her more harm than good. Passion numbs away the pain of her current living situation by using drugs, “having episodes,” alcohol, c*tting herself, and getting mixed up in things she has no business in. Like .. intermingling herself with Pain after her memorial locket is jacked.
Pain - A career criminal who is released from prison is finding out that being outside of those 4 walls may not be as easy as he thought it would be. He wants to stay on the right and narrow path because he feels like he owes it to his grandmother since he missed out on so much time with her, but what do you do when old habits don’t die hard and your old crew hasn’t changed and is still up to no good? You battle day in and day out with the old version of yourself and the man you want to become.
Passion and Pain were two characters who were drawn to each other, but not in the way that you would think in terms of love. Passion and Pain were drawn to each other because life was about to connect them in more ways than one! Cue Jay-Z and Beyonce On The Run 2.
Some of my favorite things:
- Passion’s love of sunrises. 🌅
- Passion, Birdie, and Juju. Passion's relationship with each girl was different, but I enjoyed how they loved and cared for one another despite what was going on in their lives. 🤞🏽
- Pain and his love for his grandmother did something to me. I can’t imagine spending all those years locked up to only get out and be on borrowed time. 🥹
- Pain might’ve been a career criminal, but he was smart as hell. 📖
- The heist itself and a lot of the action that happened in the book. It felt like I was watching a movie at times.
- Ms. Higgins! She adored and challenged Passion to be better than her circumstances and I loved that. 👑
- The Brooklyn Botanical Garden scene. 🪴
- The connection between the prologue and chapter 28. Then we have the big BOMB drop in chapter 29. Everything just moved so fast! 😫
If you asked me who I hated the most in this book? Uncle Joe! So far, I don’t know if I have ever read a more vile character than him. He and Ted deserved a death sentence for what they did. Also, Bo and Zeta can kiss my grits. I hated how they treated the girls in the house.
About after the 70% mark things started to pick up and I felt like that’s when the true action started to happen. Lines were drawn and loyalty was for sure tested! My mouth dropped once we got to the last three chapters because I wasn’t expecting so much to happen at once.
Passion for the Heist is the first book in the Desperado series so I think it makes sense why so many questions were left unanswered and why were left with a cliffhanger. I thoroughly enjoyed the book so I’m curious to see what happens in book 2 because .. where are Passion and Pain now? 👀
Also, check your trigger warnings: Mental health issues, c*tting, SA in general, and SA of minors happen in this storyline.
✨ISSA ARC REVIEW.✨ Thank you to NetGalley, K’wan, and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC of Passion for the Heist for my honest review.
Passion - A bright young girl who was sent to live with her estranged Uncle, Joe after her parents die after a terrible accident. Now, living with Uncle Joe, a pimp and the most disgusting man ever, Passion is forced to navigate her new life living with a man who causes her more harm than good. Passion numbs away the pain of her current living situation by using drugs, “having episodes,” alcohol, c*tting herself, and getting mixed up in things she has no business in. Like .. intermingling herself with Pain after her memorial locket is jacked.
Pain - A career criminal who is released from prison is finding out that being outside of those 4 walls may not be as easy as he thought it would be. He wants to stay on the right and narrow path because he feels like he owes it to his grandmother since he missed out on so much time with her, but what do you do when old habits don’t die hard and your old crew hasn’t changed and is still up to no good? You battle day in and day out with the old version of yourself and the man you want to become.
Passion and Pain were two characters who were drawn to each other, but not in the way that you would think in terms of love. Passion and Pain were drawn to each other because life was about to connect them in more ways than one! Cue Jay-Z and Beyonce On The Run 2.
Some of my favorite things:
- Passion’s love of sunrises. 🌅
- Passion, Birdie, and Juju. Passion's relationship with each girl was different, but I enjoyed how they loved and cared for one another despite what was going on in their lives. 🤞🏽
- Pain and his love for his grandmother did something to me. I can’t imagine spending all those years locked up to only get out and be on borrowed time. 🥹
- Pain might’ve been a career criminal, but he was smart as hell. 📖
- The heist itself and a lot of the action that happened in the book. It felt like I was watching a movie at times.
- Ms. Higgins! She adored and challenged Passion to be better than her circumstances and I loved that. 👑
- The Brooklyn Botanical Garden scene. 🪴
- The connection between the prologue and chapter 28. Then we have the big BOMB drop in chapter 29. Everything just moved so fast! 😫
If you asked me who I hated the most in this book? Uncle Joe! So far, I don’t know if I have ever read a more vile character than him. He and Ted deserved a death sentence for what they did. Also, Bo and Zeta can kiss my grits. I hated how they treated the girls in the house.
About after the 70% mark things started to pick up and I felt like that’s when the true action started to happen. Lines were drawn and loyalty was for sure tested! My mouth dropped once we got to the last three chapters because I wasn’t expecting so much to happen at once.
Passion for the Heist is the first book in the Desperado series so I think it makes sense why so many questions were left unanswered and why were left with a cliffhanger. I thoroughly enjoyed the book so I’m curious to see what happens in book 2 because .. where are Passion and Pain now? 👀
Also, check your trigger warnings: Mental health issues, c*tting, SA in general, and SA of minors happen in this storyline.
✨ISSA ARC REVIEW.✨ Thank you to NetGalley, K’wan, and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC of Passion for the Heist for my honest review.
March 10, 2025
Pain’s guide for “what not to do in heists and street life”…
Pain is released from prison and set to reintegrate into society, in his old hood. He's determined to do right and help his ill grandmother. He wants to make changes, but he has no money, and no plan.
Passion is a 17 year old go-getter who has been dealt some heavy blows through life. She is living in a home run by Uncle Joe and stays in a constant fight for survival.
I went into this thinking this would be a savage, ghetto love story where two hurt people come together and save each other from their tragic circumstances, against all odds....
But, what I got was a daily glimpse into Pain's fights everywhere he went. I redid K. Dot’s song as a theme song for Pain:
Pour up (fight), head shot (fight)
Sit down (fight), stand up (fight) Everywhere, fight.
The fights quickly became repetitive. I found myself thinking, get away from me with this Apollo.
Passion’s story kinda got lost in the shuffle. We'd get bits and pieces of her story, then 2-3 more chapters of Pain fights. I still have questions about Passion’s backstory and present situation.
Some of the scenes were unrealistic. I'm still wondering how Pain came up so fast (in like a matter of 4 days). How was Pain a legend in the streets, but made countless rookie mistakes?
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really brought the scene levels above how it probably how it read on paper.
I have always been a fan of urban/street lit but this one felt a little scattered. There were so many side characters to keep up with. Then, we'd hear about one and then they never returned again in the story. So, why did this person have 4-5 pages about them?
Did I like anything about this book? Yes! The cover, the narration and I still had an urge to know how these stories would connect in the end...Bonus point for the action packed, fast paced entertainment! I’d be interested in following the series to see what happens next.
Another great read & discussion with @thelitcircle
Pain is released from prison and set to reintegrate into society, in his old hood. He's determined to do right and help his ill grandmother. He wants to make changes, but he has no money, and no plan.
Passion is a 17 year old go-getter who has been dealt some heavy blows through life. She is living in a home run by Uncle Joe and stays in a constant fight for survival.
I went into this thinking this would be a savage, ghetto love story where two hurt people come together and save each other from their tragic circumstances, against all odds....
But, what I got was a daily glimpse into Pain's fights everywhere he went. I redid K. Dot’s song as a theme song for Pain:
Pour up (fight), head shot (fight)
Sit down (fight), stand up (fight) Everywhere, fight.
The fights quickly became repetitive. I found myself thinking, get away from me with this Apollo.
Passion’s story kinda got lost in the shuffle. We'd get bits and pieces of her story, then 2-3 more chapters of Pain fights. I still have questions about Passion’s backstory and present situation.
Some of the scenes were unrealistic. I'm still wondering how Pain came up so fast (in like a matter of 4 days). How was Pain a legend in the streets, but made countless rookie mistakes?
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator really brought the scene levels above how it probably how it read on paper.
I have always been a fan of urban/street lit but this one felt a little scattered. There were so many side characters to keep up with. Then, we'd hear about one and then they never returned again in the story. So, why did this person have 4-5 pages about them?
Did I like anything about this book? Yes! The cover, the narration and I still had an urge to know how these stories would connect in the end...Bonus point for the action packed, fast paced entertainment! I’d be interested in following the series to see what happens next.
Another great read & discussion with @thelitcircle
April 8, 2025
7th Kwan read. Maybe the most sentimental, which I prefer. The pink skies and lockets with her (Passion’s) parents’ ashes. That’s not to say there’s not hella action and depravity. We start with flashbacks of attempted prison rape, a brothel by Uncle Joe w: barely legal girls, and Passion’s “darkness” of being turned on by violence/revenge and cutting. The reason for most of this is naturally/cleverly revealed in her backstory towards the end.
Only lighter bits: Somebody’s got a bit of a foot fetish 😂 and that line about a pimp taking his girls out on a Rainbow shopping spree took me out. It’s always smirk-inducing when a character reads one of Kwan’s other books and claims it’s the best they ever read. Plus, it’s cute the thief named Pain still gets his granny a coffee every morning. She’s great, witty, trying to chain smoke and having slick lines such as her “gun is like Jesus: You don’t have to see it to know it’s real.”
My fav stretch is when we meet JuJu, the Korean girl everyone thinks is black and appropriating, to when they try to comfort Birdie, the big-beaked teen prostitute trying to shrug it all off. There’s such a nice diverse (don’t mean race) cast of girls in the cat house with different mentalities and end goals—and man did the final pages prove that! What a twist!
Maybe this coula been more streamlined, cutting 40 pages, but there’s seemingly gonna be a book 2. I mean, the title had me think this was gonna be a Bonnie & Clyde type deal but the two don’t even meet ‘til halfway through and the heist isn’t like some grand page-clogging scheme, it’s a general mindset. When Passion and Pain do meet up, they definitely bring out different sides of each other. That could make them sloppy but they’re decently careful and adaptive. Okay so, sometimes he’s so cheesy and deep. It’s brisk enough and kinda cool, the Game of Thronesy respect and nicknames they give the others, but maybe is also nerdy/unnatural with bowing to queens and the million bird metaphors. There’s some comic book-esque soliloquies but great intertwining backstories (like Pain p!ssing on that kid lol).
I like how Pain indirectly supports Passion and tries to go legit in so many ways to show he’s smarter, but people are so nasty to him. The chop shop adds variety to these types of saturated drug and mindless shooting stories. I really think Kwan hit his stride in knowing all the plot marks and connections to hit, the vivid characters and callbacks. Maybe even better than Broken Promise? Hard to say, that’s my first and top.
Only lighter bits: Somebody’s got a bit of a foot fetish 😂 and that line about a pimp taking his girls out on a Rainbow shopping spree took me out. It’s always smirk-inducing when a character reads one of Kwan’s other books and claims it’s the best they ever read. Plus, it’s cute the thief named Pain still gets his granny a coffee every morning. She’s great, witty, trying to chain smoke and having slick lines such as her “gun is like Jesus: You don’t have to see it to know it’s real.”
My fav stretch is when we meet JuJu, the Korean girl everyone thinks is black and appropriating, to when they try to comfort Birdie, the big-beaked teen prostitute trying to shrug it all off. There’s such a nice diverse (don’t mean race) cast of girls in the cat house with different mentalities and end goals—and man did the final pages prove that! What a twist!
Maybe this coula been more streamlined, cutting 40 pages, but there’s seemingly gonna be a book 2. I mean, the title had me think this was gonna be a Bonnie & Clyde type deal but the two don’t even meet ‘til halfway through and the heist isn’t like some grand page-clogging scheme, it’s a general mindset. When Passion and Pain do meet up, they definitely bring out different sides of each other. That could make them sloppy but they’re decently careful and adaptive. Okay so, sometimes he’s so cheesy and deep. It’s brisk enough and kinda cool, the Game of Thronesy respect and nicknames they give the others, but maybe is also nerdy/unnatural with bowing to queens and the million bird metaphors. There’s some comic book-esque soliloquies but great intertwining backstories (like Pain p!ssing on that kid lol).
I like how Pain indirectly supports Passion and tries to go legit in so many ways to show he’s smarter, but people are so nasty to him. The chop shop adds variety to these types of saturated drug and mindless shooting stories. I really think Kwan hit his stride in knowing all the plot marks and connections to hit, the vivid characters and callbacks. Maybe even better than Broken Promise? Hard to say, that’s my first and top.
August 27, 2024
THE KING OF STREET LIT IS BACK!
IN THIS BOOK WE HAVE TWO PARALLEL STORIES THAT COME CRASHING TOGETHER BEFORE THE CONCLUSION. It was interesting to see how the stories were weaved together. There’s a wide array of characters including pimps, whores, cons, ex-con’s, thieves, cops and so many more. If you’ve ever read a K’wan book you know exactly how he rolls. There’s also appearances from his past bodies of work. Reading this book was almost like watching a TV series based in New York. I loved it! I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next.
Click to see full review: https://www.hopefulheartbreakers.com/...
IN THIS BOOK WE HAVE TWO PARALLEL STORIES THAT COME CRASHING TOGETHER BEFORE THE CONCLUSION. It was interesting to see how the stories were weaved together. There’s a wide array of characters including pimps, whores, cons, ex-con’s, thieves, cops and so many more. If you’ve ever read a K’wan book you know exactly how he rolls. There’s also appearances from his past bodies of work. Reading this book was almost like watching a TV series based in New York. I loved it! I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next.
Click to see full review: https://www.hopefulheartbreakers.com/...
October 8, 2024
K’wan is a legend in the urban lit world, with a career that dates back to the early 2000s. I remember reading his books back in the day and enjoying them, although the heavy use of slang sometimes detracted from the storyline. Fast forward to today, and I noticed Passion For The Heist making its rounds on my timeline. With such an eye-catching cover, I couldn’t resist giving K’wan another shot to see how his writing had evolved.
From the first page, I was hooked. The book opens with an emotional prologue that becomes a key moment later in the story. Then we’re introduced to the main characters: Pain and Passion. Pain, a hood legend fresh out of prison, and Passion, a nearly 18-year-old girl trying to escape a toxic home life. Set against the gritty backdrop of NYC, both characters face intense struggles. Pain must decide whether to live an honest life or return to the streets and reclaim his former status. Passion, on the other hand, is working hard to save enough money to leave her volatile situation and start anew in California. She faces daily dangers in her environment, including harassment at home and at her diner job from a predatory boss, but she’s determined to make it out.
Pain and Passion’s paths cross multiple times throughout the book. There’s mutual interest, but nothing serious develops—until a chance encounter at the worst possible time sets off a chain of events that will alter both of their lives.
Passion For The Heist is a fast-paced, gripping story with impressive character development. As the first book in The Desperados series, it sets the stage well, and I can’t wait for Book Two, slated for release in 2025. However, while the book is really good, it could have been great if not for the distracting number of typos and grammatical errors. I expected more from such a seasoned author.
If you enjoy urban fiction, Passion For The Heist delivers on all fronts: crime, violence, murder, sex, and drama. Just be prepared for the editing issues.
4/5 (I would've rated it a 5 but, had to take away one star for the poor editing/proofreading)
From the first page, I was hooked. The book opens with an emotional prologue that becomes a key moment later in the story. Then we’re introduced to the main characters: Pain and Passion. Pain, a hood legend fresh out of prison, and Passion, a nearly 18-year-old girl trying to escape a toxic home life. Set against the gritty backdrop of NYC, both characters face intense struggles. Pain must decide whether to live an honest life or return to the streets and reclaim his former status. Passion, on the other hand, is working hard to save enough money to leave her volatile situation and start anew in California. She faces daily dangers in her environment, including harassment at home and at her diner job from a predatory boss, but she’s determined to make it out.
Pain and Passion’s paths cross multiple times throughout the book. There’s mutual interest, but nothing serious develops—until a chance encounter at the worst possible time sets off a chain of events that will alter both of their lives.
Passion For The Heist is a fast-paced, gripping story with impressive character development. As the first book in The Desperados series, it sets the stage well, and I can’t wait for Book Two, slated for release in 2025. However, while the book is really good, it could have been great if not for the distracting number of typos and grammatical errors. I expected more from such a seasoned author.
If you enjoy urban fiction, Passion For The Heist delivers on all fronts: crime, violence, murder, sex, and drama. Just be prepared for the editing issues.
4/5 (I would've rated it a 5 but, had to take away one star for the poor editing/proofreading)
August 10, 2024
K’wan, You did your big one with this novel !!!
September 1, 2024
Passion For The Heist by K'Wan
Genre: Urban Fiction
Pages: 336 pages
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Troupes: Drug Dealing, Wrongful Conviction, Family Drama, Newfound Family, Cliff Hanger
TW: Murder, Domestic Violence, Underage Prostitution
Series: Yes, Book 1
ARC?: Yes, thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced listening copy of Passion for the Heist. Being able to listen to K'Wan's writing on the page come to life was a suspenseful joy.
I want to start of by saying I am a fan of K'Wan and his writing and this novel was not short of what I was expecting from him. I love how he always weaves his characters together into this mater piece that you get to watch unfold along the ride. He included some characters from his previous novels as well as added some characters that did not fully develop. In typical K'Wan fashion, I believe this is due to Book 2. He likes to leave us on a need-to-know bases and it always gives us the shock value we are waiting for later. So, this was not a disappointment for me.
There are two stories going on simultaneously that do come together beautifully in the end. It most definitely gave Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.
You have Pain, which is being released back into society, after from being wrongfully convicted. A simple slip of wrong place wrong time caused the course of this promising young man's life to be forever changed.
As much as Pain tries to change his life for the better and make his grandmother proud, she is sick and struggling with medical bills. This forces Pain back into the game to get some quick cash that he desperately needs.
Then we have Passion. After losing both of her parents in a car accident, she is forced to live with her estranged Uncle Joe. He is a drug dealer and pimp, having women and gang members all up and through his house. While under his care her mental and emotional health take a downward plunge. She begins trying to cope by using drugs and liquor as she finds herself hopeless. Even though she is dealing with all of this she is still striving to be successful in school and save to follow her dream of moving out of Uncle Joes house and settling in New York.
Unfortunately, Passion gets robbed (wrong place wrong time- or is it?) and the thieves takes the locket that she kept her parents ashes in. This is what sets off the chain of events and where the plot thickens. You are in for a treat with plot twists, betrayals, newfound family, and a cliff hanger.
Bravo K'Wan. 👏🏽 I have missed your writing so much. It was an honor reading and reviewing this for you.
Genre: Urban Fiction
Pages: 336 pages
Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
Troupes: Drug Dealing, Wrongful Conviction, Family Drama, Newfound Family, Cliff Hanger
TW: Murder, Domestic Violence, Underage Prostitution
Series: Yes, Book 1
ARC?: Yes, thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for my advanced listening copy of Passion for the Heist. Being able to listen to K'Wan's writing on the page come to life was a suspenseful joy.
I want to start of by saying I am a fan of K'Wan and his writing and this novel was not short of what I was expecting from him. I love how he always weaves his characters together into this mater piece that you get to watch unfold along the ride. He included some characters from his previous novels as well as added some characters that did not fully develop. In typical K'Wan fashion, I believe this is due to Book 2. He likes to leave us on a need-to-know bases and it always gives us the shock value we are waiting for later. So, this was not a disappointment for me.
There are two stories going on simultaneously that do come together beautifully in the end. It most definitely gave Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde.
You have Pain, which is being released back into society, after from being wrongfully convicted. A simple slip of wrong place wrong time caused the course of this promising young man's life to be forever changed.
As much as Pain tries to change his life for the better and make his grandmother proud, she is sick and struggling with medical bills. This forces Pain back into the game to get some quick cash that he desperately needs.
Then we have Passion. After losing both of her parents in a car accident, she is forced to live with her estranged Uncle Joe. He is a drug dealer and pimp, having women and gang members all up and through his house. While under his care her mental and emotional health take a downward plunge. She begins trying to cope by using drugs and liquor as she finds herself hopeless. Even though she is dealing with all of this she is still striving to be successful in school and save to follow her dream of moving out of Uncle Joes house and settling in New York.
Unfortunately, Passion gets robbed (wrong place wrong time- or is it?) and the thieves takes the locket that she kept her parents ashes in. This is what sets off the chain of events and where the plot thickens. You are in for a treat with plot twists, betrayals, newfound family, and a cliff hanger.
Bravo K'Wan. 👏🏽 I have missed your writing so much. It was an honor reading and reviewing this for you.
August 28, 2024
First, thank you to @macmillanaudio for this audiobook.
Passion for the Heist is my first book I've read by K'wan. It felt real, raw and had that tension of two troubled souls whose paths cross at the most inopportune of times.
Pain is recently released from prison and wants to return home to his Granny and make an honest man of himself. Also known as The Blackbird, he had quite the past that ultimately led him to being behind bars. But when he tries to make a clean life for himself, he sees how the game is really played and is drawn back in, for one last heist to save his granny. But that's not the way the game works and life throws all kinds of punches Pain's way. How he handles everything and how life is on the outside after prison time is Pain's story.
Meanwhile, Passion is a beautiful young woman that has been dealt a shitty hand of cards. After losing both her parents, she lives in a questionable home with her "uncle" that has a taste for young girls. One thing after another keeps coming her way and she seems to roll with the punches, just trying to survive. But each time something bad happens, some sort of line shines her way and there happens to be a little Pain with Passion.
I wasn't sure where this story was going and I wasn't sure how the characters all lined up. Having a ton of side characters made the story a little confusing, but I looked at it like one story was Pain's with his cast of characters surrounding him and then one story was Passion's with her cast of supporting characters around her. There was a lot happening in both of these "stories" and at times it seem a bit convoluted and as if it all wasn't necessarily needed to make the overall story work. But eventually these two "stories" intersected in a not so pleasant way, but there was also a little bit of goodness between these two MCs. They were rough around the edges and their stories collided in some very dark and brutal ways. But the way this one ended? You know there is more to come from this world and I'm not mad about it.
If you like urban fiction from the streets of New York and the outlying boroughs, you will enjoy diving deep into this world of crime, murder, family and working the system. The single narrator was great and did quite a good job of bringing the complete story to life with the whole cast of characters.
Passion for the Heist is my first book I've read by K'wan. It felt real, raw and had that tension of two troubled souls whose paths cross at the most inopportune of times.
Pain is recently released from prison and wants to return home to his Granny and make an honest man of himself. Also known as The Blackbird, he had quite the past that ultimately led him to being behind bars. But when he tries to make a clean life for himself, he sees how the game is really played and is drawn back in, for one last heist to save his granny. But that's not the way the game works and life throws all kinds of punches Pain's way. How he handles everything and how life is on the outside after prison time is Pain's story.
Meanwhile, Passion is a beautiful young woman that has been dealt a shitty hand of cards. After losing both her parents, she lives in a questionable home with her "uncle" that has a taste for young girls. One thing after another keeps coming her way and she seems to roll with the punches, just trying to survive. But each time something bad happens, some sort of line shines her way and there happens to be a little Pain with Passion.
I wasn't sure where this story was going and I wasn't sure how the characters all lined up. Having a ton of side characters made the story a little confusing, but I looked at it like one story was Pain's with his cast of characters surrounding him and then one story was Passion's with her cast of supporting characters around her. There was a lot happening in both of these "stories" and at times it seem a bit convoluted and as if it all wasn't necessarily needed to make the overall story work. But eventually these two "stories" intersected in a not so pleasant way, but there was also a little bit of goodness between these two MCs. They were rough around the edges and their stories collided in some very dark and brutal ways. But the way this one ended? You know there is more to come from this world and I'm not mad about it.
If you like urban fiction from the streets of New York and the outlying boroughs, you will enjoy diving deep into this world of crime, murder, family and working the system. The single narrator was great and did quite a good job of bringing the complete story to life with the whole cast of characters.
August 26, 2024
Parish “Pain” Wells is back home after serving time in prison. Pain was a successful heist man prior to his incarnation. He was on top of the food chain back in the day but now he’s at the bottom of the totem pole. Pain’s ailing grandmother is still in his corner and he wants to be on the right side of the law. But when he sees his grandmother’s medical bills, Pain needs cash fast. Passion lost both parents and has been in the care of her estranged Uncle Joe. Passion’s life has been nothing but chaos and disorder. But when she has a chance meeting with Pain, her life changes forever.
Passion for the Heist by K’wan has everything that you look for in a crime fiction novel.
Fast-paced action, murder, and a plot twist that you won’t see coming. K’wan does a good job of continuing Pain’s story and showing the bumpy road he has to go down. Passion is also a good complex character that readers will root for. Readers need to pay attention to every nugget that K’wan includes in this story. Passion for the Heist is a true page-turner by K’wan.
Passion for the Heist by K’wan has everything that you look for in a crime fiction novel.
Fast-paced action, murder, and a plot twist that you won’t see coming. K’wan does a good job of continuing Pain’s story and showing the bumpy road he has to go down. Passion is also a good complex character that readers will root for. Readers need to pay attention to every nugget that K’wan includes in this story. Passion for the Heist is a true page-turner by K’wan.
August 19, 2024
This book moved very slowly and then sped up at about the 75% mark. Unfortunately, just as I was getting invested in the FMC and MMC, the book abruptly ended. I’m guessing there must be another book coming out to continue this story, but I’m not sure if it will entertain me enough to continue. Don’t let my review discourage you, since I definitely seem to be in the minority on my rating.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 18, 2025
3.75 ⭐️
The train has officially left my comfort zone 🤣
This was not something I’d usually pick up, but I’m glad I did and I really did enjoy a lot of it.
I thought that the characters were incredibly well developed, and the narrator did an excellent job at con bang all of their emotions. My heart went out for both Passion and Percy so many times throughout this book. I loved the side characters as well and thought they were all so well written.
The language was a bit offputting at first, but I did eventually stop cringing every time the N-word was used ☠️
The plot was fairly well paced, but there were several scenes that seemed to pop out of nowhere and then there was no follow up.
I also wanted a lot more out of the ending; it didn’t really provide any closure.
Overall, I’m glad I read it and I would be interested in trying another book by this author!
The train has officially left my comfort zone 🤣
This was not something I’d usually pick up, but I’m glad I did and I really did enjoy a lot of it.
I thought that the characters were incredibly well developed, and the narrator did an excellent job at con bang all of their emotions. My heart went out for both Passion and Percy so many times throughout this book. I loved the side characters as well and thought they were all so well written.
The language was a bit offputting at first, but I did eventually stop cringing every time the N-word was used ☠️
The plot was fairly well paced, but there were several scenes that seemed to pop out of nowhere and then there was no follow up.
I also wanted a lot more out of the ending; it didn’t really provide any closure.
Overall, I’m glad I read it and I would be interested in trying another book by this author!
July 6, 2024
Interesting tale. A bit of a surprise ending that didn't quite do it for me.
August 18, 2024
Passion for the Heist is the first urban fiction book that I've read. I kept seeing this author pop up at the library I work at and when I saw it as an early listen option, I figured I would give it a try. The books seem like they are marketed towards women with their cover art and I was curious about the genre.
I ended up doing some digging into urban fiction and street lit. What is it? Who is it written for? Who writes it? This article does a great job breaking it down and talking about the value of the genre. https://www.vice.com/en/article/urban...
The audio narration of Passion for the Heist was great. I got caught up in each character and by the end of the book, Passion and Pain felt like real people to me. I love an easy to listen to audiobook and I'm really glad I listened to this rather than read it myself.
Passion lost her parents in a car accident and is living with "Uncle Joe," her mother's brother. He runs a tight household with a handful of women and is a pimp and a drug dealer, but Passion has never had to do what the other girls in the house do to live there.
Pain just got out of prison and is determined not to go back. He wants to spend time with his grandma and get a real job. His reputation as the street's best heist man and bad ass make it tough to go straight, but he doesn't want to relive the things he had to go through in prison ever again.
Passion is about to turn 18 and dreams of leaving the NYC and living in CA. She wants a new life without Uncle Joe in it and has been saving to make it happen. She has gone through a lot of trauma and struggles to stay positive and out of trouble sometimes.
When Passion and Pain keep crossing paths, they both feel a pull towards each other. The last half of the book really picked up speed and the character development starts to get a lot better at that point too.
I have to give it 4 stars for the ending. It really leaves you in a lurch and feels unfinished. Now I HAVE to read the next book! I hate when the first book in a series doesn't stand on its own, but it had the desired effect and I'm on the hook already for the next book. Lol.
If you are new to the genre, I found this summary spot on:
"Urban fiction, also known as street lit, hip-hop lit, gansta lit, or ghetto lit, tells the story of life in the inner-city, generally with a gritty, dark tone. The plot shines a light on the harsh realities of life in the city, including hard subjects such as drug use, gangs, sex, poverty, and violence. Stories are fast-paced and often focus on a young-adult protagonist overcoming adversity, surviving abuse and betrayal, and rising out of hard times. The writing often contains explicit sexual content and graphic violence." -https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/...
Thank you to MacMillan audio for the ALC to listen to.#MacAudio2024
I ended up doing some digging into urban fiction and street lit. What is it? Who is it written for? Who writes it? This article does a great job breaking it down and talking about the value of the genre. https://www.vice.com/en/article/urban...
The audio narration of Passion for the Heist was great. I got caught up in each character and by the end of the book, Passion and Pain felt like real people to me. I love an easy to listen to audiobook and I'm really glad I listened to this rather than read it myself.
Passion lost her parents in a car accident and is living with "Uncle Joe," her mother's brother. He runs a tight household with a handful of women and is a pimp and a drug dealer, but Passion has never had to do what the other girls in the house do to live there.
Pain just got out of prison and is determined not to go back. He wants to spend time with his grandma and get a real job. His reputation as the street's best heist man and bad ass make it tough to go straight, but he doesn't want to relive the things he had to go through in prison ever again.
Passion is about to turn 18 and dreams of leaving the NYC and living in CA. She wants a new life without Uncle Joe in it and has been saving to make it happen. She has gone through a lot of trauma and struggles to stay positive and out of trouble sometimes.
When Passion and Pain keep crossing paths, they both feel a pull towards each other. The last half of the book really picked up speed and the character development starts to get a lot better at that point too.
I have to give it 4 stars for the ending. It really leaves you in a lurch and feels unfinished. Now I HAVE to read the next book! I hate when the first book in a series doesn't stand on its own, but it had the desired effect and I'm on the hook already for the next book. Lol.
If you are new to the genre, I found this summary spot on:
"Urban fiction, also known as street lit, hip-hop lit, gansta lit, or ghetto lit, tells the story of life in the inner-city, generally with a gritty, dark tone. The plot shines a light on the harsh realities of life in the city, including hard subjects such as drug use, gangs, sex, poverty, and violence. Stories are fast-paced and often focus on a young-adult protagonist overcoming adversity, surviving abuse and betrayal, and rising out of hard times. The writing often contains explicit sexual content and graphic violence." -https://www.authorlearningcenter.com/...
Thank you to MacMillan audio for the ALC to listen to.#MacAudio2024
July 29, 2024
This was my first dip into street lit or urban fiction. I definitely like this a lot more than I anticipated. Being that I knew nothing about this genre I wasn't sure what to expect and I am so glad I gave this a try.
Well, we have a couple different POV's our main ones are by passion and pain. He is just released from prison and is trying to decide what he wants to do with his life going forward. Passion is an orphan girl living with her uncle who is in a precarious situation in both at home and on the streets. They are dual timelines run alongside each other culminating in a quick romance at the end of the book.
I found the heist and overall crime related activity to be very interesting to read. It was done very well. It felt very authentic to me and I enjoyed the various players within the different street gangs. I found some of the side players to do the most interesting within the novel. I enjoyed the way that things were described and explained throughout the book and I found the audiobook to be very true to the physical book. As I did a tandem read on this.
There were a couple things that I was not a big fan of within this book however. Which is why I gave it a four star rating. The back does speak of "an inescapable love" and "two broken souls finding each other" which led me to believe this was gonna be a little heavier on the romance, than it was. To be clear I am absolutely fine with this book not being heavy on the romance, but with that blurb I Was expecting a lot more interaction between our main characters. I feel like it was bad marketing on the publisher part to include that in the blurb. The two main characters don't even have any kind of meaningful interaction until about 60 pages before the end of the book and only have one romantic encounter. That does not scream to me "an inescapable love". Also, there are aspects of the crime and interactions between fellow gang members that are not resolved at the end of the book. I'm not sure if this intends to be a series and that might be where that gets wrapped up but if it is just a standalone that did leave an open ending for me.
To be extremely interesting I want to read more in this genre and even by this offer I felt it was very well done overall.
Well, we have a couple different POV's our main ones are by passion and pain. He is just released from prison and is trying to decide what he wants to do with his life going forward. Passion is an orphan girl living with her uncle who is in a precarious situation in both at home and on the streets. They are dual timelines run alongside each other culminating in a quick romance at the end of the book.
I found the heist and overall crime related activity to be very interesting to read. It was done very well. It felt very authentic to me and I enjoyed the various players within the different street gangs. I found some of the side players to do the most interesting within the novel. I enjoyed the way that things were described and explained throughout the book and I found the audiobook to be very true to the physical book. As I did a tandem read on this.
There were a couple things that I was not a big fan of within this book however. Which is why I gave it a four star rating. The back does speak of "an inescapable love" and "two broken souls finding each other" which led me to believe this was gonna be a little heavier on the romance, than it was. To be clear I am absolutely fine with this book not being heavy on the romance, but with that blurb I Was expecting a lot more interaction between our main characters. I feel like it was bad marketing on the publisher part to include that in the blurb. The two main characters don't even have any kind of meaningful interaction until about 60 pages before the end of the book and only have one romantic encounter. That does not scream to me "an inescapable love". Also, there are aspects of the crime and interactions between fellow gang members that are not resolved at the end of the book. I'm not sure if this intends to be a series and that might be where that gets wrapped up but if it is just a standalone that did leave an open ending for me.
To be extremely interesting I want to read more in this genre and even by this offer I felt it was very well done overall.
August 12, 2024
I wasn't sure what to expect when reading this book, but I'm very glad that I picked it up as part of the Macmillan audio influencers program!
This book is an excellent urban fiction book - with a fun element of planning heists that gave me Ocean's Eleven vibes. The characters were fascinating and well-rounded and the way that they were all interconnected was very well crafted to give the story additional depth. This was my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The chemistry between Passion and Pain was excellent - and not necessarily in a romantic way, but in the way that they kept encountering each other and understood each other.
The story was very well paced - and definitely ramped up toward the end, moving quickly and bringing the characters together in ways that I didn't totally predict (which was refreshing!). I found myself pulled into the back stories of these characters and the experiences they were going through. Passion especially had a lot to deal with between living with Uncle Joe, the girls, her struggles and just trying to succeed at school. There are some trigger warnings here that I'd recommend checking out. Pain's battle between his old and new self was immersive and really had me invested in his ability to navigate.
The themes of loyalty and family are heavy in this book and create a foundation that makes for a very compelling story. This looks to be the first book in a series - which means there were things left unanswered in the ending and definitely set up a second book to continue with Passion and Pain to see where they end up!
I also want to spend a minute on the narration. This was an extremely well narrated book. To be honest, it's not often that I get the chance to listen to a fully male narrated book (usually they're female or a mix of voices) and it was an enjoyable experience. The depth, nuance and pacing of the narration really fit the book and the storyline to enhance the reading experience. I definitely enjoyed the narrator.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of this book to read and review!
This book is an excellent urban fiction book - with a fun element of planning heists that gave me Ocean's Eleven vibes. The characters were fascinating and well-rounded and the way that they were all interconnected was very well crafted to give the story additional depth. This was my first book by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed myself. The chemistry between Passion and Pain was excellent - and not necessarily in a romantic way, but in the way that they kept encountering each other and understood each other.
The story was very well paced - and definitely ramped up toward the end, moving quickly and bringing the characters together in ways that I didn't totally predict (which was refreshing!). I found myself pulled into the back stories of these characters and the experiences they were going through. Passion especially had a lot to deal with between living with Uncle Joe, the girls, her struggles and just trying to succeed at school. There are some trigger warnings here that I'd recommend checking out. Pain's battle between his old and new self was immersive and really had me invested in his ability to navigate.
The themes of loyalty and family are heavy in this book and create a foundation that makes for a very compelling story. This looks to be the first book in a series - which means there were things left unanswered in the ending and definitely set up a second book to continue with Passion and Pain to see where they end up!
I also want to spend a minute on the narration. This was an extremely well narrated book. To be honest, it's not often that I get the chance to listen to a fully male narrated book (usually they're female or a mix of voices) and it was an enjoyable experience. The depth, nuance and pacing of the narration really fit the book and the storyline to enhance the reading experience. I definitely enjoyed the narrator.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC of this book to read and review!
August 27, 2024
Thank you to the author and Forge Books for my advance copy!
Percy “Pain” Wells is just released from prison and is trying not to go back to his old life. Immediately upon his release, he discovers that his grandmother needs financial help, and a 9 to 5 just won’t do. A natural leader, he joins his old crime partners and takes on a job that should alleviate his issues. He soon finds that there is no honor amongst thieves, and he must dive deeper than he imagined.
Passion Adams is trying to escape the ghost of her past while maintaining her sanity under her Uncle Joe’s roof. A constant house of horrors, Passion is determined to survive long enough to escape to California. While out one night, she is caught up in a heist that would change the direction of her life.
One thing K’wan is going to do is intertwine characters and leave some breadcrumbs. There were some characters from previous stories mentioned that leave me wondering where those stories will go. Some characters are introduced and seem to be lacking character development. That didn’t bother me because I am familiar with K’wan’s writing so I know readers will get the complete view of the characters when its necessary. I am interested in reading more about Lil Sorrow, the little that was shared about him has me intrigued, and Queen Crow because we know the weight her last name carries. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m interested to see where this series ends.
If you’re looking for a dark ride, filled with crime and violence, this is the book for you. Just brace yourself.
Percy “Pain” Wells is just released from prison and is trying not to go back to his old life. Immediately upon his release, he discovers that his grandmother needs financial help, and a 9 to 5 just won’t do. A natural leader, he joins his old crime partners and takes on a job that should alleviate his issues. He soon finds that there is no honor amongst thieves, and he must dive deeper than he imagined.
Passion Adams is trying to escape the ghost of her past while maintaining her sanity under her Uncle Joe’s roof. A constant house of horrors, Passion is determined to survive long enough to escape to California. While out one night, she is caught up in a heist that would change the direction of her life.
One thing K’wan is going to do is intertwine characters and leave some breadcrumbs. There were some characters from previous stories mentioned that leave me wondering where those stories will go. Some characters are introduced and seem to be lacking character development. That didn’t bother me because I am familiar with K’wan’s writing so I know readers will get the complete view of the characters when its necessary. I am interested in reading more about Lil Sorrow, the little that was shared about him has me intrigued, and Queen Crow because we know the weight her last name carries. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m interested to see where this series ends.
If you’re looking for a dark ride, filled with crime and violence, this is the book for you. Just brace yourself.
March 30, 2025
💭This book was undeniably entertaining, though I found myself questioning the believability of some of its main themes. Our main characters Passion and Pain did have their separate issues they had to deal with. Passion, under the guardianship of her uncle who was trash to her and the other girls in his revolving door home has to figure out how to rid herself of the home, uncle, and life she was thrust into. Pain, recently released from prison is caught between a rock and a hard place dealing with the street pressures and the pressures of taking care of his grandmother. Both of our main characters are forced to do what they need to do to make it which I hated it for both because they both wanted something different, better.
𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑠𝑡 had a slow burn pacing that made the first 3/4 of the book feel a bit too drawn out, particularly because the plot was somewhat predictable and took its time getting to the real heart of the story. That being said, the last 1/4 of the book really delivered, escalating and delivering the high stakes heist energy I’d hoped the entire book would carry. While it wasn’t a perfect read, it still managed to hook me enough to want to continue the 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑠 series to see where the characters go from here. The ending left me intrigued. If the next installment maintains the excitement from that ending, it will definitely be worst the ride.
𝑃𝑎𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐻𝑒𝑖𝑠𝑡 had a slow burn pacing that made the first 3/4 of the book feel a bit too drawn out, particularly because the plot was somewhat predictable and took its time getting to the real heart of the story. That being said, the last 1/4 of the book really delivered, escalating and delivering the high stakes heist energy I’d hoped the entire book would carry. While it wasn’t a perfect read, it still managed to hook me enough to want to continue the 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑑𝑜𝑠 series to see where the characters go from here. The ending left me intrigued. If the next installment maintains the excitement from that ending, it will definitely be worst the ride.
June 30, 2024
I thought the second half of the book was great, lots of action and storylines crossing paths that it made it feel like one cohesive story instead of two parallel lives. The beginning we needed to learn about each character first. The ending threw me for a loop, a lot of loose ends that are not tied up which makes me think there will be another? There are a lot of heavy/sensitive topics in this one so reader beware: child endangerment, rape, murder, suicide etc. I thought K’Wan gave us a view inside the world that you may not experience which I thought was very important. Some of the story I found it hard to stomach especially the sexual encounters with minors, but I think that’s the point. It was meant to push boundaries. Their lives were not easy but all in their own way. They were forced to grow up so young and it honestly just breaks your heart. It was a bit difficult to feel like I had closure of their stories with the cliffhanger and I felt a bit stunned since so much was happening. I suppose that was something I’m not used to which isn’t like every other author. #goodreadsgiveaway
June 20, 2024
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. This book is not what I normally read but it sounded good. It was good!!
Pain has just gotten out of jail. He goes home to his old neighborhood where he was knick named Blackbird.
He was a theif. He catches up with his partner in crime, Case. They are together for the day and then Pain goes home to his grandmothers house. He tells her he is going be a regular person. He finds out she has a lot of medical bills. He goes back to his old ways. Along the way he meets another troubled soul, Passion! He helps her out of a few sticky situations.
She wants to leave New York and go make a new life in California. The story follows them separately and also when they hook up. Pain pulls a few jobs. Passion true to protect one of the other girls in their building. Pain once again helps Passion.
They get together and make a run for it.
I really hope this book has a sequel to tell the next adventures of Passion and Pain!!!! A definite Goodread!!!!!
Pain has just gotten out of jail. He goes home to his old neighborhood where he was knick named Blackbird.
He was a theif. He catches up with his partner in crime, Case. They are together for the day and then Pain goes home to his grandmothers house. He tells her he is going be a regular person. He finds out she has a lot of medical bills. He goes back to his old ways. Along the way he meets another troubled soul, Passion! He helps her out of a few sticky situations.
She wants to leave New York and go make a new life in California. The story follows them separately and also when they hook up. Pain pulls a few jobs. Passion true to protect one of the other girls in their building. Pain once again helps Passion.
They get together and make a run for it.
I really hope this book has a sequel to tell the next adventures of Passion and Pain!!!! A definite Goodread!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
This is a review of the audiobook. Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook for review.
I think this book is in the category of Urban Fiction. I haven't read any books in this category, and I wasn't sure if I would like the book.
The narrator for the audiobook is Excellent! If it wasn't for his narration, I don't think I would have liked the book. When I first started listening, I thought, this isn't for me. But I kept listening, this is a long audiobook (around 13 hours), and I started to get invested in the story. Now I'm invested enough to want to continue reading the second book in the series. I plan to get the audiobook if it is the same narrator.
Pain is newly out of jail. The story follows his return back to the neighborhood and his former crowd. He still has to make a living, sometimes that means returning to what you do best. He is also trying to find some romance! The woman he has his sights on is Passion. You follow their journey towards each other, and all the things that happened in between. There is a long cast of characters, who keep the story moving.
This story is full of spice! (Check the trigger warnings) If you are a fan of Urban Fiction, or looking to try it for the first time, this is a good book to check out. Especially the audiobook!
I think this book is in the category of Urban Fiction. I haven't read any books in this category, and I wasn't sure if I would like the book.
The narrator for the audiobook is Excellent! If it wasn't for his narration, I don't think I would have liked the book. When I first started listening, I thought, this isn't for me. But I kept listening, this is a long audiobook (around 13 hours), and I started to get invested in the story. Now I'm invested enough to want to continue reading the second book in the series. I plan to get the audiobook if it is the same narrator.
Pain is newly out of jail. The story follows his return back to the neighborhood and his former crowd. He still has to make a living, sometimes that means returning to what you do best. He is also trying to find some romance! The woman he has his sights on is Passion. You follow their journey towards each other, and all the things that happened in between. There is a long cast of characters, who keep the story moving.
This story is full of spice! (Check the trigger warnings) If you are a fan of Urban Fiction, or looking to try it for the first time, this is a good book to check out. Especially the audiobook!
August 6, 2024
Passion of the Heist was a good read! I was obsessed with Pain. Like his story ran so deep(I need a spin-off). Passion as well. Even though the book gave background on them I wanted more. I love how the author had Pain and passion continuously running into each other and then bam 💥.
For some reason I knew the best friend was a snake 🐍 it was too much wishy-washy stuff with them. (I'm not gone say who since I want y'all to read the book). This is not a book you can just skip through and it makes sense. Your attention will be grasped immediately because if you're like me you wanna know who this person is and why they are here.
Ohhh Hook blew me.. but I'ma let y'all read it.
If you are looking for REAL, RAW, AUTHENTIC READ. THIS IS THE ONE.
For some reason I knew the best friend was a snake 🐍 it was too much wishy-washy stuff with them. (I'm not gone say who since I want y'all to read the book). This is not a book you can just skip through and it makes sense. Your attention will be grasped immediately because if you're like me you wanna know who this person is and why they are here.
Ohhh Hook blew me.. but I'ma let y'all read it.
If you are looking for REAL, RAW, AUTHENTIC READ. THIS IS THE ONE.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2024
*sigh* Read the full review over at The Litt Librarian
I ended up DNFing this book at 63%. Apparently, there's a plot, but it didn't show up for 63% of the book. I did this book via audio and had a love/hate relationship with the narrator. In more ways, the male figure sounded too proper, too educated. I'm not saying that the character in the book was dumb, but that the narrator didn't fit the character. It's like Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu—it doesn't match.
More of the review is over at The Litt Librarian
I ended up DNFing this book at 63%. Apparently, there's a plot, but it didn't show up for 63% of the book. I did this book via audio and had a love/hate relationship with the narrator. In more ways, the male figure sounded too proper, too educated. I'm not saying that the character in the book was dumb, but that the narrator didn't fit the character. It's like Ryan Reynolds voicing Pikachu—it doesn't match.
More of the review is over at The Litt Librarian
June 10, 2024
♡𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
5 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•dual POV
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 :
•mental health issues
•cutting
•sexual abuse by an adult
-
𝑰𝒇 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐���� 𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝑴𝑬! It's something about this cover that drove me to this book, and I am beyond happy about that. This book is more than 5 🌟's! The storyline could be heavy at some point and definitely have heavy topics, so please check TW and be mindful of your mental health. I devoured this book in 1.5 days. I'm still getting my thoughts together, so full review will be coming soon.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Aug.27
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Tor Publishing Group for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.
5 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•dual POV
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 :
•mental health issues
•cutting
•sexual abuse by an adult
-
𝑰𝒇 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐���� 𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝑴𝑬! It's something about this cover that drove me to this book, and I am beyond happy about that. This book is more than 5 🌟's! The storyline could be heavy at some point and definitely have heavy topics, so please check TW and be mindful of your mental health. I devoured this book in 1.5 days. I'm still getting my thoughts together, so full review will be coming soon.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Aug.27
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Tor Publishing Group for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.
August 29, 2024
Even with a ton of To Be Reads, a new release by K'wan has to come first.
He's done it again. Complex, fleshed out characters and crazy action scenes and schemes.
Passion and Pain are likable characters.
The odds are against them both. She's a teen living in a precarious situation with horrible people.
He's fresh out from doing a bid. Somehow they find each other but not before chaos ensues. There's always backstabbing and double crossing in a K'wan read. As is a NYC backdrop.
While K'wan is a master storyteller (Whenever I recommend Urban fiction, he's always at the top of the list) and I know that stories arent told in a day? I'm hoping for a sequel very soon. 4.5 stars.
He's done it again. Complex, fleshed out characters and crazy action scenes and schemes.
Passion and Pain are likable characters.
The odds are against them both. She's a teen living in a precarious situation with horrible people.
He's fresh out from doing a bid. Somehow they find each other but not before chaos ensues. There's always backstabbing and double crossing in a K'wan read. As is a NYC backdrop.
While K'wan is a master storyteller (Whenever I recommend Urban fiction, he's always at the top of the list) and I know that stories arent told in a day? I'm hoping for a sequel very soon. 4.5 stars.
July 3, 2024
I found this as an ARC in my local little library boogiedownbooks and I must say !!!!!! Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde vibes ! Passion and Pain were made for each other ! This book was a slow start but I understood it once I got deeper into it I could not put it down. The fact it touched the modern day world of NYC during COVID as well as the GRIMINESS of the street life was great! I can envision the continuation of this story and see where it leads both of them next and the possible revenge being planned 👀👀👀.
August 26, 2024
I loved this book, it had some heavy topics so make sure to check the TW. I felt sorry for the characters and their situation. The characters were well developed and I absolutely hated all the adults in the book. I did not see the plot twist coming at the end of the book but I really enjoyed it. This was my first book by this author but I will be reading more books from the author. I also look forward to the additional books that will be in this series.
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