Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

A Broken Girl's Journey #1

A Broken Girl's Journey

Rate this book
Lakea Johnson is a 14-year-old girl growing up in the crime riddled streets of Memphis, TN. She is forced to endure unthinkable turmoil and pain at the hands of those who are supposed to protect her, leaving her battered and broken time after time. Lakea's life is just one tragedy after the next, pushing her into a pattern of violence and rebellion. Then one day she meets Jeremy and he gives her something she has been searching for her entire life....unconditional love. As Lakea continues to struggle with the harsh realities of her environment, she and Jeremy become closer, however tragedy strikes again, shattering her heart and dreams, while turning her world upside down. Lakea is a broken girl with a long hard journey ahead of her. Does she have what it takes to overcome? Or will she always be broken?

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 17, 2014

286 people are currently reading
396 people want to read

About the author

Niki Jilvontae

118 books83 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
416 (56%)
4 stars
177 (23%)
3 stars
89 (12%)
2 stars
32 (4%)
1 star
24 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Jay.
15 reviews
August 20, 2014
Good story even when it sounds like so many others.

Good story even when it sounds like so many others.

I enjoyed this novella finished it in two hours. I was about to purchase the second book before I read the reviews and decided against it. like many urban books this too willl be dragged out. I can never seem to get on the bandwagon of such authors that can't respectively end a book within a maximum of two features. if you combine all these stories together it will be equivalent to an actual novel not to be confused with a novella which is another way of saying short story. I'm starting to bekieve these very authors that write about section 8, parties, sex, and drugs are actually trying to capitalize off there ghetto lives. For BEGINNERS writing is an hobbie not a job, so lets not take advantage of ppl who are actually willing to spend their hard earned money taking a gamble with your craft. This is not a soap opera wrap it up with no more than two books!!!! From now on I am going to start screening books and if they have mkre than three series and the second book is under 250 pages it will not get the time of day even if book one is free. And you verified purchasers need to get on this same coat tail and force these fresh of the press writers to publish real literature!!
Profile Image for Mita Rhodes.
120 reviews4 followers
May 22, 2014
NIKI GIRL, STAND AND TAKE YOUR BOW BECAUSE I'M GIVING YOU A STANDING OVATION! I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHERE TO BEGIN READERS! ALL I CAN SAY IS THAT THIS READ WILL BRING OUT EVERY KNOWN EMOTION YOU HAVE. LAKEA AND HER BROTHERS UNDYING LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER, ALL ALL THE MISFORTUNE WAS EXCELLENTLY WRITTEN AND MADE FOR ONE HE'LL OF A BOOK.
Profile Image for Tina.
18 reviews3 followers
July 11, 2014
Horrible

this book was so absurd. it had so much going on. it didn't keep my attention at all. I'm not a big fan of urban fiction, but have read quite a few that keep me on the edge of my seat. this was not a page Turner for me. it was all over the place. .
4 reviews
May 23, 2016
Reinforces every stereotype

Terrible. This was an insult to black people who are fighting to be free of unfair stereotypes. It reinforced every bit of poor behavior and choices black people are accused of. I only gave this one star because 0 wasn't an option.
7 reviews
January 4, 2019
Waste of Time....

I wanted to like this book after reading the first 10 pages....unfortunately the many misspelled words and unrealistic crimes left me disappointed.
Profile Image for Keona Micheal.
19 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2021
LaKea

If I had to compare this book to anything it would be Sista Soulja’s THE COLDEST WINTER EVER... But for this generation. LaKea had a rough childhood & unfortunately it’s a childhood many could relate to. But however you want baby girl to win & she is trying but when you have a ain’t shit mama what can you do. I cried, I laughed & I felt the pain that LaKea was feeling. Niki... Kudos baby girl you did that. Best read for 2021 in book!!! You did that💯💯💯
261 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2021
Damn it my cousin struck again with this one! Yall better stop sleeping on Niki Jilvontae 😎 I done went from wanting to beat up book characters to wanting to beat up the book itself 😂😂😂 Omg I'm in my feelings! I think I know who them dudes was who killed Jeremy and shot Lakea too...it had to be some dudes that hating bitch Tia sent because Lakea and Jeremy killed her brother!! Book 2 me please lol boy I can't wait for this discussion 😱👊👊👊👊😈
Profile Image for ToniReads_1.
588 reviews15 followers
December 20, 2018
A Broken Girl

This was a definite good read. So much happening keeps you on the edge of your seat. My heart broke for Lakea. So much happened to her at such a young and is where her journey began. Although this story was written as fiction, her life story is a reality for many young ladies. I must read the sequel to find out to see if some good came out of her tragedy.
Profile Image for shamone.
238 reviews7 followers
Read
March 23, 2021
This book will definitely keep you on the edge of your seat. Lakes has been through the most in her young life, seems like she will never catch a break. I hate how her mother did Lakea and her brothers, she is the worst kind. I’m hoping to see what happens next in the book2. Hopefully Lakea will get her life in order for her own sake.
27 reviews
December 30, 2022
Edge of your seat page turner!!

Whew,this book took me through so many emotions. Every time I think things would get better for Lakea,she let her hurt & anger get the best of her.What I loved the most was the sibling bond ,dysfunctional but true sibling love.Recommend great read,can't wait to read book 2!
Profile Image for Juanita.
114 reviews
October 4, 2018
Desperate for love

I chose this rating because it was an easy read, there's so many twists and turns to this book pedophiles unloved by her mom loved her brothers immensely the end didn't give you closure
Profile Image for Charmaine Downs.
867 reviews14 followers
October 17, 2021
Interesting read!

Lakea's life is one of great tragedy. This is an interesting storyline. It got very emotional for me. It moved along a little slow but it picks up quickly later on. One click it's worth the click.
Profile Image for Deidre.
1,073 reviews17 followers
January 9, 2018
amazing book. what an amazing touching story
Profile Image for Rhonda Stuckey.
1 review2 followers
April 18, 2018
Page turner

I absolutely loved this book. The suspense and already knowing was what kept me reading. Read in 1.5 days. Taking my kindle to bathroom and kitchen. Lol
Profile Image for ShaQuinta Jones.
2 reviews
May 14, 2018
OMG

I love this book!!! I couldn’t put it down!! This book brought out every emotion in me! Love love love!!!
Profile Image for April K. Artis.
163 reviews
March 18, 2021
Loved It!!

I just finished & I’m ready for Part 2!! I absolutely loved it!! I can’t wait to see what happens next!!
6 reviews
March 29, 2021
Can't Keep Down

I choose five stars because I couldn't put the book down. I love that lakea never gave up. I know her mother loved her,she just didn't show it by sending her away.
102 reviews
April 6, 2021
LOVED THIS

I am so torn right now and didn’t want their story to end before really getting started but I’m anxious for the next part.
Profile Image for Morgan  Gayles.
114 reviews9 followers
July 29, 2025
Tragedy…

Lakea couldn’t catch a break but sadly this is a reality for many black and brown girls around the country
Profile Image for Ari Maddie Ajai.
16 reviews46 followers
December 5, 2014
It’s hard to review this book without dipping into the negative. It’s a book with a lot of potential but it misses the mark. Overall, it’s just sad. I wasn’t expecting a feel good book after reading the description so I didn’t go into it with blinders on. I genuinely knew that I was going to be reading about the trials and tribulations that Lakea was going through and it wasn’t going to be pretty. What I didn’t expect was the amount of hopelessness in between the pages. From what I could tell, the author was trying to make this story as realistic as possible while examining real life issues that happen in crime ridden neighborhoods, but there’s a lesson to be learned here. Less is more. It’s unrealistic to think that nothing good EVER happens to a person, no matter what their environment is. There’s a silver lining in almost everything. I don’t think the author did her job at showing that part of real life.

A Broken Girl’s Journey is the first book in the series and the author’s first novel so I’m sure she has invested in an editor and growing into her own style of writing but I won’t be continuing the series. It’s just too depressing.
Profile Image for Arlena.
3,480 reviews1 follower
October 10, 2015
Title: A Broken Girl's Journey
Author: Niki Jilvontae
Publisher: True Glory Publications
Series: A Broken Girl's Journey
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"A Broken Girl's Journey" by Niki Jilvontae

My Thoughts.....

I was truly left in awe in the way this author was able to present to the readers a story of a young girls' pain. The delivery of such details with descriptions that were off the chart ...well done. This is a urban fiction read that will be full of 'drama, pain, killings, murder, death and violence.' Will there be any survivors? I really felt for Lakea and her brothers. Will poor Lakea very get a break and get what she was searching for in her life...'unconditional love?' It seems like the one person she wanted love from ...only would Lakea ever get it from her? This will be one of those reads that you will think about long after the read and in the way it ended...a cliffhanger...there will be even more to come in this authors' next read of 'A Broken Girl's Journey 2.'
Profile Image for Carla.
511 reviews205 followers
August 6, 2016
I one clicked " A Broken Girl's Journey" when it was free and it sat on my kindle for a few days after that. I had nothing to read so I said, let me give this a shot. What I thought was going to be the typical girl in the hood type story turned out to be an excellent read that I didn't see coming.

Author Niki Jilvontae has penned a classic tale complete with wonderful character development, great pacing, and drama that will keep you turning the page. There were a few errors but nothing that took away from the book. Looking forward to reading pat two! 5 stars!

~New Beginnings Book Club~
5 reviews
October 12, 2014
MEMPHIS came to vivid life. Excellent characters. Violent yet moving. Absorbing drama. Book One

Lakea cannot win for losing. Each time she summons the inner strength to keep rebounding after each vicious event in her life. I want to follow Lakea to the ripe old age of 100 years because her life is as dramatic as is those living around her. Not a dull moment in the book. want to keep reading her harrowing adventures. So, on to the next book with luscious anticipation of being drawn into the nightmare that is portrayed in the ruthless underbelly of the beautiful city of Memphis. Great story that should be a movie. I am starting Book Two, now!
Profile Image for Cryssy.
52 reviews
July 24, 2014
MY GOODNESS!!

This was my first time reading a book by this author.. when I saw that it was free, I figured that it was your typical urban street novel. But like the old saying goes you can't judge a book by its cover and that's definitely true for this book.. The author definitely captured me into this story, each character, and their struggle. Despite how broken, betrayed, and hurt the main character was she still managed to be a strong person. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about urban or street literature...
12 reviews
February 7, 2015
Kept me reading

I'm from her hometown, so of course I support this young lady. I hate the way it ended, but can't wait to read the other series. Good depiction of Memphis, for those that ain't from round these parts or for those Memphians that only know of Harbor town and other "decent" areas. Sad reality is that a lot of girls know this lifestyle all to well and some are so broken they stay down. I hope the girl in this story has a better outcome than most.
Profile Image for Mirrlees.
785 reviews
February 23, 2014
Took me a minute to finish this book. I had to re-read cause I guess my reading was a little off for the week. Anyways, ended up being a good story after all. Lakea has gone through a lot and ahs lost a lot of love ones I am hoping something good can work out for her in part 2 (REVENGE). great READ!
Profile Image for Antoinette.
402 reviews9 followers
March 8, 2014
Awesome!!!!!!!Niki

Awesome!!!!!!!Niki

I give the book a five star because this book was so hard put down once u start reading it there were a lot of things that hit close to home with me, but other then that this book is good I can't wait to read book 2. this is my first time reading ur book Ms. Mimi Jilvontae keep up the good work
Profile Image for joan brooks.
312 reviews13 followers
May 22, 2014
A Must READ

This book is so good.My Heart went out to Lakea, This poor child had such a sad, life 1st the rape and abuse from her mother and Jeff.Then going to jail and putting up with the abuse and raping all.over again. Then when she do find Love it is so cruelly taken away. Can't for Part 2
Profile Image for Ida Earl.
51 reviews1 follower
May 23, 2014
A Broken Girl's Journey

I rated this story as high, as I did, because it was a good story. The narratives was compelling. The story was believable and the trauma that the girl experienced, I know that story and felt compelled to keep reading until the end. The few typos, were not an impediment to my intense enjoyment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.