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Selfish: Special Edition
Sundae Monroe Banks was born into pain.
After losing her father and being handed over to the streets by her own mother, she learned love is dangerous, and emotions are a weakness she can’t afford.
While most girls her age are picking colleges and chasing dreams, Sundae’s out here chasing survival.
Now nineteen, cold-blooded, and wise beyond her years, she stacks money, uses men, and keeps her heart locked behind walls nobody can break through.
Trust is dead. Loyalty is strictly conditional.
But when people she thought were solid start switching sides—and the past she tried to bury claws its way back—Sundae is forced to confront the one person she’s been running from… herself.
Selfish is a raw, gritty urban fiction novel packed with betrayal, heartbreak, and survival.
If you love street lit, hood love stories, and Black coming-of-age tales with real emotion and shocking twists, Selfish is a must-read.
“Because love might heal…
But sometimes, being selfish is the only way to survive.”
After losing her father and being handed over to the streets by her own mother, she learned love is dangerous, and emotions are a weakness she can’t afford.
While most girls her age are picking colleges and chasing dreams, Sundae’s out here chasing survival.
Now nineteen, cold-blooded, and wise beyond her years, she stacks money, uses men, and keeps her heart locked behind walls nobody can break through.
Trust is dead. Loyalty is strictly conditional.
But when people she thought were solid start switching sides—and the past she tried to bury claws its way back—Sundae is forced to confront the one person she’s been running from… herself.
Selfish is a raw, gritty urban fiction novel packed with betrayal, heartbreak, and survival.
If you love street lit, hood love stories, and Black coming-of-age tales with real emotion and shocking twists, Selfish is a must-read.
“Because love might heal…
But sometimes, being selfish is the only way to survive.”
374 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 4, 2026
This was a deeply upsetting depiction of a self-possessed young woman trying to forge an identity in adverse circumstances. There are ultimately messages of hope, love and resilience, but it is sprinkled with hardship and grief. Be prepared for some rough tradeoffs and rationalizations.
June 3, 2026
Geesh!
July 22, 2026
Everybody owed Sundae an apology because that girl could not catch a break.
From the very first chapter, it felt like life had a personal vendetta against her. Every time I thought things were finally looking up, another obstacle appeared. I found myself rooting for her with every page, hoping she’d finally get the peace she deserved.
What stood out most wasn’t just the drama—it was the emotion. Kutura B. knows how to make you feel every betrayal, every heartbreak, and every small victory. I became so invested in these characters that I caught myself talking back to the book more than once.
The romance wasn’t my favorite part. I liked Onyx, but after everything Sundae endured, I wasn’t ready to trust him as quickly as the story wanted me to. Still, by the end, I understood why so many readers love him.
More than anything, this story is about resilience. Watching Sundae fight through impossible circumstances, rediscover herself, and refuse to let her pain define her was the heart of the novel for me.
From the very first chapter, it felt like life had a personal vendetta against her. Every time I thought things were finally looking up, another obstacle appeared. I found myself rooting for her with every page, hoping she’d finally get the peace she deserved.
What stood out most wasn’t just the drama—it was the emotion. Kutura B. knows how to make you feel every betrayal, every heartbreak, and every small victory. I became so invested in these characters that I caught myself talking back to the book more than once.
The romance wasn’t my favorite part. I liked Onyx, but after everything Sundae endured, I wasn’t ready to trust him as quickly as the story wanted me to. Still, by the end, I understood why so many readers love him.
More than anything, this story is about resilience. Watching Sundae fight through impossible circumstances, rediscover herself, and refuse to let her pain define her was the heart of the novel for me.
May 27, 2026
This is a new to me author and I didn’t love this book I’m not even sure I can say I liked this book. The pacing was really slow.
It felt like the majority of this book was sad traumatic event followed by graphic sexual abuse/traumatic memory followed by a small glimpse or hope from Onyx then right back to sad traumatic event followed by another graphic sexual abuse/traumatic memory. The level of detail of the sexual abuse felt unnecessary to understand the plight of Sundae. Especially since the book focuses on the time in her life where she is still experiencing harm from the people around her. I would’ve liked to see the story focus more on her time of growth once all the trauma was behind her. That portion of the story was such a small snippet at the end.
This really just was not it for me. Not sure if I’ll jump into any other books in her catalog.
It felt like the majority of this book was sad traumatic event followed by graphic sexual abuse/traumatic memory followed by a small glimpse or hope from Onyx then right back to sad traumatic event followed by another graphic sexual abuse/traumatic memory. The level of detail of the sexual abuse felt unnecessary to understand the plight of Sundae. Especially since the book focuses on the time in her life where she is still experiencing harm from the people around her. I would’ve liked to see the story focus more on her time of growth once all the trauma was behind her. That portion of the story was such a small snippet at the end.
This really just was not it for me. Not sure if I’ll jump into any other books in her catalog.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2026
Trauma and Mama Drama! When I read stories like this, it's so hard and painful for me to believe some mothers are really like this. I'm so glad Sun still rise and set and trouble doesn't last always. 🩷
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews