How I Became Wifey: The Beginning

by Kiki Swinson

Before Kira became Wifey, she was just a girl trying to escape the life she was born into.
Growing up in the housing projects of Portsmouth, Virginia, Kira has always dreamed of something bigger than working as a shampoo girl in her neighborhood hair salon. Determined to create a better life for herself, Kira is willing to take risks—but she never imagined just how dangerous those risks would become.

Everything changes when she meets Que, a charismatic and ambitious street hustler who quickly becomes her first real love. Under Que’s guidance, Kira is introduced to a world she never knew existed—a fast-paced underground lifestyle fueled by money, power, and illegal drug trafficking. What begins as a way to earn extra cash soon transforms into a lucrative operation that allows Kira to buy the things she once only dreamed about. For the first time in her life, she has money in her pocket, a luxury car, and hope for a brighter future.

But as Kira becomes more deeply involved in Que’s criminal enterprise, she finds herself drawn to Ricky, Que’s trusted associate. What starts as friendship quickly turns into temptation, and before long Kira is caught in a dangerous love triangle that threatens to destroy everything she has built. When secrets are exposed and betrayals come to light, Que’s heartbreak turns into obsession, and his desire for revenge sets off a chain of events that spirals out of control.
Desperate to escape a relationship that has become toxic and increasingly violent, Kira begins planning a new life for herself. But leaving Que proves far more dangerous than staying. As loyalties are tested, friendships are shattered, and lives hang in the balance, Kira learns that every decision has consequences—and some mistakes can never be undone.

181 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 9, 2026

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Melanated and Bookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG

I literally read this book in 1 day!! I’ve been a fan of KiKi for years and to go back to the beginning before Wifey is sooo refreshing! Like OMG the life before Ricky, how they met, her work at the salon with her friend and how everything went down!! This book was good! I’m talking on the edge of my seat like what’s going to happen next! I can’t wait for part 2!!

[Tenellia N Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a good short read but sad. i hate the ending. this show how a man think they can treat you any way but then when the tables turn they get all in their feelings. This is how the book ends.

[Tee Carron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is a MUST read because ooowwweeee KiKi you always do your big one with these books.

[The Social Book Club Lisa Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down. It was definitely a page turner and kept my attention. I can't wait til the next release from this author.