Choosing Sides

Flint #1

by Treasure Hernandez

Welcome to Flint, Michigan, one of the roughest little cities in America, a place where the good die young, loyalty is a rarity, and everybody has a hustle. Malek Johnson’s hustle is the basketball court and he’s the best Flint’s projects has ever produced. He’s on his way to the University of Michigan, but not for long, because all the NBA scouts say he’s destined for the pros after a year or two of seasoning. He finds love in the super fine girl everyone calls Halleigh, and he promises her that he will take her out of the hood. When Halleigh’s virginity is traded in exchange for her mother’s drug tab, their dream spirals out of control and they are quickly separated and sucked into the life that they have so desperately tried to avoid. With no place to go, their destinies take them down separate paths. Malek becomes affiliated with the North Side’s biggest kingpin and Halleigh is manipulated into the streets by his South Side adversary. North versus South, love versus loyalty, and lies versus truth. What will they choose? Walk with Halleigh and Malek as they introduce you to a new struggle in a new city . . . a place called FLINT

Genres: Urban, African American, Fiction

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[LaJuan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was intrigued with this series because it is set in my hometown of Flint, MI. For natives, it will not disappoint. Obviously written by someone who knows Flint pretty well, the first book in this series revolves around the ill-fated high school romance of Malek and Halleigh, two teens who seem to be on the verge of having the world at their feet. Of course, hard knock reality settles in and the two go from having it to all to surviving the gritty streets of Flint. There are elements of the story that are clichéd and stereotypical (pimps, hos, etc…), as far as urban fiction goes. But the character that pulls me in, quite honestly, is the city of Flint. The author’s description of places, landmarks and events in Flint make the city the book’s best character by far. Malek , Halleigh and a host of other characters are written well and add enough weight to the series that you want to know what happens to them next. I’m looking forward to completing the series.

[Bless · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just don't know what to say. The way it ended makes you crave for the next book. Will Halleigh find her one true love and her freedom from bondage? Will Malek take a hold of his future the right way? Will the two ever meet again. A series of takes and turns mixed with emotions are filled in this book. I can't wait to pry my hands of this interesting series. It's very attaching. Well, onto the next book: Working Girls.
Wish me luck!

[✿Bettina✿ ~BOoK FieNd ~ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow! What a hot mess. So within 72 hours.....

You decide to go from virgin to being raped and now pimped. Even if Malek did leave you, you change that much after being abused. Then Malek, boy instead of talking to your Mama you decide to do what? You must think I some new kind of fool. This would never, ever happen to anybody with just a little bit of street smarts.

[Jimmy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like the way Malek lost every thing he work for nothing

[Shanae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book & quite a few others in the series. Hernandez does a great job developing her characters and the plot. This novel is the epitome of urban lit.

[♤Tonya Johnson♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, but true for some young girls and women. Heading to Amazon to buy the series. A sister needs to know how everything ends up. Side bar, Maleek's mother is a B**ch!!

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really didn't give this an honest chance. I'm just not into high school romance, and didn't realize the whole story would be driven by teenagers.

[Cyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to read this series! I can’t wait for book two!

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

review coming soon

[Diamontae · Rating 3 out of 5]

It Was Ok But I Just Couldn’t Get Passed That Attack. My Soul Just Didn’t Sit Right After That Scene. But I Will Keep Reading The Series. I Just Couldn’t Get Over That Attack.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t know why I do this to myself. I’m not sure why I thought it was okay to buddy read with my mom 🤣

[lexx t · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)

Flint: Choosing Sides was a solid start to the series that definitely has me interested in seeing where the story goes next. Ashley and JaQuavis did a great job establishing the world and showing how quickly one decision, or even circumstances beyond your control, can completely change the trajectory of someone’s life. While this installment leaned more into setting the stage than delivering major payoffs, it still kept me invested from beginning to end.

What stood out most to me was Haleigh and Malek’s relationship. They genuinely cared about one another, which made everything they endured even more heartbreaking. Both characters are forced into situations far bigger than themselves, and watching them navigate impossible circumstances had me rooting for them the entire time. I also appreciated how the novel explored the influence of family, manipulation, and survival, especially how vulnerable people can be when they don’t have the support system they deserve.

My biggest critique is that I wanted a little more from this first installment. I kept waiting for Haleigh and Malek’s paths to cross again, even if only briefly, and I found myself wanting more development in their individual journeys before the story ended. Because this feels very much like the foundation for the rest of the series, it left me with more questions than answers. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but I was hoping for a bigger payoff before turning the final page.

Overall, I still enjoyed Flint: Choosing Sides and I’m definitely continuing with the series. It delivers emotional moments, plenty of tension, and characters you can’t help but root for, even when they’re making difficult choices. If you enjoy interconnected street lit series that focus on loyalty, survival, and the consequences of the paths people are forced to take, this is a strong introduction. I’m hoping the next book builds on this foundation and gives me the emotional reunion and character growth I’ve been waiting for.

[jada · Rating 5 out of 5]

summary: Halle and Malek, highschool sweethearts. Malek is set to go to the NBA but when tragedy strikes Halle, it changes both their lives forever.


review:

goodness Maleks mother was INSUFFERABLE. if were being honest she caused this! if she never freaked out and tried to put him out, all of this wouldve never happened.

and Halle mom aint shit either omg. no words on her.

i think what i enjoyed ( and i use the word enjoy very lightly) the way how Hallee was vulnerable and didnt have anywhere else to go and how manipulative people can be to a young girl. Manolo knew EXACTLY what to do, he knew how to gain her trust, corrupt her mind and make her fall in line. with no where else to go, Hallee has no other choice :((((

i personally love the way early 2000’s urban fiction books are written. theyre gritty, raw and real. if you are not someone that enjoys trauma, i wouldn’t recommend because this book goes downhill very fast.

[Fancy B · Rating 3 out of 5]

🗣️ “If I’m a ho, I’m a top-dollar ho.”
🥇 Tasha - caring despite the circumstances
✅ Short read
❌ Book is based around a severely traumatic event with a loose ending
📖 Hard knocks, sexual abuse, invisible string relationships
🌶️ Trigger warning instead of a spice warning

The book should have a huge warning label on it because the main event is grossly traumatizing. MCs are both teenagers whose lives are quickly changed after the main event. Malek, a top draft pick and Halleigh, his lover since middle school have major plans with each other and beyond their struggle life in Flint, MI. Unfortunate situations and bad decisions lead them both down sticky paths, losing each other in the whirlwind. One would have to read the next book in the series to find out what’s happening. Trauma can be expected. There was no cliffhanger. The book simply ended.

🗣️ Fav Quote 🥇 Fav Character
✅ The Good ❌ The Bad
📖 Page Fillers 🌶️ Spice/5

[TellsOfABibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

😤

Both Haleigh and Malek mothers pissed me off.

As a mother, I understand wanting what's best for your child, but be a lil more understanding and LISTEN. I can't stand a judgmental mfer. EWW 😒!!

Haleigh mother was just piss poor, low down, dirty, ain't for nothing. I really have no words for her.

I'm also confused on how Malek don't have an allowance or save any money for rainy days. Like boy... that idea wasn't smart at all.

Poor Haleigh. She really got the short end of the stick. She's so naive to how the world and people are.

Overall, this was a good start to the series. It definitely gave me all the throwback urban fiction feels. The drama had me invested, and I'm looking forward to seeing where the rest of the series goes.

[sarah ღ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was nothing like anything I've read before. The people in this book make wild decisions and the whole book was just one wild turn after another. So much happened in this book for how short it was. Sadly, I think the topic is what some people actually go through.

I originally came across this book just randomly scrolling through my library and I've wanted to pick up more books that aren't by white authors so I borrowed this and I'm definitely interested in reading more by this author, especially in this series.

[Andrea · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish this was just trash. No way would I justify reading another word. No control, total stupidity... Not what anyone with any street smarts would do. Seventeen year olds with options and self control for 17 years. Just not plausible, Don't you know anything about Real people, with Real opportunities. We are not a cliche. Desperate they weren't. Too Simple to like opening your mouth and speak. No freaking way. Would not recommend this urban book to anyone!

[Jada 🥀 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know why I thought Halleigh and Maleek were about to catch a break… because this book had other plans. Every time I thought things might finally turn around, something else came crashing down.

Flint: Choosing Sides is raw, emotional, and had me rooting for these characters the entire time. Treasure Hernandez knows how to keep the pressure on, and I was fully invested from the first page to the last.

[Latoshia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

I love treasure Hernandez. Great author. You will not want to put this book down, I promise. From beginning to end.

[Jessica French · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay, short but okay. Interested to see what happens in the next book.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the beginning of the downfall of two promising teenagers.

[Jameeka Sharpe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprisingly hooked from the start! Character development is great and I'm invested in both main characters.

[Tasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Taiyah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good I cant believe that things went down the way they did with Haleigh and Malik. I was expecting Malik to go to the pros not get into selling drugs with Jamaican Joe. I blame his mom though she should have never put Haleigh out of her house. She should have seen what was going on. To me that was the turning point of the story because when she put Haleigh out Malik went to, he end up robbing a convient store with a stick and got caught and wind up in jail leaving Haleigh with no place to go and she refused to go back to her mothers house after she sold her daughters innocence for some drugs to feed her habit. Haleigh met meme and meme turned Haleigh on to Manolo (a pimp) and from then on out Haleigh's life would never be the same. She got on drugs and became this prostitute. Malik was turned on to the North's biggest king-pin Jamaican Joe and Halleigh was on Manolo's and Sweets team. This book is also a MUST READ!!

[Robin (Saturndoo) · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was ok. It got a little repetitive which in turn made it get a little boring. Halleigh and Malek were likeable characters but could have used more development. The one thing that really bothered me was after Halleigh's predicament with her mother was why Malek was her only choice of people to turn to for help? Why didn't she try to get help from some of her girlfriends? After all she is in high school. I know there is a little smidgeon of information about why she didn't turn to Nikki but the reasoning was very lame. Overall, this book started really well and then after the climax it really fell apart. Not recommended unless you want a quick read.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I almost overlooked it at the bookstore but I'm so glad I didnt.I couldnt put this book down and read it in all of a one day. Its a shame that these 2 young people are truly an example of bad things happening to good people. I understand Malek's mother wanting to protect her child but I sometimes wondered if she was more worried about protecting her investment then her child ?!? And am I the only one who just wanted to slap her ?!? LOL

[LaTonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very good read and it really touched my heart. I was expecting a totally different ending and the author has definitely left me wanting more. This is the first book I've read by Treasure Hernandez and I must say that I was very impressed and am looking forward to reading the rest of the books in this series.

[Gloria Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in the fast lane...

It's a good story, kinda slow for me in the beginning. But, once it picked up I couldn't stop. You never know the direction your life is going to go in and boy some times you wish that it was all a dream. I gave this one 4 stars because it has a good story line, the characters are well developed and it was well edited.

[Tyria Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart goes out to all persons living in similar situations as these two characters. It's hard growing up without parents who care or not if you succeed in life. Seems hard to have to deal with a mother who choose the pipe over her own child.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!!! One of the absolute BEST books that I have ever read. I read this book in like 4 days. It would have been quicker than that if it wasn't for wk and school. I was on the edge of my bed when I read this book. Go Treasure!!! You did your thizzle!