The Carter Boys

The Carter Boys #1

by Desiree M. Granger

So what happens when a slick mouth educated girl from Brooklyn NY. decides to go off to college in the capital of the south, Atlanta Ga?? She quickly gets introduced to the Atlanta life style where Bruh is said every other word. Dreaded fro’s are a must. Hot lemon pepper wings are law. West side accents are always thicker than the east side. Nobody says ATL unless they’re from out of town. HBCU life is unlike any other. Lastly and most importantly that it's all about family, in particular the Carter Family. Without the Carters? There is no Atlanta.

Drama...Sex...Love...Drugs..and Music are just a few of the Carter Boys daily dealings, when being the largest most dangerous organization the city of Atlanta has ever seen isn’t on their to-do list. The women who want to be with them and the men who want to be just like them can easily get lost in the shuffle when the target is constantly moving to a new Carter’s back. 

Eldest brother Shiloh has always kept to himself. Even with seven other siblings, he tends to shy away from the attention since he has the weight of his family secret on his shoulders. Protecting them from their family's dark past has always been his job, even as it starts to become to much for him bare. That is until he meets a beautiful woman who moves next door to him, and shows him that some secrets aren’t always meant to be kept. 

Elijah Carter is not only the face of The Carter Boys, but his vocal talents is what has their name ringing bells in the music world. A hot head and a womanizer, Elijah only has time for two things, making sure his family stays feared in the streets and taking down any groupie who will do anything for just one night with him. All of the perks that come along with being a singing sensation and a street legend will have any man living in pure bliss, but when Elijah runs into the quiet, yet ordinary college girl named Jordyn with a “Y” she introduces him to something far greater.

Trent Carter is everything any man could ever hope of being. A brother of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, this pretty boy is educated, can have any woman he wants, and is apart of one of the largest crime families in Atlanta. With being pretty much the object of every woman's desire, Trent never has a problem with the opposite sex. Whether its for one night or a short fling, the women that surround him are always ready and willing to make it on his hit list. But what happens when a man who can have any woman he wants, meets a girl who doesn’t even bat an eye in his direction? 

The Carters may be a dysfunctional bunch, but they love hard and are willing to do anything to make sure their family stays on top. The only question is, can a strong family on the stage and in the streets hold it together for the love of each other when their secret is brought to light or will their families past ruin everything they’ve worked so hard for?

Genres: Urban, Audiobook, African American

207 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 8, 2015

About the author

Just here to update this profile. I'm actually not 25 anymore but I'll be 30 next year haha. Still writing. Wow. Can't believe it. Current book I'm working on as I type this; Moon Child.

Reviews

[Lette Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this toxic mess lmao. They narration was horrible. I will have to read the rest of the series.

[Rashawnda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Carter Boys are plentiful thanks to Daddy Carter who was a rolling stone laying it low and spreading his seed wide. The man has plenty of kids and ain’t none of these boys really worth a damn.

They are an uncouth bunch and are menaces to society. If toxic was an Olympic sport they would be collecting gold like a leprechaun.

The series started with Jaheim, Trent and Elijah and these are some fk boys like nothing I’ve ever seen. They run thru women like a raging river leaving broken hearts and broken promises in their wake. College life + fame has these boys thinking they’re God’s gift to this earth and the women falling over them only add to their ego boost. It goes without saying that I don’t like them at all.

Shiloh Carter has me intrigued the most and I can’t wait to see more of him on page!

In addition to the Carter boys, we were introduced to some fierce, dk dizzy women as well! Jade, Jordyn and Tia got way more than the education they were paying for at this Atlanta HBCU. 😵‍💫🤣😩

These women were definitely out Cartered and I know this series is going to be a wild ride!

[Mika Verrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Book Review✨
To call these boys wild would be the understatement of the century. I don’t know the right word to describe these brothers, but I can tell I’m in for a roller coaster!! Book one is set in Atlanta and we are introduced to a few of the brothers, there are 7 siblings in this Carter clan with Olivia being the only girl. The Carters are a rap group on the rise. Men want to be with them and women want to be with them. So what happens when a slick-mouth NYC girl moves to the south to attend an HBCU? A whole lot of shit, that’s what.

Okay in book one we meet:

Jade- TheAlpha Female: when I say this girl is alpha, take that shit literally! Jade is from New York and she is not impressed with the ATL at all. The book opens with Jade’s POV, she and her roommates decide to hit a party that is hosted by the infamous Carter boys. And is at the party that Jade meets Trent a.k.a. Kodak. From the moment she walked up, Trent was stuck, but Jade was not impressed with “Kodak” at all. Whew, the drama of it all! Trent's ass was a little bi**h if you ask me, he set the catalyst for their relationship and now is mad because my girl can’t let her guard down.

Trent Carter- The Pretty Boy: They call him Kodak, because according to him one moment with him, will have you wanting to capture it forever, like a Kodak moment. 😂 He did all that shit-talking just to not be able to back up and get mad and lie afterward was such a bi**h move. But he quickly learned that he was messing with the wrong female. I don’t know how I feel about these two yet just know they’re toxic AF 😂 😂 . And Trent one more time to make a colorist comment and I’m done with him.

Jordyn with a Y- The Undercover Freak: The statement “ never judge a book by its cover” couldn’t be more true when it comes to my girl, Jordyn. Everyone assumed my girl was a quiet, lonely virgin, butttt they couldn’t be more wrong. Jade is the mixed breed but could care less about the superficial materialistic shit that her peers do. She’s focused on her studies, her music, and getting an occasional orgasm. But when she meets a certain boy, she has no clue what she’s in store for, and to be honest, neither does he.

Tia- The Jumpoff: I don’t like this girl. Period! She isn’t my kinda female. What she did to Jade was disgusting and all because you a hating hoe, 😡. Although I don’t like her ass, what Jaheim and Jodie did wasn’t cool at all, these boys are wild! And then for them to react the way they did in the club when she confronted them, I’m like okayyyy these 🥷🏾’s are nuts. Cool 😂. Tia's ass gone be sickkkk when she discovers who was really in Jordyn’s room making all that noise 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Noelle- The Sweetest Girl: I like Noelle right now. She seems like a sweet girl and she’s the next-door neighbor to Shiloh who seems like an asshole. They are giving good girl meets bad boy vibes, I’m here for it at this moment, we’ll see if I change my mind 😂.

We haven’t been fully introduced to the other siblings yet, but I will say this about them:

Elijah “Jodie” Carter- is one cocky, arrogant, low-key rude, talented MF, 😂. This man only dates, bisexual women and I find that hilarious, I don't know why, it’s just funny to me. I love how my girl Jordyn had his ass eating his words when she walked into that club. Had him like 😳😳. But I like these two, hopefully, they won’t disappoint me.

Olivia Carter, um 🤔 I’m side-eyeing her, she seems wishy-washy.

Ontrell is a DOGGGGGG 😂 that man gave no fucks about being caught by his man with his side piece, told him he wasn’t going anywhere 😬 now watch him be sick when Tyree moves on.

Didn’t learn too much on Shiloh and Anthony. Shiloh just seems mean as hell, I’m very intrigued by his character. I feel like he about to be bea

Jaheim Carter- although I don’t like what he did he seems like an OK dude so far but when he finds out he didn’t go through with that shit is gonna hit the fan.


Book: The Carter Boys
Author: Desiree
Genre: Urban Fiction
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🥵🥵🥵

[Qiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

These brothers are a hot ghetto mess! It was 8 brothers total, but the story does not go in depth on all of them in this installment. It had enough drama and pettiness to hold my attention. Can not wait to start the next installment.

[Pamela qp_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Series!!!! If you like loyal, toxic, romance, drama, family times, dysfunction, love, generational trauma with a cast of characters unlike anything you've ever read, you still might not be ready for Them Carters!!!

[BookishhTori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ughhhhh❌❌❌

I hate when a storyline has so much potential, but the execution is poor.

[Tierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just getting started

Trent is like the biggest baby ever. What he did to Jade was cold hearted. Dude whines to much like bruh man up. The story has a lot of character to keep up with, but it's easy to read and understand being that it's in 1st person. I like how the characters talk back to the reader. Jordyn with a Y shocked me. She keeps to herself, but the quiet ones are the ones to watch out for. Sometime i forgor Jade was chick, she go hard as ever. So far the Carter boys have shown nothing but disrespect. The stuff that comes out of their mouth is crazy. Surprisingly though there's always a way to break even the toughest thug dowm

[Shikira Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whew, this was a hot, toxic, ghetto mess! It kept me entertained but there were things that really got under my skin. For example, Trent is colorist af. He mentioned how he didn’t date darkskin women multiple times and said his girl was pretty for a darkskin girl. Another example is how the brothers swap women without the women’s consent. There are probably only 2 characters I actually like. Everyone else is annoying and trifling. Even with the things I didn’t like about the book, I’m hooked *face palms*

[Kourtlyn Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is alright. I don’t like how Jade still got with Trent after everything he’s put her through from spreading rumors to colorist remarks and just downright belittling her. Also if you hate the “I’m not like other girls” trope than this book is for you, because jade and jordyn have this weird superiority complex that they don’t wear weaves or get dressed up…

[Autumn Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

REally good read. I can tell this author poured her soul into this novel. However the editor is bogus. This could have been developed so much more. I really wish publishers would hire real editors and not proofreaders

[Shan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading The Carter Girls not knowing it all started with The Carter Boys. This was a fast paced nonstop drama story. If it wasn't for school and work I would have finished it in a day! On to part 2...

[Barshina Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

So toxic yet so entertaining!
**audio**
I have read this series several years ago, but listening to it was like experiencing it for the first time. I enjoyed the narration. and I can't wait to move on to the next book in the series.

[Jailai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the different POVS.

[NubianJoí · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this series via AUDIBLES. I was able to retrieve my original the original review. However, I can provide a direct quote from my literary diary: “OK”. “The Carter Boys - Book 1”

[Anna J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Those Carter Boys are wild! But it seems like the girls they met are even wilder. I was hoping Jade would get it together. I really enjoyed this read

[sha'kia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay read

This storyline was all over the place with these characters. Too many side stories just to get the point. The carter boys are something else an their mouths are just reckless but they manage to capture the sights of a few women with drama along the way. Hopefully part 2 is a lot better

[Tynika Reads 🌺 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive

I'm loving the diversity in the Carter Boys. It's always drama and it was unpredictable especially Trent & Jade I love their relationship. I got a feeling the best is yet to come especially with Elijah & Jordyn that was unexpected. I can't wait to read part 2.

[Eboni · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was not for me. I was hyped when I read the summary, but was very let down. I felt like it was way to over the top and that was just in the first couple of pages.

[Audrey ✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

I tried, I really did. But, as a Brooklyn girl through and through, I can only read so many sentences that end in “yo” or “son”. Who was on the moodboard? Busta Rhymes?

[Gen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have so many feelings about this book. I started this thinking that Jade was going to be the one I rooted for and come to find out Jordyn was my chick from beginning to end. I'm going to try to get this out without spoiling it for those like me who are coming upon this series late.

What I found interesting is the fact that all these girls are allowing these men to enter them with no condoms KNOWING that the guys they are having sex with are straight up whores. Like the book starts with some "red light special" deal where a group of frat boys are having sex with multiple women at a time with no condom. Women they don't know. I don't think a condom or dental dam was used in the whole book.

We have grown men lying on their dick and the ultimate is the double standard of calling females whores when not one guy has been faithful or at least had protected sex other than the one gay man in the whole book.

Trent annoyed my spirit from beginning to end and I'm not sure if he gets better in the rest of the series.

Jade was someone I was rooting for from jump and it quickly deteriorated as the book went on. Like the decision she made with how to resolve the whole him lying on his dick (a la, letting him screw her AFTER he told every one she was STD ridden). I honestly don't see her relationship lasting. He wants a demure chick and cares too much what people think. Every time they argue he throws up how she isn't his type and how she needs to change. Good pussy aside, he knew what she was bringing from the moment he met her and for all Jade's talk about being strong and secure in her personality and not changing, she is truly bending for someone who isn't really bending for her.

Jordyn and her dude...I like. I want them to make it, I really do, but I don't know how that dynamic is going to work. Her man is a whore and that slipping into every vagina because it's available is going to get old quick.

Tia is annoying and I wanted her to get popped in the mouth one good time for the way she did Jade and how she treats Jordyn. I hope Jordyn gets some back bone and stops letting people wall all over/man handle her just because it keeps the peace.

Hmm, who am I leave out? Oh Noelle. I like her, but with the way this is going I don't think she's going to stay a virgin for long and if she loses it to a Carter boy, she's in a whole world of drama and heart ache because of it.

Lastly Entrail..or however you spell his name. I hope the Bi-sexual Carter loses his man. His boyfriend was good to him and loyal and he just shit all over that man's feelings because he knew (or thought he knew) the guy would always be around. I hope that man moves on and gets a new man who looks good, has money, and treats him well. That'll show his ex that he isn't the only attractive man in Atlanta who is open about his interest in other men.

[Lindaisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lord...what in the world did I just read...

I recently finished Hoodwinked and Moon Child by Desiree and while both of those books had their issues, overall I really enjoyed the story and the characters. I was in the mood for a little bit of the same kind of ruggedness in my books, so I figured what the hell. The synopsis of this book seemed interesting, and appeared to have a mix of urban/street ratchetness and "regular" characters.

But boy oh boy. I don't know if these characters are written as these direspectful, super toxic, highly problematic, mentally retarded (and I mean that in the scientific way), basic and idiotic fools, because of their age or because Desiree thought that would be entertaining. Im hoping its the former because if it was the latter, then I would mark this as a huge fail.

There were just so many things wrong with the way these characters behaved. There were some parts I really enjoyed and even characters I really vibbed with. But the way they ACT...the things they do and say to eachother. Its like, do people really behave this way?!

I was just starting to toy around with the idea of dnf'ing this book and i'm reading the bundled version of the story so I didn't know where I was in terms of progress with getting through the first book. So I was SO happy when I flipped the page and saw the "Carter Boys 2" intro page. I don't know if I will be able to stomach the rest of this series, but at least I got through the first book and didn't waste 4 days of my life.

I think i'll just wait until Charmed comes out to get the entertainment I felt when reading Hoodwinked and Moon Child...because the Carter boys? Aint it.

[S. Reid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book & the series!
My favorite characters were JADE & SHILOH, & for this Book ONLY I also liked Noelle's character as well!
Characters that I DID NOT LIKE in BOTH THIS BOOK & THE ENTIRE SERIES: JORDYN, TIA, TYREE, OLIVIA, JAHEIM, TRENT, & JODY(ELIJAH)! THEY ALL PISSED ME OFF IN THIS STORY & THE OTHERS AS WELL!
Not to sound like a old prude, but there was WAAAAAYYYY TOO MUCH MINDLESS SEX & NOBODY SEEMED TO KNOW WHAT A RUBBER IS OR SUPPOSE TO BE USED FOR! With Atlanta being where the CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL IS LOCATED, I wondered many times OUTLOUD HAD ANY OF THE CHARACTERS DISCOVERED THE HARD WAY WHY IT'S ALWAYS NECESSARY TO UTILIZE CONDOMS!
I mean, ONE CHARACTER (TIA) had an unplanned pregnancy BY THE WRONG BROTHER(JAHEIM), BUT THAT SEEMED TO BE THE ONLY STORY CONCERNING WHY CONDOMS ARE VERY NECESSARY WHEN SLEEPING AROUND WITH FOLKS WHOM YOU BARELY KNOW.
I enjoyed getting a small look into the lives of characters around the ATL, where the author gave vivid descriptions of to readers who may not be from the South!
I gave this book 4 star rating because I love reading books where the characters assess the situation from their POV!
THE AUTHOR NEEDS TO MAKE THE CARTER GIRLS SERIES AVAILABLE IN EVERY FORMAT , PREFERABLY IN AUDIBLE, SO I CAN GIVE THAT SEREIS A LISTEN!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Far I have read books 1-3. I still need to get book 4. I will say that i enjoyed all 3 books in The Carter Boys series. It has the drama, sex, gangster, drugs, everything that is needed in a good urban hood fiction book.

I will say I live in Georgia outside of ATL and I am almost scared to send my oldest daughter who is a Senior this year to college next year. This book let's me know that I have to keep instilling in my daughter everything that I can about growing up and going away from home. It's important that our daughters and sons know their worth and everything it takes to be GREAT.

some of the characters in this book made very poor decisions for their life. Which was exciting for me but may not have been the best for them.

When I was a teenager I loved me some Carter Boys too. Their last name just may have not been carter. LOl.

[Shajuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is pretty good , it kept me interested. I took away a Star because throughout the book, there is blatant colorist remarks . One of the characters Trent was written to be a light skinned colorist man , the comments were disgusting and hard to read. I tend to read black books by Black authors for relatability. And this made me uncomfortable, so much so that i immediately went to view the author, to make sure this wasnt written by a man , a white person or a light skinned woman . She appears dark skinned herself so I was confused.


But if you can get over that then you may enjoy the read, I finished the series because i was invested . But I don't think I'll be reading from this author anymore. 😕

[LATINA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Those Carter Boys

This story had my attention from the beginning all the way to the end. The storyline was on point. The characters were well developed with enough information on them to understand their role in the story. This book is about all kinds of love. It's about people being their own person. Not worried about what others say about them. It's about independent women who is use to being head strong taking care of themselves. But sometime you have to let the man be in charge. This is a very good book about choices we make. The Carter Boys is very family oriented. A great read.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

These brothers are wild! Trent fighting Jade now they booed up! Jaheim and Tia. Oh Lord her wanting Jodie aka Elijah! Jordyn with Elijah aka Jodie together but sneaking around but just for pleasure or are they really falling for each other??? Ontrell and Tyree but Ontrell undercover swings both ways! Shy meeting the new neighbor Noelle what will be the the outcome of that. A lot is going on for these ladies either in college or recently graduated! The Caryer boys are wilding out and blowimg up im the ATL & other cities with thrir music! Jordyn really shocked me, she's a closet freak! This first book in this series is wild!!!

[Melissa Nichole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joined a book club in July and this was the book for the month. I have mixed feelings. Growing up in Atlanta it all sounds familiar. I think there were too many characters to follow but I guess that was the point for the series. The misogyny, homophobia, and colorism might seem like a lot but it definitely is Atlanta (not all of Atlanta but the hoods in the early 2000s). Maybe I would have enjoyed it more when I was younger but being in my 30’s all I saw was red flags. I may continue the series to see how some of the character developments turn out.

[Sarae]

Soooooo I’ve read all the books cater boys the whole series and cater girls the whole series and I loved everything about it my favorite characters were jordyn Shiloh and amari who is from the cater girls because she reminds me so much of myself I was so caught up in these books and helped me even make a new play list of music make me even want to travel to the A to see what it’s like for my own views of it Desiree is an amazing author keep up the good work beautiful now I’m reading your book about Montana

[ToniReads_1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Them Carter Boys are something else. Sex, weed, music, more sex. Whew. All of them brothers, in the music industry in Atlanta to boot, I know I would have been right along throwing panties with the rest of the ladies. Just so you know with those fine ass brothers drama is certain to follow. What chic not trying to get with if not one of them but all of them on a HBCU campus? And what dude not wishing to be them?
I love the author Dersiee because her words make your imagination so clear and vivid. Ready for book 2