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Bad Girlz
The bestselling author of B-More Careful, Shannon Holmes, delivers Bad Girlz, another wild adventure into the streets. The setting this time is the Badlands, one of the toughest and poorest communities in Philadelphia.
Bad Girlz takes you into the mysterious and often dangerous lives of young women who turn to the streets and strip clubs as a means of survival. These are girls who, along the way, suffer bad breaks and find themselves ripe for exploitation by men and women who pretend to be their saviors.
Tender and Goldie were taken under wing by Kat, a veteran stripper, who enjoyed the life and the risks she had to take to stay in the mix of the sex trade. Both of these young and beautiful girls had ended up in dire straits and in need of Kat's help in different ways, but ultimately for the same reasons: They lacked the love and support that most of us expect to get at home and in our communities. Where they live, illegal money is often the only money to be made, and the difference between the law and the outlaw is tough to discern.
Holmes tells a page-turning story of sex, money, and murder in the name of survival and reveals the many ways that good girls, trying to get by in desperate situations, become Bad Girlz.
Bad Girlz takes you into the mysterious and often dangerous lives of young women who turn to the streets and strip clubs as a means of survival. These are girls who, along the way, suffer bad breaks and find themselves ripe for exploitation by men and women who pretend to be their saviors.
Tender and Goldie were taken under wing by Kat, a veteran stripper, who enjoyed the life and the risks she had to take to stay in the mix of the sex trade. Both of these young and beautiful girls had ended up in dire straits and in need of Kat's help in different ways, but ultimately for the same reasons: They lacked the love and support that most of us expect to get at home and in our communities. Where they live, illegal money is often the only money to be made, and the difference between the law and the outlaw is tough to discern.
Holmes tells a page-turning story of sex, money, and murder in the name of survival and reveals the many ways that good girls, trying to get by in desperate situations, become Bad Girlz.
224 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2003
34 people are currently reading
1825 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Holmes
25 books261 followersShannon Holmes was born and raised in New York City’s most northern borough; the Bronx. Holmes’ entrance into the literary world was anything but ordinary. Armed only with a G.E.D. and the desire to change his life, Mr. Holmes crafted his first novel and signed his first literary contract from prison, while serving a five year sentence for various drug convictions. This was truly an amazing feat when you consider Mr. Holmes had never even written a short story in his life. He truly made the best of a bad situation.
He first achieved success with his first novel B-more Careful, which has gone on to sell a half a million copies to date. This may not sound like a lot of to the general public, but in the literary world Mr. Holmes is platinum. By producing such lofty sales numbers, Shannon was able to parlay the success of his first novel into a two book, six figure deal, with publishing giant Simon & Schuster.
Avoiding the sophomore jinx, Shannon Holmes crafted the critically acclaimed Bad Girlz, which sold fifty thousand copies in its first week. His next novel Never Go Home Again was hailed as best work... With this he achieved yet another milestone, he became the first author of the street genre to have his novel printed in hardcover. Since then Mr. Holmes has signed an even bigger deal publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press, it’s rumored to be in the high six figures, for two novels.
He first achieved success with his first novel B-more Careful, which has gone on to sell a half a million copies to date. This may not sound like a lot of to the general public, but in the literary world Mr. Holmes is platinum. By producing such lofty sales numbers, Shannon was able to parlay the success of his first novel into a two book, six figure deal, with publishing giant Simon & Schuster.
Avoiding the sophomore jinx, Shannon Holmes crafted the critically acclaimed Bad Girlz, which sold fifty thousand copies in its first week. His next novel Never Go Home Again was hailed as best work... With this he achieved yet another milestone, he became the first author of the street genre to have his novel printed in hardcover. Since then Mr. Holmes has signed an even bigger deal publishing deal with St. Martin’s Press, it’s rumored to be in the high six figures, for two novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
January 21, 2011
I gave this book a four star rating only because it was written with so much Ebonics/slang, I found myself having to re-read sentences over and over just to get a full understanding of what it meant,. On the other hand it was a good book because it kept my interest to the point of not wanting to put it down, some parts of this book ticked me off so much so that I ended up with a headache and that doesn't happen to often. I also found more then a few mistakes written in it which can be utterly frustrating. I'm not going to put to much into what I thought of the story only because it will be hit with "spoiler Alerts", but I will say this... Mr Holmes has a gift of writing which is a blessing in my opinion, but Damn!, did he have to make my favorite character so dumb?.. these broads were as dumb as a box of rocks. I can only hope the characters in the next part of this story will wisen up, and not seem so uneducated, weak, and easily pursuaded. Here goes.. I'm on my way to reading "Bad girlz for life", fingers crossed. :)
May 22, 2013
That's all I can say is wow! This book is awesome and keeps you wanting more. Although most of the time I was wondering when is this girl going to wake up! The author puts you in the character's shoes most definitely and you still are guessing. Read it in one day, just to see what would become of Tender. At times I could feel her pain, and other times I was wishing she would see through Kat's games of lies and deception. It is sad that it took something as dramatic as Goldie's situation for her to figure out that she was getting played. I hated what happened to Goldie, just knew she was gone make it out... but not that way. Kat is a whole other story, she was a master manipulator that got what she deserved (hate it happened that way), but you do unto others... On to the next book "Bad Girlz 4 life".
July 22, 2012
Again, Shannon Holmes slayed this book!!! I love his writing, you can feel the realness on the pages. His books are very scenic and gritty!!! Bad Girlz is definitely in my top 10 most fave books of all time!
June 9, 2010
♥ Never Trust Females, Is What I Knew Already ..... This Book Just Gave Me Clearer Reason on Top Of Mine To Support My Opinion ♥ Great Book & A Must Read ♥
October 10, 2016
Three young women and their less than wonderful lies become the focus of this story: lives of poverty in finances and education, a poverty of opportunity and the long-lasting aftereffects of abuse set these girls on a life-long struggle. Life isn’t always kind or fair, especially not to those denied a level playing field from the start: and these women all band together as a matter of necessity, a situation that exposes and feeds on the weak and naïvé. Yes, there is still a sense of naiveté from Tender, and a wish, perhaps even a need, to believe in Kat, the ‘leader’ of their little group, despite Goldie’s awareness of Kat’s motives.
Throughout the roller coaster ride that is this story, we see Kat’s selfishness that masquerades as care and concern: by becoming the entrée into the world for the new girls, Tender and Goldie. The sex trade is often a last resort for the broken and damaged, ones with limited or no options, or the inability to see other choices: truth for all here. While a sense of ‘we have control’ appears in all three, as they believe they are holding the cards and have taken some of their own back, the reality of the situation shows otherwise. With plenty of gripping moments, and several of tragedy, the details of each life are clear and their choices are understandable. While a story of addiction leads to suicide for one, the growth of Tender – admittedly a callous and harsh coming of age, is presented with honesty and care, and still shows a few moments of light.
Narration in this story is presented by Erica Peeples, and was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While her presentation was clear, each character presented seamlessly and all were distinct. The problem I had was some unneeded and often over-emphasized breaks in the presentation: periods and commas in the text were long (too long) pauses, and other sentences were broken without reason, emphasizing words that did little to nothing to impact on the story. A reasonably good performance that, were it not for the pauses, would have been very good.
I received an audiobook copy of the title from the publisher via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
Throughout the roller coaster ride that is this story, we see Kat’s selfishness that masquerades as care and concern: by becoming the entrée into the world for the new girls, Tender and Goldie. The sex trade is often a last resort for the broken and damaged, ones with limited or no options, or the inability to see other choices: truth for all here. While a sense of ‘we have control’ appears in all three, as they believe they are holding the cards and have taken some of their own back, the reality of the situation shows otherwise. With plenty of gripping moments, and several of tragedy, the details of each life are clear and their choices are understandable. While a story of addiction leads to suicide for one, the growth of Tender – admittedly a callous and harsh coming of age, is presented with honesty and care, and still shows a few moments of light.
Narration in this story is presented by Erica Peeples, and was a bit of a mixed bag for me. While her presentation was clear, each character presented seamlessly and all were distinct. The problem I had was some unneeded and often over-emphasized breaks in the presentation: periods and commas in the text were long (too long) pauses, and other sentences were broken without reason, emphasizing words that did little to nothing to impact on the story. A reasonably good performance that, were it not for the pauses, would have been very good.
I received an audiobook copy of the title from the publisher via AudioBook Jukebox for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
This review was originally posted on I am, Indeed
September 28, 2013
A book that took me about four hours to read, it truly is a good read. With a connected sense to the street life this book was not just something that was written to tell a story, but something much more. His afterthoughts struck me incredibly. The story which he tells is real and there is nothing make belief about it. A dancer's life is hard and he address different journeys that each woman chooses to take based on each person's different choice. Some aren't even choices, but once you get wrapped up in the game, it's hard to get out.
October 23, 2022
Tonya’s mom beats her for dating before she’s an adult. Ironically this is because she doesn’t want her to be a teen mom like created Tonya. Pete’s the secretly creepy step father and pushover string bean husband to big, bad Veronica. When he takes advantage of T, he does so via PCP he offers as weed instead of wet. Once he dips, the mom kicks Tonya out for “ruining” her marriage. Super ironically, this leaves innocent Tonya to turn tricks for a couch to sleep on until she becomes a stripper.
In Philly’s heroin-laced badlands, strippers creatively wear construction worker outfit. A girl’s Christian mother leads her into the arm’s of a felon and cigarette burned path. One of their sweet lil boys is teased about his mother’s profession. There are club fights over stealing, gun toting over pimping, Miami trip splurging. Flight anxiety is a nice humanizing piece and as is what happens with Goldie later though I wish her drug use and Tinder’s stripping had more vivid scenes instead of summaries.
In Philly’s heroin-laced badlands, strippers creatively wear construction worker outfit. A girl’s Christian mother leads her into the arm’s of a felon and cigarette burned path. One of their sweet lil boys is teased about his mother’s profession. There are club fights over stealing, gun toting over pimping, Miami trip splurging. Flight anxiety is a nice humanizing piece and as is what happens with Goldie later though I wish her drug use and Tinder’s stripping had more vivid scenes instead of summaries.
August 28, 2019
I'm pretty sure I've read this book before. Years ago. But, hey. No harm in a re read.
The story is one that could very well happen to a young girl with nowhere to go. With people around her that want to take advantage.
Tender was a likable protagonist. Kat a worthy villain.
Like some of the other people, the conversations between the characters had me like ??
Slang is one thing. But, I don't know.
3.5 stars. I do think the final showdown between Kat and tender could have been different/better.
The story is one that could very well happen to a young girl with nowhere to go. With people around her that want to take advantage.
Tender was a likable protagonist. Kat a worthy villain.
Like some of the other people, the conversations between the characters had me like ??
Slang is one thing. But, I don't know.
3.5 stars. I do think the final showdown between Kat and tender could have been different/better.
February 4, 2017
This was a really good book. It played out just like real life back stabbing chick and getting chicks strung out on drugs so you can control their lives. I guess that the life of strippers and weak minded people. This is just my opinion this is how I saw it in the book. Can't wait to read the next part.
December 13, 2021
I don't think I was ready for the harsh and explicitly seedy circumstances that these women were going to go through. Rough, torturous and horrible life situations caused the rise and downfall of many of them in this book. I liked it, but be prepared for the depth of disturbia these prostitutes and the like will plunge you into.
December 19, 2011
I liked this book , Now what i didnt like was Kat because she was mean and always thinking of a new way to get money in all the wrong ways but other then that i loved it , tender made me mad when she didnt listen to goldie i think if she would have went to new york with her none of this would have happen , because goldie told her how kat was but she didnt listen to her.
November 11, 2022
Bad Girlz takes you into the mysterious and often dangerous lives of young women who turn to the streets and strip clubs as a means of survival.
This was actually a re-read for me. I loved it the first time. This time it was good, but hated Kat. Nothing even remotely likeable about her. And there were some very sad parts that in it that bothered me. All in all a good read.
This was actually a re-read for me. I loved it the first time. This time it was good, but hated Kat. Nothing even remotely likeable about her. And there were some very sad parts that in it that bothered me. All in all a good read.
October 5, 2018
🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This book was e even though it was just appalling to see the girls struggle so much Beverley didn't know no better or someone else was using them and forcing them into the unknown...I t was a lot of realism in this book and I know a lot of young women can relate to the story
This book was e even though it was just appalling to see the girls struggle so much Beverley didn't know no better or someone else was using them and forcing them into the unknown...I t was a lot of realism in this book and I know a lot of young women can relate to the story
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March 18, 2008loved, loved, loved this book! This book shows the flip side of the strip game, where WOMEN are your own worse nightmare, this book was soooo good! I read it in one day
September 29, 2009
Not awful, but more of the same as far as "urban fiction" goes.
November 25, 2012
This book was okay. It did not get good until the end and then it seemed rushed.
February 12, 2020
I kinda wanted tender to end up with Q. as for kat I feel like she should have suffered ! and RIP goldie!!!
good book!
good book!
November 14, 2021
I don’t think that I had read this one when I was younger and I wish I had. This book was so good. So grimy. Struggle. The hustle of these three ladies was intact but the backstabbing was intense. Tonya- later named Tender found herself down and out at the age of 17 years old after being abandoned by her mother. Tender was super naive but out of the three ladies, I wanted to see her win. Kat has to be one of the worst characters I’ve encountered. Sis thought she was the head b- in charge or some sort of madam. She irked my soul taking advantage of Tender and Golden. Who needs an enemy with someone like Kat in the mix. Just wow. This book gave me everything that I needed. I loved the fast life that the characters encountered and the rise and fall of Kat was much appreciated lol. 🥴the author told this story with so much detail , I literally could picture everything as it happened.
July 23, 2022
First why is it necessary to include a horrendous beating, and graphic rape within the first 2 pages of the book? Also why so many graphic details and the main character is suppose to be a child. The language in the book made it obvious the author doesn’t view strippers or sex workers as people and it contributed to my hate for the book as well. Also why are you as a man that has only ever visited the strip club, writing a book about strippers?
January 16, 2023
I listened to the audiobook and it was almost impossible to put down. Tender is a character who's always getting into drama because of her "friend" Kat. Almost every chapter was filled with suspense from Tender trying not to get screwed over by the industry and her growing more aware of Kat's vicious nature. Readers are in for a delight to see where life takes these girls. One of the better urban fiction books out there.
March 26, 2017
I guess the book was ok. It really didn't have a flow or gave a good time line. The charaters were just ok they really didn't grow or develop. I guessed everthing that was going to happen. I read books more so for the fact that they are in a series but I don't think I will continue with this series.
August 5, 2020
I gave this book a five, the characters kept me interested throughout the whole story. Theme in this story teaches us a very important lesson, not everyone is your friend, and not everyone can be trusted. The lust of money isn't everything, yet some people are willing to do anything for it. If you get your hands on this book, you will not be able to put it down. It is a must read!
October 22, 2022
It was a fast read book. It was a really good book. It had a nice storyline. The only downfall was how somethings were written. It felt like I had to reread some sentences for it to make sense. But overall it was a really good book.
May 30, 2018
good!!!
August 30, 2018
"The day any man didn't want her, was the day she didn't want him."
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September 18, 2019Shannon Holmes is an excellent writer
August 5, 2020
This was a Awesome read!! A lot of Drama.
April 2, 2021
Was a good book! I enjoyed it very much, was kinda sad when Goldie killed herself though. Hope a part two to this book comes out.
January 11, 2022
There are not too many books that pull me in from the being but this was one of them. I spent most of the book wondering when this girl was going to get it. I love when I read a book that makes me feel like I am one of the characters.
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April 19, 2022love this read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews