What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon A Time In The Bricks
Newark New Jersey..Also known as "Brick City" is the city that turns lives backwards in a complete 360 degrees. It kidnaps the souls of many young adults and enslaves them to the streets. Dina Micheals became one of those victims. She is a brillant young lady, with long term goals of achievement, but that life isn't enough for her. Dina takes her chances following the footsteps of her best friend, Soulja and they both venture out into the streets to pursue a career as "street pharmacists"
314 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2008
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 29, 2008
Revenge is a best served cold!!!!
This story starts out with main character Dina Micheals – self-proclaimed "Pretty Boy", her girlfriend Camey and friend Soulja in their senior year of high school in Newark, NJ, also know as Brick city (hence the title of the book). The three always have a hustle going to keep some chump change in their pockets. Dina lives at home in crowded conditions consisting of her single mother, two brothers, niece, a sickly aunt and two cats – all sharing a 3 bedroom duplex right in the heart of the hood. Dina and Soulja come up with a plan to make some money as Dina wants out of her living conditions so bad she can taste it. Soulja on the other hand has big dreams to become the next Jay Z. He believes being on the block will increase his street creditability thus making him a better rapper, and getting him the money to break into the music industry. Enter Dibo, leader of the drug game in their hood. After some thought he decides to put the duo on and all is well, that is until Dina realizes she has feelings for Dibo. The one-time-lesbian has found a new love with Dibo and they become the King and Queen of the streets.
Life is great but there is Camey in the background who can't get over the fact that Dina has left her for a 'dirty' man. Here is where the story takes on all kinds of should of, could of, would of's. Debut Author Leighanne Boyd has laid her pen game down. Her writing style is captivating and she tells a great story. "Once Upon A Time in the Bricks" is a must read. The twist and turns that are so unexpected, they leave you wanting more. It was a pleasure to read a hood story that is different. The end of the story is a true shocker. I can't wait for her to pen her next novel as I will be on the look out for this young lady.
Leighanne has heart-warming pages about the author and to the readers, I for 1 am glad she didn't give up on her dream to become a writer. Leighanne serves as an example never to give up on your dreams.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
5 Star rating.
This story starts out with main character Dina Micheals – self-proclaimed "Pretty Boy", her girlfriend Camey and friend Soulja in their senior year of high school in Newark, NJ, also know as Brick city (hence the title of the book). The three always have a hustle going to keep some chump change in their pockets. Dina lives at home in crowded conditions consisting of her single mother, two brothers, niece, a sickly aunt and two cats – all sharing a 3 bedroom duplex right in the heart of the hood. Dina and Soulja come up with a plan to make some money as Dina wants out of her living conditions so bad she can taste it. Soulja on the other hand has big dreams to become the next Jay Z. He believes being on the block will increase his street creditability thus making him a better rapper, and getting him the money to break into the music industry. Enter Dibo, leader of the drug game in their hood. After some thought he decides to put the duo on and all is well, that is until Dina realizes she has feelings for Dibo. The one-time-lesbian has found a new love with Dibo and they become the King and Queen of the streets.
Life is great but there is Camey in the background who can't get over the fact that Dina has left her for a 'dirty' man. Here is where the story takes on all kinds of should of, could of, would of's. Debut Author Leighanne Boyd has laid her pen game down. Her writing style is captivating and she tells a great story. "Once Upon A Time in the Bricks" is a must read. The twist and turns that are so unexpected, they leave you wanting more. It was a pleasure to read a hood story that is different. The end of the story is a true shocker. I can't wait for her to pen her next novel as I will be on the look out for this young lady.
Leighanne has heart-warming pages about the author and to the readers, I for 1 am glad she didn't give up on her dream to become a writer. Leighanne serves as an example never to give up on your dreams.
SiStar Tea
ARC Book Club Inc.
5 Star rating.
August 9, 2008
All About Being Tested
Dina is all about taking care of business by any means necessary. She is not the best student academically, but gets an A as far as popularity in school. Dina lives with her mom and two brothers and she is ready to move out and get away from all the drama of home. Soulja is her left hand man fifty grand; he has her front, back, and middle. He is an inspiring artist just trying to find his way in the music business. Along the way, Dibo comes into the story. Dibo is the type of man that feels there are two kinds of trust - the ones you hope you can trust and those that you can't trust. Once Dibo lays eyes on Dina he realizes that she is the one he hopes he can trust. Dina doesn't feel the same way about Dibo because she is in the midst of trying to get put on and make some quick money. As Dina and Dibo grow closer, Dina starts changing her appearance from family to feminine (if you are family then you know what I speak of, if not use your imagination). Dina's people, Camay, is not feeling the way Dina is gradually changing her appearance as well as the relationship that they have together. Camay feels like Dibo is taking her heart, but will she look back and decide to take revenge on his? Once Dibo decided to bring Dina in, she knew she wanted to be just like him, on top. The chemistry that Dibo and Dina have is more than recognizable. Are what Dina and Dibo are feeling more than just respect for each other?
I really enjoyed "Once Upon a Time in the Bricks." There are errors in the book, but it doesn't take away from the book itself as far as it being a very well written book. It took me about my average time of two days to read it, and it was well worth it. Every time I would leave out of the house, I would have the book in my vicinity. There were certain parts of the book that made me smile, cry, and laugh because it helped me to realize that black love still does exist.
Reviewed by: Chasity
Dina is all about taking care of business by any means necessary. She is not the best student academically, but gets an A as far as popularity in school. Dina lives with her mom and two brothers and she is ready to move out and get away from all the drama of home. Soulja is her left hand man fifty grand; he has her front, back, and middle. He is an inspiring artist just trying to find his way in the music business. Along the way, Dibo comes into the story. Dibo is the type of man that feels there are two kinds of trust - the ones you hope you can trust and those that you can't trust. Once Dibo lays eyes on Dina he realizes that she is the one he hopes he can trust. Dina doesn't feel the same way about Dibo because she is in the midst of trying to get put on and make some quick money. As Dina and Dibo grow closer, Dina starts changing her appearance from family to feminine (if you are family then you know what I speak of, if not use your imagination). Dina's people, Camay, is not feeling the way Dina is gradually changing her appearance as well as the relationship that they have together. Camay feels like Dibo is taking her heart, but will she look back and decide to take revenge on his? Once Dibo decided to bring Dina in, she knew she wanted to be just like him, on top. The chemistry that Dibo and Dina have is more than recognizable. Are what Dina and Dibo are feeling more than just respect for each other?
I really enjoyed "Once Upon a Time in the Bricks." There are errors in the book, but it doesn't take away from the book itself as far as it being a very well written book. It took me about my average time of two days to read it, and it was well worth it. Every time I would leave out of the house, I would have the book in my vicinity. There were certain parts of the book that made me smile, cry, and laugh because it helped me to realize that black love still does exist.
Reviewed by: Chasity
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews