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The Million Dollar #1

The Million Dollar Divorce

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RM Johnson, the Essence bestselling author of Dating Games and The Harris Family, delivers an absorbing and provocative novel about the lowdown schemes and broken dreams that follow a fractured marriage.Successful business entrepreneur Nate Kenny is thrilled to marry the beautiful and intelligent Monica, chiefly because it means he can at last fulfill his lifelong dream of having a family. They wait to try for three years and when they finally do, the couple discovers that she is unable to bear children. Any love he once felt for Monica is gone and Nate wants out of the marriage. But he’s worried about losing half of his sixty-million-dollar fortune in a divorce settlement. Desperate for an out, he searches for a way to exploit the infidelity clause in the couple’s prenuptial agreement. Enter Lewis Waters. With his baby's mother addicted to drugs, Lewis is already seriously down on his luck when he accidentally smashes his car into Nate’s Bentley. Without auto insurance or any way to pay for the repairs, Lewis is at the end of his financial rope. But the scheming Nate sees another way for the attractive young man to repay his as sexual bait for Monica. Nate sets up Lewis with all of the accessories he believes Lewis will need to earn Monica's love, or at the very least, her a big house, a fancy car, expensive clothes, and a full bank account. But as is often the case when it comes to matters of the heart, things don’t unfold according to plan. When Monica falls hard for Lewis, Nate panics—was protecting his fortune more important than trying to save his marriage? As he finds himself overwhelmed by second thoughts, Nate is willing to do anything to get Monica back. An inspired fusion of realism and romance, The Million Dollar Divorce is an unpredictable caper of lust, betrayal, and family ties.

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2004

26 people are currently reading
1874 people want to read

About the author

R.M. Johnson

32 books240 followers
RM Johnson was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. After high school, he served five years in the United States Army. After which he received his Bachelors degree in science, from the University of Louisiana. He worked as an x-ray technologist, and radiation therapist for a number of years while continuously working on his writing, and earned a Masters degree in creative writing from Chicago State University

In 1996, RM wrote THE HARRIS MEN, and in 1999 it was published by Simon & Schuster. It was received with critical acclaim and quickly became a best-seller.

Since then, RM Johnson has written nine novels, to include the best-sellers, THE HARRIS FAMILY, DATING GAMES, and THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE. STACIE AND COLE was his first young adult novel, published in December 2007 by Hyperion Books.

His latest novel, THE MILLION DOLLAR DECEPTION is the sequel to THE MILLION DOLLAR DIVORCE.

In June of 2009, RM threw his ring into the non-fiction ring with WHY MEN FEAR MARRIAGE.

THE MILLION DOLLAR DEMISE is his latest novel.

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5 stars
1,325 (55%)
4 stars
663 (27%)
3 stars
285 (11%)
2 stars
74 (3%)
1 star
30 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
Profile Image for Denise Gilliam.
715 reviews21 followers
March 18, 2018
My first read from this author. It was definitely a page turner. One of my sisters told me this was a good book and she wasn’t lying. It’s was crazy how you going to set your wife up with the next man and she falls for him hard just because you don’t wanna give half of your money. But deep down inside you got what you asked for because now you wife done fell for homeboy. I tell you money is the root to all evil. To know more you gotta read the book for yourself.
Profile Image for Ms.Toni.
173 reviews22 followers
July 6, 2012
Imagine you're a wealthy man. You find the woman of your dreams and marry her. You're in love. You're happy. And business is good. You've given your wife the three years she requested before you start trying for children. It's your lifelong dream to have a family. Things are good and falling into place. Any day now. You can't wait to hear those words, "we're pregnant." But the unthinkable happens. You discover that you're wife can't have any children. You decide you can't go on with this marriage. But if you divorce her she gets half of everything you own and you can't have that. Wait. You've got a plan. You hire a man to seduce your wife so that you can exploit a clause in your prenup - if she cheats, she walks away with nothing. It's a good plan. Perfect really. What could go wrong?

RM Johnson does it again. If you liked his previous novels, you definitely won't be disappointed. Good book.
Profile Image for Dee Cherry.
2,945 reviews66 followers
October 31, 2017
I can't exactly say why I had not read this book before now, but I'm oh so glad I finally read it. The plot kept me intrigued as I completed this first part in a day. The intro of the characters had me feeling as if I knew them personally, as Nate's manipulation & evil plan was set in motion. Wonderfully written storyline that I'm sure will make a very interesting book discussion. So looking forward to reading this entire series
Profile Image for reneeNaDaCherry.
2,433 reviews1 follower
December 7, 2017
There was too much going on in this story and all because of Nathaniel aka Nate's drama filled relationships. Have a 🚼, not have a baby to can't make any 🚼s! If nothing else, there may be more story to tell and I would wecome that. I gave the book a 4**** rating and highly recommend the author R.M. Johnson's work.
Profile Image for April R.
36 reviews16 followers
May 18, 2025
This was a re-read for me as I read it years ago. IT IS STILL AMAZING. Nate Kenny is Top 5 one of the worst husbands that I’ve ever read about in my life. Don’t believe me? Read it again to compare. I love the plot, the characters, & the story (in general). So glad that I re-purchased to own again
Profile Image for Treenell Walker.
13 reviews1 follower
March 1, 2017
This was a good example of how marriages can go wrong and what divorces can lead to. This was a Goodread indeed! One of the very few good books that I've read in a while!
Profile Image for Tia.
31 reviews1 follower
January 7, 2018
I enjoyed every moment of this book! It keep me on my toes!
Profile Image for Gw.
142 reviews6 followers
October 20, 2015
It sucks!!! Omg...I'm kicking myself! I have had part 2 n 3 for over 10 years I swear. It took me 4 ever to buy the 1st book! WHY WHY?!! These books in this box that I bought all those years ago I don't think I'm going to be able to read them if the Dan books are this stupid. I just can't do it. I'm saying.. GARBAGE.. When people say NEVER THROW BOOKS AWAY.. they clearly haven't come across some of this garbage I bought.... I have made it to page 130. I just can't... I'm done. It's so stupid! Im going in to the my box digging out the other 2 and tossing all 3 of the dam books in the garbage!!!!
He wanted a perfect wife, he is a millionaire, she didn't think she would have a problem having children even though this problem runs in her family. She lies about it, he can't get past it. He wants a divorce she won't give him one or she will take half she wants to stay married to man who doesn't want her. He doesn't want to give her half but he wants to have kids so bad he cheats with his secretary who still loves him after he dumped her 4 years ago after telling her she wasn't good enough for him to marry only to screw BUT she kept working for him... Yea ok!! She is all to willing to jump right back n his bed to have his kids and be his wife even though he still married to other woman.
Cut to the other couple who is really poor and this fool just happens to meet a chick who he knocks up and starts dating BUT didn't know she was a cracked out prostitute who had 5 abortions prior to getting pregnant with his child but I guess her funds ran out because she didn't have the money to abort that one.
Mind you he didn't want the child then he did but didn't really like the girl but then he does care about her cuz he doesn't want his woman selling her body to make money.
This broke man crashes in to this millionaire man who now wants to divorce his wife but can't divorce her with our giving her half unless she cheats. So of course he is going to get the broke guy to get her to cheat with him since he now owes him for crashing in to his Bentley!
If all this sounds dumb ass hell that is because it is!
Profile Image for Eva-Marie Nevarez.
1,700 reviews135 followers
January 4, 2009
Very good book! I'd recommend this to anyone who likes good fiction, not just people who like urban fiction- this is an all around great book. Johnson is a very talented writer and that talent shines through in the story.
I felt ever different emotion possible while reading this book. Most people would think one character made this happen but that's not true. EVERY character made me feel this. Every single character in this book is made so strong, so well, and so real it's amazing. I don't mean to say the character is strong in terms of how he/she acts in the book but how well they're all made.
The plot is awesome as well. The main character, Nate Kenny wants children so bad he's willing to do some pretty shady crap to get rid of his wife without losing about 30 mil. His plan backfires on him in the end though and he's left having to figure everything out....again.
Read it!
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
July 19, 2007
A Must Read

This book held my attention from beginning to end...it was difficult to put it down. At first I felt sorry for Nate...I felt Monica should have been up front with him about everything. But after reading on and seeing how selfish he was and the lengths he'd go to...just to keep his money, which apparently was more important to him than anything...I felt like he deserved whatever he got...and even though he came around and realized that his selfish behavior clouded his true love for Monica...it was too little, too late. And the hopeless romantic in me was hoping that Monica would forgive Lewis and get back together with him. This is the first novel I've read by RM Johnson...I'll definitely check out more.
Profile Image for Keyona.
314 reviews245 followers
December 20, 2008
This book was quite good from the beginning. It all started with a selfish husband who wanted kids so bad he was willing to divorce his wife, but not without making sure she didn't end up with half his money. He hired a down-on-his-luck man to sleep with his wife to make sure of that. When the heart is involved things don't always go according to plan. This had a great ending and I can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Writer's Block.
18 reviews7 followers
September 3, 2012
Feeling in a rut, I picked up this book to read. I was pleasantly surprised & was instantly thrown into the crazy, deranged, drama filled world of Nate, Monica & Lewis.

it's amazing to see the lengths a 'man ' scorned will go for revenge.

This book was well written, well edited, & helped me to reclaim my passion for reading.
Profile Image for Dmarieongoodreads.
6 reviews2 followers
May 22, 2011
This was my first read from author R.M. Johnson and I could not put this book down. Each page left me wanting more and I kept reading it dreading each time I had to take a break from it. Excellent read!!!
Profile Image for Tip Mack.
315 reviews26 followers
August 31, 2015
When I started this book I was hoping that it was going to be a page turner and RM Johnson did not disappoint me. I cannot wait to read book two. If you are looking for a great read with deceit, love, and page stopping moment this book is for you.
Profile Image for Lesley.
573 reviews
June 6, 2023
Horrible people. Not one likable character. Unrealistic.
3 reviews
July 28, 2025
DNF at 5% maybe.
The book might be good but sadly I won't know because I am never going to be able to read it. So let's go over some of the things.
Mmc is now 30-smth old and fmc is 27 probably when they meet. Mmc by then has decided that he wants to start a family with a wife, picket fence and two and half kids ASAP. He says so much on their first meet. Within one years of dating, they get married.

Mmc catches fmc popping contraceptive pills on their honeymoon and asks about it. She states she needs 3 years for themselves and after that they are going to have kids. And also says that if she told him before marriage then he would not have married her as he wanted kids eagerly. Mmc reluctantly agrees.

After 3 years as promised they try and after some months, fmc miss her period, takes test and voila! Positive. They celebrate. After few weeks she alone visits hospital to confirm pregnancy only to discover that her body is undergoing premature menopause at 31. She is panicked, sad and wary about her husband reaction and she falls on the way home. You would think by now that she says her husband about her infertility and that's when they divorce. But No. She says her husband she got in an accident and LOST THEIR BABY. I.E THE BABY IS DEAD. When Mmc mourns for his dead child and bitch console him but do not tell him the truth.

Mmc discovers the truth on his own accidentally after receiving call from fertility clinic. Fmc is forced to tell the truth. In clinic he finds out that infertility due to same cause runs in her family and just a year prior that they could have gotten pregnant. Fmc knew but she hid it because why not?

Mmc is heartbroken betrayed angry and fmc is sad but has no guilt whatsoever. They argue and mmc brings up divorce and fmc threatens to sue his ass. At night while mmc is asleep, fmc rubs him and have sex with him, careful not to wake him up. "Rape siren" .When fmc is about to orgasm mmc wakes up and pushes her. She says she does it to make him love her again. That it is good for them and other bla bla bullshit. He asks her what is the point of sex and she is sad again.

This entire shit happened at first two chapters. I dnfed it then. But according to spoilers fmc clings to loveless marriage and mmc cheats with his secretary. The poor boy comes in story and bla bla bullshit.

Neither mc are tolerable.

So if still interested go ahead and read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Leonna K.
43 reviews1 follower
May 24, 2017
Just wanted to note that I finished this book while waiting to serve jury duty. What a drag.
This book was the complete opposite. Filled with drama, a quick read, beautiful writing.. I really enjoyed it from the very first line to the very last. The ending felt a bit rushed, not gonna lie, but I still believe this was a 5-star novel.
My only gripe was that the epilogue didn't include what was going on with Nate, & despite how much of a selfish asshole he was, I would've liked to know.
Anywho, someone point me in the direction of the next RM Johnson book I should be reading. I'm definitely not done.
Profile Image for Breiana.
17 reviews
April 6, 2020
Wow this was a great novel. I'm not going to lie, this one made me feel bipolar😂 Only because I kept going back and forth between wanting Monica and Nate to work it out and Monica handing Nate's ass to himself on a silver platter; he deserved it. Then I felt sympathy for Lewis for how it things unfolded, then I was disappointed with how cocky he became. But then again, how can you blame the man? He had fallen in love with Monica.
I'm happy for how things turned out for Monica.
This novel gives me so many emotions at once. RM Johnson is an exceptional and very detailed writer. I'll definitely be reading part two.
Profile Image for Sara.
366 reviews2 followers
January 13, 2021
Definitely not the sort of book I'd typically read, but I read this one. And that's all I can say about it, because I literally remember nothing other than it was read. I don't think I hated it. The end.

ETA: Ok, I went back and read other people's reviews, and I do remember it, vaguely. It was messed up, but definitely entertaining. I was fairly horrified by the husband guy, Nate, but for some reason, I don't feel like I was crazy about the wife person, either. It seems to me like the third wheel got the short end of the stick, but you know. It goes like that sometimes. The end. Again.
Profile Image for Jackie.
96 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2018
In the words of the O’Jays people will lie, Lord, they will cheat, people don't care who they hurt or beat....for the love of money. In The Million Dollar Divorce.....Nate Kenny had a plan to divorce his wife, Monica.... for the love of money. Nate’s desire to protect his money was greater than the love he claimed he had for Monica causing her much pain and sorrow. Just as it did to Tori, his secretary and Lewis, the young man he used as his pawns in his diabolical plan. But oh what tangled webs we weave.........This was a hard to put down book....intriguing plot and well developed characters. Looking forward to reading more from this author.
Profile Image for BernieMck.
614 reviews27 followers
June 4, 2019
This book was an entertaining, page turner and I definitely recommend it. When a millionaire finds out that his wife can't give him the family that he desires, he goes to extreme lengths to dissolve their marraige, without losing any of his money. Since starting this book, several people have shared that, they really enjoyed the series. I plan to continue on with book 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jessica Dawn.
74 reviews
June 19, 2017
Are you kidding me??

You did what? He did what? I never knew what to expect reading this juicy novel. Well written. Great pick from book 1. Incredible read. The characters are a mess. They are well developed and their personalities are a trip. I recommend this book.
Profile Image for Carol Hornsby-mccoy.
456 reviews5 followers
July 24, 2019
Be careful what you ask for. This is truly a lesson learn. If only Nate had not been so evil things could have worked out, but his pettiness got the best of him. Oh what tingle web we weave. That was great payback for him, he got just what he deserves.
Profile Image for Brittany.
16 reviews
May 2, 2023
3.5 stars rounded up for the intrigue. Fun and easy read, quite the page turner despite the subpar writing. Will definitely continue on in the series to see what Nate Kenny gets himself into next lol!
Profile Image for Danielle Vaughan.
630 reviews5 followers
October 23, 2023
The tings people do for greed and selfishness. Nate was a butthole. Monica did right to leave him BUT she was too nice. I would have taken everything owed to me and would not have civil after what he did. I hope Nate can how get what he deserves.
Author 2 books
April 24, 2025
I loved this book. first page to the last. Found myself thinking about the characters while at work and couldn't wait to get home to finish reading. It was immersive, like watching a movie play out in my head.
Profile Image for Tynika Reads 🌺.
310 reviews11 followers
February 3, 2018
Good read

I couldn't put this book down it was entertaining, unpredictable and addictive. I can't wait to read the other parts of the story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews

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