Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Thug, Baller, Hitta, Goon

A Thug Has Feelings Too: Gatah & Yaya's Hood Love Story

Rate this book
Being a military brat, Olivia Harris has only known rules and boundaries. In an effort to break away from that, she decides to venture out on her own. She moved to a new town and started all the way over. In her adventure for independence, Olivia will find herself in the middle of a battle that she can’t win alone. But will her stubbornness of staying independent get the best of her or will she learn to let someone else take control? Shaun “Gatah” Smith is the head of his family business and everyone on the streets knows he is not the one to play with. Every move he makes is for the betterment of his family and that’s how it will stay. With no thoughts of settling down and no desire to promote any of his bedmates, Shaun finds simplicity in his “stick and move” philosophy. That was until a tragic accident put him and the beautiful Olivia in each other’s presence. Things quickly changed for the two and they found themselves on a rollercoaster of love and trust. Will Olivia give up and let Gatah in or Will Gatah give her no choice but to love him and never leave him? After all, A Thug Has Feelings Too!

189 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2020

221 people are currently reading
241 people want to read

About the author

M. Monique

28 books366 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
706 (74%)
4 stars
182 (19%)
3 stars
55 (5%)
2 stars
4 (<1%)
1 star
4 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Profile Image for Annette Williams.
1,191 reviews413 followers
June 12, 2022
3.75 Stars

So, I have a tendency to judge books by their covers and I detest books with these kind of covers. I won’t even read the synopsis. But, as I have become a huge M. Monique fan, I decided to overlook the cover and give the book a try. A Thug Has Feelings Too wasn't a bad book. The storyline was actually pretty decent. I absolutely loved Shaun and Olivia. They were the cutest. It was fun watching the hardcore drug dealer fall in love with the shy virgin. Shaun was exactly what Olivia needed and vice versa. They definitely leveled each other out. I just loved how he took it upon himself to rename Olivia "YaYa" without asking her because, he wanted to be different from everyone else. With the romance, we also got some added mystery and suspense. Chiiiiiile, the backstabbin' and betrayal was real in this book. The who shot Stephan plot kept me on the edge of my seat. Poor Stephan. He was surrounded by nothing but snakes. It seemed like everybody outside of the Smith family was dirty in this book. You didn't know who to trust. I'm going to assume since Megan is still flying under the radar, all of her dirt will be exposed in the next book. That disloyal heffa has earned her day of reckoning. While I enjoyed A Thug Has Feelings Too, the writing was horrible. Which, is why I rated the book 3.75 stars. It seemed like every other sentence was grammatically incorrect. The errors were such a distraction and took away from the overall enjoyment of the book. And, the number of times the N-word was used was just too much. Don't get me wrong. I'm not one of those people who are easily offended by the N-word. I've actually come to expect it from certain black authors. But, the number of times it was used in this book was beyond excessive. It was literally every other word in every other sentence. I get that this was an urban romance but, you should probably rethink using the N-word as much as you did in this book. Honestly, it was just too much. This is why I stop reading urban romances in my mid 30's. They no longer appeal to me but, I've managed to suck myself into this series and, now, I have to read Stephan, Chloe, and all of the other character's stories. I'm nosey and I need to know what's going to happen. Shakes fist dramatically. Damn you M. Monique!
Profile Image for Kameel.
1,059 reviews291 followers
August 15, 2022
Gatah & Yaya

I love these two…this couple made me laugh throughout this story….Shaun was instantly attracted to his Yaya and once he made it known, from the first day he asked her to take a ride with him….she was his.
Profile Image for Naomi'sBookNook.
40 reviews22 followers
June 16, 2022
Listen, if all the men in this series are anything like Shaun, I'ma just claim all of em' now. We bout' to be sistah wives up in this camp! A Thug Has Feelings Too was so good! It was entertaining and funny as hell. There were so many jaw dropping moments. I'm uber excited to dive into the rest of the books!
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,113 followers
June 12, 2022
The story of Shaun and Olivia aka Yaya was so good! I loved the pace of the story. You had so many omg moments when the snakes in the book were revealed and you didn’t have to wait long for things to be revealed! These Smith men and their women for that matter did not come to play!!! There were a lot of characters but you didn’t feel overwhelmed and they added value to the story line. I am thoroughly invested in this series and cannot wait to read about Stephan and Mariah next!! 💀🔥🔥
Profile Image for martha fountain.
837 reviews18 followers
November 14, 2021
Starting from the top!

After reading several of this author's works realizing that several characters were interconnected, I decided to start reading her catalog from the top. I am glad that I did. This story gave the right dose of drama and suspense while giving us the sexy vibes, a perfect combination. Talk about a tangled web...whew...but justice came in the most unconventional ways and I enjoyed the journey even when it had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath. Next is Stephan's story!
Profile Image for Dahyana.
695 reviews85 followers
June 26, 2022
A hood love story was this was indeed. First of all, I know I am super late to this party. But I'm here. So let's get into it. The amount of betrayal in this book was unreal. Literally no one could be trusted. Usually, I don't really like the "hood" genre. But, lately, I found myself reading more and more of them. Especially ones by M. Monique. And to be honest I kind of like it here. But this one was hella entertaining. Shaun, aka, Gatah was so family-oriented. Its his family above all. And now, Olivia included. And let's talk about how he and Olivia started dating. He literally staked claim to Olivia. He did not pursue her, he didn't have to wow her or anything. It was a mutual attraction and a sort of mutual understanding that they were together. I love that Olivia was a good girl, but she could hold her own. She was feisty. Shaun was this gentle giant, that loooved his family, but when Gatah comes out to play, it's over. Cause he'll body anyone that comes for his family. I loved the way M.Monique delivered the story. The way her mind works is amazing. There were a lot of characters in the story. But the author did such an amazing job describing everybody and everything so that I was not left confused or lost. I appreciated that. What I did not love was the little errors I found in the story😤. Overall, this was a great read. Pumped to read about Stephan and to find out what's going on with Mariah. And Megan is still on the loose and I want to see how she's handled. Off to book 2. 
4.5⭐️
Profile Image for Ebony.
273 reviews34 followers
October 15, 2023
My first M. Monique book and when I say 10/10

This book gave love, suspense, and a whole lotta thug shiiii!

Gutah definitely made it to the book boyfriend roster.
Profile Image for Jaliesa.
183 reviews11 followers
March 21, 2024
Shaun & Yaya! the whole family! & friends! 😩☺️

SOOOO good that’s all I got to say. Yeaa M Monique got me in chokehold right now!!! Ready for the next one!
Profile Image for Lizzy Clark.
829 reviews29 followers
April 1, 2021
Wow, just like wow!

Queen M Monique is cold asf with her pen game, period! I'm very news to this author, I read "Painlessly In Love" not realizing until after I was almost finished that it was one of her newly released. Then I read "Heart of Champion:Soul of A Boss" because it was about his brother. Once my book bestie told me I was reading out of order, I figured I'd start from the beginning. If this was this beauties first release she did an amazing job.

I'm gonna address the sick bastards who were responsible for the hit on Steph, the kidnapping dozen of beautiful college students and the kidnapping of Ya ya. Tim not off too easy, Pete, Mr. Ben & especially that sick f**k Detective Wade deserved everything that got and then some.

Due the attempted murder of his brother Stephan Smith he crosses paths with Yaya. After closing her business for the evening Yaya hears gun shots and after hearing a vehicle speeding away she notices a man laying on the ground. Thank God she follows her first mind and decided to try and help him cause it ultimately saves his life.

Gate decides to drive past the scene and remembers a convo he had with his brother, so he stops by Yaya's boutique. In walks the weird Det. Wade trying to push up on Yaya instead of doing his damn job. After Gate convinced Yaya to take a ride with him he learns she did have surveillance tape and she lied to the Det cause she didn't trust him. After taking her home to his grandparents house he's determined to know more about her.

That big Meghan rub me the wing way the entire book but especially finding out she knew what her sick daddy Mr. Ben was into. Knowing him and her brother was behind the hit on Steph was just wow. I wanted them to kill that bih too🤷🏽.

That Smith family was crazy asf, and they did not play about their family or anyone they considered family. Gata & Steph's parents were a hot mess with they nasty ass😜. Gata & Yaya with her hard headed ass love story was definitely full of so many plot twist but the end the got their HEA.

So looking forward to reading about the rest of this family💕
Profile Image for Eri.
66 reviews4 followers
December 6, 2024
This book definitely had a lot of twists and turns. I definitely started to get a little confused at the end with all the different characters but overall I enjoyed the book. Gatah & Yaya kept me laughing and smiling the entire book. I’m looking forward to the rest of this series.
Profile Image for Melanin Book Lover.
269 reviews26 followers
April 13, 2022
Nice beginning to M. Monique

New to town Olivia lives a low key life, all she really does is run her store. Dating hasn’t really worked out for Olivia so she is holding on to her virginity till she finds the right one. Shaun is the head of his family and is all about business, women come and go for him but when an unexpected event happens life brings Olivia and Shaun together. This was a good read and very fast paced, I was able to finish this book in one sitting. Shaun was so aggressive but Olivia gave it right back to him which I thought was funny at times. I am really enjoying the suspense M. Monique has in most of the books I have read so far. I love how Shaun was deep in the streets but cared about what was happening with the missing girls in his community as well.
Profile Image for Musings of A Romance Junkie.
311 reviews92 followers
October 23, 2021
That Good Hood Love

Thug, alpha male...they all the same. Only the environment/profession is different. I looooved this story! Shaun/Gatah was everything : sexy, menacing, tender (believe it or not), and funny af! I laughed my ass off reading this. He handled business like he was emptying the trash.

Olivia/Yaya was time enough for Gatah and broke down Gatah's walls in more than one. She held her own throughout and wasn't some weak damsel in distress. As always, M. Monique brings the twists and turns like no other. A true page-turner. Now off to read Gatah's twin Stephan's story. Click it up!
Profile Image for Shatoya Roberson.
217 reviews15 followers
December 30, 2020
Great Read!!!

This was such a great read from beginning to end. First, I’m glad YaYa and Gatah ended up together and he had her back. To think, Mr. Nasty (the cop) was trying to get at her and then sale her. Smh. I’m glad all the nasties got what they had coming, Timothy, Mr. Ben, Mario, the doctor and more. I’m glad Stephan cut Maria crazy self loose and I’m excited to see what’s to come with him and nurse Maria. Oh yeah, I’m glad Anthony got his sister Yvette back too. This is definitely a must read. Loved it.
Profile Image for Alexis&#x1f49b;.
181 reviews
April 1, 2024
Very Good (auntie Tab voice) 😂

This was a good read. The title through me off at first but once I got to reading everything fell in place…

I love how each character who plays a roll within the story has their own POV that made the storyline even more interesting.

I’m trying to figure out with Happened to Megan crazy ass but I’m guessing that’s gone be in part two because I know for a fact she ain’t gone let Stephen go like that Nawl homegirl bat shit 😂😂😂

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for JeaNida Luckie-Weatherall.
2,996 reviews47 followers
April 8, 2021
Great Read

This book was so good from beginning to end and I couldn't put it down. I so loved Yaya and she didn't play at all. Shaun, was exactly what she needed and vice versa. They were meant for each other and I loved the way he treated and fell for her. So glad Erik and the sick'os got exactly what they deserved.I can't wait to read Stephan story next. Great job M. Monique.
Profile Image for LITerary Queen Chels.
1,132 reviews20 followers
May 2, 2021
🥰🥰

This book was so good... that dangon detective was grimy from the jump.. the way Gatah loved Yaya was so sexy she brought out parts of him he didn't even know he had buried beneath gatah
Profile Image for Tecoria  Savage.
30 reviews
April 5, 2024
Thugs do have feelings!

This was so good. I really enjoyed it! Now the things that were taking place in this book all the missing females and them trying to get Yaya like her man wasn’t coming 10 toes behind her.
Profile Image for ReadnliftwithShar.
1,854 reviews
December 24, 2021
🔥

This was a fast paced story that had so many plot twists I was turning the pages so fast to keep up. I was highly entertained with the storyline.
Profile Image for Sharon Alexander.
76 reviews13 followers
October 23, 2023
My first book by this author and I can say she did that! If anyone knows me, you’ll know I loveeee multiple POV’s and this book satisfied my love for that.

Gatah? My man, my man, my man!!
Profile Image for jebetkc.
113 reviews
November 19, 2023
4.7⭐️

Olivia and Shaun had me cheesing when they first met. baby one thing about them they don’t play🤭. I loved that it was a family business, shaun’s mom is a boss ass bitch that doesn’t mess around abt her babies😂 I wish it was a bit longer
Profile Image for DeNae Sheree.
1,108 reviews21 followers
January 27, 2021
This book was so good. It was action packed from beginning to end. I love the connection between Olivia (YaYa) and Shaun (Gattah). This was a new and unique storyline and the author wrote the heck out of this book.
Profile Image for Salene Whyte (thee_book_connoisseur_).
418 reviews3 followers
January 2, 2024
Gatah + Yaya

"Thug Has Feelings Too" by M. Monique intricately weaves the journey of Olivia Harris, a military brat seeking independence. The storyline delves into her struggle with breaking free from rules and her eventual encounter with Shaun "Gatah" Smith, a formidable figure in the streets. The plot unfolds as Olivia finds herself in a battle that challenges her independence.

The narrative explores the contrast between Olivia's desire for autonomy and Gatah's role as the head of his family business. Their lives intertwine after a tragic accident, leading them on a rollercoaster of love and trust. The story skillfully examines the complexities of letting go of independence for the sake of love and the emotional journey both characters undergo.

Themes of love, trust, and the struggle between independence and connection are interwoven, offering readers a poignant exploration of human emotions. The title itself, "A Thug Has Feelings Too," hints at the depth of emotional vulnerability in characters typically perceived differently. Overall, M. Monique crafts a compelling narrative that challenges stereotypes and explores the universal themes of love and self-discovery.
Profile Image for Tracy - loves to read .
1,013 reviews
January 11, 2022
gave me all the feels

“When you find her, wife her. Don’t play no games with her. Don’t cheat on her, and don’t ever fucking disrespect her.”

Shaun aka Gatah was all about family, money, his crew, and loyalty. Anything and anyone else outside of all that didn’t even register on his radar. Women barely got his time or attention until he wanted to give it and he was only giving strokes and deuces.
Olivia was independent and determined to be a successful boutique owner and budding designer. She was focus and no man was coming in between her and her goals. She wasn’t checking for a man no way.
These two have a fateful encounter and it was up since then. They clicked, it was a vibe, feelings and all that! They cracked me up with their back and forth and Gatah was so gone he didn’t even know how to handle his crazy and possessiveness when it came to her. One minute he’s hemming her up and fussing and the next he’s kissing her and threatening her about leaving him. Too funny. I can’t wait to see how Megan will be dealt with!
Great read!
867 reviews5 followers
January 17, 2022
Gatah and Yaya

Sooo I definitely here because of these characters is this author's Christmas book. I loved their little snippet so I had to see if they had their own books. I was wondering where Yaya came from but Shaun just gave her that name which I thought was super cute. At first I thought it would be Steph with her even with that title but baby Shaun had all that on lock. I like the way they protected each other and the way his family accepted her just how she was. As in real relationships time does not play a factor in a true love story. Really great read, loved the funny parts with the parental. They were just as gangsta as the children.
Profile Image for Jrobin.
138 reviews6 followers
July 26, 2022
Like a movie

So I highly enjoyed this book it hit all my spots. Gattah aka Shaun and Yaya aka Olivia love story was fast paced they were thrust into a situation and were just trying to make the best of it. Yaya saves Gattah's brother's life and after that she is family. Gattah is hood in the best way and the way he goes hard for Yaya is real love. I loved their banter and chemistry. M. Monique knows how to tell a story! I will say I do have love hate relationship with so many perspectives at times its overwhelming but on the other end it paints a fuller picture the readers. Overall I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Book junkie&#x1f48b;.
531 reviews17 followers
January 31, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved Yaya, she didn’t play no games. I’m glad she met Shaun, they were perfect for each other. He didn’t play any games about his Yaya. I definitely didn’t like Megan she was annoying and weird. I’m glad things didn’t get to far with Yaya, because when I tell you I was yelling at her for leaving 🤬 hopefully they figure out things with Megan because I can see her being a problem.
918 reviews
April 27, 2021
Lord ham mercy Gatah is something else! Felt the attraction between him and Yaya (he just renamed this girl’s name Lol 😂).

Yaya sure know how to hold her own. This story with the Detective and all these trifling people were just wow 😳. It’s so not safe out there at all. They all got what they deserved and Megan will be a problem in book 2. She’s currently flying under the radar.

I love the Smith’s Family. They are so close knit and they love them some Yaya.
145 reviews
February 21, 2022
So Loved This Story

This is my second book by M Monique and I loved this storyline just as I did the first book. Ms. Monique you have definitely earned a fan in me.
Before heading to the next book in the series, I wanted to comment on a review that is posted here. The reviewer criticized the grammatical errors that she/he found in this book; yet their critic review has several grammatical errors, and ten people liked the review. Hilarious!
2,670 reviews23 followers
February 22, 2022
Too Hot Too Handle!!

What can you say when get such an awesome story ,,from the beginning to the very end. In this first installment ,which I'm sure is going to be on stellar series you are just overwhelmed with a male character that lets you know to take me as I am! The writer not only weaves us a story of new love but gives all the mystery, mayhem and laughter we can handle. This was a well written story with few typos and just has something for everyone.
142 reviews
July 27, 2022
So good!

Okay, this author is new to me, but baby, she got a fan now! This book had a lot of twist and turns that keeps you locked in. From the anonymous prologue, to Mr. Ben to the Detective, it’s really a game of who did it with a touch of thug love. Olivia and Shaun’s whirlwind romance was cute, they rode hard for each other and he was really about that action behind her, you love to see it! Im looking forward to reading about Stephan now because Megan still is an issue.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.