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Heartbreak, Then Payne
Nasir Payne’s ability to adapt has taken the twenty-six year old from criminal, to property investor, to up and coming music producer. When it comes to the ladies, Payne’s green eyes, good looks, cocky swagger and self-assurance have made him successful without ever really having to actually commit. This works out perfectly for Payne, because after witnessing a crime of passion as a small child, committing to a female is the last thing he ever wants to do. Joya Bingham is a definite go-getter. She’s a hard-working, smart, self-confident, and beautiful flight-attendant. After enduring a relationship with an NBA player that was dominated with physical abuse and infidelity, Joya’s faith in her own ability to recognize a good dude is left shaken. Jumping into another relationship will require risking her heart…and that is not something that the twenty-four year old beauty is willing to even consider. When a chance encounter brings together a man who swears he will never love, and a female who swears that she will never love again, their attraction to one another is unmistakable. When murder, mayhem, deceit and lies are thrown into the mix, will this newly formed alliance be strong enough to weather the storm?
447 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 14, 2022
Heartbreak City
WOW! This was A Lot. This was not a book I'd normally read, yet after reading book 6, which falls more in line with the romance stories I Love to read, I wanted to go back to book 1 and get the full scope of all the characters from book 6.
Joya 'Joy' Bingham was a woman trying to work as an air flight attendant and possibly be a singer in the music industry, yet her Love life kept her conflicted on it all. Her ex NBA boyfriend, Montez 'Monte' Patterson, used to beat her and she thought at one point it was normal. Yet, after almost a year of it, she left him. Then she comes across Nasir Payne and he's everything she needs in a friend, yet her heart is so broken from her ex, that she doesn't know if being in a relationship is the best for her fragile heart.
Nasir Payne likes to flip and sell homes, make sure his grandma is good, make music and produce for his company and have lots of casual sex. When he meets Joya, he's not sure exactly what keeps her on his mind, yet he can't shake her from his thoughts. She doesn't bend at his will like most females and he's trying to figure out why he'd even want her after that. Either way, Payne is gone over Joya and he's intent on showing her that he'll be loyal and true to just her.
I was a bit upset by a lot of the back and forth between Payne and Joy. I was hoping they'd just be able to be together, yet life kept throwing them curve balls.
The whole situation with Paynes life long friends, Justus, Israel, Dex and Patience was a doozie. Like, WOW! I was surprised by the way things played out, yet the only thing that puzzled me was why Patience would turn on Payne.
I really like Joyas friends Chantelle and Nia. I didn't like Bubbles from jump and my suspicion about her was pretty spot on. Just scandalous. I'm ready to read more about Chantelle and Nia and how life is going for them after all the drama.
Although this was not a book I'd read again, I did enjoy how the author kept you engaged with the storyline.
Now, to book 2.
WOW! This was A Lot. This was not a book I'd normally read, yet after reading book 6, which falls more in line with the romance stories I Love to read, I wanted to go back to book 1 and get the full scope of all the characters from book 6.
Joya 'Joy' Bingham was a woman trying to work as an air flight attendant and possibly be a singer in the music industry, yet her Love life kept her conflicted on it all. Her ex NBA boyfriend, Montez 'Monte' Patterson, used to beat her and she thought at one point it was normal. Yet, after almost a year of it, she left him. Then she comes across Nasir Payne and he's everything she needs in a friend, yet her heart is so broken from her ex, that she doesn't know if being in a relationship is the best for her fragile heart.
Nasir Payne likes to flip and sell homes, make sure his grandma is good, make music and produce for his company and have lots of casual sex. When he meets Joya, he's not sure exactly what keeps her on his mind, yet he can't shake her from his thoughts. She doesn't bend at his will like most females and he's trying to figure out why he'd even want her after that. Either way, Payne is gone over Joya and he's intent on showing her that he'll be loyal and true to just her.
I was a bit upset by a lot of the back and forth between Payne and Joy. I was hoping they'd just be able to be together, yet life kept throwing them curve balls.
The whole situation with Paynes life long friends, Justus, Israel, Dex and Patience was a doozie. Like, WOW! I was surprised by the way things played out, yet the only thing that puzzled me was why Patience would turn on Payne.
I really like Joyas friends Chantelle and Nia. I didn't like Bubbles from jump and my suspicion about her was pretty spot on. Just scandalous. I'm ready to read more about Chantelle and Nia and how life is going for them after all the drama.
Although this was not a book I'd read again, I did enjoy how the author kept you engaged with the storyline.
Now, to book 2.
June 16, 2022
Don’t Know Where To Start (***Contains SOME Spoilers)
I have a lot to say about this book but I can’t without giving away too much of the plot. First of all, I’m so glad that it was a standalone. It was a lot going on and Ms. Gray could have definitely followed the trend and made it a series. So kudos for that. Next, it was a lot of deaths in the book. That was the only reason I didn’t give the book 5 ⭐️. I will tell anyone that’s about to read this book, please do not get attach to any one character. However, the storyline was awesome! I definitely did not see a couple of the curve balls thrown. Lastly, for some reason I was not convinced that Payne was really in love with Joya. I don’t know, the chemistry was a little off for me but that could just be me. Anywho, good book definitely worth the time required to read it.
I have a lot to say about this book but I can’t without giving away too much of the plot. First of all, I’m so glad that it was a standalone. It was a lot going on and Ms. Gray could have definitely followed the trend and made it a series. So kudos for that. Next, it was a lot of deaths in the book. That was the only reason I didn’t give the book 5 ⭐️. I will tell anyone that’s about to read this book, please do not get attach to any one character. However, the storyline was awesome! I definitely did not see a couple of the curve balls thrown. Lastly, for some reason I was not convinced that Payne was really in love with Joya. I don’t know, the chemistry was a little off for me but that could just be me. Anywho, good book definitely worth the time required to read it.
July 3, 2022
Good, but ....
I don't normally gravitate to hood dramas, but I read a synopsis of another book and it was talking about the women being Uncle Joe's daughters so I wanted to see who Uncle Joe was and what his wisdom was all about and it brought me to this book. I didn't get all of the violence and the loss of life needlessly, but I got the love story. For that I gave it 4 stars. Nasir and Joya went through hell, but they made it.
I don't normally gravitate to hood dramas, but I read a synopsis of another book and it was talking about the women being Uncle Joe's daughters so I wanted to see who Uncle Joe was and what his wisdom was all about and it brought me to this book. I didn't get all of the violence and the loss of life needlessly, but I got the love story. For that I gave it 4 stars. Nasir and Joya went through hell, but they made it.
November 19, 2024
4.5 ⭐️
This was some lowkey mess. There was romance, all kinds of betrayal, healing of trauma, etc. the main thing that I didn’t like was that some things was exaggerated for lack of better word. For example, it would be like Nasir got in the car drove to the house cut the car off got out of the car walked around and opened the door for Joy then they walked up to the building, etc. It was wordy & unnecessary to me but other than that it was really good.
This was some lowkey mess. There was romance, all kinds of betrayal, healing of trauma, etc. the main thing that I didn’t like was that some things was exaggerated for lack of better word. For example, it would be like Nasir got in the car drove to the house cut the car off got out of the car walked around and opened the door for Joy then they walked up to the building, etc. It was wordy & unnecessary to me but other than that it was really good.
December 8, 2020
Enjoyed
I enjoyed this book as I have all of the authors other books. This was an urban book that had all the elements of murder, violence mayhem and betrayal but to me it’s packaging was not what has become the typical “urban” style book. I recommend this book and look forward to more from the Author.
I enjoyed this book as I have all of the authors other books. This was an urban book that had all the elements of murder, violence mayhem and betrayal but to me it’s packaging was not what has become the typical “urban” style book. I recommend this book and look forward to more from the Author.
March 17, 2026
There was so much going on!
Wow Joya and Nasir Payne went through a lot! It was sad about Justus and Dex. Bubbles was a real trip,I feel like her karma caught up to her. Izz also got his karma. Patience was certifiable! Outside of everything Joy and Payne finally got it together and truly got their HEA! Great read!
Wow Joya and Nasir Payne went through a lot! It was sad about Justus and Dex. Bubbles was a real trip,I feel like her karma caught up to her. Izz also got his karma. Patience was certifiable! Outside of everything Joy and Payne finally got it together and truly got their HEA! Great read!
December 8, 2021
A whole lot
The story had a whole lot of stuff going on in this first book. Whew! If this is the start, then I know this one will be rather crazy and filled with some macho madness. A pretty good urban love story.
The story had a whole lot of stuff going on in this first book. Whew! If this is the start, then I know this one will be rather crazy and filled with some macho madness. A pretty good urban love story.
February 8, 2023
Good Read
I enjoyed the Nasir and Joya story. The drama was heavy and the betrayal was even worse. I love a happy ending.
I enjoyed the Nasir and Joya story. The drama was heavy and the betrayal was even worse. I love a happy ending.
May 22, 2024
This was quite okay
This was a good story, I just hated the lack of communication and that damn near everybody died, I mean my goodness was that really necessary lol.
This was a good story, I just hated the lack of communication and that damn near everybody died, I mean my goodness was that really necessary lol.
November 7, 2024
You are wanna read this
Baby this is roller coaster read for you!!! Love will make you do some crazy things. I’m loving this authors catalog.
Baby this is roller coaster read for you!!! Love will make you do some crazy things. I’m loving this authors catalog.
October 12, 2025
Great Read
This story was a great read. I did not want to stop reading it. I love the author and how she puts her stories and characters together!
This story was a great read. I did not want to stop reading it. I love the author and how she puts her stories and characters together!
October 11, 2024
.
Israel was evil as fuck. That mf never need to see the light of day. Alot of these women were stupid over these clown ass bitch ass boys. I'm glad Nasir and Joya got it together. They really were a beautiful strong couple. One more book to go and I'm done with this series.
Israel was evil as fuck. That mf never need to see the light of day. Alot of these women were stupid over these clown ass bitch ass boys. I'm glad Nasir and Joya got it together. They really were a beautiful strong couple. One more book to go and I'm done with this series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews