What do you think?
Traded
Liyah, a young Congolese woman, living in Johannesburg, takes on the responsibility of supporting her mother and siblings after the passing of her father.
Frustrated from struggling and working minimum wage jobs, Liyah takes a chance and responds to an online advertisement for a surrogate.
Rick, a wealthy American, who is known for his impulsive and carefree playboy behaviour, faces losing his inheritance and his family business if he does not produce an heir.
Liyah and Rick are the complete opposite of one another, indomitable forces that collide with each other, yet they are about to change each other’s lives.
Dappling in lust, love and lies; Traded is a gamble of the unexpected, a dangerous crossing of boundaries and infinite treachery. Not everyone makes it out alive.
Frustrated from struggling and working minimum wage jobs, Liyah takes a chance and responds to an online advertisement for a surrogate.
Rick, a wealthy American, who is known for his impulsive and carefree playboy behaviour, faces losing his inheritance and his family business if he does not produce an heir.
Liyah and Rick are the complete opposite of one another, indomitable forces that collide with each other, yet they are about to change each other’s lives.
Dappling in lust, love and lies; Traded is a gamble of the unexpected, a dangerous crossing of boundaries and infinite treachery. Not everyone makes it out alive.
278 pages, Paperback
First published April 17, 2021
About the author
Kongo Alexis
1 book2 followersKongo Alexis is a romance fiction author of Congolese heritage, raised in the vibrant heart of Johannesburg. As a full-fleged Jo’burger with her head in the clouds and her nose deep in fiction novels, her surroundings shaped a creative blend of perspectives and ideas.
Her love for reading and the library was sparked early, thanks to the influence of her late father and older sister. Alexis’ father would allow her to skip house chores so long as she was reading.She was part of a two-member bookclub with her older sister where they discussed the novels they read.
https://kongoalexis.uk/about/
Her love for reading and the library was sparked early, thanks to the influence of her late father and older sister. Alexis’ father would allow her to skip house chores so long as she was reading.She was part of a two-member bookclub with her older sister where they discussed the novels they read.
https://kongoalexis.uk/about/
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 26, 2021
“He was the impenetrable fortress of strength and courage, he never wavered.”
Summary
Liyah, a young Congolese living in Johannesburg becomes the breadwinner of her household after the death of her father. In a quest to do this right, she plays the role of a surrogate for a wealthy American. This wealthy American, Rick has to produce an heir in other not to lose his inheritance to his stepmother. Rick and Liyah, different sides of a coin experiences the unexpected. Will their lives ever be the same after this encounter?
The story is set in Johannesburg and America.
It touches on family, friendship, love, lust, lies, betrayal, among others.
Liyah, a surrogate who doesn’t want to use artificial means ie artificial insemination but prefers the natural means( sexual intimacy).
Naive, beautiful, heart of gold and body of lava.
I was surprised she was on emergency pills but I guess she also had her plan which blew up in her face.
I’m trying to figure out what caused the change in Rick, was it the sex or love??
Was the infamous playboy really shot by Cupid’s 💘 arrow?
From surrogate to wife.
From temporal to permanent.
From short term to long term.
The ending was heartbreaking. To be honest I didn’t see that coming at all.
I was wondering the kind of information in the diary 📔 and it’s relevance and then....
To be continued.....
Can’t wait to know how things will end for Rick and Liyah, if there will be an end and the mystery the diary holds.
I really enjoyed and loved the book.
“Desperate people tend to fumble”.
Thanks to the publishers for giving me the ebook for an honest review.
Summary
Liyah, a young Congolese living in Johannesburg becomes the breadwinner of her household after the death of her father. In a quest to do this right, she plays the role of a surrogate for a wealthy American. This wealthy American, Rick has to produce an heir in other not to lose his inheritance to his stepmother. Rick and Liyah, different sides of a coin experiences the unexpected. Will their lives ever be the same after this encounter?
The story is set in Johannesburg and America.
It touches on family, friendship, love, lust, lies, betrayal, among others.
Liyah, a surrogate who doesn’t want to use artificial means ie artificial insemination but prefers the natural means( sexual intimacy).
Naive, beautiful, heart of gold and body of lava.
I was surprised she was on emergency pills but I guess she also had her plan which blew up in her face.
I’m trying to figure out what caused the change in Rick, was it the sex or love??
Was the infamous playboy really shot by Cupid’s 💘 arrow?
From surrogate to wife.
From temporal to permanent.
From short term to long term.
The ending was heartbreaking. To be honest I didn’t see that coming at all.
I was wondering the kind of information in the diary 📔 and it’s relevance and then....
To be continued.....
Can’t wait to know how things will end for Rick and Liyah, if there will be an end and the mystery the diary holds.
I really enjoyed and loved the book.
“Desperate people tend to fumble”.
Thanks to the publishers for giving me the ebook for an honest review.
December 31, 2021
This book felt like I was reading mills and boon with some bad tenses though not sure if it was done intentionally or not🤷🏾♀️.
It's a love story between 2 people from completely different worlds...Rick affectionately known as William is an heir to the VDC family company, white American and needs an heir of his own before his father passes on so that he is in full control of his inheritance otherwise Stepmum Hilda will be in charge. On the other hand, Aaliyah known as Liyah is Congolese born but staying with family in Johannesburg and she has to step up to take care of her siblings when her papa passes on. The surrogate job is perfect for her, good money for the family and relocation for her to find an old lover 🤷🏾♀️ but the drama that unfolds as the book develops is just juicy like watching a telenovela. You just wanna keep reading to find what happens next. Love, Lies, family drama, revenge stands out throughout this book. Can't wait for book 2 so that we can continue the drama.
Got my copy from Exclusive Books.
It's a love story between 2 people from completely different worlds...Rick affectionately known as William is an heir to the VDC family company, white American and needs an heir of his own before his father passes on so that he is in full control of his inheritance otherwise Stepmum Hilda will be in charge. On the other hand, Aaliyah known as Liyah is Congolese born but staying with family in Johannesburg and she has to step up to take care of her siblings when her papa passes on. The surrogate job is perfect for her, good money for the family and relocation for her to find an old lover 🤷🏾♀️ but the drama that unfolds as the book develops is just juicy like watching a telenovela. You just wanna keep reading to find what happens next. Love, Lies, family drama, revenge stands out throughout this book. Can't wait for book 2 so that we can continue the drama.
Got my copy from Exclusive Books.
June 13, 2021
Traded is a novel that follows the life of Liya, a Congolese woman living in Johannesburg, as she takes on a difficult task to support her family.
Reading the blurb, it sounded like one of those Wattpad novels that I wished would get published, and therefore I was quite excited to start reading this novel.
The book started off with immediate action, jumping straight into the story. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel as the author didn’t ‘waste words’ with unnecessary information.
I haven’t read many books from such a perspective and so it was wonderful to dive into a new point of view. I enjoyed the fact that the main character is based in Johannesburg, as it creates a sense of familiarity.
If you’re looking to broaden your reading, check out Traded by @kongoalexis !
Reading the blurb, it sounded like one of those Wattpad novels that I wished would get published, and therefore I was quite excited to start reading this novel.
The book started off with immediate action, jumping straight into the story. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel as the author didn’t ‘waste words’ with unnecessary information.
I haven’t read many books from such a perspective and so it was wonderful to dive into a new point of view. I enjoyed the fact that the main character is based in Johannesburg, as it creates a sense of familiarity.
If you’re looking to broaden your reading, check out Traded by @kongoalexis !
June 11, 2021
This book had me hooked from the first page and kept my attention right up until the end.
Traded is the right dose of sex, love, and scandal. I enjoy reading stories that involve a mixture of characters. The main character, Liyah, is Congolese but is living in South Africa. The main male character is a wealthy American, and we get to experience characters from Germany and Latin America.
Not only do these characters introduced by their race and culture by their names, but the author allows each of these characters to have moments where they express themselves in their languages.
We get a taste of German, French, Spanish and even some South African expressions.
In the beginning, I was annoyed with Liyah because she seems over the top but once you figure out her plan you really start to appreciate her and her ways.
Liyah and Rick, constantly challenge each other and it is not a simple love story. Do they even end up in love, we don't know. Do they continue their relationship as a purely professional one? I guess we will have to wait and see until the second book is released!
This is a must-read!!
Kongo Alexis has the potential to be a bestseller.
Traded is the right dose of sex, love, and scandal. I enjoy reading stories that involve a mixture of characters. The main character, Liyah, is Congolese but is living in South Africa. The main male character is a wealthy American, and we get to experience characters from Germany and Latin America.
Not only do these characters introduced by their race and culture by their names, but the author allows each of these characters to have moments where they express themselves in their languages.
We get a taste of German, French, Spanish and even some South African expressions.
In the beginning, I was annoyed with Liyah because she seems over the top but once you figure out her plan you really start to appreciate her and her ways.
Liyah and Rick, constantly challenge each other and it is not a simple love story. Do they even end up in love, we don't know. Do they continue their relationship as a purely professional one? I guess we will have to wait and see until the second book is released!
This is a must-read!!
Kongo Alexis has the potential to be a bestseller.
February 9, 2023
I titled it TRADED because the story explores
what every human being at the end of the
day gives into, how along the way moral lines
are blurred and double standards are
implemented in order to survive or obtain
what we think we need. The story is modern
fiction subgenre romantic suspense, not so
much about love but rather the deeper need
for human connection, touch.
TRADED is fast-paced, humorous, heartfelt
and suspenseful as we journey through
critical instances.There are adult intimate
moments; sex in all its forms: the ugly,
hilarious, awkward, and downright mind-
blowing when bodies collide and souls
permeate through the flesh. You vicariously live
this out through my characters, mainly
Rick&Liyah.
Rick & Liyah rediscover basic instinct, carnal
demands, primal urges and duplicity as
second nature. They are my protagonists
who aren't necessarily protagonists. Nothing
is as it seems, at a point in time we all trade
someone for selfish sake.
This is a multiracial situation in a high
society that claims not to mind multiracial
coupling,
But... what happens when you are
the heir of prestigious white family, you have
to continue the line and your assigned
surrogate wants natural insemination?
The toughest time I had about writing the book was deciding which tense to write the book in. I finally decided on past tense, however the characters decided to have their own memories and flashbacks shared in the story. This was very tricky as it required other forms of past tense writing ( past continuous; past perfect; past perfect continuous etc).
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. My favorite character surprisingly is Hilda, the villain. From the beginning she decided she would be the villain and I had to respect that, however nobody is an absolute saint and we get to see why some angels from Grace. The characters really took on a life of their own and had their own thoughts and agendas.
Thank you for reading and look out for the sequel.
Kind Regards,
KONGO ALEXIS.
what every human being at the end of the
day gives into, how along the way moral lines
are blurred and double standards are
implemented in order to survive or obtain
what we think we need. The story is modern
fiction subgenre romantic suspense, not so
much about love but rather the deeper need
for human connection, touch.
TRADED is fast-paced, humorous, heartfelt
and suspenseful as we journey through
critical instances.There are adult intimate
moments; sex in all its forms: the ugly,
hilarious, awkward, and downright mind-
blowing when bodies collide and souls
permeate through the flesh. You vicariously live
this out through my characters, mainly
Rick&Liyah.
Rick & Liyah rediscover basic instinct, carnal
demands, primal urges and duplicity as
second nature. They are my protagonists
who aren't necessarily protagonists. Nothing
is as it seems, at a point in time we all trade
someone for selfish sake.
This is a multiracial situation in a high
society that claims not to mind multiracial
coupling,
But... what happens when you are
the heir of prestigious white family, you have
to continue the line and your assigned
surrogate wants natural insemination?
The toughest time I had about writing the book was deciding which tense to write the book in. I finally decided on past tense, however the characters decided to have their own memories and flashbacks shared in the story. This was very tricky as it required other forms of past tense writing ( past continuous; past perfect; past perfect continuous etc).
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed writing this book. My favorite character surprisingly is Hilda, the villain. From the beginning she decided she would be the villain and I had to respect that, however nobody is an absolute saint and we get to see why some angels from Grace. The characters really took on a life of their own and had their own thoughts and agendas.
Thank you for reading and look out for the sequel.
Kind Regards,
KONGO ALEXIS.
July 7, 2022
I read this book in a day because it's a relatively easy read.
Great storytelling, although it's hard to ignore the bits that are way too far fetched. As a reader you have to wrap your head around a Congolese girl based in Joburg who loves and knows a lot about machines, history, biology, can speak all these different languages and has great subject matter knowledge on almost everything. It's just not believable.
Also, parts of the story are overly dramatic and unnecessary. For example, throughout the book we read about Neil and his crush on Liyah, but only to have him end up with Theresa, who he'd been avoiding an affair with the entire time. And what are the chances that Emilio is involved in a murder? What secret could Hilda possibly have that will result in Rick losing Liyah? It's just odd. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot and the cliffhanger at the end didn't leave me wanting to read Part 2 because there are too many question marks that don't feel like they'll be answered in the next installment. Still an okay read though and would recommend it if you need something light.
Great storytelling, although it's hard to ignore the bits that are way too far fetched. As a reader you have to wrap your head around a Congolese girl based in Joburg who loves and knows a lot about machines, history, biology, can speak all these different languages and has great subject matter knowledge on almost everything. It's just not believable.
Also, parts of the story are overly dramatic and unnecessary. For example, throughout the book we read about Neil and his crush on Liyah, but only to have him end up with Theresa, who he'd been avoiding an affair with the entire time. And what are the chances that Emilio is involved in a murder? What secret could Hilda possibly have that will result in Rick losing Liyah? It's just odd. I found myself rolling my eyes a lot and the cliffhanger at the end didn't leave me wanting to read Part 2 because there are too many question marks that don't feel like they'll be answered in the next installment. Still an okay read though and would recommend it if you need something light.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews