Ghetto Superstar

by Nikki Turner

The reigning queen of hip-hop lit, Nikki Turner, takes on the music biz in this tale of a young woman who risks everything to be a superstar.

Fabiola Mays was born to sing. She has a voice like honey and a body to match, but one heartbreaking setback after another threatens to derail her dreams of a recording deal. To make matters worse, it’s Christmastime, rent is past due, and the cops intend to kick her tight-knit family to the curb–until a small-town gangster comes to the rescue and offers them a place to stay.
Years pass, and Fabiola continues to play gigs and travel around the country hoping for another shot at fame. She’s long forgotten the gangster named Casino who bailed out her family once upon a time. But when Casino is shot, Fabiola feels that she must help the man who helped her family during their lowest point.

As Fabiola climbs the ladder of success, she is pulled between the spotlight and the street, trying to resist industry moguls who find the allure of fresh meat irresistible and the thugs from the shadowy side of the ghetto who threaten to keep her close.

Genres: Urban, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance

262 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

After Nikki Turner read The Coldest Winter Ever by Sistah Souljah she was dismayed that there weren't other books like it. "I wanted to write the kinds of books I wanted to read," said the bestselling author, whose 2002 debut novel, A Hustler's Wife, would go on to sell more than a few 100,000 copies.
While Nikki Turner's first two novels were published by a small publishing house in the Midwest, in 2004 she signed a 2-book deal with One World, an imprint of Ballantine Books, which is part of The Random House Publishing Group. After publishing the first book under that deal, The Glamorous Life in 2005 as well as a short story collection edited by Nikki, Street Chronicles: Tales from da Hood, One World quickly signed Nikki up for three more Nikki Turner Original novels and negotiated a deal with her for her own book line, Nikki Turner Presents. "I want to give new authors the same kind of opportunity I was given," said Nikki. "I want to produce authors who will be household names."

(Taken from author's website)

Reviews

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, this book played me for a fool. My lord. I started to get into it towards the end, and just when I did, she ends it with a nonsensical cliffhanger. JFC. I know she wants to sell the sequel, but a well written ending could have done that just as well as the ridiculous cliff hanger that makes no sense. :(

[Shanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, how I disliked this novel. It was ridiculously slow and poorly developed. My least favorite novel from Nikki Turner.

[ConSonia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lady u were right the ending made me mad Nikki u were wrong of every level of wrong for ending it that way :-] It was sad that I didnt want to put it down I need a part 2 Lorrrd I need a part 2.. But this book was well written with drama, backstabing, and ghetto love.. Loved it..

[Shira Coker · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok I definately did not like the ending.

[Latoya Brown-johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

need to have a part two or don't waste my time.Got to the end and was not happy with it

[Sharah Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was so wrong, there needs to be a part 2.

[C.E. G · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahhhhh, Nikki Turner, why you'd have to go and destroy my opinion of the book in the last 20 pages? I was actually enjoying the book for the most part - Turner is quite a gifted story teller. But then.... slammed with unapologetic homophobia/transphobia to shame the villain. Uncool.

Barring the last few chapters, it's the most I've enjoyed a street lit book so far, so I might check out more Nikki Turner in the future. But if she continues to use homo/transphobia as a weapon against the characters we all hate, I'll find a different author to follow.

[Domonique]

This book must be good because T.I. recommended it.

[Shanice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good book. And I also think Nikki Turner is a good author.I THINK EVERY ONE SHOULD READ THIS BOOK I KNOW YOU WILL LIKE IT.

[Marci · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope that this book has a part 2! This poor girl couldn't catch a break

[Monica H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pissed there isn't a sequel. Don't end with a cliffhanger if you're not gonna make a sequel.

[Keesha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikki Turner is always entertaining. I think I have read all or almost all of her novels. Familiar characters graced this story. Flowed well but was disappointed that superstar Fabiola did not learn enough to rise above it all! Huge mistakes in the end, but will leave room for a sequel, so looking forward to that!

[Ta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the typical urban fiction novel and for that I am grateful. For a body of work that was published in 2009 and ended with a cliff hanger the sequel should be completed by 2018. I am just saying.

[Madlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but didn’t like the ending.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nikkie Turner does it again

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hate it ended on a cliff hanger and no follow up.

[Phoebe Pitchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, another great book. 👍 I give it 5 🌟stars

[Eva-Marie Nevarez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this when it came out because I'm a huge Nikki Turner fan and I didn't want to wait. Then I waited because it looked boring to me. I should have known she couldn't write a boring book if she wanted to.
I have a couple minor complaints, her spelling "her little sister's" name wrong- Chunuchi. That's a damn shame if there ever was one. I guess the editors were concentrating on the story a little too much. I don't like it when authors refer to themselves or their books in their stories. How can you give yourself a shout out when there are so many other authors you could have put in your place? Maybe one that helped you come up instead? I'm already reading your book.
Besides that the story is great. The main character, Fabiola (hate the name) wants to be a singer as is going through major and minor drama trying to get her foot in the door. It's not the most realistic book in the world but a good getaway book if you ask me.
T.I. should be ashamed of himself because it's certainly not "another vivid slice of street life". At least, not for 99% of the population anyway. I hate blurbs that don't match the book. Put that blurb with a really realistic book- not this one. T.I. just lets whatever come out of his mouth I suppose. Whatever.
I'd say give this another shot though if you tried it and stopped- it's really pretty good, like any Nikki Turner book.

[Sheena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Fabiola is such a sweet main character and you find yourself rooting for her on her journey to stardom. I also loved Casino's character. Despite their age difference, they seem like they would be an amazing couple. Fabiola finds herself caught up in many obstacles during her early singing days. Most people would've given up, but she still trudged on with the help of her momager, Viola.

This is a decent book overall, but coming from Nikki Turner, I expected more. It was slow moving and the book didn't really cover as much of the story as it could've. I hated the ending, it left no explanation and since it's been quite a few years since this book was released so I'm not even sure if there is even a sequel in the works.

http://www.hoteatsandcoolreads.com/20...

[Tammy Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghetto Superstar by Nikki Tuner. Was excellent book OMG .It about a Richmond born singer name Fabiola Mays who dream of becoming famous singer Fabiola Mays was density for greatness and sucess. Fabiola mom Viola Mays and sister Adore support her and help her to be confident to fight for your dreams. regardless of your circumstances. It start off with her competing in a talent contest she won the record label was responsible for cutting her a check the company went bankrupt and their assets were frozen. Fabiola and her family went home empty handed and broke disappointed.

[A.M. Torres · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good and I recommend it. Fabiola is determined to make it as a singer despite all the hardships. Her mother becomes quickly unlikeable when she sees no problem with her daughter giving out to get that contract. Good Lord! I understand all the hard work, but thankfully Fabiola keeps her integrity. The ending was shocking and I am waiting for the sequel. Not a bad book.

A.M Torres author of Love Child

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fist read by Turner and she kept the pages a turning. This is a ride on the two sides of this one young lady's life. We will not discuss her name. I will let that slide because that is just what someone from the ghetto would name their child.

This is a drama ride for her and how she makes it to the top. But there are many a obstacles in her was even once she reaches the top. There is no way to know that those the build you up will do anything to take you down.

[Anita Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabiola Mays was born to be a star. It was good to see a character that didn't sleep her way to the top. When she was younger a street legend named Casino saved her family of a financial crisis. As she got older, she was given an opportunity to repay his kindness. Over time, their relationship grew and he was the key to Fabiola making it to the top. Everyone in her family is proud of her success, or are they...

[Dead girl still blogging · Rating 5 out of 5]

HER AND HER MOTHER WENT TO GO PIC UP 100,000 DOLLAR CHECK AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO AND THEY HAVE 1:00 FLIGHT AND ARE IN DEIT AND THEY REALLY NEED THHE MONNEY THEY ARRIVE AT THE BUILDING AND THEY SECURITY GUARD STOPS THEM THE BUILDING IS SURROUNDED BY FED AND FBI AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE MONEY....

[Markeema · Rating 5 out of 5]

What I learned from this book was that don't let anyone discourage you from following your dreams. Nor, should you let someone get in the way of you dreams. This is an really good book because Fabiola is determated to exceed her dreams. She never let anyone get in her way even when she was forced to have sex with an popular rapper/producer.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written like a young girl's fantasy with pretty flat characters. Nonetheless, I was hanging in there because I liked the flow of the writing. ... right up until the end. WTF!?!? I feel like I've wasted my time; it's too bad the author didn't begin the book where she left off because it finally seems to be getting some depth. Then again, I suppose that's the point--hello sequel. No thanks!

[Erica L · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was juvenile in my opinion and the ending sucked. I hate books that do no end well and leave you hanging so the author can sell you the "sequel". That is why I now avoid all books with parts 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and so on because they leaved me feeling "Ganked". If a writer cannot tell a full interesting complete story in one novel ,they gets no more money outta me!

[Shanika Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never read a Nikki Turner book before, although I have always heard good things. I was already reading quite a few other books but saw this was available in audio via my library. I got though this book so quick, and now I'm sitting here wondering what's going to happen in the next story--time to find the next book in the story! Nikki turner has a new reader in her fan base!!

[Busy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was my first Nikki Taylor novel and I didn't know what to expect. It was a dramatic roller coaster from beginning to end. Literally, the last sentence sets up what could be a mystery that can only be answered in a sequel. Although this book was not perfect and at times uneven, it was entertaining. I have already put another Nikki Taylor book on my to-read list.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. At first I didn't think I would like it but I did. I am so mad at how this book ended. Like who is Victor Lewis? And was Adora really smiling did she have something to do with Fabiola getting arrested or was it Johnny? Ugh need part two so bad!