Playing Their Games

by Kiki Swinson

In this this page-turning spin-off prequel to the Playing Dirty and Notorious duology, national bestselling author Kiki Swinson burns up the page with calculating characters, ingenious plot twists, and a ruthless depiction of Southern conniving, rising—and taking the final hard fall. Now she brings you back to the 1990s at the start of wild-card lawyer Yoshi Lomax's career, as her first elite white-shoe-law job puts an inescapable target on her back…

No one suspects. . .
Never one to play by any rules, Yoshi Lomax is determined to make good at an internship with one of Manhattan's most prestigious law firms. She's being mentored by the brilliant twin brother legal lights who are her parents’ friends. And with her unexpected knack for helping the city's wealthy, powerful clients finagle their way out of major trouble, even she is surprised at how bright her future shines . . .

No one will tell. . .
Until Yoshi discovers the firm uses any means necessary to get their clients off—including kidnapping, life-destroying scandal, and murder. And the dark heart of the company is a super-secret society fueled by dangerous desires that have no limit—and no way out. Even for the ever-resourceful, ethically-dubious Yoshi, this is bad news she wants no part of . . .

No one can survive. . .
Now armed with secrets too lethal too keep, Yoshi will leverage all her skill and unpredictable maneuvers to take down the twins. But with those she cares about most on the firing line, will her one unthinkable play too far be the move that takes her down for good?

256 pages, Hardcover

Published June 28, 2022

About the author

Kiki Swinson was born and raised in Portsmouth, Virginia. She discovered her flair for writing after completing her first novel, Mad Shambles, while serving a five-year sentence at a federal prison.
After being released in December 1996, Kiki later went on to self-publish Mad Shambles. Her passion for writing didn't stop there. Writing feverishly into the wee hours of the night, she completed her second novel, Wifey, which was published by Melodrama Publishing. After the success of Wifey, Kiki penned the sequels I'm Still Wifey and Life After Wifey, as well as The Candy Shop and A Sticky Situation.

Reviews

[Gréta K · Rating 1 out of 5]

1/5 Stars DNF.

I could not. I simply could not... I tried really hard to give it more than 30 pages but I couldn't.

The writing is terrible. It is done entirely in base sentences, full of curse words. It is written how your 18-year-old niece texts, not how I would expect a fancy law firm associate to be thinking. Everyone's a bitch. Everything is shit... I cannot read a negative POV such as this one.

I have no idea how people rated this book so high, perhaps it gets better later on. I will unfortunately never find out.

[Marissa Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Strange book

[Kelsie Maxwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing Their Games is another outstanding multicultural fiction tale from bestselling author, Kiki Swinson. This is the second prequel to her Notorious duology, which I haven’t read…yet. I did read the first prequel, and it was awesome! After reading prequel one, Playing With Fire I immediately picked up this one

Yoshi Lomax has finished her college education and is now an intern at a prestigious New York law firm. Her previous naïveté now borders on childishness. What trouble will her actions bring into her life?

Playing Their Games is told through the alternating viewpoints of Yoshi and her new love interest, Troy. This method of revealing the story is satisfactorily managed through chapter headers. Yoshi still seems younger than her years and is developing a habit of irrational thinking. This prequel was a little slower developing than the previous one, and I dropped one star for this reason, but it still held my attention. This was an interesting read. I rate it 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers readers of good adult fiction, especially fiction with multicultural interest.

My thanks to Kensington Books, Dafina, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

[sweetconnectionswithtoni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yay I finished this one 🎉, this has been in my read stack since the beginning of the year. 🤓

Yoshi, an intern has found herself in a tight situation, always escaping death, she stated that she is going to get her life together. She’s learned to played the dirty games that her colleagues play at the firm. This firm is guilty of kidnapping , scandal, and murder.

Hopefully the next go round she’ll take charge of her life as she has stated. 🤨

[Katrina johnson · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a struggle to finish. Kiki Swinson books always have potential to be great with great plots and storylines but they just don’t read good. I find that the big climax that should come never dies. This book is the same.

[Marguerite · Rating 1 out of 5]

I struggled getting into this book, especially the further I went. I feel like the characters weren't particularly dynamic and it started to feel unrealistic. This is apparently a series, so maybe I'd feel different if I started with the first book. But I'd recommend skipping it.

[Jessica Gordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a difficult book to get through. The writing style was off, the storyline just dragged on, very dry. I feel like the story could have been better developed. There’s racial undertones in the storyline which don’t make sense until the very end of the book. Just all over the place.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I nearly abandoned this one but needed something to listen to on a long drive.

I just don't understand how someone smart enough to graduate law school could be so dumb. Troy warns her that Aaron is going to use her as eye candy to lure a new client and that sex will be an expectation. Does she listen? Nope. Does she exercise any caution at all during her night at Aaron's house when she is asked to dress sexy and drink extremely strong cocktails? Nope. She doesn't even flinch when asked to give the client a massage. Then she seems shocked to wake up naked the next morning with no memory of what happened.

Also, no one in this book seems to understand how photos work. You actually have to get the negatives, not just the prints, to ensure that the blackmail will stop.

Don't even get me started on Troy. This was one of the silliest things I ever read.

[Lommie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d always pick myself a mystery genre after a too much dose of romance. I was caught up with the blurb of this one. Though it was late for me to realize that this book is the second installment in the book series, the MC’s narrative had kept me interested. From then on, I thoroughly devoured myself on every chapter until I surprised myself in the end.

The mystery element was well-imagined. I loved it how the author kept the story real – Yoshi was still in the process of learning criminal law, her problem solving skills was just amateur yet effective. The storyline was great. I was totally absorbed.

Thank you to @netgalley and publisher, Dafina and @kensingtonbooks for providing me an ebook copy in exchange with honest opinion.

[Shannan Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I might have read the books out of order, This was such an enjoyable read. The story is told through the two main characters, Yoshi and Troy, with Troy being a lawyer, and Yoshi working at the law office, but will be taking the bar exam soon. Their bosses convince Yoshi to come to their house in order to gain a client, but things happen, and Yoshi will need to make a decision in what directions she will soon go.

I did not want to put this book down. It kept my interest from beginning to end. And I kept being surprised throughout the entire story. This was a great story line and I can't wait for the next book from the author

I received a copy of the book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review of my own thoughts and opinions.

[Denise Gilliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was straight Fire I enjoyed this book to the max.
Yoshi was trying to work at this prestigious law firm and learn what she had to to pass the bar. Then she meet Troy and all hell broke loose.

These twin brothers were something else with all their shenanigans. They thought they stuff don’t stink people thought very highly of theses brothers they were sheep in disguise.

They messed with the wrong young lady Yoshi was determined to get answers abs baby she did.

All I can tell is read the book it is phenomenal at its best.

[Ileana Renfroe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playing Their Games shows Yoshi Lomax determined to make good at an internship with one of Manhattan's most prestigious law firms.

That is until she discovers the firm uses any means necessary to get their clients off—including kidnapping, life-destroying scandal, and murder. And the dark heart of the company is a super-secret society fueled by dangerous desires that have no limit.

Great storyline!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Kensington Books and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I look forward to reading a thriller where I’m surprised. I didn’t read the books for which this is a prequel. There were definitely moments I was surprised by how the story was progressing.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading this author who had great characters. This was interesting premise of an intern looking to take the bar exam is interning at a prestigious law firm and is dating a lawyer at the office. Not a good policy since the firm doesn't allow it. Things are crazy for her and get out of control.

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the prequels better than Playing Dirty and Notorious. Yoshi always seem to get caught up in bad situations. I’m still struggling with Yoshi’s mother in the prequels as she was totally different character in the playing dirty series. I enjoyed the book.

[Mee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Character voicing, pronunciation of the word "ask." Both were annoying to me.
In the end, I enjoyed the book. It was very easy to relate to for sure, but nothing like I've experienced or hoped to experience in my lifetime.

[Frances Cobbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting!!!!

I always enjoy Kiki books this one kept me on the edge of my seat and the love scenes are great

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read , I just wish Yoshi stood up for herself a little more

[Jessie Carvalho · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is just not for me. Maybe I would like it more had I read the other books. I liked some of the characters, but the story kept losing me.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

horrible characters making horrible decisions in ridiculous situations. The only reason I didn't give it 1 star was because I've read some of her other stuff which was much better.

[Ronnie Renee · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5-2.7 Found this book in Wal-Mart. The synopsis seemed interesting. It had potential, but it was weird. The different scenes didn't quite connect. The ending was weird 😐

[Ruztique Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Kiki Swinson, but this book was just okay. Fell a little flat for me tbh. I do wish Yoshi would stand up tho lol

[Courtney Coco · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a lot going on but got better toward the end of the book.

[Sherliecia Releford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Decent storyline.