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Promises #1
Promise Broken
Beware of the company you keep.
K'wan's urban fiction coming-of-age novel, Promise Broken, is set in the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey. The story follows seventeen-year-old Promise Mohammed as she attempts to uphold friendships and new relationships--even if they lead to her demise.
After Promise's mother dies in a tragic car accident, it leaves a void in her life that she is yearning to fill. This titular novel finds Promise spiraling into a life of crime and drug affiliation by the company she chooses to keep.
Also coping with abandonment and a life-long broken commitment from her biological father, Promise ultimately has two goals: to graduate from high school and to be loved. But can she find the love that she seeks from her Aunt Dell, two best friends, Mouse and Keys, or drug-dealer Asher--the man who captivates her--despite the fact that each relationship will lead to life-altering events? Only time will tell.
K'wan's urban fiction coming-of-age novel, Promise Broken, is set in the gritty streets of Newark, New Jersey. The story follows seventeen-year-old Promise Mohammed as she attempts to uphold friendships and new relationships--even if they lead to her demise.
After Promise's mother dies in a tragic car accident, it leaves a void in her life that she is yearning to fill. This titular novel finds Promise spiraling into a life of crime and drug affiliation by the company she chooses to keep.
Also coping with abandonment and a life-long broken commitment from her biological father, Promise ultimately has two goals: to graduate from high school and to be loved. But can she find the love that she seeks from her Aunt Dell, two best friends, Mouse and Keys, or drug-dealer Asher--the man who captivates her--despite the fact that each relationship will lead to life-altering events? Only time will tell.
276 pages, Paperback
Published March 15, 2022
62 people are currently reading
4051 people want to read
About the author
K'wan
85 books1,530 followersIn 2002 K'wan hit the scene with his debut novel Gangsta, under Triple Crown Publications. It was the first novel released by the budding house and would eventually become the building block for what is now a multimillion dollar company. What started as a therapeutic release went on to become a part of urban-lit history and an Essence bestseller, as well as drawing rave reviews overseas.
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
After penning his second novel, Road Dawgz (2003), K'wan drew the attention of St. Martins press. The literary powerhouse quickly signed K'wan to a multi-book deal, the first of which being Street Dreams (2004). In 2008 he received the Black Author of the year award from Black Press Radio for the novella Blow.
Since his insertion into the publishing world K'wan has been featured in Vibe, Pages, King, Felon, Big News, The Library Journal, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Press, Clutch and most notably Time Magazine, to name a few. He was also interviewed by MTV News for a feature on Hip-Hop fiction, and a guest on Power 105s morning show as well as NPR (national public radio). In addition to being an accomplished author, K'wan is also a motivational speaker, mentor to at risk children and the C.E.O of Black Dawn, Inc.
K'wan currently resides in New Jersey where he is working on his next novel.
http://us.macmillan.com/author/kwan
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
January 25, 2022
My introduction to K'wan's work was through his Hood Rat series. All my reader friends on Facebook were ranting and raving about Animal, and to get to him, you had to go through the hood. I remember reading out of order, so eager to get started, improperly researching where my journey should begin. Even with reading out of order, it didn't take away from the author, his storylines, or his characters. The series was classic to me, and anyone looking for an urban fiction recommendation from me will always have that series included in the list. After years of writing, K'wan's pen game has evolved, somewhat leaving the hood rats behind. Making me, I'm sure along with other readers, miss his urban fiction flex. That changed with Promise Broken. The cover had me leaning towards a love story, which it is, kind of. The King of Urban Fiction has returned to claim his crown and I am elated that he gave me a front row seat to the show.
Promise Mohammad isn't your typical teenager. Abandoned by her father at an early age, and losing her mother in a car accident, Promise is left to be the hood's newest version of Cinderella. Her being biracial seems to make her life that much harder. Left in the care of her Aunt Dell, who is just as evil as Lady Tremaine (Cinderella's stepmother). "You ungrateful cow! How dare you fix your mouth to talk slick like that little bit of money the state gives me for you every month is making or breaking something. Them funky few dollars, including the food stamps don't even cover all the food you eat up, Miss Piggy. The only reason I even let your troublesome ass stay with me is because I promised my sister that if anything happened to her, I'd take you in. It's a promise that I'm finding harder and harder to keep, so if I were you I'd keep my mouth shut before you find yourself homeless." Hence the title of the story, Promise Broken.
Dell and her daughter, Brianna, make Promise's life a living hell, but her friends, Mouse and Keys make life a little bit more bearable. But like the rest of the characters in the book, they're fighting their own battles. Keys is living in an abusive home and Mouse's mother is a crackhead that leaves her to fend for herself and her sister. When the battlefield shifts for the friends, placing the dynamics of their friendship at risk, the story takes a pivotal turn for all three characters. "Keys listened to the girls chattering back and forth, Mouse was about all the ones she planned to make working with Ab and Promise about how fine Asher was. It made him sick to his stomach." Promise is put in a few precarious situations, forcing her friends to show her just how much they really care about her.
And finally, the love portion of the story. While navigating her way up the hood's totem pole, Promise catches the eyes of Asher, one of the hood's up and coming lieutenants. "While he was making his way across the street to greet his people, a fair-skinned chick came out of the liquor store. For an instant their eyes connected, but she quickly turned away and went to look at the ground in front of her." The attraction between them is noticeable, even to Asher's girlfriend, Ruby. Like most of the hood dudes, Asher comes with a ton of baggage, but Promise's skimpy self-esteem and lack of attention has her willing to risk it all. "I see you, all starry-eyed because Asher finally noticed you. I'll bet you think he's going to be your ghetto knight in shining armor, huh? Same as the other half dozen chicks he's knocked off between here and Market Street. He's only out for the pussy. Asher ain't got no serious interest in you Promise."
If you're familiar with K'wan's work, you know how he give it up. This book comes with a host of characters, all layered and entertaining in their own way. There are breadcrumbs throughout the story, so you can't just rush through reading this, it's imperative you pay attention. Nothing is as it seems, and if you thought he forgot about a certain aspect of the story, he didn't. And you will run across some familiar characters. "All of them were wearing heavy jewelry, but none heavier than a bearded man wearing a Cincinnati Reds cap. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes and a thick chain hung around his neck. Dangling from the end of the chain was a diamond-encrusted Rottweiler head." At the end of the book, K'wan decides to Mortal Kombat finish us, as if to give a friendly reminder that he's his own competition. 2022 is off to a great literary start and I love to see it. Excellent read!
This book is book is set to be released March, 15, 2022.
Promise Mohammad isn't your typical teenager. Abandoned by her father at an early age, and losing her mother in a car accident, Promise is left to be the hood's newest version of Cinderella. Her being biracial seems to make her life that much harder. Left in the care of her Aunt Dell, who is just as evil as Lady Tremaine (Cinderella's stepmother). "You ungrateful cow! How dare you fix your mouth to talk slick like that little bit of money the state gives me for you every month is making or breaking something. Them funky few dollars, including the food stamps don't even cover all the food you eat up, Miss Piggy. The only reason I even let your troublesome ass stay with me is because I promised my sister that if anything happened to her, I'd take you in. It's a promise that I'm finding harder and harder to keep, so if I were you I'd keep my mouth shut before you find yourself homeless." Hence the title of the story, Promise Broken.
Dell and her daughter, Brianna, make Promise's life a living hell, but her friends, Mouse and Keys make life a little bit more bearable. But like the rest of the characters in the book, they're fighting their own battles. Keys is living in an abusive home and Mouse's mother is a crackhead that leaves her to fend for herself and her sister. When the battlefield shifts for the friends, placing the dynamics of their friendship at risk, the story takes a pivotal turn for all three characters. "Keys listened to the girls chattering back and forth, Mouse was about all the ones she planned to make working with Ab and Promise about how fine Asher was. It made him sick to his stomach." Promise is put in a few precarious situations, forcing her friends to show her just how much they really care about her.
And finally, the love portion of the story. While navigating her way up the hood's totem pole, Promise catches the eyes of Asher, one of the hood's up and coming lieutenants. "While he was making his way across the street to greet his people, a fair-skinned chick came out of the liquor store. For an instant their eyes connected, but she quickly turned away and went to look at the ground in front of her." The attraction between them is noticeable, even to Asher's girlfriend, Ruby. Like most of the hood dudes, Asher comes with a ton of baggage, but Promise's skimpy self-esteem and lack of attention has her willing to risk it all. "I see you, all starry-eyed because Asher finally noticed you. I'll bet you think he's going to be your ghetto knight in shining armor, huh? Same as the other half dozen chicks he's knocked off between here and Market Street. He's only out for the pussy. Asher ain't got no serious interest in you Promise."
If you're familiar with K'wan's work, you know how he give it up. This book comes with a host of characters, all layered and entertaining in their own way. There are breadcrumbs throughout the story, so you can't just rush through reading this, it's imperative you pay attention. Nothing is as it seems, and if you thought he forgot about a certain aspect of the story, he didn't. And you will run across some familiar characters. "All of them were wearing heavy jewelry, but none heavier than a bearded man wearing a Cincinnati Reds cap. Dark sunglasses covered his eyes and a thick chain hung around his neck. Dangling from the end of the chain was a diamond-encrusted Rottweiler head." At the end of the book, K'wan decides to Mortal Kombat finish us, as if to give a friendly reminder that he's his own competition. 2022 is off to a great literary start and I love to see it. Excellent read!
This book is book is set to be released March, 15, 2022.
April 11, 2024
Y'all already know my guy K’Wan doesn't miss! The ending has me ready to start book two IMMEDIATELY!
4.5⭐️
4.5⭐️
March 29, 2022
Mouth Drop!
I read as slowly as I could. I had to make sure I kept up with each character and their roles. As always, I didn’t want it to end. I’m so intrigued; I have come up with so many ways this could go, that they’re probably all wrong. To start, with everything they’ve gone through, I love the bond between Promise and Mouse. I went back and forth with Asher, but for now I will let him live. I need more on Keys!!! That d**n Don B. Sholl gon stay around, huh? Lol Zul is nothing to play with, and where is Saud? Lastly, I had not one ounce of remorse for B-Stone. 🤷🏾♀️ However, as much as I don’t like Ruby; Starla has to pay!! 🙄 Bring on the rest quickly. Please and thank you. 😂
I read as slowly as I could. I had to make sure I kept up with each character and their roles. As always, I didn’t want it to end. I’m so intrigued; I have come up with so many ways this could go, that they’re probably all wrong. To start, with everything they’ve gone through, I love the bond between Promise and Mouse. I went back and forth with Asher, but for now I will let him live. I need more on Keys!!! That d**n Don B. Sholl gon stay around, huh? Lol Zul is nothing to play with, and where is Saud? Lastly, I had not one ounce of remorse for B-Stone. 🤷🏾♀️ However, as much as I don’t like Ruby; Starla has to pay!! 🙄 Bring on the rest quickly. Please and thank you. 😂
September 25, 2022
The entire time I was reading it felt like you could literally just feel the tension building. All the small things adding up to eventually lead to something bigger and absolutely explosive. And yet the ending still shocked me.
The story starts out with Promise and her friend Mouse trying to make the best out of bad home situations. Doing whatever was necessary to graduate high school so they could have a real chance at life. Literally from the first few pages you see how one bad decision leads to another. But you find yourself not being too hard on Promise and Mouse because they’re doing the best with the hand that life has dealt them. But you can feel that consequences will eventually come.
I understood Promise’s infatuation with Asher, but he treated her awfully. It was hard to tell if he actually liked her or if this was some weird Fetish fantasy for him. He honestly even had me feeling bad for Ruby sometimes, although she was very unlikeable and downright vicious. Asher had a way of saying whatever you needed to hear to get what he wanted. It felt so manipulative. Also knowing how dangerous Ruby was, why even put Promise in her crosshairs if you actually care about her.
The ending was just crazy. I knew something was going to happen but definitely not that. I have so many questions 😫 I can’t wait for book 2!
The story starts out with Promise and her friend Mouse trying to make the best out of bad home situations. Doing whatever was necessary to graduate high school so they could have a real chance at life. Literally from the first few pages you see how one bad decision leads to another. But you find yourself not being too hard on Promise and Mouse because they’re doing the best with the hand that life has dealt them. But you can feel that consequences will eventually come.
I understood Promise’s infatuation with Asher, but he treated her awfully. It was hard to tell if he actually liked her or if this was some weird Fetish fantasy for him. He honestly even had me feeling bad for Ruby sometimes, although she was very unlikeable and downright vicious. Asher had a way of saying whatever you needed to hear to get what he wanted. It felt so manipulative. Also knowing how dangerous Ruby was, why even put Promise in her crosshairs if you actually care about her.
The ending was just crazy. I knew something was going to happen but definitely not that. I have so many questions 😫 I can’t wait for book 2!
March 27, 2024
😮💨
4.5⭐️I don’t know where to begin with this review but I will say, this is what I want in an urban fiction story!! Whew, the crazy chain of events had my head on a swivel and my heart was aching one too many times. I have so many scrambled feelings but what I do know is B-Stone got what he deserved! I hope Promise and Mouse remain solid friends but I fear Promise isn’t cut for the fast life like Mouse. Asher has found himself in a pickle and the question is, does he come clean to Zul or ride the wave like he really did something?!? I am so eager to start book two because THE ENDING! 🤯
4.5⭐️I don’t know where to begin with this review but I will say, this is what I want in an urban fiction story!! Whew, the crazy chain of events had my head on a swivel and my heart was aching one too many times. I have so many scrambled feelings but what I do know is B-Stone got what he deserved! I hope Promise and Mouse remain solid friends but I fear Promise isn’t cut for the fast life like Mouse. Asher has found himself in a pickle and the question is, does he come clean to Zul or ride the wave like he really did something?!? I am so eager to start book two because THE ENDING! 🤯
August 18, 2022
I’m bummed having to rate this low. I love Black authors and stories and was excited to read this. Especially with a mixed character like me.
The story was so slow then abruptly finished. I was a little confused when it was just suddenly ended. I just expected more of a full story. A lot of introductions of characters just died off. I get maybe it’s because it’s going to be a series but at this moment in time it seemed like a lot of useless characters.
I got this on audible and Idk how so many people rated the performance of the reading so high on Audible. The strange pauses drove me nuts. The narrator would pause at an unnatural portion of the sentence and it was weird.
The story was so slow then abruptly finished. I was a little confused when it was just suddenly ended. I just expected more of a full story. A lot of introductions of characters just died off. I get maybe it’s because it’s going to be a series but at this moment in time it seemed like a lot of useless characters.
I got this on audible and Idk how so many people rated the performance of the reading so high on Audible. The strange pauses drove me nuts. The narrator would pause at an unnatural portion of the sentence and it was weird.
March 29, 2022
Unc, You Did Your Thing Again😊 I Don't Like SPOILER......So All I'm Saying Is When Is Book 2 Coming Out????? The Last Words That Was Printed Was "The Beginning"🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
April 24, 2023
This book started off really good and then about 30% in, got really slow. Im so glad i continued to read it because shit got real around 50%. First things first, Promises’ aunt Dell was such an asshole. Why take in Promise just to treat her like trash? I wanted Promise to go upside her head all throughout the book and when she finally did, it made me smile. Dell’s daughter kept taunting Promise and it made me so angry towards her. I dont understand how Promise dealt with that every day. Dell was just jealous of Promises’ mom Fatima.
Mouse was a bad influence to begin with but was overall a great friend and had Promises’ back to the end. I loved their friendship. I really thought Keys and Promise was going to end up together. I did hate that Asher kept cheating on his girlfriend with so many women but I didnt like Ruby at all and so happy that Asher finally ended it with her at the end. Who would want to be with a woman like her anyway? And she knew Asher was always cheating but still continued to stay with him.
I really think that Keys mom and dad dying had something to do with him and his music career. How both of his parents die randomly in a car accident and they say it was due to faulty breaks? I dont know about that one! I feel like the ending wrapped up too fast. What happened to Aunt Dell, did Promise and Mouse ever get caught? Or maybe there is going to be another book. If so, i cant wait to read it. I have so many questions. Overall really good book though!
Mouse was a bad influence to begin with but was overall a great friend and had Promises’ back to the end. I loved their friendship. I really thought Keys and Promise was going to end up together. I did hate that Asher kept cheating on his girlfriend with so many women but I didnt like Ruby at all and so happy that Asher finally ended it with her at the end. Who would want to be with a woman like her anyway? And she knew Asher was always cheating but still continued to stay with him.
I really think that Keys mom and dad dying had something to do with him and his music career. How both of his parents die randomly in a car accident and they say it was due to faulty breaks? I dont know about that one! I feel like the ending wrapped up too fast. What happened to Aunt Dell, did Promise and Mouse ever get caught? Or maybe there is going to be another book. If so, i cant wait to read it. I have so many questions. Overall really good book though!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2024
"Promise Broken" by K'wan is a gritty and compelling. Promise Mohammed, navigates the challenges of loss, abandonment, and a yearning for love in a tumultuous coming-of-age journey. K'wan skillfully depicts the gritty streets and complex relationships, portraying Promise's descent into a life of crime and drug affiliation. The novel's strength lies in its raw portrayal of urban life, with well-crafted characters and a narrative that keeps you hooked until the last page. As K’wan always does, this was a little different but I really enjoyed it.
April 21, 2022
Wow!!! Promise has a guardian angel and doesn’t even know it!! I love that K’wan makes the characters that we least expect end up being the ones that surprises us as the true game changers. I won’t say the name but I love it. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Promise and Mouse crazy self. I never know what to expect from K’wan and that’s what makes me a fan. Mouse is a real one and I think we all need one true friend like that. Beware of the company you keep definitely came full circle by the end for everyone. Damn!!
September 30, 2022
I really enjoyed this book I’d start to finish. This is one author that when I read they book I always take my time.
Promise and Mouse and Keys were three the hard way. Promise went through tragic situation and good ole’ Mouse came to her rescue Mouse had her issues but her and Promise were sisters in my view. The book was field with trails and tributes. The ending was epic you can always count on K’wan to leave us thinking.
Promise and Mouse and Keys were three the hard way. Promise went through tragic situation and good ole’ Mouse came to her rescue Mouse had her issues but her and Promise were sisters in my view. The book was field with trails and tributes. The ending was epic you can always count on K’wan to leave us thinking.
March 12, 2024
More is a 3.5. So sad. Small hearts, desperation, pride, fear, and survival rolled potential into danger. This is the kind of plot so many movies have generated. It’s a sad reality that I imagine is held by too many of our population. All of it germinating from generational trauma.
June 24, 2022
Promise Broken
By K'wan
You know halfway through this book I kept closing the book and looking at the cover to remember who wrote the book that I was reading. Quarantine damn sure had this author writing in a way I wasn't use to. I wanna say I was blown away, but it's no secret that this cat is a beast with it. Promise Broken, a K'wan's love story🥴. Nah, but frfr it is😂, I mean, ummm they trying, I mean, like in a Hustle and Flow type of way😫.
OK, so eventhough K'wan is showing us a totally different side, he eventually returns and bring those 😳, 🧐, 🤦🏾♀️, moments with him. Let's be clear, the different side was just as good, it's just the characters started off with some sense and then some of their elevators stopped going to the top🤷🏾♀️. Keys was my biggest shocker and favorite character. I can't say he was "backed into a corner" but he made moves like you would think he was, something in him snapped and when it did....
Same for Promise, while Mouse is the "hard" friend and Promise is the "meek" one, it's some shyt about to go down and I am anxious to see Promise's path and the road she is about to go down. I wonder if eventually she might be even too much for Mouse to handle.
Idk if I am suppose to like Asher or not, but I do, a lot. Some would probably call him a sell out, but I call him surviving. It ain't like the nihhs he rolling with is some loyal mfers or like he owe them anything 🙄. Now I am impatiently waiting to see where their beginning is heading. Keys, Promise, and Asher is about to give us one hell of a ride and I for damn sure is hopping in the car!
5*
By K'wan
You know halfway through this book I kept closing the book and looking at the cover to remember who wrote the book that I was reading. Quarantine damn sure had this author writing in a way I wasn't use to. I wanna say I was blown away, but it's no secret that this cat is a beast with it. Promise Broken, a K'wan's love story🥴. Nah, but frfr it is😂, I mean, ummm they trying, I mean, like in a Hustle and Flow type of way😫.
OK, so eventhough K'wan is showing us a totally different side, he eventually returns and bring those 😳, 🧐, 🤦🏾♀️, moments with him. Let's be clear, the different side was just as good, it's just the characters started off with some sense and then some of their elevators stopped going to the top🤷🏾♀️. Keys was my biggest shocker and favorite character. I can't say he was "backed into a corner" but he made moves like you would think he was, something in him snapped and when it did....
Same for Promise, while Mouse is the "hard" friend and Promise is the "meek" one, it's some shyt about to go down and I am anxious to see Promise's path and the road she is about to go down. I wonder if eventually she might be even too much for Mouse to handle.
Idk if I am suppose to like Asher or not, but I do, a lot. Some would probably call him a sell out, but I call him surviving. It ain't like the nihhs he rolling with is some loyal mfers or like he owe them anything 🙄. Now I am impatiently waiting to see where their beginning is heading. Keys, Promise, and Asher is about to give us one hell of a ride and I for damn sure is hopping in the car!
5*
February 29, 2024
I don't know what to say about this installment. I feel like just as I was getting to the nitty-gritty it was over.
Promise having to live with her hateful aunt and cousin was a terrible fate after having a loving mother. I could already tell by the lil bit that did happen, and the way things were playing out that her bestie Mouse, will be getting her in more trouble than she can handle. And Keys! Seems like he might be a bit more dangerous than the Don will know what to do with.
So after re-reading 2024 in anticipation for part 2 dropping, I still agree with my previous review about just getting to the real part of the story then it being over. But that's normal with the author. He leaves you wanting more. But I realize I didn't say anything about Asher. That boy ain't got no loyalty to nobody but himself. I think him & Promise will run into each other again & he's gonna think he can still run that game on her but it's gonna be a different Promise. Plus he's out here taking credit for something he didn't do & I can't wait to see how that plays out as well.
Promise having to live with her hateful aunt and cousin was a terrible fate after having a loving mother. I could already tell by the lil bit that did happen, and the way things were playing out that her bestie Mouse, will be getting her in more trouble than she can handle. And Keys! Seems like he might be a bit more dangerous than the Don will know what to do with.
So after re-reading 2024 in anticipation for part 2 dropping, I still agree with my previous review about just getting to the real part of the story then it being over. But that's normal with the author. He leaves you wanting more. But I realize I didn't say anything about Asher. That boy ain't got no loyalty to nobody but himself. I think him & Promise will run into each other again & he's gonna think he can still run that game on her but it's gonna be a different Promise. Plus he's out here taking credit for something he didn't do & I can't wait to see how that plays out as well.
March 29, 2022
K'wan has done it again. Created characters that I became invested in with a fast paced plot.
I'm very familiar with Newark, NJ and could picture everywhere I was reading about.
Promise is biracial. Her mother African, her father White. Her father isn't in the picture. She's only seen him once or twice. So when her mother Fatima died about a year ago her aunt took her in. Her aunt is horrible, and abusive. All Promise wants to do is graduate high school and be left alone. When the book opens her and her best friend Mouse are being held somewhere in a department store after being caught shoplifting. Promise, Mouse and a boy named Keys make up a friend trio. We follow their highs and lows in the city of Newark with other characters in the mix.
I cannot stand Zul, Ab, Asher, Ruby or Starla.
I love how K'wan incorporates characters from his other books in a lot of his reads
4.5 stars. Half a star deducted for the prologue that left me wondering and the somewhat abrupt ending.
I'm very familiar with Newark, NJ and could picture everywhere I was reading about.
Promise is biracial. Her mother African, her father White. Her father isn't in the picture. She's only seen him once or twice. So when her mother Fatima died about a year ago her aunt took her in. Her aunt is horrible, and abusive. All Promise wants to do is graduate high school and be left alone. When the book opens her and her best friend Mouse are being held somewhere in a department store after being caught shoplifting. Promise, Mouse and a boy named Keys make up a friend trio. We follow their highs and lows in the city of Newark with other characters in the mix.
I cannot stand Zul, Ab, Asher, Ruby or Starla.
I love how K'wan incorporates characters from his other books in a lot of his reads
4.5 stars. Half a star deducted for the prologue that left me wondering and the somewhat abrupt ending.
June 15, 2024
3.5-3.75 ⭐️’s the second half was really good!
March 29, 2024
CW: Sexual Assault, Violence, Drug and alcohol abuse, Colorism, Sexism
For the title to be “Promise Broken” very little of the story ACTUALLY revolves around Promise. It’s hard to keep up with who’s who in the story. Plot wise, it’s quite simple: you have a girl growing up in a drug and gang-riddled neighborhood who has a bad home life and tries to find love wherever she can get it. But, there’s also all of these side characters that have similar experiences. One of them either being terrible parental presence or no parental presence at all.
Furthermore, this book REEKS of misogyny. Like seriously, why do all of the male AND female characters hate women?!?! Like Asher is cheating on Ruby CONSTANTLY. Ruby knows this and, instead of breaking up with him, she threatens to kill every girl he cheats on her with. Then, her friend schemes to get Promise SA’d because she and Asher may or may not have had sex. Like, the men are TRASH. TAKE THEM OUT TO THE CURB WHERE THEY BELONG.
Then, my other issue is the blatant colorism directed toward Promise. My understanding, given the timeline, is that this is within the last 4 years. Promise is half black, presumably rather light skinned. The fact that ALL OF THESE PEOPLE continue to call her “white girl” or fetishize her “whiteness” is WEIRD to me and it CLEARLY bothers Promise at the end of the book but, because the fucking namesake of the novel is so minutely featured, it’s like her opinion doesn’t matter. If she is the namesake of the book, the fact she is so minimized and belittled is so fucked up and weird. You might as well call it “Man’s World” or something.
I hope Promise and Mouse make it out better in the next one because this was not it.
For the title to be “Promise Broken” very little of the story ACTUALLY revolves around Promise. It’s hard to keep up with who’s who in the story. Plot wise, it’s quite simple: you have a girl growing up in a drug and gang-riddled neighborhood who has a bad home life and tries to find love wherever she can get it. But, there’s also all of these side characters that have similar experiences. One of them either being terrible parental presence or no parental presence at all.
Furthermore, this book REEKS of misogyny. Like seriously, why do all of the male AND female characters hate women?!?! Like Asher is cheating on Ruby CONSTANTLY. Ruby knows this and, instead of breaking up with him, she threatens to kill every girl he cheats on her with. Then, her friend schemes to get Promise SA’d because she and Asher may or may not have had sex. Like, the men are TRASH. TAKE THEM OUT TO THE CURB WHERE THEY BELONG.
Then, my other issue is the blatant colorism directed toward Promise. My understanding, given the timeline, is that this is within the last 4 years. Promise is half black, presumably rather light skinned. The fact that ALL OF THESE PEOPLE continue to call her “white girl” or fetishize her “whiteness” is WEIRD to me and it CLEARLY bothers Promise at the end of the book but, because the fucking namesake of the novel is so minutely featured, it’s like her opinion doesn’t matter. If she is the namesake of the book, the fact she is so minimized and belittled is so fucked up and weird. You might as well call it “Man’s World” or something.
I hope Promise and Mouse make it out better in the next one because this was not it.
January 8, 2026
I couldn't get how Promise aunt Dell treated her. I wanted to jump through this book and drag that jealous and evil witch. Promise didn't realize that her Aunt Dell was treating her like that because she was still jealous of Promise deceased mother. Dell was a abusive, bitter, fat b***h. It didn't make it no better that she allowed her daughter to treat Promise like s**t too. One thing Dell said out of her trifling ass mouth that was true. Mouse being the downfall of Promise. I understand Mouse and Promise friendship. It truly was genuine. Mouse came from a screw up home too. Her mother was a crackhead who didn't do anything for Mouse or her little sister. Mouse had to get out there and make it happen. However hooking up with Ab wasn't the best solution. With them being best friends. Promise was around Mouse, Ab, and the rest of the hustlers as well but I knew some bs was going to pop off. Especially with Promise having a crush on Asher dog ass knowing his girlfriend Ruby was a broad who didn't gaf about pulling the trigger. You could tell Asher was tired of Ruby because she acted more like a n***a in the streets instead of a young woman. Ruby was crazy, obsessed, and homicidal when it came to Asher. Lowkey Asher was a snake though. Working for Ab and B Stone. Asher went against the grain setting up B Stone opp. Which backfired. Asher had no clue that B Stone would've rather finished his war with Zul in the streets instead of allowing Saud and Asher to set Zul up to go to prison. B Stone didn't trust Asher but Asher made him money. Zul was back for revenge. Promise had no clue was she was really getting herself into hanging with Mouse and the crew until she found herself raped.
April 7, 2025
Hey, hey, my favorites 😀💚
K’wan never fails to deliver when it comes to raw, unfiltered storytelling—and Promise Broken is no exception. Though it’s one of his older works, this book still hits with the same intensity and streetwise grit that made K’wan a staple in urban fiction.
The story revolves around Promise, a woman trying to hold onto her sanity and dignity while navigating love, betrayal, and survival in a world where loyalty is rare and the game is ruthless. K’wan paints her character with such vulnerability and strength that you can’t help but root for her, even when the choices get messy.
What makes this book stand out is the emotional depth. K’wan doesn’t just write about the streets—he writes about the people in them. Their dreams, their heartbreaks, their humanity. Promise Broken explores how the past can haunt you and how sometimes, healing means walking away from everything you thought you knew.
Even years after its release, this book still feels relevant. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue is real, and the twists will have you turning pages way past bedtime. Whether you’re new to K’wan or revisiting his catalog, Promise Broken is a powerful reminder of why he’s a legend in the game.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
A gritty, emotional ride full of heart and hard truths. Classic K’wan.
K’wan never fails to deliver when it comes to raw, unfiltered storytelling—and Promise Broken is no exception. Though it’s one of his older works, this book still hits with the same intensity and streetwise grit that made K’wan a staple in urban fiction.
The story revolves around Promise, a woman trying to hold onto her sanity and dignity while navigating love, betrayal, and survival in a world where loyalty is rare and the game is ruthless. K’wan paints her character with such vulnerability and strength that you can’t help but root for her, even when the choices get messy.
What makes this book stand out is the emotional depth. K’wan doesn’t just write about the streets—he writes about the people in them. Their dreams, their heartbreaks, their humanity. Promise Broken explores how the past can haunt you and how sometimes, healing means walking away from everything you thought you knew.
Even years after its release, this book still feels relevant. The pacing is sharp, the dialogue is real, and the twists will have you turning pages way past bedtime. Whether you’re new to K’wan or revisiting his catalog, Promise Broken is a powerful reminder of why he’s a legend in the game.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
A gritty, emotional ride full of heart and hard truths. Classic K’wan.
March 5, 2024
I’m a big urban fiction fan and this is my introduction to K’wan. Lemme say that he didn’t disappoint. For this to be 400+ pages this was a breeze. This was really a page turner.
The bond Promise and Mouse has is solid. I love how they look out for one another. For B-Stone to be this big shot he’s so sloppy with his movements. I just couldn’t get with his character. I find Zul funny asf. When he was in Asher kitchen cooking breakfast with his mom apron on I was weak. He’s nothing to play with. He’s dangerous. He’s probably one of my faves out of all the characters. I dislike Asher. He’s not loyal in my book and imma leave it at that. I want more of Keys. I’m interested in him. The ending of this is shocking. I’m so ready for part 2. It’s about to go down.
The bond Promise and Mouse has is solid. I love how they look out for one another. For B-Stone to be this big shot he’s so sloppy with his movements. I just couldn’t get with his character. I find Zul funny asf. When he was in Asher kitchen cooking breakfast with his mom apron on I was weak. He’s nothing to play with. He’s dangerous. He’s probably one of my faves out of all the characters. I dislike Asher. He’s not loyal in my book and imma leave it at that. I want more of Keys. I’m interested in him. The ending of this is shocking. I’m so ready for part 2. It’s about to go down.
June 9, 2024
This the first book I have read by K'Wan and not familiar with what other reviews have call "urban fiction." K'Wan's writing gives the reader a realistic view of a community of individuals who are living a struggling life of poverty, drugs, petty crime, gang rivalry, terrorization tiring to survive at all means. For Promise the main character in the novel, living a life short on love and support works hard to outrun a life outside the drudge of her community. Promise is smart, but her status is always at odds with her loyalties, especially to her companion Mouse. They both run for their lives when their world turns inside out when the situation in their little community takes a hard turn, and everything goes to pot. So, its run Promise run with Mouse not far behind.
April 27, 2024
A raw portrayal of urban life!
K'wan never fails to write it like it is. His portrayal traps me in the characters and transports me to the scenes. When you are born and raised in Newark, NJ the scenes become visual for you. The events are representation of what you may have endured or heard of in your upbringing.
This story is tension filled and then BOOM!! The explosion happens. Every small thing done, every corner you decided to turn and every step you decided to make... whether right or wrong comes to a crossroad of an inevitable end. Let's just hope you survive the day to see another!
My only dilemma is I wish the audible characters had their own voice.
K'wan never fails to write it like it is. His portrayal traps me in the characters and transports me to the scenes. When you are born and raised in Newark, NJ the scenes become visual for you. The events are representation of what you may have endured or heard of in your upbringing.
This story is tension filled and then BOOM!! The explosion happens. Every small thing done, every corner you decided to turn and every step you decided to make... whether right or wrong comes to a crossroad of an inevitable end. Let's just hope you survive the day to see another!
My only dilemma is I wish the audible characters had their own voice.
June 15, 2022
*SPOILERS* mouse is a terrible friend. I do not care. Mouse does not have Promise’s best interest at heart she’s just the best person Promise has in her life which is sad. Mouse got Promise in trouble from start to finish of this book. I love this character. I have a few questions though. What happened to Mouse’s sister when they were on the run? And if there throat slash was his official cause of death what’s the point in still running? Was Fatima from the Other series supposed to be Promise’s mom or did they just have the same name? I wonder if it was Saud who killed B stone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2022
K’wan has done it again with Promise Broken! What I love most about his novels is that there aren’t “happy” endings, there are realistic endings. And how this one ended, had me wanting to walk to his crib and demand part 2 lol. Once you start it, you won’t be able to put it down. I got it done in an afternoon. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Promise, Mouse, and Asher. I’m just hoping we can double back and beat Promise’s auntie down just one good time lbvs! That lady was wrecking my nerves. Check this one out everyone, you won’t be disappointed!
November 9, 2025
The cliff hanger 😭
I'm so mad rn at the author. Like K'wan bro! Why would you do that to me? This book was extremely good! I loved how the author wrote exactly how the characters would talk. This book was full of plot twists and foreshadowing. I loved it! B-Stone had it coming. The way Mouse murdered him though, plain old cold. I can't wait till I can get the next book. I'm dying to know what happens to Mouse and Promise. Anddddd, to know if anything between Asher and Promise happens.
Anyways, bye all!
I'm so mad rn at the author. Like K'wan bro! Why would you do that to me? This book was extremely good! I loved how the author wrote exactly how the characters would talk. This book was full of plot twists and foreshadowing. I loved it! B-Stone had it coming. The way Mouse murdered him though, plain old cold. I can't wait till I can get the next book. I'm dying to know what happens to Mouse and Promise. Anddddd, to know if anything between Asher and Promise happens.
Anyways, bye all!
May 4, 2022
Wooooo…. If you don’t know. I love me some K’Wan books. Broken Promise was a great read. I listened to it on Audible. It kept my attention the whole time.
I’m excited to see what happens in the next episode to Promise, Mouse, Asher and Keys (now I know why they call him that)
I’m excited and ready for book 2 of the promise series.
I’m excited to see what happens in the next episode to Promise, Mouse, Asher and Keys (now I know why they call him that)
I’m excited and ready for book 2 of the promise series.
May 12, 2023
Excellent book!
This series is beginning with a smash. Promise, Mouse, Keys and Asher. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. We read about a crazy girlfriend, mean aunt and cousin, drugs, murder, attempted rape and mayhem. I like books written by this writer. The characters, my goodness and I know who the murderer is.
This series is beginning with a smash. Promise, Mouse, Keys and Asher. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. We read about a crazy girlfriend, mean aunt and cousin, drugs, murder, attempted rape and mayhem. I like books written by this writer. The characters, my goodness and I know who the murderer is.
January 10, 2024
I listened to this in anticipation of the sequel. Promise and Mouse are two young girls trying to navigate the hand life has dealt them. With Promise being raised by her cruel aunt and Mouse's mother a junkie, life has not been easy for either girl. Just when things start looking up for them, Promise and Mouse are placed in a situation that could cause them to lose their lives or freedom.
Even though Promise and Mouse didn't always make the best decisions, they were still very likeable characters. I thought Mouse was going to end of being apart of Promise's downfall but Mouse had her back when it mattered most.
While I enjoyed what Asher's character brought to the story, I hated the way he treated Promise. From the beginning it was hard to tell if his feelings for her were genuine or if he was just using her.
In Promise Kept, I'm interested to see how Keys is adjusting to working with Don B. I’m also curious to see how things will play out between Lord Scientific and Don B. Every dog has its day, and I can't wait to see what that looks like for Ruby, Starla, and Aunt Dell.
Promise Broken touches on some heavy topics and was a great read. My only grip is the narrator. I am not a fan of Honey Jones. Hearing her call Mouse, Moose was like nails on a chalk board.
Overall, this was a great book. K'wan never disappoints.
Audible time: 8h 27m
Even though Promise and Mouse didn't always make the best decisions, they were still very likeable characters. I thought Mouse was going to end of being apart of Promise's downfall but Mouse had her back when it mattered most.
While I enjoyed what Asher's character brought to the story, I hated the way he treated Promise. From the beginning it was hard to tell if his feelings for her were genuine or if he was just using her.
In Promise Kept, I'm interested to see how Keys is adjusting to working with Don B. I’m also curious to see how things will play out between Lord Scientific and Don B. Every dog has its day, and I can't wait to see what that looks like for Ruby, Starla, and Aunt Dell.
Promise Broken touches on some heavy topics and was a great read. My only grip is the narrator. I am not a fan of Honey Jones. Hearing her call Mouse, Moose was like nails on a chalk board.
Overall, this was a great book. K'wan never disappoints.
Audible time: 8h 27m
January 19, 2024
Wow! Just wow! I love the new characters and the journey that they're taking us on. It was also to see some old faces even though I hated one of them with a passion! My favorite characters are Promise, Asher and Keys. My most hated characters are Saud and B-Stone. Overall this was a great read and I'm looking forward to part 2!
April 2, 2024
This book was so good!!!!! Reread it so that I could be up to speed for Promise Kept. I can't wait to see how Promise and Mouse change. I wonder if they will start over somewhere new or go back home. I hope that book two explores Key's life a little more. He changed from the beginning being a sweet kid to ruthless killer.
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