Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Healing a gangsta's Heart

Rate this book
At a very young age, Gabrielle Reddy knew what true love was. She knew that Red would always be there for her and would do anything to make sure she wanted for nothing. His love was unconditional. Red promised Gabrielle the world but couldn’t promise that he’d be in it forever.

They say it’s better to have loved than not loved at all but Gabrielle looked at life differently. Instead of dealing and then healing from what happened to Red, Gabrielle ran away from everything and everyone that reminded her of her first love.

One treacherous event lands Gabrielle crossing paths with the infamous Chance “Pressure” Davis. Even though Pressure reminded Gabrielle of everything she lost, for the life of her, she couldn’t run from him. Did she really want to? In the streets, Pressure is the man and he’s quickly trying to be the man in Gabrielle’s life too.

The only thing standing in the way is the undying love Gabrielle has for Red. Pressure has never felt for anybody the way he does for Gabrielle but he’s not willing to live in the shadows of or compete with a dead man.

Sometimes people come into your life for a reason or a season and soon, Pressure will realize that it’s either go big or go home. After dealing with a headstrong and stubborn woman like Gabrielle, he just might choose to go home. On the other hand, Gabrielle will too soon find out that sometimes a gangsta's heart ain’t worth healing

Paperback

Published May 28, 2021

152 people are currently reading
155 people want to read

About the author

M. Monique

47 books376 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
700 (84%)
4 stars
111 (13%)
3 stars
17 (2%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
Profile Image for Annette Williams.
1,196 reviews418 followers
October 19, 2021
Healing a Gangsta's Heart started off pretty slow. It took a minute for me to really get into and I'm wondering if it's because M. Monique co-authored this book? It just didn't have that umph the previous books had. But, with that said, I was still a huge fan of Gabby and Chance. I was rooting for them from chapter one. Gabby has been stuck on this rollercoaster of grief for nine years after she lost her husband and baby. When she saves Chance's life, her heart is very much guarded from love. So, romance was the last thing she was thinking about but it was definitely on his mind. Gabby not only impresses Chance with her skills but, she leaves a lasting impression. So much so, that he pulls up on her in Florida and pretty much starts to woo her whether she wanted him to or not. Chance had a lot of the same qualities as Red so, it was hard for Gabby to not be attracted to him. I was so happy when she finally stop fighting her attraction to Chance and opened herself up to love. She definitely deserved a second chance (no pun intended) at love. That backstabbin' azz Porsha got off too easy. That heffa deserved to have a few hot ones put in her. Porsha was such a damn snake. How you gon' be envious and jealous of your BFF to the point where you actually hate her and not have a logical reason for all that hatred?!!! She had a good man. Now, he wasn't on the same level as Chance or Red but, for Porsha, Latrell was as good as she was gon' get. She was so busy trying to compete with Gabby, Porsha almost lost her own damn husband. She was so selfish and undeserving of Latrell. Yeah, Porsha definitely deserved to be visited by Karma. While it got off to a slow start, all in all, Healing a Gangsta's Heart was a pretty good read.
Profile Image for Jaliesa.
183 reviews10 followers
April 1, 2024
MR.& MRS. DAVIS … Round of applause 👏🏾 🥰

If you would of told me 2 authors wrote this book , I would of been like how???!!! THIS ….. Masterpiece…
Heartbreaking , grieving, just so many emotions. & when I feel all the feels I’m suppose to I know hand down it’s going to be good Asfreak!!! Writing impeccable !!!

Red ….. so freaking sad what happened , but it had to go that way so you can really appreciate the story that much more and did I!!!!


Chance Pressure Davis!!! Pressure and some it wasn’t letting up and I love how soft , good and loving he was with Gabriella , I knew I was going love him HELL THEM!! gabby how she took care of him with out even so much knowing him, how he haunted her down!!! That first kiss hell I even felt that! Soo much to unpack with them , but I’m NOT !!! Just real life gangster love story!!!! I was so happy when she really allowed her self to love she’s been through so much and she deserve it all!!! & I was in awe & literal bliss ! DR. Gabby was that girl! I love the other side to her… just whew! Ready!

I’m so obsessed… 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟

Why some of friends be sooooooo Jealous.. ugh I hate that so much! But the strength gabby held with Porsha. I knew she was going be on so BS From the start and it never fail . But at least she had one that was riding for her Evie was a great friend to her relationship genuine and you respected it so much! They both was good to each other solid !!!

Both parents was everything !!! I can go on and on but I’m Not Read!!! Done less than 24 hours!

Now it’s Chance , Dallas & Ilyon for me ! Never letting up! 🙃!!!


Well done A.J & M.Monique!
Profile Image for Kami Holt.
797 reviews54 followers
March 25, 2021
❤❤

I Loved It! At this point I'm convinced that Author M Monique can do no wrong and she never disappoints! This was a great collab because they complemented each other well. Author A.J. brings all the laughter and it really made these characters shine. I loved Pressure and he's definitely book bae material. Gabby was anything to play with even from the very beginning. She's a real G 🔥Great Job
Profile Image for Lizzy Clark.
848 reviews28 followers
April 7, 2021
This collaboration was so motherfudgesicklestix🔥🔥🔥!!!

This is my first read by Queen A.J, but for the last week and a half I've gone through Queen M Monique catalog and she never disappoints. This collaboration was dope asf, from beginning to end I was on the edge of my seat. It's like the moment you think you know who did what, you're shocked you find out who really set everything in motion😳.

Gabby story started out with a double tragedy. From their to vowed to stay away from love and her hometown Atlanta. 9 years later she's still guarded from love but due to who she considers her bestie guilt trip her into returning for her wedding, despite knowing the pain Atlanta brings her. While visiting she crosses paths with Pressure and risks her life to save his. Now sis was definitely knows how to work under pressure and the things she accomplished for him in the week she spent nursing him back to health, wow😳. After snatching his soul through a kids he wakes up to a note.

I'll take Chance"Pressure"Davis any day of the week😜😍. This man stalked Gabby house for 3 weeks before he finds her through her realtor who just so happened to be her father. One surprise visit to Orlando leads to a budding romance that although Gabby tries hard to fight it, she can't deny the way Chance makes her feel. When he popped up after she had a horrible week sealed the deal and that sex😜💦🔥.

If jealous, trifling, miserable back stabbing bih was a person, it would be Porsha🙄😒. She got off easy.
I loved Evie💕

Daron, Greene & Holas got what they deserved🤷🏽

Reds parents🙄. His momma was a gold digging, disrespectful big, who needed to take a bite of some humble pie.

I would definitely read another collaboration from these 2 beauties💕
Profile Image for Rashawnda.
1,391 reviews1,135 followers
June 22, 2022
This is easily my 15th ish book that’s I’ve read by M. Monique and she really does not miss!! Had me crying right out the gate!! My goodness I couldn’t imagine Gabby’s hurt. Red was a real one for sure! I loved the slow burning love in this book between Gabby and Chance. They built a solid relationship and he catered to her before sex even entered the picture and baby when it did, because it did!!! 🔥🔥🔥 The chemistry was obvious from their first meeting. Chance aka Pressure was a whole gangsta in these streets and he was the definition of BDE. Gabby was a whole goon herself and learned from the best! Don’t let the white coat fool you! I loved the plot and the progression of the story. Evie was a real one and I’m glad Gabby had her! I was suspecting someone else to be the culprit the entire time and was shocked by the turn of events! Too good! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2,072 reviews14 followers
April 4, 2021
Great read!

I’ve read many books by A.J.Davidson and none by M. Monigue, but I must say that they do a great job with this collaboration. It was well written and drew me in as a reader. The character development of Chance and Gabrielle was awesome. I loved the way that they each had alter egos that they would bring forth when needed (Pressure and Gabby). I only wish Portia had caught some hands. Great job ladies!
Profile Image for tanessia ford.
3,994 reviews
March 25, 2021
Pressure

Pressure really was that real one! I was looking for him in the daylight with a flashlight! He is most definitely in my top 5 M.Monique book baes! He had me at in your throat! I was like uas zaddy! Just all the bde! This book had it all! I was so mad it was over! I was right about 2 things. But that one thing I did not see coming! Incredible job! I hope to see another collab.
Profile Image for Alexis&#x1f49b;.
187 reviews
May 13, 2024
“Chance was sweet, while Pressure was…pressure.”

C. Pressure Davis!!👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 do not and I repeat do not play with him but Mrs. Davis is the REAL GANGSTER and if you didn’t get that from reading this you need to go read it one more time… GABRIELLE REDDY-DAVIS!!! Yes ma’am she gone handle hers everytime


So glad the “bad guys” got what was coming to them…whole time “it be the people closest to you!”


Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Ladi Kreyol.
202 reviews45 followers
March 5, 2024
M Monique and AJ Davidson did that!!! Baby the FMC was down to ride and was not afraid to give nobody the business! She is my favorite FMC and a woman after my own heart. And baby the plot was twisting!!!!
355 reviews2 followers
April 30, 2021
5 stars!!!

Now this book was a cold gangsta down book!!! I love the fact that the woman was the main character and how she was so loyal, knowledgeable and loving. I loved that she wasn't a hoodrat gold digger lol the norm. The fact that both Red And Pressure where there at the right time made the book extra special for me
Profile Image for Jasmine.
73 reviews
January 26, 2025
This book made me cry 😢 Gabby deserved happiness
Profile Image for Crimson.
609 reviews4 followers
July 10, 2025
Great read

I'm not sure how I skipped reading this book, but I'm officially caught up. This was a really good read.
Profile Image for Elishica Romar-cain.
2 reviews
June 27, 2021
Great book

The best standalone book that I’ve ever read on kindle!!! Red, Pressure and Gabrielle are the best thought out characters and the author gives a whole story that isn’t rushed!!
441 reviews2 followers
May 23, 2021
Aww..this was so good! Please I will take a Chance with Pressure for 200 please

This right here was the bomb.... I read this in one night and I was so sad and annoyed when it was finished.
I really thought I was going to stop reading this and look for another book after a couple chapters in and Gabrielle was getting on my nerves with her Red thing but I was happy now that I pushed through because this was surpasses to being good. Gabrielle was a good, beautiful soul and intelligent at that.
Chance “pressure”, dang the only thing I can say is just like in these game shows “I will take a chance with all of the pressure for 200 please, Alex”.... he is my next book bae with his dedication, strength, patience and determination any day.
Porsha definitely deserved to be visited by Karma because for all of those who only has a one parent household, Kema would be fine as well. Greene, Daron, Hans all got the best treatment...
but I have to say, for all the money and buying that Chance is doing, and how big of a king pin you are, you should have been bought a jet already or upgrade traveling in a jet than flying commercial. That was probably the only annoying thing that I could have gotten from this story....
Now let me go look for something as equal as this who would also garner more than the 5 stars allocated🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Profile Image for Beverly Miller.
147 reviews5 followers
March 26, 2021
Loved It!!

M. Monique & A J Davidson, you ladies did your thing on this book. Gabby, was what you called a real one, she loved with everything inside of her and more. I see why Red,made sure she was happy. I shed a few tears at the beginning of the book, for her to lose both her husband and baby because of people being so jealous, and Gabby's so called friend Porsha to try and betray her not once ,but twice was a trifling no good whinch. Red's mother was just money hungry, she just want everything because she thought she was entitled to have it. I was glad Chance, stepped in when he did,because Gabby , would have continued just giving and giving.
Profile Image for Toi Debose.
54 reviews
March 25, 2021
Never disappointed with these two authors

I was so excited to see these two authors pair up and now I want more. Their writing flowed together so well and the story had me locked in from start to finish. I teared up, laughed, cussed and got aroused all in one setting. The story line does NOT disappoint and I’m ready for them to do another collab. Let me also say I loved the picture portrayed of Red throughout the story and that Gabby was not a helpless female. The way the flashbacks showed that she went back into “what would Red tell me to do” whenever faced with tough situations gave me COMPLETE LIFE! Kudos ladies!!! Job well done. I loved it. Now...when is the next book? 😉
919 reviews
May 3, 2021
I felt the love Gabrielle felt for Antonio Reddy. Their love was so strong it came right off the pages. He thought her so much with the short time they had. Gabby was a “boss” in her own right. After the tragic death of Red, Gabby just lived in a fog and continue to pursue her education, but was not living.

Here comes Chance “Pressure”. How they met was by “chance” but Gabby was at the right place to assist Pressure. The lengths that Pressure went thru to find Gabby was like woo!

There are so many undercover snakes right under your nose were unreal. There always got to be a best friend whose jealous of what someone else has that they will mess up their own happiness.

Pressure had his work cut out for him to woo Gabby. After Gabby realized she getting a second “Chance” at love she embraced it. The only thing I want to know is what did Red parents did with all those millions SMH. Some folks just trifling ugh.
131 reviews2 followers
April 8, 2021
Another Good One🔥🔥🔥

It started out sorrowful but ended up joyful👏🏽👏🏽💃🏽💃🏽. Red..to be so young yet so responsible❤️. Loved the way he took care of his wife😢. Chance..loved him also. What can I say, MM makes you love all the baes🤣🤣👏🏽👏🏽. He was a boss-boss😉. Gabrielle..loved hard and long. Glad she gave Pressure a Chance😉🤣🤣👏🏽👏🏽. Seriously, these two made my heart glad. As I said, she loves hard. She’s better than me though with the Porsha situation. Porsha was delusional..to the 10th power. Chick made up all kinds of scenarios in her head🤦🏽‍♀️. Just shameful.🤣🤣. Thanks for another fire🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥book. I recommend and I enjoyed it👏🏽👏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽❤️❤️
Profile Image for Candace.
861 reviews8 followers
March 25, 2021
Didn't want it to end!

I'm real life sad that it has ended! It was just something about this book that I couldn't turn away from. I was so in tune with the characters and the storyline. Whewww this was a bomb read. First off Gabrielle was that deal honey! I loved everything about her and Chance was just the icing on her cake. The two of them together was thug love magic lol! Chance was crazy, funny and everything else lmbo! Great read highly recommended. I promise you won't be disappointed and you'll definitely want more💕
62 reviews
March 25, 2021
Pressure is PRESSURE

Baby!! Whew just give me alllllllll the pressure. This read was so good. I love how Pressure took his time with Gabby and didn’t force her but want afraid to check her either. The way Evie spoke Life into G was the definition of a true friend. Porsha Porsha. Jealousy is a strong emotion. It was said that she legit had a good man in Legit but was blinded by being a thot and what others have. Read this. From beginning to end Pressure is just that!! Pressure
932 reviews13 followers
April 7, 2021
🔥🔥

This book was everything!!! The way that Gabrielle lost her first family was heartbreaking I shed tears reading about the love between her and Red and the way she lost him. But baby when she met Chance aka Pressure the things that transpired and the way he pursued and was patient with her until she was able to accept him and love again was beautiful!! This book is definitely one I would recommend anyone to read I loved it!!!
Profile Image for Toni Conerly.
12 reviews
March 25, 2021
Wow!!!!

When two of the best authors out right now collab this is what you get! This book gives you everything you need and want in urban fiction romance! Once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down! Forget every book Bae you’ve ever had cause non of them compare to Chance Pressure Davis! Wheeeewww chile! This book was everything!!!
Profile Image for Tamra Williams.
48 reviews
March 25, 2021
Wow

This was a great story! Y’all definitely did your thing with this one! I hated how Red died but I get it, Gabby had a second CHANCE at love and I’m glad she took it and got her happy ending! Whew Red mama was greedy asf! And whoresha got what she deserved in the end... that broad was delusional!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,328 reviews2 followers
March 26, 2021
Great standalone💞💕💞💕

I loved the way Red loved Gabby but he was taken from her and she was left with a broken heart. I knew Pressure was going to change gabbys outlook on love. It takes the right one to mend a broken heart. Porscha was a evil jealous bitter person who needs enemies with friendemies like that. Loved this story💛💚💙💗💖💕💔💓💜💝💞💟
Profile Image for Paula Milan.
1,291 reviews34 followers
March 26, 2021
Satisfied Reader

I love Lil Baby. She will save a life and then take one in the same breath. She was at the right place at the right time. Pressue was the beast but Chance was the man. Greene and Daron thought they weren’t going to be found out. I didn’t like Porsha jealous tail and she better be grateful that Gabby has a big heart. This book was good from start to finish
.
1,415 reviews13 followers
May 2, 2021
Excellent!!!

These two authors did their thing with this one. I love that it was a standalone. I actually could have gone for a few more chapters, that’s how sweet Chance’s and Gabby’s love was. I liked that the authors took their time developing their love. Chance had to be gentle and patient with Gabby given how traumatized she was. Their love was organic.
Profile Image for Iris Freeman.
270 reviews1 follower
March 27, 2021
Nothing but the truth

Gabrielle was a true gangsta, I'm so glad that she was able to love Chance. I loved that she was a woman with a career and not just depending on her man. Evie was a fool loved that she wanted her friend happy after her cousin died. Good and different story.
Profile Image for Will City.
1,190 reviews6 followers
March 28, 2021
Great collaboration

I’m was praying that Chance didn’t know who killed Red and I wish she would have fucked Porsha up I hate a jealous bitch who don’t have a reason to be but it was a great collaboration overall
Profile Image for Denetta Banks.
3,804 reviews21 followers
March 29, 2021
Still Laughing

I really enjoyed this story. It is well written with a steady flow. The characters are likeable, interesting, and dealing with trauma. There is love, laughs, pain, and jealousy. I am still laughing at some of it.
Profile Image for Smiley_Tae.
199 reviews1 follower
April 18, 2021
Worth the read

I read this book based on a review left by someone in a book club, Hopeful Heartbreakers. The review was accurate, this is truly a good urban fiction. I loved that the heroine was just as deadly as the hero and that through it all love still prevailed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.