Notorious

Notorious #2

by Kiki Swinson

After the drama in Playing Dirty, Yoshi Lomax is on the run, but trouble follows her wherever she goes. . .

When things get too hot in Miami, criminal lawyer Yoshi figures she'll be safe if she goes home to Norfolk, Virginia, for a little while. But the streets there are just as mean, and a sistah needs to keep her head to avoid getting popped by a drive-by. And when Yoshi witnesses the brutal murder of a snitch by a ruthless drug dealer, she knows she'll be the next one in the gangsta's sights. Out of time and abandoned by everyone but her cousin Carmen, Yoshi's goin' to have to learn to fight back if she wants to live another day. . .

Genres: Urban, Audiobook, African American

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

To say I was totally disappointed in this story would be an understatement...this was the 2nd installment in the series featuring Yoshi Lomax. The first book was action packed and full of dirty tricks, loads of money and high fashion. I immediately picked up this work expecting more of the same. However, Yoshi went to see her country relatives and spent her days talking to grandma Hattie and driving a Honda. There was little connection to her life in Miami and no one was looking for her either. Where did all of her money go? Where exactly did she get the fake passport? How did she remember Carmen's phone number? These long lost relatives just took her in? Come on now let's get real.

Kiki Swinson usually keeps me turning the pages and cussing the character...I actually put this book down and took a nap. Use your reading time diving into something more intriguing. Glad I'm returning this to the library tomorrow.

[LaLa Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t hate Yoshi this book but I still don’t like her. She is so uppity and manages to have no respect for anyone she crosses paths with. This book seemed very unrealistic.
- she came back to the USA but no one is looking for her.
- she connects with long lost family that is so loyal that they choose her over their own mom
- she meets a man that breaks the law for her and risk his life and relationship with his brother for after just 2 weeks of knowing her.

Overall the book was just okay kind of disappointing not much action seemed like it all got tossed in during the last couple chapters.

[Vi Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good fun read that helped me unwind from a previous read that dealt with a serious subject: suicide. Notorious picks up the life of Yoshi Lomax while she is on the run from authorities in Florida. She has been framed for the murder of her boyfriend and friend. She arrives in Baltimore to hide out only to run into more trouble and more murders.

[Latoshia Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

I don't like the way it ended. What happened to her? Almost like she stopped in the middle of a story instead of the end.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yoshi had it all until she didn't. This book to me is more about pride. Don't let pride get in the way.

[Phoebe Pitchford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This charter here is the Ish! True to the game!!! 5 star read.

[shirley faniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and understanding Yoshi family drama. Now it needs a book 3 so we know if she was able to beat the charges.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only Yoshi could be on the run and get caught up as a witness to a murder. Just coming from the store and minding her own business. Then to top it all off she is kicking it with the brother of the murder. That is messed up. One of the questions in the packet was asking what is the difference between this Yoshi and the Yoshi from the first book. This Yoshi actually started caring about others and learned to love others. Where as in the first book she was out for self. I also liked how she tried to kick knowledge and wisdom to Carmen and Rachel whenever she could. She knew when to hold back and when not to. My favorite was when she pulled over and saw Rachel standing there going off on her boyfriend and his friends were standing to the side. Yoshi tried to kick her some knowledge and let her know not to let any type of mail drama knock her off her square. Loved this book. Can't wait to see how Yoshi clears her name.

[Gw · Rating 1 out of 5]

DAH.. I can't find the the first book so let me say that one is DAH too! I have the 3rd one it's been sitting on my shelf for years I just haven't gotten around to throwing it away! A strong black woman with a promising career as a criminal attorney and u want me to believe she would risk all of that for a freakin criminal? Please!! That is not even good story to make up, unless he like a childhood mistake that she will prosecute anyway cuz it's her dam job now and he need to know and respect that! I mean I was waiting for the dam story to take a sensible turn? YTF we( black women) always got settle for some dam BS?! Please I can't see it! DAH! I am not interested in anotha story abt one of us bein dumb! I honestly doubt that shit would eva happen?!!

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

May be spoilers in this book!!!!!

Wow, man, this book was good really good. I need to read part 1. I didn't know it was a series until after the fact. But Jeez I couldn't put this book down. I like me some Mario. He was so good for her and in helping her and being there for her.

I was mad cause I thought her cousin Carmen was dead. I was like oh heck no. And Melonhead was wrong for killing his own brother best friend. Like, dang you definitely a psychopath. And paranoid.

Also, I was glad that Mario found out that Yoshi was on the run. Because lying to him wasn't right. I think if she would've told him. He would've stayed.

I gotta hurry to read 1 and 3 so I can know what happened in the beginning and what will happen to her in the end. After she goes to Florida.

[Lunden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yoshi is always getting herself in some mess! I knew that when Aunt Sandra was at the house that she would overhear the conversation and start telling everyone she knew. Unfortunately for her, her mouth ended up causing her her life. Typical drug addict behavior. I feel bad for Yoshi because she was trying to escape from her terrible situation in Miami but she found herself in another situation. I loved Mario's character because she needed someone who would calm her down. I want to read the 3rd installment of the serious to see if she gets out of jail and if her and Mario continue their relationship.

[Bri Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

After years of going without reading the second part of this book, I was slightly disappointed. I was able to read Playing Dirty twice with no problems but I can’t say the same for this book. I agree, the sequel is an understatement compared to the first book playing dirty based on suspense, plot twist, and tone. The beginning was very strong, then towards the middle it started to fade and the ending was horrible it was like she gave up an ran out of things to write? it made me think twice on where she was trying to go with this storyline this book. Like what the message here? I guess I have to read the third book to see if it ends with a bang.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

(FROM JACKET)When things get too hot in Miami, criminal lawyer Yoshi figures she'll be safe if she goes home to Norfolk, Virginia, for a little while. But the streets there are just as mean, and a sistah needs to keep her head to avoid getting popped by a drive-by. And when Yoshi witnesses the brutal murder of a snitch by a ruthless drug dealer, she knows she'll be the next one in the gansta's sights. Out of time and abandoned by everyone but her cousin Carmen, Yoshi's goin' to have to learn to fight back if she wants to live another day...

[Dee Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read, full of action. Because I was so captivated with the 1st book, I was able to complete this book in a matter of hours also. As Yoshi escapes set-ups, she drives to Virginia to visit her paternal family to hideout. After setting up camp, she meets new friends & makes new enemies. In a short period of time, she is in more trouble- this time with the local thugs. After a lucky escape from death she decides to turn herself in. Looking forward to reading the finale book in this series.

[Stephany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an alright book. I found out at the END of the book that there is a book before it which would explain Yoshi, the main character and what she does, a lot more. So, I suggest you read the book before it. I can't remember what it's called right now.

If you're into the whole ghetto/gangsta/streets then this book is a great book for you. I'd recommend it. But it'd be a lot better if you read the book before hand.

[Shanae · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definitely was not my favorite urban lit book & I don't think it would make it into my top 10. Unfortunately I found the story a bit slow - maybe there's another book that provided more background to this one because at many parts of the novel I found myself a bit confused. I'm not too sure why that is either. Swinson took the time to elaborate on all those things, but the book itself was a bit bizarre in its plot sequence.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tried to read this years ago and had to put it down for awhile...I think I had overwhelmed myself with the urban lit genre at the time. However being the creature if habit I am and the fact that I do love Kiki swinson I had to give it another shot because it was on my list and I want to read all of her books in order...must say this time around I could not put it down!!! Having a hard time finding book 3 but I will continue my search bc I HAVE to finish!! Great job Ms Swinson!!!

[Teaguem2005 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Let me start by saying the book had lots of action. So for that I rate it 2.75. Deductions simply had to be made for some of its silliness. Even in the discussion questions at the end the author writes "Aunt Sandra spilled the beans to Maceo..." when that's not actually what was written. Why wouldn't Carmen have told Yoshi Mario and Maceo were brothers when she knew who he was and they had already discussed him?

[Mi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, this is the second book in the series, and i didn't read the first one, so i didn't have the back story on the main character. I really felt there was not enough description in the book. I love it when the words paint a picture of the person or place so clearly, that i can picture them in my mind. In the writer's description, she often just named a real life person like idris elba or meagan good instead of describing the person. I think the overall story was ok.

[KayBee's Bookshelf · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring and complete character change and not for the better

Yoshi's character changed from sassy and cocky to one of with no common sense. It was hard to believe it was the same character. There was A LOT of unnecessary dialogue. I was bored throughout. This could have been combined with book one. The author is talented,but this particular storlyine fell flat. All that being said, I will purchase book 3 in hopes that the story picks up for the better.

[Shawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was full of twist and turns. Yoshi really takes you on a roller coaster ride. While reading felt like I was watching a movie that how we'll written the book was, and how well the story plot was.... I felt Yoshi pain and felt the loyalty her cousin had for her. So if you are looking for a 5 star banger the playing dirty series is for you......

Thank you Kiki you did it again!!!!

[Tangie]

I THOUGHT IT WAS VERY GOOD UNTIL I GOT TO THE ENDING. IT LEAVES YOU WONDERING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO YOSHI,NOW THAT SHE IS IN CUSTODY. SO I'M THINKING MAYBE THER IS A ANOTHER BOOK IN THE MAKING!! I HOPE SO CAUSE SO FAR KIKI HAS REALLY BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB. KEEP IT UP!!!!

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was the truth.. I can vouch for somethings that happened to Yoshi in the novel. I've been in situations where I didn't know whether I was going or coming.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Kiki Swinson's books!! They are gritty and keeps you interested!

[Lezlie (Nancy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG Yoshi was a straight up gangster gurl, great book Ms Swinson, first time reading any of your series, can't wait to get into the wifey series.

[Kee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

[Atondriaus]

so far i like the book..

[Camisha]

This Is a must read novel, if your not a KiKi Swinson fan u will be after this one

[T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. I finished this book in two days. It had action, love and foolishness.

[ConSonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it thats all needed to b said.. I hav to get part 3 Quickly.. ;-)