Around the Way Girls

Around The Way Girls Series #1

by Angel M. Hunter, Angel Hunter, Dwayne S. Joseph

Three tough Brooklyn women--Syndi, who vows to escape New York and her dysfunctional family; Angel, who meets her match in a man who knows how to play the game; and Cream, a single mother and stripper who gets embroiled in a dangerous scam--learn valuable lessons in life and love. Reprint

Genres: African American, Urban, Audiobook, Love, Adult

350 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first story was by Angel M. Hunter called Busted and Disguster. It is about a stripper named Cream White. She wanted to get out of stripping and came up with a scam to try and get out.

The second story is Southern Comfort by LaJill Hunt. Sydni wanted to get out of Brooklyn and go off on her own, but she needed the money to do it. She had a white guy friend named Byron. He wanted to be more than friends with her. There was also a guy named Darrius who she could not stand. Her brother Aaron and sister Magic said they think she is in love with Darrius, but she doesn't believe it. Then there is Mr. Joe, who wants to marry their mom, but something about him just doesn't seem right. At the end I was surprised about who was left.

The last story is Played by Dwayne S. Joseph. Angel met this guy Frido. He always seemed like he had business to do, but Angel was not sure what kind of business he was in. She was told his was into dealing drugs. Normally she would have nothing to do with that scene, but she just couldn't but like him. Frido would come and pick her up from work every day, but then things changed. I really hated Frido. He acted like he was all that, but the way he treated Angel toward the end I just couldn't believe.

I loved this book!

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

Around the Way Girls by Angel Hunter [Angel M. Hunter], Dwayne Joseph [Dwayne S. Joseph], and
La Jill Hunt
Around The Way Girls Series #1
9h 37m narrated by Honey Jones, 300 pages
Busted and Disgusted by Angel M. Hunter
Southern Comfort by La Jill Hunt
Played by Dwayne S. Joseph

Genre: Urban Fiction, African-American Fiction, Adult Fiction

Featuring: Stripper, Brooklyn, New York; Inconsistencies, Sex - Graphic, Sexual Harassment, Stupidity, Drug Dealers

Rating as a movie: NC-17/ X for
strong sexual content

Songs for the soundtrack: "Dangerously in Love" by Beyoncé, "Juguete De Nadie" by Puerto Rican Power, "Get Busy" by Sean Paul, "Like Glue" by Sean Pau, "Flex" by Cobra, "Snake" by R. Kelly and Big Tigger, "U Got It Bad" by Usher

My rating: ⭐️⭐️½😕
Busted and Disgusted ⭐️⭐️½
Southern Comfort ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Played ⭐️⭐️½

My thoughts: 🤳📴 0% I'm a little annoyed because I think I read this book years ago but it was still on my Wishlist so I don't know if I finished it but I know for sure I've read Southern Comfort, but I could read it again, I hate to waste a library credit.
📱18% 1:43:29 Busted and Disgusted Ch. 6 - I'm certain I read this before as a print book over 10 years ago, I don't know why I would add it to my TBR 6 years ago but I do remember not liking the first story and thinking the last one was okay. I remember why I didn't like this story. The continuity is nonexistent. MC finds herself alone a 16 with a toddler cousin to take care of. She meets her current man at 17 and 7 years later it is the present day with her cousin now 15 years old. It makes no sense. Then, the storyline is just a series of events. I have a good mind to skip this story.
📱22% 2:08:08 Busted and Disgusted Ch. 7 - Meh. But I'm a little intrigued.
🕵🏾‍♀️&🤢 Busted and Disgusted - This story was a hot mess, and when it finally got somewhere, it just ended ... with a very mild resolution. Disappointing!
📱39% 3:47:21 Southern Comfort Ch. 4 - 😕 I knew I should have quit this book, this intro makes the first story look good.
🍑 Southern Comfort - Meh! This story was okay but nothing special. It lacked substance and character development but it was at least a complete story. The MC was a bit of a doormat so I couldn't relate to her actions.
▶️ Played - This story had the strongest plot of the 3 stories but the MC was so stupid it was painful to follow the storyline.

Recommend to others: Maybe. I'm not a fan of these popcorn urban fiction stories, I prefer Hunt's other books that have more substance but I can see others appreciating the fast pace trifling drama of this collection.

[Jai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok so truth is I almost always skip reading the synopsis …. So I didn’t realize this was a book of 3 short stories 3.5 would be my overall rating due to the last story. Shawty was on my last nerve! Girl u knew the deal from the jump and you still chose to play stupid ! Come on Angel! If you are looking for stories to get wrap up in this is for you. If you get invested in characters ! Get ready lol ! Cause Angel and frito whew they had my blood pressure up there . The second story I can’t recall her name but magic had her sister stressed ok lol . But trigger warning with that story. Over all trigger warning of sexual n physical abuse in this books. I will read the next one lets shoot for 4 stars .

[Charniece · Rating 1 out of 5]

When you read a book what are you looking to get from it? Do you read for enjoyment, pleasure or is it just a hobbie of yours? Well, for me reading is a way to escape the tradgedies, drama, and stress of reality. Reading is a way to leave my own life and get lost and entagled in the life of someone else's. Reading gives me a sense of accomplishment when I turn the last page of a book, and I love the knowledge and wisdom I gain from reading. Two days ago I finished a book entitled "Around The Way Girls". This book was not a good read at all! "Around The Way Girls" did not satisfy any of my reasons for reading, told to many of the same type stories, and had to many different authors.

Being a teenager in Philadelphia is hard. People are getting killed, attacked,raped, and assaulted every where you turn. In my life some of these things weigh heavily on my mind causing me stress. Going to school is also another factor in my life to cause stress and drama. The typical he say, she say and drama that fills your high school years certainly have filled my own this year and last. I mean you can try to avoid and evade it and some actually can but with my personality and strong outspoken spirit it is difficult for me to do so. Sometimes this drama becomes frustrating and stressful and you just want to escape If only for an hour or two. Sometimes, life can be boring and you need something to spice it up a little bit. Maybe, you just want to learn something and gain wisdom. Well, if not you then me! These are reasons I like to read to sometimes escape reality. This book did not satisfy any of my reasons for reading. In the book "Around The way Girls" I did not learn anything useful or that I didn't already know. The story's were mostly about the same black ghetto females who get caught up with some drug dealing male. I know the morals and lessons that go with the women who take this road in life. In the book their were a lot of short stories which did not allow me to get personal with any character and follow one story. As soon as I started to get into one story a new one started which became really annoying by the end of the book.

In many urban books the same old story is told with different names and a slight twist and turn. The same drama and high pionts always fill the pages of these types of books. In the book "Around The Way Girls" their was a selection of short stories they were different but they were all the same. The first story was about a stripper who was sick of living in the ghetto and of her drug dealing baby daddy. The next story was about another girl who wanted to escape the ghetto. Basically the book was a song on repeat.

Their were to many authors in the book Around The Way Girls. Each author has their own writing style. Everyone of the authors in the book had a different writing style and used different writing techniques and language to tell their short stories. Some authors used a lot of idioms. Others tried to use a lot of "hood talk" ( slang) which sometimes got so annoying and went a little overboard to the point that I couldn't even understand it. Some authors got very descriptive and others barely described anything. The point I'm trying to make is that different authors write using different writing styles and I didn't like that.

In conclusion I did not like the book Around The Way Girls. This book did not satisfy my reasons for reading. The book had to many authors and to many of the same type stories. I did not enjoy this book at all, although it is popular amongst my peers.






ReadingThe book entitled " Around the Way Girls" was not a good read at all. I felt that the two days I spent reading this book was a waste of valuable time. "Around The Way Girls" was not actually a book that portrayed a story but, more of a collection of short stories.

[Nardsbaby Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Round Which Way

Busted and Disgusted Angel Hunter
Cream White, dealt an hell of a hand young played her stacked deck to the best of her given ability as she did what a girl has to do! Playing herself as a Mistress to get that cash, stripping to pay those bills she falls for a 5% Brother who hustles that she believes will be her King, and complete her dream. As Cream White (whose name ironically is synonymous to her lifestyle) realizes she's trapped in a nightmare she finally wakes up only to discover Kansas is in the opposite direction, friends really do share everything, and her Prince Charming is still a FROG! Cream's DIVA senses seem to keep alerting her to the awaiting danger she appears to be moving forcefully ahead will our Ghetto Diva realize that it's time to move on?

The potential is here for a much better story, the author leaves you assuming that our Around the way girl pumps the brakes, dries her tears, and moves on living happily ever after with Runner up #1 in Jersey....

F.Y.I...I wish I would find a Bro in the hood name Grape!


Southern Comfort La Jill Hunt
Syndi Johnson, the hardworking, shy, middle child moved from nice friendly Atlanta to busy rude NEW YORK! Against her will of course!

"I just want to go home!"

Syndi complained daily to any and everyone that would listen. As Syndi deals with the loss of her older brother Aaron, she tries to keep her heart in check for the person she blames while her best friend wishes that she would see him for more than a sounding board as he listens to her complain about living in New York, her younger sister promiscuity, and her soon to be step-father. With the weight of the world on her shoulders Syndi finds love in the one place she hadn't wanted to look. It only took 6 years of frontin'! Mr. Nice Guy has sat on the sideline loving, longing and listening in an attempt to win her heart he gives Syndi what she needs to get her back to the life she's missed so much of. Is this more than she's bargained for? Can our Mean Heroine make it back home?

Here the author tells us how things are resolved for our Around the way girl, but as for the climax while it's obvious I think key points were left to the imagination instead of being displayed.


Played Dwayne S. Joseph
Angel Santiago, whose young, and fine, parties all the time loves to be up in any club, scheming and dreaming with her crew as they enjoy life to the fullest. Angel a devil in disguise got off knowing that she had complete control over things in her life. As this Chica becomes mesmerized by an infamous Drug Dealer she unintentionally starts ignoring herself not realizing that this game she think she's controlling has a new name.

"Chica estas loco!"

As Angel's common sense seems to consistently escape her, you watch as she allows herself to fall hard...ménage a trios, lesbian affairs, videotaping, lying, and forgetting about her friends. WARNINGS are coming from every direction in every voice. Can our Fly Chica regain control over herself before she gets in too deep? Will she loose her friends in the process?


Our author here uses a female protagonist that's so narcissistic that she doesn't realize she never had control of the situation. Detailing how foolish Angel was allowed us to see as Sleeping Fool wakes up and grows up.


CREAM~SYNDI~ANGEL...as an result of the lives that they've lived seem to realize what life truly is about.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first finished book of 2011 (slow start!). Three stories about young women in New York City navigating a world of sex, drugs, violence, jealousy, and etcetera. I didn't like the ending to the second story at all, but the last story was intense. The corny epilogues are unnecessary, and it would be more interesting if things didn't work out well in the end.

[Paige Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every story three stars. Story 1: Wholesome as a stripper can be, Cream’s backstory is heavy: an AIDS-dead mom, underage stripping to evade foster homes, losing her virginity to a ruthless 80s-flashy gangster, getting pregnant by her longtime boyfriend she loves but isn’t in love with. This does go on for too long though, could be sprinkled in and with more dialogue than a mini textbook infodrop. Ironically named Wise, the father of the kid she’s unsure about keeping, has been fishy about stopping coke-slinging and sly around her homegirls and bad at pleasing her in bed, which is funny.

It’s too obvious who he’s hooking up w/ from the get-go, I’d rather it be a surprise. As a 5%er, Wise views himself as a god and wouldn’t want his girl to abort his child. They don’t communicate any of this for quite a while though. The humor is good from time to time but the writing is pretty basic, plot driven but not that original. I’d like more about the ODing coke friend, her man’s religion, the strip club setting and finer things they used to do w/ their ill-gotten gains. Ch. 6 finally gets more unique w/ the mistress working w/ Cream to drug and blackmail a braggart patron. Ugh, the end had no build up or emotional connection or much action as it should’ve w/ the non-MC.

Story 2: Southern Comfort Hunt By LaJill. From ATL to NY, shy Puerto Rican-looking Sydney isn’t home anywhere. Corner guys always pressing up on her, her basketballer brother Aaron tries to protect her but gets lost in his local fame. He dies young, which she blames on his BFF he was hanging out w/ when he got caught in crossfire. It’s so stupid when her creepy boss rubs his erection against her everyone says she should just let him marry her mom.

The white boy sounds cute and thoughtful but is too much of a simp. Who gives a girl their dad’s $10k and a ring to their also 18y/o crush and expects them to come marry them when they’ve never been romantic and may not see each other for yrs? Accepting it or not, she should have left before her sister tries to or take her with her—what did they think would happen w/ the perv in their house? When someone gets kidnapped, I’m actually surprised who it is. I’m glad we enlist the sweet Jamaican lady to help. I do think there are a few too many characters introduced too soon and without identifiers. Good several twists. Maybe the ending is gushingly happy/time jumpy to feel realistic enough, but could be mended with a half ch.

Story 3: At first, I like the MC’s bluntness and her badass crush’s name (Fredo) but dancing and bitching over nothing is boring. The lesbian pivot is a nice flavor but I don’t get the shame over it when she’s so independent and perfectly fine being promiscuous w/ guys. It’s not like anyone saw and her circle is supportive/indifferent. Thinking you should go to the hospital or that a guy has something to do with it is a bit outlandish. Yet she still tries to hit on the guy. Their cat-and-mouse dates w/ his suave disappearing acts provide great romantic tension and I like that they’re both unconventional businesspeople, her a law clerk. When their worlds merge, they could be unstoppable so I’m game to see, even though she’s usually annoying and misnomerly called Angel. Ch 7 starts the next-level stupidity. The dude does nothing but look good and disrespect her like he’s got a screw loose, yet she accepts him over a necklace. Why is her job never brought up in how dangerous it could be to him? What did she think would happen on lame date three when he hands her a gun? It is hot how when they ménage a trios they videotape it and hookup again while all watching it. It’s a cool tension point how he presses her though; she always mouths back but quickly backs down despite barely knowing him over shallow reasons. Immediately willing to drop her real friends. It’s been what, a week or two? Jeez. Every end of these stories is the same.

[BossyLadi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not expect to like this book. I had very low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised. These stories were entertaining and captivated me from the first page. Will def listen to the 2nd book.

[LadyJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book back in the day as a n adolescent, loved it back then especially Angel's story that one still shocks me now. Made me think about how being young and dumb thinking you're in love. Overall a great read.

[Perfectly Imperfect · Rating 5 out of 5]

These three stories hold the truth about how the world will treat you. Cream, Syndi and Angel are both strong, wonderful girls; Just happened to be manipulated and taken advantage of by a no-good man.

[Tia · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three stories were interesting. I would recommend this book.

[Ariana Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first 2 stories were great The last one never really could pull me in.

[Riss Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was 3 shorts in one, written by 3 diff authors. If I had a dollar for every time they said the word “female” I could sponsor a spa day. Especially in the last story.

[Alyeli Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hood book. Loved it.

[Tammy Benton · Rating 5 out of 5]

All three books was a great reader. Cream and Wise had drama. Cream White endured a lot a stripper a cheating boyfriend. Trying hustle and take care of her son and cousin. And survive the game and get out of hood to make a better life for her family. Having a best friend who has her back name Grape who was secretly in love with her. Her so-called Amber was using Cream to get close to Wise and a secret affair for six months. Later talk Cream into a Scam to get some quick money to get money from rich clients it backfired and Amber got beat up and now they are after Cream. She now pregnant, alone, scared Busted and Disgusted lied to. She called Grape and told him her latest turmoil he help her out and moved her to New Jersey and stuck by her. And told her he loved her to New Beginnings. By Angel M. Hunter great author hope read more books by her. Next book by La Jill Hunt favorite author's . This book about Syndi Johnson who wanted to get out of New York and move back down South to Atlanta. She went thru painful loss of her brother and angry at his best friend. Her sister Magic is out of control living this wild life. She just want to finish school and make her brother proud. Darrius was her brother Aaron best friend who died trying to get his sister out of New York for mistaken identify. Darrius and Sydni had a love-hate relationship she blame Darrius for her brother death. Byron was one of her best friend who was in love with her she didn't feel any chemistry with him. She was secretly attracted to Darrius. Her mother fiancee Mr. Joe was a creepy and a little touchy feel. She was kidnapped,shoot ,tragedy,pain loss,angry,loved,ambitious,confident,Caring,Hardworking, Achievements. She finished school graduate from Spellman was accepted in the FBI. Ended falling in love with Darrius was engaged to marry him in 3 weeks.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

idk

[Stina Marcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift to me when I was in high school. I read it sooo many times and swore it was one of the best books I've ever read 😂 At 14 I thought it was heavy smut, NOT! It definitely wasn't as good as I remember it being, but that was over 10yrs ago so of course my reading taste/preferences have changed lol.

Cream's story was the best. It gave me all the nostalgic feels from my pubescent wanna be hot in the tail years. Sydni's story was straight, but Angel's story was the worst. From start to finish I just wasn't feeling her, her friends, or the story itself.

3 stars feels fair, considering how horrible the narrator was. It almost made me put the book down, but I pushed through. Nothing like the book I thought it was back in the gap lol.

[Sarah Gonalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

What can I Tell you about this book. Well,this book is about a girl named Cream who is facing the challenges of life in taking care of her child and carrying a wholesome job. While trying to pull herself together from working at a strip club, she tells herself that she wants a change in her life. Not only is her occupation a problem she also faces trouble at home with dealing with her long time boyfriend, Wise that is one of the bigges t drug dealers on her block.
For extra information this book is very graphic and also shows A LOT of emotion!!!

[Kianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book that will have you thinkin about so many things. Thi girls in this book live the Ghetto Faboulous life to the fullest. i would recommend this book to the women who wants to know how it is to live a life day by day without knowing what might happen to you.

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

This got me hooked on the entire series, which i have yet to finish, along with the authors, La Jill Hunt, Angel Hunter, and Dwayne Joseph. Each of the stories was amazing and I couldn't stop myself from peeking ahead to see what was happening later on. Can't wait to finish the whole series.

[Jamilya Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this so much becausethis book shows the life style for young women who are struggly in life in NEW YORK CITY. This book relates to alot of young females who struggle to keep jobs, money and every thing else in life. These females do things that we wouldn't do all the time

[♥️♥️ Lanae ♥️♥️]

Yet another series of books I used to read years ago and can't understand why I did. I guess because it was scandalous. I'd probably still be reading them if I hadn't discovered Harry Potter.

[Ermithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is very intresting ,it's all about real life story in the hoods. i learn a lot in this book such as situation can put people in a certain place that they don't belong too.

[Breshai]

this book is good , its about the life of teenage girls to grown women hustling out in this world

[Nels]

I'm still reading it

[Tyquashia]

so0o loved this book ... ii mean it shows how real brooklyn chicks get down and still make it to where they wanna be

[Yanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

DONT REALLY REMEMBER THIS BOOK BUT THE AUTHOR IS VERY GOOD AND I HEARD THE SEQUALS ARE EVEN BETTER

[Sydney Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Half way through, very good so far. Little inappropriate, but a very good book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

FOR GIRLS WHO UNDERSTAND THE STREET LIFE OR THE GHETTO THIS IS A GOOD INTERESTING BOOK

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was to die for the way it would describe the life of 3 different women is crazy i think i will contiue to read this book again and again