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Full Circle
Carin Douglas is a fearless young girl, thrust into the role of a stickup kid alongside Brooklyn's most notorious thugs. She learns to fight, to survive, and ultimately to shine through a series of events that take her from a young girl on the verge to a designer-clad diva with a hot car, an even hotter man, and a million deadly skeletons in her closet.
When Carin meets Monty, aka "Money Monty," he sweeps her off her feet with one romantic gesture after another. Monty is a sexy, powerful man with that legendary Brooklyn swagger and more money than most of his peers in the street. Their urban fairytale soon erupts into passionate sex, bold power moves, and eventually, devastating physical violence between them. When things get explosive, Carin is reminded of the love she knows Monty feels for her and the lavish lifestyle he's showered her with. But will that be enough to save them?
Carin and Monty's love comes Full Circle in this epic story of love, loss, pain, and forgiveness. In Ayana Ellis' second novel, she raises the bar, exposes some ugly truths, and shines a spotlight on the painful reality of domestic abuse. All that glitters isn't gold in this new novel that is sure to have readers talking for years to come.
When Carin meets Monty, aka "Money Monty," he sweeps her off her feet with one romantic gesture after another. Monty is a sexy, powerful man with that legendary Brooklyn swagger and more money than most of his peers in the street. Their urban fairytale soon erupts into passionate sex, bold power moves, and eventually, devastating physical violence between them. When things get explosive, Carin is reminded of the love she knows Monty feels for her and the lavish lifestyle he's showered her with. But will that be enough to save them?
Carin and Monty's love comes Full Circle in this epic story of love, loss, pain, and forgiveness. In Ayana Ellis' second novel, she raises the bar, exposes some ugly truths, and shines a spotlight on the painful reality of domestic abuse. All that glitters isn't gold in this new novel that is sure to have readers talking for years to come.
407 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
18 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 19, 2018
Roll with the Punches
This book had been sitting on my TBR list for such a long time and then one of my Favorite Authors suggested it. So I bought it and decided to give it a go and I’m glad that I finally did. It was a breath of fresh air and soooo good. I love how the author took her time writing this and gave us the past and the present of the main character. It’s was points in the book that made me smile, cry, be confused and angry. I didn’t understand how Carin was such a strong child and thought for herself and didn’t take any BS from anyone. But as an adult she fell victim to the very things I knew she wouldn’t have taken as a child. She was broken and rebellious because her parents just wasn’t there for her. I’ll just say she loved hard. It’s so easy to look from the outside and judge...but inside I knew all Carin wanted to do was save The love of her life.
This book had been sitting on my TBR list for such a long time and then one of my Favorite Authors suggested it. So I bought it and decided to give it a go and I’m glad that I finally did. It was a breath of fresh air and soooo good. I love how the author took her time writing this and gave us the past and the present of the main character. It’s was points in the book that made me smile, cry, be confused and angry. I didn’t understand how Carin was such a strong child and thought for herself and didn’t take any BS from anyone. But as an adult she fell victim to the very things I knew she wouldn’t have taken as a child. She was broken and rebellious because her parents just wasn’t there for her. I’ll just say she loved hard. It’s so easy to look from the outside and judge...but inside I knew all Carin wanted to do was save The love of her life.
July 12, 2018
Carin comes from a home where her father was an absentee and her mother was more concerned with her own life. In search of love and attention, she gets involved with a string of men, including Chauncey and Panama. One tried to protect her from the street, while the other pulled her into it. One bad move and she ended up serving time.
Upon her release, Carin moves in with her father and…meets Monty, the MONSTER.
Life started out good for Carin and Monty…until he started beating her. Every beating was followed up with an expensive gift, that many envied her for. Little did they know…she would have traded it all for her FREEDOM.
This book took me on such an emotional rollercoaster. The severity of the beatings and the response was oh so familiar to me, and I found myself crying as I swiped left in order to turn the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has either experienced Domestic Violence or knows someone that is.
This 💎💎💎💎💎 page-turner by @ayanaellis_official will definitely make an appearance on my Best Standalone Books of 2018.
Upon her release, Carin moves in with her father and…meets Monty, the MONSTER.
Life started out good for Carin and Monty…until he started beating her. Every beating was followed up with an expensive gift, that many envied her for. Little did they know…she would have traded it all for her FREEDOM.
This book took me on such an emotional rollercoaster. The severity of the beatings and the response was oh so familiar to me, and I found myself crying as I swiped left in order to turn the page. I highly recommend this book to anyone who has either experienced Domestic Violence or knows someone that is.
This 💎💎💎💎💎 page-turner by @ayanaellis_official will definitely make an appearance on my Best Standalone Books of 2018.
December 7, 2020
I'll give it 2 stars because I did continue the book and was interested enough in the characters, but Carin was an ever growing but never learning fool. The author contradicted her too many times to remember. In my opinion there was no growth with her character and although many times we were told how classy she was her behavior contradicted that as well. In the beginning it was tolerable because of her lack of support, but after supposedly seeking a better life I realized Carin was more of a talker than an actual doer.
September 23, 2025
I really appreciated how this book tackled intimate partner violence and made the message super clear. It does a great job showing the cycle of abuse, how power and control play into it, and even touches on the kinds of stigmas survivors face — like the classic “why didn’t you just leave?” questions.
Where it lost me a little was in the writing and character details. In the second part of the book, it’s mentioned repeatedly that the main character is “going to work and going to school,” but we never find out what she does for work or what she’s studying even though we know that it causing troubles at home in her relationship. Since she’s in her early to mid-twenties by then, I wanted a bit more depth so I could really picture her life and what she was juggling. Or there would be repeated scenes of very similar incidents, where I had to double take to make sure that I was on a different chapter.
Where it lost me a little was in the writing and character details. In the second part of the book, it’s mentioned repeatedly that the main character is “going to work and going to school,” but we never find out what she does for work or what she’s studying even though we know that it causing troubles at home in her relationship. Since she’s in her early to mid-twenties by then, I wanted a bit more depth so I could really picture her life and what she was juggling. Or there would be repeated scenes of very similar incidents, where I had to double take to make sure that I was on a different chapter.
April 4, 2023
I liked this book but as an individual who suffered abuse from my mother with no hope of escaping since I lived in West Africa back then. I just can’t understand why Carin wouldn’t leave. My father was also not around, he was also the first man to break my heart.
This book at some point was just heartbreaking.
Ladies please as someone who has been abused and also witnessed my own mother getting abused. It ain’t worth it! Love isn’t supposed to hurt get the fuck there if you have kids please take them with you.
Don’t wait for anyone to come save you. Save yourself you’re stronger than you think.
I escaped the inescapable you can too. Please save yourself 🙏🏿
This book at some point was just heartbreaking.
Ladies please as someone who has been abused and also witnessed my own mother getting abused. It ain’t worth it! Love isn’t supposed to hurt get the fuck there if you have kids please take them with you.
Don’t wait for anyone to come save you. Save yourself you’re stronger than you think.
I escaped the inescapable you can too. Please save yourself 🙏🏿
January 11, 2023
Conflicted….I was so upset with the main character Caren from the start of this book straight through to the last chapter. I wanted to stop listening to the audiobook but I just had to see how much more stupidness she would get into or tolerate. This story is sad in so many ways but the epilogue is correct. You can’t help someone unless they want to receive that help, no matter how frustrating that is for the one offering, or how desired by the one in need of it. The choice is theirs to make.
Suffocating is what this story is, now I can breathe!🧘🏽
Suffocating is what this story is, now I can breathe!🧘🏽
August 21, 2024
The only thing that left me lacking with this read is that there were several times when characters were referred to as "Her Brother"or "Your Boss" but who were never identified later. The author made a point of having several characters talk about Anastasia's brother, but never identifed him with a name. If he played a significant part later in the book, I missed it.
It is apparent that the author is a huge fan of the rapper Jay-Z. Which is cool, because I was also a fan in the era in which this book takes place.
It is apparent that the author is a huge fan of the rapper Jay-Z. Which is cool, because I was also a fan in the era in which this book takes place.
August 1, 2023
This was an absolute chore to get to get through. The MC was so stupid. Like, not battered woman, brainwashed, stuck - No, Carin was an idiot. She did dumb ass things for no reason! It could have easily been two separate books. Idk what the point was.
November 4, 2023
Manner. That was a lot. It was hard to get through at times. This wasn't my normal read..well not since I discovered HEA's and I've been living in fantasy world. I need a break after this. I'll go watch TV for a while. No wonder it sat in TBR for so long.
October 11, 2018
This book had me on an emotional roller coaster. I've never felt anything like I felt after reading this type of writing.
March 25, 2020
This book had some grammatical Errors but I still enjoyed reading it.
June 26, 2021
This book was straight triggering! I got so frustrated with the main character. That women was a mess.as women we can be so naive for love. I am so glad I lived and learned.
November 7, 2023
This book had me in tears. Omg‼️. True story of domestic violence. I can’t begin to image what Carin went through but I’m glad she survived it.
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May 5, 2015The environment you live in can either be good or bad. The people you meet and the company you keep can cause mental and physical harm to you. Well Carin Douglass knows all about what I’m telling you.
Carin Douglass a strong young woman who grew up in the hood of Brooklyn, New York. She had a mother that was so enwrapped in herself she didn’t notice that she had forced Carin in a position to take care of herself the best way that she could. She learns to fight and survive by running behind her crush Panama known around the city as being a stick up kid. Panama eventually taught Carin the ropes and she began her journey as a stick up kid and robbed and even killed someone.
Carin was a poor and emotionally beaten girl and had been under all the wrong influences and got involved with bad things that lead to bad consequences. Panama was her crush that helped her fall towards destruction but Monty is a sexy, powerful man with that legendary Brooklyn swag and more money than most of his homies in the street.
Carin and Panama developed a relationship, a sick and depraved one at that. Through robbing and shaking people down Carin grew to love this man because he protected her from the streets while introducing her to a whole new life. One particular day Carin and Panama plotted on doing a robbery to one of his close friends. They planned it carefully and securely or so they thought. They attempted to rob the friend but everything had gone wrong and Carin wound up with blood on her hands. Of course they got away clean. Or did they? After Carin is incarcerated for being accomplice to murder and armed robbery she meets Monty aka "Money Monty," he sweeps her off her feet with one romantic gesture after another.
Their urban fairytale soon erupts into passionate sex, bold power moves, and eventually, devastating physical violence between them. Carin and Monty's love comes Full Circle in this epic story of love, loss, pain, and forgiveness.
Carin Douglass a strong young woman who grew up in the hood of Brooklyn, New York. She had a mother that was so enwrapped in herself she didn’t notice that she had forced Carin in a position to take care of herself the best way that she could. She learns to fight and survive by running behind her crush Panama known around the city as being a stick up kid. Panama eventually taught Carin the ropes and she began her journey as a stick up kid and robbed and even killed someone.
Carin was a poor and emotionally beaten girl and had been under all the wrong influences and got involved with bad things that lead to bad consequences. Panama was her crush that helped her fall towards destruction but Monty is a sexy, powerful man with that legendary Brooklyn swag and more money than most of his homies in the street.
Carin and Panama developed a relationship, a sick and depraved one at that. Through robbing and shaking people down Carin grew to love this man because he protected her from the streets while introducing her to a whole new life. One particular day Carin and Panama plotted on doing a robbery to one of his close friends. They planned it carefully and securely or so they thought. They attempted to rob the friend but everything had gone wrong and Carin wound up with blood on her hands. Of course they got away clean. Or did they? After Carin is incarcerated for being accomplice to murder and armed robbery she meets Monty aka "Money Monty," he sweeps her off her feet with one romantic gesture after another.
Their urban fairytale soon erupts into passionate sex, bold power moves, and eventually, devastating physical violence between them. Carin and Monty's love comes Full Circle in this epic story of love, loss, pain, and forgiveness.
March 8, 2010
Reciprocity (4.5 Stars)
At the tender age of 15 Carin Douglass was already wise enough to know what was missing from her life; the love of her father. When Darren abandoned Carin’s mother Jackie, he left Jackie bitter and unable to show love to the daughter Darren left behind as well. When Carin started searching for the love that was missing at home it led her to Chauncey, Panama then eventually Monty. Chauncey helped Carin to feel needed while Panama transformed Carin into the Bonnie for his Clyde.
Panama’s tutelage landed Carin behind bars and forced Jackie to seek out Darren to help rescue Carin from incarceration. By 19 Carin is all grown up and she feels that Darren’s fathering is too little too late, especially when she snares Money Monty. Monty has no problem winning over Carin’s heart he’s generous and caring. But when Monty’s abusive tendencies surfaces how long will Carin suffer while attempting to prove that she’s better at maintaining a relationship than her mother? Can Carin’s father become the man of her dreams and rescue her from the man of her nightmares that Monty has metamorphosed into?
In Full Circle author Ayana Ellis paints a vivid picture of a young girl looking for love and the people she turned to in her attempt to fill that void. Ayana has a flair for storytelling bringing not only Carin’s character to life but also the Brooklyn streets and the early 90’s era from fashion, music, places and the lingo. It all helps readers to feel as if Carin’s journey becomes their own
At the tender age of 15 Carin Douglass was already wise enough to know what was missing from her life; the love of her father. When Darren abandoned Carin’s mother Jackie, he left Jackie bitter and unable to show love to the daughter Darren left behind as well. When Carin started searching for the love that was missing at home it led her to Chauncey, Panama then eventually Monty. Chauncey helped Carin to feel needed while Panama transformed Carin into the Bonnie for his Clyde.
Panama’s tutelage landed Carin behind bars and forced Jackie to seek out Darren to help rescue Carin from incarceration. By 19 Carin is all grown up and she feels that Darren’s fathering is too little too late, especially when she snares Money Monty. Monty has no problem winning over Carin’s heart he’s generous and caring. But when Monty’s abusive tendencies surfaces how long will Carin suffer while attempting to prove that she’s better at maintaining a relationship than her mother? Can Carin’s father become the man of her dreams and rescue her from the man of her nightmares that Monty has metamorphosed into?
In Full Circle author Ayana Ellis paints a vivid picture of a young girl looking for love and the people she turned to in her attempt to fill that void. Ayana has a flair for storytelling bringing not only Carin’s character to life but also the Brooklyn streets and the early 90’s era from fashion, music, places and the lingo. It all helps readers to feel as if Carin’s journey becomes their own
September 21, 2015
I only got to chapter 3 before I had to set the book down. If the writing had been more descriptive and detailed, it would've been better. The sentences were short and choppy and had a lot of POV changes by chapter 3 already so the story itself is choppy. Like some other books, it felt like it was written by a teenager, though maybe that's how it was supposed to be taken, I just couldn't get into it myself. I know this book is about a life that I could never understand and I know this book could have given me a little perspective but, the writing just made me lose focus.
October 3, 2012
Reading a book like this, you can't help but put yourself in the character's shoes. Ellis made this book seem so real! I loved it! There were definitely ups and downs in this book. It shows how men can make a girl feel sky high, but at the same time can make her feel like dirt. I wasn't looking forward to what happened to Monty! That threw me off! But I like how the book kept surprising me!
July 10, 2016
Not a bad read. Carin's story is one any young woman can relate to. I admire Ellis' writing style, it felt as if it was more of a conversation filled with reminisces, good & bad. I admire Carin's courage most of all. It takes a lot to forgive & move on with life after being abused.
March 1, 2010
This was a really good book, and I encourage everyone to read it.
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November 8, 2010I Love,love,love this book. i just finished reading it for the second time today.i encourage everbody to read it,its really good
December 17, 2010
this book was very good. it was sad though, and i loved it.
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December 17, 2010i think this is one of the best books i have read in a long time i want to read more of ayana ellis
May 7, 2011
I loved this book. Its a book you could read more than once.
June 22, 2011
great great great book. i felt bad for carin then i was pissed at her. monty gets no love and got what he deserved imo
August 6, 2012
The writing is kind of amateurish but I Love the story.
August 10, 2012
This book was Amazing! I love how the book was written! This was based on a true story and I'm sure that many of us know a person who has dealt with Domestic Abuse. Very good read
April 1, 2013
A showstopper...outstanding
July 24, 2013
I thought this book was absolutely amazing a page turner all the way through. For me it was a cross between TCWE and Moth to a flame.
August 9, 2013
This book touched my heart in ways unexplainable . I'm a book fanatic and I can honestly say it was the best book I've read in my life . Forever my favorite story ....
September 15, 2013
This came right on time for me in my journey in life. amen
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews