THE PRICE OF LOVING A H*E IS DEFINITELY NOT WORTH THE COST!! Regrettably, this is a life lesson that Scotland “Scottie” Williams experiences in a harrowing way. At 23 years old, Scottie is focused on her son and completing her business management degree while trying to stop dealing with her no good baby daddy. However, it’s easier said than done. After experiencing so much turmoil for years with him, his other baby mamas, and other women, she’s grown tired of the back and forth, ready for a positive change in her life. While attending a night out with her sisters, Scottie’s eyes land on a very good looking man that infatuates her like never before, possibly being the very positive change that she needs. Will Scottie finally be able to walk away from her child’s father for good and move on with her life? For 28 years old Harlem Knight, he is the epitome of every woman’s fantasies and potential nightmares. A well-known kingpin and a notorious womanizer, his love for women is never-ending but only Scottie holds his heart, vowing to make her his wife and asserting that letting go is not an option. However, when another woman catches his attention, he is quickly enraptured by her essence, putting a hold onto his claim. But when Scottie starts moving differently, will Harlem be able to take the same medicine that he so boldly issues out? In this jaw-wrenching, page turning urban fiction African American standalone, your favorite author bae, Patrice Balark brings the heat and tales of dealing with a bonafide h*e. Travel the mischievous streets of Chicago with Scottie as she learns that loving a h*e is definitely not worth the cost in Love By A H*e, Wifed Up By the Plug.
I enjoyed this book, my only complaint is that there were times when something happened and then the next chapter just went on with something else. I wish that certain scenes would have given me more closure.
I enjoyed reading this book. Harlem got exactly what he had coming to him. Bri got on my nerves but I felt bad for her at the end. I love me some Nas and Scottie. This is most definitely a must read.
Dont know how Scottie stayed with BD because he’s for everybody and she’s still a tenderoni, and he had a pull on her young self that even she knew their relationship toxic, but still could not pull away, but she will learn FRFR.
This book had so much drama I’m like Jesus be a fence.
This first three words of the book was aptly named because Harlem ~~ baaaaby was out there. IMHO Harlem needed therapy and they need to tell him no glove no love! I truly felt embarrassed how Scottie and Bri couldn’t let go of him SMH. Scottie stayed being disrespected because she allowed him to do what he want and the constant drama and cheating, but finally got some sense when a video came thru and finally said enough is enough.
Brianna BF protested too much SMH, and I’m like something up LOL 😂.
Without giving up too much I knew about those “two individuals” and knew something was up with them
Harlem was really shady and slimy and placed his sisters, and everybody in a situation SMH! He got what he deserved FRFR!
Happy Nas got Scottie together wipes sweat 😓 because hunty she would have ended up like Brianna.
Moral of the story, some people need to know when to let go and do better for themselves.
Cute, definitely a 4 1/2 star ⭐️, but it was a tad too slow with a couple of extra moving bodies….
This was actually very good and cute; definitely 4 1/2 stars ⭐️. A little bit too slow at the beginning, I mean the main characters didn’t meeting or being official until about 30ish% of the book I think and all before that, it was about introducing the characters, which was a few: Scottie sounded cute and poised and intelligent but a little bit ignorant, childish behavior, with a quick sometimes disrespectful attitude, but a strong and beautiful lady. Nasir was bae and BDE but with such a slim part that at one point I was wondering if he was the main character or not. Harlem, man, what a character. The epitome and typical of a f##k boy and that of “I am a man, and I can do whatever, anything and all that I want~ but not the woman”. He was selfish, obnoxious, childish, immature, but seemed nice enough. At least he loved the boys unconditionally. Brianna, what a turd. Childish, annoying, selfish, immature deserve to get everything that karma dished out. Aalyah list everything the petty way, Black was probably the most intelligent of them all by talking first and save him and his wife behind, but karma don’t forget. He will get something out of it if he don’t change. Brandi and Fred’s were just cold and savage and hope that all works out fine for them. This was an actual good story, but the extras and the development need to be re-edited and revised, then change accordingly. But I love stand-alone and I wouldn’t wanted it in any form, this story. I actually like Nas and was low key that he didn’t have a bigger presence than that. That’s probably the reason I couldn’t give this the full 5 stars ⭐️
Bri and Harlem characters are too toxic and trifling they made this tale too distasteful. Bri’s fighting, stalking, scheming, and desperation, was sickening and questioned why the author thought perpetuating such a destructive stereotype was a service to another. You have side chick who clearly has no self worth vying to be wife of a man who has shown her time and time and time again that he values other women. He takes as much as she has and she greedily clings to the crumbs he provides in return. She spends her time grooming and shopping to compete rather than building her value and bettering her education or employment. Bri's satisfied being kept and financially dependent on Harlem. Not only is Harlem a womanizer who never heard of a condom but he selfishly jeopardizes his sisters, Noah, and Bri by keeping illegal goods where they dwell.
There is too much time spent on Bri's and Harlem's attics that the story couldn’t recover. There needed to be time spent on Scotland and Nas so the story would have been more balanced. Why are FBI agents having sex with Harlem and Bri? The author could have spent more time on their professional and personal partnerships.
Aaliyah continued talking about Harlem to Bri only to give lip service to Harlem just smothered the readers chance to gain an intake of air. The typos and using the character's name screaming editing needed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
An interesting thing about this book is that the title is based off of Scotland/Scottie. However there is a lot of POV from her baby daddy (the h*e of the title) Harlem. When it’s not Harlem, it’s one of his other baby mamas Bri. There is a lot of time spent with them. I’d guess there’s more of them on the page than Scottie. We barely see Scottie falling in love with the plug. Also interesting that none of her intimate scenes are on the page but we get plenty from Harlem and the multiple women he’s with.
A lot of things are supposed to be these huge twists, but there’s no buildup to it. It didn’t come off well for me. One of these twists would imply Harlem isn’t a good street pharmacist, but he’s able to buy Benzes and pay bills for at least 4 households. He’s good at what he does. This is a bit of a spoiler, but I need to show how this doesn’t make much sense. Why would Harlem take a woman he barely knows on drops and to his warehouse? It doesn’t make sense.
I also didn’t care for Bri’s portrayal. We see Harlem feeding her lies, so what really makes her different from Scotland? Scottie used to fight over him just like Bri does.
I am never disappointed when I read a book by my Author Bae, Patrice Balark. I kinda wished this was a series cause I didn't want it to end. I lovvvveeedd it!!! Harlem is the true definition of "THE HOE OF BABYLON". He really had no remorse for all the pain he put women through. The only good characteristic he had was loving his sons. Jada, baby mama #3 was the smartest. She was one and done. She didn't play around or fall for Harlem's bs. She got pregnant from a one night stand and left it at that one night. Bri, baby mama #2 was coocoo over the🍆. She threw her whole life away behind a no good man who showed her plenty of times how much he didn't care. Scotland, baby mama #1 was a boss and once she showed Harlem she didn't need him, he acted just like his bitter baby mama #2. He should have known Nas wasn't having none of that. Nas and Scottie are perfect for each other he he protects whats his at all cost. I just hate Harlem sisters got caught up in his mess. This was an outstanding read.💛💛
This was a great read….Never a dull moment. The title totally fit Harlem…He was the worst kind of hoe…no one was off limits….cousin, best friend, whoever if given the opportunity. Clothes were on the floor. He had the nerve to be bitter when Scottie got tired of riding and suffering and did the grimiest thing he could do. Bri was beyond a sucker for love, she fought and embarrass herself in more than one occasion in the name of love. Unfortunately when she did wake up from her love coma… and started trying to build with someone else. It was built on lie. Nas was the absolute truth. He came in and showed Scottie what real men do and how they love. Their families blended well together and so did they. I really enjoyed reading this standalone and that was a plus because I didn’t have to wait for the second part to come out and the ending was good… do yourself a favor a cop this read. You won’t be disappointed….
I enjoyed this book to a certain extent but it had so much more potential. I honestly didn't see the chemistry between Scottie and Nas, they barely even had a conversation the first time they met and we didn't get to experience the first date to decide if there was spark. Harlem was just an absolute pig and got exactly what he deserved. So did Brianna, all because of her jealousy and delusions. It's such a shame because she was smarter than she came across...just stupid "in love". Anyway, things worked out for Ms Scottie and her man in the end but like I said, could have been better. Also, I don't usually comment on editing but this book needed to be double & tripled checked because some words just didn't make sense with the context. Anyway, not great but not bad. Happy reading. 📚
Geesus kriseeee! The dirt we walk on is better than Harlem! He was the true definition of wanting to have his cake and eat it too! He did Scottie and Bri dead wrong. Jade just got caught up by his lies but thankfully, she caught sense and left him alone. Bri could have learned a thing or 3 when it came to Scottie! All those years, she was hating for no reason when she should have been leveling up! Now look where that got her. Man, I kept saying something off about Brandi. Then, when she got caught up with Fredo, I just knew she was on some police time. In the end, look where it got them all. Harlem dead and the others fighting fid their lives. Well not Scottie because no matter how hard they tried, she still WON! Great read
This book could have went multiple ways, and was not easily guessable I wasn’t sure who would end up with who and was quite surprised on who was lying, scheming and telling the truth. Harlem is Harlem lol and I don’t think he’ll ever change
Pros- Great ending, not a lot of typos, wasn’t easy to guess the end. Not a lot of filler straight to the point Cons- super straight to the point, as far as I can recall there were no facial features stayed for any character in the book, I think one of them was chocolate and one bronze. But that was it. Description for characters really helps the reader imagine what they’re reading and don cry to the text.
This was so much drama. Mostly on the side of the fmc. Scotland stuck beside her BD for years even though he was an habitual cheater. This man had two babies on her and she just accepted who he was. Said they had a bond, but when Nas step in he showed up and showed out. I enjoyed watching their relationship progress early on in the book. Their relationship was pretty fast paced. Her ex couldn’t take her moving on and started moving foul. My jaw was dropped at one point, but Nas ain’t play bout that one. Short chapters although I feel like some events were cut short. Not super detailed about what happened right after. Anyways Scotland got her happy ending, karma hit and the smartest person was Jade for staying away from Harlem after that one time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
You NEVER fail me !!!! This book literally draws you in from the beginning. Harlem was just a hot mess all the way through and in the end just did some flawed sh!t smh. But I’ll felt bad for Lisa and Kayla that got caught up in they brother bitter mess. The saying was true for him where you don’t appreciate what you had until it’s gone. Scottie was just a boss and I’m glad she moved on and to better, Nas was everything to her and Junior. Bri was just stupid and more stupid 🙄 and for all the mess she went through to end up how she did. This story was amazing and I can’t to read what you cook up next ❤️
Patrice Balark, good read. Thank you for doing this as a standalone. Man,this ninja Harlem, was a piece of work although he only got to do what he did because women allowed him. He still was just a non caring person. He did care about his kids as long as it worked in his favor. Bri, and Scotland was so caught up behind Harlem they almost lost everything , fortunately, for Scotland she ended up on her feet. Bri, let loyalty and love take her on a path that she never came back from. I hope the brothers will have a bond because the mom's finally have some peace in their lives. 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗
This was pretty okay. I don't think Aaliyah should have died though she was wrong as two left shoes. Harlem was the definition of a FB turned bitter baby daddy, at first I thought Nas was being overly petty cutting him off but seems that turned out for the best. Killing his sisters was definitely petty and stupid, I had no respect for him for that, he did too much. Bri got the bad end of the stick too, she was a hot ratchet mess and deserved to get her tale kicked for doing the most all the time but Black lying on her about being the queenpin was a low blow. The ending was very rushed but overall it was okay.
This book was really good I enjoyed reading it. Nas is bae the way he loved on Scotland is unmatched. Harlem was a bitch for the way he moved. I feel bad for black and his fiancé they didn’t deserve what happened to them just because Harlem was dumb and trusted the wrong person. He should of killed Brandy and her husband. And searched for the evidence. Trying to be funny towards Bri got everyone in jail and him dead. She was crazy but loyal. I wonder how they knew they was at the airport though. They should of drove then got a flight from somewhere else.
Scottie was as gullible as they come, loving a man that only loved himself. Loyalty seemed to just a 7 letter word. Chileee, ain’t that much love in the world for Scottie to put up with Harlem, a little man trying to be big, because the women in his life let him. Jade was the smartest BM out the bunch. Harlem didn’t see what was right in front of him. Scottie had the support system, but didn’t account of the betrayal of whom she thought had her back. The whole Nas to the rescue!! what an upgrade!!
My first read from the author and it was amazing!!! Everyone got what they deserved except Black. Tryna stick by his cousin he should’ve followed his own mind and left. The sisters were just innocent bystanders as well but should’ve been protected better. As trifling as Aaliyah was Bri should’ve listened to her. Despite the circumstances I think ole boy was truly in love with her and would’ve looked out. This story was a perfect example of when to let go and how loving and riding for the wrong people can ruin your life. Forever a fan now!
Girrllll you did everything in this one book that it take some writers 2 or 3 (no shade to my other writers) lol I LOVVEEDDD THE CHARACTERS FROM BEGINNING TO END ! I DO LOVE THAT SCOTLAND GOT HER HAPPY ENDING AND I WOULD OF LOVED TO HEAR MORE ABOUT JADE SHE SEEMED REAL MATURE AND DOWN TO EARTH EITHER WAY IM GIVING IT 5 STARS BECAUSE I COULDN’T PUT IT DOWN AND NOW KIND OF SAD I GOT TO START ANOTHER BOOK LOL 💕 KEEP WRITING QUEEN! THANK YOU FOR BLESSING US WITH THIS GREAT READ 😘
Harlem is a true bonefide h*e and he didn't care who he plucked. I'm glad that Scotland and Jade had sense to leave his azz along, well it took Scottie a longer time but she finally got there. And when she did, her life was upgraded to a new level. However, Bri was stuck on stupid and Harlem made her look stupid at every turn. Fooling with him cost her majorly. Harlem was asking for his life sentence when he kept being bitter and refusing to let Scottie go. He couldn't take the bitter medicine that he so easily dished out. I enjoyed this one and highly recommend.
When loving someone we have to make sure it’s the right person for our souls in this case Scottie saw and learned valuable lessons that Harlem wasn’t it for her I’m Glad she upgraded cause he was bringing her down along with his other baby momma drama I’m glad Scottie found Nas they were the perfect match for each other and sometimes you need to be with someone who is the opposite of you love conquers all this is a must read great job Patrice
This was pretty good. A name mix up but it was ok. That Harlem smh!! Oh well. Bri was stuck on stupid just like her friend Aaliyah told her. Jade seemed to be the only smart one who was on screw Harlem!! Scotland tried but he kept pulling her in til Nas! Thank goodness for Nas. Good job
Harlem was as low as they come he did so wrong to his baby's mother's that somebody flipped the switch right back on him and bri was messed up to she was so bitter now she have to deal with all of Harlem's mess I'm glad Scotland was smart enough to move on and though Harlem wasn't making it so much easy for her but at the end she came out on top
This was a really good book. Yeah it’s definitely a d boy love story but it has some great twists and the people are hilarious! I’m sad to see everyone go but I felt good because everyone got exactly what they deserved. Amazon won’t let me use profanity but this was good as fudge! That’s the cleanest thing I can think of to say close to how I really feel
Harlem should’ve known Scottie was gonna get sick and tired of being sick and tired. I guess not since he kept going and going to no avail. Once she gave Nas a chance it was up from there. Bri was so dumb behind Harlem. That’s why she’s messed up now. And it’s all because of Harlem.
Nas came into Scottie’s life when she needed him the most. She was dealing with a low down dirty cheating dog named Harlem. He thought he was god’s gift. I can’t believe Bri was that gullible. It was a little to late to try and patch things up cuz the damage was too far gone. I loved how Scottie’s sister’s had her back and Nas brother’s had his. I loved it
Bri!! Ooh that girl was so toxic! Harlem was a mess. Fredo & Brandi were a messy twist. This was a good read. The storyline & characters were very interesting. I will definitely look for other books by this author. I took away 1 star because of the spelling/grammar mistakes. I suggest a proofreader for your future works.
Oh Harlem was thee worst. You were that mad your baby mama moved on to try to plant drugs in her house. Soooo grimy. Brianna definitely deserved her karma behind all the jealousy she had for Scottie behind Harlem’s trifling self. So glad she found her boss in Nas a real true man.
This book was too freaking good and it was reality as well how us women stand beside these men and they dog us out and as soon as we move on and be happy, here they go like they chest bout to explode. I couldn't stand Harlem. Karma is always riding and sometimes when it circle that block be ready to stand and take that blow. Period!!!!!
Wow the drama is real in this this story! Definitely a page turner. Harlem and Bri…they were a piece of work. Harlem was a straight up Hoe and Bri was a damn fool. Her behavior was not atrocious, they way she behaved behind Harlem was ridiculous, silly and foul. This is the first time I read author work and I enjoy it.