Customer Reviews

Trife Life To Lavish (A King Production Presents...)

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I've been so hyped waiting on the release of this book. I'm a huge Deja/Joy King fan and have read all her books. So when the vendor I get my books from in Philly told me he had it I quickly got my copy and once again Ms. King did not disappoint.

From the jump you're picking sides as to which character has the potential to be a good person or which one is downright trifling, which is most. For instance, Tierra a lot of times appears to be a lost cause. She is willing to do just about anything to not be the hoodrat she's destined to be. But with all her lowdown behavior I actually liked her A LOT!

Then you have Nichelle, who has one tragic event after another. My heart went out to her. I wanted her to find a good man so bad because she had been cheated out of love time and time again but I wonder if it just ain't meant to be. I also love how Ms. King brought in characters from Stackin' Paper. If you haven't read that one, you will definitely want to after reading Trife.

This book was pure fire. I don't know how Ms. King always delivers refreshing, edge of your seat books but she got one creative mind. I love it and trust you will not be disappointed with her new one. We stand up for you in Philly Ms. King, another winner to add to your crown. Oh, and Ms. King I can't wait for Last Bitch Standing, hurry up!

Nichelle Martin is a young, impressionable girl that is hopelessly in love with hood rich Carmelo. Nichelle's fighting past demons with the horrible secret that she and her mom harbor between themselves. She's trying to finish school, love Carmello, and adjust to the glamorous lifestyle that comes with being Carmelo's wifey. She and Tierra Thompson have been best friends since childhood and Tierra has fought many a fight for Nichelle. Whether it be clothing her in the latest designer threads or financing her dental work so that she can have braces to straighten out her teeth, Tierra has always weathered the storm with Nichelle.

Tierra is a gold digger and makes no bones about it. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth until the streets claimed her father, his legacy, and her mother's will to live the `trife life'. Tierra is balling every day striving to attain status and leave the life of struggle behind. She's in search of a major baller and in her quest has brought treachery, murder, and mayhem in the mix of her clique. Renaldo "Renny" O'Neal has appeared on the scene looking for new territory while running from trouble in Atlanta. Upon his first sight of Nichelle, he's enchanted with her and schemes discreetly to have her as his own.

Deja King is a dream weaver...where do I begin. Trife Life has brought to life another set of captivating characters that are so realistic it tugs you into the storyline and has you visualizing each scene. Trife Life 2 Lavish is full of so many lessons, so many different points of view that challenge the reader to think of exactly what the 'trife life' entails, and the price that so many people, young and old pay. She mesmerizes the reader with many interesting sub-plots filled with jealousy, deceit, suspense, murder, and overflowing with drama. Deja's newest joint is such an amazing read that I sped read it the first go around and had to re-read it and was not bored at any point of time. She did an awesome job in character definition with answering so many questions, but as a true junkie, I do have one major complaint! The ending was left with many unanswered questions that gives the storyline so many directions that it can go, and with this revelation it's requiring a sequel...this is the only reason I did NOT give it a 5 star rating. 4.75**** Deja's growth and accomplishments continue to shine and make its presence evident with each project she classily masters and leaves her infamous style from the cover of each book to the last page. Fantastic read, great job, excellente!!! Mos def major kudo's lil mama!!!

This book is worth more than 5 stars. I'm very much a fan of deja/joy king. I'm wondering if there going to be a part 2 to trife life 2 lavish. Keep up the good work sister girl.

If you didnt read the book stackin' paper i suggest you do its the book before this one. I read stackin' paper and stackin' paper 2 only to find out that trife to lavish is also part of the series and trife life to lavish part 2 is the book that you are supposed to read after stackin' paper 2. so if you didnt read stackin paper you are missing part of the story. they are a good read but for some reason she decided to write them under both her names joy king and deja king. i dont know why the books have separate titles, my best guess is that she wanted to create two different story lines that blend together but to me its confusing to the reader. as i said the books are good but i didnt know anything about the trife life series at first.

Nichelle/Genevieve is a young girl from the hood with no street smarts. She gets caught up with this thorough bred thug and gets completely sprung! WTH!!! Now she's running for her life! The previews from the part 2 says she's wondering where her man is...why? She should hope him & is scandalous cousin are dead! To really appreciate this series I would recommend reading Stackin Paper 1 first and then this book. In all actuality if I would have known that the Last Bitch Standing tied into this and the Stackin Paper series this is the order I would read them in....

The Bitch series books 1-4

Stackin Paper I

Trife Life to Lavish

Stackin Paper II

The Last Bitch Standing

Trife Life to Lavish II (Last & finally ties everything up)

Because if you read the last Bitch before Stackin Paper you may get confused because new characters are introduced (Genesis, Arnez, Coca, etc.). You'll appreciate them more if you read about them and there history first (Stackin Paper)not just see cameos.

Overall a great read. Just wish that Nichelle/Genevieve was not so naive and impressionable.

After walking in on her mother killing the only father she has even known, Genevieve is whisked to a new town and is given a new identity. Growing up as Nichelle, she was picked on and bullied until Tierra came along. Instantly becoming her best friend, Tierra fought her battles and tried her best to instill street smarts into Nichelle. Tierra, feeling that she is Queen B and is the savviest, is constantly envious of Nichelle's beauty and mostly of Nichelle's relationship with Carmelo. At age 17 not only did Nichelle unintentionally snag a baller, but the most influential and sought after one in the city. After falling deeply in love, he moves her into his high rise condo and buys her a Benz. Unlike other hood tales, Nichelle and Carmelo appear completely in sync when it comes to their love for one another. The only problem in Nichelle's eyes is, he dislikes her hood rat, gold digging, best friends Tierra and Simone.

When Tierra gets caught red handed trying to steal money from her boo, he drops her like a hot potato. Desperately low on cash, Tierra accepts a proposition that will fatten her pockets like never before. Like a domino effect, Carmelo and Simone are soon found dead. This devastates Nichelle like no other but luckily a familiar face by the name of Renny, also an acquaintance of Tierra, is there to save the damsel in distress. He allows Nichelle to move into his mansion and while catering to her every need, he graciously respects her space and allows her to grieve. Surprisingly, Nichelle finds herself easily falling for Renny. When she finally decides to tell him how she feels, he doesn't reciprocate exactly how she hoped. Nichelle played right into his plans and unbeknownst to her, he has her wrapped around his finger. It becomes glaring obvious that Renny isn't as nice and caring as he seems, but young and naive Nichelle doesn't see it that way. She does what he says and even apologizes in situations where in fact, he is the one in the wrong. In an unhealthy way she feels it is her duty to keep him happy so that he will always love her.

Not only is this novel predictable, it is also disappointing knowing that Nichelle is Genesis' sister, yet she isn't witty or street smart as one would expect. If I was asked to describe Nichelle in two words only, they would naive and boring. The highlight of this tale are the cameos by Arnez and Chanel from Stackin' Paper. It turns out Renny and Arnez are related so I assume treachery must run in the family. Arnez and Chanel are still as grimy as ever and do what they do best, plot on other people. We get a few glimpses of Talisa, who Arnez secretly stalks. He sees her repeatedly go into the office of an OB/GYN and the foolish thought that her baby might be his is the only thing keeping her alive. We have to pick up Stackin' Paper 2 Genesis' Payback to see what becomes of these characters.

Nichelle Martin a young high school student that is in love with a unpcoming drug dealer, by the name of Carmelo. Carmelo loves Nichelle so much and will do anything for her. Carmelo wants to give Nichelle a better life and moves her out of the projects to the best condo money can buy. Tierra Thompson and Nichelle are been best friends since childhood and Tierra has always been there for Tierra whenever she need her. Tierra is older and Nichelle looks up to her like a big sister and is forever appreciative of all the great things she has done for her.

Tierra is a hustler and that's her main goal in life to get money. She is only out to get herself the latest clothes,her rent, and car note paid. Tierra is so jealous of Nichelle's and Carmelo relationship, but only wants her bestfriend happy. When Teirra money runs out she has to move back to the projects with her mom she has to make major moves so that she can get her lifestyle back to where it was.Renaldo aka Renny a new Baller from Atlanta comes to town and sets his eyes on the most beautiful woman ever Nichelle. He doesn't care that she has a boyfriend and is only seventeen he will stop at nothing to make Nichelle his. I really wanted a little more development of the male characters, but the book was still a great read. I now have to read Stackin' Paper and Trife Life to Lavish 2 to see what happens next. Good Job Ms. King.

NOW THIS WAS A GOOD BOOK AND I CAN'T WAIT FOR PART 2........I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPEN TO NICHELLE AND RENNY.........I WANT TO KNOW DID HE SET HIM FOR HIS COUSIN OR TRYING TO PROTECT HER FROM HIM.........ALSO I WANT TO KNOW IS THE PIC SHE SAW OVER ARNEZ'S HOUSE REALLY HER MOTHER OR WHAT.........OVERALL I LOVE THE BOOK AND LOOKING FORWARD TO A PART 2....GET IT AND READ IT..........

TRIFE LIFE 2 LAVISH WAS THE BOMB DEJA KING BROUGHT HER A GAME WITH THIS ONE.AND I LIKE HOW SHE BROUGHT THE CHARACTERS FROM STACKIN PAPER IN TO THE STORY AND IF YOU WANT TO FIND HOW THEY THOSE CHARACTERS FROM STACKIN PAPER RELATE WITH THE CHARACTERS IN THE BOOK THEN YOU HAVE TO GET STACKIN PAPER BUT JUST LET U KNOW THIS BOOK WAS GREAT AND WORTH YOUR MONEY

I absolutely loved this book and not just because I'm a huge fan of Ms. King work but because it was different than anything I've read from her. It still had her signature style that no one can touch but it realistically touched deeper on friendships between young women and the consequences that can happen when you value money more than morals. I was glued to each page wondering how the actions of the characters would come full circle to destroy their lives. The story was simply amazing and I applaud Ms. King for delivering an excellent street novel that had nothing to do with my girl Precious Cummings.