Maybe the uploaded file was not the correct ARC? It seemed choppy and hard to follow. I believe it has potential and if revised it will be a great novel.

Synopsis:
Run for cover
It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition—and get payback by any means necessary . . .

Play for time
Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends.

I'm very familiar with Kiki Swinson's books, but this one just didn't do it for me. It had all the typical qualities of urban literature, but the pacing just felt off and it took me longer than usual to get through.

I normally love this author's books, but this one fell flat for me. It just did not grab me like her other works. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC of this book in return for my honest review. Receiving the book in this manner had no bearing on my review.

I didn't review this book, but I did jot down notes.

*Not cohesive
*Plausible situations and outcomes
*This was an arc, but it read like a first or second draft.
-details provided in story were soon ignored or dropped
-some events made no sense and weren’t realistic
*It seems, from the excerpt at the back of the book, that the next installment will explain why this fiasco happened in the first place.

This isn't my first book by Kiki and I usually rate her books as good(three stars), but this one just didn't cut the mustard. I wanted and expected more.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

For some reason I just couldn't get to grips with this book. I was confused at times and admit I didn't finish reading it,sorry!

To my knowledge this book is book one but once you start reading it, you are instantly confused. There is a whole lot that happened before you even start reading this book. I am quick to jump on things but there is a constant reference to what previously happened that I am not sure if this in fact book one.

This was a huge factor into me not enjoying this book. The second one was Misty. She literally got herself in this situation and is being a brat about it. Her actions caused people lives and she didn't/ doesn't want to deal with the consequences. This literally boils down to if you can't play the game then you shouldn't try to play. Misty does a whole lot of screaming and complaining hoping someone will take care of the problem she created. I could not stand her character.

Beyond this, the overall writing needed work. It wasn't as strong as it could of been.

Overall, I didn't like the book.

Great read. The author wrote a story that was interesting and moved at a pace that kept me engaged. The characters were easy to invest in.

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What the Heart Wants and Sealed with a Kiss by Donna Hill and Nicki Night

What The Heart Wants
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The Safe House by Kiki Swinson

It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition—and get payback by any means necessary…

Play for time
Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends. When he kidnaps a relative and demands her in exchange, she and a desperate DEA agent work a bold switch to nail him. But the fallout is disastrous—and
deadly…

Do anything to survive
Now the local police are closing in on her as the prime suspect in her abusive boyfriend’s disappearance. She’s got no choice but to ditch the feds and take down her merciless pursuer on her own. But with no options, no help, and the clock running down, this not-so-innocent victim’s only shot may be the one risk that takes her out for good…

I’m Not Dying with you Tonight by Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones
Lena and Campbell aren’t friends.

Lena has her killer style, her awesome boyfriend, and a plan. She knows she’s going to make it big. Campbell, on the other hand, is just trying to keep her head down and get through the year at her new school.

When both girls attend the Friday-night football game, what neither expects is for everything to descend into sudden mass chaos. Chaos born from violence and hate. Chaos that unexpectedly throws them together.

They aren’t friends. They hardly understand the other’s point of view. But none of that matters when the city is up in flames, and they only have each other to rely on if they’re going to survive the night.

I absolutely loved this book! I’m looking forward to reading more from the author. Highly recommended!

Picking up where Black Market left off, Misty is now on the run of her life when a traitorous agent litters her path thanks to the mess she created trying to help her cousin.

Stepping into the wonderful subgenre of urban fiction, Kiki has created a fantastic thriller. Safe House went form 10mph to over 100mph in a matter of minutes.

I wanted to really like this book. Kiki Swinson has been on my list of authors to read for years. When I saw Safe House on NetGalley, I thought, here's my chance. I could only manage reading to the end of chapter 11. The book was ridiculous and the writing style was very elementary.

I was confused because the book seems like a sequel to another book. I tried to find it on Goodreads but I didn't care enough to want to read that book either. We meet Misty after she attempts suicide after the death of her grandmother and cousin. Misty speaks with her grandmother in the afterlife and she tells her that she still has work to do on Earth. It was laughable when her grandmother tells her she has to confess to killing her boyfriend. She will probably go to jail but its the right thing to do and she has to help the DEA agents.

The book just goes from bad to worse. Misty is the stupidest character I have had the misfortune of ever reading. I was too through when Ms. Mabel, her neighbor allows her to stay in her home as a fugitive and she is calling the woman a bitch in her head. Plus I think Ms. Mabel was a lot smarter than Misty was giving her credit for but I will not be finishing this book to get the outcome. What a disappointment.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The Safe House- Kiki Swinson – Review
This is I believe my first book by this author and I kept feeling like I was missing something. The story opens with Misty in the hospital after a suicide attempt. She is mourning the loss of her grandmother and cousin. That’s where things can get a bit confusing. Misty is trying to play two sides against the middle in order to survive.
This is one of those books whereas it's hard to talk about the story without giving to much away. If you are a fan of urban lit then you are familiar with how this storyline goes.
I wish I would have read the first book in this series because that would have probably cleared up my questions. Beware this book ends in a cliff hanger.


My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

The Safe House
(Black Market series #2)
by Kiki Swinson 

Kindle Edition, 256 pages
Expected publication: June 25th 2019 by Dafina



Goodreads synopsis:
Run for cover
It was supposed to be easy money. A few exchanges for cash, one big payoff, and then life would be better than ever with bills all paid and money in her pocket. But the plan fell apart and now she’s made an enemy. He’s a drug cartel leader out to destroy any competition—and get payback by any means necessary . . .
 
Play for time
Under federal protection, she’s only steps ahead as the cartel leader starts killing off her family and friends. When he kidnaps a relative and demands her in exchange, she and a desperate DEA agent work a bold switch to nail him. But the fallout is disastrous—and deadly . . .
 
Do anything to survive
Now the local police are closing in on her as the prime suspect in her abusive boyfriend’s disappearance. She’s got no choice but to ditch the feds and take down her merciless pursuer on her own. But with no options, no help, and the clock running down, this not-so-innocent victim’s only shot may be the one risk that takes her out for good . . .

***

3.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Black Market series by Kiki Swinson. It is a gritty urban fiction novel. I don’t usually read books like this and so if you love this genre take this review with a grain of salt. I am certain you probably need to to start reading this series at book #1 titled Black Market to get the full picture. It would make more sense to the reader.

Misty was looking for a big payoff, easy money, but it turned out to be more complicated once all the chips started falling around her. I can’t really give too much away by way of plot since this book is number two in a series. Lots of fallout here. Lots of action and deadly consequences. This will not be a happily ever after type of book.

I wanted to root for the main character but given the genre I am not sure I wad supposed to. I like to follow the mystery, figure it out and feel like justice was served. Not really possible here.

If you love urban fiction, read this. It is thrilling in its own way. It makes a mark when you read it. It is compelling. Just not my jam. It might be yours.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

Misty makes a lot of bad decisions. In fact, it's hard to find a single GOOD decision in this quick read. At times over the top, it's a (like unintentional) hoot at times and tense in others. Swinson definitely knows her way around the genre and has written a tale which will keep you entertained, if occasionally deeply annoyed by Misty. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

The Safe House
Kiki Swinson

The Safe House is a gritty urban fiction novel from author, Kiki Swinson. This is book two in her Black Market series and picks up the story where book one, The Black Market, left off.

Misty Heiress has made a mess of her life. Thinking she can “get rich quick” has brought some serious consequences for her and her family. Now she’s stuck between a drug cartel, the FBI and local gangsters. She’s literally put herself in a life-or-death situation. Misty is trying to think fast but continues to act before she’s thought through the consequences.

Misty’s character is better developed in this second book of the series, but she’s still totally irrational. The premise is sound and fully executed. The story holds the reader’s interest from beginning to end. I give this second installment of the series 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to all readers of urban fiction.

My thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. However, the opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine and mine alone.

No, I did not like Misty. The main character is just stupid. Every decision she makes is stupid and it doesn't seem believable that she was on her way to be a pharmacist.

Why do Arabs run an Indian restaurant and are mafia members? Why would she think a trap house is a safe hause?

The suspense did not grip me, I was only constantly shaking my head and rolling my eyes.

It's been a while since I've picked up an Urban book. I remember inhaling these books as a teenager to my early 20's. I sort of fell off the wagon from reading them, and I lost contact with some of the authors I followed. But, I'm back and ready to read some of the O.G. writers like Kiki Swinson.

From the get I despised Misty. She was all about herself and didn't care about anyone else. Honestly, once I hate you as a character, I don't care what happens to you because you were a douche to begin with. Misty fit this criteria. We begin the story with Misty trying to commit suicide, walking to the "white light" and talking to her deceased grandmother (Misty's fault). Misty and her grandmother had a heart to heart so to speak. Telling her it wasn't her time and that she needed to go back and make things right.
Misty had a bright future ahead of her. She was pursuing a career as a Pharmaceutical tech, and even though she already had her foot in the door and already working at a Pharmacy, she began to spiral out of control when she started stealing pills for her pill popping addict of a cousin. Let's not forget Misty's horrible bf Terrell, and what she did to him out of "self-defense". Misty was working for the wolf and she didn't even see it until tragedy hits in more ways than one.

After Misty is awaken from her her suicide attempt, she notices agents outside of her room and coming in and out of it as well. Obviously Misty gets all wired up when they start asking questions especially about having an involvement in her bf's disappearance. She throws them out multiple times and Misty tries to think of ways to escape the hospital she's in without medical staff or law enforcement seeing her. However, Misty receives a chilling "gift" while she's in the hospital and it sends her and the detectives into a panicked frenzy. One where they have to escort her discreetly out of the hospital; Misty decides to help the detectives by being an informant. Once she leaves the hospital Misty runs into her sweet elderly neighbor Mrs. Mabel who took her into her care until Misty decided what she was going to do, and also to escape being caught buy the feds or Ahmad's family (you'll read about them in the book and how they played into the story). Mrs. Mabel provides a home for Misty, but as she stays at her house a chain of events happens that forces Misty to fight for her life as well as her mother's.
The Safe House is full of action, lies, deceit, murder, violence and everything else you can think of. I would definitely recommend it if it's up your alley; a pretty quick read.

Huge thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Safe House is a interesting book that is well written. The characters are well developed and I enjoyed the storyline.

Misty just wants a better life for herself. However, she allows herself to be sucked into a situation that does not bode well for her or her family. Now some of those closest to her have paid the ultimate price, and she is stuck trying to make a life and death decision that has repercussions no matter what choice she makes. Kiki Swanson had done an excellent job continuing Misty’s story in The Safe House (The Black Market Book 2). I found myself drawn in from the very beginning, dying to know just what would happen next, but not wanting to go too fast because I did not want the story to end. I am definitely looking forward to the next book in this saga. Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC. #NetGalley #TheSafeHouse