3-3.5 stars.

This was an entertaining work of urban fiction, with many heavy topics (murder, robbery, abuse, etc.) examined through two characters - Pain and Passion. Their dynamic and the entertainment value kept me reading, but the romance left a lot to be desired for me. There were also way too many side characters and not enough happening in the plot until the last 1/4 when things got crazy. I’d say overall this was fun but not exactly for me!

Thank you to NetGalley, Forge Trade, and K’wan for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

This story took us on a wild ride.
Pain is fresh out of prison, he has plans to turn his life around but circumstances lead him down a dangerous path.

A lot happened in this book but it seemed to happen at the end of the story. It took a while for the story to get to the good stuff.

Being introduced to so many different characters was alot. It was hard to keep them all straight.

I LOVE HEIST NOVELS so I will always enjoy them no matter what and something about the writing style of this author grips you by the throat and doesn't let go which I was glad for.

Whew this was a crazy ride pain wanted better but his friends just didn’t get it ! Passion was going through unnecessary trauma for ungodly reasons smh , I really felt terrible for her and Pain .. Honestly I felt like I was watching a show episode on HBO ! This was really good 🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍 I highly recommend this movie lol I mean book !

Thank you to the author and Forge Books for my advance copy!

Percy “Pain” Wells is just released from prison and is trying not to go back to his old life. Immediately upon his release, he discovers that his grandmother needs financial help, and a 9 to 5 just won’t do. A natural leader, he joins his old crime partners and takes on a job that should alleviate his issues. He soon finds that there is no honor amongst thieves, and he must dive deeper than he imagined.

Passion Adams is trying to escape the ghost of her past while maintaining her sanity under her Uncle Joe’s roof. A constant house of horrors, Passion is determined to survive long enough to escape to California. While out one night, she is caught up in a heist that would change the direction of her life.

One thing K’wan is going to do is intertwine characters and leave some breadcrumbs. There were some characters from previous stories mentioned that leave me wondering where those stories will go. Some characters are introduced and seem to be lacking character development. That didn’t bother me because I am familiar with K’wan’s writing so I know readers will get the complete view of the characters when its necessary. I am interested in reading more about Lil Sorrow, the little that was shared about him has me intrigued, and Queen Crow because we know the weight her last name carries. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I’m interested to see where this series ends.

If you’re looking for a dark ride, filled with crime and violence, this is the book for you. Just brace yourself.

"Passion for the Heist" by K'wan is a fast-paced, gritty urban thriller that blends high-stakes crime with intense romance. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping readers hooked as the characters navigate a dangerous world of deception and desire. K'wan's sharp writing and vivid depiction of street life make this book a thrilling and immersive read.

Special thanks to the author, @forgereads for my gifted copy, & @macmillan.audio for my advanced listening copy‼️

This book was definitely a wild experience. K’wan is a master at creating elaborate characters and putting them through the most intense situations. There was soooooo much going on imagine a movie with no set plot just a bunch of dramatic effects that was Passion for the Heist to me.

Every time I read one of his books you can tell he allows his imagination to flow freely. Although it didn’t really have any clear direction or plot the book is entertaining nonetheless and the last 25% was the best part of it. My main issue as always was the hundred million side characters I had to keep up with like 4 is cool but 10 is a stretch.

But this one follows two separate MC’s Pain who was recently released from prison and is trying to get his life together without returning to the streets. But of course that only lasts for so long. Then we have Passion a young teen under the care of her uncle Joe who just so happens to be a pimp. Her whole situation was crazy especially when Uncle Joe switched up‼️ When Passion and Pain cross paths that’s when the book took a turn and all these crazy secrets and acts of betrayal happened. I also had the pleasure of listening to the audio and the narrator sounds like the guy from First 48 and oddly I couldn’t unhear it 😂.

Overall, the book was okay it’s urban fiction so you already know what you’re in store for. We get a couple robberies, murder, domestic abuse, underage prostitution, and fake love/relationships. In many aspects K’Wan delivered enough to keep you entertained and with that cliffhanger ending I see a book 2 in our future.

Rating: 3.75/5 ⭐️

THE KING OF STREET LIT IS BACK!
IN THIS BOOK WE HAVE TWO PARALLEL STORIES THAT COME CRASHING TOGETHER BEFORE THE CONCLUSION. It was interesting to see how the stories were weaved together. There’s a wide array of characters including pimps, whores, cons, ex-con’s, thieves, cops and so many more. If you’ve ever read a K’wan book you know exactly how he rolls. There’s also appearances from his past bodies of work. Reading this book was almost like watching a TV series based in New York. I loved it! I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next.

Parish “Pain” Wells is back home after serving time in prison. Pain was a successful heist man prior to his incarnation. He was on top of the food chain back in the day but now he’s at the bottom of the totem pole. Pain’s ailing grandmother is still in his corner and he wants to be on the right side of the law. But when he sees his grandmother’s medical bills, Pain needs cash fast. Passion lost both parents and has been in the care of her estranged Uncle Joe. Passion’s life has been nothing but chaos and disorder. But when she has a chance meeting with Pain, her life changes forever.

Passion for the Heist by K’wan has everything that you look for in a crime fiction novel.
Fast-paced action, murder, and a plot twist that you won’t see coming. K’wan does a good job of continuing Pain’s story and showing the bumpy road he has to go down. Passion is also a good complex character that readers will root for. Readers need to pay attention to every nugget that K’wan includes in this story. Passion for the Heist is a true page-turner by K’wan.

First, if you’re looking for any type of love within this book, this isn’t the book for you. This book is straight Urban Fiction through and through! Now let’s get into the book.

Passion - A bright young girl who was sent to live with her estranged Uncle, Joe after her parents die after a terrible accident. Now, living with Uncle Joe, a pimp and the most disgusting man ever, Passion is forced to navigate her new life living with a man who causes her more harm than good. Passion numbs away the pain of her current living situation by using drugs, “having episodes,” alcohol, c*tting herself, and getting mixed up in things she has no business in. Like .. intermingling herself with Pain after her memorial locket is jacked.

Pain - A career criminal who is released from prison is finding out that being outside of those 4 walls may not be as easy as he thought it would be. He wants to stay on the right and narrow path because he feels like he owes it to his grandmother since he missed out on so much time with her, but what do you do when old habits don’t die hard and your old crew hasn’t changed and is still up to no good? You battle day in and day out with the old version of yourself and the man you want to become.

Passion and Pain were two characters who were drawn to each other, but not in the way that you would think in terms of love. Passion and Pain were drawn to each other because life was about to connect them in more ways than one! Cue Jay-Z and Beyonce On The Run 2.

Some of my favorite things:
- Passion’s love of sunrises. 🌅
- Passion, Birdie, and Juju. Passion's relationship with each girl was different, but I enjoyed how they loved and cared for one another despite what was going on in their lives. 🤞🏽
- Pain and his love for his grandmother did something to me. I can’t imagine spending all those years locked up to only get out and be on borrowed time. 🥹
- Pain might’ve been a career criminal, but he was smart as hell. 📖
- The heist itself and a lot of the action that happened in the book. It felt like I was watching a movie at times.
- Ms. Higgins! She adored and challenged Passion to be better than her circumstances and I loved that. 👑
- The Brooklyn Botanical Garden scene. 🪴
- The connection between the prologue and chapter 28. Then we have the big BOMB drop in chapter 29. Everything just moved so fast! 😫

If you asked me who I hated the most in this book? Uncle Joe! So far, I don’t know if I have ever read a more vile character than him. He and Ted deserved a death sentence for what they did. Also, Bo and Zeta can kiss my grits. I hated how they treated the girls in the house.

About after the 70% mark things started to pick up and I felt like that’s when the true action started to happen. Lines were drawn and loyalty was for sure tested! My mouth dropped once we got to the last three chapters because I wasn’t expecting so much to happen at once.

Passion for the Heist is the first book in the Desperado series so I think it makes sense why so many questions were left unanswered and why were left with a cliffhanger. I thoroughly enjoyed the book so I’m curious to see what happens in book 2 because .. where are Passion and Pain now? 👀

Also, check your trigger warnings: Mental health issues, c*tting, SA in general, and SA of minors happen in this storyline.

✨ISSA ARC REVIEW.✨ Thank you to NetGalley, K’wan, and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC of Passion for the Heist for my honest review.

**Book Review: "Passion for the Heist" by K'Wan**

K'Wan's "Passion for the Heist" delivers the gritty, high-stakes action that fans of urban fiction crave. However, while the novel has its strengths, it suffers from a few missteps that may leave readers wanting more in terms of character development and pacing.

The story follows a group of individuals drawn together by a daring heist, each with their own motives and personal histories. K'Wan excels at creating a tense atmosphere and infusing the narrative with authenticity. The raw dialogue and vivid descriptions pull you into the world of the characters, making the stakes feel real and immediate.

That said, the novel feels a bit drawn out at times. Certain plot points and character arcs could have benefited from tighter editing. Some characters, while intriguing in concept, aren't given enough room to fully develop, leaving their presence in the story feeling somewhat hollow. This lack of depth detracts from the emotional impact that the novel could have achieved.

Despite these shortcomings, "Passion for the Heist" still offers an engaging read for those who enjoy urban fiction. The action sequences and plot twists will keep you turning the pages, even if the story lingers longer than necessary. If you're looking for a gritty urban tale with a heist at its center, this book may still be worth your time, though it might not reach the heights of K'Wan's best work.

♡𝐞𝐀𝐫𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰♡
5 🌟
-
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 :
•dual POV
𝐓𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 :
•mental health issues
•cutting
•sexual abuse by an adult
-
𝑰𝒇 𝒋𝒖𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒃𝒚 𝒊𝒕𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝑴𝑬! It's something about this cover that drove me to this book, and I am beyond happy about that. This book is more than 5 🌟's! The storyline could be heavy at some point and definitely have heavy topics, so please check TW and be mindful of your mental health. I devoured this book in 1.5 days. I'm still getting my thoughts together, so full review will be coming soon.
𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 Aug.27
-
Thank you, Netgalley, and Tor Publishing Group for the (eArc)-eBook for my honest review.

I did not expect a K'wan book on my 2024 bucket list but i'm so happy I found this and got a chance to read it early. As usual I was sucked into a world that felt so real. only like he can do. Everyone is going to be talking about this one.

Kwan is an auto but author of mine and he never fails to write a book I love from the characters to the location you can tell he leaves no stone unturned. A must read.