SIDE CHICK NATION
by Aya de León
A Justice Hustlers Novel
Publication Date: June 25, 2019
Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Urban Fiction,
Feminist Crime, Standalone
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this
book for review from IndieSage PR and the author. I was not
compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The
opinions I have expressed are my own. I am posting this in
accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part
255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and
Testimonials in Advertising".
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SYNOPSIS:
A Justice Hustlers Novel
She’s beautiful, unpredictable–and on the run from dangerous men. But this
ex-side chick is ready to risk everything to help others in trouble . . .
ex-side chick is ready to risk everything to help others in trouble . . .
Fed up with her married Miami boyfriend, savvy Dulce has no problem stealing his
drug-dealer stash and fleeing to her family in the Caribbean. But when she gets bored in rural Santo Domingo, she escapes on a sugar daddy adventure to Puerto Rico. Her new life is one endless party, until she’s caught in Hurricane Maria–and witnesses the brutal collision of colonization and climate change, as well as the international vultures who plunder the tragedy for a financial killing, making shady use of relief funds to devastate the island even more. Broke, traumatized, and stranded, Dulce’s only chance to get back to New York may be a sexy, crusading journalist who’s been pursuing her. But is she hustling him or falling for him?
drug-dealer stash and fleeing to her family in the Caribbean. But when she gets bored in rural Santo Domingo, she escapes on a sugar daddy adventure to Puerto Rico. Her new life is one endless party, until she’s caught in Hurricane Maria–and witnesses the brutal collision of colonization and climate change, as well as the international vultures who plunder the tragedy for a financial killing, making shady use of relief funds to devastate the island even more. Broke, traumatized, and stranded, Dulce’s only chance to get back to New York may be a sexy, crusading journalist who’s been pursuing her. But is she hustling him or falling for him?
Meanwhile, New York-based mastermind thief Marisol already has her hands full fleecing a ruthless CEO who’s stealing her family’s land in Puerto Rico, while trying to get her relatives out alive after the hurricane. An extra member in her crew could be game-changing, but she’s wary of Dulce’s unpredictability and reputation for drama. Still, Dulce’s determination to get justice draws Marisol in, along with her formidable Lower East Side Women’s Health Clinic’s heist squad. But their race-against-the-clock plan is soon complicated by powerful men who turn deadly when ex-side chicks step out of the shadows and demand to call the shots . . .
Praise for Aya de Leon and her novels
“Staking out space for women of color in the heist-fiction genre, Aya de Leon’s smart, sly writing is a knockout.” –Andi Zeisler, Bitch magazine
“This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Leon’s unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character.”
—Booklist on The Boss, STARRED review
“This well-written and enjoyable installment in de Leon’s unique, feminist, urban crime-fiction series . . . infuses satisfying power in both plot and character.”
—Booklist on The Boss, STARRED review
My Thoughts:
Dolores “Dulce” Garcia does what she has in order to survive. This author certainly has an interesting way to introduce her readers to her main character. You will feel sorry for her. Others may wonder, “How did she let herself get into that situation in the first place?” But she has good survival skills and she had to learn those skills starting at a young age.
It’s a story where you will have to pay attention. Scenes can go from present to past and it may take a minute or two to realize the change. There are other characters that may add to that confusion because your focus is on Dulce. This also made me feel as if things were going a little slow – you will need to have patience. Don’t try to speed read because it just may add to the confusion.
What I liked is that the author spins a story around an actual natural disaster. I also liked that she used her platform to make a statement but it might get lost for some readers. A lot will depend on if the reader is looking for lighter fare or one where their mind needs to be engaged. I don’t think this is a book for a first time reader of the author’s work. Getting to know her Justice Hustlers series first may give you some indication of her writing style. So I’m not ready to give up on Ms. De Leon just yet. I also need to check into her series to get to know her and how she goes about creating that series world.
MUSIC PLAYLIST FOR SIDE CHICK NATION:
BOOKS IN THE JUSTICE HUSTLERS SERIES:
ABOUT AYA DE LEON:
Aya de León teaches creative writing in UC Berkeley’s African American Studies Department. Her award-winning Justice Hustlers series has received acclaim in the Washington Post, Jacobin Magazine, and The Establishment. Her work has also appeared in Ebony, Essence, Guernica, Plougshares, The Root, VICE, and on Def Poetry. She is an alumna of Cave Canem and VONA.
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