The Thug I Chose By Tina J . Miss Tina

Okay so boom… 😌

Miss Tina J… I think this might be my first book by you and BABYYYY I was not disappointed at all. Like let me just start there.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Yeah I know it’s supposed to be 5 stars but no…this one getting 6 gold stars because it had everything I love in a hood romance. The drama, the obsession, the mess, the betrayal…all of it was sitting right there in the pan sizzling 🍳🔥

By the time I got to the end, it took me a good five minutes to buy book 2 AND 3 because I already knew…I wasn’t about to be left hanging.

So we got Dayquan and Alex, best friends who been running the drug game since they were literally teenagers. And honestly? The fact that they made it out alive, not dead, not locked up, just rich and ready to chill…that alone had me like okayyy growth 😭

They hand the empire over to Dayquan’s cousin Polo, why they open up a few legit businesses, and they settle in to enjoy your life outside of the drug game.

Alex got a baby on the way with Dayquan’s sister Ang, and whewww…Alex and Ang? Yeah that might be my favorite couple too because they are ADDICTED to each other. The chemistry is crazy. Alex is strong but he not overbearing, and Ang stands ten toes every single time. I love a woman who holds her own 💅🏽

Now Dayquan…

Dayquan is that cocky ladies man who swears no woman will ever be enough…until guess what? He meets the ONE.

And then we got Polo…

Let me just say this right now: Polo made my pressure go up.

Yes he running the empire now, but he is also dating this girl Heaven and treating her like absolute trash. Mentally abusive, physically abusive, keeping her hidden, controlling her whole life…

It just didn’t sit with me well that his mama hadn’t met her. His family hadn’t met her. He doesn’t bring her around. It just gave weird. That ain’t love…that’s possession.

Heaven and Ang work together at the DMV and Ang been begging her forever to come outside and live a little. Polo has to go to Atlanta to handle some business so he tells heaven. But really he’s going to see his baby mama and his kid in Atlanta that heaven knows nothing about. Heaven finally gets cute for this white party that Ang been begging her to come to, she steps into this beautiful mansion, and for the first time she’s actually having FUN.

She meets Dayquan…they vibing, he got her blushing, the energy is sweet…

And then BOOM.

Polo shows up…even though he’s supposed to be in Atlanta…and knocks Heaven OUT in front of everybody.

Like????

The party ends, chaos everywhere, the whole family at the hospital, Polo’s mama crying apologizing…Dayquan’s mom immediately falling in love with Heaven and basically like “Baby come stay with us, get away from him.”

And Heaven does.

That’s when the story gets REAL good because her and Dayquan start getting close close. Falling asleep on the couch, watching movies, bonding…that slow burn turning into fire 🔥

Meanwhile Polo is still lying, still cheating…whole time he’s laid up with his side chick April…who also got ties to Dayquan.

It was so much mess I was eating it up with a spoon 😭

And then the plot TWISTS…

Heaven ends up pregnant…and baby…it is NOT Polo’s.

When I tell you I screamed.

This book really had you questioning like…is family really your alliance? Or your biggest enemy? Because Polo and Dayquan beefing over Heaven was INSANE.

Polo wanted to keep the world from her because he knew she was good…he just didn’t want to treat her right. Then got mad another man was willing to.

Like sir be serious.

So the real question is…

Will Polo’s lying, abusive ways finally catch up to him? Will have him get back with Polo nothing the kind of man he is?

Or will her heart in this baby lead her straight into Dayquan’s arms…where she should’ve been all along?

Y’all…pick this book up. It was JUICY and it left NOTHING unfinished.

If you love hood romance with obsession, betrayal, family drama, and a man who finally meets the woman that humbles him…The Thug I Chose is THAT book.

Period 😌📚✨

#reading #readingrecommendations #mustreadbooks #readersoflemon8 #bookclub

1/25 Edited to

... Read moreAs someone who's a huge fan of hood romance novels, I found The Thug I Chose to be an incredibly captivating read that truly delivers on every level. What stood out most for me was how authentically Tina J captures the complex dynamics of relationships within a gritty environment. The characters felt real because they weren’t perfect; they were messy, flawed, and deeply human. One aspect that really grabbed my attention was the portrayal of Dayquan and Polo’s friendship and how it evolves over time. Their journey from running a drug empire as teens to attempting a legitimate lifestyle resonated with me because it touched on themes of growth and change, which aren’t often explored deeply in this genre. It also raised interesting questions about loyalty and trust within family and friendships. The relationship dynamics, especially between Polo and Heaven, brought up intense emotions. It was hard to read about the controlling and abusive behavior, but it was important to see how that contrasted with Dayquan’s genuine care and respect for Heaven. The slow-burn romance between Dayquan and Heaven felt both tender and believable — a nice balance to the chaos surrounding them. Additionally, the plot twists, like Heaven’s pregnancy not being Polo's child, added layers of suspense that kept me hooked. It made me reflect on how sometimes family can be a source of conflict rather than comfort, and how important it is to recognize when love is truly healthy. Overall, if you enjoy stories filled with drama, obsession, and the messy but beautiful side of love, this book is an exceptional pick. It also highlights important issues such as mental and physical abuse, making it more than just entertainment — it’s a story that can spark real conversations about relationships and self-worth. If you’re looking for a hood romance that combines raw emotion with relatable characters and a gripping storyline, The Thug I Chose will not disappoint. I highly recommend adding it to your reading list and getting ready for a rollercoaster of feelings that will stay with you long after the last page.

5 comments

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Author Uniquely Lashay

Hi queen im a black up coming author on Amazon. I would appreciate any support on my books which are free with Kindle unlimited. Im author Uniquely Lashay and Lashae Love on some of my books.

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ShaunieB

I love her !!!! I’ve been reading her for years

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