Book Lovers pt. 4: Swiped By Shawana King

By: Jay Dee, MPH

Swiped written by Shawana King

What 14-year-old do you know who can pull together 60 bands to bail their father out of jail? Shawana "Shay" King isn’t just a hustler—she’s the real-life “Coldest Winter Ever.”

Growing up with a father who hustled and an aunt who always had a bag, Shay learned early that money not only talks, but it keeps you fly. In Swiped, Shay takes us through her life from adolescence to young adulthood, telling how she rose to become the ultimate credit card queen. Hustling was always in her DNA, but when her boyfriend, Dean, introduced her to credit card fraud, the stakes went sky-high. The two were living the good life, and by the time Shay was just 20 or 21, she was calling a mansion in Jersey home.

I first heard about Shay’s story on BET+’s True Crime Story. Honestly, I thought reading the book might feel redundant since I already knew the gist—but I’m glad I picked it up. Her TV interview was “long story short.” The book? That’s where the real tea is.

During the first half, I actually forgot I was reading about someone who was eventually indicted for credit card fraud. And I mean that as a compliment—it reads like a coming-of-age story. A daddy’s girl growing into a teen dating an older guy. Surviving teenage dating violence. Transforming into a young woman who knew exactly how to work the system.

One thing about Shay—she was no fool for a man. No matter how much she loved someone, she wasn’t losing herself in the process and she always secured her future, quietly. Her father’s lessons followed her through every relationship and fueled her independence.

There’s more I could spill, but I’ll leave you with this: Shay’s story is a wild ride from loyalty to betrayal, love to hustle. My only lingering question? Girl… why did you do Dean like that?!

Happy Reading!

Until Next Time,

The Vagina Liberator