Book picks similar to
I Can't Be the One You Love: In Love With a Trap Lord by Jahquel J.


street-lit
unrealistic
african-american
cant-connect-with-characters

Addicted to the Hustle: A Carolina Love Thing


Zaii Renae - 2016
    With an absentee mother and alcoholic father Logan has the weight of the world on her shoulders. All Logan can really count on are her crazy ass friends Margo, April and her secret crush Ameer Sanchez to keep her sane. Ameer Sanchez is a young rich, and in demand. With a small circle that consists of his best friends Jacob and Daniel, he doesn’t need much else to hold him down, well except for that special someone. He's fine as hell and on his way to living out his dreams. He also has everything he wants and can have any girl he wants but ever since he laid eyes on Logan he knew that he had to have her. Unfortunately, for this bunch, life isn’t always as simple as it should be. Ameer is struggling to keep his head right, and do right by Logan but life keeps getting in the way. Keeping his past in the past is not working out as simple as he thought it would be. Friendships and relationships are challenged, and some may not survive. Not to mention that the streets are invading their circle with a vengeance. Roman is the plug that Jacob and Daniel work for and he has an offer that they can’t refuse, even if they should be running from it. With Roman about to step down will the guys step up and take his place or will unforeseen circumstances make it impossible. Will Ameer be able to handle a relationship and running the streets? Will Logan be understanding of his constant demanding schedule? Will outside forces as well as, the ones closest to them try to tear them apart? And ultimately, is being Addicted to the Hustle really worth it?

Heart of a Boss: A Memphis Love Story


Jammie Jaye - 2016
    She falls head over hills for him. In her mind she had the perfect love story. That is until she dropped out of college to follow him to Miami. Soon as they touched down in Miami her sunshine and blue sky’s turned into rain and thunderstorms. After 4 years of being locked away from the world and being mistreated she finally got the opportunity to get away from him. After moving back to Memphis she finds out that her long time best friend Jazmine held back a secret that could have saved her a lot of agony and heartbreak that she went through with Jaxon. Shortly after returning back home to Memphis her best friend Reagan introduces her to one of the most notorious drug distributors in the south Kamery Moreno. Kamery comes into her life and shows her what its really like to be loved. He was the total opposite of Jaxon, from his demeanor to the way that he dressed. Never in a million years would she have though that she would be in love with a man of his stature. After finding out that she is pregnant she decides that is time for her to be independent and achieve some of her personal goals she has set. Just when fells like she has everything under control she finds out that Kamery and his brother inherited their father’s drug empire. In addition to being a soon to be mom, opening a club, and being a King Pins wife she tries her best to stay focused. After not only being kidnapped …but also being betrayed by her best friend that just doesn’t seem to be happening. Can Shayla with stand the heartache, betray and pain that come with the biggest drug supplier on the United States? Or will she run when things get messy?

I'll Never Love A Dope Boy Again


Twyla T. - 2017
    When she loses the love of her life to the streets, she vows to never love a dope boy again, but some promises are meant to be broken…. Demetrius is a product of the streets and has spent the last five years in jail because enough was never enough. When he is released from prison, he tries hard to turn his life around, but as the saying goes…old habits die hard. Only settling for jump offs, he is mesmerized when he meets Kamora and instantly makes up his mind that he will do whatever it takes to win her over. Will Kamora be able to keep the promise that she made to herself after she meets the charming and persistent Demetrius? Will Demetrius be able to leave his dope boy ways alone to get Kamroa or will he be forever tied to the streets?

Never Made Love to a Thug: Until I Met You


Cherie Briggins - 2017
    Some would even call her stupid. Feeling as if she's constantly on a rollercoaster ride of love and abuse, Mirror finally wants off. She's losing herself and her future is starting to look bleak. Until he steps into the picture. Now that Trust is a free man, he's focused and determined to be the King of New York. While hustling day and night, the only thing he wants is money, respect and those to fear him. But when he spots a beautiful girl sitting on a stoop, will he continue to be as focused as he once was?

Loving a Jamaican Bad Boy


Tinera Latoya - 2016
    They're in Jamaica, they are having fun and find new love interest.A trip that was supposed to be two weeks turned into a summer long trip, when the girls meet their love interest.Minah is the shy girl who doesn't know her beauty. She’s been the awkward pretty girl all her life. She's never gone to a party or even had a boyfriend. Minah is all about her school work and on the path to become a biomedical engineer. When Minah meets Kymani in Jamaica, she is letting go of the shy girl and breaking out her shell thanks to Kymani. Minah is slowly falling for him the more time she spends with him.Kymani is a girl’s dream. He is what every woman wants. Being the top Kingpin in Jamaica is the life he is living. Kymani have everything he ever wants in life, until he meets Minah. She is young, beautiful and rare to Kymani. He sets his eyes on her and on a mission to make her his. What was supposed to be a graduation trip to Jamaica, turns into love at first sight. Kymani would stop at nothing to have Minah as his woman.Back in America is Minah secret lover Jay, and older cousin of Keyariah. Jay has been in love with Minah, when she was the ugly ducking and not knowing her true beauty. Now that she has found her confidence and self esteem, Jay is willing to do anything to have her all to himself by any means necessary. Will Jay just let Minah slip out of his hands to Kymani, or will he fight for her love?Keyariah has been the wild girl all her life. Boys, partying, and more boys been her motto. She can't keep a steady relationship to save her life, and this has her second guessing herself. Is she worthy of a good man? Bad relationship after bad relationship has been her problem for a while. When she goes to Jamaica she falls for Tariq, best friend of Kymani. Will Keyariah find the perfect man in Tariq, or will he turn out to be like the other bad apples?Join Minah and Keyariah on their wicked roller coaster of finding that happy ever after love.

He Want That Old Thang Back: Spinoff to She Used to be the Sweetest Girl


BriAnn Danae - 2016
    You MUST read that first, in order to enjoy this novel*** SYNOPSIS ​ The saying is that time heals all wounds, but for the pair you were first introduced to in “She Used to be the Sweetest Girl,” that saying couldn’t be further from the truth. Pierre, known bachelor of St. Louis and heavy in the streets, is trying to find his way in the love game. His player ways are taking a toll on him and the thought of settling down sounds appealing. But he can’t seem to choose with whom he wants to share his time and bed with. About her business and in a happy relationship, Carissa is enjoying her life without Pierre. Their year apart has given her time to evaluate what she really wants in a relationship. Though she was somewhat content, the little voice in her head is telling her that she is settling. Deep down, her heart belongs to Pierre, even though she didn’t want it to. She is about to find out that maybe giving her heart over to someone new was the wrong move. As these two struggle to grasp the realization that they are not meant to be, you will also be introduced to a couple dealing with issues of their own: that young love, where it’s fresh and fun, but could be toxic if you let it. Cameo’s from Shemel and Brix will be filled throughout the pages and you, the reader, will get to see where his rap career has led their relationship as well. ​ Some of the hardest decisions to make in life come from being indecisive and not knowing what is best for us. For the couples in this book, one bad decision can make their world change… forever. “He Want That Old Thang Back” is not only a story of love, but one of growth and life lessons. Hopefully, the lessons meant to be learned aren’t taught too late.

Giving My Heart To The King Of Atlanta


Mo Howard - 2018
    They have a million followers who check out their channel for pranks and couple travel videos. Chloe thinks life is perfect until she finds out that her prince charming is cheating. Humiliated and disrespected, Chloe gives up her YouTube channel and is back at square one, living on her best friend Layla’s sofa. Without Eric she feels like she can’t go on; that is until she runs into a handsome stranger, Cole Lewis, that reignites her need to create. What she doesn’t know is that her new boo is one of the most feared men in Atlanta. He runs the city with an iron fist and likes to be low-key, which doesn’t fit into Chloe’s public lifestyle. Somehow they learn to manage their relationship, but not without a few hiccups (like Eric trying to coming back in the picture and online haters who don’t want Chloe to be happy). 
 Layla has always been there for her best friend and that doesn’t stop when Chloe is at her lowest. Layla encourages Chloe to move on and forget about Eric. She wants her friend to be happy and she knows that Cole would be perfect for her. While trying to play match maker she goes through changes of her own with her high-school-sweet-heart-turned-fiancé, Ken. He is not the man that she thought he was. While dealing with a broken heart, she meets a man that takes her breath away, causing her to face a difficult question. Will she leave the love she’s known for years and try something new, or continue to hold her man down even though he hurt her? 
 Giving My Heart to the King of Atlanta is filled with love and drama. Chloe and Layla must go through their fair share of trials to get their happy endings.

These Hoes Ain't Loyal


Quiana Nicole - 2014
    There are some thing best friends shouldn't share – especially men. Jasmine soon finds out her and Breona are sharing more than just clothes. What happens when Breona breaks the unspoken girl code? Will her feelings allow her to walk away from her best friend’s fiancé or will she do everything in her power to sabotage Jasmine’s happily ever after? Trust and loyalty test the strengths of the friendship between Jasmine and Breona. Will Jasmine learn the number rule: These Hoes Ain't Loyal.

Taken, But I Want You


Krystal Armstead - 2016
    No matter how much time has passed. This was the case for David “Blue” Jacobs. At the age of sixteen, Blue’s adoptive mother moved him from Greenville, North Carolina to Washington, D.C. in search for a better life. She thought that she was making a better way for Blue, but she only turned him into more of a monster. It wasn’t until the loss of a loved one that Blue decided to straighten up his life and leave the streets alone.When Blue left Greenville, he left behind his best friend, Chrystal Alison. Chrystal’s life was dependent upon her relationship with Blue. Misused, abused, and abandoned, Chrystal turned her life over to the hands of those she thought would help her. Chrystal finds herself trapped between a lifestyle that she doesn’t want to live and the people that she feels obligated to take care of by any means necessary.Just when Blue thought it was safe to say that he’d never see Chrystal again, every step he takes seemed to led him right back to her. The heart wants what the heart wants. No matter how many times you tell yourself that you’re better off without that person, a part of you will never be able to let go. Take a ride with these characters on their journey to recovery, forgiveness, and closure.

No Love in His Heart: Part One


B. Love - 2018
    In her youth, she was okay with not having children or getting married, but now that she’s close to thirty her desires have changed. With only two choices, Blue must choose between staying with Messiah or leaving and starting a new life and love with someone willing to give her every desire of her heart – including marriage and children. For Kiylee, the bad boys are no good and the good guys are no fun. Settling for no commitment and the occasional bed buddy has gotten her through most of her adulthood until she meets Bianco and Indie. Bianco, a classic street hoodlum, vies for her attention just as strongly as Indie, the good guy you’d want to bring home to your mother. In this love triangle, Kiylee’s heart is pulling her in one direction while her mind tugs her in another. Tamara spent most of her late teenaged years seeking the attention of Alante. She wanted his sight, even if she wasn’t the woman in his vision. After finally winning him, Tamara realizes just how big of a mistake it was to pursue a man instead of waiting on the one that was truly meant for her. Each of these women are left with a choice, and although the answers seem easy at first… the consequences are hard enough to have them all changing their minds and the love within their hearts. Please note: The characters in this series were first introduced in “No Love in his Heart: The Preface”