Book picks similar to
The Real Deal by Alexandra Warren


black-love
romance
black-romance
fake-relationship

His Sexy Bad Habit


Cheris Hodges - 2011
    . .He's hot and he's single, but Antonio Billups has been out of the dating game for three years. Since his wife died, his focus has been on his business--and their son A.J. Enter new-in-town sultry, sexy Serena Jacobs, a woman who just might inspire Antonio to change his mind about being alone. . .That His Body Can't Resist. . .Serena's new restaurant is about to take off, and so is her heart--to Antonio. But events from her past are about to hit the fan--with a little help from Antonio's scheming sister-in-law. Soon, Hollywood catfights and long-ago love affairs threaten the steamy relationship between Antonio and Serena, and when their secret histories collide, they must choose between a future with--or without--love. . ."Hodges delivers a sizzling romance. . ." --Publishers Weekly on More Than He Can Handle

You're the One


Endiya Carter - 2020
    When more details surrounding her husband’s death come out, Martese is left wondering if she ever knew her husband at all. With her life in shambles, Martese throws herself into work, taking care of displaced kids as a social worker. On the night where Martese’s problems were about to get the best of her, a little girl by the name of Amaya, is thrusted into her life, until she has to take her to her real guardian, the big-shot lawyer, Preston Miles, Jr. Preston Miles, Jr, Junior Partner of Miles and Langston, was as arrogant as he was a functioning alcoholic. When he wasn’t in the court room, he was throwing back beers and partying. The only thing on his mind was making senior partner and proving that he can take over his dad’s law firm. His life abruptly changes when Martese shows up at his door with a little girl that he had never seen in his life. Not until he was forced into his guardian role, Preston realized what he was truly missing; a family.

If We Could Do It Again


A. Marie Johnson - 2018
    You can't come in town and just sweep me back into your arms, Noble." "I can't? Because that's exactly what I plan on doing. Starting right now." Noni Clark never imagined living her life without Noble Preston by her side… until she had to. Their high school sweetheart love came to an unwanted end when Noble graduated and moved to California, leaving her behind in their hometown. With no other choice but to move on, Noni finished her final year of high school alone and continued to find her way through life without him… until he came back. Riding on the upside of a promising acting career, Noble Preston has never been more satisfied with life, but there is one thing missing to make it complete; Noni Clark. After nine years without seeing her, fate finds a way to bring them back together through his younger sister, Avery. Avery needs a wedding planned, Noble is going to stay for the planning and fund it all and Noni is the best wedding planner in the city. The chance for Noble to win Noni back and keep her for good seems promising… until trouble pops up. A mother that never wanted to see the two of them together, a man who has already made a place in Noni's life and an enticing vixen from Noble's very recent past makes it hard for the unforgettable lovers to truly reunite. Can a love that never seemed to fade win? Or will the destiny that first set them apart continue to trump all?

Just to Be with You


Sheryl Lister - 2014
    So when her best friend convinces her to let loose and attend a concert featuring R & B sensation Monte, all Janae expects is an evening of music and fun. But as soon as she hears his smooth, honeyed voice and they share a moment together backstage, Janae fears her heart is in danger once again. Terrence "Monte" Campbell has been hurt by women seeking his wealth and celebrity instead of the man he truly is. So music is his only passion, until he meets Janae. He struggles to maintain emotional distance, but her tender sensuality and caring ways tempt Terrence as no other before. And one sizzling night, they both give in to their desires and explore all of the erotic promises between them. Is Janae really the one for Terrence, or just another disappointment waiting to happen? Can he finally let go of the past and embrace the idea of their loving future?

Driving Heat


Zuri Day - 2015
    --RT Book ReviewsThe Blue-Collar Lover SeriesMeet the Carter brothers, five hard-working men with a lot to offer. They may not be wealthy but they're rich in integrity and loyalty--not to mention sex appeal. They just need the right women to share their world. . .At thirty, eldest brother Byron hasn't dated seriously in a while--not since he became a single dad to his beloved baby girl. Besides, he's found that most women can't see past his job as a bus driver, and he's not interested in that type of superficial foolishness. When he meets Cynthia Hall, her disinterest is obvious. Still, there's something about her. . .Cynthia has been successful in her career and unlucky in love. But those two worlds collide when Byron ends up in her office on business. It's a coincidence that casts him in a very different light than she's previously seen. Too bad he's not the upscale professional Cynthia had in mind. Yet given the chance, she might discover that while money can't buy happiness--a loving and passionate man can. . .

Love Me When It Counts


A.C. Taylor - 2016
    From the outside looking in she seems impossible to love, but through the eyes of Niam Browning she’s the only thing that matters. Her smile exudes confidence. Her words demand respect. Everything about her only makes him love her more. Even with the strong feelings that Niam has for her, the status of their relationship has yet to change. He wants more, but Naomi’s less than favorable track record with men, keeps him from taking the next step. In the blink of an eye, Niam’s life begins to spiral out of control and Naomi is the only one that he can count on to be there when he needs it most. Without warning, everything changes and neither of them can escape the bond that’s present between them. But even their bond isn’t prepared for the deceitful ways of the mind. Will Naomi and Niam overcome their own illusive thoughts and love each other beyond their flaws? Or will everything prove to be too much for them to handle?

Lucky In Love


Melanie Schuster - 2002
    It's the first in a series of compelling contemporary romances about the Cochran family from Detroit and the Deveraux family from Atlanta. Benita Cochran of Cochran Communications and Clayton Deveraux of The Deveraux Group met for business only, but it was clear that they were destined for more. Clay tried to resist the powerful attraction he felt to Benita, but in a very short time, they went from the boardroom to the bedroom and right to the altar. They were so well-matched in so many ways that even her domineering father's opposition to their union couldn't stand in their way. After their romantic wedding and passionate honeymoon Benita eagerly embraces her new life in Atlanta. She loves everything about being Mrs. Clay Deveraux, especially the baby she was carrying. Everything is golden until a tragedy rips them apart. Only the love they have for each other enables them to fight through their grief and pain to recapture the passion and joy that brought them together. Lucky in Love is an award-winning national best-seller that began the series of passionate, intelligent and warmhearted romances that have won fans worldwide.

Fake It Till You Break It


Jenn P. Nguyen - 2019
    They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don’t hate each other as much as they once thought...

Unexpected


D.L. White - 2020
    A chance encounter brings her unexpected love and a new outlook on life. Here's to finding love where you least expect it!

Love in Catalina Cove


Brenda Jackson - 2018
    Now, over a decade later, Vashti reluctantly finds herself back in her hometown after inheriting her aunt’s B and B. Her homecoming gets off to a rocky start when the new sheriff, Sawyer Grisham, pulls her over for speeding, and things go downhill from there.The B and B, a place she’d always found refuge in when it seemed like the whole world was against her, has fallen into disrepair. When a surprising benefactor encourages Vashti to reopen the B and B, Vashti embraces a fresh start, and soon old hurts begin to fade as she makes new memories with the town—and its handsome sheriff…But some pasts are too big to escape, and when a bombshell of a secret changes everything she thought was true, Vashti is left reeling. With Sawyer and his teenage daughter determined to see her through the storm, though, she’s learning family isn’t always a matter of blood—sometimes it’s a matter of heart.

Sweatpants Season


Danielle Allen - 2018
    It was the first thing I noticed that day until he stood. His grey sweatpants hung off his hips and I didn’t want to look. I really didn’t. I’m a feminist. I don’t believe in objectifying men. I don’t catcall men. I don’t ogle the bodies of men. I don’t view men as objects of my affection rather than complex people with feelings, wants, and needs of their own. I don’t treat men the way society often treats women. I treat men the way I want to be treated as a woman—with respect! So, when Carlos ran into me while I was reviewing my interview questions in the park, it surprised me to see my photography classmate out of context. I was also surprised to see as much of him as I did.It wasn’t just that it caught my eye. It was the fact that it held my attention.It wasn’t just that it was large. It was the fact that it was visibly large.It wasn’t just that it was Carlos Richmond. It was the fact that I am Akila Bishara.And I am not seduced by anything other than intelligent conversation, witty rapport, and meaningful actions.I am not seduced by a dick print. I am not. Seriously, I’m not.

Now That I've Found You


Kristina Forest - 2020
    That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted . . .Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears.With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.

Grumpy Fake Boyfriend


Jackie Lau - 2018
    When I'm not writing a science fiction novel, I'm watching a good movie or reading a book. Alone. I like my reclusive life. That is, until my only friend asks for a favor—pretend to be his baby sister's boyfriend on a couples' getaway. Her ex is going to be there and she needs me as a buffer. I should have said no, but Naomi is bubbly, energetic, and beautiful. She also means everything to her brother. But now, our fake romance is starting to feel all too real, and I find myself stuck between the promise I made to my friend and risking my heart to the one woman who might actually get me…

Rent a Boyfriend


Gloria Chao - 2020
    She hired him from Rent for Your ’Rents, a company specializing in providing fake boyfriends trained to impress even the most traditional Asian parents.Drew Chan’s passion is art, but after his parents cut him off for dropping out of college to pursue his dreams, he became a Rent for Your ’Rents employee to keep a roof over his head. Luckily, learning protocols like “Type C parents prefer quiet, kind, zero-PDA gestures” comes naturally to him.When Chloe rents Drew, the mission is simple: convince her parents fake Drew is worthy of their approval so they’ll stop pressuring her to accept a proposal from Hongbo, the wealthiest (and slimiest) young bachelor in their tight-knit Asian American community.But when Chloe starts to fall for the real Drew—who, unlike his fake persona, is definitely not ’rent-worthy—her carefully curated life begins to unravel. Can she figure out what she wants before she loses everything?

Like No One Else


Maureen Smith - 2009
    After a devastating scandal derails her dancing career in New York, she flees to Houston for a fresh start. Once her new dance studio takes off, the rest of Tommie's life follows suit. But when a local woman connected to Tommie turns up dead, Tommie is petrified...and doesn't know where to turn.But She Can't HideWhen veteran homicide detective Paulo Sanchez walks through her door, Tommie wonders if her troubles have just doubled. She and Paulo had a torrid attraction years ago. . .but she's sworn off men because of too many broken dreams. Yet their sizzling attraction can't be denied, and as their passion intensifies, the killer's body count also rises. That's when all clues point toward the one person Tommie thought she could finally believe in...