Book picks similar to
Don't Cry, Cheat Back by Linette King


urban
urban-fiction
short-stories
african-american-literature

This Could Be Us But You Playin' Super Box Set: Complete Series


Cachet - 2019
    With a mother who hated her very existence and a father who was locked away in prison for the attempted murder of her mother, she just couldn’t catch a break. With a stressful home life, Dominique's only ray of sunshine is her boyfriend, Kaleb. As teens, the duo was madly in love, with plans to marry and raise a family together. That is until Kaleb unintentionally breaks her heart. Crushed, Dominique does the only thing she can think of, and that is to leave. Kaleb realizes that he’s ruined their chances when Dominique moves away and goes off to college; leaving behind no way for him to contact her. After a few years, Kaleb eventually accepts the fact that Dominique is gone forever. By then he has his life on track and is now a very successful businessman with the world at his fingertips. A chance encounter reconnects the two ex-lovers, and Kaleb sees it as a chance to right his wrongdoings and finally be with the one who captured his heart all those years ago. There’s one problem, not only is Dominique engaged to marry another man, but she is also the mother of her fiancé's son. To make matters worse, Kaleb gets involved with a woman who loves him unconditionally. Although faced with a sticky situation, Kaleb refuses to allow Dominique to slip away again. He vows to get her back at any cost. Even if it means destroying a home that Dominique doesn't know is damaged, to begin with. Will these young lovers reconnect and have their happily ever after, or will they realize that their ships have passed? Find out how Dominique and Kaleb's story unfolds in the complete series of "This Could Be Us But You Playin'".

Truth Hurts, Lies Kill


Raymond Francis - 2013
    After committing a crime that forces him out of his home state of South Carolina, he finds himself all alone in the streets of Philadelphia. Without a familiar face to turn to, SK is forced to learn to survive. Miraculously, with all the odds against him, SK manages to make ends meets. Life is good, until a regrettable incident changes everything. Drama and suspense filled, SK’s journey proves the harsh reality that the Truth Hurts, but Lies Kill.

Bad For My Gangsta: Khadarious & Zoerina's Hood Love


Miss Jenesequa - 2018
    So being bad for him was never on her agenda... right? Running away from her father’s house to live a life with her boyfriend of four years was supposed to be her perfect fairy tale ending. Until six months later, he kicked her out, forcing her to live on the streets of Detroit. Vowing to only focus on what matters, Zoerina Banks bounces back, grinds her butt off, and stacks her paper. However, it becomes easier said than done when the biggest distraction hits Ms. Banks—sending her life on a wild, uncontrollable rollercoaster. It’s his way or no way. That’s the number one rule Khadarious ‘KD’ Dixon has always stuck by and been successful with. He’s ruthless on the streets, ruthless to his enemies, and even ruthless with his women. Even with his heavy past influence in the streets, he’s always been specific on wanting to be low-key. But being low-key when your name is always in everyone’s mouths is much easier said than done. Those that know who he is, either love him, fear him, or loathe him. And the streets always know how to lure him back in, one way or another. He’s arrogant, spoiled, and everything she shouldn’t want in a man—everything she should be running far away from. But her attraction toward him is undeniable, undeniable and dangerous. She convinces herself that she doesn’t want anything to do with him. But who is she trying to kid? He’s never been one with commitment. She’s never been one without it. A new hood love. An irresistible chemistry. A perfect match. But could Zoerina’s biggest enemy, turn out to be the dangerous man she’s fallen in love with?

Snow White and the Savage


Fatima Munroe - 2020
    Fluent in five languages before the age of ten, she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. In the blink of an eye, a late night tragedy snatches not only her fabulous life, but the one man who loved her more than anything, leaving her with a stepmother who would stop at nothing to make Cary’s life a living hell. When most people her age were preparing for school dances, prom and graduation, Cary spent her teenage years closing off her true identity in order to cope with her surroundings. By the time she was legal, Cary had already crashed and burned into a shell of her former self. Even through the darkness, she held on to the hope that one day her life would magically turn into something great.Every king needs a queen. Leonidas Payano, also known as King, was next in line for the trap throne in Miami. Growing up, he’d heard stories about how he and Cary would rule the streets together, but when that time came his queen was nowhere to be found. Years of dead ends and closed mouths later, Cary was found in Meridian, Mississippi. Short on love and out of trust, she’s skeptical about whether or not King’s intentions are pure when he offers to put her back on the throne. The thought of making good on a promise made to her father before the coroner zipped up his body bag gave her the incentive to make that ride to the 305.King’s seven savages are the goons at Cary’s disposal once she touched back down in the city. Yenni, Bash, Jaden, Duval, Killa, Santiago and Benny bust pistols at the drop of a dime on the queen’s command. Who would’ve thought the queen would find herself infatuated with one of her own? But that’s exactly what happens when Cary laid eyes on Benny. How does Leonidas take the news, knowing she had his heart since they were kids?Complicated is an understatement when Cary comes face to face with her past, bumping into her stepmother at the last place she should have ever been. When the truth is revealed about her motives, Cary is left questioning everyone in her orbit. Does she revert back to her old ways? Or does she stay bossed up and get her revenge against everyone who orchestrated her father’s demise? A pretty girl, seven savages, a jealous stepmother and a king…does their story end in happily ever after?

A Crazy Stupid Hood Love In The Dirty South


Mesha Mesh - 2020
    

Q and Sade


Jade Jones - 2017
    She's sweet as brown sugar with candied yams... Honey-coated complexion... Music camay... Let's hear it for the girl... She's from around the way... Sade is not your typical around the way California girl. Coming from a good family, in the rough part of Compton, the senseless murder of her mother at a young age leaves her family in shambles, and Sade forging a way as a woman without the gentle guidance that only a mother can provide. With her razor sharp tongue, and free spirit, Sade is trying hard to blaze her own trail, despite the wishes of her controlling father and bougie ex boyfriend. Q is the Robin Hood of Tree Top Piru. Under the hardened, heartless exterior that he puts up, is a man longing for the stable love he’s been missing from his baby mama Camari. With enemies lurking around every corner, and treacherous women always trying to claim his heart, a chance encounter on a doomed night sets him on the path to finding the sense of calm that he’s been longing for in his chaotic life. Is Q even capable of loving someone that needs to be loved? Or has his heart been entirely shut off from love because of the ways of the women in his past? Will shared experiences create unbreakable bonds between Q and Sade? Or will secrets, lies, and jealousy rip them apart before their love affair even begins? Get into the story of Q and Sade, two star crossed lovers from Compton. Romeo and Juliet ain’t got nothing on this real hood love story!

The Masquerade Seduction: Da Brass Rebels, Book One (A Love for all Seasons)


Tiye Love - 2021
    

Risk It All 'Bout Cha


Lady L. Trice - 2020
    

In Too Deep: The Kennedy Family


Nako - 2018
    In Too Deep: The Kennedy Family is an urban mystery by National Best-Selling Author, NAKO. Jacob Kennedy, leader of The Kennedy Family, is known in the underground as TKF. Jacob was never interested in settling down until he met the love of his life. After a million-dollar wedding that had the streets talking for months, five children, and a few fairytales in between, all hell breaks loose when his wife is found gunned down in the middle of the street. Jacob went to war to get to the bottom of who would even think about harming his wife, being that he had no beef with anyone. The Kennedy Family was devastated, but no one hurt more than Jacob’s children, Sienna, Savannah, JJ, Jordan, and baby Savona. Nako, the author of The Underworld series and The Connect’s Wife, has penned a book series so gritty and riveting that readers will hang on to every page in anticipation of wanting to solve the mystery and discover the hidden truth surrounding the death of Jackie Kennedy. It was unfair to be left alone without their mother, and once a few layers are peeled back, the children will bond together to bring justice for their mother. But what happens when loyalty is put to the ultimate test? When blood isn’t always thicker than water, can their relationships withstand the late nights and early mornings that come along with being a Kennedy? What if being a part of this family is a burden more than a blessing? The money and fame don’t impress everyone, especially not Savona, who’d rather be broke and, in the streets, than belong to The Kennedy clan. Author's Note: TKF Books 1-3 are INCLUDED in this book. For those that do not wish to read books 1-3 again, PART 4 starts after Chapter 33.

A Miami Thug Chose Me: An Urban Standalone


Zarkia - 2019
    After what Rachel thought was a great day, an unexpected surprise when she returned home from work turned her life completely upside down. Just as Rachel slowly started to rebuild her life and regain her independence, an unexpected love interest pries his way into her life. Rachel is taken on the ride of her life when she quickly realizes that he isn’t the man he claims to be. Trenton quickly realizes he’s made a terrible mistake by letting Rachel go, and she finds herself in the middle of chaos. Rachel is forced to decide what is more important for her own heart: fixing the broken relationship with her husband of seven years or putting her trust into a man that may have his own ulterior motives? Trust is broken, secrets are revealed, but will love win? Zarkia takes you on an unforgettable journey in her new African American Urban Fiction Standalone and it’s available for your reading pleasure right now.

Baller Dreams


Tasha Macklin - 2012
    He is forced to make a number of decisions that will change his life. Choosing school over the mean Detroit's Eastside streets, the sudden reality of his poor circumstances make him painfully aware of the fortunes that can be made if he embarks on the career path of a hustler. Deciding that he wants to be a baller, Dre meets and forms an alliance with an older, very beautiful female named Destiny. Unbeknownst to him, she had a secret and motive that draws her to him, which causes her to assist him in making all of his plans reality. Dre and his closest friends will create a clique called the Eastside Syndicate and set a hustle in motion like Detroit has never seen. No one else in the city will be able to compete with the murder and muscle game that they release upon the streets. However, when he falls in love with another and finds himself at odds with Destiny, the beautiful temptress who helped to make his dreams come true will stop at nothing to bring Dre and the organization that he created to its knees. Dre has everything that a hustler could ever want. Only when the tide turns, he will quickly realize that the dream life he once lived was no more than a nightmare in disguise.

The Holland Family Saga Part One: They Don't Mind Dying


Clever Black - 2012
    To everyone else — welcome to New Orleans — to be more specific — welcome to the Ninth Ward. They Don’t Mind Dying is an intense psychological thriller that chronicles in explicit detail, the inner workings of an inner city drug organization from its violent rise to power on through to its ultimate demise. Forced out of his home and onto the streets by his aunt at the age of fifteen, Ben Holland meets two youths, Manny and Oscar, who would change his life forever when they introduce him to a life of crime. They Don’t Mind Dying tells the story of Ben Holland and how he and his friends rose to the top of the drug game and the violent lifestyle the gang’s members had become accustomed to. When events within the organization begin to unravel the gang’s solidarity, however, no amount of money in their possession, nor the police on the crew’s payroll, could stop the wheels of retribution from rolling in their direction. Ben Holland and his crew fight to remain atop the city’s drug trade, but the price of success is starting to exceed the effort; retirement is looking more and more appealing. Can Ben Holland and his crew stay alive long enough to exit the game? Or will fate have a say so in matters? They Don’t Mind Dying is the first installment in The Holland Family Saga, a saga that will chronicle the Holland Family’s history along with the people who would shape their lives over many years. Starting with They Don’t Mind Dying, the creed in which Ben Holland and his cohorts live by throughout their violent reign, and traversing forward, the saga will reveal over time, the Holland Family’s struggles, injustices and inner demons as their lives come full circle and many secrets are revealed. The Holland Family Saga is more than fiction…It is real life in print.

Ann's Valley


Cayt Lawson - 2019
    Even if it meant striking a deal with the surly, and devilishly handsome, mountain man to do it. More lives than just her own depended upon it… She was the type he swore never to fall for again…He was a complication she could ill afford…Together they will discover love is worth the risk, no matter the cost…Lady Ann Dunneroy finds herself in a desperate situation and her search for the man responsible leads her on a perilous journey to the American West. Relying solely on her wit and resourcefulness to survive, she strikes a deal with a rugged mountain man by the name of Grayson Stone. The more time Ann spends with Grayson, the less certain she is of the original mission she embarked upon. Determined to do what is right, Ann must make a difficult decision; one that may break her heart and perhaps cost her very life as well as the lives of those she loves most…Grayson Stone is the leader of the wagon train and it’s his job to ensure everyone arrives safely; a duty made aggravatingly more challenging when he agrees to escort a reckless, young woman along the way. A hard man, as rugged and imposing as the mountains he calls home, Grayson wants only to live a peaceful life of solitude. But something about the tenacious Lady Ann makes him yearn for more… A story of love and loss on the Santa Fe Trail! Follow the hoyden daughter of an earl, from the ballrooms of London to America’s wild frontier; where she must choose between her heart and her honor. Excerpt from Ann’s Valley: “Nothing has changed.” Grayson’s words were direct and curt. Ann stiffened, feeling her anger with him return, “I hadn’t been under the impression they had.”“Do not confront me again on the matter. I will not change my mind. No woman or child allowed on the trail unless accompanied by a guardian. Is that understood?”“Perfectly.” She leveled him with her most imperious stare. Then added impertinently, “And do you own the trail, then?”His jaw clenched in irritable fashion, fastening her with a menacing glower, “Don’t even think about following on your own.”“You can’t stop me.”

Brokenhearted Girl: When Your Heart Hurts


Diamond D. Johnson - 2016
    Funny how her last name is love, but that’s the one thing in life that she isn’t experiencing. Treasure suffered a lot of things at the hands of her mother’s boyfriend, William, but the biggest one would have to be the rapes that she took from him. At the age of sixteen, Treasure gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, but how was it possible to convince people that the same baby girl she gave birth to was her supposedly little sister? What happened to Treasure that turned her into this broken-hearted girl? Meet Malakai Black, aka Sticks. Sticks is the man to see, with his beautiful daughters Maya and Camryn, but his baby mamas give him hell. Sticks just knew that all of these women were the same and that they were only after him for his money, but what happens when he meets Ms. Treasure Love for the first time? Could she be the one to convince him that all woman aren’t the same? Or could he be the one to fix Treasure’s broken heart?

Tied to a Boss


J.L. Rose - 2016
    Local gangster Dante (Jack Boy) knows more than anybody how dangerous and ruthless the streets can be. But against his better instincts allows himself to fall for a local female gangster named Alinna. Considered to be somewhat of a competitor to Dante because she leads her own all female crew. Alinna too, is very well aware of the dangers that come with letting feelings get in the way of business. But like Dante, decides to embrace the attraction anyway. That however proves to be a mistake. When she discovers Dante is two-timing her with a female gang unit officer. But unlike what she has with Dante, this relationship is more about lust and power. Or better yet the officers lust for it. While both get pleasure from this arrangement, she also gains intel. Which lead to major busts that fuel her quick ascension within the department. However her world is suddenly rocked when she discovers she's pregnant with Dante's child! Now they have something that binds them together forever... and something that complicates not just her job but also Dante's relationship with Alina! But with Alina being onto Dante's cheating ways, and the officer being willing to eliminate any and all threats to her burgeoning career. Not to mention the threat of the streets discovering Dante's Serpico ties. Could he end up losing everything in the end?