Book picks similar to
The Black Effect by Charae Lewis


real-life-drama
urban
cliffhanger
miscarriage

Love. Allure. Volume 2


Jai Bree'nae - 2016
    Life is great, or so he thinks. While busy monitoring his youngest brother's progress in the streets, he is unaware of a certain someone worming her way into his marriage and trying to sabotage his otherwise perfect union. Will she succeed? Adrian has been granted a second chance with the love of his life. Carmen was everything to him, that is, until he slipped up and got Tess pregnant. Now that Carmen is back, will he remain loyal to Tess, stay for their kids, or be with the one woman that could make him reconsider leaving everything behind that he thought made him the man that he is. Dru and Madison are going strong. She is his ride or die chick, and the love of his life, but there are things that haunt her, things that even he can't handle. Will they end up together, or will her issues be too much for him to handle? Drennen is taking the streets by storm, there's just one thing, Brylee isn't happy about it. Limits are tested, hands are forced, and lines are crossed as they fight to keep their love alive, but who, if anyone, will give in? Join The Pierce Men on their final journey in fighting for the LOVE. of their lives, while trying to hold onto the ALLURE. of the women and the streets that could cost them everything.

Heartbreak U


Johnni Sherri - 2019
    Born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn, Franki doesn’t take crap from anyone. After relentlessly being hurt by the men in her life, she finds herself using them for the one thing she believes they’re good for. Sex. But when she’s labeled for her promiscuity and a new tragedy strikes, how will she recover? Paris, on the other hand, has led a life of privilege out in Beverly Hills; one that didn’t include very many minorities in her circle. When her mother sends her off to an HBCU in hopes that she’ll reconnect with her people, she finds herself culture shocked. Asha, the local girl, is a complete slacker when it comes to school and anything else that doesn’t align with her future plans of becoming a basketball wife. She is a user and a mastermind manipulator that will ultimately have to pay a price. Then lastly there’s Hope, the good girl. Raised by her father and brought up in the church, she’s been sheltered most of her life. But when she falls hard for the big man on campus and gets her heart crushed to pieces, will she persist? Told from each character’s distinct point of view, this narrative is about each young woman navigating the dynamics of sex, love and heartbreak in college. Being outcasts in their own right, these four young women ultimately forge a very unique bond.

Devout


Takerra Allen - 2014
    Have you ever cherished the pain because you knew the kind you’d face without them would be way too unbearable? That’s me. To young Neeka Perry, Denny is one thing. In the streets, he’s a whole other entity. But she was brave enough to love both sides, upside down, all around, and back again. He provided her with all a girl could believe she dreamed of – security, desire, and most enviably, genuine love, all wrapped up in gold and diamonds.He removed her far from the course of her ordinary college girl lifestyle and swept her into his world of whimsical madness. For this and more, her love went beyond loyalty. She was devout… devout to him. But is there a such thing as too much passion? Can you love someone too much? And when you realize the person you love and the person everyone fears can also be the one everyone loves and you can one day soon fear, who will save you? Especially when the person you need saving from, is yourself…? Stop right there. I don’t want to be saved. I’ve shackled myself to him with love. And I swallowed the key. I’m in this for the long run. I am devout.

When My Soul Met A Thug


Jessica N. Watkins - 2018
    Being only twenty-five years old, she should have been being wild, reckless, and having fun, not fighting the hardest battle of her life, alongside a husband who no longer loved her. After their divorce, True wanted to be free and enjoy every day. Falling in love was not in the plan. She most definitely hadn't foreseen falling in love with an arrogant, womanizing hustler like Coop. Yet, she did. However, as soon as True tells him all her truth, he'll revert back to that unbearable goon that wreaked havoc on the streets of Chicago. Coop grew up an orphan, passed from foster home to foster home. A hustler, his right-hand man, was his only family. His love was the game. His side chick was money. Then he met True. She filled gaps in his life that he didn't even know needed filling. Looking at her, being in her presence, was like the first warm, sunny day after a brutal Chicago winter. Being with her felt like being lost in the right direction. Coop had thawed out his icy heart and given it to True... just for her to break it. True was gone, unable to fix what she’d broken, but, lucky for Coop, True found a way. Remi has been with Banks for ten years. She remained loyal through every lie and infidelity in hopes that her patience and understanding will eventually bring her “happily ever after” with her one true love. Finally, Banks gives her what she has always wanted… a ring. However, that ring came with such a devastating blow, leaving Remi unsure how she will ever recover… until she meets True and Coop. Unbeknownst to her, these two strangers will mend her broken heart and cause her life to never, ever be the same again. * This is a heart-wrenching, yet warming, story of broken women who find love in their darkest hours from the most unexpected and hardened hearts.

The Way to a Killers Heart


Neicy P - 2020
    

The Committed Side Chick


Tina Marie - 2020
    For the McKenzie men, being on top in the streets came easy. But when it came to finding love, they were not so lucky.Remee McKenzie, the oldest of the McKenzie boys, has been with the love of his life Rumor since high school. However, his constant infidelities and wild ways have devastating consequences destroying the relationship between the two.Rumor has literally been through hell and back with Remee only for him to walk away and be with someone else. Except even when he is supposed to be out of her life it's like he never left. Tired of living in a painful cycle with Remee, Rumor takes breaking up with him into her own hands. Will Remee lose the people he loves the most for good or will he find a way to make things, right?Sire McKenzie, Remee's younger brother met Arabella at a time in her life when she needed him most. Unfortunately, they are torn apart by outside forces. Their time together even though brief leaves a lasting impression on them both. When they meet again years later, Sire barges his way back into Arabella's life, causing her to fall in love all over again. All while leaving out secrets that will break her heart.Arabella has moved on from her horrific past and is now happy. Even though she doesn't have much, she can give her son a stable life and that is all that matters. At least until Sire walks back into her world. Now her heart wants a man who has always been out of her league. Will she last in his world or lose him once again?Cahir McKenzie, a cousin to the McKenzie brothers, is the definition of a damaged thug. He is a king in the streets and the one who took his family out of the slums. Yet his attitude toward the opposite sex is vicious and degrading, at least until he meets Eternity. She began to unfreeze his ice-cold soul, but it only makes him want to hurt her before she can hurt him. When he says the unthinkable, will Eternity ever forgive him?Eternity is a single mother who works double-time to give her son the life he deserves. Meeting Cahir was never a part of the plan. Seeing more to him than just a killer in the streets, Eternity's heart begun to yearn for Cahir. However, his actions showed her that they could never be. Will she give up on loving a bad boy or put up a fight?Will these couples' journeys finally end in true love? Or will it all come tumbling down, in the end, leading straight to disaster?

RahMeek and Bella


Mercy B. - 2015
    By a quirk of fate, he meets the beautiful thought-provoking Bella. RahMeek quickly puts her stereotyping to rest after attesting the beliefs of "a nigga behind bars." He proved, unwaveringly, that his reach was far beyond the bars that held him captive. Although a bit apprehensive, Bella finally submits to his chivalry. RahMeek takes her on the wildest ride of her dreams as he captures her mind... In anticipation of her body. Roc and Kelly sheds light on that forever kind of love that even the toughest candidate dreams of. Kelly is not only devoted to her relationship with Roc, but she has made his hardships hers as well. However, under despair, Roc hasn't proved to be the man that Kelly once knew him to be. The doting girlfriend is wounded after discovering Roc's infidelities. Kelly cuts him off completely; leaving him scrambling for the love they once shared. The couples share a different kind of love, with each being special in its own way. However, will it be enough to pacify the bruised egos, lonely nights, and broken hurts? SERIES IN ORDER **RahMeek and Bella: A Philly Love Story** **RahMeek and Bella II: A Philly Love Story** **RahMeek and Bella III: A Philly Love Story** **Dear Bella** **Dear RahMeek** **My Dearest Bella** **Youngin Blues: The Story of Reed & RaKeem** **Sincerely Maria** **RahMeek & Bella IV** **RahMeek & Bella V**

Better Than Your Ex 2: Young and Stony


K.C. Mills - 2018
    The streets taught him to trust no one, and that love was the downfall of every man, so when he opened up to Stony, it was not something that anyone expected. Young fell fast and hard in a way that left him vulnerable. Unfortunately, that was the worst mistake he ever made. When he finds out that the Dorrian family, Stony included, had singlehandedly destroyed his heart and his career, he shuts everyone out. At this point, his only option is to put himself first. Stony had lived her life by her family's expectations and under their control until she met Young. Even though her life was exposed and turned upside down, she realized that she had to grow up and take control. The worst part was that she gained that insight right when her father had potentially ruined her life and destroyed any chance she had of finding forever with Young. Her pride is damaged, and her heart is broken. Ashlyn is falling fast, and Papa is right there with her. She forces him to recognize the fact that his life is not as complete as he thought it was. Because of that, he knows that it's time to leave the streets behind so he can give her all of him without fear or hesitation. Will it be as easy as he thinks, or will he have to walk away and let her live her life until he’s in a position to give her all that he knows she deserves? Even if you find the one who is Better Than Your Ex, the universe might not play nice enough to let you have your happily ever after, but when it's for you, no one can stop you from having it, or can they?

Because I Love You


A'zayler - 2019
    After losing his mother and every sense of belonging that he’d ever had, Egypt has become a lover of the streets and nothing more. Outside of his best friend, Auto, and respected gang leader BB, Egypt has love for nothing and no one. If it wasn’t about his sister, his gang, or his money, Egypt didn’t have time to entertain the joys of life, with women being one of his biggest casualties. He was young and on the come up. The last thing he had time for was falling in love. Unfortunately, hood prostitute, Dream, had other things in mind. She may have been around the block a few times too many, but not even that could deter her from the love she had for Egypt. Sure, they’d hated each other for years, but even he knew that was all a façade to cover up how she made him feel. With a made up mind, and a spitfire attitude, Dream allowed Egypt to do everything in his power to avoid her until one day he finally allowed his truest feelings to be revealed. If there’s ever been a love story that should have never been told, it was theirs. At least that was what they thought until giving their hearts a chance to stitch together in the most imperfect way.

His Heart Belongs To the Streets


Latisha - 2020
    

Finessing The Plug


Treasure Malian - 2015
    The one that sets a goal and does everything in her power to accomplish it? That’s Journee. Journee is focused on graduating college and attending Medical school. But, a level headed girl always has a turn-up girl as a best friend, and that's Zoie. Journee's life was planned and moving along accordingly until she and Zoie met Jonas and Lex. Jonas, who is coming into his own, as the plug, after the death of his father, is focused on the money. He wasn’t looking for a relationship. However, when Journee walked into his life doing all of the right things, one night in Vegas quickly turned into a whirlwind love affair. What starts as two people passing time, turns into true feelings and love. Journee starts falling for Jonas and vice versa. Jonas has been burnt before by "love" so he tries to be cautious but falls hard for Journee. Will he end up getting burnt by love again? Stephan is Journee's older brother, known as the fuck-up of the family. With a get it how you live mentality Stephan sets out to do what is natural for him. However, this stick up is different; it involves his sister. Will his plan ultimately get both him and his sister killed? Love and loyalty is tested when outside sources begin to work against the young couple. While Finessing the plug, Journee falls deep in love with Jonas, and he ends up finessing her heart. Will the allure of a dangerous game be the demise of their relationship and one of their lives?

Crowned: The Return of a Savage


Deshon Dreamz - 2017
    Crowned Queens, an organization that Ashura and Nacobi created when they were freshmen in college, had turned into a lucrative empire right before their very eyes. Young, successful and content with life, Ashura implements the necessary changes to put that lifestyle behind her, but with the power that she’s gained comes a slew of enemies prepared to snatch everything that she has worked for. Nacobi has always been there for Ashura. Her rider to the point of no return and that will never change. When Ashura gets fed up with Crowned Queens, Nacobi reluctantly follows suit in getting things shut down. However, what they don’t know is that the enemy who is out to get them is closer than either of them would expect. With love found, love betrayed, and love tainted, the savage that Ashura has fought tooth and nail to keep suppressed is threatening to rear its ugly head. Unbeknownst to the enemy, if the beast is released, they will soon learn why she’s the diva who was Crowned Queen.

Bella and Braxton: A Hood Love Story


Jan'a Sullivan - 2016
    Hattie and Tommy done had babies again." Growing up in the hood of Covington, KY wasn't so great for sixteen year old Labella Jones. Living in a world where you have to teach your self how to be a woman because your mother's minimum wage job takes all of her time isn't so easy. Fighting everyday to overcome teenage jealousy and bullying because you don't fit in with the "it" crowd was a ritual for young Bella. When a harsh situation brings Bella and Choc, one of the most popular girls in school together, Bella learns how to love herself for who she is even with dirty clothes, nappy hair and all. Waking up everyday knowing that to the world you're nothing but to him you're everything made a big change in Bella's life. Meet Braxton " B", struggling to make it out of the hood but falling victim to the only resource available in the hood "drugs" to survive. B makes it a priority to teach Bella the true meaning of "Love your self first or no one will" while still trying to find himself. Being a black man coming from poverty they expect you to fail and thats exactly what the police is doing even if they have to play dirty to keep there statistics going. When feelings get involved, rumors are spread will Bella and Braxton be able to survive to tell their "hood love story?"

Second to No One


Keysha - 2015
    After learning that the two people she trusted with her life were snakes in the grass, Jazzy decided to move on. Rayshawn a boss in his own right always get what he wants and he always wanted Jazzy. The only thing stopping him was that nigga Jaylin, but things changed. Jaylin has messed up and Rayshawn is gonna do everything in his power to make Jazzy his... Even if he has to hurt a few people in the process.