Book picks similar to
The Way It Is by Nicole Jackson


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Sicka Than Your Average: A Good Girl Turned Savage


Mz Toni - 2016
    The only problem she didn't factor in was the distance Harvard would put between her and her nine year old sister. When you have a mother who can't let go of her youth, and a father too busy trying to make ends meat to provide for his family Charm has no choice but to pick up the slack. Charm makes the hard decision to attend college to build a future for her little sister when tragedy strikes leaving Charm to question her purpose in life.

The Plug's Daughter


Nika Michelle - 2015
    Although he’s no lame, he doesn’t have a grandiose scheme to take over the drug game, or become a notorious street legend. He also doesn’t believe in flexing, having a reckless crew, being in the trap, or slanging on a corner. He simply chooses to lay low and maintain his weed hustle, only selling weight to a small, reliable clientele. His plug, Mendosa, is the exact opposite. He does run the streets of Atlanta as a huge supplier of weed and cocaine, and has since the nineties. Once Keenyn lays eyes on Mendosa’s twenty one year old daughter Jasenia, he’s caught up in her beauty and sophisticated aura. The only thing is, Mendosa feels that his daughter is off limits to any man; especially one he does business with. In his eyes his only daughter is cultured, pure and untouched. Little does he know, but “daddy’s little girl” is far from the angel that he thinks she is. Keenyn soon discovers that as well as the never ending drama that seems to come with his feelings for her. Not only is Mendosa a threat to him, but he finds out that Jasenia has a few deadly skeletons in her closet. Will those secrets cost him his life and to what lengths will he go to protect the plug’s daughter?

Runaway Love


Té Russ - 2018
    Everyone except herself. When it lands her in the hospital, she has no choice but to follow doctor's order: decompress. When her best friend helps her "runaway from home", her only plan is to chill out and enjoy her long overdue time off. But an unexpected visitor on her doorstep and her sexy as sin neighbor shake up those plans. Those stony glares and razor sharp tongue of hers may intimidate other men, but Lucas LeRoux is unfazed by them. He knows beneath that tough exterior there's a softness, like the curves of her body he felt when she accidentally landed in his arms. He's determined to make her his and he's just the man for the task of tearing down the walls she's built up and get her to finally let her hair down and enjoy life, not just manage it all of the time.

Infatuated With A Boss 3


Natisha Raynor - 2017
    Shaka is no stranger to heartache, and she finally decides to put herself first and leave Nick and North Carolina once again. Back in Miami, she's just fine until a brief encounter with a friend from a North Carolina changes her life forever. Nick finally admits to himself that he's a jerk to keep hurting Shaka. He cuts his losses, and concentrates on being a single man, and running an empire. Dramatic event, after dramatic event take place, and Nick finally decides to make a huge decision regarding his profession as a hustler. In the process, he decides to make things right with Shaka, but soon finds out that it may be too late. Crucial, and Kennedy go through trials like any other couple, but it doesn't take them long to figure out that they have each other's back like no one else ever will. They save the day for each other, time, and time again, but will a simple misunderstanding threaten everything that they've built?

Love Me or Lose Me (The Love Me Series Book 3)


A.C. Taylor - 2016
    She's smart, beautiful and takes pride in being a shoulder for everyone to cry on…but when no one is around and reality sets in, she's filled with hurt—a hurt that she can't seem to overcome. Everywhere she turns, she's reminded of the reasons that trust isn't too high on her priority list. But when her heart forms a bond with the one man that she's been trying to steer clear of, her entire mindset begins to change. For most of his life, Caleb has been that guy—the one that no woman should take seriously. He's a playboy, and he doesn't shy away from the title. Women know upfront what he's bringing to the table, and if they don't like it, then they can keep it moving. But what happens when the tables turn? Caleb isn’t used to being the one begging for more, but when it comes to Gabi…that’s exactly the case. He can't stay away, and he doesn't want to. Determined to get what he wants, Caleb goes the extra mile to win Gabi’s heart. But when lines are crossed, and trust is broken, everything takes a turn for the worst. Something so promising quickly turns into heartbreak. Will there be a future for Caleb and Gabi? Or will walking away from each other become their only option?

Shawty Fell in Love With A Rude Boy 2


P. Dotson - 2017
    Erica learns that falling in love with a Rude Boy isn’t easy. The boundaries of her relationship are tested when outsiders seek to destroy the love she’s found. Will love withstand the test, or will she fold under the pressure? Erica isn’t the only one who falls for a Rude Boy. Jade finds herself slowly falling in love with the handsome, yet mysterious Detective Keenan Elba. The loving and doting father of three managed to sneak past the wall she built around her heart. There’s just one problem standing in the way of their chemistry… his wife! Will these ladies truly find happiness or will Falling in Love with a Rude Boy prove to be more complicated than they ever imagined????

Street Love


Love N. Lee - 2013
    By the time she figured out her true position, she was already in too deep. Everything changed when he announced he was leaving the mother of his children to start a family with her. When she learns Messiah has been lying yet again, and is actually married, will she continue to settle for a supporting role, or bow out gracefully?  Bria has been with King, a handsome street hustler, for a decade, but he still hasn't put a ring on it. In-between dealing with his baby momma drama, infidelity, and countless lies, she's remained down for him as his Queen. However, her patience is beginning to wear thin as more skeletons start falling out of his closet. Bria toys with the idea of giving him a taste of his own medicine but can she actually go through with it?  Armani has a life most women would envy: a million dollar lifestyle, a beautiful family, and most importantly, a thirteen carat wedding ring. Now she wants nothing more than to plan a storybook wedding and live happily ever after, but life has other plans. After discovering her man isn’t who she thought he was, she finds herself faced with a hard decision. Can she forgive him for the sake of her family? Heaven is struggling to take care of her daughter without any financial support from her ex, a rapper named Stacks. Their romance ended around the same time as his career, but the two co-parent in the same house to save money. Stacks wants nothing more than to get back together but Heaven is finding herself unexpectedly falling in love with her best friend Ace...

A Billionaire Finessed My Heart 2


K. Renee - 2019
    Devastated that Juelz married his long lost fiance, Ciera has to make a hard decision for herself and her unborn child. Will she be able to get through her pregnancy drama free or will she be forced to return and face Juelz? Two of the people who Juelz considered closest to him have committed the ultimate act of betrayal. The excitement of Kenya's return is causing him to walk around blind to the truth. Will Juelz be able to see through the lies and realize who is really in his corner before it is too late, or will loyalty be his ultimate downfall. While rescuing Ari and his niece Kari, bullets hit Zelan and it may be the end of their perfect romance. Will Zelan be strong enough to pull through, and grow old with Ari? He is the key to Juelz finding out Kenya's hidden lies, but will he live to reveal them? In the end, everyone will have to make hard decisions that they never saw coming. Ari and Ciera will be forced to admit that a Billionaire Finessed their Hearts but is that a good or bad thing?

She Ain't You


R.L. Welch - 2014
    What does a wife do when the mistress confronts her about HER husband? What happens when the mistress decides that she is tired of being number 2? Can Number 2 ever handle all of the things that go along with being number 1? How does a husband continue to maintain when his mistress causes confusion in his home and in his business? In this fast paced, gritty Street Love story, we find out how much damage can be done by one woman’s pursuit of her man; a man that is actually someone else’s husband, and how many lives are affected by selfish desires.

Give her Love. Give her Power. (Hussle & Heart Book 1)


Grey Huffington - 2019
     The Hussle and Heart series, dedicated to the late Nipsey Hussle, travels to the slums of Channing City and places a magnifying glass on the lives of the biggest hustlers with the biggest hearts.

The Real Dopeboyz of Miami


Jenica Johnson - 2018
    There’s nothing like those fresh labels and enough women to start a cheerleading team. Being the highlight of the city can be a good thing or a bad thing. It causes a lot of enemies and a lot of problems. Memphis is a single dope boy that doesn’t mind switching women and stuntin’. He has the money and the hate that comes with but what he wants takes times. Memphis is not a patient man and is used to having his way throughout life but when he encounters the woman he’s been trying to have; she has stipulations that he can barely stick to. Miami, the wild baby boy that makes things happen for his family. He’s young but he’s wise and is always ten steps ahead of his enemy. Miami has one weakness and his enemy tries to use it against him. He drives himself crazy trying to put the pieces to the puzzle together, even pushing his family away. Nobody wants to see Miami lose his cool because when he does, somebody dies. See what’s the big deal about a dope boy. Are they really worth the hype or they just another dude full of drama and empty promises?

After Everything I've Done For You: A Chi-Town Soap Opera


Nicety - 2015
    Despite his past infidelities, she pushes hard to make it work. A night of snooping brings out a few secrets that could destroy their love forever. But someone in her corner might be willing to take Bianca's pain away if she let's them. Damita Paxton had been dealt a bad hand. After losing her job and being forced to move in with her cousin, Bianca, she tries to start her life over and begin a new. But a secret that she left back in Atlanta not only threatens her happiness but her life as well. Sunset Richmond is in love with a man who may never love her the way she loves him. With two kids on her hip, all she desires is to be a real family. Is she doomed to being the side chick forever? Will anyone be able to find the happiness they so desperately seek or is this a setup for failure?

Too Good To Be True


Shakela James - 2015
    Knowing this, how far will one go to get their happy ending? More importantly, who will they have to drag down in the process? Sherice is a gorgeous model-turned housewife who devotes her life to her husband Mr. Big and their 3 year old daughter. She knows her husband occasionally has other women but as long as her house is taken care of and the women know their place, she turns a blind eye. However, she has a huge choice to make when a shocking secret threatens to ruin what she has worked so hard to build. Mariah is a sexy, sassy business woman who can take care of herself. She has only one weakness: Mr. Big. When she fell in love with him two years ago, she had no idea that he would come with so much baggage. She will soon find herself at a crossroad when one event throws her life off course, and she is left with a decision that will surely change her world forever. In a world of lies, sex, and deceit... can you truly be happy or will it always be too good to be true?

Got A Man


Daaimah S. Poole - 2003
    Pregnant with her second child, she's got a career, a college degree- and enough common sense to know that her boyfriend, Malik, may not be ready for fatherhood. But when Malik surprises her with a marriage proposal, it seems that Kim's got her man for the long haul. Or does she?Despite his honorable intentions, Malik can't seem to stay clear of other women. When Shonda Robinson, the shapely new receptionist at the law firm where Malik works as a paralegal, comes on strong to him, his resolve finally crumbles, along with his heart - and his future plans. Shonda may not be the most moral - or discreet - person around, but she knows a good thing when she's got it. That good thing is her love for Malik, and she intends to keep it at all costs. Unfortunately, she's not the only one who feels that way. What follows is an emotional roller coaster ride of changing plans, changing partners- and a surprising change of heart - as three people wrestle with what's right, what's wrong- and what's real.

A Hood Love in Atlanta 2


Mz. Demeanor - 2015
    After Todd hurt her to her core Mona-Lisa though she would never love again but when she met Delano her whole world did a tailspin. She didn’t quite know what to do with his love but a bad decision changed that. Todd had to learn the hard way about screwing her over but the streets teach their own lessons. What happens when old wounds are opened, lies are revealed, and lines are crossed? The streets of Atlanta just got hotter and it has nothing to do with the temperature. Will Mona-Lisa have to let go of both of the men she has loved or will she get to take that walk into the sunset? Heaven knows how their story will end but you better believe there will be hell all the way.