Book picks similar to
Toxic by Joy Deja King


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reading-challegne
standalone-novel
urban-street-lit

Summer of '16


Charae Lewis - 2018
    He’s rude and obnoxious, but Asia can’t seem to shake her feelings for him. She was always apprehensive in revealing her love for him, but when they find themselves in an unusual situation, they decide to give their relationship a try. Dinero has never been a relationship type of guy, but when Asia enters his life, he begins to reconsider. She’s everything he’s never wanted but can’t seem to be without. Yet, when a blast from the past pops back onto the scene, he’s caught between a place of lust and love. After a series of events takes place, Asia finds herself on the losing end of the stick when a new man enters her circle. He comes in and rearranges everything in her life, including her relationship with Dinero. While she fights to prove that things are not what they seem, Asia is hit with a truth that sends her into a frenzy. Follow Dinero and Asia in this drama-filled romance as they try to work their way through the many obstacles that try to tear them apart.

Cashmere Mafia


Keisha Ervin - 2013
    Tired of being alone, Sunday Rose decides to set out on a quest to find the ‘perfect man’ before the year is done. With the help of her family and friends, she’s set up on multiple dates that will make you shake your head and laugh out loud.

A Matin Christmas: A Novella


Dominique Thomas - 2017
     With Ahmad being released from jail, Sophie is ready to celebrate. The family hasn’t taken a trip together in years so for Christmas Sophie rents out a luxury log cabin in Colorado. She struggles to get everyone on board at first but once they see their only option is to come they quickly relent. Between Drew and Aamil bickering over her working more and being home less and Aamil and Kasam fighting over past family drama the holiday trip is just what the family needs. With a host of supporting characters such as Bucks, Hayward and, Mauri you’ll get to catch up on the Matins and their friends that turned into family. Spend the holidays with them and have one more read about your favorite Matin men.

Scorpion & Zolar: A Dangerous Gangsta Love


Bianca - 2017
    After her parents kicked her out, Semaj promised to love, support, and send her to college. Semaj was holding up his end of the deal, until he moved up a rank in the streets and started receiving more attention than he was used to. That attention led to Semaj having an affair with a woman who was willing to do anything to get a spot in Semaj’s life, including trying to plot a murder. Scorpion: small, quiet but deadly; injecting you with its deadly venom when you least expect it. That’s what the streets were saying about Phalec Grant, also known as Scorpion. Scorpion was a certified personal trainer during the day, and a ruthless street king by night. Scorpion crosses paths with Zolar, and Scorpion, being the charming ladies’ man that he was, is instantly attracted to Zolar, but nothing or no one could make her break her vows to Semaj; that is… until she catches him in a compromising position. Scorpion, never hearing the word ‘no,’ makes him prey on Zolar even harder. After finding out a piece of information that Scorpion has happened to leave out about his life, Zolar cuts him and his venomous claws off, but that doesn’t stop him from trying to get what he believes belongs to him. Loyalty is tested. Lines are crossed. Backs are against the wall. People will win. People will die. In this novel, you will find out how far people will go for love.

Home for Christmas: A Short Holiday Love Story


Brookelyn Mosley - 2019
     As a former college phenom turned Bronx Ballers’ shooting guard, Jaleel Gordon hasn’t reached his level of success doing the bare minimum for his struggling team. He’s been grinding and grinding hard, but success doesn’t come easily or without its share of sacrifices. For Jaleel, his biggest sacrifice was his relationship with his soon-to-be ex-wife Eva. Business owner, Eva Gordon is so through with her soon-to-be ex-husband, Jaleel. She’s no stranger to hard work but even she knows when to work hard and to play harder. After patiently waiting for her husband to tap into that philosophy she’s given up on him altogether. Which is why six months ago, after yet another explosive argument with Jaleel, Eva demanded a divorce... even though her heart is taking a bit longer to catch up to her demand. This Christmas, Eva and Jaleel’s son isn’t asking Santa for a new bike or video game. On the contrary, what baby boy wants won’t be able to fit underneath the tree at all. His one and only wish this Christmas is to spend the holiday with his separated parents... under one roof. So, Jaleel is coming home for Christmas... but can Eva and Jaleel put aside their differences to make it through the holiday intact and in one piece? *This is a holiday short story.

Kindred Souls


D. Camille - 2017
    A digital imprint delivering passionate and powerful, contemporary love stories featuring African American couples. THE SABLE INN SERIES - KINDRED SOULS Political Campaign Manager, Derek Wells always follows his instinct. Doing just that, along with a recommendation from a friend, he decides to stop into a little out-of-the way Inn. There he finds far more than he ever expected in the form of a lovely, chocolate beauty. Running her family’s Inn is Lana Sable’s entire life. She’s vowed never to leave her small town and the people she loves, but when a handsome stranger interrupts her meeting and her life, Lana begins to realize that a real love is not bound by time or distance, and that Kindred Souls…will always find one another.

The Girl on the Train


Rachel Wagstaff - 2018
    Her only escape is the perfect couple she watches through the train window every day, happy and in love. Or so it appears. When Rachel learns that the woman she's been secretly watching has suddenly disappeared, she finds herself as a witness and even a suspect in a thrilling mystery in which she will face bigger revelations than she could ever have anticipated.Adapted from Paula Hawkins' novel - an international phenomenon selling over twenty million copies worldwide - this gripping new play will keep you guessing until the final moment.

The One He Needs


A. Marie Johnson - 2018
    Her trust issues have made her vow to swear off relationships completely, but deep down she knows her heart is in need of a good man. 
 The once perfect relationship Keyon Jones shared with his ex-girlfriend changed dramatically overnight and left him with a broken heart and a promise to be a player for the rest of his days, but whether he wants to admit it or not, deep down he knows he is in need of a woman who will love him and never leave. 
 Sounds like they’re the perfect match, doesn’t it? 
Too bad getting together won’t be an easy task for the two. 
Bria and Keyon’s broken hearts and trust issues limit their wills to love again and leave them with the choice to love or to lose each other. Which one will they choose?

Good Girls Love Hustlers


Jahquel J. - 2018
    She's trying to hold everything down while her baby daddy serves a ten year bid for drug trafficking. The last thing she's looking for is love. Between working and taking care of her daughters, she's stretched thin. One night by chance she meets Jaeshawn, a thug in his own right. Jaeshawn aka Larry Bird runs everything from New York to Virginia and everything in between. All he wants is a woman to call his own, but that woman isn't his baby mother, Kaysha, who wants to make her family work. Kaysha and Jaeshawn have a one year old son, Keyshawn who Kaysha uses as a pawn against Jaeshawn. Maddie is in a hateful relationship with her man, Jared. Jared is mentally and physical abusive, and has a terrible jealousy problem. He forbids Maddie to hang with her best friend, Tiara, and keeps tabs on everything she does. When Tiara introduces Maddie to John, an Arabic God , who is also Jaeshawn's right hand, she doesn't think it will go far, but boy is she wrong. Jared, Dyron and Jamal are all friends and have one thing in common: Dread. Dread runs Queens and has beef with Larry Bird. But when Jared , Dyron and Jamal start landing in trouble, and Dread is the common denominator, things go haywire. When Tiara enters Jaeshawn's world one cold winter night, his entire world changes. He sees her right to take the throne beside him as the trap king's wife.

Promise Made (The Dupree Boys Book 2)


J. Nichole - 2022
    

Love Story: Eboni & Bryson


Mz. Robinson - 2019
    However, depending upon the source, it can also be one of the deadliest. A tainted-venom that once you ingest it, it courses through your veins, suffocating your blood cells until you slowly wither away....” Eboni is young-beautiful and wants one thing more than life itself: to get out of Baltimore and live the life she’s only experienced in her dreams. When she closes her eyes, visions of mansions, designer labels and dollar signs dance in her head. When she opens them all she sees is struggle, broken dreams, and regret. Determined to break the cycle of struggle she’s convinced her mother passed down to her, she formulates a plan that will give her the desires of her heart and a meal-ticket out of the hood. Bryson was 9 years old when he learned the heartbreaking lessons that the journey through life can be brutally-cold and that “family” will shed your blood sometimes faster than a stranger. It was these lessons that made him stronger and helped cultivate him into a charming-streetwise gentleman who believes in hard work and protecting the ones he loves. When a celebration navigates Eboni and Bryson into each other’s paths, the attraction is instant- the lust is undeniable. They find themselves on the fast track to what could possibly be forever. The image of spending the rest of her life with Bryson and being spoiled relentlessly is one that Eboni has proudly painted in her head. However, when the spoils don’t come as quickly as she desires and a successful Boss enters the picture, Eboni finds herself rethinking everything she thought she wanted with Bryson. When the opportunity of a lifetime comes along, Eboni leaves all her “baggage” behind. New beginnings lead to new love and a life that outshines her dreams. Six years later, when a tragedy occurs, she’ll be forced to return to Baltimore and the ghost she left behind. Will her past come back to haunt her? Will the flame she thought was no longer burning, reignite for the man she abandoned? After 6 years, Bryson is a successful-single father, whose main focus is ensuring his daughter lives a happy-stable life filled with love. Unable to shake his feelings for his first love, he keeps the women he meets at a safe and appropriate distance from his heart. When business leads him back to the city where he experienced his greatest tragedies and multiple heartbreaks, he’ll be forced to confront the skeletons of his past and find himself face to face with the one that walked away. Love Story is a multiple books series with each Volume introducing you to new and unforgettable lovers and friends. Join Eboni and Bryson as they navigate through the painful waters of love and life in Volume 1 of this Urban Romance series brought to you by Cole Hart Signature Novels.

The Side N*gga Next Door


N'Dia Rae - 2018
    They’re the ones who often risk it all and drag their families through the mud, all for a woman that’s never worth it. But what happens when it’s a woman who risks her family for her side man? Toni Greer, wife and mother, finds herself getting increasingly obsessed with her side lover. What started out as a “slip-up” in judgement has turned into a full out affair. She finds herself sneaking in cars, public bathrooms and hotel rooms just to get her fix from her lover. Meanwhile her husband remains unaware and blind whiled confined to a wheelchair. Ace Greer is the loving husband to Toni. Once a professional boxer he is now a blind paraplegic. Before he became disabled he gave Toni the world but after his injury she has been forced to go back to work. And she has been bitter ever since. Her bitterness is now jeopardizing his health and their family. He still loves her but she is beginning to hate him. Alexia Rainey is Toni’s best friend and arch enemy. Alexia has become a sloppy drunken trophy wife who can’t help but wonder why her secretive husband is often missing during work hours and in the middle of the night. The more she badgers her husband the more reclusive he becomes. When he turns cold, she fines comfort in another man. What starts off as a sexy affair quickly turns deadly. Zeus Rainey is married to Alexia. He is also the best friend of Ace. Everyone thinks the he is an upstanding businessman that used to manage Ace before his injury. But Zeus is hiding a deep dark secret that threatens to rip apart the lives of everyone he touches. This story is the twisted tale of two couples who’s lives are deeply intertwined, more than they want to be. If you loved Thot Next Door, you won’t be able to put down this book. Are you ready for the crazy rollercoaster ride?

Love Drug


K.K. Harris - 2012
    She is what some may calla simple beauty but can be hardcore if pushed, sweet on the inside with hard shell on the outside. She is kind and generally enjoys pleasing those around her whom she cares for. Although Nicole has the qualities to be considered as wife material, she has no love interest and not many opportunities knocking at her door. Broderick “Brock” Walker is a 32-year-old complex thuggish pretty boy if ever there was one. He is not the typical thug; he takes pride in his appearance so no sagging, slouching, and grimy look for him. Just by his appearance, he is the epitome of the saying; there is more to this book than just the cover. Because of a messy break-up recently from a long-term girlfriend, who does not know when to give up, he is not interested in another relationship at the moment.

Cum In My Mouth


David Weaver - 2012
    He was an outcast in his younger years; and unable to get a girlfriend...but nowadays as a grown man he can't keep the ladies off of him. Read about how Nolan thirsts and craves for the taste of a woman's vagina, all the way down to the fragrance of it. Read about how a woman stands no chance with this sexual genius. A must read erotica short story!

His Dirty Secret: Charmaine's Story (Side Chick Secrets Book 1)


Mia Black - 2016
    But for all the good in her life, she can’t seem to get her relationship status in order. Finding the right man is impossible in her world. With late night parties, people to see, and a penchant for men with money, how is Charmaine ever going to find the man of her dreams? Jayla loves her friend, but she knows Charmaine’s partying ways aren’t doing her any favors. When she tries to convince her to think about settling down and getting herself right for a relationship, Charmaine runs into a whole new set of problems! Find out what happens in part one of His Dirty Secrets: Charmaine’s story!