Book picks similar to
Playing with Desire by Reese Ryan


romance
contemporary-romance
ir-romance
tbr-first-in-series

My Way to You


Lyndell Williams - 2018
    Immediately intrigued by Regina’s beauty, Simon becomes increasingly enthralled and ultimately risks his friendship to have her for himself. Social justice writer and activist Regina Kent is usually cautious and savvy. Yet, unable to resist her attraction to the handsome Simon, she plunges into a torrid affair, knowing that she chances angering big brother and her less tolerant followers, many of whom will not accept that one of their most popular pro-Black bloggers is dating an Asian man. As their clandestine romance evolves, Simon and Regina fall deeper in love. Making sure that things stay between them becomes progressively impossible, and neither knows how much longer they can keep Marcus in the dark and the world at bay.

The One That I Want


Zuri Day - 2014
    A Promise For The Holiday Donna HillDevastated by her divorce, Cara Holiday vowed never to be vulnerable again. Now she's a wildly successful real estate broker, and wildly lonely. Restaurateur Mitch Davis has had his eye on her, but can't break the ice--until he cooks up a scheme to hire her. Soon Cara is enjoying his company--and secretly drawing out the process of selling his house. When their deceptions collide, will their blossoming relationship make it to the holidays?A Sexy Christmas Carol Zuri DayAfter years of travel working for a pop diva, Carol Robbins has moved back to Detroit in time for the holidays. She's bought a home and bonded with her family. As for romance, she's got no prospects--until she attends a VIP party and makes a surprising love connection. Soon she's torn between her old big life, her hopes for the future--and one man who may give her the greatest gift of all. . .Christmas Surprise Cheris HodgesTired of coming second to her wealthy husband's career, Lola Yvonne Joseph is sending him a very special gift this year: divorce papers. Then she's leaving Miami for the kind of wintery white Christmas she's always wanted. She definitely does not expect Jonathan to track her down, whisk her away, and do everything possible to win her back. If he succeeds, Lola has one more surprise in store for him. . .

If I Could Stay


Stephanie Nicole Norris - 2018
    Then, her only mission was to attend college, pursue her modeling career, and leave her past hurts behind. But when Carmen receives some startling news, she decides the time to make her final appearance has arrived; however, reemerging could open old wounds and the obstacle of facing the man she left behind presents the biggest challenge of them all. Dominic Johnson has long since put thoughts of Carmen Mitchell out of sight and out of mind. Circumstances would bring her back to Brunswick, but there was no repartee to be spoken to the woman who’d left him years ago without so much as a goodbye. It isn’t until Dominic gains a first-hand glimpse of Carmen that old memories spark and a detonation of what was, and what could be, set off a myriad of images in his mind. Now Dominic is faced with a battle that’s waging internally, to stay out of her way or to succumb to Carmen Mitchell, again.

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.

Sugar Rush


A. Jones - 2018
    For years she’s given up on her dreams to keep peace within her family, but now she’s ready to pursue the life she wants. With one small window of opportunity she’s given room to do just that, however, not everyone is happy for her. Facing the repercussions of her decision from her family and a surprising diagnosis that’s threatening everything she’s been working for leaves Melanie wondering if her dreams were ever supposed to be anything more than a dream. Then enters Kamali James – a natural born nurturer and a man who has been a giver and lover all of his life… until he crosses paths with the beautiful Melanie Moore. Melanie doesn’t have time for a relationship, let alone the emotional strength to deal with everything she’s going through. Will she let Kamali in to be the rock that she needs and continue pursuing her dreams, or will she give up on everything... including him?

A Chance with You


Yahrah St. John - 2013
    One thing she doesn’t know is how to be a mother. So when a cruel twist of fate claims her sister’s life and leaves Raina with custody of her six-year-old niece, Zoe, Raina can think of only one place to turn. Zoe’s father has to be out there somewhere, and she intends to find him. When sexy sports agent Spencer Davis is confronted by the feisty beauty, he is torn. He does not believe he is the father of Raina’s niece. Yet he is reluctant to let the beguiling chef slip away. Soon he and Raina are engaged in a passionate liaison that is both unwise and inevitable. With Zoe’s parentage still in question, Spencer knows their relationship may be short-lived. But his longing for Raina is quickly outweighing his judgment, and he is willing to risk everything on the chance that they might be meant for each other …

The Blind Date


Delaney Diamond - 2013
    . . again. Years ago, when Ryan Stewart saw Shawna Ferguson, it was love at first sight. Unfortunately, he wasn’t a free man, and his deception caused him to lose her after a weekend that changed his life.When Shawna’s sister and brother-in-law set her up on a blind date, she has no idea it’s with Ryan, with whom she’d spent a weekend she wishes she could forget. She reluctantly agrees to finish the date with him, but doing so leaves her vulnerable to his charms and the heat he ignited in her that very first night.

Unexpected Mr. Right


Kelley Nyrae - 2008
    Instead, she keeps ending up with a broken heart. When she meets the handsome and available Nico Valenti, she doesn't want to waste her time on another broken heart. Tabby's a new woman and the wrong man is no longer for her.Nico can't get Tabby out of his mind. He's loved and left a lot of women, but Tabby is different. He wants to spend time with her even if her rules say their relationship will be a 'no sex' one.How does a one-night-stand kind of man fall in love with a woman determined to change herself? Nico and Tabby search for a way to meet in the middle and give their new found love a chance.

She's My Baby


Adrianne Byrd - 2006
    Always in charge, in control, she was never rattled. Until she finds a baby in her kitchen on Christmas--and a sexy neighbor wearing next to nothing knocking at her front door....Garrick Grayson didn't know whom to comfort first, the howling infant or the career diva without a clue.But with a little help, Leila's soon juggling bottles, naps and meetings, while Garrick is falling for adorable Emma--and gorgeous, feisty, maternally challenged Leila. Garrick had sworn off women married to their jobs; Leila had sworn off everything else. So why, when they were together, did things feel so...right?

One Night


Blair Bennet - 2016
    It was only supposed to be one night. One night to wash away the past, but it turned into a mistake. A sexy, beautiful, and dangerous mistake. I shouldn’t want another taste or take another night. Secretly dating your boss is how reputations get destroyed, careers ruined. But he knows my body better than I know myself. Liam She fit me. She delighted me. She broadsided me. How could she end up my intern? Wanting her is forbidden. Letting her go is impossible. Yet I have to choose if she stays or goes. And she’s already failed her first lesson-- Keeping me away. Nothing can be learned from lust. But maybe she can teach me to live. (Guaranteed HEA, Secret baby romance!) **INCLUDES Bonus Book, LOVE SICK, starts 50% in.**

The Deviant


Tiana Laveen - 2020
    In fact, he’s a renown artistic savant with extraordinary abilities. However, sometimes his deep-rooted mistrust of people lands him in trouble.Suri Scott lives far too much in her own head, but embraces her uniqueness like a badge of honor. An NYC emergency dispatch 911 operator moonlighting as a home-stager, she loves her single, carefree life.Neither of them expected to meet the mate of their dreams one fateful night. Things start definitely on the wrong foot, but soon, the connection becomes undeniable.Suri becomes the muse King simply can’t shake. Stepping out of his comfort zone, he starts painting a whole new canvas of life and chance. But will Suri trust her own judgment and let go to make a relationship work? Will King overcome his anger and past hurt to finally accept the love he deserves?A picture is worth a thousand words.Read “The Deviant,” to find out!

Taste of Lacey


Linden Hughes - 2014
    And she wanted him. Badly.Scratching a sexual itch for the hell of it was virgin territory to her, but surely she could give in to the pleasure he offered, if only for one night. It didn’t matter that he was her brother’s best friend. Or that her focus should be on getting her business on solid footing. Lacey Bishop, independent, logical black female, was about to hit the sheets with the white boy next door. She’d question her sanity later.Ryder McKay wasn’t suffering from lack of female attention, so he couldn’t blame his raging need for Lacey on a dry spell. Beyond her being a gorgeous woman, he didn’t know what fueled his urgent hunger. Her father and brother would probably want to kill him, but he'd had a taste of Lacey and one just wouldn't be enough. The hard part? Convincing her...

The Baller's Love Child


Tasha Blue - 2017
    Terrified that he would ask for an abortion, Layla decided to raise the baby herself. However, several months after the baby was born, Layla finally saw the errors of her ways. She knew it was now time to tell the father the truth and so she picked up the phone and began to dial his number. Completely unaware that life as she knew it was never going to be the same again... This is a love & pregnancy romance with a bad boy baller hero who just might have a sweet side to him. Start reading this one now if you want to read a romance with an original twist to it!

Avenge Me


Maisey Yates - 2014
    But with an intense sexual attraction that combines a heady mix of exquisite pleasure and sublime pain, will they satiate their thirst for revenge and each other...or lose themselves forever in the darkness?

To Love a Marine


Reana Malori - 2009
    Imani believes that Scott only a short-term relationship and doesn't dare get her hopes up that he wants something real with her. After pushing him away because she thinks she is protecting both her heart and his career, Imani doesn't think she will ever get another chance. It will take a wedding, a goodbye, several tears, and a whole lot of convincing to make her understand what it means To Love a Marine.