Book picks similar to
If I Was Your Best Friend: A Novella by Lucinda John


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Kano & Montana: A Hood Love Story


Genesis - 2019
    He had to grow up at an early age and take on the role of becoming an adult way before his time. Starting off as a dope boy, he soon rises up the ranks before becoming the right-hand man inside of his uncle's drug empire. Kank has it all; money and the women, yet still he feels like his life is not fulfilled. That is until his best friends twin sister Montana comes back into town shaking up his life. Montana Mason has been through a lot in her life. After leaving Dallas for school, she finds herself head over heels for Isaac Thompson and soon she gives him the greatest gift a woman can give a man, her heart and a beautiful daughter. But everything that glitters aint gold and Montana soon realizes that Isaac isn’t all he made himself out to be. Now, Montana finds herself escaping an abusive relationship and ends up back home around the people she loves most. She finds love in the form of a child-hood crush. Kano and Montana are both trying to navigate their newfound relationship while still dealing with the upsides of life. Will they ever get it together or is their love not meant to be?

A Hustler's Promise 3


Jackie Chanel - 2014
    They're experiencing life like they never knew was possible. From the safety of their gated community, their world is copacetic. Until news from home rocks their world. Released early from prison, King's only mission is to regain control of the throne and take care of the people who crossed him. And Washington Heights knows there are only two people who can make that happen. Loyalty is tested, friendships lost, and the strength of Jaicyn and Rayshawn's relationship is questioned. When the smoke clears, who will be left standing?

Let A Real Gangsta Love You


Antoinette Sherell - 2017
    With each growing up on the infamous south side of Chicago without care or guidance from their family, they look to the streets for what they aren’t offered at home – mainly love. When they run into three wild boys with the same mentality and upbringings as them, it sets off a chain reaction of unexpected events that they may not exactly be ready for. The saying love will drive you insane rings true for the brothers Chase, Nature, and Banks. Growing up jumping from group home to group home caused these three boys to come together and claim one another as the only family that they have. Cold to the world and the obstacles that it brings, they simply do as they please and worry about the consequences later. When they run into three beautiful girls after moving into a new group home, they each find someone that they are willing to care about other than each other. The only issue is that the stubborn, self-sufficient girls that they want just won’t quite let them in so easily. What they all expected to be simply puppy love or good friendships grows into strong bonds and territorial behavior over the years. Some want more than the other can offer while others move on to new relationships all together. But when the men are fed up with the games, they decide to take what's rightfully theirs by giving the ladies the only thing they can offer them... love from a real gangsta.

Smoke 'N Gunz: A South Side Love Story


Leondra LeRae - 2019
    That was until Keylon committed the ultimate betrayal and Jalisa finally decided she’d had enough. She swore off trying to be with someone until she met Smoke. Smoke was probably the most gorgeous man she had laid eyes on. After experiencing heartbreak, Jalisa wasn’t sure moving on with Smoke was smart, until she realized she was connected with Smoke long before she laid eyes on him. Cortez ‘Smoke’ Campbell is hood royalty. After experiencing tragedy at a young age, Smoke did what he had to do to take the financial burden off of his Granny. Smoke is hesitant on giving his heart out until he and Jalisa ran into each other... literally. Being crossed by the last person he ever expected, Smoke realizes Jalisa is more for him than he could have ever imagined. Or is she? Even though they both had trust issues and were skeptical at first, Smoke and Gunz decided to give love a chance. Take a ride on this love journey to see if Jalisa is really ready to move on wholeheartedly or will her past destroy the new future she wants so desperately. Some say love conquers all, but does it?

A Hood Love Like No Other


Nikki Brown - 2018
    With a mother that sought solace in a liquor bottle, Lala had to not only take care of herself but her mother to. When things get tough and the walls begin to close around her there is one person that she knows that she can turn to, her best friend Heart. Heart Quamere Strong live his life by his rules, being thrown away at birth killed something inside of him that caused him to look at life differently. He never had anyone to show him love so he vowed to never give it, until Lala comes in and occupies the space that he had condemned. The bond between Lala and Heart grows the more life throws at them and when things heat up so much that neither one of them can ignore their feelings, things become complicated. Will they follow their heart, or will life get in the way of what’s meant to be? Lake is Heart’s best friend and right-hand man, they both grew up in the system together and were the only one that the other trusted. Lake is in a relationship with the mother of his kids, Mira but being faithful was not his strong suit. When his infidelities are brought to the forefront will he be able to take control of the situation or will it all blow up in his face. Miracle is Lala’s best friend and the only person besides Heart who welcomed her when she had to be uprooted and placed in the hood. Their relationship is solid and the love they have for one another is real, but Miracle has a secret that could tear that all apart. Even with her friendship on the line she’s not willing to give up what she’s built. When the truth comes out will their friendship be able to weather the storm? Finding love, mixed with lies and deceit causes a whole whirlwind of problems. Lines are crossed, and loyalty is tested, find out who makes it out on top.

Tampering With A Thug's Heart 3


Coco Shawnde - 2018
    With either knowing the route to rekindle their love, they grow distant. Israel is taking on fatherhood the best way he knows how, and he encounters more than he wished for. Finding Aubrey is at the top of his list. With his search, more truths are revealed than he expected. Being the man he is, he stands tall with everything coming his way. Even with things changing in his life, the one thing that hasn’t changed is Tiphani being his best friend. Times grow hard, but does that mean all love will be lost? This last installment guarantees to take you on a ride. Will love conquer all, or will it just not be enough to allow love to flourish? Tampering with a thug’s heart doesn’t seem like the right thing to do when your heart is played on right back.

Trippin' Off A Crazy Hood Love


Kelly Marie - 2018
    There are no women who would do anything to have a balling boss or street king. And there are no dope boys! This is a story about love and how unpredictable it really can be. Meet Immanuel ‘Manny’ West, a pretty boy, ladies’ man, who prides himself on bagging the baddest women Harlem has to offer. He is a player and makes no apologies for it. His reputation as the man who loves too many bitches to settle down doesn’t stop women from throwing themselves at him. He knows he has a rep to keep and would rather die than be seen with a chick who wasn’t up to his standards… that was until he crossed paths with Rai-Elle. Rai-Elle isn’t your typical hood beauty that catches all the niggas’ eyes, the one who the bad boy sees and just has to have no matter what. No, Rai-Elle or just Rai, as she liked to be called, spent most of her life being invisible. And when people did see her, they saw a dude from her tomboyish looks and swag. What started out as a defense mechanism ends up being the same thing that Manny likes about her, even though he doesn’t want to. Will he knock down that wall she so desperately hangs on to or will he allow his friends, his rep and the pressures of life to walk away from the one woman who may not look like she fits him but is everything he ever needed nonetheless? Then there is Gideon West, Manny’s younger brother, who is following in his brother’s footsteps of having the baddest females on his arm. One day he comes across Lyriq, a chick who could never get the time of day from him just from how she looked and dressed. A friend dares Gideon to talk to her, and not being one to back down, he accepts the dare. But unintentionally, he ends up falling for Lyriq in a way he never saw coming. But what happens when Lyriq discovers the truth just as Gideon finds himself unable to live without this girl? Find out what happens when these two brothers encounter women they never thought they would even look twice at and try to deal with the way they are trippin’ off a crazy hood love.

Love And The Game 2


Johnni Sherri - 2018
    While she ultimately decides to let Derrick sweep her off her feet, Plus’ feelings for her never seem to waver. However, when Derrick gets drafted into the NBA and has to relocate hundreds of miles away, Perri is faced with the decision to either stay in Maryland or leave with her fiancé for good. Now that Plus has completely stepped up as a father, the mere mention of Perri taking Camille away leaves him emotionally shattered. But after everything he’s put Perri through is this now his karma? In addition to this love triangle, Tez and Myesha’s relationship goes through its own struggle of sorts. Both of their pasts come back to haunt them, leaving a huge question mark over the survival of their union. While Jorell and Nika make such a cute couple; him with his ‘bama’ ways and her with her quick-witted nature, will the secrets he has buried tear them apart? Find out how what happens when people really do love hard but aren’t fair when playing the game.

Tell Me It's Mine: A Naughty Novella


A. Marie Johnson - 2018
    Did you think I was lying to you?" —Rahmir Forbidden. That was the only way Lynnae and Rahmir’s relationship could be described. Carrying on a secret relationship with her brother’s best friend was never in Lynnae's plans, but Rahmir had a way of taking over her mind, body, and soul in ways she never imagined to be possible. He is everything her heart has ever desired, but his lifelong friendship with her older brother keeps her from allowing Rahmir to have her freely and completely. Yet… secrets can only last for so long, and Rahmir has grown tired of being Lynnae’s best kept one. Will an ultimatum he delivers put an end to their steady private affair? Or will Lynnae finally listen to her heart and let go of her fears?

Scarred: A Love Lost: A Domestic Violence Novella


Bianca - 2018
    So bright, she was blinded by the persistent and ever so charming, Issac Rosenberg. Unable to resist his charm, Somaya goes against her parents’ demands and dates him anyway. Years later, she’s deep into a relationship she can’t see herself escaping from. Everything that once glittered, has lost its shine, and the man she fell in love with is no longer the same. Will Somaya be able to flee her once fairytale lifestyle, or will it leave her scarred?

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.

A New Jersey Love Story 2: I Got Yours, You Got Mine


Myiesha - 2015
    They continue to make enemy after enemy, when all they really want to do is be completely in love with each other. Being with Troy has caused Camilla to step out of her reserved personality and show all other females that she’s about that life and she plays no games when it comes to her man. Camilla has learned that everyone that smiles in your face isn’t your friend. Supreme’s secret obsession with Camilla has stirred up some jealousy within Kitty. After Supreme’s vicious attack on Camilla, she’s determined to get revenge. Once Supreme goes missing, Kitty already knows who had something to do with it and she will not stop until those who are responsible pay. Troy, completely in love with both sides of his sunshine, is willing to jump through all hoops for her and be by her side when shit goes down. He’s the first to pick up on Kitty’s deceitful vibes and does his best to warn Camilla to be careful around her. When Kitty starts to feel that Camilla and her gang are on to her ulterior motives, she expedites her plan that may get her revenge for Supreme once and for all. After Kitty and Keyonna’s sneak attack on Troy and Camilla, lives are left hanging in the balance. Who will survive this unforeseen attack? Will G-Ma have to dust off her gat for her BooBoo?

Flexin' On My Ex with A Boss 2


Jenica Johnson - 2018
    She finally feels that she’s able to move on from her past and fully focus on being with Bash. Her rocky relationship with her mother-in-law is still being tested but, for the sake of her relationship with Bash, Yah-Yah continues to turn the other cheek. With a little help, she’s able to start up her own business and that keeps her occupied so she couldn’t see the obvious. When she finds out what’s been happening in front of her eyes, will she return to the old her or will she remain the woman she worked hard to become? Bash is in love and he can no longer hide the fact that Yahria is going to be his wife. He thought he finally found the right woman after the death of his child’s mother. Yah-Yah helped him get his life back in order but he seems to battle with keeping his woman happy and his mother too. Bash is forced to make some major decisions as it pertains to his personal and love life. Will he choose correctly or will he play it safe? When you fall in fast, it will either crumble or stand strong during a test. Which will it be with this couple?

In Love With A Heartless Menace


Tay Mo'Nae - 2019
    Never the one to catch feelings, she doesn’t care what anyone has to say about her or how they feel about her behavior, taking the meaning YOLO to another level. When someone close to home catches her attention, she must clean her act up and show she can change but will it be too late? Tariq has been with his girlfriend Chyna for two years and seems to care about her a lot, until Naudia slowly starts invading his thoughts. He tries to resist her advances being that she’s his best friend’s sister but it’s only so much he can deny before he gives in. Now Tariq must decide if his relationship is worth fighting for or should he give it up to tame, wild Naudia. Not only that but Chyna isn’t willing to give her man up without a fight. Lucas and Trinity have been through a lot and now share a daughter together. Lucas was forced to take on responsibility early, raising Naudia when their parents died. Now stuck in that role as a provider he starts neglecting home causing Trinity’s patience for there relationship to grow thin. She loves him but doesn’t feel secure in his life. With trouble at home Lucas falls for temptation causing him to lose his family. Now he must prove to Trinity that he can change and be the man she needs. That is until a secret is revealed that shocks everyone. Playboy Brady is finally ready to settle down with Renee. After a heartbreak from the past Renee’s guarded but she sees something in Brady that makes her want to give him a chance. What was once a sexual relationship only, soon turns into more and now the couple is trying to make it work until old feelings from the past show up causing doubt in Renee’s mind. Will Brady get tired of showing Renee he’s down for her and move on? Not only are the guys dealing with their relationships, but they run an illegal underground gambling ring. Making more money than they imagined the guys are feeling good, but you know what they say, “more money, more problems”. When outside forces try to take the boys down, they must come up with a plan to stop it before it’s too late. The only problem is one of the guys is holding a secret that can ruin everything they worked for. Join this crew on an up and down journey of drama, love, and secrets and see how they handle it all.