Book picks similar to
The Reluctant Bid by Sheryl Lister


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rom-suspense
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Her Little Secret


Elle Wright - 2020
    So she developed her own line of naughty toys to get the job done. Now, she’s bringing her talent to LA, hoping to launch her new company. Only her new business consultant has her thinking about more than just her product line. As a favor to his boss, Bishop Lang agrees to help Paityn develop her new business. The only thing he knows about her is that she’s off limits, but the moment he sees her, he realizes staying away might be harder than he thought. And his own personal journey may take a backseat to the blossoming relationship developing between them.

The Birthday Bid


Suzette D. Harrison - 2019
    How else would beauty influencer, Senaé Dawson, wind up at a bachelor auction? Whisked away without a say, her besties treat her to a birthday bid at an auction featuring decadent Black men. Inevitably infected by the hype, Senaé’s excitement hits hyper drive until the blindfold’s removed from her eyes. She’s dumbstruck to discover she’s just “bought” her ex-husband. Lexington “Lex” Ryde turned his love for cars into a multi-million dollar private transportation business serving Black Hollywood’s A-list. His line of work taught Lex to be prepared at a moment’s notice. But seeing his ex-wife face-to-face for the first time in twenty years leaves him feeling as if “sucker-punched by Tyson and Holyfield.” Thanks to their problematic past, neither is pleased with this bachelor auction “ridiculousness”, or the instant flare of hot, sexual attraction erupting between them. But being Mama Peaches’ first foster child, Lex can’t renege. He's stuck with the auction results...and the unpleasant truth that he's still in love with his ex.   Take the ride with Senaé and Lex! They’ll confront a painful past, consider their present, and encounter an unwanted admirer who must be dealt with.

When's the Last Time?


Monica Walters - 2020
    Being raised by his father since the age of four without any involvement from his mother, makes him feel like he’s been missing something. Regardless of his dad’s endless love, he knows that his mother has to care about him. After his dad is shot and killed, his hopes are high for reuniting with his mother, but once again, he is left without her love. Moving in with his paternal grandparents wasn’t what he expected, but it’s his fate. Learning to adapt is hard and after his introduction to music, he uses it to ease his soul. At some point it’s not enough and he turns his attention to women. Sex gives him an adrenaline rush like no other and it helps him manage his demons. However, when he meets Ulanni Alvarez at a spoken word performance, he has a different outlook on life just from that moment of being in her presence. When she leaves, he knows she will be the one to change him forever. The problem was that he would have to convince her of that fact… after he can convince himself that he deserved everything she has to offer.

A Bid on Forever


Joy Avery - 2019
    So manymemories exist for him here, including the one of being crushed by the onlywoman he's ever loved. Three years hasn't diminished his feelings for hisex-best friend and lover, Macie Shaw. And when their paths cross, the fire thatused to burn scorching hot between them reignites. His head says run, but hisheart is far more courageous. ...but she'sdetermined. Years ago, Macie made a horrible decision, causing her tolose the one person in her life who had always been real and true. TrentThatcher. Now he's back, and a winning bid just might give her the chance tomake things right. But can she rid Trent of three years of heartache in oneweek? Especially when he seems to hate her.

Yours Forever


Sherelle Green - 2017
    Strong, dark, and flavorful. However, while most women were trying to drink the entire coffee pot, Mac was more of a Keurig kind of girl, opting to have frivolous casual flings as opposed to meaningful relationships. While attending one of her best friends’ weddings—in a moment influenced by too many mojitos—the Feng-Shui consultant foolishly agrees to a pact; to marry within the next year. Her friends don’t think she’s going to go through with it. Honestly, Mac is uneasy about the entire idea. But she doesn’t mind cuddling up with the most mouth-watering cup of coffee she sees in the meantime… the best man, Alexander Carter. Alex is successful, talented, devastatingly handsome, and surprisingly celibate. At least, he was, until a beautiful bombshell rocked his world before leaving him with nothing more than a piece of paper with a kiss on it in her wake. It’s not that the CEO of an environmental engineer firm minds being used, but typically, if a woman wants him for only sex, he at least takes her to dinner first. Imagine his surprise when that same feisty vixen is placed into his life again, and as expected, she seems to be wearing her running shoes. Yet, this time, Alex is ready for the temptress. A little fun and games never hurt anyone, right? Unless fun and games starts looking a whole lot like promises and forever.

A Boss For The Holidays : Titus & Burgundy


Lakia - 2020
    

Since the Day we Met


Kay Shanee - 2020
    However, the reality of living thousands of miles apart and the committed relationships they would return to forces a vow to forget their unprecedented passion. 

One year later, when the paths of the unsuspecting pair cross again, the feelings they were afraid to let flow have magnified tenfold.Nothing will stand in the way of their love… or so they think. 

Follow Kyree and Braelynn on their journey of love. Since the day their spirits collided, there was an inkling that they were meant to be. But love rarely makes its home on Easy Street.

Onyx Rides


Celeste Granger - 2018
    However, when the relationship failed, Onyx was prepared to move on. Dillon wasn’t. Dillon refuses to let Onyx go, and his definition of love turns ugly. Onyx finds herself on the defense, shadowed and stalked by the man who once claimed undying love for her. Multimillionaire Egypt Anderson is not only the CEO of his own construction and development company, but he is also the President of the Down South Riders, a motorcycle club. Egypt spends his days in the boardroom and his nights on the back of his classic Harley Davidson. Egypt and Onyx don’t travel in the same circles and at first, glance, seem to have very little in common. However, a chance encounter with a ruggedly handsome Egypt changes the trajectory of Onyx’s life and redefine what love really is. Onyx Rides is book 1 of the Lady Guardians 3 book series Cruisin is book 2 of the Lady Guardians 3 book series. And, Curvalicious is book 3.

Dear Amelia


Asia Monique - 2021
    After gracing the cover of a popular magazine that highlights black professionals, Amelia knew she’d finally made it. Now that her career was taking off, she no longer had an excuse to ignore the storm brewing between her and the man she’s known her entire life.Real estate mogul, Israel Holloway, has worked tirelessly his entire adult life to get to where he wanted to be. So, working hard to get who he wanted to be with was a task he had no problem taking on. Israel longed to be the number one man in his best friend’s life, and in an attempt to win her heart, he turns to the one thing he knows will get her attention and keep it. But will it?Signed, someone very close to you.*please note, this is book one in a four book series but can be read as a standalone novel.

A Tale of Two Cities: A Thanksgiving Novella


Alexandra Warren - 2018
    But who's to say that's the only one? For actress Aspen Watson, all it takes is a trip back to her hometown for Thanksgiving for her to realize that sometimes home can be where the heart is in more ways than one. ;) A Tale of Two Cities Collection: Cute & Sweet Millennial Meets Over a Holiday, All With One Thing In Common; Cities. Note: This is a short novella with a happy-for-now ending. If you prefer your stories longer, I'd recommend checking out another Alexandra Warren project. :)

Unexpected Expectations


K.C. Mills - 2020
    One of the most unpredictable happenings tends to be love.T’air’s current way of living isn’t cutting anymore. She wants something different, something solid! This is a stark contrast to her current lifestyle but in order to achieve the intended goal she will have to take a chance and express herself even when it seems pointless.Lu’vell or Luv wants what he wants when he wants it. Scorned by past experiences Luv is not interested in finding love at all but he wants T’air. In order for him to achieve that goal he will have to take a chance...a chance at love one more time.Sometimes all you need is to give things a chance. Whether it’s a meeting someone new, an experience, a text message or love. You can’t have different results, doing the same things.

Fortress (Forde Family Series Book 2)


Nikki Blaire - 2019
     Marcus Forde, Jr., is the heir apparent and CFO of his father’s multi-million dollar wealth management firm. He’s wealthy, strong-willed, lives in his father’s image, and gives him unyielding loyalty. For as long as he could remember, he’s modeled himself after this one man, to a fault. Until it all crumbles... Unfortunately, the faults of his father become a scandal that threatens to ruin the family name, which makes them call on Charlisse Lageaux, a no nonsense crisis management expert that can make all of this mess go away. Her first order of business is to protect what is left of the Forde’s diminished empire. To Charlisse, all of these wealthy men are the same, but while working with Marcus to clean up this mess, she notices that there’s more to the reckless, rude, and heavily guarded finance magnate than meets the eye.

Essence of You


Tiye Love - 2018
    When she is dumped unceremoniously by text three years ago, she decides to only focus on friends, work, and law school and not necessarily in that order. But that suddenly changes while on her first girls' trip to Essence Festival when she literally bumps into Montana Keyes, a handsome, charming, and wealthy professional basketball player. There is instant chemistry between them and they enjoy a no-strings attached, passion-filled weekend. While she is content to leave their weekend as a pleasant memory, Montana wants more and promises a future. And although she finds herself irrevocably drawn to him, she decides not to risk her heart on a man who has left a trail of broken hearts. As time passes Jasmine is unable to forget Montana and when they meet again she is surprised to discover he still feels the same. She now must make a choice to remain in her comfortable world or explore a new one full of passion and romance where the stakes are higher than she has ever known. Will she trust Montana, and more importantly herself enough to take a chance on love? (Revised and previously published)

In Name Only (The Love Connection Book 1)


Sean D. Young - 2020
    

Royal


Tina Martin - 2017
    Claire was drawn to Gemma Jacobsen from the start. It was an instant connection that he’d never had with another woman. When she was on her sickbed, he stayed by her side, helped to nurse her back to health and the two became the best of friends. Then that friendship grew into something deeper. Something Royal, the picky bachelor, couldn’t deny. Something he didn’t want to deny. It evolved into LOVE. Doubts about the relationship and herself plague Gemma’s thoughts. She tries to force the negativity away but Royal’s a great guy, so the thoughts linger at forefront of her mind. A hard life and a caring sister has taught her what true love is – when you love someone more than you love yourself. It’s how she feels for Royal – how she thinks Royal feels for her, but how can he when, in her eyes, he’s the personification of male perfection while she’s just – well – the lighthearted, short-haired sick girl. Their worlds are blended, but their hearts collide in this friends to lovers story. When there are no limits to a man’s love, is there anything a woman can do to convince him that she’s not his ONE? * * * -ROYAL is a standalone novel that tells the story of Royal St. Claire and Gemma Jacobsen. -This story is a spinoff from The Boardwalk Bakery Series (Baked With Love)