Book picks similar to
Not Another Thug Story by Desiree M. Granger


desirée
urban
urban-literature-and-fiction
african-american

Bad Boys Do It Better: In Love With an Outlaw


Porscha Sterling - 2016
    The oldest of four girls. Graduate of New York Law School, two years earlier than expected, at the top of my class and apple of my father’s eye. After years of hard work and dedication, I’m finally rewarded by being able to sit in on one of the biggest trials in the city, being handled by the district attorney himself. I’m excited and terrified about working with him. After all my years of dreaming, the time has finally come. But then I met him... Luke “Outlaw” Murray. The youngest of six boys. Graduate at the top of his class at hood university where he got his degree in the streets. Certified in Street Nigga-ology. He’s rude. He’s arrogant. He’s abrasive and he’s… did I say he was rude? He’s everything I don’t want in a man. Everything I shouldn’t want… until I do. And this... this is a story about us. But beware, because it's not your average love story.

She Fell In Love With A Hitta 2


Antoinette Sherell - 2018
    Will someone come to her rescue, or will she be left to fend for herself? Meanwhile, Adonis is left enraged at his girlfriend, Teagan, after she admits a truth that had already plagued his thoughts. Will his reaction cost them both their unborn child? Along with their newfound problems, there was still the issue of whether Gi’Dore will continue her blossoming love with Rico—putting the nail in the coffin of her and Achilles’ chaotic yet addictive love. Adonis cut his and Criss’ secret relationship loose, but will she manage to weasel her way back in? Then, there is Achilles... and he was determined to win Gi’Dore back at all cost. Find out what great lengths he’s willing to go to and if it will be enough for him to secure the love of his life.

A Staten Island Love Letter 5: The forgotten Borough


Jahquel J. - 2019
    Messiah may have done something that could end her relationship with her daughter and husband. Has she gone too far, or like usual Messiah, did she know what she was doing? Staten is stuck on trying to handle loving Liberty, even after she ended things, be a father to he and Chanel’s daughter, and be there for a pregnant Maliah as well. Can he juggle it all, while trying to be there for his big brother too?Justice felt like her life was over. What was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, ended up being one of the worst days. She thought her past with shitty men was over when it came to Priest. Can Priest redeem himself? Or is this the straw that broke the camel’s back, and Justice decides to call it quits?Liberty is fighting for her life. Will Staten come running to her rescue like the past? Or will he finally give Liberty what she has been wanting; space? If that’s not enough, Ty is falling for Liberty – hard. Is he willing to compete for Liberty’s heart, knowing it belongs to her ex, Staten?With Ghost’s condition and Samoor’s condition, Free is stretched thin trying to be brave and hold down the home front. Will it all be too much to handle, or will Free pull up her big girl pants and hold it down for her son and man? Find out in the finale of this series!

A Hood Dilemma is Still Bittersweet: A Naptown Triangle (A Bittersweet Hood Dilemma Book 3)


Natavia - 2015
     Tassana is on the right path for the sake of her son. The problems between Osari and Tassana might cause her to go back to her old ways. Osari is trying to make it right for the sake of his family until his secret comes out. When all has been revealed, will it drive Tassana away permanently? Shimmy and Dez are young and in love until Kiwanna comes back into the picture. Dez is forced into making a tough decision leaving Shimmy with a lot of questions. Armory is a guy with a motive, will Shimmy figure it out before its too late? Kyree is stuck between two men, Osari and Pernell. Pernell does everything he can to get Kyree back. Kyree is torn from her past with Pernell, which is causing her to fall in love with another man. The man Kyree falls in love with is in love with another woman. Every hood has its dilemma, even when one dilemma ends many more occurs. Everyone is in a love triangle, but there is only room for one, who will they choose? This is an urban tale of love, heart-breaks, secrets and lies.

From the Projects to a Rich Thug's Mansion


Sonovia Alexander - 2017
    She was born into a life of poverty that she never asked for. Her mother dropped her off at the local fire station as a newborn and her father could have been any of the local crackheads that she passed by on the daily. Jumping from foster home to foster home and living a life that gave her nothing, she was tired of it, she wanted more. She deserved more– she desired to live the life of the rich and famous.  Nothing was more memorable than the day she met Boogie. Boogie had the paper, the cars, the money, and the drugs that could help her with her come up– until an unfortunate turn of events happen to Boogie. There’s a new dealer on the block… and her name is Swiss.

Ridin' With the Realest 4: That Good Hood Love


K.C. Mills - 2017
     Fray has found himself face to face with someone else’s demons, while Charlie has to figure out how to keep the peace. Reg is faced with a tough decision that brings up some hard feelings connected to the only family he’s ever known, and Asia’s is struggling to connect with a family situation of her own. Luke just can’t seem to get his past to understand that he’s moved on, while Yaz keeps getting hit with the terrible feeling of getting knocked back two steps for every one she struggles to take forward. Will this crew find a way to bring it full circle and settle into their hood fairytale, or will their circumstances take the lead and prevent them from finding that Good Hood Love that they all so desperately want? Ridin’ with the Realest isn’t always easy, but it’s definitely worth the journey... or so they say. Be sure to check out the FINALE and find out if this crew has what it takes to make it to the finish line.

Married to a Boss 2


Lucinda John - 2015
    After going through a series of betrayals, the men will do anything to protect their family and business. With Ralph laying on his death bed, Lisa is out for blood as she seeks for revenge and mourns her lost.Faces from the past returns and cause more havoc, sending the fellasinto beast mode. Lies are revealed, hearts are broken, and trustbecomes an issue as the ladies; Lala, Honey Lisa, and Cinnamon, livethe life as being Married To a Boss. Will it all be worth it? or willthe trials break them all apart?

Wife of a Legend 2


Chloe Je'Nore - 2015
    With his father MIA he sets out to tear up the streets of Newark brick by brick to avenge his mother’s death. Any and everybody is a suspect but what happens when the suspect is none other than his own wife Treasure?Treasure is keeping a life threatening secret from her husband that could destroy everything they are trying to build. But where should her loyalty lie with her mother or her husband. Treasure learns all that glitters isn’t gold and soon finds her life in danger…

Never Knew Love Like This


Chenell Parker - 2016
    Being beautiful with a figure to die for made it easy for her to juggle men and get her needs met. She had never met a man who wasn't impressed by her outer appearance until she met Montez, a married tattoo artist. Montez has more on his plate than he bargained for. He is desperate to start a family with Destiny, his wife of 3 years, but the secrets that she's withholding make that seem almost impossible. A chance meeting from a mutual acquaintance puts Cashmere and Montez in each other's presence briefly. It's love at first sight for one of them, but not so much the other. Cashmere is used to men falling at her feet, but the lack of attention from Montez has her questioning herself as well as the beauty that she's always been known to possess. Take a ride with an insecure young woman and a very outspoken young man to see just how their lives intertwine when they cross paths with one another. Will Montez be able to resist the sexy vixen known as Cashmere or will he dishonor his vows for a taste of her forbidden fruit? Will Cashmere be able accept Montez's rejection or will she continue to pursue something that she can never have? Is Montez really off limits or will he be the man to show her love like she's never known before?

My Love Ain't Meant For A Thug : The Beginning Of Us


A'zayler - 2015
    He’s been living his life on the grind for as long as he could remember. Dominating the streets, and every other small time hustler in quest of his position at the top. Showing no mercy to the men and disregarding the women Congo was on a power trip until the murder of his oldest brother. Everything he’d worked for came to a screeching halt and he’s left with nothing. Now he’s forced to live a regular life working a regular job. The dope game having always been his first love, he now has nothing left that’s appeasing to his heart. A unique beauty dumbed down to nothing more than an extra source of income, Honey, is desperate and lost. She desires a way out of her current situation but with the only family she has locked away forever, she’s all alone. Getting to the money day in and day out, Honey shuts herself away from any and everything not aiding in her success. Having been used and taken for granted in her past relationship, she’s a little more resistant to the advances of the handsome young thug that’s captivated her truest feelings. She’s determined to ignore him and his efforts until there’s no more reasons to run. Here in the moment with this totally perfect stranger Honey decides to give it a chance. Both needing security and someone in their corner they embark on this new journey together. Struggling but determined to make it, Congo and Honey stick side by side, loving one another past their current situation. Believing in the visions he has for them and the passion filled relationship they’ve started, Honey promises to stay down until he makes it. Congo’s life was going nowhere fast until his heart took to Honey, so now that he has her he’s going above and beyond to show her that as much as she believes that it isn’t, her love is indeed meant for a thug.

The Plug Next Door 2


Sol - 2017
     God has a lot to lose after keeping his wife a secret from Reese all this time. He's in love with the beautiful, charismatic, highly educated doctor but once his skeletons jump out of the closet, he might just lose her forever. However, he's not willing to let her go so easily. But with someone out to destroy him and his empire, he might have no other choice but to surrender his love. Unbeknownst to Nas, he's in the middle of it all. The key to figuring out who's on a mission to take out the Taliban Gang is with him. From the moment he stepped foot onto New York soil, a domino effect of murders, lies, and deceit began. He finds out who his brothers are, but things only get worse from there. He also manages to get Vasii, the girl of his dreams, but what happens when he finds out she's the sister of an old fling? Will he be able to keep her? In the middle of the hailstorm, Young is determined to steal Alexa's heart. He's successful in making her fall in love, but there's just one issue... he isn't like most men. When he loves, he loves hard. Young honestly can't help his possessive ways, given the circumstances, but Alexa may not be ready for it. Then again, she's just as crazy about him as he is her. They're both keeping secrets in the meantime... secrets that could get somebody hurt. Who are the DeLeneau Brothers, really? And are the women they're in love with who they claim to be? Everyone will be shocked to realize they've been dating so close to home. But more importantly, love can blind you from snakes. Who's going to mow the grass and reveal all? Find out in The Plug Next Door II...

Keisha & Trigga : A Gangster Love Story


Leo Sullivan - 2015
    So when she meets Lloyd AKA Black, a rich street king who ruthlessly runs Atlanta and everything in it, she has no problem shedding her good girl image to be his coke-addicted ride or die. But there is one problem---his wife Dior who Lloyd is NOT divorcing although he tells Keisha a different story. After a turn of events that almost ends in bloodshed for Lloyd and Dior at her hands, Keisha swears to never do coke again, goes back to the stripclub, and takes back her job as a bartender. And it is there that she meets Trigga...Trigga is a boss nigga with an attitude. He's all business and making money but he has a mean, sexy swag that makes him effortlessly attract women. One night, he's in Pink Lips when he sees Keisha, but he's not there for pleasure...he's there for business. And his business involves putting a bullet straight through Lloyd's skull. What he soon finds is that Lloyd won't be an easy mark and one mistake ends up placing him and Keisha in the hospital fighting for their lives. When Trigga wakes up, the first person on his mind is Keisha--the woman he met who he now feels obligated to protect. And Kiesha is all too ready to allow him to do so as long as she can keep her best kept secrets regarding Lloyd underwraps.Dior Mitchell-Evans has been cheated on one to many times by her husband, Lloyd, and she decides once and for all that she won't continue to take it lying down. So she enlists the only man she knows just might love her more than Lloyd to help her with her plans...Lloyd's cousin, Kenyon. Although Kenyon and Lloyd were raised like brothers, Kenyon can't hide the fact that he's loved Dior throughout the years and he won't stand by idly any longer as Lloyd continues to use and abuse her.Love and betrayal sometimes fall hand in hand. But when you fall in love in the streets, you can guarantee that betrayal will soon come. This isn't the typical 'good girl meets thug' tale. This is classic romance meets thug love and it will leave you wanting more.

She Gotta Be The Dopest To Ride With The Coldest


Kyoshi - 2016
    Instead of going away to college or turning up every weekend, she spent her days behind the counter at McDonalds. With a mother fighting Lupus and bills that had to be paid, Azuri put her life on hold to be whatever her mother needed her to be. A night working the late shift changed her life. It was the day she met Kashmir “Gotti” Banks. Gotti is an arrogant, smart mouthed boss from Harlem and used to getting everything he wanted, that is until he met Azuri. Love ‘em and leave ‘em had been his way of life for the past twenty five years. Chasing women was never his style and being caught, had never been Azuri’s style. The chemistry between the two was far more than either of them could ever imagine. Not sure if Gotti is good for her, Azuri built a wall up that he was determined to tear down. A day at the Rucker started a whirlwind romance between the two, but will they have a happily ever after? Lies, drama, murder, sex and deceit threaten to destroy the union the two have built. Will their love stand the test of time? Or will too many lines being crossed, tear the two apart? Find out in this juicy tale, unlike anything you’ve ever read...

She Gave Her All to the Hood’s Finest 3


Shvonne Latrice - 2019
    What she doesn't know is that the messenger is harboring another shocking secret that they aren't quite willing to let her in on just yet. Feeling confused and overwhelmed, she turns to the only person who has had her back since her first love was murdered, even though unsure if he'd be willing to involve himself due to the circumstances. In addition to such a heavy weight, suspicious leeches resurface, ready to suck Camarih and her beau dry unless she complies with their wishes. Little does Camarih know, their seemingly harmless attempt at extorting her is much deeper than she may think. With a flourishing career that's only growing, Tony doesn't have as much time to zone in on what could soon be a very detrimental and possibly deadly train wreck that is his personal life. The saying more money more problems has definitely began to ring true for the handsome thug, who although has a bigger bank account, is still that same street boy at heart. By saying that, a couple extra zeros on his paycheck hasn't stopped the gangsta from laying out a few when it comes to his respect. Will the deeply in love yet completely opposite couple be able to stick together and trust one another, or will outside forces finally weave their way into a union that has seemed unlikely from the get-go? As Make A Killing becomes more and more successful, it's only right that that success be accompanied by jealousy, unrequited loves, and envy. With new people entering the building, tension arises, relationships are broken, and betrayal becomes a part of day-to-day life.

Cuffed By A Kingpin


Heiress - 2017
     Compton Banks is the sexiest most rudest man you will ever encounter that has just been crowned, King of Cali. When their worlds collide, they are forced to agree to live together in holy matrimony. After a fatal incident that left Cali alone with a target on her back, she has to secure her family business and survival by any means necessary. Not knowing that the man that is necessary will mean more to her than she intended. After taking over the family business, Compton is determined to make sure his empire thrives with greatness. Nothing or anyone could take his focus away from his money and his business. That is until Cali barges into his world and his heart. Both individuals never intended on falling in love but things happen. Was it just an agreement or will Love become a factor. Loyalty is tested, trust is broken and hearts are shattered. Will these two learn to coexist for the sack of their agreement? Or will they break ties and put their lives and their empires at risk? Find out in the hood fairytale of Compton and Cali.