Book picks similar to
Toxic by Lucinda John


black-fiction
stand-alones
steamy
urban-romance

Connected to You


Endiya Carter - 2019
    With limited vision and assistance in the form of a walking stick, Keyara’s next step in adulthood isn’t the same as girls her age. Everything she once knew has been taken away from her, especially her independent spirit. In an effort to regain it, Keyara opts to attend Georgia Southern University, a prestigious university with a drive long enough to prevent her from having anyone to fall back on. Although he has reservations letting his daughter roam around a college campus with limited assistance, Keyara’s father relents under two conditions: one being that she must stay in an assisted living facility, and the other requiring her to employ a chauffeur. By chance, she’s paired with the handsome Marquez Richardson. Born to a superstar father, Marquez “Rich” Richardson has lived up to the hype surrounding his last name, using it to bend the rules and escape trouble. After his son was caught in another drag racing/drunk driving scandal, Marquez’s father has had enough of his son’s irresponsible ways. He revokes his driving privileges before the police can do so. To drill in the importance of safe driving, he piles on a lesson to pair with this punishment: acting as Keyara Henderson’s chauffeur. From the first day he begins walking her around, Marquez feels as if his social status is in jeopardy. The parties he once attended and the girls who would flock to him are put off by Keyara’s presence. Although this is a problem in the beginning Marquez warms up to the determined Keyara. The problem standing in his way, his girlfriend Cajua Taylor.

Distracted


Alexandra Warren - 2015
    And why wouldn’t he be? He’s young. He’s single. He’s sexy. And he’s fresh off of a record-breaking second year of professional basketball with his whole career ahead of him. So when he meets Kennedy while interviewing for a new stylist, of course he wastes no time going after her. Until he finds out she’s engaged. And even though he knows how wrong it is to be so damn attracted to a taken woman - has already learned his lesson when it comes to taken women - he can’t help but be drawn in by her captivating persona of innocence mixed with a hint mystery. But when Kennedy finds herself in the same predicament, caught completely off-guard by Bryson’s charm and sex appeal, the line between attraction and distraction suddenly becomes a blur. Who’s really the distracted one? (Note: This book is a standalone, but features secondary characters from the Attractions & Distractions series as well as The PreGame Ritual with tiny spoilers.)

Kookie Dough (Jacobs Brothers, #2)


Bella Jay - 2021
    This week only.No emotions. No attachments.No expectations.Just sex. Nothing more.Nothing less.Never again. And no one could find out. Those were the rules that Kayadah Kookman and Jonel Jacobs decided on when a vacation fling was put on the table. A fling neither one of them saw coming. But a wild night left them both throwing caution to the wind and bending the rules.Find out which ones were broken.

Unearth Me


Grey Huffington - 2018
     Kirklynn Sayers, 34-year-old renowned therapist of Huffington Mill, has mastered every aspect of her life except love. She refuses to refer to herself as a hopeless romantic, simply, because she’s lost interest in finding it, altogether. Unsympathetic about her shallow hopes of partnership, she buries the hatchet and focuses on creating a legacy and defying the stigma attached to therapists as herself. Heath Benedict, 26 years old and the newest heir of the Benedict throne, is still suffering from the death of his grandfather years prior. Though he was blessed with a budding empire as a result of it, Harold Benedict’s death unsealed wounds that he’d covered for Heath’s sanity and protection. Heath has the world at the tip of his fingers, but the feeling of inadequacy is keeping him from accessing it. From the day he took charge of Benedict and Associates, Heath has only been content with one aspect of the company... access to Kirklynn Sayers. He, soon, discovers that her wholesomeness is the key to unlock his sanity. While she tries to solve his issues of inadequacy through treatment, Heath reveals that there’s only one way to heal him. Submission. Kirklynn refuses to submit and jeopardize her career, leaving Heath with no choice but to force his hand. Journey through a story of uncertainty as the two struggle to unearth their most sacred aspirations while undressing one another in the process.

Half & Half


Grey - 2018
    All night & all day. Just like the coffee shop I’d met him at that day luck was on my side. It was one cup of coffee. My last five dollars. And a sign of good faith. Who’d ever known the man I given my last to would be Levee Billion, prominent figure and one of Huffington Mill’s most eligible bachelors. Did I mention he was filthy fxcking rich? Just before he slid into his foreign whip, he’d left my mind in a frenzy and my body on fire. One wink and a thank you note with his number attached. “Call me if you’re ever in need.” Of course I was in need. I had been since the day I smelled his obnoxious cologne. Witnessed his intoxicating smile. Been blessed with his lingering presence. I’d become addicted. His absence was vexatious. Even, now, the thought of our differences keeping us apart had me strung out and stressed out.

An Affair in Munthill


Takerra Allen - 2016
    The key ingredients of intrigue are here – he’s self-aware, dominant, with a dangerous yet captivating edge. While she on the other hand, is unlike any other female he’s encountered and the nemesis to the typical ideals of the urban beauty. She’s headstrong, she’s flawed, she wears her struggles as a badge of honor – and she’s REAL. He has come to her town for a purpose, and she lives day to day searching for one. When the two collide, the world stops. Drama and suspense take a backseat to the primary emotions we all encounter – desire, fear, regret, and HOPE. The characters peel back layers and the story doesn’t skyrocket, it builds. Devout was a tornado…and this is the sweet summer’s breeze creeping through your window. Still, these pages get steamy, like a humid night in August, and they come when you least expect it. With the feel of a historic romance, journey with the everyday woman trying to make it in her world, and not so everyday things begin to occur.

Rookie Mistakes


Danesha Little - 2019
    Now a TV personality, her primary focus is to make "Girlfriends Talking Sports" the number one show on ESPN. Her plans are interrupted when NBA Rookie, Sebastian Powers enters her life. Growing up in London, Sebastian Powers' only ambition was to become the greatest basketball player of all time. When his arrogance becomes a roadblock to that goal, he meets his match in Nashya Jordan. What happens when two stubborn souls are forced to face their pasts together?

#FutureHusband


J. Nichole - 2019
    Anaya went on many dates, kissed many frogs, and none turned into her prince. But each did leave her with post-worthy rants to her future husband. She met a guy who didn't want to travel. Dear #FutureHusband, I hope your passport is ready. She met a man who had questionable political opinions. Dear #FutureHusband, we don’t have to agree on everything, but we have to be on the same political team. Then she met Russell who seemed to be the future husband she posted about. Russell, on the other hand, was heartbroken — by his fiancé and baby mama — and was determined to stay single. He preferred meeting random women, and enjoyed one night stands, over being vulnerable in a committed relationship. Could Anaya be the woman to heal his broken heart?

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)

Forever Tru


K.C. Mills - 2020
    

Studio Sessions: Damaged Heart


AshleyNicole - 2018
    Phone is getting cut off tomorrow. Rent is due next week. There are more important things to stress over. It’s high time something good happened to her, and an unexpected phone call offers just that. Les is out here living his best life, making money and forgetting faces. There’s nothing he wants that he can’t have, and once his eyes land on her, he wants Tali. A relationship is the last thing either is interested in, but once they fall in, fighting is pointless. Dark points from both of their pasts make it difficult to get on solid ground. She’s damaged, and so is he. Can they piece each other together enough to make this work?

Love Always, Nova Black


A.C. Taylor - 2021
    That’s all Nova wants. That means no drama, good sex, and a chance to put all reminders of her soon-to-be ex-husband behind her. But that’s a lot easier said than done. Especially, since not everyone agrees with her decision to walk away from her marriage.The last thing Don expects is to become a single father overnight. But after things with his daughter’s mother take a drastic turn, he’s left with no other choice. He has to become everything his little girl needs, while figuring out how to make all the right decisions along the way.Don and Nova have a lot on their plate. But whenever they come together, they always find peace. The kind of peace that’s hard to break away from. Their bond is special. Their love is pure. But acting on their feelings can cause the kind of pain that neither of them are ready for.See what happens when two friends try to navigate through the drastic changes of their personal lives, while also coming to grips with their feelings for each other. Will they be able to see the beauty of what’s between them? Or will one of them quit before their love story even begins?

Concourse D with Love


Cassandra B. - 2020
    Take the step into the unknown and find what you’ve been missing.”Those words lead Kelani Thomas into a forty-eight-hour adventure with a handsome, alluring, mysterious stranger. With Kelani missing a flight and Israel’s flight was delayed a spark was ignited in the Sky Lounge of Concourse D. But after the haze of lust evaporates in forty-eight hours can the raw emotions formed last?Join Kelani and Israel for the ride and find out.

An X-Plosive Kind of Love


Tisha Andrews - 2020
    

Just Say Yes


Brix McQueen - 2018
    We had finally called it quits, and I was ready to move on. Quickly.I was ready for something fun — something to take the edge off of being newly single. My friends suggested dating, but I declined and took their generous offer of receiving a spa day instead.What was supposed to be a relaxing experience, turned into a spine-tingling, soul floating, toes curling, body trembling orgasm. And it was from my high school crush, Garlen.The thing was, he wasn’t my only crush back then. I had one on him and his fine friend, Jerik. After the way he made my body come alive, forbidden, nasty thoughts of sampling them both invaded my mind. Not just alone, but together.I wanted them both.At the same time.And, have them do things to me I only fantasized about.But, I didn't know how to tell them.Do you ask for something like this or just submit and just say yes?