Book picks similar to
The Secret We Kept by Ayana
interracial-romance
coming-of-age
single-mother
secret-baby
Addicted to Him
Lauren Dodd - 2013
I had a huge secret and I was trying to run away from it as fast as I could. I managed to get myself shipped a thousand miles away for the summer to my estranged father and perky new stepmother’s house. Nobody knew me there and that’s the way I liked it. I didn’t have to be the screwed-up girl with the terrible secret anymore; I could be anybody I wanted to be.Being sequestered at Dad’s house turned out to be amazing. I started wondering if somehow I could convince him to keep me forever and then I might have a shot at a normal life for a change. Enter hot, mysterious, moody Seth and my desire to become a permanent resident of Colorado just quadrupled.I had never met anyone like Seth. I trusted him more than I had ever trusted anyone. I craved his lips, his body, and his touch. It didn’t take long for me to become totally addicted to him. The way he could get my body to respond was incredible. Before long I was spilling every dark secret I had to him never dreaming that he would someday use that knowledge against me.I should have known my fairy tale wouldn’t last forever. Secrets that I prayed would never see the light of day were soon exposed, changing my life forever. I couldn’t run anymore. I had to decide if I wanted to stay the same girl who never fights for herself, or try to find the strength inside myself to live the life I knew I had always deserved.This is a complete novel at 75,000 words. Content warning- This novel contains adult situations and may not be appropriate for readers under eighteen.
Cruel Beautiful World
Caroline Leavitt - 2016
It's 1969, and sixteen-year-old Lucy is about to run away with a much older man to live off the grid in rural Pennsylvania, a rash act that will have vicious repercussions for both her and her older sister, Charlotte. As Lucy's default caretaker for most of their lives, Charlotte's youth has been marked by the burden of responsibility, but never more so than when Lucy's dream of a rural paradise turns into a nightmare.Cruel Beautiful World examines the intricate, infinitesimal distance between seduction and love, loyalty and duty, and explores what happens when you're responsible for things you cannot make right.
How to Lose an Earl in Ten Weeks
Jenni Fletcher - 2021
Welcome to the hottest Season that Regency London has ever seen.An enemies-to-lovers regency romance that's like watching an episode of Bridgerton. Perfect for fans of Georgette Heyer, Outlander and Romancing the Duke.Miss Essie Craven has been engaged since birth to a man she has only met once. The haughty, black-haired man with the intense blue eyes: Aidan Ravell, Earl of Denholm. The most coveted man in all of the Ton.The day of their marriage is set. The only problem is, spirited Essie dreams of more than being a Countess. She soon finds out that Aidan has his own reasons for not wishing to marry, but is compelled to proceed due to his sense of honour and the financial baggage his father has left him.So, Aidan and Essie strike up a deal. Essie will find him a more suitable match, and in the meantime they will keep up appearances as the most fashionable couple in all of the Ton.But soon what is real and what is fake begins to converge. Suddenly, what seemed to be a simple agreement is no longer quite that straightforward . . .
Free
Lisa Litberg - 2014
Usually when I tell people that they laugh and ask me what my real name is. I just look them dead on and repeat, 'Free.' I left my old name behind with my old life; shed both of them like a useless layer of skin. When I stepped free of that world, I took the name Free. It is my real name. I picked it myself. What could be more real than that?"Since leaving home at the age of 18, Free has traveled the country searching for home. Her travels afford a variety of experiences, from following the Grateful Dead to waitressing in Chicago to selling jewelry in New Orleans' French Market, but nothing seems to quell her sense of unrest. All the while her estranged brother Alfie is in her thoughts. Once she finds him, perhaps she'll finally feel at home. But her world is filled with bad choices and unsavory characters, and she finds that freedom sometimes comes at a cost. The reader will feel as if they are traveling right alongside Free in this moving coming-of-age story.
Not After Everything
Michelle Levy - 2015
Then his mom kills herself. And Tyler lets it all go. Now he needs to dodge what his dad is offering (verbal tirades and abuse) and earn what his dad isn’t (money). Tyler finds a job that crashes him into Jordyn, his former childhood friend turned angry-loner goth-girl. She brings Tyler an unexpected reprieve from the never-ending pity party his life has become. How could he not fall for her? But with his dad more brutally unpredictable than ever, Tyler knows he can’t risk bringing Jordyn too deeply into the chaos. So when violence rocks his world again, will it be Jordyn who shows him the way to a hopeful future? Or after everything, will Tyler have to find it in himself?
Sometimes I'm In My Feelings: An Urban Romance
Anna Black - 2017
Meet Anika, Mia and Legacy. Three friends going through the trials and tribulations of love and heartache. Young and deep in love, they can’t seem to let go of the men they’ve fallen madly in love with. When Anika is forced to face the truth she was so determined to find, her world comes crumbling down, and she has to decide whether to love herself first or stay in a relationship that could destroy her. Mia is given a reality check and quickly learns that looks don’t always keep a man, and that sometimes men make promises they can’t keep to get what they want. Legacy is tired of being put on the back-burner and finally realizes she deserves better. Unfortunately, her other half plays on her low self-esteem and uses it to his advantage, but Legacy has had enough. The women find themselves sacrificing their values, morals and standards over men who toy with their feelings and emotions. When the drama and secrets become deeper than one could imagine, this trio fights to find the love for themselves again while they struggle to let go of the men who are not quite right for them. Will these three overcome their insecurities, or will they stay in their feelings and keep holding on to the wrong damn man?
Beasts: New Beginnings
Natavia - 2016
Goon’s sons Kanye and Akea, have grown up and are experiencing love for the first time with their mates. Kanye, is stubborn and is next in line to be the next “Alpha.” Akea, is the outcast in the pack. Akea feels like being the outcast is his rightful place because he doesn’t have the beast trait like everyone else in the pack. Will the two brother’s get along or will they become enemies? Monifa is dating a human jock at their college but her heart desires someone else. She is secretly in love with a beast, but does the beast feel the same about her? The love/hate relationship Monifa has with the one she secretly loves spirals out of control because of betrayal. Osiris, the prince of “Anubi” is cast away to earth because his evil witch, aunt Meda has bigger plans for him. Osiris is left with two choices, fight for his world or join the Underworld. Which choice will he take? In this new beginnings of the beasts, love is being tested, rules of the pack are being broken and not everyone are who they seem. New love is brewing while old love is being destroyed. Will the offspring survive fighting for love or will the past destroy the pack? Join the New Beginnings of the offspring as they start a new journey of their own.
Tamed
Zaria Diamond - 2019
I knew what it meant, and was ready for what I’d be expected to do. But nothing could have prepared me for him. He is as powerful as the stallions locked in his stables. His heart is as distant as a falcon flying over the horizon, searching for prey. He lives in a palace and wears royal robes, but make no mistake. This man is not a desert prince, but a beast. That’s fine. I am not the innocent beauty I appear to be. I am a hunter. He owns the sand I walk on and the water I drink, but he will never own me. He may claim my body, but I will tame his heart.
Nala's Fake Marriage
Imani King - 2017
There are only three problems with that.#1: We aren't married.#2: He's my boss, and I'm his nanny.#3: I've had a crush on him for years, and he doesn't even remember meeting me.I'm hoping my problems turn into solutions and fast. I really need this job. Plus, his daughter Maisy is absolutely adorable. Not to mention Aaron himself. Well maybe adorable isn't the word. Dr. Lockhart is the most ravishing, powerful, intelligent man I've ever met. And did I mention he's gorgeous?He's perfect. And I'm perfectly screwed.Because a reporter just asked me how we met, and I have to make it up on the spot. For a limited time, there is a bonus book for your reading pleasure. Book ends at approximately 48%.
Hidden Child
Anne Cassidy - 1997
Liar. Fake? Lou and her mum Anna are best friends. It's always just been the two of them, so Lou doesn't mind that Anna steals things - well not much, anyway. But what if Anna is a liar as well as a thief? What if she's a real fake?
The Lions Den
Qyesha Smith - 2014
Born with a silver spoon in her mouth in a wealthy family without a care in the world, Robin, a once rich-girl from Florida, has lost everything when her father, is arrested for embezzlement. Now having to slowly adjust to a downgraded life, in a new city, Robin, must learn what it means to survive with the fittest. Joni is Robin's new neighbor. Not your typical "hood" girl, but the typical scammer that dabbles in everything from boosting to hustling. Joni takes a liking to Robin and plans to get her away from her "bougie" persona into something more "hood" certified." The lifestyle that Joni is leading will land her in much more trouble than jail, especially when a stripper introduces Joni into blackmailing businessmen. Now deciding it is time for Robin to be down with this life of chaos, Joni convinces Robin to prove herself continuously. Her motto is “it’s either you’re with me or against me.” Joni’s plan is to take over the hood like her older brothers had failed to do. Ron has struggled his whole life. Being on his own since 15, he’s always wanted a life in which he would never have to want for anything. Growing up with a mother who abandoned him and a father who committed suicide, Ron had to grow up fast in this cold world alone. Now as a man, he has his eyes set on two things, getting money and the new girl Robin. He plans on telling his best friend Joni that he is leaving the game plus taking Robin with him. But when two events occur in his life, everything changes and he begins to reevaluate the route his life is taking. Sometimes you have to be thrown into situations to know what it’s like. In the wild, you either sink or you swim. Follow the lives of Robin, Joni, and Ron as they try to figure out how to make it out of The Lions’ Den.
Fashion Class
Karin Bishop - 2011
But Kevin learns that he has a flair for fashion—and he learns that he is a girl in heart, that he is transgender. With the support of his mother and friends, he starts a journey to a career in fashion—as Katie.
Wonder Boy
Bain Taylor - 2016
It is his one great escape from a world that doesn't always look kindly on gay teenagers; a world that can oftentimes be downright dangerous. But as he enters into high school, he quickly learns that trying to fly quietly under the gay radar, and having unbridled speed out on the running track, make for a conflicted pairing. The super jocks of the school take notice of Devon's amazing talent, and dub him a 'phenom'. He is immediately adopted into a popular circle of some of the hottest athletes he'd ever laid eyes on - the kind of guys that could snap him like a twig for staring at their ripped bodies for a second too long - guys that should be avoided at all costs. And yet, the kind of guys that love you like a brother when you win races for the team. *This Novella is intended for a mature audience.
With A Kiss, I Die (Flashback, #1)
Elle Alexander - 2019
Her hair glittered under the dark sky. Both billowed behind her in the wind. She stood at the edge of the cliff where he’d nearly dove and ended his life, following the notes of her voice. She was holding his notebook. His tattered five-cent notebook from Woolworth’s. And reading his words. With tears catching on each syllable.“I still plan to finish that,” he said, approaching her carefully with a sudden need to clear his throat. “It’s not my best writing, really.”She faced him. “It’s like poetry, when you write.”Ben clutched his heart, attempted to feign embarrassment, but the real thing flushed through him. “That means the world…coming from you.”She closed the notebook, but she didn’t hand it to him. Instead, she clasped it to her chest. “Are you here to stop me?”“Yes.”“Because you can’t live without me.”“Yes.”Her gaze fell. “Even if you’ll die...” * * * * *
A BWWM Romance about a girl who spends her entire life thinking she is cursed, and the man who never expected to fall for her.