Book picks similar to
The Secret We Kept by Ayana


interracial-romance
young-adult
coming-of-age
abuse

Loving You Is A Battle


Tina J. - 2019
    He wasn't the type of man that went around adding notches to his bedpost. Cream considered himself a king in search for his queen. He thought his girlfriend of four years would be the one; until her monstrous and gold digging ways came to light. Ci Ci walks into his life and steals his heart but not without dealing with the past. Cream is hiding a secret from Ci-Ci not because he doesn't want her to know; but because he doesn't believe she can handle it. Will he keep her in the dark or will their relationship come crashing down when she finds out. Darius meets Iesha who has given him nothing but attitude since they first met. He refuses to give up on her without a fight. Unfortunately, someone in her family doesn't want her happy and continues to try and sabotage her happiness.

Her Shame


Eden Beck - 2021
    Until I got here.Warren. Chase. Sterling. Ridgecrest Reform Academy was basically built for boys like them.And, apparently now, girls like me. Girls with a past. Girls with a secret.A secret, it seems, that someone at Ridgecrest already knows--and whoever it is plans on using it against me.One misguided word from me, and suddenly keeping my secret isn’t my only problem. Not when I’ve angered the three boys who’ve run this school from the moment they stepped inside it.I might as well have painted a target on my back, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.Bullied.Blackmailed.Broken.These are the things that have already happened to me, and I’ve only just arrived.This is only the beginning.I didn’t think things could get worse than being thrown into a school for delinquents, but I was wrong.It can get so, so much worse.I’ve made sure of that.Her Shame is a full-length reverse harem bully romance with multiple love interests. It’s the first book in The Forgotten Elites trilogy, a contemporary enemies-to-lovers series where the main character has no intent to choose between the boys she loves to hate.

A Love The Streets Couldn't Give


Ni"andra Ruff - 2017
    After the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Aaliya was left with no choice but to put her life on hold and raise not only her daughter, but her younger siblings, Harlem and Amelia. Cleaning up the messes behind a countless number of notorious thugs, Demetri Mikhailov was the go-to guy for any job— just as long as you were talking the right price. When a longtime friend of his sends him on a search for his children, Demetri willingly obliges. With little to go on, Demetri is shocked to face the vivacious Aaliya. He didn't have the slightest clue as to what he was getting himself into when he crossed paths with the chocolate beauty. As a bond is built and love is found, the pair finds themselves entangled in a web of lies, secrets, and betrayal. Trying his best to keep the truth behind his lies, Demetri finds himself in a situation he can't seem to get out of. When Aaliya finds out his secret, will Demetri's biggest fear come true? Will Aaliya call it quits and walk away or will love prevail and she choose to stay?

Wrong Bride for the Billionaire


Danica Jackson - 2017
     David Pierce has taken over his family business, but his womanizing and partying are threatening to drive it into the ground. As a successful real estate tycoon, he's got more money than he knows what to do with, but risks losing everything after yet another scandal lands him in the tabloids. As handsome as he may be, Imani Jones finds herself repulsed by the crass businessman who treats women like objects. In need of money, she reluctantly agrees to work as his translator and accompanies him to the Ukraine. He's searching for a bride, believing a wife will convince the public that he's settling down and help restore his battered reputation. Imani finds that things may not be what they appear with David, however, and that there may be a good guy buried under his rough exterior. He's smitten with his beautiful translator, and although she tries to fight it, she soon finds herself developing feelings for him as well. Will she be able to resist the advances of the man she once viewed with such disdain? Things take an unexpected turn when jealousy rears its ugly head and a scorned redhead throws a monkey wrench into things. Will David and Imani find a way to make it work, or will another scandal be the end of their budding romance? **** This is a standalone full length BWWM romance novel with an HEA. ****

Edge Of Winter: Love and Heart Break


Theresa Hodge - 2017
    White snowflakes are falling gently as sweet music drifts through the cold wintry air. Lakeisha and Baylor are having the most perfect wedding of the year. Friends and family are full of cheer, but behind all the good cheer some fireworks must fall. Jesse Winters watches the woman he loves marry another man. While everyone else oohs and ahhs at the lovely couple, Jesse broods inside as he watches his happiness slip away before his very eyes. Will Jesse stay on the outside looking in at the woman he loves be blissfully happy with another man or will his wish for Christmas be answered in an unexpected way? Come along on this Christmas romance, where love can be found in the most unexpected places.

Crimson Bird


L.B. Keen - 2017
    One: A Vampires word is law Two: Their food, the third sex are known as Damphirs Three: Love is for those who can afford to buy it. And Bird wishes to be free of all three. Bird, a Damphir bought once she completed training, lives her life with the Wellings Noble family never completely accepted, and never fully rejected. Living a half existence, thinking that every Damphir is living the same existence as she. She endures, and takes each day one by one. A game of cards at a midnight ball changes everything... Finding herself the prize at a card game, Bird is dragged into a world far more decadent world then she ever thought possible. Desired for her looks, she will be offered a chance of freedom, for a small price...she must seduce the First Prince and dash his heart against the cold stones of the palace. A game of Hearts... First Prince, Talon Ellison does not desire the crown, but he going to do his duty of securing the throne from his conniving brothers. Yet, a Damphir gifted to him by his devious brother, causes him to begin doubting his desire to fulfill his duty, and live up to the expectations of his father. Talon is determined to torture Bird, to make her break, but with each taste, with each touch, Talon finds himself losing this dangerous game.

What Pharaoh Wants


Marcelle Sixx - 2016
    Hopefully he was the last one that she tried to sleep with. If not..." He slid into his car and gripped the steering wheel. "I feel bad for the next jig and her too. I'm done with the games. I want my wife and the power that comes with her." David Pharaoh was a vicious man. A truce between his father and another gentleman included a promise of young Robyn. After mastering the art of Dark Magic, Pharaoh decides that it's time to take his prize. However, when Robyn rejects him, he stops at nothing to make any man who comes close to her suffer for even so much as looking, and to prove to Robyn that she only belongs him. He would make her temperature rise with his invisible touch, or when he disturbed her dreams. Robyn’s loins ached as if he had truly invaded her in the wee hours of the morning. He would make sure to save the painful part of the first stroke, and only made her feel what his slow and meaningful penetration was like. It would always make Robyn wallow in passion and squeeze at her erect nipples before she would realize that she was being manipulated. Pharaoh was becoming much better at forcing himself inside of her dreams and make love to her before he would dissipate into nothing. Robyn, held in the clutch of something that she hadn't known she was involved in, is determined to get away and stay away from Pharaoh and his mischief. But at what cost? Anything can happen in the city of New Orleans when the son of Voodoo wants the princess of White Magic.

I Submit To His Love


M.K. Eazley - 2018
    That is exactly what happened to Phaedra Conner. Instead of being shown gratitude, she’s met with hatred from everyone. To top it all off, behind her heroic act, she loses her job as an award-winning reporter to become a gossip reporter. As fate would have it, she bounces back with a new job, an assignment to undercover the secrets of Gabriel Evans, playboy, philanthropist, money launderer, and viewed by many as a tyrant, who uses his money to control. Phaedra is determined to expose the true Gabriel. But as secrets are unraveled, will she be engulfed by his charm? Gabriel is blindsided by his attraction to Phaedra, as most assume he’s an asshole because of his gruff demeanor but all of that disappears in Phaedra presence. Will flames ignite?

Nowhere To Hide (Going Nowhere Fast, #2)


M'Renee Allen - 2017
    They’re coming for her. Melanie Pittman never thought her life would end up like this. She’s living life on the run, with two brothers chasing after her. No matter how far she runs, she can’t hide from the Rochester brothers. They both know what she’s done and they plan to make her suffer for it. Damian wants her dead for the crime she committed. Mason, a man who she thought cared for her, wants her to complete the terms of their agreement: sex for his silence. Only death or a life of submission awaits her if she quits moving. Then there’s her other enemies lurking in the shadows, ready to strike. She can’t hide forever. As her enemies close in on her from all angles, she only has two options: give up or rise up. Melanie’s tired of being hurt and used. She’s ready to fight. Will she win? Or will one of the brothers get what they want from her? This is a suspense novel with romantic elements and no cliffhanger. It includes adult scenes and language. This series must be read in order. Book 1 is available on Amazon.

Twisted Devotion


Sage Young - 2019
    She was taught at a very young age that lies were going to be a part of her life. LEARN - Violet learned that she needed to look out for herself and chart her own future. Maximus learned more than he wanted to know about Violet. Could he still be interested in her after what he has learned? LOSS - Losing her mother at a young age wouldn’t be the only tragedy she would endure. Blending into the background and not making waves was how she learned to survive. Now she’s all grown up and the very family that mistreated her has asked her to do the unthinkable. LUST - Maximus noticed Violet when she entered the room. Now that she’s all grown up, his body took notice. She was always a beautiful girl, but now she was a woman and he wanted her. LIVE - Violet has had a crush on Maximus since she was twelve. She fantasized about being with him, but that fantasy turned into a nightmare and now she is forced to live with the consequences. LOVE - Violet had to live a lie, suffer immense loss, pay for her mistakes, and learn to live on her own terms. She now lives in a new city and is loving her life, that is, until she sees Maximus again. Can Violet and Maximus bury the past and allow love to flourish... Find out in TWISTED DEVOTION

Driftwood


Victoria Kristine - 2018
    I could really hurt you." She didn't even cower at my coarseness. "Then do it, Rylan," she antagonized, with her Southern accent. "You don't scare me." "Why, Millie?" "Because I want it," she whispered. "I just want to know what it feels like." I looked into her perfect brown orbs. What a sweet innocent creature. How can she ask me to take away what is most precious to her? I sat her back down on her feet. "We can't have everything we want, Princess Millie." Angel looked up at me while folding her arms and pouting. "I can, actually." Thirty-eight year old drifter, Rylan McKellan, is in the small town of Andersville, Alabama, looking for work. When his truck breaks down on a desolate rode, he meets a young woman that makes him question his carefree lifestyle. Millie Rose is the town recluse and resides in the last standing plantation home of old Andersville. Exactly what is it about Rylan that makes Millie want to leave the comfort of her home?

Immobile


Yvonne Bennett - 2017
    Her life is empty and she knows she can't depend on love, because of what happened years ago. Only her desire for a better life, in spite of the loneliness she knows is her fate, is all she has to cling on to. That is, until he appears. ************* PART 2, THE FINAL COMING OCT 26TH*********************** Akylas Reynolds would have never thought when his friends forced him into a strip club, he would have found the answer to his infliction. Although he was drop dead gorgeous, the war had crippled him in more than just his leg. No, there was a deeper issues that seemed to keep him from experiencing the flames of passion. That is, until he laid eyes on the dancing, brown skinned beauty on the stage. It was something about the woman that stirred his body in ways that no other had managed before. What will happen when Lena is called to a prestigious, rich neighborhood to do a show, and encounters a dark, handsome man. A man that soon becomes infatuated with her, and is determined to have his IMMOBILE heart beat again ?

Loving Danny


Hilary Freeman - 2006
    She's on her gap year and stuck at home with her parents while her friends are travelling or at university. Then she meets Danny, a mysterious and intense musician who opens her eyes to a whole new world around her. Danny is exciting and talented, but he also has a dark, destructive side.

The Tycoon's Heart


Falon Gold - 2017
    from the heart. Tired of waiting and unwilling to take the first step down the path that her heart is determined to lead her down, and maybe lose an exceptional job under an exceptional man if he doesn't feel the same, Malisa flies away on vacation to Vegas, needing a drastic change and major overhaul in her world. She'll get exactly what she wants and some things that she doesn't when Apollo decides he needs a vacation in Vegas as well. A sweet love story that becomes drama-filled when two hearts realize just how much they don't really know each other... or their families.

Dying To Love Her


Tina Martin - 2014
     CEO of Rockwell Computer Components, his company is on the verge of the biggest merger in its twelve-year history. However, his attention is soon diverted from company matters after a chance meeting with Ava, a young woman he met on vacation two years ago – the one that got away. And he can’t help but notice that the little boy beside her looks just like him. Andre begins to juggle the complexities of work while seeking answers from Ava – wanting to know why she chose to neglect telling him about his son. Angry and confused, he also needs closure regarding her disappearing act two years ago and demands to know the reason why she never called him after the week they spent together in paradise. But he’s not prepared for her answer... Ava knows she shouldn’t have kept Andre’s son a secret from him. But she couldn’t find it in herself to tell Andre the reason she cut off ties with him – that she’s in failing health. When he finds out the truth, Andre must decide what’s important to him – his company or his family. Will he walk away from Ava and his newly discovered son to grow his business? Or will he find forgiveness in his heart for wrongs that had been committed against him. Will love ultimately prevail?