Book picks similar to
Hold You Down: A Matin Novel by Dominique Thomas


black-fiction
crime-suspense
surviving
urban-fiction

The Daughters' Baggage


Diane Winger - 2016
     Aaliyah Johnson just wants to live a normal life – finish school, have a career, a family, a future. But when her father takes his own life after his return from the war in Afghanistan, she and her mother are plunged into poverty and a homeless struggle to survive. The unusual circumstances of her mother’s acquisition of a small, green suitcase seem to mark a turnaround in their luck as they begin to rebuild their lives. Then, in a heartbeat, a devastating blow rocks her world, and young Aaliyah’s baggage may be more than she can bear. Review The author tells a very powerful story filled with themes of racial and ethnic injustice and discrimination, class differences, the importance of relationships, and the impact of trauma on teens and families. I found myself looking forward to reading more from the very start. - OnlineBookClub.org official review

Baby Mama From Hell


Rikenya Hunter - 2015
    After the divorce, her father relocated from Jacksonville to Miami for work. Kimora's world drastically turned upside down. Even though her father was still a part of her life, she missed him terribly. She was forced to grow up quickly and care for her ten-year-old brother, Kennard, while her mother celebrated her newfound freedom, by running the streets and neglecting her children for men and money. Thankfully, her best friend, Gabriela, was there to pick up the pieces and keep her sane. Neron Lopez was the jock and class clown of ninth grade, and Kimora despised him. It wasn't until she was compelled to work with him for a school project that she began to see a different side of him. Neron and Kimora quickly became an item and were inseparable. He dreamed of marrying Kimora after high school, but his dream was crushed when an unexpected twist tore them apart. Neron tried to move on with his life and forget about Kimora, but a drunken one-night stand at a party puts him on the path to fatherhood. He ultimately ends up with the baby mama from hell. Kimora and Neron can't seem to stop thinking about each other and want to rekindle their relationship but, with a crazy baby mama, is that possible? Follow Neron and Kimora and see if they can find their way back to each other.

Family Drama


Sa'id Salaam - 2016
    The patriarch, Paul scratched and crawled his way from the bottom to the top, literally since he started life in the mean streets of New York City. He escaped to the south and attended college in Atlanta. His high IQ and street smarts gave him an advantage in both law school and beyond. Years later he is now the premier lawyer for the city's premier criminals. A law degree wasn't the only thing he picked up in school. While there he also caught the attention of a prim and proper co-ed by the name of Madison. Madison was a beautiful chocolate colored girl with an angelic smile. Holding tightly to her chastity made her highly sought after. Paul patiently played his position and beat out all his competition. The couple married and moved to an upscale subdivision in one of Atlanta's exclusive suburbs. There they raised two perfect children in the perfect house. Son Brandon just graduated his parent's alma mater and is now on his way to medical school. Daughter Courtney is right behind him planning to attend the same institution before heading to law school just like their father. Yes, just like any other American family in search of the American dream and just like any other family they have more than their share of drama. After all, every family has it's share of Family Drama.

N.O.L.A


Cion Lee - 2018
    Antwan was the polar opposite of her; charming, outgoing,and popular but that didn’t matter. The two quickly formed a bond and became the best of friends. But what happens when these best friends take things to the next level? Could they risk losing each other forever?Join them on their journey as they grow up in the city of New Orleans.

A Bitch's Bad Side


Kawand Crawford - 2015
    Lady Sondra and her family. Shortly after Lady Sondra is released from doing a ten year stint in Bellevue Mental Institution, tragedy strikes close to home testing her bad side and putting her on a vengeful mission for blood. Things go horribly wrong when she attempts to recruit her twin sons Rahmel and Jahmel to embark on a mission to build an untouchable drug empire all the while trying to keep her daughter Mahogany on the straight and narrow path. Lady Sondra is just one incident away from being sent back to the place she’s vowed never to visit again. Drama and betrayal send her spiraling down a dark bumpy road of no return. Get to know the Bells and learn all of the family secrets as you and those who betray Lady Sondra experience “A Bitch’s Bad Side”

The Boss Man's Daughters: They Will Do Whatever To Make Daddy Proud


Aryanna - 2017
    He didn’t have a son sitting at his knee, watching, learning and preparing to take over the streets when he stepped down from his throne, but The Boss did have three beautiful, sexy, intelligent and deadly daughters who had studied his every move. When a multitude of crimes, including the murder of the girls’ mother, lands Jonathan in prison, FREEDOM, ANGEL and DESTINY must decide if their love for Daddy outweighs the pain he’s brought into their lives. Once that decision is made, the streets better beware because THE BOSS MAN’S DAUGHTERS are unlike any clan the city has seen before.

Cold Heart Kisses: A Hood Love Story


Zarkia - 2019
    This story deals with overcoming the obstacles that are thrown your way and persevering. What would you do if you knew the one person meant to protect you was the one bringing you the most harm? For Kahina Martel this question is very much her reality. The day of her mother’s murder changes everything for Kahina, a 17-year-old high school senior. She goes from being one of the top high school athletes in the state of Florida, to having her world turned upside down at the hands of her own father, Clarence Martel. The entire world looks on as Clarence gets away with murder and is granted custody of his only daughter. As Kahina adjusts to her new life she gains new friendships and relationships. Will these relationships help her, or will they turn her heart cold? Dive into part one of this enticing, drama filled African American Urban Fiction Hood Love Story.

Hate to Love You


Ivy Symone - 2016
    I was guilty. And I used to not feel bad about having those feelings. My husband was evil and most days I hated him. I used to come up with outlandish schemes in my head to get rid of him without evidence coming back on me. I’ve watch Snapped many times. You had to play that shit careful or a jury wouldn’t believe your word.Ironically, now that my husband Marcos Beauchamp was laid up in the hospital, hanging on for dear life, I kind of felt guilty about my vindictive feelings. Did all of my hopeful wishes bring this about? I can’t lie; a part of me was laughing inside. Not a giggle laugh either. It was one of those deep from the belly that worked its way up to the throat and came out forceful like you had heard the funniest shit ever. That’s wrong; I know, but you don’t understand. This man has taken me through hell and it serves his ass right.~~ Nephia Beauchamp, mother of seven and wife of a woman beaterHate to Love You takes you deeper into the life of Nephia as she recalls a traumatic past that leads up to the near fatal death of her abusive husband. She finds herself at a crossroad and unsure of what direction she will go. Take this journey along with her and see if Nephia’s faith will allow her to stand by him or simply walk away and start anew.

Mine to Hold (Mine Series Book 3)


Ashley Nicole - 2017
    Now, Janie is fed up and ready to call it quits, but he wants to hold on. As secrets are revealed, Janie realizes her husband’s double life may just cost her own. The last thing Malcolm thought he’d be doing during his vacation was harboring Janie to keep her alive. He needed a break from his job as a U.S. Marshal, but once she’s under his roof, rest is the last thing he’s getting. She’s smart, beautiful and in trouble? Can he keep his distance long enough to figure who’s after her?

Turned Out by a Thug


Shameka Jones - 2015
    Getting ready to graduate valedictorian, she took pride in her smarts and still holding on to her virginity. She is the oldest of seven children and she was determined not to end up like her mother, whom she hated. When her best friend's brother comes to town for the graduation, she starts rethinking her decision to remain a virgin until she is married. One major factor is their nine year age difference. With only a summer in front of her she tries to get close to him. Will she be able to make him look past her age and let her in? Or will he string her along all summer?

Hard 2: Thirst for Blood


Anjela Day - 2013
    Everything the legendary duo has built is on the line due to the jealously of past loves, friends and even family. Obtaining money, power, and respect is never easy, but The Alton’s prove it that holding on to it is even harder.

They Don't Know Me


Nicole Jackson - 2015
    When reality is faced not everyone will have that happy ending with a picture perfect life. Tyra’s story is the prime example of this. Sometimes women get so caught up on what they want things to be that they lose sight of what it really is. Not every man is for every woman. Jahrein is several girls’ dream, but is Raven’s reality. Tyra desperately wants Raven’s reality to somehow become hers, but soon discovers that in life you can’t always get what you want. Take a ride with a sassy, sexy, persistent Tyra. Love seems to be the element in her life that proves ever eluding. Still, she pursues love at all cost, and is willing to wager it all just to feel a fleeting moment of its embraces. Loving the wrong man can have detrimental effects on a girl with an already internally damaged heart. They Don’t Know Me gives you a new perspective on the novel Hold It Down Like Sister and Brother. Told in first person, this tale will give you a front row seat to all the juicy details you’ve wondered about with Jahrein and Raven’s infamous relationship. Sometimes you may think you know, but you truly have no clue.

A Hood Nigga Fetish


Johnazia Gray - 2015
    Although she’s had her share of downfalls, she continues to be the very best that she can be. Being hurt in the past by her ex-lover only gives her a reason to never love again, until she meets up with Hennessey.After five long years locked behind bars, Hennessey knows that being a drug dealer isn’t something he wants to continue to pursue to get his money up. So, instead he turns his dirty money into opening up furniture businesses. Meeting Keice only motivates him to want to go harder and do better, but that's something that his ex-girlfriend, Camille will not let him do if she's not included.Keice is already scared to love again. However, Hennessey is ready minus the ex-girlfriend issues. With their closest friends sharing this wild journey with them, what will the inevitable bring this unpredictable couple?