Book picks similar to
The Art of Us by Symone West


high-school
interracial
suspense
bully-romance

Dishonorable


Natasha Knight - 2017
    My grandfather knew him well, though, and he quickly conceded. That restitution? Me.Six months later, on my eighteenth birthday, Raphael came to claim me. He stole me from my home, taking me to his Tuscan estate, where from the crumbling chapel to the destroyed vineyard to that dark cellar, the past stalked him like a shadow. Even the walls held secrets here and I’d need to uncover them all to survive.Because taking me was only the beginning of his plan. RaphaelSofia was the sacrifice to pay for her grandfather’s sins. She accused me of being the devil. And she’s right. But the truth was, he betrayed her. And when the time came to promise to love, cherish, and obey she spoke the words that would seal her fate.I do.We have a common enemy, though, my unwilling bride and I. But even the devil protects what’s his. And she’s mine.She just doesn’t yet know how much protecting she needs.

Resurrection


Siobhan Davis - 2020
    The night I met Saint, Galen, Caz, and Theo. Those manipulative a-holes set out to ruin me after our hot night together, but they didn’t realize you can’t destroy something that’s already broken. And it only works if the victim cares. Which I don’t. Because I’ve been in hell for years, and nothing penetrates the steel walls I’ve erected.Until The Sainthood decides I belong to them and cracks appear in my veneer. Their cruel games, harsh words, and rough touch awakens something inside me, and now, I’m in trouble.They draw me deeper into their dangerous world, until I’m in the middle of all the violence and gang warfare, tangled up in all the secrets and lies, and there’s no turning back.Because they own me. And nothing has ever felt so right.I’m exactly where I should be.But with enemies on all sides, survival becomes a deadly game with no guarantees.And, sometimes, saints become sinners.Due to mature content, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and over. This is a full-length reverse harem dark romance novel with enemies-to-lovers/bullying themes. Cannot be read as a standalone and ends with a cliffhanger. Book 1 of 3.

Windows


Emily Minton - 2013
    Each time, gaining a piece of her heart and leaving a bit of his behind.Lucas was in love with the girl next door, but he ruined any chance he had of making her his. So, he moved on without her.Lindy gave her heart to the boy next door, but he left her humiliated and heartbroken. So, she started a new life without him. They both head off to college, leaving the other behind. Lucas finds success then misery on the Football field. Lindy finds new love, but it never feels quite right. Years later, Lucas and Lindy find themselves back in their hometown. Will Lindy open her window again and give Lucas another chance?***This novel contains adult situations and may not be appropriate for readers under eighteen.

Black Rainbow


J.J. McAvoy - 2015
    McAvoy… After an erotic one-week fling with a musician she meets in a bar, Thea Cunning never expects to see Levi Black again. Then Monday morning comes around, and she discovers that her former lover is not only her professor, but he’s also one of the top criminal lawyers in the state of Massachusetts. With everyone in class vying to be one of the twelve disciples—a group of twelve students that Professor Black takes under his wing—tensions run high. Thea considers dropping his class, given their passionate week together and their undeniable chemistry. After all, there are other (less infuriatingly sexy) law professors on campus. But to accomplish her goal and get her father out of prison, Thea knows she needs to learn under the best of the best—and that’s Levi Black. But can she learn under the best, without being under the best?

Bittersweet Legacy


R.G. Angel - 2020
    My whole life is nothing but a lie—the poor Esme Denver is gone, replaced by the heiress Esmeralda Forbes.I’m torn from my ordinary life and thrown into a world full of money, hate, pain, and unspoken rancor led by a calculating, uncaring father I wished never found me.This new life brings me a brother who hates me on sight and will stop at nothing to have me gone. There is also his frenemy, Caleb, who is as wicked as he is beautiful, and wants to punish me for making him feel.They’re both on a mission to make my life living hell—at home and school—where they hold all the power.But as the past reveals itself in ways I didn’t expect, I find myself in the middle of a swirl of lies, betrayals, conspiracy, and even murder.What I need is to escape this golden cage to return to being the old Esme.I must find a way out before it’s too late…

Merciless Saints


Michelle Heard - 2021
    Loyalty is owned. Love is taken. I’ll show everyone I’m a threat, and they will fear me.For my family. I have to protect them.The second I hear the name Damien Vetrov I know I’m in trouble.He’s an arrogant Russian God.Only, I have zero intention of bowing to him. Ever.Attractive and lethal. He’s such an intoxicating mixture.Every second we spend together, the pull between us becomes stronger, and my fear grows.While my body wants him, my head knows better. He has the power to kill my family.But when blood is shed, I’m forced to depend on Damien for my life.Being at his mercy, whether he’ll kill me or protect me, is still up for debate. STANDALONE: Romance Suspense full-length novel.

Win Some, Lose Some


Shay Savage - 2016
    Each task others complete without thinking is a challenge for him. Recently orphaned, he has to finish the last few months of high school and take care of his disabled sister on his own.When Mayra comes into his life, his comfortable routines implode. Matthew can’t handle change, but Mayra is unrelenting in her quest to understand him, to show him acceptance and maybe even love. When she breaks through his shell, Matthew’s world will never be the same again.An awkward boy with Asperger’s Syndrome, a persistent girl who pulls him out of his isolated existence, and a lottery ticket that will change their lives forever.

The Color of Grace


Linda Kage - 2012
    Suddenly thrust into an entirely different kind of life, I just wanted to go home. I didn’t want to meet new people, didn’t want to leave my old friends, didn’t want to become a third wheel to my mom and her husband….and I really didn’t want to see Ryder Yates again. Ugh, I still don’t know why I turned down that too-good-to-be-true boy who flirted with me when we were attending separate schools. But honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was worse. Who knew becoming lost in a new life could help a girl find her true colors?

Black Butterfly


Sienna Mynx - 2011
    To dance one day on Broadway, and be a star. She's moved to New York, and with her best friends Portia and Trish at her side, her dream is destined to be a reality. That is until she meets the Executive Producer of her show--Nolen Adams. A Wall Street Investment banker who's playboy ways are notorious among the Big Apple's socialites. His lust and desires for Sydney are at first spurned. She will never be a casting couch bunny. But Nolen Adams doesn't take well to rejection. He's a man who always gets who and what he wants. Despite her efforts to achieve her chance at stardom through handwork and discipline, she is forced to address the admiration of her Producer. His pursuit of her sets Sydney and her friends on a collision path of pain, heartache, and self-discovery that will forever change their friendship. Every bond between friends and new lovers are put to the test when lies and deceit overshadow the best of intentions. And Sydney soon learns the price of fame can ultimately be the cost of one's heart.Publisher Warning: Strong language, Explicit Sexual Content, Autoerotic Asphyxiation, Mild Violence, Strong Adult Themes. If you want more of Sienna Mynx, please be sure to visit: thedivaspen.com.

Shiver


Suzanne Wright - 2018
    Instead, she has a mother who lives in her head, a stepfather who’s on death row, and the stigma that comes with being the child of an extramarital affair. Writing has always been her escape. Knowing the reception her books receive will be tainted by her personal life, Kensey secretly writes under a penname when she’s not working part-time at her godmother’s bar. Her world might not be exciting, but she likes it exactly as it is. When she meets alarmingly compelling businessman Blake Mercier, the snap of attraction is instant. She doesn’t like it. Doesn’t want to be drawn to this man who is blatantly dangerous, carries dark secrets, and lives life by his own rules. Neither of them make a great first impression on the other, so she’s more than surprised when he begins to pursue her with a single-minded focus that is unsettling, thrilling, and infuriating. Her gut tells her to keep her distance, but Blake won’t let her run. Won’t give her space. There’s another person who won’t give her space. Someone who has discovered the secret of her penname and who seems intent on taunting her. And as Kensey struggles to identify her persecutor, Blake is by her side, determined to keep her safe … because Blake Mercier always holds tight to what’s his. Always.

Clearwater's Savior: Wrath MC


Tiffany Casper - 2020
    The one that even her own mother hadn’t wanted. Being set aside when she was at the tender age of twelve would have broken even the strongest of women. However, Novalie didn’t let that get her down. Not when she had dreams. However, dreams that she never saw becoming a reality, without the help of one man.

Runaways


Nicole Dykes - 2021
    . .You’ve heard about kids running away, but do we ever truly know why they run?Rae and Law had no choice. Forced to run when life let them down, when it was either leave or be subjected to an unimaginable fate.Can they survive?Two young people, completely alone on the streets with nothing but each other.This is their story.Can love win? Or will the big, bad world be even more cruel than what they had to face in their small hometown?For Raelynn Sanders and Lawson Davis, anything is possible as long as they have each other.Trigger Warning: this book deals with sensitive topics such as verbal and physical assault/intimidation. There is no rape, but some uncomfortable situations are mentioned and occur on page.

Losing a Piece of Me


K.B. Andrews - 2017
    A seed that took root and grew to become a piece of me.But what happens when that secret has finally outgrown me?When its vines climb over every wall I have in place?When it finally overfills that little spot inside of me that it's been buried in for so long now?All secrets come out eventually.I just hope mine doesn't destroy everyone I love.

An Imperfect Circle


R.J. Sable - 2014
    That’s what you do. I’m not the sort of girl who sits on the sofa with a bucket of ice cream mourning over anything.Especially not over a boy."Sixteen year old Ellie Belrose has spent the last five years rebuilding her life after something she'd rather forget. She's finally getting somewhere but, when a figure from her past makes an unwanted reappearance in her life, she's forced to confront her demons.Karl Carter is fascinated by Ellie the moment he sees her but he doesn't realise she's Elise. His Elise. He never forgot her and still isn't willing to - despite her insistence.The two of them are stubborn, angry at the world, and sparks fly when they come together. Can they help each other move on from the past or will they drag each other back there?

Wrong Crowd


Lisa Helen Gray - 2019
    I feared what my life would become when an aunt I never knew about came swooping in and threw me into the unknown. She was rich. I couldn’t even afford a pack of gum. We were complete opposites, yet I wanted a fresh start in life, and she was promising to give me that. I just had to live with her for a year, until I graduated college. However, from the very first day it became clear that I was completely out of my depth. It was a deal I couldn’t pass up, not if I wanted to stay off the streets until I could find a job to support myself. Everyone at Kingsley Academy was in a league of their own. The girls were high-class, yet as fake as Barbie dolls, and the boys were handsome with that appealing bad boy edge. Especially Kaiden Kingsley. He was charismatic, athletic, and sexy as hell. He also hated me so much he was willing to do anything to send me back to where I came from. And I didn’t even know why. He was cold, cruel and twisted in a way I could never compete with, yet I found myself gravitating towards him. Secrets, lies and deceit. Everyone reeked of it. I wanted answers—needed them. Before my mum died, I thought I knew everything about her. It turns out, I didn’t know her at all. There’s a reason she left all this behind; a reason why Kaiden and his elite group are on a mission to punish me. And I’m going to find out. WARNING: Strong content that may be a trigger to some readers.