Book picks similar to
The Art of Us by Symone West


high-school
suspense
interracial
released

I Dare You


Shantel Tessier - 2018
     Austin Lowes is new to town. She's running from a mom who hates her to her dad who cares nothing about her. Only a few months and she will be free, or at least, that's what she hopes ... until she meets him. Cole Reynolds is the devil disguised as a man. He wants her fear, he wants her blood, and he wants her soul. Just a little game, he says, I dare you. Will Austin survive him, or will she lose herself and the game? Secrets are revealed and justice will be served, but at what cost? Who survives and who doesn't?

Naked or Dead


A.E. Murphy - 2019
    Already she hates it despite its beautiful landscape.Between riding her dirt bike through the sacred lands of the natives, plotting against those she meets, and holding greasy truckers at gunpoint, Lilith makes no time for love or friendship. Forever the walking mystery (read misery) of her new home and school.That is until Nokosi Locklear catches her eye with his arrogance and a hard, toned body that she’s certain she doesn’t want to climb.Shoved up against a locker by him in her first week, she sets him in her wicked sights.Life is only fun when you have somebody else’s pain to focus on. So long as you stay detached. Something Lilith will find is impossible to do when it comes to Nokosi. A guy with looks but no charm. Strength but no power. Love but no morals. With a serial killer roaming the States, taking victims one by one, a past in Nokosi’s eyes that he tries to hide, and a mother that would rather work than keep her daughters happy, Lilith finds plenty of time to spare and plenty of things to keep herself occupied. Note: This is your only trigger warning. Read at your own risk.

Start a Fire


Julia Wolf - 2021
    I’ve done the popularity thing at Savage River High, but after two years away, I have no interest in reclaiming my crown.The last time I put myself in the spotlight, I was left in shambles.Unfortunately, my carefully laid plans go to hell when I grab the attention of dark, forbidding, and brutally hot Sebastian Vega. He looks at me like he wants to kill my puppy or eat me alive. Quite possibly both.Sebastian is everywhere I go, and he’s decided I’m the twisted game he wants to play, whether I’m a willing participant or not.The question is...what will I have to lose in order to win?Authors Note: This is a DARK high school bully romance with mature themes and dubious situations that some readers may find offensive. If you’re looking for a nice guy, prince of a hero, this story isn’t for you.

Cruel


Raven Kennedy - 2019
     Savannah, Georgia is full of debutantes and greed. The Heirs own this town. They own me, too. I don’t know what I did to ruin what we had. But their kindness turned cruel almost a year ago. I was prepared to leave it all behind and start over at a new school. But Rogue Kelly, the king of the Heirs, ruined that. He doesn’t want me anymore but doesn’t want anyone else to have me either. I know too much to be set free, but not enough to stay. The Heirs aren’t through with me yet. And I crave their cruelty too much to give up now.

The Kilgarin’s Gift


Shay Rucker - 2020
    He is wolf-shifter—Indomitus—Clan leader of the cursed Kilgarin’s... and he is losing himself to the madness of his Nocturnal Transition.Morgan Neale is a gun-for-hire. And she is his Rí, his Soul-Bearer, the one destined to save him from darkness and balance his existence.She does not.This human is a bloody curse. Stomping through his world with threats, violence, and foul-mouthed derision. She is the first weapon launched in an unprecedented attack against his clan, and if left unsolved, her mysteries may very well be their undoing.The Kilgarin and his Rí share a union the world has never seen, but with unrelenting changes and unknown dangers, will their fledgling bond be strong enough to survive the most insidious enemy Clan Kilgarin has ever encountered?

Deviant King


Rina Kent - 2019
    But being wanted by him is lethal.Deviant King is book one of Royal Elite Series. This is a dark high school bully romance, mature new adult, and contains dubious situations that some readers might find offensive. Aiden isn’t the normal romance hero. In fact, he’s not a hero at ALL. So please don’t read this if any of that bothers you.Royal Elite Series:#1 Deviant King#2 Steel Princess#3 Twisted KingdomThis book is part of a trilogy and is NOT a standalone.The entire trilogy is available.

Mercedes


Lola Joy - 2020
    This is what happens when who you want to be and who you are, don't fu%& with one another.Mercedes: I know better, and I didn't do better, so now, here we are. But here's the thing, being stupid once does not mean you have to be stupid again. This isn't a fairytale, and I'm no princess, but I'm not a doormat either. If Lochlan Rait doesn't know that, he's about to learn.Lochlan: I've never wanted anything more than I want Mercedes. Just because I was stupid once doesn't mean I'm going to be stupid now. Mercedes has always been mine. If she doesn't know that, she's about to learn.

Chosen By The Prince


Calyope Adams - 2014
    He chose her... Spoiled socialite Jillian is at the Royal Palace for a party when the King's Advisor pulls her aside. He informs her that she's been selected to be the Prince's personal plaything for the remainder of her days, or until he releases her from servitude. It is her duty as a loyal subject to try and please him, no matter what the cost to her pride. Jillian stares at the handsome Prince in shock as the guards lock the jewel encrusted collar around her neck. He doesn't even like her! He's been giving her odd, dark looks for years. What she doesn't realize is that he's been biding his time, waiting for her to grow up, to be ready to be Chosen By The Prince...

A Hurt So Sweet


Isabella Starling - 2019
    She died years ago. This town broke her. I’ll burn it to the ground before I let that happen to me.In Eden Falls, I’m forced to attend a school for the elite. The Firstborns own this place and they think they own me, too. It’s not long before Dexter, Caspian, Lai, and Julian become the bane of my existence. There are only two people I’m afraid of – my strict father, and my malevolent fiancé. Unfortunately for me, my husband-to-be is one of the Firstborns ruining my life.Dexter Booth and I will marry on my birthday to secure our families’ bond. Every woman in this damn town wants to be Dexter’s toy. Except me.Dex and his Eden Falls Prep cronies have forced me to give up my body. I know my betrothed wants my mind next.I play along… But soon, I’ll leave the beautiful jerk behind without the thing he wants most from me.His heir.

The Boy on the Bridge


Sam Mariano - 2021
    I saw someone hurting and wanted to help. I saw someone possibly in danger and wanted to make sure he was safe.There’s nothing safe about Hunter Maxwell, though. I thought there might be. I fell under his spell. Whatever the world saw when they looked at him, it wasn’t what he showed me. The bond we formed was real. I know it was real. But with Hunter, when the tides turn, you’d better hope you’re safely on the shore and out of his reach.I thought I was a strong enough swimmer to keep my head above water. I thought if it came down to it, I could resist his pull.I didn’t know, but now I do.Once Hunter sets his sights on you, there’s no such thing as out of his reach. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or five years from now, he’s coming for me—and when he does, he won’t stop until he’s destroyed me.***The Boy on the Bridge contains mature, adult content and is only recommended for adult readers.

Aftereffect


T.L. Hodel - 2020
    Each born into privilege and power. We could have anything and anyone we wanted.And I wanted Riley Adams.That pigtailed little brat slapped me in the park. She thought she could handle me. That I was just an entitled prick who got my kicks taunting her.She should’ve listened to the rumors, paid attention to the warnings. . . Not that it would’ve mattered. Her fate was sealed the day she came up to me looking for her damn dog.Hate wasn’t a strong enough word for how I felt about Micha. I could handle his taunting words and cruel jokes, but he decided to up the ante. Trap me, lock me in a cage and throw away the key.But the thing about a cornered animal is that, they eventually turn feral. Desperately clawing around for a way out. Even the devil had a weakness. I just had to maintain my sanity long enough to find his, and hope that I didn’t lose something I couldn’t get back in the process. Because there’s a fine line between love and hate. . . and that line is starting to blur.Warning: This book is a dark romance and contains intense sexual scenes. If you are a reader with certain triggers sensitive to such dark themes, please heed the author's note at the beginning of the book

Forever


Blue Saffire - 2017
    One world sees me as a successful business man. Owen Mason, an upstanding pillar of the community. My brothers back home know the real me. Brick, a member of the Lost Souls MC. One of the last people you want to see come through your door.I’m no good for her and nine years too old, but I’ve had a thing for Eva Kennedy for way longer than I’ll admit. One night is all it takes for me to lose focus and take what I’ve always wanted. I know I owe my pound of flesh for what I’ve done, but it’s done now and she’s mine. I don’t care about anyone that thinks they’re going to stand in the way of that. I’ll put you to ground for coming between me and my woman.I’ve been in love with Brick since I was a little girl, but he doesn’t know it. I didn’t think he knew I existed in the first place. However, I find out a lot during one of my epic Eva situations, that Brick is sent to get me out of. I’m stuck in a bathroom the night Brick bursts the little bubble I live in. Now I don’t know which way is up from down. I just know that everywhere I turn he’s there.I just hope he makes it when I really need him. This one moment is the only one that counts.Source: Bluesaffire.com

Sins: A Dark High School Bully Romance


Candace Wondrak - 2019
    Something dark, something twisted. Daddy always said I could make even the holiest of men sin…and you know what? He was right. After being stolen for five years, my life is not my own. It’s unrecognizable. A new house, a new family…even stepbrothers. I’m the face America has prayed for, but I don’t want to be. I was safe when I was away, and now that I’m back in Midpark, the monsters will come out and play. Cruel. Vicious. Evil. Everyone sins, but some sins are worse than others. Some sins just can’t be forgiven, and it’s only when they enter my life that I realize this. Handsome and dangerous, Zane and Thorn make me question everything I thought I knew. Maybe I could have a life. Maybe I can ignore the darkness inside and forget the terrors of my past. Maybe they could teach me what love really means, how to fight back against the bullies in my life. Or maybe not. Maybe this new beginning is simply my ending. Sind is a dark standalone novel, centering around a girl in high school who’s never had a good life. There is some bullying, along with mentions of abuse and graphic violence. This is also an MFM romance, so be warned.

It Just Had To Be You (Second Chances, #1)


Jacqueline Francis - 2021
    Scott Carter is a racist. Scott Carter is the most arrogant douche I have ever met. This man-whore charms the pants off all the girls, but not me - the Latina from the wrong side of town - I see none of that charm. I get the worst of him. He has made my life a living hell, tormenting me for years with no reprieve.Just when I’m at breaking point, Scott Carter steps in and makes everything ten times worse. My whole life is turned upside down in an instant. And now, after he’s messed up everything, that’s when he decides that maybe we should try to be friends. He wants to reconcile and put the past behind us.Ugh! No! He can go to hell. I want nothing from Scott Carter…but it’s starting to look like he wants something from me.If you're looking for haters-to-lovers romance with a sexy, cocky hero and a sassy, quick-witted heroine, this one is just for you. #slowburn #highschooldramaDear Reader,Although this is definitely not a 'dark romance', please take note that this book contains many triggers that may be offensive such as suicide (before the book begins) and bullying. In particular, there are some racial slurs. As a woman of color myself, I fully understand how hurtful these words can be. I am no stranger to them either. However, I did not want to tiptoe around this issue or sugarcoat the severity of it. I wanted to highlight how damaging such slurs (or any kind of name-calling for that matter) can be to the person on the receiving end. It also contains strong language and sexual content and is not recommended for readers under 18 years of age or sensitive readers.

I Like The Way You Hurt


Lorrain Allen - 2019
    The moment he saw me an invisible target was placed on my back. He thought I would roll over and take his abuse, never expecting a fight. He was mistaken. I don’t roll over for anyone. Maverick and his friends can suck it. When I don't fold under pressure he comes at me full force, wanting to destroy me. He never expected to be the one to fold. WARNING: This book contains strong sexual content and triggers. The subject matter is very brutal. Readers beware. This book isn't for sensitive individuals. This is a stand-alone book