Book picks similar to
HOOK'D by Taisha S. Ryan
romance
african-american
ll
commitment-phobia
If You're Willing
Ivy Symone - 2018
Hoping that things would evolve, Cassie gives longtime friend Rock a try. Dealing with baby mama drama, his constant lying, and her own hangups with love have proven to be a challenge. Cassie loses her patience and is ready to give up. Throw in the dysfunction of her family, Cassie needs an outlet as she shuffled through her shitty life. This release she seeks just might be what’s needed to escape her reality, even if it’s just for a minute. However, this situation can make things worse for her emotionally or it can help her face those things about herself she wanted to ignore. Sit back, buckle up and enjoy the ride as Cassie tries to figure out her life with the support of her friends and family—the ones she actually can stand. Will she finally confront the tumultuous relationship she has with her mother? Will Rock prove to be the man she needs? Or will the sticky, but oh so very erotic, quandary she finds herself in ruin her journey to love?
Because My Heart Said So
Nia Forrester - 2016
Four Stories. For Love.“Acceptable Losses” by Nia Forrester: Quentin is in the middle of a separation from his wife that seems to have no conclusive end in sight, while Lena is stuck in Single Girl Hell. The only respite either of them have is their regular coffee dates, while working on shared projects at a very demanding job. Sick of hearing about Lena’s semidisastrous attempts to couple-up, Quentin decides to fix her up. With his brother. Seems like a perfect solution; after all, his brother is a decent enough guy and Lena deserves that. Perfect ... until it appears that the fix-up might actually work.“Blind Expectations” by Jacinta Howard: Aristotle once said the only thing constant in life is change. Or was that Confucius? Whatever. People are fluid—they come into your life for a while, and when it’s time for them to float on, Leah has no qualms waving goodbye. The only exception is her neighbor and best friend, Trevor. When all else fails in her crazy world, Trevor is always there, reliable, steady… real. But then one night a heated argument leads to a revelation that shakes Leah to the core. Suddenly, Leah is forced to make a choice. But will her heart survive her decision?“Blackbirds” by Lily Java: Once upon a time Sydney Tarr and Elliott Vance were friends: fast friends, ride or die, pledge of allegiance, take it to the mat, “friends”. And the fact that Sydney loved her friend more than she should didn’t matter until finally... one unusual and spectacular night, it did. It mattered very much. Still, not every story is a fairy tale is it? Friends do part -- sometimes forever -- but, not always.“Blur” by Rae Lamar: Jade Warner is back home. The bad part? Starting over. The best part? Reconnecting with Kyle Malone. Picking up where they left off years ago, it feels just like old times...except for the mutual attraction and questionable feelings, which are all brand new. For Jade and Kyle, it’s unthinkable to hook up given the history of their fail-safe friendship, but anything can happen when you live under the same roof...
Capone and Capri: A Bad Boy Romance
Jessica N. Watkins - 2017
In Capone & Capri, his bad boy swag is tested when death falls at his doorstep, along with the possibilities of love. He had been juggling women all of his life; never a one woman man, with no interest in finding “the one.” But a real man doesn't hesitate when he finds the right woman, even if he wasn't even looking for her, and Capone did not hesitate the moment that he laid his eyes on Capri, a coal-colored beauty, who owned a voluptuous body; the best curve being her smile. Yet, when DBD, Death Before Dishonor, an infamous drug organization in Chicago, which Capone heads, has madness brought to its doorstep, love is placed on the back burner. As Capone avenges the death of one of the most important members of DBD, his focus has to turn to revenge, but he finds peace in the arms of his “Black Beauty.” However, as sweet and kind as Capri is, the black beauty is battling demons of her own. As she is being pursued by Capone, while still being involved with another man and dealing with family drama, her plate is full. From the national bestselling author of the Secrets of a Side Bitch series, Jessica Watkins is back with yet another explosive and suspenseful saga that is guaranteed to leave you wanting more! In Capone & Capri, follow these two love birds’ romance of lust, love, drama and turmoil. If Capri leaves her man, is being with Capone what she really wants? Or is she ready to finally live life as a single woman? And will Capone think that Capri is worth setting aside his player ways for once he finds out that he has been sleeping with the enemy?
Play For Your Love
AshleyNicole - 2016
You have to open yourself up to the possibility of being hurt. You have to expose yourself in a way that you usually wouldn’t; allow others to see vulnerabilities that you try to hide. Journalist Aria Smith tried that three years ago and it ended in disaster. Now, she’s just trying to focus on moving up the ladder in her career. She’s just been handed the most coveted interview in sports writing, so it looks like she’s well on her way. Basketball star Tory Barker is fresh off of a championship season and is in high demand right now. He’s riding high off of his success, avoiding drama as he does so. His usually introverted and stress free lifestyle is upset when he comes face to face with Aria. She’s everything he never knew he wanted and everything he plans to get. Aria’s not sure she’s ready for the likes of Tory. Yes, he’s a sweetheart. Yes, he’s easy to talk. However, living life in the limelight was never her dream. Nor, was dating a basketball player. She’s throwing up strong blocks every time he makes a move. Tory knows she’s worth it and is more than ready to play for her love. Can he win is the question…
Love in the Streets
Ashley Nicole - 2017
You fall head over heels in love with him. Dr. Sienna Jameson grew up with a crime boss as a father and is not looking for a man with the same occupation. But Streets is cute… and sweet… and everything in between. How is she supposed to resist his charms while craving everything about him? Streets is just trying to do his job. Hooking up with the boss’s daughter is not in the job description, but after spending some time with Dr. Jameson, he’s not so sure he can stay away; however, the circumstances dictate that he must. What to do?
Misconceptions
Blu Daniels - 2014
That is, until she discovers she’s pregnant, with quadruplets. When a business merger leaves her jobless and penniless, she has no other choice but to move to Atlanta with Bad Habit, a seductive, callous man she despises due to their rocky past. Desperate to have a picture-perfect life, Alex is convinced she must make Bad Habit fall in love with her, no matter the cost. Misconceptions is a hilarious nine-month chronicle of Alexandria’s doomed quest for a perfect life.
Every Woman Needs a Wife
Naleighna Kai - 2005
Tanya Kaufman has had one shock too many—one minute she's a fiancée, the next she finds out she's been the mistress all along. When Tanya shows up during the surprise anniversary party to take Brandi up on her offer, the women seize the opportunity to teach Vernon that infidelity will no longer come at the expense of the women's time, money, and happiness. Vernon fights back by launching a high-profile court battle that doesn't have a thing to do with splitting the money, keeping the house, or visitation rights. Had any married couple ever fought for custody of...the mistress?
Love's Inconvenient Truth
Love Belvin - 2015
“I don’t believe in fairy tales; only acquainted with reality. I understand there are people who are genetically damaged in the womb. Some of these people, like me, are destined to be alone. We’re too strong willed; our power too potent and can destroy all around if wielded.” Jackson Q. Hunter isn’t your average 26 year old. Forced to be a man before his time by his well-connected, extremely resourceful, and very wealthy father, Jackson is especially conversant on commitment and crowning a woman. “Fairy tales don’t always have to be a forsaken concept. Sometimes it’s a matter of viewing it from the right perspective. Sometimes you have to simply choose a more suitable illustrator. Even we haunted cynics can find liberation in the mendacity of fairy tales. Sounds like your demons would fit nicely in my haunted closet with the rest of my iniquities.” As secrets are unveiled and nightmares illuminated, see what they learn about self-acceptance and self-forgiveness when they find redemption through their mirrored self-exiled darkness.
Life After
Keith Thomas Walker - 2014
An unexpected event sends her reeling - even more so when a pregnant mistress steps forward. Marcel survives a divorce, but there’s no solace when he loses his only child. Love has caused Donna and Marcel nothing but pain, but it may be the only thing powerful enough to heal their broken hearts. ●●●●● EXCERPT ●●●●● She cried out in shock and reflexively wrapped her legs around his waist. Marcel backed her against the counter and set her on top of it. Now they were the same height. He looked into her eyes and smiled when he saw Donna’s expression of shock and wonderment. Her legs were spread wide to accommodate him. With the counter supporting her, he was able to release her ass and undo the buttons on his shirt. Donna watched, still somewhat in a daze. She barely felt him lift her off the tiles. And she wasn’t a small woman. She knew he was strong, but… Marcel got his shirt off, and everything became crystal clear. Of course he didn’t have any trouble lifting her. Under the bright lights in the kitchen, Donna saw that every muscle he’d been hiding under his tee-shirts was as beautifully sculpted as she imagined. His massive pectorals were the most impressive, but his arms and shoulders were equally enticing. Every bulge fought for her attention. Donna wasn’t aware that her mouth hung open. Marcel stepped closer, and she held both hands up – not to stop him, but to feel the goose bumps that were scattered across his chest. She sucked air between her teeth the moment her hands came in contact with his dark flesh. He was so hot. And hard! She felt his powerful muscles ripple beneath her fingertips. She felt his heart thumping strong against his sternum. Her bottom lip slipped into her own mouth as she fondled him at will. His nipples were big and dark. She couldn’t resist tasting them. Marcel’s hand moved to the back of her neck as she ducked down and suckled his nipple unexpectedly. He looked up to the ceiling and took a deep, slow breath. Donna licked one nipple, and then the other. She sucked them both and nibbled them softly. She stopped when the heaving of his chest became more pronounced. She looked up at him, her lips wet, her face flushed with heat. “I want you,” he said. “I need you. Now.” His eyes were low and drunk with passion. The yearning between Donna’s legs was white hot. She nodded and grabbed hold of his shoulders, so he could help her off the counter. ●●●●● © Keith Thomas Walker
Blind Expectations
Jacinta Howard
Or was that Confucius? Whatever. People are fluid—they come into your life for a while, and when it’s time for them to float on, Leah has no qualms waving goodbye. The only exception is her neighbor and best friend, Trevor. When all else fails in her crazy world, Trevor is always there, reliable, steady… real. But what happens when friendship blossoms into something more? Can Leah and Trevor's relationship survive the change? Or will the weight of blind expectations cause them to lose the one thing they love—each other?
Mine Tonight
Christina C. Jones - 2015
This is three sexy stories, about three women, with a focus on how one night of mind-blowing intimacy can change it all. If you’re looking for a sweet, tender love story… this ain’t it. (But I still think you’ll enjoy it! <3 )
In Name Only
Vivian Rose Lee - 2011
Now she was in a name only marriage with a man that hates her. USN Commander Benjamin Smith was floored when he see the beautiful dressmaker sitting at the family table at his sister wedding. He was instantly drawn to her in a way he had never experienced. He wants her to be his at least for a little while. After a night of unbridled passion Ben wasn't sure he could let her go. Until he thinks Sky has betrayed him, forcing him to do something he never wanted, and Benjamin is never forced to do anything he did not want. Now he is married Sky making it clear it the marriage will be in name only. As he and Sky begin to share a home, he begins to wonder was he wrong about her?
If You Ever Change Your Mind
B. Love - 2017
Even when he considers it, life throws him a curveball that causes him to take an entirely different path. The last curveball, a pregnant friend with benefits, caused Lucas to make an illegal move that led to his sister, Luana, being bound to Jaxon Jeffries. At first meeting Jaxon, Lucas considers him to be a man that will never be worthy of his respect and admiration, but there is one thing that Jaxon shares with Lucas that changes his life forever – the importance of choosing a wife instead of letting something as reckless and irrational as love choose one for you. Hali Davison has never been the type to step out of the traditional route with anything in her life. Even when she considers it, life throws her a curveball that causes her to return to the safe, predictable path she grew up on. The last curveball, finding out the man she’s loved all of her life practically was getting married to a woman that wasn’t her, has Hali reconsidering her safe and predictable lifestyle. If her last chance at letting Lucas know how she really feels for him is at his wedding… so be it. Lucas is stuck between doing the right thing and following his heart. His childhood has made it difficult for him to believe that true love exists, which is a great deal of the reason why he’s fought his feelings for Hali over the years. With his natural hair product line reaching heights he never thought were possible, Lucas is determined to secure his life mate now before his money, power and status make it impossible to choose a woman who wants him for him and not who he is and what he has. There’s just one question he’s faced with on the day of his wedding; is that woman Shanice, the woman responsible for giving him his first child, or Hali, the woman responsible for giving him his first taste of love – no matter how much he thought he didn’t want it. *Please note, Lucas and Hali first appear in “Just Say You Love Me”. While their story can be read on its own, it is suggested that you read about their backgrounds in “Just Say You Love Me” first.
Another Chance to Love
D. Rose - 2018
While avoiding love and relationships she finds comfort in an unlikely place. Her new work assignment may put a wrench in her plans to avoid love.Career driven and workaholic Grant has been under his dad wings since high school preparing to take over the family business. Now that he has become CEO he is determined to expand the company to every major city. His new contract has him focusing less on work and more on love. Never one to shy away from a challenge Grant is instantly attracted to Ivy and will stop at nothing to be with her. Will Ivy open her heart and take a chance on love again or will she continue to keep her heart closed off?
Chance Given (The Chance Series Book 3)
Diana W. - 2018
Being the youngest Winston, and having her brother Mike, as a great role model, comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Loyalty is high on the list of Winston family values but for Lacey, it tends to skew her perception of happiness. Lacey's shaky long-term relationship with her on again off again boyfriend, Greg, who is headed to the NFL, is continuously being tested, but it seems that Nathan, his teammate, is more than willing to suit up and get in the game to win Lacey's heart. Constant flags are thrown at their attempts at a connection and sends them both on a path of emotional ups and downs that neither of them is certain they can endure. Join Lacey and Nate on this final installment of the Chance Series. Along with Zoe, West, Mike, and Kelise, as they all once again, face their own relationship obstacles. See what transpires when love and life happen By Chance & when a Chance Taken results in a Chance Given. *** This book is and can be read as a standalone however, also reading the previous books By Chance and Chance Taken in the series is highly recommended ***