Book picks similar to
Never by Joy Avery


short-reads
1st-in-series
african-americans
black-love

The Way Back


Tressie Lockwood - 2018
    His fiancée left him before he woke from a coma. Keon can’t see past the pain in his heart and the darkness surrounding him. He wants to give up on life, but his best friend keeps pushing him to go on--as if it could ever get better. Shakita Chambers has just landed a dream job working with a man she’s admired for years. She would love to learn all she can from Keon, a world famous author. Except Keon is broken. He’s determined to drink himself into the grave, starve himself there, or tick her off so bad she kills him herself. Despite Keon’s ugly attitude, Shakita is attracted to him. One minute they’re arguing, the next they can’t keep their hands off each other. Shakita knows she’s playing a dangerous game. Keon still loves his ex, and his ex won’t let him forget it. Shakita’s worried about her heart, and so is every other interfering busybody in her life.

Diary Of A Broken Doll


Tatum James - 2018
    Life may not start out all peaches and cream for Courtney...but with a little savvy and a lot of determination she might just turn it all around. Join her on a journey from innocence to independence. Determined not to be consumed by life's struggles, Courtney learns to take advantage of the obstacles she faces. Will she self-destruct or burn bright?

MVP Daddy (The Robinsons #1)


K. Sadeé - 2016
    She's focused on her family and her money--in that order. She's not looking for a new daddy for her baby and doesn't think she needs any man. Too bad, MVP Baahir Jelani Lewis doesn't agree with her.

Cold: Daughter of Gaea


E.L. King - 2017
    Twenty-one-year-old Olive Trenton doesn't have much happening in her life aside from a temperamental friend who spends her free time antagonizing werewolf's, and another friend who when distracted may cause the second world flood. Given the job of managing these two trouble makers, she spends her time preventing near disasters and completing her homework. Despite the pressures of making sure her races identity remains a secrete on a campus filled with paranormal beings, she's managing just find, until a cold eyed Lycan by the name of Lucian Siriano enters her life claiming she is his mate. She may be more special then she knows... The minute Lucian Siriano lays his eyes on Olive, he knows she's the one for him. She is the key to giving him the power to compete against others for the title of Alpha in his pack. The only problem is, she insists she isn't the one and that they could never be. Lucian will not allow her to run from him, and has no choice but to show her that there is no other that could bring the same cold hit. In the eyes of the domineering and terrifying a Lucian Siriano, Olive will find her life thrown on its head, as she is dragged into a world she wasn't groomed for and forced to experience the coldest passion at the hands of the Lycan Heir. Will she break or will she fight the cold?

Teach Me How to Love


Celeste Granger - 2020
    It is also a wonderful escape from small-town life and small-town thinking. What she didn’t expect was a chance encounter with Professor Chance Walker. There is something about this man that draws Remington like a bee to precious honey. Yet, the demons of her past keep Remington from seeing Chance for the man he is and the man he wants to be in her life. Chance Walker doesn’t see their initial encounter as accidental or happenstance. It feels destined, fated, despite Remington’s reservations. Chance isn’t one to give up easily, not when its something he wants. And he wants Remington, unapologetically. This is a standalone story with a happily ever after.

Elusive Bride


Nancy Kay Moore - 2016
    When she leaves a church filled with family and friends and tells the limo driver to "just go" she has no idea she will land up in a near-by town at a neighborhood bar, befriended by Weston Morris, a local veterinarian and all-around good ole boy. Will Weston convince Ava to go back and work things out with her fiancé or persuade her to hang around his hometown and start a new life? A life that includes him and his young son, Toby. Elusive Bride will hopefully convince you that sometimes even when you think you have it all figured out there is still time to change your mind.

A Brand New Hood Love


Johnazia Gray - 2017
    The hood raised her, but she's determined to let her humbled spirit take her out of it. Living a normal life is only a choice that she's made, however. Unlike Gianni, her mother, Tommy, is a bigger queen pin than any king pin in Tallahassee Florida and in the down south area. She takes care of Gianni and her two kids with no problems. Tommy could easily give Gianni the salon and big house that Gianni has always dreamed of, but Gianni wants to accomplish her goals on her own. Due to her mother being in and out of Federal Prison, Gianni reminds herself that she has two kids to think about, and she can not and will never leave her kids behind, like Tommy did her. Instead, Gianni allows her baby's father, Lamont, to take care of her and her kids. She feels he owes her that much, due to all the pain he's caused her. However, dealing with him has caused nothing but heartache, distraction and drama. After finding out about the third child that he could possibly have on her, she finally decides to stray away from him and focus on she and her kids. She meets a handsome and wealthy man by the name of Kreed at her mother's house during Tommy's known 'gambling day'. Kreed is a different breed, and though Gianni only wants friends so that she can do a little living, Kreed is hard to shake. He has that smart, hood, and smooth demeanor that Gianni admires. Being surrounded by drugs and a lot of money didn't mean a thing to Kreed. He loves his legal businesses and he enjoys living his life the right way. He's feeling Gianni just as much as she's feeling him, but he when Lamont finds out that there's a new man in town who's stole Gianni's heart, he makes she and her kids life a living hell. Which causes Kreed to bring out his old vicious ways! Tumultuous drama starts to unfold, and it will be up to Gianni to get everything in line to save what she has with Kreed.

An Alpha's Heart: The Architect and Bodyguard


Sara Allen - 2019
    He gazed at me for a few seconds. ”Because after the fire is burned away, what’s left?” The Architect: He was like no one I’d ever seen. Ink snaking across his neck, down his arms and across his hands like the map of his life. If those experiences gave him joys or pains, he’d never tell. He was a mystery I hoped he’d want to share, but I knew I was fooling myself. Robbing a bank would have been easier. His body reminded me of a marble statue; tall, lean and muscled. When he walked into a room, men and women stopped to stare. If his body enticed them, the impassive stare and cold eyes scared them more. He watched every action, and wasn’t impressed. What kind of man was picked him up off the streets, kept like a dangerous pet, but remained loyal to the one man who had his respect? Whoever said the only fire that burns was hot, had never met Asher’s frigid stare. He was going to ruin me, and like a moth to a flame, I went willingly. The Bodyguard: My job had its perks. Travel, women and enough freedom to make my life interesting. I’d been to nearly every continent in the world, and slept with some of the best-paid entertainment money could buy. But those things were for show, meaning nothing in the grander scheme of things. When my boss decided to build a new house, why he recruited the sexiest architect around, I have no idea. I’m not a relationship kind of guy; I’ve been too messed up to share myself with anyone worth the time. It’s complicated. A person like me, whose life belonged to someone else, had nothing to share with anyone. I saw her, but made sure she thought otherwise. A woman like that is too straight for me. She’d want too much and be worth the effort too. I was like a doctor who prescribed pain and heartache to the unwary, and even though I knew I should stay away, there’s something about her I want to explore. Maybe I’ll just get her number. After all, I don’t have to call her, right?

Crime


Ellie Merlin - 2021
    Winter has never broken one. The one person who was on her side, her sister, is gone from this world and Winter wants to give up but she can’t. For her sister, she needs to live; To continue the life that her sister left behind. She must marry the man prearranged for her sister. Hiram Theodore Wolfgang. His name is just as ominous as he seems. Hiram can’t marry the woman he wants. Not being raised around the old Society rules doesn’t mean he can escape them. He must honor the marriage clause of New Dominion.But what will happen when Hiram commits the ultimate crime? Falling in love with Winter instead of living in a loveless marriage? Does he know how incurable love really is? It is an illness with no cure. Love has no medicine, temporary reprieve, or cure. That is why it is the biggest crime of all. An Incurable Crime

Small Town Secret


Niya James - 2018
     He was the star football player in high school and my brother’s very best friend. He could’ve had any girl so why did he have to choose that one. He ruined everything, everyone and now he’s back to complicate my already complicated life. I have a son to worry about and there’s no room for the past. Small Town Secret is a super steamy stand-alone second chance full-length novel with no cheating and HEA. Not appropriate for readers under 18.

A Tryst At Midnight (The Alesi Men)


Serenity King - 2012
    The title, some content, and publisher have changed. Piero Alesi is back in the states after being away in Italy for two years. At a family get-together he’s decided that Adanna Washington will be his. Piero is known for getting what he wants both in business and his personal life. He's never envisioned himself in competition with his own cousin, Nicco for Adanna’s attention. Nicco believes he has the upper hand—Adanna’s his sister’s best friend, and he’s been in contact with Adanna far longer than Piero. However, Piero is willing to chance that the love he has for Adanna will far outweigh Nicco’s lust. He only has to convince her. Adanna Washington writes about love but doesn’t have the time for romance in her life. She is far too busy. Adanna is late on a deadline with her editor — attending her best friend, Carina’s Alesi’s family outing is the last place she should be. Imagine her surprise when at the outing she attracts the attention of not only Carina’s brother, Nicco, but also of Carina’s elusive cousin, Piero. Not wanting to be a pawn in this game the Alesi men seem to want to play—she rebuffs them both, or so she thought.

Trap Commandments: Intention


K.C. Mills - 2020
    A thing intended; an aim or plan· A goal, purpose or plan is your intentionNever underestimate the power of the streets! There are those that live by the commandments that govern them and those who don’t. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. The hustle never stops so be prepared to execute with the skill of a warrior, a STREET warrior!

Dorian (The Watchful Eye Series Book 1)


Phoenix Rizen - 2021
    

Resisting the Sheik's Commands


Elizabeth Lennox - 2019
    What was even more shocking was when he tells her that her country, her precious Ditra, is in danger. In order to prove him wrong, she travels with him to Ditra, only to discover that things are worse than either of them knew. With the dangerous but alluring Sheik Jabril at her side, Ilara tries to figure out a way to stop her destructive uncle. Unfortunately, the only option is so outrageous, she rejects it immediately. But…it really is the only way! Be seduced by this story of passion and hope, despair and excitement!

Assistant & Boss Daddy


Claire Angel - 2020
    Sure, he is gorgeous and worth a peek every now and then. He is such a jerk to everyone though.This is my first job after graduating from college, and I remind myself that it is great to have.I am good at it and learning a lot but I have to work with one of the grumpiest men in the world.At least I have my friend Jack there.My boss always shows me toughest side of him.I have to work late at his insistence.Now I am on a work trip with him, and I am seeing a different side of him.We kissed in the hotel room…Is he trying to flirt with me?Why does it seem like he is growing possessive of me?There is a part of me that wants to hate him forever.Would the kiss in our hotel room change everything I worked so hard for, ending my job?