Book picks similar to
Hate to Love You by Ivy Symone


best-of-romance-urban
fiction
romance
surviving

From the Pole to the Palace 2: A Love Nobody Expected


Diamond D. Johnson - 2016
    As the days go by, Jameeka realizes that Levi isn’t the man she thought him be, but it’s too late because she’d already done the unthinkable, and Seth would never get back with her in a million years. Now that Seth and Dreka finally are in a committed relationship, is it enough for her to leave the pole alone and finally settle down in the palace where she belongs? Dreka promised herself that once she let those three words, I love you come out of her mouth, that she would hang up her dancing shoes, but is that true? In addition to everyday relationship problems, she is now faced with deep, dark secrets that she thought she had left behind in her past, but she now has to bring those secrets to light. This second installment is filled with drama, laughter, and secrets. Some will make it out in the end, but others won’t.

4 Ever Down With Him


Tay Mo'Nae - 2017
    Noni's a good girl who wants more from Nike than he's willing to offer, so after graduation she runs to Atlanta to start college and get a fresh start from Nike after he's broken her heart not once, but twice. Nike loves her but he just can't seem to get things right so he pushes her out of mind and out of sight. But after 4 years of being gone Noni returns, not only running from an abusive ex but also because she has a secret and she needs Nike help. How will he deal with the bomb Noni drops on him? Will he man up? Or keep her buried in the past?

Promising My Love to a Boss


Käixo - 2016
    With nowhere to hide, Fatima endures eleven years of abuse at the hands of her bitter mother. Her escape ironically comes by the hands of her mother as well... when she's kicked out of the house and ends up living in her car. But anything is better than living in hell at Jewel's house. With her mind messed up but made up, Fatima thinks she's alone in the Windy city, born into this world to fend for herself, not knowing everything that was beaten into her was a lie. Also in Chicago is Torin Taylor, the youngest brother of four boys who were given away by their mother at birth. One-by-one, each boy leaves the nest to run the streets with only one goal: getting rich. Only thing is, Torin was born rich, he just doesn't know it. With the truth somewhere out there, Torin has no idea he's a wanted man... not by the FBI but one of the richest people in the world. After being caught up in a shootout orchestrated by Torin and his brothers, Fatima falls into Torin's life. Once a loner with no care in the world, Fatima melts the ice around his heart and becomes an important part of his life. There's just one thing: his brothers think she's dead and Torin can't bring himself to tell them he secretly hid her away to protect her from them. Death brings them together but will it also tear them apart?

Deja


Tajana Sutton - 2010
    Her best friend Jade introduced herto Xavier Jones. He was the partner/cousin of Jade's boyfriend Jay. She got everything a woman couldever want; the man, the ring, and the baby, but Jay's ex Mona felt that was her position and shewouldn't stop until she reclaimed the spot. Xavier and Jay had recently retired from the drug game asmillionaires but that came with a price and much drama. Xavier's baby mamaLatasha wasn't too happy about him either and about him settling down with Deja. She felt she had the baby, so she should have the man as well and she tried everything in her power to break them up until she realized the joke was on her, but it was too late...

In Love with A Dope Boy


Treasure Bee - 2014
    At a young age, Tyler was forced to grow up and become the man of his family. Always the protector and provider for his sister, Tyler turned to the streets early on in order to survive. Despite her beauty, Skyler is insecure and unsure of herself. With no one to turn to except her brother, she often feels lost in Tyler’s crazy lifestyle. Tori is Tyler’s ride or die, but like most young girls involved with a street nigga Tori is struggling to hold on to her sanity while trying to deal with all the b.s. and drama that comes with being Tyler’s leading lady, as well as dealing with her own demons. Friends will turn into enemies. Secrets will be revealed and love will be tested. Only the strong survive, so who will be left standing?

Love and War: A Hoover Gang Affair


Latoya Nicole - 2017
    Not your average street thug, Bank robbers by day and club owners by night they continued their reign to the top. they never trusted anyone enough to allow them in their circle, the moment they did, all hell broke loose. Zayn "Blaze" Hoover lived by a code "never trust a female, hit and quit" until he met Drea. He did everything differently and gave her the world. He was ready to change his ways until someone set him up and all signs led to her. Zavien Shadow Hoover was the youngest of the crew, but he never wanted the females that came along with their lifestyle. He was engaged to his first love Shirree and ready to make her his wife. After a big argument and a night of drinking, shadow does something that could jeapordize their love forever, but in order to get revenge shirree may have crossed a line of no return. Zavier "Quick" Hoover, is used to the ladies, but Alaysia swept him away with her beauty that only reached the outside. On the inside, she's ugly to the core. The harder he fell, the closer she got into his circle. Unbeknownst to him, that's just where she wanted to be all along. Not only does her scandalous ways effect Quick, but the whole Hoover Gang may be at risk. Zaire Babyface Hoover has always been open to love and when he finds it will he get the chance to actually be happy? Being the oldest he had to clean up the mess his brothers created and may lose his love in order to do it. They say all is fair in love and war, but how do u fight when u don't know the enemy is is the one u love? Will the Hoover gang be able to reign supreme or will they fall at the hands of the ones that supposed to love them??

St. Pierre Boyz: All Is Fair in Love and War


Mz. Lady P. - 2016
    After their father's untimely death, the Cartel was soon handed over to their ruthless mother Ava, who reigned supreme. With problems arising, she is suddenly forced to disappear for a while leaving her three sons in charge to run the business. Being that they were low key with how they handled things, they moved a lot like their mother, but smarter by staying under the radar. Ava, not being a traditional parent, instilled in them to take whatever they want, when they want and by any means they deem necessary. For the longest, they ruled the streets with an iron fist, and nothing, or no one, got in their way until they unexpectedly met the loves of their lives. With other women in tow, Ava feels that love is putting a damper on their family business, and she’s not having that, so that’s sends her on her own mission.. Like a tornado, Leilani, Dynasty, and Diamond comes into their lives and sends them on a whirlwind of emotions they never saw coming. For them, loving those powerful men was the easy part. It's the domino effect of trouble that follows behind them, which makes it hard. What happens when the deck is stacked against you and the thin line between love and lies seem to blur? What do you do when secrets are exposed and you don’t know who to trust? Do you go to war with all you know or do you fold? However you choose, just know that All’s Fair in Love and War when your man is a St. Pierre Boy.

Tied to a Boss


J.L. Rose - 2016
    Local gangster Dante (Jack Boy) knows more than anybody how dangerous and ruthless the streets can be. But against his better instincts allows himself to fall for a local female gangster named Alinna. Considered to be somewhat of a competitor to Dante because she leads her own all female crew. Alinna too, is very well aware of the dangers that come with letting feelings get in the way of business. But like Dante, decides to embrace the attraction anyway. That however proves to be a mistake. When she discovers Dante is two-timing her with a female gang unit officer. But unlike what she has with Dante, this relationship is more about lust and power. Or better yet the officers lust for it. While both get pleasure from this arrangement, she also gains intel. Which lead to major busts that fuel her quick ascension within the department. However her world is suddenly rocked when she discovers she's pregnant with Dante's child! Now they have something that binds them together forever... and something that complicates not just her job but also Dante's relationship with Alina! But with Alina being onto Dante's cheating ways, and the officer being willing to eliminate any and all threats to her burgeoning career. Not to mention the threat of the streets discovering Dante's Serpico ties. Could he end up losing everything in the end?

Heartbreak U


Johnni Sherri - 2019
    Born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn, Franki doesn’t take crap from anyone. After relentlessly being hurt by the men in her life, she finds herself using them for the one thing she believes they’re good for. Sex. But when she’s labeled for her promiscuity and a new tragedy strikes, how will she recover? Paris, on the other hand, has led a life of privilege out in Beverly Hills; one that didn’t include very many minorities in her circle. When her mother sends her off to an HBCU in hopes that she’ll reconnect with her people, she finds herself culture shocked. Asha, the local girl, is a complete slacker when it comes to school and anything else that doesn’t align with her future plans of becoming a basketball wife. She is a user and a mastermind manipulator that will ultimately have to pay a price. Then lastly there’s Hope, the good girl. Raised by her father and brought up in the church, she’s been sheltered most of her life. But when she falls hard for the big man on campus and gets her heart crushed to pieces, will she persist? Told from each character’s distinct point of view, this narrative is about each young woman navigating the dynamics of sex, love and heartbreak in college. Being outcasts in their own right, these four young women ultimately forge a very unique bond.

Trifling 2


Jennifer Luckett - 2013
    Ontavious is all that she’s ever wanted with the good looks, great career, and a humble spirit. Unlike her ex, he’s the type of man that she believes can hold her down and remain faithful. After finding the man of her dreams, she’s suddenly faced with a situation that could cause her to lose everything she’s built with him. Because of Sparkle’s new secret she has to make a decision on whether she wants to continue moving on with her new man, or resolve the issues between she and her ex Sayveon. She’s faced with a number of problems that have her confused, but she thinks she can handle it. When her troubles overwhelm her, Sparkle tries to be strong and not fall weak, but it’s not easy.Stephanie, is the older sister of Sparkle and is proud to say that she’s drug free. After living on the horrible drug infested streets of Jackson, Mississippi, she’s now ready to start a new life and be the mother she hasn’t been to her two boys. Although she’s hyped about starting over and tries to run from her past, it chases her and test her strength. Stephanie has to deal with several issues that will make or break her. This survivor of drug- abuse finds herself put in a predicament where she’s fighting for her life, hopefully she’s strong enough to make it through.Sayveon, the Boss, is back and more trifling than ever. When his child’s mother, Sparkle walks away from the long relationship that they once shared leaving him to be a bachelor, he finds one groupie after another. Not only is his swag on a hundred but his nice looks are too which draws the women to him. He may be a magnet for the women, but an enemy is drawn to him too and isn’t backing down. Sayveon finds himself in a few deadly situations and the person after him is out with one mission, to body him. So he stays strapped and ready to go, but if he’s caught slipping he may be the next victim of the streets. The second installment of Trifling, finds these characters facing huge obstacles. Some will overcome their situation, but a few will be busted for being just plain ole’ Trifling!

Long As You Know Who You Belong To


Bri Noreen - 2015
    New to LA with a couple mil to flip, Grey opens South Beach, the newest addition to the Los Angeles club scene. In the midst of starting his business, he meets an exotic beauty by the name of Nakami. Enamored by her beauty and fiery personality, Grey courts her not knowing that her father, Hero, is the biggest drug lord on the West Coast. Nakami and her father prove to be the connect that Grey needs in order to get back to his hustle. But at what cost? Kimani Summers, Grey's younger brother, is making a name for himself in the modeling industry and is also pursuing a career in acting. When he hears that his brother has relocated to LA, he's not happy. Knowing Grey and the trouble that tends to follow behind him, Kimani is reluctant to interact with the brother he hasn't seen or talked to in over five years. Hesitantly taking Grey up on the invitation to attend the grand opening of his new club, Kimani meets Nakami's best friend, Blu. After losing the last woman he loved tragically, Kimani doesn't want to fall for Blu, but he can't help it. When these four lives are intertwined, things get crazy! And when everything is all said and done, friends will become enemies, business and personal relationships will crumble, and lines will be crossed that will affect the lives of all parties involved.

The Wrong Husband


B.M. Hardin - 2015
    A career, two beautiful kids, and an amazing husband to match. Then why was she so unhappy? For Sassi, something had always been missing in her marriage but she'd learned to deal with it. She was unhappy, but she was content. She was unsatisfied, but she was comfortable. And she loved her husband enough to try to see their marriage through to the end. But just because a woman is smiling, that doesn't mean that she's happy. Secrets are only as quiet as they are kept and when secrets from the past start to reveal, she discovers that she may have fallen for the wrong man all along. Things get sticky and soon Sassi finds herself in love with two men. Her husband and his best friend. But the grass isn't always greener on the other side because everyone always has something to hide. Revenge is a dish best served cold and with lies and secrets, and a scoop of betrayal from the start. Sassi will learn the true meaning of "Til' death do us part."

Heartbeat of the Block: A Street King's Love


A'zayler - 2016
    Thriving off the respect of others while enjoying the perks of being hood rich, the pair effortlessly dominate any and everything they’re a part of. Though they’re nothing more than friends, the inner fire that burns on the inside of them both for the other, is starting to become unbearable. Lu is well known in the streets for being Brasi’s first lady, and because of this, things between her and her longtime boyfriend are diminishing. Loving Brasi with everything in her, but still drawing the line at their friendship, Lu’s able to balance it all out, until Brasi presents his truest feelings to her. A young street king and a self-made boss in his own right, Brasi Gibson is living the life. He’s got money, women, and anything materialistic at the tip of his fingers, but all of that means nothing to him without true love. Having always known that Lu was indeed made for him, Brasi doesn’t stress her personal life until it starts to get in his way. Accustomed to getting anything he wants, he feels as if Lu is no different and disregards everything in his way of having her. Breon is Lu’s younger sister and has pretty much been along for the ride. Never challenging Lu or getting involved in anything that has to do with the streets, Breon lives a pretty peaceful life. However, all of that is quickly dismissed once Brasi’s right hand man, Wren Moore, starts to pursue her. Street and as hood as they come, Wren is fearless and sees no boundaries when it comes to the things he wants. The only problem with that is, the one thing he really wants, he can’t have. Breon seems to fight him at every turn, but being the persistent young hustler that he is, he weakens her and quickly captures her heart. Find out just how far these men will go to obtain the heartbeat of their blocks.

Don't Cry, Cheat Back


Linette King - 2017
    Sometimes when it happens, we ask ourselves why our significant other cheated on us. Sometimes we sit around mad at the world until we make up. Sometimes we realize enough is enough and send them packing on their merry little way, but not Tiffany Bevier. After finding out that her long term boyfriend James, cheated on her again for the umpteenth time, she decides to go out and have a little fun herself. What started off as innocent fun turns out to be her cheating on him just like he was cheating on her. Tiffany was tired of crying so she decided to cheat back

Loving You Is A Battle


Tina J. - 2019
    He wasn't the type of man that went around adding notches to his bedpost. Cream considered himself a king in search for his queen. He thought his girlfriend of four years would be the one; until her monstrous and gold digging ways came to light. Ci Ci walks into his life and steals his heart but not without dealing with the past. Cream is hiding a secret from Ci-Ci not because he doesn't want her to know; but because he doesn't believe she can handle it. Will he keep her in the dark or will their relationship come crashing down when she finds out. Darius meets Iesha who has given him nothing but attitude since they first met. He refuses to give up on her without a fight. Unfortunately, someone in her family doesn't want her happy and continues to try and sabotage her happiness.