Book picks similar to
Summertime With A Chicago Thug by Patrice Balark


twyla-t-presents
urban
1summertime-collection
epfl

Yearning for A Savage's Love


Shaye B - 2018
    Finally fed up with her unfulfilling relationship; Violet starts to reevaluate her life. A job opportunity lands her in Dallas where she stumbled across Cesar. If quiet and boring is what she was running from back home, Cesar’s crazy unpredictable ways may be just what she’s looking for. A petty incident lands her in Cesar’s arms, and against all better judgment, she falls for him. Is this Savage the man of her dreams or a dangerous desire that will only lead to trouble? Sometimes what we want isn’t what we need and Cesar may be more than what Violet bargained for. After finding out a shocking secret about her boyfriend of 2 years, Albany Kaye is forced to start over for the first time in her young life. Step one is getting a roommate to help with the mounting bills. What started off as two strangers sharing a roof blossomed into a beautiful friendship when Violet moved in. Soon these new found friends discover that they have more in common than they least expect. Boundaries are tested, bonds are broken, and lives are left hanging in the balance when this small town beauty takes a ride on the wild side.

Hood Legacy 3: Rise of the Young Royals


K.C. Mills - 2017
    The young royals had proven that they wanted it, but sometimes it’s not always easy to get what you want, even when it’s what you deserve. The Grant brothers seem to keep ending up on the wrong side of the law, while Kaden can’t seem to shake his past. Hayven and Cole have found their way, but will his choice to protect her wellbeing by any means necessary create problems for their future? Sonna learns that sometimes you have to let things play out like they should, even when she feels like she should stand up for love. All things come full circle in the finale, and you’ll find out if this team secures a win or goes down fighting!

When a Gangsta Falls in Love


Robin . - 2017
    After graduating from private school with honors, Amiah was ready to move on with life and start college. Most of all, before summer ended, she had some other goals that she wanted to achieve, which was release her first R&B mixtape to show off her beautiful singing voice. But, before graduating, she meets a guy named Oxy and that changed everything around her. Oxy isn’t your average dude from the hood. Outside of his street life, he had goals of his own. After the death of his mother and his 6-month-old son, he promised to get his life on track with a legit business, and even settle down and get married. After Oxy met Amiah, he knew she was the one for him. However, he isn’t sure if he is the one for her, with all of the burdens in his life. Will Oxy be able to remove all the distractions in his life to be with Amiah, or will all his baggage run her away from his love?

Humbled By A Real N*gga


Lisa Austin - 2021
    

Street Love


Love N. Lee - 2013
    By the time she figured out her true position, she was already in too deep. Everything changed when he announced he was leaving the mother of his children to start a family with her. When she learns Messiah has been lying yet again, and is actually married, will she continue to settle for a supporting role, or bow out gracefully?  Bria has been with King, a handsome street hustler, for a decade, but he still hasn't put a ring on it. In-between dealing with his baby momma drama, infidelity, and countless lies, she's remained down for him as his Queen. However, her patience is beginning to wear thin as more skeletons start falling out of his closet. Bria toys with the idea of giving him a taste of his own medicine but can she actually go through with it?  Armani has a life most women would envy: a million dollar lifestyle, a beautiful family, and most importantly, a thirteen carat wedding ring. Now she wants nothing more than to plan a storybook wedding and live happily ever after, but life has other plans. After discovering her man isn’t who she thought he was, she finds herself faced with a hard decision. Can she forgive him for the sake of her family? Heaven is struggling to take care of her daughter without any financial support from her ex, a rapper named Stacks. Their romance ended around the same time as his career, but the two co-parent in the same house to save money. Stacks wants nothing more than to get back together but Heaven is finding herself unexpectedly falling in love with her best friend Ace...

The Messy Babydaddy Club Boxset: Parts 1-5


Blackbyrd - 2019
    Boy, oh, boy. They can be a woman’s worst nightmare. But who is really to blame? Is it the fault of the women who pick them? Or is it when a woman has a baby by them they go crazy and become dedicated to making the mother’s life pure hell? In these five stories, we will visit the lives of five men, all within a small circle, and learn what drives them to do the crazy things they all do to the women who carried and birthed their children. Here you will meet twins Matt and Mike, Kevin, Ju, and Joshua. If you thought you knew a baby daddy worth hating, these five will for sure have them beat.

Infatuated By A Low-Key Boss


Shameka Jones - 2017
    Being the eldest of three children and the only male in his family, he hustles hard to take care of them. The only thing missing from his life is a loyal female companion. The on again/off again relationship with his ex, Star, is becoming a battle that he is no longer willing to fight. When he and his younger sister, Story, make a Spring Break trip to visit their sister, Taylin, he may just find the perfect girl. Ezra is also on the hunt for a new connect, so while in Houston, he links up with an old friend about business. What he doesn’t know is that the very thing he needs is right under his nose. Emerald is sophomore at Texas Southern University. She is the first in her family to attend college, and a very important asset to her family’s drug business. Since the death of her first love, she hasn’t been able find a guy to capture her attention the way that he had. Plus, her mother is always in her ear about not letting boys distract her. She has done a good job of playing dodge ball with guys, but that all comes to an end when she is approached by Ezra. His confidence and persistence are a force that she can’t escape. Although she plays hard to get, it doesn’t take long for her to give in to his charm. Taylin is a little on the wild side. She and her friends like to turn up and party on the regular. Now that she is dating her crush, college basketball star McKinley Staton, she couldn’t be happier. Being McKinley’s girlfriend comes with more than just bragging rights; it come with groupies and an ex that can’t let go. Her run-in with McKinley’s ex quickly becomes a physical, aggravated assault. Will dating McKinley be more trouble than she bargained for, or will she be able to roll with the punches? Hollywood is little brother to Emerald, but little is something that he is not. At the age of 17, he stands at 6’3” and 200 pounds—truly a lady’s man. When he takes a trip to visit his sister for Spring Break, he has no problem with pulling college girls. The college girls aren’t the only ones that want a piece of Hollywood, though. Stormy has her young eyes on him too. His eyes are on her also, but that comes to a screeching halt when an unexpected turn of events changes everything. Hollywood is forced to make a decision on what to do while trying handling a little drug business for his father. Will he really be able to avoid Stormy, or will she take what she wants? Come take a journey to H-Town, where it all goes down. Sex is had, secrets are revealed, jealousy is felt, and drama follows each character as new relationships are formed. After reading about Ezra, Emerald, Taylin, and Hollywood, you will find out who’s really the Low-Key Boss.

She Took My Heart and Went Crazy 3


A'zayler - 2019
    One after the next, he’s tried to fight them until one day, they won. Defeated and at the bottom, Yeshi feels as if there is no way out. Just when all hope is lost, along comes beautiful and God-fearing, Logan. She’s nothing like the women Yeshi are used to, nor does she desire to be. Imagine how life altering it must be for Yeshi to finally find a woman who can help fight his past, only for him to realize he’s incapable of loving her. Luckily for him and her, with love and God on their side, they can do anything. From the moment they first met, East and Killian have been on a continuous roller coaster and going up and down on life’s machine of obstacles. Whether it’s outsiders of each other, they’ve been through it all, barely succeeding each time. Now, with a new baby in the mix, the couple’s troubles seem as if they’re just getting started. Luckily for East, Killian isn’t the kind of man who folds under pressure. Filled with love, determination, and strength, Killian bears their burdens to finally give East the life she’s dreamed of. To love and be loved, that’s the motive. Join these couples as they find the hidden truth behind the beautiful nightmares they’ve been living.

Lost In A Hitta's Love 2: An Urban Love Story


Antoinette Sherell - 2018
    With Liberty’s life hanging in the balance, and Sempri being held captive for reasons unknown, there is no telling how things will turn out for either of the two. Legacy spent months without speaking to Liberty after she did the unthinkable. However, it’s undeniable that he’s still deeply in love with her. When he finds out her life is on the line, will he come to his senses and do right by her, or make decisions that can only push them further apart? Philan is finally coming to terms with the fact that he has feelings for Sempri. But, when she’s kidnapped, he begins to realize it may be much more than he thought. Given his past, will he be able to handle the realization that he may be in love with her, or will he push her away in fear of what his feelings may mean? In this final installment, hearts will be broken, and lives will be changed drastically—some for better and others for worse. However, only true love will prevail in the end.

Hood Supreme 3


Mz. Lady P. - 2020
    This time around it’s extremely personal. The Alexander Family has lived many years believing that Chanel was dead. Now that she’s alive and well. It’s time for the family to collect on all debts owed to her. Chanel is back with a vengeance and ready for war. With Ms.Gladys, Givenchy, Prada, and Fendi standing right beside her the streets will never be the same. Besides dealing with their enemies the brothers have to adapt with building a bond with the mother they thought they lost years ago. They find that it’s hard sharing their hearts with their mother and the ladies that love them so much. In this installment of the highly anticipated book series you’ll observe Miyani, Gavin, and Dream stand their ground while holding their niggas down to the fullest. Secrets will be revealed and relationships will be tested. With money on their mind, blood on their hands, and vengeance in their hearts the Alexander Family is wreaking havoc on the streets of Chicago. Ruling the streets was always a HOOD dream. Follow this ruthless ass family on their journey of reigning over all things LSUPREME!

That Bona Fide Hood Love 3: Fire & Pure


Dymond Taylor - 2019
    To Fire, that’s equivalent to blowing his brains out. He’s not standing for that; no matter what. He let it be known to Pure, that there is no out, and they’re in it for the long haul. Pure thought she saw it all when it comes to Fire, but she hasn’t seen nothing yet. He’s desperate not to lose his family, and is willing to go all out before he does. Zoni comes to her senses and realize she isn’t ready to completely throw away what her and Yurey have. She’s madly in love, and in this case, she feels love conquers all. But showing up to Yurey’s place unannounced, reveals something she wasn’t quite ready for. Something that a little more than love, is needed to fix things. Trouble finds himself battling with his feelings towards Jumma. He’s not sure what he’s feeling but the one thing he does know, is he wants her to remain in his life. He also knows Jumma wants more, and tired of being in the friend zone. But, it isn’t easy being committed to one woman, for Trouble. And Jumma refuses to waste time on a man who doesn’t know what he wants. Seeing that Jumma means business, Trouble has to decide whether the countless amount of women, is worth losing the one woman he’s ever really cared about. In the end, only the couples who love is truly Bona Fide, will remain standing after all they’re about to face.

THOTiana


Colby Durden - 2017
    A dirty ass, no good, trifling ass female that will jump on any dude. This term, originating from the streets of Chicago, is derived from the term, "T.H.O.T" which means "THAT HOE OVER THERE". Tatiana "Tati" Perkins, a young, ambitious and goal-driven college student, is a psychotic side bitch with issues. And not just daddy issues. REAL ISSUES. She gets off on ruining homes, even her own. Self-destructive, sex addicted yet cunningly intelligent, Tati is in possession of a deadly secret that will have yo ass go woooooooooow - this bish cray cray fa real fa real. Read more in "THOTIANA" by Quan Millz.

Summertime Love With My Chicago Bae


Dedra B. - 2021
    

My Trap King Promised Me Forever 2


Ebony Diamonds - 2019
    Reeling from the pain of lies and betrayal, she flees the country to soothe her battered soul. However, she can't hide for long, and when she returns home, she comes face to face with her worst fear. After narrowly escaping death, Delasia and Vibe try to get their budding romance back on track. Unfortunately, an unexpected visitor arrives on Vibe's doorstep with an explosive secret that threatens to end things between Vibe and Delasia before they really begin. Priest and Vibe are trying their best to be good men to the sisters who have captured their hearts, but ghosts of their playboy pasts just won't let them be great. Business is better than ever, but while they are winning in the streets, they are losing at love. Will the two best friends be able to turn things around and have it all with Princess and Delasia, or will forever prove to be just a word?

The 6 Stages of Grief


Danielle Carleon - 2018
    When tragedy strikes, the Kapoor family is forced to question the integrity and purpose of their marriage after a sixteen-year union. On the surface, everything looks good. Gio, a successful entrepreneur, worships the ground that his wife Misa walks on. In return, Misa creates a balanced home life while pursuing her own dreams. But when tragedy strikes, in the blink of an eye the couple is forced to face issues that they’ve buried long ago and an onslaught of new ones. From the author of the Middle Building on Treemont Avenue, Danielle Carleon brings you The Six Stages of Grief. Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Revenge. Acceptance. Which one will save the young duo from each other and themselves? Will Gio and Misa be able to salvage their marriage? Will indiscretions from the past force her out of the door and him back to a life he vowed never to return to? The Six Stages of Grief is part one of an action-packed, emotional and riveting series that will cause you to want to be each character’s saving grace.