Book picks similar to
Hiding from Monsters by K.J. Thomas
bully
mafia-mob
new-adult
young-adult
Boys of Brayshaw High
Meagan Brandy - 2019
I didn't listen, and now I'm on their radar. They expect me to play along in their games of hierarchy, to fall in line in the social order they've deemed me fit. Too bad for them, I don't follow rules. Too bad for me, they're determined to make sure I do. Inconceivably attractive and treated like kings...these are the boys of Brayshaw High.And I'm the girl who got in their way.
Loving Lawson
R.J. Lewis - 2014
After being turned away from her mother and on the verge of homelessness, she turns to an unexpected source for help: her boyfriend's older brother.Heath Lawson is everything his brother isn't: a rough, street fighter that can't commit to a girl if his life depended on it. He likes being on his own. Likes living the simple life. But when Allie turns up asking for help, he has no choice but to take her in.Knowing Allie most of her life, help is something Heath is more than ready to offer. After all, she's the love of his brother's life.However, what he doesn't expect... is that she's also his too.
Rising
Jessica Ruben - 2018
Anonymity is key in my neighborhood—particularly as a lone female walking at night. All I want is to leave my crime-ridden shadow of a home in New York City. I’ve done everything I can to keep my head down and focus on my studies. College is my only goal; love has never been on the map… That is, until my sister brings me to an underground fight, where I meet a gorgeous and mysterious man: Vincent. He is the ghost in my shadows, showing up to feed me pieces of his upper-crust life, then evaporating into darkness until his next visit. I’m falling hard and fast. How can I trust him amidst the depth of his secrets? Vincent may be even more dangerous than the dark world I’m trying to escape.
Elite
Rachel Van Dyken - 2013
But after her grandmother's death, Tracey is all her grandfather has. So when Eagle Elite University announces its annual scholarship lottery, Tracey jumps at the opportunity to secure their future and enters. She isn't expecting much-but then she wins. And life as she knows it will never be same . . .The students at Eagle Elite are unlike any she's ever met . . . and they refuse to make things easy for her. There's Nixon, gorgeous, irresistible, and leader of a group that everyone fears: The Elect. Their rules are simple. 1. Do not touch The Elect. 2. Do not look at The Elect. 3. Do not speak to The Elect. No matter how hard she tries to stay away, The Elect are always around her and it isn't long until she finds out the reason why they keep their friends close and their enemies even closer. She just didn't realize she was the enemy -- until it was too late.
Normal
Danielle Pearl - 2014
Starting at a new high school, in the middle of my senior year, in a new town, in a new state. I know no one. No one knows me. That's what I'm counting on.A year ago, Aurora "Rory" Pine was just a normal teenage girl - just as sweet and naive as the fairy tale princess she was named after.But this isn't a year ago.Rory is broken, and now suffering from a debilitating anxiety disorder, wrought with precarious triggers, she moves across the country to escape the source of her troubles. Her plan is anonymity, but that's easier said than achieved for the new girl having a panic episode outside of calculus. The worst part? There's a witness - and a gorgeous one at that.Sam is a walking trigger for Rory. Incredibly handsome, built like the star athlete he obviously is, and undoubtedly popular, Sam outwardly represents everything Rory despises about high school. But as the fates keep throwing them together, a connection sparks that neither ever expected, and certainly couldn't ignore.But Sam has issues too, and Rory's past won't just stay in the damned past. When friendship evolves into something deeper, can a girl utterly destroyed by the worst kind of betrayal and a boy battling demons of his own ever have a normal relationship? Is that even what they want? Find out in NORMAL, a gritty story of trust and abuse, heartbreak and salvation, and if they're lucky - love. This is not a flowery romance - not for the faint of heart.
Velvet Fire
K.B. Winters - 2020
Kill or be killed. I was born into this grim reality. MaisieI never thought I’d fall in love with a cold blooded killer.But with those dreamy eyes and that smile that won’t quit.I find I’m thinking of Virgil more and more.So what if he’s a criminal.My brothers are too. I’ve been around bad boys all of my life.And I’m not sure,Is he really that bad?Even after he saves my life?VirgilI’m not a knight in shining armor,Or even one of the good guys,But I really screw up when I kidnap the wrong girl.Maisie from Texas, with curves in all the right places.She thinks I’m her salvation—her rescuer.Not the guy who drugged her...But they say everything happens for a reason,And she’s my reason.For everything.I’ll rise up for her. Protect her.Crush those who are out to hurt her,And prove not all Prince Charmings ride a white stallion.Some wear a gun.And I’ll do it for her.For us.And when she’s safe, I’ll make her mine.
The Butcher of the Bay: Part I
J. Bree - 2020
My life was simple: I kill for money and I’m the best in the Bay at my job.That was enough for me until I met the woman of my dreams, only to deliver her to hell itself for a pretty penny.Nothing will stop me from getting her back and when I do… there isn’t a man in the Bay that’s safe from my vengeance.They’ll pay in blood for their crimes.
Broken Elite: An Angsty College Romance (The Darlington Elite)
Waverly Alexander - 2021
I don't know what she's hiding, but I've made it my mission to break her down until I know every last detail. Our broken pieces will match, and she'll know the soul-crushing agony I feel when I look at her. I hate that I want her. Unequivocally, the need I feel for her is stronger than I'll ever be. If she thinks she isn't still mine, she's lying to herself, too. She used to look at me like I was everything to her. She'll look at me that way again. I can promise you that. Everly My best friend is dead, and I can't tell anyone her secret. Patrick thinks I'm protecting myself. But really, I'm protecting him. He's in pain, and knowing I'm the reason is utter torture. The truth will cut him far deeper than losing whatever it is we had. I'll give him what he needs, even if it means he'll hate me forever. He wants to break me. He's too late. My world shattered the day I chose to lie to him. Includes a happily ever after, but main plot points continue on to the next book in the series. Each book features a new couple in The Darlington Elite world. This book discusses adult themes and is suitable for 18+ readers.
Jesse's Girl: A Bully Romance (The Mercado Boys Book 1)
Mona Merlin - 2020
Now, she’s going to remain mine. They’ll all wish they had my girl. Too bad, no one is going to be able to take her from me.She’s Jesse’s girl. The girl that when everything around me, including me is broken…she knows who I really am. She knows Jesse even when I don’t want the world to see me, she does.
WARNING: this book contains some triggers and hard subjects.
Marco's Girl
Mink - 2020
The prep school lifestyle leaves me cold, and I don't want to be a part of the lacrosse crowd or make time with the silly girls who think being with me is taking a walk on the wild side. I'm fine in my bubble until I see the new girl through the window. Shy, smart, and with curves that make my mouth water, Evangeline is an unexpected good girl in my bad boy world. Her innocence should make me back off, but I don't. After all, I'm a Davinci -- when I see something I want -- I take it! A chance at going to college is all I need, and this new prep school is the way to do it. Grams took a maid job at a local estate just so I could attend prestigious Brightwood Prep, and I won't let her down. I'm focused and determined -- until I meet Marco Davinci. He's got bad boy written all over him as he sits at the back of the classroom, his eyes eating me up -- and that's only the beginning. Marco isn't just bad -- he's determined to make me his -- no matter the cost...MINK's note: "Marco's Girl" stars Marco from "His Virgin Queen". It's best enjoyed with a kitty in your lap, and a steaming cup of coffee, or tea if you're feeling fancy, beside you. All characters are 18+, and an HEA is guaranteed. Enjoy!
Pretty Little Savage
Lucy Smoke - 2020
1: Don’t piss off the Sick BoysThey’re cruel. Reckless. Impossibly fucked up.The Sick Boys feed on the order they create. They rule Eastpoint University just as their families have for decades. But their power doesn’t stop there. The three of them are heirs to some of the largest fortunes in the world, and behind that kind of wealth lies an underworld of corruption.On the surface, they’re perfect princes and he is their King. But underneath it all, they’re filled with blood, lies, and secrets. With all of their connections, they have the power to crush anyone who gets in their way. But just because they’re as warped as I am doesn’t mean I’m going to give them a free pass.Because I, Avalon Manning, bow to no one, and I live to break the fucking rules.***This is a Dark MF New Adult Enemies to Lovers Romance.***
Blinded
McKayla Box - 2020
I'm a new person.With old secrets.But I'm not a great actress.I know what will happen when people find out my truth.Because it's happened before.And it's not pretty.I just want to get through my senior year and graduate.But I'm making friends and I feel guilty not being honest with them.And I'm making enemies who I'm afraid will dig into my past so they can watch me crash and burn.And that guy? The one whose face I want to punch and then kiss?He needs the truth.I'm just not sure I can give it to him.Because he'll never look at me the same way again.WARNING: Blinded is the first book in The Del Sol High series. It contains mature themes, sexual content, and profanity. If you're not a fan of those things, this isn't the book for you. But if you like serious stuff mixed with lots of bad words and some sweaty sex, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU. It is the first in a three book series.
Wrong Crowd
Lisa Helen Gray - 2019
I feared what my life would become when an aunt I never knew about came swooping in and threw me into the unknown. She was rich. I couldn’t even afford a pack of gum. We were complete opposites, yet I wanted a fresh start in life, and she was promising to give me that. I just had to live with her for a year, until I graduated college. However, from the very first day it became clear that I was completely out of my depth. It was a deal I couldn’t pass up, not if I wanted to stay off the streets until I could find a job to support myself. Everyone at Kingsley Academy was in a league of their own. The girls were high-class, yet as fake as Barbie dolls, and the boys were handsome with that appealing bad boy edge. Especially Kaiden Kingsley. He was charismatic, athletic, and sexy as hell. He also hated me so much he was willing to do anything to send me back to where I came from. And I didn’t even know why. He was cold, cruel and twisted in a way I could never compete with, yet I found myself gravitating towards him. Secrets, lies and deceit. Everyone reeked of it. I wanted answers—needed them. Before my mum died, I thought I knew everything about her. It turns out, I didn’t know her at all. There’s a reason she left all this behind; a reason why Kaiden and his elite group are on a mission to punish me. And I’m going to find out. WARNING: Strong content that may be a trigger to some readers.
Black Hearts
Karina Halle - 2017
The son of an infamous drug lord, Vicente was born to help run the family business, which means he’s been raised on a throne of sordid pasts and dirty laundry, violence and pride. But when Vicente stumbles across someone he’s not supposed to know about – a woman from his father’s checkered past – he sets out to California to find her behind his father’s back.What Vicente doesn’t expect to find in San Francisco is Violet McQueen, the woman’s twenty-year old daughter. Beautiful and edgy with a vulnerability he can’t resist, Violet tempts Vicente from afar and though he promised himself he’d stay away from her, curiosity and lust are powerful forces. Besides, Vicente has always gotten everything he wants – why shouldn’t he have Violet too?Soon his wants turn into an obsession, one that sweeps Violet into his games as they fall madly, deeply in love with each other, the type of first love that can drive a person mad.But it’s a love with tragic consequences.Both the truth – and the lies – not only threaten to tear them apart, but threaten their very lives.Someone has to pay for the sins of the fathers.And they’ll be paying the price with their souls.
Kings of Westbrook High
Bethany Winters - 2020
Loyalty. Unconditional love..I've never seen anything like it."All it took was one bullet. One bullet put a dent in my plan to survive the vicious storm that is my father and flipped my entire world on its' axis.Dragged from the dumps of Sin City to the Palace of Westbrook, I find myself living in a strange new version of hell, surrounded by sexy bad boys, money and power.The Kingston brothers own this city and everyone in it. They seem to think they can rule me.Unfortunately for them, I don't follow rules.And my stepbrothers are about to find out just how far I'm willing to go to survive.He wants my body. He can take it. But he will never take my heart. Because you can't take what no longer exists. This is a full length dark high school romance with themes some readers might find offensive. Contains graphic language, dark triggers, drugs, violence and sex. It is book 1 of 3 in the Kingston Brothers series but can be read as a complete standalone.