Book picks similar to
Be My Always by Nia Arthurs


romance
interracial
bwwm
contemporary-romance

Crimson Footprints


Shewanda Pugh - 2011
    On the night of her brother’s murder, Deena Hammond stumbles upon Takumi Tanaka, lost and on the wrong end of a .32. After rescuing him from the certain fate driving through the hood in a Ferrari will bring, a sweet kind of friendship begins. A balm for her grief. Maybe, Deena likes to think, it happened the day her white mother killed her black father. Or maybe, it was always a part of them, like DNA gone bad. Whatever the case, Deena knows that her family would never approve, hell, never acknowledge her fast-growing love for Takumi. And had he never made love to her that way, in that unraveling, soul-searching sort of way she could’ve done the same. But love’s a devil that way. So, their game begins. One where they hide what they are from everyone. From anyone. And Tak understands this—for now. After all, Deena’s career hinges on the favor of her mentor and boss, his hard-ass of a father. And the Hammond family is already stretched thin with grief. Yet, each step Deena takes toward family and career brings her closer to an acceptance she’s never had. And away from him.

Black Edge


Charlotte Byrd - 2018
     I’m in way over my head. But I have debts to pay. They call my name. The spotlight is on. The auction starts. Mr. Black is the highest bidder. He’s dark, rich, and powerful. He likes to play games. The only rule is there are no rules. But it’s just one night. What’s the worst that can happen? BLACK EDGE Series Reading Order 1. Black Edge 2. Black Rules 3. Black Bounds 4. Black Contract 5. Black Limit *Beware of spoilers in the reviews below that are without spoiler alerts* **The Black Edge series are full-length, volume sets of the His to Take series with print editions.**

Can't Get You Off My Mind


Emma Roman - 2015
    But he's got just one unfaltering rule: they have to get married and have a baby first. The brothers disagree...wholeheartedly. But it's set in stone. Follow the rule or you're the one grandson out of luck...Stubborn, rugged, but oh-so-sexy, Roark Stinson, the oldest brother, refuses to give in to his grandfather's manipulations. After all, women are the root of all evil, and he's never witnessed a relationship that actually works. Then it hits him; it doesn't have to work.Roark just needs a warm body to agree to the terms...Zoe Morgan never wanted to be anyone's "means to an end," especially not Roark Stinson's. But his proposal is one she's in no position to refuse--can't refuse. When the stakes are this high, a warm body might just be exactly what she needs. Maybe--just maybe--Grandpa Stinson knew exactly what he was doing...

In Search of a Love Story


Rachel Schurig - 2012
    They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.

Possession


Jessica Hawkins - 2014
    Wealthy businessman Beau Olivier wants Lola for a night, and in order to get her, he’s willing to make her dreams come true.But Beau’s conditions are explicit. From sunset to sunrise, Lola must submit all of herself to him—body, mind, and soul. Because nothing is more important to Beau than maintaining control...especially over his possessions.Sometimes, though, things don’t go according to plan. What if one night isn't enough? What if come sunrise, Beau isn’t ready to say goodbye?

Before


Nicola Marsh - 2013
    Unless Mom’s the town joke and I’ve spent my entire life shying away from her flamboyance. College in Las Vegas should be so much cooler. But it’s not. Bad things happen. Real bad.So when my brother Reid offers me an all-expenses paid vacation to Australia for a month, I am so there. Discounting the deadly snakes on the outback cattle station, I should be safe. Until I meet Jack.Jack defines bad boy and then some. He’s big, buffed, bronzed, and hotter than any guy I’ve ever met. His sexy Aussie accent makes me melt. And the guy can cook.But he’s my brother’s new bestie and he lives on the other side of the world. There’s no future for us.Is there?

Batter Up


Robyn Neeley - 2014
    A delicious premonition she shares every Monday evening with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls as they gather at the Sugar Spoon bakery for Batter Up night. Investigative reporter Jason Levine just found himself as the man candy for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Roped into attending the Vegas nuptials, was he hearing things when the groom shares that the only reason he’s getting married is because a small town baker conjured up the name of his soulmate in her cake batter? Sparks fly when Jason tries to expose Emma as a fraud, but reality and logic go out the window as he begins to fall under her spell.

Down & Dirty


J.H. Croix - 2018
    It can also expose every secret you have.I’ve spent almost my entire life in Cypress Creek. My family was once a pillar of the community, but times have changed – for the worse.One look at Marie Nix, and I’m determined to have her. She’s everything I want and then some. She may be too pure for me, but I can’t help myself.Unfortunately, like me and our small town, she has skeletons in her closet. Her past isn’t staying in the shadows.Regardless of the things she’s done, once I have a taste of life with her, all I want is more.Even if it puts me face to face with the threats surrounding her, I’ll do whatever I have to in order to make her mine.

Bad Idea


Nicole French - 2017
    The beautiful girl. The f**king ray of sunshine in the middle of your delivery route. Layla Barros is everything I never knew I wanted. Everything I'll never have.She's an innocent young student. I'm a convicted felon. She's rich girl from a nice family. I've got nothing but a broken home.But if I'm an addict, she's my drug. I can't stay away, even though I know I'll ruin her in the end. She might be the girl of my dreams, but I was always a bad idea.

Tempting Me


Natasha Tanner - 2016
    It was the night before my wedding. Maybe I cursed it by visiting my fiance. I didn’t expect him to cheat on me with my best friend. That night I ended up going to the strip club. The same one I went for my bachelorette party. That guy told me to come back if it didn’t work out. I laughed at the thought. Well, it came true, because it didn’t. What was I to do next? Ryan: I want her, but I know I can’t... I had my eye on her the whole night at the club. Usually, I can control myself. But not that night. She came from a rich family. I came from the trailer. She was educated. I wish I was. There was no way it would work. But maybe if things changed, they could? This is a full length bad boy novel, with NO cliffhanger and a happily ever after. For a limited time, includes the full length novel, Entitled: A Bad Boy Romance.

Along for the Ride


Mimi Grace - 2019
    It’s why she offered to help her sister and brother-in-law move across the country. However, her goodwill is tested when last minute changes—mainly her father ditching her for an all-expenses paid vacation—forces her to make the journey with a man who is the human version of a pebble in her shoe.   Jason Akana operates on lists and bitter coffee, but none of those things will help him on a sixteen-hour trip with the most infuriating woman. Maybe they can get along and forget their heated confrontation five years ago at his best friend’s wedding…when pigs fly.   But the addition of vehicle problems, an unplanned pit stop in a small town, and chemistry that inconveniently tags along, shifts their perspectives. And once the dust settles after their trip, a tentative friendship emerges.  Will these two stubborn people successfully navigate the unexpected feelings that follow close behind? Or will they hit a roadblock before reaching happily ever after?Content Warning:1. Deceased parent (died long before the start of the book)2. Verbally pushy person who's romantically interested in the heroine (NOT the hero)

Rock Hard


K.A. Linde - 2015
    Linde…Bryna feels his eyes on her. Hot, seductive, enticing.He's at least fifteen years older than her, and he knows exactly what he's doing to her with that look.Walking away would be the smart thing to do...But she can't.Not that first night when he takes her home and claims her body. Not when he shows up in her life again with expensive gifts to win her trust. Not even when she's falling for him.And everything else is falling apart... Book 1 of 2 in the Girl’s Best Friend DuetThis book was previously published as Diamonds

Love at Last


Kate Kisset - 2015
    (It didn't help when Sarah caught them in the act on top of her cherished pastry table.) Oh, and they've been robbing her blind, so she's broke now, too. When Sarah's offered a fresh start, and a place to stay, she high tails it out of San Francisco and moves to rural wine country. Finally settled into her new, small town-sleepy life, with a cafe of her own, the last thing Sarah needs is drama. So, when notoriously sexy actor Jamie Santino, swaggers into her new business looking for baking lessons, and help with his new movie role, Sarah's blindsided. Jamie, one of six wealthy Santino Brothers, of Napa Valley Winery fame, has a feeling Sarah might be the off-screen leading lady he's been looking for forever. Wine flows and their passion has all the ingredients for everlasting love until a femme fatale from Jamie's past enters the scene.How can Sarah believe Jamie isn't acting, when everything he says sounds too good to be true? Love at Last (previously published as Just a Kiss) is now the first novel in a large contemporary romance series! If you like small towns, sweet and cozy romances, a full cast of friends, steamy scenes, laughter, and sexy book boyfriends, you'll love book one of Kate Kisset's Love in the Vineyards series.

Desire


R.G. Winter - 2015
    The world Jane Parkett lives in consists of early mornings, long nights, and the rush of closing a deal. As a new junior analyst at one of the top financial firms in the country, she is determined to rise through the ranks and become partner one day. For the longest time, Jane thought that all she needed in life was her dream job. But when Franklin McKinnon waltzed into her life, throwing insults and sharp jabs her way, the world that Jane envisioned begins to crumble. As she opens herself up to new experiences, Jane learns that with new territory, comes new fears, new enemies, and an even greater love.

My First, My Last


Lacey Silks - 2014
     Their roads never crossed and the stars failed to align, until now. Matured, more experienced, pierced, tattooed and hot as hell, Adrian steps back into Mia's life to reclaim his first love. And the moment she sees him she can't remember her own name. Adrian Reed had always remained in Mia's heart. After all, he was her first in every way possible, but that was twenty years ago. His sudden appearance at a bar, on a girls night out, has Mia acting like a fifteen year old girl again. But life now is not as simple as it was twenty years ago. With two kids, a hopeful ex-husband and new insecurities, Mia finds opening up to a new relationship challenging.Will she give her first love another chance, or will she push him away, this time for good?Join Mia and Adrian on their journey to finding their first love for the second time in My First, My Last.Note: This is a standalone contemporary romance second-chance novel intended for mature audience.