Book picks similar to
Hard by Anjela Day


urban-fiction
urban
african-american
drama

FALLIN' FOR THE KING OF HOUSTON 2


Tabby - 2021
    

I Fell In Love With A Real Street Thug 2


Pebbles Starr - 2016
    It sort of just happened. With an unmistakable chemistry lingering between them, their attraction towards one another seems inevitable. But there's only one problem. Cue is hiding a deep, dark secret that could potentially destroy everything they worked so hard to build. Kylie thought her troubles were over after leaving her no good ex, Jamaal. Finding solace in the arms of another bad boy, she soon discovers that the grass isn't always greener. Will her new love interest give her the storybook ending she envisioned? Or will he ultimately be her downfall?

This Could Be Us But You Playin' Super Box Set: Complete Series


Cachet - 2019
    With a mother who hated her very existence and a father who was locked away in prison for the attempted murder of her mother, she just couldn’t catch a break. With a stressful home life, Dominique's only ray of sunshine is her boyfriend, Kaleb. As teens, the duo was madly in love, with plans to marry and raise a family together. That is until Kaleb unintentionally breaks her heart. Crushed, Dominique does the only thing she can think of, and that is to leave. Kaleb realizes that he’s ruined their chances when Dominique moves away and goes off to college; leaving behind no way for him to contact her. After a few years, Kaleb eventually accepts the fact that Dominique is gone forever. By then he has his life on track and is now a very successful businessman with the world at his fingertips. A chance encounter reconnects the two ex-lovers, and Kaleb sees it as a chance to right his wrongdoings and finally be with the one who captured his heart all those years ago. There’s one problem, not only is Dominique engaged to marry another man, but she is also the mother of her fiancé's son. To make matters worse, Kaleb gets involved with a woman who loves him unconditionally. Although faced with a sticky situation, Kaleb refuses to allow Dominique to slip away again. He vows to get her back at any cost. Even if it means destroying a home that Dominique doesn't know is damaged, to begin with. Will these young lovers reconnect and have their happily ever after, or will they realize that their ships have passed? Find out how Dominique and Kaleb's story unfolds in the complete series of "This Could Be Us But You Playin'".

Risk It All 'Bout Cha


Lady L. Trice - 2020
    

King of the Streets, Queen of His Heart


Porscha Sterling - 2016
    Always eager to be the one to set things right for the people she loved, she decided, against the urgings of her cousin, Maliah, to confront the leader of the new gang in Liberty City who is responsible for serving her mother's addiction. But once she meets Legend, her life really begins to change. Legend, the unofficial leader of a group of brothers known as the D Boys because of their last name, is not only the youngest of the crew, he is the most savage of them all which is how he got his name. After being confronted by Shanecia, he decided to spare her life and let her leave but, for some reason he can't explain, he is unable to keep her out of his mind and eventually decided he had to make her his. But when he finds out that Shanecia is connected with his enemy in more ways than one, it makes him question how loyal a love they could really have. Shanecia's cousin, Maliah, is in love with Danny, the father of her children and her first love whom she has been with since high school but there is just one problem: Danny, who was once a highly paid street hustler, is now addicted to the very drugs he'd sold to others and he owes a very large debt to Mello, the head of the crew Danny is apart of, who also happens to be Legend's #1 enemy. In order to get back the money Danny owes and to take care of her three children, Maliah starts dancing at a strip club which is where she meets Murk, Legend's brother. When she starts to fall for one of the D Boys while still officially in a relationship with Danny who works for the opposing gang, it puts her in the middle of a street war that she is not sure she wants to take part in. Will she side with her heart, that is pointing her towards Murk or will she stick with the first man she's ever loved and help turn him back into the man he once was? The streets of Miami are savage and ruthless but they are nothing in comparison to what happens when love is thrown into the equation. Will love prevail or will the streets reign supreme over all? Find out in this legendary love story.

When A Thug Has Feelings


Senoj - 2017
    When her parents found out, they decided to uproot them to another city. After losing contact with Dreon, she experienced her first heartbreak and decided to shift her focus back on her education. Now twenty-three, Niya is in her final year of law school, but over the years she continued to experience the short end of any relationship she was in, including the relationship with her parents. She finally accepts that her heart has never fully healed, but that all changes once she sees Dreon again. She doesn’t know how he will feel about the secret she’s been keeping from him. Dreon Carter was known for the havoc he wreaked growing up. But after being abandoned by his mother on his grandmother’s steps, he was angry and released that anger on other kids. Sometimes, even letting Niya tag along. Barely graduating high school, due to poor attendance, he went into the streets full time and was now known by the street name Menace. He ended up serving some time in prison, but now at twenty-five, he is the king of the dope game in Cleveland, running the streets with his right-hand man, Renzo. He has a two-year-old daughter by a crazy baby mama who’s set on being a pain in his ass and causing friction between him and Niya. Along with running the streets, he’s trying to run his home, but with the streets and his home life trying to cross, he runs into problems. The bond of Menace and Niya is undeniably unbreakable, but is Niya strong enough to be the woman of a thug, going against everything she’s about, and dealing with the drama that comes along? Can Menace avoid the pressures of the street life and be the man Niya wants him to be, while also not giving up his streets, or will it all be too much?

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

Ratchet Wives Club: Atlanta Edition


N'Dia Rae - 2017
    Infidelity. Greed. Wives of Atlanta's Biggest Ballers... All holding dark secrets...they're ratchet! Aria Married to ATL's biggest kingpin Czar, she is a paraplegic confined to the wheelchair for life after one of her husband's rivals shoots her. Still bitter about her predicament she cheats on Czar with Nokio, her husband's corner boy, and plots to take over his empire. Cipirana. Gorgeous BBW that's not appreciated by her husband Braxton, who is soon to be the mayor of Atlanta. After years of neglect, disrespect and abuse from Braxton she she takes comfort in Javi, Czar's right hand man. Apryl. She is Cipriana's little sister and an undercover detective cop. Apryl is also the wife of a former cop turned law school student by the name of Kazman. When Kazman is struck in a car accident and placed in a coma, Apryl is left to pay all of their bills. To help she takes on extra undercover work, investigating Czar. When she meets Czar she is immediately attracted to the powerful kingpin. But what about her husband in the coma? Mayeka Is a former stripper turned baby mama to one of the city's most powerful men, Braxton Nicks. Braxton Nicks is a councilman running for mayor who is also married to Cipriana. As Mayeka's son get's older the more she wants Braxton all to her self but she she is hiding a dark secret from him too. All four women's lives are entangled in this juicy tale of drama, lust and secrets. Are you ready for this crazy rollercoaster ride?

A Thug Has Feelings Too: Gatah & Yaya's Hood Love Story


M. Monique - 2020
    

Crushed


Ivy Symone - 2018
    May seem inconsolable and difficult to recover from…Heartbroken. While living vicariously through her friends’ enviable relationships, Tanya has grown weary of the single life. After being friend-zoned by every man she grows close to, her son’s father’s sudden interest in her gives her an inkling of hope. Her friends disapprove and say Tyrell doesn’t want her; he only wants the lifestyle Tanya can afford him. Will she see what they see and curve him, or will her insecurities cause her to settle? With the way things stand between her and Eli, Cassie never knows what their status is on a day to day basis. After the birth of their son, Cassie thought things would only improve between them; however, she didn’t expect for her and Eli to end up in a co-parenting situation. They have differences that need to be worked out, but with a little conflict, it doesn’t seem that working things out will be in Cassie’s favor. What’s a girl to do? For the past few years, Jazmin’s world couldn’t be better. With the shameful pain of the past behind her, she has established a wonderful life with her husband, Jah. At this point, nothing strong enough could disrupt their union…Or could it? There’s some shocking news that may disturb the discord of her household if Jah ever decides to reveal it. What’s Jah keeping from his Juicy? You asked for an update, so here they are: the old gang from the Crush series and If You’re Willing. Can’t say that I didn’t warn you, but everything can’t remain peaches and cream forever. Enjoy though!

XYZ


Kimille - 2019
    Mastering life’s principal and hellacious course of Hard Knock Life 101 was nothing to eXavier and eZekiel Yarbrough at an early age. Their wisdom and fearless innocence allocated them guardian angels over baby cousin, iYanna. Drug addictions, immorality, abuse, and evil are all cycles that these three have a vivid familiarity with, yet out of the wicked mentalities that assaulted them grew love, loyalty, hope, tenacity and nobility. Despite the licks they gave, as well as took, they found a safe haven in an old head called Diego. A man that knew the streets and the streets respected him. This family has an abundance of dysfunction, but their devotion to each other is unrestricted and immovable! Friends for life. Life has not been particularly kind to Najia Kennedy. She's had to sacrifice more than she's wanted and taken more L's than wins. But somehow, she's managed to stay on her feet with her head held high, all the while searching for where broken hearts go. Love remains elusive as her son's father pops in and out of their lives with empty promises and leftover lies. Najia's friendship with iYanna has withstood the test of time and her shenanigans, as she factors into the equation that is XYZ. Love forever. The streets don't owe him anything. He's taken everything he's wanted by omission or commission. Kreed is a new breed of boss, college educated and street smart. He's the boogeyman in a suit, encompassed in a mystical aura of strength and power that leaves many starstruck. He's so immune to the world around him that he's stunned at the foreign emotions caused by the feather-like thundering of a miniature storm called iYanna. He envisions her as his future, but her family views him as a catastrophic danger to all that they've invested in her. Love and hurt, joy and pain, good times and bad, take all as prisoners. When you have everything you want, is there room for more? When you have nothing, will you accept anything? XYZ is a spicy urban romance with charismatic characters, life altering situations and breathtaking moments that will fascinate you from beginning to end.

Snow White and the Savage


Fatima Munroe - 2020
    Fluent in five languages before the age of ten, she was the apple of her daddy’s eye. In the blink of an eye, a late night tragedy snatches not only her fabulous life, but the one man who loved her more than anything, leaving her with a stepmother who would stop at nothing to make Cary’s life a living hell. When most people her age were preparing for school dances, prom and graduation, Cary spent her teenage years closing off her true identity in order to cope with her surroundings. By the time she was legal, Cary had already crashed and burned into a shell of her former self. Even through the darkness, she held on to the hope that one day her life would magically turn into something great.Every king needs a queen. Leonidas Payano, also known as King, was next in line for the trap throne in Miami. Growing up, he’d heard stories about how he and Cary would rule the streets together, but when that time came his queen was nowhere to be found. Years of dead ends and closed mouths later, Cary was found in Meridian, Mississippi. Short on love and out of trust, she’s skeptical about whether or not King’s intentions are pure when he offers to put her back on the throne. The thought of making good on a promise made to her father before the coroner zipped up his body bag gave her the incentive to make that ride to the 305.King’s seven savages are the goons at Cary’s disposal once she touched back down in the city. Yenni, Bash, Jaden, Duval, Killa, Santiago and Benny bust pistols at the drop of a dime on the queen’s command. Who would’ve thought the queen would find herself infatuated with one of her own? But that’s exactly what happens when Cary laid eyes on Benny. How does Leonidas take the news, knowing she had his heart since they were kids?Complicated is an understatement when Cary comes face to face with her past, bumping into her stepmother at the last place she should have ever been. When the truth is revealed about her motives, Cary is left questioning everyone in her orbit. Does she revert back to her old ways? Or does she stay bossed up and get her revenge against everyone who orchestrated her father’s demise? A pretty girl, seven savages, a jealous stepmother and a king…does their story end in happily ever after?

A Forever Kind of Love


A'zayler - 2015
    Just the thought of being in love is enough to immerse a person in happiness. The genuineness and feelings involved in a loving relationship has the tendency to take over your whole body, but there’s one thing. Is it forever? Like most people Layah never planned to fall in love, but when she did, she couldn’t stop it. Falling head first into this passionate relationship with Nassir Jordan, is anything but promising. Being from two totally different worlds brings about more complications than either of them are prepared for. Nassir is everything Layah could have ever dreamed of plus more. Being with him is the highlight of her young life, and she plans to do everything in her power to make it last. Unlike Layah, Nassir is no stranger to uncertainty and hardships. Those two things are a part of his everyday life. That is until he gives in to the feelings he’s grown for this upper-class beauty from the suburbs. Having grown up in the hood, Nassir believes in anything but happy endings. He’s learned the hard way that you must work for the things you want. This is a lesson well learned when the raw emotions he feels for Layah begins to emerge. Trying the best friend thing worked for a while until his budding fascination got the best of him. Finally welcoming contentment into his life Nassir refuses to let it go. Together, they’re determined to make their undying love last forever.

How the Baptiste Boys Took Over North Carolina (How the Baptiste Boys Took Over North Carolins Book 1)


Natisha Raynor - 2016
    Jules possesses the street smarts, the hustler's mentality, and the ruthlessness that it takes to come to an unknown city and take over blocks. It doesn't take long for Jules and his crew to start shining, but the more money they accumulate, the more drama that begins to unfold. The locals don't take too kindly to the Baptiste boys’ sudden arrival, and things begin to heat up in the streets. Lyric is just getting over the death of her fiancé, and all she cares about is raising her child and being successful in her career. When the charming Jules enters her life, she is smitten as well as torn. Lyric is battling herself on whether to give in to her desires and let Jules love her, or stand firm on the promise she made to herself. Will all of Jules’ drama remind her why she no longer wants a dope boy, and cause her to push him away? Will love conquer all, or will Jules’ lifestyle cost him the woman that he's fallen deeply in love with?

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?