Book picks similar to
The Cask by Danielle Allen


romance
authors-of-color
racially-diverse-romance
black-literature

Broken Heart Syndrome


AshleyNicole - 2019
    Trying to live with the weight of grief pressing down on her is no walk in the park. Finding love is the least of her worries, as she tries to keep a solid foot in reality. Greer has been trying to show her, that new love can mean rebirth. She’s just not sure she wants it with him. In walks Daxon, and maybe, just maybe, his excitable personality and irresistible charms can begin the process of peeling back the layers of loss holding Brynn back. But now, somebody’s after her for reasons unknown. Can she shoo away the ghost of love lost, long enough to figure this mystery out as well as reclaim love?

Now Playing: Reel Love


B. Love - 2020
    especially to deal with Daliah — the other owner of the theater and his childhood nemesis. Unlike Maddox, Daliah wants to keep the theater open and improve it to bring in a younger crowd. While they may not agree on what to do with the business left to them, they can agree on one thing — neither of them wants anything to do with love. As always, fate begins to work in their unwilling favor. While Daliah works to create reel love within Maddox... he begins to create real love within her. Will they accept both of their grandmother’s meddling from their graves and surrender to fate... or will this be one romance that ends without a happily ever after?

Falling for You


Té Russ - 2020
    Harrison Briggs has no idea just how his life is about to change when a beautiful stranger falls into his arms while he’s strolling through his late grandfather’s apple orchard.

Baggage Claimed


Alexandra Warren - 2019
    I know your spirit. I’m more concerned with that.” Ryan and Will. Two strangers with instant chemistry on an adventure fueled by a fiery connection neither can contain. But not everything is as it seems. Or is it? Note: While this standalone book tells a complete story, it is novella-length meaning it is shorter by design. If you prefer your stories longer, I’d highly recommend checking out another Alexandra Warren project. :)

Christmas Without You


Celeste Granger - 2020
    Being married to the love of her life is Wren’s dream, and it’s finally coming to fruition. She’s excited about their upcoming holiday vacation to the Swiss Alps. Phillip, a commercial airline pilot, maintains a hectic schedule, but he promised Wren the Alps. He promised uninterrupted time together to kindle their loving relationship.But Phillip can’t keep his promise, again, a reminder of all the other promises he’s failed to keep. That disappointment causes Wren to go home for the holidays instead. To her surprise, best friend, Torrence Edison, makes the same decision. Their reunion is a pleasant distraction. Emerging desire threatens to cross the friendship line when Torrence’s suppressed desire rises to the surface. His impassioned yearnings for Wren are hard to contain; yet, Torrence doesn’t want to push her to a place she’s not willing to go.Wren is surprised by her own eager response to the man that has always been there for her. She has a decision to make; hold on to the promise of forever or risk it all with someone who’s kept every promise he’s ever made.This is a standalone with an HFN/HEA.

Single Girl Rules #BananaParty


Ivy Smoak - 2021
    No exceptions.It’s finally here.Friday.Girls’ night!And to celebrate, I got tickets to the hottest party in the city.That’s right…We’re going to the Banana Party!Single Girl Rules #BananaParty is a novella filled with love, laughs, and tons of bananas ;)

Sugar Rush


A. Jones - 2018
    For years she’s given up on her dreams to keep peace within her family, but now she’s ready to pursue the life she wants. With one small window of opportunity she’s given room to do just that, however, not everyone is happy for her. Facing the repercussions of her decision from her family and a surprising diagnosis that’s threatening everything she’s been working for leaves Melanie wondering if her dreams were ever supposed to be anything more than a dream. Then enters Kamali James – a natural born nurturer and a man who has been a giver and lover all of his life… until he crosses paths with the beautiful Melanie Moore. Melanie doesn’t have time for a relationship, let alone the emotional strength to deal with everything she’s going through. Will she let Kamali in to be the rock that she needs and continue pursuing her dreams, or will she give up on everything... including him?

Rock Me To The Top (Gracefall: Vicious Love Tour Book One)


Victoria Zak - 2021
    Now one of the hottest metal bands on the charts, things are looking up, until a tragic accident threatens to rip the band apart. Can the guys recapture the beat that rocketed them to the top, or will they crash and burn?He believed the lie.Uber-sexy drummer, Joe Grace, has it all, except the one woman he wants to share it with, his best friend, Melody. When he hires Mel to manage his band’s tour, hot summer nights flame into a new passion neither can deny, but their fire ignites the darkness hiding behind long-buried secrets and lies. Lies that could lose him the woman he loves unless he bares his soul and lays it all on the line.She fell for the fantasy.Melody Sterling is no stranger to rock and roll. As the daughter of a legendary rocker, she had a front row seat to the destruction that lifestyle did to her parents’ relationship. Dating a rock star after that disaster? Out of the question! Until her best friend becomes one. Down on her luck—and apparently out of her mind—she joins Joe on their Gracefall summer tour, and soon finds herself falling fast for the fantasy of his crazy world. Now she must decide if her own dreams are worth fighting for, even if believing in herself again means losing the man she loves.

Claiming His Easter Bunny


Lulu Pratt - 2019
    Even in the costume her curves are obvious. All I can think about is ripping off the bunny suit and giving her some joy. I do women, not relationships. Besides it’s forbidden. But she makes me feel ways I’ve never felt. I’m the doctor but somehow she’s healing me. Forget the rules - she’s mine ***Sizzling hot alpha romance holiday novella with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after***

Masquerade


Chloe Clark - 2017
     So when her best friend invites her to a sexy masquerade party because she wants to check some kinky stuff off her Bucket List, she agrees to go- but Only as Ruby's chaperone. Under No circumstance is Cassie hooking up with a masked stranger. Especially not that guy at the top of the stairs whose broad shoulders and deep voice alone are enough to make her knees buckle. Yeah, definitely not that guy. **Author's note: This standalone contemporary romance contains no cliffhanger, no cheating, and is sure to give you lots of warm fuzzies in all the right places.

Flow


Kennedy Ryan - 2017
    Bristol Gray will be his tough, no-nonsense manager. But when they first meet, she’s a college student finding her way in the world, and he’s an artist determined to make his way in it. From completely different worlds, all the things that should separate them only draw them closer. It’s a beautiful beginning, but where will the story end? FLOW is the prequel chronicling the week of magical days and nights that will haunt Grip & Bristol for years to come. GRIP is the full-length conclusion of their story.

Supernova (Alphas Love Curves #1)


Sara Hazel - 2019
    She's lived a rough life and I could take care of her -- but she won't let me.  I need to help her see that my arms are where she belongs.  There's no woman who can compete with Nova for my heart.  I will win her over and make her my wife.   ---- Supernova is an explosive and steamy sweet older Alpha man younger BBW friends to lovers short romance that you're not going to want to miss.  There's plenty of heat to keep you up all night! This is a standalone story in Sara Hazel's new ALPHAS LOVE CURVES series. Sara Hazel writes stories of curvy women who learn they can have it all -- adventure, career, and love.  There is always a hot Alpha Man who sees the brilliance in the heroine's smile and wants to make her his wife.  He can even be a little obsessive about it!  Every story has a HAPPY EVER AFTER (HEA) and there's absolutely NO CHEATING!

Show Me (Irresistible Husband)


Sharon C. Cooper - 2020
    Accomplishing one out of two isn’t bad. Unfortunately, there’s no ‘love of his life’ on the horizon, unless he counts the one woman who’s been starring in his nightly dreams—Malaya Radcliff. After being dependent on other people for years, Malaya has finally learned to stand on her own. There’s only one thing she hasn’t been able to accomplish—gain full custody of her daughter. Her ex-husband never fights fair. His wealth always wins. This time Malaya’s determined to come out on top. So when Cole, the man she’s been secretly in lust with for over a year, makes her an offer she’d be crazy to refuse, Malaya wants to say yes. But that means sacrificing her newfound independence. Yet, his enticing proposal has her thinking—why not?

Dating the Chef


Ember Davis - 2022
    It seems like a horrible way to meet someone. How can you make a connection in five minutes?When I do one more check to make sure everything is ready for the break in the middle of the event, all my protests fly out of the window. I don’t need five minutes to make a connection, all I need is one glimpse of her.Watching her talk with other men has me on edge. It’s only a matter of time before I can make my approach. Then I’ll make her mine. She’s going to learn there are some perks to dating a chef and I’ll be doing a lot more than dating Paisley.PAISLEYTo say I was resistant to the idea of MatchMakers Inc. speed dating event would be an understatement. My best friends talked me into it. I couldn’t argue with shaking up my love life and I did make a New Year’s resolution. Everything else is going so well, but when it comes to love it’s been one mistake after another.Spending my Valentine’s Day at the event instead of on my couch eating ice cream and watching romance movies doesn’t sound like a good time to me, but I promised I’d give it a try. I’m skeptical about the whole thing and I don’t feel a spark with any of the participants, but I’m determined to see the night through.I’m not expecting a man to set his sights on me. He’s not even part of the event, but I can’t deny there’s something about him. With the way he looks at me and the way he makes me feel? Dating is not where this relationship ends, not even close.*18+ If you like alpha heroes and an insta-love story that is sweet and spicy but isn’t necessarily simple, then this is for you. No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. It is a standalone but is related to my Denver Family series (Banks Ink., Suburban Outcasts and Higgins Security). Meet Silas in Healing Her Home (Banks Ink. Book 5) and Faking Her Home (Banks Ink. Book 6). Meet Paisley in Built Dad Bod Tough (Dad Bod Series – Men Built for Comfort).*This Valentine's Day, our heroes and heroines are skipping the dating apps and attending one of MatchMakers Inc. famous Speed Dating events. Is five minutes enough time to feel a spark of chemistry? Can love truly be in the air?Go on a speed date with us and find out!This February, thirteen of your favorite romance authors celebrate steamy instalove in this Valentine’s Day series!

Smooches


Susan Renee - 2021
    You know, the kind that are made with pictures ripped from magazines with special notes about your life goals or biggest wishes. (Mine of course, is covered in glitter!) As a single mom, it’s hard to put my dreams and goals first, but I made my list. 1. Finally finish my degree 2. Learn how to cook new recipes. 3. Travel outside of Washington state. 4. Buy myself something that makes me feel desirable. 5. Find real, honest-to-goodness-rip-your-heart-out-and-hand-it-to-someone-love. The realist in me knows that last one is a bit far-fetched, but when an old college friend shows up in my driveway offering me something I can’t refuse, my mind starts wondering if maybe that last goal could be attainable after all.He’s kind, compassionate, strong, helpful, and attractive. All positive attributes of a great man. There’s just one problem. He’s my Ex’s best friend.