Book picks similar to
The Side Effects of You by Anna Black


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african-american
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The Education of Nia Simone Bijou


Eric Jerome Dickey - 2013
    From her first days at Virginia’s Hampton University, impressionable, creative Nia falls smitten with Chris Eidos Alleyne, an athlete and a scholar. “Love is sweet nothings and beautiful promises,” Nia writes in her journal. What her girlfriends know, and her mother doesn’t, is that Chris’s expression of love is deeply physical. Wielding powerful charisma, Chris soon has Nia abandoning innocence for experience. Believing that Chris will reward her sacrifices with lifelong commitment, Nia thrills to her newfound pleasures. She knows in her heart that each act of intimacy draws them ever closer. But when the Big Man on Campus learns to take what is freely given, without regard to love, Nia finds herself newly enrolled in Heartbreak 101. The Education of Nia Simone Bijou is a rousing tale of youthful passion, once kindled, never extinguished.

Little Black Girl Lost


Keith Lee Johnson - 2005
    Stunningly beautiful, with long naturally wavy black hair, she possessed the voluptuous body of a thirty-year-old woman. Her skin was the color of brown sugar. Johnnie had heard about Earl Shamus and his escapades among the poor black women in New Orleans. But what she didn’t know was that Shamus had quietly made several of the girls in their neighborhood his reluctant concubines when their youthful bodies ripened—she was next.Enter 1950’s New Orleans, a world of betrayal, envy, lust and murder, where everyone has ulterior motives. Take a peek at Johnnie Wise, a 15-year-old girl, being pursued by ruthless crime boss, Napoleon Bentley, who will stop at nothing to have this young beauty. Little Girl Lost will shock you right up to the very end with its revealing truths.

Diary Of A Broken Doll


Tatum James - 2018
    Life may not start out all peaches and cream for Courtney...but with a little savvy and a lot of determination she might just turn it all around. Join her on a journey from innocence to independence. Determined not to be consumed by life's struggles, Courtney learns to take advantage of the obstacles she faces. Will she self-destruct or burn bright?

My Bestfriend's Man


P. Dotson - 2015
    She’s a beautiful independent woman with a great career and a good man by her side. Brian, the new man in her life, is every woman’s dream. He’s fine, established, and paid. There is just one problem . . . Savannah isn’t over her ex. She still struggles with the wounds left by her first love, Brandon. Even though love has knocked her down once she is willing to give it another try if only her heart and her best friend Roxie will let her. Roxie holds no bars back when it comes to Savannah. Her love goes deeper than friendship, but the feelings aren’t reciprocated. Roxie isn’t thrilled about her best friend’s new man. She’s played this game before and she’s playing for keeps. While Savannah is convinced that Brian is a good guy, Roxie isn’t buying into Brian’s good boy persona. The more Roxie presses the issue the more she pushes Savannah away. Will Roxie’s over protective nature push Savannah away for good? Or, will Savannah find out some unsavory things about her new man? Find out as friendships are tested, and sanity is questioned. How will Roxie handle her best friend’s man?

After Hours


Rochelle Alers - 2008
    She flees Brooklyn to start over in an upscale suburb, living among the pampered and polished women she's always envied. But beyond the mansions and manicured lawns lies a world she never would have thought possible....Sybil's exclusive catering business disguises her lucrative sideline venture: she's Delectable, a dominatrix who entertains at bachelor parties. Karla lives on a multimillion-dollar estate, and she and her husband enjoy an open marriage...but her need for male attention is starting to get dangerously out of control.And as Adina is drawn into the sizzling reality beyond her friends' perfect facades, she's also dealing with a new man, who's blissfully unaware of her not-so-innocent past. Now, each woman is about to discover that every passion has a price...and that some secrets are simply impossible to keep hidden.www.RochelleAlers.org

My Married Boyfriend (Love & Revenge Book 2)


Cydney Rax - 2016
    An unexpected temptation. And stakes so high no one will walk away unscathed…   Gorgeous Nicole is about to get everything she's hustled for. She's having her rich, married lover Rashad's baby. And a lucky break has made her a media heroine—and the perfect new wife material. With one more deception here, a couple more little seductions there, she'll finally push Rashad's wife, Kiara, completely out of his life. With her formidable competition gone, Nicole will lock down Rashad's ever-wandering interest, and be the next Mrs. Eason for sure… But there are some temptations even this sexy schemer finds tough to pass up. Especially her first love, ex-con Ajalon, who's just walked back into her life. His intense hunger, chiseled body, and mind-blowing endurance are throwing Nicole off her game and reigniting emotions way too hot to control—or resist. But he’s also handed Kiara, and another interested ex, the perfect ammo to expose Nicole and blow her world apart once and for all. Now the only guarantee for all involved is shattering scandal—and mutually assured destruction…Praise for the novels of Cydney Rax   “The book we can’t put down.”--Essence® on My Husband’s Girlfriend   “Fascinating, witty, and thought-provoking.” –Zane on My Daughter’s Boyfriend   “Filled with family drama.”--APOOO Book Club on My Sister’s Ex

A Good Girl and a Hood Millionaire


Khadijah J. - 2020
    Being the good girl that she was, she had never smoked, drank, or done any drugs a day in her life. She had never even had a boyfriend, nor a first kiss. Pilar never found anyone worthy until one eventful night where she ran into one of the most sought-after men in her town. Legacy Powers came from an unstable household and had to practically raise himself and the adults around him. Known for his striking looks and charming demeanor, he kept three women in rotation and ran from commitment. That was until he ran into a rare beauty that set a fire in his once cold heart. Despite these two being total opposites, they find themselves incredibly drawn to each other like a magnet. After the first mishap on the first night they met, time quickly passes as they try to forget each other. However, what’s meant to be will be, despite what the journey throws at them. Could Pilar handle Legacy’s lifestyle and was Legacy ready to let his past life go? Will these two figure it out together or end up going their separate ways after the chaos ceases?

In Too Deep


Dwayne S. Joseph - 2007
    'In Too Deep' is a gripping novel about three brothers who choose very different life paths.

Message from a Mistress


Niobia Bryant - 2010
    Bryant will have readers on the edge of their seats with this sexy and provocative novel about a group of women who have one thing in common--their husbands' betrayal.

Exposed:: When Good Wives Go Bad


Anna J. - 2013
    When the other 20 percent is too tempting to turn down, do you decide to go with your family life, or do you take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity? Simone, Te'Nae and Shay are picture perfect wives and career women. All three juggle prestigious jobs, motherhood and wifely duties with ease, but they share a dark secret that, if exposed, could ruin everything they've worked hard to maintain. They only get one chance to decide if their marriages are worth more than the risks they take.

Married but Still Looking


Travis Hunter - 2002
    He’s a good-looking, smooth-talking former pro-basketball player, but he has a problem: He has never been satisfied with just one woman. Then he meets Terri and everything changes. Sort of.Genesis knows that Terri is perfect for him, and they become engaged. But Genesis just can’t seem to stop cheating on Terri nearly every chance he gets. Genesis’s best friend, Prodigy, constantly warns him that he’s going to mess up the best thing ever to happen to him, but Genesis is not ready to listen.After dealing with a family crisis, Genesis realizes the importance of his relationship with Terri, and he begins to change his cheating ways. He knows that once he says, “I do,” everything will fall into place. But it may be too late, because one of his past indiscretions comes back to haunt him, and Terri has a few surprises of her own for Genesis.

The Perfect Mistress


ReShonda Tate Billingsley - 2016
    She had a front-row seat when she tagged along with her father on all of his extramarital trysts. She loved “keeping Daddy’s special secrets,” but many family members, especially her mother, consider her an accomplice in breaking up their family. Years later, Lauren’s mother, Joyce, whose health is failing, cannot let go of the bitterness caused by her husband’s philandering. She continues to blame Lauren, as does Lauren’s brother. Joyce can’t see past her anger and betrayal and has withheld her maternal affection from Lauren for most of her life. But this emotional distance has only made matters worse for Lauren’s love life—she only dates married men. That is until Dr. Matthew King enters the scene. Now poised to become a college president, Matthew is a former beau before she switched to married men, but he ultimately left Lauren brokenhearted. He tries to show Lauren that he’s a changed man since their college days. The two truly connect and their relationship quickly escalates. When Matthew proposes marriage, Lauren happily accepts, but as their very public engagement makes the news, someone is intent on sabotaging their relationship. Someone who watched her own marriage destroyed by Lauren and won’t be happy until she gives Lauren a taste of her own medicine. Can Lauren stop the cycle of destruction in time to salvage the only love she’s ever known?

Moth to a Flame


Ashley Antoinette - 2010
    With reign over the city's drug trade, Benjamin Atkins made sure that his precious daughter, Raven, was secluded from the grit that the city had to offer. But when Raven's young heart gets claimed by Mizan, a stick-up kid in search of a come-up, there's nothing Benjamin can do about losing her to the streets. She chooses love over loyalty and runs off with Mizan, but her new role as wifey soon proves to be more than she can handle.Puppy love always feels right, but things turn stale, and she soon finds that everyone she loves has disappeared. All she has is Mizan, but when hugs and kisses turn to bloody lips and black eyes, she realizes that Mizan is not who she thought he was.Raven becomes desperate for a way out, but this time, Daddy can't save her. Every time she finds the courage to leave, fear convinces her to stay. Like a moth to a flame, Raven is drawn to Mizan, even though she knows he'll be the death of her.When the hood life she chose becomes unbearable and the only way out is in a coffin, what will she do?

I Almost Forgot About You


Terry McMillan - 2016
    Georgia Young's wonderful life--great friends, family, and successful career--aren't enough to keep her from feeling stuck and restless. When she decides to make some major changes in her life, including quitting her job as an optometrist and moving house, she finds herself on a wild journey that may or may not include a second chance at love. Georgia’s bravery reminds us that it’s never too late to become the person you want to be, and that taking chances, with your life and your heart, are always worthwhile. Big-hearted, genuine, and universal, shows what can happen when you face your fears, take a chance, and open yourself up to life, love, and the possibility of a new direction.

Casting the First Stone


Kimberla Lawson Roby - 2000
    And yet, none of it can hide the growing turbulence in her marriage, which suddenly has Tanya doubting what she once cherished.Then Curtis goes too far, and Tanya's confronted with the worst betrayal a woman can face. Plunged into a bittersweet journey of discovery, she suddenly finds herself learning painful new lessons about love, loyalty, and sensual temptation. . ..and discovering the wisdom to celebrate the victories that are hers alone.Casting The First Stone listens in on the heart of a woman torn between loving who her husband was and hating who he has become. Roby weaves a fast-paced story about faith's challenges in a world made up of material desires and other physical temptations. Taken right from the headlines, Roby's cautionary tale looks at the other side of church politics and the emotional toll it takes.