Book picks similar to
Love Don't Have to Hurt by Lucinda John


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lucinda-john
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Fallin' For A Boss's Love


Misha - 2018
    Unlike most her age, all she does is go to school and work, to help her mother pay bills, and take care of her younger sister, Khadijah. On her 23rd birthday, her friend Priya persuades her to go to the club for the first time. Yani encounters a man who seems like all the others, but she’ll find out that may not be the case. Handsome, aspiring rapper, Ramello, is a no-nonsense kind of man. He takes his love of music serious, and refuses to let a woman stand in the way of his career. Meeting Yani, he finds a woman that is not all about being with him for what he can do for her. They hit it off, but his past starts to interfere with what they can be. After shutting Ramello down at the club, he runs into her while she’s at work and shoots his shot again. This time Yani notices that he’s a sight for sore eyes, and finally agrees to go out with him. Mello has this cool, calm, and collected demeanor that wins her heart over, but women from his single life start to stand in the way. They’re popping up at shows and wanting to fight inside of clubs. Yani is a hard woman to crack, but will Ramello be able to open her heart? Will he be able to show her that all men aren’t the same, or will he end up proving her theory correct?

Kaine and Karma 3: Luvin' A Savage


Sha Jones - 2017
    With her dangerous outbursts and inability to let go of Kaine, she puts a new spin on the phrase "baby mama from hell!" Once she finds out that Karma is now expecting a child with Kaine, she turns up the heat on the beef that she has with Karma and wreaks havoc! Her level of rage is at an all time high, and she's now digging her cat claws deeper into Karma's flesh. In the midst of the drama, Kaine desperately tries to hold on to the undying love that he has for Karma while trying to keep Tameka under control, which seems almost impossible. After many intricate blocks and obstacles in Kaine and Karma's relationship, things start to get better, but their happiness comes to a screeching halt when the events cause abrupt changes in their lives. Secrets and lies pour out, and when an unexpected event bumrushes Karma like a speeding freight train, it hits Kaine where it hurts, sending him into a frenzy. The new beginning that Kaine and Karma planned together becomes a life and death situation, and with the odds stacked against him, Kaine has to make an unfortunate decision that will finally end all of the drama. In this last installment to Kaine and Karma's love story, there will be more scandal and infamy that will leave you gasping for air!

Adored By A New York Drug Lord


Tya Marie - 2018
    An endless bankroll, access to the latest designer clothes, and the envy of every chick on the block are all part of her fantasies when she meets Ward, an up and coming dope boy. When Ward stakes a claim to the beautiful Normani, she accepts without hesitation, a decision she makes without considering the consequences that comes with dating a dope boy. The lifestyle Ward provides is as lavish as Normani expects, but she soon pays the price for being a thug’s solace when she’s the victim of a botched murder-suicide. Unable to return home, Normani is sent to live with her estranged aunt in Brooklyn. It is there that Normani lays eyes on a shiny red Lamborghini with no idea that its owner was going to change her life for better and worse. Uriah “Urban” Mackenzie has always been held in a high esteem throughout the streets, and not because of his charismatic charm, deep chocolate eyes, and politician’s smile. Urban is the head of “The Trust,” a prestigious crime organization known for running guns, human trafficking, and funneling millions of dollars in cocaine throughout the East Coast. Urban leads The Trust with an iron fist, refusing to allow anyone to one up him lest they deal with his wrath. He has New York City in the palm of his hand, with everyone bending to his will, except a bold and brazen Normani. Love has never been on Urban’s radar—even with a longtime girlfriend on his arm—but Normani’s beautiful eyes and damaged smile pulls him in. Soon Urban finds that he's willing to risk the life and legacy he’s built to see if the grass is truly greener on the other side.

Running from Love


Natisha Raynor - 2015
    Being a part of a dysfunctional family has left him with deep emotional scars and when it comes to women he loves them and leaves them...until he meets Serenity. Serenity is nursing a broken heart when she meets Intellect and her gut tells her not to get involved but her heart tells her otherwise. From the beginning they have a love hate relationship and have mastered the art of making up to break up. Will Intellect finally let down his guard and be the man that Serenity deserves or will she give up on him and move on with her life?

What She Won't Do I Will


Briana Crosby - 2016
    Coming from a family who has always been wealthy, she's never had to go without. Her parents wanting the best for her sheltered her from the gritty and grimy streets. She didn't know what living on the other side felt like until she met him... Dre aka Gunna. Dre, the bad boy that every woman lusts after, spots Serenity and has to have her. The attraction brewing between the two creates a chemistry so strong that they can't hide their feelings any longer. Sparks ignite between them leaving Ashley, Serenity's best friend, in shambles. Ashley, on the other hand, has a big secret that she doesn't want anyone to know... or does she? In this urban tale of Grit and Grime you'll find out that everyone has a little secret of their own... but which secret will cause the most turmoil in the end?

You Got Me Feeling


Kelly Marie - 2020
    The two know what they feel for each other, and not even their parents can stop what they believe is inevitable. Until a tragic accident happens and rips them apart. 4 years later, and Dove is a changed woman, happy with her new life and new man, Jasper. But when she comes face to face with a past she thought was gone, she finds that she starts feeling things she can’t explain. She has a decision to make. Does she run with it or run away from it? But in the end, will she get a choice? And is Ariyon as free as he thinks he is? Kemonie thought she had everything figured out when it came to her life and relationship with Ivan. Until he asks her to do something that shows her that he never loved her. She walks away, but there is a cost and 4 years later, her life is no longer the same. Still, she rolls up her sleeves and gets on with life, despite her horrid past. Her defence is to feel nothing for nobody outside of her family. It works for years until she crosses path with the handsome and dominating, Deasha. The two start off as friends but in the midst, Kemonie finds feelings surfacing that hasn’t happened in years, and so she runs from Deasha. But he’s not willing to let her go. She gives in to her feelings and is hit with a love she never thought was possible. But Ivan comes back dangling her past and in doing so, he undoes all the hard work Deasha put in to get Kemonie to trust him. And the result is devastating! And finally, we meet Ro’Myah. The beautiful but troubled twenty-one-year old. Even though she’s young, she feels like the mother because of the troubles her mother brings to their doorstep. She prays for a way out of the hood and a way for her mother to stop. And then there is a knock at the door that changes Ro’s life forever. She’s thrown in the midst of a couple - Exodus and Constance. What should have been an easy job and easy money, turns into everything but that. Feelings that she knows she shouldn’t have, come full force and she finds herself in the arms of Exodus. Who after a relationship breakdown, finds that he needs Ro just as much as she needs him. And just as the two come to terms with how they feel for each other, Exodus finds himself stuck between two women. But who does he chose? This book is about love and what happens when you meet someone who has you feeling things you can’t explain. Do you run or stay?

What's it Like to Be In Love


Trese - 2016
    Meet Hendrix a street God that is ready to settle down. He finds love in Chandler, his sister’s best friend who is just as clueless at how the four letter word works. Can these two finally lay the bad taste that love has left in their mouth to rest or will they end their relationship feeling the same way that they walked into it? Take this journey with Hendrix, Chandler and their loved ones as they try finding the answer to the most asked question What’s it Like to be in Love?

Diamond's Affair 3


Danielle Marcus - 2014
    So what happens when a man has reached his limit? Garren James has reached his wits end with all the drama in his life, and it's causing him to struggle with his decision making process to stay or go. Garren loves Diamond with every fiber in his body, but when she doesn't show that same devotion, he begins to question if she even deserves him. This in turn, leads him right into the arms of the beautiful Mo. Mo intrigues G and has him battling with thoughts of moving on. G's love for Diamond may not be strong enough to resist temptation. Their union may be at risk of crumbling under pressure and with Mo in the picture that won’t be hard to do. Find out how their story unfolds in this explosive finale that is sure to have you on the edge of your seat.

I Can Only Love A Thug 3


Antoinette Sherell - 2019
    With a house full of innocent bystanders, and a daughter who she's more than willing to risk her life for, she has no choice but to deal with the man who changed her life and plagued her thoughts for years. Kiru is placed in a sticky situation when his kind heart lands him with Amanda possibility dead in his home. Unbeknownst to him, she is the least of his worries, and he still has someone around who's plotting to take him down. Indonesia's world is rocked when he learns the truth about his son. Luckily, he has Shreya to get him through the treacherous truth. However, when he finds out Shreya has a secret of her own, he's left wondering if love is worth the hurt that comes with it. Follow these couples as they work diligently toward the happily ever after that they're determined to have. With so many obstacles in their way, the road will be rough, but these men are more than willing to show their ladies why they can only love a thug such as themselves.

Wise 3: Giving My Love to the Plug (The Wise Series)


Mercy B. - 2017
    With a young daughter, Lanee, depending on him for her very own well-being, he has no other choice but to place his mishaps on the burner to come to her aid. In a very delicate manner, Lanee becomes Liam's number one source of therapy, and together they heal one another’s scars. Yet, Liam can’t quite grasp his reality, and carelessly stray away from his obligations and morals set for himself as a man. Elise basks in her victory, happy to finally have Wise out of the picture. She strategically places her daughter in the midst of her twisted obsession with Liam Regal and awaits the day that he falls helplessly in love with her, again, forgetting her past transgressions. Liam’s life is in complete disarray, as a result of pleading with the Lord for his mercy and grace. Before long, he finds himself cradled in familiar arms, wishing the pain away. With time, he realizes his mistakes and attempts to lean on faith. Join Liam as he scrambles to find his footing, hoping that he isn’t too late.

A Hood Boy's Love is Forever


Taniece - 2019
    Her mother Net leaves her on her grandmother’s doorstep and never looks back. As she gets older, Bambi gets to the point where she pushes everyone away to keep them from leaving her, except her boyfriend Doc and best friend Hershey; that is until Doc breaks her heart and she severs ties. She finds herself in a situation with the sexy, hood boy, Ari XL. The more Bambi finds herself pushing him away, the more she craves him and eventually gives in. Ari XL is the oldest out of three brothers. After his parents died, he took on the duty of making sure that his brothers, Nick and MoneyBagg were straight by any means necessary. He gets distracted by the beautiful slick mouth Bambi and immediately feels a connection to her, but she turns out to be more trouble than he bargained for. Hershey and her boyfriend Surge nears their one year anniversary with thoughts of his infidelities on her mind. Finally getting proof that he’s been cheating on her, she ends their relationship and finds herself in the arms of the handsome, gentle, and kind Nick. She finds out that Nick isn’t who he says he is and it leaves her at a crossroads. Bambi and Hershey both are broken and in need of that unconditional love. Will XL and Nick be able to give them just that? Or will their hearts end up shattered even more?

Crowned 2: The Return of a Savage


Deshon Dreamz - 2017
    At a very young age, she acknowledged the natural boss that thrived inside of her. However, love… well, the illusion of love created someone different. With the discovery of her husbands’ infidelity, coupled with the ultimate betrayal of the loyalty that she has shown him, Ashura snaps, and now she trusts no one. Not even the man that she finds herself being pulled to in the midst of it all. Nacobi feels blindsided by everything happening around her. Not only does she encounter a man who she has deep feelings for in a very compromising position with her best friend, but she also has no idea who to trust nor who to believe. The man she spent the last few months of her life getting to know, trusting, and caring about or the only person that she has ever loved in her entire life, Ashura Trenton? Code Zero has somehow entered the lives of these best friends and flipped them upside down in a small amount of time. From the mystery of them, to the protectiveness, to the keen sense of knowing what to do and say in each moment to make them fall in love; they have them right where they want them… at the barrel of their guns. In this finale, the old Ashura is gone and has been replaced with a no-nonsense beast who won’t allow just anyone into her space. Her guard is up, her veins are out as the pain of the present drives her to the savage of the past. At her side, Nacobi is along for the ride, and down for whatever. They're willing to fight whoever for whatever, in order to keep their lives and all the things they’ve worked for in order. Lies, deceit, hidden agendas, baby mommas, alpha males and trained killers make Crowned 2 a finale that you do not want to miss.

Cookie and Meeko 2: A B-Town Luv Story


La'Tonya West - 2015
    She’s been scheming nonstop in hopes of getting that old thing back but nothing seems to be working in her favor. Shy isn’t the only one who’s not happy about Meeko and Cookie’s relationship. Kelsey, Meeko’s jump-off, is now pregnant with his baby and willing to do whatever it takes to get him to see that with her and their baby is where he needs to be. The only problem is…Meeko is already where he wants to be, which is with Cookie. After ripping and running the streets for years and doing all types of dirt, Meeko is finally ready to put that lifestyle behind him and build something permanent with Cookie– but between his baby mama’s and family drama on both ends, it’s looking like a real bumpy road ahead. As the level of drama continues to rise and their love is continuously tested, the question still remains… can love really conquer all?

She Got A Thing For A Dope Boy 2


Tay Mo'Nae - 2018
    Josie should have listened. At the end of part one, she finally finds out J-Rocs secret. Feeling heartbroken and betrayed Josie decides it’s best to leave him alone and move on, but will it be that easy? J-Roc refuses to let her leave him and must try to get a handle on things before he loses Josie for good. Kyleigh’s left knocking on death's door after a horrible accident. Ice is stressed trying to be there for Kyleigh and trying to find the person who harmed her. He tries to change his ways but when situations out his control cause him to revert back to his dog ways, he has to decide if it’s worth it. Levi and Neveah can’t seem to get it right. Levi is battling the cops off him as well as his feelings for Neveah. With her family against her, Neveah has no one but Kyleigh to turn too. Levi’s hot and cold behavior pushes her into the arms of another man but will Levi allow her to be happy with someone other than him? The Feds are closing in, relationships are failing, and death is in the air. How will these couples survive the obstacles thrown their way?

She Gave Her Heart to The Realest


Yanni - 2017
    So when you find it you should keep it. Sometimes your knight in shining armor is wearing Timbs and some sweats. After finally graduating from high school and being accepted to the college of her dreams, Céline "Lala" Nixon, wasn't looking for love as much as she was looking for someone that she could trust. All she wanted besides success, was someone to be in her corner the way she'd always been for everyone else. That was until she met Kenzo. Constantly being showered with gifts, Lala thought Kenzo had changed her life for the better, but everything came with a price. Was Lala really prepared for the changes Kenzo brought to her life? Kenzo Chun was a well-known, well-respected businessman that wanted to have his cake and eat it too. His love for women began to cause turmoil in his life as he found himself in love with two women. Will his lies finally catch up with him and leave him alone? Nirvana was the true definition of a "ride or die" chick. Knowing that her fiancé was cheating on her, she still held him down. Her love for him and the lifestyle that he provided her motivated her to stick with him through it all. She was determined to one day be his wife and bare his children. To her, those other women didn't mean a thing since she was the one rocking the ring. But how much is too much for her to take when she learns that someone else has captivated her man's heart? Follow Lala in this twisted love story as she finally gives her heart to one of the "Realest" people she's ever met, or so she thought. Will she get that fairytale ending or will she be left broken hearted? Find out in this first installment of She Gave Her Heart To The Realest...