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


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Her Husband, My Savage 2


Charmanie Saquea - 2019
    Only thing is, Carmilla is not going to just let go of the man she has dedicated the past five years of her life to that easily.

 After being stabbed in the heart by the man she loved, A’Layla has plans on enjoying the single life with no interruptions. Too bad Santos refuses to accept the fact that she’s done with him for good. If that wasn’t enough, she still has the undeniably sexy chocolate god known as Jacier in her corner, slowly breaking down her walls. With both headstrong men willing to do whatever it takes to be the man in her life, A’Layla is thrown into a whirlwind of drama that she never saw coming.

Hakeem & Serenity: Convenient Love of a Boss


Tnesha Sims - 2018
    Hakeem knows the struggles she has faced in life and wants her and his daughter, Naomi, under one roof. Although they are not a couple, they feel it is best for them to stay together for their daughter’s sake. One night, Hakeem asks if she still loves him. When she answers yes, they end up in bed together. Serenity is sold on the possibility of them being a family until one day, the female on the other side of Hakeem’s room door comes walking out. She starts viewing him in a completely different way and fells it is time to move on. She can’t let jealousy get in the way or deny that she still has feelings for him. She thinks that maybe they can possibly work things out, but someone has already claimed Hakeem as their man and makes it known that they’ll kill anything and anyone who gets in the way of her being with Keem. Can Serenity prove that she’s the only woman for him, without dealing with all of the drama, or will she end up dealing with more than she bargains for? Hakeem does what he has to do to provide for his family at a young age, when he finally makes it. After seeing Serenity all over another guy, Hakeem is blinded by his rage although he knows she isn't his. But when the empire he built in the streets comes under attack, baby mama drama is the least of his worries. Someone is threatening Hakeem's territory and will stop at nothing to take over everything he's worked so hard for. Can Hakeem fight for Serenity's love in the midst of dealing with the madness of the streets, or will his entire life get turned upside down?

The Right Kinda Hood


K.C. Mills - 2019
    His past life experiences have made him the man he is today. It was never glamorous but it was necessary. Forced to be the man of the house at a young age, East has always handled business and family before anything. Settling down with one woman, has never fit into the hierarchy of his needs. Joi loves hard and at times too much. Her loyalty has kept her in a relationship with a man who does not value her as he should, but with no evidence of any wrong doing, Joi cannot bring herself to leave. Having something at the end of the day is better than nothing and Joi only has gut feelings. Joi’s best friend, Nyelle is all about her son. After news of her long time boyfriend’s infidelities comes out in the worst way, she is no longer concerned with a relationship. Taking care of home and making sure her son is happy is her only focus. In Vega’s mind it will always be loyalty over anything. That mind frame caused him to lose three years of his life. Now that he is home, Vega’s way of thinking has changed. No longer concerned with the fast life, Vega is ready to try something different. Each of these four have their own insecurities and doubts that they have to work through in order to see what’s in front of them. Each guarded for their own reasons, they must decide if the potential benefits of a new relationship outweigh the risks. Will they decide to take that leap or will the past stand in the way of what could a beautiful future?

Us Against Everybody: A Detroit Love Tale


Miss Candice - 2015
    Without notice, it creeps up on you and takes over every rational decision you make. Without thought, you’re willing to do whatever necessary to be with the one who’s stolen your heart. Even if that means risking your life, and being cut off from family in the process. And for Vice, that was a loss Storm was willing to take. After giving up on finding true love, the handsome and captivating, Vice crosses the threshold of Storm’s heart. As destiny would have it, the couple contributes glee and cherishing moments to each other lives –putting an end to the doubts surrounding their union. Nonetheless, naysayers and skeptics couldn’t be more furious of the doting couple. While the two are building one another up, their enemies are plotting to tear them down. Death, disloyalty, and animosity fuels the schemes against Storm and Vice, but the two aren’t going down without a fight.

Straddling His Soul (The Memphis Hoodlum Standalone Series Book 1)


B. Love - 2019
    He’s on his second strike, meaning the next crime he commits could send him back to jail for the rest of his life. Haji is straight forward, in need of control, and incapable of tolerating disrespect. He’s a bomb, liable to explode at any given moment— until Mei comes to tame the beast. Mei Moon loves her career as a probation officer, until her high school sweetheart walks into her office. Twelve years have passed since she’s seen him, and the last thing Mei wants is to be around him in any capacity. Because Haji has been labeled a menace to society, Mei knows he won’t be treated fairly by the system, and her old love for him is the only reason she agrees to help him out. History and chemistry make it hard for these two to maintain a professional relationship but they try their absolute hardest. Finally surrendering, they become prisoners to their passion, risking their freedom and Mei’s career. In order for their relationship to work, they have to work together to keep Haji out of trouble, but enemies, old friends, and even family seek to prove... once the streets have you... they never really let you go. Please note: This is book one in a standalone series. It does not end in a cliffhanger, and the next book will feature a new couple with updates on this one.

I Fell In Love With A Real Street Thug 3: The Finale


Pebbles Starr - 2016
    It sort of just happened, but the two cannot deny they were meant to be. Unfortunately, the enemies that they share think otherwise and will do just about anything to separate their union. Will this unlikely couple make it out unscathed despite all the odds stacked against them? Or will they crash and burn before their relationship fully takes off? Kylie thought she was safe in the arms of her new man, until she found out that he was just like all the rest. A criminal and a liar. If things aren't complicated enough in her life, they really begin to get interesting after Tino's best friend takes an interest in her.

Falling For A Savage : Soraya & Jadyn's Story


Koya - 2016
    Wanting to escape the life she felt was a lie, she moves to Atlanta ready to start her new beginning. Everything is better and she starts to feel like a new person until she meets him. Jadyn Harris is the nigga to know and to be seen with. Growing up in Alabama and dealing with life has turned him into a savage. After getting the offer of a lifetime, he quickly packs up and heads to Atlanta, ready to cash out. With money on his agenda, running into Soraya was something he never counted on. When they begin to fall into a web of feelings, things become hazy. With life hitting them at every turn, Soraya starts to realize that the life she's put herself in was one she wasn't prepared for. Trying to see the good in Jadyn, she begins to question if Falling for a Savage was worth all that comes with it?

Giving My Heart To The King Of Atlanta


Mo Howard - 2018
    They have a million followers who check out their channel for pranks and couple travel videos. Chloe thinks life is perfect until she finds out that her prince charming is cheating. Humiliated and disrespected, Chloe gives up her YouTube channel and is back at square one, living on her best friend Layla’s sofa. Without Eric she feels like she can’t go on; that is until she runs into a handsome stranger, Cole Lewis, that reignites her need to create. What she doesn’t know is that her new boo is one of the most feared men in Atlanta. He runs the city with an iron fist and likes to be low-key, which doesn’t fit into Chloe’s public lifestyle. Somehow they learn to manage their relationship, but not without a few hiccups (like Eric trying to coming back in the picture and online haters who don’t want Chloe to be happy). 
 Layla has always been there for her best friend and that doesn’t stop when Chloe is at her lowest. Layla encourages Chloe to move on and forget about Eric. She wants her friend to be happy and she knows that Cole would be perfect for her. While trying to play match maker she goes through changes of her own with her high-school-sweet-heart-turned-fiancé, Ken. He is not the man that she thought he was. While dealing with a broken heart, she meets a man that takes her breath away, causing her to face a difficult question. Will she leave the love she’s known for years and try something new, or continue to hold her man down even though he hurt her? 
 Giving My Heart to the King of Atlanta is filled with love and drama. Chloe and Layla must go through their fair share of trials to get their happy endings.

The Thug I Chose 3


Tina J. - 2019
    Polo is trying to bring everyone down in order to get back to Heaven. Asia revealed a secret that was unknown to everyone; yet causes turmoil once again between Day and Heaven. Mariah comes face to face with Mitch's past, but not without dangerous consequences. Angela has to deal with someone reentering her life and trying to take what is now hers. Heaven figures out a way to take Polo down; to rid him out of their life forever, but will Dayquan go along with the plan and allow her to put herself in harms way. Will any of them succeed in getting what they really want?

Forever Mine: A Never Ending Love


Tynessa - 2018
    Despite the ache that once lived in her heart due to her and Tedric’s bad breakup, Makayla was able to find the strength and courage to move on, thanks to Jeff who’d helped her to love again. Jeff knew that linking himself to a king of the drug world like Tedric would change he and Makayla’s lives forever; he just had no clue how big of a change Tedric would bring after being reunited with Makayla. No matter how much she tells herself that Jeff is her everything and Tedric needs to remain in the past, Tedric makes it loud and clear that he doesn’t feel the same way. Will Makayla give in to temptation and allow Tedric to awaken a love she chose not to tell Jeff about, or will her love and loyalty for Jeff cause her to remain faithful and let the past remain just that, the past? All Tamar wanted was one night of hot, passionate sex with the notorious, Fabian Grant, a well-known drug dealer in Miami and also Tedric’s right hand man. Fabian had numerous one-night stands in his lifetime but had never come across a woman who made him want to go back for seconds. Tamar had broken the mold. Yet, because of his affiliation with drugs and her being a school principal, Tamar has no desire to see Fabian again. Little does she know, Fabian is accustomed to getting what he wants and refuses to let her break the mold twice. Quanna and Tuck have what seems like the perfect relationship. However, Tuck can’t ignore the feeling that something is preventing Quanna from giving him her all. Just like her best friend, Makayla, Quanna is having a hard time shaking her past, but the last thing she wants is for it to cost her future. While she thinks it best she handles everything on her own, she finds herself faced with an ultimatum that leaves her wondering where her loyalty truly lies. In Forever Mine, Tynessa takes you on a rollercoaster ride with this circle of friends and the drama that surrounds them. Sometimes love has a way of not letting you fully walk away, and some people just can’t help who they love.

I'll Never Love A Dope Boy Again


Twyla T. - 2017
    When she loses the love of her life to the streets, she vows to never love a dope boy again, but some promises are meant to be broken…. Demetrius is a product of the streets and has spent the last five years in jail because enough was never enough. When he is released from prison, he tries hard to turn his life around, but as the saying goes…old habits die hard. Only settling for jump offs, he is mesmerized when he meets Kamora and instantly makes up his mind that he will do whatever it takes to win her over. Will Kamora be able to keep the promise that she made to herself after she meets the charming and persistent Demetrius? Will Demetrius be able to leave his dope boy ways alone to get Kamroa or will he be forever tied to the streets?

When It's Real It's Forever: A California Love Story


Ke'asia Morris - 2016
    Almost too perfect. Her life takes a drastic turn when she loses the closest person to her, her brother Saeed. With her world turned upside down she has nowhere to turn. That is until…Gionni, never was one to wear his heart on his sleeve, finds it hard to control himself when Nielle is around. As the younger sister of his best friend, he knows that she if forbidden but when a tragedy forces them together will he give into his desire for her? Or will he just let the love burn.Is Gionni the love that Nielle has been missing? Will they form a bond that will be forever? In When It’s Real It's Forever, you will watch the journey of real love as it goes through trials and tribulations

These Hoes Ain't Loyal


Quiana Nicole - 2014
    There are some thing best friends shouldn't share – especially men. Jasmine soon finds out her and Breona are sharing more than just clothes. What happens when Breona breaks the unspoken girl code? Will her feelings allow her to walk away from her best friend’s fiancé or will she do everything in her power to sabotage Jasmine’s happily ever after? Trust and loyalty test the strengths of the friendship between Jasmine and Breona. Will Jasmine learn the number rule: These Hoes Ain't Loyal.

Finessing The Plug 3


Treasure Malian - 2016
    You guys have been so supportive of this series and it means the world to us. We will not sacrifice the quality of the project just for the sake of putting it out. We owe you all much more than that. Please, bare with us and rest assured that you will be receiving a BANGING finished product. We love you all and appreciate the continuous support. ---- Everyone’s favorite couple is back, but they’re not a couple… Journee and Jonas are trying to co-parent while struggling to remain friends. Even while they’re denying their feelings for each other, Jonas is in love with Nia. Nia is focused on trying to expand their family, but how will Journee feel about the situation, knowing that her feelings for Jonas will never truly be over? When she least expects it, someone new stumbles into Journee’s life, forcing her to start seeing things differently. It wasn’t long after crossing paths with him, did she realize that new love just might be what the Doctor ordered. Will Jonas be cool with Journee dating and having another man around his kids? Or will he finally admit the feelings he has been holding and let Nia go? Kameeka is welcoming a baby with Lex. She finds herself struggling to keep her relationship together and being the perfect mother. What happens when Lex is too busy in the streets? Will Kameeka be willing to stand by her man and raise their child alone, or will she finally have enough and leave, for good? Mariya and Poland are making their relationship work with each other, but Poland is keeping a secret from both Mariya and Jonas. With a secret so big, he’s bound to ruin the good thing he has with Mariya and cause guns to start blazing with Lex and Jonas. Will Poland stand by his secret or will he let an old thing go and remain loyal to the ones who’ve been there for him? Stacy is back, plus one and is ready to be a mother to Jaycee. Knowing how Jonas, Nia, and Journee feels, she still is determined to be a mother to her daughter. Will Jonas decide to move on from the past and allow Jaycee to know her biological mother, or is Journee all Jaycee needs to know? In this FINALE, everything isn’t always what it seems, but one thing is for sure, someone is always finessing the plug.

Chief and Freedom 2: Love In The Back of a Bando


Dama Cargle - 2017
    The consequences of their actions made everyone around them vulnerable to the wrath that was heading their way. Chief is riddled with bullets and his queen is missing. However, there wasn’t a man alive who was going to get away with shooting Lucci’s little brother and live to tell about it. He sets out on a warpath, and the entire state of New Jersey is his war zone. Anybody can get it. Things are falling apart with one enemy after the other revealing themselves and coming for the throne Chief sat upon. Freedom was new to Jersey, and since her arrival, the city has chewed her up and spit her out. Nonetheless, when Chief crowned her, she thought all was well with the world. She soon learns that there is a price that comes with being the wifey of the boss of the underworld. Because of Chief, she is now in the hands of the enemy where she endures the unimaginable pain. Things happen to her that she wouldn’t have wished on her worst enemy. Her captor is very familiar to her, and that leaves Freedom asking questions about what is really going on. Find out what happens when friends become enemies, and loyalty is tested. War has been declared, and the whole city is the battlefield.