Books like 'Bending The Rules'
Readers who enjoyed Bending The Rules by Christina C. Jones also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary african-american single-father friends to lovers black-mc m-f small town competent heroine independent heroine sassy heroine
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The Cartel by Ashley Antoinette, JaQuavis Coleman
The port of Miami brings in millions of dollars worth of cocaine every year, and The Cartel controls eighty percent of it. The Diamond family is a force to be reckoned with, but all hell breaks loose when they lose their leader. The most ruthless gangster Miami has ever seen, Carter Diamond leaves behind a wife, twin sons, a daughter, and a secret. The secret is his illegitimate son, Carter Jones... -
Thugs and the Women Who Love Them by Wahida Clark
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 34 ratingsEssence® bestselling author Wahida Clark is all too familiar with the terrifying truths of ghetto life. The first novel in her gritty, gripping series takes you on into a world where a wrong choice could be the last choice a person ever makes. In a 'hood boiling over with sex, brutality, and crime, three friends are at a turning point... -
The Right of Love by Love Belvin
“After the hot sex comes the real world.” “What was that?” “My therapist once said, ‘after the hot sex comes the real world. Or in wayward love, the drama is sprinkled in between passionate lovemaking’.” “That sounds more like one of them novels you like to read.” “No. Ours is too hilly to be a traditional romance story.” And it is...Categorized as:
friends to lovers black-mc m-f african-american angst alpha male contemporary new adult -
The Burial of a Player by Kimberly Brown
Rated: 4.69 of 5 stars · 21 ratingsWalker Jareau prided himself on being a player. Women came a dime a dozen, and he was like a revolving door... until he met the one woman who threatened to swipe his player card—Jorja Sandifer. The beautiful dancer captivated him from the moment he laid eyes on her. It didn’t take long for the friends with benefits to migrate into an unconventional relationship, laced with a bit of toxicity... -
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A Love So Good: The Chamber Brothers by K. Renee
Rated: 4.80 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsLife for the Chamber Brothers can be described many different ways but easy is a word that can never be used. After the death of their mother, brothers Priest and Nas step up to run their father’s drug empire.A true test of loyalty helps Priest Chamber find out his marriage isn’t really built on unconditional love... -
Wait For U by Shvonne Latrice
Things in life are never for certain, but one thing that will always be a constant is the love between star-crossed Couture and Khari.Couture Yates has always followed life's rules by the book, never once rebelling until she met Khari Compton. The handsome but tortured young boy who immediately stole her heart, only to misuse and abuse it time and time again... -
A Beast Captured My Heart: A BBW Love Story by Masterpiece
Rated: 4.75 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsPraise aka Beast needed a special remedy for his brokenness and mental being. After losing who he assumed was the love of his life things for Praise changed. Battling his whole life on and off of different pills to help him cope with a special disorder. He comes across a special woman by the name of Kayori, who he soon realizes is the remedy and the medicine to help him get through... -
Ante Up by Christina C. Jones
I know exactly why it turns you on…because you’re messed up too. Asha’s life is no fairytale, by any stretch of the imagination. There was no kind, generous father to care for and protect her from the Vegas that exists beyond the glitz and glamour of The Strip. No wise, doting mother to look over and guide her, passing down essential lessons and leading her to the right path... -
Diamonds Are Forever by Ashley Antoinette, JaQuavis Coleman
"The Diamond family has survived murder, deceit, and betrayal. Through it all, they're still standing tall, and a new era has begun. After surviving a failed attempt on her life, Breeze has moved into the queen's position by Zyir's side. Zyir has taken over the empire and locked down Miami's streets; the world is in his hands. But there is always new blood ready to overthrow the throne... -
Friend Zoned by Evelyn Sola
They say the best things come when you least expect it.Burned by her ex-husband and a messy divorce, Jeannie Dubois isn’t looking for anything more than a good friend. Besides, she’s still dealing with the ex who can’t seem to let her go.Insert NBA coach, Aiden Walsh... -
Let Me Hold You by Alexandria House
NBA player, Leland McClain, the baby of the McClain family, is tall, handsome, talented…and spoiled. He’s a man who gets what he wants, and what he wants is the lovely Kimberly Hampton. Kim Hampton is the director of a community center, a woman who lives to help others while trying to forget a troubling past. As far as she’s concerned, a relationship with any man is a horrible idea...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f competent heroine independent heroine curvy heroine age difference contemporary sports -
A Madaris Bride for Christmas by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.61 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsHe refuses to get matched, but is about to stumble into his own trap… Don’t miss this reader favorite from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson. One by one, Madaris men have surrendered to the matchmaking schemes of Felicia Laverne Madaris, matriarch of the family. But Lee Madaris isn’t letting anyone else control his destiny... -
For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins
Rated: 4.52 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsNAACP nominee and bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to Henry Adams, Kansas—an unforgettable place that anyone would want to call home—with a story of family, friends, and the powerful forces from our past that can irrevocably shape our future...Categorized as:
small town black-mc m-f contemporary suspense historical multicultural african-american -
Eternally Yours by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsFriends… Attorney Syneda Walters and fellow attorney Clayton Madaris are just friends…the last two people likely to end up as lovers. Syneda holds all men at arm's length because of the father whose name she never knew. Clayton has always been a playboy, and no woman has ever come close to keeping his interest for very long... -
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Ares by Asia Monique
Ares MitchellThey said my presence changed the atmosphere in any room I entered.According to my mother—it was in my name. According to my twin brother—it was in my soul.But to Nyx Campbell, I was multifaceted.The star gazing beauty forced her away into my heart and opened my eyes to a part of myself I never knew existed.She calmed the chaos... -
Mercy by Love Belvin
Ashira, a belle from the suburbs, is the wealthy acting CEO of her father’s booming building firm. That's when she’s not the dancer on the Gram and TikTok, dating the latest Black Hollywood shooting star.To her, Jas, a construction laborer, is a walking conundrum. He’s fruitlessly ambitious yet steadfast in his spiritual convictions. He’s enigmatic, well-read, regimented, and poor...Categorized as:
black-mc sassy heroine competent heroine m-f explicit-open-door contemporary slow burn mafia -
Inseparable by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.45 of 5 stars · 22 ratingsLiving with his best friend is about to kindle a fire… Don’t miss this reader favorite from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson. Living under Reese Madaris’s roof makes LaKenna James the envy of every woman in town. But Reese’s offer of a place to stay is strictly platonic—just until Kenna’s new condo is completed... -
Thorn's Challenge by Brenda Jackson
Thorn Westmoreland was not enough to convince Tara Matthews to risk her heart in love again...or was it? The beautiful pediatrician and the hard-riding motorcycle tycoon mixed like oil and water. Why, then, couldn't Tara burn the sexy racer from her head or the memory of his passionate caresses from her body? Thorn had wanted Tara since the day they'd met... -
Save Me by Tiffany Patterson
DaeShe saved me on the worst day of my life. Now it’s time to make her mine. I’ve spent ten years recreating myself into a man deserving of Kennedy Townsend. I’m no longer the poor, illegitimate son of a wealthy man who refused to even acknowledge my presence.For years, I’ve watched her from afar, waited, and even manipulated businesses to grant her the career opportunities she deserved... -
Stepping to a New Day by Beverly Jenkins
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsNAACP nominee and USA Today bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to the town of Henry Adams with a story of family, friendship, love, and second chances.In Henry Adams, Kansas, you can’t start over without stirring things up . . .Many a good woman has had to leave a no-good man, but how many of them took a back-seat to his 600-lb...Categorized as:
small town black-mc contemporary african-american multicultural new adult christian length-medium -
Love Delivered (Waiting to Breathe ) by Love Belvin
His secret is uncovered and motives are disclosed. So now what? Will Stenton get the favorable results he plotted years ago? Or will he have caused his own exile from Zoey’s love? Her life charted an alternate journey because of unexpected circumstances. Now that Zoey has put together the pieces, how will she navigate Stenton’s obstacles? Find out in Love Delivered...Categorized as:
m-f black-mc explicit-plentiful length-long contemporary second chances african-american athletes -
The Rhythm of Blues by Love Belvin
Some believe the old adage, “where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Well, in some instances the smoke is just a coverture for secrets. Dark ones. Ragee is a successful R&B singer, music composer, and actor who shot to fame and celebrity at rocketing speed... -
The Real Thing by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.46 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsWhat happens when a pretend boyfriend wants more than make-believe? Find out in this Westmoreland novel from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson! No red-blooded man turns down the chance to escort gorgeous Trinity Matthews—and Adrian Westmoreland is definitely red-blooded. For her, he'll pretend to be her man. But keeping his hands to himself? That is impossible...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f contemporary african-american fake relationship multicultural length-short audiobook -
Stone Cold Surrender by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.37 of 5 stars · 26 ratingsTwo classic Westmoreland novels from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda JacksonStone Cold SurrenderBestselling thriller writer Stone Westmoreland can think of plenty of ways to describe the stranger he meets on a flight to Montana. Tantalizing. Whip-smart. And completely unaware of how good it feels to give in to your wilder impulses... -
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Let Me Love You by Alexandria House
Trying to put past hurts behind you is hard when your ex is a fool, but buoyed by child support and alimony, Jo Walker is moving forward with her life, pursuing a career, raising her little girl, and trying to live in peace. She believes she has all the bases covered in her world... -
Heart of Gold by Beverly Jenkins
Rated: 4.51 of 5 stars · 17 ratingsNAACP nominee and bestselling author Beverly Jenkins returns to the charming town of Henry Adams, Kansas—a place that always feels like home—in this heartwarming story of family, friendship, and the surprises hidden in our lives. Henry Adams has had its fair share of drama ever since Bernadine Brown bought the town with her divorce settlement...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f contemporary multicultural new adult christian african-american length-medium -
This Bitter Earth by Bernice L. McFadden
Rated: 4.35 of 5 stars · 27 ratingsIn This Bitter Earth, Sugar Lacey is on her way out of Bigelow, Arkansas, where she’d come to break with the past. With her worn leopard-print suitcase and her head held high, she walks past the prying eyes of its small-minded, cruel-hearted townsfolk, praying for the strength to keep going. She doesn’t stop until she arrives at her childhood home in Short Junction...Categorized as:
small town black-mc african-american historical contemporary mystery length-medium audiobook -
Determining Possession by Christina C. Jones
Good decisions don’t always leave you unscathed. Sometimes, the best choice might be the one that leaves you vulnerable. The one that forces you to face a not-so-distant past that hurts, or go through with something you never thought would come to fruition. The one that makes taking a risk your only viable option. Wilhelmina “Wil” Cunningham is no stranger to pressure... -
Let Me Free You by Alexandria House
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 23 ratingsNeil McClain is the screw-up, the one everyone hopes will win but expects to lose. He wants to live a better life, one that his late mother would be proud of, but his belief in himself is weak. Sage Moniba is in need of a major miracle or she’ll be forced to give up the only life she’s known. Neil is searching for freedom from the demons of his past. Sage is in desperate need of help... -
My Heart's Reflection of You by T'Lyn
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsNevaeh Chapel’s life was picture perfect. A loving family, great job, and a doting boyfriend; one would think that she had it all together from the outside looking in. She thought she had it all together too, until she crossed paths with a loose cannon that was the epitome of the phrase.Kaleb “Cannon” Barnes had one belief that he didn’t comprise My life, my rules...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f african-american length-medium contemporary from hate to love humor angst -
A Risqué Engagement by Stephanie Nicole Norris
Rated: 4.56 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOn the surface, Corinne Thomas has the world at her fingertips. As a stewardess for one of the largest airlines, Corinne travels the globe, gaining a glimpse of what most people only fantasize about. Adventurous by nature, her daring persona allows her the freedom to take risks and live her life, at times, in complete anonymity...Categorized as:
sassy heroine black-mc insta-love african-american contemporary alpha male super rich hero -
The Reinvention of the Rose by Christina C. Jones
Rated: 4.54 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsDesperation.Not a phenomenon Tempest could typically claim, but certainly the catalyst for where she’s landed. Not in peril, or pain, but in dire need of the very normalcy she’s often emulated, but never been able to obtain.Now... there’s nothing in her way, except all those years of being everything except what she now has to become.Herself.As soon as she figures out who that is... -
Curvy Girl Summer by Danielle Allen
Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Survival of the Thickest in Danielle Allen’s CURVY GIRL SUMMER, a smoking-hot, hilarious novel about the perils of online dating. “There’s got to be an easier way than dating. I want the shortcut. I just want to find my person and start our lives together.” After a one-night stand with her clingy ex, Aaliyah James has an this ain’t it... -
Tove: No Ordinary Love by Neyrey
Rated: 4.88 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSometimes a father breaks your heart before a man ever has a chance to. This is the case for Tove. After she’s given to a dealer as a form of payment by the man who was supposed to protect her, Tove finds herself imprisoned and a servant to a man infatuated with her being... -
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Just Say You Will by K.C. Mills
Kenyon Porter seemingly has it all; money, power, status, and respect. However, having it all is a matter of opinion. Due to family baggage, Kenyon has lived his life in the fast lane, where money and status have allowed him to live without regret. What happens when a thunderous storm of expectations and need filters its way into his life and causes him to reconsider if he really does have it all... -
With Your Permission by Stephanie Nicole Norris
Rated: 4.71 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsIt was their first encounter that landed them in newfound territory. Up and coming wedding planner Bri St. James is in the height of her career. As the CEO of Building Bridges LLC, Bri is driven by determination for success, and each day makes for new opportunities abound... -
Solid Soul by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 20 ratingsA chance encounter leads to a passionate reunion in this sexy Steele story from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson!In the real world, there was no way flower shop owner Kylie Hagan would ever meet up with millionaire Chance Steele... -
Lilac: A Sound Love by Asia Monique
"Ezra wasn’t picture perfect, but he was perfect for me.” —Lilac Lilac Baker wasn’t against finding love, but love never seemed to be close enough for her to grasp. With her big sister pregnant and living out her happy ending, Lilac has high hopes for her own fairytale beginning... -
Bookmarked by Bella Jay
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhat if your soon-to-be ex-husband invited you on a divorcemoon, five nights at your bucket list baecation spot for one last hoorah before you go your separate ways? Would you go?Brooklin did... -
Beautiful Lies by Renee Williams
Rated: 4.57 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsSometimes the most challenging part isn't letting go but rather learning to start over – Nicole SobonDanielleLetting him go was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.My husband promised me forever. He made me believe we could weather any storm as long as we had each other. Now, he’s telling me he’s sorry. He’s not in love with me anymore... -
Beyond Temptation by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsSexy millionaire Morgan Steele will settle for nothing less than the perfect woman. And when he lays his arrogant eyes on sultry Lena Spears, he believes he''s found her. There''s only one problem, the lady in question seems totally immune to his charm.Morgan is determined to convince the sassy career woman that he''s Mr. Right. He wines and dines her... -
One Special Moment by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsTo help her brother's struggling cosmetics company, Virginia schoolteacher Colby Wingate arrives in Los Angeles for one last, desperate gamble -- to have superstar actor Sterling Hamilton endorse her brother's new perfume... -
A Man's Promise by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsA man's word is his bond. His family is his strength. His heart is his own. Superstar musician Caden Granger has spent years running from love, commitment and family. Yet despite his fame and fortune, he knows the kind of respect and adoration he needs can only come from one person—the very woman who wants nothing to do with him... -
Secret Love by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.44 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsCelebrity actress Diamond Swain needs a peaceful place to hide out from the news-hungry paparazzi—a place like Whispering Pines. And yet from the moment she arrives at the remote Texas ranch, Diamond finds herself at odds with its rugged owner, Jake Madaris—a man who challenges her to care about more than making it to the top. Jake doesn't have time to babysit some Hollywood star...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f contemporary african-american multicultural famous heroine length-medium audiobook -
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The Prodigy by Shae Sanders
Rated: 4.66 of 5 stars · 10 ratings"First day back home and already in some mess."Jakari Windermere hasn't been home to Midling in eight years. He's been laying low in Atlanta, and nobody knows why. But it doesn't matter now, because a tragedy draws him back to the town he grew up in...the town his family basically owns. But this won't be a pleasant homecoming, and he finds that out the moment he sets foot back in Midling...Categorized as:
m-f black-mc contemporary urban length-medium forced proximity abduction african-american -
Love Me by Tiffany Patterson
“...give me three months.” “Three months for what?” “To make you love me.”For years I’ve withheld my feelings for my best friend, Monique. After dating losers, she needs a man who’s docile, safe … a nice guy. I’ve never been that. When we were younger, I couldn’t control my temper when it came to keeping her safe. My loss of control forced the only woman I loved to move hundreds of miles away... -
A Brother's Honor by Brenda Jackson
The Granger brothers left behind their family's Virginia estate—and the bad memories it holds—years ago. But their dying grandfather's request brings them home: to a failing business, a legacy of secrets and a deathbed promise to make things right...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f contemporary african-american suspense mystery length-long explicit-open-door -
Whispered Promises by Brenda Jackson
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 13 ratingsEven a once-in-a-lifetime love When Halston Parker calls his daughter Caitlin to his deathbed, she's shocked to discover that her ex-husband, Dex Madaris, has been summoned as well. It's been four years since Caitlin felt the heat of Dex's touch, the urgency of his kisses and the promise of an everlasting love that never was...Categorized as:
black-mc m-f contemporary multicultural secret child african-american length-medium audiobook -
You're My Reason: Friends to Lovers Novella by K.C. Mills
He was her constant…She was his reason…A Friends to Lovers novella... -
The Last Sad Love Song by Kimberly Brown
“When wounds are healed by love, the scars are beautiful.” —David BowlesCalliope “Callie” Palmer is one year fresh out of a relationship with a heartbreaking end. Since she decided to focus on herself and her bakery, the last thing Callie was looking for again was love. When her best friend recruited her for a photoshoot with her fiancé, Callie had a feeling she was being set up...Categorized as:
m-f black-mc independent heroine length-short explicit-open-door contemporary humor insta-love
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