Grown by: Tiffany D. Jackson

Grown
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Published: September 2020
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 384
Rating: 5/5
Summary:

Korey Fields is dead.

When Enchanted Jones wakes with blood on her hands and zero memory of the previous night, no one—the police and Korey’s fans included—has more questions than she does. All she really knows is that this isn't how things are supposed to be. Korey was Enchanted’s ticket to stardom.

Before there was a dead body, Enchanted was an aspiring singer, struggling with her tight knit family’s recent move to the suburbs while trying to find her place as the lone Black girl in high school. But then legendary R&B artist Korey Fields spots her at an audition. And suddenly her dream of being a professional singer takes flight.

Enchanted is dazzled by Korey’s luxurious life but soon her dream turns into a nightmare. Behind Korey’s charm and star power hides a dark side, one that wants to control her every move, with rage and consequences. Except now he’s dead and the police are at the door. Who killed Korey Fields?

All signs point to Enchanted.

Hot for the Principal by: Alexandria Goncalves

Hot for the Principal

Author: Alexandria Goncalves
Published: March 2022
Publisher: Alexandria Goncalves
Format: ARC E-Book
Pages: 294
Rating: 4/5
Summary:

Victoria had always had her life planned out... until that one moment when everything was ripped away leaving her feeling empty, scared, and insecure. Now, the only two pieces holding her together are her best friends.

Enter Auston Scott. A handsome stranger with green eyes, a bearded jawline, and sexy as hell three-piece suit. This new Principal—and her boss—looks as if he has just walked out of a GQ magazine.

Can Victoria let go of her past so she can fall for the man of her dreams and ignite a passion that she didn't know could exist outside of the novels she teaches her English students?

She knows she shouldn't go there, but what she doesn't realize is that the new Principal holds a dark secret, one that could tear Victoria apart.

Dear Martin By: Nic Stone

 

Dear Martin (Dear Martin #1)

Author: Nic Stone

Publisher: Ember

Published: September 2018 (Originally Published October 2017)

Format: Paperback

Pages: 240

Rating: 4/5

Summary:

Justyce McAllister is a good kid, an honor student, and always there to help a friend--but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up--way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.

Punching The Air By: Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam

Punching The Air
Author: Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam
Publisher: Harper Collins/ Balzar + Bray

Published: September 2020
Format: ARC Paperback/ Hardcover
Pages: 400
Rating: 4.5/5
Summary:

The story that I thought

was my life

didn’t start on the day

I was born 

Amal Shahid has always been an artist and a poet. But even in a diverse art school, he’s seen as disruptive and unmotivated by a biased system. Then one fateful night, an altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into tragedy. “Boys just being boys” turns out to be true only when those boys are white. 

The story that I think

will be my life 

starts today

Suddenly, at just sixteen years old, Amal’s bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit and sent to prison. Despair and rage almost sink him until he turns to the refuge of his words, his art. This never should have been his story. But can he change it? 

Holding You Close By: Kennedy Fox

Holding You Close (Lawton Ridge Duet Series #4)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Publisher: Kennedy Fox
Published: March 2021
Format: ARC E-Book
Pages: 251
Rating: 5/5

Summary:

After serving a decade long prison sentence for an accident that resulted in my husband’s death, Noah Reid returns. Even if he was my childhood best friend and the first man I secretly loved, I refuse to make it easy for him. But the heart never forgets and those old repressed feelings quickly bubble to the surface.

Loving him is a dangerous game but one I’m willing to play.

Flirting leads to falling between the sheets, and I’m forced to deal with the guilt of what we’re doing. Viciousness towards Noah runs rampant and while revenge trickles through the streets of Lawton Ridge, I realize there’s more on the line than just my heart. While I’m afraid that my son and I will be caught in the crossfire of those who want to hurt Noah, I can’t walk away. 

Secrets are revealed and revelations are made, but losing him again isn’t an option—especially since I’m pregnant. 

Jingle Wars By: R. Holmes & Veronica Eden

Jingle Wars
Author: R. Holmes & Veronica Eden
Publisher: R. Holmes & Veronica Eden
Published: November 2020
Format: ARC E-Book
Pages: 276

Rating: 5/5
Summary:

Two inns, one town, and there’s not enough room for the both of them.

Add in a reindeer-ish donkey, a Christmas competition, and a rivalry to end all rivalries and you’re bound to end up in disaster, right?

Finn Mayberry has enough on his plate trying to keep his Grandparents inn afloat. The last thing he needed was some California state of mind starlet bulldozing into his town and throwing up a five-star resort right next to his family’s inn.

But, now she’s here and he can’t get her out of his town or his head.

Freya Anderson took one look at the snowcapped mountains of Hollyridge and fell in love. She’s finally here and ready to take on the task of proving to her father that she can handle running Alpine.

She never expected to make enemies with the sinfully delicious lumberjack of a man who runs the inn next door. He’s moody, impossible and completely off limits.

There can only be one winner, but you know what they say. All is fair in love and… Jingle Wars?

Pushing You Away By: Kennedy Fox

Pushing You Away (Lawton Ridge Duet Series #3)
Author: Kennedy Fox
Publisher: Kennedy Fox
Published: February 2021
Format: ARC E-Book
Pages: 225
Rating: 5/5
Summary:

I’ve been in love with my best friend Katie Walker for as long as I can remember. We may have shared our deepest, darkest secrets but that one I’ve kept to myself. Before I got the courage to confess my true feelings, my cousin Gabe moved to town and swept Katie off her feet. 

I should’ve admitted how I felt but I couldn’t—especially once they got married.

When I caught Gabe cheating on his pregnant wife, I snapped. A deadly fight erupted and before I could comprehend what happened, I was charged with his murder and sent to prison.

The day I’m released, I go straight to Katie’s house. But after pushing her away for a decade while I was behind bars—she slams the door in my face—wanting nothing to do with me. 

While she’s determined to pretend I don’t exist, this time I’m not going anywhere.