Sadik Ellis blew into my rather insipid world at breakneck speed and with gripping force. He held all the features: striking feline eyes, golden russet skin, incredible sex appeal, wealth exuding like the enticing scent of cologne, and mind-blowing determination. He was also trouble from the other side of the tracks, something I'd sensed. Sadik was an Ellis man with a solid education, his own thriving businesses, and self-obtained wealth. However, the Ellis family was known for their long underbelly ruling of the state of New Jersey.

Alanis Kapri is living the American Dream. As the star quarterback of the Carolina Hurricanes, life is luxury. Unfortunately for Alanis, he’s considered the NFL’s problem child. One too many negative press runs have landed his head on the chopping block. He’s been given an ultimatum: clean up his act or be cut from the team. Reluctantly, Alanis agrees to the terms. However, when the team hires him a reputation management consultant, the last person he expected to see was her.

Being a BBW has never been easy for Reagan while growing up, but that never stopped her confidence either. Reagan knew she was fine, from the thickness of her thighs to her caramel complexion baby doll face. Because of that, she never had a problem getting a man and she knew how to finesse them and leave them, until she met her match.

You ever met somebody and knew right away they were going to be your forever? Yea, me neither. But when my path crossed with Devyn Banks, I knew she would leave a stain that was hard to wash out.

Controversial relationship podcaster at night and psychology professor by day, Chicago Benton has never been afraid to follow his own rules. Raised by an emotionally unstable mother and dealing with women who played too many games taught him only to depend on himself. Love was only optional. Striving playwright Indigo Lyriq moved to New York on a wing and a prayer that her work would be seen on a Broadway stage one day. Raised by an aunt because her parents didn't want her, and dealing with an abusive relationship taught her to never rely on a man. Love was a luxury she couldn't afford.

Billie Hopkins is discontent living life for her mother. The painter and baker spends her days working at her family’s business. Even though she wishes she could change her life, she doesn’t have the motivation to do so… Until her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her and gets engaged just six months later. Worse, his fiancée wants to hire Billie to bake their wedding cake. That seems to be the final straw that breaks the camel’s back and forces Billie to do something different with her life—even if it’s just for three days.

Saniyah Montgomery learned at an early age what it means to be loved, but instead of setting the bar high, she chases the thrill of those who aren’t worthy. Grand Sinclair is just another thrill on the long list of bad decisions. He warns Saniyah to stay away but she’s stubborn and determined. The minute his walls come down, Saniyah realizes that the tortured fighter with eyes that crush your soul is nothing she expects but everything she wants.

Meet Trent Bailey, who is fighting for the right to continue his stellar professional football career after enduring striking legal woes in the recent past. Trent cannot and will not blow his second chance for anyone; after all, this is the blessing he's been praying for. After receiving confirmation that staying focused is all he needs, it's what he aims to do. No distractions. That's until he bumps into two unexpected overnight guests.

Evenie Lewis knows this all too well. A case of mistaken identity has stolen ten years of her life. When the opportunity arises, Evenie jumps at the chance to escape once and for all. Clueless to her surroundings, she sets out to find her way back home with dreams of reuniting with her family being her motivation. Unbeknownst to her, life as she knew it has changed.

Eighteen-year-old hothead Abel "Hood" Duncan is the neighborhood's bully. Growing up in the toughest neighborhood of Annapolis, Hood is groomed to be a hitta. But underneath the tough exterior, Hood has a soft spot for his long time female best friend and neighbor. Not wanting to cross the line, Hood is left to figure out if he should confess his feelings to her or remain close friends. One weekend changes their lives, leaving Hood to pick up the pieces of his broken heart.

Julius Gallalucci's plans have all fallen through, leaving him stressed and scrambling weeks before his album release and tour announcement. When the pressure becomes too much, he and his team duck off to Eastover to revamp and recharge. What he didn't plan for was his world to clash with a wide-eyed beauty who would prove more of a muse than a distraction.

Retired hitwoman Celine Briggs loved few people in this world; Her husband Caleb, and her ex-handler, Brian Devereaux. When Celine took her marital vows, she exchanged the life of guns, drugs, and violence for the peaceful life as Caleb's wife. However, not all things buried stay hidden.

I met the love of my life when I was ten years old. Ever since Talulla Evans walked up to me with her gap-toothed smile and told me her name means "princess," I've been entranced. For the last twenty years we've been there throughout each other's storms. And somewhere along the line I fell in love. Deep in love.

Jade's life is already complicated. She's trying to co-parent with her toxic ex, keep from breaking his trifling girlfriend's neck, and make sure her family stays completely unaware of her disastrous decision-making skills. The last thing she needs is more drama. So, it probably wasn't a good idea for her to get so close to the one guy that she was warned never to get involved with, Khalif Bowen. But she couldn't help herself. One minute, they were talking, and the next, she was greeting him with her lips in the middle of the night.

Tripp believes it’s fate when his station house is called to a fire at the daycare Brylee works at. It's hard to manage being a full-time father to a newborn with the hours his job demands, so when he sees an opportunity to hire Brylee as an in-house nanny, he doesn’t hesitate.