Book picks similar to
Balk by Lacy Hart


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Drowning in Love


Beth Rinyu - 2013
    She had it all. Until the day her past, present and future were taken away, leaving her to face the world scared and alone. Trying to pick up the pieces of her broken life, while mourning the devastating loss of her fiancé she just goes through the motions as an empty shell.Enter Travis Montgomery, Olympic swimmer and totally gorgeous. He has several medals under his belt and just as many women. Mia is well aware of his womanizing reputation and refuses to be his next conquest, but finds herself coming alive again whenever she’s around him. They agree to be “just friends,” quickly finding that they are unable to fight the attraction between them. Mia’s life becomes complete once again with Travis in it; but nothing good lasts forever, at least not in Mia’s world. Torn apart by an ugly secret, Mia’s heart is broken once again. When the unthinkable happens and Travis needs Mia the most, she must reach deep inside to find forgiveness for the one man who will always hold the key to her shattered heart. But will doing so only break it further; this time beyond repair?

My Big, Huge Mistake


M.E. Clayton - 2019
    Growing up, he had been her best friend, and the man she secretly was hoping to spend the rest of her life with. So, the night they finally get their groove on-with the help of copious amounts of alcohol-she should be ecstatic. Thrilled, even. Well, she was. At least she was until that little plus sign appeared on that notoriously life-changing stick. Callum Rosewood had it all planned out. Graduate high school, go to college, get into law school, get hired on at one of the best law firms in the state, establish himself as a cutthroat attorney, make Chloe dump whatever shmuck she's dating, marry her, have three kids, and live happily every after. It was the perfect plan. Then one night, while drunk off their asses, they do the deed. But instead of reciting love sonnets, Chloe avoids him for weeks. That is, until she can't avoid him any longer. Now, while Chloe is trying to come to grips with the reality that she's pregnant by her best friend...well, ex-best friend now, Callum's pissed off that Chloe failed to mention she was NOT on birth control. He thinks she trapped him on purpose, making her reevaluate everything she ever felt about him. Word to the wise, my friends, if you're going to have a drunken one-night stand, don't have it with your best friend.

Fail to Fight


Maci Dillon - 2021
    After all, she & Will are the perfect couple.When half-truths and misconceptions lead to a jealous rage that destroys their epic love, Chloe is physically and emotionally broken. Humiliated and left to pick up the pieces of her broken heart alone, she's destined to live in the shadows of her darkest days.Until Will Jamieson comes crawling back, looking hotter than ever.He's seeking redemption for his unforgivable sins and Chloe needs closure.Except Will is looking hotter than ever and this time he's not willing to leave without a fight.After ten years, is it possible the all-consuming passion and undeniable love for each other remain strong enough to give their love a second chance?Note: This is a steamy and emotional second chance romance that may be confronting for some readers as it contains domestic violence and the forgiveness of what most would say are unforgivable actions.

The Mill House


Susan Lewis - 2005
    She is everything most other women strive to be. But beneath the surface is a terrible secret that threatens to tear her perfect world apart. Joshua is Julia's husband - a dynamic, devastatingly handsome man with great style, charisma and humour. He is utterly devoted to his wife and children, but as the ghosts of Julia's past begin to move into their marriage, he finds himself losing the struggle to keep them together. Then two telephone calls change everything.Julia moves from London to a remote mill house in Cornwall, determined to break free from the past and save her fractured relationship with Josh. But it is here that she makes her own fatal mistake, and once more her marriage is rocked to its very foundation ...

One More Night


Ali Parker - 2018
    Of all the legendary artists, Tom Waits said words that always stuck with me, “I like beautiful melodies telling me terrible things.” Music is my escape from reality. My band, Destitute, never had an easy road to the top, but we fought and hustled to become the biggest band coming out of LA. People see me as arrogant and wild, but I’ve worked hard to solidify my title as the Emperor of Rock. Woman come and go like the wind. It’s part of the lifestyle, and I embrace it. They are all looking to have their slice of our pie, and I’m not naive to that fact. No woman is going to keep me from my dream, though. When our new PR agent comes into my life, it feels like my world has been shaken. She is strong, independent, and nothing like any woman I’ve ever met. I have a rule about never getting involved with people that are in the business, but you know what they say about rules.

Down to Business


J.C. Alexander - 2013
    Two years later when a scholarship at Adelphi University comes her way, she can't resist the chance to start a new life. The one thing that she isn't planning on...is falling for irresistible Vinny Mazzola. To outsiders, Hamptons born Vinny Mazzola has it all: good looks, money, and an esteemed reputation. While studying business at Adelphi, the last thing he expects to do is fall in love with awkward Autumn Malone who forces him to ask himself what's really important in life. When the opportunity arises for Autumn to work at Vinny's family-owned Italian restaurant, Mazzolas, it seems like a perfect way for her to get to know him better. That is until she meets his over protective mother and his conceited ex-girlfriend who both want nothing more than to get rid of her. Between frats, family, friends, and foes, when it comes down to business, will Vinny and Autumn have to sacrifice everything for a love they can't live without?

Allure


C.A. Harms - 2018
     I’ll never forget the first time I saw her. She wore overalls two sizes too big and a pair of gloves that were also too large for her little hands. But that didn’t faze her one bit, and we clicked instantly. By the age of twelve, we had become best friends, and by the time we turned sixteen, we were more. I had eyes for only one girl. My girl. But then life changed, and different paths led to broken promises. When she left town, I was forced to let go of our dreams. I spent my days existing. Baseball, classes, and working at the family farm became my life. I didn’t care about anything else. Until I met Allison Jo. AJ was the quiet girl I never expected. She brought me to my knees with that beautiful smile. She made me laugh and slowly brought the old me back to life. I found myself wanting more with her. I became her world, and she was my everything. But when my past returns, my world is turned upside down. I’m not sure I was prepared for what was about to happen.

Breakaway


A.M. Johnson - 2018
    Until he saw her. The one that got away. The one he thought he'd never see again. For thirteen years, Stevie West drowned in her lackluster life. Recently divorced from her “roommate” with passionless benefits, she was ready to start over. On her own. Until she ran into him. The same man she'd met one year ago. The temptation that had finally given her the courage to find herself again. When lightning strikes twice, there’s no way to deny the chemistry it creates. But with both of them still nursing old wounds, Mark and Stevie will have to find a way around the other's defenses, a way to breakaway and score the one thing they never expected… love.

Meeting His Match


Tia Souders - 2019
    Can their fake relationship turn into the real thing?  As the notorious author of Single In the City, Marti McBride's entire identity is wrapped up in her solo status. But when her ratings plummet, she is forced to make a change. And her boss just so happens to think a boyfriend is the way to do it.Enter Doctor Logan Love. He's the founder of the charity Hidden Heartbeat and desperately needs the funds to take it nationwide. So after two chance run-ins with the wildly popular and nationally syndicated columnist, Marti McBride, he proposes a fake relationship. Okay, more like he blackmails her into one. Same difference. There's only one little problem. Both of them start to fall, and Marti has her own agenda he knows nothing about.Can they turn a fake relationship into love?

Remi's Choice


Amanda Wylde
    RE-release with bonus content and NEW cover coming 10-6-17! Cover release with more giveaways coming this Tuesday Oct 3d! Sinfully sexy Travis De Luca came into Remi's life when shewas young, inexperienced, and easily dazzled. With hisscandalous words and wickedly sexy grins, he possessed apower no one should have over another. He was a foulmouthed, trouble-making thug to everyone else, but she'dwitnessed the vulnerable side he hid so well. After one earth-shattering experience and his declaration of love, her bodyand soul were hooked. When Travis is sent away without warning, Kristiano De Luca—his equally sexy cousin—comes into Remi's life as a friendwhen she needs one most. After years with no word and waiting for Travis to come back, she loses hope, and the friendship she's built with Kris grows into something beautiful that fills the void Travis left behind. But a surprise return from Travis and one passionate nightwith him throw all their lives into chaos, and nothing willever be the same again.Author's note to reader: Imagine two heroes with your all time favorite qualities. Hot, bad boy, tattoos, dirty mouths, hot head alpha to a fault and possessive as ALL hell. Both going for the same girl!

Snake


Emilia Beaumont - 2015
     Devan was everything I longed for in a man: loyal, protective, and strong. After the Navy, he cleaned up his act. He became the perfect guy, the perfect husband; the standard I held other men up to. Was it too much to ask to have a carbon copy of him... tattoos and all?  But then he ruined everything. He kissed me. I truly thought he was different than all the rest. Yet no matter how much I wanted him to be mine, I now saw him for what he really was: another bad boy. A cheating snake that couldn't keep it in his pants.  He's married, for f*cks sake! And to make it even more awkward, not only am I living with the couple but I've also made a deal to be their surrogate!  How did my life become so complicated all of a sudden?  Because now, after just one amazing kiss—one I keep reliving—I can't stop thinking about my stepbrother and the baby I want to give him.  Author’s note: This is a second edition of Snake. Additionally it contains a HEA, sexual content, elements of cheating, and harsh language. If any of these don’t take your fancy then you may want to skip this book.

Distraction


Angela McPherson - 2014
    The longing for him to love her back is something she keeps well hidden, even from herself. No matter how many miles apart they are, regular phone calls and texts keep them close…until the day everything changes.Wide Receiver Tristan Daniels has a good thing going. Much to his, and every single woman’s surprise, he’s in a committed relationship. The possibility of going pro looks more than promising…until his spur of the moment transfer to a rival college is approved. Now, Tristan will be forced to be in the presence of the woman he’s secretly loved for as long as he can remember. Elle.Being away from one another was enough to keep Tristan and Elle distracted, but angst, confusion, and troubled secrets launches them into a breathless, heart pumping story you won’t want to miss!Recommended for ages 18+

What Happens After


Portia Moore - 2015
     'We' never should have happened. Him and me... Our constantly crossing paths changed the unthinkable to the inevitable. It was magical, exhilarating, and life defining... despicable, and it ruined everything. It destroyed me. It destroyed us. He and I are what happened before. And everything else is what happened after… ~If you are turned off from themes dealing with infidelity this book is not for you. This book features flawed people that make imperfect decisions.~ ~This is a Stand Alone full-length novel that does not contain a cliffhanger.~

Frozen Barriers


Sara Shirley - 2014
    Her high profile life was never her dream, it was her parents. Jeremy Page is a minor league hockey player who always imagined himself playing for the NHL.A chance encounter has them crossing paths after several years apart. Which way will his heart lead him? Will Emily embrace his charm?Just when things finally fall into place, an unexpected event occurs leaving Emily reevaluating everything in her life.Can Emily escape from under her parent's intrusive ways and take a chance on love? Will Jeremy be able to break down the barriers that have held her back for so long?Book 1 of the Barriers Series. This story does not have a cliffhanger. **Mature Subject matter. 18+ due to strong language and sexual situations**

Hot Pink


Susan Johnson - 2003
    All this Minneapolis web designer wants now is an erotic fling with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. But when a very eventful elevator ride with a seductive stranger ignites a steamy affair, she finds herself plummeting back to earth. For Rocco Vinelli is not only driving Chloe wild with uncontrollable desire, he also happens to be melting her hardened heart.