Book picks similar to
Against Protocol by Eden Butler


contemporary
romance
arc
contemporary-romance

Blindsight


Adriane Leigh - 2015
    Leigh's newest mysterious hero will have you anxiously flipping pages well into the night trying to uncover his secrets." - Jay Crownover, Marked MenSometimes a single touch is all it takes to spark a wildfire. Erin Warner learned that the day she bumped into the dashing, tattooed stranger on a busy Chicago street corner. She's captivated from the moment Hunter Ellis' mystifying green eyes find hers, but there is more to him than meets the eye, including the intricately etched tattoos decorating his body that disguise horrific scars from a past he refuses to revisit. As she peels away the layers, Erin realizes that what she thought was true, never really was at all, for both of them. Now she can only hope that blind adoration for the dashing stranger didn't sign her death warrant.

Damage Control


Kate McMurray - 2018
    He lives with constant regret about not having Jackson Kane in his life. Or his bed. And when a strange woman is found murdered in Parker’s apartment, Jackson is the only person Parker trusts to help clear his name.Jackson never forgave Parker for the way their relationship ended. He moved on, built a name for himself as a criminal defense attorney and swore he’d never let heartbreak back in. But when Parker shows up on his doorstep, wild-eyed and handsome and desperate for his help, Jackson can’t say no. Parker is a lot of things, but he’s no murderer.Forced back together, searching for answers, their attraction returns with a vengeance. Any distraction—personal or professional—could be deadly. The murderer is still at large, and he’s made it clear one of them is his next victim.This book is approximately 74,000 wordsOne-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise : all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!Carina Press acknowledges the editorial services of Alissa Davis

Maybe Baby


Andrea Smith - 2012
    Is her past destined to taint her future?Rescuing Tylar from unspeakable danger, Trey Sinclair, a handsome but arrogant high-powered attorney from Atlanta makes it his mission to protect the innocent and unworldly young woman from the dreams that hunt and haunt her. Spirited and independent, Tylar proves to be a challenge to the stubborn and relentless young lawyer. Together their often bumpy journey weaves itself mysteriously, comically, passionately and erotically down a path that promises to engage and move the reader in this emotionally stirring story.For anyone who has ever been in love or in lust, MAYBE BABY will stir those forgotten feelings of passion and yearning within you; making you ageless as you travel the romantic and erotic journey with Tylar and Trey as they unravel the secrets of each other.This book is intended for mature audiences.

Always


Bethany-Kris - 2017
    Cross Donati defines trouble. He does what he wants because he’s never known anything different. He’s unapologetic, and he owns it. Catherine Marcello is every bit a good girl … on the outside. Her entire world is a legacy, and she lives it. She’s curious, and she’s exploring it. She chases bad things.He never learned to be good. They’re late nights, stolen cars, first times, fist fights, leather jackets, beaches, bloody smiles, and life.They’re vicious and precious, dangerous and harmless, innocence and sin. They are love. Love is killing for someone.Love is living for someone. Sometimes, you can’t keep saving your heart when it means sacrificing it, too.Sometimes, you have to learn to save yourself.Sometimes, love has to fall, crash, and burn. This is what love is like when you’re a principe and principessa della mafia.This is what love is like when you’re Cross Donati and Catherine Marcello. *** Always is a Legacy Novel, and while it is standalone, it can also act as a prequel for Revere. Each Legacy Novel stands alone from any other book, series, or collection.

Like a Memory


Abbi Glines - 2017
    One special summer. The one thing Bliss had lost herself in when the fear and sickness were too much, moments never to be damaged by the harsh reality that followed… until now. Bliss York didn’t live a normal teenage life. She didn’t go to Friday night football games, walk the halls with her friends every day, go to her prom or even walk to receive her diploma. It had all been taken from her the fall that she was fifteen years old and she was given the diagnosis no one ever wants to hear. She had leukemia. Seven years after spending a summer with a girl who he knew would always be his first love and the one who got away, Nate Finlay returns to Sea Breeze to help his fiancé open her new boutique clothing store. When the new employee walks in Nate is taken back seven years to the girl he thought he’d love forever. The one who never answered his calls or returned his text. The one who shut him out completely with not even a goodbye and broke his heart. They’ve each become someone different. No longer the young teens with stars in their eyes. But does that matter when your heart still says that’s the one.

The Boy on the Bridge


Sam Mariano - 2021
    I saw someone hurting and wanted to help. I saw someone possibly in danger and wanted to make sure he was safe.There’s nothing safe about Hunter Maxwell, though. I thought there might be. I fell under his spell. Whatever the world saw when they looked at him, it wasn’t what he showed me. The bond we formed was real. I know it was real. But with Hunter, when the tides turn, you’d better hope you’re safely on the shore and out of his reach.I thought I was a strong enough swimmer to keep my head above water. I thought if it came down to it, I could resist his pull.I didn’t know, but now I do.Once Hunter sets his sights on you, there’s no such thing as out of his reach. Whether it’s today, tomorrow, or five years from now, he’s coming for me—and when he does, he won’t stop until he’s destroyed me.***The Boy on the Bridge contains mature, adult content and is only recommended for adult readers.

Nori's Delta


Lori Ryan - 2020
    Protecting a State Department official is just another assignment until he discovers that Eleanor Bonham is Nori Duncan, the one that got away. He can protect her from enemy forces in the Republic of Kazarus, but can he defend his heart from the woman who used to be his everything?She’s not going to fall for a soldier boy…High school was a long time ago, and Eleanor is no longer the heartbroken girl who ended things with Heath. She doesn’t have time for love, not if she’s going to rise in the ranks at State Department. But Heath is even more handsome than he was back then, and his years in the military have honed him into a man completely unlike the boy she once knew. With his sights set on her, how can she resist?The mission in Kazarus is as important as it is dangerous. Eleanor and Heath will need to rely on one another if they are going to see the mission through. But will they be able to overcome past pain for the hope of a future?

Best Friend With Benefits


B.B. Hamel - 2017
    Henry broke my heart years ago. I never forgave him for what he did. But now I have my dream job, and it turns out we’ll be working together. He’s even hotter than I remembered. And he still wants me. I need to resist that delicious jerk’s charm. What a huge mess. Back in high school, we were inseparable. Henry was my best friend and a little bit more. But he broke my heart. One day we were close, and the next he was ignoring me in the halls. Fast forward ten years. I just landed my dream job working for an online news organization. It’s my chance to report on serious issues. Except I’ll be working very closely with Henry. He’s the producer on my first story. I never thought I’d see him again. But he’s back, and he’s all grown up: cocky grin, muscular body, hands that have a ton of experience. I can’t stop picturing all those nights we used to undress each other in the dark. I need to keep it professional. But Henry isn’t making that easy. He wants me again. And he’s not being subtle about it. If I give in to him, I know I’m going to need more than just one night. I’m in for the best mistake of my life. Best Friend With Benefits is a steamy romance with hot scenes and bad language. It’s only recommended for readers 18+. Best Friend With Benefits is a STANDALONE, full-length novel. No cliffhanger. Guaranteed HEA. Includes bonus content!

HOT Pursuit


Lynn Raye Harris - 2013
    He broke her heart. He's the only one who can save her life...Evie Baker hasn’t seen Matt Girard in ten years. Not since the night she gave him her virginity. Now the Black Ops soldier is back in town and looking to make things right. Too bad she doesn’t believe a word he says. But when her sister goes missing and Evie’s suddenly a suspect in a murder, Matt’s the only man she can trust to keep her safe.Matt knew Evie wanted forever ten years ago, but all he wanted was escape. He’s older and wiser now, and he knows what matters. He’ll do whatever it takes—break any rules necessary—to protect Evie and find her sister. And then he’ll do everything he can to win his best friend’s heart and prove he’s the man she needs him to be.

For the Thrill


Nora Flite - 2014
    One rule keeps us from destroying each other: Share everything. So when little miss curves and confidence swings her hips into our lives... Well. The rule can't change. I already said it. We share everything. That includes Marina. Even if we help her--the only kind of help two hitmen can offer--we can't let her live. No risks. No mistakes. We want to taste and touch and suffocate on this woman. But our desires don't matter. This ends with her in a cold grave. Author's Note-- Cliffhanger ahead! Book 2 will be released this November. This is NOT a Love Triangle. Contains explicit, erotic scenes and themes of violence/mature situations. The first book in the Beyond Blood Series Approximately 200 pages

How We Fall


Melissa Toppen - 2017
    It still feels like yesterday when he stumbled into my life with his messy brown hair and dark eyes. Even though I was only ten years old at the time, I knew right then and there that he was going to change everything.From that point on Cole and I were always together—inseparable—and I naively believed we’d be best friends forever. But forever didn’t last nearly as long as I expected. We grew up and grew apart, life driving the distance between us, but my love for Cole never faltered. Even long after he moved away, leaving me and our little town behind, I still carried a piece of him with me every single day. Because Cole wasn’t just my childhood best friend- the boy who knew me better than anyone else in the whole world. He was also my first love- a part of my very core.When a tragic death brings us face to face again after six years, every single memory comes rushing to the surface. Only this is not the boy I fell in love with all those years ago. The man before me is hardened, intimidating, and so damn sexy I practically melt when those dark eyes meet mine for the first time in six years.And like the first time he walked into my life, I know with complete certainty that everything is about to change.How We Fall is a STANDALONE Contemporary Romance.

He's Back: A Second Chance Romance


Aria Ford - 2018
    He left me to join Amnesty International and fight injustice. I never got over him. I’m back in our hometown, and I’ll probably never see him again. DRAKE: I looked across the fancy gala and saw Ainsley. My friend’s sister, the girl I can’t resist. I could tell her the truth but it would put her in danger. I want her like I’ve never wanted anything. Her smile, her skin, her voice in my ear when I make her scream. She’s going to be mine. This time I’ll never let her go. F*ck playing it safe. I’m playing to win. This is a standalone, full-length 60,000+ words novel. No cheating, no cliffhanger, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Also includes bonus content!

Bait


M. Mabie - 2014
     She was the best kind of trouble. The kind that was so wrong, it felt right. I’ve tried and failed to stay away from him. I’ve done everything in my power to make her mine and keep her. He’s almost impossible to say no to. She never tells me yes. We’re always fighting. When we’re not fighting, we’re… well… making up. He makes me laugh so hard. I miss her laugh the most. I'm a liar. She knows the truth, but won’t admit it. Sometimes, I wish I'd never met him. I wish we could meet all over again. I'd do better. His girlfriend knows. The guy she’s with is a fool. I’ll never love anyone like I love him. She doesn’t love me enough to choose us. It was the wrong place. It was the wrong time. It should have been him. It will always be her. This book contains adult situations and is recommended for adult readers.

Blyss


J.C. Cliff - 2014
    Two sexy, ruthless men...one innocent female caught in the middle. Prepared to spend the summer back at home, Julianna Oakley's plans take an unexpected turn for the worse. She's become Nick Palcini's ultimate obsession, and he will stop at nothing to have her.Dangerous and controlling, Nick has been setting the stage for a long time, and sparks fly when their separate worlds collide. But Nick didn't bank on one thing: Julianna's fiery, independent streak. She'll fight him at any cost. When Travis Jackson, Nick's right-hand man, lays his eyes on the prize, all Hell breaks loose. He should know Nick is playing for keeps, and while Julianna is fighting for her freedom, a lifetime full of secrets and twisted perceptions slowly unwind as Julianna gets caught in the fray.

Resentment


Nicole London - 2015
    (Yes, I’m well aware that’s not the actual definition, but it might as well be . . .) It’s been ten years since we've seen each other and the feelings are still as strong. I’m not going to bore you with all the details of how our love was once intoxicating, consuming, and perfect. Because it was . . . until it wasn't. I've been fine without him. I haven’t missed his cruelty, his coldness and his spite. And after the ugliest breakup in the history of breakups, I forced myself to move on. Year by year, the feelings I had for him slowly drifted away, but one encounter with him recently changed everything. One encounter made me realize how the heart doesn't forget shit, and how my mind is going to have to work overtime to make sure I never forget my definition of resentment.