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Risking it All by Katrina Abbott
young-adult
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The Summer We Believed
Shel Delisle - 2016
Their plan for this summer is to have as much fun in the sun as they can before they head off for their first year of college at the U in the fall. Everything changes when Duncan’s father announces he’s been promoted and the family will be moving to Florida. Secretly, both Mel and Duncan are harboring feelings for each other, but both are holding back. With only one week before the life-long friends are separated by two thousand miles, can the budding romance find a way to blossom? The Summer We Believed is the first installment of Denim Days, a friends-to-lovers series by Shel Delisle.
Breaking Free
Juliana Haygert - 2013
To others, her family and her relationship with Eric is perfect. But she knows the truth. She lives it.After a fire takes her grandma's life and kills her horse, Hannah's immaculate life spirals out of control. Her father disapproves of her decision to run her grandma’s ranch instead of focusing solely on learning the family business; Animal Control brings her Argus, a mistreated horse that she can't turn away even though she's not ready for another horse; and her boyfriend, Eric Bennett, a world famous polo player, becomes possessive and authoritarian. Despite her best efforts to disguise it, Hannah grows wary of him.Then, Leonardo Fernandes struts onto the polo scene. A cocky rookie with a messy life of his own, he’s drawn to Hannah and isn’t afraid of showing it, even when Eric makes it clear she is his and he’ll do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Hannah suffers for Eric’s jealousy. The abuse only gets worse when Leo steals the title of best polo player in the world from Eric.But the title isn’t enough for Leo. He wants Hannah too, and she can’t deny her attraction to him either. Somehow, she must find a way to break free from abusive Eric before he breaks every bone in her body.Author's note: this book contains scenes of domestic violence, mentions of animal cruelty, strong language, sex scenes (no rape!), and a HEA.The Breaking Series:Breaking Free (Book 1)Breaking Away (Book 2)Breaking Through (Book 3)Breaking Down (Book 4)*All books are standalone and can be read out of order.
Just a Little Series: Part One
Tracie Puckett - 2012
After all, she has no clue what she wants from life post-graduation. So when her Uncle Charlie, Oakland's Chief of Police, suggests Julie fulfill her twenty hours of required job shadowing at the local police department, she's thrilled at his solution. Thinking she'll spend her days filing paperwork behind a desk, she finds herself quickly agreeing to his proposition. But Julie's expectations are quickly turned upside down when she meets Luke, the young and handsome (albeit somewhat stubborn) officer she's assigned to shadow on patrol. With every hour she logs with Luke at the wheel, her feelings stir deeper, and Julie can't help but wonder if what she's feeling has developed into more than just a little crush. JUST A LITTLE EMBRACE Gone are the days of police patrol. With ten hours to go before completing her job shadowing project, seventeen-year-old Julie Little's assignment has switched gears, and now she's required to start living the lifestyle of every man (and woman) in uniform. Under Luke's command, Julie is obligated to complete her remaining hours through early morning exercise training. And despite her distaste for physical exertion, Julie's crush on her mentor continues to grow by leaps and bounds with each passing day. And just when she's certain that she's making progress in her relationship with Luke, Julie learns that the new guy in town has taken an interest in winning her heart... and as far as she's concerned, there's only room in her heart for one man... even if he still hasn't figured out that they're meant to be. JUST A LITTLE SINCERITY Plans for the Oakland Fall Ball are officially underway, and it's up to seventeen-year-old Julie Little to pull off a night her classmates will never forget. But with the recent tragedies that have torn through her life, Julie can't stay focused on the task at hand. With the added stress of the dance, family, and fragile friendships, she continues to struggle with the pain that comes with love and loss. And with the fate of her love life hanging in the balance, a close friend finally lays it all on the line; Julie will never be happy... until she finally lets Luke go.... JUST A LITTLE PROMISE In the beginning, all she wanted was a sense of direction. Now, she's fighting in the name of love. Seventeen-year-old Julie Little is under constant scrutiny. Try as she might, she can't make a single move without her uncle's permission--and Charlie will stop at nothing to keep her from Luke (even if that means putting her behind bars for an hour or two). But Charlie's overbearing behavior is the least of her worries. Derek is consumed with guilt. Luke is struggling to overcome his past. And Julie is on a diehard mission to change things that are completely out of her control... even if that means betraying the man she loves.
Chloe's Rescue Mission
Rosie Dean - 2015
Contemporary Romantic Comedy Will Scottish leisure tycoon help Chloe save her family's crumbling theatre? Can she resist his notorious charms? And just how much exposure will satisfy the paparazzi's lust for headlines? Chloe is about to find out...
The Dragonslayer's Sword
Resa Nelson - 2008
Her happiness is shattered when her lover-the dragonslayer-disappears without a trace, and the life that she knows and loves implodes without warning. Astrid lives in a world of shapeshifters whose thoughts have the power to change not only themselves but others. Everything Astrid knows to be true is called into question when she learns the truth about her past and the mysterious family from which she was separated as a child. Reality turns inside out as Astrid gradually learns the truth about the people she loves as well as those she disdains. With the fate of dragons, ghosts, and slaves in foreign lands resting on her shoulders, Astrid faces the challenge of deciding who she is and how she will stand up inside her own skin. Will she withdraw and hide from the world that has disappointed her so much... or will she rise to lead others to freedom and peace? AUTHOR'S NOTE: This series is written for adults but appropriate for ages 14 and up.
Crazy Love
Emma Keene - 2013
She is planning to attend State in the fall, with her boyfriend Mitch, and has her life all planned out. The only problem is that life has an entirely different plan for her. Excerpt: Dragging my feet as I walk, I leave my room and head downstairs to face the firing squad. I step into the kitchen and my parents stop mid sentence and look at me. It’s a weird feeling, almost like I’m a toy that is being inspected for faults. They are trying to decide if I pass and get to move on with my existence or I fail and get tossed to the bottom of a trash bin. Dad motions for me to take a seat across the table from him. My mom gets up and stands at the sink, looking out the window. I can already tell this isn’t going to be good. I hang my head and wait for it to begin. “Where were you?” I swallow and turn to my dad. He looks disappointed, but compared to the look on my mother’s face, he looks calm and collected. I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s always been the one who steadies the ship when the waves start. “I… I went to Mitch’s house.” My mom starts to cry. I instantly feel bad, even though I’m not sure why my sneaking out would cause her to be upset emotionally. I get that she’s mad, however, this is not the response I was expecting. Why would me going to Mitch’s house make her cry? It really makes no sense. My dad lets out a deep sigh and drums his fingers on the table. “What were you doing there?” I wrestle with telling them the truth. They are going to be pissed either way. Maybe I should just tell them about State. I take a deep breath and ready myself, emotionally, to deal with the slew of questions and judgment that is sure to follow.
After Love Leaves: The Story of Us
Michelle Alstead - 2017
When she met Brad Sorenson, Zoe was convinced her bad luck with men had finally changed. He saw past her insecurities and the Oreo addiction she just couldn’t shake, inspiring her to chase her dreams. Brad was looking for a good time online, not love. But Zoe was so sweet, so kind. Everything about her was perfect—until she fell for him. Doesn’t she understand he’s the wrong guy for a woman like her? Zoe doesn’t know why Brad left her standing in an airport; he won’t return her calls or texts. With her self-esteem and dreams shattered, she can’t imagine ever loving anyone else… When a devastating diagnosis changes Brad’s life forever, he’s forced to finally face the truth: there’s only one woman he’s ever truly loved.Will Zoe give Brad a second chance or is she done with love for good?***This is not your typical romance. Real love is complicated and messy. This story is written for those who have loved the wrong person for all the right reasons.
Caching In
Tracy Krimmer - 2014
Her job at the bank is going nowhere, and her love life might as well be non-existent. Determined to try something new, Ally becomes absorbed in the world of geocaching. The high-tech driven scavenger hunt introduces her to Seth, and she realizes the game isn’t the only thrilling part. Ally’s bad luck may finally be changing, until the past threatens to halt her future with Seth. Can they find happiness together, or is love the one cache Ally can’t find?
Looking for Leon
Shirley Benton - 2011
That is, until the wheel of fortune steps in and separates them during a fire drill. With next to no info on Leon, Andie finds it impossible to track him down - despite staging a series of publicity stunts to get the media in on the act. Back in Ireland, journalist Andie begins to write a regular newspaper column about her search. Readers love it and a local TV station flies her back to Vegas to take up the hunt for the man she can't forget. What starts off as a simple low-budget documentary spirals into a frenzied national media search. With the world's most ambitious PR agent on board, Andie becomes a heroine for those who are looking for love. But does Leon want to be found?
The Beginning of Loss
Nancy Adams - 2016
Sam, meanwhile, struggles with his own emotions as he watches his terminally ill wife slip slowly away. Can their love survive beyond the deceit that it was born out of? Or will they succumb to the barriers standing between them? At the same, on the other side of the world, Jules Lee travels to a small Colombian village hoping to be reunited with the love he hasn’t seen for fifteen years, Juliette. However, dark shadows from their past threaten to ruin everything before Jules has even had a chance to be with her. These two seemingly unconnected tales of love and the things we must endure to survive it, begin the foundations for a story that will span over a decade and entwine the fates of each of the characters as they experience life after love.
Better Than Revenge (Sweet Secrets Series Book 1)
Taylor Henderson - 2015
After years of letting Brianna walk all over her, Violet’s finally had enough. She’s tired of sitting back and watching Brianna flirt with her boyfriend, steal her friends, and push her around. She’s finally ready to stand up for herself. To do this, Violet and her new friend, Lena, devise a plan to make Brianna realize that not everything is hers for the taking, and Violet knows the perfect way to do it… After all, nothing is better than revenge. That is, until someone gets hurt.
Hooked
Claire Adams - 2015
She strings her paycheck from rent day to rent day, never able to put anything together, to make anything of herself. Her beautiful dance studio, for both young girls and old, barely keeps her fed or keeps clothes on her back. And, because of this busy, ever-brimming schedule, she is unable, ever, to live her life. To meet anyone romantically. To think about sex, let alone have it. Until: Drew arrives. He’s handsome, charming. He leads her away from her troubles, to a perfect day at the ballpark, to heart-wrenching sex in the Four Seasons—the height of luxury. Molly is unsure of what to do, brimming with such love, such longing. She’s been ripped from her life of unrest, of constant stress, and brought into this new world of orgasmic experiences and riches. But will this immaculate world of sex, of grandeur truly solve her problems? Will she find herself losing her true passion—dance—on her way to a better, more fulfilling life? And how often can she lie to this supposed “man of her dreams” until she has to fess up about her true, hopeless self?
The Orchard Inn
A.M. Kusi - 2019
He’s looking for his future. Will they take a chance on a love neither expected…Ella lives in constant fear. After seven years of concealing her whereabouts from an abusive ex, she gets an opportunity for a fresh start when one of the few men she trusts leaves her a charming inn. When a mysterious, charming guest tempts her to open her heart again, she fears the scars from the past will keep her from anything close to love.
Hardworking and successful, River has always wondered if something's missing from his life. And when he falls for the gorgeous proprietor of Orchard Inn, he knows the tattooed beauty is exactly what he needs. Moved by her pain, he encourages her to open up about her fears while he promises to stay by her side.
But just as their irresistible passions bloom, Ella’s brutal ex returns to reclaim what was never truly his.
Can Ella and River fight off the past long enough to awaken a forever love?The Orchard Inn is the inspirational first novel in the Orchard Inn romance series. If you like strong heroines, kind-hearted heroes, and a dash of suspense, then you’ll adore A.M. Kusi’s uplifting tale.Buy The Orchard Inn to watch a couple heal with love today!
Hollywood Heartbreaker
Alexa Aston - 2021
Book One in the exciting Hollywood Name Game series has arrived. Being late to an interview lands her the biggest job opportunity of her life.He may be rich and successful--but he's just this side of miserable.Can a wannabe be The One for the biggest star in Hollywood?Cassie Carroll came to Hollywood with big dreams that never materialized. Acting isn't even on the back burner anymore--it's completely off the stove. Working for a third-rate agent, Cassie hopes to land a new job that will give her credibility, as well as help pay the rent. Late to her interview, she swerves to avoid hitting a dog--and totals the car of Hollywood's leading action superstar. Surprisingly, she walks away from their encounter with a job--as the sexiest man alive's personal assistant.Rhett Corrigan is bored with the movies he makes and the drop-dead gorgeous model he's dating. He's afraid that Hollywood has typecast him--and that he'll never be able to break out of his action mold and try new acting challenges. When Cassie Carroll literally slams into his life, she brings a breath of fresh air and common sense to his world. She pushes him to be a better actor and a better man.Can these friends become lovers--and can their love survive--in a tabloid-happy town that thrives on rumors and backstabbing?Hollywood Heartbreaker is the first book in the Hollywood Name Game series. Each book in the series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order.
One Perfect Summer
Iris Morland - 2021
After her boyfriend dumps her, she decides to throw caution to the wind.So what better way to let her hair down than to have a no-strings-attached fling while living on the paradise that is Hazel Island?Enter: Elliot Parker and Bekah’s high school crush.Luckily for Bekah, Elliot is just as dreamy as he was a decade ago, and he’s not looking for commitment.This playboy isn’t about to turn down a gorgeous woman like Bekah for some steamy loving, either.Yet with their hearts now on the line, can this fling turn into a love for all seasons?