Book picks similar to
Time for Honesty by Mette Barfelt


romance
contemporary-romance
fiction
contemporary

Close to Home


Suzanne Ferrell - 2012
    I’m Lorna Doone. Yep, spelled just like the cookie and I own the Peaches ‘N Cream Café here in Weston. You might think nothing much happens in a small mid-western town, but as my friend Harriett says, things aren’t always what they appear. Take our girl Emma for example…”Emma Lewis has a lot on her plate. The single mother of two precocious twin boys and an aging mother who is having trouble getting through each day, the last thing Emma needs is a man in her life, especially a doctor. So when the town’s doctor goes on vacation and his handsome nephew takes over, Emma is shocked to not only find him standing in her bedroom, but accusing her of being a neglectful parent.Clint Preston came to Westen for the year to fill in as the town doc while his uncle took a long needed vacation. Clint also needed a sense of peace and calm to try to find his passion for medicine burned out by long shifts in an urban hospital’s ER. Angered to find two boys in his clinic with broken wrists and no accompanying parent, he is determined to confront their mother. The feisty redhead he meets quickly dispels his belief that she’s a neglectful mother, but he can see her situation is more critical than she wishes to face and finds himself volunteering to help care for her sons and the remodeling of her home.As Emma and Clint forge a relationship among the slightly off-beat characters that inhabit Weston a menace from Emma’s past threatens her and her sons. Clint and Emma join forces to prevent the loss of either boy and the love they’ve discovered in each other’s’ arms.

Coming Home


Kimberley O'Malley - 2017
    Elizabeth Abbott Fitzgerald has spent the last ten years of her life running; from tragedy, from family, from love. But now her mother’s failing health calls her home to Windsor Falls, North Carolina; to the place where her past awaits. Sam Bishop can’t believe his eyes when the love of his life returns after ten long years. All he wants is to clear his conscience and get back the family he lost when Connor, his best friend and Elizabeth’s husband died tragically. Could it really be true that time heals all wounds?

Ninety-Nine Signs


Elisheba Haxby - 2019
     A breakdown strands her in Vancouver, Washington on the corner of 99th and Highway 99. Across the street is the Highway Ninety-Nine Diner where she lands a job as a waitress—however starting over is hard with all the broken trust. Joe Phillips, the diner’s short-order cook, is rugged, handsome, sweet, and is determined to push past her walls—but he has secrets of his own. Tamara finds comfort in his friendship as she struggles with a past that haunts her, and a darkness she cannot shake. She could give her heart to Joe, if not for the fears that plague her. Their friendship deepens and Tamara begins to hope again until she’s forced to make a choice no woman should ever have to face. Then the signs reappear, and lead her down her darkest path yet.

Summer of Fortune


Judith Hudson - 2020
    When her absentee ex-husband swoops in and invites their daughter to live with him for the summer, robbing Maddie of possibly their last summer together, she decides to take advantage of the unexpected freedom and accepts the offer of her first solo photography show. Leaving Seattle and the safety of her job, she heads to Washington State’s Majestic Lake. Jake Murphy has been raising his six-year-old daughter in Fortune Bay with the help of his extended family ever since his wife left five years ago. Although he can’t take a chance on a relationship with a woman who is only in Fortune Bay for the summer, he soon finds he’s breaking all of his rules. In a rustic cabin on the lake, Maddie finds the inspiration she needs, sets up her dark room and sets to work on the photographs for show. A traumatic childhood has left her a loner. It’s always been safer that way. But maintaining her distance is almost impossible in a town like Fortune Bay, and slowly she begins to make new friends—her first real friends—and meets the man and family she’s always wished for but never thought she could have. But will the people of Fortune Bay still accept her when they find out who she really is? Welcome to Fortune Bay

Gone to Green


Judy Christie - 2009
    The paper was an unexpected inheritance from a close colleague, and Lois must keep it for at least a year, bringing a host of challenges, lessons, and blessings into her life.When Lois pulls into Green on New Year’s Day, she expects a charming little town full of smiling people. She quickly realizes her mistake. After settling into a loaned house out on Route 2, she finds herself battling town prejudices and inner doubts and making friends with the most surprising people: troubled teenager Katy, good-looking catfish farmer Chris, wise and feisty Aunt Helen, and a female African-American physician named Kevin.Whether fighting a greedy, deceitful politician or rescuing a dog she fears, Lois notices the headlines in her life have definitely improved. She learns how to provide small-town news in a big-hearted way and realizes that life is full of newsworthy moments. When she encounters racial prejudice and financial corruption, Lois also discovers more about the goodness of real people and the importance of being part of a community.While secretly preparing the paper for a sale, Lois begins to realize that God might indeed have a plan for her life and that perhaps the allure of city life and career ambition are not what she wants after all.

Finding Hope in Savannah


Melissa Wardwell - 2015
    When she witnesses something horrifying and dangerous, they are forced into hiding. She seeks refuge in the small community of Isle of Hope, Georgia only to find that her life and her heart are still hanging in the balance.Officer Jake Andrews, dedicated his life to protect and serve the people of Savannah. In the back of his mind always wondering “what if”? The arrival of a young woman from his past forces him to face a long-buried secret, that will change how he sees his future.As danger comes to Georgia, Liz & Jake must learn to trust God and each other, to see their way out of the situation.

The Publicist


Christina George - 2012
    The ego has landed.Can one woman change an age-old institution like publishing? Probably not, but Kate Mitchell sure wants to try. As a publicist with a large, respected New York publishing house, Kate finds herself at the mercy of a broken publishing system, books that don’t sell, and author egos that are often, well, as big as the island of Manhattan.Enter the star Editor, MacDermott Ellis: Tall, handsome, charismatic, married, and ready to save the day. Then there’s Allan Lavigne, once a revered author--now as forgotten as last year's bestsellers and his nephew Nick: Tall, gorgeous, sweet, single and ready to sweep Kate off her feet. Kate wants to do the right thing but her hormones seem to be driving her decisions. As Kate tries to navigate the landmine of publicity, over-the-top author expectations, and the careful dance of “I’m sorry, your book isn’t on the bestseller list this week,” she also finds authors who are painfully overlooked by a publisher wanting more sex, more celebrities, and more scandal.The story only an insider could tell.

A Fresh Start In Holly Blue Bay


Cathy Blossom - 2018
     Daisy Clarke arrives in Holly Blue Bay at the request of the town’s mayor. The mayor wants Daisy to perform a marketing miracle on the town, and to increase the visitor numbers too. The town holds a special place in Daisy’s heart as something magical happened to her when she visited this place as a child. She’s determined to show the rest of the world how wonderful the town is, and will use all her marketing skills to do so. Jacob Smythe is a grumpy handyman who turns up at Daisy’s new office. She immediately mistakes him for someone else, which certainly breaks the ice between them. Just as Jacob is warming to Daisy, the mayor turns up and tells him why Daisy is in Holly Blue Bay. Jacob is furious and refuses to admit the town needs help, especially from an outsider. Things change over the next few days as Jacob and Daisy spend more time together. They find themselves drawn to each other, and love begins to grow. But then something terrible happens which results in Daisy deciding to leave Holly Blue Bay, and Jacob, behind. Can Jacob convince her to stay?

Boardwalk Beginnings


Nikki Lynn Barrett - 2020
    London Carmichael, the middle daughter of Cinnamon Bay’s wealthiest family, lives off her father’s money while jet-setting around the world. Until one bad investment has the family losing everything. Now homeless and not a penny to her name, she is stranded at the airport. Who is sent to pick her up? Jacob Westley, the one man who can’t stand her.Jacob would do anything for his best friend, even if it means helping out his buddy’s snooty sister. Years of fighting with London has him primed for the rounds of rapid-fire barbs he knew she’d throw. What he isn’t prepared for is their mutual attraction and off-the-charts chemistry. It’s in his best interest to stay away from her.Only now London has come up with a plan and needs his help in saving her family. Jacob doesn’t have the willpower to say no. Will these two enemies call a truce long enough to accomplish their mission and find true love?Fans of Brenda Novak, Nora Roberts, and Robyn Carr will fall head over heels for this delightful beachy romance.Meet the Carmichael siblings, each with their own unique personality like the different spices that helped build the family fortune. Some are hot and fiery, others mild and sweet. Some blend well together. Some don’t. Now that their wealth is gone, they must put aside their differences and come together for the first time. Follow each sibling on their path to survival and their journey into everlasting love.

Steele Ridge: The Beginning


Kelsey Browning - 2016
     A big one. In his own way, each is slowly dying inside. Grif is jaded. Reid is unsettled. Britt is frustrated. Jonah is bored. But what none of them realize is their loyalty to their hometown will force them to decide between the life they each thought they wanted and a love they can’t live without. In The Beginning, the Steele brothers go all-in to save their small-town from bankruptcy, and readers will catch their first glimpse of Grif and Carlie Beth, Reid and Brynne, and Britt and Miranda. And let’s not forget the baby brother billionaire, Jonah, who has secrets of his own. The Beginning is a 9000-word prequel to the Steele Ridge series, including full-length titles Going Hard, Living Fast, and Loving Deep.

Once Upon a Romance


Alex Bailey - 2018
    Disney. Romance. No greater magic. When Sophie’s eight-year-old niece, Ariel, asks Santa Claus for a single wish to honor her mom’s memory, Sophie knows she must grant it. Unfortunately for Sophie, Ariel's wish is to ride her mom's favorite ride on Christmas day, and it’s at the last place on earth Sophie wants to visit—Walt Disney World. It will be the first Christmas without her sister, and reliving childhood memories of her best friend is not how she wants to spend her holiday. Sophie’s only desire is to spend Christmas on the slopes with her reliable and stable beau, Darren, who has reluctantly agreed to postpone their trip until the day after Christmas. But when Sophie runs into a charming stranger, who offers up his extensive Disney knowledge, he instantly becomes her hero. A wave of relief washes over Sophie—he may just be the one to give Ariel the magical experience she desires. And, even though Sophie doesn’t realize it, he may be exactly what she needs too. Can a bit of Christmas magic help this ruggedly-attractive stranger win Sophie’s heart when she believes it already belongs to Darren? And will Sophie continue to allow her painful past to haunt her, or will she let it go? The first book in A Dream Come True series is a heart-warming holiday romance set in "The Most Magical Place On Earth."

Late Last Night


Lilian Darcy - 2014
     When Marietta’s fine-looking new sheriff, Harrison Pearce, pulls Kate over for her third traffic violation in as many months, they both know it’s a sign that something has to give. Kate finds it almost a relief to be told by this calm, strong man to get her life in order, and then she just keeps on seeing him - at school after there’s been a suspicious break-in, on the evening of the prom when he’s off duty and driving his nephew and friends to the event in one of his brother’s gorgeous vintage cars. Late that night, after prom is over, a tragedy at River Bend Park brings Kate and Harrison together yet again, and this time, in the highly charged atmosphere, Kate discovers that she never wants to let him go. But with his divorce still fresh, is Harrison ready for someone new?

Sweet Waters


Julie Carobini - 2009
    Soon she meets handsome but complicated firefighter Josh Adams and a host of mysterious faces from long ago. But what happens when truth is one secret after another, and the fairy tale turns out to be a soap opera?     Despite the vivid backdrop of their budding romance by the sea, Tara and Josh soon find themselves at odds with their families, their faith, the quirky townspeople of Otter Bay ~ and each other. Can they face the truth together ... and be set free?

Lianne


Mona Ingram - 2017
     Following in her late husband's footsteps, Lianne visits the spectacular Cornwall coast of England where she begins to find herself again. What she doesn't plan for is a growing attraction to a local man... and his dog. But when he disappears unexpectedly, she returns home and puts all of her energies into revitalizing her home town. But memories of those golden days linger, igniting her desire to love again. Mona Ingram is the author of over forty sweet, clean romances full of hope, inspiration and happily ever afters. For a complete list of Mona's books, visit her website at monaingram.com

Through the Riptide


Bert Murray - 2015
    She has to decide whether she will date her ex-boyfriend or a mysterious new man she meets on a bus ride. Filled with passion, emotion, romance and the excitement of a summer by the sea...