Book picks similar to
False Start by Marianne Rice


sports
contemporary-romance
contemporary
romance

Winter's Magic


Cynthia Gail - 2012
    She attended their private schools. She was even engaged, although briefly, to one of their most recognized bachelors. But she never fit in to their social-elite world. After losing his parents to a car accident at a young age, Nick Chester was raised by his grandfather, the wealthiest man in Nashville. When he chooses to socialize, he has a never-ending list of exclusive events and beautiful women vying for his attention. Yet he never lets himself forget that everyone has an agenda. Beth can't resist Nick's charm and accepts an invitation to dinner, despite her deep-seated insecurities. She proves she's nothing like other women Nick's dated and learns to trust him in return. But just as the last of their resistance crumbles and true love is within reach, challenges from Nick's past threaten to destroy everything and force Beth to reveal her most guarded secret.

Charmed by the Bartender


Piper Rayne - 2017
    Probably not in retrospect. In my defense I had just moved back into my grandparent’s house, I’d lost my dream job, and a guy on Tinder had stood me up. It was like life had suddenly stamped ‘LOSER’ on my forehead. So when the guy behind the bar started giving me THE look…you know, the one that promised I’d be screaming his name into the wee hours of the morning? When that guy also has the perfect amount of scruff on his chiseled chin, biceps bulging out of his t-shirt, and a cocky grin you knew he’d earned in the sack…when he gives you that look, you don’t bother to figure out what your six degrees of separation are. You jump on that horse and ride it! Pun fully and completely intended. And accurate by the way. I fully admit to feeling sorry for myself and acting impulsively, but by the time I’d figured out WHO the bartender was, I was already falling for him.

Finding Mrs. Right


Debbie White - 2016
    During one of her days walking dogs in Central Park, Ronnie as she is known by her friends has a casual conversation with a handsome man. She never expects to see him again so she doesn’t even record his name in her memory bank. When her name comes up on the list to move into housing for single moms, Ronnie is overwhelmed with joy. She glances over to see the man from the park at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Could this be fate or a mere coincidence? Gabe’s worried about crashing and burning—again, but Ronnie’s different. Can he risk his heart or should he walk away while he still can?

Better Than Chocolate


J. Lynn Rowan - 2015
    She can't say no to anyone, even when it means putting off her own personal goals in the process. So, when her best friend, Sadie Miller, calls with the announcement that she's broken up with one fiancé and eloping with another in St. Croix, Carmella can't stop herself from dropping everything and accepting the invitation to stand as maid of honor.Jilted fiancé Ryan Wutkowski has been the third member of the Carmella-Sadie trio for nine years. He fully supports Sadie's new engagement and upcoming nuptials, knowing it's the right decision and best for both of them. But when he boards a plane to San Juan for a business conference, Carmella is the last person he expects to find occupying the seat next to his.Two days in San Juan, then a week in St. Croix--Carmella knows her two best friends are hiding something. But can she figure out what went wrong between them as she battles her own tingly, off-kilter feelings toward Ryan, while dodging advances from a womanizing best man, and confirming for herself that Sadie did make the right decision? When Ryan unexpectedly shows up at the rehearsal dinner and gets himself invited to the wedding, will Carmella finally uncover the secret he's held since the day they first met?

Huck


Alison Ryan - 2016
    Because when you’re debutante Belle Delford (that’s me), all you are to the world is your old Kentucky money. But I’m not going to live a life that was arranged for me before I was even born, a life I have no passion for. So I fled in the dead of night, and didn’t look back. I drove until I couldn’t drive anymore, until I was positive the things that were chasing me could never catch up. I ended up in Whitmer, Montana, and on my very first night I met Huck Calloway. He’s everything a woman could want: tall, brooding, and handsome as all hell. As soon as I see him, I want him, if just for one night. Anything to get my mind off the things I left behind. But Huck isn’t like any man I’ve met before. Nothing is simple when it comes to him, and I can’t read him to save my life—which only makes me want him more. HUCK I grew up in the back woods of Montana, raised never to need anyone or anything—except myself and my brothers. We build things with our hands, we kill what we eat, and we earn every single thing we have in this life. I wouldn’t have changed a damn thing about it, until the night Belle Delford waltzed into our bar and flipped my world upside down. As much as I want her in every way possible, it’s a no-go. She has secrets she doesn’t want to tell me, and I have things I can never tell her. There’s a hard line in the sand, but despite what I tell myself… I’d do anything to be able to cross it. WARNING: This is a sweet, but incredibly steamy story about love breaking through the thickest of emotional walls. Get ready to cry tears of sadness and joy for these two. Huck Calloway is one alpha country bad boy you'll never forget! This is a complete standalone story with an HEA. It's part of a series of standalones featuring brothers that live in the backwoods and mountains of Montana.

Nothing But Trouble


Lisa Mondello - 1999
    So she strikes a deal. She has to spend a full month in the Wyoming wilderness and show her father she can handle being in a remote area while managing her Type 1 diabetes before he'll agree to fund the expedition to Africa and allow her to go. But her daddy isn't the only one convinced she'll fail... But she's not about to let any man underestimate what she can do. Especially not the sexy rodeo cowboy she's hired to help get her through the month in the wilderness.Yes, he knows what he's doing. But so does she! Yes, he's ruggedly handsome...well, he can't help that, can he? But no sexy cowboy is going to keep her down!Stoney Buxton needs to raise cash fast to save the family ranch after a barn fire injured his father and left the family finances in ruin. Re-entering the rodeo circuit seems like the best way to get the money he needs. That is until Melanie Summers shows up at his ranch flashing easy money. To everyone else, Melanie's offer seems like the answer to all his prayers. But one look at her long legs and pouting lips and Stoney knows this high society gal is going to be nothing but trouble...for his cowboy heart.Excerpt:His jaw tightened. Yes, there was something definitely wrong here. And money had nothing to do with it. It had everything to do with this beauty standing in front of him, who was clueless about what she was getting her pretty little hide into. "No," he replied tersely."Mr. Buxton, I need your help.""Tourist season is in full swing. I'm sure you'll have no trouble finding someone else." He turned his back to her and began walking along the fence toward the barn, almost forgetting... Abruptly, he glanced up and saw the charred remains of the barn. The place where all his troubles had started just one year ago. It hadn't taken but a second for him to hear her boots digging into the dusty gravel behind him, jarring him from his thoughts."Then I'll do it myself," she said to his back.His whole body stiffened. He angled back to read her face, to see if she was just being a spoiled rotten rich kid, trying to get her way, or if she was actually serious. Seeing her head held high and her arms crossed in front of her, he realized she was dead serious. And dead she'd be if she stepped one boot into those mountains alone."You'll do no such thing." Frustration flaring, he lifted his dusty hat and forced his fingers through the thick crop of black hair before returning the hat to his head. "You just don't get it, do you? You're not asking me to take you on a theme park ride where you'll get to see the wonders of the world at a nice safe distance. This is God's country. The creatures that live up there don't know civilization, and you are no better than them. You could--probably will--get killed if you go out there alone." His lips twitched, taking a good long appraising look at the woman in front of him. "You might even chip a nail on that pretty hand of yours."

Born To Love (Jasper Lake Book 1)


Leah Atwood - 2018
     Jessa Graff loved her job at the Jasper Lake Chamber of Commerce. She spent her days promoting the town she grew up in and never wanted to leave. When a detour on the nearest highway brought more traffic to town, she was ecstatic to see the influx of visitors, especially one in particular who caught her attention. Jasper Lake drew in Landon Reeves from the first time he drove through. Its serene, picturesque settings spoke to his weary soul. Life hadn’t been the same since his parents came back into his life. His siblings might have forgiven them, but he knew better. It was only a matter of time before they packed up and left again. When Landon meets Jessa, they share an immediate connection, but as they spend time together, the depths of his childhood wounds surface. Can he overcome the pain of abandonment and see that he was born to love, not leave? Jasper Lake Series: Not This Time- Prequel- ASIN: B01IFCYS2K- Drew and Amie Born to Love- Book One- ASIN: B079V68BNW- Landon and Jessa A Love This True- Book Two- ASIN: B07C1V44D2- Elijah and Trixie All That Glitters- Book Three- ASIN: B07G2XV89P- Mac and Phoebe What Matters Most- Book Four- Late Fall 2018- Hunter and Beth Complementary reading for Born to Love: Calling Love- Modern Conveniences 2 (The story of Landon’s brother Archer)- ASIN: B01GDN8VZI Waiting On Love- Modern Conveniences Bonus Novella (The story of Landon’s sister Tanya)- ASIN: B01LDHOYQY

Never Close Enough


Anie Michaels - 2013
    At her greatest moment of need, a protective and sexy Porter Masters comes to her rescue. Ella takes a holiday week at the coast to discover herself and finds her attraction to Porter potent and undeniable. Uncertain of their future together, Ella struggles to open her heart to trust again. Porter Masters takes care of his own: his single mother, his company, and now he’s compelled to protect the beauty that walked into his world. Never one for relationships in his past, Porter discovers that he was waiting all along for Ella. As their time together comes to an end, will Porter fight for the woman who stole his heart? Porter will find a way to keep her, despite the obstacles.

Just Jack: Everything laid bare


K.L. Shandwick - 2015
    Growing up together, Jack loved Lily and was fiercely protective of her and for almost all of his life all he wanted was to make her happy. When she was happy he was happy, except Lily lived a world away from him now and Jack missed her dreadfully. As far as Jack was concerned there had never been a time in their lives where they hadn’t shared everything and he valued their special bond. In recent years Lily’s ambitions took her overseas and even with an ocean between them, Jack still managed to support his best friend. One day things changed everything between them and their relationship began to shift. Lily had carved her own life and after observing a scene involving her, it made Jack take a close look at his own. Life post-Lily left Jack feeling confused and he decided to take a difficult decision, never realising the potential fallout from doing something he strongly felt was the right thing at the time. With his life laid bare and as a simple, uncomplicated guy he thought he had finally figured things out. Women loved Jack but they had all come and gone in his life apart from Lily. She was always there until one day she wasn’t. A revelation by Lily left Jack feeling betrayed and abandoned by the one person who he thought he could rely on no matter what. During his journey from that moment on Jack faced more separation and loss than he could have ever imagined. How would his experiences shape him as a man and would he ever find it in his heart to forgive?

Run


Janice M. Whiteaker
    After the hell her ex-husband put them through they needed to go someplace the cloud of his sins wouldn't always be hanging over their heads. After busting her ass for two years she has a new house, a new business, new friends... and a tiny crush on the shaggy haired farmer down the road. If only she was as successful in love as she was in business.Thomas is stuck in a loop. Work. Sleep. Work. Sleep. That's where his life stalled out when his wife left him for her boss, taking half his shit and leaving him with a pile of unanswered questions. Like how in the hell did he get here? A family was all he ever wanted and now he figured that chance was gone.Then his path collided with a spunky brunette who was all he ever dreamed of. Smart. Funny. Hardworking.And his savior.But can he be hers? When a threat from her past comes back to ruin their present will Thomas be able to protect the family he's always wanted?Or will he lose everything again?If you like suspense, strong women who aren't afraid to use a four-letter word, and hard-working blue-collar heroes, you will love RUN.

Teasing Destiny


Melanie Shawn - 2015
    A heart that, with time, learned to heal and guard itself. But when Jefferson James Briggs returns to their small hometown of Wishing Well, Texas, memories of that unforgettable night come back with him.... JJ Briggs knew he had started something he couldn't finish four years ago. But now, he was back to set it right. The sexy Major League pitcher never forgot about his fiery redhead. The love and passion he felt for his “Pip” never faded. They say old wounds cut deep...will JJ be able to heal the pain he caused all those years ago? Or will history repeat itself, keeping his Destiny just out of reach?

Made For Sin


Cass Kincaid - 2017
    Something they avoid committing. For me, Sin is a place. Club Sin, to be exact. That’s where I met an alluring woman named Rose. We had one night together. Identities concealed. Absolute freedom. Until the truth came out about who she really was. Sadie Mitchell, my best friend’s little sister. Now, we share a secret, and she’s hell-bent on keeping it hidden. But I have another secret for her, too. It wasn’t just a one-night stand for me, and I’m just as determined to make her mine. **Made For Sin is a steamy standalone romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed HEA.**

Ballbuster


Lane Hart - 2016
    I’m all for women playing professional football. But what I’m not for is The Ballbuster waltzing onto my field, trying to take over my position as the Wildcats’ starting kicker. The woman dislocated my knee with her freaking Jeep, for chrissake, and yet all of my teammates love her! So what if Roxy’s…gorgeous and sweet and loves football more than anyone in the world? This is my team; and once I recover, she’s gonna have to get used to sitting her fine ass on the bench. It’s nothing personal. Football is a dirty sport where only the best survive. Now I just have to figure out how to survive a season without ending up with a busted heart; because despite how hard I try to avoid falling for Roxy, she keeps pulling me back into her bed. Forget her Jeep. With one look, the woman can bring me to my knees. And the worst part is, I keep going back for more. ***Ballbuster is a full-length standalone romance. Also included at the end of Ballbuster is a bonus novel, the bestselling sports romance, JAX.***

The (Not So) Perfect Day


Maggie Dallen - 2019
    It can't be. Not without her best friend Ian by her side. Her perfect day would be ruined if he's not there to share it with her. The invitations all went out weeks ago, and the clock is ticking. So where is he already? And more importantly, why are all her thoughts about Ian when she's on the verge of marrying another man?It's too late to RSVP when photojournalist Ian Ferris receives the invitation to his best friend's wedding. Still, it's not too late to pop in on an old friend and check out the fiancé—for Ellie's sake. Ian tries to put a nice face on it, to be there and show his support for Ellie and her choice. But the truth is, he's going crazy because he can't imagine Ellie with anyone but himself. Will Ian allow Ellie to take her journey down the aisle on the arm of another man and make the biggest mistake of her life? Or will he tell her the truth about his feelings, and help her see that he's more than just her best man...he might just be the love of her life.

Man Fast


Krista Sandor - 2019
    She needs a reset. A complete life do-over! Enter the man fast. No dating. No worrying about liars and cheats. And no getting her heart broken! But her resolve is about to be tested when Brennen crashes into her life as a classroom volunteer.And guess what he wants?Yep! He wants her! He's exactly the type of guy she shouldn't date. But looks can be deceiving. And there might just be more to this playboy—a side that no one else has ever seen. What's a girl to do? Stick to the fast or give in to the bad boy? Or...is there another option? "I was hooked from beginning to end! This is my first book by Krista Sandor, but it won’t be the last." ★★★★★ ♥Fall in love with all three brothers in the Bergen Brothers Series:Man Fast (Book 1)Man Feast (Book 2)Man Find (Book 3)Bergen Brothers: The Complete Box Set (Books 1-3) + Bonus Story