Book picks similar to
The Scale by Mika Jolie


romance
contemporary-romance
contemporary
interracial

Restraint


Adriana Locke - 2020
    She prides herself on her decision-making skills. It’s the one asset that has never let her down. But even the best thinkers have weaknesses. Hers is a delicious business mogul with a quick tongue.Unfortunately for her, that tongue is good for more than just talking. Holt Mason doesn’t need to justify anything to anyone. He wants Blaire. He pursues Blaire. And he gets Blaire because that’s how his life works. Until it doesn’t. What begins as a single night in a hotel room spirals into an unusual agreement. As late nights provide the space to trade secrets and walls come tumbling down, more is shared than just pillow talk. They both should’ve known better. They should’ve shown restraint. Because when guards are dropped, hearts get shattered.A one-night stand turns into something more in this heart-filled, steamy romance from USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke.

The Billionaire's Obsession~Simon


J.S. Scott - 2013
    My entire life has been a struggle for me. But I'm almost through the hard times, nearly done with nursing school so I can build a better life than the one I was given. I'm so ready to move from full-time waitressing to a professional nursing career. Until....disaster strikes just as I enter the home stretch. Through no fault of my own, I'm about to be homeless, and I'll end up kissing all my dreams goodbye unless some kind of wonderful,surprise event occurs, and great things just don't happen to a girl like me. Or so I thought...until a miracle shows up in the form of the mysterious, stubborn, handsome, alpha billionaire, Simon Hudson. He makes me a bargain that's almost impossible not to accept when I'm looking at homelessness, and giving up everything I've worked so hard to achieve. Do I dare trust a wealthy mystery man that I don't even know? Simon has secrets and hidden pain that inexplicably draws me to him, but once I'm caught up in his web, will he ever let me go?

Perfect Ten (Escort #1)


Michelle Craig - 2014
    THIS IS AN EROTIC ROMANCE STORY! Joseph Starling Jr. was in the right place at the right time. It didn’t take him long to discover his particular talent. He knew how to make a woman feel good. If she wasn’t screaming out his name, purring like a kitten or clawing at him like a lioness, he had failed. Mediocre was not a word in his vocabulary. Her enjoyment was so important to him that his own pleasure was a secondary concern. Faith Graham was nothing like the women he was required to date as an escort—it was what he liked about her from the first time he saw her. She was imperfect and insecure. Her hair was a bit on the wild side, and her clothes were slightly rumpled. But her curves! They were alluring. She had curves where most of the elite clientele he mingled with had straight lines, and not an ounce of softness to be found. Shocking him to his core, she didn’t want anything to do with him. Joe had always thought that working as an escort for Perfect Ten was a dream come true, but he was beginning to wonder if there was more to life than raking in the cash and having his pick of women on any given night. Could he start over with a new direction in life, or was he already at the age of twenty-six too jaded? Was there more out there for Joe Starling or was he destined to be a boy toy at the whim of any woman rich enough to afford him?

Juicy


Pepper Pace - 2011
    This interracial love journey is the tale of Juicy who has spent much of her adolescence being bullied because of her dark skin and her weight, until circumstances forced her to stand up for herself. And Troy, whose mental illness forced him into the streets. Now, as an adult, Juicy has grown into a woman that is filled with anger and a distrust of whites instilled in her by her mother. After an altercation, Juicy finds herself rescued by an unlikely individual; a white, homeless man that she has thoughtlessly nick-named; 'Mr. Cracker.' After exploring mutual stereotypes and attempting to understand their differences, Juicy and Troy find themselves drawn to each other. Out of a sense of loneliness and true friendship the two outcasts finally find something deeper than friendship and their journey to self discovery begins.

Indelible Love - Emily's Story


D.W. Cee - 2012
    Her world shattered, she picks up the pieces when she finds love again with Jake.Dr. Jake Reid - Successful doctor, loving boyfriend, the one who wants to fulfill Emily's happily ever after - falls in love with Emily at first sight and pushes their relationship fast and furious.Max Davis - Reserved, indecisive, Emily's first love - believes he let go of his first love for her sake, for all the right reasons. Eighteen months after the break-up, he's ready to win Emily's heart again.Insecure from her broken relationship, Emily can't fully trust Jake's passion and love for her and struggles between Jake, the man who wants to create a future with her, and Max, the man who wants to relive the past. When both men propose, Emily's indecision causes her to lose her true love. Laugh, cry and cheer for Emily as her relationships unfold through culinary delights that begin in Napa Valley and weaves through eateries in San Francisco, Kyoto, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Paris. Who she chooses for her happily ever after may surprise you in the end.

The Game of Love 1


K. Alex Walker - 2014
    Alex Walker How was it possible that everything about this woman, every single damn thing he encountered, was so wonderful? Professional Quarterback Austin Riley has always been smitten with the lovely Sommer Hayes. Having known each other their entire lives, the majority of their relationship exchanges were sneers, insults, smirks, and jeers. Now, ten years have past since he last stepped foot in his hometown. He and Sommer run into each other again, only to find out that they both share the same secret: their hatred towards each other had merely been a cover-up for the true feelings that they’d kept hidden. However, another hidden secret is also lying in wait, waiting to tear them apart.

In Search of a Love Story


Rachel Schurig - 2012
    They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.

I Don't


Ella Fox - 2017
    After all, the sexy and charming Mateo is everything she's ever wanted—and more. But she needs to protect herself—and her heart—before it’s shattered once and for all. Mateo has no choice but to let her go. His woman needs space, and he loves her enough to give it to her—no matter how much he hates it. The only thing keeping him sane is the certainty that their separation will be short-lived.Ava thinks it’s over, but she’s about to find out that Mateo will stop at nothing to turn her “I Don’t” into an “I Do.”

Blind


Xavier Neal - 2014
    He's the best amateur fighter at TKO, has a buffet line of women desperate to be taken by him, and three friends that are his family. However, when Maxx crosses over from Logan's blind spot on the side lines to the dead center of his vision, he realizes that he can't stay blind to the fact this girl, is the girl.

Frenched


Melanie Harlow - 2014
    But my friends convinced me that bitter tastes better drowned in Bordeaux, so I came to Paris for a single-moon. Then I met him. He's shown me things I’ve never seen before, and I’m not talking about the Louvre. Is it just the seduction of Paris? Or could this be the real thing?

Silent Run


Barbara Freethy - 2008
    Her memory is gone, her baby missing. All she has is the gripping certainty that she is in mortal danger. Then a handsome, angry stranger barges in and makes a terrible accusation. He was her lover - and her child's father - until she disappeared seven months ago.Jake Sanders swore he'd never forgive Sarah Tucker, but he isn't about to let her get away again--especially not with his daughter still missing. If he has any chance of recovering his baby, he must help the woman who betrayed him retrieve the pieces of her shattered memory--without letting his feelings get in the way.Haunted by troubling flashes of memory, Sarah begins to realize she's lived a life of lies. But what is the truth? And where is her baby?SILENT RUN is the first book in a romantic suspense duo featuring two brothers. SILENT FALL is book #2 and is also available.PRAISE FOR SILENT RUN"Freethy hits the ground running as she kicks off another winning romantic suspense series...Freethy is at her prime with a superb combo of engaging characters and gripping plot." Publishers' Weekly"If you love nail-biting suspense and heartbreaking emotion, Silent Run belongs on the top of your to-be-bought list. I could not turn the pages fast enough." Mariah Stewart"Hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages throughout all the twists and turns. Silent Run is powerful romantic intrigue at its best." JoAnn Ross"Freethy's star continues to gain luster with another stellar romantic thriller. Hang on!" Romantic Times

Keep


Kaye Blue - 2015
    But when I looked at his hulking, tattooed body, the icy brutality in his eyes, I realized I was wrong. HIM: Familie. My clan. I’d fight for it, kill for it, die for it. It’s all that matters to me. But her innocence, only barely hidden by thick layers of makeup, the curves that her tight dress can’t hide, calls to me. So I’ve decided to keep her. No matter how deadly the consequences.

Theirs to Play


Kenya Wright - 2013
    They find a female, date her, and compete to see who can bed her first. Too bad they picked the wrong one this time. Dawn's too smart for their verbal play and too quick to get trapped by clever ploys. The more the brothers work to capture her heart, the more they discover she might not be theirs to play.

Crown Jewels


Ella James - 2016
    Not that I keep track of Prince Liam. Definitely don't stalk him online like my friends do.I'm out of that scene now. My family's reality show might still be running, but I've been off-screen for a while. When people pass me on the sidewalk, they might squint, but most of them don't scream "Lucy Rhodes" and ask about my love of Lucky Charms or how my broken toe healed.Prince Liam--my stalking his Instagram--it's my dirty little secret. Trust me, I'm the only woman in the world who doesn't actually want him. Except I'm back in the Hamptons for the first time in two years. I'm at a party, and Prince Manwhore is here as well. I tell myself that smile has no effect on me. That his ridiculous charisma is a parlor trick I see right through.After our one night together, no one knows that I succumbed.It doesn't matter. It meant nothing.Not until I see those two pink lines.

Shopping for a Billionaire


Julia Kent - 2014
    When mystery shopper Shannon Jacoby meets billionaire Declan McCormick with her hand down a toilet in the men's room of one of his stores, it's love at first flush in this hilarious new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent.