Book picks similar to
Absinthe Minded by Kathryn M. Hearst
romance
mafia
dnf
contemporary-romance
Trusting Jake
Lauren Giordano - 2015
In need of a jumpstart. Tired of playing by other people's rules, the widowed single mom guards her new freedom by keeping her deadbeat husband alive... in name only. But meeting Jake Traynor gives her hope and makes her question the merits of lying. Will he break down the fortress around her heart? Love under construction: Falling for a married woman was never in the blueprint. The definition of responsible son, executive Jackson Traynor is driven to prove his father right. Jake runs the family construction company. The workaholic millionaire is all business. No pleasure. Until assisting a beautiful redhead with her broken down car reminds Jake what he wants. But what if the only person you want is the one you can never have? Battling their deepening attraction, Jake must question everything he's ever believed -- because Jen and her kids are the family he's always dreamed of. Jenna must choose between a safe life and the one of her dreams. When Jake's company is threatened, she will risk everything to protect him -- even if it means exposing old secrets.
Completely Captivated
A.D. Justice - 2017
Justice! A page-turning, swoon-worthy, heart-melting story with a unique twist! I screwed up everything. My life. Her life. Our love. Now her old crush is back, and his sights are set on Christa. But she's mine. I'll win her back before he wins her over. I knew better than to trust him. I never should've taken a chance. When I was at my darkest, my old friend Jared pulled me through. Then he confessed he wants to take Aaron's place. How can I give my heart to Jared when Aaron already stole it?
Happy Endings Book Club Boxed Set Books 1-3
Kylie Gilmore - 2018
Book 1: Hidden Hollywood She’s on top… When superstar actress Claire Jordan researched her role for the Fierce Trilogy movies, she never expected the bond she feels with the author and her romance book club aka The Happy Endings Book Club. Soon Claire finds herself confessing her secret longing for a regular guy—no more egocentric wealthy players—and the book club is all too ready to help. In disguise as a regular girl, she’s all set for a date with book-club-approved Josh Campbell. He’s on top… Billionaire tech CEO Jake Campbell is weary of gold-digging women, especially the glamorous superficial types. So when his identical twin, Josh, calls in a favor, asking Jake to step in as him on a date, Jake figures one of Josh’s cute girl-next-door types might be just what he needs. One night of passion with the sweet girl next door leaves Jake wanting more, except she seems to have vanished. Sometimes a Happy Ending is just the beginning. Book 2: Inviting Trouble Madison Campbell has worshipped her older brother’s best friend, Parker Shaw, for as long as she can remember. So the night before he leaves for the Air Force, she decides he’s leaving town with her virginity. All she has to do is transform her tomboy self into a sexy woman with a bit of borrowed makeup and some creative fashion choices. The results? One drunken kiss that Park doesn’t even remember. Ten years later, no man has ever gotten close to her heart the way Park did. And now that he’s back, the very unfeminine Madison refuses to blow her second chance. But when her bold attempts to snag his attention (“Oops! Dropped my towel.”) fail miserably, she does something completely insane—she caves to a makeover from the meddling matchmaker in charge of The Happy Endings Book Club. Hey, Park, you want some of this? Madison is about to find out. Book 3: So Revealing The last thing Charlotte Vega needs is a cocky HOT stuntman like Ty Campbell in her life. But when he pulls the ultimate stunt—a sexy romantic gesture that ends with a charming invitation to a sunset dinner cruise—she finds him impossible to resist. Cue disaster. Their rocky first date goes from bad to worse when his yacht (okay, it’s actually borrowed) gets stranded in deep mud. Turns out there’s nothing Ty can do but wait hours and hours for high tide with no power, no way to cook dinner, and a hangry sexy-as-hell woman. But Ty is determined to salvage the date so he starts a game to pass the time. Only what Ty learns makes him realize he may have just botched a date with the perfect woman. How will he ever win her now? The Happy Endings Book Club series continues with Book 4, Formal Arrangement, plus more! Happy Endings Book Club Series Book 1: Hidden Hollywood Book 2: Inviting Trouble Book 3: So Revealing Book 4: Formal Arrangement Book 5: Bad Boy Done Wrong Book 6: Mess With Me Book 7: Resisting Fate Book 8: Chance of Romance Book 9: Wicked Flirt Book 10: An Inconvenient Plan Book 11: A Happy Endings Wedding For more humorous contemporary romance, check out all of Kylie's books! Clover Park Series Book 1: The Opposite of Wild Book 2: Daisy Does It All
Hopeful
Louise Bay - 2014
. . and I can’t give up hope that it might have been true. How long does it take to get over your first love?Eight years should be long enough. My mind knows that, but there’s no convincing my heart.Guys like Joel weren't supposed to fall for girls like me. He had his pick of women at University, but somehow the laws of nature were defied and we fell crazy in love.After graduation, Joel left to pursue his career in New York. He wanted me to go with him but my life was in London. We broke up and my heart split in two.I haven’t seen or spoken to him since he left.If only I’d known that I’d love him this long, this painfully, this desperately. I might have said yes all those years ago. He might have been mine all this time in between.Now, he’s moving back to London and I need to get over him before he gets over here.But how do I forget someone who gave me so much to remember?
The Bride Who Wouldn't
Carol Marinelli - 2014
There are only two problems. It’s a marriage of convenience. And, the virgin bride is frigid. Kate Edwards has never embraced her sensuality, is terrified of intimacy, and the wedding night is a disaster. Instead of calling the whole thing off, Isaak Zaretsky listens to her and challenges her using his unashamedly sensual nature and superb bedroom skills. But can Kate really give herself without love?
Yes, Please
Willow Summers - 2015
It can't get any worse.CEO prodigy Hunter Carlisle is looking for an admin, and he's picked me. Filthy rich and sinfully handsome, he's the bachelor everyone wants.But he has a secret.In order to keep the job, he'll require me to f*ck, whenever and however he wants. No hearts, no flowers, no falling in love--just sex so good it should be illegal.That's not my kinda bag. I like to hold onto control with both hands. But Hunter Carlisle is a man that gets what he wants, and he wants to make the rules.My only defense is saying no, but everything in my body wants to say yes...**This is book one in a four part series, each book full length, intended for 18+. Each book has a mini-HEA to tide the reader over leading to an overall HEA and epilogue. This is a spicy book with a little humor and a few shenanigans thrown in.
Maneuver
Chelle Bliss - 2018
Between my rugged good-looks, rock-hard body, and panty-melting smile, I was used to getting my way.…But then she walked into my club.DELILAH MILESI may have grown up with the finer things in life, but that doesn’t mean I take crap from anyone. I’m tough as nails, fiercely independent, and am never afraid to speak my mind.…But then then he stormed into my life.
The Space in Between
Brittainy C. Cherry - 2013
Andrea Evans is traumatized and guilt-ridden by the death of her fiancée. Tired of the gossiping small town, she travels to New York City to pursue her dream of dance.He’s uncertain of his future. Cooper Davidson is a famous photographer and reality television star trying to flee from his own life filled with paparazzi, mental health clinics, and a cheating wife who is pregnant. When Andrea and Cooper’s paths cross, they realize how damaged and in need of escapism they both are. The two create an arrangement to explore the space in between chaos and order with one another. The rules are simple—no emotional connections, no talking about the past, no speaking of the future, and when one finds order, the other walks away. All is well until Cooper accidentally falls in love with Andrea.Warning: The following story contains mature themes, strong language, and sexual situations. It is intended for readers 18+ older.
Wild Irish Heart
Tricia O'Malley - 2014
Determined to unearth the secrets lying hidden in the enchanted waters of the cove, Keelin has little time for a surly Irishman who infuriates her during the day and haunts her fantasies at night. Inexplicably drawn to the woman who has stepped from his dreams and into his world, Flynn fights a stubborn battle against his increasing attraction for Keelin. Forces unknown have better plans for the two. Only the secrets of the cove can show Keelin who she really is, the beauty of her mysterious power, and a love that will break the bounds of what she knows. Wild Irish Heart is a stand-alone novel and can be read on its own. The Mystic Cove Series: Wild Irish Roots: Prequel Novella Wild Irish Heart Wild Irish Eyes Wild Irish Soul Wild Irish Rebel Wild Irish Roots: Margaret & Sean Wild Irish Witch
Saddler's Secret
Nicole Rodrigues - 2019
Heartbreaking circumstances thrusts me into motherhood, and on the plane ride home, I break down, kissing a total stranger and the angel offered me a solution; Saddler Enterprises. I've climbed the ladder and worked my ass off for months, and in walks, Adam, our intern. I try to keep things professional but all of a sudden, I start to find him funny and charming. His kiss electrifies me but that's precisely when shit really hits the fan.Suddenly, I'm on the mysterious Machlin Saddler’s radar. Big, bad CEO that never makes his way to our floor, now makes it his new stomping grounds. He lights my body on fire like no one has before. He's alluring and gorgeous and I'm being pulled in two different directions. Only the new intern isn't who I think he is. He's the perfect stranger from the plane I took to start my new life with Kenzie. The perfect stranger I kissed. The perfect stranger I hate.Genevieve LangstonThe breathtaking woman I haven't been able to keep my mind off of, has been my downfall. I need her like a lion needs prey but I can't screw up the plan. She'll hate me, hell she already does, but the line between love and hate is very, very thin.
Bride in Bloom
J.B. Hartnett - 2015
In the first installment of The Beachy Bride series, we experience the love story of Victoria and Cameron. Both are no stranger to heartache, but both believe in the power of love.*This book contains mature content for an audience of 18 years or older. Sexual scenes M/M and M/F
Ignite
Tessa Teevan - 2013
One to the Army; the other in a tragic car accident. Two years after the latter, a ghost from the past reappears, igniting feelings in Alexa she’d thought long dormant.Jace McAllister has spent the last ten years in the Army, defusing bomb after bomb, trying to forget the girl who once set his world on fire. For him, she’s always been the one who got away. After a not-so-chance encounter places her back in his line of sight, he’s locked eyes on target, and won’t let her go without a fight.Ten years ago their chemistry smoldered, and now the sparks threaten to light a fuse leading to an explosion between them even Jace can’t control. Not that he wants to. But when love has slipped through your fingertips before, how can you trust it will once again remain?Will Alexa’s fear of love and loss destroy their second chance at a beautiful future before it can even begin?
Running on Empty
L.B. Simmons - 2013
Beautiful and loving husband.Three gorgeous little girls. Successful career. The only thing missing was the white picket fence. I really wanted that fence. Three years ago, I lost that life. I lost my husband. And I lost myself. But, eventually, I found my way through the darkness. I’ve made peace with my new life. I have my girls, and that’s all that matters. They are my world. I have no illusions of ever falling in love again or getting whisked away on a white horse. But then he came back into my life. On a freakin’ motorcycle.There’s no way I’ll let him turn my life completely upside down. Absolutely no way. The question is…How long can I keep pretending that I’m happy with my life being right-side up?
Gunner
Savannah Rylan - 2017
A secret that could rip us and the club apart. I killed her brother overseas. And now it haunts me in our streets. I’ll convince Brooklyn to stay with me. I never miss a target, and this time the bullseye is her heart.