Book picks similar to
Grading Curve by Emily Bunney


insta-love
contemporary
age-gap
low-angst

Grating on the Boss


Ember Davis - 2021
    I should have asked more questions about the other J because where James has an easy smile and rolls with things, Jaxson is rigid and doesn’t know the definition of coloring outside the lines. I don’t think Jaxson likes me very much because I always thought those lines were more suggestions than boundaries.It would be okay if Jaxson wasn’t the sexiest man I’ve ever laid eyes on. I have become a walking, talking cliché complete with a boss who makes me swoon and lose all my mental faculties. I can’t seem to stop making a fool of myself in front of him, somehow becoming an uncoordinated newborn giraffe as soon as I get a whiff of him.I don’t think I can keep doing this. It’s embarrassing. I’ve decided, for Boss’s Day I’m going to give Jaxson the only present I’m sure he wants: my resignation.JAXSONI don’t know what James was thinking when he hired Autumn because everything about her screams unorganized distraction. Maybe the distraction part is only a problem I have because I can’t seem to keep my eyes or mind off her. The whole thing grates on my last nerve. I knew I shouldn’t have taken a few vacation days. Somehow, he found the one candidate destined to turn me inside out and turn me on like no one else.The more I’m around her, the longer she works for me at J&J Construction, the harder it is for me to keep myself in check. I need order, I understand it, but she’s come in and messed everything up, making me want to throw all the rules and my regulated life out the window. I’m not sure when or how, but I’m finding the chaos she brings to my life and business endearing instead of annoying.She got under my skin. She might think I want her to leave so I can find order again, but she’s wrong. She shook me up, reminded me there’s more to life and I’m not letting her go. I’m going to make her mine.**If you like alpha heroes and an insta-love story that is sweet but isn’t necessarily simple, then this is for you. No cheating with a guaranteed HEA. It is a standalone, but J&J Construction appears in Less Than Strangers (Stranger Shoot Book 6) and exists within my Denver Family world.**This October meet the bosses who deserve a little something special for Boss’s Day.The Boss has been doling out big bonuses, well-deserved down time, and special treats for good behavior. They’ll do anything it takes to keep their employees happy. Now it’s time to play favorites and show The Boss who’s in charge from the bedroom to the boardroom.#TheBoss is a multi-author standalone short romance series with guaranteed HEAs, no cliffhangers, and no cheating.

A Man in Uniform (American Heroes, #4)


Leah Holt - 2020
    But I believed in us, I believed in our love.He left to serve our country. Promising to always stay with me no matter where he was.He broke his promise. He got on that bus and I never heard from him again.So, I did what anyone would, I moved on. I left him in the past, right beside the broken heart gave me.Five years came between us, five years for me to forget all about him.Until the night he swoops in and saves me. The boy I remember has turned into a hard bodied soldier. His muscles are thick, his arms strong, protective, holding me like he never wants to let me go.And his smile, his smile still makes my heart flutter.I don't know what to do. He hurt me once already.Do I forgive him and give him a second chance?Or do I let go of this man in uniform?*Meet Wyatt Saint, a man with a mission to get what he wants. This quick, hot, full of feels story has a happily ever after!

What Happens in Vegas...


Kelli Callahan - 2021
    Tempting AF.Old enough to be my father,But I didn't care.I came to Las Vegas with no money to my name.No way to make it on my own.All I knew was the one place that made my dad smile.The only picture I had of him was in front of that iconic sign.But there was someone else in that picture.My dad's best friend.I didn't even know his name,Until he whispered it in my ear.By the time we made the connection, we were in over our heads...Kelli's Note: What Happens in Vegas is the first book in the Dad's Best Friend series. Each book is a standalone, so they can be read in any order.

Sex on Fire (Naughty Neighbor Book 1)


Ashley Bostock - 2021
    Turner is my sexy as hell neighbor.I have it dialed in, when he pulls into his driveway and when he leaves for work.I watch all of the other women in our neighborhood clamor over him like dogs in heat.Funny thing is: Turner ignores them all.He doesn't give any of them the time of day.When he confesses that I'm the one for him...it's too hard to believe.How can I be the woman he needs?Especially when I accidentally set his fence on fire.

Stolen Heart (Bride of the Billionaire #4)


Jenna Rose - 2020
    But there’s one thing the world doesn’t know about him; he’s also a master art thief. So when Amory discovers his secret, Zander has no choice but to steal her too. Soon, the man who has everything, realizes he may have found his most prized possession…

Let Me Keep You (Let Me Love You #3)


Mia Madison - 2017
    But when my best friend gets married, it's a serious reality check. Life's way too short to wait for any man to treasure my beauty, brains, and bossbabe appeal - so I dump him. Nick rubs me in all the right places and blazes a fire in my heart, but am I really ready for true love when it calls? Nick I wanted Dilayla from the moment she walked into King of Diamonds with Raquel. Both ladies are beautiful, but Dilayla's bold, vivacious appeal is magnetic. I'm one of Miami's biggest playboys, but watching my best friend get married to the woman of his dreams forces me to rethink my priorities. I've got to have her, and I won't let anyone - especially her corny ex-boyfriend - get in my way.

Not So Fake (The Billionaire's Secret #7)


R.S. Elliot - 2021
    

Leelyn


Ally Crew - 2020
    LeelynGrandpa Smith's pumpkin farm has always held great memories.And now it's mine and my sister's to take run and hopefully bring to the 21st Century.When the neighbor, Judson Renner, decides he's going to withhold water for our pumpkins, he's in for a fight.The scrawny boy from my youth has grown up--muscles and a cut jaw that I want to run my finger along, just to see if it cuts me.And when I get in his face about the issue, I find myself leaning in when he leans down.I can't be falling for the country boy next door, I've got too much on the line right now.JudsonI let Joe Smith use the small part of my family's land to have access to water the pumpkins.That business is long gone and I'm done with being the nice neighbor.Leelyn with her golden highlighted auburn hair, teal eyes, and pouty lips makes my boots start dancing when they should be stomping away.She might have other plans, but if she wants access to that water, she's going to have to come to my side of the fence...for dinner.I'm not that awkward boy from my youth. I'm a man.And I'm ready to show her that it's better to love than to fight...but it sure does make for some good country fun.

Bellhop


Elsie James - 2021
    It is the first in The Hotel at Brew by Brewer series.EmeryLiving in a small town is amazing when you’re the prom queen married to your high school sweetheart. It’s less so when he cheats on you and everyone knows the gritty details. But thankfully, I have my son and the two of us have found happiness in our new normal.When a handsome firefighter is called to the hotel I work at, flames crackle between us.Lucas is sexy, chivalrous, and I want to ignite his flame.But can I trust a man who’s married to his job?LucasWhen the Misty Mountain fire department needs an interim chief, I’m happy to put in my time in the small town. I’ve made a career out of rescuing people, it’s easy when work is your only priority.But when my first call puts me in contact with a single mom and her adorable son, I can’t help but feel a spark.Emery is caring, sexy, and there's a smoldering heat between us that could change everything.But can I convince her that she’s the one saving me?The class of 2001 is headed back to Misty Mountain for their twenty-year high school reunion. They’ve come for the nostalgia but what they leave with is so much more. Join these eleven couples on their journeys to love and check in with some of your favorite Brewer couples along the way.You were with the Brewer brothers to cheer them on as they searched for love and brought their dream mountain resort to life. Get ready to see the place in all its glory. The Hotel at Brew by Brewer is an eleven-book insta love series with sexy heroes and curvy, confident women.Read this series if you love short sweet instalove rom com romances with steamy sex scenes and rugged heroes. Each book can be read as a standalone but don’t do that, okay? I love hiding little Easter eggs from the Brewer world in every story and it makes my heart so happy when people find them! As always this series is safe with no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily ever after HEA.

Burn Me


Erin Havoc - 2021
    All buffed-up? Check.All my wet fantasies clashing into one? Double-check.Dominic’s presence is intoxicating.I can’t stop thinking about what’s underneath his firefighter uniform.What a pity it’s literally forbidden for me to find out.Burning for Her Curves is a new contemporary romance series by Erin Havoc. There are loads of steam, so if you’re afraid of getting scorched, keep your distance!

Keep Me Warm


C. Morgan - 2019
    My wealth.But a weekend at the Winter Moon Lodge is exactly what I need to clear my head.And the hordes of hunky handsome guys that are coming out of the woodwork are just what the doctor ordered.But one has my attention without effort.Hunter. And this man is on the prowl.I, for one, am happy to get caught up in his net.Unfortunately, my family will never accept him.Wealth hasn’t corrupted me, but they’re a different story.If our love affair could just be a fling, all would be fine, but I can’t settle for anything less than all of him.Love or family? That is the question…

Daddy's Little Love


Daisy March - 2020
    All it took was crashing her car during the worst storm of the year. Trapped in the wreckage, she prays for help, and it arrives in the form of Richard, an alpha Daddy Dom doctor who knows exactly what a girl like Cherry needs.Richard moved to the woods to get away from his past. He didn’t plan on bringing a half-drowned girl back to his cabin but until this storm passes, they’re stuck together. All he’s got to do is resist her. Easy enough. Until she starts calling him Daddy.Daddy's Little Love is a steamy instalove romance featuring a smoking hot rugged Daddy Dom eager to discipline the sweet innocent woman who melts under his firm hand.

Honor & Ink: Talon's Story


Emily Rose - 2021
    WILL HE BE ABLE TO STOP THEM BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE?TALON:I’ve fought in the pits of hell for my country. For the freedom of every man, woman, and child. So, you can imagine my surprise when I find out that my family is trying to take away mine. To make me out as some kind of monster that shouldn’t be among society. I won’t let them win. But they’ve found a hole in my armor. They threaten the one woman breaking down my defenses. My family has forgotten a SEAL doesn’t back down from a fight and I will use any tool in my arsenal to protect my little pixie. I will do everything to keep her safe.PIPER:My Mama always told me that when I saw my one I would know. And I’m one hundred percent certain that my one is Talon Cross. Now to make him see that is a lot easier said than done. Especially when his family gets involved and I find out the lengths they’ll go to get what they want. Can I convince Talon to give us a chance? Or will I lose him before we ever start?TRIGGER WARNING:Honor & Ink contains strong language, hot and steamy sexual scenes that include spanking, and some intense scenes of assault and trauma that may be a trigger for some readers. Please do not read if such things offend you.

Crushing on the Boss


Piper Cook - 2021
    He doesn’t get romantically involved with employees. But will a close encounter throw a kink into both of their plans?HarperI’ve had a wild crush on my boss from the moment he hired me, but I’m tired of waiting for him to make the first move.Boss’s Day is the perfect time to slip him a present that’ll blow his mind.But when things go south, I’m hard-pressed to make a choice.Do I take what I want? Or do I save face in front of my peers?EzraI crave her with a need so primal, I can feel her in my bones.Harper’s my greatest desire and ultimate weakness.She’s also my employee and eight years my junior. Off limits.They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, but today she might bring me to my knees.If you like strong, sassy women who don’t shy away from going after what they want, this is the steamy story for you. Guaranteed happy ever after with no cheating and no cliffhangers.

Pier Pressure


Evie Mitchell - 2021
    What our heroes aren't expecting? Love. Sometimes hot days turn into steamier nights as these men find love by the lake.James All I wanted was a week with friends. A week to sit by the lake, listen to some tunes, and maybe forget for five minutes that my best friend was engaged to a guy I despised. Well, that was the plan until Hazel called and said she and Mister-I'm-Too-Good-For-Camping had broken up. Now it's my chance to do something I should have done years ago, turn myself from best friend into boyfriend. I don't want to be the rebound. I want to be her only.If only Hazel could see that. Hazel Peer pressure. It's the only reasonable explanation for why I'm on this trip. Oh, that and wanting to escape the judgemental glares of my parents. After breaking off my engagement to Mister-I-Don't-Share-Fries, I just want a quiet week away with my friends. Sun, sand, and swimming is the perfect way to mend a bruised heart. Only... my heart doesn't feel that bruised. In fact, it feels kind of... achy. And excited. And it seems to skip every time James enters the room. It feels a lot like... love? Brought to you by eight of your favorite instalove authors, the Lovers Lake series is the summer romance you've been waiting for.