Book picks similar to
The Girl I Was Before by Izzy Bayliss
chick-lit
romance
fiction
contemporary
As Deep As The Ocean
Cindy Caldwell - 2019
Now that the tiny vaquita porpoises are endangered, Cassie knows she’s their only hope. The one thing she hadn’t counted on is Alex Ramos, the resort builder, showing up on her beach. Alejandro moved away long ago from his beloved beaches on the Sea of Cortez and has no desire to re-open the wounds he found at the sea. The sea that brought him peace, yet broke his heart. Now that he’s back—and not by choice—the sun and the sea wash over him again with a familiar serenity. As his family’s billion-dollar company moves forward with plans for a resort on the soft, sandy dunes, he must keep his heart in check and do what is expected—even if it means obliterating the breeding grounds of the porpoises he swam with as a boy. Can Cassie remind Alejandro what Vaquita Beach means to him in time to give it a fighting chance? By The Light Of The Moon -- June 2019 As Bright As The Stars -- July 2019 As Blue As The Sky -- August 2019
Batter Up
Robyn Neeley - 2014
A delicious premonition she shares every Monday evening with the bachelors of Buttermilk Falls as they gather at the Sugar Spoon bakery for Batter Up night. Investigative reporter Jason Levine just found himself as the man candy for a bachelorette party in Las Vegas. Roped into attending the Vegas nuptials, was he hearing things when the groom shares that the only reason he’s getting married is because a small town baker conjured up the name of his soulmate in her cake batter? Sparks fly when Jason tries to expose Emma as a fraud, but reality and logic go out the window as he begins to fall under her spell.
The Billionaire's Christmas Gift
Laura Haley-McNeil - 2020
How’d she get on his agenda?Quint Fairchild, head of Fairchild Films, learned long ago that in Hollywood everything’s make believe, including love. So why can’t he resist the small town innocence of struggling scriptwriter Chrystelle Bach? She’s entirely too fascinating, but he can convince himself he doesn’t want her⸻he wants her script.Chrystelle wishes she could spend Christmas with her beloved grandmother in her Colorado hometown. Then Quint offers her a contract to produce her TV series. She almost believes this is the best Christmas ever⸻until she reads the contract. He doesn’t just want rewrites, he wants her to change everything. The battle begins, but when Chrystelle’s grandmother takes ill, Chrystelle knows where she belongs and hops the next bus home.What she hadn’t expected was Quint on her front porch, and not to wish her a Merry Christmas. He wants her script⸻on his terms, of course. Their conflict continues, but the more time Chrystelle spends with this stubborn billionaire, the harder it is for her to remember why she can’t change her script. But sprinkle this battle with grandmotherly wisdom and holiday charm, and the season of blessings reveals love in more ways than Chrystelle and Quint ever imagined.
Grit and Grind
Kat Addams - 2019
After one too many disastrous relationships, her quest for a leading man has fizzled out. Bored with her mundane lifestyle, she decides to do whatever it takes to get her head back in the game. When she finds out that one of her favorite authors, Christopher Kaiser, is leading a writers workshop, she’s the first in line to sign up. Could he help spark her creativity again, or will this be just another one of her bad decisions?Christopher Kaiser is an international best-selling author whose books have taken the romance genre by storm. Rumor has it that his sexy stories are inspired by personal experiences with his many so-called muses. Touted as one of the South’s most notorious playboys, Christopher is too busy living his best life to settle down anytime soon. Besides, what would happen with his writing if he gave up his “explorations”?Determined to take matters into her own hands, Klara decides to jump-start her love life with a catastrophe of her own making. Unfortunately, an innocent bystander prevents her desperate attempt for attention by rescuing her from yet another one of her bad decisions. Annoyed—and also a bit turned on by this sexy new hero—Klara goes home, defeated. Forcing herself to focus on her writing, she shows up to her first workshop and quickly learns that her hero from earlier is none other than her instructor, Christopher Kaiser. Will she actually learn something from this, or will she be too distracted by her hots for the teacher?
Champagne and Lemon Drops
Jean Oram - 2013
Two men. One meddling small town.Raised by her older sister in the small town of Blueberry Springs, all Beth Wilkinson wants is to create a family so big she’ll never be alone. Things are going great until her fiancé, Oz, rethinks everything from his own career to their nuptial plans—forcing Beth to do the same.As Beth works to rediscover herself in hopes of reattracting Oz, she catches the eye of the charming new city doctor, Nash. Not only does he see her as she’d like to be seen, but he knows exactly what he wants from life—and that includes Beth.Torn between the two men, as well as two versions of herself, Beth discovers that love and dreams are much more complicated than they seem.
Vivian's List
Haleigh Lovell - 2013
A list. A love story.After ending a horrible, scarring relationship, Vivian embraces her freedom by making a sexual bucket list. When her brother's best friend, Liam, finds it, sparks fly and hearts open.Can Vivian heal one steamy encounter at a time?** This is book 1 in a two-part series
Cop of the Year
Kathryn Shay - 1998
Her specialty is troubled teenagers. A teacher in a public school for years, she knows kids and the men and women who teach them!"In COP OF THE YEAR master storyteller Kathryn Shay pens an emotionally powerful tale that leaves you breathless. Woven into this riveting plot are wonderfully written characters that grab your heart and don't let go. Bravo Ms. Shay!" RT Book Reviews***Winner of Best Superromance of the Year, the Golden Leaf Award and the Desert Quill Award as well as numerous 5 star ratings from reviewers.***The last thing by-the-book Captain Mitch Lansing wants to do is work in a high school classroom to improve relationships between at risk kids and the police department. Mostly, he doesn’t want to deal with teenagers. But when he meets unorthodox teacher, Cassie Smith, his world goes off kilter. So does Cassie’s. She's totally against all he stands for, so why is it she finds herself attracted to him? The further they go into the year, the more they’re drawn to each other. And the more the kids also come to care about Mitch. However, because of his past in Vietnam, he tries to distance himself from everybody. He can’t, and he must learn to accept Cassie and her kids into his life. With several highly emotional scenes and deeply moving situations, this story will go straight to your heart.Praise for COP OF THE YEAR:“Kathryn Shay writes from the heart! Her stories are about real people with real lives. You will laugh and cry with her characters. COP OF THE YEAR is sure to be one of the best books to hit the shelves this year!” The Literary Times“Prepare yourself for a fabulous emotional ride that will have you reaching for the tissues and leave you with a renewed sense of hope.” Genie Romex Reviews“Kathryn Shay has penned a most unusual novel. The teacher/cop relationship feels natural enough, and the dialogue is a standout. But oddly enough, though I found the romance to be satisfying, it's the secondary characters of the kids I remember most from the story. The teenage pregnancies, the gang involvement, the drug usage all are a part of today's high school scene, but Shay makes this a story of hope, not despair. The ending almost brought me to tears. Three cheers!” The Romance Reader“Ms. Shay writes a strong and compelling dissertation on a very real and complicated social issue of our time, weaving in an unforgettable, touching love story.” Old Book Barn GazetteIf you like books about cop romances, teacher romances and teacher student relationships, be sure to read the rest of this high powered series, BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS, COUNT ON ME, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS and IF YOU WERE MINE.
On the Market
Audrey Wick - 2019
Her methodical daily routine suits her just fine, so she aims to freshen up the property, sell it, and take her funds back to the city. She’s only got two weeks during her vacation to make this happen. Now is the time to cash in and get out. The oldest Hutchinson son, who people around town know as “Hutch,” is a third generation local who is poised to take over the family business with his brother, Cole. The barbeque brothers have very different ideas about the future of their restaurant, "The Hut." Just when he thought his biggest headache was his job, Hutch meets Valerie and both their worlds are upended. He’s drawn to this fish out of water, but Valerie’s time in Last Stand has an expiration date. Their sweet and saucy styles don’t mix, but can they both find the recipe to a happy future?
The Loch Lannick Series
Hannah Ellis - 2020
You'll be hooked on these wonderfully warm characters in no time!Book one: Coming Home to the LochWhat happens when you meet the right person, at the right time, in the wrong place?Twenty-two-year-old Leana Mackenzie is looking for adventure. Full of excitement, she leaves her home in a remote Scottish village and heads for the bright city lights. In Edinburgh she meets Alasdair – a cute and charming singer/songwriter. As their relationship develops everything feels perfect. But as the sparkle of her new life begins to fade, Leana finds herself longing for her cosy home on the Isle of Skye, and the close-knit family she left behind. When Alasdair is offered the career opportunity of a lifetime, Leana is left even more confused. Now, she must choose between a high-flying life as the girlfriend of a celebrity – or returning home to her safe, predictable life.Home is where the heart is … but what happens when the heart is pulled in two different directions?Book two: The Castle by the LochSometimes the road to happiness is longer than we’d like …At fourteen, Isla Mackenzie has her life all planned out. She’s going to be an artist and marry her best friend, Logan.Logan Donnell also has a plan. When he grows up he’s going to join his dad’s business and marry his best friend, Isla.By the time they’re eighteen, the two of them are inseparable. The future looks bright. Everything feels perfect.But when tragedy strikes, fate sets the pair on a different course. While circumstances keep Logan and Isla apart, their bond is not so easily broken. The course of true love might not run smoothly but a bumpy road can still take you exactly where you’re supposed to be …Book three: Fireworks Over the LochA sleepy Scottish village is about to be woken up …With her boyfriend moving to her hometown of Lannick, Leana Mackenzie is floating on cloud nine. All she needs now is for them to find a home of their own. Alasdair’s lack of interest in house-hunting soon has her worried.For Isla and Logan, moving in together is the logical next step in their relationship. Neither of them expects living under the same roof to be so challenging. If they can’t find a way to make it work how can they possibly have a future together?Single-mother Elspeth is ecstatic about moving out of her parents’ house. When she agrees to a temporary housemate she’s comforted by the friendship that grows. But are her feelings purely platonic, or is romance in the air?As the year draws to a close, Alasdair organises a celebration that will rock the quiet village of Lannick. The New Year’s party brings everyone together for a night to remember. But when midnight strikes, the fireworks bursting over the loch aren’t the only sparks flying …Download this gorgeous collection today!
The Lies that Save Us
J.L. Redington - 2013
She purchased a diner in the quiet out of the way town of Startup, Washington and hired employees to help run it. She’s just beginning to feel secure in her loneliness. <br>Suddenly her world is jolted awake by Cayman, a handsome young stranger that enters her diner seemingly from nowhere. Event’s happen quickly, and soon Alexa is deep into secret lives, deception and desire. <br>Will she figure out the riddle of her father’s death? Will she be able to resist the temptation to fall in love with Cayman in spite of her suspicions? Will she live to tell the tale?
The Inn by the Cove: A Sweet, Small Town Romance
Ellen Joy - 2021
So, why can’t she just hate him?Previously published as "Inn with You."Zoe has dedicated her life to working at the family inn, where she lives with her son, but the business has fallen on hard times. She has ideas about how to turn things around; but, her father owns the place and he’s stuck in his ways.To make matters worse, Zoe learns that her father has a silent partner, Ethan’s father. Ethan has a trust fund, but Zoe’s not impressed when he comes to town with his own ideas about what’s best for the inn, as well as an ultimatum from his father. If the inn doesn’t start turning a profit, he’ll force a sale.Tensions rise as the two struggle to agree on anything. But, neither can deny that they’re starting to fall for one another. As Zoe and Ethan struggle with their feelings, and their plans to save the inn, Ethan realizes he can’t carry out his father’s wishes without risking whatever it is he has with Zoe.Will Ethan help Zoe save the inn or will family obligations get in the way? Enjoy this first in series, enemies to lovers romance!Then, once you fall in love with Camden Cove, you can enjoy the rest of this sweet, shoretown romance series:The Inn by the CoveThe Farmhouse by the CoveThe Restaurant by the CoveThe Christmas Cottage by the CoveThe Bakery by the CoveAlso, check out Ellen Joy's sweet western romance series, Prairie Valley:Her Second Chance CowboyHer Next Door CowboyHer Pretend CowboyHer Fresh Start CowboyHer Christmas Cowboy Her Last Chance Cowboy
Meant for Her
Amy Gamet - 2012
Ordered to the scene of a fiery homicide, Navy officer Hank Jared wants nothing more than to wrap it up and get to his sister's wedding. His sense of duty won't let him walk away from a case, even if he can't figure out why his boss insisted he handle this one personally.When the key to a safe deposit box is found among the ashes, Hank finds himself staring at two pieces of paper--on one is a coded message, on the other, a name that will change the course of his entire life.Julie Trueblood wouldn't trust a Navy man if he handed her a life jacket on board a sinking ship. Her father was a cryptologist for the Navy, who went into hiding a decade earlier to avoid charges of treason. In his absence, Julie was harassed and interrogated by Naval officers who believed she was a traitor, just like her father.Hank tracks Julie down and confronts her with the cipher. She can't stand what he represents and sends him away, insisting she knows nothing about the message. But when she realizes someone is after her, Hank is the only person she can ask for help. He finds the perfect place to hide Julie, right by his side, pretending to be his girlfriend at his sister's wedding. Now he just needs to remember their relationship is all an act.The coded message brings Hank and Julie together, but its secrets hold the power to tear them apart. Guided by her generous and quirky Aunt Gwen, Julie will gather the courage to unravel the cipher that was meant for her to decode, as she learns to trust the man she was meant to love.
Fire On The Farm
Betty Shreffler - 2017
Her only source of comfort is her work—a business dedicated to the care and training of horses. Until one lonely night leads her into the arms of Brock Baisdin. A man who fulfills her deepest desires and reignites a flame long forgotten. Between his picky tastes and running his own business, Brock Baisdin has little time for women, but that doesn't stop him from looking for love. After saving Amy from a cancelled date, Brock is instantly drawn to the shy and beautiful woman hiding secrets beneath her lust-filled baby blues—secrets he finds himself eager to discover. Undeniable attraction pulls them into each other's arms. Hope draws them into each other's lives. For Amy Flanders, Brock Baisdin may be the man to bring love back into her lonely life, if only she can overcome the wounds of her past and face her biggest fear—risking the pain of another shattered heart.
Fiona and the Whale
Hannah M. Lynn - 2019
However, she’s certain that it's only a hiccup and he'll be back in no time, begging for forgiveness. Fortunately there’s a distraction of mammoth proportions swimming in the River Thames. Absorbed by the story of Martha the sperm whale, Fiona attempts to carry on life as usual as she awaits her husband's return. However, nothing can prepare her for the dramatic turn of events that throw her life into ever greater turmoil. The road ahead has many paths and for Fiona it’s time to sink or swim.Fiona and the Whale is a poignant and often hilarious contemporary fiction novel. If you enjoy topical tales, second chances and a little bit of romance, you'll love this new book from the Kindle Storyteller Award Winner, Hannah Lynn.
Texas Twosome
Debbie White - 2018
Love kept her there...When Rebecca Parsons's new assignment brings her to Steam, Texas to cover the anniversary of an unsolved missing person's story, she's more than up to the task. Then she meets Kyle, a striking man with charisma who takes a hold of her in ways she'd never imagine.Kyle is carrying on the family tradition of law enforcement. When he's asked to show the out-of-town reporter around, he's happy to do it. There's not much excitement in Steam and they don't get many out of town visitors. Something about this big-city girl intrigues him so he asks her to stay a while. Soon Becca and Kyle find themselves enthralled in a slow-burning love connection neither of them saw coming.Book 1 - Texas TwosomeBook 2 - Kansas KissedBook 3 - California CrushBook 4 - Oregon ObsessionBook 5 - Florida Fling (Coming Soon)