Book picks similar to
If You Never Come Back by Sarah Smith


romance
second-chance
contemporary
second-chance-romance

Hate to Want You


Alisha Rai - 2017
    No one will know. That was the deal. Every year, Livvy Kane and Nicholas Chandler would share one perfect night of illicit pleasure. The forbidden hours let them forget the tragedy that haunted their pasts—and the last names that made them enemies. Until the night she didn’t show up. Now Nicholas has an empire to run. He doesn’t have time for distractions and Livvy’s sudden reappearance in town is a major distraction. She’s the one woman he shouldn’t want . . . so why can’t he forget how right she feels in his bed? Livvy didn’t come home for Nicholas, but fate seems determined to remind her of his presence—and their past. Although the passion between them might have once run hot and deep, not even love can overcome the scandal that divided their families. Being together might be against all the rules . . . but being apart is impossible.

Truly Madly Yours


Rachel Gibson - 1999
    . .When pretty hairdresser Delaney Shaw returned home to Truly, Idaho, for the reading of her stepfather's will, she planned on paying her respects and getting out of town. But it seems the will has some unexpected stipulations-like the one that says if Delaney wants her inheritance she needs to stay put and have nothing to do with sexy Nick Allegrezza. . .for an entire year!There's no wayTen years ago, Nick had swept Delaney off her feet and onto his Harley, and that's when she really let down her Hair! Back then, he was a love-'em-and-leave-'em man, and Delaney learned the hard way that she was just a fling. But Nick is as irresistible as ever. And when the ladies at Tuesday night Bingo see Nick and Delaney making after-hours whoopee through the window of a local beauty parlor, Delaney knows it's time to decide if Nick is truly, madly the man of her heart.

Roman Crazy


Alice Clayton - 2016
    She’s left behind a soon-to-be ex-husband in Boston and plans to spend the summer with her best friend Daisy, licking her wounds—and perhaps a gelato or two. But when her American-expat friend throws her a welcome party on her first night, Avery’s thrown for a loop when she sees a man she never thought she’d see again: Italian architect Marcello Bianchi.Marcello was the man—the one who got away. And now her past is colliding with her present, a present where she should be mourning the loss of her marriage and—hey, that fettuccine is delicious! And so is Marcello…Slipping easily into the good life of summertime in Rome, Avery spends her days exploring a city that makes art historians swoon, and her nights swooning over her unexpected what was old is new again romance. It’s heady, it’s fevered, it’s wanton, and it’s crazy. But could this really be her new life? Or is it just a temporary reprieve before returning to the land of twin-set cardigans and crustless sandwiches?A celebration of great friendship, passionate romance, and wonderful food, Roman Crazy is a lighthearted story of second chances and living life to the fullest.

The Complete Captive Heart Duet


Carrie Aarons - 2019
    Especially one that is held by her childhood neighbor and the boy who broke her young heart, Tucker. And the last thing she expected was to become his hostage. What ensues is a story of heartbreak, recovery, passion, and prevailing through it all to save the love that still burns between them. "Aarons takes a typical boy next door romance and turns it on its head. No flowers and sweet, swoon-worthy late night stolen kisses here. There is grit and suspense and a struggle to move forward; and Aarons does it flawlessly." -The Read Report LOST We knew each other a lifetime ago. And then... We lost childhoods. We lost opportunities. We lost love. Fate is giving us another chance. But a chance at what? Because even though we’ve been brought back to each other under the worst of circumstances… We are still. So. Damn. Lost. FOUND We found each other where no else could. Found a purpose. Found ourselves. Found love. Again. But then life got in the way. Three years later and the people that we once were are nowhere to be found. Can our love survive everything we've put it through? Can we find a way back to each other... Again?

One True Love


Barbara Freethy - 1998
    But when Maggie called her up and begged for time alone, something in Lisa made her say yes. Lisa never expected her handsome ex-husband Nick to show up on the doorstep, walking back into her life, and taking over more than the weekend....Nick can't believe how Lisa has changed over the years - and how she's stayed the same. His heart still races when her eyes catch his, his pulse pounds when she's near. After tragedy pushed them apart, Nick spent eight years rebuilding his life and his soul. Can he risk losing his heart again, for a second chance at true love?

Silver Heart


Victoria Green - 2013
    Since then, she's done her best to forget the past, put her dreams on hold, and play the role of the perfect, dutiful daughter. When her best friend coaxes her into a winter getaway to a mountain resort, she sees it as a chance to forget about her suffocating responsibilities and the future she doesn’t want—med-school and a fake fiancé.But then the past catches up to her. Sexy Olympic snowboarder Sawyer Carter is the last person she expected to encounter on the slopes after all these years. Being around him again is intoxicating, and as bittersweet memories mix with dark desires, she starts to wonder if maybe they really are meant to be.But Dylan doesn't believe in fate, and a future with Sawyer no longer factors into her risk-free plans. As he dares her to be the person she has always wanted to be, can she find it within herself to abandon her fears and seize this opportunity for a second chance? One thing is certain: after a week in Whistler, Dylan’s life will never be the same.

Kissing Booth


River Laurent - 2017
    Even then, I wanted to buy a kiss from her, but she ran away in tears.Twelve years later, I come home to find her in my bed... fast asleep.It's just like Goldilocks, but with waves of long, dark-chocolate hair.Hell, I don't even want to blink in case she disappears.I didn't pay too much attention to my fairy tales. Did any of those bears get to the kiss the girl?Whatever, I'm not buying kisses these days. I'm all grown up now. There's hot blood pumping through my veins, and I take what I want when I want it.Hmm, come to think of it, I'm not in the market for kisses, but I could do with a fake fiancée.This time there'll be no running away, Sweet Dani Sabre... I'm claiming you for my own.DaniI know I shouldn't have taken that nap. I wake up to find a devastatingly handsome man watching me.Dark hair, ripped body and piercing blue eyes that smolder right through my soul.I thought he was going to get me fired from my cleaning agency, but instead he shocks me and asks me to be his fake fiancée in exchange for an insane amount of money.I'm not mad, so of course, I say, "Yes."

Point of Origin


Rebecca Yarros - 2016
    Sebastian Vargas…he’s both. He was my best friend. My first love. My everything. Until he was my nothing. It’s been ten years since the wildfire that turned our small town to ashes, taking the lives of our fathers and their elite hotshot crew. Six years since Bash disappeared with my heart. No explanation. No goodbye. But now he’s home, fighting to resurrect the very thing that destroyed us both. One look, and I’m breathless. One touch, and he’s relentless. And I’m not careful, he’ll burn me to the ground again.

Reckless Falls Kiss


Amelia Wilde - 2017
    I’ve got too much fun to have and too much money to spend to waste time in a small town that never forgot what a piece of shit my father is. He destroyed my life with his affair and I’ll never forgive him for it. So it makes sense that he would die and leave me his estate, forcing me to go back and sell it. I didn’t plan on running into Regina Quinn. We were best friends from the moment we met as kids, but now she’s all grown up. How did I ever think of her as plain and simple? She’s got a body that makes me want to throw away the life I’ve made in the city and worship her forever. One drunken kiss, and she’s got me wrapped around her finger I can’t stay here forever, though, no matter how much I want her. Regina Adam Lane ruined my life. He ran away with my heart—and my one chance to get out of Reckless Falls—clutched in his fists, and he never looked back. I’ve spent every moment since then rebuilding my life out of the rubble he left it in. It’s been so long. I tell myself I’m over it. And I’m over him. But when he shows up here for his ten-year reunion, it’s like he never left at all. I still want his eyes on me. I still want his lips on mine. I’m dying to give myself to him. But we both know he’s not staying in Reckless Falls. He’s a billionaire with a business empire to run. He’s only going to leave. I’m not making this mistake again. I will not give in to his kisses, no matter how bruising. It’s my turn to run. If only he’d stop chasing me… Reckless Falls Kiss is a full-length romance with steamy scenes, adult language, and an HEA that will melt your heart.

Holiday Wishes


Jill Shalvis - 2017
    What he’s not expecting is to come face to face with the woman he lost his virginity to a decade ago—a woman he’s never really forgotten.The last time Lotti Hartford saw Sean, she told him she loved him while he said nothing. Now, ten years later, she’s just looking for a good time. For once, she wants to be the wild and free one, and Sean – the good time guy – is the perfect candidate.But as the weekend continues, Sean realizes that after a lifetime of being the hook-up king, he’s ready to find happily-ever-after, and he wants it with Lotti. But will she open her heart to him again? As Christmas sweeps through the little B&B, he can only hope love and magic are in the air.

Exclusively Yours


Shannon Stacey - 2010
    Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.An unabridged recording (7 hours, 43 minutes).

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?

You Promised Me Forever


Monica Murphy - 2018
    I’m the starting quarterback for the best NFL team in the league. I’m rich. I’m famous. I can have any woman I want, any time I want.Yeah, I’ve got everything—except for the one who got away. How do you move on from loving the same girl since you were in the seventh grade? She promised me forever until forever got too hard and at nineteen, she dumped me.By text message.Now she’s walked back into my life. Just as beautiful. Just as sweet. Just as smart. More grown up and incredibly sexy…We’re older now. Supposedly wiser. This time, I’m going to fight for what I want, no matter how hard it gets.This time, I’m going to make her mine.Forever.

Pregnant By My Boss


Cassandra Dee - 2018
    But I never thought I'd leave the masquerade ball with the billionaire's baby in my belly! Katie's a party planner with only one goal: to put together soirees that are so extravagant and unforgettable that her clients hire her again and again. But when she gets pregnant after a steamy night with a man in a mask, the curvy girl's not sure what to do next. Trent Moore has everything at his fingertips, including wealth, fame, and an overabundance of women. But when a feisty party planner comes to work for him, he decides to take matters into his own hands ... including putting a baby in her belly by any means possible. Hey Readers -- Get ready for a steamy story about an innocent virgin and the alpha billionaire who always gets what he wants. Plus, as a special extra, we’ve included a never-released story by Jade Evans called The Boy Next Door. As always, read with an ice cold drink nearby because you’re going to need it! :) These books are part of a special compilation which also include: The Billionaire's Kitten The Wicked Virgin The Naughty Virgin Enjoy! Love, Cassie and Kendall

My [Mostly] Secret Baby


Penelope Bloom - 2020
    I apparently missed out on that one.Because Damon Rose came, and instead of running, I got pregnant.DamonYes. I remember Chelsea Cross.I remember five years ago when she thought she could handle me.Proving her wrong was… enjoyable.With hair I wanted to fist. A mouth that only stopped when I kissed it. A body that I needed to press against the nearest wall and claim.And now she wants a job.A smart man would say “no”.Or, I could teach her the same lesson I taught her five years ago.She can’t even begin to handle me.Author’s Note: Buckle up for the ultimate bosshole in this steamy, workplace romantic comedy with a sassy heroine and a stubborn grump who wants to ruin her day.