Book picks similar to
Play the Man by Ketley Allison


new-adult
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contemporary-romance
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Twisted Lies


Kai Juniper - 2019
     That’s what they said when I showed up at Twisted Pine Academy. As if I wanted to be there. I’d do anything to go back to my life in New York instead of living in California with my eogmaniac uncle and his spoiled-rotten sons. The only good thing about being here is Jackson. Hot-as-hell and filthy rich, he ditched Twisted Pine to play football for Legion, the rival public school. Now everyone at Twisted Pine hates him, especially my cousin, Braden, which makes me want Jackson even more. Braden rules Twisted Pine and everyone in it. If Braden finds out I’m with Jackson, he’ll use his power to ruin me. Let him try. My loyalty is with Jackson, and I won’t let anyone tear us apart. Together we’re going to take down Braden and his kingdom at Twisted Pine. They think I don’t belong there? I don’t. But now that I’m here….watch out. Warning: Contains dark themes and coarse language intended for a mature audience.

Out of the Red


Arell Rivers - 2021
    Well, maybe he does—he’s never encountered a riff he couldn’t handle, a treasure he couldn’t score, or a woman he couldn’t conquer. No one, especially not a buttoned-down rule-follower like the band’s new tour accountant, is going to change him. Accountant Sara Anderson is an unabashed stickler for the rules… Sara’s worked nine long years to make partner, and only one thing stands between her and her goal—Hunte. Now she’s going on their tour to whip the band into financial shape. So long as she gets them out of the red, the promotion will be hers. Those bad boys of rock will be tamed, no matter how yummy their lead singer is. When rebellion confronts discipline, fireworks explode. Passions collide, and lives are permanently altered, in this enemies-to-lovers, slow burn standalone romance set in the mid-1990s—when grunge ruled the airwaves and women partners were as uncommon as those new mobile phones.

Gold Cage


Francesca Baez - 2019
     Instead of a castle, I have a sprawling mansion. Instead of a kingdom, I have a giant trust fund. And instead of a happy ever after, I have a dark secret. The fragile life I’ve built for myself falls apart when an unexpected enemy takes me hostage in my own home. Turns out, there’s one thing that money can’t protect you from: the truth.

Rogue Love (Kings of Corruption #1)


Michelle St. James - 2017
    That’s where he learned the hardest lesson of all — we’re all alone in the end. And nobody can save us. When a raid goes terribly wrong, walking out is almost instinctual. Following the rules is for suckers. There’s only one way to get things done, and that’s to do it off the books. By the time he walks out, he knows there’s only one thing he’ll miss. Her. Nora Murphy never really had a choice. Law enforcement was in her blood. Raised by an old-school Irishman in a houseful of brothers, she learned early on there was only one way to survive. Be stronger. Be smarter. Be better. There was no time for romance. And certainly no time for love. Which made tabling her attraction to friend and fellow agent Braden Kane a no-brainer. But Braden’s defection from the FBI opens the door to their relationship in a new and surprising way. Nora’s still getting her head around the possibilities when she’s assigned an important case involving a string of high-profile crimes with a shocking purpose. She can’t wait to bring down the ring of brash vigilantes — until a connection to Braden reveals itself in the investigation. Now they’re on opposite sides of the law and order coin. Will their love be enough to bridge the gap? Will they survive long enough to find out?

Unapologetic


Pamela Ann - 2016
     He was my first everything. I gave him my heart—coming in and out of my life whenever it was convenient for him. I gave him my all—though he graced the tabloids with different women in his arms. River Ellis was Hollywood’s golden bad boy. He rose to fame a few years before me. And now that I’m slowly gaining ground in the film industry, he decided it was time to charm me with his godly presence. For two years after he left me, I had built resistance; simply waiting for the day he’d come begging me back and I’d truly take pleasure in rejecting him. But time and time again, even though I’d set my heart and mind into doing one thing, life had a way of testing my will, my endurance.

Forced


Cali MacKay - 2016
    Murdered. And I’m about to make a deal with the devil to keep my family safe and get the revenge my father deserves. *** Wren’s the only woman I’ve ever loved, but that doesn’t mean we’re right for each other. Don’t get me wrong… the sex was always crazy hot. That’s never been the problem.  But Wren and me? We’re explosive together, all sorts of wrong for each other—and sooner or later, someone’s going to get burned.  I walked away from Wren once, and broke her heart. She’s never going to forgive me or trust me again—but her mob boss father doesn't care. He's forcing me to marry her, and if I want to find out who’s threatening my family, this is my only option. As for Wren—she’s going to be pissed when she sees me, let alone when she finds out we’re getting hitched. Ask me if I care.  The deal is done. One way or another, I'm making her my wife. *** This is a darker adult romance with adult language and steamy sex scenes.  This story explores darker situations that may not be to everyone's tastes and some readers might find disturbing.  Though this story has a Happily Ever After for the couple and can be read as a stand alone, there are small plot points that will continue in upcoming books.  ***

Untouchable Lover


Rosalie Redd
    Bonding to a female shifter is not part of the plan, not until his goddess insists he take a queen by the next full moon or lose his crown. When he rescues a beautiful female from the enemy’s grasp, a forbidden attraction blooms, and he must decide between his kingdom and his heart.Melissa hunts for a new place she can call home, one far away from her controlling master who vowed to make her his concubine. Captured by the enemy and tortured to near death, she’s rescued by a brooding, handsome king. When her master shows up at the king’s underground Keep, the tension escalates. She struggles to keep the honorable king at arm’s length, but she can’t ignore the compelling desire he ignites in her soul.

Fighter: A Bad Boy College Romance


Anna Ray - 2021
    

Love & Other Chaos


Jackie Walker - 2020
    Brody’s my friend - just a friend. He’s also my autistic son’s favorite teacher.He’s as off limits as they come, no matter how drop dead gorgeous he is. Falling for him would be wrong. Resisting him though, is becoming pure torture. After being burned by men who can’t handle dating a single-mom of a special-needs child, I refuse to date anymore. Not until my son is grown. My plan is working fine until my trouble-making bestie presents me with a dare that I can’t resist. I’m a sucker for a good dare - especially when margaritas have been consumed. And she’s just dared me to plant a surprise kiss on Brody’s sexy lips, while she records it for a trending TikTok challenge video. But if I do this, it could change everything. My life is already pure chaos and maybe now is not the best time to shake things up even more. Is it worth risking our friendship and his important role in my son’s life for one kiss? What if he wants more? What if I do? Love & Other Chaos is a hilarious, steamy, friends-to-lovers romantic comedy featuring a drop dead gorgeous and seriously buff teacher with the hots for a single-mom of an autistic pre-teen son... who happens to be one of his students. This story also includes wise-cracking grandparents with zero respect for personal boundaries, swoon-worthy beach scenes, a jerky boss with no concept of personal space, nosey siblings and a foul-mouthed best friend who loves to instigate trouble. If you don't like sarcasm, steam, sexy-times, heroines who drink copious amounts of margaritas and laugh-a-minute dialogue, then this might not be the book for you. It’s a stand-alone novel with a happy ending, because cliffhangers will kill your margarita buzz.

The Southern Roots Series


L.K. Farlow - 2020
    She doesn't need a man. After all, her Grams taught her a thing or two about making lemonade out of life's lemons.Then she meets Cash Carson.Reeling from a bad breakup, Cash has sworn off love. It led to nothing but pain and misery, and he’s determined to move forward alone.Until a redheaded Southern beauty crashes into him. With her shopping cart. At the local Piggly Wiggly.If love wasn't for him, why did his heart beat a little faster every time Myla Rose sent that sweet smile his way?He was no knight, and she didn't need saving.But damn if he didn't want to try anyway.AN UPHILL BATTLE: Azalea Barnes has hated Drake Collins since the day he broke her teenaged heart.Fast forward almost seven years later and her libido still hasn't gotten the memo.Now they're frenemies... with benefits.Which suits Azalea just fine. She gets what her body craves while keeping her heart safe.Kind of.Mostly.Drake has loved Azalea since the day they met. He knows that she's his forever. Too bad she only sees him as a good time. He wants more. Needs more.If only he could convince her that it's real this time. He's more determined than ever to prove to Azalea that chemistry like theirs doesn't exist only in the bedroom.The odds may be against Drake, but he's prepared to fight.WEATHER THE STORM: Magnolia Ellington is all too aware that dangerous things can come in shiny packages. Her husband made sure to teach her that.Desperate to escape his wrath—and his fists—she flees in the dark of night. Seeking safety and shelter with the only family she has left, Magnolia finds herself in the sleepy, Southern town of Dogwood—and in the arms of Simon McAllister.Simon has always been more of a thinker than a doer. That changes the minute he meets shy and mysterious Magnolia. She has him rushing into action, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to earn her trust.Slowly, with his steadfast determination and kind heart, Simon brings Magnolia out of her shell. But just as things start heating up between the two of them, the darkness of Magnolia’s past resurfaces, threatening to rip apart everything they’ve worked so hard for.With their future hanging in the balance, Simon fears he’s losing Magnolia. He must find a way to convince her they're better together.

The Hitman's Baby


Kimberly Fox - 2016
    And this girl hates me. Hard. She's going to be fun. SaraI hate guys like him.So why am I always so attracted to his frustratingly arrogant and cocky type?Well, his muscular, inked up arms aren't helping at all.I should stay away from him.I should leave.He's more dangerous than just a killer smile.But it's not like he'd ever untie me and let me walk out the door...ColtonWhen I want something I take it. Even if it is the boss's daughter.And when you're a hitman the boss is usually not someone to take lightly.See if I care. That pussy is worth dying for and it's definitely worth killing for.And there's a long line of people to kill for it.But now that my baby is in her belly not her father, the Russian mob, the police or the world class assassin on our heels is going to take her from me.Standalone. No Cliffhanger. No Cheating. HEA.

Cherry Bomb


Madelynne Ellis - 2016
    Done with being told what to do, when to eat, when to exercise, who I can and cannot associate with. It’s time to ditch my squeaky-clean image and put teen drama the Caine Chronicles to rest, even if that means breaking the rules. My plan? Enlist the aid of an A-list British villain. When Dare Wilde kisses me at an award ceremony, our undeniable chemistry lands us on the set of a new action blockbuster. Contractually, we’re not supposed to associate outside of work… As if that’s not an incitement to prod the beast. I’m ready to hand him every scrap of my innocence. What I don’t realise, is that there are layers to this man I never imagined, or how shielded I’ve been from the realities of our industry. Cherry Bomb is the first full length standalone coming-of-age romance in the Stirred Passions series about the Sunsetters, a group of bisexual A-list actors and the women and men who love them. Check out the other titles in the series, including Black Velvet, Soul Kiss, Screw Driver, & Mint to Be.

When the Stars Align


Isabel Jolie - 2019
    I can’t stand the place. But when an offer to move to NYC includes a fast track to partner at a well-respected law firm, there’s no way I can decline. My move to the city goes exactly according to plan, everything falling perfectly into place…until the elevator door in my new apartment building opens, and I come face to face with my past. Four years ago we parted ways, neither of us willing to change our future career plans. We were too stubborn, too ambitious, and refused to make sacrifices. To add salt to the wound, she ended the year dating my roommate. But right now, staring at her beautiful face after all this time, I can still feel it. The attraction, the desire—it’s palpable. Four years ago, I wanted forever with Anna. Now, I’m a different man. A relationship isn’t in the cards. She threw that chance away. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun…right?

Saints


Sophia Henry - 2019
    who sets my blood on fire.When my twin brother defects from Moscow to play hockey in America, a merciless gang sets their sights on me as part of an extortion plot.The leader of a rival operation offers to keep me safe…for a price. In exchange for their protection, he wants my body. And as badly as I want to say no, body over life seems like a better deal.But as I slip deeper into his world, he demands more from me. Now he wants the only thing I'm unwilling to give him.My heart.SAINTS is the heart-stopping first novel in USA TODAY Bestselling Author Sophia Henry's sizzling Saints and Sinners suspense series.

Make Her Mine


Scarlett King - 2020
    A newer edition of this book can be found here.Telling my boss my BIGGEST secret was just one of many mistakes…#1 I revealed that I was still a…you know what.#2 I also confessed I’d never experience the big O.#3 I don’t even have to spell it out do I?Look, I NEVER expected him to make it his mission to help a girl out,But I can’t say I haven’t fantasized about it.Even when I want to slap his arrogant face,I wouldn’t mind tearing his suit off in the process.As much as I want to let him take me in every way imaginable,My mission to find the big O,Quickly turns into Oh shit!Falling for him wasn’t part of the plan…or the agreement.Will I always just be another conquest for my billionaire boss?Or can I fall out of his bed and into his heart?