Book picks similar to
Force of Gravity by Melissa Toppen


college
college-young-adult
brothers-best-friend
low-angst

Not Another Manwhore


R.L. Kenderson - 2021
    But after my last two boyfriends cheated on me, I am done with dating, done with men, and done with romance. But I’d have better luck convincing my mom that the sky is green than getting her to understand I’m happy, being single. Left with no other choice, I ask the biggest manwhore I know to be my date for a wedding weekend. He has just enough charm to make my family fall in love with him but not enough that I will. Too bad the bottom half of me doesn’t get the message. But even if he gets my legs to open for him, he’ll never get my heart to do the same.

Billionaire Bossman


Laura Lee - 2019
    The same man that you hate with a fiery passion but your traitorous body refuses to read the memo. I’ll admit, Liam Maxwell’s cockiness is not unwarranted—in the bedroom or the boardroom—but I’m a professional. I refuse to let an inconvenient attraction affect my career. I’ll just have to do what I do best: manage the situation objectively. Why do I get the feeling that’s going to be much easier said than done? Note: Billionaire Bossman is an interconnected standalone novella in the Bedding the Billionaire world. It was previously published under the title: Public Relations. The content has not been revised.

Dead Man's Ink Boxset


Callie Hart - 2017
    Sometimes the choice is made for you, and pretending is the only thing that keeps you going. When Alexis Romera is taken and her kidnappers find her fake ID in her purse, she must become Sophia in order to keep her family safe. Revealing her real identity to the man she's sold to would be easy enough, but can she trust him? Hell bent on revenging the murder of his uncle, Rebel doesn't seem all that interested in playing things safe. In fact, nothing about the secretive, dark and brooding MC president seems safe at all. Rebel What do you do when the man who raised you is murdered, and the only witness is kidnapped girl who's being sold as a sex slave? You buy her, of course. As president to the most powerful motorcycle club in America, Rebel isn't lacking in power. There are strings the man can pull, and entire criminal organisations and corporate businesses alike would fall to their knees. However, along with such power comes intense interest. The DEA have their eye fixed solely on the MC...and they're just waiting for Rebel to trip up. Getting Sophia to testify is the only way to bring the Los Oscuros cartel down. The beautiful, dark haired, dark eyed woman is belligerent and uncooperative and unlikely to bend to his will, but Rebel has a few tricks up his sleeve to make her compliant--he'll charm her until she's bending over backwards to please him. Of course, falling for her might cause a few hiccups along the way... * The Dead Man's Ink series contains strong ties with the Blood & Roses series, but you do not have to have read those works in order to read this one. The Dead Man's Ink series is contemporary romance story with occasional dark themes that some people might find confronting. *

Dare


Caitlin Daire - 2015
     We used to be best friends as kids, but now the sweet, scrawny boy I used to know has grown up into an arrogant, tattooed prick with a foul mouth and a penchant for too many women. We didn’t even recognize each other at first when we ran into each other again, but now I’m back in his sights for all the wrong reasons… His Dad ran off with my Mom and married her in Vegas, so now Drew and I are stuck with each other. I wish he’d go back to his old self, but he insists on making my life miserable with his petulant attitude instead, and my friends aren’t helping. For some reason, they think he and I belong together, and the worst thing is that a tiny part of me can’t help but think they’re right. He’s a tool, but damn, he’s a handsome-as-hell tool…and the heat between us is undeniable. Do I dare cross that line? **Warning: This book contains lots of HOT sex, drama, adult language and some violence. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. Enjoy!**

The Potter


Kristy Marie - 2022
    the exam room. A brilliant surgeon.A master sculptor.The media touted Dr. Potter as a savior dressed in a crisp suit.I think he’s a vicious madman of jerk-sized proportions.But fate is a wicked tease.Only Dr. Potter can give me what I need.A fresh start.A new identity.But he refused, leaving me to take matters into my own hands by accepting a job as his partner’s new secretary.Dr. Potter can’t turn down my case forever.Or at least I thought so until I found him on the floor.Broken. Angry.With a venomous warning... I failed to heed. ​​​​​​​The Potter is a standalone grumpy-sunshine rom-dramedy.

This is War: Travis & Viola, #1


Kennedy Fox - 2016
    His sculpted abs and gorgeous eyes are wasted on such an arrogant man, which makes me hate him even more.Even though I’ve had a crush on him since I was ten, the feelings weren’t mutual and he’s made that very clear. He’s always loved getting under my skin and one night against my better judgment, I let him in my bed. I’ve succumbed to his manw**re ways, but that doesn’t change a thing.Because the King is about to get played at his own game—and lose.Checkmate, King.This is book 1 in the Travis & Viola duet and must be read first. Suggested for mature readers only.

The Cowboy's Wife For One Night


Molly O'Keefe - 2021
    He's fixing a bad situation for her—that's all—they aren't making a real life together. She wants to stay on the ranch and he's got his life elsewhere. Still, this arrangement is a good deal for both of them.Until that one night…One passionate night with Mia makes Jack rethink their relationship…and their future. But all his plans grind to a halt when she asks for a divorce. Once upon a time, Jack might have agreed. But now that he knows the chemistry they share, he's not giving up a second chance to be with his wife.

This Cruel Love


Nikki J. Summers - 2019
    They trick you into believing true love will appear on the back of a white horse, in the form of a perfect, handsome Prince Charming. Most of the time Prince Charming turns out to be even more deceptive and evil than the wolf himself. I thought I’d met my soul mate at high school. Turned out my Mr Wright was so very wrong. Jackson.I live in a cruel and unforgiving world. I learnt from an early age how vicious life can be, but I’m a survivor. Life may have dragged me down to the depths of hell, but I know how to dance with the devil. Sometimes bad things happen to good people for no other reason than to remind us that this life is cruel. Sometimes good people are pushed to do very bad things to right the wrongs of another. But when all is said and done, we need to ask ourselves… how far would you go to protect the ones you love? Ryley thinks she has her whole life mapped out. Her happy ever after with her high school sweet heart Justin is already planned down to the very last detail. But life doesn’t always work out the way we expect it to, and when demons from Justin’s life threaten to destroy everything they’ve built up, Ryley finds herself thrown into a world of deception, lies and confusion. Truths get twisted, love and hate walk a dubious thin line and the enemy you think you know isn’t always what they seem.This book serves as a reminder that the first Prince Charming to cross your path isn’t always the hero in your happy ever after. *An enemies to lovers, second chance novel. Although this story isn’t a dark read, there are elements of darkness within, so please take note of the trigger warnings. There are cameos from Luca’s story in this book. However, you don’t have to have read Luca to enjoy this, it can be read as a standalone. **Warning: 18 years + recommended reader age due to sexual content. This story also contains scenes of drug abuse, suicide and sexual violence that may be upsetting to readers. Please proceed with caution.

Burnout


Coralee June - 2019
     Maybe if I were older. Maybe if he wasn’t my brother’s best friend. Maybe if he wasn’t my teacher. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe. Having my dirty little secret living down the hall had me obsessing over alternate endings and happily ever afters. I’d never wanted someone so badly, but his hot and cold behavior was giving me emotional whiplash. In the classroom, he practically ignored me. But here? In my brother’s loft? It felt like we were a thick rubber band, pulled so tight we’d snap. Falling for Decker Harris made me realize that life wasn’t as serendipitous as everyone liked to think. We weren’t just a collection of maybes thrust into the world with hope and good intentions. Everything started with a choice, and somewhere between grief and redemption, I chose to make him mine.

3:AM Kisses


Addison Moore - 2013
    Love is the last thing on the list, but when Baya meets her brother’s roommate she begins to have thoughts and feelings that make even her blush.Bryson Edwards has a secret he prefers buried in the past and long forgotten. He prefers loose girls, fast cars, and long nights working at the string of bars his family owns. When his roommate’s sister shows up on the scene, she’s far too innocent and sweet for him but he can’t shake Baya out of his mind and worse, it looks like she’s seeping into his heart as well.Baya seems determined to show her brother she’s not a little kid and equally determined to use Bryson’s body to prove her point. It’s been made pretty clear that Baya is off limits to Bryson but their undeniable sparks explode into a whole lot more than just a few 3:AM kisses.

Not Meant to Be Broken


Cora Reilly - 2014
    I was one of those things. Whatever had been shattered in the incident would never be whole again.Amber struggles with the memories of a cruel attack that destroyed her life years ago. Realizing that she’s close to ending it all – something she promised her family to never try again – she moves in with her brother Brian and his friend Zachary to start a new life, and maybe even college. But how can she possibly live a normal life, when even a hug from her brother sends her into a panic attack? While Brian pulls back, Zach seems determined to make her feel relaxed in his presence, and soon her longing to be near him is stronger than her fear. But how can someone like Zach, someone who can have any girl, want someone like her? Someone broken.When Zach spots Amber for the very first time, he can’t believe she is the same girl his friend Brian described as broken. Suddenly, Zach wants to give up his womanizing ways and help Amber live again – show her that closeness can be something wonderful. But her brother Brian isn’t the only one who’s worried about the bond that’s growing between Amber and Zach. Even Zach knows that there’s more at stake than the fury of a scorned woman. Amber isn’t like all the girls Zach discarded after a night together – if he messes up, that could break her for good. But Zach can’t stay away from Amber. Can Zach help her heal? Or will he be the one to push her over the edge?

Corrupt My Mind


Kelsey Clayton - 2020
    My name is Zayn Bronsyn,and I think I screwed up.I wasn’t supposed to fall,especially not for her.She’s in a league of her own,and I’m just her brother’s scumbag friend.The last time I saw her,she was thirteen with braces.Now, she’s back from boarding school,with an hourglass body that’ll bring me to my knees.If Easton finds out I hooked up with his sister,he might actually kill me.She’s too innocent, too perfect for a guy like me,but I can’t resist dragging her into my messed up world.Amelia Donovan might be the one to revive my blackened heart.

Arrested


Stephanie Brother - 2016
     When gorgeous Officer Carlisle pulled me over for speeding, I told him how sorry I was. That didn’t stop him from telling me to step out of the car for a full body search so he could check me for offensive weapons. I wanted to ask him if a hungry kitty constituted an offensive weapon, because damn, mine just wanted to eat him all up! Those eyes should have been enough to get him arrested, forget those cheekbones and delicious full lips that stayed serious, even when I was sassing him. And his hands. When he ran those rough palms against my thighs, I actually moaned. Then he pulled out his handcuffs and... Okay, that last bit only happened in my fantasies later that night, and pretty much every night since Officer Carlisle told me what a bad girl I was. I thought I was never going to see him again, then Mom tells me she’s getting engaged to her boyfriend and you guessed it, Officer Carlisle just happens to be my sexy new stepbrother! That should make me think twice about being a naughty girl, shouldn’t it? Except, now my past is coming back to haunt me and Officer Carlisle might just be the only man who can turn this bad girl good. Officer Carlisle knows exactly how to use his equipment. Read on if you like your cops a whole lot dirty in the bedroom! 52,000 word standalone romance novel.

Hate Struck


Nikki Ashton - 2020
    The scars she carried constantly reminded her of what she'd suffered, but she was determined to move on. If only the boy who ruled the school corridors didn't hate her so much. I played, I taunted, and I went in for the kill Adam Hudson was the Captain of the school football team and the boy that every girl in the school wanted. He was also the one they feared, but now Sarah Danes was in his sights. Now she was the girl he wanted to break - before she broke him.Girl meets boyGirl hates boyBoy hates girlAnd we all know what happens next…Hate Struck a story of secrets, lies and fear This book is based in a British high school and ends on a cliffhanger and may contain triggers with mentions of suicide, rape and violence. There are also some scenes of bullying

Little Lies


H. Hunting - 2020
    You mean nothing to me. I never loved you. I turned my words into swords.And I cut her down. Shoved the blade in and watched her fall. I said I’d never hurt her, and I did. Years later, I’m faced with all the little lies, the untruths, the false realities, the damage I inflicted, when all I wanted was to indulge my obsession. Lavender Waters is the princess in the tower. Even her name is the thing fairy tales are made of. I used to be the one who saved her. Over and over again. But I don’t want to save her anymore. I just want to pretend the lies are still the truth.A standalone angsty new adult romance. Heroine: Lavender Waters (Alex and Violet Waters’ youngest daughter, PUCKED and FOREVER PUCKED couple origin, Pucked Series )Hero: Kodiak (Kody) Bowman (Rook and Lainey Bowman’s son, A LIE FOR A LIE couple origin, All In Series )