Book picks similar to
One Hot Summer by Heidi McLaughlin
anthology
arc
novella
reviewed
A Bridge Between Us
K.K. Allen - 2020
As the seasons changed, the corn stalks grew strong, and the grapevines flourished with hope. But none of it mattered, not when the soil at our feet bound us in a century-old rivalry. We’d never even had a chance. They said life flashed before your eyes on the way to death, but on that night, after my final scream burst from my throat and my world started to fade to black, I only thought of him. Of his sweet chocolate eyes, his desperately cautious stare, and his silence that carried more weight than gold. I should have died that night. Instead, I crossed the moonlit bridge and never returned. I let rivalry win. If only that had been enough to keep us all safe. If only we didn’t have a bridge between us.
Southern Chance
Natasha Madison - 2020
Kallie I fell in love with him when I was seven. I scraped my knee, and he helped carry me inside. Our love story was the talk of the town until a woman told everyone she was pregnant with his baby. The only rational solution was to high tail it out of town and never come back. My best friend needed a place to hide, and you can’t get much more covert than my family farm, so I came back. For her. It was supposed to be temporary, and I wasn’t supposed to see him, but that’s what happens when you live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Jacob Being the sheriff in a small town was never my dream. My father died and my older brother took off, so I had to be the one to look after my mother. I stayed. I fulfilled my duties as a son and I protected my hometown. My life wasn’t perfect, but I was content. Until I locked eyes with a ghost from my past, Kallie. I thought it was my imagination, it couldn’t be. I loved her most of my life, but now I hated her. The town gossip mill was going into overdrive. I kept my head down and my mind off of the woman who shattered my heart when she ran away. She didn’t give me a chance to explain, it didn’t matter to her then. I didn’t matter. A second chance is never promised, but now that mine is right under my nose, I’m not sure I can take it.
Rescued
Jill Burrell - 2021
Stranded and desperate, she finds herself at the mercy of a handsome, brooding mechanic. When he offers her help, she accepts, knowing too well the pain that comes from trusting others.Widower and grieving father, Ben Young, fixes cars and avoids people. He can’t stand to see the pity in their eyes. There’s something different in Amy’s eyes, though, and he’s driven to help her—for her little girl’s sake. But helping means caring, and that’s not something he’s capable of. Not anymore.Just when it looks like a relationship might be possible between Ben and Amy, she realizes her breaking down in this small town wasn’t an accident. She holds the key to what happened to Ben’s family. But will her quest for answers cost her everything?
Jonquils for Jax
Katy Regnery - 2016
In fact, she’s on a self-imposed hiatus from love when she has an unpleasant run-in with her neighbor’s gorgeous new landscaper, Gardener Lenox. Jax is not accustomed to gruff, ill-mannered men that can’t be charmed, but when he saves her skin, she realizes that something about Gard intrigues her...and if she can find her way through the armor that surrounds his heart, she might finally find a love that won’t let her down.
The Sheikh's Marriage Bargain
Leslie North - 2020
Marriage was never in the picture. But when her grandfather is tricked into signing a binding marriage contract to a man she finds repugnant, she has one choice: Run away. Her flight ends with a fortuitous meeting with Zayid Hasan, Crown Prince of Raihan, who offers the perfect solution to Laila’s predicament: marry him and solve both their problems. Zayid’s younger brother must marry his pregnant fiancé, and ancient laws dictate the oldest brother is required to marry first. Desperate for a way to protect both her grandfather and herself, Laila agrees. After all, their marriage will last only until Zayid’s brother can marry—and her marriage to the brooding, handsome prince isn’t much of a sacrifice. It’s not like she’s going to be foolish enough to fall in love…Zayid doesn’t know what to think about his new half-American wife. He doesn’t really want to think about her at all, but for some reason, he can’t stop himself. Strangely enough, all the royal functions that used to bore him silly are now entertaining with Laila by his side—even though he knows she’d much rather be alone creating her art. Though the marriage of convenience was his idea, he can’t help but start to wish it was the real deal. No way can he ignore the simmering chemistry that’s driving them both a bit crazy. He’s much better at ignoring what’s in his heart—until he realizes it just might break if he can’t convince Laila to stay with him forever…
A Christmas Tart
Lola West - 2021
It’s palpable. The whole town knows it. They have been at each other’s throats since their sand castle building days. But what everyone doesn’t know is that there was a winter, a long time ago, when Max had a secret and Patrick was there for her. They forgot to be hateful and thought maybe, just maybe they were in love….But you know, then it all fell apart. Until now...Get ready to watch tension fly and the three french biddies meddle when Max and Patrick reconnect at the Laurent Bakery in Martha's vineyard.A Christmas Tart is a standalone novella with an HEA, but it features characters from the Universe of all of Lola West's books.Pine-ing for the perfect holiday romance? It’s love at frost sight with The 12 Days of Kissmas! A dozen standalone holiday novellas so steamy they’re sure to melt that winter chill. From dashing doctors to dirty-talking mountain men, staying off the naughty list just got a whole lot harder.
Stay
Tia Louise - 2019
He’s arrogant. He’s smart as a whip and sexy AF. He has too much money. He’s bossy, and he’s usually right. All I saw were his clear blue eyes, tight butt, and ripped torso. I gladly handed him my V-card that night, ten years ago. I was so stupid. I swore I’d never be that stupid again… Emmy Barton works for a dry cleaner? Yes, that Emmy Barton—long, blonde hair, bright blue eyes, pretty smile… Sexy little body. Smart mouth. She was the only girl who interested me, but I was leaving to be an officer in the Navy. Now I’m home, running my business. My life is perfectly ordered until I bump into her, divorced and struggling to make ends meet. I hate seeing her like this. I hate that she married Burt “The Dick” Dickerson. What an a--hole. She says she hates me, but when we fight, it’s all heat and lust. I won’t leave her this way. She will let me help her and her son. She will stay… It’s a thin line between love and hate, and
this line is on fire.
(STAY is a STAND-ALONE enemies-to-lovers, second-chance, marriage of convenience romance. No cheating. No cliffhangers.)
Fair Lakes Series Box Set
Kaylee Ryan - 2020
I had it all. The house, the job, the husband. Until one day, I didn’t. Now, my ex-husband is back, fighting, and ready to prove to me that we made a mistake. I’m not sure if he’s right, but I know what my heart wants, and it wants him. HarrisonWhy is it that you don’t know the depths of your mistakes until you’ve already made them? I knew signing those papers was a bad idea, but I thought that’s what she wanted. I’m in for the battle of my life. I have a plan, one that will prove to her that, it’s not over.Just Getting Started, book 2:GabbyMy life isn’t exactly going as planned. I’m basically floating up a certain creek without a paddle. Desperately needing a new place to live, I receive an offer I can’t refuse. Unfortunately, it’s from an uber-sexy manwhore that makes me want to punch him in the face and then kiss him.ChaseGabby Connor; there is no request too small in my eyes, including offering her a place to stay. It’s damn hard to keep my hands off of her. I’m pulling out all the stops. I’m tired of being in the friend-zone. It’s time to take what I’ve always wanted.Can’t Fight It, book 3:ColtonFrom the moment she showed up on my doorstep, I knew our lives would never be the same. With each passing day, I see a future I never planned. The only problem is someone wants to take that away from me. I just found her, and no way am I letting her go.HollisColton Callahan wasn’t what I expected and took no time at all for me to fall. Not only for the man but also his son. The problem is my past is not too far behind and slowly catching up. Now, I have a choice to make—run away or stay and fight.
Axel
Penny Dee - 2020
And the last thing I want to do is get involved. But when I overhear the plans to abduct her on the eve of her wedding, I know I have to do something. My past stops me from going to the authorities, and I don’t know how deep this conspiracy goes in the small town of Mirror Lake Mountain, so asking for help is too risky. I can only trust myself.I have no choice. To keep her safe, I’ll have to kidnap the pain-in-the-ass heiress myself. Call the fire department because things are about to get hot in here! Axel, book one in the Men of Mirror Lake Mountain series is straight up what fantasies are made of, with an over-the-top sexy hero, a heroine who gives as good as she gets, and so much Kindle-melting deliciousness you will lose your mind!So, sit back, check reality at the door and get ready for one lip-biting, toe-curling read!
Last Call
Bella Michaels - 2020
Every damn time. My father says that's the problem. But he says a lot of things about me, none of them very nice.I finally have a chance to show him, to show everyone, I'm more than a pretty boy who parties hard with his parents’ money. My business partner Enzo and I have developed a product that will change the world.There's just one snag. Ada Flemming, the FDA official who controls our company’s fate, is the most compelling woman I’ve ever met. Even though it could cost me everything—my friendship with Enzo, my business, and my one chance at redemption—I can’t seem to stay away from her. Pursuing Ada might be the biggest screwup of all—the only bad decision I don’t bounce back from.But it’s too late to start making safe decisions now.
The Malone Brothers: Filthy Sweet / Dirty Cute
Frankie Love - 2021
This duet offers more than a tune up— it’ll make you fall in love all over again!Get ready baby cakes, it’s time to rev your engine!FILTHY SWEETWhen Moxon sees Millie on the side of the road, he’s determined to get under her hood.She’s not just curvy and creative—she’s also filthy-sweet.And exactly the kind of woman this mechanic has been dreaming of.DIRTY CUTEWhen Clementine walks into Mike’s auto shop he has plans to change her oil.She’s not just innocent and intelligent—she’s also dirty-cute.And this single-dad mechanic is looking to do more than get under her hood—he wants a place in her heart—permanently.
Toxic
Kim Karr - 2015
Phoebe St. Claire, a put together, in control socialite-turned-CEO has been drifting through life searching for something she thought she'd never find again—the right man to share her future. Our passion was boundless. Our lust untamed. And our desire endless. He was the only man who ever made me feel alive. Then, I betrayed him. When he reappeared, I didn’t question it. Trust rarely survives the wrecking ball, so when he let me in back in—I didn’t hesitate. Maybe I should have. What began as a bid to save my family business, turned into a second chance at love. It felt so romantic. Working together, side by side, with the man I loved. My dream come true. Nothing is as good as it seems. We had our issues, but then again, every couple does. It wasn’t jealousy, or our too-hot sex life that I should have been worried about. It was his darkside. I never saw the end coming, until it slammed me in the face. The question is—did he? Was revenge his plan all along?****Sometimes you have to wonder if your life is too good to be true.Is it real or just an illusion?Does the man lying beside you really love you like he says he does?If the answer is yes, you’re meant to live happily ever after.If the answer is no, you’re living my life, and nothing will ever be the same.What you do about it—that’s up to you.Me, I’m in too deep and there’s no getting out.I’ll take whatever I can get for as long as I can because I know when it’s over…I’ll never find another man like him.Ever!
Letting You Go
Jordan Marie - 2019
She was a force of nature that I wasn’t ready for. She was gravity and I was caught in her pull— Powerless while she held me in a world I was desperate to escape. They say you never forget your first love. I believe they’re right. I’ll always remember the sound of her laughter. The way she whispered my name when I touched her, and the taste of her on my lips. I’ll remember everything. Including the look of pain as I walked away. Letting You Go is book 1 in the new romantic suspense series Stone Lake. The story will continue and conclude with book 2 When You Were Mine.
C is for Carter: A Secret Baby Mountain Man Romance (Men of ALPHAbet Mountain)
Natasha L. Black - 2022
Brother's Best Friend's Package
Cassandra Bloom - 2017
But if I follow my lust… Will she steal my heart? I’m not just king of Wall Street. I’m the most notorious bad boy on Broadway. Wealth. Power. Success. I’ve got it all. Women crumble for my wit, charm and my rock hard…abs. I change women faster than I change my underwear. Now my business partners sisters in town. Smart. Gorgeous. And mind-bendingly sexy. I can’t resist. What I didn’t count on? I think I’ve just met my match. She chews guys up and spits them out. A shark just like me --we’re two of a kind. Her brother says she’s off limits. But that just makes her a whole lot sexier. And tonight she wants me to take her all the way. Tonight it’s my turn. I want to claim the girl who can’t be tamed for myself. One night of wild sex later -- could this be a New York dream come true, or the greatest disaster ever?