Book picks similar to
The Race by Alice Ward


romance
arc
contemporary-romance
sports

Winning Mr. Wrong


C.W. Farnsworth - 2021
    Nearly broke, unemployed, recently dumped me let my best friend Haley decide it should be.They say don’t make important decisions after five shots of tequila, and I now believe whoever coined that phrase. We all have rough patches, right? Days when you snuggle on the couch in your favorite sweats inhaling chocolate?Well, I’ve signed up for the glamorous version. Free designer bikini. Poolside lounge chair. Open bar.Unfortunately, my free vacation takes a turn from mildly humiliating to full-on mortification when the identity of the man I’m meant to woo is revealed.What are the chances he’s the quarterback I accidentally insulted on national television six months ago? Turns out they’re pretty good.Famous athletes receive plenty of press coverage. Odds he remembers my constructive criticism? Turns out they’re also pretty good.Now I’m stuck in a five-star resort, surrounded by glamorous women, getting glared at by the hottest guy I’ve ever seen, all while having to complete ridiculous tasks and knowing every awkward moment is being forever enshrined on film for millions to watch weekly.All to win Mr. Wrong.

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.

The Player


Claire Contreras - 2016
    With flashy cars and enough media attention to put the Royal Family to shame, I’m the definition of Most Eligible Bachelor. I've never met a man who doesn't want to be me or a woman who doesn't want to tame me. Until I meet Camila. From the moment I lay eyes on her, I know I have to have her. She wants to keep me at arm's length.I want her naked in my bed. She thinks our worlds are too different.All I want her to think about is screaming my name. She says I’m bad news. I have three weeks to prove her wrong.

The Interview


J.C. Reed - 2015
    Hire a professional actor to play my fake fiancé. But when he steps in front of my door to pick me up for The Interview, my heart stops. Chase Wright is perfect. And hot. I mean like, burn up your dress hot. However, Chase isn't professional at all. I hate what he does to me with his sinfully sexy blue eyes. I hate that he wants me in his bed. One month…that’s all I need him for. All I have to do is stay out of his bed. But the rules slowly begin to change. My fake fiancé suddenly becomes my fake husband. When Chase offers me an indecent proposal, it's too late to fire him. It's too late to decline. Authors note: Full-length novel. Due to sexy, steamy situations only for readers 18+ Includes free prequel novella THAT GUY

Alphahole


D.D. Prince - 2018
     Aiden is an alphahole and absolutely infuriating. You're going to effing love him! I'm Carly. A nice girl. A nice girl who has recently figured out that nice girls get the shaft. So, I've decided to become Carly 2.0 and say buh-bye Carly 1.0, the doormat. There's a problem, though. An alphahole is my new roommate and my CEO’s son. He’s also my boss and the alphahole is gunning to ruin me. Alphahole: A grade-A alpha male asshole. The epitome? Aiden Carmichael. Aiden wants to give me the shaft. In multiple ways, if you get my drift. Good thing the new me has decided to fight back and if push comes to shove, fight dirty. I'm Aiden. Alphahole. Or so the chick my father put in my corporate apartment and my department at the office calls me. Whatever. She's got spunk. And a great rack. She tries to come off as a badass, but I see right through the act. If she's gonna tangle with me, she'll be the one to get tied up in knots. It won't be me. I have no problem fighting and as far as I'm concerned, the dirtier the better.

Donut Disturb


Melissa Williams - 2019
    A hot cop and a donut baker, what could go wrong? It was a donut emergency. A dough or die moment. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself. It would explain why, from the moment Baxter DeCavhalo comes crashing into my kitchen, I’ve been acting out of character. Why I’m sharing secret donut recipes, licking frosting off fingers that aren’t mine, and falling for the off-limits neighbor. I know better, I need to be focusing on my bakery and my next donut creation…but there’s just something about Bax that keeps me coming back for more. It’s not the heat of the kitchen that’s getting to me, it’s Bax. And this slow burn is about to combust.

Imperfect Match


Corinne Michaels - 2019
     Rule number one for a professional matchmaker? Don’t fall in love with your client. I screwed that up when I fell for my best friend, Reid Fortino. He’s gorgeous, successful, and sexy as hell. I figured it would be easy to find him a match—and save the family business at the same time. But the more time I spend attempting to find the perfect girl, the more I realize how much I want him for my own. What’s the harm if we give in for just one night? I should have known that would never be enough. Now I’m on the verge of losing my job and my heart. We were an imperfect match from the start, but I don’t know how to let him go.

A Suds and Sam Christmas


Stella Marie Alden - 2019
    Sal-mon suds. Fish? Detergent? Not good.""Samantha and Suds? Sam and Sebastian?""Not the same ring. Admit it, Suds and Sam is perfect.""Yeah, I suppose we are."Sam's crazy Italian family is back and Suds takes them on with his usual southern charm as he navigates through the holiday season.Will they find the nativiy infant in time for Christmas?Warning: Heated scenes and loads of laughs as this detective duo makes the season bright.

Last Time We Kissed


Nicole Snow - 2018
    She provoked. She goaded.Rubbed forbidden in my face till I went off the chain.Making her beg was inevitable.So was my sacrifice.Last time we kissed, she demolished me.Her rich family thought I was perfect.I took Amy Kay under their noses.And then I kept taking.I promised too much. Loved her too hard. Left too soon.Last time we kissed, he betrayed me.Her backstabbing brother. My ex-best friend.I never saw it coming.He'll pay for his sins ten times over.Last time we kissed, it was final.I wasn't supposed to see her again.Not in this city. On this elevator.The moment it craps out, stranding us overnight with animal cravings and fencing lies.Last time we kissed, how could we know our next might truly, madly, beautifully restore us?From Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow - a twisted second chance romance. Watch an alpha male on a mission fight like hell to win his woman back. Full length stand alone with a swoon-worthy Happily Ever After.

The CEO


Shealy James - 2013
     Grant is a born and bred businessman, and he always gets what he wants… The moment he lays eyes on Eve, Grant is determined she will be his. She’s different from other women he knows—too stiff, too prim—but her smile pierces his heart and he longs to see what she’s like when she lets her hair down. They discover a powerful and undeniable connection, leading to a fast moving relationship that leaves Eve whirling in its wake. The odds are stacked against them, and trust is hard to come by. A woman scorned, a troubled ex-husband, and a mother bent on orchestrating her son’s future to suit her own agenda make for a very rocky road. The new couple may not last, no matter how strong their feelings for each other are. Grant is willing to fight to keep Eve in his life, but after recent events, Eve isn't sure she has any fight left to give. Will outside forces drive Eve and Grant apart? Or will they learn there’s no love greater than the one you fight the hardest to keep?

Private Pilot


Karen Deen - 2020
    I only wish it was. Because then I wouldn’t see what I can never have They say when you know, you know. What a load of nonsense Because the only thing I know is …. he’s off limits. Workplace relationships are inappropriate and seedy Every morning I step onto his plane. Every morning he smiles and says a polite hello. I give him a controlled nod, acknowledging him as I pass, pretending not to notice him. But I can feel his eyes undress me as I walk past. And if I’m being honest, they do a lot more. If his gaze gives me tingles, I dread to think what an actual touch could do. Maybe I’m imagining the entire thing. Daydreaming the ultimate fantasy. Because he’s my Private Pilot And I’m just his smitten boss

Cocky Chef


J.D. Hawkins - 2017
    But when you're the best at what you do and have the hottest restaurant on the west coast, with enough Michelin stars to make Gordon Ramsay's head spin, you've earned the right to your confidence.When I give an instruction in the kitchen, it's not a suggestion--it's an order. So when a new chef thinks she can do things her way, and dares to say so to my face, even her sharp wit and gorgeous pouty lips don't make it okay. But I have to admit, she's got talent. She's creative in the kitchen and not even that double-breasted chef jacket can hide her perfect body. As I get to know her, I can't help wanting to know everything she thinks. I've never met a more talented chef. And I've never met a sassier and sexier woman in my life. There's only one way this push and pull can end.With her in my bed, begging for more.

The Playmaker


Jordan Ford - 2016
    He's a guy who thinks he knows what he wants. Can the quirkiest girl in school win over the coolest guy on the football team?This is it—Tori’s senior year. Her last chance to leave Nelson High without a bucketload of regrets. Number one priority—get Colt to fall in love with her. So what if he’s the Raider’s number one playmaker? So what if he’s so far out of her league the idea of them together would rupture the school’s social order?She has to try, before it’s too late. She’s come up with the perfect excuse to spend more time with him. All Colt has to do is think he’s helping her win over one of his teammates, and in the process he’ll fall madly in love with her.Or will he?Colt wants one thing: to play football after high school. But his grades are tanking and his dreams of playing college ball are fading…fast. He doesn’t really have time to waste helping out Tori, but they were friends in middle-school and he just can’t turn her down. Besides, how hard can it be to get one of his teammates to notice her?He’ll help her out, and then he’ll focus on what’s really important: football…assuming he can stop thinking about the last girl who could ever steal his heart.If you're a fan of small-town football, field parties, high school angst and melt-your-heart kisses, then you'll love The Playmaker.

The Hardest Play


A.S. Teague - 2020
    I was Quinn Miller: record breaking running back, professional football’s favorite rags-to-riches story, all-around good guy. What’s not so easy? Repairing your reputation after mistakes both on and off the field leave you labeled as a disgrace to the league.With only one team willing to give me a chance, I had no time for a relationship. But, after one night with Georgia Reed, the hopeless romantic with fiery red hair and an attitude to match, I was hooked. With Georgia cheering me on, it didn’t feel like the world was against me anymore.That was, until her father stepped into the locker room as my new head coach. Finding the woman of my dreams was the easy part; it was keeping her that would be the hardest play of all.

Stepbrother for Christmas


Amy Brent - 2017
    No cliffhangers and an HEA you will love!Steamy bonus content included for extra pleasure.