Book picks similar to
Getting the Down by Daphne Loveling


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contemporary-romance

A Change of Plans


Donna K. Weaver - 2013
    And the shipwreck. And the falling in love.Lyn North just wants to move past the anniversary of her heartbreak. Swearing off any romance, she embarks on a South Pacific cruise. But the handsome surgeon in the cabin next door revives emotions she's tried to forget.Braedon Randolph desperately needs this vacation to escape his workaholic life. He finds himself captivated by the beautiful schoolteacher next door. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, he moves to take their relationship beyond friendship and is surprised when Lyn ghosts him-hard to do on a small ship. Yet the haunted look in her eyes draws him closer and awakens a need in him to protect her.Then they're thrown together on a snorkeling excursion where paradise turns to piracy. With the man she rejected, Lyn must fight for survival through storms, sharks, and shipwreck-while her heart whispers she may have been wrong.It was a relaxing vacation-until the pirates. And the shipwreck. And the falling in love.Lyn North just wants to move past the anniversary of her heartbreak. Swearing off any romance, she embarks on a South Pacific cruise. But the handsome surgeon in the cabin next door revives emotions she's tried to forget.Braedon Randolph desperately needs this vacation to escape his workaholic life. He finds himself captivated by the beautiful schoolteacher next door. Unaware of the sensitive waters he navigates, he moves to take their relationship beyond friendship and is surprised when Lyn ghosts him-hard to do on a small ship. Yet the haunted look in her eyes draws him closer and awakens a need in him to protect her.Then they're thrown together on a snorkeling excursion where paradise turns to piracy. With the man she rejected, Lyn must fight for survival through storms, sharks, and shipwreck-while her heart whispers she may have been wrong.***This is an updated and expanded edition***Other Books in the Safe Harbors SeriesA Change of Plans (#1)Hope's Watch (#1.5)Torn Canvas (#2)A Season of Change (#2.5)Swing Vote (#3)Kings Crossed Lovers (#4)

Her Secret Santa


Kelli Callahan - 2019
     I don’t care if all of the people I work with call me Elly-nezer Scrooge behind my back. I don’t care if my family judges me because I haven’t been to a Christmas dinner in years. I don’t even care that I spend every single holiday alone. I’m happy. I’ve said that so many times that I think I finally believe it... Then my cousin signed me up for the Secret Santa Romance dating app. And I got matched with Ian... Sure, he’s hot, charming, and checks every single box I can come up with on the perfect guy list but there’s no way he’s going to convince me to go on a date with him or change my perspective of Christmas with his corny jokes. So why can’t I convince myself to stop talking to him, delete this stupid app, and get on with my life? This is a full-length standalone Romantic Comedy.

Elliot


Jenni M. Rose - 2018
    A hardworking contractor, his needs are fairly simple and when his grandmother’s house comes up for sale, everything seems to fall into place. Until his offer on the place goes up in flames when some out-of-towner drops a number he can’t even fathom, let alone match.Julia Hawkins is your average socially-inept, tech wizard on the verge of selling her multi-billion dollar website. Tired of the city grind and unable to handle the intricacies of being in the public eye, Julia retreats to a place no one will think to look for her: The Suburbs. But the place she's chosen as her own isn't quite up to par and she wants to make some changes. Big changes. If only she could get the local construction company to return her phone calls.What follows isn’t enemies to lovers. It isn’t insta-love. It’s two complicated people, with complicated problems, finding their forever in the most unlikely place. Right at home.***This series is a spin-off from The Freehope Series. We initially met The Williams Brothers in Book 3 of the Freehope Series, Confessing History. As Logan's cousins, they'll be attending Beth and Logan's beach wedding, and if you read this book, you will too!***

Road to Recovery


Natalie Ann - 2014
     Being perfect isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. After surviving a horrific car crash, Brooke Malone is ready to start over. Moving from her hometown of Burlington, Vermont, to Albany, New York, for a new job, her only goals are to focus on her career and her recovery. The last thing she wants is the distraction of a relationship. Least of all with a sexy more-than-perfect coworker who is adamant about needing to help her. Lucas Mathews is any woman’s dream man. As a successful attorney, he could have any woman he wants. But he wants Brooke, the one woman who doesn’t seem interested. Can he win her over when all she wants to do is rebuild her life? Or will the secrets Brooke holds deep shatter any chance at happiness? Mature content, not intended for under 18 years of age. Each book can be read as a stand alone, or in the following order. Road to Recovery - Brooke and Lucas Road to Redemption - Cori and Jack Road to Reality - Mac and Beth Road to Reason - Ryan and Kaitlin The All Series All or Nothing - Ben Harper and Presley James All of Me - Phil Harper and Sophia Mansfield All the Way- Alec Harper and Brynn Palmer

The Sweet Spot


Elyse Kelly - 2020
    She’s determined to make her dream a success and pours all her time into focusing on her bakery. What she doesn’t make time for, is falling for the sexy mechanic that owns the auto shop next door. Asher Davis is the kind of local bad boy that is so sexy his body screams “troublemaker”, “panty-melter”, and “heartbreaker” all at the same time. Armed with dimples and a mega-watt smile, poor Callie is no match to resist Asher’s charm and good looks. When Callie and Asher meet it’s instant sparks, but Callie refuses to give in, no matter how hot Asher is. Asher refuses to take no for an answer and is determined to make Callie his. What’s it going to take for Asher to win Callie over?Can Callie have her cupcakes and Asher too?This is the first book of the Magnolia Springs Series. It's a complete stand-alone, short-read, sexy contemporary romance with a HEA!

On a Tuesday


Whitney G. - 2017
    Became best friends, then lovers, on a Tuesday. And everything fell apart on a Tuesday... Charlotte Taylor has three automatic strikes in my book: 1) She hates me. She also claims that I'm a "domineering jerk with a huge, overbearing ego." (I do have something huge. It's not my ego, though.) 2) She takes our mandatory tutoring sessions way too seriously. 3) She's sexy as hell...And a virgin. At least, those were her strikes before our study sessions started lasting longer than they were supposed to. Until one innocent kiss became a hundred dirty ones, and until she became the first woman I ever fell hard for. Our future together after graduation was supposed to be set: Professional football for me. Law school for her. But she left me at the end of the semester with no explanation, and then she completely disappeared from my life. Until tonight.We met on a Tuesday. Became everything, then nothing, on a Tuesday. And now it's seven years later, on a Tuesday... **This is a full length second chance romance, inspired by Adele's "When We Were Young"**

Mr. January


Jasmine Garner - 2020
    It’s why he’s a great firefighter. It’s also why he can’t get over the morbid scene he just witnessed during his last shift. And then he meets Tisha, who understands the emotional turmoil he’s going through. She ends up saving his life in the most embarrassing way possible, and he can’t get her out of his head.Tisha can’t think of the last time she’s laughed, yet she’s content with her life. When you’ve experienced indescribable trauma, sometimes good enough is, well, good enough.She meets Seth and suddenly wants more. But with both of them healing from the darkness in their pasts, a healthy relationship may not be possible. And she’s perfectly fine with rejecting his advances, until she learns that he is Mr. January in a smoking hot firefighter calendar. Suddenly, saying no isn’t as clear-cut as she thought it would be. Seth’s personal commitments and darkness prove to be too overwhelming to fully give himself to Tisha, although he’s trying his best. But his best may not be good enough. The logical part of her mind and the broken part of her heart say no, but they’re no match for the fire he kindles within her body.This BWWM romance is book one in the Hot Boys firefighter series. Each book can be read as a standalone and in any order. No cheating and a guaranteed happily ever after.Are you ready to step into the fire?

Wait for Me


Samantha Chase - 2013
    Tired of waiting for the time to be right, she takes advantage of her boss’s generous offer for a little weekend getaway to thank her for helping out with a difficult business deal.Former NFL superstar Lucas Montgomery is still suffering from a career-ending injury. His self-imposed exile from life is exactly what he wants; a sanctuary where there’s no chance for disappointment or distractions and that’s exactly the way he likes it. While his family has been patiently waiting for Lucas to come around and embrace life once again, they don’t realize that it wasn’t just his career that was lost, but his sense of identity.Lucas thought everything was fine until sweet, sexy and completely off-limits Emma Taylor comes crashing into his carefully constructed world one snowy weekend and turns his entire life upside down.Montgomery Brothers Series: Wait for Me (Book 1) Trust in Me (Book 2) Stay with Me (Book 3) Return to You (Book 4) Meant for You (Book 5)

Not a Player


A.J. Wynter - 2020
    This book can be read as a stand-alone or as book one in the Laketown Hockey Series.

Trying Sophie


Rebecca Norinne - 2016
    When we were kids, he tormented me mercilessly ... but that little boy is all man now, and there are some very adult things I’d like to do with him. But it’s not just his hot body or his wicked mouth that I’m falling for. Underneath all that cockiness he’s kind and generous too—the exact opposite of who I expected him to be. And now I have to decide if I’m ready to put down roots in Ireland or go back to America, which would mean walking away from the reformed bad boy who just might be the love of my life. DeclanRugby was the only thing I cared about until Sophie Newport walked back into my life. When we were kids, I treated her like garbage, but we’re both adults now, and I want to make it up to her. Especially since she still makes me feel things no one else ever has—or likely ever will. I want her, and I never give up without a fight. Even if it means showing her who I really am … introducing her to the things I need. Even if it means laying my heart on the line and asking her to stay. But first I have to win her trust, and then I’m going to win her heart. And this time, I want forever.

Staying Grounded


Marianne Rice - 2017
    But after an altercation with a drunk passenger is posted on social media, he's forced to go on administrative leave until his name can be cleared. To get his wings back, he must attend anger management classes, and to avoid the media frenzy near his home base in Texas, he heads to Rocky Harbor, Maine. Responsible therapist Maggie O’Fallon wants a stable relationship with a man who’s not going anywhere… Maggie grew up with parents who were never around, physically or emotionally. Needing steadiness in her life and in a relationship, she only dates men with normal jobs. But when Graham walks into her office and flashes his charming steel-blue eyes at her, she's at a loss for words. Torn between her ethics and her heart, Maggie asks Graham to see a different therapist so they can explore the chemistry between them. He has everything she’s been looking for—except stability… Maggie touches something deep within Graham and he panics, pushing her away, too scared to face his feelings. But when a private investigator threatens to discredit not only Graham, but Maggie’s practice as well, he is faced with two choices. Fight…or take flight. Battling a lawsuit and his heart, Graham must decide what’s more important—the life he thought he wanted…or Maggie. Maggie might be the only thing that will ever help Graham Stay Grounded.

Welcome Home, Abby (Those Hawthorne Men, #1)


Jan Gallagher Dunn - 2019
    He has a bad track record with romance. Abby fell in love with Jackson when she was 19, not realizing he was from the wealthy Hawthorne family. His father sent her away to protect the family money. She returns five years later, escaping a nasty fiancé – determined not to fall in love anytime soon. She needs protection and Jackson needs a mother for his daughter. Abby agrees to a one-year deal, touched by the idea of a motherless child. Jackson admits Abby is the only woman he’s ever loved, but he married the wrong woman after she left. His deceased wife’s family is trying to stake a claim to his daughter. He proposed a platonic marriage. He can handle the fact she’s more beautiful. Too late he discovers she smells just as sweet as he remembered. Abby is wonderful with his daughter. He’s a man who can run any business, why can’t he keep her arm’s length? What happens when both of them want a more permanent relationship, but both are afraid to admit it? Trigger Warning: Heroine discusses past miscarriage

Strong Side


Alison Hendricks - 2016
    But can they ever be more than friends?Jason Hawkins is about to throw the biggest Hail Mary pass of his career. If he can't turn NFL recruiters' heads this year, he'll lose his shot at the one thing he's ever been good at. But every quarterback needs a man he can count on down-field. For Jason, that man just might be the Tigers' new receiver, Derek Griffin.Four years ago, Derek nearly lost everything after being outed by his teammates.Now he finally has a chance to get it all back as a walk-on for Eastshore College... if he can resist his immediate attraction to the gorgeous and very straight star quarterback.An instant connection during practice leads to an easy friendship that only grows stronger off the field. Derek is convinced friendship is all it'll ever be, but a very confusing moment of impulse leaves both of them fumbling for answers about their relationship.As curiosity gives way to passion and passion gives way to something deeper, Jason and Derek will have to tackle their own personal demons to bring home the win and earn their happy ending.

Team Lucas


Ally Adams - 2015
    maybe. When Lucas Ainswright—one of the world’s biggest sporting stars—needs a 'minder', it just so happens that attitude is just what is needed to keep Lucas in line. Now Mia’s job is to manage the sporting world’s bad boy and keep him at the top of his game for the season. Game on!

Risking Trust


Casey Diam - 2018
    . . PAIGEShattered, cold, and numb.That’s all I’ve felt since my family was murdered. Still, five years later, it’s hard to breathe, to focus, and to trust anyone. Until I meet him, Caleb Conner. With him, life feels more alive, less scary—despite how strong, lethal, and extremely sexy he is. He’s everything I shouldn’t want, let alone trust. But it’s now or never, and it’s been a long time coming.It’s time for me to welcome danger. I’m finally ready—and willing. After all, Caleb is all that I crave. CALEBAn opportunity. A target. On my father’s radar.I should avoid her at all cost. But Paige Sawyer draws me in, and pushes my boundaries.With her, I am teetering between darkness and light. The truth is, I’m connected to the one person who wants her dead.I’m determined to protect her—save her from them. But is she ready to risk everything, and trust a trained assassin who has never been in love?Book ONE of THREE in the Danger and Attraction Trilogy. Previously Titled, Trust in the THINGS THAT MATTER SERIES now named the DANGER AND ATTRACTION SERIES! If you like broken heroes, and a sexy, suspenseful romance filled with twists and turns, then you will love Casey Diam’s exhilarating trilogy, Danger & Attraction.