Book picks similar to
Luke by Barbara Freethy


romance
contemporary-romance
contemporary
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Five Minute Man


Abbie Zanders - 2014
    I don't HAVE it." Holly McTierney is a romance writer with zero romance in her life. She dreams of a man who can sweep her off her feet... and give her an orgasm in five minutes flat. However, after hitting the big 3-0 this year, she just wants a guy to snuggle up for a movie and some Chinese takeout. Or maybe just a man who'll call her back. Sigh... Adam Grayson works hard on his renovation business - too hard to have any time for dating. Years of construction have given him a rugged look that women can't help but notice, but he never seems to notice them back. Apart from a crazy ex who makes any excuse to run into him, it had been years since he had held a conversation with a woman for more than five minutes. However, his matchmaker nephew has a plan to change all that. Holly and Adam are perfect for each other, but Adam's ex will stop at nothing to keep them apart. When she gets her claws back into Adam, will Holly let him go? Or can he prove to her that he really is her five-minute man?

Neighbors Like That


Carina Taylor - 2019
    Instead, I find myself locking my garbage can to keep pests out–pests that are six-foot-one, green-eyed, and far too good-looking.My trespassing neighbor is rude and entitled. It isn’t long before war is declared, and I find myself stooping to immature pranks.When trouble lands at my door, my unlikely neighbor starts knocking on my heart. Am I ready to answer?HAGENI will win no matter what it takes.I moved to this neighborhood for a fresh start. The one thing I’m not looking for is a relationship. So, when I mistakenly assume my neighbor is hitting on me, I lash out at her.I didn’t mean to start the war, but now she taunts me from across the street. Our harmless pranks have become the highlight of my day. I should stay away–but I can’t. I want to spend more time with her.When a stalker begins sending Kylie a series of notes, I’m only too willing to help protect her. Maybe I’m looking for a relationship, after all.

Hearts of Clover: Half My Heart & Change My Heart


Danielle Stewart - 2014
    BUNDLED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. HALF MY HEART BOOK 1: THE CLOVER SERIES At nineteen, Devin Sutton lost his first love, his freedom, and his hope. Years later, the only thing he has on his mind this holiday season is finally settling the score back in Clover, North Carolina. That is, until the girl he thought he’d lost forever crosses his path. Rebecca Farrus is supposed to be off living the life of her dreams, not tending bar in some dive. When faced with the choice, will Devin decide to celebrate what he’s finally found or keep seeking retribution for everything he lost? CHANGE MY HEART BOOK 2: THE CLOVER SERIES You really can't have it all, or so Devin Sutton is finding out fast. Returning to Clover was all part of his plan to exact revenge on the town that robbed him of nearly a decade of his life. Unfortunately, things quickly begin to crumble when he's forced to choose between rekindling an old love or destroying the town. Walking the fine line between both might just end up leaving him with nothing. With his heart full of vengeance is there any room for love?

Somebody to Love


Wendy Vella - 2017
    Bad boy Joe Trainer was once her soulmate, but she isn’t sure she has a soul anymore. Finding he’s made something of his life is a shock, as he’d been on a one-way trip to hell when she left. This new Joe is sexy and enticing, but she knows all too well there’s a devil underneath the urbane exterior.She was the good girl who never broke the rulesWhen Joe’s childhood friend, Bailey Jones, returns to Ryker Falls his life suddenly shifts from settled to off-center. Once they’d been closer than anyone ever guessed. Now, they’re chilly strangers. But Joe’s not letting his stubborn, sexy-as-hell ex-best friend stay closed off. He lost her once through his own stupidity, this time he’s never letting her go. Joe knows he doesn’t deserve a second chance, but he’s never played by the rules before so he’s not starting now. Game on.BOOKS IN THE SERIESSomebody To LoveFrom This MomentLove Me TenderOnly Just BegunHold Me Close

Shattered Hearts


Octavia Wildwood - 2014
    Alone. Damaged. After escaping an abusive relationship, Amanda finds work on a remote farm in rural Minnesota. Eager for a fresh start, she tries to will her nightmares away. She also tries to stop daydreaming about her hot boss's hard, chiseled body. She doesn't like him, but he's sure easy on the eyes.Stubborn. Proud. Protective.Hardworking and hard-headed, Nate is determined to save his family's farm and provide for his sister. The last thing he needs is some city girl getting underfoot. Sure, Amanda is a breath of fresh air (and the prettiest little thing he's ever seen) but there's no way he'd ever admit it. Nate doesn't do romance...but he can't stop thinking about doing Amanda!*This is a full-length, standalone novel that contains explicit adult situations.

Stockholm Diaries, Caroline,


Rebecca Hunter - 2015
    Caroline must choose what is safe or choose what her heart tells her is right.But what if her heart wants more than one thing?2015 Chatelaine Awards for Romantic Fiction Finalist - Contemporary Romance"...beautiful debut novel..." - InD'tale Magazine, Feb 2016This is a stand-alone romance novel at 65,000 words with a HFN. Stockholm Diaries, Caroline 2 is the next episode in their adventure.

Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy


Ernesto H. Lee - 2019
    As a successful commodities trader with one of the leading London trading houses, he was happy, healthy and, engaged to be married to the woman he loved. Then came the devastating news that would change his life forever. Less than two years later, his health is in tatters, his fiancée is gone, and his life is reduced to nothing more than a series of difficult choices and harsh realities. In search of answers and, in search of a drink, he walks an unfamiliar part of London. He doesn’t find the answers he is looking for, but he does find Karen. With Karen, he finds hope. With Karen, he finds love. With Karen, nothing is ever going to be the same again.Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite- 5 StarsWalk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a romantic and bitter sweet work of fiction penned by author Ernesto H Lee. Written for mature audiences, but not overly graphic in its romantic content, this tale focuses on love later in life. Our central hero Mark Rennie is a man who once thought he had a perfect life all figured out, but then his life and health fall apart aged forty-one. In a world of difficult choices, Mark chooses to drift the streets of London in search of some kind of answer. When he finds Karen, however, he gets a lot more than he was looking for.This is an emotional and unusual love story in the realm of tragic romances, but it has so many beautiful and uplifting qualities in spite of the situation that Mark finds himself in. The back drop of London is well drawn to bring out the atmosphere of each moment in Mark and Karen's relationship, and author Ernesto H Lee has a cinematic sense of how to construct scenes and move the plot along without any unnecessary details derailing it. The narration is personal, close to the characters, and sensitive in matters of health, the future and the notion of hope. What results is an emotionally intelligent and realistic romance that will grip its readers from start to finish. Overall, Walk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy is a rollercoaster ride with stylish narration, compelling dialogue and a plot you'll cry over again and again.Reviewed By Rabia Tanveer for Readers' Favorite- 5 StarsWalk With Me: One Hundred Days of Crazy by Ernesto H Lee is a novel about love, acceptance, and learning to live in the moment. We are all guilty of it and we all take our present for granted while we push for the future. This is something that happened to Mark Rennie in this novel. He kept looking forward and worked hard, only to have his life slip away from him. His story is heartbreaking as well as encouraging.The author did a great job of creating an atmosphere that is sensitive yet hopeful. There were emotional ups and downs in the story, but the author kept the momentum going and ensured that the reader enjoyed the journey with Mark and Karen. While the topic of cancer is very bleak,the author added as much hope and happiness to the story as possible. To say that I got emotional reading this novel would be an understatement. I was so involved and invested in Mark and Karen that I just didn't want their story to end. Absolutely beautiful! “Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy is a novel with a powerful tale of romance and one that explores the deep longings of the human heart.” Ruffina Oserio for Readers Favorite. “Walk With Me, One Hundred Days of Crazy by Ernesto H Lee is a fascinating book packed with craziness, emotions, family, and love (lots of love).” Ankita Shukla for Readers Favorite.

Rushing Into Love: A small-town sports romance


Kara Kendrick - 2021
    Work. Football. That’s my life summed up in three words.Sure, I used to be a pro NFL baller, but now I’m perfectly content with a quiet life in my small hometown of Peachtree Grove, Georgia.That is until Bree, a beautiful blonde dating expert, gets tackled at my Pee Wee football practice, knocking me off my game.I swore I’d never get involved again after my messy divorce left me reeling, but one date with Bree and I’m dropping all my hesitations—along with my jersey. Now she has me rethinking my plays.But will the tabloids, my ex, and Bree’s complicated past keep us in the friendzone?

Sugarcoated


Erin Nicholas - 2020
    He's known her all his life. He's practically part of the family. There is nothing either of them could do to surprise the other at this point.Then she showed up in his bedroom in lingerie and asked him to take her V-card.Okay, that was a surprise.Aiden is pretty sure Zoe was equally surprised when he told her no. To say that he didn't handle it well would be a massive understatement. Almost as massive as the amount of work he's going to have to do now to convince her that he wants her. Forever. Right after he tells her that he's bought the company that's her bakery’s biggest competitor. Maybe if he tells her he’s in love with her first, that will help sugarcoat the whole we're-rivals-in-business-now thing. So, first "I'm in love with you", then "take off your clothes", then "I'm now your business adversary".Piece of cake.

Wildcard


Emilia Finn - 2020
    I’m a pro fighter, the son of a murderous wifebeater, overprotective big brother, and Evelyn Kincaid’s best friend.I’ve known Evie since we were kids. I loathed her on first sight, and picked on her as often as she picked on me, but somewhere around my fifteenth birthday, my dislike was replaced with something else. It was foreign and new, potent and exciting.Now Evie is the woman I’d die for. The friend I would kill for. The girl I will love for eternity.Evie may be a pro fighter too, capable enough to fight her own battles, but she’s wild, and too spontaneous for her own safety, so I’m going to be right here, protecting her six, cleaning up her crazy, and praying she gets on board when I tell her I’ve loved her for years.My five-year plan has been put in place, my claim has been made, but I could lose more than a round in the octagon when another fighter enters a competition he was never invited to.What I feel for Evie was never up for negotiation, but she’s always been my wildcard.From the author of the best selling Rollin On series, comes this beautiful coming of age story that will make you sigh, scream, melt, and giggle; all on the same page.

Second Chance on the Corner of Main


Meg Easton - 2018
    All that is about to change in this beloved small town.Fun-loving Whitney Brennan enjoys being in the middle of every town gathering in Nestled Hollow—and writing about it all in the town paper that she owns. But she’s terrified of making any real or deep connection with anyone because she knows that if she does, they’ll end up leaving like everyone else did. Like her high school best-friend-turned-boyfriend, Eli, did on graduation night.Eli Treanor skipped out of Nestled Hollow twelve years ago and created a new life and a thriving team-building business he thoroughly enjoys in Sacramento. When his parents beg him to come back and run the family outdoor rentals business while his dad has surgery, Eli isn’t happy about returning to the town that didn’t love him, the dad he could never please, and the girl he’d left behind all those years ago.When Whitney and Eli are paired together to create the decorations for the Main Street Fall Market, many of their old feelings resurface, along with new fun and excitement, but it also opens past wounds. Can this couple overcome the fears that are stopping them from giving their love the second chance it deserves?

Informed Consent


Tawdra Kandle - 2020
    I wanted to build a home, grow my own food, and make a difference for cancer patients at St. Agnes Memorial Hospital. I had big hopes and lots of plans. That was before I met Deacon Girard.He’s arrogant and stubborn, arguing with me even when he knows I’m right. How can such a caring and dedicated doctor be so inflexible? And why can’t I seem to get him out of my head … or my dreams?DeaconI just can’t figure out Emma Carson. Our patients love her, and she’s making a huge difference in their recovery. So what’s my problem? Why do I go out of my way to fight with her constantly?Maybe it’s because she makes me question my intensity and second-guess my focus. Or maybe it’s because I’m not sure if I want to push her away . . . or make her mine.

Hot for Teacher


Whitley Cox - 2020
    Three sexy single ladies who drink a ton of wine every Saturday night, bitch about life, have each other's backs, are the ultimate mama bears, and hope to one day, just maybe find love again.This is Celeste's story ...Fifteen years ago, Celeste was eighteen, in love and on the honor roll.Then she got pregnant.Now, a widow and a single mom, she does her best to give her daughter, Sabrina, a good life.But something is missing in her world.Or someone.Back when he taught her math, Celeste didn't have a crush on Mr. Travis, but that doesn't mean she's not hot for teacher now or able to ignore her rampant fantasies.All Max wanted to do was buy was a pair of jeans. However, when he bumped into his former student, Celeste, he ended up with so much more.She's not a kid anymore and it's impossible for him to stay away from her. Even when he knows he should.But an angry student is out to wreak havoc for them all. One who hates Sabrina, and wants to cause problems for Max and Celeste.Like love, high school can be a battlefield, only neither of them knew just how dangerous it could be until the scandal explodes like a grenade. Celeste and Sabrina's relationship hangs precariously in the balance, and Max isn't sure if he should stay and fight for the woman he's falling for, or get out of dodge before everything he's worked so hard for goes up in smoke.**Note: This book can be read as a standalone. It includes lots of steamy scenes, cursing, a sexy alpha male, and of course as with all my books, this has an HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating. If you liked my single dad series, then you'll love this spin-off trilogy.

A Fighting Chance


Kat Savage - 2021
    Since then, she's been avoiding certain things at all costs—like small-town setbacks, her family’s farm, and suffocating under too many expectations. Oh, and love, of course—but that's one thing eluding her. Aside from that, things are wonderful for her in Boston—the big city she chose to run to. That is, until her heartbroken little sister beckons her back to the very place she ran from: Whitney Farms. Lyla braces herself to be there again—but only temporarily. Only through her sister's impending divorce. What she doesn't expect is the newest—and hottest—resident at the farm. Newly single and free to do as he pleases, Gentry Bodine meets Lyla and at once, she rises to the very top of that list. His craving for her is demanding, undeniable. With an attraction so palpable, even the inexperienced and gun-shy Lyla can't resist—especially when lured with poetic, seductive notes from the unexpected southern charmer.But when they fall into temptation—of what appears as fleeting summer fun—both must decide: Will they give love a fighting chance?

Her Protector


Ashlee Price - 2019
    Escape into the world of these hot alpha males and let them entertain you all night long.Book 1 - ProtectorEx-Firefighter. Current Boss. Future (Pretend) Husband."Save me."I saw that plea in Robyn's tear-moistened chestnut eyes the moment she stepped off the back of my truck.How could I refuse?Heck yeah, I'll protect her.I'll go through flames for this woman.I'll even marry her and father her child.I'll keep her from being harmed.But can I still protect her when my darkest secret is her greatest fear?Book 2 - One Hot DoctorA lot has changed in the 7 years since I saw Ava...Yes, I'm still the only son to billionaire parents.And yes, I'm a doctor now who seems to have women blog about my looks every time I do a TV interview.But Ava's despair runs deep.Her arrogant, abusive fiance makes me sick.Underneath her fragile exterior, I can see she has so much more to offer.Ava and I belong together.I knew it then and I know it now.I'm the only one that can rescue her from this mess.But how can I heal Ava's deepest scar if I'm the one who left it?Book 3 - His GiftThe moment Jordan's doe eyes met mine, I knew I had to have her.Hard not to when a gorgeous woman stumbles into your life.After I claimed her sweet innocence, we lost touch and I focused on building my fortune.Seeing Jordan while I was taking a holiday break in a small town was an unexpected surprise.But she's different now.Her guard is up.She can pretend to hate me all she wants but she can't deny our magnetic attraction.And her son? He sure does look and act a lot like me.I'll make her mine.Despite the odds stacked against us.After all, I have a special gift for her.Book 4 - Most Eligible DaddyThe first time was spur of the moment. The second time will be forever.I never thought I'd fall for a girl in overalls and muddy boots until I met Quinn Hardy.She's the best thing that came with this run-down farm.The loss of my wife left me empty and struggling to raise a daughter.Years later, not even all my wealth can fill the void.But with Quinn, I see everything I want in a woman.I'll show her what a real man is like.I'll crush those greedy neighbors eyeing her land the way I stamp out those trying to mess with my company.I'll destroy anyone and anything that gets in my way.Book 5 - Twist of Fake"I'll be your fiancé."I never thought I'd need one to impress a client and get a promotion.Where's a virgin like me supposed to find someone like that?And I never in my wildest dreams thought he'd volunteer.Lucian.That mysterious drool-worthy mechanic from down the street with a mean streak.The moment I saw those inked arms, I wanted them wrapped around me.