Book picks similar to
The Switch by Nia Arthurs


romance
contemporary
interracial
fake-relationship

Rent a Boyfriend


Gloria Chao - 2020
    She hired him from Rent for Your ’Rents, a company specializing in providing fake boyfriends trained to impress even the most traditional Asian parents.Drew Chan’s passion is art, but after his parents cut him off for dropping out of college to pursue his dreams, he became a Rent for Your ’Rents employee to keep a roof over his head. Luckily, learning protocols like “Type C parents prefer quiet, kind, zero-PDA gestures” comes naturally to him.When Chloe rents Drew, the mission is simple: convince her parents fake Drew is worthy of their approval so they’ll stop pressuring her to accept a proposal from Hongbo, the wealthiest (and slimiest) young bachelor in their tight-knit Asian American community.But when Chloe starts to fall for the real Drew—who, unlike his fake persona, is definitely not ’rent-worthy—her carefully curated life begins to unravel. Can she figure out what she wants before she loses everything?

All That Stands Between Us: A Clean Enemies-to-Lovers Romance


Annette K. Larsen - 2019
     Julie has lived next door to the Martins her entire life, but the days of backyard barbecues and lake vacations ended six years ago. That’s when the feud began. Now, returning to her hometown for the holidays, she has to face not only her parents’ exhausting bitterness, but the agonizing realization that the irresistible guy who just asked her out is in fact a Martin, and therefore off limits. Left to choose between family loyalty and a man who just might be perfect for her, Julie decides she can date Drew as long as they keep things under wraps. But secrets have a way of coming out and love for her family may require the sacrifice of what her heart wants most. Inspired by Romeo and Juliet (but without all the death), the sweet, romantic story of Julie and Drew’s relationship will make you laugh out loud on one page and make your heart ache on the next. It’s a story about loving family, loving yourself, and loving your soulmate—and choosing which one to put first. All That Stands Between Us is a clean and wholesome contemporary romance novel for both teenagers and adults. If you’re looking for an inspirational read about a new adult returning from college for the holidays, this romantic comedy is a great read and promises to be a favorite best seller. Annette K. Larsen is one of the most popular sweet romance authors of recent years. Writing for teen and tween girls, young adults, and women alike, her books can be shared from mother to daughter to grandmother. Any book of hers would be a great gift idea for the book-loving women in your life. Whether she’s writing a historical fantasy series about princesses, or a romantic suspense thriller full of action and adventure, all of her novels have a guaranteed happy ending and plenty of swoon-worthy kisses.

Fake It Till You Break It


Jenn P. Nguyen - 2019
    They’ve endured summer vacations, Sunday brunches, even dentist visits together. Their mothers, who are best friends, are convinced that Mia and Jake would be the perfect couple, even though they can’t stand to be in the same room together.After Mia’s mom turns away yet another cute boy, Mia and Jake decide they’ve have had enough. Together, they hatch a plan to get their moms off their backs. Permanently. All they have to do is pretend to date and then stage the worst breakup of all time—and then they’ll be free.The only problem is, maybe Jake and Mia don’t hate each other as much as they once thought...

The Cost To Play (Slivers of Love)


Oliva Gaines - 2014
    She attends the cons to Cosplay in her original designs. At each convention to meet a fellow visionary to partner with to cash in on her dreams to play in the big leagues. Instead she finds Dr. Toshi Yamaguchi, a gifted artist and skilled teacher. Jayne can see the potential in working with him, but the man says all the wrong things, he never smiles and has an unnatural fixation with her posterior. Dr. Toshi Yamaguchi is a mild manner professor by day, and in his mind, a vigilante at night, or at least he is in the comic book in his head. Each con he attends he hopes to find a connection that will bridge his two worlds to fulfill a lifelong dream. What he finds is Jayne Wright, who charges up his heart and gets into his head. They both are ready to get into the comic book arena, but neither is sure what will be the cost to play.

This Time Will Be Different


Misa Sugiura - 2019
    She’s never lived up to her mom’s type A ambition, and she’s perfectly happy just helping her aunt, Hannah, at their family’s flower shop.She doesn’t buy into Hannah’s romantic ideas about flowers and their hidden meanings, but when it comes to arranging the perfect bouquet, CJ discovers a knack she never knew she had. A skill she might even be proud of.Then her mom decides to sell the shop—to the family who swindled CJ’s grandparents when thousands of Japanese Americans were sent to internment camps during WWII. Soon a rift threatens to splinter CJ’s family, friends, and their entire Northern California community; and for the first time, CJ has found something she wants to fight for.

Rogue In Love: Thea and Lex


Inger Iversen - 2017
     Lex knows exactly where the good people of Blackwater think he belongs. In prison, right alongside his no-good, murdering father. It’s one reason he’s spent the last two years living rough in the woods outside of town. The other? Thea—granddaughter of the man who rescued him from an irreparably broken home. The exact moment Lex noticed Thea had grown into a woman, he was packed off to the military. Lex gets it. He knows better than anyone he tends to destroy everything he touches. Now, ten years later, a mysterious summons brings Lex back to civilization, though the thought of watching Thea marry someone else ignites a savage instinct he dares not unleash. At first, Thea doesn’t recognize the grizzled, mountain of muscle who breaks into her grandfather’s house in the dead of night. Until his rusty, familiar voice emerges from all that unkempt hair. Lex, the boy who broke her heart when he walked out of her life. For a while, she had everything she thought she wanted: a successful medical career, a doctor fiancé, a comfortable future. With a single, hopeless diagnosis, she dropped everything—including the fiancé—to come home. And into the arms of the boy who has matured into a man who makes her body tremble with desire, even as her brain warns her to guard her heart. Forever is waiting just on the other side of the emotional walls towering between them. Walls that love could leap…if it’s strong enough to shed the weight of their pasts. This book includes the first chapter of Open Wounds and a sample of Incarcerated: Letters to Inmate 92510 The Love Against the Odds books are written as standalone, bwwm/interracial romances. However, your enjoyment may be enhanced if you follow this order: - Incarcerated: Letters from Inmate 92510 Katie & Logan 1 - Inevitable: Love and War Teal & Trent 1 - Indelible: Beneath His Ink Teal & Trent 2 - Rogue in Love: Lex and Thea | standalone novella - Open Wounds: Abel and Hope | standalone novella - Indebted: Til' Death Do Us Part Teal & Trent 3 - Weathered Soul: Eric and Ivory | standalone novella

Make a Scene


Mimi Grace - 2020
    Retta Majors is having a bad day. But that’s to be expected when your ex gets engaged to your cousin. Instead of (totally) freaking out, Retta decides to attend the wedding with her amazing, faithful, and handsome boyfriend. One problem. He doesn’t exist. Duncan Gilmore is living his dream. His boxing gym is open for business, and he’s focused on success. The last thing on his mind is a relationship. That is until the beautiful baker next door makes him an offer so bizarre he can’t refuse. One weekend of pretending to be Retta’s boyfriend should be easy.However, shared kisses and some flirting start to blur the lines in their fake relationship. When their performance draws to a close, will they go their separate ways or return for an encore?Note: This novel can be read as a standalone.

An Alpha's Desire


Amarie Avant - 2017
    Yet, for my family's many accolades, we've endured just as much tragedy. In reality, I fight for my legacy, and I fought for her. At first sight, I was hypnotized by the curvy beauty, Desire Taylor. Then she opened her plush lips and cursed me. I won't stop until she's mine. Desire I was too career-driven for love. In return, it took me hostage. Love was wrapped in the wrong package. I mean, the damn package was gorgeous, with blond hair and alluring gray eyes, but we clashed. Wentworth Daniel Rutledge III, billionaire and controller, was relentless in claiming my heart. As I submitted to his relentlessness, I learned that submitting to Daniel meant he'd serve me too... Somewhere along the lines, I've become The Alpha's Desire. Please note: This story contains content that may be offensive to some readers. This is a ***RERELEASE*** of the book previously published with the same title. A few minor details have been updated. Also, this version includes an exclusive super steamy excerpt of "Ephraim's HURT ROOM." So, read it here first!!

I Love You So Mochi


Sarah Kuhn - 2019
    But her mother disapproves, and when they get into an explosive fight, Kimi's entire future seems on the verge of falling apart. So when a surprise letter comes in the mail from Kimi's estranged grandparents, inviting her to Kyoto for spring break, she seizes the opportunity to get away from the disaster of her life.When she arrives in Japan, she's met with a culture both familiar and completely foreign to her. She loses herself in the city's outdoor markets, art installations, and cherry blossom festival -- and meets Akira, a cute aspiring med student who moonlights as a costumed mochi mascot. And what begins as a trip to escape her problems quickly becomes a way for Kimi to learn more about the mother she left behind, and to figure out where her own heart lies.In I Love You So Mochi, author Sarah Kuhn has penned a delightfully sweet and irrepressibly funny novel that will make you squee at the cute, cringe at the awkward, and show that sometimes you have to lose yourself in something you love to find your Ultimate self.

Unexpected


Sarah G. - 2013
    Kai, a member of a popular Korean pop group lives a charmed and glamorous life, surrounded by everything he could ever want and yet he feels empty and stuck. A chance meeting at a local casino diner sets his ordered world careening happily out of control as a luscious, full-figured waitress sends his closed heart into a tailspin. When these two complete opposites meet, worlds collide and sparks fly and the world of K-Pop will never be the same again. But will a meddling uncle, an unforgiving public, a secret admirer, a jealous friend, and Kai’s unruly group mates bring the couple together or ultimately tear them apart?

Frankly in Love


David Yoon - 2019
    One fake dating scheme. What could possibly go wrong?Frank Li has two names. There's Frank Li, his American name. Then there's Sung-Min Li, his Korean name. No one uses his Korean name, not even his parents. Frank barely speaks any Korean. He was born and raised in Southern California.Even so, his parents still expect him to end up with a nice Korean girl--which is a problem, since Frank is finally dating the girl of his dreams: Brit Means. Brit, who is funny and nerdy just like him. Brit, who makes him laugh like no one else. Brit . . . who is white.As Frank falls in love for the very first time, he's forced to confront the fact that while his parents sacrificed everything to raise him in the land of opportunity, their traditional expectations don't leave a lot of room for him to be a regular American teen. Desperate to be with Brit without his parents finding out, Frank turns to family friend Joy Song, who is in a similar bind. Together, they come up with a plan to help each other and keep their parents off their backs. Frank thinks he's found the solution to all his problems, but when life throws him a curveball, he's left wondering whether he ever really knew anything about love—or himself—at all.

Dating Makes Perfect


Pintip Dunn - 2020
    Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name—hence the shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they’re not allowed.Until now.In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school.In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin (aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating, and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice balls at each other. And her parents love him.If only he weren’t her sworn enemy.

Suits and Spark Plugs


Aspen Hadley - 2020
    Love is nowhere on that list. However, when dashing Blaine Harris enters the diner where Liv works, she’s flattered enough to give him a chance. Different from anyone she's ever known, he introduces her the world she's long dreamed about. Things are going surprisingly well, until he pushes her to get her beat-down car seen by the local mechanic.Connor Hunt has been at the very top of Liv's 'do not disturb' list ever since she had a front row seat to watching him create his terrible reputation. A magician with cars, he can’t stand to see a machine suffer. So, he comes up with a plan to fix Liv's in spite of her inability to pay. But will his solution cost more than she’s prepared to give?

Hero


Shani Greene-Dowdell - 2020
    ☆ Cherise ☆He found me again.I moved to another state, and the bastard found me.Worst part is, I tried really hard to help him get his life on track.Now, he was making me a nervous wreck.I couldn’t date, even if I wanted to.I couldn’t go out with friends.I couldn’t stay home and feel safe.Then, one day, I got a call from an ex-military guy looking for a therapist.He needed clearance to join the FBI.He could be my stalker, or he could be a hero.Determined not to live in fear any longer, I decided to help him.☆Tobin ☆After my brother's death, I realized in serving my country, I'd done a disservice to my family.So, I snapped and broke some shit.They quickly gave me my exit papers from the military.As an ex-Marine, if I ever wanted to get into the FBI, I'd need to prove I wasn't a safety concern.Apparently, people with anger management issues shouldn't carry weapons.So I found a therapist—a female therapist.We were all of fifteen minutes into our session when I realized all was not right in her world.She was on edge because she had a stalker.Lucky for me, I wasn't currently employed.Lucky for her, I was highly trained and intensely motivated to save her.I'd always been a sucker for a damsel in distress.And this woman needed a hero.

As Kismet Would Have It


Sandhya Menon - 2019
    Sure, she loves her boyfriend, Rishi, but why does she need to validate that with an institution that has historically never favored the woman? Why go through all that hassle?Rishi Patel deeply disagrees. He believes in the power that comes with combining love and tradition, and when the time comes, wants nothing more than to honor those things in a huge celebration with his friends and family. He knows Dimple loves him, but in hearing her rant about how marriage is a “construct of hegemonic masculinity” for the millionth time, a small, niggling part of him worries that it’s not the institution of marriage Dimple has a problem with; maybe it’s him.The two lovebirds find themselves at a philosophical impasse. Can they find a way to work it out, or does kismet have other plans?