Book picks similar to
Dear Diamond by Stephie Walls
contemporary
arcs
ku-titles
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180 Seconds
Jessica Park - 2017
For Allison Dennis, all it takes is 180 seconds…After a life spent bouncing from one foster home to the next, Allison is determined to keep others at arm’s length. Adopted at sixteen, she knows better than to believe in the permanence of anything. But as she begins her third year in college, she finds it increasingly difficult to disappear into the white noise pouring from her earbuds.One unsuspecting afternoon, Allison is roped into a social experiment just off campus. Suddenly, she finds herself in front of a crowd, forced to interact with a complete stranger for 180 seconds. Neither she, nor Esben Baylor, the dreamy social media star seated opposite her, is prepared for the outcome.When time is called, the intensity of the experience overwhelms Allison and Esben in a way that unnerves and electrifies them both. With a push from her oldest friend, Allison embarks on a journey to find out if what she and Esben shared is the real thing—and if she can finally trust in herself, in others, and in love.
Right Where I Want You
Jessica Hawkins - 2018
. . and it cuts right through the middle of their office.
Bad boys? They run right over good girls like Georgina Keller. But after a confidence-shattering breakup, she’s determined not to let anyone at her new workplace push her around—least of all the brooding creative director, a “bad boy of publishing” who’s made it clear she’s enemy #1.Sebastian Quinn's taste for fast cars, late nights, and beautiful women may have gotten him to the top of a leading New York magazine, but the reputation that made him is suddenly threatening to end his career.Georgina can help Modern Man shed its bad reputation, but in order to do that, she’ll have to start at the top—and no amount of rakish charm or inconvenient attraction will distract her.Because if Sebastian gets her right where he wants her, it means she’s going down.
A Million Miles Away
Lara Avery - 2015
The only person who doesn't know about the tragedy is Michelle's boyfriend, Peter, recently deployed to Afghanistan. But when Kelsey finally connects with Peter online, she can't bear to tell him the truth. Active duty has taken its toll, and Peter, thinking that Kelsey is Michelle, says that seeing her is the one thing keeping him alive. Caught up in the moment, Kelsey has no choice: She lets Peter believe that she is her sister.As Kelsey keeps up the act, she crosses the line from pretend to real. Soon, Kelsey can't deny that she's falling, hard, for the one boy she shouldn't want.
Trick Me Twice
Becca Steele - 2020
That was my plan.The thing about plans? They change.One day, I was an invisible loner, the next, my name was on everyone’s lips.Why?I caught the attention of the wrong person.I tricked Carter Blackthorne, the king of Alstone High.He found out.And now?Now, he’s making me pay.It’s time for you to pay the price.You tricked me once, but you won’t trick me twice.Ready or not, here I come...Trick Me Twice is a standalone new adult high school romance with bullying and enemies to lovers themes. This book contains mature situations and content.
Love Machine
Kendall Ryan - 2018
She says she needs some help ... in the bedroom.Come again? No, really come again.Sweet, nerdy, lovable Keaton. She's my best friend and has been for years. Sure she likes numbers and math, and thinks doing other people's taxes is fun. And I like ... none of that stuff. She's obsessed with her cat and reads novels I'll never understand, and yet we just click. There's no one I'd rather share breakfast burritos with or binge watch hours of Netflix. She's my person. And so when she takes off her glasses and asks me to help her improve her skills in the bedroom, I barely have to think about it.Of course I'll help her. There's no one better for the job. I've been there for her through everything, why should this be any different? But what happens when she's ready to take her new-found confidence and move on?
Bad Wolf
Jo Raven - 2018
Years later, he’s back—a total hunk, hot as hell, and bad. So bad. Rude. Arrogant. Hard. And I’m dying for a taste. Jarett was our neighbors’ adopted son. Handsome, strong, quiet, he was my protector, and my friend. Now he’s back, and he’s still gorgeous. Tall, dark and s*xy. All man. But he’s a bad guy, moving with a dangerous crowd. So why do I keep winding up in his arms? On his lap. In his bed. I know better than this—I’m better than this. I should stop. Only my heart tells me there’s good inside Jarett. That I could save him. Then again, what happens to gullible girls who climb into bed with the big bad wolf? …Right. ***This is a standalone, full-length romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger or cheating. For a limited time, I have included a bonus novel. Enjoy! ***
All He Wants This Christmas
Claire Woods
Falling for the hunky single-dad every woman in town is hot for—is not on her Christmas list.So what, if the looks he gives her could melt the North Pole? She has no plans to get involved with another man who looks like sin on a stick.But maybe this Christmas, Kate will learn that some men are totally worth melting for.Gianni...All I wanted was for things to turn around for my son at school.I'm a simple man with simple wishes.But I never expected my Christmas Angel to be the mother of my son's nemesis. Or that we'd create enough heat to burn the house down every time we touched.The trouble is... she's already been burned.I don't want to break her heart. I just want to be the next man who takes it. But unlike her ex... I'm gonna cherish it and her FOREVER.All I want for Christmas is Kate--wrapped around me and under my tree..Authors note: This is meant to be a yummy, funny and sexy holiday read that will leave you feeling all mushy and gooey... like a melting piece of chocolate Santa stuffed into a stocking hanging on a mantel on Christmas Eve. No Cheating, HEA with plenty of fire to melt those Kindles. I hope you fall in love with Gianni just as Kate did!
Foster
Kristie Leigh - 2020
I don’t have time for that crap, but here’s my story.I was finally coming clean to my best friend about how this divorced, single mom attempted to get back in the dating game...and wound up with an old flame.Enough stalling, it was time to spill it ... ALLFoster Montgomery was my best friend's hot younger brother. Back in high school, we used to have a thing. And by “thing,” I mean we used to mess around--behind closed doors, because apparently, that was all I was good for. Finally, many years later, I had the chance to get my revenge. If wet dreams, steamy make-out sessions on my couch, and “naked yoga” in my living room counted as revenge, then I nailed it! He was still keeping secrets, but this time, I planned to make it known exactly what he’d done behind those closed doors.
Give Me Yesterday
K. Webster - 2015
Tough. Emotionless. What they don’t know, is that ten years ago, she lost everything. Including her hope for the future. Chase Monroe struggles with his own demons. Devastated by guilt and on a mission to correct his past, he uses his skills as a college psychology professor to help others move beyond their grief. When Victoria is forced to attend grief counselling, she meets Chase, and there is an instant attraction. Chase is determined to help her confront her past and find happiness. Victoria is afraid to relive her pain. Just as they begin to step forward, tragedy strikes and throws them backwards, and they find themselves, once again, shackled to the past. Can Chase and Victoria find the path to a happy future together? Or will they forever be wishing for yesterday? **Recommended 18+ due to language and sexual content.
The Idea of You
Amanda Prowse - 2017
Life couldn’t be more perfect.But becoming parents proves much harder to achieve than Lucy and Jonah imagined, and when Jonah’s teenage daughter Camille comes to stay with them, she becomes a constant reminder of what Lucy doesn’t have. Jonah’s love and support are unquestioning, but Lucy’s struggles with work and her own failing dreams begin to take their toll. With Camille’s presence straining the bonds of Lucy’s marriage even further, Lucy suddenly feels herself close to losing everything…This heart-wrenchingly poignant family drama from bestselling author Amanda Prowse asks the question: in today’s hectic world, what does it mean to be a mother?
Guilty as Charged
Harlow James - 2020
But the princess from the other side of town is igniting a craving in my body that I can’t ignore.Seems she feels it too because one night she asks me to fuck her and I about choke on my tongue.Friends with benefits becomes the game we’re convinced we’re playing, but there’s a lot more friendly behavior happening than should.And the lines get blurred so quickly, I feel myself falling for the girl that I want to corrupt with every flick of my tongue.The girl I shouldn’t want, but do with every fiber of my body.But will she still want me when she finds out what I did?Will I fit into her world? A world that comes with an overbearing father who thinks he knows what’s best for his daughter even at twenty-eight?One thing is for certain though:When it comes to falling for Sydney Matthews, I’m guilty as charged.*Trigger Warning: Past rape is referenced in plotline. Please be advised.
Cupcakes & the Cowboy
Scarlett Woods - 2021
Come find out how hot and sweet the nights can get today!CheyenneI pride myself on being a hard worker and I never let myself get distracted from my dreams. My next goal is to own and operate a bakery. But first I need to pay off my student debt.In the meantime, I’m one step closer to my dreams when a local restaurant hires me as a seasonal temporary pastry chef.When my best friend’s older brother visits me at work, I give him a tasty treat.Jordan is sexy, smooth, and works hard on me.But can I let him veer me toward love over my career?JordanAfter years of busy life in the city, I lost who I am and I’m done with the chaos. I couldn’t be happier to move back to my small hometown and take a job as a ranch foreman. But most of my old friends moved away and the holidays are a little lonelier than I imagined.Luckily, everyone at work is extremely welcoming and I’m sure I’ll find friends fast.When my sister’s best friend stands behind the counter, I’m sweet on her.Cheyenne is kind, curvy, and I want to butter her bread.But can I prove to her she’s the one and not just the next one?
Master of Salt & Bones
Keri Lake - 2020
He'd ride up on his white steed and break the curse I've been fated to carry since the day I was born.Funny how things changed over time. How the fairy tale twisted into something far more crooked, darker than I ever imagined.In reality, my knight is scarred and broken, living alone in a castle of bones that overlooks the sea. He isn’t searching for me. He never was.Lucian Blackthorne is as cursed as I am, and equally shunned by the locals, the fishers of men, who believe him to be the devil in the flesh.Perhaps he is, with the way his amber eyes draw me in, ignite me like an infernal blaze. And the sins he whispers in my ear are as wickedly intoxicating as the man himself.Yet, his touch is heaven and his will is my weakness.He calls us forbidden, an unsalvageable tragedy, with no happy end. Maybe we are. But in this story, he’s the one who needs saving.
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?