Book picks similar to
Secretly In Love by Jackie Castle


romance
novella
contemporary
short-stories

Adrift (Grace Springs)


Jaycee Weaver - 2018
    Adrift in a sea of stress and grief and clinging to the life raft of responsibility.It's time I start swimming again. And someday? Maybe surf the waves instead of being pulled under and dragged out to sea.God offers so much more for Erin than a life of treading water, focusing all her time and attention on running a small business while raising her kids after the death of her husband.Through strangely poignant dreams and a series of run-ins with an unexpectedly attractive guy from church, Erin finds the hope she’ll not only feel alive again, but maybe even ride life’s waves victoriously.Adrift is the first of several novellas tied to the fictional Grace Springs Fellowship in the full-length Everyday Love series.These journal-style novellas are roughly 18-20K words, filled with vivid imagery and reflect the ways in which God at work in the main character's life.

One Night with a Stranger


Linda Steinberg - 2015
    Wrong, Lisa Randall does something she’s never done before: has a one night stand with a stranger she meets in a bar. As amazing as the night is, the last thing she expects is to hear from the guy again. But when one night turns into two, and then three, and then more, Lisa wonders whether her infatuation with Matt is keeping her from meeting Mr. Right, or whether a passionate one night stand can actually lead to true love. Matt Owens has always considered himself the King of Jumping into Things Too Fast. He met his ex on a Tuesday, proposed on Saturday, and married her a month later. This time around he wants to take things slow, enjoy the moment. And the attractive woman he picked up in a bar seems to fit the bill. Lisa doesn’t even want to know his last name, let alone plan a future. But as he begins to develop feelings for her, he knows his one big secret could ruin any chance for something more.

Becoming Hank


Maggie M. Lily - 2021
    But, long before parenthood, they were in love.Take a step back in time to meet a young Henry "Trip" Trellis before he met Darla and changed the course of his destiny.Haven't read the Building the Circle series? No worries. This short read will introduce the family and leave you hungry for more!

Love of a Lifetime


Sally Bayless - 2019
    If she can just avoid questions from that cute guy at the newspaper, no one ever needs to find out about her past.Will Hamlin, editor of the local paper, has some serious questions about the mayor’s new secretary. She’s clearly hiding something—something that could be the big story the newspaper desperately needs to stay afloat. But after Will’s initial queries find nothing, he grows less interested in Cara’s past and more interested in winning her heart with slices of pie and stolen kisses.When a crime is uncovered at city hall just as Will unearths Cara’s secret, the repercussions shatter their romance. Can Cara ever escape her past? Can Will finally find a way to save the paper? And can they learn to place their trust in God and open their hearts to the love of a lifetime?

Orange Blossom Cafe


T.I. Lowe - 2016
    Between their wild run-ins and her new craving for caramels, Aiden may have finally met her match. Recipe for a Witty Romantic Tale Take one stubborn-minded heroine. Add a serving of spice with one flirty hero, who has no trouble holding his own against her feistiness. Mix in hilarious sabotages that slightly miss the mark and an amusing dash of mischief. Don’t forget to resolve the angst with an anticipated kiss. Recipe Tip: Be sure to balance the portions of tension and chemistry in order to whip up the sweetest, love-inspiring result. Recipe Included

A Painted Summer


Amy Matayo - 2015
    As a homeschool graduate, a small town resident, and the only child of two over-protective parents, she’s dreamed of chasing big dreams. But big dreams take big courage. So in a moment of uncharacteristic boldness, Darby leaves the only life she’s ever known and sets off for California to test her skills in Hollywood. It works...until she runs out of money. That wasn’t part of her spur-of-the-moment plan, and she finds herself stuck in an unfamiliar city with too much pride to call home for help.With limited options, Darby finds herself working for dangerously hot Lennon Dixon, the owner of a downtown Los Angeles tattoo parlor. Lennon needs help and finds it in Darby. What he doesn’t expect is her odd aversion to his place of business...or his attraction to her. As for Darby, to call her new job unfamiliar is the world's biggest understatement. But to call her mutual attraction to Lennon unexpected is a very close second.Previously published as part of the Just One Summer collection.

Too Close to Home


Lynette Eason - 2010
    Her methods are invisible, and she never stops until the case is closed. When missing teens begin turning up dead in a small Southern town, Samantha is assigned to help local chief Connor Wolfe find the killer. And he has two problems with that. There's her faith--in God and herself. And then there's the fact that she looks exactly like his late wife. As they get close to an answer, the case becomes personal. The killer seems to be taking an interest in Connor's 16-year-old daughter, who thinks her dad is getting way too protective. Can't a girl just have some fun? Too Close to Home ratchets up the suspense with each page, and will have readers cheering for the characters they love as justice is served and love grows even in the face of danger. Read this one with the lights on!

The Art of Falling


Julie Jarnagin - 2015
    And what better headliner than bull rider Wyatt Lawrence? Although why people idolize grown men who make their living falling off animals, she’ll never understand.When his mom was diagnosed with cancer, Wyatt determined to focus on doing what she wants—like visiting some art museum. But when his mom teams up with Heather Tornsten to get him involved in a fundraiser, he knows he’s been set up. The more involved he gets with the pretty events coordinator, the more he realizes falling off a bull is far safer. Because falling for Heather–who has made it clear that she won’t risk her heart on any man who courts danger–might break a whole lot more than his bones.

From This Moment On


Debra Clopton - 2016
    Determined to never again risk her heart, she throws herself into running the family’s small boutique resort on the Florida coast, a place so full of romance that it’s a reminder every day of what she’ll never have. But when renowned artist Grant Ellington shows up to paint a mural on the wall of the resort, she’s swept away by her response to the artist. Suddenly, every time he looks at her, Cali finds it harder than she ever thought possible to keep her heart protected. Grant Ellington loves his ranch, his horses, and his life as a sought-after artist. But after walking away from a plane crash that killed his best friend and the young pilot, he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt as he heads to Windswept Bay. Painting a sea life mural at the resort started out as a favor to his neighbor, but one meeting with the beautiful Cali and he feels alive again—and determined to spend time on the moonlit beaches with her in his arms… But, like him, Cali has her own emotional scars—can they learn to trust the love that sparks between them and move forward from this moment on?

A Wonderful Life


Melissa Hill - 2016
     'Quite simply, a wonderful book' (Hello magazine) Abby's memories are precious. Even though they're sometimes painful, she can't stop herself looking back, reliving the love of her life. Until a freak accident means that she could lose it all: every memory and experience she has ever had. Abby can't believe it. She feels fine. She is fine. How could she possibly forget all those moments that make her who she is? She's determined to fight it. So with the help of her friends and family, Abby makes a list of things she's always wanted to do. She's going to save her memory by having a wonderful life. First on the wishlist is the trip of a lifetime to New York City. And it's amidst the magic and romance of Manhattan that true love knocks on the door ... 'Be warned, you won't want to put it down' (Sunday World ) 'Blissfully escapist ... with a hint of mystery' (Marie Claire) ***Also published as BEFORE I FORGET***

Gift of the Magpie (Christmas In July Book 1)


Zoe M. McCarthy - 2017
    But when Camden Lancaster moves in across the street—and doesn’t recognize her on their first two encounters—she thinks it’s safe to be his fair-weather neighbor. Boy is she in for the surprise of the summer. Written for the General Market (G) (I): Contains little or no; sexual dialogue or situations, violence, or strong language. May also contain some content of an inspirational/religious nature. Similar romance novels in this genre may be categorized as: christian romance, inspirational romance, prime romance, and clean, wholesome romance.

Kinsale Kisses


Elizabeth Maddrey - 2014
    He wants spontaneity. What they need is each other.Colin O’Bryan cashed out of the software company he founded and started a new life in Ireland. Content to wander from town to town as a traveling musician, he had no goals beyond healing from the betrayals that led to his career change, and finding his next gig.After the death of her parents, Rachel Sullivan hoped her aunt’s B&B on the Southern coast of Ireland would be a place for her to settle and start a new life. Though she can’t deny the sparks in Colin’s touch, his lack of concern for hearth and home leave her torn. Can this free-spirited minstrel win her heart or will Rachel choose roots and stability over love?This gentle inspirational romance will take you on a journey to Cork County, Ireland and give you a glimpse of Kinsale, Charles Fort, Blarney Castle, and Cobh as Rachel and Colin undergo their own journey of self-discovery as they learn that God's plans are bigger than their own and that waiting on Him is worth the insecurity it brings.

Her Best Friend (Love Off Limits)


Hannah Jo Abbott - 2021
    But that plan didn’t include moving home after college, single with no job. And it definitely didn’t include falling for her best friend.Travis never asked out the one girl he wanted to in high school. But it’s against the rules to date your best friend.Hoping things can be different now, Travis jumps at the chance to hire Julie at his store. But his plan to spend time with her is foiled when she tells him she signed up with a dating app.As Julie goes on dates that are epic failures in every way, Travis is the one she shares the stories with. He’s more and more sure she’s the girl for him. But admitting his feelings might scare her away.Will their friendship turn into something more, or will fear end their relationship forever?

A Proxy Wedding


Toni Shiloh - 2019
    So when her best friend calls asking her to be a proxy bride, she says, ‘yes.’ How hard can it be to say ‘I do’ so that her best friend can be with the one she loves? Only, Carly never counted on the feelings that began to swirl around with the proxy groom.Damien Nichols likes life lined up from A to Z, but when his best friend calls in a favor, disorder begins to reign. Instead of taking a quick flight to the proxy wedding, he has to take a road trip with the proxy bride. Carly’s free-spirit attitude bumps heads with his meticulous approach to life. As Damien discovers the woman underneath the carefree façade, his emotions become involved.*previously published in A Spring of Weddings collection

Going Pro Box Set


Ashlyn Hope - 2018
    Especially relationships. Yes, she was a superstar as a kid, but as a woman by herself in the big city, Pro doesn't always feel like she's living up to her nickname. These days she can't get a win. One day she'll be struggling to pay for rent. The next she'll be dealing with the downfalls of internet dating. She's all alone in the big city and fighting to keep her business afloat while trying to find love, and none of these things are going her way. When Pro finally lands her dream client she takes herself out to bask in her small success, but her celebration gets sacked when she catches her new guy out on the town with another girl! Hurt, upset, and a hot mess, Pro abandons her night of celebration in tears, running out of a champagne lounge and accidentally slamming into the chest of a man on the street–David. Kind, considerate, and absolutely massive, David plays for a local professional football team. Nicknamed "Meat Mountain," he's huge everywhere and has rich brown eyes, a chiseled face, and a heart of gold. Eventually Pro starts living up to her superstar nickname. She’s got it all going on! But if it’s not one thing, it’s another. From a dangerously jealous coworker to mixed messages to a media frenzy, lots of things seem to be trying to stand between Pro and her happily ever after. Will somebody end up with a ring at the end of these season? Read the steamy, yet sweet, Going Pro series to find out.