Book picks similar to
Head Above Water by Amber Garza


new-adult
romance
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standalone

From Gods


Mary Ting - 2013
    Everything changes when they meet the Grand brothers. Skylar is sure she should stay away from Mason Grand, but their attraction is undeniable. Then Skylar’s life erupts into turmoil. She steps into a world where descendants of ancient gods have super powers, evil beings chase her, and questions arise about her own identity. She is running out of time and running for her life, while trying to unravel the mystery of what they want from her. Forced into a battle set into motion long before she was born, will Skylar find the answers she seeks, or will she die trying?

Unloved


Katy Regnery - 2017
    My name is Cassidy Porter...My father, Paul Isaac Porter, was executed twenty years ago for the brutal murder of twelve innocent girls.Though I was only eight-years-old at the time, I am aware - every day of my life - that I am his child, his only son.To protect the world from the poison in my veins, I live a quiet life, off the grid, away from humanity.I promised myself, and my mother, not to infect innocent lives with the darkness that swirls within me, waiting to make itself known.It's a promise I would have kept...if Brynn Cadogan hadn't stumbled into my life.Now I exist between heaven and hell: falling for a woman who wants to love me, while all along reminding myself that I must remain...Unloved.**NOTE: This book is intended for readers 18+**

3:AM Kisses


Addison Moore - 2013
    Love is the last thing on the list, but when Baya meets her brother’s roommate she begins to have thoughts and feelings that make even her blush.Bryson Edwards has a secret he prefers buried in the past and long forgotten. He prefers loose girls, fast cars, and long nights working at the string of bars his family owns. When his roommate’s sister shows up on the scene, she’s far too innocent and sweet for him but he can’t shake Baya out of his mind and worse, it looks like she’s seeping into his heart as well.Baya seems determined to show her brother she’s not a little kid and equally determined to use Bryson’s body to prove her point. It’s been made pretty clear that Baya is off limits to Bryson but their undeniable sparks explode into a whole lot more than just a few 3:AM kisses.

Spark


Jennifer Ryder - 2014
    An addiction to romance novels. I eat them for breakfast. I hide it the best I can, but I need them to breathe. It’s how I cope.I’ve had a swag of book boyfriends, but now that I’m free from the responsibility of caring for my three younger brothers, it’s time to find one in the flesh. In real life, no girl meets their hero on page one, or even at the end of chapter one. I should know. My journey is real. It’s not perfect, and it sure as hell isn’t easy—but the fight for something worthwhile never is.

Clarity


Loretta Lost - 2014
    She did not expect a traumatic event to devastate her life and force her to drop out of college. Disillusioned by the cruelty of people, Helen retreated from society to live by herself as a reclusive writer in the woods--where no one could ever hurt her again.When a brilliant young doctor shows up on her doorstep, promising her that his new research can give her the ability to see for the first time, Helen stubbornly refuses. She has learned not to trust anyone, and to rely only on herself. But Dr. Liam Larson will not take no for an answer. He makes it his personal mission to rescue Helen from her loneliness, and bring joy into her world once more--the joy she has denied herself for so long.When Helen's demons come racing back into her life, threatening to rip her apart and destroy the strength she has carefully rebuilt, Liam is the only one who might be able to save her. Can he reach the broken girl in time, helping her to heal and see the world in a different light? Or will Helen's grief send her spiraling out of control, lost to him forever?**********This is the first book of a three-part series.**********

Be Here Now


Andrea Wolfe - 2013
    Attacked her. Raped her. Left her for dead. She lost her whole life in New Orleans and fled to Seattle, hoping to find sanctuary from her dark past. Simone LeClair isn't sure if she'll ever love anyone again—or if she even wants to.That is, until she meets the beautiful Aiden Meyers, a man with a myriad problems of his own, a man that wears different masks to keep his conflicting worlds separate from each other. For some strange reason, as soon as Simone lays her eyes on him, she can't look away. He's unlike any man she's ever met, and that makes him all the more unbelievable.When she's with him, all her pain becomes a distant memory, pain that she believed she'd never escape. But as Aiden's walls start to crumble, and the worlds he juggles start to collide, Simone realizes he's dangerous in a whole new way - she's fallen hard for him, even though he's on a downward spiral that threatens to take her down with him.Will Simone sink with him?Or will she pull herself out before it's too late?Full length (93,000 word) New Adult Contemporary RomanceMature Content Warning: Contains adult language and content.HEA ending.

Good Vibrations


S.L. Scott - 2013
    Things like three-word phrases being confessed that would end me if I was rejected. Things like selfishly wanting to own her body and doing things to her that would make my fantasies blush. And things like making her promises too soon that won’t do either of us any good. She makes me want a future that’s not possible, and one I don’t deserve.Listening to my ego got me into this situation. Will listening to my heart get me out?

Glass Hearts


Autumn Doughton - 2013
    No matter how much she studies, Ellie Glass can't prepare for every aspect of life. A fact she realizes after a chance encounter with a young musician leaves her scrambling to speak in coherent sentences. Scruffy, long-haired, and undeniably sexy, Ben is the exact opposite of her type. So why is it that Ellie can’t stop thinking about him?When fate intervenes and the two are thrown together for a second time, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. With the help of her friends and a newfound romance, she begins to redefine herself and slowly realizes that happiness isn't something you can plan for. This is the captivating story of an undeniable attraction, the choices that we make, and ultimately, the unexpected power of love.**Formerly published under the title On an Edge of Glass**

Wet


Ruth Clampett - 2015
    Good sex. Bad sex. Oral sex. Any kind of sex. You name it; he loves it. But Paul's biggest passion is his greatest flaw. As a recovering sex addict, he's been abstaining and managing his addiction for over two years. Now, all he wants is to fall in love and find that certain someone he can settle down with.But when he finds himself on his knees on Elle Jacoby’s damp lawn, he knows there's going to be trouble. Elle quickly becomes Paul's biggest challenge yet. She's instantly set him ablaze while he begs to be hosed down. As he gets to know her more, the flames burn even hotter. How can he resist a hot divorcee who's amped up to have all the fun she's missed?Stand-alone story-no cliffhangers. Warning: for mature audiences only.

I Dare You


Ilsa Madden-Mills - 2018
    Good girl.Lover of fluffy kitties and Star Wars. Curious.His dare? Spend one night in his bed—a night he promises will be unforgettable—and she can solve the mystery of who he is. She knows she shouldn't, but what else is she going to do with her boring Valentine's Day?One sexy hook-up later, her mind is blown and the secret's out.Maverick Monroe.Bad boy.The most talented football player in the country.Just ask him.Too bad for him Delaney's sworn off dating athletes forever after her last heartbreak.But Maverick wants more than one night and refuses to give up on winning Delaney’s heart. She isn’t one to be fazed by a set of broad shoulders. Will the bad boy land the nerd girl or will the secrets they keep from each other separate them forever?

The Sheikh’s Pretend Fiancée


Leslie North - 2018
     Five years after her first stay as a foreign exchange student, American librarian Liyah returns to the Middle East. The move goes against her practical nature, but even a plain jane like herself sometimes thirsts for adventure. When a favor for a friend thrusts her into the path of beguiling billionaire Asad Sharif, Liyah’s sensible life may become something far more…sensual. Liyah is ensnared by Asad’s seductive charm, but she’s way out of her depth. However with a push from Asad’s meddling sister, Liyah is soon leading the lavish lifestyle of a sheikha. Billionaire businessman Asad Sharif has willing women falling at his feet on multiple continents, but what he needs is a wife...or at least the appearance of one. To convince investors that he’s a dependable man, what Asad needs is a fake fiancée. The bookish American Liyah is the perfect choice, and when she accepts his pretend proposal, Asad’s sister is eager to help Liyah look the part. When his shy wallflower unexpectedly blooms into a stunning beauty, Asad will have to work doubly hard not to lose himself in Liyah’s strawberry blonde hair and enticing curves. 
 In the playground of the wealthy Middle Eastern elite, things are getting hotter than ever for the sheikh and his would-be sheikha, but all fake marriages must eventually come to an end...

Meant to be Yours


Poppy Parkes - 2020
    Now that I look back over the past few weeks, I can see signs of this coming.I’d thought it was wedding jitters. Our family had begun trickling into Shotgun, our western Montana town, making the incoming life commitment all the more real. That’d be enough to make any groom-to-be nervous. But then my fiancé never showed up to our weddingMy three bridesmaid friends were amazing. They’d spun into action dispersing the guests while I sat, numb. Now we’re driving to the closest dive bar at my request, and I feel lots of things.Hurt. Confused. Betrayed. But most of all, I feel like my insides are alight with anger.I’m ready to blow off some steam. But love isn’t done with me yet. It has one more trick up its sleeve . . .Meant to be Yours is a super hot story about finding true love at the most unlikely of times. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and only consensual shenanigans await. This contemporary instalove romance is first in the Love at First Sight series, and will make you squirm with delight. ;) Steamy happily ever after guaranteed!

The Fine Line


Alicia Kobishop - 2013
    No attachments.I'm sick and tired of losing the men I've grown to love. If my mother's serial relationship disasters have taught me anything, it's that getting involved with a man only results in heartbreak.But the second my eyes lock with street racer Logan Tanner's, my heart beats wildly against the walls I've built around it.Stupid heart.It doesn't help that he's got the body of a god and the eyes of an angel. I'm drawn to him in a way I've never felt before. And don't even get me started about rush of adrenaline that courses through my veins every time I flag one of his races.I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought we could just be friends. I thought I could keep us from crossing the line.But with every encounter, every touch, and every kiss, Logan cruises through all my red lights.Our relationship becomes emotional, messy, complicated...even dangerous. If I give in to the inevitable, our world will come crashing down around us.I guess I've got a decision to make.Is my heart strong enough? Is love worth the struggle? Is it worth fighting for?Will you like this book?The Fine Line is a friends-to-lovers standalone, with an HEA and no cliffhanger. If you love new adult romance and enjoy a delicious combination of drama, heartbreak, humor, action, a heavy dose of angst, and a sexy bad-boy who comes to reveal a swoon-worthy sweet side...you'll love this book!Appropriate for readers over the age of seventeen (due to mature content, strong language, and sexual situations).

Not Suitable for Work


Skye McDonald - 2019
    The stakes are high. And what happens on Halloween night is definitely not suitable for work.Celeste Greene and Ben Addison didn’t realize the internship-to-hire opportunity was actually a contest, but neither of these talented web designers can afford to walk away.After betrayal destroyed her fabulous life in New York City, Celeste moved home to Nashville, Tennessee broke and broken. Restarting her career is her only goal. An ice queen who drove her partner to cheat can’t even think about friends or fun. Celeste’s talent and desperation should make the competition an easy win—if only she could stop gawking at her rival long enough to concentrate.Ben Addison doesn’t want to be a corporate climber or live in a high-rise downtown. He just needs a steady paycheck after foolishly investing everything in a pretty face and a shot at a music career. He has no business fantasizing about his competitor, even if she is the most stunning—and guarded—woman he’s ever met. This contest can’t rival the chemistry between these two, but is the risk worth the reward? With a haunting past and her future on the line, Celeste must decide what she wants, what she needs, and what her heart is really worth.

Accidentally His


Sarah J. Brooks - 2018
    I warmed her up – the best way a man can… Hey, it was the polite thing to do! Now I’ll protect her from more than just the storm. Being a billionaire makes you real cynical. I left everything behind: My family, my so-called friends, my sins. Now it’s just me and my mountain – that’s how I like it. I gave up trusting people. Until I saw Jordan shivering in the snow. The most beautiful woman on earth. Young, inexperienced, and vulnerable. I wasn’t planning on her hanging around. But I can’t let some sweet innocent girl blunder into a storm. Guess we’ll have to wait it out. With Jordan heating up my cabin, I know how to pass the time… Turns out she’s a girl with a past. And I’m not the only wolf on this mountain. But I’m the toughest. I’m the strongest. And I’ll protect my woman till the end! "Accidentally His" is a full length standalone romance with no cheating and no cliffhangers, but with plenty of a steam and a guaranteed HEA. I've also included a preview of my billionaire romance "Damaged Love" for you! - Sarah J. Brooks (USA Today Bestselling Author)