Book picks similar to
Small Town Secret by Niya James


romance
second-chance
annoying-heroine
could-be-better

I Want To Be Yours


D.M. Mortier - 2015
    Married for six years to a woman he neither loved nor wanted, and at the same time, friend to a woman he wanted like no other. The tenacious grip he held on his integrity and honor was constantly being tested. Finding his wife in bed with another man should have been painful, but all he could think about was how soon he could claim the woman of his desire. Mari Quinn knew it was wrong, but she’d been in love with her married boss for years. Accepting that he was beyond her reach, she settled for being his friend and confidant. Respecting his commitment, and certainly admiring it, she was determined not to do anything to compromise his relationship with his wife. But her resolve shattered in one night. In an effort to console Niccolo, Mari gave him more than a shoulder to lean on. Months later, the consequence of that night irrevocably changed their lives.

Edge Of Winter: Love and Heart Break


Theresa Hodge - 2017
    White snowflakes are falling gently as sweet music drifts through the cold wintry air. Lakeisha and Baylor are having the most perfect wedding of the year. Friends and family are full of cheer, but behind all the good cheer some fireworks must fall. Jesse Winters watches the woman he loves marry another man. While everyone else oohs and ahhs at the lovely couple, Jesse broods inside as he watches his happiness slip away before his very eyes. Will Jesse stay on the outside looking in at the woman he loves be blissfully happy with another man or will his wish for Christmas be answered in an unexpected way? Come along on this Christmas romance, where love can be found in the most unexpected places.

Grind


Claire Adams - 2016
    Partial to the amateur scene, I take a friend to a local competition to see my heart throb, Mike Onomato, skate. When a new competitor steals the show, though, I find myself captivated. That is, until he sits behind me in the first class of the semester. FML. My name is Ian and I'm young, brash, and tattooed. An upstart in the skating community, I'm driven to a level beyond that of any other amateur on the scene. Being a skater isn’t what my lawyer father had in mind for my future, though. Now, a pre-law student at the local university, I'm stepping up his game, not only for my own liberation, but for the sake of the first woman I ever loved. When I'm forced to work together on a school project with Mia, the only thing I can think about is how much I want to Grind her. Unfortunately she isn't that easy... * This sexy steamy bad boy romance is perfect for fans of Sabrina Paige, Winter Renshaw, Vanessa Waltz, Sosie Frost, Joanna Blake and Emilia Kincade*

Maid For You


Paisley Lang - 2016
    That's how they see me--all they'll ever see when they look at me. But I am more, so much more. We can't change the past, the hand we've been dealt, But we can play that hand and win in the end. And that's what I plan to do--what I've always planned to do. Then he came into my life. Jaxon Prescott. He's everything I want, But nothing I'm permitted to have. He's too good, too perfect, For someone like me. After all, I'm just a maid, To them. They don't know the real me, My dreams, my fears, my past, My secrets. Jax A rich playboy.... That's how they see me--all they'll ever see when they look at me. They've got it all wrong, So wrong. I've been living a lie, a fabrication of what they want, And I thought it was what I wanted. Then she came into my life. Ava Williams. She reminded me of what I want, What I need, And who I really am. She's everything, But nothing I'm supposed to have. She's not right, not polished enough For someone like me. After all, I'm high class society--better than everyone else, To them. They don't know the real me, My dreams, my fears, my past, My secrets.

Ballers & Babies: The Complete Series Box Set


Lauren Landish - 2018
     Get all four books for a limited time. Each book is an interconnected standalone. Blitzed: “I brought Laurie back to meet her father. I brought her back to meet you.” I’m normally not into jocks, but when Troy Wood asks me out, I feel like I’m the Chosen One. After all, he’s hot as hell and Silver Lake’s best athlete, practically the King of Campus. God’s gift to women—that’s what they call him, but I’ll make a gentleman out of him. Everything is perfect, and he already practically has his ticket to the Big Leagues. There’s just one little problem . . . I’m hiding a secret that could destroy him and his future. I can’t tell him . . . I can’t tell him that I’m pregnant with his baby. Over the Middle: O. M. G. That’s the only thing on my mind when I’m assigned to help superstar tight end, Duncan Hart, rehab his elbow. With a body that looks like a sculpted masterpiece, his chiseled features melt the hearts of women everywhere, including mine. There’s just one problem. Duncan’s an jerk, with an ego the size of our football stadium. He lives for the roar of the crowd. He thrives on it. And he wants to let me experience the Hart Attack — yes, he has a name for it. But that’s not going to happen. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself… All’s fair in love and war, and I have two choices — take him down, or let him score. Rushed: They say opportunity doesn't knock twice… Yet here comes Tyler Paulson, crashing through the door of my life. I know he’ll be trouble, but I can’t escape that smile… He's our new hot shot quarterback, and I’m supposed to show him around the city, but what I really want to do is show him how much I’ve grown up. Except there's one little problem. If I screw this up, I'm out of a job. So I have to be professional. No frisky business, and no mixing business with pleasure. But Tyler doesn’t play by the rules. He’s used to getting what he wants. I’ll have to resist and not give him the upper hand, but it’ll only be a matter of time before he scores his second chance. Fourth Down Baby: He tempted me and I couldn’t resist. Now I’m having his baby. It all started out innocent. Cory helped me around the house, and I mentored him, but then things changed. I started to see desire in his eyes, and I have to admit, I liked it. I know it isn't right, but I can't help myself. He makes me feel alive again. But being with him isn’t healthy. We come from different worlds. I should let him go—let him live his life. I’ll only hold him back and keep him from achieving his dreams. It was supposed to be a fling with the forbidden. I only wanted to indulge, nothing more. I planned to say goodbye before anything got out of hand. But now I can’t… because I’m pregnant with his baby.

The Billionaire's Unexpected Bride: BWWM, Billionaire, Boss, Marriage Romance


Justeen Jones - 2021
    

Mr. Fake Fiancé


Annabelle Love - 2021
    This is Book 2 in the Love, Accidentally series, but each book is a stand-alone and can be read in any order.

Gutter - Part 1: The Rise


Tiana Laveen - 2021
    Considered one of the most unique and gifted artists in the entertainment industry, he is a hot commodity and has taken the music world by storm for over a decade with his distinctive musical style and talent. With back-to-back, sold-out tours, cash to burn, number one songs on the billboard charts and Grammy nominations, his wildest dreams have come true tenfold. However, behind all the money, women, and paparazzi is a life full of strife and struggle. Dark secrets, too. His back against the wall, he must return to his roots to unravel the truth. While in his hometown of Red Hook, Brooklyn, Gutter unearths a Pandora’s box of epic proportions. The past has returned to collect its due, and it all centers around his estranged mother, and himself.Promise Bradford is Assistant Funeral Director of Horizons Funeral Home, Mortuary and Chapel. As of late, the families of the deceased aren’t the only ones that feel as if they’ve run out of time. Promise is determined to get her mojo back after a difficult past year full of ups and downs. Starting over is the hardest thing she’s ever had to do, but she is determined to get her life on track. One fateful day, she meets the musical superstar and just like that, an amazing chance encounter turns into something much more. Gutter and Promise are touched by the poignant finger of fate, and chemistry ignites. However, Promise harbors a secret, one that can destroy the newfound love she’s found.Can a man consumed by darkness ever find happiness outside of the limelight?

Because You're Mine


Naomi Wyatt - 2016
    The approach of the sunny weather in Chicago also brought the beginning of a severe war between she and her husband, Brad. According to Joi, their six-year long marriage had come to an end. She had finally become so tired of his rejection, insults and vile behavior that she was walking away from the cushy life that he had provided her. Ready to find and establish herself again, the last thing that Joi wants to focus on is falling in love again. The most she wants from men at this point is for a tattooed, bearded man to spank her and call her princess, because Brad hadn’t touched her in months. So, when in walks Marco Buscemi magically appears back in her life, she thinks he would be perfect to end her dry spell. Marco had been gone for years, but the moment that Joi laid eyes on him, the memories came flooding back of the night, thirteen years ago, that she and Marco had spent together. At that time, they were only adolescents, but the fire and chemistry between them was ripe and began to burn again erratically the moment that they saw one another again. Marco and Joi had fallen for one another years ago. However, Joi is insistent that now is not the right time to fall in love again, and a battle between her heart and mind ensues. She continues to push away Marco’s attempts to claim her and reduces his love to sexual nights of passion. Constant obstacles cross the path of Marco’s attempt to make Joi his, proving to Joi that beyond their passionate chemistry, Marco Buscemi was the last thing that she needed to add to her list of trouble. But the heart wants what the heart wants. Will Joi listen to her gut or once again fall victim to her heart? Find out in this sexy, drama-filled romance.

Jag: The Gideon Brothers


J. Nell - 2021
    

Gio's Bella


Vivian Rose Lee - 2017
    It was her only resort. She allowed her best friend to set her up as an escort to make the money needed to take care of her sick mother. However, when she knocked on his penthouse door, the client was not at all what she expected. Could she go through with this, after meeting the man that caused her to stop breathing and move on when it was all over? International businessman Enzi “Gio” Giordano was only in the states because of a poker game. He wanted his best friend to set him up with a beautiful woman for company during his stay. When he saw her, at first, he thought his jokester pal had pulled off another prank. That thought soon evaporated, when the little vixen told him off and vanished, but not before destroying his money. Never having to chase a woman before, why was he so frantic to find this stranger who had his heart racing?

King Michael: The Dark Angel


Neicy P. - 2019
    after he puts his life and everything else on the line one last time for his family. 
 One failed attempt on his life after another is thwarted but right when he believes that all hope is lost, he sets his eyes on Ariella. One glance and he knows that she is his true destiny and come hell or high water, he won't allow anyone to steal the bright future he now sees that he can have with this queen by his side. 
 Ariella, a strong, independent boss in her own right, has always followed the rules and never questions the edicts and decisions of those ranked higher than her. She unquestioningly takes on the assignment to bring King to his knees. What she doesn't expect is for her feelings to overcome her faith and blind her from the truth... or is it that she was deceived and now her eyes are finally wide open? 
 King Michael and Ariella have an instant, undeniable attraction to one another, but the question is, are they truly destined to be together or will Ariella carry out the orders of the elders sacrificing her and King's chance at a happily ever after?

Kash


Brynn Hale - 2020
    He doesn't know about the baby, dog, and two cats. He actually doesn’t know much about me, anymore.But it’s not him I’m really here to see.I’m going to tell Kash something and change his life forever. He’s tall, tatted to the hilt, slightly brooding, and he says and does all the right things.I want to trust him, but my past tells me men can change. Will he always be like this and will he turn out to be the one?KashI could tell she was special and from the moment I met her eleven months ago, and I wanted to make her mine. But she asked me to go without any contact.When the curious kitten with a body so hot it could melt metal takes a little time away from the baby, she asks me to lay down a design on her pristine skin.But the session gets away from both of us and I can't take back what I do or say.Her brother finds us and it’s never good when Cray’s involved.She can trust me. But maybe I can’t trust myself around her.

A Love The Streets Couldn't Give


Ni"andra Ruff - 2017
    After the mysterious disappearance of her mother, Aaliya was left with no choice but to put her life on hold and raise not only her daughter, but her younger siblings, Harlem and Amelia. Cleaning up the messes behind a countless number of notorious thugs, Demetri Mikhailov was the go-to guy for any job— just as long as you were talking the right price. When a longtime friend of his sends him on a search for his children, Demetri willingly obliges. With little to go on, Demetri is shocked to face the vivacious Aaliya. He didn't have the slightest clue as to what he was getting himself into when he crossed paths with the chocolate beauty. As a bond is built and love is found, the pair finds themselves entangled in a web of lies, secrets, and betrayal. Trying his best to keep the truth behind his lies, Demetri finds himself in a situation he can't seem to get out of. When Aaliya finds out his secret, will Demetri's biggest fear come true? Will Aaliya call it quits and walk away or will love prevail and she choose to stay?

Billionaire's Unknown Baby Son


Ciara Cole - 2019
    Newly revised and updated! Seeing her again told me one thing… It wasn’t over. I don’t pretend to be someone I’m not.No billionaire can do that.Not really.Sure, I can be a little reckless.A tad arrogant.Overindulge somewhat in the ‘fine things’.Not to mention the scores of “notches” on my belt.But the minute she stepped into my boardroom,That life got put on hold.The past came flooding back.And that wasn’t all.That night we spent together a few years back,Well, it turns out I left Ashley with more than just a broken heart…A baby.Now toddler.I know it won’t be easy convincing her that I’m not that guy.The one that flaunts his money, power and ego.But it’s not just her and me in this.We have a son to think about.Whether Ashley knows it or not,She belongs with me.And I’m not going anywhere…Note: Billionaire's Unknown Baby Son is a second chance romance between a billionaire and the beautiful woman who stole his heart.