Book picks similar to
The Bet by Alexia Chase


romance
contemporary
freebie
novella

The Summer Tour


Mandy Melanson - 2020
    It’s impossible to tell one face from the next when I’m up there. The mixture of fog, lights, flashing lasers, my astigmatism, and whatever else they put into the air to keep the crowd happy… It’s all just a mix for a big bunch of blurry fuzzy whatnots. She was not a whatnot. She stood out in her ripped black jeans and that adorable neon yellow thing holding her hair up out of her face. I don’t even know what it’s called, but it was perfect. She was perfect. The bright pink tank top that hugged her in all the right places. Those bright yellow heels that made her back curve in just the right way. Those were definitely factors that caught my eye, but it's not why I can't get her out of my head. Her dark brown eyes and that smile—her smile. That’s it. That smile had me hooked from the second I ran on stage. I even stopped short of my mark and totally threw off the spotlight tracker. Why?Because I was too busy watching her and how she just fell into the rhythm of the music. It’s a good thing Chuck didn’t plan any pyro for tonight, or I might have been screwed.I’m not even entirely sure I sang the right lyrics to the first couple of songs. It was more a series of barely audible grunts, caveman style. Nash probably turned his mic up to help with the background vocals. They’ve all gotten really good at covering my ass over the years. I’m grateful the crowd didn’t seem to notice. All I could think about was trying to figure out a way to find out who she is. I still have nothing. So I’m sitting here like a lost, lonely little puppy just hoping to catch another glimpse. What if she leaves and doesn’t come through the line? I can see both Exit doors from here. I’m watching those two doors like a pitbull watches the gate at a junkyard. Maybe I am a lost, lonely little puppy. No.I am a pitbull puppy. And just like that pitbull, I will jump this table and bulldoze whoever gets in the way if I have to.

Her Long Walk Home


Linda Barrett - 2015
    Her life turns in an instant when she's injured in the bombing. Single dad and veterinarian, Adam Fielding, intends to remain a bachelor after being "abandoned" twice. Once by the love of his life and once by a second-best girlfriend. When Rebecca arrives at Sea View House to recover, neither she not Adam is prepared to let the magic of the place affect them. Will these two open their hearts and run toward a new finish line together?

Secret Blend


Jennifer Bramseth - 2015
    He draws a formidable opponent, Hannah Davenport, a wealthy co-owner of Old Garnet Distillery, where some of the finest Kentucky bourbon is crafted north of town along Old Crow Creek and near the historic springs which gave the town its unique name.And Hannah just happens to be Rachel’s best friend.As the judicial race heats up, so does the relationship between the judges—so they decide to keep it a secret.But can any secret be kept in little Bourbon Springs, Kentucky?SECRET BLEND is the first book in the Bourbon Springs Series, an upcoming nine-book series of smooth, sensual, sexy, slow-burn contemporary romances set amidst the lush and rolling Land of Bourbon and Bluegrass of central Kentucky.

Cautious


Elizabeth Nelson - 2013
    The real problem for her lies in the fact that she can't get the fireman, the same man who rescued her, out of her mind and after a couple chance encounters, she can't get him out of her bed either. Reluctant to trust her heart to a man again, her efforts to push him away fail and when Misty's sister arrives and announces she's pregnant with Richard's child, Misty's life is once again turned upside down. It is the solace she finds in Aaron's arms and the all-consuming love she feels for him that helps her to realize that it's okay to forgive, forget, and trust again.

Decked


Heather Slade - 2021
    But when a woman dies in his arms on a dark road, Deck's hellbent on uncovering the mystery behind her death. She hung up her cowboy boots for city-slick stilettos… Determined to leave the ranch behind, Mila Palmyer sets off for life in New York City without a second glance at the hay-baling world she grew up in. But when her sister's death brings her back to town, she’s determined to unearth her family's hidden secrets. Relying on each other may be harder than they realized… As Mila and Deck search for answers, their chemistry ignites. However, the last thing Mila wants—or needs—is to get pulled back into small-town life. But when her sister's killer sets eyes on Mila, Deck will do anything to save her. Can Mila trust her heart and stay when she's determined to walk away?

In My Arms


Taryn Plendl - 2012
    Exactly the last thing Ava needs on her first night out following her bad breakup.New to the Philadelphia area, Trevor is instantly taken with Ava’s beauty and witty attitude. After sharing an unexpected but amazing kiss, Trevor manages to stick his foot in his mouth and watches as Ava walks out of his life before he has a chance to explain.When the two unexpectedly cross paths again, they struggle with the undeniable chemistry between them. Ava fights to keep it platonic, afraid to get hurt again as Trevor sets out to change her mind.With a little bit of humor, lots of drama, sexual frustration, dancing and plenty of alcohol, Ava realizes that Trevor just might actually be perfect for her.Due to language and sexual content, this book is recommended for 17+.

Mr. Mafia Billionaire: Mafia Romance


Penelope Wylde - 2021
    Not even in my wildest dreams could I live the fantasy small-town life. I tried to run away from who I am and now I’m the captive of a ruthless mafia man who swears my father killed his.And it’s probably true.But right now, I’m more worried about all the dark, dirty promises my brute pirate whispers he’ll do to me once he has me on his boat.He says if I try to run, he’ll hunt me down because I’m payment for sins against his family, his captive. And I fear, his utter obsession.And I know he’ll stop at nothing until I’m his in every way.Author's naughty Note: He's the ruthless mafia man on a mission and she's the innocent prey he's hunting. Grab a cold drink for this hot, sticky beach read, babes! It's gonna get wet and wild!

Because of Lucy


Lisa Swallow - 2013
    A revised and expanded 2016 edition is now available***Recommended 17+ due to strong language and sexual content* Ness's parents are shocked when she turns down her place at Leeds University and takes on a full-time job in a call center. Determined to begin her adult life the way she wants, Ness moves to Leeds to live with her best friend Abby.One night she meets Evan, who is everything she hates about guys. He may be hot but he's also drunken, arrogant, and on top of that, he apparently has sex with girls and forgets about it. But Evan isn't what he seems and Ness soon discovers they have more in common than she thought.Evan is struggling to escape from his past too, and when Lucy appears she threatens his new relationship with Ness. Unsure if she can deal with the effect Lucy has on Evan, Ness makes a decision about her future which pulls them apart.When their new lives don't go as planned, Ness and Evan are both faced with difficult choices. All because of Lucy...

Unrequited


Melody Grace - 2014
    But reeling from a broken heart, she runs straight into the arms of Dex Callahan: rock star, bad boy, and the most seductive man she’s ever known.Dex is looking for distraction, at any price. The innocent redhead is just what he needs to keep his demons at bay -- but one taste of her sweetness isn’t enough. He needs to possess her, body and soul.Two searching hearts. One night to discover the passion of a lifetime. Dex is determined to show Alicia the pleasure she’s been denied, but can she let go of her heartache and take a risk on the unknown? Find out in the sizzling new novella from USA Today bestselling author, Melody Grace!

Our Song


Savannah Kade - 2016
    Three years later, his band Wilder is still struggling for the recognition they deserve and his hopes aren’t what they used to be. Out of the blue he gets a call that an ex-girlfriend passed away – leaving him a child he didn’t know he had. To make matters worse, his six year old daughter, Andie, is a demon.Kelsey Conklin never had the good life.She’s always taken care of everyone and everything around her, including her entire family. But now it’s just her and her two kids. She’s packed up her past and moved them all to Nashville to start over. All she really wants is a quiet life and she’s pretty sure she knows how her story works.But JD and Andie need her. And it turns out that she and her kids need them, too. Somewhere along the way, JD becomes something she can’t live without, and something she never thought she’d have.With a little ingenuity, they can make this work. And maybe JD knows what she needs better than she ever did...

Tackling Summer


Kayla Dawn Thomas - 2017
    Her plans are derailed when she comes across a bottomed out sports car on a remote country road. When she discovers her father has brought on her university’s hotshot football star as summer help, she is furious. There’s no place for a lazy, city boy on the Double O.Maddox Warren has been banished to the middle of nowhere, sentenced to manual labor on a cattle ranch. As star of the Doumit University football team, this is unacceptable, but his coach is determined to boost his work ethic. Maddox can shut up and do his time, or he can kiss his football career goodbye. Determined to muscle his way through, his frustrations grow when he meets the bossy, cranky rancher’s daughter.The two battle their way through tractor driving and horseback riding lessons; both determined to conquer the other and to reclaim summer. In the process Maddox and Chanel discover there’s more to the other than either of them expected.

Fueled Obsession 1 (Fueled Obsession #1)


Amanda Heartley - 2014
    A good girl with a heart of gold.Together, it's gonna be one hell of a ride!Jack I’ve been beaten and broken all my life.Thanks to an alcoholic mother from hell.And all the new 'dads' she brought home when I was a kid.Who gives a sh*t? No one said life should be easy, anyway.But, I'm the best at the only thing I care about.Been a street racer since before I could legally drive.All I need is a little blow, my racing skills, and my ‘68 Camaro.One of the classics, she's my baby. My everything.Love—whatever that is—isn't meant for a man like me.Until one sweet nurse at the local clinic changes everything.She’s rich, beautiful, smart...and so totally out of my league.Our lives are worlds apart, but a guy can dream, right?.I guess we always want what we can't have.Fueled Obsession is a heartwarming bad boy, good girl romance between a revved-up race car driver from the wrong side of the tracks, and a kind, compassionate nurse. This is the first book in the series and DOES contain a cliffhanger with an eventual HEA in the final book of the series.

Colton


Olivia Sands - 2019
    He’ll run the Red Widow Bourbon factory—a business that’s been in his family for generations—build a beautiful home, marry a nice country girl, and start a family. After all, family is what the Greens are all about.But all those perfectly laid out plans fly out the window the second he meets Grace Baker. There’s no room in his life for the big city legal eagle who’s recently joined his uncle’s law firm.How could she fit in his plans when she’s accepted a case against his best friend? How could he still be drawn to her? And how will he stay away from her if she settles down for good in his small town?Each book in the KENTUCKY GREEN small town romance series can be read on its own.

Facing Home


Danielle Stewart - 2014
    But when you earn yourself a nickname like Click, the only sound the enemy hears before you strike, transitioning back to civilian life is a more insurmountable task than any combat mission. Click knows his family is longing for the kid who left for boot camp six years ago, but now he finds himself feeling like a stranger amidst his loved ones. The only thing strong enough to pull him back to Sturbridge, Tennessee is knowing one of his four sisters is in trouble.Can Click fight his nightmares and haunting memories long enough to save his sister? Can Jordan, the woman he loves, help him navigate his way toward peace with his family? Or will facing home be the one fight Click can’t win.

Her Bodyguard Swap


Laura Ann - 2020
    now if she just knew who he was! In a show of love and solidarity, Ridge Lockwood retired from the military when one of his identical triplet brothers was rescued from an enemy prison. Now, they've opened Lockwood Industries, a private security firm where they can use their skills to protect those who need it. When a musician he's been crushing on walks through their doors needing help with a fan who's going too far, he's all to willing to step in and play protector, except he doesn't get assigned the case. Everly Madison is content with her life, recording videos from the comfort of her own home and posting them online to a large group of adoring fans. But when one of her followers starts making threatening comments, her idyllic life is turned upside down. Her brother recruits the help of some former military buddies and soon Everly has a bodyguard dogging her every step. Too bad it's not the one who made her stomach flutter when they first met. Desperate to meet the woman he's been watching for so long, Ridge makes a deal with his brother to swap places so he can get to know the beautiful guitar player. Their time together is everything he wished it would be... until Ridge realizes she's falling for the wrong brother! Worried about ruining their business' reputation and with the stalker closing in, Ridge has to make some hard decisions that just might cost him the woman he's been waiting for.