Book picks similar to
Unsteady by Elizabeth York
second-chance
romance
contemporary
freebie
The Paradise Bay Romantic Comedy Boxed Set
Melanie Summers - 2020
Together, they’re the perfect power couple—right down to the fact that he’s agreed to use their honeymoon to help further her career in mergers and acquisitions. But ten minutes before the wedding, her dreams dissolve via text message.Devastated and humiliated, Libby escapes to Paradise Bay alone. She’s got two goals for her trip: to devise a plan to get Richard back and to convince resort owner Harrison Banks to sell his property to her company. Unfortunately, when she arrives, she discovers that tall, dark, and built Harrison is not about to make anything easy for her. Instead, he derails her plans while at the same time, bringing out a side of Libby she’s kept carefully tucked away—a carefree, adrenaline junkie. After a few days together, Harrison’s got her wondering if the life she always wanted was meant for some other girl. Suddenly, Libby must decide which version of herself she wants to be. Will she go back to her comfortable, safe life, or risk everything to be with the only man who’s ever made her feel truly alive? WHISKED AWAYAn irresistibly romantic, delightfully funny tale of love, passion, books, and food.2019 READER'S FAVORITE AWARD BRONZE MEDAL WINNERAt twenty-seven years old, Emma Banks has big plans for her life. After graduating from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, she's ready to take her place as head chef at one of her family’s resort restaurants. But upon arrival at Paradise Bay, she’s shuffled off to the resort’s new private island getaway, where she’ll be stuck catering to the rich and shameless. Her first assignment is to serve Pierce Davenport, an infuriatingly arrogant writer with a palate that’s about as adventurous as a plain boiled potato. Putting Pierce and Emma together is like combining orange juice and toothpaste. Will their differences be their ruin or will they be the secret ingredient to each other’s success?THE SUITE LIFE A laugh-out-loud tale of a single mum and the man who restores her faith in love.Twenty-six-year-old single mum Brianna Lewis (AKA Bree) doesn’t believe in fairy tales—not after being abandoned by the father of daughter, Isabelle. A law student by day and concierge by night, Bree’s determined to give Isabelle the life she never had. Suddenly finding herself in dire straits, she converts her garden shed into a rental suite in hopes of climbing out of the financial hole she’s in. But when the only person interested in renting the suite turns out to be to Leopold Davenport, the ridiculously good-looking co-worker she loves to hate, she knows she must choose between being happy and being broke. But as she gets to know him, she discovers there may be more to him than flirty smiles and empty charm.Can Leopold make the leap from ultimate playboy to become the man Bree needs in her life? Will Bree allow herself to believe in happily-ever-afters or will she play it safe and hang a do-not-disturb sign on her heart?
Forced
Cali MacKay - 2016
Murdered. And I’m about to make a deal with the devil to keep my family safe and get the revenge my father deserves. *** Wren’s the only woman I’ve ever loved, but that doesn’t mean we’re right for each other. Don’t get me wrong… the sex was always crazy hot. That’s never been the problem. But Wren and me? We’re explosive together, all sorts of wrong for each other—and sooner or later, someone’s going to get burned. I walked away from Wren once, and broke her heart. She’s never going to forgive me or trust me again—but her mob boss father doesn't care. He's forcing me to marry her, and if I want to find out who’s threatening my family, this is my only option. As for Wren—she’s going to be pissed when she sees me, let alone when she finds out we’re getting hitched. Ask me if I care. The deal is done. One way or another, I'm making her my wife. *** This is a darker adult romance with adult language and steamy sex scenes. This story explores darker situations that may not be to everyone's tastes and some readers might find disturbing. Though this story has a Happily Ever After for the couple and can be read as a stand alone, there are small plot points that will continue in upcoming books. ***
Barely Breathing
Pamela Clare - 2016
Now, here she is—over thirty, out of a job and with little choice but to move back in with her father. Lexi knows it’s just a matter of time before she runs into Austin Taylor, her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. She’s determined to show him she’s over him—until he steps out of a pickup truck and back into her life, looking sexy as hell in his mountain ranger uniform.As far as Austin is concerned, Lexi can turn her snazzy little convertible around and drive back to Chicago. After all, she ripped his teenage heart apart and turned her back on the town he loves. But from the moment he sees her again, he can’t get her out of his mind. Even her smile messes with his head. When an evening of conversation turns into something else, Lexi and Austin agree to be friends again—with benefits. But as Lexi starts making plans to return to the big city, Austin realizes he’ll lose her a second time unless he can show her that what she’s searching for has been right here all along.Note to readers: This is straight contemporary romance, not romantic suspense.
The Dark Side of Chemistry
Ryleigh Sloan - 2019
A deadly enemy. A suffocating secret. I didn’t know it was possible to be in love with two people at the same time, until my past and present collided. Jensen was unpredictable and compelling, until he shattered my heart when he was deployed. Trent is loving and dependable, and I can easily envision a future in his arms. I had no way to know the two were brothers. I fear I will be what tears them apart. When Trent is deployed to Afghanistan to test a highly classified serum, I can’t shake the feeling of dread. My fears are quickly justified. An unknown enemy knows my dark secret, and plans to use it against us. I made a mistake once, and now it could destroy everyone I love.
Devotion: Isn't What it Seems
Eva Winners - 2020
He was strong, determined and so full of life. Will he bring me back to life or be my final straw?
Resisting Him
Leslie Johnson - 2018
I've moved on with my life and I can't wait to return home for good. The home where seven-years earlier I met my best friend and former lover Marcus Johnson. How was I to know our parents had other plans? Even with a new boyfriend, and all the time apart, there is always one lingering thought. Marcus. Why? The more I try to forget him, the stronger my desire becomes. We had to breakup, but did we want to? Now my life will be even more complicated with Marcus so near. Don’t miss the scorching hot Resisting Him a stand-alone novel by Leslie Johnson.
Northern Escape
Tonya Burrows - 2021
His emotional walls keep him safe. Will a rescue mission in icy terrain melt their guarded hearts?Brielle Ives prefers dogs to people, and who could blame her? Her sled dogs are loyal to a fault, trust her implicitly, and couldn’t care less about the scars that mar her face. The only human who’s never disappointed her is her mentor, Dr. William Hunter. When his plane goes missing in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Bree will do anything to find him... even if it means turning to a frustrating, irresponsible, and too-sexy-for-his-own-good California boy for help.When Ellis Hunter enlisted in the Army at eighteen, he put Alaska — and his womanizing drunk of a father — in his rearview mirror. He promised himself he’d never return, but even he can’t resist Bree’s panicked plea for help. If she’s hell-bent on trekking into the bush to find his father, then he's determined to go with her. But Ellis isn’t the only one shadowing Bree’s rescue attempt…When the search for answers leaves Ellis and Bree trapped together in the wilds of Alaska, they’ll have to put aside their differences — and an attraction hot enough to melt glaciers — to survive the elements. Because someone dangerous lurks in that icy wilderness... a killer desperate to keep Dr. William Hunter's secrets buried deep in the snow.Northern Escape is the thrilling first book in the Northern Rescue romantic suspense series. If you like captivating family dynamics, steamy chemistry, and edge-of-your-seat action, then you’ll love Tonya Burrows’ sizzling adventure.
My Sister's Keeper
Edna Curry - 2011
She needs to meet her deadline and doesn’t have time to bail Jolene out of trouble for the umpteenth time. She’s sick of responsibility. But FBI agent Luke shows up, saying Jolene is part of a jewelry thief gang. Worse, Luke suspects Candi of being one of the thieves herself. Assigned to watch her, he finds himself falling for her and the cute baby, wanting her, but never gets involved with a suspect. Then they find that secrets from the past threaten Candi’s whole family.
A Wish for Christmas
Michele Brouder - 2018
After the death of her mother, the last two years have been rough and money is tight. A full-time nursing student, she feels her prayers have been answered with the temporary job of personal assistant to John Laurencelli. The billionaire is rumored to be demanding and difficult but India soon realizes there’s more to him than bad press and weapons-grade dangerous good looks. But with everything on her plate, she doesn’t have time to be falling for her new boss.John Laurencelli lives, eats, and breathes his business and making money. For his own reasons, he’s avoided Christmas for two decades. But it’s proving difficult this year when his new assistant wears vintage holiday aprons, hums Christmas tunes, and likes to spread good cheer. Despite his determination not to celebrate the season, it isn’t long before India opens his eyes to what’s missing in his life.Can they overcome their fears and misgivings to make it a truly wonderful Christmas for each other?Each book in The Happy Holidays Series is a standalone novel and can be read in any order.
Imaginary Grace
Anne Holster - 2015
There's only one woman immune to his charms, and that's his mother. Tired of Tanner's hard partying, she's waiting for him to grow up and settle down, preferably with a nice girl. When she refuses to finance his tour with the band, Tanner knows he'll have to find a way to change her mind. Grace Roberts is not like most college girls. Shy and bookish, she prefers sneakers to stilettos and never quite mastered the art of taming her mane of unmanageable hair. Guys are not exactly throwing themselves at her, so when Tanner Reed, the hottest guy in school (scratch that, the hottest guy anywhere!) takes an interest in her, it seems too good to be true. Bound by his deception and her girlish hopes, Tanner and Grace will be forced to question everything they believe about each other, and themselves. When these two get together, anything can happen and anyone can get hurt. Anyone can fall in love.
Stiff Competition: A Graves Brothers Romance
Kim Linwood - 2018
Big ego. Huge… plans? Carter Graves is as smooth as the weave of his designer suit, and just as out of my price range. He sweeps into Wittville ready to wheel, deal and melt some panties, quickly topping my short list of men I love to hate and would hate to love. Before I know it, he’s got his sexy eyes set on me and his talented hands all over my business. My family’s business, of course. What were you thinking? The contract he waves in my face will turn my quiet little life upside down, but it’s his seductive smile that threatens to do the same to my heart. If he really thinks being the hottest guy in town is enough to make me roll over and let him turn us into just another faceless franchise, he’s got another think coming. I’m not signing unless he can convince me he wants more than just another notch on his resume. Or his bedpost. There’s just one problem with my strategy. The harder I make him work, the harder it will be to watch him go. Stiff is a full length stand-alone romance with no cheating and a resounding happily ever after.
That Unforgettable Kiss
Tamara Ferguson - 2014
So men have always been merely a distraction for Kate; she just doesn’t have time for love.Until fate steps in by way of a prophecy foretold, years ago, by a friend who’d been blessed with a remarkable gift. Kate has been warned that, one day, she’ll be kissed by fate. And love will happen with that unforgettable kiss.Michael Murphy already has his life mapped out. After graduating with his degree in Architecture, he’ll be working at a prestigious firm in Chicago. When he arrives in the town of Crystal Rock to serve as an intern at Callahan Construction, the last thing he expects is his instant attraction to lovely crew boss, Kate Callahan.Kate’s immediately drawn to Murphy, too. And sparks fly when they unite in an attempt to discover the identity of the thief who’s been stealing construction materials from her family’s company.But how could a long-term relationship between them ever survive? They’re both young, with different dreams and goals. So even after their unforgettable kiss, Kate lets Murphy go.Six years later, Kate’s finally admitted her mistake; she’s just never been able to forget that kiss. Devastated when she learns that Michael Murphy’s become engaged, Kate comes up with a plan to try to win him back. But will she be too late?
The Sheriff's Baby Bargain
Susan Lute - 2020
Marshal-turned-Sheriff Taylor James can trace her family back to the original thirteen Marshals appointed by George Washington. She’s good at her job, but once they find out she’s the local law, she can’t get even one of her dates to stay past the appetizers. Her plan? Convince good friend and hot neighbor Dr. Gabriel Adams to give her dating lessons since his dance card is always full.A survivor of childhood leukemia with no guarantee his remission will last, Gabe lives by two rules: Don’t get emotionally involved and don’t let his well organized life spiral out of control. When he’s given a baby, with his name on her birth certificate, he needs Taylor’s help. But dangling dating lessons in exchange? If that will get the dedicated sheriff to lend a helping hand, could it be a bargain worth making?
When You're Home
Abby Millsaps - 2021
But she’s not ready to let him go yet.Her proposed arrangement is simple. They can be friends-with-benefits when he’s home in Hampton, Ohio as long as he promises to date other people when he’s back at school.Everhett Wheeler is a man with a detailed plan: graduate with his MBA, then move to Virginia to take his rightful place in the executive suite at his grandad’s company. He’s calculated, confident, and self-assured. The one thing he can’t predict is what happens to his relationship with Tori once he moves away for good. He has always wanted more, and she knows it. But in a battle of wills, she always wins.After an unplanned weekend together, Tori and Rhett start to question whether the arrangement they’ve relied on for the last three years is too much or just not enough. Is it time to go their separate ways? Do they have the courage to commit to a real relationship? Or will a series of surprise visits, soul-crushing lies, and unexpected news tear them apart before they can even try?When You’re Home is a steamy new adult romance that includes mature themes, offensive language, substance abuse, and infidelity.
Dirty Little Lies
Clare James - 2014
(Yeah, she knows it’s stupid name, so don’t start.) But most importantly, Stevie’s lost herself. As she shuffles through her days in worn-out Hello Kitty PJs—eating ice cream, sipping wine, and contemplating her next move—a magazine article catches her attention. Blaring black letters read: "How to Get Your Sexy Back in Six Easy Steps."Stevie studies the article in the trashy magazine like the good student she is and immediately knows what she has to do. With the magazine article in hand, and a bottle of red in her bag, Stevie embarks on a journey to reclaim her life and win back her ex. Until she meets Gabe Shannon. Gorgeous, single, and on a quest of his own, Gabe introduces Stevie to a lifestyle that is sure to help get her sexy back and then some. If she doesn’t chicken out … (Oh, you know where this is going.)What follows is a story of self-discovery, romantic gestures, erotic encounters, and following one's heart--even if it leads in unexpected directions.Portions originally published online as The Club e-series, Dirty Little Lies now has 70% more content, chapters from Gabe's point of view, and a sizzling conclusion to this steamy tale.