Book picks similar to
Make-Believe Marriage by Marilyn Shank


contemporary-romance
prime-or-unlimited
womens-fiction
love-romance

Lakeshore Chronicles Series Books 7-9: The Summer Hideaway \ Marrying Daisy Bellamy \ Return to Willow Lake


Susan Wiggs - 2016
     THE SUMMER HIDEAWAY Private nurse and protected witness Claire Turner never gets attached, but her heart starts to soften when she begins caring for the elderly George Bellamy—and meets his grandson, Ross. In the face of wrenching loss, amid the enchantment of Willow Lake, Ross and Claire dare to risk everything for love. MARRYING DAISY BELLAMY Daisy Bellamy struggled for years to choose between two men—one honorable and steady, one wild and untethered. And then, one fateful day, the decision is made for her…until the man once lost to her reappears. Now the choice Daisy thought was behind her is the hardest one she'll ever face… The pressure is on for Sam to find Sinclair's killer, but a new lead in her father's unsolved shooting puts her in unexpected danger. When long-buried secrets threaten to derail her relationship with Nick, Sam realizes that while justice is blind, mixing romance with politics has the potential to be fatal… RETURN TO WILLOW LAKE Lieutenant Sam Holland is back on the job. A woman has been found brutally murdered and evidence points to Henry Lightfeather, a senator and close friend of Nick's. While Sam investigates, Nick stands by his friend—complicating his own bid for reelection, and causing tension between the couple. As Sam's investigation reveals a scandal that rocks the capital, Nick and Sam discover that the biggest threat to their future might be someone from her past…

. . . and Baby Makes Two: A Novel


Judy Sheehan - 2005
    But that’s before she sees the perfect child. There he sits in his stroller, angelic and beautiful, magnetic and serene– and he makes Jane question everything she has and everything she thought she wanted. Suddenly all she can see are babies and pregnant woman everywhere. Were there always so many of them? And while there was once a man in her life–her one true love, Sam, gone from this world too soon–there is no man now. Jane must make a choice: possibly become a bitter and childless old lady, letting her biological clock tick on ’till menopause, or tend the ache in her heart now, by becoming a single mother. As Jane struggles to make the most important decision of her life, friends and family offer no shortage of opinions. There’s Ray, her “hubstitute” and gay best friend who would be jealous of any kid who got Jane as a mom; Sheila, her sister, who went from zero to sixty when she eloped with Raoul–who had two young twin sons– and has mixed feelings about being a new mommy; her strict, Catholic father who can’ t imagine what level of hell Jane would banish herself to if she becomes a single mother; and the women of Families with Children from China who are preparing to adopt orphan daughters–without a man in sight. Just as she thinks she’s made up her mind, Jane discovers one small wrench in her plans: handsome, charming, funny Peter, who just happens to be (unhappily) married. . . . And Baby Makes Two is a heartbreakingly honest, wonderfully addictive, and funny novel about love and loss, family and friendship. Judy Sheehan, co-creator of the smash hit Tony n’ Tina’s Wedding, has perfectly captured the delights and dilemmas of the scariest job in the world: motherhood.From the Hardcover edition.

Sex, Lies & Champagne (Sex and Lies Book 8)


Kris Calvert - 2018
    Undercover for the last eighteen months, his assignment has been handed down personally from the Director of National Intelligence. Meeting with his contacts in the darkness of a global and elite, members-only sex club, Tristan spends his time not chasing women, but the origins of a dangerous Shadow Broker—a double agent selling U.S. weapon security codes to Russian intelligence. When Champagne magnate, Renè Lebleu reaches out to him, Tristan puts his duties on hold for two days, flying to his birthplace in France to meet a man he’s never seen—a father he’s never known. Upon arrival Tristan is filled with suspicion, but his animosity, forged by years of abandonment and lies, is quickly put on notice by his father’s trusted confidant and bold personal assistant, Henriette—Henry—Tribolet. Meeting his match in the gorgeous and intelligent Henry, Tristan finds it hard to keep up his typical and indifferent air. But Henry Tribolet sees straight through Tristan’s steely indifference to the heart of the real man—a man with an enormous capacity to forgive. A would-be Champagne heir discovering true love for the first time. Caught in a web of lies, Tristan must defend his innocence from a malicious ploy crafted by enemies and insiders while chasing the threats of foreign adversaries across the globe. When Tristan discovers the true nature of the family he never knew, he’ll fall deeper into the perilous world of International espionage than ever before—taking Henry with him. What begins with Champagne and trust, will end in deceit and murder.

Grave Secrets


Linda Trout - 2012
    But six months later, time is running out and Sara turns to the one man she shouldn't--insurance investigator Morgan Daniels. Dangerously attractive, he's a threat to more than just her heart, and if she isn't careful, he'll unearth secrets better left buried. Proving Sara murdered her husband is Morgan's top priority. Helping her find her child is the perfect opportunity to get the proof he needs. But when he starts to think of her as a woman rather than a suspect, she slips under his armor. He can't trust her. Worse, he can't trust himself around her. All evidence points to Sara as a murderer, but Morgan's gut tells him the evidence is wrong. Is his obsession with her blinding him to the facts? Or is the real murderer still out there--stalking Sara? This is a new release of a previously published edition.

Butterfly Sisters


Jenny Hale - 2022
    So essentially, without the struggle, it never flies.”From the USA Today bestselling author of The Beach House comes a story about family bonds, second chances, and finding out who we really are. Butterfly Sisters is the perfect escape for fans of Susan Wiggs, RaeAnne Thayne, and Susan Mallery.About to land her biggest deal yet, Leigh Henderson is on her game. She’s prepared for this, and nothing can get in her way. Except Rebecca Mayer, who’d sashayed in a few weeks ago with a former client list that would fill the entire hallway to Leigh’s office if she laid it out end to end. When her boss unexpectedly offers the deal to Rebecca and tells Leigh he’s letting her go, Leigh finds herself without a job.But that’s the least of her worries. Her mother has some news that will change everything. She’s asked Leigh and her sister Meredith to meet her at the family cabin on Old Hickory Lake. Not only has Leigh been unable to pin her sister down in years, but going back to the cabin would mean dealing with the loss of her beloved grandmother and also chance running into her old flame Colton Harris, the one love she’s never been able to completely let go of.Will confronting her grief, speaking to her estranged sister, and being forced to face the love she’d left behind help Leigh to learn who she really is? A heartwarming story that will have you laughing, crying, and rushing to those you hold dear. If you loved the Christmas movies based on Jenny’s books and are looking for more feel-good, small-town romance, look no further!

Something to Talk about


Sarah Webb - 2002
    Soon easy-going Max is running scared of man-eater Jenny and would prefer to be out flying his power kites than falling into the dating pit again. But fate works in mysterious ways.

A Love Like This (A Love Like This, #1)


Kimberly Lane - 2012
     She leaves her crazy family and heads off to college with dreams of becoming an architect. However, as her mother Dana always says, "Love has a way of changing your plans."   Handsome Caucasian student teacher Tucker Bradley walks into Leila's life and turns it upside down.  He is exactly what Leila needs but not at all what she's looking for.  Leila has to deal with a steady stream of Tucker's ex-girlfriends.  She struggles to hold on to her dreams without letting go of her first love. (Edited 07/04/2012)

Single Dad Times Two: A Bad Boy MFM Romance (P.L.A.Y.-Time Story 2)


Jay S. Wilder - 2019
    Two rugged single dads. One explosive connection. She’s about to learn the house rules...from both bad boys. Novella-length, standalone romance with an HEA ending and Zero Cliffhanger. Archer I work hard and play harder, but when it comes to my twin sons, Abe and Axel, I’d move mountains to keep them happy. My best buddy Russ is no different with his little boy, Reed. We’re single dads and we like to share one woman. But no one has captured our attention in a long while. Until sweet Amy walks into our lives. She's a college graduate hoping for her first job as our nanny. She wows us with her convincing interview... and all those lush curves. Amy's eager to do whatever it takes to make sure the boys are happy. I like that she aims to please. And when we realize that she’s into both Russ and me, we fight to keep things above board, but eventually, we’re going to cross the line with her. We want her for ourselves. Some rules of professionalism are meant to be broken. Author’s Notes: - Cozy up with a warm blanket and these two hot single dads! This MFM story is flirty and oh so dirty, just the way you like it. - Single Dad x2 is a MFM menage romance that is all about the woman. There are no M/M scenes. This story is all about TWO hot single dads who fall for the same woman. - Single Dad x 2 is the second P.L.A.Y-Time MFM story. P.L.A.Y. was first mentioned in Two Firefighters Next Door, and there are several more stories to come.

Life and Other Near-Death Experiences


Camille Pagán - 2015
    Despite her new sunny locale, her plans go awry when she finds that she can’t quite outrun the past or bring herself to face an unknowable future. Every day of tropical bliss may be an invitation to disaster, but with her twin brother on her trail and a new relationship on the horizon, Libby is determined to forget about fate. Will she risk it all to live—and love—a little longer?From critically acclaimed author Camille Pagán comes a hilarious and hopeful story about a woman choosing between a “perfect” life and actually living.

A Little Piece of Paradise


T.A. Williams - 2021
    with a catch When Sophie’s uncle leaves her a castle in the Italian Riviera in his will, she can’t believe her luck. The catch? She and her estranged sister, Rachel, must live there together for three months in order to inherit it. Having worked in Rome for four years, Sophie’s excited to revisit to Italy, even if it reignites memories of a cheating ex who soon learns of her return and wants to rekindle their spark. Sophie realises that distance does indeed make the heart grow fonder – but for her friend back home, Chris, who she discovers is more to her than just a friend.With the clock ticking, can Sophie and Rachel stick it out and heal old wounds, or are the sisters destined to go their own way at the end of the three months? And does Chris feel the same way about Sophie as she does for him?A beautiful story of romance and sisterhood, perfect for fans of Alex Brown and Lucy Coleman.

Mistletoe and Sage


Lyn Cote - 2016
    Garrett Connolly thought he'd found a lasting love, but instead has left his home for a new start. Fellow deputies, Sage and Garrett find themselves working side by side to solve escalating vandalism aimed at the influx of affluent residents in their small northwoods town. Who is targeting the homes of new people who bring so many needed jobs and fresh cash to the struggling community? On the personal side, can Sage feel love again? Is Garrett chancing a rebound romance, a big mistake? And should fellow deputies be feeling more than friendship? Welcome back to Steadfast, Wisconsin, a town with people and mysteries you may never forget.

Tell me no Secrets


Lynda Stacey - 2017
    Not everyone was so lucky … On the surface her fiancé Rob is supportive – but the reality is different. He’s controlling, manipulative and, if the phone call Kate overhears is anything to go by, he has a secret. But just how dangerous is that secret? When Kate begins work at a firm of private investigators, she meets Ben Parker. His strong and silent persona is intriguing but it’s also a cover – because something devastating happened to Ben, something he can’t get over. As Kate and Ben begin their first assignment, they become close. But, what they don’t realise is how close to home the investigation will bring them, or who will be hurt in the process …

The Castaway Bride


Kandy Shepherd - 2011
    She and Matt explore the island—and each other. Passion is instant, trust comes slowly—especially as Matt is not the carefree boat bum he appears to be.Can the love they discover survive in the real world away from their castaway fantasy?

Up Close and Personal


Leonie Fox - 2010
    Best Friends Forever. Stunning, sexy and anything but sensible.Yasmin is a straight-talking game player who's got no-strings sex down to a T. So why is she suddenly craving commitment from the one man she can't have?Nicole is trapped in a passionless marriage but tangled up in a passionate affair. Should she risk the safety of her happy-ever-after for something that's oh so sexy but oh so risky?They both envy Juliet who seems to have it all. She's bagged a gorgeous toyboy of a husband but is she still entertaining naughty thoughts about a dangerous old flame?These girls will go to the ends of the earth for one another . . . and any lengths to get their men. But when everything starts to unravel, will they chose close friendship - or sex?

In the Eyes of the Beholder


B.D. Anderson - 2020
    He is befriended by Lorilee Riley who had recently moved into the rural mountain community. She’s a Black girl in a mostly white Appalachian town and she’s never felt that she was pretty as she towers over other kids her age. When Lorilee’s Aunt Sabrina is able to help Micah have the growth removed, he not only looks normal, but he grows into a handsome young man. He loves Lorilee who has always been there for him, and he sees her as not only his best friend, but the girl who he wants to spend his life with. Lorilee, however, is insecure about her looks, especially her weight and she can’t help but wonder how long Micah will stick around. In Micah’s eyes, nothing has changed over the years since they met, and he tries to make her understand that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.