Book picks similar to
Down, Then Up by Beth Labonte


romance
beth-labonte
contemporary-romance
short-stories-novellas

Indulge


Angela Graham - 2014
    Raising him alone, Logan finds his only joy in spending time giving Oliver the childhood he deserves. But every other weekend, he allows himself the chance to live as a man—a man with deeper desires. Logan knows what he likes, what he wants, and what he needs. He has no interest in dating and believes there’s no risk worth taking for romance, but his casual sexual escapes rarely leave him satisfied.It takes an unexpected decision from his sister Julia and a road trip to the small town of Harmony with his best friend, Caleb, to open Logan’s eyes to new opportunities outside his programmed world. Its not what he expects, but Logan’s always looking to indulge.This can be read as the first in the Harmony series or anytime during the series. It is not a mandatory read to enjoy the series, simply a companion read. This novella is Logan's story of how he ended up living in Harmony and right next door to the woman that would forever change his life.

Perfectly Matched


Maddie James - 2009
    Mary Lou Pickett's dreams of falling in love with country music star, Nash Rhodes, but knows she'd settle for Thurman Phillips down the street if she had to. But she doesn't want to. Not really. When Nash comes to Legend for a music benefit and stays at the lodge, Suzie wonders if she can perfectly match this miss-matched couple.

Plus One


Brighton Walsh - 2013
    She has an amazing condo in the city, great friends, and a successful bakery she built from the ground up…what more does she need? Ian Donnelly has been in love with his older sister's best friend, Olivia, for years. He even moved away after college to get some distance from her and the intense feelings she stoked in him. But when Olivia swears off men just in time for wedding season, he impulsively volunteers to be her stand-in wedding date.The sparks that fly between them take Olivia by surprise. Ian is nothing like she remembered, and when they fall into bed, he’s everything she could ever want. What’s the harm of a no-strings summer fling? Strictly physical, of course—her track record in relationships isn’t exactly glowing.Nine wedding dates. That’s all that Ian has to show Olivia he wants more than just a summer of fun. He wants to be her plus one forever.

Strange Bedfellows Part 1


Kasey Michaels - 2014
    Strange Bedfellows Part 1 Sworn enemies Cassandra Mercer and Sean Frame become more than friends when they're trapped inside her car by a dangerous mudslide. Who would ever have pictured guidance counselor Cassandra Mercer at such close quarters with her nemesis, businessman Sean Frame? They're usually facing off at school board meetings, where he arrogantly questions her methods every chance he gets. But when a mudslide traps the two inside Cassandra's car, the will to live ignites a passion that brings them together. The story continues in Strange Bedfellows Parts 2 and 3.

Love Without Rules


Kate Goldman - 2014
    Her dating advice blog becomes a smash hit overnight due to a shout-out by a big celebrity. Pretty soon, she has published a book, and goes live on national television with her long-term boyfriend, Scott, to promote it. On air, Sydney decides to make a bold move by breaking traditional gender roles and proposing to him. But he surprises her with the wrong answer and instead reveals that he has been cheating on her. Heartbroken and humiliated, Sydney watches as her book sales and her reputation as America’s love doctor go down the drain after the televised fiasco. In order to help Sydney, her best friend introduces her to a talented publicist, Drew Young, who she doesn’t like at first glance. However, after Sydney unexpectedly meets Drew in a shopping mall they begin to fall in love with each other. What Sydney wasn’t counting on was Drew breaking every rule that she had ever believed about men, and changing her life forever.

Duet in September


Gina Ardito - 2013
    Every day for thirty days, they intend to do one thing differently from their normal routine—with unique results. Nia, still bitter years after her mother left the family for a wealthy tourist, finds herself falling for vineyard owner, Aidan Coffield, the son of a wealthy Manhattan real estate tycoon. Meanwhile, Paige keeps knocking heads with her high school nemesis and now town police chief, Sam Dillon. Each day of this special September will provide Paige and Nia with new adventures, new self-awareness, and of course, enough love to last two lifetimes.

The Escort


Ramona Gray - 2014
    There’s only one problem – she’s a thirty year old virgin and embarrassed as hell about it. When her best friend suggests hiring an escort to not only help rid her of her pesky virginity but teach her some moves in bed, Julie swallows her pride and calls an escort agency. She books a date with the sexy and gorgeous Cal. Court Thomas has been saving his identical twin brother’s butt for years. When Cal calls, begging him to take his place with his latest ‘date’, Court reluctantly agrees. Unprepared for his immediate attraction to the beautiful but fragile woman, he’s rocked by Julie’s request for him to take her virginity. Determined to change her mind, he continues to impersonate his brother. But when Julie’s warm kisses trigger a desire he’s never experienced before, will he convince her to wait for ‘Mr. Right’ or take the sweet gift she’s offering? Author’s note: This is a novella of 35,000 words. It contains explicit and steamy sex scenes that may not be your cup of tea. It is intended for mature readers only.

If I Let You Go


Kyra Lennon - 2012
    Her job, that is. For three years, she’s taken care of Dominic Hartley’s five year old daughter, Tilly, but her world is flipped on its head when Dominic tells her his latest promotion is taking him to New York. With Tilly having a meltdown over the move, Madison and Dominic get into a fight that changes the entire nature of their relationship, causing Madison to ask herself a big question. Can she let him go?

Sex, Snow & Mistletoe (A Short Story)


Laura Barnard - 2015
    Forced to attend some snotty bitch's wedding is not the way to start out the holidays. But when a car crash pushes her into the path of a handsome stranger she's glad to follow his snowy, sexy and seductive path. But is he too good to be true? And will she make it to the wedding before her best friend loses her mind with worry? Please note this is a short story of 10k words

Objection


Sawyer Bennett - 2013
    Six months ago, my boyfriend dumped me when I thought he might be proposing. Two weeks ago, I got drunk and joined a secret sex club. Two days ago, I had a torrid one-night stand with a stranger. Today? Well, today I’m contemplating having an affair with my boss. Matt Connover is all kinds of forbidden temptation wrapped up in a deliciously wicked package, and he’s made it clear… he’s only interested in sex. My name is McKayla Dawson but everyone calls me Mac. I work at the powerhouse firm of Connover & Crown, LLP, where the law has never felt so hot. But between you and me, I’m afraid my heart won’t survive these Legal Affairs.

Going Down


Elise Sax - 2014
    Truly. Honestly. All right... maybe she does want to get nailed, but that's just because her hottie landlord and local diner owner Mack Ryan is confusing her with his mouth. Can friends become lovers? Especially friends who might not even be friends in the first place?Going Down is the sexy and hilarious first novella in the five-part Wish Upon A Stud series. Each novella is roughly 100 pages with no cliffhanger.Wish Upon A Stud... A happy ending is just a coin toss away.An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.

More Than Exes


Elizabeth Briggs - 2014
    She wants to win him back.Keyboardist Kyle Cross may look like a bad boy with his tattoos and piercings, but he’s really the good guy who’s always stuck fixing his band’s problems and never gets the girl. His band is competing in a Battle of the Bands, but when their bassist doesn't show, Kyle must track her down with the help of the person he least expects: his ex-girlfriend Alexis Monroe. Kyle hasn’t seen Alexis since she dumped him in high school, and she’s dropped her preppy image for fiery red hair and a bold new attitude to match. With only hours before his band goes on stage, Kyle has to be a little bad if he wants to win both the Battle and the girl he's never gotten over. But when their old problems resurface, the good guy might just get his heart broken all over again.A stand-alone prequel novella that launches the Chasing The Dream series.

Rescue Me


Serena Bell - 2014
    The only rescuer for miles around is her grumpy, laconic—and piping hot—neighbor, Dave Jenkins. Before long, Molly and Dave have struck enough sparks to bring the fire department running. Now the question is, Does Molly still want to be rescued? Or is she exactly where she wants to be?

As He Bids


Olivia Rigal - 2014
    Applying for a summer internship at an upscale auction house just because she has a mad crush on one of the bosses, may be Career Fail 101 for Hannah Cohen.Certainly, she is heading that way when she spends her first week focusing more on the way Bruce Nelson’s mouth shapes his words than their actual meaning.Novelette

The Story of Us


Susan Wiggs - 2010
    But all that changed one day when a gorgeous stranger with ocean blue eyes rode into tiny Edenville, Texas, on a Harley. Grace knew in her heart that the chance meeting was just the beginning of a grand new adventure....Don't miss this prequel story to bestselling author Susan Wiggs's novel, "The Ocean Between Us"!