Book picks similar to
The Permanence of Pain by Desiree Lafawn


romance
contemporary
free
contemporary-romance

Just the Way You Are


Ann Roth - 2006
    Just the Way You Are is a small town, feel-good romance, the first in a four-book series. After a painful breakup and the loss of her job, Cinnamon Smith is battered and bruised. The only place to go is her best friend Fran’s bed-and-breakfast in the small coastal town of Dunlin Shores, Oregon. The first person she meets on her arrival is Nick Mahoney, Fran’s handyman. Cinnamon’s attraction to Nick is immediate, and the feeling is definitely mutual. But Cinnamon has spent years working toward a certain kind of life, a life she can’t have with Nick. Spending time in Dunlin Shores and with him is beginning to change all that. Then she gets a job offer that will put her career goals back on track… Which means choosing between the life she’s always wanted and the love that’s right in front of her.

Kellen's Redemption


Aden Lowe - 2015
    Sparks fly between the two when they meet for a gun deal, but Kellen doesn't know the Russian mob has put a price on Vicki's head. He and his Club could end up in the middle of all-out war as paid guns. Does Kellen like Vicki enough to risk his neck by getting involved? Can Vicki trust his help? Or is he another part of the trap her father's old foes have laid? How will she know the difference before it's too late?

Ride For Me


VR Baucke - 2019
    Together, they are the imperfect love story.Tragedy in Gage’s past tore his world apart. Three years of living in a constant state of desolation has left Gage a shell of the man he used to be. He’s content to be numb, never wanting to feel - to hurt - ever again. After moving to a new city in a last-ditch effort to turn his battered life around, Gage finds himself out of his depth when he meets his cousin’s group of friends. One in particular stirs forgotten feelings that Gage is desperate to keep suppressed. Lil.Their connection is unexpected, unstoppable, and surpasses everything Lil’s ever felt before. However, she’s learned the hard way that men aren’t always what they seem, and Gage is no exception to the rule. He burns hot one minute then runs ice cold the next.Lightning doesn’t strike twice, or so Gage believed. Not when it came to loving hard then losing his entire world in a missed heartbeat. Once torn and resentful for what Lil makes him feel, Gage is now determined to stop pain-laced history repeating. But will he be too late?

Untouchable Zane


Debbie Cromack - 2020
    When destiny drops her into his real life, he does everything in his power to keep her in his life. He’s a man who can make almost anything happen…anything except this. Will she fall in love with him or will his fame and addiction rip them apart?After Desiree Capstone’s 5-year boyfriend dies in a tragic car accident, she moves to California to build a new life. She’s given up on love and sworn off dating. Her world is turned upside down when fate puts Zane Elkton in her life. Will she let him into her heart? Or will her resistance to his world keep them apart forever?

The Novel Approach


Heather Guimond - 2019
     He's romance's reigning sex god. When the two accidentally collide at a book conference, sparks - and their luggage - fly. Stacy Sanders had never heard of Gage Blackstone before. If she'd known he was the man everyone called the "king of one-handed reads," she would have run away as fast as her Prada heels would take her. Every woman who'd ever read a romance novel had at least one erotic book penned by him, hidden in her underwear drawer. From the moment Stacy caught Gage's eye, he only thought about messing up her perfect hair and kissing her senseless. Stacy never imagined she'd find herself waking up next to him. But as soon as he finds out what she writes, it will be him running in the other direction. Who would have thought the most novel approach to love would be sweet, spicy, and steaming hot?

Three Rivers


Chloe T. Barlow - 2014
    The cast of side characters range from quirky to mysterious, lending tremendous authenticity and depth to a romantic story that is so much more. A one-click must read!" Julia Kent, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author"A heartbreaking tale of letting go and learning to love again. A jaw-dropping debut novel you have to read.” - Helena Newbury, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author.How do you start over when you gave everything to one life, one plan, and lost it all?Althea refuses to allow herself to love again. Imprisoned in grief at twenty-four after her husband’s sudden death, she’s convinced her heart died along with him. She spends her days honoring his memory by clinging to the legal career he helped her to build and to the remaining pieces linking her to their life together.Griffen’s been running from his past. Despite success as an author and investigative journalist, he’s been traveling through life on autopilot. For a decade, he’s chosen perilous adventures and meaningless sex over the danger of any attachments. When he finally returns home to Pittsburgh, he’s slammed by the awakened memories and regret he’s spent years trying to escape.A chance encounter brings them together. Their instant desire for each other –and the bond they discover between them – shocks them both. Despite her best efforts, Althea can’t resist Griffen’s charm or his intriguing proposition– if she agrees to a no-strings affair with him for the two weeks he’s in town, he swears he’ll walk away when their time is up. Assured she can test the waters of a new life while keeping her vow never to betray her husband’s memory by opening her heart to another, Althea throws herself into the escape Griffen provides her.Their perfect plans go awry when the intensity of their connection overwhelms them. Will they risk it all on the chance of something great together…or will the power of their secrets and guilt tear them apart?

The Billionaire Kings 3-in-1 Collection


Serenity Woods - 2020
    

I'll Run to You


Nikki Vale - 2016
    Now, Hunter is back and turning her world upside down once again. Will Evie survive when he tears down the walls surrounding her heart?

Adam


Anna Castor - 2021
    And the former snowboard star has his eyes set on her.As an Olympic gold medalist on the half-pipe, Adam Mills has seen and done it all before. He's finally ready to give his heart to a woman and settle down. But can Adam win over Caitlin's heart? All Winter Peaks books can be enjoyed as stand-alone novels or as part of the larger series.Although the heroine, Caitlin, comes from the Lucky Irish series, it's not required to read those books first.

Texas Heartthrob


Jean Brashear - 2004
    In disguise, traveling through the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, he encounters a rail-thin, starving woman who has lost everything but the dilapidated cabin where she once lived with her grandmother in happier days. Raina Donovan is determined to make her stand there, but winter is coming, and Liam cannot desert her until he can make her safe, however much she tries to make him leave.Day by day, they draw closer, but Raina has secrets and so does Liam. Before they can trust enough to confide in each other, the world catches up with them. Can they overcome the stunning shock of their deceptions to find a way to be together, or will the price of their lies ruin any chance they might have for a future?Revised and updated edition of A Real HeroThe TEXAS HEROES contemporary western romance series includes:TEXAS SECRETSTEXAS LONELYTEXAS BAD BOYTEXAS REFUGETEXAS STARTEXAS DANGERTEXAS ROOTSTEXAS WILDTEXAS DREAMSTEXAS REBELTEXAS BLAZETEXAS CHRISTMAS BRIDETEXAS TIESTEXAS TROUBLESTEXAS TOGETHERTEXAS HOPETEXAS STRONGTEXAS SWEETTEXAS HEARTTHROBTEXAS HEALERTEXAS PROTECTOR

Falling for a Stranger


Georgia Coffman - 2019
    I don’t expect to fall for a stranger.We share one blissful night together. No last names, phone numbers, or feelings.Yet, he still tracks me down, and I can’t say no to the heat between us.Our chemistry is intense. Palpable. Life-changing.My traditional family believes moving to LA has corrupted me, but the truth is, they’ve never approved of any of my life choices. It’s never bothered me, either—until I met Sebastian.But it was one thing to be with him in Vegas during a wild weekend and another story entirely to invite him into my life. How can I take him to meet my parents?After all, his profession isn’t something my family would accept.Can our one night turn into forever?*Note: This was previously titled Strip for Me.

Proper Ink (Jaded Lily #2)


Zeia Jameson - 2018
    Specifically, tattoos. Patience, focus, and attention to detail are crucial. He's consumed with it all. For the past three years, Luca has been building his reputation as the master of ink in Savannah, Georgia. It wasn't his original plan, but sometimes, lives twist and plans change. Kerry Frazier knows entertainment. Specifically, event planning. Locations, guest lists, and the hottest trends keep clients begging for more. She's living the dream. Even though Kerry’s job is exhilarating and rewarding, it’s also never ending. So a night on the town for herself is just what she needs. Luca never expected someone like Kerry to waltz into his shop. And blatantly flirt with him, no less. He never imagined flirting would lead to more. One secret night. That was all it was supposed to be. Until one night turned into two. Three. Luca doesn't do feelings. Kerry can't do complicated. What happens when you're drawn to someone who is bound to break your heart?

Always You


Stephanie Rose - 2015
     All we had was friendship and my silly hope for more. When he left and took all of that with him, I moved on. Settled. I figured that happiness wasn't in the cards for me. Until, one night of drinks with an old "friend" gives me a hope I never expected, but don't know what to do with. This time, I have the chance I always dreamed about—but I'm not free to take it. *** Ten years ago, Samantha was only a friend, a sweet girl I never wanted to hurt. Now, she's everything I want and nothing I can have. She belongs with me, even if she's not really mine, and I can’t settle for anything less than all of her. Now that I’ve got a second chance, I'm grabbing it with both hands. Why did it take so long to realize that it was Always You?

The Southern Roots Series


L.K. Farlow - 2020
    She doesn't need a man. After all, her Grams taught her a thing or two about making lemonade out of life's lemons.Then she meets Cash Carson.Reeling from a bad breakup, Cash has sworn off love. It led to nothing but pain and misery, and he’s determined to move forward alone.Until a redheaded Southern beauty crashes into him. With her shopping cart. At the local Piggly Wiggly.If love wasn't for him, why did his heart beat a little faster every time Myla Rose sent that sweet smile his way?He was no knight, and she didn't need saving.But damn if he didn't want to try anyway.AN UPHILL BATTLE: Azalea Barnes has hated Drake Collins since the day he broke her teenaged heart.Fast forward almost seven years later and her libido still hasn't gotten the memo.Now they're frenemies... with benefits.Which suits Azalea just fine. She gets what her body craves while keeping her heart safe.Kind of.Mostly.Drake has loved Azalea since the day they met. He knows that she's his forever. Too bad she only sees him as a good time. He wants more. Needs more.If only he could convince her that it's real this time. He's more determined than ever to prove to Azalea that chemistry like theirs doesn't exist only in the bedroom.The odds may be against Drake, but he's prepared to fight.WEATHER THE STORM: Magnolia Ellington is all too aware that dangerous things can come in shiny packages. Her husband made sure to teach her that.Desperate to escape his wrath—and his fists—she flees in the dark of night. Seeking safety and shelter with the only family she has left, Magnolia finds herself in the sleepy, Southern town of Dogwood—and in the arms of Simon McAllister.Simon has always been more of a thinker than a doer. That changes the minute he meets shy and mysterious Magnolia. She has him rushing into action, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to earn her trust.Slowly, with his steadfast determination and kind heart, Simon brings Magnolia out of her shell. But just as things start heating up between the two of them, the darkness of Magnolia’s past resurfaces, threatening to rip apart everything they’ve worked so hard for.With their future hanging in the balance, Simon fears he’s losing Magnolia. He must find a way to convince her they're better together.

You Don't Know Me


Mandy Lee - 2015
    When she takes on an office job at a construction company, she finds herself firmly in the sights of the owner, Daniel Foster - a dangerously attractive man with a dark past and particular tastes in bed.Although she tries to resist him, Maya soon finds herself embroiled in a steamy relationship with Dan. And while he slowly encourages her to paint again, she begins to peel back his layers. At last, when she believes that she's finally come to understand his ways, he has one final secret to reveal … and it's a secret that threatens to blow them apart.You Don’t Know Me, an erotic romance, is the first book in a trilogy.