Book picks similar to
The Permanence of Pain by Desiree Lafawn


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
free

Declan


Amanda Torrey - 2017
    Declan's brothers assume their father is off on a bender or finally smartened up enough to want to escape their wicked stepmother, but Declan knows in his gut that his father wouldn't leave the family dairy farm. Returning home to Healing Springs isn't an easy decision, but Declan can't ignore the feeling that his something tragic has swept his father away from the farm. When Declan encounters the fiery vegan activist who can't stop herself from sneaking onto the farm in a misguided attempt to liberate the cows, he's forced to confront all of his previously held beliefs. He can't fight the spark between them, but can he trust her? As clues into their father's disappearance point toward her as a potential suspect, Declan is forced to confront his beliefs all over again.

Kiss of a Stranger


Lily Danes - 2016
    Now he’s returned, determined to expose the men who set him up. His best chance at redemption is seducing the straight-laced woman working for the enemy…until he realizes he’s the one being seduced.A woman who's sworn off bad boys…Maddie Palmer lost everything when her ex-husband betrayed her. Years later, she’s rebuilt her life. It’s safe and stable—everything she thought she wanted. Until a dangerously sexy ex-con appears in Lost Coast Harbor...As passion ignites, Gabe and Maddie find themselves drawn deeper into the corruption behind the town’s richest family, even as they face the greatest danger of all—losing their hearts.

Searching for Glory


Hunter J. Keane - 2012
    She's on a hit television show and engaged to one of the most desired men in Hollywood. Her life is perfect. But then she gets a letter in the mail that changes everything. The past she has been trying to forget for so long has finally come back to haunt her. Gloria Star hasn't always been an A-list celebrity. She used to be just a regular Midwestern girl named Glory Stark. Now she is forced to reconcile her two lives because Johnny Carter, the only man she ever loved, has asked her to return to her hometown, and she can't say no. Ten years ago, one night changed everything for Gloria and Johnny. Not only did Gloria lose Johnny, but she also lost herself.Now she's headed back to Princeton, Missouri, to reconnect with her sister and make amends with Johnny. She quickly realizes that returning to Glory Stark's life isn't going to be easy. As she faces painful truths about her past and an uncertain future, Gloria learns that forgiveness is essential, family is everything and love is forever.

Defending Jagger


Amanda Mackey - 2016
    Jagger is in jail for a crime he didn't commit, and believes it’s a small price to pay to protect his family.Rosalind McAllister is the newest creative writing teacher at Arizona State Prison…Rose is determined to prove herself to her criminal students and not let them break her—like they did the last teacher. But when she meets Jagger Reed, she immediately knows the line between student and teacher could be easily blurred. Tall, intimidating, and way too handsome to be incarcerated, she vows to keep him at a distance.A creative writing assignment turns into the discovery of Jagger’s innocence…When Rose reads Jagger’s creative writing piece, she’s both astounded and impressed. His written words call to her, providing a window into his private world. But as the assignment continues, she discovers facts about Jagger’s conviction that change everything.Determined to piece together clues that leap out from the pages, she finds much more than an articulate prisoner.How can she save a man who doesn't want to be saved? And can she stop her heart from getting involved while…Defending Jagger?

Gian


Lisa Cardiff - 2016
    And I had a plan to make it all happen. Move to New York. Find an agent. Work hard. Then with a little luck mixed in with some natural talent, I’d be a Broadway star. One devastating injury and a broken engagement later, I have nothing to show for my life except an empty bank account and a jaded heart. Desperate to salvage my dreams, I agree to interview for a job with my best friend’s brother, Gian Trassato. Gian is charming. He’s magnetic. He’s connected to the Trassato Crime Family, and everything I should stay away from, but I don’t have a choice. I need the job. Just when I thought I was about to get my life and career back on track, I make one thoughtless mistake. I go back to the club to pick up my purse and witness something Gian’s enemies would kill to keep secret. Now I’m being sucked deeper and deeper into a terrifying world I don’t understand…Friends and enemies are interchangeable. Honor and family are everything. And the scariest part of all…I might actually be getting lost in Gian.

Dancing Hearts


Heather Dahlgren - 2014
    He had to hit rock bottom before making his way to the top. Losing his dad left him with responsibility that he wasn't prepared for. Music is his only outlet. Emma Harris is a simple girl. Country music is her passion and with country music comes heartbreak. She hasn't had the best of luck with men, but she keeps writing the song. When Cooper and Emma meet at a concert, their connection is instantaneous. Cooper is the verse to Emma's chorus. What happens when tragedy strikes and lives are shattered? Will the music stop forever? *This book has been previously published

Tamed by Her Cowboy


Shanna Handel - 2020
    

Lakeshore Secrets


Shannyn Leah - 2015
    Although she has created a new life for herself away from the drama, secrets and stress of the small town, she must return upon her grandmother’s death. Her return brings back wonderful memories, especially of Marc, but also horrible fears from the past. When fate throws her and Marc together once again, how can they ignore the everlasting love and desire between them? Will Kate stay and face her demons or will the deceit and secrets of the past destroy any future they may have and force her to leave again

A Kiss Beneath the Stars


S.L. Sterling - 2018
    What she doesn’t expect is Hunter, the devastatingly handsome man who doesn’t take no for an answer.Hunter Malone’s only priority after separating from his crazy ex is to enjoy vacation with his brothers. Laying eyes on a stunning brunette named Autumn changes all that. What begins as a whirlwind romance has the potential to be something more. But the past always seems to have a way of complicating things. As things get tough for Autumn, she starts pushing away the best thing that has happened to her. Will Hunter stay by her side when she needs him most? Or will he let her push him away?.

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.

Warranted Pleasures


Shannon Nemechek - 2017
    But whenever I look into his eyes, I lose my ability to think straight. He’s a Chief Warrant Officer, and I’m a mere Non-Commissioned Officer. But that doesn’t stop me from thinking about him every night, dreaming about how my body would react to his touch. But I won’t allow myself to be another notch on his bedpost. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep our relationship professional—especially since we are teamed up to investigate a terrorist organization. There’s no margin for error. I can’t allow my midnight fantasies to jeopardize my day job, to discredit my reputation. But there’s one major problem. Raleigh Fitzgerald is known to get what he wants, and right now…that’s me.

His Shock Baby


Holly Rayner - 2021
    

Flowers for Mama (Lakeside #1)


Serafina Lyndon - 2015
    Working for low pay as an aide in a special needs classroom, she is flattered when the handsome guardian of a student asks her out on a date. The chemistry between them is intense. But she can’t be fully honest with Chalton, scared that he’ll back off fast once he knows how out of control her brother is becoming. And what she doesn’t know is that Chalton isn’t being fully honest with her either . . . and the truth is worse than anything she could imagine.

Justified Deception


Patricia Watters - 2011
    Ruth's private investigator is all but certain that ranch owner, Matt Kincaid's, adopted daughter is Ruth's child. But even though Ruth lands the job as nanny to Matt's six-year-old daughter, she must tread carefully. Matt's the maverick in a powerful family of lawyers and politicians and she can't predict what Matt or his family might do if the adoption's challenged. However, Ruth's carefully laid plans go awry when she finds herself falling in love with the man who might have stolen her child.

Custom Built for Me


Susan Coventry - 2017
    Aside from making changes to her appearance, she needs a new lease on life and on men. Enter sexy builder Shane DeMarco of DeMarco & Sons Building Company, where Jess works as a new homes sales consultant. Besides working together, there are plenty of other reasons why Jess shouldn’t get involved with him. Her best friend, Hannah, who happens to be Shane’s sister, warns Jess that her brother is a confirmed “player.” But Jess isn’t looking for a serious relationship anyway. Beginning with a chance late-night encounter, Jess and Shane agree to a no-strings arrangement, or at least, it starts out that way. It doesn’t take long for Jess to wonder if the player might turn out to be the one who is…Custom Built for Me. Custom Built for Me is Susan Coventry's sixth standalone contemporary romance novel. For fans of sweet and sexy romance with a touch of humor!