Book picks similar to
An Absent Wife by Camille Oster


historical-romance
historical
cheating
angst

Seized by Love


Susan Johnson - 1978
    Well versed in the sensual arts, Prince Nikolai Kuzan wagers that he will be able to seduce the chaste Alsia Forseus in three days and steal her from her husband, but the lark turns serious when Kuzan finds himself falling in love.

The Duke and the Wallflower


Jessie Clever - 2020
    But when her scorned older sister returns home to see all of her sisters wed in happy matches, it may be Eliza’s only chance to secure a husband and have the children she so desires.Jilted in a publicly humiliating display, Dax Kane, the Duke of Ashbourne, has sworn off love forever and has no wish to wed. But when the title demands it, he selects the most perfect candidate for the position: Lady Eliza Darby, a wallflower so unattractive, he won’t be in danger of falling in love with her. But the Jilted Duke will soon discover looks have nothing to do with love.

His Lady Mistress


Elizabeth Rolls - 2004
    He doesn't recognize her as the daughter of a colonel under whom he used to serve, the girl he'd once helped years before. The life Verity's now living is untenable. So he proposes a shocking solution--he will set her up as his mistress.It's only once that Verity's finally agreed, once Max is beginning to lose his heart to her, that he discovers her true identity. Max is taken aback; he would never have suggested this lady become his mistress. Now, to avoid scandal, they'll have to marry!

Lions and Lace


Meagan McKinney - 1992
    Born to luxury, she belonged with the Astors and the Vanderbilts at cotillions and soirees. But she shivered with fear and something more as she faced the handsome, ruthless Trevor Sheridan. He had bankrupted her fortune and would expose her family's scandalous secret unless she accepted his outrageous offer, his emotional blackmail ... his heart-stopping kiss.HE BROKE THEM ALLBorn Irish, brought up in the streets, Trevor "the Predator" Sheridan learned early how to get the wealth and the women he wanted. An expert at games of power, he played one that would destroy every famous family who had snubbed him. Tricking the beautiful Alana was his trump card. But he never intended to want her ... until her beauty and her resolve stole his breath away.NOW THEIR DESIRES SWEPT THEM TOWARD RAPTURE ... OR RUIN

5 Years Later


Jaxson Kidman - 2017
    and there's a knock at the door. He's back, again. And this time he's not alone. * Full length standalone romance with guaranteed HEA and no cheating *

Meant to be Kept


Amelia Foster - 2019
    One too many drinks. One mistake. That’s all it took to derail my marriage.Now, all I can do is beg for a second chance. To try and redeem myself in a bid not to lose the love of my life.I’m determined to use every second, every moment I have to show my wife how much she means to me—to rebuild the trust I shattered.But the harder I try, the more I start to realize our marriage had fallen into a routine of complacency and misplaced priorities long before my indiscretion.Isabelle is a strong, passionate, beautiful woman—a wife who has sacrificed so much for me. I just hope it’s not too late for us, and that I’ll be able to convince her that our love is meant to be kept.

Windows


Emily Minton - 2013
    Each time, gaining a piece of her heart and leaving a bit of his behind.Lucas was in love with the girl next door, but he ruined any chance he had of making her his. So, he moved on without her.Lindy gave her heart to the boy next door, but he left her humiliated and heartbroken. So, she started a new life without him. They both head off to college, leaving the other behind. Lucas finds success then misery on the Football field. Lindy finds new love, but it never feels quite right. Years later, Lucas and Lindy find themselves back in their hometown. Will Lindy open her window again and give Lucas another chance?***This novel contains adult situations and may not be appropriate for readers under eighteen.

Taming the Rake


Monica McCarty - 2015
    But they soon learn exactly what it is that makes rakes so dangerous.Tasked with bringing down the most notorious rake of all, the always capable and efficient Lady Georgina “Gina” Beauclerk is determined to show the wicked Earl of Coventry just what she has to offer… by promptly turning his dissolute world on its ear. Instead she finds her own world spinning out of control. Because even after she has organized his household, rid his home of alcohol, and paid off his mistress, she can’t help but see that there is more to the handsome earl than first she realized.Forced into respectable society to escort his debuting sister, Coventry intends to find her a husband post-haste so he can return to the freedom and debauchery of his clubs. After the death of his unfaithful wife, the disillusioned Coventry has no intention of ever marrying again—especially not to an interfering busybody who won’t take “no” for an answer. No matter how much she tempts him.

It's Not Home Without You


C. Lymari - 2019
    Put a finger down if...-You found the love of your life at 14-You dated them through high school-You had to deal with all the backlash that came with dating the town's golden boy when you were trailer trash girl-And then one night, you just left.It’s been seven years, and you’ve moved on - or so you thought - then you come home and find your boyfriend in bed with his secretary.You come back to your hometown to start over again to the same place you swore you’d never return.That boy you left behind? He’s all grown up, and he acts like you are nothing.And worst of all, he’s marrying the girl that tried to come between the two of you.But then, a few weeks before he gets married, the truth comes out…

Adam's Promise


Julianne MacLean - 2003
    When a gentleman from her past requests that she set sail for the New World to become his wife, she jumps at the chance to become a mail order bride and marry the man she has loved since she was a girl.Adam Coates was a mere tenant farmer when he left England for the British Colony of Nova Scotia, but now he is a prosperous and influential landowner. What Madeline doesn’t know is that her father has hoodwinked them both—for the bride Adam truly wanted was her beautiful, older sister, Diana—his first love. When Madeline steps off the ship with romantic dreams of her long-awaited happily-ever-after, she is shocked and dismayed to discover the truth. Madeline is furious with her father for his treachery, but she has sailed across an ocean to an unfamiliar land and must remain, at least temporarily, under the protection of the man she still loves—the man who still intends to wed her sister.Over the coming weeks, as their friendship deepens and grows, will Adam come to realize that he’d set his heart on the wrong sister all along? Or will it be too late to find the happiness they both desire?

Ever Yours, Annabelle


Elisa Braden - 2019
    and how the boy she loved became the man she couldn't resist. She’s not one for half measures Lady Annabelle Huxley believes anything worth doing is worth doing boldly, and that includes adoring Robert Conrad. As a girl, she chased him with reckless abandon, and he always rescued her when she pushed too far … until the day rescuing her cost him everything—and lost her the boy she loved as no other. He’s not the boy she remembers The accident that shattered his body and his future left Robert Conrad fighting a battle only the hardest men win. After seven hellish years, even his tough soldier of a grandfather thinks he needs a wife to “civilize” him. But the season’s sole temptation is Annabelle, no longer a worshipful girl, now a siren with a womanly laugh, sarcastic mouth, and curves to make an uncivilized man sweat. Love this powerful is not so easily broken Her habit of chasing trouble hasn’t changed. Neither has his driving need to protect her. So, when a scandalous secret draws danger too close, he’ll wield his weapons ruthlessly—blackmail, betrothal, seduction—to keep her safe once more. And when his strength is all that stands between her and a perilous abyss, she’s reminded why loving Robert Conrad has always been the hardest habit to break.

Chelynne


Robyn Carr - 1980
    Quickly she comes to adore her dashing husband, the future Earl of Bryant... yet he spurns her love, so haunting are the shadows of his turbulent past.Chelynne vows to kindle his silent passion, risking her reputation, even her life. Now the Earl must tell her of the secret that has kept him from her bed--or risk the loss of his Chelynne forever!

Shattered Trust


Jacqueline Baird - 1990
    "And I always get what I want."Since Nick's cruel rejection, Abby had built a satisfying new life for herself and little Jonathan. And now Nick needed his son and was quite ruthlessly blackmailing her into returning him.But he needn't think he'd have everything his own way; this time Abby was determined to show that she was more than a match for him. If only the old attraction between them weren't still so powerful...

Then There Was You


Claire Contreras - 2018
    Love is about walking to the edge of the cliff and taking the leap together.Timing was never on our side.My first mistake was hooking up with my best friend.My second came years later, when we met again, and I fell for her. My third was letting her go, because I had to. Because a love like this wasn't built to withstand the winds coming in our direction.Love and timing.I didn't believe in either. Then there was you . . .

True


Gwendolyn Grace - 2014
    Life has become more about the demands of their careers and growing family rather than living the life they dreamed together. When another man displays interest in Courtney, and isn't shy about his intentions, one relationship develops while another slowly unravels. Courtney is soon caught in a web of secrets and lies. Deep in her heart she knows Alex has always been her one true love but is it enough to resist temptation?Through a roller-coaster of emotion and not so wise choices, Alex and Courtney must come to realize they want the same thing. Each other.