Book picks similar to
Ride the Wave by Natasha West


romance
lesbian-romance
ff
contemporary

Those Who Wait


Haley Cass - 2020
    It would be a lot simpler if she could pinpoint exactly what she should do when she graduates in less than a year. Oh, and if she could figure out how to talk to a woman without feeling completely hopeless, that would be great too. Charlotte Thompson is very much the opposite. She's always had clear steps outlining her path to success with no time or inclination for romance. Her burgeoning career in politics means everything to her and she’s not willing to compromise it for something as insignificant as love. Fleeting, casual, and discreet worked perfectly fine. When they meet through a dating app, it's immediately clear that they aren't suited for anything more than friendship. Right?194,000 words

Being Hers


Anna Stone - 2018
    By day, she studies at law school, and by night, she serves drinks at an exclusive club to afford her tuition. But the hard-working Melanie will never admit her true desire: to escape from her fast-paced, high-pressure life, if only for a moment. When Melanie meets Vanessa, a glamorous executive and a regular at the club, she is drawn to the enigmatic black-haired woman. Vanessa is relentless in pursuing what she wants—and what she wants is Melanie. Soon, Melanie finds herself caught up in Vanessa’s sensual games of submission, power and control. Melanie insists that her affair with Vanessa remains purely physical. But as her limits are tested, so is the line between lust and love. When ghosts from the past reappear, both women must face their deepest fears. Can Melanie surrender her everything to Vanessa, or will old wounds prove too great?

Flying First


Lucy Bexley - 2020
    She’s been dreaming of her new boss for months but only getting icy stares in return. When tensions rise, Chloe is ready to walk out, but Monroe pulls her back in with a promised work trip to India for the two of them. When things go horribly wrong somewhere over the Atlantic will their attraction get the better of them or will the stress finally tear them apart?

Avalanche


Stephanie Shea - 2020
    It's taken five years to piece herself together, especially since the last time they'd seen each other was at Drew's wedding.Drew Dimitrov has officially been dubbed the model world's new it-girl. In a career-defining moment, she has been given her first nude photoshoot at Luxe magazine, and Blake just happens to be the photographer.It's a reunion neither expects.But can anyone stop an avalanche once the ice begins to fall?

Playing Catch-Up


Zoey Lennox - 2020
    When she meets LGBTQ youth counsellor Ramie Ramirez at a dinner party, sparks fly. But Ramie is still putting herself back together after an acrimonious split from her long-term girlfriend and is only looking for something casual. If living with the repercussions of her ex’s lies has taught her one thing, it’s to keep her heart locked up tight.As the two women begin to date, Alexis finds herself in a predicament. She’s never dated a woman before and is afraid Ramie will dump her sorry arse once she finds out.What’s a girl to do? A little lie can’t hurt, right? It’s no big deal. Just a way to even the playing field a little. What could possibly go wrong?

One Fine Morn


Natalie Debrabandere - 2020
    Determined to get back on track, she leaves Los Angeles and heads home to her native Scotland.Snowboarding instructor Logan Mackenzie is a loner with a difference. As the leader of the mountain rescue team, she often puts her life on the line for strangers. As a physiotherapist, she takes away their aches and pains. Privately, Logan is a lone wolf who keeps her heart under lock and key.Cue Emily Fraser; fragile, intriguing, beautiful... She threatens Logan’s carefully established life. As for Emily, Logan reminds her of the sort of woman she can never hope to have again. As they both wrestle with their emotions, and undeniable attraction, secrets are revealed and life events threaten to destroy their delicate connection... Will their flame survive?“Tender, heart-warming, with action and drama in all the right places… A powerful Lesfic novel!

Starstruck


Harper Logan - 2016
    All her sacrifice is about to pay off when she’s offered her first leading role, but there’s one catch: it’s the lead in the lesbian romance movie Real Love. Amelia’s never so much as looked at another woman, and she can’t help but feel intimidated at the prospect of faking intimacy with a girl. Especially when she finds out who the other star is… Heartthrob Jessica Black is known for her luscious curves, cheesy movies, and flings with actors—not for her acting talent. But the dates are all fake and sometimes she feels her entire life is just a publicity stunt. The only real relationship in her life is the one she has with Cleo—her rescued puppy. Jessica wants to create a film that will make the world a better place. But when she signs up to star in a lesbian romance movie to raise awareness for equality, she faces resistance from her publicist, her agent, and even her own family. And to top it off she seems destined to clash with her feisty, short haired, vintage suit wearing co-star Amelia. When the two decide to work out their scenes with some private rehearsals, their relationship only grows more complicated. “The kiss was supposed to be practice, but it felt real.” As friendship grows between them, it starts to seem like it could be something more. But with pressure from the public, and their own insecurities to work past, their relationship encounters one challenge after the next. Can Amelia and Jessica work through it all to create their own happily ever after?

Some Kind of River


Andi Marquette - 2007
    The updated edition can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...Rafting guide Dez figures her best friend Mel just isn't into her. She knows Mel is a lesbian, just like she is, but she's never seen a glimmer of interest from her friend, and would never screw up their relationship by making a pass. Luckily for Dez, Mel is a little more determined than she is, and will keep trying to get Dez's attention, even when Dez is truly clueless. When a chance game of truth or dare with their friends leads to a revelation, can Dez admit that she might just be Mel's type?

Ask, Tell


E.J. Noyes - 2017
    Army surgeon deployed to a combat hospital in Afghanistan. She is also one of the thousands of troops who are forced to serve in silence because of the military’s anti-gay policy of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).”Usually driven and focused, Sabine finds that battles raging both inside and outside the perimeter walls are making it more and more difficult for her to deal with her emotions. Dealing with loss and mortality, lack of privacy, sleep deprivation, loneliness and the isolation forced on her by “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” are all taking their toll. Plus, her long-term relationship with a civilian back home is quickly becoming another casualty of war.Colonel Rebecca Keane is an enigmatic career officer who runs the surgical unit like clockwork. Well liked and respected by those who work with and under her, she walks a fine line to preserve the military’s chain of command while connecting with those under her care and supervision. Sabine knows the Colonel is way off-limits, but can’t help fantasizing about her. Especially when she starts picking up unspoken cues—a stolen glance, a secret smile, an “accidental” brush of hands. Or is it just wishful thinking? After all, Rebecca’s wedding ring shines almost as brightly as her deep blue eyes…Genre: RomanceEditor: Cath WalkerCover Designer: Judith Fellows

Truly, Madly, Deeply


Clare Dugmore - 2020
    Her ex is a nightmare and her boss is a pervert, the last thing she needs is her budding friendship with fellow single-mom Rhia throwing her entire life into confusion.But as their ten-year-old daughters Teagan and Piper spend more and more time with each other, Rhia and Sabrina become close. Rhia thinks she’s deluding herself by lusting after a straight woman, and Sabrina has never considered herself to be anything but straight before.

Escape & Freedom


Claire Highton-Stevenson - 2018
    One stuck in the past, the other a very real present. Lucy Owens’ life was irrevocably changed in a matter of seconds. Life as she knew it was over in the blink of an eye. Moving away from all that she knew, Lucy now lives a solitary life in her cabin on the shores of Lake Tahoe. Filled with guilt and pain, she keeps herself to herself, and for years she manages to avoid immersing back into society. Nicole Granger has three small children to worry about. Always looking over her shoulder, they arrive at the lake with very little to call their own. Haunted by years of physical abuse, she longs to belong again, to bring normality to her girls’ lives for the first time. Both women are pulled towards one another in an attraction that could bring both of them their freedom.

Sunscreen & Coconuts


Eliza Lentzski - 2018
    Cautious. Careful. She wore sunscreen to the beach. A lifejacket on a boat. She crossed the street at crosswalks. She enjoyed life in moderation, and she didn’t indulge. So why is she having such a hard time remembering that on vacation when she meets a beautiful expatriate on a tropical island?

After Happily Ever After


Astrid OhletzR.J. Nolan - 2020
    Discover the irresistible magic of the morning after, or the month after, or even years later. What happens when it’s not just about discovering new love, but letting love settle a little? What are these passionate lovers, fighters, executives, and explorers up to now? These charming, funny, and entertaining short stories can each be read as standalone pieces to whisk you into new and different worlds…or immerse you in universes you already know and love, and can’t wait to revisit. Find out what happens next in this After Happily Ever After anthology, with stories by Jae (Under a Falling Star), Lee Winter (The Brutal Truth), RJ Nolan (L.A. Metro), Lola Keeley (The Music and the Mirror), Chris Zett (Irregular Heartbeat), Cheyenne Blue (Code of Conduct), Roslyn Sinclair (The Lily and the Crown), Alex K. Thorne (Chasing Stars), and G Benson (All the Little Moments).

Playing For Her Heart (The Ashforth Series #1)


Melissa Tereze - 2020
    

In the Black


L. Dreamer - 2020
    She did love a girl once, but that girl left their small town, taking Mitch's heart with her. Lilly never meant to hurt Mitch. She just wanted some time to figure out who she was. Now ten years later, she's back in her hometown dealing with an ailing aunt, a failing family bar, and a girlfriend she can't seem to fall in love with. When grief brings Mitch and Lilly together, secrets are revealed, old wounds are reopened and long-smoldering feelings reignited. Will they be able to forgive past mistakes and start over?