Book picks similar to
The Secret Diary of an Arranged Marriage by Halima Khatun


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The Problem with Planning Love


Claire Cain - 2020
    Divorcé. Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army.All titles I’ve come to terms with, even if I didn’t see those first two coming.I never imagined making a military move to Germany as a single parent. What else I never imagined? Having an insane spark like I’ve never felt with my son’s kindergarten teacher.Livie’s a singular force of light and beauty, and I’ve never wanted someone so much. But after what happened last time, I can’t escape the dread of dragging a new wife into this life and failing again.Besides, our lives are too different. Our plans don’t match. We definitely shouldn’t date and absolutely can’t afford to catch feelings.Everything changed the day I walked into that classroom. And now the only thing that scares me more than trying for another chance at love is living with regret if I don’t.The Problem with Planning Love is a dual point of view romance told in first person that will give you all the sizzle and heat but keep it sweet.

Her Outback Playboy


Annie Seaton - 2018
     Jenni McDougal’s family have worked hard to build their fishing and charter business in the remote coastal outback town of Second Chance Bay. Jake Jones, her childhood sweetheart, was once the poor boy from the wrong side of town. When he blows into town after making his fortune and expects to pick up where they left off, Jenni fights every move he makes. Jake knows that Jenni will always see him as a playboy, and can’t trust him, and his self confidence disappears when the town judges him on his past. Every time he tries to help her family business, she sees an ulterior motive. If Jenni can't trust him, what is there to keep Jake in Second Chance Bay? But can he leave the woman he loves a second time?

A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking


Lucinda Nelson - 2019
    Now it’s time for him to save hers… Charlene Ellington is the daughter of a well-known and respected doctor in the area of Bath. Going to the woods to collect some herbs for her father’s work, she encounters the young Lord Eric Cumberland who was bitten by a venomous snake. Brave Charlene drags him immediately to her house and her father saves his life. The young Lord promised Charlene to repay the debt whenever Charlene needed his help. And he sealed that promise with a kiss. Her first one and not forgotten by both of them. Years after Charlene’s father is accused of poisoning a member of the peerage and he is sentenced to death. A devious Marquess blackmails her that if she betroths to him, he will clear her father’s name. Charlene decides to ask Eric’s help who is now an eligible and very wealthy Duke with a lot of power due to his father’s connections. But Charlene Ellington’s name is already dragged in the mud with the serious allegations against her father and Eric’s family doesn’t want him to associate with her. Besides the real murderer lurks in the shadows… Eric feels his passion for her grow as he is trying to help her case. But so is the passion of the devilish Marquess for her… Between schemes, life threatening and dangerous poisons will they find their place in the sun? *If you like thrilling characters, steamy and unexpected twists, and lots of romance, then you’ll love “A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking!” Get “A Wicked Scandal for the Bluestocking” and let the breathtaking story of Charlene and Eric unravel today!

Rescued by Shifters: Paranormal Romance Collection


Bookarama Publishing - 2021
    

This Side of Midnight (Tildas Islands #4)


Tamsen Schultz - 2021
    But when tourists start dying under suspicious circumstances, she never imagines that the biggest battle she’d have to fight is within her own department. That is, until her friend, Dominic Burel, and the FBI Task Force he’s a part of, prove she’s right to be concerned.As an FBI agent and former PJ with the elite Air Force Pararescue Unit, Dominic Burel has been happy to move through life solely focused on work. But when a family visit leaves him shaken, he realizes his friendship with Anika could, and should, be so much more. Now he has to change her mind about them and he’s not above using his investigative skills to finagle his way into her case—and life—to do it.As Anika and Dominic hunt a killer, they quickly realize they’ve uncovered something much more sinister. The simple murders aren’t so simple and there’s a much grander plan at play. And when they find they aren’t the only ones hunting, it will take everything they have to stay out of the true killer’s crosshairs.If you revel in escaping into a story, this friends-to-lovers romantic suspense will keep you turning the pages.

His Shock Baby


Holly Rayner - 2021
    

Diving into Love


Kat Bellemore - 2020
    She didn’t need another.When Bree Garrett’s former college roommate invites Bree to move to Starlight Ridge, a small tourist town on the Californian coast, she is all too happy to leave the deserts of New Mexico and the memories of her former life. She only has three conditions:One- No one can find out about her fear of water—totally embarrassing when you live next to the ocean.Two- No seafood. She can't stomach it. Yeah, she sees the irony of points number one and two.Three- No blind dates. The last thing she needs is a relationship. Her ex-fiancé would agree.Easier said than done when the only job available is at a surf shop and the owner, Caleb, is under the impression that Bree has applied to be a scuba instructor, and not a cashier, as she had intended.Bree tries to clear up the misunderstanding, but it’s hard when she seems to lose her voice—and her breath—every time Caleb is near. How could she not when he happens to be attractive, single and, as it turns out, also doesn't like seafood?Bree and Caleb struggle against the pull of the tide that seems determined to bring them together. But, despite their differences, maybe this is one battle that is okay to lose.

A Week at Most


Claudia Shelton - 2020
    Change can be even worse. But there comes a time in life when there's nothing else to do… Big-city newscaster Ashley Lanovan never envisioned herself divorced and unemployed by thirty-eight. She agrees to housesit a friend's property in small town USA, but rapidly realizes she's a fish out of water. Learning to adapt has never been her strong point, but the neglected community is friendly and needs her business savvy. A computer hack has put CIA agent Mark Garmund's life in danger, so he takes a few days refuge with friends in Nature's Crossing. His career secrets are dangerous and changing professions has been foremost in his thoughts lately. He realizes it's time to make a choice when a chance encounter with the woman his friends introduced him to years ago, leads to more than hello. But first, he has to make sure their future will be safe. Mark figures earning Ashley's trust may not be easy. He should have called her years ago…

When A Savage Is After Your Heart: An Urban Standalone


Lakia - 2019
    Too dangerous. Too stalkerish. Too deadly. Living the life at the college of her dreams with her two best friends Ayanna and Melody, Zoey “Zoe” Richardson is single, having no time for a man and remains focused on her classes so she can graduate next year. Zoey and Yanna have ladies’ night at a local club while Mel follows behind her consistent unfaithful boyfriend to a house party. Getting ready to end their night, Zoey and Yanna ends up rescuing Mel from another unbearable lover’s quarrel, putting her in the crosshairs of Keno. A night where chaos erupts simultaneously in her life. Having to rely on Keno’s help, the two exchange numbers and starts getting to know each other better. Being the sweetest and most charming person she has ever met, it doesn’t take long for Zoey to fall head over heel for Keno until the real him surfaces. Unfortunately for Zoey, Keno’s wolf in sheep covered skin is revealed a little too late, costing her to endure a lifetime of regrettable decisions. Attending FAMU Homecoming weekend turns out to be the best thing that happens to Keno Daniels. According to him, he finds his future wife in Zoey. Despite his on and off relationship with his ex and his current legal woes, Keno sets out to woo Zoey, despite her claim of not wanting a relationship. Claiming Zoey has his, Keno is devastated when Zoey learns his truths and sees the real him, ending their brief relationship. Except, Keno is not easily convinced it’s over and refuses to let go. Ending things with Keno sets Zoey on the right path, leading her to meet her true king—Ezekiel “Zeek” Taylor. After forming a year long friendship and unknown crushes, Zoey and Zeek gravitate towards each other and find a real connection with each other. A connection that has them talking about the future, one with marriage and kids. However, moving on is not so easily done, especially with Keno popping up everywhere. Indiscretion, heartbreak, lies, relationships, love, and dire consequences are easily found in this mind-blowing, page turning story. In Author Lakia’s debut African American Urban Fiction standalone “When A Savage Is After Your Heart,” everything is not fair in love and relationships.

Trusting Our Love With Cartel Kings


Antoinette Sherell - 2020
    Those were the words that twin sisters, Raven and Lovely Towns, swore by. When Lovely’s love is put to the test after finding out Raven was violated in the worst way imaginable, she makes a call that separates them and leaves her sister to fend for herself. Fortunately, Raven runs into the likes of Silesia and Asteria; two girls who change her life as she knows it by giving her the means to set her and her sister up to never need anyone again. Family before everything. That was the motto that had been embedded into the King brothers since birth by their father. Ace, Deuce, Tre, and Saint were taught to worry about the family business first and everything else second. However, Saint wants nothing to do with that lifestyle and makes a decision that leaves his family questioning his loyalty. Meanwhile, Deuce is burdened with the task of protecting his brothers at all costs. When a wild night out with his brothers lands Saint in Lovely’s care, he’s left with nothing but thoughts of the beauty who went out her way to protect him. The only thing stopping him from seeking her out is that he’s engaged and due to be married soon. While assisting her sister with the daunting task of helping a random stranger, Raven is inadvertently thrown into Deuces’ path, and he’s determined to make her give him a chance—all the while having no clue as to who she really is. In one night, a chain reaction is set off, causing everyone’s lives to cross. When these women, who are low on love from life beating them down, meet four brothers with no grasp on what love really is, will they trust them with their love, or will they trust their instincts and do what’s best... run?

Untainted Love


Ivy Laika - 2019
    Everyone except for Ladi. She's tried her hand at love and the cards that she'd been dealt never stacked up. After getting her master's degree and moving back to Miami, Ladi's only focus is securing her dream job. Something that Ace Baptiste has never been… is unsure. Everything that he wants he goes for and gets it. So when he first lays eyes on Ladi and felt a connection that was undeniable it only made sense for him to have her. Will Ace's persistence be enough to make Ladi his lady or will she be the one thing that he fails at capturing? Ladi's dream job has the potential to lead to a dream love, but that's only if she opens herself up to experience it. Will she put forth the effort and give Ace a chance, or keep her heart closed off to his untainted love?