Book picks similar to
Claimed by M. James


mafia
dark
contemporary
romance

Masquerade


Nicole Flockton - 2012
    Vowing to only look forward and not behind, she attends a Masquerade Ball with no expectations. That is, until a mysterious masked man sits beside her. Attraction ignites, and, setting her inhibitions aside, she embarks on one night of passion. Alex Scavoni has sacrificed a lot to be the best ER doctor he can be. Now he’s about to start his dream job as the Registrar of the ER Department and getting involved in a relationship is the last thing on his mind. When he meets a masked Sophie, he knows he has to have her, and he won’t take no for an answer. Fate plays her hand and Sophie and Alex find themselves working closely together in the stressful world of emergency medicine. Determined to keep their passionate interlude a secret they attempt to maintain a working relationship. Only they find that their one night together isn’t enough. Can they push aside their growing feelings or will fate have one more card to play that will change their lives forever?

TAG


Shari J. Ryan - 2014
    . . a life changing secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the alternative was too bleak. But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in need of a miracle. Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy. In author Shari J. Ryan’s New Adult novel, TAG, the canyons hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.

Entangled Past: Family Ties


Palmer Jones - 2021
    Two years of being on her own means two years of avoiding any further disappointment from her failed marriage.Two years of only relying on herself.The reading of her estranged husband's Will is the final closure she needs to move on.Until the day finally arrives.Coming home to find her house burglarized and trashed was terrible enough. Suddenly having her husband's former bodyguard show up on her doorstep makes it worse.The bossy Englishman either doesn't understand her desire to be alone...or doesn't care. Even with muscles galore and an accent that definitely ramps her attraction up another notch, admiring him from a distance is where it ends.It's not that she doesn't want help. She just doesn't want his help.Until the bad guys return...or her.The first of Family Ties Series, Entangled Past is a romantic suspense story full of sarcastic humor and, of course, romance.

A Love So Sweet


Addison Cole - 2018
     A Love So Sweet is a Sweet with Heat novel and conveys all of the passion you'd expect to find between two people in love without any graphic scenes or harsh language. If you're looking for a spicier romance, pick up the steamy edition, Lovers at Heart, Reimagined, written by New York Times bestselling author Melissa Foster. Addison Cole is Melissa's sweet-romance pen name. In A LOVE SO SWEET… Treat Braden wasn’t looking for love when Max Armstrong walked into his Nassau resort, but he saw right through the efficient and capable facade she wore like a shield to the sweet, sensual woman beneath. One magnificent evening together sparked an intense connection, and for the first time in his life Treat wanted more than a casual affair. But something caused Max to turn away, and now, after weeks of unanswered phone calls and longing for the one woman he cannot have, Treat is going back to his family’s ranch to try to finally move on.A chance encounter brings Treat and Max together again, and it turns into a night of intense passion and honesty. When Max reveals her secret, painful past, Treat vows to do everything within his power to win Max’s heart forever—including helping her finally face her demons head-on.

Not Suitable for Work


Skye McDonald - 2019
    The stakes are high. And what happens on Halloween night is definitely not suitable for work.Celeste Greene and Ben Addison didn’t realize the internship-to-hire opportunity was actually a contest, but neither of these talented web designers can afford to walk away.After betrayal destroyed her fabulous life in New York City, Celeste moved home to Nashville, Tennessee broke and broken. Restarting her career is her only goal. An ice queen who drove her partner to cheat can’t even think about friends or fun. Celeste’s talent and desperation should make the competition an easy win—if only she could stop gawking at her rival long enough to concentrate.Ben Addison doesn’t want to be a corporate climber or live in a high-rise downtown. He just needs a steady paycheck after foolishly investing everything in a pretty face and a shot at a music career. He has no business fantasizing about his competitor, even if she is the most stunning—and guarded—woman he’s ever met. This contest can’t rival the chemistry between these two, but is the risk worth the reward? With a haunting past and her future on the line, Celeste must decide what she wants, what she needs, and what her heart is really worth.

Bronx


Tess Oliver - 2021
    He grew up breaking colts and parachutes into wildfires as a smokejumper for a living, but Layla Rafferty, the elusive woman he loves but can't have, might be the one to finally break him.

Fake Fiancée (Big Bad Billionaires)


Laxmi Hariharan - 2016
    Smirky Pants.Mr Obnoxious who asked me to be his fiancée, so he could save his inheritance. If I agreed, he'd deposit a million dollars in my bank account, no questions asked.I should have turned him down and walked away... should've!Sadly, I needed the money to save my floundering start-up, and to put my sister through college.Besides, the rules were pretty simple: Feelings were not on the table, not unless I initiated it.As if?I hated him, I loathed him. No way was I going to fall for the most notorious playboy of the Valley, right?I definitely didn't need to think twice about this, I signed. Guess what happened next? Yeah... no!We barely lasted the flight on his private jet across the pond, failed to convince his family... oh! Did I mention I got drunk and swam naked in front of them, gulp!Only that seemed to catch his attention.He wooed me, courted me, floored me with his trademark panty-melting smirk. He convinced me that he was the one...He must be, right?Then a phone call from my past changed everything... Note: This is an enemies to lovers, pretend fiancée billionaire romance with a very satisfying HEA.This book was previously published as Jace (Love Caution, #1).

Finding Our Forever


Laura Riley - 2020
    Only to discover that the Seth I knew isn't the Seth I've found.He's not the boy who once dried my tears and won my heart.He's a jerk.A jerk who still owns my heart.He's also one of the builders working on my house.When his sister leaves him without childcare, I'm the only one available to look after the daughter he’s so protective of.I know he says we can only be friends.But the more time we spend together the more I dream we could be a family.And when people threaten to tear us apart, I’ll prove just how much I’m willing to risk for Seth and his little girl.SethA chance encounter with my friend’s little sister threatens the shaky foundation I've built for myself and my daughter and I quickly put her in the friend zone. But when I’m sent to redecorate her house I discover just how good she is with my daughter and I'm not sure how long I can keep my hands to myself.♥ THIS BOOK CAN BE READ AS A STANDALONE AND HAS A HEA. ♥

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.

Thigh Highs


Katia Rose - 2017
    Fast forward to the end of term, when a class project gone wrong has her stripping down to a negligee and letting Aaron photograph her to advertise a line of women’s underwear.She expects suggestive comments and smarmy-eyed stares, but when Aaron gets behind the camera, he treats her body like a work of art. Even though all she’s got on is a scrap of satin, the room suddenly feels way too hot.As the tension between them builds to expensive-panty-melting-levels, Christina finds herself caught between falling for the complicated artist who knows just what poses to put her in and wondering why he acts like such an irritating hotshot around everyone else.*Alternate cover edition for ASIN: B076HV7VWG

A Fiery Lady's Accidental Affair


Lucy Langton - 2021
    Even though this is her safe, familiar environment, a part of her is missing. While she is desperately trying to find herself in a place far away from home, she ends up in distress, when her carriage is violently wrecked. Thankfully a vigorous man appears to rescue her and she instantly knows that accepting the seductive stranger's offer for temporary hospitality is her only option. However, little did she know that the most passionate and fulfilling chapter of her life was about to begin...Laurence Gillingham has always been a fierce young man, known for his love for the countryside and his roots. Being a farmer and having spent all his life close to nature, he appreciates rural living more than anything else. Will his peaceful and isolated life change after hosting the high-society lady that fate threw in his arms? Laurence will soon realize how much the world of London high-society collides with his rural retreat... Could Alison be the woman that will finally stimulate the mind and hidden desires of the distant Laurence?When Laurence and Alicia come closer than they could ever imagine, they realise they may have found their missing halves in each other. However, they are struggling to leave their prejudice behind and they soon find themselves torn between love and social status. Alicia should now decide whether she is willing to sacrifice all she has held dear for a lifetime of incomparable bliss and lust. Is love enough to keep these two passionate lovers together against all odds? Do they have the courage to overcome themselves and surrender to their deepest desires?

Addicted to Santino: (A BWWM Christmas Romance)


Amarie Avant - 2020
    

To Love


Daniella Brodsky - 2020
    That should have been a sign.As if I needed another one, he also turns out to be my boss.But he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. How hard can it be to fake it, especially when it feels like we’re not faking at all?I can do anything for three weeks, right? It’s not like I’m going to let myself fall in love with a man who’s been officially named Sydney’s Most Wicked Billionaire Playboy. No matter how many times he winds up in my bed.Then we tell each other our real reasons for the sham.And it becomes impossible to pretend I’m pretending.Confused? Try being me.Especially when Aiden looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world, his strong muscles looking divine and his fingers working their magic as they trace my curves.This is a Fake Fiancé, Billionaire Romance with a very emotional HEA, featuring a smokin’ hot Aussie billionaire and the down-on-her-luck fake fiancée who just might be everything he’s ever wanted! Don't miss out on this hot-as-hell series full of billionaires, pretend boyfriends, enemies-to-lovers twists and turns and hot-as-hell forbidden romance! The Such a Bad Idea series can be read in any order and introduces readers to the drop-dead gorgeous Wheatley Brothers, who feature in all three books. SUCH A BAD IDEA SERIESBOOK 1: TO LOVE - Fake romanceBOOK 2: TO WANT - Enemies to loversBOOK 3: TO DESIRE - Forbidden relationship

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.

Broken - The Complete Series


Annie Jocoby - 2014
     The three novels in this omnibus are Broken, Saving Scotty and Ever After. Broken: Book One of a three book trilogy. Nick O'Hara is a veritable womanizer. The only qualifications that he looks for in a romantic connection is that the person is hot and breathing. Mainly hot. He has no desire for an emotional connection with another person, and that's the way he lives his life. He has his fabulous wealth and his reputation as a premiere architect, and that's enough for him. Until Scotty James. Scotty is a graduate student at Columbia University in New York City. She's broken from traumatic experiences from her years in foster care and homelessness. She has a vulnerability that is intoxicating to Nick, because, deep down, he knows that he is as broken as she. When Nick pursues Scotty, it seems that she is the only woman who doesn't want to be with him. At first she's a challenge, but Nick soon finds himself falling in love for the first time in his life. With a woman who wants nothing to do with him. Can Scotty overcome her trust issues and fear to let Nick in? Or will she prove to be too broken to trust? This is a full-length, 95,000 word, New Adult novel with mature themes. Saving Scotty: Scotty is sure that she was betrayed by Nick, so she wants nothing more to do with him. Unfortunately, her life is endangered by Mr. Lucas, as she is abducted by him and spirited away to an island far away from New York City. Nick begins a desperate search for Scotty, knowing that every minute that Scotty is in the hands of Mr. Lucas is another minute that she is horribly suffering. But can he find her before too much damage is done? And can he convince her, once and for all, that he did not betray her? And, in the end, can he finally convince her to truly trust him? Or is she still just too broken? Ever After: Scotty is determined that she is going to bring down the evil Mr. Lucas. But that proves to be easier said than done. Prosecuting a wealthy man is never an easy task, as the increasingly disillusioned Scotty soon finds out first-hand. However, Nick has a back-up plan that comes into play, as the situation increasingly gets out of control. This plan is risky and dangerous. And Nick is just the man to pull it off. But is it too late? Will Scotty finally get the justice and closure that she deserves? Or will she continue her life feeling broken? ALWAYS 23 years in the future, Nick and Scotty's "perfect" life is shattered when they discover that their 15-year-old daughter, Addison, is critically ill with cancer. Is this the end to their fairytale?