Book picks similar to
Guarded Dreams by L.J. Evans
romance
contemporary-romance
arc
second-chance
Catch My Fall
Ella Fox - 2013
In need of a fresh start, she settles into a new town and begins to make a new life. Tristan Chamberlain has always kept girls at arm's length and he has no intention of changing. He’s caring, smart, handsome, but he’s also dealing with a lifetime of guilt that’s slowly but surely destroying him.Sometimes what you run from is the one thing that will save you.Separately, they’re both free-falling. Together, they’re about to find that love can create the strongest safety net of all.
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?
Fierce-Devin
Natalie Ann - 2021
Secretly...of course. Devin Andrews loves his job at Fierce-The Brewery and working for his cousin Mason. What he doesn’t love is that his Aunt Jolene has set her sights on making him the next target of her matchmaking scheme. But he’s onto her and has no plans on falling prey like her unsuspecting children did. Besides, he’s not sure he has what it takes to fall in love since he never has before, even being the oldest of the family. Hope Hall picked up her life and moved to Charlotte for a man. She should have listened to her family when they cautioned her against it, reminding her that she was too spontaneous with everything in life...even men. After being blind, stupid, and naive once again, she doesn’t want to go home and listen to them say they were right. Instead she is trying to make a life for herself—one without a man in it—and prove she can do it on her own.
Start Again
J. Saman - 2016
One accident. And my life was forever changed.Determined to leave the memories that haunt me behind, I’m ready to drive across the country in search of a new place to live. But it seems nothing will pull me out of my dark hole.That is until Ryan Grant comes along. His perfect abs, irresistible smirk, and piercing green eyes that seem to see through me are throwing me off balance. A balance I’m desperate to maintain.One kiss, one touch and I’m giving into everything I swore I wouldn’t. This road trip was to be an escape from my past, and instead, I'm afraid I might be reliving it.But when it all becomes too much for me to navigate through, will he forgive me for the choices I have to make?
Fake Boyfriend
Miley Maine - 2020
She showed up in my life when I wanted time off.And it ended up being the biggest roller coaster ride. I met Loren at the airport.Sat right next to her on the plane while barely being able to keep my hands to myself. She’s irresistible. She’s also inexperienced. Maybe that’s why I’m attracted to her. Loren is innocent, and I’m a ruthless Army Ranger. But there’s something about her that makes me want to stay.That makes me want to play the perfect fake boyfriend for her. To protect her when she’s in trouble. I’ll give her my everything. And I bet she’ll forget that our relationship is fake. But will I be the one to remind her that it is?
His Reckless Heart
Jessica Mills - 2020
Or rather, ran away.One of seven brothers, all of them hot enough to need a cold shower and a blast of AC.We were supposed to get married, but he ran away without a goodbye. Something about needing to join the military and serve.Good luck, buddy. Hope it is all you wanted it to be.And here he is back again in Green Valley. A wounded warrior.Every cell in my body woke up the moment I saw him again.But I don’t trust him as far as I can throw up.I ain’t interested in building a future in my head that could get yanked away again.Unfortunately, it isn’t my mind that gets to make the decision on where things go with this second chance at my first love.It’s my reckless heart.
Stranded with the Billionaire (Snowbound Billionaires #1)
Sophie Brooks - 2019
I want to take care of her. She thinks I’m an ordinary volunteer. But I’m the billionaire who increased her funding.I’m supposed to be on a plane to Europe. It’s a fresh start and a chance to run the show.I only want a quick visit, but the weather has other plans. We’re forced to ride out the storm together.Things get heated during the cold nights.When the blizzard passes, it’s time to go.I have every reason to leave.She might be the one I need to stay.
***Stranded with the Billionaire is a romance novel with steamy scenes, no cheating, and a happy ending. It can be read as a standalone.***
Feels Like Love (Alondra Valley #1)
Jenna Hartley
I'm secretly in love with my best friend's little sister. So, I do what any good friend would—avoid her.At least, until my house floods, and my best friend suggests I move in with Wren. Resisting her has never been easy.But when Wren convinces me to be her dating coach, it’s impossible. The more we "practice," the harder I fall for her and her amazing son.The more I start to believe what we have is real. It feels like love, but is it worth risking my friendship with Wren and her brother to know if she feels the same?
Hewitt
A.L. Long - 2020
She thought she could have that with Peter Hewitt. She was wrong. With too many secrets getting in the way she knew it would never work. Accepting her parents’ offer to help with running a new art gallery in Paris, she thought she would be able to put her feelings behind and start a new life, only it didn’t work. Her days were filled with thoughts of Peter. Returning back to New York, Lilly wanted what her best friend Dylan Matheson had, a loving home, a beautiful child and a man that loved her more than life itself. Only the man she wanted to share these things with still had secrets that could tear them apart forever. When danger and loss enters her already imperfect life, would she finally be able to let down her guard and give the one thing she said he would never have. Her heart. This book contains adult content and is intended for mature audiences.
Remembering Him
Lucia Ashta - 2020
The kind that hurt me.The kind that left me in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury that erased the last twelve years of my life.Now I’m back in the small town I ran away from.And Jace is here.And he’s sexier than ever.I broke his heart.He’s right in not wanting anything to do with me.I shouldn’t want Jace anymore.I should definitely stay away from him…** Remembering Him is a full-length, small town, second chance romance with a happily ever after.** Please note: Remembering Him was previously published under the title Dream Gone Wild.
Bitch Slap
J. Kenner - 2017
I love the way they look. The way they smell. The way they feel. Especially the way they feel. And I’ve pretty much made it my mission to give each and every woman who shares my bed the ride of her life.Then I met her. Bitchy as hell and completely uninterested in me. And damned if I didn’t want her. Crave her. I told myself I only wanted to tame her. That it was all about the challenge. I never expected to break through that ice queen exterior and find the softness underneath. Never expected how wild she’d be between the sheets or the way she’d cry my name with such sincere intensity when I totally rocked her world. Most of all, I never expected to fall for her. But I did.And the question is, now that I know I want her, how the hell do I go about keeping her?
When the Stars Align
Isabel Jolie - 2019
I can’t stand the place. But when an offer to move to NYC includes a fast track to partner at a well-respected law firm, there’s no way I can decline. My move to the city goes exactly according to plan, everything falling perfectly into place…until the elevator door in my new apartment building opens, and I come face to face with my past. Four years ago we parted ways, neither of us willing to change our future career plans. We were too stubborn, too ambitious, and refused to make sacrifices. To add salt to the wound, she ended the year dating my roommate. But right now, staring at her beautiful face after all this time, I can still feel it. The attraction, the desire—it’s palpable. Four years ago, I wanted forever with Anna. Now, I’m a different man. A relationship isn’t in the cards. She threw that chance away. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have fun…right?
Entice
S. Layne - 2015
When the most difficult decision of Laurie Baker’s life needed to be made, she took off for a weekend alone to weigh her pros and cons and consider all her options.What she didn’t expect was to run face first into one more complication her life didn’t need.Distracting, sexy, and British, Liam Parker offered Laurie exactly what she needed when she was desperate for attention.One night of pleasure.She wanted it.She craved it.She took it.And when the sunlight dawned and the lusty haze of one night of passion disappeared and reality revealed itself…Laurie returned home knowing that everything she had once believed, everything she had once loved and desired, was about to be tossed upside down and shaken in a way she could never imagine.
Undertow
Elizabeth O'Roark - 2013
It almost seems like enough until Nate Sullivan comes home. Nate – her childhood best friend, her first love. The boy who left without a trace one night and broke her heart. When their attraction threatens the future she and her parents have so carefully crafted, loyalties will be tested and secrets will be uncovered. Giving in may cost her everything. But how do you resist the only thing you’ve ever really wanted?