Book picks similar to
Guarded Dreams by L.J. Evans


romance
contemporary-romance
arc
contemporary

It Started With a Bang


Piper James - 2021
    Then I hit him with an offer he couldn’t refuse.AnnabelleMy father really outdid himself this time. If he wasn’t already the worst, his newest demand surely gave him that title—if I wanted to take over the family company, I needed to get married.Within the next six months.He thought he had me right where he wanted me…that I’d marry one of his lackeys. A man who’d keep me in line with Dad’s vision for both me and Parker Industries.Well, dear old Dad had another thing coming. I was no pushover, bowing to the whims of him or any man. I had a plan. And that plan’s name was Ryder Perry.RyderRed River, Texas was worse than I thought it was going to be when I moved here with my brothers to renovate the old ranch home we inherited from a distant relative. Mosquitos, flies, and the lung-clogging humidity were making me miserable, and that misery was only compounded when a spoiled rotten princess slammed into my truck and had the audacity to blame me.The next time I saw her, she offered me two things—an apology for her behavior and a million dollars…to marry her.I thought she was drunk. Or crazy. Or maybe a little bit of both. I wasn’t sure.But one thing was for sure—my time in Red River just got a lot more interesting.This is a standalone romance with lots of spice and snarky humor. It is book one in a series of standalones featuring four hot brothers finding love in a small town. HEA guaranteed!

Goodbyes and Second Chances


T.I. Lowe - 2014
    Some mistakes create accidental blessings. Jillian (Jewels) Whitman lives with her mistakes and tries to move past the biggest one of her life - Dillon Bleu - Rocker and once best friend. After saying goodbye to the lakeside trailer park of his youth, Dillon sets out to make something of himself only to discover all he needs is his Jewel. After hitting it big in the music industry, Dillon heads back to ask for a second chance. Only... Nothing is ever as easy as it seems... A southern tale of rags to riches where a man's worth is ultimately found in his heart.

Finding What's Mine


Janice M. Whiteaker
    I was sent to find her.Protect her at all costs. I never expected I would want to make her mine. Kerri is everything I’ve been told I can never have.All I shouldn’t be stupid enough to want.I want her anyway.And I’m willing to do whatever it takes.Even if it means walking away from everything I’ve ever had.****I thought I got away.Left a life I hated behind.But it’s come back for me in the form of a man with haunted eyes and wicked lips.A man who tempts me in ways no one has before.Evan brings out the best in me and tames the worst.I never expected I’d have to fight the man I hate most, to keep the one I love.But I’ll burn the world down before I let someone take him from me.⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ If big, tattooed, protective guys are your thing, this book will be catnip.⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ OMG I loved this book… I WANT MORE!!⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ FIVE HUGE and bright stars for this awesome read.⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Incredible writing and incredible characters.⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ A fast-paced story that draws you in from the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the final page.

Falling For Her Best Friend: A Sweet & Clean Small Town Romance (Love in Holiday Junction Book 1)


Tami Franklin - 2019
    When she runs into an old flame, Liam, and sparks reignite, Vi is convinced the man of her dreams is the one she left behind—and now she has a chance to win him back.Kade Rivera has carried a torch for Violet since high school, but putting the “boy” in front of “friend” was never an option. Best friends since childhood, they lost touch over the years, but Kade’s never forgotten the girl who stole his heart. And when he sees her again, her bright eyes and sunny smile still make him weak in the knees.Now that Vi is back in town, it could be Kade’s big chance to prove he’s more than the boy next door. The only problem is Vi’s determination to reunite with her first love. When Kade and Vi are roped in to planning the big Sweetheart Ball, can Kade make her see that the one who got away, is the one who was there all along? FALLING FOR HER BEST FRIEND is the first book in the LOVE IN HOLIDAY JUNCTION series of standalone romances. Each fun and flirty story is set in the small town of Holiday Junction, WA and can be read on its own, but you’ll probably enjoy reading them in order more. If you love small town romances with strong heroines, swoony heroes, and a quirky cast of characters, download today! *Previously published as Violet's Valentine

Raising Grace


Mia Pride - 2018
    She was my high school sweetheart and my twin sister’s best friend. But one night, a practical joke went bad, and the joke was on me. I lost Crystal that day, and along with her, all I ever wanted. Soon, I had a daughter to raise, but when Grace was diagnosed with autism, her mother took off. I was all alone… until the day Crystal walked into a conference room with the key to my daughter’s success, and the key to my heart. However, convincing her I’m worth a second chance is proving much harder than I ever imagined, and asking her to meet Grace and face the ghosts from our past may be more than either of us are ready for. Crystal Brent Stevenson broke my heart in college. I never knew why he did what he did, but it took years for me to bury the pain — with bad dates, one-night stands, and my passion for working with kids with autism. Just when all my hard work was about to pay off, I discovered the man who ripped my heart out years ago was now the financial investor of my biggest project. Now, I have to convince him to fund my life’s work, and he isn’t going to make it easy. After being assigned to work with his daughter, in his home, I find myself facing some hard truths. The circumstances that drove us apart aren’t what they seem, I’m still in love with Brent, and… I’m falling in love with his daughter, Grace. The baby that once drove us apart, is now the little girl bringing us together. Raising Grace is a full-length steamy, romantic comedy that will tug at your heartstrings and prove that love knows no boundaries, nor does autism.

When Time Stands Still


Sara Furlong Burr - 2018
    When Stars Collide is a full-length romcom with a HEA. It’s been nearly a decade since Elle Sloan last saw Luke Hutchins. Close to ten years since she broke up with him over a single phone call, providing him with little explanation. Since the end of their relationship, Elle has done everything she could do to move on, marrying, proceeding forward with her life, almost allowing herself to completely forget about Luke.Almost.Out of nowhere, Elle receives a phone call from Luke’s mother. Luke has been in a horrific car accident and, a month later, has just awoken from a coma. However, instead of celebrating, his family is stunned to learn that Luke is suffering from amnesia and only remembers his life as it was before his breakup with Elle. Not wanting to tell Luke that he and Elle aren’t together anymore for fear it may compromise his recovery, Elle is asked by Luke’s family to come to the hospital to see him. Their hope is that she will slowly be able to jog his memory and cushion the blow. Guilt-ridden over how their relationship ended, Elle readily agrees, finding herself transported back in time with Luke to the life they once shared and the future they could have had together.

Billionaire Hotshot—Levi: A Modern Cinderella Retelling


Scarlett Avery - 2021
    No names.I’ve never regretted anything more in my life because God knows I’d sell my soul to know his name...It all started with a ball…I never believed you could fall for someone at first sight until I locked eyes with him… a stranger who quickly becomes an addiction––a man I don’t want to walk away from.Just like Cinderella, my time with my prince is measured in breaths.Forced to return to the shipwreck that is my life, I escape in the shadows of the night, my heart bleeding, leaving behind the one man who ignited my body and my soul…Life is unfair. I should know.I don’t even know his name…

Love, Riley (Redemption Hwy 4) (The Pennington's Book 1)


Leaona Luxx - 2017
    TROUBLE.That’s all she is and all she’ll ever be.What in the hell was I thinking getting involved with her?Everyone knows her reputation precedes her.But I’ll be damned if I don’t like it.Hurricane Ava crashes to shore wreaking havoc, the beautiful disaster she is.And I love it.What’s worse, she does too.So, why am I in love with her? Because, she loves me.She just doesn’t know it yet.

Manhattan Cinderella


Kate O'Keeffe - 2019
    An heir to a music kingdom. A chance for a fairy tale ending.22-year-old New Yorker Gabriella Davis aspires to be pop music's next big thing. Desperate to protect her kid sister, she's got to succeed. But first, she needs to get away from her narcissistic stepmother who has her working her butt off as assistant to her band.Super-hot singer Cole Grant is a country boy at heart, so when he leaves his native Tennessee for New York, he's about as comfortable as a deer on ice. He's determined to make the most of this chance of a lifetime, but with the explosive family secret Cole needs to keep, this is one opportunity that might just blow up in his face.A taxi, a lost shoe, and a chance meeting bring Gabby and Cole together. Their attraction is instant. But with so much at stake, neither one is in the market for love.When City meets Country and fame and fortune beckon, can they open their hearts to one another? Or will the secrets they hold keep them from finding their happily ever after?Manhattan Cinderella is a sweet and sexy contemporary romance retelling of the Cinderella story for fans of Lauren Layne. This book is a little sexier than my other "chick lit" titles, such as the Cozy Cottage Café series, but with my same light-hearted, feel-good tone.

Sinful Intent


Chelle Bliss - 2015
    That had always been my rule. But that was before Race True.The moment I saw her, I wanted her. But there was a problem. She wasn’t just another pretty face—no, she was my first client at ALFA PI. My take-what-I-want attitude shouldn't include her, but how the hell can I be expected to keep my hands off?The danger that followed her had my protective instincts in overdrive. And as the clock ticked down, the choice was laid out before me: save her career or risk everything and have her in my bed. Could I put aside my wants for her needs? Or would my selfishness destroy everything in the process?Warning: If you can't handle a dirty-mouthed bad boy or a tough woman with an attitude, this might not be the book for you.

Wanted by You


Steph Nuss - 2014
    Carter was captivated by Ellyson Evans the moment he laid eyes on her, but she was the one girl who didn't beg for his attention.He wanted her.Ellyson vowed to never fall in love, because love can destroy you, but then she met Carter Jennings.She wanted him.Unwilling to risk their comfortable friendship, neither confessed their desires.Losing touch after college, a chance meeting reconnects them.They want each other.But love in the city is never quite that easy.

Her Protector


Ashlee Price - 2019
    Escape into the world of these hot alpha males and let them entertain you all night long.Book 1 - ProtectorEx-Firefighter. Current Boss. Future (Pretend) Husband."Save me."I saw that plea in Robyn's tear-moistened chestnut eyes the moment she stepped off the back of my truck.How could I refuse?Heck yeah, I'll protect her.I'll go through flames for this woman.I'll even marry her and father her child.I'll keep her from being harmed.But can I still protect her when my darkest secret is her greatest fear?Book 2 - One Hot DoctorA lot has changed in the 7 years since I saw Ava...Yes, I'm still the only son to billionaire parents.And yes, I'm a doctor now who seems to have women blog about my looks every time I do a TV interview.But Ava's despair runs deep.Her arrogant, abusive fiance makes me sick.Underneath her fragile exterior, I can see she has so much more to offer.Ava and I belong together.I knew it then and I know it now.I'm the only one that can rescue her from this mess.But how can I heal Ava's deepest scar if I'm the one who left it?Book 3 - His GiftThe moment Jordan's doe eyes met mine, I knew I had to have her.Hard not to when a gorgeous woman stumbles into your life.After I claimed her sweet innocence, we lost touch and I focused on building my fortune.Seeing Jordan while I was taking a holiday break in a small town was an unexpected surprise.But she's different now.Her guard is up.She can pretend to hate me all she wants but she can't deny our magnetic attraction.And her son? He sure does look and act a lot like me.I'll make her mine.Despite the odds stacked against us.After all, I have a special gift for her.Book 4 - Most Eligible DaddyThe first time was spur of the moment. The second time will be forever.I never thought I'd fall for a girl in overalls and muddy boots until I met Quinn Hardy.She's the best thing that came with this run-down farm.The loss of my wife left me empty and struggling to raise a daughter.Years later, not even all my wealth can fill the void.But with Quinn, I see everything I want in a woman.I'll show her what a real man is like.I'll crush those greedy neighbors eyeing her land the way I stamp out those trying to mess with my company.I'll destroy anyone and anything that gets in my way.Book 5 - Twist of Fake"I'll be your fiancé."I never thought I'd need one to impress a client and get a promotion.Where's a virgin like me supposed to find someone like that?And I never in my wildest dreams thought he'd volunteer.Lucian.That mysterious drool-worthy mechanic from down the street with a mean streak.The moment I saw those inked arms, I wanted them wrapped around me.

I Pick You


Eryn Scott - 2021
    Magnolia Parker loves botany, but became a professor mostly to make her parents happy. When she’s passed up for tenure, Maggie decides it’s time to make a change. Escaping the city, she finds herself in the idyllic town of Plumb Creek staring at a For Sale sign in a flower shop that shares her name. It must be destiny. Maggie goes all in. Being a florist should be easy for a professor of botany. Right? Boy, is she wrong. Before she even opens shop, she’s angered half the town. After her first customer leaves in a huff, she realizes a botany degree isn’t going to cut it. Enter Grant Sommers, hot local entrepreneur who has the town in his back pocket. He’s willing to help turn the shop around, if Maggie will listen. As much as she wants this to work, she fears she’ll never be able to loosen the town’s tight-knit roots enough to be accepted.It’s time for Maggie to pick her own path, even if it means disappointing everyone else.

Love & Ruin


J.A. Owenby - 2018
    Hendrix and Gemma's story continues in Love & Deception and finished with an HEA in Love & Redemption. ** This book includes language, sex, and violence.

The Redeemed Groom


Taylor Hart - 2018
    Since his mother passed away and his girlfriend left him, his inspiration is shot. While on a run, he witnesses what appears to be a young woman who needs help and he finds himself hopping on a Greyhound Bus headed for Las Vegas. Hope Jones is in danger, but she does not need a celebrity super star around. When Sloane tells her a completely untrue story about running from a stalker, her nurturing side nags at her to help. Too bad he made the whole thing up! Offended, she tells him to take a long walk in the desert and leave her alone. After, reluctantly, sharing dinner with him at a bus stop, breaking down in Rawlin’s, Wyoming, and hypothesizing about having thirteen children and living in a broken down fire station together, she finds herself more intrigued with the famous Country Music Star. When her ex-fiance tracks her down and puts both of their lives in jeopardy, Hope has to make a choice—trust in Sloane or lose everything.