Book picks similar to
Brave by Zoe Dawson


new-adult
netgalley
contemporary
stand-alone

Take Me Home


Alison Foster - 2015
    This is not that kind of Christmas story. Well, there is kind of this big beastly creature in almost a blizzard, but that’s Tanner, the brutish muscle cake of a bodyguard that my father sends after me whenever I try to disappear. I hate Tanner except when he gets too close and then everything goes haywire a little, like the time he tracked me down in a remote Canadian motel with the snow falling outside and the heat rising inside. He tried to drag me back home for the holidays on this mega road trip, but things got weird and kinda strangely awesome, but that can’t happen because my father will literally kill us both. It’s that kind of Christmas story. *This novelette is a Christmas story featuring Tanner Hayes, the bodyguard from Scandal*

Promise to Marry


Jessica Wood - 2015
    We were best friends since as early as I could remember. We grew up together. We were next door neighbors. We shared each other's deepest secrets. When I was thirteen, we made a pact: if we were still single by the time we were 30, we'd marry each other. Today was my thirtieth birthday. I was single. I knew he was single too. But we were no longer best friends, and a part of me knew that he hated me. This is book one of a three book series. Books two and three will be full-length novels. Book Two: Promise to Keep Book Three: Promise of Forever ***New Adult Contemporary Romance **Mature Content** Recommended for 17+ due to mature language and adult situations.***

Retrace


Sigal Ehrlich - 2014
    She’s not afraid to make new friends, show her light-hearted side, and get serious about her job, or at least that’s how she sells herself to the world. Nia believes putting distance between herself and home will help her run away from her past.Former FBI agent Reeves Mitchell, sinfully attractive and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Nia needs to help her forget what she’s left behind. In contention with his own past, Reeves spends his nights bartending and his days as a private agent dealing with matters in the grey area of the law. A chaotic, sensual encounter leads to the perfect pact that will keep them safe: no commitment, just friendship…with benefits. But nothing in life is risk-free.When suppressed emotions emerge, a seemingly impossible decision has to be made. Do they fight their growing feelings or retrace their lives back to where wounded hearts can be broken once more?*THIS IS A STAND-ALONE NOVEL. New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

The Broken Road


Melissa Huie - 2012
    With her love life in the dumps, she doesn’t think it could get any worse until her long-time crush, Shane asks to move in. After all, he has no clue that she’s been in love with him for the past ten years. But fate has a way of turning things around. As their relationship goes from “just friends” to lovers, life takes a turn for the unexpected. Shane isn’t the person that Megan once fell in love with all those years ago. Shane has a past; deadly secrets that are only revealed once the FBI knocks on Megan’s door. Secrets, tragedy, and deceit force Shane—and Megan—to make choices that will change their lives forever. Once Megan learns the truth, will she still want to be with Shane? Or will someone else be at the end of her broken road? The Broken Road contains mature themes, heart-pounding action, edge-of-your-seat suspense, graphic violence and steamy romance, with a side of strong language, drug dealing, and a lot of sarcastic humor.

Friday Night Alibi


Cassie Mae - 2013
      In the wealthy town of Sundale, Kelli Pinkins has hatched the perfect plan to capitalize on her sweet reputation. For a generous fee, she will be every trust-fund baby’s dream: a Friday-night alibi, the “girlfriend” or “BFF” that parents dream about. With college approaching in the fall, Kelli’s services are in demand more than ever, which means that her social life is nonexistent. But Kelli is A-okay with that. She’s raking in cash for school. Besides, relationships are tricky, and sometimes very messy. She’d rather be at home on Xbox LIVE, anyway. Then the unexpected happens: She meets college stud Chase Maroney.   Chase isn’t like the preppy, privileged guys Kelli usually meets in Sundale. For starters, he’s twentysomething, always wears black., and he shoots back one-liners as fast as she can dish them out. But Kelli’s attempts to drive Chase away falter when she realizes that he treats her like he really knows her, like he cares about knowing her. When Kelli finally gives in to the delicious kiss she’s been fighting for so long, she faces a tough decision: make Chase a real-life boyfriend and risk her heart . . . or keep her clients and lose her first true love.Advance praise for Friday Night Alibi   “Totally entertaining with as many swoon-worthy moments as hilarious ones, Friday Night Alibi is a must-read.”—Jolene Perry, co-author of Out of Play   “A fun, funny, and fantastic story, this is one you will read in a day, and pick up to re-read again the next.”—Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone

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.

Protecting His Best Friend's Sister


Samantha Chase - 2014
    It has since been expanded, revised, and re-edited.The only woman I want is the one I can never have.Harper. My best friend's sister. I've wanted her since I was eighteen, but she's always been off-limits. Now I'm home after years in the Marines, and nothing has changed--except everything has. Her brother is dead, and she's on a hopeless quest for answers about his death.And I want her just as much as ever.Someone is trying to kill her now, and she won't let me keep her safe. I have to protect her anyway, even if she doesn't trust me, even if she hates me for it. A man protects what's precious to him, whether or not he can ever claim her for his own.And Harper has always been precious to me.

Twelve Days


Teresa Hill - 2000
    But there's a catch: Rachel's family is falling apart. Rachel and her husband, Sam, have dreamed of a house filled with children -- a dream that has led them to repeated heartbreak. Sam McRae has finally decided the only thing left to do is leave his wife. Reluctantly, Rachel and Sam take the children in, but just until after Christmas. They will do their best not to fall in love with them, not to get their hopes up that this time a miracle will happen. That these children will stay, and that their marriage can still be saved. AWARDS: RITA Finalist

Clarity


Loretta Lost - 2014
    She did not expect a traumatic event to devastate her life and force her to drop out of college. Disillusioned by the cruelty of people, Helen retreated from society to live by herself as a reclusive writer in the woods--where no one could ever hurt her again.When a brilliant young doctor shows up on her doorstep, promising her that his new research can give her the ability to see for the first time, Helen stubbornly refuses. She has learned not to trust anyone, and to rely only on herself. But Dr. Liam Larson will not take no for an answer. He makes it his personal mission to rescue Helen from her loneliness, and bring joy into her world once more--the joy she has denied herself for so long.When Helen's demons come racing back into her life, threatening to rip her apart and destroy the strength she has carefully rebuilt, Liam is the only one who might be able to save her. Can he reach the broken girl in time, helping her to heal and see the world in a different light? Or will Helen's grief send her spiraling out of control, lost to him forever?**********This is the first book of a three-part series.**********

For Love or Money


Tara Brown - 2013
    SOCCERSEXSCHOOLJames Holland has all the basics covered and his life, as usual, is on track.That is until he meets her—Lana Webber.Then everything falls apart, as he falls for her.Along the way to losing his heart for the first time, he manages to fulfill a bargain he made a long time ago in a bar in Nashville where he left a dream.But she has skills at ruining lives, she's mastered them destroying her own, and she's the last thing he needs in his life.Try telling that to his heart as he finds himself more and more drawn to the girl deemed by all as unlovable.And as hard as he tries not to be interested, the closer he gets to her the worse it is.She is nothing like what she is portrayed in the public eye.Lana Webber is the girl every guy claims to have had.But she doesn't care what people say about her.She has fun.At least she did until everyone started saying she had it coming.But this time—she didn't.For the first time ever, Lana is innocent but her past has her guilty before anyone even hears her side.Betrayed, ditched, and humiliated—Lana discovers the road to redemption lies in a dirty secret.THE James Holland, soccer star and smug womanizer, isn't quite what he's portrayed to be.When she blackmails him into seeing things her way she gets more than she bargained for.18+

The Last Strand


Van Krishna - 2013
    After all, Liz was still holding on to the last strand of life and taking a leap of faith at that point was a bit like sky diving without a parachute. But she couldn't resist Nick. She couldn't seem to help herself. Brave, no. Foolish, maybe. Because a man who says he is an FBI agent just dropped the biggest bombshell about her new, mysterious boyfriend and his whereabouts on the day of her parent's death....he's already made it for herFlying was his passion and the only thing stopping Nick from being a fighter pilot was a college degree. Should be a piece of cake compared to his last surveillance mission in Afghanistan or his last rescue mission in Brazil. Or so he thought, until he discovered his girlfriend Liz's knack of stumbling into trouble. The girl's got a bounty on her head, literally.Told in dual POV, The Last Strand is the first of a fast paced New-Adult series with gripping action, witty banter, teasing friendships, intense sexuality and an unpredictable story line.

Love and Truth


Kathryn Perez - 2013
    Her parents’ shocking divorce causes Nicole to believe that true love is impossible to find. After spending her life in a small Texas town, Nicole joins a foreign exchange student dance program in the country where she was born. After years dreaming about her birthplace, she boldly leaves her world behind and moves in with a host family on the island of Okinawa in Japan. She anxiously awaits a year of improving her dance technique while enjoying a world of new experiences Jonathan Hayes was born to a Japanese mother and American Marine father via a surrogate in the States. After his father’s tragic death in Iraq when Jonathan was only a baby, his mother moved them back to her home in Okinawa. As a child, Jonathan's mother immersed him in American culture to honor his father. His good looks and immense musical talent have left him with no shortage of female admirers. But after a bad break-up from his girlfriend of two years, Jonathan plunges into a playboy lifestyle that leads him along a destructive path. As his wounds begin to slowly heal, he tries regaining his self-respect by living on the straight and narrow. But his heart remains closed to the idea of love; that is, until the night he sees the beautiful and innocent Nicole Harrison, upon the balcony of his neighbor’s home. While Nicole tries to navigate an unfamiliar country, she also has to learn how to navigate the unfamiliar and unwanted feelings she's developing for Jonathan through some very heart-wrenching and trying times. Will her fears push him away, or will Jonathan show her the truth of loyal love…

Unbreakable


Rebecca Shea - 2013
    She’s a good daughter, makes excellent grades, and always strays on the safe side of life. The last thing she thought would ever happen was falling in love with her best friend’s brother. But sometimes fate just has a way of bringing two people together. Wide receiver for the University of Arizona, Gabe Garcia, seems to have it all. When his feelings for Jessica come to surface, Gabe will give up everything to be with her. But what happens when a tragedy abruptly changes the course of your life? For Jessica and Gabe, everything they thought they knew about each other will be questioned. Sometimes, there are scars in life that are cut too deep to completely heal. Will their love prove to be unbreakable, or will it shatter and prove fate is just another lie?*This book contains mature subject matter and is not intended for those under 17 years of age.*

Glass Hearts


Autumn Doughton - 2013
    No matter how much she studies, Ellie Glass can't prepare for every aspect of life. A fact she realizes after a chance encounter with a young musician leaves her scrambling to speak in coherent sentences. Scruffy, long-haired, and undeniably sexy, Ben is the exact opposite of her type. So why is it that Ellie can’t stop thinking about him?When fate intervenes and the two are thrown together for a second time, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. With the help of her friends and a newfound romance, she begins to redefine herself and slowly realizes that happiness isn't something you can plan for. This is the captivating story of an undeniable attraction, the choices that we make, and ultimately, the unexpected power of love.**Formerly published under the title On an Edge of Glass**

Derailed


Alyssa Rose Ivy - 2012
    Expecting to lay low until she can figure out what else to do with her life, she finds herself in the arms of her high school sweetheart, the boy who represents everything from the past she tried to leave behind.Looking for an escape, she instead finds a way back to the girl she almost forgot existed and a future she never dreamed possible.