Book picks similar to
Compulsion by Misti Murphy
romance
contemporary
free
standalone
Neighborly Complications
Anne Conley - 2013
Her entire life, she has heard the stories of the gold that is hidden there. Dreaming of finding the gold, and opening a Bed and Breakfast, she starts fixing it up with her meager resources. Enter the hunky next door neighbor, who has every intention of helping her, but she doesn't trust him. Is he trying to find her treasure?
Surrender
Melody Anne - 2013
Arianna (Ari) Lynn Harlow has led a charmed life until tragedy strikes her family. He’s looking for a no-emotions attached mistress, she’s looking for redemption.They are not a pair that should ever work, but undeniable attraction and devastating tragedies bring them together in the city by the bay where he fights to keep their relationship nothing more than an enjoyable way to meet his needs, and she battles to not lose herself in him. Spending time with Ari starts cracking the hard shell that Rafe has built around his heart, but he denies the affect she has on him until it’s too late to stop the inevitable conclusion that their relationship is headed for.Rafe once believed in happily ever after, coming from a large Italian family. He’s got the Midas touch, since every endeavor he tries turns to gold. That all ends when his wife walks out the door and leaves him blindsided. His devastation quickly turns to steel when he decides no woman will fool him again. From that point on he treats relationships as nothing more than business transactions where both party’s come out mutually benefited.Just when Ari has sunk to the lowest she’s ever been she finds an ad in the paper announcing a job that’s too good to be true. It turns out she’s right. She makes it through the intense rounds of interviews only to find out the job is for a mistress to the powerful Rafe Palazzo, owner of Palazzo Enterprises. Rafe gives her a day to think about whether she wants the position or not, and she’s sent on her way, only to find out her mother’s near-terminal position has taken a turn for the worse. Her mom’s only in the hospital because Ari messed up, and her mother’s the one who paid the price. Is Rafe her savior, or will he take her with him straight to the depths of hell?
Susceptible to Him
Lynn Burke - 2015
Two celibate years later, her roommate creates a profile for Lia on a dating website—without her knowledge—and sets up a date. On Valentine’s Day.Ryan Walsh, a self-made millionaire and libertine, refuses to commit to any one woman. Tossed from foster home to foster home as a child, Ryan is on guard against becoming vulnerable ever again.One dinner…one night of dancing and flirting with the attraction between them, puts both Lia and Ryan in danger of heart break.They have a choice—open themselves to the possibility of hurt or walk away, never knowing what might have been.
In Search of a Love Story
Rachel Schurig - 2012
They’re convinced her bad luck with men is directly related to her life-long lack of interest in all things romantic. When Emily’s latest relationship crashes and burns, she decides to go along with her friends’ plans for a romance research project. Sure, the idea that she’ll have better luck if she learns about the great romances of literature and film seems a little silly, but Emily figures it can’t hurt.In no time at all, Emily finds herself buried under a mountain of romance novels, chick flicks, and sappy love songs, hopeful that her hard work will pay off with true love. When she meets Greg, Ashley and Ryan are convinced she’s found prince charming—after all, he’s rich, handsome, and totally into Emily. What more could she want? And why does it seem that her friend Elliot isn’t exactly happy for her?Faced with misunderstandings, miscommunications, and a seemingly endless string of missteps, she is nevertheless determined to give true love a try. In doing so, Emily will eventually find that true romance, the kind that lasts, has little to do with stereotypes or clichés, and everything to do with finding out what’s in her own heart.
Stubborn Love
Wendy Owens - 2013
She had given him her youth, and all he gave in return was misery and pain. She was ready for a new beginning, but Ashton wasn’t about to let her go so easily, even if it meant destroying both their lives in the process.Three years later Emmie convinces herself she is ready to leave all of that heartbreak in the past and find a little piece of normal for herself. She heads to New York City to pick up where she left off, determined to finish art school. Emmie is determined to focus on school and not let anything distract her, but life has a way of throwing curveballs.Paige, Emmie’s new roommate, brings Colin Bennett into her life. His smoldering eyes and lean muscular body are difficult for any girl to ignore. Only thing is, Emmie isn’t any girl. Her past makes her resistant to his charms. Colin isn’t one to give up easily, and just when he thinks he may have found a way to her stubborn heart, her tragic history may have found a way to tear them apart.
Decidedly Off Limits
Stina Lindenblatt - 2016
Oops.
Trent Salway is one of San Francisco’s hot up-and-coming-under-thirty bachelors. A highly successful mutual fund portfolio manager, a workaholic, and a ladies’ man, he’s got everything he could possibly want… except one thing. Physical therapist Kelsey Quaid dumped her ex-fiancé six months ago because she was tired of not even being a distant second to his career. Which is why despite secretly crushing on her big brother’s best friend for as long as she can remember, there’s no way Kelsey can go there. One workaholic in her life is more than enough, thank you very much. Before Kelsey’s brother leaves on his Navy SEAL mission, he asks Trent one simple request: make sure Kelsey isn’t dating any assholes while he’s away. As Trent does his best to do just this, he and Kelsey spend more and more time together. Sparks fly, as do a few items of clothing, and the next thing they know things are getting physical between them. Now, Trent has to decide what to do about the woman he’s falling for — the one whose brother would take him down faster than he takes down the enemy. And Kelsey will have to decide if Trent is just another workaholic or if he’s decidedly off limits. Warning: Contains naughty uses for silk ties, forbidden sex, and enough profanities to make a sailor proud.
Surviving Love
Willow Summers - 2015
She takes a job on a dude ranch in rural Montana hoping to pick up the pieces.She never thought she'd see him again.Mike Frost is all grown up. 6'2" of solid muscle, he's the best friend from her youth, and the man every woman wants. With a list of successes a mile long, Mike has it all...Except for the one that got away.Sometimes you have to start over to find your happily ever after. No cliffhanger!
All of You
Jody Morse - 2014
No other guys measure up to him in her eyes. But Logan’s not exactly dating material. He’s been with more girls than she can count and she’s known him forever, long enough to know that his feelings for her aren’t mutual…until her two best friends manage to convince her that maybe he does have a thing for her. The only problem? He has a girlfriend, and it seems like he’s serious about this one. Logan has been in love with Hannah his whole life, but he knows that she deserves better than him. He knows that if she were to ever find out the truth about what he did last summer, she would never be able to look at him the same way again. He vows to keep his secret to himself, even if that means keeping his feelings along with it. When they go to Logan’s family’s beach house in Summer Haven, North Carolina for a week, the chemistry and sexual tension between them thickens. They both find themselves wanting more, but if they cross out of the “just friends” zone, can they ever go back? And what will happen if Hannah finds out about Logan’s secret? In the midst of trying to decide if she should lay her heart on the line, Hannah is also dealing with her stalker, whose threats are becoming real. Disclaimer: This New Adult novel is best-suited for readers ages 18+ due to strong language, sexual situations, and other mature topics.
A Family Affair
Mary Campisi - 2006
Her father has another family which includes a mistress and a daughter. Determined to uncover the truth behind her father's secret life, Christine heads to Magdalena, prepared to hate the people who have caused her to question everything she thought she knew about her father. But what she finds is a woman who understands her, a half sister who cherishes her, and a man who could love her if she'll let him. The longer she's around them, the more she questions which family is the real one. . . Attention Book Clubs! Included on my website is a Book Club Discussion Guide for A Family Affair. This story is filled with moral ambiguity, difficult choices, and second chances--all great topics for conversation and contemplation. Truth in Lies Series: Book One: A Family Affair Book Two: A Family Affair: Spring Book Three: A Family Affair: Summer Book Four: A Family Affair: Fall Book Five: A Family Affair: Christmas Book Six: A Family Affair: Winter (TBA) Book Seven: A Family Affair: The Promise (TBA)
Vow of Retribution
Emma Renshaw - 2018
With scars like these, I knew I could never forget my past. With threats like these, I can’t escape, either. This time, I’m fighting back. I don’t just want my life back. I want vengeance for what was done to me. I didn’t plan to fall in love. I want to save her. A girl like her isn’t easily forgotten. A girl like her doesn’t trust easily. I’ll fight for her—I’ll fight with her. Together, we can build a new life, free from the past. Together, we can rise. Even if we could lose everything by trying
Our Hearts Entwined
Lilliana Anderson - 2013
It's here that she's introduced to Dr Cayd Donnelly, a man so devastatingly attractive that she almost forgot to say no when he asked her out - despite her loyalty to her long term boyfriend, Eric.Shortly after, the usually predictable Mia becomes anything but. The change in her behaviour delights Eric, but concerns her best friend Louise when she stops signing while they talk.After a month of worry and frustration, Mia finally seeks help. Help that comes in the form of an incredibly hard to resist doctor - Cayd.From there, she discovers just how entwined her life and her heart is with those of others while she navigates a path of passion, treachery, and loss.Things will never be the same for Mia again...(Confused? This book was previously known as 'Alter')
He Can Take It
Melissa Devenport - 2020
I’ll teach him a lesson.He will pay for what he said about me.My car breaking down is annoying enough.An arrogant mechanic doesn’t help.Jay is the cocky kind of bastard I despise.He really thinks he’s God’s gift to women.Even worse; he might be right.He’s mouthwatering attractive.The sweat and grime just intensify it.I’m angry and he’s flirting with me.His smile is infectious and his charm...Wake up Laya! Remember; I hate him.Maybe my revenge is too evil?But I really want him to feel my anger.I’m normally a good person. Nice even.I don’t care. He can take it.So why all the butterflies inside?***The Bad Boys With Benefits series (originally published as Dirty Mechanic) revolves around the car repair shop where they all work. Some say it’s the hottest garage in town.He Can Take It (originally published as Forbidden Soulmates) is a steamy hot Enemies to Lovers Romance that will keep you up at night. Full length, standalone, no cheating, no cliffhangers and a Happily Ever After.
Bad Company
S.L. Sterling - 2019
It only made matters worse when my mother became involved with her father. So, ten years ago, I moved away. But when I come back for the big anniversary party, the rivalry has disappeared and we're being congratulated for putting aside our differences. What they don't know is that if I get my way, tonight we'll be sharing a room…LeahFrom the moment we met, I did everything to get Logan's attention. All that he'd direct toward me were mean pranks often leaving me in tears. Even when he left for ten years, I still tried to get his attention. It took me a long time before I finally gave up. When Logan shows up unannounced for the big anniversary party, I expect the worst case of rivalry yet, but instead, we're actually getting along, and everyone is thrilled. And when I end up finding out the truth of why he is back, it shocks me to my core
Somewhere With You
Britney King - 2014
And those that come in between... Jack Harrison is a relentless overachiever who leaves little in the way of compromise. A businessman to the core--he's hell-bent on being at the top of the food chain. After all, no one can trip you up if you're on top, as he likes to say. The problem for Jack is there's only one thing that continually trips him up -- and that's her. Amelie Rose, with a name like poetry and a heart of gold, as her father always said, is a free-spirited photographer who has managed to land a job at one of the top travel magazines in the world. This is both a blessing and a curse since Amelie never stays in one place for long and has refused to commit to anything -- ever. It might seem to the casual observer that these two have almost nothing in common. But fate would disagree. The story chronicles Jack and Amelie's lives from childhood into adulthood, beginning when they meet as then eight- and ten-year-olds at summer camp specifically designed for children who've lost too much. As fate steps in, and that first summer seals the deal, they come to depend on each other in ways neither of them expected, with each summer bringing them closer than the last. As they come to terms with life and loss, with hanging on and letting go, they'll teach each other that some bonds are meant to last. Together, they will travel the world, meeting in various places where they'll come together, and fall apart, all the while struggling to discern if the other could possibly be the one. This unlikely love story takes us on an adventure where two people come of age, fall in and out of love, and question the role timing plays in it all. Their story is proof that neither time nor distance -- perhaps not even death -- can destroy what love creates. So it seems the only question left to ask is whether love is enough?
Swallow Me Whole: A Friends To Lovers Romance
Gemma James - 2018
She’s my sister’s best friend. The girl I’ve known since grade school. The girl I’ve always considered off-limits. She’s the girl that crawled under a table in a bar one night and changed everything between us. Now the brain in my pants is more than willing to step up. The rules are simple. No kissing. No screwing. No falling in love. But the more I let her use my body in the name of experimentation, the more I know being friends isn’t enough. Is it too much to want it all with her? The taste of her lips. The sweetness of her innocence. The chance to earn her love. I might have a real shot with her…if her douchebag ex and my past don’t ruin everything. Note from the author Swallow Me Whole is a friends-to-lovers standalone romance. Full-length at 77,000 words. Please note that parts of this story were previously published as a serial under the pen name of Angel Allen. This standalone novel includes the complete story. For a limited time, Trashy Foreplay is included as a bonus book in this copy of Swallow Me Whole, so the main book ends at about the 58% mark.