Book picks similar to
My Husband the Enemy by Emery Cross


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romance
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Running into Love


Aurora Rose Reynolds - 2017
    After countless mishaps, mistakes, and unmitigated disasters on the dating scene, she’s decided to give up and move on with her life…solo.Everything changes, however, after Fawn runs into Levi Fremont, a homicide detective new to New York City.Dedication to the job has rendered Levi’s love life nonexistent—until he moves in next door to the free-spirited Fawn. After a series of comedic run-ins push them together, will they finally give in to the inevitable and realize—maybe—they are perfect for each other?

Whipping Girl


L. Jacobs - 2017
    I was taken, trained and conditioned to be everything that they needed from me and as a reward I received a Gift. My name is Allyanna and I am that Gift. I was taken from my family and used by The Guard to keep Alexander in line, I am their insurance, their leash, and their whipping girl.***DISCLAIMER*** This is NOT a completely fluffy story. Although it contains some humor and sweetness, it also has dark elements that might make some uncomfortable. It also contains elements of dominance, obsession, discipline and dubious consent. There’s also some blood and violence doled out. If any of this offends you, this may not be the book for you.

Under the Cowboy's Control


Lynda Chance - 2011
    Crossing the border into Texas turns out to be the easy part.Virtually penniless and enticingly innocent, she soon finds herself at the mercy of Travis Blake. Travis is a hard-working, self-made rancher that has never known love or softness of any kind. His only use for women is sexual, and Selena is caught on his ranch with no way out.While Selena plots her escape from his control, Travis ruthlessly and methodically tightens his possession and makes it impossible for her to leave. The struggle that follows is a clash of wills that pits purity against passion, virtue against vice and love against lust.Excerpt: “I specifically told you to stay away from the men and stay at the house. In fact, I’ve told you more than once.” He ate, standing up, and scrunched up the bag when he was finished. “You got anything to say to me? Anything in your defense?”“Am I on tri—trial?” “Yeah, you’re on trial. And I’m the only judge you’re going to get. No jury of your peers. Just me. My decision. Got that?” His voice rose.Selena took a step back from him. “What’s wrong w-with you? How can you b-be so nice and then s-so mean?”He stalked toward her. “Really?” He reached down and swiped her wrist and held it tightly in his grip. “Really? You don’t get it yet? You haven’t quite figured it out? I told you what happens when a man wants something he can’t have. Have you forgotten so soon? Are you saying I can have it? Are you? I tell you what, Angel, you let me take you back to the house, strip you naked every night. You sleep in my bed, and we’ll see just how nice I can be.” He slammed his mouth down on hers. His tongue went deep, tasting her sweetness. He pulled her into his body, his erection straining against her. He lifted his mouth from hers. His hand went to the back of her head and grabbed hold of her hair and pulled until her eyes were on his.His face was menacing, his hold on her uncompromising. He fisted his hand in her hair until she was completely captive. His other hand went to her neck and felt her racing heartbeat. His hand roamed down and settled on her breast. Her flesh swelled against his palm, her nipple hardening. His thumb moved back and forth across the tight little pebble. They stood there, panting together. His touch gentled, and his words became beguiling. “Come on, Baby. You don’t want to be a virgin forever, do you?” His mouth lowered and he took a gentle kiss from her parted lips. “I can make it good for you. You don’t need to be scared. I won’t hurt you. It won’t hurt at all.”She pulled away from him, accusation in her eyes. He stood in front of her, blatant masculinity dripping from his pores. He had a dominant nature, and she felt its intensity now.His eyes were riveted on her, his nostrils flaring. Goddammit! He had sworn to himself that he wasn’t going to try to seduce her, and then he had gone and done just that. “Shit.” He turned away and dug his cell phone from his pocket, flipped it open and pressed a button. He spoke into the phone. “Yeah, get back here and take her back to the house.”He ended the call and slipped the phone back into his pocket. “I’m not going to apologize. You’re playing with fire and you know it. You better watch out, little girl, because you’re going to get burned. I want you to get back to that house and stay there. You can go to the barn and see those damn skunks, but that’s it. Nowhere else.

Lethal


Cassandra Robbins - 2019
     He’s pure adrenaline and smells like smoke and leather—the kind of guy you look at and know he’s going to be a combination of nasty and irresistible. The moment I allowed myself to touch his hot skin and kiss his full lips, I. Was. Done. Like currency, I’ve become part of a transaction. Blade took me to pay off a debt. I try to tell myself, Eve, you should hate him. He’s a bad guy. But then again, I’m not a good girl. Blade’s the president of the Disciples, the notorious motorcycle club. I should be frightened, yet somehow, he doesn’t scare me. If anything, I think I scare him. It takes a lot of work to become the club’s Queen, but I’ll stop at nothing to have the King!

Bound to the Alpha


Olivia T. Turner - 2019
    I’m about to die a broke, boyfriend-less virgin until a fireman bursts into the room. He’s come to save me from the flames, but when I see the territorial way he’s looking at me, I start to wonder who’s going to save me from him? Because this mean-looking grizzly bear shifter named Ethan Sullivan thinks I’m his now. “I saved you. You’re mine,” he keeps growling at me. He keeps calling me his mate and I’m not about to correct him when he’s got that feral look in his eyes. He wants to leave his mark on me. He keeps saying he’s going to claim me, whatever that means. I’ve always had a thing for firemen, but this rough wild-looking man is more than just a pretty image in a calendar. He’s real. He won’t take his possessive hands off me and he’s full-on obsessed with my curves. This protective alpha wants me all for himself and he’s letting everyone know it. Especially me… Ready for an alpha who can handle the heat and likes his girl with some meat? Ethan is a dominant Over-The-Top grizzly bear shifter who will have you howling for more. This is the first book in the Alphas In Heat series featuring the bear shifters from the Blackcloud Point fire station. Fire-fighting bear shifters? Yes, please! The books can be read in any order. This fireman romance shifter book is SAFE, with no cheating, and a furry HEA guaranteed. Enjoy!

Binding Rose


Ivy Fox - 2022
    And in most cases, you would be correct in that assumption.But not for me.A cartel princess has no vote on who she can or cannot marry—much less love.Any decision in my life was forfeited just by being born into the most powerful Mexican cartel there is.Still, it does sting that I’m to be hand-delivered to the Irish mob and marry into the Kelly family, who my own brother has coined to be nothing more than bloodthirsty savages.They’re animals, Rosa. Filthy, unscrupulous, vicious animals.Those were his exact words, yet he still followed our father’s orders to walk me down the aisle, making sure I didn’t run from my obligation.As if that was even an option.All my choices were stolen away from me the minute I became another pawn to be used and abused at the hands of evil men.Which leaves me to question…Can a rose blossom in the dark?Or will I have to rely on my thorns to protect me against the fate that’s been bestowed upon me?Only time will tell if I’ll survive this cursed life or become another lost soul in these cruel and merciless Mafia Wars.*Binding Rose is a full-length reverse harem novel in the dark and twisted Mafia Wars world.*Recommended 18+ due to mature language, adult situations and sensitive content.

The Bride


S. Doyle - 2017
    I’m sixteen and I’m getting married. Super weird, I know.My dad is a cattle rancher in Montana. Or he was, until he died suddenly, leaving me an orphan (which is still a thing). I’m sixteen months away from being a legal adult, so I have two choices.Foster home, or married. To Jake Talley. The foreman of the ranch and my best friend.It’s legal. It solves all my problems. Except now I’m living with Riverbend’s hottest cowboy - my husband (in name only of course) - and I’m still in high school. Trust me, no one wants to date Weird Married Ellie.But it’s cool. All we have to do is wait it out until I'm eighteen and we'll get a divorce. Then Jake and I will go back to being normal. We’ve got this.Right?JakeI’m twenty-six, and I never saw this coming. Married. To a kid I’ve known her whole life. But there was no way in hell I was going to let her live at a foster home, instead of at the ranch where she belongs.Sure we’re married but it’s not real. Just a piece of paper. My girlfriend is furious but I know I’m doing the right thing - for Ellie. For sixteen months, it’s me and her against the world - until the divorce. No big deal.Or is it?

Throne of Power


Rina Kent - 2021
    In the mafia world, women don’t reign.I’m the exception of that rule.I didn’t choose this life, it chose me.I have a legacy to protect, a power to snatch, and no one will stop me.If an arranged marriage is what it’ll take to lead, then so be it.What I don’t count on is that my chosen husband is a ghost from my past.Kyle Hunter.He was once my guard, my protector. Now, he’s after my kingdom.The road to the throne is paved with thorns, blood, and casualties.To win, I’ll risk it all. My heart included.This book is part of a duet and is not standalone.

Until You're Mine


Jenika Snow - 2018
    That was the hardest time of my life. Xavier was the boy who’d sneak into my bed at night and hold me as my parents fought in the next room. My protector. My best friend. The man I was in love with. The man I’d saved my virginity for. And now he was back home for good. Too much time had passed. I was done keeping us in the friend zone. I wanted him in my life in every way that counted. So if he wasn’t going to make the first move then I would, even if it might ruin what we had. Because I had to take that chance. Xavier She was my life, the very reason I breathed. I saved my virginity for Cora because no one else compared. No one else ever would. It was time I man up and tell Cora that she was the only girl I’d ever loved, that no matter how much time had passed she’d been it for me. But how could I go about doing that when eight years had gone by? Admitting how I felt was hard as hell seeing as we’d always just been friends. How could I not cross any lines and screw up the relationship we had? Easy. I’d tell her I loved her and propose. Warning: Sit back, relax, and dive into a double virgin friends-to-lovers romance that’s so sugary sweet your teeth will ache. Although it’ll tug at your heartstrings, make no mistake it’s as filthy as can be. A standalone romance with no drama and just the juicy bits, this story features cameo appearances by Asher, Cash, and Trevor Mayson from Aurora Rose Reynolds Until series.

Once a Ferrara Wife...


Sarah Morgan - 2012
    But it wasn't as simple as just walking away. From the moment she is summoned back to Sicily, the shivers of unease set in....The command comes from legendary billionaire Cristiano Ferrara, the husband she can't forget - but it might as well have come from the devil himself. The outrageously gorgeous Cristiano's power is a potent reminder of this Sicilian dynasty's unbreakable rule: once a Ferrara wife, always a Ferrara wife....

A Love of Vengeance


Nancy Haviland - 2014
    Vasily needs someone he can trust in Seattle to protect his estranged daughter, Eva Jacobs, while he avenges the murder of the young woman’s mother. Gabriel is unstoppable in a fight, whether he’s using fists, blades, or bullets; but innocent, onyx-haired Eva may just be the most dangerous—and beautiful—thing he’s come up against.Intense sparks fly between the two, tempting Gabriel to mix business with pleasure while in the Emerald City. But once word gets around that Gabriel has shown up in New York, Stefano—his vengeful brother and the de facto head of the family—decides that Eva is the key to ending the feud between them…permanently.In this pulse-pounding romantic thriller set against the backdrop of New York City’s storied underworld, loyalties will be tested, secrets will be told, and mob justice will be served.

Picking up the Pieces


Jessica Prince - 2013
    It’s taken years, but Emmy is finally starting to pick up the pieces of her broken life. Until the man who destroyed her heart returns, bringing with him the pain of the past. Running from Emmy was the only way Lucas Allen knew he could protect her from the demons he carried with him. After spending one perfect night together, Luke took off, certain he couldn’t possibly give Emmy everything she deserved. Eight long years later, he’s returned to Cloverleaf to try and make up for his mistakes. He can only hope it isn’t too late. Loving Luke has always been easy. It’s forgiving him that seems impossible. Now it’s up to Emmy to decide whether to give him a second chance or let him go for good.

The Perfect Illusion


Winter Renshaw - 2017
     I’m in the midst of scrawling “I QUIT!” onto his fancy cardstock letterhead when my boss corners me. He needs a favor, he says. And then he asks how well I can act … Hudson Rutherford needs a fiancée. With his old-moneyed parents forcing him to marry some bratty hotel heiress and his hedonistic, playboy lifestyle at stake, the only way to get them to back off is to make them think he’s truly, madly, deeply in love … with me—his third personal assistant this year. But I can hardly stand working for him as it is. Hudson is crazy hot and well-aware. He’s arrogant, spoiled, and silver-spooned. He checks me out when he thinks I’m not looking, and his life is a revolving door of beautiful women. Plus, he can’t even pronounce my name correctly—how’s he going to convince his family he’s in love with me?! I’m seconds from giving him a resounding “no” when he flashes his signature dimpled smirk and gives me a number that happens to contain a whole mess of zeroes … On second thought, I think I can swallow my pride. But, oh baby, there’s one thing I haven’t told him, one teensy-tiny thing that could make this just a hair complicated … Here’s hoping this entire thing doesn’t explode in our faces.

Sarah's Child


Linda Howard - 1985
    And it robbed Sarah Harper of her best friend. In the two years since the tragedy, Sarah has wanted to reach out to Rome, but she knew she needed to stay away, guarding the secret she had kept from him and Diane all those years -- that she was in love with her best friend's husband. But now Rome needs her. And though another woman will hold his heart forever, Sarah agrees to be his wife, knowing that everything has a price, including love. Then something totally unexpected rekindles her hidden hope that a marriage of convenience will become a union of love. Will Rome keep fighting his own growing need for a woman who dares him to believe there are second chances in life... or will he give in to the healing power of love and miracles?

Coerce


Candice M. Wright - 2021
    After witnessing its devastation, I’ve shied away from it,Until Atlas.I never thought I’d ignore the red flags and wave a white one.Surrendering to Atlas in the most delectable way,I didn’t realize he’d been playing me all alongUntil I found myself at his mercy.They say love can heal all wounds,But what about the scars left behind?AtlasI don’t know what love is. I’ve never been touched by its light or fallen into its depths,Until Ivy.When I see something I want, I take it.And right now, all I want is her.Each move I make is calculated and methodical,Until I have her exactly where I want her.By the time she realizes it’s a trap, it will be too late.She’ll never forgive me, and I’ll never set her free.But I feel no guilt, nor remorse.Not when I’ll own every inch of her; body, heart, and soul.And not even Ivy herself will stop me.Author note: If you’re looking for a White Knight, you might want to look elsewhere. Atlas is an Antihero in every sense of the word.This book plays with the darker side of love such as obsession, infatuation, and the power plays made to obtain it.*Coerce is a complete standalone novel*Triggers: It goes without saying that this book contains dark elements that some readers may find uncomfortable including offensive language, graphic violence, and sexual situations. All readers should be over 18 so I don’t have to answer any awkward emails from your parents or dodge pitchforks when I’m doing my weekly shopping.