Book picks similar to
Locked In by Anna Chastain


cheating
second-chance
ow-drama
marriage-in-trouble

Lady Gallant


Suzanne Robinson - 1991
    A daring spy in Queen Mary's court, she risked her life to rescue the innocent from a terrible fate. Yet it was Nora who needed rescuing when cutthroats attacked her--and when Christian de Rivers, a lusty, sword-wielding rogue, swept her out of harm's way ... and into his arms.A BOLD ADVENTURERAs magnificent and mesmerizing as a hawk, Christian both frightened and excited Nora, even as he pursued her with a single-minded passion that left her longing to be caught. Yet soon she would discover that she had reason to be frightened. For the dashing nobleman had his own secrets to keep, his own enemies to rout--and his own brand of vengeance for a wide-eyed beauty whom he loved only too well....

F*ck Marriage


Tarryn Fisher - 2019
    Shamed and divorced, Billie retreated to her family home in Port Townsend, far from her old life in New York. After a near-death encounter, Billie decides to return to the city that took everything from her. But sometimes in the midst of heartache, hope suffocates the pain. Satcher Gable has carried a torch for Billie for ten years. When she suddenly returns to New York a single woman, he can't believe his good fortune. But convincing her to walk away from her heartache is proving more difficult than Satcher anticipated. A changed woman, Billie's only goal is revenge.

Against the Ropes


Carly Fall - 2013
    . . if he can’t win back the heart of the woman he loves. . .Five years ago Dylan Gomez had it all. He was an up-and-coming boxer with a loving girlfriend, and his sights were set on the big league. Then he let the hype of the fans inflate his ego—he thought he was invincible. That all changed when an alcohol-fueled decision altered the course of his life. He lost his girlfriend and then bit-by-bit his life crumbled around him.Physical therapist, Regan Holloway, has coasted through life for the last five years. She’s been in the same place all that time and most of her things are still in boxes. Agreeing to a “friendly” date with a co-worker, she ends up ringside and face-to-face with the man she’d fled to forget—Dylan.Dylan’s turning his life around and working his way back up the ranks; he’s got a big fight lined up in thirty days that will be his ticket back into the pros—if he can win. The only thing holding him back is an old shoulder injury and Regan not being by his side.When Max, Dylan’s manager, convinces Regan to come with them and work on his shoulder for the fight, she knows she needs to keep things professional so that she won’t be hurt again.In the thirty-day countdown to the big fight, secrets are revealed, their passion is reignited, and the past threatens to haunt their future. On fight day, Dylan and Regan are truly against the ropes

Owned by the Badman


Hayley Faiman - 2016
    Raised to be no more than the ballerina her mother could never be, she eats, sleeps, and breathes dance. Then, when she is blindsided by the news that her parents have arranged for her to be married, she does as she has always done—exactly as she is told. However, despite the fact that the man she is to call her husband is a complete stranger, Haleigh cannot help but hope that maybe, just maybe, she will finally get the chance to know love. Maxim is not a good man. His strength is foreboding and his handsome features are merely a distraction for the dangerous person that lies beneath. When he collects a debt by way of a beautiful, ballerina bride, he relishes in the fact that he owns something so pure, so innocent—so undeniably his. Yet, Haleigh is better than he ever expected, and it is not long before his ownership begins to turn into something much, much more. But when the darkness of Maxim’s past comes back to haunt him, the illusion of love’s safety is shattered. Maxim’s demons seek to destroy everything he holds dear. Suddenly, being owned by the badman is worse than Haleigh imagined. In order to protect her, Maxim has to decide just how bad he can be, and if letting go is the best choice. ** Recommended for readers 18+ due to graphic sexual content, violence, language and sexual abuse - possible triggers.

Southern Chance


Natasha Madison - 2020
     Kallie I fell in love with him when I was seven. I scraped my knee, and he helped carry me inside. Our love story was the talk of the town until a woman told everyone she was pregnant with his baby. The only rational solution was to high tail it out of town and never come back. My best friend needed a place to hide, and you can’t get much more covert than my family farm, so I came back. For her. It was supposed to be temporary, and I wasn’t supposed to see him, but that’s what happens when you live in a small town where everyone knows each other. Jacob Being the sheriff in a small town was never my dream. My father died and my older brother took off, so I had to be the one to look after my mother. I stayed. I fulfilled my duties as a son and I protected my hometown. My life wasn’t perfect, but I was content. Until I locked eyes with a ghost from my past, Kallie. I thought it was my imagination, it couldn’t be. I loved her most of my life, but now I hated her. The town gossip mill was going into overdrive. I kept my head down and my mind off of the woman who shattered my heart when she ran away. She didn’t give me a chance to explain, it didn’t matter to her then. I didn’t matter. A second chance is never promised, but now that mine is right under my nose, I’m not sure I can take it.

An Infamous Marriage


Susanna Fraser - 2012
    Wed for mutual convenience, their union unconsummated, the couple has exchanged only cold, dutiful letters. With no more wars to fight, Jack is ready to attempt a peace treaty of his own.Elizabeth Armstrong is on the warpath. She never expected fidelity from the husband she knew for only a week, but his scandalous exploits have made her the object of pity for years. Now that he's back, she has no intention of sharing her bed with him—or providing him with an heir—unless he can earn her forgiveness. No matter what feelings he ignites within her…Jack is not expecting a spirited, confident woman in place of the meek girl he left behind. As his desire intensifies, he wants much more than a marriage in name only. But winning his wife's love may be the greatest battle he's faced yet.

The Dandelion


Michelle Leighton - 2018
    When tragedy strikes, she runs. This time her urge to flee brings Abi back to her hometown, where she hopes she can find the peace she’s always searched for. That hope is dashed when Abi’s ex, Sam Forrester, bumps his way back into her life. Sam has flourished in ways Abi hasn’t. From the outside, he has it all—a successful medical practice, a beautiful daughter, and a charming wife.Who is dying.Sara Forrester is dying and her final wish is for Sam to find love again so she can meet the woman who will finish raising her daughter and grow old with her husband. Abi seems like the perfect fit, but what Sara doesn’t know is that Abi has a secret, a secret no one could guess.And it’s a deal breaker.

My One Regret


Claudia Y. Burgoa - 2018
    But now she might be gone for good. Kaden Hades couldn’t handle touring with his rock band and a relationship— until he discovered Sadie, the love of his life. But when tragedy struck with his teenage daughter, Kaden broke off the engagement, swearing to put his kids first. Then he gets the phone call. Sadie’s been in a car accident. By the time he reaches her side, she is critical. With Sadie in a coma, memories flood Kaden’s mind. Her kisses. And all the wonderful experiences they shared. The day it all went wrong…and Kaden made the biggest mistake of his life. Now, as her last line of defense against those who've given up hope, he'll move heaven and earth to protect her. Because she’s always had his heart—but if he loses her, his world will come apart.

Unwrapping the Castelli Secret


Caitlin Crews - 2015
    Nothing could make Lily return to the irresistible Italian’s demanding world.Now, when their paths cross again, Lily is desperate to retain her freedom and claims amnesia has blocked her memories of him. Yet all deception is quickly burnt away by the incredible attraction that still simmers between them.But he’s found her, and she knows Rafael will soon discover her greatest secret…their son!Secret Heirs of Billionaires There are some things money can’t buy…

Finding Abel


Stephanie Hoffman McManus - 2018
    I knew the moment I claimed her first kiss that I wanted to own all of them right up until her last. I was going to make all our dreams come true. Instead, I broke a lot of promises and both our hearts along the road to fame. Now, a woman I don’t love wears my ring on her finger, and I don’t know if Abbi will ever forgive me for what I’ve done. Little by little, I gave my heart to Abel McCabe, and piece by broken piece he gave it back to me. Now, he wears the face of a man I hardly recognize, but his eyes still look at me like the boy I’ve known and loved all my life. I know I’m not supposed to. I know we can’t ever be what we were, and I know what we’ve become is killing us both. But I don’t know how to stop. Until the night I sit waiting for him, only to turn on my phone and see his engagement announcement plastered all over the internet, and a text message with two words. I’m sorry. He asks me to trust him. He begs me to forgive him, but I don’t know what to believe anymore. The Rebel Hearts series is a spin off of the Ever After series, but can be read alone

Bad Husband


Shey Stahl - 2020
     Ridley Cooper is on a mission. And if there’s one thing he’s good at, it’s getting what he wants. What’s he not so good at? Being a husband. At least that’s what his wife would say. For most of my life I’ve been focused on one goal. Making a name for myself and building a business from the ground up. I’m a hard-working man, confident in my trade and quite frankly pretty awesome if you ask me. Sure, I make mistakes, you’ll see, but I think my dedication helps me out here. It’s the devoted work ethic that has me following through with anything thrown my way. That being said, my wife of the last eight years served me with a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. Believe me, I’m shocked too. She’s under the impression I don’t care. Ridiculous assumption. I know what you’re thinking, what the hell did I do? Let’s not judge me yet until you know the whole story. The way I see it, in the state of Arizona, I have approximately 60 days to make her fall back in love with me. Easy enough, right? You’ve clearly never met Madison.

Always You


M. Jameson - 2021
    But a few stolen kisses and nights spent trading truths led to a decade of deceit and lies. We couldn’t escape the attraction, no matter how hard we tried. I took all of her firsts, despite knowing I won't be her last. Now the woman who owns my soul, isn't the one wearing my ring. Trigger Warning : Cheating

Solace


Nikola Cruz - 2017
    After years of bliss, deceit and jealousy shatter their marriage. With a broken heart and broken home, Nixon turns to the one person she thinks she is safe with, only to find herself in a worse predicament. Nixon and Linc try to get thru this but too much has happened and a new secret threatens to completely decimate any hope Nixon may have had. Will another man's arms provide her solace or will she mend things with Lincoln..

The Failed Marriage


Carole Mortimer - 1983
    After all, it was nearly a year since Joanna had denied him access to her bed and body. Yet it seemed only yesterday that their fragile love had shattered with the death of their only child."I'm taking Angela to the States, " he had stated coldly, "and you must find yourself a lover, too!" That he demanded a year away with someone else, and the same for Joanna, was hurtful.But the rekindling of desire between her and Joshua right before his departure troubled Joanna most of all... .

Becoming His


Albany Walker - 2018
    On her own since her parents died at age fourteen, Sophia isn't used to being around other shifters. In fact, the one time she did run into a pack, she met her mate - and he rebuffed her. Sophia's fended for herself all these years, and now, in Michigan, she's desperate to create a new life for herself. The only problem? It seems her mate has found her, and this time, he isn't letting her go.Mason Black is the Alpha wolf of the Northern Territories. As an Alpha, he's accustomed to getting everything he wants - until Sophia. Walking away from his mate when she was just a teenager nearly destroyed him. Now that she's back, he'll do everything in his power to possess her. To own her. To make her his Luna.The one thing Mason doesn't count on - Sophia is an Alpha in her own right. A unique species all her own, she's never bowed down to anyone - and doesn't intend on starting. Not when Mason left her heartbroken. Not when he doesn't quite know how to treat her as his mate, and not one of his pack. And especially not when he refuses to see the truth behind the conniving, lint-licking, wanna-be Luna, Roxanne.Can Sophia and Mason work through their issues, or will they be the first mates on record to give up on each other?