Book picks similar to
One Big Mistake by Whitney Barbetti


romance
contemporary-romance
now-acquired
first-love-crush

How to Fall in Love


Bella Jewel - 2015
    It was a beautiful love, pure and perfect. Max quickly became everything I could have ever wanted. He was the jock, the popular guy, and I was just Belle. But he made me so much more. He gave me everything I could have ever wanted in life. But one night, one accident. It changed everything. The man I loved. The man I thought I knew...disappeared. I can't tell you the exact moment he fell out of love with me. But he did. I wish I could tell you there was hope. That I hung on. That I fought. I wish I could tell you that we fixed it. That happily ever after was just out of our grips. It wasn’t. I ran. In the dead of the night, I packed my things and I left him. Five years later, I have returned. He’s still the same man I left behind. A deadly underground fighter for the House of Obsidian. He’s still dangerous. He’s still broken. I still love him. We're both holding a secret, and that secret might just change everything. Maybe I was wrong. Maybe I should have never left. Did I give up too easily? This is the part where I’m supposed to turn back around and run…but I don’t. I can't. FLAWED LOVE Rainer Torrence is everything I could have wanted in my life and more. He became my best friend when I was Thirteen years old. From then on, we were inseparable. He was my first love and my first heartbreak. But I always thought it was forever. Until his Father died and things went bad. Then suddenly, he disappeared. Ten years and I didn’t see or hear from him. Then came the call I’d be praying for– he was back in town. Only the man I remembered is not him. This man is quiet, deadly, and so incredibly beautiful. He also doesn’t remember me. He looks into my eyes, and he sees nothing. Nothing. So, I let him believe I’m just a girl that walked into his bar. I let him believe I’m just a friend. I let him use me on the cold, dark nights. I let him believe that I am as emotionless about our relationship as he is. I just let the secret go on and on. But all secrets have an end, don’t they? WINGMAN What can I say about Reign Braxton? King of sex. Jealous. Possessive. Obsessed. Gorgeous. Those are the first thoughts that come to mind when describing the sex extraordinaire that is my new boss. A boss who wants me for a strange mission. I’d like to call myself a superhero, but that would be unclassy. I’m far better. I’m the ultimate. I’m the reason his bed is kept warm and his ex is kept jealous. I’m Reign’s wingman. Or, wingwoman, if you will. NUMBER THIRTEEN We're thirteen girls, captive to a man we rarely see. Obedience will become all we know. It is the only emotion we're permitted to feel. When we're bad, we're punished. When we're good, we're rewarded. Our scars run deep. Yet we survive, because we have to, because HE teaches us too. All of us are special, we feel it with everything we are. He has us for a reason, but it's a reason we don't know. We've haven't seen his face, but we know that something deeply broken lies beneath the darkness.

Don't Be My Valentine


Aubrey Wright - 2020
    One jaw-dropping secret."Don't sleep with my brother."This was my best friend's one and only request when we were 18.Damnit, I tried.But we were drawn together like magnets.We had one incredible night before he left to serve our country.Then he was gone. A military man on a mission.My heart shattered.Twelve years later, I'm my best friend's maid of honor in her Valentine's Day wedding.He's the big, bad groomsman.I'm putting on my best "I don't give a sh$t" face, but he's not fooled.I'm his for the taking and he knows it.But all good secrets eventually get told.And now I'm getting booted from the wedding party.That's the least of my problems.Lieutenant Hottie has dangerous associates.And I'm carrying his precious little secret.Lucky for me, my bestie's bro is a badass.Big daddy, can you save me?WARNING: This off-limits romantic suspense may induce shortness of breath, unexpected tears, and sudden hot flashes. Please read with extreme caution. The happily ever after will leave you stunned!

Mr. Hollywood


Lacey Weatherford - 2015
    . . he's at the top of my list for new book boyfriends!” – Belinda Boring, Bestselling Author of The Mystic Wolves "You don't want to miss this beautiful and steamy love story!” – Vonnie Hudson, Book Cafe "Lacey Weatherford has done it yet again! . . . Bravo for another awesome book!” – Lisa Markson, The Paranormal Bookworm ". . . A rollercoaster you never want to get off. This is one of my favorite books of hers ever!” – Julie Engle, Book Café Overview: Women want him. Men want to be him. But sometimes things aren't always what they seem. Blurb: Hollywood’s brightest star has it all; fame, women, and more money than he could possibly know what to do with. Unfortunately for the actor known as Z. McCartney, that’s also his recipe for failure. The problem with being “on top,” is there is a long way to go when you fall. He didn’t mean to get addicted to drugs. It all started out harmlessly enough. But now faced with rehab, he knows he’s in a world of hurt. Thankfully, Z is ready for change. He is ready to commit. However, it’s not his newfound sobriety he’s ready to commit to, but his nurse, and former high school sweetheart, Aubrey. Everyone knows relationships are a strict no-no for a recovering addict. Z doesn’t care though. This is his Aubrey, the one who got away, and he’s more than happy to try and persuade her to his way of thinking. Only one problem…Aubrey is a stickler for rules, not to mention she’s already been burned by Z and won’t give him the time of day. But that’s okay. There’s a reason Z is the #1 actor in all of Hollywood, and he plans to pull out all the stops to get this girl. *Note: Recommended for 18+ due to mature themes and subject matter. **A Celebrity Novel: This book is a standalone novel, but will have future companion stories that follow. All books can be read apart from each other.

The Run In


Kelly Elliott - 2017
    I was hell bent on proving I deserved this job, and that it wasn’t my cousin Sterling Quinn who had helped me score the new job title. Him being one of the CEO’s best friend—didn’t help the rumors. Well screw that. Ten years of sweat and hard work was the reason I was sitting in a large corner office with a killer Manhattan view. More focused than I’d ever been, it was time to take the bull by the horns. And God help the person who stood in in my way. ******** Things I left behind in Seattle, Washington: A promising career at a top marking firm, the past I was desperate to escape, and obviously my sense of direction. It was because of all of those reasons I was standing in the middle of New York City lost and cursing at my phone. If I didn’t get to Tate and Cane soon, I wouldn’t only be late, but also blow the chance to make the good impression on my new boss, Mason Quinn. And I needed that more than anything. One wrong turn, an unfortunate collision, and an expensive suit drenched in my soy chia tea latte was not how I wanted to start my first day. Then there was the other little problem I had. The drop dead gorgeous man whose suit I’d ruined was my new boss. And boy did he look pissed.

Hot Ride


Erin Havoc - 2020
    An Alpha Older Man, Younger Curvy Woman MC RomanceDARCYHis perfect frame doesn’t matter.Neither does how my body reacts to his.He’s abandoned me once.I’m protecting my heart whatever it takes.RUSSELLShe’s the woman of my life.She has always been.I let her go once to keep her safe…Now I have a second chance to show her we are meant to be.

Forever and One Day


Jacqueline Simon Gunn - 2018
    Unable to muster up any forgiveness, she turns her back on him and every friend connected to that part of her life, leaving many questions about the details of the betrayal unanswered. When Olivia receives an invitation for her twenty-year high school reunion, she decides that she’s been avoiding the past for too long. It’s time to go back and revisit that part of her life, her old friends, and the betrayal that created the wedge between them. As soon as she and Justin lay eyes on each other at the reunion, they immediately sense the vibrant remains of their unbreakable connection. The spark between them never faded. However, Justin is now married to Petal and Olivia is involved with Adam, her handsome, best-selling-author boyfriend. But is healing old wounds enough for Olivia and Justin to move forward together, or will it help them make peace with the new lives they have chosen? Each of the four main characters remain bound to their past by unresolved issues, demonstrating that sometimes we can’t find our future until we settle our past. But, most importantly, Olivia learns that forever isn’t time eternal; rather, forever is a place we share with the people we love the most — even when they’re gone.

Where the Stars Fall


Ana Simons - 2020
    Left without closure, a year has passed and he's more determined than ever to make the man pay for hurting the ones he loves most, his family.​Immersed in his search for justice, falling in love was the last thing on his mind. Until fate steps in and a chance encounter changes everything.Seeing Olivia again, so unexpectedly, at his best friend's wedding, stirs up memories he had long ago put away. She'd been his first love, his kindred spirit... and the woman who left him without saying so much as goodbye.Which doesn't make him want her less. He knows it, the moment she locks her deep green eyes on his.Even knowing it might be too late to repair what's been once broken, Brian refuses to lose her again and sets out to find a way back to her heart. But it's been more than ten years since their story was left unfinished. Will they get one last chance to make things right? Or will Brian learn that sometimes justice comes at too high a price?***NOTE TO READERS: A full-length, standalone contemporary romance, Where the Stars Fall was previously published as Falling Home (Book 1 of the Free Falling Duet). This edition has been fully revised with added and edited content. Cover by Perrin Brunson, @ The Author Buddy

Ex-Lover New Boss


Summer Brooks - 2018
    Reason #2: He'd already broken my heart once. Reason #3: He was my brother's best friend.Reason #4: He was now my new boss. And most importantly...Reason #5: He was arguably the most hated man in the city.The best thing about him was his adorable little daughter. Well, that and his perfect basketball body. And his chiseled jaw. His eyes weren't so bad either. DAMMIT. You get the point. The devil had me under his spell. It was his office and his rules.Lucky for me, I had a few rules of my own. Rule #1: Never to fall in love with him again.

Fox's Lair: Twisted Iron MC


Liberty Parker - 2019
    Not only does it describe me physically, but also my personality; and I’m damn proud of it. Club life and bedding different women daily is the only way to live. Motorcycles, mayhem, and all things illegal is just the way I like it. Made the decision long ago that I didn’t have the desire to ever claim an old lady and be stuck with one woman for the rest of my life. It might look good on my brothers, but I was certain it never would on me. So, I got myself a loyal companion in the form of man’s best friend. Little did I know that my beloved, and most trusted partner in crime would lead me straight to my downfall; Novalee. She’s not just any woman, either. During the day she’s referred to as Doctor Porter. That woman’s mere presence threatens to conjure something deep inside me that I was certain I was incapable of having; which makes her dangerous. She’s a treasure to be had and claiming Novalee would only place her permanently in harm's way. I’ve done my best to avoid allowing myself to completely fall for her. But sometimes I question if I’m being honest with myself about what she’s stirred up inside me. An unexpected turn of events changes both of our lives forever, and now I only hope I don’t live out the rest of my days with regrets. Have my actions, or lack thereof inadvertently placed her in immediate danger? Blood has been shed, and during this, a life taken was the ultimate price.

 Novalee: 

I’ll never forget the day I first looked into the depth of those ocean blues, and allowed myself to drown. One look at Fox and I had not a single care that he was a known member of the notorious Twisted Iron MC. Sure we live in a small town and people talk. But my profession and reputation far precede any gossip formed from the loose-lipped old biddies in this community. My eyes were set on the prize in the form of one tall, dark blonde-headed, chiseled, work of human art. I’m friends with some of the old ladies from his club. So, his history with women is no newsflash for me. What I was not expecting, however, was the way my body ached to be near his after one lust-filled encounter. I’ve built an amazing life and legacy for myself. I never expected to crave a man the way that I do Fox. I save animal lives for a living, so it seems silly to fantasize about. That is, of course, until my life ends up being the one needing to be saved. All I want is everything I’ve worked so hard for. The moment I get close to having my heart’s desire, becomes the moment my very existence begins to race against the clock. This can’t be how it ends, can it?

Falling For Him


Ali Parker - 2019
     My brother’s best friend surely doesn’t after leaving home without a concern. Even when my brother died, he couldn’t handle it. Good for him. Life moves on and changes. After years of trying to make it in New York, I find myself headed back home. This time with a little girl and no hubs to help. I’m a big girl though. I can make this work in my favor. Until he shows up. And fate would have it that I’m forced to go out for coffee with him to make up for an accident I caused. He’s beyond gorgeous, a billionaire, and stares at me like I’m the only woman in the room. And he wants to help me dream again. First about business, then about love. I try to refuse, but he has this way about him. He’s bullheaded and dominant, unwilling to relent. Scarily enough, he’s exactly what I need. I’m doing the one thing I hoped I wouldn’t—falling for him. Again.

Small Town Heart


Andrea Johnston - 2018
    Even though the residents of Fayhill have welcomed me like one of their own, this is only a detour, not a final destination.Then I met Shane Abbott.What's a girl to do when a certain dark-haired dimpled cowboy, who fills out a pair of jeans like it's his job and with a smile that sets my soul on fire, has me considering burning my map?*The bright lights of city life never appealed to me. I like the quiet of small town life, and my hometown of Fayhill fits me to a T.I never expected to meet Mercy Warner.Love is the last thing on my mind. These days I work hard and mind my own business. So when a certain honey-haired spitfire blows into town, I take another look.She may claim small town life isn't for her, but the way she's settling in tells me she might be open to the option. Refusing to let this opportunity to pass me by, I take another chance and put my small town heart on the line.Surely the draw of the big city won't burn me twice . . .

Bad Boy Boss: A Brother's Best Friend Baby Romance


Melissa Devenport - 2020
    Once. 10 years ago. Then he vanished. No second chance. I can’t believe my eyes. It’s Drake Powers! I’m still angry. Well, this is going to be awkward… I remember him as the bad boy. A savage. Look at him now. Tall, gorgeous and muscular. A crisp tailored suit. He oozes success. How do I kick my past in the a$$? How do I regain the sexy confidence I once had? I have made some BAD decisions in my life. Like really bad. He is nothing like Drake. A psychopath. Now looking for me. Drake Powers is a powerful man today. His tattoos and scars are reminders of the old days. I wonder if he’s still thinking about me. Too much to hope for? Why did he disappear? I feel both excited and a bit scared. *** Bad Boy Boss is a steamy hot Brother’s Best Friend Baby Romance that will keep you up at night. Full length, standalone, no cheating or cliffhangers - and Happily Ever After.

The Other Guy


Jennifer Van Wyk - 2020
    And yes, I just dared to say the words "calm down".He's the guy your mama warned you about.I just so happened to be his number neighbor.Yeah, you read that right.I'm the Textdoor Neighbor to the guy having one night stands with seemingly the entire town.And I'm the lucky one who gets to "break up" with his not so lucky conquests.Turns out, breaking up with most of them wasn't as hard as I'd expected it to be.Until she came along.I was content living my boring life, running a boxing gym and going home to an empty house.She made me realize that maybe being content isn't enough.I'm Jack Cole.And this is the story about how I became... the other guy.

First Came Us


Rachel Cullen - 2020
    Jack is an economics professor at Yale and Ellie owns a thriving yoga studio. Although day-to-day life isn’t always carefree, they exist in a world where carpools, soccer games, and bedtimes are their biggest concerns. However, all good things must come to an end. The Millers’ picture-perfect life gets turned upside down when Jack gets an unwelcome visit from a ghost from his past, their sixteen-year-old daughter Sydney decides to let down her hair and trade her backpack for a six-pack, and Ellie gets shocking news that requires immediate action. Jack and Ellie can barely pull themselves away from these unexpected challenges long enough to notice that Sydney is careening downward in her own dangerous spiral; but they need to find a way to overcome their issues if they want to save their daughter and their marriage.

A Scandal, a Secret, a Baby / Marriage Scandal, Showbiz Baby!


Sharon Kendrick - 2013
    The wickedly sexy Italian is ruthless to the core. He broke her heart once; she won't surrender to his insatiable desire again. But what Dante wants…One very big scandal!Justina's pregnancy hits the front page and Dante knows he's the father. He'll make her pay for trying to keep his child from him. His Miss Independent is about to become completely dependent…on him!This Italian will claim his heir and—if he wants her—a wife!Plus a Sharon Kendrick reader-favorite: Marriage Scandal, Showbiz Baby!