Book picks similar to
Entropy by Jennifer Hartmann


single-parent
forced-proximity
dark-romance
contemporary

Things We Never Got Over


Lucy Score - 2022
    Unless you count his basset hound, Waylon. Knox doesn’t tolerate drama, even when it comes in the form of a stranded runaway bride.Naomi wasn’t just running away from her wedding. She was riding to the rescue of her estranged twin to Knockemout, Virginia, a rough-around-the-edges town where disputes are settled the old-fashioned way…with fists and beer. Usually in that order.Too bad for Naomi her evil twin hasn’t changed at all. After helping herself to Naomi’s car and cash, Tina leaves her with something unexpected. The niece Naomi didn’t know she had. Now she’s stuck in town with no car, no job, no plan, and no home with an 11-year-old going on thirty to take care of.There’s a reason Knox doesn’t do complications or high-maintenance women, especially not the romantic ones. But since Naomi’s life imploded right in front of him, the least he can do is help her out of her jam. And just as soon as she stops getting into new trouble he can leave her alone and get back to his peaceful, solitary life.At least, that’s the plan until the trouble turns to real danger.

5 Rounds


Nikki Castle - 2021
    The only problem is, she can't stand his arrogant, self-centered roommate, Tristan.Now, she has to figure out how to live in the same house with him for ten days while dealing with all the temptation that comes with… including punching Tristan’s smug face in. But when one night strips them of their masks and exposes the truth, they’re forced to reexamine how they really feel about each other.While Remy struggles with her attraction to this notorious womanizer, Tristan has to decide if his feelings for Remy are worth it, or if they'll just distract him from his longtime goal of becoming a world champion.Can Tristan and Remy drop their guards long enough to fall in love? Or will old prejudices deliver the final blow?Scroll up to dive into the world of Philly MMA today!

Hard Stick


L.P. Dover - 2017
    And he’s not afraid to use it.On the ice, I’m Kellan Carter, powerhouse enforcer for the Charlotte Strikers. Off the ice, I’m just a regular guy. The last thing I want is to get mobbed by a bunch of groupies who are only after me for my fame and money. My ideal woman knows how to enjoy a little good, clean fun—and maybe some not-so-clean fun too. That’s the kind of girl I’d never let go.When Kristen Robinson, the gorgeous, down-to-earth bartender I’ve been crushing on, agrees to let me take her out, I’m thrilled. We have an amazing night together, culminating in the most electrifying kiss of my life—and that’s it. Kristen tells me we can’t see each other again, but I know that kiss meant as much to her as it did to me. What I don’t know is that Kristen has a dangerous secret. . . .I’ve proved to Kristen that she can trust me with her body and her heart. But when her past comes back to haunt her, I need to prove that she can trust me with her life. And I might have to get my hands dirty after all.

The Pilot & the Puck-Up


Pippa Grant - 2018
    Tough? Damn right. Smart? Don’t let the hockey uniform fool you. Large and in charge? Honey, I’m the biggest, baddest, mother pucking-est machine to ever own the ice. I shoot. I score. In and out of the rink. I don’t come early, but I come often, if you know what I mean. And I always leave the ladies wanting more. Until that chick last night. I’m no one-thrust wonder, and you’re damn right I’m going to prove to her I can do better. But every time I think I’m finally on my way back into her pants, she one-ups and out-balls me. I should cut my losses, lick my wounds, and walk away. But Zeus Berger doesn’t walk away from anything. Especially when she's the only woman in the world who might be able to handle me.

Because You Loved Me


Delaney Cameron - 2019
    As the eldest daughter of a successful businessman, she's never wanted for anything. After graduating from a prestigious college in New York, she didn't have to draft résumés or suffer through stressful job interviews. Instead she went to work for her father creating updated interiors for his hotel flipping company.The only gray cloud in Bridget's personal sky is her father's ridiculous idea that his ex-Navy pilot protégé and his daughter constitute a match made in heaven. His less-than-tactful (and downright embarrassing) attempts to force her and Graham together have made it necessary to keep her engagement to the man she does love a secret. But it's only a temporary thing. She has no doubt about her ability to bring her father around to her way of thinking.The best laid plans, right? When destiny shuffles the cards and deals out a new hand, Bridget finds herself questioning both her heart and her loyalties.

I Do (Hate You)


Sienna Blake - 2021
    And totally off-limits.Which is why nobody knows that James and I have a wedding…situation.As in, sometime between the first dance and the cutting of the cake, we end up hate-fucking each other somewhere totally inappropriate.He’s rough, dirty and the orgasms are un-friggin-believable.But he’s a lifelong bachelor and Sydney’s biggest man-whore.And I’ve had enough of those.So when I wake up the day before my wedding with a killer hangover, handcuffed to James bloody Kane with no memory of what happened the night before and no handcuff keys in sight, I know I am so effing screwed.24 hours to get myself unchained to this arrogant infuriating asshole.24 until I walk down the aisle…to someone else!24 hours for us to work together (hah!), avoid my fiancé, brother and basically the entire wedding party, and figure out……what the hell happened last night?If you don’t like ruthless arrogant alphas and the sassy lady he wants to stay cuffed to, don’t read this book.If you’re not into flamboyantly fabulous man-of-honors, outrageous cradle-snatching Godmothers, and a chatty male stripper who owns a greedy will-eat-anything pooch named Booty, you definitely shouldn’t read this book.You have been warned.

Ruthless Saint


S. Massery - 2021
    His gaze steals my breath.Even if my heart thinks this could work, my brain knows better.We say “I do” with his brother’s blood on our clothes,and the bars of my gilded cage slam closed.Our wedding vows are forever – ’til death do us part.But with enemies closing in from all sides, death might be closer than we think.Please note: this book contains dark content that some readers may find distressing.

Pike


T.M. Frazier - 2020
    Baptized in the gutter. I was raised by the violent laws of the streets, spilling blood without the hindrance of useless emotions or connections.Unfeeling. Unloved. Alone.My life was perfect.Until her.While on a manhunt for a mysterious enemy, one hellbent on taking both my business and my life, I find Mickey. She's covered in mud, rambling nonsense, and clearly out of her mind. She's also a distraction I don't need.That is until I discover a connection between the girl and my enemy.Mickey isn't a distraction anymore.She's the perfect weapon.One I'll use to exact my revenge.The plan is an easy one, but there's something about Mickey that's making it more and more difficult. A familiarity I can't place. A need I can't explain.A want I have to deny.After all, she's not mine to keep. She's a tool. My pawn. My sacrifice.

Breakout


Stephanie Kay - 2017
    At least that’s the plan. Six months ago, her world imploded when she walked in on her fiancé with another woman. After calling off her wedding, she spent a week acting completely out of character in the Tuscan countryside with a scorchingly hot man. They didn’t even exchange last names. Ethan Hartnell has grudgingly returned home. He's got an image to fix after being traded to the San Francisco Strikers, due to some questionable behavior. He plans to keep his nose to the ice, focusing on the career he loves. Everything is going according to plan, until he walks into a friend’s bar and sees her. She’d left him in her bed in Italy, with a note, and run. Which is exactly what she does when they see each other again. It should be a sign. So why does he keep chasing her? This is an 83,000 novel with a HEA and NO cliffhanger! Only for readers 18+. This series is connected with the Love by the Bay series, but each book can be read as a standalone.

Long Shot


Kennedy Ryan - 2018
    One of the NBA's brightest stars.Fine. Forbidden. He wants me. I want him.But my past, my fraudulent prince, just won't let me go.*Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for some readers.

Simply Irresistible


P.G. Van - 2017
    She never thought she would have to work at Yash's restaurant because she scratched his very expensive sports car. Left with no choice, she tries to make best out of the situation. Yash is an accomplished and super-hot businessman, but Mantra thinks he is bad news. He is a local celebrity, and she has to work with him while fighting her undeniable attraction to the man. She cannot help but wonder why Yash owns a restaurant when he was a child prodigy in the medical field. Mantra knew there was more to Yash’s cool exterior, but she doesn’t want to know anything about him—knowing more about him would only make him Simply Irresistible.

Puck Shy


Teagan Hunter - 2021
    It's good, low angst fun with some hot hockey players.

Second Draft


C.M. Seabrook - 2017
    More than just the washed up hockey player, turned sports journalist whose body is almost as scarred as his soul. Layla Harper made me hope again. But life has a warped sense of humor, and I wasn't the only Bennett brother that fell for the girl with the caramel colored eyes. The night I saw Travis with her I knew I'd lost, even before I had the chance to fight. Because one thing I never compete with my brother over is women. Even if the woman stole my breath, and my heart with one single kiss. And damn, what a kiss it had been. Now, she's pregnant with my brother's baby. A baby he wants nothing to do with. And he's asked me to clean up his mess. What he doesn't know is that I'm in love with her, and I have no intention of offering her the deal he's laid out. I have a deal of my own. One that will finally make her mine.

Love's Wall


Karen Deen - 2017
    It’s a book now containing past stories. Some good, some bad and one full of trauma that I have buried.Then there’s new chapters you haven’t written yet. A simple life, success of the family business. Everything according to plan until that day…One single day that starts rewriting my chapters. It’s headed in a new direction I didn’t see coming. Walking into Emily’s tough life, three sets of sad eyes looking at me like I’m a knight in shining armor.How do I explain I can’t be who they need and not break their hearts?They need me to save them…I need to protect my heart.EmilyMy children are my world.Life’s hard as a single parent. A mom of twins who depend on me to keep them safe.I gave up believing in fairy tale romances a long time ago. In my world they don’t exist. Make your own new beginnings, my mom always told me.Every day I struggle, but today’s barriers are just too hard to climb. Then an accidental chance moment. A hot wealthy guy knocking on my door, pulling my world out from under me. Life changes in heartbeat. Zach sweeps in, protecting my family. He shows my son, how to be the Alpha man I dream he’ll become.He’s full of sweet love, promising a new life full of sunshine and rainbows, but it’s a life minus him. Can I take being so close but never being on his side of the wall?How hard can I fight before I’ve got to walk away?

Mr. Second Chance


Annabelle Love - 2021
    Then I found out Mr. Touchdown is also my Ex.And he was my toe-curling, masked indulgence at last night’s masquerade party. Last night’s leg-shaking O is now today’s uh OH! FML.Stick to business and touch up his image. Simple, right?Except while he’s a saint on the field, he’s a devil off it.And his charms keep leading me into temptation…One other thing… he doesn’t know I’ve got a secret.And while business and pleasure may mix,Secrets and second chances don’t. I’ve gotta tell him that he’s a father…But will he still want me when he finds out the truth?