Book picks similar to
One Last Try by Michelle Alstead


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
free

Courting the Clearwaters


Jill Penrod - 2013
    When an acquaintance introduces him to God and invites him to a college youth group, the changes in his life are immense and unsettling. The most unsettling part is Jenny Clearwater, his boss's daughter. He can't deny his attraction, but she courts instead of dating, and courting seems all about keeping the Shawn Carpenters of the world away from the Jenny Clearwaters.Danger and heartache seem to come around every bend, from a cave trip gone wrong to a friendship that goes up in flames to an accusal of crime at work. Seems God has put events in motion to lead Shawn back into a life of community and growth, assuming, of course, they don't kill him first.Get set for this first book of the Christian series Boys of Summer, for teens and anyone else who appreciates the challenges of stepping into adulthood.

All She Ever Wanted


Christina Butrum - 2016
    She wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice. Twenty-eight-year-old Leah Adams is content with her life. Living with her best friend in the big city and working as a receptionist at the doctor’s office, she doesn’t allow herself much time to think about falling in love and starting a family. Until the night her ten-year high school reunion not only brings her to Levy’s, but face-to-face with Jake. Leah is faced with feelings she cannot ignore. She has to make a decision that is in her best interest – no matter who gets hurt. She’ll have to decide if risking another heartbreak is worth it for all she’s ever wanted.

Island Refuge


Kimberly Rose Johnson - 2015
    Did she make a mistake? Her engagement off, Zoe Griffin retreats to tiny Wildflower Island in the Puget Sound. Hiding out as a cook and maid at a shabby bed-and-breakfast seems crazy for a chef who’s used to running her own five-star kitchen. And just as she starts to feel at home, her klutzy mishaps make Zoe fear her handsome new boss will fire her. Dr. Nick Jackson is done with medicine, and owning a B&B is as far from doctoring as he can get. He needs help, but his only employee’s mistakes give him doubts. As Zoe lets her defenses down, Nick begins to see a competent and caring woman. One whose wounds are as deep as his own. But as they fall for each other, Nick and Zoe must learn the hardest lesson of all—to forgive. Only then can they heal the past and embrace the future . . . together. Author Bio Kimberly Rose Johnson, soon to be empty-nester, lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their yellow lab. Island Refuge is her sixth published book and the first in a series of three. Kimberly enjoys long walks, chocolate, and mochas, not necessarily in that order.

All or Nothing


Natalie Ann - 2015
     Leaving the Navy after the death of his best friend in the line of duty, ex-SEAL Ben Harper has returned home in search of some form of normalcy. He’s good at hiding his thoughts and feelings and is positive he has everyone around him fooled. After all, no one ever brings his service career up to him, and he likes it that way. Presley James is drawn to the new Director of Security at the hospital where she works, just like every other nurse and employee in the building. Tall, dark, dangerous and sexy as hell. With a wicked grin and happy hello for everyone—he is a total contradiction. After spending most of her life caring for people, something about Ben is pulling at her. Something about his smile just doesn’t equal up to the rest of him. No matter how hard he tries, she isn’t fooled. Will she be able to help him find his way when her own baggage is more than even she can handle? Mature content, not intended for under 18 years of age. Each book can be read as a stand alone, or in the following order. All Series All or Nothing - Book 1 - Ben Harper and Presley James All of Me - Book 2 - Phil Harper and Sophia Mansfield All the Way - Book 3 - Alec Harper and Brynn Palmer Check out where it all started for the Harpers in the Road Series! Road to Recovery - Book 1 - Lucas and Brooke Road to Redemption - Book 2 - Cori and Jack Road to Reality - Book 3 - Mac and Beth Road to Reason- Book 4 - Ryan and Kaitlin

Bluestone Homecoming


M.J. Fredrick - 2012
    Leo doesn’t know how to be a single parent since the death of his wife, and he certainly has no desire to return to Bluestone. But he needs a place for his son, a place where he’ll be with family, while Leo does his job. He’ll stay long enough to get Max settled, then go back to work.School counselor Trinity Madison watches Leo struggle with his son, trying to overcome the mental barricade she’s erected against the man who sent his son away when he’s perfectly capable of caring for the child. The situation brings about her own unsettled feelings about giving her child up for adoption when she was young. But as she observes Leo’s difficulties, his sacrifices, she softens toward the man.While he’s in town, he ends up working with some old friends and Trinity on a committee to revitalize Bluestone. The former resort town is struggling and looking for ways to bring tourists back. Leo finds himself charmed, then smitten with the feisty counselor, but will he still love her when he learns her secret?

Know You More


Jan Thompson - 2015
    When Heidi Wei becomes his strongest supporter in his church planting ministry, how does Diego show his interest in her without her getting the wrong idea? Does she see him as potential husband material or just the pastor of their church? Heidi has suspected that Diego is sweet on her, but he seems to believe that his divine calling prevents him from acting on it. If it isn’t meant to be, she’s not going to push for it. Yet every time they are together, something happens between them. Have they moved beyond the platonic relationship they have enjoyed the last nine years to something more personal? When a crisis hits Heidi’s family, Diego has to balance pastoring his congregation and ministering to Heidi without losing either one. Falling in love while planting a new church is difficult for him to juggle. Which path is more important to him? Which one should he focus on? KNOW YOU MORE is the first book in Jan Thompson’s SAVANNAH SWEETHEARTS series of contemporary Christian novellas celebrating faith, hope, and love.

Bargaining with the Bride


Allison Gatta - 2015
    Not only has her fiancé run off with his in-home care nurse, but her wedding to said low-life is only one month away. Since she’d rather swallow a box full of nails than live up to her family nickname of “Wreck-it Rachael,” she’ll have to find someone to convince her parents she’s no longer the same flakey girl she used to be or run back home with her tail between her legs.…but there’s no denying their chemistry.Garret Adams can’t seem to figure out what’s wrong with his dating algorithm. He’s tried everything to make sure his company, Organic Chemistry, is the leader in match making, but there’s no denying something is missing. So, when his right-hand employee threatens to leave after her botched engagement, he offers to help her out. He’ll go through with her sham marriage if and only if she agrees to be his science project. The only problem?Their attraction is one variable he hadn’t accounted for.

Love, Riley (Redemption Hwy 4) (The Pennington's Book 1)


Leaona Luxx - 2017
    TROUBLE.That’s all she is and all she’ll ever be.What in the hell was I thinking getting involved with her?Everyone knows her reputation precedes her.But I’ll be damned if I don’t like it.Hurricane Ava crashes to shore wreaking havoc, the beautiful disaster she is.And I love it.What’s worse, she does too.So, why am I in love with her? Because, she loves me.She just doesn’t know it yet.

His Every Desire


Krista Lakes - 2016
    He's also known as the most powerful man in the bedroom. Every tabloid drips with gossip about his latest conquests, spreading rumors about his forceful and controlling behavior. No woman spends more than one night with him. No woman knows how to keep him. Tracy Collins is a down-on-her-luck waitress with big dreams. Dreams that a billionaire could make true, if only she knew what he wanted. When a freak accident leaves Tracy with the power to enter a man's dreams, she finds out Mr. Hayes' secret. He doesn't have a desire to control... He desires to be controlled... This standalone novel also includes two bonus novels, "Stepbrother Hero" and "Stepbrother's Gift!" I hope you enjoy them! :)

Sarah of the Moon


Randy Mixter - 2011
    Alex Conley, a part-time writer for a Baltimore newspaper, is dispatched to chronicle the events occurring there. It is June of 1967, and the summer of love is in full swing. Alone, in this strange and magical place, he meets a girl named Sarah, a free spirit who is as mysterious as she is beautiful. What are the secrets of her past? Why does she dance each night under the light of the moon? These are just a few of the puzzles Alex needs to solve in the short time he has in that city. Then there's another complication. He is beginning to fall deeply in love with her.

Nantucket Calling


Amy Rafferty - 2021
    Storms were not uncommon around Cody Bay but this storm was one Cody Moore would never forget.The only good thing to come from that night was Cody’s friendship with a young doctor who had managed to pull her from the wreckage of a horrendous car accident.A car accident that had taken both her parents’ lives.Cody went to live with her grandparents at Cody Bay in Nantucket until she got married and moved away.Now seventeen years after the accident, Cody’s life is once again turned upside down when her husband leaves her and their two young children homeless, shocked, heartbroken, broke, and alone on a cold rainy winter’s night in Boston.With nowhere to turn Cody’s grandparents encourage her to come home to Nantucket and Cody Bay.Cody Bay has always been a magical place for Cody. Her grandparents told her that Cody Bay attracted the people who needed to be there. It was a place where the lost came to find their way and the place Cody and her children needed to be to re-build their lives and find their way back to happiness.Escape to the beautiful shores of Cody Bay, Nantucket, dotted along the powerful Atlantic Ocean, and fall in love with the Moore family, their pets, and friends as the magic of Cody Bay draws you in. As you delve into the life of Cody Moore hold your breath in anticipation wonderingWill Cody ever be able to let go of the tragic accident that took her parents’ lives?Will Cody be able to overcome her own pain and devastating betrayal to keep strong for her children?Can Cody put her past behind her and let love back into her heart?But then again Cody lives in Cody Bay where anything is possible, and soulmates are drawn to one another.

The Perfect One: A Second Chance Romance


Scarlet West - 2019
     Next thing I knew he had me bent over my own countertop. Nolan is back in town, And I never planned on making him stay... But the world works in mysterious ways. Who knew having a crush for over a decade would blossom into something so amazing?

A Home For Jacob: Mean Streets


Rachel Stoltzfus - 2013
    But when he chooses the latter, Jacob gets more than he bargained for as he struggles to find his place in an Old Order Amish community in Lancaster County and with Thomas Mast, the straight laced Amish family man who is charged with keeping Jacob in line. Caught between the light and dark, will Jacob be able to face his demons and put his past behind him, or will his pain prove stronger than the faith of the Amish community he's grown to love?

Dare to Dream Again


Alana Terry - 2018
     His grace alone gave her the strength to raise her children -- a sweet angel with cerebral palsy as well as a daughter who wants nothing more than to serve God as a missionary on foreign soil. Gloria couldn’t be prouder of her girls, but a future without them both by her side sounds empty and hollow. When God thrusts a godly man like Derek into her path, Gloria isn't sure she’s ready to jump headfirst into a relationship. But maybe God’s giving her the chance for a happily ever after … a second time around.

Not Another Soldier


Samantha Holt - 2014
    I was going to divorce him and now he’s dead."After five years as a military wife, Sienna is moving on. She’s keen to leave behind the misery of her marriage to Rob but for some reason the past won’t let her go. It doesn’t help that her closest friend, Nick, is also a soldier. Unfortunately Sienna is struggling to deny her attraction to the sexy marine, even knowing there can be no future in it. When the injured soldier admits he wants her just as badly, and has always wanted her, the fight to control her feelings becomes harder. And now she’s learning things about her late husband that surprise even her. When the secrets of Rob’s life come to light, Sienna finds herself involved with some very nasty people and Nick is determined to protect her, no matter what. As the danger grows to both her heart and her life, Sienna needs to decide if it was the army that was the problem or her late husband. Is Nick worth the heartache of being a military spouse again? And will he be able to protect her from the ring of drug dealers slowly closing in?