Book picks similar to
As Deep as the Ocean by Serenity Woods


romance
contemporary-romance
contemporary
free

The Wedding Favor


Caroline Mickelson - 2014
    And for ten years she didn’t. Not until Mateo Ortega, the handsome and charming boy next door, showed up to ask for her help. Mateo needed a favor, actually he needed a pretend fiancée, and he thought Ava would be the perfect woman for the charade. Ava knew that she owed the Ortega family a favor but when she looked into Mateo’s gorgeous brown eyes she realized that repaying an old debt might jeopardize her heart. Heat Level: Sweet Romance

Down on Love


Jayne Denker - 2013
    And will share it with you. Even if you don’t ask.Georgiana Down isn’t interested in romance, thank you very much. Newly single after escaping a toxic, emotionally abusive ex, George is perfectly happy being alone, running her successful blog, Down on Love, where she gives gloves-off advice to the lovelorn. And baking the occasional pie as, you know, therapy. When her sister Sera wages a campaign to get her to return to their small hometown of Marsden, a place George had fled fifteen years earlier, it’s the last thing George wants to do. But the pull of family is strong...and no one ever truly escapes the eccentric, insular, odd little town in the heart of New York’s Catskill Mountains. Maybe she can cope if she avoids gossipy neighbors...and one particular Marsden resident who broke her heart years ago...Casey Bowen would know George Down’s unusual pink car anywhere...but he never expected to see it tearing through the streets of Marsden long after George left town and never looked back. Casey manages to escape with his toes intact, but his heart is another matter. As a teenager, Casey had been fascinated by the ethereal, mysterious George, but he never made a move on his friend’s younger sister...until one fateful night....After that, everything went sideways, and George and Casey went on to live very different lives.Now they’re both back in Marsden, both single...and the attraction is still there. George and Casey could have a second chance at happiness...as long as their meddling neighbors don’t screw everything up.

Her Long Walk Home


Linda Barrett - 2015
    Her life turns in an instant when she's injured in the bombing. Single dad and veterinarian, Adam Fielding, intends to remain a bachelor after being "abandoned" twice. Once by the love of his life and once by a second-best girlfriend. When Rebecca arrives at Sea View House to recover, neither she not Adam is prepared to let the magic of the place affect them. Will these two open their hearts and run toward a new finish line together?

In the Grasp: A Second Chance Sports Romance


Cadence Keys - 2021
    I thought I’d have more accomplished by now - like a wife and family - but for nine years I’ve held onto the memory of the girl who got away. Now she’s back and I’m more determined than ever to make her mine. For good this time.PaigeAfter years of working tirelessly, I just landed my dream job at the largest newspaper on the west coast. Unfortunately, that lands me in the same city as the man who broke my heart nearly a decade ago - the same one I’ve never really been able to let go of. When my editor assigns me to write an exposé on Jack, I’m forced to decide where my loyalties lie - with the career of a lifetime, or the love of my life.In the Grasp is the first steamy standalone contemporary sports romance in the LA Wolves series.

Secret Blend


Jennifer Bramseth - 2015
    He draws a formidable opponent, Hannah Davenport, a wealthy co-owner of Old Garnet Distillery, where some of the finest Kentucky bourbon is crafted north of town along Old Crow Creek and near the historic springs which gave the town its unique name.And Hannah just happens to be Rachel’s best friend.As the judicial race heats up, so does the relationship between the judges—so they decide to keep it a secret.But can any secret be kept in little Bourbon Springs, Kentucky?SECRET BLEND is the first book in the Bourbon Springs Series, an upcoming nine-book series of smooth, sensual, sexy, slow-burn contemporary romances set amidst the lush and rolling Land of Bourbon and Bluegrass of central Kentucky.

In Too Deep


Tracey Alvarez - 2013
    He broke her heart to save his own.As an elite police diver tormented by her father's fatal drowning accident, Piper Harland is forced back to the one place she'd sworn never to return. Her tiny hometown on New Zealand’s isolated Stewart Island hasn’t much changed in the nine years she’s been gone. But she soon comes face to face with everything she ran from — grief, regret, and the scalding pain of a love lost.The one place Ryan "West" Westlake belongs is a hundred feet below Stewart Island’s dangerous waters with one breath of air and only a line to guide him to the surface. Down deep he can forget his mentor’s death. Down deep he can forget the one woman who seared his heart when she left. Only now she’s back, and as it turns out, he hasn’t forgotten a thing.Desire and tempers flare when West and Piper cross paths again. Can they face their past and be together? Two hearts. A second chance. Everything on the line...IN TOO DEEP is the first story in Tracey Alvarez's best-selling Stewart Island books set against the stunning backdrop of Aotearoa, New Zealand. If you like heartwarming, sexy and sweet small town romances with a touch of comedy, you'll love sharing the journey with these authentic men and women struggling to find their special someone.Intended for mature 18+ aged readers who enjoy their feel good romance on the steamier side.

Seaside Sweets


Melissa Chambers - 2018
    He's got a big one.After her ex runs up her credit card, clears her bank account, and gets her fired, Seanna Perry makes her escape to the quaint beach town of Seaside, Florida. The houses are pastel, the ocean air heaven, and the men hot as the Gulf Coast sun…one in particular. But while paying the price, literally, for the last man she trusted with her heart, she’s not interested in any sort of beach romance, or so she keeps reminding herself.Living in the idyllic coastal paradise of the 30A area hasn’t eased Blake Evans’ guilt over what went down three years ago. He can’t stop blaming himself, and certainly none of his wonderful friends can ever find out what happened. Blake’s done a good job of keeping romantic feelings toward any women at bay, and he needs to keep it that way. But when Seanna begins to show him how to live again, he finds himself struggling to keep his guard up. Seaside Sweets is book one in the Love Along Highway 30A series, which features beautiful beach communities, a circle of unique and amazing friends, and romances that will have you cheering on the couples and fanning yourself from the heat. All books are standalone and can be enjoyed in or out of order.

Protecting My Heart


Melanie Shawn - 2018
    It was never more than that, but she fooled herself into believing friendship was enough. Donovan Valentine knew he could never make a move on his best friend Ella. After all, she depended on him. He was the only stable man in her life. If denying his feelings was the price he had to pay for protecting hers, then he was more than willing to pay it. Celebrating their high school graduation, they drunkenly took part in a marriage ceremony using fake IDs. But now, fifteen years later, it turns out that the IDs weren't so fake, and neither is the marriage. When Donovan returns to Valentine Bay to straighten things out, will this accident turn into the best thing that ever happened to them? *** Standalone romance with HEA and no cliffhanger. ***

Set Free


Kelly Collins - 2015
    He’s running from his failed marriage. Can a ramshackle ranch inspire a second-chance romance?Mickey Mercer is determined to leave her past mistakes behind bars. Fixing up the rundown family ranch could be the perfect way to get back on the straight and narrow and make her late father proud. But when her vindictive ex sabotages her every move, she reluctantly accepts a stubborn cop’s offer of protection and finds herself falling head over spurs into his strong arms.Detective Kerrick McKinley may take his vow to serve and protect a little too seriously. While his blue-blooded passion put an end to his marriage, it also compels him to guard a newly freed ex-con from her dangerous stalker. But the more time he spends with the sexy and spontaneous horse rancher, the more he’s itching to get back in the saddle…In the face of old fears and new dangers, can Mickey and Kerrick find the courage to risk it all for a chance at true love?Set Free is the first installment in the compelling Second Chance Series of contemporary romance novels. If you like headstrong characters, fiery chemistry, and rustic ranch settings, then you’ll love Kelly Collins’ pulse-pounding romance.

Blissed


Jamie Farrell - 2014
    But it’s redemption time, and she’s putting on her big girl panties to make sure this year’s bridal festival goes off without a hitch. Even if it means she has to play nice with the man who broke her fairy tale.She’s definitely not the one for him. Or is she...World adventurer and reluctant local hero CJ Blue doesn’t want to be in Bliss anymore than Natalie wants him here. But family obligations have brought him back, and now he’s somehow been roped into saving the town tradition he’d rather forget with the woman whose kiss he can’t forget. She frustrates him and drives him nuts but he's had more fun giving her a hard time about the bridal festival than he has in years.And their fun is just starting...Despite their rocky past, these two wounded souls have more in common than they expect. They’ve both loved and lost, they’ve both tried to move on, and now they’ve both been been banned from the local church confessional after...well, they’re not supposed to talk about it. But by joining forces for the sake of Bliss, they might find the courage and the sparks to risk love one more time.Note: BLISSED was previously published for like 5 minutes many years ago as THE HUSBAND GAMES. Publishers Weekly called it a "Marvelous romantic comedy" in a starred review and named it as a "Self-Published Star" of 2014.

Small-Town Secrets


Margaret Watson - 2006
    About her husband Carter, who died in a car crash. About Gabe, who was driving the night Carter died. About her brother George's girlfriend. Gabe's return to Sturgeon Falls brings the secrets bubbling to the surface.Since Carter's death, Kendall's been too busy running a B&B, managing a cherry orchard and raising two girls to think about Gabe. But when he shows up at her B&B, memories come rushing back – including the crush she'd had on him.Can Kendall and Gabe face the past and find forgiveness? Or will the secrets bury them?

The Tycoon's Kiss


Jane Porter - 2014
    When she's pushed into attending the formal Valentine Ball with Marietta's Most Eligible Bachelor, Troy Sheenan, Taylor can't imagine a worse pairing. What in the world would she have in common with a wealthy playboy like Troy? Technology tycoon Troy is forced by business concerns to return to his hometown and take the town librarian to the Valentine Ball... what he doesn't expect is that Taylor is even less excited about the prospect than he is! Intrigued by the only woman in town who wouldn't be thrilled to take his arm at the big event, he's determined that she will not just agree to be his date… bur she's going to like it. Can Taylor turn a cold shoulder to Troy's heart-melting charms, or is this about to be Marietta's hottest Valentine's Ball yet?

Flirty Thirty


Cassie Mae - 2016
    But when a shirtless god jogs down your street, grabs your face, and kisses you… you kiss that man back! Cooper is on a mission to find the love of his life, and he’s gotten desperate. Over thirty years old with more money than he could spend in his lifetime, he’s ready to spoil and love his soul mate. After hiring the beautiful woman he kissed on the street as his realtor, he’s convinced that fate has led him to her. Maya doesn’t buy into fate and definitely doesn’t want something serious. She’s not ready to become one of her baggy-eyed friends who all have two or more kids and one or less husband. But when Cooper challenges her to a week of living the married life, Maya dives in headfirst thinking she’s sure to prove that singlehood is really the way to go, even if she does end up falling head over heels.

Boss With Benefits


Talia Hunter - 2017
    One arrogant boss. One determined woman. Escaping a painful past, Rosa is thrilled with her new job running the beautiful Lantana Island Resort. There's only one fly in her tropical cocktail: her gorgeous new boss, Dalton. He might be hot, but he's also arrogant, infuriating, and has plans to sell the resort.Not if Rosa has anything to do with it. This. Is. War. 1-Click to start this funny, romantic, and sexy new series now! "I loved this story. It’s unpredictable, heart warming and just plain good to read." ★★★★★

Ticket to Forever


Lizabeth Scott - 2019
    No matter the mode of transportation, love is always the destination in USA Today Bestseller, Lizabeth Scott’s Love in Transit Series.Grant has never been able to forget his first love. He’s tried to forgive himself for what happened and move on with his life. But he can’t because his life was always supposed to include her. He has to try one more time to get his girl back. A cruise is the perfect place to confront their past so they can more forward hopefully together.Kaylee is ready for a relaxing getaway after the rough few years she’s had. She doesn’t even care that she’s going on a romantic cruise, solo. She chooses to consider it an opportunity to restart her life. Until she sees her ex walking towards her on the deck of the ship. She considers jumping overboard and dog paddling back to shore. Swimming was never her thing, but with the determined spark she sees in his eyes she wonders if she should give it a try anyway.Kaylee can’t believe her eyes…and she can’t believe her traitorous heart. But even she knows, she can’t start anew if she hasn’t reconciled her past.These sassy & sexy standalone novels in Lizabeth Scott’s Love in Transit series can be read as standalones but for a richer reading experience start with book one:Love in Transit Series:Ticket to ForeverTicket to PleasureTicket to DesireAnd don’t miss Lizabeth’s other swoon-worthy reads:Royal Heirs SeriesOver RuledBillionaire of White Oak Series:HeartbreakerTroublemakerMastermindHotheadKissed SeriesSnow Kissed by the BillionaireChased by the BillionaireSun Kissed by the BillionaireFrench Kissed by the BillionaireDirty Ankle SeriesYou Promised Me ForeverHearts of Gold SeriesA Sheik for RoseA Star for AnnieA Cowboy for MaryRoyal Vow SeriesSweet SurrenderSweet DenialSweet SeductionSweet TemptationSweet Destiny