Book picks similar to
Once Friends by Z.L. Arkadie


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
free

A Love Story


Jean C. Joachim - 2010
    Barely eking out an existence working part-time, she meets Mac Caldwell, the handsome dean. As she and Mac draw closer, a deadly campus drug ring sets their sights on her with heart-breaking results. The blend of tears, laughter, and unexpected twists grips you all the way to the astonishing conclusion. A unique mix of contemporary romance and suspense, this first book in the Caldwell Saga keeps you guessing. No cookie-cutter tale, the riveting story of Callie and Mac will melt your heart.

Hard Time


Hope Conrad - 2016
    Her sweet little body against his. Under his. Her screaming his name until she admits she’s never had better.Now he’s found her again, working in a bookstore of all places, and she’s just as gorgeous as he remembers. Only Katie thinks he can be redeemed. That there’s a good man underneath his darkness.He’s not so sure.But then Katie becomes his. Katie and her daughter.And he’ll risk everything, including fighting the devil himself, to protect them.

Game of Gods


Staci Hart - 2013
    Just don’t ask her to figure out her own heart. Instead, she toys with the hearts of humans. It’s a little game the gods play, and this time it’s Aphrodite’s turn to defend the domain of love. The battleground is New York City, and the stakes are high—the winner receives a token, a favor the loser must fulfill. But every god has secrets. Every god lies. And no god can be trusted.Apollo is no exception. He killed Aphrodite’s love, and for that, he can never be forgiven. But Apollo is on a mission to win. For thousands of years, Aphrodite has kept him from the one he loves, but the wind has shifted, and now is his chance.God and goddess will choose their players. The clock will start. Two humans will fall in love, or they won’t—their fates are intertwined with the gods, their hearts slave to their circumstance, a slave to the game.And in this game of love, Aphrodite never loses.*Formerly titled Paper Fools

Thirsty for Payback


Marie Astor - 2014
    Just when she seems to have hit the bottom, Ally is recruited by an undercover agency that is interested in her skills. She takes the job with only one goal in mind: payback. Getting even is the only thought on her mind as she convinces herself that her heart has no room for love–or does it?A former top agent in his field, Jake Morrissey has inner demons he can’t put to rest. Now he bides his time as a training instructor. He’s sworn off women, but try as he might he can’t keep his eyes off Allyson Roberts. When he’s asked to partner up with Ally on a new assignment, Jake is tempted to end his retirement. Will he keep running from his fears or will he find the strength to become the man he once was?

Dreaming of You


Cora Reed - 2018
    She likes her routine running the Morning Jolt cafe. The last risk she took was asking her dreamy friend Calvin out — and that failed miserably. But as her thirtieth birthday gets closer, that routine starts to feel like stagnation. After his marriage went up in flames, Calvin Monroe knew love wasn’t for him. Since then, every relationship he’s had has been no-strings-attached. But Calvin’s not nearly as commitment-phobic as Josie thinks he is; he just can’t find anyone that measures up to her. Josie is vibrant, funny, smart — and Calvin’s wanted her since they first met. But he knows he’s not her type. Josie goes for wholesome guys, not divorcees with bad reputations. An overheard conversation changes everything. Calvin realizes Josie is — was — into him, but he was too dumb to see it. If he can convince her to take another risk on him, he’ll win her heart. So, he makes her an offer she can’t turn down: Two weeks to try out anything she wants in bed. Josie knows Calvin doesn’t do forever, but she says yes to his proposition, anyway — it might be just what she needs to get him out of her system and her life out of its rut. What Josie doesn’t expect is their exhilarating chemistry setting the sheets aflame and entangling her wary heart. But when her cafe is threatened, she has to decide what she’s willing to risk for a love beyond her wildest dreams.

Securing Caite


Susan Stoker - 2019
    It is a spin off of the original SEAL series. It will have a whole new team of Navy SEALs (that you have already met in Protecting Dakota) and takes place in the same city and Navy base as the original. This is Caite McCallan and Blake "Rocco" Wise's story.Caite McCallan is a Department of Defense admin working in Bahrain when a glitchy elevator, of all things, leads to an unexpected invitation to dinner by a gorgeous Navy SEAL. When he later stands her up, Caite’s understandably upset… until she overhears a plot that confirms Rocco didn’t blow her off. Instead, he and two fellow SEALs are in danger — and Caite is forced to put her career and her life on the line to save them. Blake “Rocco” Wise never expected his routine mission to go sideways, but he was even more surprised to find himself and his teammates rescued by the adorably shy woman he met in a stalled elevator. Caite’s selfless act saved his life, but when attempts on her own make it clear someone wants her gone, it’s Rocco’s turn to protect the brave, sweet, sexy woman. The longer he knows her, the more he wants her… but keeping Caite close could bring her nearer to the enemy than ever before.**Securing Caite is the 1st book in the SEAL of Protection: Legacy series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

Shades of Pearl


Arianne Richmonde - 2012
    When she hears about Alexandre Chevalier, a young French, Internet success story, she assumes he is a nerd. But when she bumps into him face to face she’s stunned by his charm, beauty and sophistication, and startled by her strong feelings and desire for a man fifteen years her junior. His looks, wealth and worldwide triumph with his social media site, HookedUp, means he can get any woman he chooses, but there is something about Pearl he finds irresistible…The couple begins a passionate affair and Pearl’s body is awakened in ways she never imagined possible. She is consumed by him and his magical touch. But secrets, jealous family members and other external forces are threatening to pull them apart.Erotic, humorous, and profoundly tender, Forty Shades of Pearl is a story that will stir your heart, rouse your emotions and touch your soul.

Charming for Mother's Day (A Calendar Girls Novella)


Gina Ardito - 2013
    When television's "All Star Chef" winner, Colin Murriere, returns to Snug Harbor to open his new restaurant, Ariana knows he'll be perfect for Mom--with a little princely education from an expert.But Colin and Lucie have a past Ariana knows nothing about. And she'll need to call on all her fairy tale princess experience to ensure these two end up with the Happily Ever After they deserve.

Nights with Him


Lauren Blakely - 2014
    Hell, this man could be the model for one of the toys his company, Joy Delivered, peddles. Instead, he’s the powerful and successful CEO and he’s got commitment issues a mile-long after the tragic way his relationship with his fiancée ended.He’s looking for a way to erase the pain and that arrives in the form of Michelle Milo. From her pencil skirts to her high heels, she’s his perfect fantasy, especially since she has no idea who he is the night they meet at a hotel bar. He doesn’t have a clue either that she’s the brilliant psychologist his sister has arranged for him to see to help him get over his past. She’s simply the stunning woman he takes to bed that night and delivers many Os of joy too.His touch helps her forget that other man.When he shows up at her office door the next day, there’s no way in hell she’s going to treat him after they’ve slept together. Jack isn’t willing to let go of the first woman he’s felt anything for in years so he proposes a deal – share her nights with him for thirty days. At the end of one month of exquisite pleasure, they walk away, having helped each other move on from their haunted pasts.But soon, all those nights threaten to turn into days as the lines between lust and matters of the heart start to blur. Can two people so terribly afraid of love truly fall head over heels?Nights with Him is a standalone full-length novel in the bestselling Seductive Nights series following the love affair of a new couple.

Pretend to be Mine


C. Morgan - 2020
    Nothing like pretending your life is together.We might have pretended a little too well.The crazy part? She’s not from the escort service that a buddy set me up with.She owns the service.And she’s pulling out all the stops. I’m not sure who’s more convinced about her affections, my ex or me.Needless to say, she’s willing to pretend to be mine.The only question is, can I keep her when it’s all over?I plan to work like hell to make that happen.

Tempt Me


Isabel Morin - 2012
    After spending the last year struggling to make it as a painter, all she has to show for it are bills she can't pay. Out of money and sick of struggling, she decides it's time to pack it up and head back to her hometown in New Hampshire.When she meets Ian Sinclair at her going away party, Nina's instantly attracted to his dark, smoldering looks and lean athletic body. When he asks her back to his apartment, she's willing to overlook the fact that he's a high-powered lawyer. It's just for one night, and guys as gorgeous as Ian don't come around every day.Ian has never had a problem getting women into his bed, but after his hot night with Nina, all he wants is more of her. So he makes the curvy painter a deal - stay in the city for a few weeks and he'll take care of everything.Nina agrees, even though she knows better than to get attached. He's a rich corporate suit, she's a struggling artist. But as the connection between them deepens and Ian takes her to places she's never been - both in and out of the bedroom - Nina doesn't know how much longer she can resist.Tempt Me is a 28,000 word steamy romance novella.

Making the Play


Robin Bielman - 2019
    She’s just as career-focused as he is and has resolved to never succumb to the notorious charmer no matter how handsome or quickly they click. But then Chloe lets her guard down one drunken night and confesses she’s cursed. All her boyfriends meet their true soul mate when they date her, so she’s given up dating for good.Star baseball player Finn Auprince isn’t looking for romance, especially with his smart and sexy new media manager. She’s a distraction he can’t afford, but when Chloe confesses her secret, Finn’s competitive side emerges, and he can’t resist the challenge…or Chloe. One date is all he needs to prove that he and Chloe can have a good time without his soul mate popping out from around the next corner.It’s game on…but can they play the game of love and both come out on top? First Published as Heartthrob

One Dom to Love


Shayla Black - 2012
    Determined to make the man notice that she’s a grown woman with desires and needs, she pours out her heart and offers her body to him—only to be crushingly rejected. But when his friend, very single, very sexy Liam O’Neill watches the other Dom refuse to act on his obvious feelings for Raine, he resolves to step in and do whatever it takes to help Hammer find happiness again, even rousing his friend’s possessive instincts by making the girl a proposition too tempting to refuse. But he never imagines that he’ll end up falling for her himself.Hammer has buried his lust for Raine for years. After rescuing the budding runaway from an alley behind his exclusive BDSM Dungeon, he has come to covet the pretty submissive. But tragedy has taught him that he can never be what she needs. So he watches over her while struggling to keep his distance. Liam’s crafty plan blindsides Hammer, especially when he sees how determined his friend is to possess Raine for his own. Hammer isn’t ready to give the lovely submissive over to any other Dom, but can he heal from his past and fight for her? Or will he lose Raine if she truly gives herself—heart, body, and soul—to Liam?

The Doctor Wears A Stetson


Anne Marie Novark - 2010
    She lost her heart that night, but his plans didn't change. He left their small town to pursue his dreams.Seventeen years later, a trip home leads Cameron McCade back to Salt Fork, Texas and the newly widowed Jessie Devine. Since his return, the fire between them burns as hot as ever. Can they take up where they left off? Can Jessie risk her heart again?

Feels like Home


Evelyn Adams - 2014
    But when her carefully constructed life crumbles around her, Autumn's forced to return to the small southern town that never let her forget she came from the wrong side of the tracks. Jude Southerland, the town doctor, is used to taking care of people and with a pedigree that has the Ladies Auxiliary reaching for their fans, he’s easily the town’s most eligible bachelor – a status he has no intention of changing. That is until he almost runs down the Maddox girl he never noticed in school and suddenly finds her lush curves, dark curls and blue eyes consuming his thoughts, day and night. Autumn would like nothing more than to live happily ever after with Jude. But with every local matron in the valley trying to marry him off to their own daughters, she knows they won’t let her forget that she's not good enough and never will be. With the chance to finally find happiness, can she overcome her family history and find the confidence she needs to believe in herself or will she let love pass her by?