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


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
free

Taming a Texas Bad Boy


Katie Lane - 2019
    . . where bad is, oh, so good. Six men return to the boys' ranch they spent one summer at as troubled teens. They're all searching for different things: peace, family, forgiveness, redemption, hope, and faith. It will take the love of strong Texas women to heal these wounded hearts and make these bad, bad boys realize they're good, good men. He’s a wild Texas whirlwind, trying to outrun his painful past. She’s a sweet Lone Star cowgirl, with deep down-home roots. Life in the fast lane is how bad boy Cru Cassidy escapes the aching memories of his childhood. Fast cars and fast women—not necessarily in that order—keep the sexy cowboy from caring or thinking too much. When a road trip has him passing through Simple, Texas, where he spent one summer on a boys’ ranch for troubled teens, he can’t help stopping in to see the two old cowboys who run it. When he sees the bad shape the cowboys and the Double Diamond Ranch are in, Cru knows he has to stay and help . . . and his job is made more enjoyable by the beautiful daughter of a neighboring rancher. He hopes to score a ride with the feisty redhead, but Penny is harder to catch than an unbroken filly. And when he discovers the soft heart under the womanly body, he soon starts to worry that he’ll be the one getting broken and tamed. Penny Gardener has loved Cru almost as long as she’s loved the Texas ranch she calls home. Unfortunately, when they first met, she was an awkward thirteen-year-old—which explains why Cru fell for her pretty older sister instead of her. Since her family’s happiness has always been Penny’s priority, she tries to push her feelings aside. But when Cru returns and sets his devilish green eyes on her, she struggles to remember that he was her sister’s first love. Discovering his heartbreaking past will finally have her giving into her feelings and putting her own happiness first for a change. But will her love be enough to rope and heart-tie her bad boy? Or will he slip through her fingers like the elusive Texas wind?

Dive In Deep Book 1


Ali Parker - 2019
     It doesn’t hurt that he’s the billionaire owner of the resort we’re staying at. And all of it is just what I needed for my celebration weekend after graduating with my master’s. It’s our last girls’ weekend before my friends and I go our separate ways, and it’s going to happen with a bang. Literally. Hopefully. It would be a first. The desire was to keep things casual, but our connection is far too deep for that. Him being ex-military and me being an Army brat. The rules we each set up are shattered thanks to the raging passion between us. But eventually, I have to go home. What I never expected in a million years was that he might follow me. Enough swimming in the shallow end of the pool. We’re diving in deep. This is book 1 in a 3 book series. You will have to read books 2 and 3 to complete the story.

In Skates Trouble


Kate Meader - 2017
    . .Addison Williams isn't looking for romance, but when she encounters an eavesdropping stranger on an adjoining hotel balcony, she figures she's due a little fun. She just hadn't reckoned on the "fun" escalating so quickly to "out of control." One minute she's flirting with a whiskey-graveled voice in the dark, the next that same voice is telling her to do things. Hot, wicked things.Cup-winning hockey player Ford "Killer" Callaghan can't believe he let the anonymous woman who blew his mind slip away into the night. He'll track her down because once could never be enough—even if discovering her identity places her strictly out of bounds.Stolen kisses. Secret hook-ups. Deliciously forbidden in every way. Can a passion that started in the dark find a lifetime of love in the light?Originally published in Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology, this sexy prequel to the Chicago Rebels hockey series features an older, curvy woman, a younger, driven hero, and a happily-ever-after you'll swoon over.

Dating a Cougar


Donna McDonald - 2011
    It’s shocking at fifty to find herself wanting a sex life again, and even more shocking to be an older woman attracted to a younger man.Thirty-eight-year-old, medically retired Marine, Casey Carter, is incredibly sexy, but a relationship with the man is totally out of the question. Casey is related to her daughter’s boyfriend. The last thing Alexa needs is another talk-show worthy drama in her already complicated life, no matter how well Casey kisses.ABOUT THE NEVER TOO LATE SERIES:Tired of younger heroines and heroes getting all the action? How about something different? The Never Too Late series is a collection of six sexy, romantic comedies about finding love and romance after turning 40 and 50.These contemporary romances are intentionally heavy on humor and light on tears. The heroines are successful in life, but not successful in love, as their friends are quick to point out. The heroes are drool-worthy, confident, and know what it takes to make a woman feel loved and wanted.

Jackie Cupid's First Love and It's Written In The Stars


Mary Leo - 2017
    . . Jackie Cupid! Jackie Cupid’s First Love: When Eros, the god of Love, appears to Jackie Cupid and transforms her into a real life Cupid with magical love powers and an outstanding bombshell body, Jackie is keen to take on the challenge. “Look out, baby, there’s a new Cupid in town!” There’s just one catch. Jackie’s first couple is a test. The potential soul mates are estranged best friends who must fall madly in love with each other by Christmas morning or Jackie will lose all her powers, along with her outstanding bombshell body. Samantha Bowers, the local preacher’s daughter, and Luke Rutherford, an out of town businessman, haven’t spoken in over a year. Getting these two together is a series of star struck misadventures. Jackie has to learn how deep to prick someone with her tiny magical stars (arrows are way too gauche) so they can become delirious with desire . . . just not too delirious. More importantly, Jackie must learn when to poke them or that person might fall for anyone but their intended lover. The clock is ticking. Christmas is fast approaching. Will Jackie Cupid turn these two misbegotten lovers around in time to keep her powers? Or will her magic become a stardust memory? It’s Written In The Stars: Billionaire, Antonio Milani has come to London for the annual book fair and to retrieve his first edition, signed copy of Oliver Twist, from a woman who not only played him in his bed, but pretended to be a talented new author his publishing house was courting. Margot James has spent the better part of her adult life raising two children in a small town and writing stories in her personal journals. Now that her kids are grown, Margot takes a leap of faith and travels to London to visit her best friend, Jackie Cupid. When her friend takes a hike and leaves her with Antonio Milani, the delicious looking billionaire, Margot wants nothing more than to fly back home. But Jackie has used her magical stars on these two and the attraction, heat, and a pending book contract get in the way of Margot’s departure. Will Cupid’s magic be enough to keep these two lovers together, despite the odds, or will best-friend guilt get in the way of their destiny?

Breathless In Love


Bella Andre - 2015
    After surviving a hellish childhood, he's now living the dream life where everything he touches turns to gold. But something’s missing. He doesn't quite know what until a simple letter from a teenage boy brings Harper Newman into his life. A woman who just might fill up the empty places inside him...if only he could ever be worthy of her love. When a man has more money than he could possibly spend in five lifetimes, Harper has to ask herself what Will Franconi could possibly want from a woman like her? She's learned the hard way that rich men always get what they want no matter the cost. If it was just herself she had to worry about, Harper would manage, but she's guardian to her younger brother who depends on her for everything. After nearly losing his life in a car crash, she's vowed never to let anyone hurt him ever again. Still, sometimes Harper can't help but long to change her story from one of an always-cautious woman to an adventurous tale of a heroine who's wild and free...especially when Will's kisses and caresses make her utterly breathless. And as he begins to reveal his story to her, she discovers that he's so much more than just another wealthy, privileged man. He's kind and giving, and he fills up all the spaces inside of her heart that have been empty for so long. Together, can they rewrite their stories into a happily-ever-after that neither of them had previously thought was possible?

Lovin' on You


Fabiola Francisco - 2017
     She showed up at a bar in her pajamas. Is he stalking me? I call it fate. He’s cheesy. I prefer the term romantic. Maybe I was wrong about him. I’m determined to make her mine. I fell in love with him. She’s my muse. Life has other plans for us. I’ll fight for her. I’ll protect his image. I miss her. I watch his success from afar. She’s mine. I need to fix this. I’ll give her the kind of love found in country songs.

Driven


Lori Sjoberg - 2016
    But time is money, and when the owner of a farm refuses to sell the land crucial to making his latest project a success, he’ll do what it takes to convince the sultry, stubborn woman to sign on the dotted line. Kayla Phillips is holding on by a thread, on the verge of losing the farm she inherited from her grandfather. It’s only a matter of time before she’s forced into foreclosure, but there’s no way she’s selling to Falco. His good looks and sex appeal might work on some women—okay, it works on her too—but she’s not about to sell to a man intent on bulldozing her family’s legacy. A war of words turns into a wager—and Kayla’s only chance to save the farm. All she has to do is prove to the billionaire that he can’t handle two weeks of living the life of a farmer. She never expected the burning desire she feels whenever Mason’s around. But are his feelings for her genuine, or just a ploy to get what he wants? With her heart and the family business on the line, will she risk it all for love?

At the Billionaire's Pleasure


M.G. Morgan - 2012
    When she is dumped by her boyfriend, Richard, it dents her already fragile confidence almost beyond repair. She longs to find a man who can dominate and take her at his whim.Enter David Ashcroft, her boss. He has had his eye on Carrie for quite some time. And what David Ashcroft wants, David Ashcroft gets. His authority and dominant attitude has Carrie begging for more. He opens her up to a world she never knew existed. A world where she is willing to do anything for the billionaire's pleasure.But when a business deal becomes unstable, everything begins to unravel. A woman from David’s past threatens Carrie’s trust in him. And a thwarted business rival makes his revenge personal and deadly. Will they be able to overcome all the odds and get to the bottom of a situation threatening to spin out of control? Or is their budding relationship destined to be destroyed through the obsession of others? If you held the one you love in your arms, would you do anything to keep them safe? Would you do anything for love?

After All


Erin Nicholas - 2017
    The R word gives her hives. Why can’t the guy just be happy with no-strings sex?Scott knows Peyton didn’t exactly grow up with the best role models for strong, healthy relationships. Her dad gave up everything for his mentally-ill wife, including being a real father to his daughter. Now in charge of her own life, Peyton wants a good time devoid of any responsibility for someone else’s happiness. But Scott’s determined to be the one person in her life to show her that she’s worth an effort—even if it means staying out of her bed until she’s ready to commit to something as simple as a damned movie date.But, when Scott’s injured on the job, Peyton can’t stand the idea of anyone but her playing nurse—and Scott sees the perfect opportunity to show her that a relationship with him can be the best time she’s ever had.But nothing with Peyton is ever easy. After all, he doesn’t call her Trouble for nothing…

Adam


Jennifer Ashley - 2015
    He settles in to heal at his family's ranch, where his four brothers, famous trick riders, train horses.Adam is stunned to find Bailey Farrell working there—she was the shy girl who'd helped Adam graduate high school so he could run off to Hollywood. Except the budding Bailey, with whom Adam had a brief but intense affair, has blossomed into a beautiful woman. Now the sparks that had once ignited between them threaten to explode.Adam is beaten-up, broken-down, and has lost his nerve—the stunt that injured him also killed his best friend. The only one he can turn to is Bailey, but will Bailey, who has come back to Riverbend to lick her wounds after a painful divorce, be willing to help him again?Book 1 of Riding Hard. A 230-page (approx) novel—20 chapters, plus bonus sneak peek at Grant's book and a recipe for Mrs. Ward's Harvest Pie.

Knee Deep in Love: A Sweet Traveling Romance Novel (All Roads Lead to Love Book 1)


Vivian Porter - 2018
     I’m a man who’s eager to see the world. A new job offer opens up in Utah of all places, and I decide to welcome the opportunity with open arms. Why not? I’ve got nothing left to lose and everything to gain. A beautiful new state with a breathtaking view, but I can only see one thing in the place I now call home… Candice. She’s spent her entire life here, and she’s stuck in a rut. A bad one. The only thing that seems to keep her getting out of the bed in the morning is her little girl. Being a single mother has to be beyond tough, but her daughter Sarah makes it easy. Something about her makes my heart swell. No, not something. Everything. She might have grown up in the cold icy winter of the northwest, but I want so badly to show her the beauty of what’s right in front of her face. A chance at a love affair like she couldn’t imagine or read about. Why? Because she stole my heart on my long road back to love.

Aligned: Volume 1


Ella Miles - 2015
    I don’t care if Landon Davis has sold millions of records. I don’t care that his damn crooked grin makes my panties wet. I can’t want him. I should be mourning, but I can’t. I just need him gone. Then I can align the chaos floating in my head. —— She has a f*cking boyfriend. I’ve seen the picture of them together. But Alex Blakely still wants me. And who am I not to oblige when her body is begging for me? I need one night to own her body. I should be focused on getting my career out of the gutter. I’ll take one night first. Then I’ll be gone. Aligned: Volume 1 is the first novella in a four part contemporary romance series. Volume 2 is a novella coming in December 2015. Volumes 3 & 4 will be full length novels coming spring 2016.

Lusted


Pia Sparks - 2014
    She's brilliant, but naive. All she knows is her sheltered life studying the viola. She longs for excitement or happiness, but would settle for a clue as to what she should do with her life. After losing her job with the symphony, Kylie finds herself on an interview at Lust Media-an adult publishing company. Her curiosity is captured not only by the job, but her boss, Benjamin Price.But after 14 years of hard work, can she quit playing viola to work in porn? And if she stays, even for a little while, can she handle all the kinky demands of her new employer, or will being with Benjamin shatter what little self-esteem she has left?MILLIONS aren't enough for Benjamin Price. He wants to be a billionaire, and he's all set for expansion, but he has one major problem. It's hard to attract the top talent when you're still growing as a company, and you make pornography.When his shy, new hire shows promise, Benjamin wonders what it will take to make her stay. He knows how to get women to do what he wants, but will he get snagged in his own trap to ensnare Kylie?* * *HOT SEXY ALERT: Not for people who blush at strong language and not for anyone under voting ageThis book puts a realistic, quirky twist on the alpha romance, office romance, billionaire erotic romance novel. If you like unusual characters, enjoy romance as well as literary women's fiction, or are in the mood for something different, then this book is for you. Readers looking for a more traditional, BDSM billionaire, first-person novel may find the alternating third-person POV and off-center heroine not to their liking.Lusted is Book One of a genre-expanding, new adult contemporary romance series, but there is NO CLIFFHANGER. There is a REAL ENDING. There are, however, unresolved questions that will be answered in subsequent books.

Cop of the Year


Kathryn Shay - 1998
    Her specialty is troubled teenagers. A teacher in a public school for years, she knows kids and the men and women who teach them!"In COP OF THE YEAR master storyteller Kathryn Shay pens an emotionally powerful tale that leaves you breathless. Woven into this riveting plot are wonderfully written characters that grab your heart and don't let go. Bravo Ms. Shay!" RT Book Reviews***Winner of Best Superromance of the Year, the Golden Leaf Award and the Desert Quill Award as well as numerous 5 star ratings from reviewers.***The last thing by-the-book Captain Mitch Lansing wants to do is work in a high school classroom to improve relationships between at risk kids and the police department. Mostly, he doesn’t want to deal with teenagers. But when he meets unorthodox teacher, Cassie Smith, his world goes off kilter. So does Cassie’s. She's totally against all he stands for, so why is it she finds herself attracted to him? The further they go into the year, the more they’re drawn to each other. And the more the kids also come to care about Mitch. However, because of his past in Vietnam, he tries to distance himself from everybody. He can’t, and he must learn to accept Cassie and her kids into his life. With several highly emotional scenes and deeply moving situations, this story will go straight to your heart.Praise for COP OF THE YEAR:“Kathryn Shay writes from the heart! Her stories are about real people with real lives. You will laugh and cry with her characters. COP OF THE YEAR is sure to be one of the best books to hit the shelves this year!” The Literary Times“Prepare yourself for a fabulous emotional ride that will have you reaching for the tissues and leave you with a renewed sense of hope.” Genie Romex Reviews“Kathryn Shay has penned a most unusual novel. The teacher/cop relationship feels natural enough, and the dialogue is a standout. But oddly enough, though I found the romance to be satisfying, it's the secondary characters of the kids I remember most from the story. The teenage pregnancies, the gang involvement, the drug usage all are a part of today's high school scene, but Shay makes this a story of hope, not despair. The ending almost brought me to tears. Three cheers!” The Romance Reader“Ms. Shay writes a strong and compelling dissertation on a very real and complicated social issue of our time, weaving in an unforgettable, touching love story.” Old Book Barn GazetteIf you like books about cop romances, teacher romances and teacher student relationships, be sure to read the rest of this high powered series, BECAUSE IT’S CHRISTMAS, COUNT ON ME, BETWEEN TWO WORLDS and IF YOU WERE MINE.