Book picks similar to
If I Were Beautiful by Devon Hartford
contemporary
netgalley
dnf
future-borrowing
All the Little Lights
Jamie McGuire - 2018
Both Elliott and Catherine feel like outcasts, yet they find an easy friendship with each other. But when Catherine needs him most, Elliott is forced to leave town.Elliott finally returns, but he and Catherine are now different people. He’s a star high school athlete, and she spends all her free time working at her mother’s mysterious bed-and-breakfast. Catherine hasn’t forgiven Elliott for abandoning her, but he’s determined to win back her friendship…and her heart.Just when Catherine is ready to fully trust Elliott, he becomes the prime suspect in a local tragedy. Despite the town’s growing suspicions, Catherine clings to her love for Elliott. But a devastating secret that Catherine has buried could destroy whatever chance of happiness they have left.
Fake Bride
Cassandra Bloom - 2017
Anaconda,’ they call me. I don’t chase women, they chase me. I’ve made my fortune, I’ve built my empire. I play to win and live by my own set of rules. My darkest secret? There's something I’m missing. Something all my billions can’t buy. Till she came into my life. Every inch of her curvy form makes my mouth water. But she’s heard of my womanizing reputation. Now she needs a job. And I have the perfect assignment for her. $50’000 for her to be my Mrs. for two weeks. She is mine now. Now the game is on. And I play Dirty… I won’t let anybody f*ck with my plans. But to really fall for a girl. To make her completely and utterly mine. Claim her for my own. My wildest dream and my darkest nightmare all in one… Which one will it be? If I toy with my desires, will she steal my heart? Fake Bride is a steamy fake marriage romance story with no cheating, no cliffhanger and, as always, a happy ever after ending. Includes bonus content for your reading pleasure! Enjoy.
Instamom
Chantel Guertin - 2021
. .It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads. Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?
Call Out
Autumn Archer
That's what my late grandmother always told me. Then I met Danny Rocco. The hot paramedic who's new in town. Since he patched up my knee at the side of the road, I can't stop thinking about him. That efficiently organized backpack. The scent of leather. Manly caring hands, and his eyes. WOW, a girl could rapidly lose her virginity staring into those amber pools. So when he shows up at Blossom Grove Retirement Home where I work, to assist with a medical emergency, I realize there's more to the ruggedly handsome man than just an Indian motorcycle. Should I break the dating rules? I've never gone that far with a guy before and Danny would be my first. He doesn't mind my quirky pet names for his love stick. And boy, when I finally discover how good that thing feels, I can't stop craving it. Falling for a guy on the wrong list has never felt so right. Every night spent in his bed brings us closer together. But over time, I get the feeling he's hiding something. Then he leaves town for a few days without telling me why. Danny has a secret and I'll find out the truth one pop quiz at a time.Except life has a way of throwing curve balls. And by the time he gets back to Sunnyville, mine has irrevocably changed. I should have known happy endings were only in the movies. Once I finally learn the truth, I'll need my handsome medic to fix our hearts back together again. If it’s not too late. Autumn Archer’s Call Out is an emotionally charged, sexy, romantic suspense written in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes World project.
Mr. Man Candy
Alessandra Hart - 2018
Visit a tropical island, meet a rich, handsome player and root for the bad boy in Alessandra Hart's newest standalone romance novel. Going to a destination wedding should be fun, right? Not when there's a +1 on the invite, and you're painfully single. I don't want to face my family without a date, so I've told them all about my gorgeous, charming, all-around-amazing boyfriend. The only problem? He doesn't exist. In walks Nate Scott. Playboy. Loaded. Handsome. Bad news. He's also my only option, and surprisingly, he agrees to be my fake boyfriend during the wedding festivities. Neither of us know what we're really getting into with this game of pretend, though. We started off as enemies, but suddenly, I don't hate his guts. Suddenly, his smirk is more dangerous than annoying... and suddenly, my fake feelings have turned very real. So maybe he's not just man candy after all. The island weather isn't the only thing heating up, because I might just be falling for my very fake, very handsome and very off-limits boyfriend...
Breathe, Annie, Breathe
Miranda Kenneally - 2014
No matter how far she jogs, she can't escape the guilt that if she hadn't broken up with Kyle, he might still be alive. So to honor his memory, she starts preparing for the marathon he intended to race.But the training is even more grueling than Annie could have imagined. Despite her coaching, she's at war with her body, her mind-and her heart. With every mile that athletic Jeremiah cheers her on, she grows more conflicted. She wants to run into his arms...and sprint in the opposite direction. For Annie, opening up to love again may be even more of a challenge than crossing the finish line.
Our Italian Summer
Jennifer Probst - 2021
She struggles to make time for her relationship with her teenage daughter, Allegra, and the two have become practically strangers to each other. When Allegra hangs out with a new crowd and is arrested for drug possession, Francesca gives in to her mother's wish that they take one epic summer vacation to trace their family roots in Italy. What she never expected was to be faced with the choice of a lifetime. . . .Allegra wants to make her grandmother happy, but she hates the idea of forced time with her mother and vows to fight every step of the ridiculous tour, until a young man on the verge of priesthood begins to show her the power of acceptance, healing, and the heartbreaking complications of love.Sophia knows her girls are in trouble. A summer filled with the possibility for change is what they all desperately need. Among the ruins of ancient Rome, the small churches of Assisi, and the rolling hills of Tuscany, Sophia hopes to show her girls that the bonds of family are everything, and to remind them that they can always lean on one another, before it's too late.
Acquisition
Chelle Bliss - 2017
Ambitious, high-powered CEO Lauren Bradley is one press release away from catapulting her corporation to new heights. Her team is close to a breakthrough that will revolutionize the world—all they need is a little more time.Rival CEO Antonio Forte is arrogant, controlling, and sexy as hell. He’ll stop at nothing to get control of Lauren’s company.The only problem? He’s also the one-night stand she can’t get out of her mind. And Antonio wants to take over more than her company, he wants her as part of the acquisition.Let the games begin...
Ravel
Shari J. Ryan - 2015
The outcome could be life or death.Trent hit me once, and I cried. Then he hit me again. And again. After a while, I got used to it, as I slept on the floor beside his bed, night after night.Everyone told me to leave him, but I can't. He won't let me. The moment I wanted to give up on myself and any form of hope, Kemper—a tall, sexy Marine just home from Afghanistan walked into my bar. With one look in his eyes, I saw pain that mirrored my own.At first, I thought maybe he would be my prince charming, riding in to save me, but all it took was one tragedy for me to remember…fairy tales don’t exist in real life.
*The content in this book discusses domestic violence and is suitable for readers over 18.*
Fake Marriage Act
Lulu Pratt - 2018
My buddy knows I think relationships – and women – are too much trouble. So as a joke he signed me up for a reality TV show. Marry a stranger and after 6 months get a million dollars. Even better I can walk away first and still get my half, an easy half million in my pocket. Sign me up. Then Mira walks down the aisle, her killer curves filling out her wedding dress. F*ck! Her full lips are begging for an x rated response when I’m told I can kiss the bride. I’m not leaving this marriage until I taste her. But she has other ideas. These six months are going to be … hard. *** A steamy STANDALONE contemporary full-length romance with no cliffhanger, no cheating, and a guaranteed happily-ever-after.***
Shagged
Alex Wolf - 2018
I avoid them whenever possible. They always want something from me whether it’s money or attention. My ten-figure net worth isn’t the product of being what people would consider a “nice guy.” When I see something I want—I take it. I’ve been called an asshole more times than I can count, and I don’t care. Caring about things makes you vulnerable, and vulnerable is the last thing I’ll ever be. Until Christina walks in and threatens the foundation of my life with her tight little body, sassy mouth, and soft curves. She doesn’t put up with my sh*t. She makes me human. I fight the attraction. But, there’s one problem… I have to have her. I will have her.
The Frozen Crown
Greta Kelly - 2021
A stellar read that I thoroughly enjoyed." -- Emily Duncan, New York Times bestselling author of Wicked Saints A princess with a powerful and dangerous secret must find a way to save her country from ruthless invaders in this exciting debut fantasy, the first novel in a thrilling duology packed with heroism, treachery, magic, and war.Askia became heir to the Frozen Crown of Seravesh because of her devotion to her people. But her realm is facing a threat she cannot defeat by sheer will alone. The mad emperor of the Roven Empire has unleashed a horde of invading soldiers to enslave her lands. For months, her warriors have waged a valiant, stealth battle, yet they cannot stop the enemy’s advancement. Running out of time, she sets sail for sun-drenched Vishir, the neighboring land to the south, to seek help from its ruler, Emperor Armaan.A young woman raised in army camps, Askia is ill-equipped to navigate Vishir’s labyrinthine political games. Her every move sinks her deeper into court intrigues which bewilder and repel her, leaving her vulnerable not only to enemies gathering at Vishir's gates, but to those behind the palace walls. And in this glittering court, where secrets are worth more than gold, Askia fears that one false step will expose her true nature. For Askia is a witch gifted with magical abilities—knowledge that could destroy not only her life but her people. As her adversaries draw closer, Askia is forced to make an impossible choice—and no matter what she decides, it may not be enough to prevent Seravesh’s fall.
The Arrangement
Robyn Harding - 2019
All that’s required is to look pretty and hang on his every word. Sexual favours are optional.Though more than thirty years her senior, Gabe, a handsome corporate finance attorney, seems like the perfect candidate, and within a month, they are madly in love. At least, Nat is…Gabe already has a family, whom he has no intention of leaving.So when he abruptly ends things, Nat can’t let go. She begins drinking heavily and stalking him: watching him at work, spying on his wife, even befriending his daughter, who is not much younger than she is. But Gabe’s not about to let his sugar baby destroy his perfect life. What was supposed to be a mutually beneficial arrangement devolves into a nightmare of deception, obsession, and, when a body is found near Gabe’s posh Upper East Side apartment, murder.
Lie for Me
Ali Parker - 2019
Our paths cross as she comes to the retreat center for a company getaway.My mind spins a million webs and my body percolates at the possibilities.She’s the one. I can feel it. But I need this to be more of a business transaction than a love affair.I’m hoping I can lie to myself about what’s happening with my heart.At least long enough for her to help me get financing for my company.All I need is for her to lie for me.
Song of the Fireflies
J.A. Redmerski - 2014
Redmerski brings us a stunning and heart-wrenching new novel about a couple who find each other in their darkest moment. Since they were kids, Elias Kline and Brayelle Bates have been inseparable. When Bray moves to South Carolina, separating the two for the first time, they both at last realize that their innocent childhood friendship has developed into something much more. So when Bray finally returns to Georgia—and to Elias—things between them couldn’t be more perfect…until one fateful night changes everything. Desperate not to go to prison for a terrible accident, Elias and Bray decide to run. As they try to make the most of their freedom, the two find themselves relying on a rebellious group of people who tempt the duo into a wild and daring new life. But they can’t run from their troubles forever.As the consequences of their past catch up to them, the couple must finally face reality. Even if they can make it through the unimaginable, Elias knows the truth about Bray’s painful history, and in the end he may not be able to save Bray from herself…New Adult Contemporary Romance - Standalone Novel