Book picks similar to
Jude's Sweet Fire by Jessica McBrayer
romance
sports
contemporary
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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.
Logan
Violette Paradis - 2020
I don't do these kinds of things.But I would never have a chance to date him otherwise and the money is nice.Our contract says our relationship is strictly platonic.But the kisses feel so real.And deep down I wish it was something more...LoganEveryone thinks I'm a rebel, a bad boy, a guy who can't keep it in his pants...The tabloids make all their money off the disaster that is my personal life.If only they knew the real me.There's only one thing to do to get the public back on my side : put on a show.But things get too real when Riley turns out to be everything I want in a woman.She's smart, sexy, and she loves hockey.But this is all for show... right?I'm willing to risk it all to find out.
Just One Fake Date
Deborah Cooke - 2016
Ten years later, their exclusive fitness club, Flatiron Five Fitness, is the hottest destination in Manhattan. People flock to F5F to get fit, to get lucky, and even, to fall in love. The founding partners have been immune to F5F’s romantic spell—at least, so far…Tyler McKay has a plan…And it doesn’t include a serious relationship anytime soon. Between his day job and being a partner at Flatiron 5 Fitness, he’s busy investing in the future. But Ty knows that going stag to his sister’s wedding will encourage the family matchmakers: he needs a fake date, fast, in self-defense. When the one woman who hates him walks into F5F, Ty knows he’s found the perfect candidate—that Shannyn doesn’t play by anyone’s rules just leaves Ty wanting more…Shannyn Hawke is done with plans and dreams…She had her whole life mapped out, but it all went wrong. Now, she’s taking care of number one and living in the moment, with no concern for the future. If her college crush wants to trade a fake wedding date for physical satisfaction, Shannyn is in. But just one night proves that Tyler is everything she believes a guy should be, plus he takes it as a challenge to change her mind about him. Shannyn never wants to have her heart broken again, but she’s falling hard and fast. Can she remember that it’s just for show? Or will Tyler convince Shannyn to take a chance on forever again?
Light Up the Night
Weston Parker - 2018
That’s what they call me. I rush into burning building to save lives, and I wish it was for a just cause. It’s not. It’s to prove that I’m worthy of love. A messed-up knee, and my dreams of being in the NFL are gone. I’m fearless when it comes to fighting back death. That’s not what f*cks me up. It’s living that gets me. The last thing I need in my life is a woman, no matter how bad I want one. And yet, this one has me pacing the floor. The single mom who owns my crew’s favorite restaurant is sweet, loving, and hot as hell. It’s not that easy, though. She’s lost too much in her life to give out free chances to men like me. But I’m not asking for a chance. I’m taking it. Every Good Girl Deserves a Bad Boy. ~ Weston
Summer of Change
Elena Aitken - 2014
And he wants her.Successful, handsome and too damn charming for his own good—he's perfect.The only problem? Letting him in could destroy everything she knows and loves.Samantha Burke loves her quiet close-knit community of Cedar Springs, just the way it is thank you very much.The addition of an upscale new resort as well as its arrogant owner, Trent Harrison, and the change they're both sure to bring to town, is certainly not welcome. As far as Sam's concerned, Trent can turn right around and go back to where he came from.That is, until one very hot—and completely unexpected—kiss changes everything. Now Trent is pushing his way into her town, and her life and it's getting harder and harder for Sam to deny the heat between them. Change is inevitable, but can either of them drop their guard long enough to accept it when there's so much on the line? Including the chance for love?
Someone Else's Daughter
Linsey Lanier - 2011
Independent. Skeptical.Thirteen years ago her abusive husband stole her baby and gave it up for adoption.She comes to Atlanta to find her daughter.THE PIWade Parker.Ace detective.Wealthy owner of the Parker Investigative Agency.The most eligible forty-four-year-old bachelor in Atlanta.Still mourning the death of his socialite wife, he must solve a disturbing murder case.Before the killer strikes again.THE MURDERERA serial killer strangling young girls in a bizarre ritual.Why?She doesn't need a man.He needs to find a killer.Together, can they save a thirteen year old girl?
Loyalty and Lies
L.A. Cotton - 2015
Especially when she catches the eye of the captain of The Fallen football team for all the wrong reasons.Determined to keep her head down and survive, Ana swears off guys. Until she meets the gorgeous, yet mysterious, Jackson. He sees past her walls, her pain and secrets, and slowly, Ana finds herself unable to fight their undeniable connection.But Jackson harbors a dark secret too...One that might destroy her.*Loyalty and Lies is the first book in Ana and Jackson’s trilogy. Due to mature content this book is recommended for readers aged 17+
The Prince's Playbook
Pamela DuMond - 2018
I can live with that because I’m Maximillian Rochartè, Prince of Bellèno and I make royal problems go away.The monarchy borrowed millions from shady oligarchs and loans are coming due. I convince a billionaire to fork over a fortune in exchange for marrying his daughter, Lady Cici to my playboy brother. Cici needs a few weeks to clear up loose ends but by then someone will be murdered and dumped into the Black Sea as fish food. Probably me.I hire Vivian, an out of work American cocktail waitress -- who could be Cici’s sexier, funnier, smarter twin -- to impersonate her for a few weeks. Our chemistry’s crazy and I can’t help but proposition her relentlessly. In spite of my dirty, filthy, all consuming thoughts about what I’ll do to her once I get her in the sack -- I transform Vivian into a ‘lady.’Now we’re back in Bellèno, weeks have passed, and Cici’s a no-show. I know in the depths of my deceitful heart that I'm falling in love with Vivian. Unfortunately, my brother is too...
Hired
Lily Harlem - 2010
Not when it would make my dreams of going to nursing school possible. I wasn’t even expected to talk to him, just hang out in a luxurious villa on a private beach and study. Simple, right?But I hadn’t counted on Logan being so deliciously bad that he was oh so good. And when the temperature cranked to boiling point, he knew just how to satisfy the deepest, darkest part of my soul and give my body exactly what it needed. Amongst the sand and waves, we transported each other to an exquisite world of pleasure where only we existed, only we mattered.But the heady mix of emotions and lust couldn’t keep things from spiraling out of control back in reality, where I had to keep the secret that I’d been hired to entertain him…even if it shattered my delicate heart. Even if it cost my destiny.
Second Chance for the Mountain Man
K.C. Crowne - 2020
This is a mountain man's second chance, fake marriage romance and part of the Mountain Men of Liberty Series. Each book can be read as a standalone. Transport yourself into the charming and magical town of Liberty, Utah as we follow several rugged mountain men in their quests to find lasting love on the mountainsRead all the books in the bestselling Mountain Men of Liberty Series:]1. Baby for the Mountain Man2. Junior for the Mountain Man3. Knocked Up by the Mountain Man4. Baby for Daddy's Best Friend5. Triplets for the Mountain Man6. Taken by the Mountain Man7. Mountain Man's Secret Baby8. Mountain Man's Accidental Surprise9. Quadruplets for the Mountain Man10. Delivering His Gifts11. Mountain Man's Fate12. Mountain Man's Lucky Charm13. Mountain Man's Rival14. Small Town Mountain Daddy
Say You're Mine
Layla Hagen - 2021
It was a gut reaction to his smoldering eyes and deep voice. To my total disbelief, he gives me the assignment. I can handle the job, but the sexy man who's intent on getting under my skin might be too hot to resist. But our lives are too different. He’s under constant scrutiny. I thrive on freedom and spontaneity. When we’re together, all our differences fade, and I can’t get enough of this man. And he won’t quit until he makes me his.
Before
Nicola Marsh - 2013
Unless Mom’s the town joke and I’ve spent my entire life shying away from her flamboyance. College in Las Vegas should be so much cooler. But it’s not. Bad things happen. Real bad.So when my brother Reid offers me an all-expenses paid vacation to Australia for a month, I am so there. Discounting the deadly snakes on the outback cattle station, I should be safe. Until I meet Jack.Jack defines bad boy and then some. He’s big, buffed, bronzed, and hotter than any guy I’ve ever met. His sexy Aussie accent makes me melt. And the guy can cook.But he’s my brother’s new bestie and he lives on the other side of the world. There’s no future for us.Is there?
Love Handles
Gretchen Galway - 2011
She hates the gym, is nice to everybody, and shops at Ross Dress for Less. When she's not teaching preschool, she's wearing yoga pants... to nap in. So when she inherits her estranged grandfather's fitnesswear company in San Francisco, nobody expects her to keep it. Fite Fitness needs a heartless suit to save it from bankruptcy, not a thirty-year-old woman who cries when her students leave for kindergarten.Someone like Liam Johnson. A former Olympic swimmer, Liam is Fite's executive vice president. Unlike Bev, he's devoted his life to Fite's success. Managing one little preschool teacher — and his attraction to her — shouldn't be an issue. Right?But Bev's tired of being underpaid and underrated, and refuses to step aside as an obedient figurehead. To everyone's shock and horror, she moves up to San Francisco, sets up an office, and dives into the business. Nothing — not mockery, not exercise, not sabotage, not a disastrously hot night with her aggravating VP — is going to scare her away.As Liam realizes she's tougher than she looks, he discovers that losing Fite might not be nearly as bad as losing her...A story about the pursuit of love, happiness, and the perfect yoga pants, Love Handles will speak to anyone who's ever had to face the thing that scares her most.Warning: contains at least two loves scenes and a happy ending.
Adrian
Sosie Frost - 2021
But I never expected to be propositioned by my sweet, virginal best friend.Clover’s a beautiful, pint-sized serving of mischief, but she’s far too innocent to spend a night with a man as rough as me. She doesn’t know what she’s asking…or what happens to curious girls who tangle themselves in my sheets. She calls it purely platonic procreation.I call it a mistake. Unfortunately, Clover’s picked the worst time to sneak into my bed. Between my recovery from a near career-ending injury and my responsibilities as captain, I can’t be distracted by my best friend surrendering herself to my most forbidden fantasy. Because when one night becomes two, and two becomes three…Is it worth sacrificing our friendship if this could become so much more?ADRIAN is a safe, best-friends-to-lovers baby-making romantic comedy featuring a too-hot-for-the-ice hockey player. With a guaranteed happily-ever-after and those famous hockey glutes, this new sports romance from Wall-Street Journal Best Selling Author Sosie Frost is so naughty you should read it in the penalty box.
My Best Friend, the Billionaire
Serenity Woods - 2019
The two of us are poles apart.So I’ve trained myself not to think of him in that way.Not to think of kissing him, undressing him slowly.Of sliding beneath the bedclothes. Of having his hands on my skin.I don’t think of it at all.I can’t. Because Hal never stays with a girl for long, and if he were to have me, then leave me, my heart would break into a million pieces, and I’d never be able to put it together again.But then he tells me he’s fallen in love with someone. I try to guess who, and he just smiles.“Izzy,” he says patiently, “it’s you.”Oh no.*The Billionaire Kings is set in Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary and features the sons of the heroes from the USA Today bestselling Three Wise Men series of sexy holiday romances. The books are all standalones, and you don’t have to have read the Three Wise Men to enjoy The Billionaire Kings, but if you have read them you will hopefully have fun meeting up with Brock, Charlie, and Matt occasionally in these stories! This new series takes place approximately thirty years after the Three Wise Men, but it’s not set ‘in the future’. I just thought it would be fun to write a new series that had a connection to one of my favorites. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!