Book picks similar to
Up Close and Personal by Janet Wellington


contemporary-romance
romance
contemporary
ebook

Fanny Bower Puts Herself Out There


Julia Ariss - 2013
    She leads a quiet existence - keeping to the sidelines, avoiding high jinks, living in her head and waiting for something momentous to happen. A few weeks into a new job, at the urging of her socially savvy colleague, she decides to begin afresh to conquer her fears and release her inner dynamo – whatever that is.Her inaugural foray at an office cocktail reception goes horribly awry when she finds herself caught up in mayhem and thrust into the spotlight, placing her at odds with her handsome and uber-powerful employer who takes a dim view of her shenanigans. Determined to fix her crippling social anxiety, stay employed, and discover her life’s purpose, she puts herself out there. Her new “butterfly wings” are tested as they flutter incessantly between mystifying small talk and mortifying gaffes in a bid to unleash a charm offensive – whatever that means.At the very height of her confusion, she is spurred to action by the plight of a friend. She plunges headlong into a situation fraught with uncertainty and risks everything, including the alienation of the one person she’s managed to captivate in the process. Fans of quirky romantic satire will find Fanny’s journey irresistible.

A Song for Julia


Charles Sheehan-Miles - 2012
    Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy. When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.

Summer Loving


Rivka Spicer - 2012
    Impressed with her style, he offers her a challenge she can't refuse: 6 guys, 6 weeks...can she turn around their hapless internet dating history and blog for the magazine while she does it?Confused by her deliciously dishy boss and swept off her feet by the local librarian, Elise sets out on an emotional journey with her projects, only to discover that the path to love is dark and sometimes painful. Who is the mysterious Mr X leaving love letters on her blog? Who knew that life in the city could be so complicated? Sometimes it's not about who's out there, it's about who's looking.Packed with humour, emotion and lots of cake, this is a book for anyone that's ever looked for love and been surprised where they found it.

Cabin by the Lake


Desiree Douglas - 2016
     A bonfire is lit when she moves to her aunt's lake house in rural Georgia in need of a fresh start. There she meets hunky backpacker, Mike Rodgers, seeking shelter from a storm. As lightning flashes, so does their chemistry. A man is the last thing Lydia needs in her life, but working alongside Mike to renovate an old guest cabin, the two are drawn together with an irresistible pull. In the woods nearby, someone is watching--and waiting. When she realizes that her past has caught up to her, Lydia knows she has to leave to protect her aunt, and keep Mike from learning her history! Little does she know that Mr. Perfect has secrets of his own...

More Than My Billionaire Boss


Danae Little - 2018
     Ambitious and responsible, Abigail Johnson always puts aside her own needs to fulfill her boss’s. Playing the role of his fake girlfriend, however, is one task that pushed her to her limits. Pretending to be a billionaire’s girlfriend during his family’s white sand Christmas reveals a side of her boss that intrigues her. Their first staged kiss, awakens Abigail to the realization that this invented relationship might actually have become real. When someone leaks her identity to the media, she has to make a decision that will change the rest of her life, and that of her Billionaire Boss.

My Own Mr. Darcy


Karey White - 2013
    Darcy appears on the screen. Lizzie falls hard and makes a promise to herself that she will settle for nothing less than her own Mr. Darcy. This ill-advised pledge threatens to ruin any chance of finding true love. During the six intervening years, she has refused to give any interested suitors a chance. They weren’t Mr. Darcy enough. Coerced by her roommate, Elizabeth agrees to give the next interested guy ten dates before she dumps him. That guy is Chad, a kind and thoughtful science teacher and swim coach. While she’s dating Chad, her dream comes true in the form of a wealthy bookstore owner named Matt Dawson, who looks and acts like her Mr. Darcy. Of course she has to follow her dream. But as Elizabeth simultaneously dates a regular guy and the dazzling Mr. Dawson, she’s forced to re-evaluate what it was she loved about Mr. Darcy in the first place.

Set the Night on Fire


Jennifer Bernard - 2016
    The town bad boy is back to clear his name Firefighter Sean Marcus left Jupiter Point in disgrace, but now he’s coming home to clear his name. As the man in charge of setting up the new Jupiter Point Hotshots wildfire crew, he’s out to prove he’s no longer the troubled boy who fled after a night of violence. He’s back for one reason only--and it isn’t to fall in love. The town sweetheart has a secret Evie McGraw has never spoken about that night. But she can’t escape it, especially now that her brother’s wild friend Sean is back. Rugged, sexy and irresistible, he’s the only one who knows what happened. Evie put her life on hold to protect her family, but now, she has to make a choice. Keep silent…or put her heart on the line and let Sean help heal the past?

For Love or Money


Tara Brown - 2013
    SOCCERSEXSCHOOLJames Holland has all the basics covered and his life, as usual, is on track.That is until he meets her—Lana Webber.Then everything falls apart, as he falls for her.Along the way to losing his heart for the first time, he manages to fulfill a bargain he made a long time ago in a bar in Nashville where he left a dream.But she has skills at ruining lives, she's mastered them destroying her own, and she's the last thing he needs in his life.Try telling that to his heart as he finds himself more and more drawn to the girl deemed by all as unlovable.And as hard as he tries not to be interested, the closer he gets to her the worse it is.She is nothing like what she is portrayed in the public eye.Lana Webber is the girl every guy claims to have had.But she doesn't care what people say about her.She has fun.At least she did until everyone started saying she had it coming.But this time—she didn't.For the first time ever, Lana is innocent but her past has her guilty before anyone even hears her side.Betrayed, ditched, and humiliated—Lana discovers the road to redemption lies in a dirty secret.THE James Holland, soccer star and smug womanizer, isn't quite what he's portrayed to be.When she blackmails him into seeing things her way she gets more than she bargained for.18+

A Fake Marriage Boxset: 5 Sweet Fake Marriage Romances


Anne-Marie Meyer - 2019
     Marrying a Cowboy When a fake marriage turns real. Emma seems destined to be the perpetual bridesmaid. Especially when her one potential groom dumped her on her birthday a year ago. Austin must fulfill his grandmother’s marriage stipulation in order to inherit his grandfather’s ranch. After a broken heart, he decided that love isn’t going to be a requirement for marriage anymore. Both are at the mercy of every do-gooder matchmaker, so they concoct a plan. A fake marriage between the two of them would be beneficial for both. What could go wrong? When they fly to Austin’s Montana ranch, they’re optimistic that they’ve come up with the greatest arrangement. When the relationship is fake, no feelings get hurt. Until it’s no longer fake. Marrying an Athlete Kissing was a mistake. Anna’s life has been in a slump ever since her boss and boyfriend—who happened to be the same person—dumped her. Michael’s running from a stupid mistake. When Michael’s little sister, McKenna, who happens to be Anna’s best friend asks for a favor, they both agree. It was simple. Fake a marriage and join McKenna and her husband at a marriage counseling resort. Besides, the drunken kiss they shared two years ago was definitely a one-time mistake. If they can only leave their feelings in the past, they just might survive this island getaway. Marrying a Billionaire The contract said it all, feelings were forbidden. Lillian is desperate for a job. Six months pregnant and recently divorced, she needs health insurance. Now. Reed is trying to get over his broken heart and to make matters worse, he discovers that he needs to be married to inherit his family’s billion-dollar investment company. But marriage isn’t in his future anymore, so it doesn't matter. Out of desperation, Reed’s mom puts in a call to an elite matchmaking agency to find him a contract wife. After an episode of mistaken identity, Lillian finds herself contractually obligated to marry Reed. Which is the ideal relationship for the both of them. When a contract is involved, no one gets hurt. Until feelings begin to change. Marrying a Prince To save the prince, she must agree to marry him. Marianna has sworn off men. After all, they only hurt you the moment they have the chance. Prince Leonardo is in America with one mission: propose to the woman he doesn’t love because his parents think it will be the best thing for their country. When he hits his head, he fakes amnesia with the hopes that his parents will let him off the hook. After all, they wouldn’t force him to marry someone he doesn’t remember, right? Wrong. Desperate to get away, Leo “accidentally” proposes to Marianna. The plan is perfect.

Worth the Risk


Robin Bielman - 2012
    But now he's back in her life, and ready to steal a heritage protection contract that could make or break her career--if he doesn't steal her heart first. Samantha's vowed to hate him, but it's more than anger heating the competition between them. With sparks flying across the conference table and sizzling in every touch, Dean proposes a weekend liaison. Anything to have Sam again; anything to get her out of his system. But the unresolved feelings between them complicate both their personal and professional lives, and one wild weekend could turn into a disaster that would destroy the one job that means more to Samantha than anything. For a shot at love...is it worth the risk?

Runaway Bride


Cynthia Luhrs - 2019
    In a daze, she left the city behind, only stopping for necessities, until she found herself staring at the ocean, inhaling deep lungfuls of clean salty sea air. The vintage car sputtered and died as she coasted into Magnolia Beach. Alex Parrish had it all. Money, women, model looks, and fast cars. Until the accident. Then his uncle stole his trust fund. Now he's broke, ugly, and ill-tempered, not to mention he doesn’t have a single employable skill. Certain she’s in no danger of falling for another entitled rich guy, Rose takes a position cleaning for the town hermit. She needs time to heal, to figure out what comes next. Alex doesn’t know who he is without his money and his looks, but going by the new housekeeper’s reaction, he’ll never set foot in public again. He’s fired every other housekeeper in three towns so he’s stuck with the beguiling Rose. Sparks fly. As Alex spends more and more time with Rose, he falls head over heels in love for the first time in his miserable life. Too bad she’s made it clear there could never be anything between them other than friendship.

Gone Country


Katrina Marie - 2021
    And, it’s not as easy as I thought it would be.My car? Ends up in a ditch.A hot shower? Interrupted by a snake.Not to mention the quiet. How do people fall asleep without background noise?The only good thing about Asheville is the mechanic that comes to my rescue and offers to fix my car. He’s playful, kind, and promises he’s not looking for a relationship, which is great since I won’t be here long. He can show me everything this town has to offer, including “other activities”…with no strings attached.But how can I keep my eye on the prize when he’s looking at me like I’m his?

Scoring Her Heart


Marquita Valentine - 2017
    As infamous as he is attractive, Dallas has all the equipment necessary to bring home the win.The first time I met him, I was in handcuffs.The second, he saved me when I fell off a ladder.Now? Now we’re working together to plan a charity event.I may not be interested in what Dallas has to offer, but as the game goes on, I’m becoming more open to his passes.Is he looking for the win, or just determined to score?Scoring Her Heart can be read as a standalone.

I Have People


Taylor Dean - 2012
    Young and in love, Holly hopes to have their first child soon. Of course, Gabriel wants to wait till Holly’s health is restored, much to Holly’s dismay. She feels perfectly fine. So what if she just woke up from an eight-month coma? So what if some of her memories are missing? She remembers Gabe and that’s all that matters, right? That is, until HE enters her life again . . . she forgot about HIM.

Her Billionaire Inventor


Dobi Daniels - 2018
    She’d been emotionally scarred from her last relationship and has just managed to pay off the mountain of debts she was saddled with.Now all she wants for Christmas is to rediscover Christmas joy—no love in the equation, and what better place than her hometown Dexington where she recalled spending the happiest times of her life. She is determined to stick with her plan and not even a chance encounter with Phillip—billionaire hospital heir and inventor, and the town’s most eligible bachelor—can change her mind.Until she discovers he is the boy she kissed in high school.Phillip Dexington is finally about to launch a new medical device after having his last invention stolen by his former girlfriend and sold to his archenemy. He’s determined that nothing must go wrong this time around—which means avoiding a relationship at all costs—and is content with spending Christmas with the children at the orphanage.But when Phillip runs into Sarah Nash, the girl who stole his heart in high school, his world flips upside down. She’s only in town for Christmas, and the time before the launch party is Phillip’s only chance at determining if she is the one.Will they open their hearts to the fullness of Christmas and give love a second chance, or will their trust issues rob them of a happily ever after?This is a sweet/clean emotional scars Christmas medical billionaire romance with no cliffhangers and a guaranteed HEA.