Book picks similar to
Unsung Hero by Barbara Ankrum


contemporary-romance
netgalley
contemporary
romance

Flirting with Forever


Kim Boykin - 2014
    Tara’s about to live her dream only there’s one problem. Her husband of 15 years has just walked out, leaving Tara on the brink of financial ruin with no choice but to promote a self-help book about marriage when hers is secretly in ruins. Enter publicist Jake Randall, 30, who’s had it with hand holding newbie authors channeling their inner divas on their first book tours, until he meets Tara. Their instant attraction blossoms quickly into love. Tara thinks she has achieved her dreams and earned her license to thrive until her husband, Jim returns determined to win her back.

Like a Boss


Liz Matis - 2017
    Like a Boss War veteran Dawson Trudeau never expected his estranged identical twin to walk into his bar in Alaska, let alone offer him twenty million dollars to pose as the CEO of King Enterprises while he secretly heads to rehab for thirty days. With dreams of starting a homeless shelter for veterans and locating his retired service dog from Afghanistan, Dawson can’t say no. Then he meets his brother’s sexy assistant and he hopes she can’t say no—some overtime between the sheets. Lacey Brooks isn’t attracted to her metro-sexual boss, but his rough and ready identical twin is just her type. When lust turns into love, she fears she is betraying the CEO. If she can navigate the family feud to ensure a spot-on impersonation by Dawson, she’ll finally be promoted to VP. 
 If they can pull off the masquerade, everyone wins. But once the thirty days is over will victory matter if they don’t have each other?

Cowboy to the Rescue


Ann B. Harrison - 2019
    Before his grandfather passed, he tried to make amends for his wild youth and has devoted his future to bringing the family ranch back to financial health. The last thing the confirmed bachelor expects is to stand in as a labor coach for his attorney, and enemy’s wife. Even more awkward, the attentive and attractive woman at the expectant mother's side is making it nearly impossible to keep his focus on his ranch and family legacy. Sadie St. Martin interned in Denver for Layla Cox and followed her to Marietta, Montana, to run her law practice while she's on maternity leave. Sadie has some major decisions to make about her future and they become even tougher after she helps Layla through labor alongside a sexy, confident cowboy who is also a client. Sadie’s fought hard for her career. Jethro is everything she shouldn’t want, but can this big city girl’s head overrule her heart in small town Montana?

Hayley


Kathryn Shay - 2020
    He’s the most irritating, self-absorbed defense attorney she’s ever met. What happens when a couple like this goes from enemies to lovers in one moonlit night on his boat?Assistant District Attorney Hayley Casella wants to tear her hair out whenever she has to argue against her nemesis, Paul Covington, in court. She’s battled the white-collar defense attorney for a year and their appearances together are only getting more emotional and tinged with sexual tension.Hot shot attorney Paul Covington is not letting DA Casella ruin his chances of becoming a partner in the prestigious law firm he joined last year. She’s a looker and smart as hell, but he’s as determined to show her up as she’s determined to put him down.This heartfelt legal drama is backdropped by the glamor of New York City galas, restaurants and boat trips on the ocean. Will Haley and Paul be able navigate the murky waters of competing careers and baggage from their childhoods to make a life together?Don’t miss all The Casella Cousins Books: Hayley, Seth, Finn, Alessia, Gideon and Ronan from the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Shay.

What Are Friends For?


Patricia McLinn - 2006
    Though that didn’t keep him from longing for the unattainable prom queen, Jennifer. The one person who did understand his out-of-the-box brain was Darcie, his best friend. After their high school graduation, Zeke and Darcie for one night jolted from friends to lovers. And then he left town, and she knew he couldn’t look back. What he didn’t know was the depth of Darcie’s feelings for him. Now it’s 17 years later, and Zeke’s a self-made billionaire founder of a tech security firm, Darcie’s a local cop and Jennifer’s a divorced mom of a tween girl. And their little town is flagging. At Darcie’s urging, Zeke returns to Drago to boost its economy. Will his new wealth attract the still-beautiful Jennifer? Or will Darcie, the one girl who always made him feel at ease, show him that true love knows no boundaries? * * * * * * * * What Are Friends For?, Book 1 of USA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn's Seasons in a Small Town series, is a moving, passionate contemporary romance that will captivate fans of Bella Andre, Roxanne St. Clair and Jill Shalvis.

The Lone Star Lawman


Justine Davis - 2019
    Except her. Police Chief Shane Highwater has the respect of the entire town of Last Stand, Texas, and they all believe he was blameless when an accident several months ago ended one life and tore apart another. All except reporter Liliana Jones, who blames him for her fiancé’s death. There's more to the story than she knows, secrets that might change her mind. Secrets Shane can't tell her. But oh, does he want to, because Lily Jones is the first woman he's been undeniably drawn to in a very long time. When a tragedy in town throws them together, Lily is forced to admit Shane is everything everyone said he was and ignoring the growing attraction is near impossible, and she’s no longer sure she wants to. Has her change of heart come too late?

Sweet Montana Sky


Lisa Mondello - 2017
    An upside down horseshoe made Tabby Swanson's skin crawl, but it wasn't enough to keep her from training her prize horse, Tenterhook, for barrel racing so she could get a sponsorship. When Kasper Dobbs shows up the ranch, she's intrigued and hopeful. The handsome businessman, and former local hockey star, has deep pockets. It doesn't hurt that he's devastatingly handsome and makes her heart pound in her chest more than barrel racing. It almost makes her forget about the strange happenings on the ranch until someone turns up dead, and she and Tenterhook suffer a near fatal accident in competition, threatening her rodeo days forever.Kasper knows Tabby's fall was no accident. Being told you may never compete again is a fate he knows well. He won't let Tabby give up and insists on getting her back into training as soon as he can. But how can he know if whoever caused her accident will try again? He calls the Knight brothers to investigate the mysterious death and strange happens surrounding Tabbyso they can catch whoever is responsible before she takes another fall. He wants to believe he's doing it all in the name of business. But he's fallen hard for the cowgirl whose sunshine smile makes him want more than just to ride again. He wants the girl for life!

Be Mine Forever


Lexy Parker - 2019
    I should have known better than that.It gave her the wrong impression. It would to any woman.Being a single father and losing my wife has left me wanting to pull back from love.But this new girl at the flower shop, Cupid’s Arrow, has me feeling things I didn’t know I’d ever feel again.It’s Valentine’s Day, and I want this girl to be mine.Forever.

Right Under My Nose


Ali Parker - 2018
     A few days ago, my son’s teacher wanted to berate me on my parenting style. I politely told her to f*ck off, in so many words. And now? She’s sitting across the table from me at my first blind date in years. You can’t make this shit up. Nothing has been easy since my wife left me and Hunter years ago. And yet, we persevered. He’s my whole world, and the last thing I have time for is a woman. But this beautiful teacher disagrees. She wants to help me find the right girl for me and my boy. My best friend agrees. It’s time. To shut everyone up, I go along with it. How bad can this get? Don’t ask. The right woman has been under my nose the whole time. And without realizing it, I’ve fallen deeply in love with her. I can only hope she’ll stop her silly search and accept my offer. Be mine. Forever.

Big Love in Small Places


Theresa Paolo - 2021
    Both recovering from shocking revelations, they unintentionally lean on each other. But as their attraction builds and their undeniable chemistry explodes into passion, a secret threatens their happily ever after.Final stop: Red Maple FallsMad About Matt: When city girl Shay moves to picturesque Red Maple Falls, she opens her own bakery--and reunites with her ex, Matt, the handsome local sheriff. A passionate and engaging small-town romance!Travelers Guide:Willow Cove: BEST LOBSTER IN THE STATE! Check out the locals and their freshest seafood. Don't forget to stop by The Local Bean for that cuppa and catch up on all the town gossip!Morgan's Bay: Are you ready for some New York fun? Get away from the city and visit the cutest book store and eat the BEST BURGERS around! Don't forget to say hi to the very cute bartender.Red Maple Falls: Visit the Happy Apple for a slice of our famous pie! Enjoy a cruise down main street on one of our custom bikes at the Chain and Spoke. Don't forget to say hi to one of the MANY hot Hayes' siblings.

Holler and Howl


Susanna Rogers - 2018
     Nick Steel is used to getting what he wants. Fronting a huge, international rock band? No problem. Buying his favorite dive bar? Sure thing. Getting back together with his first love? Hmmm… He broke her heart once before, and Lily Novak is not going to let Nick do it again. One thing has kept them in touch, but she won’t let him touch her heart. No way. A story about coming back home, and realizing you can’t always get what you want.

Nobody Else But You


Claire Marti - 2022
    She doesn’t care how gorgeous he is––she wants him gone after he threatens to pull her family back into the paparazzi filled world they escaped from over a decade ago.Holt knows Sam hates him on sight and the feeling is becoming mutual. But his entire career is riding on a favor from Sam’s legendary film director father. No way will he allow one irritating, sexy redhead to stand in his way.Sam intends to fight him at every turn…if only her heart didn’t race when they’re together. Holt does his best to steer clear of her…except all he wants to do is hold her close. The sizzling attraction between them is either going to burn up the sheets or burn down the ranch…

Persuading Him


Michelle Dare - 2015
    Her father is the founder of Markson Aviation, a top name in the private jet industry. When her parents go through a public divorce battle, she is shoved into the spotlight. Now in her late twenties, she lives a comfortable life, but likes to keep the media at a distance. Radek Cole is a retired Air Force officer who agrees to a last minute job. He flies the rich and famous around the country in their private aircraft. Kasi needs a pilot for her upcoming trip and Mr. Cole comes highly recommended. Little does she know that one encounter would change everything. Kasi has an immediate and intense attraction to her new pilot and is used to getting what she wants. Initially, he turns down her advances, but her skills of persuasion are no match for him. Unfortunately, the media won’t leave them alone. What Kasi doesn’t know is that she isn’t the only one who has a public past. Find out what happens when the heiress meets the pilot.

Cowboy Creed


Rhonda Lee Carver - 2020
    For Mindy and Creed the flame remains.Newly divorced and empty nester, Mindy Sage, decided that her hometown might be the perfect place to reinvent herself, or at least find the wild and carefree girl she used to be before she moved away.She’s craving small town comfort, but the problem is, in Cooper’s Hawk, everyone knows everyone. Secrets can feel as tall and wide as the Montana mountains that backdrop the friendly, picturesque town where she’d left her heart in the hands of a handsome cowboy nineteen years ago.Search and Rescue team member, Creed Hawke, understood more than anyone what saving a life meant, but who would save him from the one woman he’d never gotten over? He’d moved on—or at least he thought he had until those old emotions come tumbling back with the vengeance of a forest fire. He’s reminded of how much he’d loved Mindy, wanted her, swore to marry her. Why couldn’t he forget her? Resist her? Deny her his heart?Because he’d fallen for her at ten and never came back up for air.How can he forgive her for stealing his daughter from him? Is love stronger than the mistakes they’ve made? Or are they doomed before they find forever?

Undercover Princess


Lenora Worth - 2018
    a modern day fairy tale Born to an Italian father and native Texas mother, Nico Lamon returns to Texas to launch an exclusive deal with the iconic Castle Department Store. Guilty for not being there when his father died, Nico has brought the House of Lamon back from the brink of bankruptcy. He devises a marketing gimmick that will benefit both the Castles and the House of Lamon: find the perfect woman to be the fashion line's spokesperson and to wear the gorgeous Valentine shoes he personally designed. When he spots Eleanor in the crowd, he won't stop until she's that woman. His woman. Eleanor Castle returns to Castle Department Store undercover as head of security, but she's really back to reclaim her heritage and save both the store and her aging father. Eleanor has a plan to stop her evil stepmother from her devious doings and she won't stop until she knows her face is safe. But when Nico spots her at a gala and decides she's the one who should wear the shoes and that she's also the one he wants in his life, Eleanor has to reevaluate her undercover plan. Nico slips a red shoe on her foot and captures her heart. How can she fall for a prince of a man without exposing herself and her bruised heart?