Book picks similar to
Holding Out for You by Anna Paige


contemporary
dnf
brother-sister-friends
new-adult

Sneaking Candy


Lisa Burstein - 2013
    Of course, secretly I already have made a name for myself: as Candy Sloane, self-published erotic romance writer. Though thrilled that my books are selling and I have actual fans, if anyone at UM found out, I could lose my scholarship…and the respect of my faculty advisor, grade-A-asshole Professor Dylan.Enter James Walker, super-hot local barista and—surprise!—my student. Even though I know a relationship is totally off-limits, I can’t stop myself from sneaking around with James, taking a few cues from my own erotic writing…if you catch my drift. Candy’s showing her stripes for the first time in my real life, and I’ve never had so much fun. But when the sugar high fades, can my secrets stay under wraps?

Run to the Sea


K.G. Fletcher - 2019
    The very last thing he expects is the inheritance of his famous grandfather’s beach cottage on the sandy shores of Florida where he spent his childhood summers. Emeline Fischer is an aspiring artist trying to make ends meet, working an assortment of odd jobs while painting her dreams on canvas in hopes of landing her own gallery show someday. When she is Thomas’s waitress during her shift at the local beach diner, she immediately recognizes her sensitive childhood friend who promised long ago to protect her from her unstable home life when they were teens. The two friends take a journey into their past through a box of photos left behind at Cap Cottage and rediscover their mutual passion for art - and each other. Thomas doesn’t plan to fall in love with Emmy - but maybe he’s always been in love with her. Can he forgive himself for his past mistakes and start over in the only place that ever felt like home? Or will his guilt and the demands of his cutthroat, big-city career prevent him from following his heart and reuniting with the only woman he ever truly loved?

Best of Intentions


L.K. Farlow - 2019
    Aside from being my best friend’s older brother, he’s a cocky, smooth-talking, panty-dropping playboy of a cop. And yet, I’m helplessly drawn to him. His charm and good looks reduce me to a fumbling, mumbling teenaged version of myself, which pretty much guarantees that nothing will ever come of my silly crush. Until the night of my best friend’s wedding. Jenny Jones is the definition of innocence. She’s also my little sister’s best friend, making her completely off limits. She’s a forever kind of girl with hearts in her eyes, where I’ve always been more of a love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. Until a night spent between the sheets with her has me questioning everything I thought I wanted. I tried my hardest to stay away, but you know what they say about the best intentions . . .

Guilty as Charged


Harlow James - 2020
    But the princess from the other side of town is igniting a craving in my body that I can’t ignore.Seems she feels it too because one night she asks me to fuck her and I about choke on my tongue.Friends with benefits becomes the game we’re convinced we’re playing, but there’s a lot more friendly behavior happening than should.And the lines get blurred so quickly, I feel myself falling for the girl that I want to corrupt with every flick of my tongue.The girl I shouldn’t want, but do with every fiber of my body.But will she still want me when she finds out what I did?Will I fit into her world? A world that comes with an overbearing father who thinks he knows what’s best for his daughter even at twenty-eight?One thing is for certain though:When it comes to falling for Sydney Matthews, I’m guilty as charged.*Trigger Warning: Past rape is referenced in plotline. Please be advised.

Roots and Wings


M. Mabie - 2016
    Yet, all could think about was Mutt, or at least that’s what they called her.To me, she was gorgeous and witty ... and perfect. She knew more duty than desire, more perseverance than passion, and more acquaintance than affection, but here was no way I’d ever want to change her. In fact, I was dying to show her the life she'd been missing, but first she'd have to trust me enough to tell me her real name.I wanted to plant roots, but I refused to clip her wings. Not when she was everything I’d been looking for and all the home I’d ever need.Roots and Wings is a standalone contemporary romance. If you're looking for a good time, then you've come to the right place. Welcome to Wynne.

The Rivalry


Nikki Sloane - 2017
     He’s good with his hands, even better with his sexy mouth, and the best at making me forget my own name. His—ahem—stats are perfect. But I can’t fall for him. He might be everything I want, all rolled into a glorious package of gridiron god, but there’s one teeny-tiny problem. The vile, loathsome team I’ve spent my entire life hating—my beloved school’s arch-rival? This guy is their star player.

Best Man


Katy Evans - 2019
    When the wedding of your dreams is just around the corner, everything needs to go as planned. Only problem is, the groom didn’t get the memo.Aaron forgot the rings, and Lia is determined to make the long drive home to get them in time for their “I do’s.”But there’s a catch. There always is with Aaron, isn’t there?Aaron is too hungover to come, and sends a replacement.The best man.Miles Foster. The cocky, arrogant, sexy best man…and the last person Lia wants to be trapped in a car with for hours.But Aaron insists, and Lia wonders if there’s another reason Aaron wants Miles tagging along—aside from sticking her with a hot, surly babysitter.Yet how bad can it be? It’ll be over before she knows it, and she’ll never see him again. Just like in college.But when secrets are revealed, and Lia’s whole world is turned upside down, she realizes she’s been living a lie—and so has her groom.Miles is supposed to be the best man at her wedding.But what if he is simply the best man she has ever known? The best man for her?

The Boyfriend Plan


J.S. Cooper - 2019
    He's my brother's best friend since childhood. He was my first crush and now he's my boyfriend coach. And he says that he's going to help me find a boyfriend as long as I do what he says. Which is all good and well, but I don't know that I want him to be my teacher. Not when his techniques include kissing me in ways that make me think that he's the only one that I want. My name is Maggie Lane and I'm a dreamer, a thinker, a wanna-be writer and all I really wants is to meet the love of my life. I can't help it that I go from crush to crush, never finding Mr. Right. It's not that I'm not trying. I thought I would be single forever. And then I reunited with hunky Blake, and he said that he'll be my boyfriend coach and help me snag a boyfriend. He came up with a plan that included teaching me how to flirt, date, and even how to seduce. It all sounded like a great idea at first, but everyone knows that the best laid plans often go awry. The Boyfriend Plan is a completely revised and rewritten novel that was previously published as The Shameful Diary of a Hopeless Romantic.

Love at first sight


Mia Ford - 2018
    The raven-haired beauty on the train. I spilled my coffee on her, and she cursed me out. Two weeks later she was back. But she was different. Instead of tearing into me, her sparkling green eyes begged me to make her laugh. Her delicious, plump lips ignited my desire and made me forget the girl who got away. But something’s wrong. She doesn’t remember me. Acts like we just met. I don’t know if she’s messing with me, or if it’s something deeper. But I’m going to find out. I was hurt once. Never again. I’ll prove my love to Tamara and the twins growing inside her. Life used to be boring, now it’s a roller coaster. This time, the girl’s not getting away. This time, I’m chasing after her.

Off Limits Collection


Jane Anthony - 2020
    USA Today bestselling author Jane Anthony brings you three filthy mechanics, three feisty ladies, three forbidden tales of love, lust, and betrayal. Meet the foul-mouthed mechanic who’ll stop at nothing to win a country girl’s heart, the broody co-worker who has his sights set on his best friend’s sister, and the bad boy rocker who intends to corrupt the innocent Catholic girl.This set contains two full-length novels, as well as brand new bonus novella, ONLY available in the Off-Limits Collection.

How to Resist Prince Charming


Linda Kage - 2010
    Step 2: Never smile at him. Step 3: Never agree to anything he suggests. Or better yet, just follow Lenna Davenport's example and give in to temptation, sparking a whole tangle of passion, forbidden romance, mounting secrets and deceit. She meets her prince charming at her father's company Christmas party. Problem is he happens to be her dad's new boss. Worse problem is, her dad totally hates him. But what Daddy doesn't know... Braxton Farris takes over Farris Industries out of family obligation and expects his new employees might resent his youth and inexperience. What he doesn't anticipate is the level of contempt Tom Davenport carries for him. Nor does he count on falling for Tom's daughter. When he and Lenna start a secret affair, a disaster of corporate proportions is bound to follow. But to be together, they must decide if the fallout is worth it.(Revised and republished from the 2010 version)

Detour


A. Marie - 2020
    Angela Head down, eyes peeled for any opportunity to get off the dead-end course my mother carelessly paved for me years ago.My plan takes a sharp turn landing me directly across the hall from Creekwood’s resident bad boys. The three streetbike riding misfits are as stubborn as they are sexy. And they. Are. Sexy. Especially the one with the mocha swirl eyes watching my every move.But even the six-foot hallway separating us can’t keep the overbearing trio from constantly getting in my way.When my past threatens to catch up with me, I quickly learn not every detour promises an easier route, no matter how tempting my new neighbors might make it look. Coty Head up, eyes locked on anything threatening to throw me off the carefully constructed path I have mapped out.I live my life the same way I ride my bike, never once regretting the roads I’ve chosen.Lately though, after years of the same scenery, everything’s starting to blur together. It’s only when our elusive neighbor girl comes out of nowhere that I realize what’s been missing.And now that I have, I don’t think I can let her pass by so quickly. At least not without proving the lengths I’ll go for her first.

Frisky Business


Staci Hart - 2016
    Not the drama of working in a tattoo parlor, which seems to be around every corner. When things get him down, he smiles and cracks a joke. But he’s not the kind of man you cross, or you’ll find yourself at the wrong end of his fists.Annika Belousov takes everything seriously.Like her job as a reality television producer, given that she typically has something to prove. Or her love life, which is defined by a series of requirements — affluent, ambitious, accomplished, to name a few. Definitely her family, who worked their whole lives to afford her every opportunity, a sacrifice she doesn’t take lightly. When she’s tapped to produce a reality show at Joel’s shop, she doesn’t think twice, just goes in for the kill, as if there were any other way.The second Annika walks into Joel’s shop, he makes it his mission to crack her open, but she’s not having it. He’s all wrong — too crass, too hairy, too un-serious. But it doesn’t take her long to find out there’s more to him than smirks and tattoos. And what she finds could put her career and his heart on the line.Not that Joel cares. Because for the first time in a long time, he’s found his tonic.

Jack Off


K.B. Cinder - 2020
    Prepare for inappropriate humor, dad jokes, and maybe a woodland creature or two.

My Best Friend's Sister


Hazel Kelly - 2020
     Okay, so that's a lie. I am an anxious person. Always have been. And no one reminds me of that more than my brother's best friend. He’s the walking, talking opposite of my comfort zone, and he sees through my false bravado. Senses my insecurities. I think that's why I feel so vulnerable when he's around. So…under-clothed. Which is ridiculous. He doesn’t even know me. Still, every bone in my body senses danger when he’s around. Like he’s always about to push me under a spotlight I'm not ready to squint into, a spotlight that would expose me for the awkward introvert that I am. Yet he never says more than two words to me. As if he knows that’s the surest way to drive me crazy. And I hate him for it. Always have. Always will. Author's Note: This standalone romantic comedy is the first book in a new series by best-selling author Hazel Kelly. If you like feisty women and funny men, you'll love this forbidden romance about two unlikely roommates and the trouble they get into when big brother stops watching…