Book picks similar to
Not at First by Phalla S. Rios


new-adult
love-triangle
college
freebie

Lost in Distraction


B.J. Harvey - 2013
    A sexy stranger paid to protect her. Alone and shut off from the world, Elise Halliwell is simply going through the motions, waiting for the next step in her pre-destined life. Until a chance meeting with the dark-haired, blue-eyed Brax James shakes her to the core, achieving what everyone else before him has failed to do; he makes her feel again. As much as Brax wishes things were different, fate has not brought him into Elise’s life. His job is to keep her safe, not fall for the very woman he’s supposed to protect. Elise has no idea of the threat she faces and Brax wants it to stay that way. Unfortunately for both of them, they’ll have no say in the matter. Full of twists, turns, and revelations no-one sees coming, you won’t be the only one lost in distraction.*This book contains adult situations and explicit content/language.*

Obsession


S.M. Phillips - 2014
     Anna Jameson can't wait to escape the hell hole that her cousin has left her in. Desperate to escape her past, the idea of moving to stay with Holly whilst she got her head together sounded like the perfect plan... Until Holly upped and left, leaving Anna to pick up the mess that she left behind. Jensen Blake knows what he wants and will not be told otherwise. Obedience and control are what he knows best. With demons of his own, he has spent most of his adult life traveling from place to place the moment things started to become predictable. When Jensen and Anna are pushed together, an instant dislike simmers between them. Anna hates bad boys. She has witnessed enough of them to last her a lifetime. The sexual attraction between them is evident but will that only make things harder for them both to handle?

Absolutely Unforgivable


Tracy Tegan - 2013
    She discovered that, beneath the handsome façade that had all the other girls chasing him, he was caring and generous. She'd never want to hurt such a kind man. When his job sends him back to Texas, she leaves her native Tulsa to move with him.If only she hadn't met Billy Snow, Jeromy's childhood friend. Her attraction to him feels like water flowing to meet water, a destiny buried deep in her cells. But is it real and lasting? Should she stifle her desire for Billy to save her relationship with Jeromy, the man she thought was perfect for her? While she's deciding, what does fate have in store for her? She hadn't known love would hurt so much."Absolutely Unforgivable is a love story that makes you question what you know and what you yearn to learn more about,” says one Amazon reviewer. “Absolutely Unforgivable has everything you could want in a good novel - strong, likeable characters, an engaging plot and some crisp, skillful writing,” another reviewer notes.

Holding On


Meg Jolie - 2013
    Luke has been her best friend for most of her life. He’s always been there for her, catching fireflies with her, maneuvering the hazards of high school with her, attending college parties with her, and protecting her. He was the boy that she could always trust, the boy that stole her first kiss. His older brother, Jake, was the one who teased them mercilessly while they were growing up. Yet, he was the one who would ultimately steal Quinn’s heart.A surprise pregnancy and an unexpected tragedy are about to change everything.Forever.Friendship and family will be tested.Quinn will find out that sometimes the only way to get through life is to hold on with everything you have. And other times…the only thing you can do is let go.

Too Much to Lose


Samantha Holt - 2014
    She has no friends, no life. She tries to forget everything that happened to her all those years ago. After changing her image, leaving her home and getting a new job, she’s determined it won’t happen again. If that means never being close to anyone ever again, the so be it.If only Hunter O’Reilly didn’t make her wish things could be different. Hunter needs this job. After being screwed over by his partner—make that ex-partner—his investigation business is on the line. Already in debt, he eagerly takes on the job of finding some stolen money at triple his going rate. He expects problems at that price. But he doesn’t expect to fall for her.However, no job is ever that simple. When he’s forced to spend more time with her, the lines between business and pleasure are blurred. And once Jess’s life comes under threat, they have to make a decision, can they both overcome Jess’s past?

No Regrets


Heather Allen - 2014
    July 29, 2014 - published as No RegretsGreylan Pace has been a fighter his entire life… He’s worked hard to get to the top as a mixed martial arts fighter, and finally his time in the spotlight has come. Everything he’s ever wanted is at his fingertips. Then, one event changed his life forever…Now Greylan finds himself back on top, going to battle in the biggest fight of his life. But he soon learns that what he’s strived for means nothing in comparison to his fight to keep his sister, his best friend Christina, and Mollie Andrews, the girl he can’t stop thinking about. He fights with everything he’s got to keep his focus on his goal, but for the first time ever, he’s afraid he might lose.

Know Me


Rachel Dunning - 2014
    On a certain Saturday, three game-changing events occur: Realty Developers have bought her building. She's selected to play at one of Brooklyn's hottest underground parties. And she meets Declan Cox... The Realty Developers threaten to take away her home. The results of the party threaten to take away her lifestyle. And Declan Cox threatens to take away her heart...Content warning: This book contains sex, drugs, and lots of rolling. Intended only for readers of ages 17+.

Less Than Nothing


R.E. Blake - 2014
    But her world flips upside down when she meets Derek – hot, tattooed, and charming, a singer from Seattle whose looks and talent take her breath away. What begins as a reluctant partnership quickly develops into a cross-country race against time - and awakens a hunger in Sage that’s unfamiliar and exciting. As they travel from coast to coast, Sage and Derek pursue their dream, only to discover that they can never run far enough to escape the demons from their pasts. Less Than Nothing is the breakout debut NA novel from USA Today bestseller R.E. Blake that critics are buzzing about and readers can’t put down. Sage & Derek's story continues in More Than Anything (book 2) and Best of Everything (book 3).

Broken Promises


Dawn Pendleton - 2013
    She left Casper without looking back, leaving her small-town life and everyone in it, behind. Including her sexy high school sweetheart. Luke Bates was devastated when Mallory left him for the city life. He managed to pull himself together and move on, even if only just barely. When Mallory shows up in town, Luke vows to stay away from her at all costs. So why does he keep checking in on her and her father, showing up when he's clearly uninvited? Maybe Luke isn't as 'over her' as he thought.

Mine to Lose


T.K. Rapp - 2014
    He’s the one man she never expected to have and the only man she’s determined to keep. He’s her forever, and there’s nothing she wouldn’t do for him. Almost, that is. Ryan announces that he’s accepted a job offer that requires yet another move. Angry he didn’t discuss his decision with her first, Emogen refuses to pack up and follow. She has a career, too, and she’s not ready to give it up. Although determined to make the long distance thing work, their lives and careers begin to take a toll on the relationship, leaving them to wonder if they’re doing the right thing. Sometimes love isn’t enough. When you lose the one thing you are certain of, will you fight to get it back? Or will you let it go?Librarian's note: Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00HRMDDYY.

Never Close Enough


Anie Michaels - 2013
    At her greatest moment of need, a protective and sexy Porter Masters comes to her rescue. Ella takes a holiday week at the coast to discover herself and finds her attraction to Porter potent and undeniable. Uncertain of their future together, Ella struggles to open her heart to trust again. Porter Masters takes care of his own: his single mother, his company, and now he’s compelled to protect the beauty that walked into his world. Never one for relationships in his past, Porter discovers that he was waiting all along for Ella. As their time together comes to an end, will Porter fight for the woman who stole his heart? Porter will find a way to keep her, despite the obstacles.

Four Letters


Lisa M. Harley - 2013
     Sterling and Skye Skye is a spoiled little rich girl, who has never had to do more than bat her eyelashes at her father to get whatever she wanted. When she received her degree, her plan was to open an art gallery catering to the uber rich. The last thing she needed was a man getting in her way. But, there’s just something about Sterling. He’s an alpha male that gives her what she’s always craved, the ability to let someone else take control. Could Sterling be the man Skye needs to help her relinquish control and change her spoiled ways? Asher and LillyWhen Lilly was a small child, her parents were killed in a fire. Since the loss of her parents, she’s never truly felt loved or safe. Now that Lilly’s dream of becoming a teacher has come true, she worries that her dream of finding Mr. Right might not. That all changes the day that Asher literally runs into her in the park. Could Asher be the man to make Lilly feel safe and give her the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of? Tanner and AdleeTo say that Adlee had a rough childhood would be quite the understatement. When she was barely ten years old, her mother killed herself, leaving Adlee in the care of her stepfather, Paul. Paul was not a nice man. When Tanner walked into the café she was working at and witnessed the way Paul treated her, he knew he had to step in. Could Tanner be the man to prove to Adlee that she is worthy of love and help her regain her self respect?Read Four Letters to see how all of these lives are intertwined...

Chosen Heart


Ann Stewart - 2013
    Since then it's been hard to let anyone close, which is why she only has one friend near and dear to her heart. Forsaking all others, she lives a silent, lonely existence. That was until she jumped into the next chapter of her life; Sales Executive at the prestigious Salerno Health, Inc. The moment she met the always calm and collected Alexander James, her life was set on a new path. One moment she's slowly falling in love and the next she's plummeting painfully to the ground with the realization that you don't marry your dirty little secret; you keep her in the closet. That was, until she found out she was not his only kept secret. Will the enigma of Mr. James be more than Elyssa can handle? Or will she choose him, like she promised she always would.

Innocent Lies


J.W. Phillips - 2014
    It's dark, twisted, and not for the faint of heart. If you prefer HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY this is NOT the book for you.Most would view Dylan’s life as a living Hell, but she discovered what Hell really was. Twenty year old, Dylan was minding her own business when twenty-six year old Ethan sat down at her table. All she wanted was peace from her past. He offered her the protection and calm she had never known. That was until she learned how much of that past he was a part of. If life had taught Dylan Summers anything it was that not everyone gets a happily ever after.

Mirage


Ashley Suzanne - 2013
    Two sets of best friends embark on a new adventure together, forming life long bonds. Mira and Danny are looking forward to their future as husband and wife. Everything was going according to plan. That was until tragedy struck them on graduation night leaving three broken people to pick up the pieces. Skylar has always stood in the background, watching his best friend begin a life with the woman he fell in love with until he can no longer keep a distance. Right when Mira thinks her life is back on track it spirals out of control. What if everything you thought you knew was nothing more than a mirage?This is an alternate-cover edition for ASIN B00ESL6T52.