Book picks similar to
Loveplay by Diana Palmer


diana-palmer
harlequin
romance
contemporary-romance

Hate to Love You


Elise Alden - 2014
    But it turns out all those sex-ed teachers aren’t just trying to scare you. The faint positive on a budget pregnancy test sent me spinning, moments before meeting my sister’s snooty new fiancé.Shaking hands with upper-crusty James was like downing a triple shot of vodka. Dizzy with desire, confused by my body’s reaction, and shocked by the possessiveness flashing in his eyes, I deceived him that night and told the world at their wedding reception.The truth?I slept with my sister’s fiancé. Hot and sweaty, all night long in a room so dark he couldn’t tell I wasn’t her.The lie? Said fiancé is the father of my child. The one I signed over my rights to just before he was born.That was seven years ago. It’s time to come clean.95,000 words

Binding Arbitration


Elizabeth Marx - 2011
    The undefeated defense attorney is prepared to take her fight all the way to the majors.Circumstances force Libby to plead her case at the cleats of celebrity baseball player Banford Aidan Palowski, the man who discarded her at their college graduation. Libby has worked her backside bare for everything she’s attained, while Aidan has been indulged since he slid through the birth canal and landed in a pile of Gold Coast money. But helping Libby and living up to his biological duty could jeopardize the only thing the jock worships: his baseball career.If baseball imitates life, Aidan admits his appears to be silver-plated peanuts, until an unexpected confrontation with the most spectacular prize that’s ever poured from a caramel corn box blindsides him. When he learns about his son’s desperate need, it pricks open the wound he’s carried since he abandoned Libby and the child.All Libby wants is a little anonymous DNA, but Aidan has a magical umpire in his head who knows Libby’s a fateball right to the heart. When a six-year-old sage and a hippy priestess step onto the field, there’s more to settle between Libby and Aidan than heartache, redemption, and forgiveness.

Man of Stone


Frances Roding - 1988
    That was before she was forced to marry Luke Gallagher, almost a total stranger.Cressy, Sara's selfish stepsister, had filled Luke's head with lies, and now he believed Sara to be a despicable fortune hunter. There was no way to change his mind.But Luke's hatred was only part of the trouble. For despite her efforts to the contrary, Sara found herself falling in love with her new husband.

Loving Lies


Lora Leigh - 2006
    Slade was Jessie's life, the first love that filled her heart and soul and bound her woman's spirit. Years of waiting culminating in an incredible weekend of sexual abandon-teaching her everything she needed to know to be his woman and branded her as Slade's woman for life. Jessie was certain Slade had to love her. Until he whispered the lie, the ultimate betrayal, and walked away only to wed another woman. Now five years later Slade returns, his soul has withered without Jessie's presence, and now he'll have her, one way or the other. The love for her, the fierce overriding hunger and need consumes his heart and binds his soul. No matter the obstacles, Slade will get her back. Whatever it takes. Whatever he has to do. Warning: this book contains lots of steamy, hot lovin'. Anal sex. Toy play. All told in graphic, contemporary language.

The Sweet Gum Tree


Katherine Allred - 2005
    But nothing was ordinary about the day she met ten-year-old Nick Anderson, a boy from the wrong side of town. Armed with only a tin of bee balm and steely determination, Alix treats the raw evidence of a recent beating that mars his back, an act that changes both of their lives forever.Through childhood disasters and teenage woes they cling together as friendship turns to love. The future looks rosy until the fateful night when Frank Anderson, Nick's abusive father, is shot to death in his filthy trailer.Suddenly, Nick is gone—leaving Alix alone, confused and pregnant. For the next fifteen years she wrestles with the pain of Nick's abandonment, a bad marriage, her family and friends. But finally, she's starting to get her life back together. Her divorce is almost final, her business is booming, and she's content if not happy—until the day she looks up and sees Nick standing across the counter. He's back…and he's not alone.Once again Alix is plunged into turmoil and pain as Nick tries to win her love, something she resists with all her strength. Only one thing might break the protective wall she's built around her emotions—the truth about Frank Anderson's death. But when that truth comes out and those walls crumble, neither Alix nor Nick is prepared for the emotional explosion that could destroy as well as heal.

Only Ever You


Siobhan Davis - 2019
     He’s the hot-as-sin rocker hiding a secret that would devastate his fans. She’s the only girl he’s ever loved, but keeping her safe means he had to walk away… RYDER My entire life is a lie, propelled by one wrong decision that altered my fate. If fans knew the truth, they’d run away screaming. But all they see is Ryder Stone, moody guitarist and lead singer of Torment, and a potential notch on their bedpost. Only two people know who I really am. My manager has a vested interest in keeping my secret, and the girl I was forced to leave behind doesn’t even know the true extent of my shame. Losing Zeta is both my biggest regret and my proudest moment. But she was the glue keeping me together, and I’m struggling to survive without her. Especially when demons from my past continue to haunt me and the threat of disclosure is ever present. When she reappears in my life, this time, I’m too weak to push her away. Her love has the power to save me. Mine has the power to destroy her. ZETA I’ve worked hard to forget my past. To rise above my messed-up childhood and make something of myself; however, there’s no forgetting him. Ryder’s gorgeous face and drool-worthy body are plastered over tabloids and TV screens, reminding me I’m still in love with the boy who captured my heart in juvie. When he failed me, I thought I’d never again experience such heart-crushing pain. But watching him fall out of clubs with a succession of different girls renews the agony, resurrecting countless unanswered questions. Now my boss has sent me to interview him. It’s a massive scoop for the magazine, and turning it down would kill my career. So, I delude myself into thinking I can handle this. Perhaps this is the closure I need to finally move on. Except I’m terrified nothing has changed and one look into those soulful eyes will suck me in again. Ryder almost destroyed me last time. This time, he could ruin me forever. Full-length standalone title. Due to sensitive content and possible triggers, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and older. Please refer to the note at the start of the book (Click Look Inside).

Trapped by Vialli's Vows


Chantelle Shaw - 2014
    So when a shocking accident steals Marnie's memories, he seizes his chance. Convincing Marnie that she's his fiancée is Leandro's only chance to secure his legacy. But before Leandro can say, "I do," the past comes crashing back and Marnie remembers everything…

Blake's Mistake


Darcy Andrews - 2020
    But he's not sitting at his desk...he's leaning over it, and he's about to kiss the fiery redhead who's spread out underneath him... Six years and a college degree later, she's back working at the same legal firm she left under such miserable circumstances. Only now, she's returned as Blake Callaghan's legal equal, not as his secretary. Blake can't believe she's back...she's just as gorgeous as he remembers her but she's an ice-queen, refusing to talk about their past. They are thrown together on a tragic custody case and it's all a bit too close to the bone for Kristin. She knows she has to reveal the secret she's held for six years...but is terrified of how he will react. A heartfelt, second-chance romance set in New Zealand, Blake & Kristin's story will touch your heart. 'Blake's Mistake' is low-steam with a HEA and no cheating. Darcy Andrews writes classic second chance romance stories set in her beautiful country. She writes satisfying, relatable characters and always ensures there's plenty of drama and angst to keep you reading to the last page... 'Blake's Mistake' is the third book in the Second Chance Series.

Say You'll Stay


Sarah J. Brooks - 2020
    I’ve missed you for the past ten years. Haven’t you missed me?”The man who broke my heart ten years ago is back in our small town.Adam Ducate. My best friend since birth.His gorgeous blue eyes made him the object of every girl’s fantasy in our entire school.But it wasn’t just his perfect looks.He read biographies on the US presidents for fun.He could count to 100 in seven different languages.He liked George Romero movies and could recite all the dialogue from Day of the Dead.In short, Adam was everything every other boy in our grade wasn’t.So I took the risk and confessed my feelings to him.Of course, it all crashed and burned in extraordinary fashion.It crushed my heart when he left my life without a word and married Chelsea instead.The biggest b*tch ever.But now he’s back.And as much as I want to ignore the butterflies in my stomach, I can’t.They say second chances don’t come around often. But can I trust that Adam will stay with me this time – or will our past keep me running?

Pulled


Amy Lichtenhan - 2011
    In an attempt to escape the pain of her past, Melanie finds herself trapped in a loveless marriage, while Daniel loses himself in a career that means nothing without Melanie by his side. Now, when their lives intersect, neither can deny the connection they felt so long ago. But will the power that drew them together be enough to heal the wounds from their past, and do they have the courage to overcome the insecurities and fears that threaten to keep them apart? Pulled is a story of attraction and separation, of destiny and duty, of a love so strong it refuses to give up even when all others have.

To Claim a Wife


Susan Fox - 1999
    She's shunned by her cousin Maddie -- but no one's bad opinion of her hurts so much as Reno Duvall's. As a young girl, Caitlin hero-worshipped him. As a woman, she's haunted by a tragedy Reno will never forgive...Reno Duvall blames Caitlin for his brother's death. He can't believe she has the nerve to return after all these years! So why can't he stop thinking about her? Caitlin is simply too wild to wed, but suddenly Reno finds himself longing to claim her as his wife!

Windows


Emily Minton - 2013
    Each time, gaining a piece of her heart and leaving a bit of his behind.Lucas was in love with the girl next door, but he ruined any chance he had of making her his. So, he moved on without her.Lindy gave her heart to the boy next door, but he left her humiliated and heartbroken. So, she started a new life without him. They both head off to college, leaving the other behind. Lucas finds success then misery on the Football field. Lindy finds new love, but it never feels quite right. Years later, Lucas and Lindy find themselves back in their hometown. Will Lindy open her window again and give Lucas another chance?***This novel contains adult situations and may not be appropriate for readers under eighteen.

The Tycoon's Pregnant Mistress


Maya Banks - 2008
    Or that he'd thrown her out of his life. So he told her a little white lie: they were engaged. Then he swept her away to his Greek island to await the birth of his baby and enjoy her sudden devotion...before tossing her out.But he didn't count on Marley regaining her memory so soon.

Promise Me


Barbie Bohrman - 2013
    Drawing strength from him, she left everything behind and sought a new life for herself, far away from the pain and shame.Fast forward ten years: Sabrina is settled in Miami, happy at last—until her best friend urges her to attend her high school reunion and face her painful past once and for all.And…maybe meet the mysterious Tyler once again.Can Sabrina find the courage to face the demons in her past, let go of the pain, and move forward into happiness? Or will insecurity and self-doubt ruin her one chance to get the love she’s not sure she even deserves?

My Biggest Mistake


Leddy Harper - 2015
    While my friends wished and wondered, I planned. A husband, children, even the perfect minivan--my future was a family, and I couldn’t wait to step into it. Donovan proposed right after graduation, and everything else fell into place too, right down to the van.I should have done things differently, I know that now. I should have told someone, should have told him about the bottomless depression I fell into post-partum. Instead, I convinced myself I just needed a little time away, a small break to get my head straight. I made my biggest mistake when I gave into my demons and walked away from everything I’d ever wanted.It took me two long years to recover, but now I know exactly what I want again. I want my family back. Donovan says they don’t want me. Don’t need me. He says he’s moved on. But the look in his eyes tells me there’s a chance, even if I have to fight.And I’m not going to lose again.