Book picks similar to
Breaking the Rules of Revenge by Samantha Bohrman
romance
young-adult
ya
contemporary
The Promise of Amazing
Robin Constantine - 2013
Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how. One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.
Off the Ice
Julie Cross - 2017
One semester off, that’s what she promised herself. Just long enough to take care of her father and keep the family business—a hockey bar beside the ice rink—afloat. After that, she’s getting the hell out. Again.Enter Tate Tanley. What happened between them the night before she left town resurfaces the second they lay eyes on each other. But the guy she remembers has been replaced by a total hottie. When Tate is unexpectedly called in to take over for the hockey team’s star goalie, suddenly he’s in the spotlight and on his way to becoming just another egotistical varsity hockey player. And Claire’s sworn off Juniper Falls hockey players for good.It’s the absolute worst time to fall in love.For Tate and Claire, hockey isn’t just a game. And they both might not survive a body check to the heart.
The Boy Next Door
Katie Van Ark - 2015
As his figure skating partner she spends time in his arms every day. But she’s also seen his arms around other girls—lots of other girls. Gabe can't imagine skating with anyone but Maddy, and together they have a real chance at winning some serious gold medals. So, he’s determined to keep thinking of her like a sister. After all, he’s never had a romantic relationship that lasted for more than two weeks.But when their coach assigns a new romantic skating program, everything changes. Will this be the big break that Maddy’s been hoping for or the big breakup that Gabe has always feared?
Who Wants to Marry a Billionaire?
Emily Stone - 2013
With her full-time job at the DeVere Foundation and a comically dysfunctional family that keeps her busy and broke, she can't even find time for a coffee date.Enter Daniel DeVere. Desperate to impress his philanthropist father with the purchase of an eco-hotel, there is only one problem - his playboy lifestyle has turned the owner off and he needs to present a more mature image if he is to have any chance of salvaging the deal.With sensible Nina as his fake fiance surely the deal will be secured. Putting on a convincing show in public is one thing, but the passion they are pretending to have for one another begins to spill over into their private moments and they are each forced to admit that they are wishing for something more.Excerpt:When they got back to the resort, Daniel winked at Nina, “Tonight, you are going to learn El Tamborito.”“Is that contagious?”“I hope so.” He led her into the bedroom. There was a gorgeous traditional Panamanian dress laid out on the bed: it had a full, heavily pleated skirt, a ruffled top, and amazing embroidery threaded through it. It was white with red designs. “There’s a festival in town, and we’re going.”“If I wear that, people will think that I can really dance.”“And you will,” there was a knock on the door, “that’s Luisa, and she’s going to teach you.”“What about you?”Daniel looked at her slyly, “Oh, I can dance.” He gave her a peck on the cheek. “Have fun, I’ll be back in two hours to get you.”Luisa, the dance instructor, joined Nina. “Hola! I’m Luisa, Nina. I’m going to put on a CD.” She popped a CD into the cabaña’s little stereo. “First, listen for a couple of minutes.” The rhythms were wonderful, Nina thought, there were drums, and clapping, and a female singer. “What’s she singing about?”“Ah,” Luisa said knowingly, “She sings about the attraction between men and women, about…the tension between men and women when they want to do more than dance!” Maybe, Nina thought, El Tamborito wasn’t such a good idea...
Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet
Jennifer L. ArmentroutMeredith Russo - 2018
MEET CUTE is an anthology of original short stories featuring tales of "how they first met" from some of today’s most popular YA authors. Readers will experience Nina LaCour's beautifully written piece about two Bay Area girls meeting via a cranky customer service Tweet, Sara Shepard's glossy tale about a magazine intern and a young rock star, Nicola Yoon's imaginative take on break-ups and make-ups, Katie Cotugno's story of two teens hiding out from the police at a house party, and Huntley Fitzpatrick's charming love story that begins over iced teas at a diner. There’s futuristic flirting from Kass Morgan and Katharine McGee, a riveting transgender heroine from Meredith Russo, a subway missed connection moment from Jocelyn Davies, and a girl determined to get out of her small town from Ibi Zoboi. Jennifer Armentrout writes a sweet story about finding love from a missing library book, Emery Lord has a heartwarming and funny tale of two girls stuck in an airport, Dhonielle Clayton takes a thoughtful, speculate approach to pre-destined love, and Julie Murphy dreams up a fun twist on reality dating show contestants. This incredibly talented group of authors brings us a collection of stories that are at turns romantic and witty, epic and everyday, heartbreaking and real.
16 Reasons Why My Life Sucks
Sara Walker - 2005
Her mother has recently lost her job and has now resorted to bus driving. Her best friend is a midget and the hottest junior in school lives right next door (Kate hates him). And to top it all off, her sister Erica is PERFECT and has recently gotten the lead role in the school play. But then Erica suddenly gets sick and Kate has to fill in for her. Can Kate cope with all of this? It might take the help of the guy she meets in New York City...
The Boyfriend Thief
Shana Norris - 2011
2 former BFFs. 11 days to seduce a boy.
Avery James doesn’t believe in romance—she’s studied enough biology to know that love is nothing more than hormones and chemicals. Besides, she has more practical goals in mind, namely saving up for a summer humanitarian program in Costa Rica. But when her Diggity Dog House supervisor denies her a raise and Avery finds herself $500 dollars short for the trip of a lifetime, Avery has no choice but to accept an unexpected offer. The deal? She must steal her arch nemesis Hannah’s boyfriend before prom, giving Avery eleven days to seduce Zac Greeley. Avery is sure the job will be easy. But a few midnight comedy shows and spontaneous dance parties (not to mention one particularly intimate carwash) later, Avery finds herself questioning everything she’s ever thought about love. Could Zac’s signature cherry-lime Slurpees be causing brain freeze, or is Avery actually starting to fall for him? Will Avery be able to steal Zac away from Hannah before he steals Avery’s heart?
Swap Meet
Lolita Lopez - 2010
When smoking-hot firefighter Chris Collins hits on Max, his night takes an even more unexpected turn. Soon he's pinned to a mattress beneath the sexiest specimen of raw masculinity he's ever seen...and questioning everything he's ever believed about himself.Chris went to the swap meet looking for a fling but finds so much more. Soon Max is treating him to the kind of luxuries only a billionaire can offer. But when Max wants something more than an illicit tryst, Chris bolts. He's just not ready for that kind of commitment or the potential consequences-and prejudices-of going public.Or is he? But by the time Chris realizes his mistake, it just might be too late.
Overboard
Sierra Riley - 2016
He's already sold almost everything he owns, but there's still no end in sight. With his business in hot water, he can't even afford to attend his sister's cruise ship wedding. On the verge of homelessness, he might have to do the unthinkable: move back in with his parents who don't know he's gay.
“Why make something of myself when everything has been given to me my whole life?”
Sebastian Walker is swimming in cash... not that he ever had to lift a finger to earn it. He parties hard and lives large—all thanks to his father's success—and he’s used to men who fall into his lap and hang around until Sebastian gets bored of them. But when he loses a bet to his friends and has to try speed dating as a punishment, he meets a sexy mountain of a man who won't even give Sebastian his name. The stranger is definitely not boring. He might even be worth working for.
“The only man who can help is the jerk I hate the most.”
At the last second, Sebastian offers to pay for Duncan’s cruise trip... so long as he can come too. Duncan wants to say no, but he has nowhere else to turn. Sebastian is a trust-fund brat, a sexy, arrogant prick that Duncan can't possibly bring around his family, but he also can't let his sister down. With his family surrounding them, Duncan fears they'll get suspicious about his relationship with the other man, and Sebastian isn't helping at all. Once onboard, he proves to be too hot, too close, too damn irresistible. The two men are trapped in a small cabin together for the duration, and Sebastian is more than willing to take advantage of their situation.As the heat rises, Duncan's resistance—and his ability to stay in the closet with all eyes on him—is in serious jeopardy of going overboard.
Overboard is a steamy, standalone gay romance novel with a HEA and no cliffhangers.
The Art of Losing
Lizzy Mason - 2019
At a party she discovers her younger sister, Audrey, hooking up with her boyfriend, Mike—and she abandons them both in a rage. When Mike drunkenly attempts to drive Audrey home, he crashes and Audrey ends up in a coma. Now Harley is left with guilt, grief, pain and the undeniable truth that her ex-boyfriend (who is relatively unscathed) has a drinking problem. So it’s a surprise that she finds herself reconnecting with Raf, a neighbor and childhood friend who’s recently out of rehab and still wrestling with his own demons. At first Harley doesn’t want to get too close to him. But as Audrey awakens and slowly recovers, Raf starts to show Harley a path forward that she never would have believed possible—one guided by honesty, forgiveness, and redemption.
Under the Hood
Sally Clements - 2013
When sexy mechanic Alice Starr mistakenly believes attorney Mark Jameson needs her help, he discovers he likes being rescued for a change. Smitten by her confidence, he hides his expertise so he has an excuse to see her again.Starting their new all-female garage, Under the Hood, is keeping Alice and her friends busy. She doesn't have time for a man. But with one kiss, she and Mark have advanced into water so deep she's in danger of drowning. So why hasn't he called?Mark wants to tell Alice the truth so they can pursue a relationship. But he's got even bigger problems at his office when his bitter aunt threatens Alice’s livelihood. He needs a plan, fast, or else Under the Hood and his chances with Alice could both be ruined.
This Heart of Mine
C.C. Hunter - 2018
An artificial heart in a backpack is keeping her alive. However, this route only offers her a few years. And with her rare blood type, a transplant isn’t likely. Living like you are dying isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. But when a heart becomes available, she’s given a second chance at life. Except Leah discovers who the donor was — a boy from her school — and they’re saying he killed himself. Plagued with dreams since the transplant, she realizes she may hold the clues to what really happened.Matt refuses to believe his twin killed himself. When Leah seeks him out, he learns they are both having similar dreams and he’s certain it means something. While unraveling the secrets of his brother’s final moments, Leah and Matt find each other, and a love they are terrified to lose. But life and even new hearts don’t come with guarantees. Who knew living took more courage than dying?