Book picks similar to
Before I Knew Him by Anna Ralph


fiction
romance
rcommend
contemporary-fiction

A Second Chance


Bryan Mooney - 2012
    She was smart, attractive and well educated. After losing the love of her life she decided she had to get away from it all. Ravenna did what everyone would love to do…, she left and never looked back. She made a comfortable life on a small Greek island paradise nestled in the southern blue Aegean sea. It was filled with friendly people, beautiful beaches and warm sunny days. The strong willed woman thought she had left her life behind her… but she was wrong. Now, torn between memories and guilt, she must decide- but will she get…a second chance?

An Irish Wish: Irish Rose / Irish Rebel


Nora Roberts - 2020
    Horse rancher Burke Logan is intrigued by his neighbors' cousin when he meets her on a trip to Ireland, but Erin thinks Burke is nothing but a brutish American. Impressed by her cleverness, and determined to win her over, Burke offers Erin a job at his farm in Maryland. It's a big change from her small Irish hometown, but she decides to take a chance. Even though it's clear that Burke is falling for Erin, this practical woman is determined to resist his smooth-talking flattery and bold kisses...no matter how weak-kneed they make her feel. Irish Rebel As soon as he laid eyes on her, Brian Donnelly knew that Keeley Grant was off-limits. Hired on as a horse trainer at the Grant family's farm, Brian tries to keep his distance, dismissing Keeley as the boss's spoiled daughter. He soon learns that she's much more than that. Though Keeley continuously brushes Brian off, something about his intensity draws her in. Maybe it's his cocky grin, or his gentle way with animals, but strangely, Keeley finds herself dreaming about the Irish rogue. Working together is complicated, as are Keeley's new feelings, and trying to avoid each other could prove to be useless when there are so many reasons to give in to the promise of first love.

Lost in Oaxaca


Jessica Winters Mireles - 2020
    She now leads a solitary life teaching piano, and she has a star student: Graciela, the daughter of her mother’s Mexican housekeeper. Camille has been grooming the young Graciela for the career that she herself lost out on, and now Graciela, newly turned eighteen, has just won the grand prize in a piano competition, which means she gets to perform with the LA Philharmonic. Camille is ecstatic; if she can’t play herself, at least as Graciela’s teacher, she will finally get the recognition she deserves.But there are only two weeks left before the concert, and Graciela has disappeared—gone back to her family’s village in the mountains of Oaxaca, Mexico. Desperate to bring Graciela back in time for the concert, Camille goes after her, but on the way there, a bus accident leaves her without any of her possessions. Alone and unable to speak the language, Camille is befriended by Alejandro, a Zapotec man who lives in LA but is from the same village as Graciela. Despite a contentious first meeting, Alejandro helps Camille navigate the rugged terrain and unfamiliar culture of Oaxaca, allowing her the opportunity to view the world in a different light—and perhaps find love in the process.

Home Leave


Libby Purves - 1997
    But all that was years ago. Now, amid growing tensions, marriage-fatigue and resentments, the tragedy of Toby's disappearance jolts his sisters and brother into making journeys, back in time and into their own hearts.

The Return


Nicholas Sparks - 2020
     Trevor Benson never intended to move back to New Bern, NC. But when a mortar blast outside the hospital where he worked as an orthopedic surgeon sent him home from Afghanistan with devastating injuries, the dilapidated cabin he inherited from his grandfather seemed as good a place to regroup as any. Tending to his grandfather's beloved bee hives while gearing up for a second stint in medical school, Trevor isn't prepared to fall in love with a local . . . and yet, from their very first encounter, his connection with Natalie Masterson can't be ignored. But even as she seems to reciprocate his feelings, she remains frustratingly distant, making Trevor wonder what she's hiding. Further complicating his stay in New Bern is the presence of a sullen teenage girl, Callie, who lives in the trailer park down the road from his grandfather's cabin. Claiming to be 19, she works at the local sundries store and keeps to herself. When he discovers she was once befriended by his grandfather, Trevor hopes Callie can shed light on the mysterious circumstances of his grandfather's death, but she offers few clues -- until a crisis triggers a race that will uncover the true nature of Callie's past, one more intertwined with the elderly man's passing than Trevor could ever have anticipated. In his quest to unravel Natalie and Callie's secrets, Trevor will learn the true meaning of love and forgiveness . . . and that in life, to move forward, we must often return to the place where it all began.

Through Castle Windows (Horstberg Saga #5)


Elizabeth D. Michaels - 2015
    Following her mother’s death she is guided to Horstberg in search of answers and contentment. When her path repeatedly crosses with the brooding Stefan Heinrich, she is drawn to him by feelings too profound to ignore. The love they share is intense and undeniable, but Ericha’s ignorance of Stefan’s circumstances puts her on a scale in his life opposite to the country he rules, and the wife he loathes.While Stefan questions daily what kind of madness drove him to marry the deceptive and tawdry Johanna Von Bindorf, a princess from the neighboring country of Kohenswald, he is torn between his commitment to do what is right, and his love for a woman that he cannot have; a woman who fills his aching soul. Years of spiraling downward in hopelessness finally drive him to make Ericha a part of his life as far as it is possible, while deep inside he knows that eventually a price for his happiness will have to be paid.As Ericha develops a deep bond with the legendary Abbi du Woernig, she unknowingly breathes life back into the heart and soul of Horstberg. But happiness and peace for the entire family are fleeting and fragile. Both Stefan and Ericha quickly realize the price for their choices is higher than either of them ever could have imagined. When Horstberg’s freedom is bargained for with the life of its ruler, Stefan knows that he must sacrifice everything to once again prove himself worthy to serve the people of his country with dignity and to live his life with the woman he loves.

The Other Family


Loretta Nyhan - 2020
    Her greatest concerns, though, are the health problems of her young daughter, Kylie. Symptoms point to a compromised immune system, but every doctor they’ve seen has a different theory. Then comes hope for some clarity.It’s possible that Kylie’s illness is genetic, but Ally is adopted. A DNA test opens up an entirely new path. And where it leads is a surprise: to an aunt Ally never knew existed. She’s a little wild, very welcoming, and ready to share more of the family history than Ally ever imagined.Coping with a skeptical soon-to-be-ex husband, weathering the cautions of her own resistant mother, and getting maddeningly close to the healing Kylie needs, Ally is determined to regain control of her life. This is her chance to embrace uncertainty and the beauty of family—both the one she was born into and the one she chose.

A Bounty Hunter Never Sleeps


Ethan Westfield - 2021
    However, his life has not always been a bed of roses. When was just a 12-year-old boy, he saved his best friend from a grisly death at the hands of the outlaw gang that killed her parents. As if that wasn’t enough, his friend was sent away to an orphanage in Denver City and John vowed to one day find the murderers and bring them to justice. Years go by and he works out a plan to shed some blood and take down those who stood in the way of his friend’s happiness. What will John be willing to risk in order to get the revenge he’s been waiting for his whole life?Maggie McDermott is deeply traumatized by the events of that nightmarish night. Having lost all of her childhood memories—even those of her best friend, John, she can’t help but wonder whether she’ll find peace one day. That is until John shows up at her door many years after the haunting event that changed her life. He has become a successful bounty hunter and has a bold plan to recover her childhood memories. His plan involves Maggie joining him on a dangerous mission of vengeance, in order to capture the gang that destroyed her life. Will Maggie find the courage to follow this dangerous prescription to get her childhood memories back?Even though John and Maggie haven’t seen each other for many years, their wild thirst for revenge will take them on a sprawling adventure with gunfire, romance, and a longing for justice. Will John be able to protect the girl from the most infamous outlaw gang in the West? Or will they be forced to abandon all hope for a better life once and for all?

The Duet


Robert Elmer - 2004
    Two Hearts. One Song. When widower Gerrit Appeldoorn takes his granddaughter to piano lessons one day, he finds himself drawn to her music teacher: a woman unlike any he has known. It’s an unlikely attraction. He’s a retired dairyman with mud on his boots; Joan Horton is a world traveler and former piano instructor at New York’s most prestigious academy of music. Not quite “beauty and the beast,” but close.Even so, Gerrit slowly begins to open his heart: to Joan, to music, to the possibilities that may be found in both. Yet as their relationship deepens, Gerrit faces crises concerning his family and farm, while Joan confronts a dark secret that threatens her future. While coping with these challenges, neither can predict how their duet will sound as they practice the music of renewed hope and second chances.

Gauri..!!


Sathya Sam - 2020
    Her character is similar to that of many women we see in our lives. But what is different is the dramatic twist in the tale, which you won’t see coming. The protagonist Gauri is patient and persistent, with an undying love and affection for her husband, much like many women in the country. Indeed, Gauri’s story is the tale of many women in India, who sacrifice their needs, desires and dreams for the sake of people dear to them. This work of fiction is a tribute to every unsung woman in every household. A big salute to these strong women, without whom society will perish.

Bear Creek Brides Books 5 - 8


Amelia Rose - 2021
    Demetri Roberts escapes to Bear Creek with his deaf sister, Sandy, in hopes of fleeing their troubled past and starting a safe and peaceful future.Assured that his sister is out of harm’s way, Demetri allows himself to fall for Emily and embark on a promising new romance. With her fitted jeans, her pistol and her sharp wit, Emily proves to be a tough lady who needs no protection.But when Demetri’s past catches up with him, putting his sister’s life back in danger, along with the rest of the community, their budding romance is put to the test.Will love and friendship be enough to save them? Will this fearless bride cure the troubled doctor’s heart?Deputy Tanner Williams wants nothing more than to find someone he can love. He finally summons up the courage to place an ad for a mail order bride, and is captivated by the woman with an irresistible combination of sharp wit and sweet nature.Bethany Duncan is determined to escape the life her controlling father has mapped out for her. The deputy’s mail order bride ad has given her a way out and she makes her way to Bear Creek to be with him.But trouble is brewing as chaos looms over the town, and Bethany’s father tries to stop his daughter’s plans.Are love and determination enough to secure a future of happiness for Bethany and Tanner, or is life determined to knock them down?Pastor Barthelme Munster and Samantha Freda weren’t expecting to find love when they moved to Bear Creek.Pastor Munster had planned to fully give himself to a community that needed him, while Samantha, together with her five sisters, had hoped to find a new place where she could put her difficult past behind her.Yet, they discover in each other a kindred spirit with whom they can share their dark pasts. Suddenly, these two lost souls are not alone… but can they accept their worth in time to give their blossoming love a chance?In the midst of the worst blizzard Bear Creek has ever seen, Peter Gibson and Shirley Freda find themselves stuck in the Jenkins’ ranch, growing ever closer as they work together to protect the ranch from the storm.Peter has already fallen for Shirley and longs for their budding relationship to grow, but Shirley is guarded, her heart frozen by the traumas of her past.Is his love true enough to thaw her heart and help her overcome the wounds that threaten to keep her from happiness?In Bear Creek Brides: Books 5-8, you’ll find four riveting stories of new beginnings and true love. Join Emily, Bethany, Samantha and Shirley as they face the demons of the past and fight for love and happiness.

Say Never


Janis Thomas - 2014
    But when her brother calls to ask for Meg’s help with his three kids, she is forced to do the unimaginable: go home and step into the dreaded role of ‘parent.’ With no maternal skills whatsoever, Meg is thrust into a world of diapers, tantrums, and projectile vomit, and her decision not to procreate is stunningly validated—she could never be a mom. But as the days go by, and she starts to connect with her nieces and nephew, Meg discovers that her family is not the nemesis she feared, and she might not be the person she always thought she was. Sassy, sexy, and poignant, Say Never is a hilarious roller coaster ride of self-discovery that will keep you laughing long after you put the book down.

Wildfire


Susan Lewis - 1997
    Her career is on the up and Oliver, the great love of her life, has just asked her to marry him. The future couldn't look better. But their married bliss soon starts to evaporate when Oliver's power-crazed boss decides that Rhiannon is an unsuitable wife. And when American billionaire Max Romanov, engaged to supermodel Galina Casimir, turns his charm on her, Rhiannon is overcome by the intensity of her feelings for this enigmatic man who proves to be a challenge too hard to resist. Until the web of passion becomes more and more tangled and threatens to destroy a love that consumes like wildfire...

Hybrid Hearts


Romy Lockhart - 2022
    When Amanda's life is put in danger, Cheryl and Jillian rush to help their best friends. Working as a team, there's more to be gained than lost.Hybrid Hearts is a steamy, suspenseful paranormal romance novella featuring all of the main characters from the first four books in the Hybrid Shifters world. Be warned, there are spoilers in this story if you've never read the novels Vicious Love, Shifting Hearts, Hybrid Hearts and Runaway Mate.

Family Album


Patricia Kay - 2002
    But under this surface perfection is a secret Hannah has tried to bury, one that rears its painful head each year on her birthday. When David Conway enters her life just as she turns thirty-eight, that secret will be exposed. Can Hannah's relationship with her husband and daughter survive when they discover she is not the person they thought her to be? Patricia Kay once again delivers an emotional story centering around family relationships, one of her favorite themes.