Book picks similar to
Means by Kennedy Layne


romance
mystery
contemporary-romance
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Good Girls Don't


Victoria Dahl - 2011
    Which may explain why Detective Luke Asher barely notices her when he arrives to investigate a break-in at her family's brewery. He's got his own problems - starting with the fact that his partner, Simone, is pregnant and everyone thinks he's the father. Tessa has her hands full, too. Her brother's playboy ways may be threatening the business, and the tension could tear her tight-knit family apart. In fact, the only thing that could unite the Donovan boys is seeing a man come after their "baby" sister. Especially a man like Luke Asher. But Tessa sees past the rumors to the man beneath. He's not who people think he is - and neither is she.

Revenge


Dana Delamar - 2012
    And I want Kate Andretti with a fire that burns me to ash.Carlo Andretti wants Kate too… and my fortune, my estate, my empire. Most of all, he wants my death. Just as I want his.The vendetta between our families is old and deep. Only one of us can win, and only one of us can have Kate. Carlo believes that he can take what’s mine, that he can break me and make me crawl.But I’m Enrico Lucchesi.And a Lucchesi always gets what he wants.KATE ANDRETTIMy mother always said my impulsiveness would get me into trouble. She was right. Marrying a man I barely knew, letting him take me to Italy… not my best decisions.Especially when I now know what the “family business” really is.I want out of this life, and I want out of Italy. But the only person willing to help me escape the Andrettis is Enrico Lucchesi. And he wants me to stay in this world that I can’t bear to be part of.The vows these men take talk about “blood and honor.”But I know what this life is: it’s blood and danger. It’s blood and death.And I’m not ready to be a Mafia don’s wife.

Black Lies


Alessandra Torre - 2014
    Has been in a relationship with me for 3 years. Has proposed 4 times. Been rejected 4 times.Lee:Cuts grass when he's not banging housewives. Good with his hands, his mouth, and his body. Has been pursued relentlessly by me for almost 2 years, whether he knows it or not. Go ahead. Judge me. You have no idea what my love entails.If you think you've heard this story before, trust me - you haven't.**This is a STANDALONE full-length novel. It is not part of a series, and does not contain a cliffhanger.**

Protected by the Lawman


Rhonda Lee Carver - 2018
    The gun. And the will to protect. Showing up to investigate a double homicide, Sheriff Phoenix Cade almost comes out of his boots when he sees the blonde--the only witness to the crime--covered in blood. He'd danced with her a few nights before and had every intention of getting her number until she threw up all over his shoes. Hell, his shoes would wash… Ria Portman has spent the better part of six years convincing her family and friends that she could take care of herself. The accident took her sight, but it didn’t take her independence. There were a lot of things she’d learned over the years, especially regarding men. They said they could handle her disability, but truth was, they lied. When her assistant and client are murdered in her studio she will have to rely on one man—the one man who makes her want to trust again. Phoenix is over his ex, but since he caught her cheating he’s compared relationships to playing with fire. It’s only a matter of time before a man gets burnt. Yet, Ria is different. She’s beautiful, smart, challenging, and doesn’t need him…even when she does. He should keep his head on straight because the killers want her dead and it’s his job to keep her safe. However, he’s realizing, a man in love becomes a giant. He’ll protect Ria with a force unlike any that has ever been seen before.

The Boss: Book One


Cari Quinn - 2015
    My enemy, my lover, my savior. He's only two out of the three, if only I can figure out which two before I end up on the streets or in jail. Or worse. A SIX PART SERIAL with dual points of view, lots of bad words, the creative use of glass-walled rooms, and a beach house that holds a whole lot of secrets. There are all sorts of cliffs in these books, some even include actual rocks. You have been warned.

TAG


Shari J. Ryan - 2014
    . . a life changing secret. My dad, the bigwig CIA agent, was always on the run, whether he was being chased or doing the chasing. I missed him. Then my mom passed away, and my sister was murdered. I turned my solitude to strength because the alternative was too bleak. But my luck seemed to turn: I met Tango. And while I want him more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my twenty-two years, danger lurks around every corner and I simply can’t take the chance of it finding me. But his tattoos, his smell, his darkness, and his body— that marine has taken over my every thought. But, what if he too isn’t what I think? A ticking time bomb isn’t going to leave me much time to waver. Even the bravest person can be in need of a miracle. Before she was gone, my mom warned me to know everyone and trust no one. But what was I supposed to do when I found out I am the one not to be trusted? Turns out, I was always the bait in this conspiracy. In author Shari J. Ryan’s New Adult novel, TAG, the canyons hold secrets, the waterfalls provide safety, and romance has a pesky way of showing up when you are sweaty and dirty and least expect it.

Captive


Heather Ashley - 2021
    I failed.Now I have a chance to make it right. All I have to do is go undercover and take down the motorcycle club that ruined my life. Justice—and my redemption—is all that matters. I’m ready for anything.Or so I thought.Nothing could’ve prepared me for Gigi—or for the way she makes me feel. The sexy, feisty brunette is property of the MC. Off limits. Dangerous and forbidden.But none of that matters when she’s in my arms...or in my bed.I’ll do whatever it takes to atone for my past mistakes and keep Gigi safe. It won’t be easy. We’re surrounded by enemies.The only thing I’m sure of at this point is that if I’m not careful, I could lose a lot more than my heart…Captive, book one in the Hollywood Guardians series, is a steamy, dark, enemies to lovers, bodyguard contemporary romance featuring an undercover, protective, alpha male and the strong, smart heroine of his dreams. Happily ever after guaranteed.

Rules of Payne


Elizabeth Lynx - 2015
    When his new assistant shows him life isn't all about rules can he learn to break them? Morgana Drake’s boss is short-tempered, self-centered, in dire need of a social life, probably an undiagnosed workaholic, and practically unbearable. Yet, she wants to slather him in vanilla buttercream frosting and lick it off him from head to toe, and especially in between. Will she manage to keep her fantasies in check without getting fired, again? Rules of Payne is the standalone and the first book in the Cake Love series. If you like quirky heroines, misunderstood heroes, and books that leave you breathless then Elizabeth Lynx’s take on what happens behind the sexy boss’s office door is a must-read.

Love Me Like This


Lola St. Vil - 2018
    And he will do whatever it takes to keep his family safe. (A single Dad, stand alone romance.) My son is my world. I am raising him to be on high alert about his surroundings at all times. I’m a former SEAL; it's in my blood. I maintain suspicion about change. Yet the new girl in town, Ryan Shaw, caught me off guard. Ryan is witty, with soft curves and a big heart. The moment our eyes meet, she wakes something in me I thought had died—hope. And when she volunteers to tutor my son, I marvel at how much my little guy loves her. It turns out he’s not the only one whose taken by her. In fact, the more I get to know her, the more I want her; not just in bed, but in our lives. I never thought a guy with a past like mine, would ever find love. But now that I have, there’s no way I’m gonna let anyone take it from me. Enemies from my past are out to destroy everything I've built, but they have no idea how far I will go to protect the ones I love… This steamy romance is a roller coaster ride that will make you laugh, make you hot, and even make you shed a few tears. It's a full-length standalone novel. You do not have to read the book that came before this one. NO cheating, NO cliffhangers, and a guaranteed Happily-ever-after! This book has adult content for ages 18 and over.

Dangerous Race


Dee J. Adams - 2011
    Now scarred inside and out, she's making a comeback, but her team is plagued by a series of "accidents".When the team leader dies under mysterious circumstances, former driver Mac Reynolds takes charge. The pair clash as Trace resents his high-handed attempts to control her, while Mac fears Trace's recklessness will get her killed. Neither can throttle back the desire that spins out of control whenever they touch. Trace lets herself be seduced when Mac convinces her he finds her beautiful despite her scars, and she begins to hope for more. But Mac knows he's not nearly good enough for Trace…

The Sapphire Affair


Lauren Blakely - 2016
    So when a group of swindled shareholders hires him to trail their former CEO, Jake expects a quick trip to the Cayman Islands to close another case. Until a devastatingly beautiful woman gets in the way.Steph Anderson is visiting the Caymans for a rock climbing and dive trip—or so she tells Jake. She’s really trying to find out whether or not her stepfather embezzled money from his company. The last thing Steph needs is the distraction of a sexy, charming man whose kisses drive her wild.Soon, the pair discover they’re after the same target—and millions in jewels. While Jake can’t be certain Steph isn’t working for her stepfather, and Steph can’t be certain Jake isn’t after the diamonds for himself, they can agree the heat between them is intense, and neither can deny the passion for long.But the morning after, Steph discovers that she just might have slept with the enemy, and now she’ll have to outwit him to get everything she needs…

Saddle Up


Jodi Vaughn - 2014
    Moving to Somewhere, Texas, she hoped to have a fresh start in the small county hospital, far away from all the accusing rumors and pitying looks. It was a good plan, until she found out her ex took out a business loan in her name. It seems he stole more than a prescription pad. Now Emily has to repay the huge loan or face legal action. All ranch owner, Derrek Diaz, wanted was a Saturday night of fun. A few beers, a long ride in the fresh air…he hadn’t planned on a trip to the ER. The last thing he needs is to be unable to work. No, scratch that. The last thing he needs is a woman underfoot at the ranch. But when he overhears Emily begging for extra work shifts to pay an overdue bill, he speaks before he thinks. Now he has a gorgeous nurse staying with him, taking care of him and trying to be a ranch hand. Things are about to get a whole hotter in Texas.

Exploited


A. Meredith Walters - 2017
    I am a daughter. A sister. A friend. When you look at me you won’t see anything that warrants suspicion. I don’t look like a criminal.My name is Hannah Whalen, but most people know me as freed0mov3rdr1v3, or “Freedom Overdrive”—one of the world’s most prolific and notorious hacktivists. My goal—my purpose—is to shed light on the evil that lurks behind the corporate and government lies we have been force-fed for too long.My story begins with the best possible intention. Devoting my life to exposing the corrupt. The dishonest. The unethical. For that, they label me a cyber-terrorist. Wanted by the FBI, I’ve always been one step ahead.Until I fell in love.Because I’m sleeping with the man who’s hunting me. And he has no idea that I am his prey. Now I have to decide what’s more important: my freedom or my heart.Note: Exploited ends on a cliffhanger. Hannah’s story continues in Aftermath.

Elusive


S.E. Hall - 2018
    Got familiar. Liked it. A lot. Wouldn't mind some more. Same ol' story... they meet, roll around in the sheets, and get their happily ever after... or don't. That's how it goes, right? So what makes us any different? Simple. Our story involves one Presley Alexandra Beckett. The woman who takes any and every damn thing I thought I knew and flips, twists, distorts, denies and defies it until I lose track of up from down. Just when I start to think I've got her figured out... I uncover the real reason why Presley spends her life hiding behind a wall of sassy, stubborn deflection. And now? Now I fix it. Free her. Make her mine. Whether she likes it or not.

Perfectly Played


Holly Kerr - 2019
    No flowers, no patient groom… no perfect love story waiting for her. And so she pulled up her wedding dress and ran out of the chapel—straight into the sweetest, saddest, tallest guy she’d ever seen.Ex-ball player Dean thought a wedding was expected until an icy cold text to his best man let him know it wasn’t going to happen. Ever. Now there’s nothing to do but spend a few hours commiserating with the cute bride who ran out of her own wedding.It is Las Vegas, after all.One perfect night later, with strippers and syrup and drag queens, Flora and Dean go home alone, forgetting about last names and usernames and even old-school addresses. Maybe they can find love again, but not if they can’t find each other.But love plays its own game, and the best happily ever afters always have a bit of serendipity involved. Will Flora and Dean’s love story be perfectly played?