Book picks similar to
Guarded Heart by C.A. Harms


romance
cheating
new-adult
single-parent

Carter


Brie Paisley - 2016
    CarterShe’s always been the one for me.The one that I knew would be mine forever, until I made the biggest mistake of my life. I’ve tried to move on, and I’ve tried to put the memory of her behind me, but she’s always there, consuming my thoughts. Now, she’s back in our hometown, trying to rebuild a new life, but I know deep down, that she’s keeping secrets. She tries to hide them from me, but I will do whatever it takes to prove that I’m the one she needs. Shelby Ross is the other part of me that I can’t live without, and I refuse to let her go again. ShelbyHe broke my heart.I never thought that I would be able to pick up the pieces he left behind, so when he let me go, I ran away from it all, thinking it was the easiest thing to do. However, running always has a price, and I’ve paid it in full for years. Now, I’m back to where it all began, and it should’ve been easy. Carter Harlow is slowly reawakening long buried emotions that I thought were gone. He wants to make me his again, but I can’t let that happen. He ruined me once, and then broke my heart, and now, I’m afraid I’ll never survive it a second time around. This is a standalone series, and it does not have to be read in order.*

The Southern Roots Series


L.K. Farlow - 2020
    She doesn't need a man. After all, her Grams taught her a thing or two about making lemonade out of life's lemons.Then she meets Cash Carson.Reeling from a bad breakup, Cash has sworn off love. It led to nothing but pain and misery, and he’s determined to move forward alone.Until a redheaded Southern beauty crashes into him. With her shopping cart. At the local Piggly Wiggly.If love wasn't for him, why did his heart beat a little faster every time Myla Rose sent that sweet smile his way?He was no knight, and she didn't need saving.But damn if he didn't want to try anyway.AN UPHILL BATTLE: Azalea Barnes has hated Drake Collins since the day he broke her teenaged heart.Fast forward almost seven years later and her libido still hasn't gotten the memo.Now they're frenemies... with benefits.Which suits Azalea just fine. She gets what her body craves while keeping her heart safe.Kind of.Mostly.Drake has loved Azalea since the day they met. He knows that she's his forever. Too bad she only sees him as a good time. He wants more. Needs more.If only he could convince her that it's real this time. He's more determined than ever to prove to Azalea that chemistry like theirs doesn't exist only in the bedroom.The odds may be against Drake, but he's prepared to fight.WEATHER THE STORM: Magnolia Ellington is all too aware that dangerous things can come in shiny packages. Her husband made sure to teach her that.Desperate to escape his wrath—and his fists—she flees in the dark of night. Seeking safety and shelter with the only family she has left, Magnolia finds herself in the sleepy, Southern town of Dogwood—and in the arms of Simon McAllister.Simon has always been more of a thinker than a doer. That changes the minute he meets shy and mysterious Magnolia. She has him rushing into action, ready and willing to do whatever it takes to earn her trust.Slowly, with his steadfast determination and kind heart, Simon brings Magnolia out of her shell. But just as things start heating up between the two of them, the darkness of Magnolia’s past resurfaces, threatening to rip apart everything they’ve worked so hard for.With their future hanging in the balance, Simon fears he’s losing Magnolia. He must find a way to convince her they're better together.

The Broody Brit for Christmas


M.J. Fields - 2020
    Hard earned Ivy League education? Check.Dream career in New York City? Check.Swoon worthy fiancé, who is heir to billions? Also, check. Until my life collapsed like a clapboard house in a blizzard. I retreat to my small hometown of Holiday Springs, where life is like a snow globe, feeling like all of my failings are on full display. Once I get my bearings straight, I’ll trade my old snow boots for brand new stilettos and strut back to New York City. Nothing seems to go right until I meet a hot, British, single father with an adorable son. He may be too good to be true. As Holiday Springs transforms into a winter wonderland, so does my belief that this Christmas I may receive the greatest gift of all: Love.

I Like You, I Love Her


J.R. Rogue - 2018
    Before he kissed me in front of the entire school. As he danced with her the night of our senior prom.After his younger brother, Ben, made me smile through my tears.“It’ll never work with him. He will never leave her…”It’s been more than ten years since I let myself fall for the boy whose heart wasn’t mine. And the Prom King’s lips are finally mine to kiss.“When I came back here I wasn’t expecting to see you, and when I did, I felt this tumble…”But he’s still keeping me in the shadows.As his younger brother breaks me open in the day.BenYou shouldn’t covet whom your brother desires.Our pastor father would say he taught me better than that.But I knew over ten years ago my brother didn’t deserve her.And nothing’s changed since she came back into both our lives.“You think what you felt for my brother back then was love, but what I felt can’t be the same?”I’m still the one who makes her laugh—the one who challenges her.And he’s still the one treating her like a dirty little secret.“You really are a watercolor, Severin Thompson. I can read you…”You shouldn’t covet whom your brother desires.This summer, I’ll remind him of that.

Sinners of Hawthorne University Complete Series


Eva Ashwood - 2021
    It contains violence, dark subject matter, and high steam.**

Vegas Baby


Winter Renshaw - 2016
     He's never played a card game he couldn’t beat and never met a showgirl he couldn’t bed. He plays by his own rules, and he plays to win. At twenty-four, he's on top of the world, basking in his bachelorhood one debaucherous night at a time, when an early morning knock on his door changes everything. He's a daddy. He has a daughter. And he's never changed a diaper in his life. But just when he's getting a grip on this whole fatherhood thing, he meets Calypso, the intriguing lavender-and-patchouli-scented hippie in the apartment next door. She refuses to discuss her past, but Crew didn't win a dozen high stakes poker tournaments without learning a thing or two about reading people. She’s hiding something. But Calypso’s not just a mystery, she’s the ultimate jackpot. And Crew's bet money before but never happiness. If he wants her, he'll have to take the biggest gamble of his life. But having her for his own would be the ultimate win. AUTHOR'S NOTES 1. This is a standalone, full-length romance (~70k words) with a HEA. Ends around 60%. For a *limited* time, this eBook includes a bonus copy of DARK PARADISE and a generous preview of my upcoming book, ROYAL, releasing late February! 2. $0.99 is the sale price. Regular price will be $3.99!

Exes and Goals


Heather C. Myers - 2017
    She has one.Harper Crawford is a big fan of the Newport Beach Seagulls, despite their abysmal previous season. It's been a year since Ken Brown's murder and Seraphina Hanson, Ken's youngest granddaughter, just survived her first year as the new owner and manager of the national hockey team. Barely. The last year was dismal to the point where Seraphina is making drastic changes. Like hiring Harper as their official blogger. Harper gets to travel with the team, write character pieces, critiques, game summaries, and the like. It's her dream job.Another change? Putting together practically a new team, including Zachary Ryan, first line center. At six foot four and two hundred and twenty pounds, he is tall, dark blond, and solid muscle. He's arrogant and direct and the minute he sees Harper at Taboo nightclub during a team bonding session dressed in a plaid shirt and converse sneakers, he has to get to know her better.Except there's a problem from her past that won't go away. Harper has an ex that won't stay in her past - where he belongs. He starts showing up at her place, reminding her of all the wrong choices she made, bringing up things she wants nothing more than to forget. When Zachary gets involved, things get heated and his notorious temper flares.Harper doesn't want to get involved with a hockey player - especially with an overzealous ex who won't leave her alone - but Zachary plans to change her mind. No matter what the cost.

Picking up the Pieces


Jessica Prince - 2013
    It’s taken years, but Emmy is finally starting to pick up the pieces of her broken life. Until the man who destroyed her heart returns, bringing with him the pain of the past. Running from Emmy was the only way Lucas Allen knew he could protect her from the demons he carried with him. After spending one perfect night together, Luke took off, certain he couldn’t possibly give Emmy everything she deserved. Eight long years later, he’s returned to Cloverleaf to try and make up for his mistakes. He can only hope it isn’t too late. Loving Luke has always been easy. It’s forgiving him that seems impossible. Now it’s up to Emmy to decide whether to give him a second chance or let him go for good.

Eric


Jody Kaye - 2016
    And maybe we are…But when it comes down to it, we’re five teenagers ready to make our mark on the world without anyone taking advantage of our notoriety.While my brothers and sisters are flying the nest, I’m rooted at the Kingsbrier Ranch and am eager to learn the ropes at the family construction company. In my girlfriend, Ginny, I’ve found the one person outside the other quintuplet I can trust. She has a heart of gold, and I’m willing to wait for her to finish college before we get married.Though, Ginny’s uncertainty about leaving might mean losing the one stable thing in her life—our love. Forced to admit to the lengths she’s gone, will Ginny’s deceit tear us apart or be the stepping stone on a new path we never imagined?A story of finding your true love young and having the strength to forgive.

Self Destruct


K.D. Carrillo - 2013
    But one unexpected encounter at a lake house would stir up every dark emotion she worked so hard to forget. There wasn’t anyone Aiden Ryan hated more than himself… Plagued with a life filled with manipulation and regret, he will try anything to ignore the guilt that eats him alive, even if it means more pain for him in the long run. It’s not until he meets Becca that things start to change. There’s only one problem—he’s stuck in a relationship he can’t get out of with a woman he doesn’t care about. Love is complicated, but when two people have demons they refuse to face, love could destroy them. Together, Becca and Aiden try and let go of their painful pasts to be together. But will their pasts let go of them?

Return to You


Melanie Shawn - 2018
    For Allison Walsh, that line was a tightrope hanging a hundred feet in the air, with no safety net to catch her if--or when--she fell. Ali was barely treading water after losing her big brother, who was her hero and best friend. His sudden death left her to raise her twin nephews when the man that was supposed to share the responsibility with her went MIA after the funeral. Kade's MMA training made him a champion, but it never equipped him to fight off the one force beyond his control: his feelings for his best friend's little sister. He's sure his demons mean he's not good enough for her, but he's going to do everything in his power to conquer them. When the sexy, tattooed fighter shows up on Ali's doorstep out of the blue with a bag hanging over his shoulder and a smile that would make a nun blush, he seems different. But after all he's put her through, Ali's not in a forgive-and-forget kinda mood. Will Kade prove that he's the man worthy of Ali's heart and trust, or will his past sins determine their future?

Learning to Trust


Cynthia P. O'Neill - 2013
    The first woman to arouse his heart could be the one person who helps him to finally open up and feel again. Laurel Hart was a swimming champion until a frightful event and unknown health issues derailed her career. With a recent degree from MIT in Bio-Medical Engineering and an offer to join one of the leading innovators of medical equipment in the world, she plans on making a new life for herself; letting nightmares from her past stay in the past, or so she thinks. Neither of them wants to date, but she finds herself drawn to him and Garrett uses every excuse to be near her. Laurel’s afraid to let anyone get close, but finds solace in his arms. Garrett is finally able to be himself around someone. Together, they discover a connection that manages to soothe both their souls and starts opening them up to new possibilities.Once Garrett finds out about Laurel’s past, all rules in regards to "relationships" are changed, because one false move could drive her away. He attempts to calm her nightmares and gain her trust so he can show her who he really is and the relationship he desires from her.Will they be able to overcome the damage their hearts have encountered? Can they find happiness? Can they trust their minds or will life throw each of them another curveball? Only time will tell if they can learn to trust.***This is a contemporary/erotic romance suitable for mature audiences only, ages 18+.***

I Crave You


C.C. Wood - 2020
    If I had done that at fourteen, maybe I would have avoided the unfortunate nickname of "Flatty Cami." It all started when I met Brody Murphy. I was eight years old and it was love at first sight. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your perspective, he showed me his true colors six years later. We argued every time I saw him, which was a lot since he was my brother's best friend. The hostility became outright hate when he coined that nickname I mentioned—the one that I didn't leave behind until I graduated high school. The day he got married and moved away was probably the luckiest day of my life and since then, I graduated college, started a business, and grew boobs so the whole nickname thing shouldn't still bother me. Yes, I know it shouldn't, but some grudges are worth holding.Now, Brody's back in town, divorced, and with his adorable daughter in tow. But he's not the same boy I once knew. He's a hot single dad who makes me laugh and it's getting harder and harder to remember all the reasons I should hate him.And way too easy to fall in love.

Bent


H.B. Heinzer - 2013
    Newly divorced, Julia returns to the small hometown she swore she?d left forever. She plans on enjoying the cheap rental a friend offers and staying there just long enough to figure out her next steps in life. But before long, Julia realizes she's made a big mistake. A decade ago, Micah Anderson promised Julia forever but broke her heart right before she left for college. Now, Julia's back in town, and he's going to have to tell her the truth about why he left her ? it's impossible to hide a twelve-year-old child when you live in such a small town. Can Julia forgive Micah and start anew? Should she try to make a relationship work if Micah's past becomes a threat to her safety? Should she follow her dreams if it means giving up on a second chance with her first love?

Kiss of a Stranger


Lily Danes - 2016
    Now he’s returned, determined to expose the men who set him up. His best chance at redemption is seducing the straight-laced woman working for the enemy…until he realizes he’s the one being seduced.A woman who's sworn off bad boys…Maddie Palmer lost everything when her ex-husband betrayed her. Years later, she’s rebuilt her life. It’s safe and stable—everything she thought she wanted. Until a dangerously sexy ex-con appears in Lost Coast Harbor...As passion ignites, Gabe and Maddie find themselves drawn deeper into the corruption behind the town’s richest family, even as they face the greatest danger of all—losing their hearts.