Book picks similar to
Return to Silver Bay by Lara Van Hulzen


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contemporary
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Boyfriend For Hire


Nina Strych - 2016
    Adrift after years of constant work, she opens up to a therapist, who suggests that her inability to form real relationships (the kind that include sex) stems from her inability to simply let go. To relax. After turning down the offer of a sex surrogate, she’s given a card and a wink.Booking a relaxing getaway to St. John means flights, luggage, and now her hunky male escort Mike. A week of no judgement sex might be just the ticket. She also hopes it will finally allow her the space to relax and let her body overtake her mind…for once. She just didn’t expect Mike to be so much more than a simple diversion. Smoldering hot he may be, but it’s more than his strong arms that attract Amy. Their chemistry is off the charts, but it’s her heart that’s taking control of her now. The Escort Files is a series of stand-alone contemporary romances, each featuring a new woman and her escort as they take their unique path toward love.The Escort Files are intended for audiences of 18+ due to sexual content and some salty language.

Montana Blueprint for Love


Debra Salonen - 2020
    When “Diamond” Jim McCall gambles on a fixer-upper for sentimental reasons, his house of cards implodes – along with his health. Ruby’s ready for a job change but agreeing to become her first crush’s apprentice might be her biggest mistake. She doesn’t doubt they can “flip” the derelict ranch house and save Summit Construction, but at what cost to her heart? After all, Boone Fielding became the son her father never had when she left for college.  Man up. Helping Ruby McCall and her sisters flip Diamond Jim’s “money pit” makes sense financially, but he can’t partner with someone he doesn’t trust – and Boone hasn’t forgotten his last close encounter with Ruby. But every day on the job reminds him of why he fell in love with her in the first place.  How is he ever going to let her go when the job is done?

Bittersweet Melody


Belinda Boring - 2014
    I should've saved him. I could've. But I didn't. Sometimes late at night when my demons haunt me, I wish I could go back. Back to when I was that naive, punk kid who thought the world was full of rainbows and butterflies. Back to where my soul didn't feel so stained and broken. But I can't. I have to live with my failures. And it doesn't matter how hard I run, there's no escaping my guilt." Cooper Hensley is the perfect front man for Damaged Souls. After returning from his time as a Marine, all he wants to do is to bury himself into the rock and roll lifestyle with music, alcohol, and one night stands. Chasing sweet oblivion to numb his pain, nothing can rattle his carefully guarded heart . . . that is until Caylee Sawyer comes looking for the man she believes a hero, the best friend of her dead husband. What she finds instead is someone broken, someone who needs to forgive himself and move on, someone who affects her so completely, she can't walk away. But can she convince him to lower his guard long enough for her to claim his heart? And when he does, will she be prepared for the consequences?

Finding Faith (Love's Compass #4)


Melanie D. Snitker - 2016
    Moving away from her family support system so Gideon can attend a special school seems like the right choice, even if it means her entire life is about to change. The satisfaction of helping children and being a part of their lives is one reason Aaron Randall loves his job as a music therapist. When Hope Academy instills a dating policy, he doesn't give it a second thought. Until the new coworker who'd caught his attention turns out to be the parent of one of his students.A love they never expected is just out of reach. With Aaron's job and Gideon's education hanging in the balance, they'll have to rely on faith to find their way.

An Irish Heart


Jackie Zack - 2015
    After arriving in Ireland, she is drawn to a colorful village named Angel’s Hollow. When a dark-haired stranger approaches and calls her by another name, Greta is intrigued to discover she’s the image of AEDAN O’RIAIN’s ex-girlfriend. Does she have a close relative unknown to her? Aedan can’t understand his misfortune. Along with near bankruptcy in his future, his ex is trying to fool him by claiming she’s Greta Conner from the States. Is it some sort of plot to further ruin his reputation? Adding to his angst, his brother, Reece, insists on dating Greta if Aedan will not. All will certainly be lost if Reece falls into her plans. Angel’s Hollow becomes like home for Greta, and there’s no one her heart loves more than Aedan. But will an unknown twin threaten all she’s longed for?

The Mangrove Island Box Set: Books 1-3


Neve Cottrell - 2015
     This omnibus edition includes the first THREE books in the popular Mangrove Island contemporary romance series -- more than 600 pages of sun, surf and romance. Book 1: Long Way Home Tyler Barnes can’t believe his eyes when Alexis MacAdams walks back into his life. His high school crush left Mangrove Island seventeen years ago and never looked back. He’s held on to the memory of her, even though she never gave him a second glance. Now Alexis is back for the holidays and Tyler is determined to make a lasting impression before she slips away again. He soon learns, however, that her broken heart needs to heal before he has a chance to win it. Can Tyler convince her to risk her heart for a second time? Book 2: Far From Home Caspian Warwick, the Marquess of Pembroke, has been enjoying life on Mangrove Island, hosting lavish parties on his yacht and getting a taste of the local female flavor. When his old friend and political advisor arrives to woo him back to public office in England, they hatch a plan to rehabilitate his image, starting with his scandalous love life. Public relations guru Rebecca Laughlin has fled to Mangrove Island from New York after a disastrous affair with her womanizing boss. She's sworn off charmers and takes an instant dislike to Lord Warwick. In desperate need of money, however, she agrees to help him resurrect his defunct political career by finding him a suitable wife that the public will adore. No one can deny the heat between them ~ the heated arguments and hot tempers, that is. Will they embrace their feelings for each other or will they let their past dictate their future? Book 3: No Place Like Home Courtney Haskell has gone from a struggling actress to Mangrove Island hotelier in a matter of weeks, thanks to her father’s dying wish that she take the reins of the family’s beloved Pink Palm Hotel. Even as the work and financial issues begin to mount, Courtney is determined to rise to the occasion and honor her father’s memory. As a successful real estate developer, Eric Ballantine is used to getting what he wants and he has his sights set on The Pink Palm Hotel. When his company’s generous offer is rebuffed, he decides to take matters into his own hands. Once he meets the captivating Courtney Haskell, however, Eric finds himself at risk for losing more than his latest pet project. Other books in the series (not included in this set): Book 4: Heart of the Home Book 5: Home Sweet Home Book 6: Autumn 2015 and more to come!

Better Than Perfect


Kristina Mathews - 2014
    Known for his legendary control both on and off the field, his pristine public image makes him the ideal person to work with youth players in a preseason minicamp. Except the camp is run by the one woman he can’t forget…the woman who made him a “monk.”Alice Harrison’s three strikes include an unexpected pregnancy, a marriage of convenience and young widowhood. She once traded her dreams so Johnny could have a chance at making it to the Majors. Johnny comes back into her life just as she’s ready to resign as foundation director and pursue her own dreams of finally earning her teaching credential. Her plans may go on hold, though, depending on the reaction when she confesses she may have kept a major league secret from Johnny and her son.With the minutes ticking by until Johnny will leave for spring training, they’ll need to let go of the past and work together in order to win the game of love.CONTENT WARNING: Some strong language, consummated love scenes

Ryan's Kiss


Mel Walker - 2019
    That damn kiss. one kiss that not only destroyed our future but ended my ability to believe, to trust, to love.He was my best friend. We should have known better.Three years kept us apart, yet an invisible rope continues to tug at us.  He’s finally returning home and I know it’ll only be a matter of time before we must face each other again. I’m older, stronger, wiser and no longer the starry-eyed girl who followed his every command.He almost destroyed me last time, I won't give him a second chance. I can't.

Entangled Moments


Dori Lavelle - 2013
    A tragic accident derailed the future she'd hoped for, taking the life of the man she'd planned to spend forever with. As a self-imposed penance for her solitary sin, Carlene has given up on every dream she ever had. She has committed to spend every remaining moment trying to make up for that one instance when everything changed. Then she gets a second chance.When Carlene meets Nick Johnson, the single kiss they share awakens the desires she shoved aside for so long. Suddenly she wants more than what she believe she deserves. Will she ever see him again?A thing of fate.Leaving the life she built on regret, Carlene waits for fate to intervene. But just as she begins to believe in a fresh start, she's forced to realize a horrible truth—one with the power to send her second chance crashing before it even takes off. Nick isn't who she thought he was. She isn't the girl he believed her to be, either. Their lives were intertwined even before they met, and if Carlene tells him the truth, she’ll risk tearing them apart—for good.**Due to sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.**

Feels Like the First Time


Ciana Stone - 2012
     It doesn’t quite work out that way. The woman turns out to be Lily Ridenger, his first love, and the one woman who has the ability to turn his thoughts to sin with a single look. She’s in need of a place to stay and he has room to spare. So what if they have unfinished business between them? So what if there are still unresolved feelings? Chances are they’ll hook up, have sex hot enough to start a fire and go their separate ways. At least that’s what Clint thought… He thought wrong.

Kissed by a Cowboy


Lacy Williams - 2014
    She thinks she’s ready for this homecoming. She’s spent years escaping her perpetual shyness and being Katie Michaels’ tag-along friend, but being back in her hometown brings back a lot of old memories, especially when she is faced with the cowboy she never forgot — Katie’s older brother, Maddox. Twelve years ago, Maddox Michaels was supposed to be somebody. He had everything. A football scholarship. A Division I team scouting him. Maybe even a chance at the pros. Now, he’s a burned-out cowboy working day and night to stay ahead of his brother’s medical bills and keep their family farm from going bankrupt. And trying to be a father-figure for his niece, Olivia. When Haley and Olivia start spending time together, Maddox can’t help remembering those dreams that died alongside his sister. Will being with Haley open his heart to new dreams?

My Light: Vol. 1


Echo Hart - 2017
    She doesn't trust anyone, especially with her heart, and makes damn sure to keep herself guarded. With a steel cage wrapped firmly around her heart, She's promised herself she will never give anyone the chance to repeat history.Her world is lonely, but it's a risk she's willing to take, if it means there's no one to hurt her.But that's all about to change… Kayden:Is a hot, happy, outgoing,successful Southern gentleman that every woman dreams of, with an accent that’s truly panty melting. He is pure perfection in every way.He doesn't have a problem letting people into his world in fact he welcomes them in with strong open arms. He longs for the day he meets the right woman to settle down with, give his heart to and start a family of his own.That is until he meets Rena....Kayden knows his whole heart belongs to Rena and that he has to have her for himself, but Rena is adamant she has no room for love in her life.Will he break her and finally claim her heart?

Changing Teams


Jennifer Allis Provost - 2015
    She needs some excitement, and when she meets blue-eyed Midwesterner Sam MacKellar at a photo shoot, she realizes he’s perfect for her in every way—well, except for the fact he’s gay.A devastating childhood trauma turned Sam’s whole life into a lie…Sam came to New York City to escape an existence that had become unbearable, and when his job as a photographer’s assistant leads him to Britt, he realizes he’s finally met someone who sees him as he really is. But plagued by nightmares and trapped by his own deception, he doesn’t know how she can truly be part of his life.Friendship leads to a passionate encounter and hidden dangers…Britt comforts Sam though his nightmares, and they begin to explore their mutual attraction, but the tables are turned when Britt faces unwelcome attention from a manipulative art instructor and Sam must come to her defense.Sam is terrified to reveal the source of his nightmares, sure the truth would shatter his complicated relationship with Britt, but when she suffers an unspeakable trauma of her own, only Sam can help her pick up the pieces.When Britt learns the magnitude of Sam’s lies, will his reasons and the depth of their feelings be enough to allow her to forgive him? Does she have a future with Sam, or does his deception also include the reality of changing teams?

Riske and Revenge


Natalie Wrye - 2017
    Had known it since I was seventeen. For me, it was love turned on its head, a product of hurt and fear—twisted, tied up…and placed on the sculpted shoulders of Ethan Riske.***Dayton, Tennessee.Home to the best cow-tipping in the world, the biggest hot dogs, and the lousiest sex.Or so I'd heard...They were right about the first two. Ethan Riske proved them wrong about the third and at seventeen, he and I spent a summer under the stars, squeezing our way out of trouble, sweating and panting among the haystacks.Until he left.Nine years later, when a huge publishing house tries to buy my small press, I storm into the office of the CEO to find him.Same cocky grin. Different name.And suddenly all I can think about is exacting revenge on Ethan Riske for breaking his contract...and my heart.But there's someone who wants revenge even more than I do. As I begin to fall for the new Ethan, will the sins of the old one come back to haunt us?This book is a complete re-make of the former novel, Paradise Forbidden, and contains the same characters. The Lies and Lust series, which contains Games & Diversions, is transitioning into the Revenge series. The next novel in the series is Perfect Revenge (formerly Games & Diversions).

One S'more Summer


Beth Merlin - 2017
    She knows it’s wrong and it has to stop, but she hasn’t been able to let go ever since they all met on the bus to summer camp back when they were 7 years old. The same week that her best friends finally announce their wedding date, Gigi loses her high-profile design job. With all of her dreams unravelling, she runs to the last place she remembers being happy.Taking the Head Counselor position at Camp Chinooka, Gigi hopes to reclaim the joy she felt as a camper, but the job isn’t all campfire songs and toasting marshmallows. Gigi’s girls are determined to make her look bad in front of the boys’ Head Counselor—the sexy but infuriating Perry—and every scrap of the campground is laced with memories.When Gigi finally realizes she can’t escape the present by returning to her past, she’s forced to reexamine her life and find the true meaning of love. But will she be able to mend fences and forgive herself before she loses her one real shot at happiness?The Campfire Series1. One S’more Summer—Releases May 30, 2017!2. S'more to Lose—Coming December 2017!