Book picks similar to
Part of the List by Xavier Neal


romance
bwwm
tear-jerker
interracial-romance

Until Harry


L.A. Casey - 2016
    Hard because Harry, her beloved uncle, has died suddenly, but also because of him. Kale.Kale Hunt has been her best friend since childhood. But it was never that simple. He was Lane’s reason for leaving home and moving to New York. Seeing him with someone else, in love with someone else, shouldn’t have hurt. But it did. It really, really did. So she upped sticks and left, started a new life and cut herself off from her past.But now she’s back, and all the feelings are right there. As if she had never left.Emotions are running high for everyone, and tragedy has a funny way of bringing people together. But is Lane reading the signs right? Are they still just friends, or is there something more?

Rae


E.R. Wade - 2017
    As a rule, I don’t date. Spending one night with the gorgeous Cole Mardsen is as far as I’m willing to go, that is, until he has me wanting to break all my rules for him.Cole MardsenI saw her as soon as she walked into the bar, looking beautiful and elegant, and I was immediately drawn to her. But Rae resists me at every turn. She’s about to find out how determined I can be when I want something - and I definitely want her. And not just for one night.Rae is a stand-alone romance novella with a guaranteed HEA.

Rogue In Love: Thea and Lex


Inger Iversen - 2017
     Lex knows exactly where the good people of Blackwater think he belongs. In prison, right alongside his no-good, murdering father. It’s one reason he’s spent the last two years living rough in the woods outside of town. The other? Thea—granddaughter of the man who rescued him from an irreparably broken home. The exact moment Lex noticed Thea had grown into a woman, he was packed off to the military. Lex gets it. He knows better than anyone he tends to destroy everything he touches. Now, ten years later, a mysterious summons brings Lex back to civilization, though the thought of watching Thea marry someone else ignites a savage instinct he dares not unleash. At first, Thea doesn’t recognize the grizzled, mountain of muscle who breaks into her grandfather’s house in the dead of night. Until his rusty, familiar voice emerges from all that unkempt hair. Lex, the boy who broke her heart when he walked out of her life. For a while, she had everything she thought she wanted: a successful medical career, a doctor fiancé, a comfortable future. With a single, hopeless diagnosis, she dropped everything—including the fiancé—to come home. And into the arms of the boy who has matured into a man who makes her body tremble with desire, even as her brain warns her to guard her heart. Forever is waiting just on the other side of the emotional walls towering between them. Walls that love could leap…if it’s strong enough to shed the weight of their pasts. This book includes the first chapter of Open Wounds and a sample of Incarcerated: Letters to Inmate 92510 The Love Against the Odds books are written as standalone, bwwm/interracial romances. However, your enjoyment may be enhanced if you follow this order: - Incarcerated: Letters from Inmate 92510 Katie & Logan 1 - Inevitable: Love and War Teal & Trent 1 - Indelible: Beneath His Ink Teal & Trent 2 - Rogue in Love: Lex and Thea | standalone novella - Open Wounds: Abel and Hope | standalone novella - Indebted: Til' Death Do Us Part Teal & Trent 3 - Weathered Soul: Eric and Ivory | standalone novella

Saddle Up Cowboy


Sade Rena - 2020
    That’s one thing I didn’t hope for when I moved across the country. My new small-town life is just what I need. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of the city.Screw the heart. What I need now is to start over—a new lease on life and one night of passion. Everything was going great until the hottie from the bar shares he’s never had his hand in the cookie jar before—no big deal. I’ll never see him again. But then I show up to dinner and learn the random guy I hooked up with is my best friend’s little brother.ParkerEmbarrassment isn’t enough to describe what I felt when she walked into the dining room. I made a fool of myself. I showed my inexperience and was sure the memory would be with her forever. But there she is, just as surprised as me. She wants me to forget. Pretend it never happened.The thing is—it did, and I’m glad about it.Now all I want is to make up for the last time, a chance to do it right—all the time.SADDLE UP COWBOY is book 1 in the Coldbank Cowboy series. A multicultural, small-town, age gap romance, that will grab you by the heart, make you laugh, and make you fall in love with even the side characters. Each books features a different couple and can be read as a complete standalone. Previously titled My Virgin Cowboy.

Perfect Curves


Lanee Lane - 2018
    Her mother is sure to remind her. She lets her crazy best friend Noel talk her into joining a gym. What she didn’t expect to find was Reed. Her new personal trainer is fit, sexy, and everything she isn’t looking for. Reed loves his women with curves. When he first lays eyes on Penelope he wants to explore her delectable body. He’s more than just a handsome face and rock hard abs, and he’s ready to open up and let the right woman in. Penelope is that woman. When a woman from Reed’s past re-enters his life he’s torn between obligation and love. With lies being told and boundaries being crossed, Reed has to choose. Loyalty to his past could have him losing the best thing for his future.

Gravity


L.D. Cedergreen - 2014
    Unable to face his betrayal, she retreats to Priest Lake where her family owns a small cabin. But Gemma finds that she is not the only one hiding away at the lake to avoid an ugly truth. Andrew Monroe was once an essential part of Gemma’s life but tragedy and misunderstanding shattered their bond, separating them. Now twenty years later, Gemma questions the coincidence of their newly intersected paths as she struggles to resist the sparks that ignite between them.Just when Gemma feels that she has found her second chance at happiness, she is faced with a shocking truth as her reality spirals out of control. She can’t deny the powerful force that brought Andrew back into her life anymore than she can defy the same force that now threatens to pull them apart. An emotionally-charged, heart-rending story that will leave you to question the freedom in truth and the existence of fate in its deepest sense.

Until Now


Delaney Diamond - 2020
    He’s sexy, considerate, and best of all, he loves to read. She’s certain she’s found the man of her dreams—until she learns the real reason for his appearance in her life.Cruz Cordoba’s mission was simple: Get close to Shanice, retrieve the data, and kill anyone who gets in his way—including her. But he didn’t anticipate falling for the voluptuous bookstore clerk. Now he has to decide what’s more important—the mission, or the woman.This is part 1 of 2 and ends on a cliffhanger.

Love After War


Sienna Mynx - 2012
    Once colleagues in a top Management Consulting firm in the Windy City, a slick sabotage move by Dylan—her mentor— demolishes any hope for advancement in her career. But that was years ago. And despite the bitter parting she has a lot to be thankful for. She ditches the hustle and grind of Chicago for the serene simplicity of Napa Valley. Disillusioned by the whims of men and struggling to prove she can make a life for herself without love Lauren grows bitter and jaded. Now Dylan McGuire is back in her life and Lauren must face off with her old nemesis who is poised to take it all, because he can. However, Dylan’s motives are far more complicated than Lauren suspects. And if he plays the game right, this time the winner takes all.

Emerging Temptation


Peyton BanksSedona Venez - 2020
    Be prepared to be captivated by the sizzling tales of heroic first responders for hours on end. These heroes will prove themselves worthy of your attention, and affection. From scorching hot firefighters to dashing police officers, there is something for everyone. Watch out! You might find yourself needing to be resuscitated. The stories in the compilation are exclusive and can't be found anywhere else. Don't wait, this box set will only be available for a limited time before it is gone forever! Note: This collection contains material for mature readers (18+ and older) only. Authors featured: Peyton Banks Donna R Mercer Reana Malori Theresa Hodge ML Preston Sydney Aaliyah Michelle Sade Rena Posey Parks Sedona Venez Erin St. Charles Yolanda Olson Kiarra M. Taylor

Heartbreak Warfare


Heather M. Orgeron - 2018
    What you didn't know was that I was breaking mine too.I thought they’d be enough–my husband and my son. That I’d get home and everything would go back to the way it was . . .Before the war. Before the ambush. Before you.But, no matter how hard I try, I can’t erase the trauma we shared. I can’t seem to forget the way my heart beat in time with yours. The truth is I’m lost without you.I thought the nightmare was over when they pulled us from that hole in the ground, but nothing could have prepared me for the war I’d face at home.I know it’s selfish of me to ask, but, please, I have to see you one last time. . .All my love, Scottie

Protect the Seed


Erosa Knowles - 2018
    After a painful divorce two-years ago, her ex refuses to believe they’re done and fights for a reconciliation he’s convinced she wants no matter what she says. When he arrives unexpectantly at her job, she latches on to a stranger and pretends he’s the new man in her life to get her ex to leave. Entrepreneur Theodore Barnes recently learned that his mother was murdered 19 years ago and is searching for the truth. Imani’s name comes up during the investigation and he chooses to meet the beautiful woman personally to ask questions. When she uses him to escape her ex, he’s more than willing to go along with the ruse. Theo enlists Imani’s help to uncover the truth about his mother’s murder. Their search reveals things Theo wishes he never knew. When another person ends up dead, the pair learns quickly, knowledge without wisdom is deadly, and there are nuances and degrees to truth. Theo thinks he's got things under control but has no idea how out of his control everything really is. There are those who would stop at nothing to Protect the Seed.

Here's to Falling


Christine Zolendz - 2015
    Intended for mature readers only.***TRIGGER WARNING!

Ache


S.M. Soto - 2019
     What happens when you fall for the boy next door? Bea Norwood had the market on normal. Drama free life? Check. A single-mother who doubled as her confidant and partner in crime? Check. A neighbor and best friend she trusted more than anyone? Check. But that was until the day her mother remarried. The day that changed everything.When her best friend's cousin, Liam Falcon, is sent to live with his aunt and uncle to clean up his act, Bea finds herself falling for the boy next door. With their hearts so infinitely entwined, Bea turns to Liam as her only escape from her new step-brother's daily torment at home. Bea thought their love could conquer anything. But she was wrong. Love was for fools, and she was the biggest fool of them all. When Liam left Lakeport, he took her heart with him, shattering the organ to pieces. Six years later, Liam takes a trip back to Lakeport to visit his family, and to see HER. His first love.The girl who holds his heart.The same girl who shattered it six years ago without looking back. Liam is hell-bent on seeing Bea again after six years, but what he finds tears his heart in half. Bea Norwood is a shell of the girl he fell in love with. Underneath the baggy clothes, and pale skin, he knows she's still in there somewhere, he just needs to find her. Liam will stop at nothing to win his girl back, but sometimes, ignorance is bliss, and Liam isn't prepared for Bea's truth. *Some aspects of this story may be sensitive for readers.*

From Ashes


Molly McAdams - 2012
    So of course she follows him to Texas when he leaves for college. She just didn't expect to be so drawn to their new roommate, Gage, a gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl. The only problem? He's Tyler's cousin.Gage Carson was excited to share an apartment off campus with his cousin. He didn't mind that Tyler was bringing the mysterious friend he'd heard about since they were kids ... until the most beautiful girl he's ever seen jumps out of his cousin's Jeep. There's something about Cassi that makes Gage want to give her everything. Too bad Tyler has warned him that she's strictly off-limits.Despite everything keeping them apart, Cassi and Gage dance dangerously close to the touch they're both been craving. But when disaster sends her running into Tyler's arms, Cassi will have to decide whether to face the demons of her past ... or to burn her chance at a future with Gage.

Little Liar


Willow Winters - 2018
    That’s how stories like these get started. But every lie I told, he saw through it. I think in his heart he knew I was broken; he felt my pain as if it was his. And that’s what changed everything. He’s the reason it all fell apart.Sometimes it’s a single moment that alters everything in existence.Sometimes it’s the fall of dominoes, lined up in a pretty little row and designed so that each one will cause more and more pain.In a single day, it’s all changed, and there’s no way to take it back.I didn't know what would happen. But secrets and lies ruin everything.“I was captivated from the very beginning, and I couldn't let go until the very end. Winters wove an outstanding tale, which has an even better message within its pages.” - Kendra @ Reads and Treats** It's Our Secret was previously titled Little Liar **