Book picks similar to
The Italian Island by Daniela Sacerdoti


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historical-fiction
no-overdrive
arc

Edie’s Home for Strays


Gracie Taylor - 2021
    Yet when she’s asked to take in a Land Girl and two little evacuees from London, she has no choice.Edie’s heart breaks, seeing the children’s cold welcome. But when the evacuees take in a stray puppy, even Prue can’t say no.Edie realises Applefield Manor could become a sanctuary. But can she persuade Prue to open her heart, and her home?

Reburn


Kimberly Knight - 2021
    On the day he went to buy an engagement ring, something was telling him no. Good thing because he drove straight to his best friend Alec's place and caught Tiffany in his bed. Turned out it was a blessing in disguise.Kiera Bing was a first-year law student. The workload was daunting, and the long study hours were even worse, so one night a week, Kiera allowed herself a break by hanging with her best friend and roommate at their favorite bar. The last thing on her mind was finding love. But when Kiera meets Ward, he changes her mind about everything. Ward and Kiera spend almost every waking moment together. Ward knew he would walk through fire for Kiera, and he just might have to. Tiffany tried to burn Ward's world to the ground once, and it looks like she’s trying to shatter it again. But sometimes, the most obvious answer will lead you in the wrong direction because if you put your trust in the wrong people, you could get burned.And the reburn could destroy it all.

The Arc


Tory Henwood Hoen - 2022
    She's tried all the dating apps, and let's just say: she's underwhelmed by her options. You'd think that by now someone would have come up with something more bespoke; a way for users to be more tailored about who and what they want in a life partner--how hard could that be?Enter The Arc: a highly secretive, super-sophisticated matchmaking service that uses a complex series of emotional, psychological and physiological assessments to architect partnerships that will go the distance. The price tag is high, the promise ambitious--a level of lifelong compatibility that would otherwise be unattainable. In other words, The Arc will find your ideal mate.Ursula is paired with 42-year-old lawyer Rafael Banks. From moment one, this feels like the electric, lasting love they've each been seeking their whole adult lives. But as their relationship unfolds in unanticipated ways, the two begin to realize that true love is never a sure thing. And the arc of a relationship is never predictable...even when it's fully optimized.

Christmas Kisses (Instalove Mountain Man, Curvy girl Steamy romance): Holiday Belles


Fern Fraser - 2021
    Until you fall in love with a songbird...♥CADEN BISHOPAfter years of active service, I came to the mountains for some peace. Life is better on my own. But the sweet songbird I meet, brings me out of a dark place. Her love reminds me there’s beauty in this world. But she’s vowed to never fall for a soldier, current or ex.I want a future with her, and I’ll move heaven and earth to make this ball of sunshine mine.TAMIRA FLYNNI may have grown up as a military brat, but I’m ready to put down roots and make a forever home. I have one small favor to do for my aunt, but I swear this is the last interruption to my well thought out plan.I’m not interested in dating anyone, especially a soldier, but everything about the sexy, bearded lumberjack makes me want to break my vow.He loves me with complete devotion and when he saves me from certain death, I realize I can't stay away from him. But will I be safe if I give him my heart?Sparks fly when a wounded soldier and sunshiny songbird make sweet music together, but will it be enough to get them to the altar in time for Christmas? Steamy, sweet, safe, short romance, no OM/OW drama, no triggers, HEA guaranteed.Tis’ the Season to Get Married!Nine of your favorite romance authors have joined forces to bring you a world full of wedding bells and Christmas cheer! Each short and steamy story promises a happily ever-after, with plenty of mistletoe and snuggles by the fire. The question is, will you end up on the naughty or nice list?#TheHolidayBelles are ringing beginning December 1st!

One Lucky Summer


Jenny Oliver - 2021
    Gazing at it now, decades later, the memories are flooding back, and not all of them are welcome…In a tumbledown cottage in Willoughby’s grounds, Dolly and Olive King lived with their eccentric explorer father. One of the last things he did was to lay a treasure hunt before he died, but when events took an unexpected turn, Dolly and Olive left Willoughby for good, never to complete it.But when Ruben uncovers a secret message, hidden for decades, he knows he needs Olive and Dolly’s help. Can the three of them solve the treasure hunt, and will piecing together the clues help them understand what happened to their families that summer, all those years ago?A glorious summer read with a delightful cast of characters from the bestselling author of The Summer We Ran Away.Praise for One Lucky Summer:‘A lovely read. A real journey, with wrong turns along the way and a delightful arrival at their destination. It's like a summer outing leaving you with a warm glow, and a smile your face’ Jo Thomas, author of Chasing the Italian Dream‘This is the perfect summer read. Full of fun, mystery and warmth. I loved everything about it!’ Bella Osborne, author of The Promise of Summer‘Fresh and original, haunting and evocative’ Jules Wake, author of The Spark‘A delicious ice-cream of a book. Loved it! Essential holiday reading’ Josie Lloyd, author of The Cancer Ladies' Running Club‘[A] must read’ Bella ‘A twisty, wistful novel perfect for long sunny afternoons’ New Praise for Jenny Oliver:‘You know you’re in for a treat when you open a Jenny Oliver book’ Debbie Johnson, bestselling author of Maybe One Day‘The perfect summer read’ Sarah Morgan, bestselling author of The Summer Seekers

Just Between Friends


Rosie Nixon - 2020
    Old Secrets... The gripping new novel from the author of The Stylist.Aisha Moore is eight months pregnant. She’s thrilled, and a little scared. Not least because her husband Jason hasn’t quite wrapped his head around the fact.Lucy is having her first child too. She has finally got her wish – although the circumstances aren’t quite what she had hoped. Oscar will be a great dad though, won’t he?When the two women join the same baby group, they quickly become friends and before long they’re confiding in each other.Only there’s one thing Lucy hasn’t told Aisha. And while a baby may turn your life upside-down, a secret this big will change everything.

The War Girls of Goodwill House


Fenella J. Miller - 2022
    

A Match Made in Venice


Leonie Mack - 2021
    Winter in the floating city may be breathtakingly beautiful, but she’s here with a clear purpose and will not let the magic of Venice distract her.Piero Zanetti is the epitome of the handsome yet tortured artist. Heart-broken by the end of his love affair with a glamorous opera singer, he has lost his ability to work, and his inspiration has drained away, along with his zest for life.But Didi needs Piero working – she has been tasked with commissioning him to do a glass centrepiece for a luxury department store Christmas display – some how Didi has to cheer Piero up or at least find him a new muse…As Didi and Piero slowly become friends, and as Venice starts to melt Didi’s heart and gently nudge Piero out of the blues, something special begins to happen. Can Venice – the City of Love – work a Christmas miracle and help Didi and Piero to find their happiness at last…

Can't Touch


Penny Wylder - 2021
    The girl I can’t touch.That’s what her uncle says, anyway… but even if he controls her, he doesn’t control me.When I see her walking back and forth in the office lobby, her long legs swishing, beautiful curves swaying, and those cherry-red lips, I decide right then: she’s going to be mine.Chianna:My first day on the job I swore I’d be professional. No mistakes. Pure and well behaved.Chris changed all of that.He’s powerful, rich, and when he smiles at me, it makes me weak.If my uncle finds out about us I’ll lose more than my dream internship.Can I keep what I’ve done a secret with Kris tempting me over and over to break the rules?

His First Wife's Secret


Emma Robinson - 2021
    ‘I can’t do this on my own,’ Emily sobbed. ‘I don’t know how.’When Emily’s husband dies in a terrible accident, she’s not the only wife he leaves behind.Because, before their whirlwind romance and Emily’s discovery she was pregnant, Pete had been married to Caroline for more than twenty years. A devastating tragedy had torn them apart. But there was a part of Pete that had never fully left his first wife and a secret that would bind them together, forever.Finding herself lonely, heartbroken, and forced to face life and motherhood alone – Emily is surprised that Caroline offers her support. But Emily knows she needs someone she can trust and rely on. Even if it’s the woman her husband loved before her.A tentative friendship develops and their lives become entwined. Their bond grows ever stronger as Caroline steps in to help when Emily’s baby arrives unexpectedly early. But it’s not just Caroline hiding a secret. Both of the women who once loved Pete have things they can never admit, without risking a friendship that might be the only thing keeping them both afloat.When grief begins to takes its toll on Emily, she feels sure that Caroline is the only person who can save her and baby Dylan… But should she trust the woman he loved before her – with her life… Or her child’s?An utterly devastating, but ultimately uplifting, emotional women’s fiction novel about friendship, motherhood and loss. Perfect for fans of Jodi Picoult, Susan Lewis and Jojo Moyes.

Chocolate Cake for Breakfast: (Little Duck Pond Cafe, Book 20)


Rosie Green - 2022
    With her confidence shattered, even leaving the house is scary, and a promising romance with gorgeous Logan is over before it even had a chance to begin. But cheered on by her dad and her great friend, Madison, she makes a decision that could change everything. Can Martha find the courage to step out into the world and love again?

Cruel Union: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance


Ivy Davis - 2022
    But which one of us will survive the cage we’re living in?For both of us are stuck in this marriage without mercy.

The Empty Nest


Fiona Palmer - 2014
    But this year won't be the same. Her daughter, Gracie, has joined her brother Jack at boarding school and Sandi dreads waking up to a quiet house. Even her husband, Paul, seems distant and preoccupied with farm work. So she never could have guessed what the day has in store...

Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers, #1)


Belinda Williams - 2021
    . .‘Give me a week. Seven days and seven nights. I’ll show you what it’s like to be with a nice guy.’Chelsea’s housemate Tom is tired of her complaining about her boyfriends. Arrogant, sexy, irresistible—bad boys are basically Chelsea’s M.O.Pretty much everything that Tom is not. He’s dependable and sweet. He’s also kind of hot in a cute, unthreatening way. His offer surprises Chelsea. He’s right . . . she’s never really given a nice guy a chance before. And now she’s curious. Hell, it might even be fun.There’s just one rule: this isn’t a friends with benefits arrangement. Except Chelsea never imagined nice guys could play so dirty . . .

Instamom


Chantel Guertin - 2021
    . .It’s the influencer’s golden rule: know your niche. Kit Kidding has found hers on Instagram, where she gets paid to promote brands and share expertly curated posts about her fun, fabulous, child-free life. Kit likes kids just fine, but she passionately believes that women who choose not to become mothers shouldn’t have to face guilt. Or judgement. Or really hot chefs who turn out to be single dads. Will MacGregor is aggravating, sexy, persistent, averse to social media, and definitely a bad idea. As soon as Kit learns his parenting status, she vows to put their scorching one-night stand behind her and move on. But Will and Kit are thrown together on an Instagram campaign, and the more time she spends with him—and his whip-smart, eight-year-old daughter, Addie—the more difficult it is to stay away, much less sustain what Will so cleverly calls her “Resting Beach Face.” Kit’s picture-perfect career path is suddenly clashing with the possibility of a different future—messy, complicated, and real. Which life does she truly want? Will she have to re-invent herself? And will love still be waiting by the time she figures it out?