Book picks similar to
Speedy Reads by Chris-Jean Clarke


short-stories
written-by-chris-jean-clarke
best-lit-fiction-list
short-stories-books

A Brand New Hood Love


Johnazia Gray - 2017
    The hood raised her, but she's determined to let her humbled spirit take her out of it. Living a normal life is only a choice that she's made, however. Unlike Gianni, her mother, Tommy, is a bigger queen pin than any king pin in Tallahassee Florida and in the down south area. She takes care of Gianni and her two kids with no problems. Tommy could easily give Gianni the salon and big house that Gianni has always dreamed of, but Gianni wants to accomplish her goals on her own. Due to her mother being in and out of Federal Prison, Gianni reminds herself that she has two kids to think about, and she can not and will never leave her kids behind, like Tommy did her. Instead, Gianni allows her baby's father, Lamont, to take care of her and her kids. She feels he owes her that much, due to all the pain he's caused her. However, dealing with him has caused nothing but heartache, distraction and drama. After finding out about the third child that he could possibly have on her, she finally decides to stray away from him and focus on she and her kids. She meets a handsome and wealthy man by the name of Kreed at her mother's house during Tommy's known 'gambling day'. Kreed is a different breed, and though Gianni only wants friends so that she can do a little living, Kreed is hard to shake. He has that smart, hood, and smooth demeanor that Gianni admires. Being surrounded by drugs and a lot of money didn't mean a thing to Kreed. He loves his legal businesses and he enjoys living his life the right way. He's feeling Gianni just as much as she's feeling him, but he when Lamont finds out that there's a new man in town who's stole Gianni's heart, he makes she and her kids life a living hell. Which causes Kreed to bring out his old vicious ways! Tumultuous drama starts to unfold, and it will be up to Gianni to get everything in line to save what she has with Kreed.

The Most Wonderful Time


Diane Greenwood Muir - 2017
    The big foyer at the Bell House has been decorated for the holidays and Polly's family has been hard at work decorating the rest of the house. She's ready for anything. The managers of the Sycamore Bed and Breakfast, Reuben and Judy Greene, have moved into town. While the old farmhouse is in the middle of its restoration, they plan to renovate a storefront down the street from Sweet Beans. They found something incredible in the upstairs apartment, bringing old and new together for a heartwarming moment. Moments like that prevail in this story. Last year, Polly and Henry brought two new little boys into their lives on Christmas Eve. This Christmas Eve, Noah and Elijah help the family create a beautiful new tradition. Like always, there are a few surprises. Your job is to hold them close so others can enjoy the fun. It truly is the most wonderful time of the year in Bellingwood.

Hooking Up With Her Neighbor


Amanda Martinez - 2018
    They had been together for a few months, but it wasn’t working out. They got along good, had fun together, but the sex left something to be desired. She dealt with it because he was such a nice guy. But then she got an anonymous note from a neighbor. One that heard their antics and offered to help her. Kate was in need of some good lovings and the note promised just that. She wasn’t sure who it was that offered such things, but she was intrigued. When she found out who it was, Kate was ready to take on his offer and once she got a taste, she was never going to look back.

The World of Simon Rich


Simon Rich - 2016
    From the horrors of childhood to the vagaries of old age, from confused people to humiliated animals, we're all just trying - and often failing - to keep it together. How carefully should you answer when asked what you'd take to a desert island? What do you do if your parents are reading your diary? How useful is a Swiss Army Knife? And what's A Brief History of Time really about?Armed with a sharp eye for the absurd and an overwhelming sense of doom, Simon Rich explores the ridiculousness of our everyday lives, from the most minute of anxieties to one of life's biggest questions: Does God really have a plan for us? Yes, it turns out. Now if only He could remember what it was ...'Simon Rich is very much laugh-out-loud funny. He can conjure authentic, from-the-abdomen laughter on almost every page. He stacks surrealism on top of slick satire on top of pure childish silliness in such a brilliant and condensed way, there are sometimes three laugh-out-loud moments within the same paragraph ... He is exactly the right kind of writer for the internet: funny, high-concept, accessible, short, sharable, a James Thurber for the Twitter age' Matt Haig

Along for the Ride


Katrina Abbott
    She has good reasons to, just not ones she's willing to talk about, even with her best friend, Sandy Thibeault. Vanessa has a long history with rock stars; as the daughter of a famous music producer, she's spent her life around them and knows about the seedy underbelly of the music business. She knows firsthand how the industry ruins lives and families, and she'll do anything in her power to stay away. Until the talent show at The Rosewood Academy for Academic Excellence--her boarding school for the rich and famous--where she sees Willmont Davidson perform. She recognizes his rare talent and knows he needs to audition for her father's new boy band. Except Willmont isn't buying what she's selling and seems to be immune to the lure of the music business. Vanessa is determined to get him on board, though she's also committed to maintaining her distance from the band. Especially when one of the members turns out to be someone from Vanessa's past--someone she's been trying for months to get over. But then her summer plans--relaxing at her house in the Hamptons with Sandy--are threatened when her best friend decides she wants to follow the band on tour. It's a dream come true for her to be the band's exclusive teen vlogger and Vanessa's dad loves the idea to help build buzz, so who is Vanessa to stop her? Sandy wants her to come along, but while Vanessa's not going to stop her friend, there's no way she's going on tour. Despite her efforts to stay away, Vanessa gets caught up in the tour preparations and starts not hating it (or the guys) as much as she would have expected. And then, when things start to go wrong, they don't just want her on tour, they need her. Will Vanessa rise to the challenge? And if she does will she be able to protect her heart from these boys who were built to be heartthrobs? Along for the Ride is the first book in The Rosewoods Rock Star series for readers who love swoony romantic comedies about rock stars and the girls who can't resist them.Note: The Rock Star books are companions to original Rosewoods series, but take place after it, beginning chronologically after Crossing the Line (book 10). There are some spoilers, but each series can be read independently.

Just Jack: Everything laid bare


K.L. Shandwick - 2015
    Growing up together, Jack loved Lily and was fiercely protective of her and for almost all of his life all he wanted was to make her happy. When she was happy he was happy, except Lily lived a world away from him now and Jack missed her dreadfully. As far as Jack was concerned there had never been a time in their lives where they hadn’t shared everything and he valued their special bond. In recent years Lily’s ambitions took her overseas and even with an ocean between them, Jack still managed to support his best friend. One day things changed everything between them and their relationship began to shift. Lily had carved her own life and after observing a scene involving her, it made Jack take a close look at his own. Life post-Lily left Jack feeling confused and he decided to take a difficult decision, never realising the potential fallout from doing something he strongly felt was the right thing at the time. With his life laid bare and as a simple, uncomplicated guy he thought he had finally figured things out. Women loved Jack but they had all come and gone in his life apart from Lily. She was always there until one day she wasn’t. A revelation by Lily left Jack feeling betrayed and abandoned by the one person who he thought he could rely on no matter what. During his journey from that moment on Jack faced more separation and loss than he could have ever imagined. How would his experiences shape him as a man and would he ever find it in his heart to forgive?

Lucas


Avery North - 2020
    After breaking up with reality TV star Nancy Patterson he decides to leave love alone and focus on his business, helped by a suggestion from an old college friend that they become friends with benefits.Everything in Lucas’s life is going great until he meets gorgeous baker and charity founder Sammy Wicker, and his world is turned on its head. Thoughts of her take over his mind, and he embarks on a quest to know this beautiful independent woman better.Things seem to be on track for the two until Lucas is hired to sell the building Sammy’s bakery is located in, promising to make his company a lot of money. However, the new owner is kicking out the existing businesses for their own plans and Sammy is furious that Lucas is part of it, breaking up with him and refusing to see him.Can Lucas find his way back to Sammy’s heart or will their businesses get in the way of their relationship?

Worldlines: A "Many Worlds" Novel


Adam Guest - 2020
    

The Billionaire's Lighthouse Series


Michelle Love - 2016
    Passion. Obsession. Elizabeth Cook is a conservationist trying to save a lighthouse on the northern side of Chesapeake City, Rhode Island. Zane White is the billionaire who just bought the real estate it sets on and plans on tearing it down to build condos that overlook the Atlantic Ocean. When Elizabeth goes to New York, where Zane’s business is headquartered, the two meet and instant chemistry connects them. With a date made, Zane nor Elizabeth ever thought in a million years it would end with them being fake married. Meagan Saunders is a high powered judge who has had her eye on Zane for quite a while. She has made plans to make sure he ends up with her. Blackmail is a thing the judge is not above when it comes to getting her man to help her in her aspirations for the governor of New York and then the presidency. Will Meagan get her way and make Zane hers or will Elizabeth find strength in herself to keep Zane right where he is? Or will Zane show them both just how powerful he is and take care of the situation on his own? Find out if true love wins in the end or if the powerful politician does.

McCall Ranch Brothers: The Complete Series


Leslie North - 2020
    Now, however, he’s forced to not only take over his late parents’ ranch, but also unexpectedly raise his cousin’s four-year-old daughter, Jade. 
 Sure, he can run the place for the year-long stipulation specified in his parents’ will, but take care of a kid? No way. Nothing in his life has prepared him to be the father of a four-year-old girl. Complicating matters, Lacey Cameron, his sweet and pretty housekeeper, is leaving to open up her own B&B. Lacey has always lived at the McCall ranch—she can’t leave now when he needs her most. Desperate, Trevor makes a deal with her: Stay and help him with little Jade and in return he’ll help her fix up the B&B. Lacey agrees, and as the two of them work together, Trevor quickly realizes the girl he’s known all his life has grown into a beautiful woman, one who, to his shock, manages to find a crack in his hardened heart. 
 The Cowboy’s Rescue Single mom Heather Browning will do anything to get away from her controlling ex-husband--including buying a rundown strawberry farm in Montana. Maybe the locals are right, maybe she is crazy. Still, she’ll do anything to keep her twin son and daughter safe and happy—and keep her ex out of the picture. When her only horse comes up lame, she calls local veterinarian Randy McCall. The sexy cowboy takes one look at her farm and dilapidated house and offers his help, but Heather is quick to say no. She doesn’t need anyone’s help—no matter how gorgeous and tempting Randy is. But after hurting her ankle and discovering her roof is riddled with leaks, she reluctantly agrees to temporarily move herself and the twins to the McCall Ranch. If Heather wanted a charming, sexy, man—which she does not—Randy would be perfect. Good thing she only wants to be friends… Even as Randy tells himself—over and over—that he’s not a relationship kind of guy, his stubborn heart doesn’t believe it. Knowing Heather has already been hurt by a man, he decides to stop things before they get out of hand. But can he stop himself from falling in love? The Cowboy’s Pregnant Sweetheart
 Karen Peterson has always known the rodeo was Carson McCall’s first and only love. She got proof of that when they were eighteen and he left her brokenhearted to join the rodeo circuit. She never got the chance to tell him she was pregnant—and never told him she lost the baby. Nine years later, he’s back home at the McCall Ranch nursing injuries from a bull-riding accident. When she sees him, she has a wonderful idea. Her sister’s autistic son, Devon, wants to learn to ride, and Carson is the perfect man to teach him. But Carson turns her down flat. Until the consequences of a barroom brawl require community service…teaching Devon to ride. Though Carson is the only cowboy she’ll ever love, she can shield her feelings for the sake of her nephew, even if Carson still makes her heart feel like it’s on a bucking bronco. Carson is completely at odds. All he wants to do is heal and return to his life, despite his doctors telling him he’ll never ride at the same level again. He hates that he’s not the man he was, hates that everyone pities the washed-up has-been rodeo star. The only bright part of his day is the hour he spends with Devon—and Karen. Carson never forgot her, never really got over her.

Second Chance Babies: A Contemporary Romance Box Set


Mia Ford - 2019
    These men will do anything to claim what belongs to them.  Books included: Just For You They sent me away. No time to say goodbyeI didn’t know if I loved her. I didn’t know she was carrying my child.But when I saw her again I knew she still possessed me. I was the college playboy. The rich shit with Daddy’s money.Lucie was my childhood friend.One night was all it took – rekindled our friendship…Ignited our lust. Then I fucked up. And was gone. Now I’m back, and I’m a better man.The question is will Lucie believe it?Can we have a second chance?I can see the old spark in her eyes. She shares my longing… I hurt her all those years ago.Now I need to step up and prove my heart.Own my past…And show her my love for this child.The child that looks like me. Unprepared Daddy She can’t run away from me…she’s carrying my babies.  Serena, you’re mine and only mine.  I will bring you back…and make you beg.  My life was just so perfect. Money, Fame, Women – you name it, I had it. And yet something seemed missing. Until Her…Her delicious, curvy package was made for me. She’s that sweet and spicy seduction…completely intoxicating – you could call her every man’s dream. And yet, I was a jerk and let her go. I was a bigger jerk thinking she would wait for me. She says she doesn’t need me in her life now. But one look into her luscious eyes and at that pregnant belly, And I know…I will do all it takes to make her mine.  Take My Breath Away One night would change everything…affect our families…our own livesThe feelings buried inside for so long…suddenly coming to life! She was my childhood friendI didn’t know if I loved herAnd now I meet her in college againShe’s gorgeous…I can lose myself forever in those big dark eyes and her silky black hair. But, she’s forbidden fruit, our families hate each otherI am a tough talker but I know my family holds a certain control over meAnd I wonder if she worth losing my family over. Graduation was about the cornerWe both had plans…none of them involved staying togetherWe wanted to run and live our dreamsDreams that weren’t supported by anyoneBut, when I hear she’s carrying my

Mary's Competition


Brenda Maxfield - 2021
    

Penny (Curvy Girls Can, #6)


Sadie King - 2020
    So when I get to intern at a leading shoe brand, I think it’s my big break. But I couldn’t have messed it up more if I tried. 
Someone has stolen my designs, and the dashing Mr. Preston is making it hard to concentrate. He’s the CEO, he’s twice my age, and he’s totally out of bounds.

Can I keep my job, my dignity, and my heart, or have I just ruined my whole career before it’s even started?

Kyle
My shoe company is losing money. I should be worried, but all I can think about is the intern, Penny, and her soft curves and the delicate arches of her feet.
But she’s the intern and I won’t exploit my position, no matter how much she begs me to.
Penny is book six in the Curvy Girls Can series. Short, sweet and steamy insta-love stories about women with big curves, big attitudes, and big dreams and the alpha men who are man enough to love them.High heat, oh so sweet, and always with a happily ever after. Each book in the series is a standalone. No cliffhangers.Read less

Unforgettable Power - Love and Intrigue (The Unforgettables Book 11)


Mimi Barbour - 2019
     New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning authors present this romantic suspense seven-book bundle as part of the UNFORGETTABLES SERIES. Stories in this set include: SPECIAL AGENT FRANCESCA by New York Times Bestseller Mimi Barbour. She flies her own plane, fights to win, and drives like a pro - it’s only men who frighten her! REECE by USA Today Bestseller Donna Fasano. Maggie is forced into hiding with a man who is uncertain of her innocence. RUNNING WITH HORSES by USA Today Bestseller Suzanne Jenkins. . Moving horses to the high country comes just in time when Mindy and her coffee date witness murder at a Mojave Desert cafe. SOMEONE TO LOVE by New York Times Bestseller Patrice Wilton. Allison is hiding out at a small town named Heaven. When her stalker returns, can anyone keep her safe? AT RISK by New York Times Bestseller Rebecca York. Can he save them both from a murder charge and save their relationship? SCORPION’S TRAIL by USA Today Bestseller Nancy Radke. . He goes undercover using several disguises, making the woman he is trying to save think she is falling in love with two different men. THE LADY SAID NO by USA Today Bestseller Jacquie Biggar. . The Race is on to find a Killer in the heart of Kentucky horse country.

Jenny Kissed Me!


Thomas Allen - 2014
    She and Jonathan had secretly loved one another in high school, but never shared those feelings except for that one time in the library their senior year. Jenny had impetuously kissed Jonathan—a moment neither forgot. Four decades have passed. Five thousand miles away they meet as strangers on tour in Italy. Will they have the opportunity for a second chance? A clean, wholesome, timeless story , with universal themes built around admirable, charming characters.Some folks are bothered that most love stories seem a bit contrived and have a suspension of belief. They normally label themselves as realists--"not into that fairy-tale stuff." But what better way to deal with the real world, 24/7, than to take a break, experience a lovelier world-- one that transforms the mood and lifts the spirit, giving hope to something better. Although my story is fictional, the magical thing about it is that it could really happen.