Book picks similar to
Lurking in the Woods by Anne Stryker


fantasy
romance-not-interested
arc
romance

Snow White & the Huntsman


Evan Daugherty - 2012
    Snow White is the only person in the land fairer than the evil queen who is out to destroy her. But what the wicked ruler never imagined is that the young woman threatening her reign has been training in the art of war with a huntsman who was dispatched to kill her.

Finding Beauty in the Beast


Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee - 2018
    After being spurned and humiliated for the last time, the princes forces every eligible man to present a gift to her under pain of death. The man who brings her the best gift will be chosen as her husband. When Corbin presents his gift, he hopes that his simple offering will keep him safely overlooked. All he wants is to return to his quiet life as a blacksmith away from forbidding castles and beastly princesses. But love works in mysterious ways, and it all starts with a rose...

The Rose Master


Valentina Cano - 2014
    But that's hardly the most upsetting news. She's being dismissed from the home she's served at since she was a child, and shipped off to become the newly hired parlor maid for a place she's never heard of. And when she sees the run-down, isolated house, she instantly knows why:There's something wrong with Rosewood Manor.Staffed with only three other servants, all gripped by icy silence and inexplicable bruises, and inhabited by a young master who is as cold as the place itself, the house is shrouded in neglect and thick with fear. Her questions are met with hushed whispers, and she soon finds herself alone in the empty halls, left to tidy and clean rooms no one visits.As the feeling of being watched grows, she begins to realize there is something else in the house with them--some creature that stalks the frozen halls and claws at her door. A creature that seems intent on harming her.When a fire leaves Anne trapped in the manor with its Master, she finally demands to know why. But as she forces the truth about what haunts the grounds from Lord Grey, she learns secrets she isn't prepared for. The creature is very real, and she's the only one who can help him stop it. Now, Anne must either risk her life for the young man she's grown to admire, or abandon her post while she still can.

Dragon's Guardian


Ava Richardson - 2020
    If she fails, she’ll be barred from her dream of joining the Dragon Guard. Normal life is impossible for Prince Kai Afkarr-Younger who has been stuck in his dragon form for two years. Unable to shift, he fears his draconian instincts could overwhelm him. Could he lose control of his magic as well?Meanwhile, a sickness is spreading through the land and new monsters are terrorizing Alveria. Mari and Kai might be the only people who can stop it. But a secret connection to the beasts could tear Mari and Kai apart. If the Alverian council finds out, their bond could be forcibly broken, but if they can’t stop the sickness it could already be too late. Can they save their bond and stop Alveria from falling into chaos?Queen of the Dragons Ava Richardson invites you to immerse yourself in a dragon-filled world with epic magic, fearless heroes and, at its heart, the deep bond between dragon and rider.

Lost in the Never Woods


Aiden Thomas - 2021
    It's been five years since Wendy and her two brothers went missing in the woods, but when the town’s children start to disappear, the questions surrounding her brothers’ mysterious circumstances are brought back into light. Attempting to flee her past, Wendy almost runs over an unconscious boy lying in the middle of the road, and gets pulled into the mystery haunting the town.Peter, a boy she thought lived only in her stories, claims that if they don't do something, the missing children will meet the same fate as her brothers. In order to find them and rescue the missing kids, Wendy must confront what's waiting for her in the woods.

The Dragon Prince: A Fairytale


Anna Santos - 2018
    A maiden with an attitude and fairies sidekicks. A powerful witch who doesn't want the curse to be broken. What can possibly go wrong? In the Diamond Kingdom lives a cursed prince whose mood swings influence the weather. The constant winter makes living there almost unbearable. Yet, no one can leave since they are all as cursed as their prince. Each year a maiden is chosen to be sent to the Diamond Palace. The people hope that she ends the curse that plagues their kingdom and afflicts their prince. This year, it's Claire's turn. Everybody expects her to succeed where others have failed. Included her best friend and her parents. But the cold prince presents himself a bigger challenge than she expected, and the one who cursed the prince doesn't like to play by the rules.

The TruthSeer Archives: Complete series


Mike Shelton - 2018
    While struggling to control her new power and curb the pain she learns a powerful truth that could thrust an entire continent into civil war.The stones of power protect the five kingdoms of Wayland - and have done so for two hundred years. Now those stones are failing and a dark power threatens to take control. With the help of her brother, and a young thief, Shaeleen sets out on a dangerous journey to gather and restore the power of all the stones.Will she succeed before the endless lies destroy her? Readers of YA fantasy, unique magic, mighty wizards, reluctant heroes, coming of age, and sword and sorcery will thoroughly enjoy the TruthSeer Archives!

Kingdom of Ash and Briars


Hannah West - 2016
    An ancient breed of immortal magic beings, elicromancers have been winnowed down to merely two - now three - after centuries of bloody conflict in the realm. Their gifts are fraught with responsibility, and sixteen-year-old Bristal is torn between two paths. Should she vow to seek the good of the world, to protect and serve mortals? Or should she follow the strength of her power, even if it leads to unknown terrors? She draws on her ability to disguise herself as a man to infiltrate a prince's band of soldiers, and masquerades as a fairy godmother to shield a cursed princess, but time is running out. As an army of dark creatures grows closer, Bristal faces a supernatural war. To save the kingdoms, Bristal must find the courage to show her true form.Building on homages to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Jane Austen’s Emma and the Chinese legend of Hua Mulan, Hannah West makes a spectacular debut.

Echoes and Empires


Morgan Rhodes - 2022
    So when she’s caught up in a robbery gone wrong at the Queen’s Gala and infected by a dangerous piece of magic—one that allows her to step into the memories of an infamously evil warlock—she finds herself living her worst nightmare. Joss needs the magic removed before it corrupts her soul and kills her. But in Ironport, the cost of doing magic is death, and seeking help might mean scheduling her own execution. There’s nobody she can trust.Nobody, that is, except wanted criminal Jericho Nox, who offers her a deal: his help extracting the magic in exchange for the magic itself. And though she’s not thrilled to be working with a thief, especially one as infuriating (and infuriatingly handsome) as Jericho, Joss is desperate enough to accept. But Jericho is nothing like Joss expects. The closer she grows with Jericho and the more she sees of the world outside her pampered life in the city, the more Joss begins to question the beliefs she’s always taken for granted—beliefs about right and wrong, about power and magic, and even about herself.In an empire built on lies, the truth may be her greatest weapon.

Coral


Sara Ella - 2019
    Worse yet, she fears she has been afflicted with the dreaded Disease, said to be carried by humans—emotions. Can she face the darkness long enough to surface in the light?Above the sea, Brooke has nothing left to give. Depression and anxiety have left her feeling isolated. Forgotten. The only thing she can rely on is the numbness she finds within the cool and comforting ocean waves. If only she weren’t stuck at Fathoms—a new group therapy home that promises a second chance at life. But what’s the point of living if her soul is destined to bleed?Merrick may be San Francisco’s golden boy, but he wants nothing more than to escape his controlling father. When his younger sister’s suicide attempt sends Merrick to his breaking point, escape becomes the only option. If he can find their mom, everything will be made right again—right?When their worlds collide, all three will do whatever it takes to survive, and Coral might even catch a prince in the process. But what—and who—must they leave behind for life to finally begin?Taking a new twist on Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved—yet tragic—fairy tale, Coral explores mental health from multiple perspectives, questioning what it means to be human in a world where humanity often seems lost.

Nameless


Jennifer Jenkins - 2015
    Raven. Wolf. Ram.Four clans. One destiny.Seventeen-year-old Zo is a Wolf and a Healer who volunteers to infiltrate the Ram as a spy on behalf of the allied clans. She offers herself as a Ram slave, joining the people who are called the “Nameless.” Hers is a suicide mission thought to enable her to seek revenge for the death of her parents and an end to her own misery.But after Zo’s younger sister follows her into Rams Gate, Zo must find a way to survive and keep her safe.When Zo finds unexpected friendship in a young Ram whose life she saves, growing feelings for a Ram soldier, and an underground Nameless insurrection, she learns that revenge, loyalty and love are more complicated than she ever imagined in the first installment of this electrifying fantasy series.

Strict


Hannah Ford - 2019
    The kind of place where women fall to their knees, call men sir, and get lashed with a belt. Gage Stratford. Dark, damaged, cold-blooded and gorgeous, with secrets so deep you could drown. He touched me that night, made me feel things that excited and terrified me in equal measure. When I turned up at my internship the next day, I was shocked to find he was my new boss. My billionaire boss was the one who had made me feel like I couldn’t help but fall to my knees and do whatever he commanded. He says he can’t stay away from me. That he needs to make me his submissive, to take me over his desk, to punish me and make me his. But our horrific pasts have made us who we are, and to get close to him means to crack each other open and expose the very things we’ve worked so hard to bury. And when our secrets come out, not only our love but also our lives will be on the line -- leaving us bound together forever, or destroyed and shattered beyond repair. Being together isn’t an option. But staying apart is impossible….

The Angel Trilogy (The Complete Collection)


Kimberly Soto - 2016
     When Evan Young walks into Abigale Hayes’s life she falls; mind, body, and soul for the man she thinks he is, having no idea that the secrets he holds in his hands will destroy the girl she is. Abby must decide how the truth will affect the relationship that has her craving more with every breath she takes and how she will take revenge into her own hands. Evan will die to protect Abby and will kill for her too. The events that unfold will change who Abigale is forever. My Demons:Book Two Abigale Hayes has had many things ripped from her life. She‘s been broken and emotionally left to die in the darkness she’s been living in for far too long. Love finds Abby is ways she hadn't imagined would ever be possible, but so do lies and betrayal. Abby will be put in a position to protect the one man she loves and has realized without a doubt she will love forever. Evan’s love for Abby will take him to a whole new depth of darkness and dealing with those that want the love of his life for themselves will be the end of Evan and Abby. Or will it? Our Sins:Book Three My name is Abigale Hayes. My story has been brutal thus far, but brutal is nothing I haven’t felt my entire life. I love Evan Young. He’s everything to me. There are monsters waiting, lurking, and ready to pounce. I seriously recommend you’re careful who you choose to trust. I wasn’t. I’m Evan Young. I love her, I want to keep her safe and happy. I’m failing on both . I’ve chosen to bring her into a life filled with evil. I should let her go, but I can’t, I won’t. She’s mine and I’m hers, end of. Until oblivion it is…

Five Second Rule: A Bad Boy Romance


Luke Splendor - 2019
    Six foot two of delicious Marine, Thank God. Because when the shop gets robbed, He protects me. Kyle is one of the good guys. And so damned hot. He’s the right man but at the wrong time, Because my brother needs me. I can’t get involved right now. Kyle Mmm, I’ll bet she tastes as sweet as her name . . . And I’m gonna find out. No matter what it takes. I’ll fight off the bad guys. Protect her from harm. Because this blonde bombshell is exactly what I need. What's the saying about a five second rule? If I lick her, can I keep her? Five Second Rule is a full length stand alone bad boy romance featuring an irresistibly charming Marine. No cheating, no cliffhangers and a sweet as candy HEA.

Girls Made of Snow and Glass


Melissa Bashardoust - 2017
    She never guessed that her father cut out her heart and replaced it with one of glass. When she moves to Whitespring Castle and sees its king for the first time, Mina forms a plan: win the king’s heart with her beauty, become queen, and finally know love. The only catch is that she’ll have to become a stepmother.Fifteen-year-old Lynet looks just like her late mother, and one day she discovers why: a magician created her out of snow in the dead queen’s image, at her father’s order. But despite being the dead queen made flesh, Lynet would rather be like her fierce and regal stepmother, Mina. She gets her wish when her father makes Lynet queen of the southern territories, displacing Mina. Now Mina is starting to look at Lynet with something like hatred, and Lynet must decide what to do—and who to be—to win back the only mother she’s ever known…or else defeat her once and for all.Entwining the stories of both Lynet and Mina in the past and present, Girls Made of Snow and Glass traces the relationship of two young women doomed to be rivals from the start. Only one can win all, while the other must lose everything—unless both can find a way to reshape themselves and their story.