Book picks similar to
Riley's Retribution by T.L. Hodel


novellas-short-reads
new-adult
contemporary
annoying-heroine

The Single Dad and the Country Girl


EmKay Connor - 2020
    He’s finally got time to focus on business, except he finds himself falling in love—and not just with his adorable baby girl. Thanks to Joelle, Wheeler finally understands the meaning of family. Can he convince the love-shy country girl to turn just-for-now into forever-and-always?Sometimes what a single dad needs most is the right girl…*****Each book in That Girl and the Single Dad series is a standalone romance featuring a different single dad, adorable baby, and the special woman who falls in love with both of them. Fans of over the top, insta-love, escape reads, and the opposites-attract trope will love this sexy sassy contemporary romance.

Fallin' For a Detroit Rydah


Londyn Lenz - 2019
    A successful business, wealth, and a beautiful baby girl. The only area in her life that she seemed to be lacking in was romance. Although she and Mendesses—her drag racing baby father—does a great job co-parenting they didn’t work well as a couple. Instead of focusing on love, she hustles and put all of her energy into taking care of her daughter and building her business. That is, until the charming and extremely handsome Lamont Morehouse sweeps her off her feet. Lamont grew up on the mean streets of Detroit, but because his parents saw so much potential in him, they relocated to Atlanta Georgia before he could get himself into something he couldn’t get out of. Luckily, getting Lamont out of the hood took him down another path in life. Ultimately, though, Lamont ends up right back in Detroit, but this time, instead of breaking the law, he’s enforcing it as an undercover cop. Mendesses has been running the game in underground racing for years. As the undisputed champ, quitting is the furthest thing from his mind. He’s determined to keep his championship status despite a few things lurking, threatening to compromise his livelihood. Karisma is just as beautiful and ambitious as her best friend. Tahiry, Like Tahiry, Karisma is single, but she’s ready to mingle. She has her eye on the young, money getting street racer, James but unlike most, she’s a little soft spoken about it. Luckily for Karisma, fate pushes the two together eventually. But old habits die hard and Danielle is definitely James old habit. Collins, Karisma's out of town cousin, is fresh out of a relationship and isn’t interested in starting anything new, anytime soon. She relocated to Michigan, in search of a fresh start, definitely not a new love. But when she meets the intriguing, and slick talking Mendesses, everything changes. Despite her greatest efforts, Collins ends up falling hard for him. What started out as a good year for this group of friends drastically takes a turn for the worst when a snake infiltrates the crew. Brace yourself as Londyn Lenz takes you on yet another wild journey laced with drama, deceit, lies and bloodshed.

Second Chance with the Girl Dad


Elsie James - 2021
    She’s the one who got away.LillianAt thirty-four I thought I’d have children of my own by now, but it seems it wasn’t in the cards for me. Thankfully, I have my students, and teaching them is more than just a job, it’s my calling. But between my classroom, my wild roommate, and caring for my aging dog, there isn’t much time left for love. When a new student puts me in touch with an old flame, my lesson plans are out the window. Ezra is tall, handsome, and he just might be my perfect pick.I want to open my heart to him and his little girl, but can I trust that this time he’ll choose me?EzraBeing a single father, and taking a landscaping job at a local brewery isn’t what I planned for my life. But all the late nights and co-parenting struggles are worth it because out of this beautiful mess came my perfect little girl. When a move back to my hometown brings me in contact with the one who got away, everything goes paws up. Lillian is sweet, sexy, and I want to teach her that old dogs can learn new tricks.But can I convince her that this time we will be forever?

Meeting His Match


Tia Souders - 2019
    Can their fake relationship turn into the real thing?  As the notorious author of Single In the City, Marti McBride's entire identity is wrapped up in her solo status. But when her ratings plummet, she is forced to make a change. And her boss just so happens to think a boyfriend is the way to do it.Enter Doctor Logan Love. He's the founder of the charity Hidden Heartbeat and desperately needs the funds to take it nationwide. So after two chance run-ins with the wildly popular and nationally syndicated columnist, Marti McBride, he proposes a fake relationship. Okay, more like he blackmails her into one. Same difference. There's only one little problem. Both of them start to fall, and Marti has her own agenda he knows nothing about.Can they turn a fake relationship into love?

Ellie (Curvy Girls Can, #5)


Sadie King - 2020
    I’ve had a crush on him ever since I can remember. 
But this body wasn’t made to run. The training is grueling, the other runners are mean, and every time I see Brennan I’m hot and sweaty, and not in a good way. 
But I’m determined to finish, no matter what the cost. 
BrennanI’m back from the military to look after Mom, and I’m at a loose end. When I set up a charity fun run in Dad’s memory, one of the perks is getting to spend time training with Ellie Smith.
She’s smart, she’s funny, and she may just be running away with my heart.
Ellie is book five 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.

Darling Little Things in Pretty Beach


Polly Babbington - 2021
    

Curves By Demand: Big Girls Love Bad Boys: (A BBW Romance)


Summer Rose - 2021
    

Keeping the Playboy's Baby


Ava Storm - 2021
    

Smooches


Susan Renee - 2021
    You know, the kind that are made with pictures ripped from magazines with special notes about your life goals or biggest wishes. (Mine of course, is covered in glitter!) As a single mom, it’s hard to put my dreams and goals first, but I made my list. 1. Finally finish my degree 2. Learn how to cook new recipes. 3. Travel outside of Washington state. 4. Buy myself something that makes me feel desirable. 5. Find real, honest-to-goodness-rip-your-heart-out-and-hand-it-to-someone-love. The realist in me knows that last one is a bit far-fetched, but when an old college friend shows up in my driveway offering me something I can’t refuse, my mind starts wondering if maybe that last goal could be attainable after all.He’s kind, compassionate, strong, helpful, and attractive. All positive attributes of a great man. There’s just one problem. He’s my Ex’s best friend.

Cheers to the Mountain Man: a short holiday mountain man instalove romance (Holidays with a Mountain Man)


Kate Tilney - 2021
    

Kisses Over Eggnog


M.L. Preston - 2021
    I on the other hand see it and him as nothing more than an annoyance and inconvenience.All I wanted was to make my famous eggnog and enjoy my first Texas Christmas in peace. Imagine my surprise when said asshole shows up at my neighbor’s Christmas Party. And now he wants to date me. I should turn him down, but how could I when I’m so damn attracted to him.Caleb O’NeilWho would have thought a fight over a pesky bottle of whiskey would lead to me finding the woman of my dreams. Shani is drop-dead gorgeous, curvy in all the right places, educated, and feisty—a deadly combination to any man with a pulse. And now, I’m pretty sure she hates my guts. But color me surprised when I arrive at the holiday festivities to find the ballsy New Yorker standing in the center of my brother’s living room. She would have liked for me to leave well enough alone, but when I want someone, I won’t stop until she’s mine. Six days is all I need to convince her to be mine forever. I expect her to decline, but she shocks us both when she accepts. So, let the wooing begin.KISSES OVER EGGNOG is a stand-alone, BWWM Christmas romance complete with a HEA. This book contains mature content and is suited for readers 18+.

First Pitch Swinging


Linda Fausnet - 2021
    I grew up idolizing those players, and I ached to wear the orange and black, representing my hometown and playing the game I love.But the team doesn’t want me.I’m one of the hottest players in Major League Baseball, but the Baltimore owner thinks I’m too much of a risk. All because I drink too much and might have trashed a hotel room or two in my day.Everybody thinks getting married means you’ve “settled down.”I figure I need a wife if I’m ever gonna have a chance at playing for the Bay Birds.I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that woman who poured hot coffee on me the day we met. Sweet, beautiful, and stable medical school student, Lyric Rivers. Future doctor.Also known as the future Mrs. Brady Keaton.First Pitch Swinging is the first book in a new, steamy sports romance series. No cliffhangers, lots of humor and heart, and a sexy HEA.

Playing with the Enemy


Madison Wright - 2019
    Tall, Dark and Douchey is causing me all kinds of problems... Working 3 jobs while at college and struggling to maintain my GPA, I crashed pretty hard. The result. I’m being punished and I have to share a room with the biggest name and hearth-throb on campus. The trouble: • He’s the burning hot, bad-boy superstar of the football team • Biggest sports star on campus and even bigger jerk • Sexy as hell My only problem, I’m a SUCKER for a bad boy and damn if his dominant attitude isn’t skin tingling. And now he sleeps on a bed only a few feet from mine! One game day with him and my life changes forever. Will I be able to make it through this semester with my GPA and dignity intact?…

Hot Fake: Friends-to-Lovers Pregnancy Romance (Loving You Again)


Sofia Finn - 2021
    Don’t get knocked up.When I bumped into my chiseled hot-bod best friend after fifteen years, I knew I was doomed. He probably thought I was a hot mess.30s, unmarried, and still stuck in this boring small town.But then came his offer:Pretend to be his wife for two months.He gets his massive inheritance.I get a chance to make my ex jealous.Win-win. He told me that true love doesn't exist.But I believe in happily-ever-after.The moment he says “I do” and claims me with those piercing ocean blue eyes,I know playing it cool with him is not gonna be easy.Now with a little “surprise” popping out in nine months, this fake marriage is about to get pretty damn real…

The Smallest Moments


Jamie Bennett - 2021