Book picks similar to
The Day He Drove By by Elana Johnson


romance
contemporary
contemporary-romance
christian-fiction

Husband Hunting 101


Rita Herron - 1998
    So why is she so attracted to the sexy advertising executive she’s hired to design a new ad campaign for her lingerie store? Zachary West knows all the ploys women use to trap a man into marriage and he is not falling for any of them. Worse, Jenna Barrett has made no bones about the fact that she’s on a full-fledge husband hunt – she’s taking a class called How To Get Married Within a Year! Sure, he can’t seem to stop fantasizing about the sexy redhead modeling the sheer teddies she sells. But when images of the beguiling woman in a wedding gown and a long white veil taunt him, he knows he’s in big trouble! Will he be able to overcome his panic attacks at the mention of the M word, or will Jenna have to continue her husband hunt – without him

The Trouble With Eden


Leslie Pike - 2015
    Ever since my marriage ended, I've kept relationships at arm's length.But after meeting stuntman Steven French and staring into his hypnotic eyes, I know I could easily jump into his arms. So I did. Naked. On the beach. Best decision Ever.Now, despite all odds, we're creating our own version of Eden.But just like any garden....this one has a snake.

Love in Tune


Bria Quinlan - 2014
    That is until her star and his slacker buddy go missing. Now nothing will stop her from getting the show back on the road…Not even a broad set of shoulders and a smart mouth. Kyle MacLean has known Melissa was the woman for him for months. Now he has one night to win her over.This is an 8k short story included in the LOL Anthology. Love in Tune is a standalone story that takes place at The Brew Ha Ha.

The Baker's Bodyguard


Lori Ryan - 2013
    But, after her sister was kidnapped, she began to have trouble going anyplace alone. An anxiety attack would start if a stranger asked her what time it was. Before she knew it, she as making up excuses to stay inside. Where things were safe. Zach Harris was going to change all that. The steamy, sexy bodyguard got her into counseling to help her overcome her fears. He went with her everywhere helping her learn to feel safe again.Jesse and Zach both feel the insane chemistry sparking between them. But will there be more than just chemistry for these two? This book alternates between making you laugh and making you hot with its steamy sex scenes as Jesse and Zach navigate their way through New York City.

Sweet Somethings


Barbara Freethy - 2017
     Roman Prescott has always lived his life in the shadows. Being invisible meant staying alive—during his troubled childhood and his years as a soldier. But when an injury sends him back to the small town of Fairhope, he can't hide from his past or the light brought forth by a beautiful pastry chef. Having lost her parents at a young age, Juliette Adams has had her share of tragedy, but now she fills her days making sweet desserts in her bakery and trying to recapture her happy childhood. Then she meets an attractive, brooding man, who is not only tearing down her old house but might just tear apart her fragile future. She's not interested in the tragic love story she was named after—she wants a love that will lift her up, that will last, and this sexy soldier has one foot out the door. They both know they should ignore the sparks between them, but Valentine's Day fever has lit up the town and old love letters and long-buried secrets keep bringing them together. Can these two wary souls get past their fear of loving and losing to finally win the greatest love of all? If so, what could be sweeter than that?  AUTHOR'S NOTE:  SWEET SOMETHINGS is a full-length standalone novel. But to add a cool twist, it's set in the world of a romantic movie called COFFEE SHOP that is being released on the same day! Both stories (the book and the movie) take place in the same small coastal town, and some of the characters cross over. You can read/watch each separately without missing a beat, as they each have their own independent storylines, but if you'd love to check out both, you'll have even more fun! PRAISE FOR BARBARA FREETHY NOVELS: "Freethy is an expert at creating unforgettable characters." Library Journal "A warm, moving story of the power of love." NYT Bestselling Author Debbie Macomber on Daniel's Gift "A warm and wonderful book about love, family and everything that’s important in life. Irresistible! I loved it!" NYT Bestselling Author Susan Elizabeth Phillips on Ask Mariah "A fabulous, page-turning combination of romance and intrigue. Fans of Nora Roberts and Elizabeth Lowell will love Golden Lies.” — Kristin Hannah "In the tradition of Lavyrle Spencer, gifted author Barbara Freethy creates an irresistible tale of family secrets, riveting adventure and heart-touching romance." NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs on Summer Secrets “Hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages throughout all the twists and turns. Silent Run is powerful romantic intrigue at its best.” — NYT Bestselling Author JoAnn Ross on Silent Run “If you love nail-biting suspense and heartbreaking emotion, Silent Run belongs on the top of your to-be-bought list. I could not turn the pages fast enough.” — NYT Bestselling Author Mariah Stewart “Barbara Freethy writes with bright assurance, exploring the bonds of sisterhood and the excitement of blue water sailing. SUMMER SECRETS is a lovely novel.” — NYT Bestselling Author Luanne Rice

Love's Healing Power (New Beginnings Book 1)


Margaret Daley - 2019
    She’d always wanted a large family, but that dream was shattered when her fiancé was murdered while volunteering in South America. Peter “Mac” MacPherson, a former football superstar, had dealt with his own tragedies—the deaths of his father followed by his wife while she was giving birth to their daughter. His faith sustained him through his grief, but can he help Tess believe again in God and finally find a family—with him?

Find Me, Save Me


Barbara Gee - 2015
    In an effort to end their standoff and regain control of his lucrative criminal enterprises, Jimmy plots to abduct Tuck’s sister. He hopes to use her to get the tireless agent to finally back off. Although Tuck manages to keep Libby safe from his enemy’s clutches, her best friend pays the price. Now Maddy’s life depends on Tuck. Madison Harper has been fascinated by her friend’s older brother ever since seeing photos of him in Libby’s apartment and learning that he works as a federal agent. Given her close friendship with Libby, Maddy expects she will some day meet Tucker Simon. What she doesn't expect is to need him. When Maddy is accidentally drawn into the dark schemes of Jimmy Callahan, her chances of survival are slim. As she faces almost certain death at the hands of a man bent on revenge, she prays for Tuck to find her. But time is running out, and Jimmy isn't going to make it easy. It should have never come to this—Madison should not have been made to suffer at the hands of his enemy. As Tuck fights to rescue the most courageous woman he’s ever known and keep her safe from further harm, he’s also fighting his own sense of guilt. As she heals and his feelings for her become stronger, Tuck is forced to reevaluate the path of his life. He thought he had it all mapped out, but Madison Harper is changing everything. He can only trust that God will lead him where he is meant to go. He finds her—he saves her—dare he love her? Note: While this is a Christian themed book, the story is also intended to be as realistic as possible. The "bad guy" does swear at times. This is not meant to offend readers.

Stardust


Mimi Strong - 2013
    I would have ripped him a new one, but he was hot. Like I-want-to-have-your-sexy-babies-now hot.I feel like I know him, because I stare at his gorgeous face on TV every week. Dalton Deangelo. In the firm, sculpted flesh. Have I mentioned how hot he is? My panties practically flew right off.Now he wants to get to know me. I can't say no to that face ... or those captivating green eyes.I'm just a regular girl, and he's rich and famous with no body fat. So, why is he chasing me? And what is this secret of his the reporters are trying to uncover?I try to keep my eyes wide open. I've made terrible, stupid mistakes in the past. But Dalton Deangelo's touch turns me to Jell-O.

Second Glances


Elena Aitken - 2014
    Will she finally see what was always in front of her?When Kylie Wilson receives a mysterious invitation for an all expenses paid trip to a tropical, all inclusive resort, there's no doubt in her mind who it came from—Marcus Stone, the only man she ever thought she'd loved. The same man who'd promised her forever and then promptly left town to pursue his dream without so much as a backward glance. Kylie owes it to herself to take a chance and despite her conflicted feelings, she decides to risk her heart again and before she can talk her way out of it—is jetting toward the island of Eden and the man she hopes will finally fill the void in her life. But when she arrives, and it's not Marcus who greets her at all, but his much sexier twin brother, Malcolm. Kylie’s more confused then ever. But on an island that is supposed to 'know exactly what you need', can Kylie open her body, mind, and more importantly—her heart to the idea that sometimes in love you have to take Second Glances?

Brody's Redemption


Kay Stockham - 2006
    Ex-con. Joe Brody has been called a lot of things. Some true. Some not. But now that he's out of prison and back in his hometown his focus is getting a job and a home for his ill father to convalesce. Easier said than done when no one will hire him. Ashley Cade has a teething toddler and lives with an elderly man as part of an agreement she made to buy his house. Complicated? Not as much as it sounds. Wilson is a dear and his huge Victorian a gem in the rough. The lonely old man even recommends a friend's son as a handyman to help with the repairs and finally Ashley is making progress. And Joe? Joe is... intriguing to say the least. But when the police chief tracks Joe down and Ashley discovers the truth, everything changes. Wilson swears Joe is innocent. Joe swears he's innocent. But the evidence says otherwise and she doesn't know who to believe when her future business--and her child's life--are at stake....

You Belong with Me


Shannon Guymon - 2013
    She's a burned out social worker one step away from a major depression and she needs a fresh start. When she and her sisters Kit and Jane inherit their grandmother's bakery, she doesn't know if she can trust her good fortune or not. Life has taught her that happiness is just an illusion. But the chance to be with her sisters and get away from the heart ache and pain she's faced day in and day out is a chance she's going to take. The fact that they don't know anything about running a bakery won't stop them. With Layla's new life, come new connections and friendships including Michael Bender, a single dad and someone who wouldn't mind getting to know Layla better. She doesn't trust men and she doesn't want to change her mind but Michael's little girl Stella grabs her by the heart and won't let go. When Layla and her sisters realize that there are people who want to see them fail, it will take a lot of heart and courage to keep going. Layla will have to let go of the past in order to grab onto the future if she'll ever find the love she needs.

I Pick You


Eryn Scott - 2021
    Magnolia Parker loves botany, but became a professor mostly to make her parents happy. When she’s passed up for tenure, Maggie decides it’s time to make a change. Escaping the city, she finds herself in the idyllic town of Plumb Creek staring at a For Sale sign in a flower shop that shares her name. It must be destiny. Maggie goes all in. Being a florist should be easy for a professor of botany. Right? Boy, is she wrong. Before she even opens shop, she’s angered half the town. After her first customer leaves in a huff, she realizes a botany degree isn’t going to cut it. Enter Grant Sommers, hot local entrepreneur who has the town in his back pocket. He’s willing to help turn the shop around, if Maggie will listen. As much as she wants this to work, she fears she’ll never be able to loosen the town’s tight-knit roots enough to be accepted.It’s time for Maggie to pick her own path, even if it means disappointing everyone else.

Before That Promise


Violet Duke - 2016
    Hell, she's the very definition of the girl-next-door do-gooder. And while he is officially classified as a white hat hacker by the suit-wearing folks who keep track of that sort of thing, no one would ever say that hat of his is exactly pristine.So when Skylar's arrival at his doorstep--on the roughest night of the year for him every year--leads to a downright memorable hotel mishap, an impromptu winter road trip, and the discovery of a secret that could change how she sees him forever, Drew is convinced the universe is on some kind of convoluted mission to thaw his cold, jaded heart....Because, lordy, they've certainly sent in a ringer to get the job done right.AUTHOR NOTE: Before That Promise is a quick & emotional, short & sweet crossover novella starring two of my favorite secondary characters -- Skylar Sullivan from my Can't Resist series, all grown up, and Drew Lawson from my Cactus Creek series, as swoonworthy as ever (no worries, you don't have to have read either of those series).There's a HFN (happily-for-now) ending, with the second book in this duet (Every Promise Unspoken) picking up a few years down the line for this utterly meant to be couple. **Note that Book Two will be released after Violet's medical prognosis improves (she's undergoing aggressive new treatments to combat the worsening condition of her two failing organs). We're hopeful that these treatments take and she'll be able to return to work at least partially by the summer. Updates will be available on her website and social media pages.The UNFINISHED LOVE SeriesFour brothers. Each fighting for their second first chance at love. Years be damned.

It's In His Heart


Shelly Alexander - 2015
    He has a scandal. And they both have an attraction they can’t deny. Ella Dennings is furious. Soaking wet, muddy, and furious. All she wants is to enjoy a quiet summer retreat in her Red River Valley cabin. Maybe she can finish healing after the death of her husband, Bradley. Maybe she can even finish writing that third book in her anonymously written bestselling series. But when she arrives at the cabin in a raging rainstorm, who does she find holed up there but Cooper Wells, Bradley’s sexy best friend—a man capable of seducing women within seconds—and a man Ella has never liked.Coop’s got his own baggage. He’s engulfed in a nasty legal battle, and after selling his home to cover his legal fees, he’s got nowhere to go but the cabin. He and Ella will just have to coexist under one roof...but is their heated animosity boiling over into attraction? And when Ella’s racy new book rocks the sleepy town, will her secret identity spell scandal for both of them?

Always a Bridesmaid


Lizzie Shane - 2016
    He's all business. Parvati Jai knows better than to pin any romantic hopes on Max Dewitt. She may have had a crush on her best friend's older brother since she figured out what boys were good for, but she's looking for Mister Forever - not a workaholic entrepreneur with a romantic attention span that tops out at two weeks. Yet with her business failing, her newly-engaged best friend vanishing into a love bubble, and even her teenage niece announcing she's getting married, Max becomes the one person she can rely on - and the idea of a little fling with him becomes even more tempting. Max knows his little sister's best friend is off-limits...until Parvati confesses she once had a crush on him and he can't help seeing her in a new - and very intriguing - light. He's never been good at letting people past his charming facade, but something about Parvati makes him want to let down his defenses. But even if he lets himself fall for her, how can he convince a woman who knows all about his love-'em-and-leave-'em ways that he finally wants forever?